Twelve years ago I won Goldie at a Halloween carnival. It was a rather demanding goldfish, and ate all its subsequent friends, if the blue heron didn't get to them first. Until July, we kept Goldie, and mosquito fish, in the water tanks in the pasture, but we've just moved the goldfish to a delightful sunken bath in the garden. We will be collecting rain water in giant tanks, and treating it with chlorine tablets, before distributing it, fish-free, to the goats.

Future home for future Goldies

This, and other changes on the farm, follows a visit by Dr. Andrea Mongini, our veterinarian and expert on goat breeding practices. Our farm management evolves constantly, but these particular changes take us full circle, back to the early days of the farm. We used to rear the babies in small groups, split between separate pens - the shop used to be a birthing pen... - and we'll return to these very small groups of five to eight babies each. Andrea made it clear that what may seem like a serene field of goats is more like a school playground of teenage girls: queen bees, acolytes, loners and victims. The boss goat may actually prevent weaker goats from feeding, so there'll be more corrals and feeding troughs. We'll raise the babies off the pasture, on grain and hay, away from the domination of older goats. This should provide a strong start for our breeding goats, and it will help us spot viruses - and hermaphroditism - in the new stock. We're also changing ventilation in the "loafing barn" - their covered hanging-out space. You might notice vents in the ceiling and windows on the side, which will improve air flow over the hay. Hope future Goldies won't be lonely, once they've eaten all their friends. No more goat company for them.

When Dee asked if I would accept any awards Harley Farms might win at the American Cheese Society awards ceremony I was honored. I mean sure, geographically I was probably the person at the conference closest to Pescadero, but Harley Farms cheeses are some of my favorite local varieties and Dee Harley is one of my favorite cheese people anywhere.

But it was even a bigger deal than I thought. The ACS awards are moving up in the world. This year, they were in the 'historic' Merle Reskin Theater in downtown Chicago. Stage lighting, big video screen, hundreds of cheese fans, can the Food Network televising this event be far behind?

I had barely gotten into my seat when the Harley Farms name was first called and I got to step onto the stage from which stars such as Peter Falk, Henry Fonda, Uta Hagen, Katharine Hepburn, Dustin Hoffman, Lena Horne, James Earl Jones, Vivien Leigh, Myrna Loy, Joe Mantegna, Geraldine Page, Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone, Jessica Tandy and Studs Terkel performed.

Third place for Fresh, Unripened Goat Cheese for the Harley Ricotta. Bright lights. Applause. Cheers from cheesemakers, other cheesemongers and cheese fans. I was proud to take the stage for Dee but sad she couldn't be there. Then before I could get settled in another award was announced: Third Place for Goat Feta.

That's when I started feeling sheepish. I don't work for Harley; I sell cheese in San Francisco, but everyone was slapping my back and giving me congratulations. I felt like a fraud! Dee, the other Harley folks, and the goats did all the work! I didn't want to get up to accept the next award but my travel companion smacked my head and ordered me to go up.

Third Place in the Marinated Farmstead Goat Cheese category for the Chevre in Oil. I thought to myself, 'My work here must be close to done. How many awards can Dee win?'

The biggest came next. In the Open Farmstead Category, against cheese of any milk, the Monet won first place against all other flavor-added cheeses. That's right, not only is it one of the prettiest cheeses on the market, it was judged as the best for any cheesemaker who uses only milk from their own animals. This is incredibly prestigious in our cheese world. I tried to call Dee from the theater so she could hear the applause but I couldn't get any reception. Sorry, Dee.

I started to get into it with the next award. First Place for Harley Fromage Blanc in the Cultured Goat Cheese category! I got to stand up on stage with two of the best goat cheese people in the country: Jennifer Bice of Redwood Hill and Mary Keehn of Cypress Grove. I pumped my fist and yelled 'Whoo-hoo! California sweep! That wouldn't have sounded the same with Dee's cute little English accent.

What a night for Harley Farms. With over 1100 cheeses entered from all over the US and Canada, little Harley Farms won: First Place: Monet First Place: Fromage Blanc Third Place: Goat Feta Third Place: Chevre in Oil Third Place:Ricotta That's like a ribbon for every 25 goats!

Congratulations Dee!

 

Teeth that could star in Pirates of the Caribbean, a stare to match your mother's, and a malevolent spit?

Fourth of July on the farm was gloriously sunny with a hint of breeze, there was homemade lemonade and watermelon, and families on our special tours brought their hampers and blankets to the pasture.

Another perfect day!

We're just back from my cousin's wedding in Wales. Rachel stayed with us on the farm for five years running when she was younger, and partied with all the local lads. But that was then, and now she's married a Welsh rugby player. My aunt made the dress, and my uncle made the cake, and we all decorated the church hall - simple and gorgeous. I love the fields and hedges of Wales, centuries old, a green and permanent contrast to California's dry season. Speaking of favorite things, we should introduce Teddy. Our local reverend, Wendy, now retired, emailed to ask whether anyone might like a mild-mannered, largish dog, now rather too much for her elderly owner. Well, anyone who knew Wendy knew the vast number of people on her appeals list. There were probably tens of Pescadero ranch-owners lining up for the dog, but I replied too, thinking the farm would love a dog, and the dog a farm. So, next came a call from the elderly owner. She would inspect our premises. My husband, not a dog fan, was grumpy. Then we visited the dog at her home. Teddy was meek but had a spark to her. Finally, Teddy and her owner visited the farm together. The dog was not interested in the chickens, but that wasn't the clincher. It was baseball season, and Teddy was ready to play. She's a magnificent catch, retrieves all balls, and practices willingly with my son. Teddy is a huge part of the farm. She's always about, in a slow and friendly way, and I can predict where she'll nap - her cool spots - throughout the day. She is one of our favorite things. Reverend Wendy saw her settle in at the farm, and then she told me she knew Teddy was perfect for us, and that email came only to me.