About Us
The People
Jay (right) and Michael (left)
Jay is the soaper, felter, and paper folder, and webmaster. Michael is her forever supporter and expert soap packager and tagline thinker. Plus he's nice to look at.
We met in 2008 in Oklahoma. We both work as full-time biologists and started the hobby farm when we moved to Montana. Mutual likes: adventuring, camping, hunting, fishing, eating, critters. Mutual dislikes: bananas, folding laundry, grocery shopping.
Fun fact: hobby soaping started as a gift idea for our wedding. Guess it went a little crazy.
The Llamas
From left to right: Billie, Ermine, and Ibis.
We actually have 9 llamas now! We decided to get into the breeding game so we have several that aren't pictured.
Fun fact: It's very hard to get llamas to all look happy when they are standing this close together.
Learn more about our llamas here.
The Dogs
Niche (left; rainbow bridge), Cricket Sue (center), Minnow (right)
All of our dogs are rescues. Niche, 11, is from Arizona. She left us in 2023 from cancer but she's still a part of the family. Cricket, 6, is from a reservation in New Mexico. We weren't supposed to have three dogs but she picked Michael. Minnow, 11?, was found on the side of the road in New Mexico. She's a German Shephard mixed with cinder block and is the troublemaker of the group.
Fun fact: this is the cover for their album "Mountain Dogs" where Cricket plays the mouth harp. Niche and Minnow just woooo the entire time.
The Cats
Edward (left) and Braxton (right; rainbow bridge)
The cats are the original critters that started it all. We each had a cat when we met. Michael had Edward, who is basically a hermit (people don't even know we have a second cat). Jay had Braxton, who has broken a ridiculous number of dishes, insists on drinking running water only, and will steal money from your wallet.
Fun fact: We only have like four pictures of them together. They lived in the same house for fifteen years but drew lines on the carpet with masking tape to stay on their own sides.
The Gatli-hens (and a rooster)
From left to right: Falcor, Red-blue, Eros (rear left black), Beep (rear right black), Buff (center tan), Clove, Red, Legend, and Alice. Not pictured: Andy the rooster, Magic Flash, Sunshine, Waffles, Bacon, Syrup (named by my nieces).
They come running when you call "chickie chicks!". It's fun having your own backyard dinosaurs. Our flock changes on the regular due to Jay's habit of rescuing chickens that need new coops.
Fun fact: Michael does not like chickens. So we compromised and got chickens.