Worth His Weight In Gold

My friend, Shadow, is worth his weight in gold. Shadow is the last goat I have left. We raised dairy goats for nearly 10 yrs and this yr. it was time to let them go to a new home. I do miss them, but I know that they are loved in their new home. Shadow was one of the kids that was born on our farm destined to go into the freezer, but he was so loving and followed me everywhere (not that the others didn't :), but for some reason he became like a dog to me. So I started singing "Me and my Shadow" every time he would follow me around the yard. So, my husband came up with the idea of keeping him as a pet. Therefore he got named Shadow.

Shadow is now 3 yrs old. All grown up and ready to help me around the homestead now. So a few weeks ago I made him a harness. And last week his cart shaft was delivered. He has become such a big help for me now. This week he has hauled several hundred pds of brush, tree limbs, and cut wood that has been lying around from the ice storm we had. I was able to get one paddock completely picked up in a couple of days vs. several weeks. Next week he'll help me pick up rocks out of that same paddock.

Unfortunately, I still don't have a camera. Tried to get my son to let me borrow his, but that didn't happen. So, you'll have to imagine Shadow in his new wagon.

This is Shadow out with the sheep this summer.

Nineteen Years and Counting

This weekend my husband and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. I love him even more than I did when we first got married. Okay, enough of the mushy stuff.

We went to Hardy and strolled the shops, had lunch at a cosy diner, and did some shopping, and had an ice cream.

Today a north wind blew in, seems like fall today.

The alpaca and lincoln lamb has been spun up and plied. I washed it this evening, and it's now hanging to dry. Will post pictures when it's dry.

Fall is Around the Corner

The sheep are preparing themselves for fall breeding season and fattening themselves for winter. The ram, Guthrie, has started testing the ewes to check if they are ready for breeding, as sure sign that fall is just around the corner.

This is Guthrie, our BFL crossed ram. And a pic of his fleece, on the hoof.

I've replanted the garden with cool season crops. Lettuces, radishes, sugar snap peas, chard, and bunching onions.

I've finished spinning Moonstruck's spring fleece. It turned out very nice. I'll probably wait until fall cleanup chores are done outside before I start on the shawl I intend to make with it. But, in the meantime, I've been experimenting with blending alpaca and wool. I combed the alpaca and wool (lincoln lamb) separately, and then hand carded 2/3 alpaca and 1/3 wool into mini batts. I spun up 2 oz on a bobbin and then my friend that has an Ashford drum carder, let me come over and card the rest on her drum carder. The batts were so much faster to card on the drum carder. Makes me wish I had the money to go out and buy one!

Uninvited Guest

Last night when I went out to gather the hens' eggs, I found an uninvited guest taking a nap in the nesting box. I'm sure he'd not only eaten the eggs from the day before, but also from yesterday. Normally, I would leave a snake like this alone. But because it has become an egg eater, I couldn't do that. The snake would find it's way back to the hen's nest.

This is a rat snake. They are a helpful snake, as long as they aren't eating your eggs!

Flying the Coop

We settled our dear son into university life yesterday. This is a big step for him, as well as us. I know he is excited and nervous at the same time. After homeschooling him from 5th grade on, it's a little strange not having him in the house. I'm glad to see him move on to the next step in his life, but a bit sad too. My little boy is all grown up.

Anyways, I'd been borrowing his digital camera to take photos, and he took his camera with him. Until I can get my own camera, I'll have to do without.

Been working on some socks, in between moving son into his new living quarters. Hmm, maybe I have a new craft room now !?! grin...

Here's a photo of Raven's ewe lamb after her first haircut in late June. I put the sheep up on my old goat milking stand to handshear them. Less stress on my back and less stress on them. I haven't given her an official name yet. I'm thinking of calling her Felicity. It would be more logical to me to give her a name starting with "R" so that I remember that her mom is Raven, but we'll see...

Sheep in the Shade

Finally got a few good pictures of a couple more ewes. They were lounging under the trees for some shade. Today hasn't been quite as hot, and the sheep are enjoying the break in the heat.

This is Moonstruck. I've been spinning her spring fleece for a Gwendolyn Lace Shawl

This is Raven. Her fleece won 1st place in the colored fleece category in 2005 with her previous owner in MO.

Everybody is Looking for Water

Last night when I went to check on the sheep and feed the pigs, I saw this little frog seeking water where he could. He found water in the pigs stock tank. It's been so hot and dry, I'm sure he was thankful to be able to take a dip in the tank.

I haven't had a chance to get more pictures of the sheep. It's either been too dark or too hot, so hopefully tomorrow, I'll get the timing right and be able to snap some good pictures.

Meanwhile, I've been a spinning away at the combed top from Moonstruck.