So much of farm life is seasonal. It is now solidly fall. The tomato plants are on the compost pile, the cool-weather kale is thriving, and it's time to dry the milker.

It's time to give Razz. our milking doe, a rest for the winter so that she can conserve her calories through the duration of her pregnancy. We will get to milk her again when she gives birth in the spring. In fact, we're hoping that Honey and Izzy will become Mommas/milkers this spring as well.

Last winter, I was ready for the milking break when the time came, but this year, I find myself wanting to delay it. Knowing that this time would soon be here, I've been freezing milk in ice cube trays to have for soap production throughout the winter.

To gradually dry Razz off, I've been milking her just once a day. Gradually, I'll go even longer between milkings until she's dry for the winter.

Until spring, I'll miss my quiet mornings in the milk shed, but I'll bet these two will miss milking time even more than I will.