Clover, inspecting the front porch of her new goat house.
I know. I said front porch. Of course Clover’s new goat house will have a front porch. Of course!
And of course Clover likes to call the new goat house her chalet.
The partially framed area on the right (below) will be the enclosed portion of the goat house. There, Clover and her babies will shelter from the winter cold, munch on hay and tell stories late into the night before emerging each dawn to romp in the snow.
The area to the left will be their front porch.
Clover will sit here of a morning, sipping hot tea and gazing upon the pretty view, knitting booties and blankies for her spring delivery.
The goat house is being framed out of landscaping posts that were on sale a while back. There will be a couple of windows and a door. Clover is already picking out curtains. She’s thinking of going with a floral theme, burgundies and sage greens.
She’s also planning to lock Coco out of her new house. She might, maybe, let her sit on the porch. But only if Coco behaves. And shares her cookies. But at night? No more sharing quarters with the giant puppy. Coco will have the night pen and the doghouse all to herself.
Hammering and nailing was a little too much excitement for the giant pup. Banned from the construction site for troublemaking beyond the call of duty, Coco worked on guarding the old cutup hose that had been placed in her charge. She loves this old hose. It keeps her from bothering the real hose.
Sometimes it tries to get away from her.
Whew. She wrestled it back under control. Good job, Coco!!!!
Back in the goat yard, the goats remained quite involved in the construction process.
Curious about bags of nails…..
…and tape measures and hammers…..
….and testing, er, licking, the materials for quality assurance.
Overall, they seemed quite pleased with the latest progress.
Nutmeg likes to show off her ballet moves when she’s excited.
Not to be outdone, and still excited about her curtains, Clover showed her little whippersnapper how a pro does it.
Like this.
And like that.
And….
Seriously, if she keeps this up, I’m not going to be able to resist getting her some ruffled pantaloons.
Well. You know. She’ll need something to keep in her closet. With her hats.
(More construction pics to come as the goat chalet progresses!)
Amy says:
Your goat house has a front porch. Too funny. I’m sure Clover and her babies (and all those cookies) will be very happy in the goat house, uh, chalet with the front porch.
Do chalets have porches?
Coco will be very lonely, though.
On November 8, 2008 at 2:25 am
Grace says:
Nutmeg and Clover are so cute!
On November 8, 2008 at 2:37 am
jan-n'-tn says:
They are too cute for words. Clover can still ‘cut-a-rug’ when she wants to. CLOVER the cha-cha-ing goat. She is just excited about the new front porch, I’m sure you can relate to that.
On November 8, 2008 at 5:23 am
The Jillybean says:
What a great project! I love that it has a front porch.
On November 8, 2008 at 7:47 am
Dru says:
What’s the rent on the new goat chalet? I love it.
On November 8, 2008 at 8:11 am
Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife says:
Lucky, lucky goats. A house with a view. As for those ballet moves, you can imagine how surprised I was when I saw a COW doing that.
– Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
On November 8, 2008 at 8:19 am
beth says:
I think I’m getting closer to being able to have goats! Today we are going to the poultry show and buying some chickens! First step chickens….next step ND goats!!! 😆
On November 8, 2008 at 8:32 am
Shirley says:
:rotfl: Too funny! Suzanne, you should write childrens books.Those are some lucky goats.
On November 8, 2008 at 9:27 am
Lena says:
Sounds like Clover has wonderful taste if she’s planning a burgundy and sage theme. They are so cute – as is Coco with her big green “snake.”
On November 8, 2008 at 9:49 am
Becky says:
Love those pictures, Suzanne.
Can’t wait to see the pantaloons!
On November 8, 2008 at 10:20 am
Matthew Burns says:
OMG! This is one of the funniest posts I have ever read! I just love Clover!!!
On November 8, 2008 at 10:40 am
Suzette says:
“Clover will sit here of a morning, sipping hot tea and gazing upon the pretty view, knitting booties and blankies for her spring delivery.”
Is this a formal announcement? Do we have baby goats on the way already? (I obviously have NO idea how long it takes to make a baby goat.)
Such happy goats!
I never thought of giving my supremely destructive granddog a length of garden hose. We have lots of that around here. What a great idea!
On November 8, 2008 at 11:01 am
Donna says:
hahahahah
That was the CUTEST little story Suzanne! LOL I LOVED it and the pictures!! I think Clover is really the MOST excited about her new house, because now Coco won’t be sleeping on top of her – I mean who knows! That one time Coco was HANGING on top of her in the goat yard…she may have liked that so much, she just sleeps on top of her at night. LOL
She needs a wrap around leotard and some pink tights and pink toe shoes! 
Hey!! They have a PIE PORCH…i.e. COOKIE PORCH!!! Sipping hot tea – LOL They were so cute, inspecting and Coco playing with her cut up hose – cracks me up how they are so entertained like little kids with an empty paper towel cardboard thing…they are all such characters!!!! I love animals like children! (but then I don’t have children LOL).
I think Clover wants a Too Too and some point shoes, to practice her ballet – I used to take ballet – I could give her lessons!
On November 8, 2008 at 11:02 am
Annie says:
Love Clover’s ballet moves. She is very talented.
Are the landscape timbers treated? Are the goats still licking them? It raised a red flag in my brain, but maybe it isn’t a concern?
On November 8, 2008 at 11:03 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Annie, yes, the wood is treated, but most of it will be covered up later when the goat house is completed. They tend to get excited about new things and check them out, then lose interest anyway!
Suzette, no, she’s not knocked up yet! We’re planning on it, though.
On November 8, 2008 at 11:06 am
Claudia W. says:
What a great goat house! I may have to have one of those built for ME out here! I would be as excited as Clover and maybe even do a little ballet myself.
You all are so talented there!
On November 8, 2008 at 11:28 am
catslady says:
It reminds me of the “shed” my neighbor built – with curtains and flower boxes – I wouldn’t mind moving in myself lol.
On November 8, 2008 at 12:57 pm
hayseed says:
Wow, Clover and her babies are very lucky goats, no wonder they’re dancing!
On November 8, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Linda Colbaugh says:
PAAAALLLLEEEESSSSEEEE !!!!
I thought I was going nutzo mit da recipes. But (BEHOLD !!) there is MORE you need to share with me (us)!
I want the constructions plans (detailed, please) on how to do the chalet. Be sure to keep it VERY detailed (as are the recipes) since I don’t have a 52 to assist.
Yours looks doable – and I already have the tools to work with I REALLY think I could do it, leaning on your plans of course.
Whaddua think?
On November 8, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Tori Lennox says:
I think Clover needs to be on next season’s Dancing with the Stars. She can dance at least as well as Cloris Leachman. *g*
On November 8, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Estella says:
Wow!
That is going to be one nice goat chalet!
On November 8, 2008 at 4:37 pm
TeresaH says:
I can see Clover in a pink tutu with a shimmering tiara!
On November 8, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Susan says:
The people at the General Store are going to enjoy showing Clover all around the store! :sheepjump:
On November 8, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Wendy says:
Just found your site today. Great job. You have a wonderful blog. I will be visiting in the future.
On November 8, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Brandy says:
Spring Delivery? Did I miss something? *g* The goat chalet looks like it will be quite nice!
On November 8, 2008 at 9:24 pm
FringeGirl says:
You’ve got some funny goats! Looks like they’ll have a great house…wish mine had a front porch.
On November 8, 2008 at 9:56 pm
DeeBee says:
OMG! I didn’t think I was going to quit laughing at Clover. Those goats are a hoot!
On November 8, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Lola-Dawn says:
My critters … back in the farming days … never had a front porch. However, the chickens once had a door with a crystal doorknob! Love the photos and dancing goats.
On November 8, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Sunnid755 says:
wow what happy frolicking goats. You are so lucky! And a super cute giant puppy. Thanks for sharing.
On November 9, 2008 at 11:20 am
Shari C says:
Clover definitely likes her new ‘chalet’. I am sure she is anxious to move in with her kids so she can decorate before winter comes. I can understand her not wanting to share with the ‘giant’ puppy.
On November 9, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Mommadog says:
OH They are just tooooooo cute! I love the pictures you post daily….mostly the ones of Clover, Nutmeg, Honey and Coco. I look forward to your posts and pics every day. All the way from Sunny and warm FL. I would love to visit you and the critters. From one animal lover to another. I did not realize that goats could stand up like that….I am so laughing and loving the pics today and the funny posts. You are great! Love you, Mommadog (to 7 doggies)
On January 19, 2009 at 8:38 am