tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69328126497613870442024-02-19T07:18:47.007-06:00Southard FarmOur Farm JournalJKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-49384393659318729672012-01-05T05:33:00.003-06:002012-01-05T05:57:25.371-06:00Happy New Year!Wishing everyone the best and brightest in 2012!<br /><br /><br />We had a non-eventful, quiet New Years weekend here at the farm. The better half was actually home and dear son also had the day off. Amazingly I was able to stay awake to bring in the New Year. New Years day we spent with my parents enjoying family and the farm.<br /><br />The GP pups are rapidly growing and I have placed all in working homes. They will be guarding goat herds and flocks of sheep.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694112365483740802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ2sMgwjAVaBynM8jI-PYCpokahhaHzUb8QFuJTaYiPPmOGPn4xFWe3qaZQPa8GPDWG0h4b1vGLEGe6wE9WXTz5yOxg4NfIBwHi5vWgbCP-hN84XRXKEZOmmGFnUIQIA6wpZFgUQ8DLw/s320/pups+jan007.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p>From the looks of the ewes, all that were meant to be bred, are. Their mid sections are rounding out and no one seems to be flagging. The wether rams are no longer chasing after anyone. Now to settle in for the winter and wait for spring. </p><br /><p>We have had some very unseasonably warm temps lately. The weather is wonderful. Here we are in January with 60 degree sunny days. I try not to think about it, but it worries me. When winter weather does arrive, I fear it will be with a vengeance. </p><br /><p>If by chance you might be interested in a chance to win some hand spun yarn or raw wool, visit our new fiber blog <a href="http://blessewefiberandyarn.blogspot.com/">http://blessewefiberandyarn.blogspot.com/</a> We are having a New Year give away. </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-62314256717142047332011-12-29T08:49:00.006-06:002011-12-29T09:34:10.678-06:00Wrapping Up 2011<div align="center">One of my favorite sayings is our farm is a work in progress, always something to do and something always needing done. Each year we plan for improvement. Looking back 2011 brought very few changes to the farm, there were no great accomplishments or significant improvements. Finances were tight and we struggled along just like everyone else.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br />What Worked & What Didn't<br /></div><br /><div align="center">The garden didn't produce as well as we had hoped due to the heavy rains in spring, then the extreme heat of summer and of course the poultry and peafowl were of no help. There were no bumper crops, though we did manage to can, freeze and dehydrate a decent supply of veggies for winter. </div><br /><div align="center"><br />We retired Sarah Beth our 2 gallon a day Saanen milker due to old age. We replaced her with Barb our purebred LaMancha and Maybelle a LaMancha cross (Barb's granddaughter). The two girls together produce 2 gallons of milk a day. Maybelle was a bit of a drama queen when I broke her to milk. She is the first goat in all my years of being owned by goats I have found to be a biter. Instead of kicking and river dancing on the milk stand to avoid being milked she would bite me. Believe you me that came to an abrupt halt!<br /><br />As hard as it was for me to part with them, we downsized the Angora herd. We kept our foundation girls and sold all that were 2 years old or younger. After careful consideration we decided to breed Jacob (white Angora buck) to the 4 foundation girls one last time before we sell him. This will give us another small group of kids to sell in spring as well as possibly keep another white color carrier doeling. We have decided to stop breeding all goats other than the dairy girls from here on out. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">The sheep were a definite upside to the farm this year. We had a small but oh so beautiful lamb crop in 2011 and added a BFL wether, Sherlock, who we adore. Our fleece and fiber sold well at the craft/fiber events we attended during 2011. Vending at the fiber events, visiting with new and old fiber friends, seeing other people's creativity at work has inspired me to retreat into my craft room and get seriously busy again with our fiber biz.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691565474227756450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiqRzRN3JvCVkm1zhq0R1XVawqH5eOWj8hdUxvvLdO74M5Qt6qarPIjnZzkUruyUST_ThhUaMfNfCpjrLhAuc1XY_Bdhc7iQbuKW0KVOXpeh59fCNK4LW-fJ5Wn6S2_odNsIni5ipQSk/s320/adrienne+and+sherlock013.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">Sherlock<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><br />If you want to follow our fiber biz...visit us at our new and separate fiber blog <a href="http://blessewefiberandyarn.blogspot.com/">http://blessewefiberandyarn.blogspot.com/</a></p><br /><p align="center"><br />There were no vacations or weekend trips away from the farm. Though my parents went on a once in a life time trip to Scotland to visit my brother who recently moved to Scotland to teach. </p><br /><p align="left"><br />We had to say good bye to Indie our son's Great Dane. She developed bone cancer in her elderly years. RIP Indie we miss you. </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691566441168780834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlJwTEYe5VAORpoD7c-pieuUcnHXbsu3RVq_nAiUYRtMkmDqT6KbdzRSSuTUWmhb_RMlYp2v3JhCQpNJeqY2rjfceIDxo_XwG7cZx4Sigp5Y2Zn9PpqpD3dxePlsP_YL3PuzMueA1pd0/s320/Indi.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Indie</p><br /><p align="left"><br />Our guardian dogs are also aging. They will be 8 years old in 2012. Their life expectancy is about 10-12 years. We decided to keep a pup from last years litter as a replacement...just in case. Tootie is a handful as a pup. Though she shows promise and I am sure her mother and aunt will train her well.<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691564320711741314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDhA-b1Rcj3L_33BZ0c8pq_cG6ftJspiiZ2N0ZG5-gp7VwSeNq_KbcSOxhv2j3xNBUpX1qwgERWG-QGShaQ-qqSHpgh1I8inlm0JgcV2RBnjOe8TmhB2qw4ZB5g7k4IFuokBaUtXkbmY/s320/pup+photos010.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">Tootie<br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />2012 New Years Resolutions </div><br /><br /><div align="center">Every year I make them... </div><br /><div align="left"><br />1 - What we can't grow on our farm we resolve to buy local products and to reduce “food miles” (the distance food travels from production to plate). Attending the local farmers market each week will not only reduce food miles, it will keep our purchases local. I read somewhere that if each household in your state would purchase $10.00 of local or farm products weekly it would generate $1.65 billion in your states economy. No more purchases from chain stores. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />2 – Do More With Less. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">I know that sounds like a broad statement, but for us it isn't. When we moved to the farm 13 years ago our goal was to be as self-sufficient as possible. Over the years we have stayed our course, though need to re-evaluate and improve in some areas. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">We raise our own meat though we need to resolve to raise a larger variety. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">We have our garden each year, home can and preserve what we grow, though here again, we need to consider gardening with a larger variety of produce. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">We need to grow a more diverse flock of sheep. Our fiber animals are my passion, I love the Shetland breed of sheep, however we need to add one or two more versatile breeds for a variety of wool, plus meat and milk production. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">We will never be totally self-sufficient, we like our electricity, computer, satellite TV and such far too much to go totally off grid, though I need to concentrate on cutting those expenses a bit more also. </div><br /><div align="left"><br />We plan on spending a quiet New Years here at the farm. To bring the new year in right, we will be cooking up black-eyed peas, ham and cabbage. The peas are a symbol of luck, the ham a symbol of wealth, and the cabbage a symbol of money.<br />I am placing a coin out on the porch on New Years eve. I have heard if you retrieve the dime on New Year's day before the dew has dried, it means we should have no problem waking early throughout the rest of the year in order to get an early start on the farm work.<br />Hey, every little bit helps :-) </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!</div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-22131279651377281872011-12-28T08:04:00.005-06:002011-12-28T08:26:29.052-06:00We Had Puppies<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTKgJQsq9s8KVIKSyrIGFws8euWglYMRu3uL9UxwKHiQRxVJPm1OMCG0DYJ24VYyparUCVfDXqjLP4W9pzLudqj702rpj_-2Ar-xvEviiv7FvA3SjGpvT4IABFAjqAiTFrnqQ35rccp8/s1600/pup+photos001.jpg"></a>Hannah one of our GP guardian girls blessed, well, surprised us with a litter of 6 (2 males, 4 females)pups on Dec. 1st. Daddy is the neighbors GP.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIglFbMe8hrQ3ylrID7qntR4FMQVR-IVuRP9Rc4AxRBXJM1IKKWqCKGv95asHPd2O1cyto1N5jklu1J5XjVZBcclPZbXduI-OB2ZJANOI97FYtzRICA3iC7GHI7HVyyt5xgQ8U52YcJos/s1600/pup+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691182382598864930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIglFbMe8hrQ3ylrID7qntR4FMQVR-IVuRP9Rc4AxRBXJM1IKKWqCKGv95asHPd2O1cyto1N5jklu1J5XjVZBcclPZbXduI-OB2ZJANOI97FYtzRICA3iC7GHI7HVyyt5xgQ8U52YcJos/s320/pup+6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9Vd5p7hm3BbucT6K5MvzQDBkkmrXn5DdxehIaUwrymsAUL2nKwJBCHseSMir4U-6O6-SeQNgBOgnn8ZsPY-SI3C0nwjKRQwOMtrlJ8Hc2c5QoHdQQVDUbIk8VJhGDqe8RO2m78WqqzE/s1600/pup+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691181364710591746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9Vd5p7hm3BbucT6K5MvzQDBkkmrXn5DdxehIaUwrymsAUL2nKwJBCHseSMir4U-6O6-SeQNgBOgnn8ZsPY-SI3C0nwjKRQwOMtrlJ8Hc2c5QoHdQQVDUbIk8VJhGDqe8RO2m78WqqzE/s320/pup+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZR72QB9ll0XHtC-2EEKx5_QPGZlPUpV_-SLwd_qToavKDQY6IWEsCxw8SEPQedjc7kUrq8N0zrbXnOKU0fNJnG3AfchR1kVf1Ncm_4NXGMkUHIQK6JJwWTqRREzOCq1Zmuad9SIJqjQ/s1600/pup+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691181363852347250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZR72QB9ll0XHtC-2EEKx5_QPGZlPUpV_-SLwd_qToavKDQY6IWEsCxw8SEPQedjc7kUrq8N0zrbXnOKU0fNJnG3AfchR1kVf1Ncm_4NXGMkUHIQK6JJwWTqRREzOCq1Zmuad9SIJqjQ/s320/pup+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQriMhyXuLd2Pi5d1aPjpGfFbSE-i2FFWvKsRITPHEfqPEM95w1rQxioqdE8Kl5ftE8KPTLST7TPWtlM4F_Yt_FsxMTUZsO0OIc6b3L9ZJBVev4-V-DfVjUqpgPIuuUybsgsbulGIdxY/s1600/pup+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691181357763508818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQriMhyXuLd2Pi5d1aPjpGfFbSE-i2FFWvKsRITPHEfqPEM95w1rQxioqdE8Kl5ftE8KPTLST7TPWtlM4F_Yt_FsxMTUZsO0OIc6b3L9ZJBVev4-V-DfVjUqpgPIuuUybsgsbulGIdxY/s320/pup+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjeWEHbKlZ8qZWTQPMji_myDj-CDqitjy2R26pENsoHquDVpBbOp_yiG2Gsnw6G7LCGQcYg76FB1YKFk5rQyhp_eSGd3d36V3ueA-RBQUNeMp7HhL7W98JHzCpSETeicrdee1b0iiiVs/s1600/pup+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691181356230686386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjeWEHbKlZ8qZWTQPMji_myDj-CDqitjy2R26pENsoHquDVpBbOp_yiG2Gsnw6G7LCGQcYg76FB1YKFk5rQyhp_eSGd3d36V3ueA-RBQUNeMp7HhL7W98JHzCpSETeicrdee1b0iiiVs/s320/pup+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> They had just opened their eyes in these photos. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am so happy to say that ALL pups have been placed in working homes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVofJnZGmi-a2adPApRi62FHg5Frg82ak22oPYlZ2dW-wloE-R2yEj7m_ACKgmpD1PeE8_50Wy8NgotO3So742VZKAFuEAuDOrTeQvasYf1ZSDlZF8gmiog1IktagnlbLGwcLygIwq98/s1600/pup+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691181353239972930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVofJnZGmi-a2adPApRi62FHg5Frg82ak22oPYlZ2dW-wloE-R2yEj7m_ACKgmpD1PeE8_50Wy8NgotO3So742VZKAFuEAuDOrTeQvasYf1ZSDlZF8gmiog1IktagnlbLGwcLygIwq98/s320/pup+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-16992566909577217772011-12-23T14:05:00.004-06:002011-12-23T14:22:06.149-06:00Merry Christmas and Bring on The New Year<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDy-LFSTQq_xOA4GcaEK7ioOiZNnFl4nrUPm-Shgk0AIeKJTgOxvHnoJKHKXllfnfxZD9XQyC0oaiTOx5Tan6q3HXzxUs8A2DVvwOWiVI63b3sT5Z7s_4ZsujqRLZAAHnl7fzfH2R5Zc/s1600/happy+holiday+romney+ridge+farm+photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689418280306592882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 151px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDy-LFSTQq_xOA4GcaEK7ioOiZNnFl4nrUPm-Shgk0AIeKJTgOxvHnoJKHKXllfnfxZD9XQyC0oaiTOx5Tan6q3HXzxUs8A2DVvwOWiVI63b3sT5Z7s_4ZsujqRLZAAHnl7fzfH2R5Zc/s320/happy+holiday+romney+ridge+farm+photo.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Don't you love this photo? I do, I snagged from a friend, Romney Ridge. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /></span>Now that I am back from my extended blogging hiatus, lets can get on with it.<br /><br />Don't want you to think I have lost interest in sharing farm life, I haven't. I won't blame it on or say time flies (goes without saying and we all know that it does) as I did in the last blog.<br /><br />I will admit I make more short and frequent visits to Facebook than blogland. It's the time factor I honestly believe there. It only takes a few minutes to scan my page to see what everyone's updated status is, then I am off the computer and running non stop. When I visit blogland I want to read what everyone has been up to, check out links that take me to other blogs or sites that are good reads and before you know it hours have passed.<br /><br />Surprisingly I have found some very helpful groups and interesting online fiber friends on Facebook. Plus I can see what the family has been up to. Believe it or not, everyone but my elderly parents has a page there. Easy, peasy to message them all at one time, poke or check on them.<br /><br />I hope that everyone is prepared and is finished with their holiday shopping. As normal, we have to make one more trip into the city for last minute items tomorrow. We will be leaving early after morning chores hoping to miss the crowds, then back home as quick as we can to have Christmas here at the farm.<br /><br />Wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas!</div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-6330717568459797582011-03-15T08:44:00.003-05:002011-03-15T10:04:14.495-05:00We're Still HereReally we are. Though you couldn't tell it by the date of the last blog eh?<br /><div></div><br /><div>I could bore you and ramble on about this, that and all the other that has happened around our little peace of heaven called the farm though I won't. It's just life happening and sometimes it gets in the way of and can stop my blogging all together.</div><br /><div>Spring is just 6 days away. I will do my best to add more frequent updates, posts or add new information. I noticed I lost a few followers which I totally understand and can't blame them for dropping us off their lists. I do want to thank those of you who continue to stop by and read. </div><br /><div>Doing the "happy can't wait for spring" dance here! You couldn't tell spring is so close at the moment. Yesterday's weather was rain, snow, sleet, repeat that process, plus freezing. Crazy that just 2 days prior it was almost 70 degrees.</div><br /><div>Looking forward to planting the gardens, the piglets arriving, shearing, our yearly fiber events and so, so much more! Hopefully so much to share with you in the upcoming months.</div><br /><div>We have finished kidding for 2011. Barb our La Mancha dairy goat kidded with 2 beautiful white doelings, we named Belle & Star. Barb is back on the milk stand and milking like a charm. This makes me so happy! Once again farm fresh dairy products for our table!</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584303990962665090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgdkcCzeQIcheNleyoy4Cw62jEh2LmLExnixAqDI319xK39jKH5ODzTftLVq-WPRAiEBTVwvmqJwllGtFkM7-ZbnycTotqsEWnwQEqkN40fv0W4K_iwNlSgDOW3vTbhg7PyZ9yiagdI4/s320/Wooly+kids004.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Star a few minutes after being cleaned.</em></div><br /><div>For the Angoras, Bella Mia began by blessing us with a set of beautiful black twins. One of each, buck & doe. Little buck(soon to be wether) is Butch, doeling is Cassidy. Fairchild followed with a single jet black beautiful doeling we call Calamity Jane. Bonnie Lass ended 2011 kidding by adding 2 more adorable solid black doelings. We are calling those two girls Annie & Oakley. </div><br /><div>Imagine you are seeing a trend in the names. This year our black Angora herd sire, The Sundance Kid, did his job and did it very well. We wanted color and color was what we got! Five solid black fiber babies, 4 does, 1 buck.</div><div> </div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584303985904780146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPsleFs4TFaT-o9Ya-8d-oyJwk05wXTTQs-3O1KN5yeWTSJkj7FjPVsAFOF6xg1ve7aKAcwLc6SzmP42EXJO8AKGTQFB8-rx3y-mpdn2BAda_qFXqh380G-T8aoESdcUpzXvU28ZQCvA/s320/Wooly+kids001.jpg" /> <em>Bella Mia cleaning little Butch<br /></em><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584303976791400226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wyQlheM0lSmxMk4_sp2YKVhMghvNYGHcR9GTxdEIw6T4pb_05QcrM-16g2jYGMwM4G5Vw1wteLs1s5eFSU2r8gXKJZ0elBG96hEZ22-Zexc6hxtAZ3P1Hg8UyWGLY7gp0LbrWFAYyh8/s320/angoras2011002.jpg" /><em>Calamity Jane with her mom Fairchild.<br /></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584303979602486322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eBQK1oZBZHBjE7TsL_QO37lTWciC5FRmKgY0FObjFxN8IJ-_k_dlkxCN9JsofXOcDTiGzZ3e4Y46-4byvRHxT6jl-_Qb-gl89dind4LI-KX6b4U-YMgldgdTODclKZnYHcXBPPhrs5k/s320/angoras2011004.jpg" /><em> Bonnie Lass and her twin girls soaking up the sun.<br /></em></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Scarlet, one of our hair sheep began 2011 lambing with a set of twins. One of each, ram & ewe lamb. The ram lamb is reserved, the ewe lamb we are keeping. We named her Miranda (the sheep are not included in the Women of the Wild West name theme).</div><br /><div align="left"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584315808458171906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG5wBNp1jV2n7NRakZw_ulvHQDIBWbXCyAHbTjsWSPWAi15DR0nqR0Ch9FKgiykFXQlp7_QtwRinlyeqnZgF_382cPHYWn_M1BVe6JBu3zjWSVzS-Ed5g7kGj1UVKzeF4Bz-SP1bmNwY/s320/lambs2011002.jpg" /><em>The little ram lamb has the brown patch on face, Miranda the smaller of the two.</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div align="left">On baby watch with possibly 5 ewes to lamb within the next 4-6 weeks. Waiting to lamb and broad as barns are Pitty Pat & Eartha (hair sheep). Then the Shetlands-Whirlwind, Rummy and Lark. They are filling out, if not pregnant I suppose they are just looking large due to having full heavy fleeces. Will just have to wait and see.<br /></div><div align="left">We used both rams this year. Jackdaw with his awesome spots and Jasper with his beautiful black and silver fleece, hopefully they will give us patterns and spots. Looking forward to seeing what colors our lambs will bring.<br /></div><div align="left">The chickens began to lay about 2 weeks ago. YEAH! It was a long eggless winter. I dislike buying those pale, tasteless eggs from the grocery. I also dislike feeding the layers all winter long and they not produce. We are researching breeds that are good winter layers and will be adding a few to the flock this spring.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">For the best farm news yet... I have found a spinner to spin our very own farm grown wool into yarn! Happy, happy, joy, joy! I had originally planned to invest in a new wheel and take spinning lessons. In our neck of the woods finding someone to instruct me in the proper ways of spinning is like looking for a needle in a hay stack. So finding someone to spin and not want my first born grandchild in exchange was amazing! I have been busy washing and carding fleeces to send to my dear spinner.<br /></div><div align="left">Family matters have brought about some surprise changes. My dear brother the PhD, accepted a senior faculty teaching position at the University of West of Scotland. Yep, he is moving to Scotland. A once in a lifetime opportunity and dream job. My parents are looking forward to and hope to go to Scotland to stay with him for an extended period of time. I hope they can, at 80 yrs. old this would be a dream come true for them also.<br /></div><div align="left">My niece accepted a promotion within her company, which required her to move to Nashville, TN in January. My nephew (her brother) just announced that his wife accepted a promotion with her company and they are moving them to...who would have guessed it...Nashville, TN. I am happy for the kids though will miss them.</div><div><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I think I have hit the highlights, the other happenings are just everyday, run of the mill, it's probably happened to you too, kind of stuff. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Hope to add more fiber and sheep related items, possibly list the livestock we will have for sale in an attempt to keep more frequent updates coming to the blog. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Until then, hope everyone on your end is healthy & happy. And I hope you have a great rest of the day! </div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-53491216858341255252011-01-04T15:30:00.004-06:002011-01-04T16:58:01.098-06:00Happy 2011 To YouA little late in wishing everyone a Happy New Year, eh? Better 4 days late than never I say. I do sincerely hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Happy New Year. We did. <div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>Life has been busy good here at the farm. We had lots of visits from family and friends. Spent the holidays with my parents, though mainly stayed home enjoying the peace, quiet and our animals.</div><div> </div><div>I really enjoyed not having to travel this year, having small groups of family filter in and out over the month of December and the quiet little holidays at home. The only snags to our perfect holiday season was a trip to the emergency room on Christmas morning and a bruised buttock and tail bone 2 days after Christmas. </div><div> </div><div>On Christmas morning Jim woke in severe pain. His arm and elbow extremely swollen and hot to the touch. He couldn't tolerate the pain so dear son took him to the ER while I stayed home preparing Christmas dinner for the family that was to spend Christmas day at the farm. Six (6) hours later, the guys were home. Only about an hour later than we had planned to have Christmas dinner. Turns out Jim had his first attack of bursitis. Hopefully he will not have another. Is this a signal we are getting old LOL</div><div><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558448372731206530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD9z-r-KRX6b9d23q_AdhAL-upyhzMCvtY9NHu3VZI5_AFv_I79RSPW2584nkRdZipH0cWlutQfNpplFO2iNZWrKcXtGisvhA7F2MxNXfW2hERRdqhO4JFzVBfowPAMz4AhNJVHYzAWA/s320/dadavis.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><em>Dad was feeling well enough to play Santa for a few of the local organizations in December. My great niece went along as Santa's helper.</em></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558449525750711970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMXyrA-yvmi1kfDRXpkyEuPve6oE2_uFy2GN7O_TGSgjTJDTDtzURJiPkY3XWwYP_BxFbNGsGMOTwXpHVe5u7lL5DR_yQHJw3ImRHFj5QTig2HU24K3KtYTequb3SDVP3rZ-t6IC0tSs/s320/thomas.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><em>My youngest nephew from Texas came for a farm visit and helped me with the chores</em>. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558448386339000002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9ZfFU4G-9eHhdImOM-12dVzQwgpoPVhNDg4cCryX5KQCrAJPE_PsKeofNsI4HUlptRVkB9gcYGuhYMdVfH8dXS9UAtSKZUdGDrY5XhMwilZ0Tjo9TY2CugTzS4N4U-ytb84QCdlAzU8/s320/dadadamlon.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><em>My brother came for a weekend. That's 3 generations of my guys in that photo.</em></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558448381224405394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwnpwz8312TQ5d9_2A3zEyV9kj1pZaTjceXWoZt2abeEW0qRhynk-54dgpnvYTlCBbM-9CAJ6PxSwqOISYQN20nar50tnhvC3XA0IXy4RT0SR4yt3o4l9_9E43-WHiefJmst9zf_zbHs/s320/adam+%2526+nicole.jpg" /></div><div><em>We have a new addition to the family. My son's girlfriend. Hope she stays for a long time. I really like this one :-)</em></div><div> <br />As for the bruised buttock and tail bone, well that is the reason I have not been on to wish you a Happy New Year before now. Rather hard to sit comfortably. We had a small bit of ice and snow at Christmas. Really nothing major. I have trudged through so much worse, many many times to do the daily chores. This year I suppose I am not so sure footed as I have been in the past. While pushing a wheel barrow of hay down a small incline to the sheep pen, I lost my footing and fell hard with my rear landing first, then my back, head hitting last. It hurt so bad it scared me. It took me a moment or two or three to gather my wits about me. Thankfully I could move and I didn't break anything.</div><div> </div><div>You know what is really amazing is how things are connected...try to lift anything over 5 lbs. you feel it in your bruised tuckus. Bend over to pick something up off the floor you feel it in your bruised tuckus. You take those muscles for granted.</div><div> </div><div>It's slow and steady for now. They say I should be 100% 3 or 4 days. So for now I am off to the sofa to surround those muscles in ice packs and maybe a nap. Til next time have a great rest of the day.</div></div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-80080234472775246432010-12-23T10:31:00.002-06:002010-12-23T10:45:53.154-06:00It's Christmas Time<div align="left">Today is baking gingerbread, a coconut cake, sugar cookies and a pecan pie for Christmas dinner. Need to finish knitting and add the final touches on one last Christmas present. Later this afternoon will make one final trip to town before the winter weather they are predicting sets in. Looks like it will be a white Christmas this year. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> From All of Us at Southard Farm<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKebsOHbZsGEkjkCIBcuLTWNTeSCk2afe6MbmXmAnNv9pMCvR3dj83DlPT22lXEnptNmI2mkXZvX7MYabSfeF4Fto96QE843S-C81UAOhY-qYbydczcTzL0ZU6gvhI5deJSm7Diw19iI/s1600/wise-men-still-seek-him.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553918405467896146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKebsOHbZsGEkjkCIBcuLTWNTeSCk2afe6MbmXmAnNv9pMCvR3dj83DlPT22lXEnptNmI2mkXZvX7MYabSfeF4Fto96QE843S-C81UAOhY-qYbydczcTzL0ZU6gvhI5deJSm7Diw19iI/s320/wise-men-still-seek-him.jpg" /></a><br />Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><br /></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-41240875802335372972010-11-16T09:36:00.006-06:002010-11-16T11:18:32.751-06:00Deer Hunting, Pears and Back to Business<div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540184137707332162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopbGY1vdnTSB3xry8dos2LF1553BR23EyFLGneaxcdyfh1VR5P7ydYFgvDeRZPe8UX-tGCq1V_65yHzFW2KztZT11Y1nr7pZy0_Ce1P3yZlKrems-yjoGxQ31WZ0Z1MyLf8Hk-P08Flc/s320/rudi-reichardt-white-tailed-deer.jpg" />This past weekend was the opening of deer season. Around here it's a big deal. For the guys that is, not me. The better half, his brother, brother in law, nephews and this year his great nephews all gathered at their old homeplace for the guys hunting weekend they call Southard's Deer Camp. They bring campers, tents and trucks to sleep in, gather and visit around a campfire, cook in cast iron over a fire pit and hunt. This is a family tradition that began before my time in the family and hopefully will carry on for many more years.<br /><br /><div>My contribution to "Deer Camp" is normally making sure all of Jim's camo and hunting gear is packed and ready to go. I pack his cooler of food and cook a few things up to send out to round out their meals; cornbread for their pot of beans, cakes or cookies, etc. </div><br /><div>The last couple of years Jim hasn't had much luck. I actually think he goes out to spend the weekend with the guys more so than hunt. Which is fine by me as long as he is safe and enjoys time spent with his family. <em>I hate to say this out loud</em> - I actually prefer Jim not take to aim at Bambi or her mother. I tell him always look for a nice big buck. As they tell it, those nice big bucks are few and far between. </div><div> </div><div>Normally one of the guys from the city will have a bit of luck and they don't eat venison. So Jim will bring that home to process. We have venison for the freezer even if he doesn't take one himself. This year seems no one saw anything. </div><br /><div>But he did bring home my winter pears. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540193727427675442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA10S99vo_q43BTfNX6x24aNUihYr7Y9aToUPceSZ9r1seJMpJaJDMhEJwwPXW4hRGa9iRk3SkTfs81umLt-bJuChTDoQgBpWYve6Of1AV1lST9ioRLMwSSq8lClW4CcpW4JBKHhUmfI/s320/pears.jpg" />At the old homeplace there is a huge old pear tree. Each year they collect the pears and bring them to me since I am the only one in the family who home cans. There was a bumper crop this year, roughly 50 lbs. of pears. I'll be busy this week putting up pear butter (like apple butter just with pears) and spiced pears. I have been looking through my grandmothers recipes and vintage cook books for other pear recipes to try.<br /><br /><div>Just 6 Mohair and 3 Shetland fleeces remaining to wash and card. Have finished carding all brown fleeces for the blanket panels. The felted blanket is on the top of my "To Do" list for this winter. Plus the remaining carding. I am hoping to have all fleeces carded and ready before spring shearing. Just in time to do it all again eh :-)</div><div>Finally have the natural colored warp for the rigid heddle loom. Hope to work that in while house bound this winter also.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540190492025215042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ao9cQ5pNC2UOapKsB4EOZckTscZrenNrRvgcwwZa6zKUraNJksfkjQTzb12cEtsMB8xZiaIii6eYQqNIUQeb3GbYp6RSeSZn8D4GqLz38cgdrQxd7Ozj1Udt1tbsml0V4cjy1TVAWdQ/s320/rigid+heddle.jpg" /><br />Hope all is well on your end of things. Til next time... have a great rest of the day!<br /><div></div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-45412173156649807842010-11-08T06:10:00.013-06:002010-11-08T13:41:25.666-06:00The Human Shield - Rest In Peace CJThe show of support and kindness to help protect and honor this fallen soldiers family amazed me! They called it the Human Shield.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537161930939341634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GU6f1tKX8bx3BzzF0kabHIAfBEXzE-Vw0wDF8w0bsqjjmybJGMAdUxNEJgifJdzPnoLD_XxSTEeYwwrBI6yR7p__alemamXkdXdL8ueyWQicXr6BEOPvRfP2dd0hmYlKuLa-f93N01k/s320/CJ+Saddell.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>300 stood at the funeral home. </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537235961354834114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfLoN4VMxmlzjQ5HGcr-eZ-3V1x4_dXh_cmXEFyCPcEiZHLafeezxw-inSUUMIiKu6X2ED_s_lNdU_2685CEvFszqRrfAO_gprCVn6I2y8JYdrBpPb9i7gXqF4kuTkt0zrh1GtiEPfH8/s320/human+shield.jpg" /></div><div></div><div>A mile away stood over 300 more. Citizens of Weston, Missouri, members of the Patriot Guard, VFW, American Legion, active duty soldiers, friends and supporters from near and far stood the line, the corners and the streets. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537152326153634658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYZOKebk_wiGrjiHP5Og5qWlht-CwGn9TMk-VLsKn1Qp-s_iSSnjsV46o6b3LDzuIjKfySPFDmizaK3MnQ_mRbItrUwN7-TQkiRpQUK5nMfJ_bFrfR2V3D6zIerf_JuazSb1cHumAZSE/s320/Sadell+funeral+VFW+American+Legion+-+corner.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537152327380989234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8nLASQ2bWUa0SfgP04zACx0VVN7V4lwgX1C9ImasSadwvhDNHjGuU6HH8rAOByGviiC7rFsP0b93xAHA1Y_5w9IQUk3i1xpF3cfKcenhk9ZsKXdveMmWocVvtUyCxWPcPm5SrttVlkI/s320/sadell+funeral+lined+the+roads.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537155976162707458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6utV4UksV-yzcseFCdVeGgACBslu9pg3wyzgBvu-z_GfX7ZambO_Fpa7VAMPvybkdl1IRFet-StkB9wqXm6AffG4jPPlOfArqZqsJagfBCMXJ_GFdRRdheELf35sJ9kwvNXGLiNK6P4/s320/Sadell+Funeral+Patriot+Guard+1.jpg" />They arrived early and filled every parking space, road side, nook and cranny to block the Phelps protestors.<br />There was no room for the protestor’s bus to park. The protestors were only allowed a fifteen foot section of sidewalk. When the demonstration began the Patriot Riders revved up to full throttle to drown out the noise. A local business set up a stereo system and played Amazing Grace along with music by Lee Greenwood. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537152331786749634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4edjk1pMbKSXin8M0S8UmoX5-5Wzs7DhVkke4AYbgS6pyczbFCtfd31Dv1FQgBFXVKglr_9Lhl0xfsBvSPG9IDJ-377-Ckce2j7MnZInahS074B4YqKhP7SjJH26PAOLRQCqNgjx1SFY/s320/sadell+funeral+Patriot+guard.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537152317245642402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyiwZMYUjWtnz-iosqG11AW4uKhfwgUAWVK6sP68fAKhYUnkC81tg10yX3lDsxqJ1fuCpsXE4B__5ES4lYEH0u4cgOn62282D6zsKA7yWsLnhjO34fBoaehBJvcJqL-EVTKkZtK1geSs/s320/sadell+funeral+facing+the+protestors.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537154063505360562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4C4pNh8Lq817YPRsYS3WRZcQ-N2pBaBGa5lE34ixGjoQS49PMO02mZtngANGk0v0eAe1q2kUJgN_HZCsufMf8YRFFuWPz-_BBB-UiNWKEzc0ECIShDkIhgNkH71p4IR-cvDlS6cEUFs/s320/sadell+funeral+police.jpg" /><br /></div><div>Another local business brought their huge flag and set it by the group. Supporters of the Sadell family would move the flag to block the view of the unwanted demonstrators as they moved. </div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537154060511170610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqbCwQych80P2yyPKAtH2tcYuiZaJidmhpsYpnDvXTK2Syb-GAqdjDU3WxNFjTue79bYEoEp8p3EkGdfP4JZpUYt2YK3HZNYRWKdmpIdUcQ0dl8FFSd-2cnpzya7l-QXxZPj64VmFF9w/s320/sadell+funeral+Flag.jpg" /> </div><br /><div align="center"><em>“The American Flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American Flag flies from the last breath of each Soldier, Sailor, Airman & Marine who has died protecting it.”</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">The Phelps group of 7 only stayed about ten minutes - their mission was futile.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A few links if you are interested</div><br /><div><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://www.newspressnow.com/news/2010/nov/04/flags-be-lowered-fallen-soldier/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.newspressnow.com/news/2010/nov/04/flags-be-lowered-fallen-soldier/</a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-cjsadell-funeral-westboro-church-protest-110610,0,3649584.story">http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-cjsadell-funeral-westboro-church-protest-110610,0,3649584.story</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2010/11/07/exp.nr.blocking.funeral.protestors.cnn.html">http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2010/11/07/exp.nr.blocking.funeral.protestors.cnn.html</a><br /><br /><br />We support Our Veterans!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537154070501032722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKf5PZxu5inLjhvS_Zchmt37qtx27y2HpgV7gqHtDfMcgmmdOvCOaMZMaEhbmvqicseWhuAqHBm3OkO4z-cjhzjbAng7FLK8f_HbRqavuD0j_blWoF_kZdXA7s2mMz7hT2cW8LZWHQoA/s320/Sadell+Funeral+VFW.jpg" />Members of The American Legion and VFW<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>We support the Patriot Guard!<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGkM4Fkfn40GadLDXHDDBMfQwqAXvNysiNkzXc70ghymYpOdvUk04iYQgu6q9VY0r0aA0luCeq6BadFGSlaVuCaFMfqO5RHpQWiZr9HRxkNXyeXLqSlzyw01y4Z-6S_31U3k2X8TDQo8/s1600/Sadell+Funeral+Combat+Vets.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537152313063448690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGkM4Fkfn40GadLDXHDDBMfQwqAXvNysiNkzXc70ghymYpOdvUk04iYQgu6q9VY0r0aA0luCeq6BadFGSlaVuCaFMfqO5RHpQWiZr9HRxkNXyeXLqSlzyw01y4Z-6S_31U3k2X8TDQo8/s320/Sadell+Funeral+Combat+Vets.jpg" /></a><br />DEFINITION OF A VETERAN: A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." Author Unknown</div><div align="left">Photos courtesy of Rebecca Rooney and April Lipscomb.</div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-86721121083669238552010-11-05T22:46:00.004-05:002010-11-08T06:10:25.988-06:00America Has Lost Another Patriot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2LWl6YR0SeAAa_7vagPpY9cxmqYyr7cn4GFtanDVnOidaDGJPeQXp3HWaZx4uRCv_w0Cv0I9dUOwb-7UTM6nTod2H9hF0PAZ3vRoHApDvgj3nI9u45wchJE8FrX9Ph_oxu2sYDvEMnk/s1600/CJ+Saddell.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536278569972066274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2LWl6YR0SeAAa_7vagPpY9cxmqYyr7cn4GFtanDVnOidaDGJPeQXp3HWaZx4uRCv_w0Cv0I9dUOwb-7UTM6nTod2H9hF0PAZ3vRoHApDvgj3nI9u45wchJE8FrX9Ph_oxu2sYDvEMnk/s320/CJ+Saddell.jpg" /></a> A family friend, US Army Master Sgt CJ Sadell of Weston, Mo, 34, died at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was wounded Oct. 5 at Arif Kala, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.<br />CJ was assigned to the Army’s 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, N.Y. His unit had been deployed since spring.<br />CJ joined the U.S. Army in 1995 and was assigned to Fort Drum in March. His previous deployments include a four-month tour in Saudi Arabia in 1997, a six-month tour in Kosovo in 2001 and a one-year deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2006.<br />His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, numerous other decorations, now the Purple Star.<br />He is survived by a wife, two children and his mother<br /><div>It has been brought to our attention that the group from Topeka, KS who protests military funerals will be protesting at CJ's funeral. Thankfully the Patriot Riders, VFW and active duty soldiers at Ft. Leavenworth have been notified and will be there in full force to stand opposite of the Phelps group. </div><div align="center">God bless you CJ. Rest in peace.</div><div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-41314985905065315892010-11-04T16:09:00.009-05:002010-11-04T17:20:36.789-05:00Then and Now - Goats & SheepSundance Fiber Farm - The Sundance Kid<br /><div align="left"><em>This is one of my favorite photos. As a bottle baby Sundance went everywhere I did. </em><em>I love this little fella...</em></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535816426678010530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv2pi7KiqNR3ESKjETKSV5Vn1DwKIOkqB5dUpnLTaBib2mB3XutrbfkJWGmP514Y4BARNYI2LlJ2LfBlnI6lQa0HNBhzBFYkJM7Bkh91l1LqOwk2Ho8FXW2nykJW6nm5pfRfu_34RcSE/s320/sundance+on+dishwasher1.jpg" /><br /><em>even now as a full grown blubbering buck. That's him standing on his back legs wanting in with the girls.</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC2gctIIGpCxNH-Wv41Hkxt-t7AU9Ksl7iBpn2QmMFQ545wuINE71qUNuBlq-BdbvLA744q1fWjNbiVuNlmSpFHBoef0zJpJfaIn8LfWQoj4KE_Nfbq1vYSJZ06acMY8ZrMG-qm0SzI0/s1600/oct+10007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535816430432620322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC2gctIIGpCxNH-Wv41Hkxt-t7AU9Ksl7iBpn2QmMFQ545wuINE71qUNuBlq-BdbvLA744q1fWjNbiVuNlmSpFHBoef0zJpJfaIn8LfWQoj4KE_Nfbq1vYSJZ06acMY8ZrMG-qm0SzI0/s320/oct+10007.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left">Fairlight Jackdaw </div><div align="center"><br /><em>When we brought him home.</em></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535809640260700530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCXB4JOClOOYiAVHdHtXu1qBgt5inGJ76E2zuA_FRghFDdaQ602jchtQwNmuxwjD7r3OombNAtXhSR3h9l9ujngi6aR6ZSQ3EKv3VxPN1qbkLZm7wQTT5ofhHUvFQnxbT-QSgjgRaShg/s320/word+press+blog+photo.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><em>Still on the up close, touchable and loveable side.</em></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535811044183850386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCl4vzsH2riSgVDltgcmcwYJ28W0GbLq72MTyPT72H28JGurk7Tt4QEAf9PO9iHwmvKZ4rNygy5zVNu5QvqhS-lEZL-PlgvGMWGDRZh7vtrlsyr5G61mV5MROgxFzwxf1YFZJkzVIeso/s320/sheepangoras011.jpg" /> <em>After his first shearing in May.</em><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535809634997035234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNw2vykFROK2ZiKJJbdbEpyf3ccRcR7hXNpmNiuJcU14x0v6Je1apcFCTOU_Zi45491ZrPP1B0IKx_QgKUIOZYV7JtxcxbH6-kIVTQ7FQd4dMSaPN-H1tElRgGu5wgYeKURTtVaSAb38/s320/jackdaw+1.jpg" /><em>Now in his full ram mode </em><br /><em>Isn't he just beautiful! </em></div><div><em>Thank you for the photo Tammy</em></div><em><div align="left"><br /></em>Last week Jackdaw's breeder Tammy came for a farm visit. We have been talking about her coming for a visit ever since we first bought the "Woolly Boys" aka Angus, Aberdeen, Kirby & Kelly. </div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535816418253603410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBJN_oBuDVqwAF4TPZHm17EokYykYIzwnwJnCQHfxuIg3erGyCWxQGq_Cr32FIsCuvByXU4FvUNQsTQuq5UaZ7e7e1Gy1tE5h-85J_dbBAIDhVjt3DoTSA4bdprhyphenhyphen_KWZURHe6cZ4QIU/s320/BLOGSHEEPNEWYEAR1.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><em>From left to right - Aberdeen, Kirby, Kelly (black) and Angus</em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We have had the opportunity to see each other at different fiber events (Marshfield Fiber Fair, Fiber U, Celtic Fest) and when we picked up the different sheep we purchased from Fairlight Farm over the last couple of years. We were finally able to find a day when neither one of us were busy with all others things in life. Was a great afternoon talking all things fiber, sheep and such. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="left">Back in April, on Earth Day to be exact, Scarlet lambed. She had twins, a ram lamb and a ewe lamb. We kept Eartha the ewe lamb. Eco her brother went to live with a wonderful family in Arkansas.<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535806773018913042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG3XSuc9r6ZVLQwpx-gpirsamfO0w-S9FMahPFWmgWgH81_QR3XqC7P4k_R-pc-_z-yEi_j63RVRJYtKz3P9m2tfMgU5jcqhWcQMr87hx367jrEDaVxMoCJwQzKeY7XPL4QL91PyLzuU/s320/Eartha.jpg" /><em> Little Eartha a few hours old. </em><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535806770348500594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTVMAcxB-ifwBppTWZKk_EVVSP56sDlTQCtpcem_DdtgktWwOHJ1CYMP9MadlLVpbWhD6_hFgxbuvtz3bUnBhMN1cv97DSkuEDkFxyTFWcpUAtAPtHj4Yj-Ud8MJvlQbJUN0EZN7Ovg4/s320/oct+10001.jpg" /><em>Now at 7 months old</em></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Last year Isabella kidded twin doelings. We kept Maybelle.<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535806777154346546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_x9Jb3od3fj5VC2usuFL9yZq7D_qGwQFDM32cpRJ4JCgz2JkZQsE5ILyGblUogBOmOckAyp8kmA_3pfjOcKuJr1WyK_JKKSV6RekClwSndwIwlmQtebniZ-rhxYQRbj5IlpnldsNUwI/s320/Miss+maybelle.jpg" /></div><div><em>Maybelle a few hours old</em><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535806782615899986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYsQ7Tq-0J72csqQcNHOFGGpZVKQZ_uvzMPZwwQLd2lXH2_MSr_3_0dTK5TW_Yyg1GzbX-wKagQloPjGqNKVJV00rEiQ0jP7yOk64jfyokJ1g488CfwmyW2QLC6aOliq48hEq_uYdMas/s320/oct+10011.jpg" /><em>Maybelle now</em></div><em></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="left">Til next time, have a great rest of the day.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-54614220579839955292010-10-31T09:22:00.001-05:002010-10-31T09:26:56.363-05:00Happy Halloween<div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7ovHQZ40rYaTbapbW3QPU44SWxyWw_qGMNpOx_9kmjZ64BJIYBg2WhkfntDDjD9fNyQBth3LVW6-BeR6uu8yfoJIG8rs-lPsjSHdZd3u6wSvhirCpAqLplbfHF0H64kDatq7rLVI9YE/s1600/haphallow.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534216079446580450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7ovHQZ40rYaTbapbW3QPU44SWxyWw_qGMNpOx_9kmjZ64BJIYBg2WhkfntDDjD9fNyQBth3LVW6-BeR6uu8yfoJIG8rs-lPsjSHdZd3u6wSvhirCpAqLplbfHF0H64kDatq7rLVI9YE/s320/haphallow.gif" /></a> </div><div>Thought this was cute</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534216082513515954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqon0-i1rEgPCHO7E3tByt70Ch1peCSGkYcAjgCARE_F006zzHzonuID4KmF3TuBdJkZXVGCasjVImf5DcaVrl2kGtMzkQ9gMluTSns-Ay8B2HzcoFOnqx3KmNYHxVZrzSuNugCskMuoA/s320/nueter+your+pets.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-89728355907034720662010-10-30T15:58:00.004-05:002010-10-30T16:47:05.418-05:00New ShetlandsWe were to pick up the sheep last weekend. It didn't happen. The better half didn't make it home. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533955469602184802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqY6ZOsgBoaiiPfKkmVBZ8gXfUbqdE9wq7A1dTCdNp9U2ta5AvpcoXJw9luWncQaBHa0Gg7i-KJvGtOwyE5IpwCqV0zyPaaUSwJzdSf0wLlTZ1SoXwwzLf-jUxgEOlI1Kb2NKwnykUr4/s320/Barbiesheep001.jpg" /> <div align="center"><em>The 5 new additions</em></div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div>However he did have a load bringing him by the house on Tuesday. Things worked out so we had just enough time to make the 4 hour round trip to pick up the sheep.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533947262704067602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7byWoIHnQ1L228ElTFbQgpfTEs0nDDSUQno8IK2h4hF5D-qjS8M2BWGzJ3lh9rSeEkcwIQNnnwPT0cE8t3hnorlzV15D092veXFpnE58rMeOeQpJqmaWACX_UbG95Ec9xoqzcmc3xys/s320/pumpkinsheep.jpg" /><em>Whirlwind eating her Halloween treat.</em></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533947268286785634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBpIxgMc4qV38s52ux_FF9RVt9tB0mch8nayKKEqtv_m-OJBJ9lMFB0FT08oVW84-UpleBhHIIi2vYqyj_V8ElI_xkcZxjHQR3vhg0LzeEXO4s1DkWyMlujHXssDInpa9nnI7_YRQ67M/s320/adrian1.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><em>Adrian the wether.</em> </div><div align="center"> </div><div>He is a little cuddle bug. One of my favorites. His fleece is very close to being almost white. I am so looking forward to shearing him in the spring.</div><div> </div><div>Jim says we should starting calling the sheep up at night by yelling "YO Adrian" while playing the song "<em>Gonna Fly Now</em>" (you know the song Rocky/Sly Stallon ran the steps to). </div><div>Funny man eh?</div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-76877562614538787492010-10-22T12:15:00.006-05:002010-10-22T19:39:46.330-05:00Hug A Sheep & Photos From The Road<em>One of my most favorite things to do is</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_vxgOy0aA-qzM_mF6mu-qyNgmIpScw8-O_CqU8sZuU6AyJ2tSTmeXVq1ka9YkFBc0X1hAJJ1itK5yJsUmZdbBRdQZcgIj_elZaMaPkjGxyUZagOoxMgyOfiV1BbOTK78AKYd_izgE1M/s1600/Hug+A+Sheep+White.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530927185075974834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_vxgOy0aA-qzM_mF6mu-qyNgmIpScw8-O_CqU8sZuU6AyJ2tSTmeXVq1ka9YkFBc0X1hAJJ1itK5yJsUmZdbBRdQZcgIj_elZaMaPkjGxyUZagOoxMgyOfiV1BbOTK78AKYd_izgE1M/s320/Hug+A+Sheep+White.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If you haven't already - check out Nancy's blog <a href="http://shepherdsvoice.blogspot.com/">A Shephard's Voice</a> to learn about, participate in or visit with her on Hug A Sheep Day. On her blog you can even vote for the sheep you would most like to hug at her open house. Me, I couldn't choose just one, I would want to hug them all. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>The better half has been out, about and all over the US this week. He sent photos of Nebraska, Wyoming and North Dakota.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530922618466202146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccTsawfhX855Ew163_2P_2ntkn1Q4U89-irvVbM3pLb-8CAk7UWXrjxfs7Q69YFHhRtNXFD-ZVZKhuNNNe7pI-2XNhCHebOoElaMToYCi9wgWFe70sQmEY87-Cw5U6zA_8yep3Hvtizg/s320/Nebraska.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Complete with squashed bug on windshield - Nebraska I 80 I do believe</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530923479305316802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTapv7GuZPiMiCjCH5uBk2YUQGWSHk4wFTGqQfNsiqHaIf09CX_-gW61gGqLcuPJjv4MKkp78LBidVXZof-b8PEfXOvQbEQFlq1s_IWsMQl2t8C4sDU4tT5MjZKESY3JBxH3FRuc0kkA/s320/Wyoming2.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Wyoming</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530922608322762594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGYICKC5vP38hrFbeqY1l0UJPnutV3t6TkTiFY-Ang8NC60-sk5A8NctU0RkLHcZ2inxIG385MLFV1L1HtIMbM5JqNWw1Vs0Ugx_JI-6PlJkGHBjvhQq2MDoKzhOi4zudfjz-CgJ7hJ4/s320/ND+sign.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Welcome to North Dakota...</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530923482277084626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dGsQSMJ6KQ3xhK5hP1ZBrITEbBkNtVJtE2bL0zfq77Y9RYjCkE-0-C5KKyLOLw6ud1o5ObVO7CBRRM19p5UIg_j_u_G5_Ba7Byu0SoqNH6qGb1HA9kxEWoBKxRrGG78OuNblhcCBDHQ/s320/ND+2.jpg" /> Lovely, scenic drive in the Black Hills he said.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVk4GNYSmIzQp5kbtdeaRfNsFMZbfnczC994ZBz_MYWGn_3SRsMwjunSxD8eSEeMHJmx1MjWSdaeRGCjuh6y9-7_OJgZ-JLSl0-oexWrl3Yw_UlXPO3axC4xqk4aFU1jaHYtSyFs9IEI/s1600/North+Dakota.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530922602411523762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVk4GNYSmIzQp5kbtdeaRfNsFMZbfnczC994ZBz_MYWGn_3SRsMwjunSxD8eSEeMHJmx1MjWSdaeRGCjuh6y9-7_OJgZ-JLSl0-oexWrl3Yw_UlXPO3axC4xqk4aFU1jaHYtSyFs9IEI/s320/North+Dakota.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhX2vsMrZNOBQ8UvAfcNjDhe1RodW_AlK7DLvz8ZCw72buAEqvzfVbLyHZm9LZefFerHuh8kc0CWRKjXv1tNNhvFrlSl-fk65Bj0fEDZj3zcShyphenhyphenIBSlBfywt_hkzGjAp9RIYiqdJMxBt4/s1600/ND+worlds+largest+metal+sculpture.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530922592180184114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhX2vsMrZNOBQ8UvAfcNjDhe1RodW_AlK7DLvz8ZCw72buAEqvzfVbLyHZm9LZefFerHuh8kc0CWRKjXv1tNNhvFrlSl-fk65Bj0fEDZj3zcShyphenhyphenIBSlBfywt_hkzGjAp9RIYiqdJMxBt4/s320/ND+worlds+largest+metal+sculpture.jpg" /></a>Sign said World's Largest Metal Works<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTZjcPTElQNFfdS_cxWBzjuHxoRpbQFiWi8CxI2AB9IQzYqnG3gAYeFQ10lstSGaPx9-BzmNwhIKB1sGkU3IhrcvFqZYapSWJ6Y9tmjHDUyTJmcd0WHXnZALShhnHdCKTG9-kuw4832A/s1600/sugarbeethill.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530922591023613506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTZjcPTElQNFfdS_cxWBzjuHxoRpbQFiWi8CxI2AB9IQzYqnG3gAYeFQ10lstSGaPx9-BzmNwhIKB1sGkU3IhrcvFqZYapSWJ6Y9tmjHDUyTJmcd0WHXnZALShhnHdCKTG9-kuw4832A/s320/sugarbeethill.jpg" /></a>Looks like a hill in the background, hun? Nope it is a row of sugar beets. He was picking up sugar made from sugar beets.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Hope everyone has a great weekend!</div></div></div></div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-32865815833131613092010-10-21T09:06:00.008-05:002010-10-21T15:32:47.180-05:00Felted Wool BlanketThe weather has been amazing! Yesterday was another great day to be working outside. Was wonderful...soaking up the warm afternoon temperatures, enjoying the sunny skies not to mention the beautiful fall foliage.<br /><br />This was my office...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530502746729495394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4GxKVsbMkWckeWGHbwhQ6IMsHK1hJ8yXlKQWPc8GqEUf4FAP8fHu99BJ2y9_ahyphenhyphen7ogHgGp2f0sv_PFFJrHketPBzENPsE8_LQ2tefcQLNB-lrxxH9CNuEhSJk7951cWJn2k9rGhe2f4/s320/felting+raw+rug2005.jpg" /><br />My desk...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530502754222587442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8yiarX2qROjcN4d7HLAWtsEIFsYKiIiCWCIZw5ABEas0PyVT4NMdZ_hJXk9NNsz-N64sZ0YETo4h0dh_QxsO6IMAL6FbFtmI35CEPGmdKSljT0Rh0uu1CDq_ftUdxw7o_-488xGnb6c/s320/felting012.jpg" /><br />My co-workers...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530502757833184402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PcdSjYsUsTBCmb3sdtt6aM9_aRyihd4puP1QvqUN1AWMsXyqfq9TmL51wMttUPdvn9CcKV5c8a5nt7U70xjqOLarZVtJHs9I8y7w-dKPmhxgXpg-USF44_oZq1YcFOpVYli6XthpBV0/s320/felting+raw+rug2002.jpg" /><br />These three are my constant companions. The big one is Brutus my grand dog, a GP/Lab cross. His mom is one of our livestock guardians. His dad was the neighbor over the hill's dog who jumped the fence to come a courtin'. Brutus was born the weekend my son moved back home. My son just had to have his own dog, so he had pick of the litter. He does care for Brutus, buys his food, takes him to vet when needed, plays with him when he can and did have him nuetered. The thing is my son works 2 jobs and is never home.<br />The little silver one is Fiona, our most recent rescue. She and Buster Brown (the blonde dog in back) are both Llasa's. Fiona lost half of her ear before she came to us, as well as weighing in at 1 lb., had a skin disorder and was malnourished. Now she just looks a bit quirky with her one ear standing straight up. Buster Brown also a rescue is a whole nother story.<br /><br />My project...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530502760245542946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktLBhcpmvJhBXT97UsKsVGNTBsSPNHYCPCpuMS0vAGi4THa4qmubBKXf99cOxJ7EE51xDqXuS9MHKhxZx0xmxMzbm8ZNfAmMhjZiTDGDL0AM5F5JtPbVHQveWmWv2UqQ5iOVfZoygIqM/s320/Felting+raw+rug007.jpg" /><br />I am attempting to make a felted wool blanket. Why? The better half wants one. So I am trying. It will consist of 6 felted Shetland wool panels sewn together, with a backing of flannel or another warm type material. Mom says she can machine quilt the two layers together. We are going to give it a whirl.<br /><br />I had been reading a few different felting tutorials when I ran across the <em><strong>stomp</strong> </em>felting method. You use your feet to felt the wool = stomp. In that little bundle is a layer of plastic and layers of wool neatly wrapped around some plastic pvc pipe then tied together. You roll it back it forth with your feet. Much like log rolling just without as much water. I sit most time while rolling it. Though also will hold onto the porch railing, putting most of my weight on it while rolling to add more pressure.<br /><br />In olden days it is told that Indians would felt wool by covering and dragging the bundle behind a horse on their journeys. I have read some folks will beat the wool to felt it. Most use their hands and some have a felting machine. Don't have a horse, though Jim did voluteer to drag the pipe behind the truck up the drive way. Can't justify the expense of the rolling felting machine. I also don't think I would find pleasure in beating the wool, my old hands have "arthur" creeping into them and show signs of carpel tunnel. Stomp method should and did work.<br /><br />The results<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530502764541783218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3gq7laAQ5Ieod4VO0Uro4C6iogLwlo6JSH63ZQQQ3DvgNS6BK7gjLhyphenhyphenyFSqSchWLkt_gj2vVEf138lvxyCHvlooRzcYBheUXEgDWlewo6jHJnEAXJ2_WHUJjDNUslVXPnFOVjtQf3Vs/s320/felting+raw+rug1001.jpg" /><br />I used brown and light grey Shetland wool, threw in a bit of white Mohair for texture (the curls in the photo below).<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530505564260331250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTDLpUqEnno-6cywxlIAm0TlRpvWZvA0edFGRJTW174yYyv-bJpsGAFSut4QWI2LRNot-kzeksgSDNzNw0gjSkyWvtMBsTSjqhFFjzcHR2bjJ69aZiC9azXr_4r0HtICHz2R2vT_inTQ/s320/felting+raw+rug1002.jpg" /><br />Pinch test showed it was ready for the next step. The edges were a bit rough, they didn't felt well. Will pay more attention to the outer edges next panel. 1 panel down 5 to go. I will take photos to post of the process from start to finish with the next panel, in case anyone maybe interested.<br /><br /><div>Till next time...</div><div>Thanks for stopping by and have a great rest of the day!<br /></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-37962050493604303022010-10-19T20:03:00.006-05:002010-10-20T09:48:08.590-05:00Lemon Vinegar & Fleeces<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529928318707008706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02-mUgGoPQvJt8q6l0ds8YYgrkeNvHuHHBBLbjUyXstMC3oIH-KuSM3F_qxTxRxQkoLdu839C5W7PqnUP7YeTGjWP65_vN1PvJ5cYDCZGfk4o4cvQiY9jWDUhbZc8DHhmXMJPwi7Iufc/s320/lemon+vinegar003.jpg" /><br />It was during one of my rare “ah-ha moments” that these lovely jars of lemon vinegar came to be. I was working with one of the Shetland fleeces, actually <em>attempting</em> to put the fiber through the drum carder. I say <em>attempting</em> due to the drum carder and I having a very rocky beginning. I just couldn’t seem to get the swing of things with the wonderful little machine.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529928322094641026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMMt9HvwOiJPHe2MhJ_5Sfm4L3y7DmCCL29fImgHEImpJRcGdG2inCGQagUPgpW-P1O7RAmxqsyUfBhI9IXHf94k4VMct7CK_zTFtarliFdOFMFzgUQ1d_jCXeLSW5IR9PFWsylKAQaY/s320/woolblogcarder.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>My little crafting corner, fiber flows off the drum carder <strong>now</strong>. Those bags on the shelf in the background are what I am washing while it is warm for craft projects this winter</em>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br />Oh I could fill the drum perfectly; I just couldn’t get the batting off the drum. I had to literally pick it off. Time consuming to say the least, definitely not good for the teeth on the carding cloth regardless of how careful I was and it was frustrating as all get out!<br />After suffering with the same results 2 or 3 times made me just not want to use the darn thing at all. I read and re-read directions. I scoured the internet for information; watched how-to You Tube videos (this is an act of desperation – we have dial up and it takes an hour or more to load a 7 minute video) even talked to the wonderful makers of the drum carder about my issues.<br /><br />My friend and sheep mentor <a href="http://musingsfairlightfarm.blogspot.com/">Tammy</a> mentioned possibly re-washing the fleeces, making sure to get them uber clean. There might be the possibility grease could still be on the fleece which was gumming up the works for me.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529930015598898418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp07yLR8FOn8VK5RfHDvRA2SFO6nMmJv4DP94ALnWSwtpXSa3-BYGTmh3NnMyVXSIKjGLK_VPlVcP67wsZ-bpe8866fYc8OutBSI0G5boEwHM6FGj02Lg5JRJZ5b2MK0DJ2TPV_V06IK4/s320/Wool+Weds003.jpg" />Rewashing the fleece was not a big issue, I just really didn’t want to because I knew I was washing the fleece very well and carefully rinsing completely. I had been rinsing as many times as it took to see clean, clear water. The dry fleeces felt clean, not tacky or greasy. I just knew they were clean. I gave in and decided to rewash them. At the time I was also surfing the internet for fiber washing info. Not sure where I found the info, I think it was my Colored Angora group. Someone suggested adding vinegar to the final rinse. Humm…stinky vinegar on my precious fleeces made me cringe. I hate the smell of vinegar.<br /><br /><br /><br />Vinegar is something we keep in the pantry at all times. We use vinegar to home can, make cheeses, marinades, salad dressings and due to Jim being diabetic you wouldn’t believe the info floating around out there about using vinegar to lower blood sugar. I have a folk remedy book on the benefits of vinegar. Vinegar for bug bites, dandruff, skin rashes, as a household cleaner it makes a good bathroom cleanser, use it on the bowl, sink and mirrors. For laundry, vinegar is said to soften, you can add a ½ of cup to a cup depending on size of load. I also use vinegar to dye fleece. …you could probably find 1001 uses for vinegar.<br /><br />During the summer we like fresh squeezed lemonade and I love homemade lemon curd on toast and muffins. Winter brings baked goodies like lemon pies, which for some reason I am craving at the moment. Sure I could use that store bought lemon juice but it just doesn’t have the sameness as a fresh lemon, not the same zing and definitely no lemon peel to zest. At times we accumulate a few lemon peels which I hate just pitching them out. We don’t have a garbage disposal in the kitchen (our garbage disposal = pigs) or I would run them through it as a cleanser for that clean fresh lemon scent. So what to do with the peels?<br /><br />One day after making lemon curd, thinking vinegar cuts grease, lemon juice dissolves soap scum and hard water deposits - in combining the two would surely make my fleeces oil free and soft.<br /><br />But what about that vinegar smell? There is still a bit of the vinegar stink but nothing as bad as straight vinegar, it’s fresh lemon scented vinegar.<br /><br />I started adding lemon vinegar to each final rinse of the fleeces. How much? Well, the on line sites I read recommended a “glub” of vinegar. Come on a glub? I started with ¼ cup. Thinking less is best. The fleeces are soft, have no sheepy or vinegar smell. And another plus, lemon is also considered a natural pest repellant for fleece.<br /><br />In the kitchen I have substituted the lemon vinegar in marinades and vinaigrette recipes. Not bad if I say so myself. Next will be using in making goat cheese to see if the lemon is noticeable.<br /><br />Was grease in the fleece causing my problem? We will never know for sure. Shortly after I began using the lemon vinegar I learned the proper method in removing the batting. I was going about it all wrong, backwards to honest with you.<br /><div><br /><div>Til next time</div><div>Thanks for stopping by and have a great rest of the day!</div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-45108498332892506952010-10-18T11:06:00.005-05:002010-10-18T12:35:53.229-05:00New Additions & Breeding GroupsHopefully, we are picking up the new additions to the Shetland flock this weekend. 5 new sheep, 2 ewes and 3 wethers. This means new sheep to spoil and 5 new colors in fleece. <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529420206232301698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-NhJC3Sitq-i24UZuxu1WSrJgOwIuQ_hgpttz3umANZ_6_QXdqBKqq_ibq1AP0Fhwrd_iW1B23MT4nam1wBRrKHw0Xu4IaIsaa-yeUCe5-kHkvtZKN2OLwqCW-_CyJ3sjCqe8748K8/s320/Whirlwind.jpg" />Above is Minwawe Whirlwind, I fell in love with her lovely oatmeal color fleece as well as her markings. Below is Adrian her wethered ram lamb. The two are as probably as close to white as I am ever going to get. <br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 206px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529420206494638082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCm-6oaE8pd6PZ7WezK3m_mbj9hkFmaGuw4JqW2qMuU8C81JzyCD_qC-KNLu-t0zl-F_1S5dNMKfuwc6k0XaxLHzns8kQpwvRYVDr83ZTWpBLN0BJxYIiffwlqcos6csREU0etzWwmCk/s320/Adrian.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>This is Three Ring Buttered Rum, the photo below her is of her twins Timothy and Matthew. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wIJl9KG51t6HCmuoDxE7dvD8Szf9nHbCZH8hhJYSw7xC1ELlmteyTu6jgdFTQyAGMfDZl51TJOpDh3FyYsvJJdt2DDvvplxlCWJzf5zphFzzOTaU6ShFIOIASSDaYYhK5GKdZ3GA3kE/s1600/Buttered+Rum.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529420212827357410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wIJl9KG51t6HCmuoDxE7dvD8Szf9nHbCZH8hhJYSw7xC1ELlmteyTu6jgdFTQyAGMfDZl51TJOpDh3FyYsvJJdt2DDvvplxlCWJzf5zphFzzOTaU6ShFIOIASSDaYYhK5GKdZ3GA3kE/s320/Buttered+Rum.jpg" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529420217448002322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubQp8ZcSH65M4AdIQk3GshUeKUvAv663ZGQ8u1QPs2XPPp_SeKrOSxD8uG614pmNuza_KhM25_S-zDoI6__6XTTRA3FncKblbcViFYgig69LHBZfuSEFykp2GOEzkqMeB2w13SqEuFaA/s320/Timothy+%26+Matthew.jpg" />These 5 woolly ones will round out the Shetland flock. Am now content with the size of our little flock, staying within my manageable number, have a variety of colors in fleece (light oatmeal, shades of brown, grey, black and black and white spotted) and there will be at least two ewes for each ram. </div><div> </div><div>With the Shetland search and flock now closed, my next search will be for an Icelandic and a Merino ewe. Jim still swears he is going to have a pair of Merino wool socks out of this obsession of mine. </div><div> </div><div>With the exception of the new ewes we are now officially separated into breeding groups. </div><div>Shetlands:</div><div>Jackdaw(ram)</div><div>Selena</div><div>Lark</div><div> </div><div>Jasper(ram)</div><div>Pitty Pat </div><div>Scarlet</div><div> </div><div>Angoras:</div><div>The Sundance Kid(black buck)</div><div>Bella (black)</div><div>Aurora (white)</div><div>Bonnie Lass (white)</div><div>Fairchild (white)</div><div> </div><div>Jacob's Chance(white buck)</div><div>Barb</div><div>Maybelle</div><div>Camel</div><div><br />I mentioned the scratching tree in yesterday's post. This is another view. The bark at the bottom continues to slowly be rubbed off. </div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529420223693091458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_QX_s0KA6qMTWiv5uc_r0EOdds9lDdfZES5u3t7o8QaMSDuywU4oKfEk_GUolUQKfp9gSao8ur8IC05nRoXs2MwGdGLn-Rmn9adhEkF_uov8aiOwV6yYoDtp0eN7odzSR6BW81nrfzQ/s320/Wool+Weds014.jpg" /><br /><div>Til next time...</div><div>Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!</div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-71914384568515369652010-10-17T13:23:00.006-05:002010-10-17T14:31:31.393-05:00Fall Around the Farm<div align="left">My camera does not show the true colors. It is beautiful out here in the woods. When the wind picks up the leaves fall like rain.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRFrryk7-lnffLpmYniKIGscNra19jjZUc4wOYDqHhxHj0Pyjm56qa7aUPv4N6SuWhJUwxkEPRLxWjZsCtafiklNF4yjRIOwz6O0PYd4a8nG-7MUg9g0Q1lQiAHeepSEe4fRj77Q0Jxg/s1600/Farm+blog030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529092850544001362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRFrryk7-lnffLpmYniKIGscNra19jjZUc4wOYDqHhxHj0Pyjm56qa7aUPv4N6SuWhJUwxkEPRLxWjZsCtafiklNF4yjRIOwz6O0PYd4a8nG-7MUg9g0Q1lQiAHeepSEe4fRj77Q0Jxg/s320/Farm+blog030.jpg" /></a> Hannah our Anatolian/GP cross guardian.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Ij7MlJk64TrEEkUkrXTsjfj2T35TrxB5iQJaM-ecuyVhnwCEgsdoucVZskAXtfaohyMaHZG6TrzO350DkHe6Z1bOZZlKKOW-ixPaFn9una1cymbN9W7FbeOqYC4lZ2OZqVu7on03XA/s1600/Farm+blog022.jpg"></a> </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKst6hLZi1zJ5BIpbw2-HIvnPMBUgQya79GbqS-lJJ1ADzawKR2T4gvZ_2pE0riQsM7rfSz9aeZfDj02vqdHvMK2YrWmDtNrSNa-eO8I7qP4Hf08HxB1EXKiuy4P5bb4RY4RasiP3NUA/s1600/Farm+blog029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529092830885982146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKst6hLZi1zJ5BIpbw2-HIvnPMBUgQya79GbqS-lJJ1ADzawKR2T4gvZ_2pE0riQsM7rfSz9aeZfDj02vqdHvMK2YrWmDtNrSNa-eO8I7qP4Hf08HxB1EXKiuy4P5bb4RY4RasiP3NUA/s320/Farm+blog029.jpg" /></a> Pitty Pat at the scratching tree. <br /><div align="left">A dead tree we had topped a couple of years ago so it would not fall on the out buildings, turned into the goats and sheep favorite place to scratch. <br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529092825064343650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nkz2Om8KB9jIt5JFATpsPhTeyHp0p8RldySDATQtueAbNK5KZUh_GiwMtJX3qf3oSEcXZ9kNw_jZ_Gn2Ec0rghs4BI87aHxv67I0PDJ_ZGnQBeBJ7eCUwT1Q-ihsY23zodfnRYZZ_Ok/s320/Farm+blog013.jpg" />The Shetlands going out to browse.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4pWR0Jpw58Wi7ldoHzwAapXVuRqvtKkcxj34Y-pui3VTBF0OWeZ_4BYGYP98QboPTcirHrHbxvN0Au4H3M1uwB4j8RR2n8fakDhaMWq0vfqZmf3X3JxODeU4G6Im9pw9Wv0ahZZqS7I/s1600/Farm+blog006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529084221385944946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4pWR0Jpw58Wi7ldoHzwAapXVuRqvtKkcxj34Y-pui3VTBF0OWeZ_4BYGYP98QboPTcirHrHbxvN0Au4H3M1uwB4j8RR2n8fakDhaMWq0vfqZmf3X3JxODeU4G6Im9pw9Wv0ahZZqS7I/s320/Farm+blog006.jpg" /></a> Downed branches and limbs still needing cleaned up.</div><div align="center"> </div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529084219548290466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyx9hRm4f5S_j5Jnh_CSyfUFhgh0b78pyoQ9iZaJHQWV6bFeS-EINk56gNAUKDcJaTEc8ehT4KPicNK5Qd4tQSE_Mm-L_J3bkwGKaKFXzLeid0lrY7ne_F-cRj4c5pQh-10TKO8pcARds/s320/Farm+blog027.jpg" /> Orange and yellow leaves overhead. </p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529084205564866674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rFraFakhkNHv8UmeLYlHv2BuoeUE2ogZnowBMcy5zImpTkxB5wuhlBpXTceaLz_5L1m9wmwhSKVL-cGqCMsHrwRinRFiCiXE3L9r-zVuR4bkP0p2xJ3q_qJYt8p7bUuRW2msNqe3u_A/s320/Farm+blog018.jpg" /> Sheared Angora does, Bella and Aurora </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QSqb8XlbOkpqpWdPguwKSunJS-yy9j1wdjpjECBHUyK0x6oVUVXuMz2dQFcbXYKUk6Kepon0PyFmz_MTtVh7zL642TxYwnQQiGiXOAIVwrP0jyHWoBGdC79FI8_Z5jUA9nmm9GCryhE/s1600/Farm+blog016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529084197333959298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QSqb8XlbOkpqpWdPguwKSunJS-yy9j1wdjpjECBHUyK0x6oVUVXuMz2dQFcbXYKUk6Kepon0PyFmz_MTtVh7zL642TxYwnQQiGiXOAIVwrP0jyHWoBGdC79FI8_Z5jUA9nmm9GCryhE/s320/Farm+blog016.jpg" /></a> Bella, nope, not pregnant yet. Just well fed and fat!<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJHFGPdfas21DyDiwFj5oisYNkG3XiU7Heq9aN6VMXr3n9YjKcOFZ8VB9B7T6UmDBFFtteKaDe7aX9KKzGaKUnePaaBKxStWzYiLfWn4J2LV6DgnPIX1-ZCoFfWmC9Ox5TlUSA31yA5s/s1600/Farm+blog002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529084187928528130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJHFGPdfas21DyDiwFj5oisYNkG3XiU7Heq9aN6VMXr3n9YjKcOFZ8VB9B7T6UmDBFFtteKaDe7aX9KKzGaKUnePaaBKxStWzYiLfWn4J2LV6DgnPIX1-ZCoFfWmC9Ox5TlUSA31yA5s/s320/Farm+blog002.jpg" /></a>Why fences don't last in the buck pens.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">Might be a tad bit hard to see, though I am actually glad I was able to catch him doing this. Evidence as to why cattle panels need to replace all our field fence on interior pens. They don't seem to fight the exterior field fence at all, just up close to the house, shelters or where ever they can see us.</div><div align="left">That's Jacob's Chance (white Angora herdsire) his horns are hooked through the fence. He is sharpening his horns on and with the fence. Once finished he will get a bit rowdy and start swinging his head back and forth as if he is mad at the fence or doesn't remember how to pull his head free. Our first Boer buck Jethro also destroyed fence in the same manner. </div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-49404539743470521062010-10-16T08:45:00.006-05:002010-10-21T15:19:05.677-05:00Happy Birthday Sister<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W-8GctgRYSjuCkOoDEGQG0CcmNmwCIiQVaBoYGzYnqML4JST1k4ht-sW8MlP6VBd1yONss1fZPeOdOcm5nDe1W7IJ7KFkcuo_JFcVSv8qfeQ60ECK-auxg4zKM5AYxbReEP14y0RxcM/s1600/avis+57.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530596385809470242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W-8GctgRYSjuCkOoDEGQG0CcmNmwCIiQVaBoYGzYnqML4JST1k4ht-sW8MlP6VBd1yONss1fZPeOdOcm5nDe1W7IJ7KFkcuo_JFcVSv8qfeQ60ECK-auxg4zKM5AYxbReEP14y0RxcM/s320/avis+57.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZAZOvJu_BrKmLkvub-vzcsB27cIcbLpq1rvkwoHoEtwFs-9Elnb69QvyLzN-YDZ-HGZJKYT7LeQRQX4Aa1T8iYxNS8DvG9RKUiGUTxIIULQso59XnySSCioP6ivqNa9YFu__9qwcxN0/s1600/Blogthanksgiving3.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XdAunTN4KKzkNDmsaxm1TACliEfayxxC8Glr2zIam3ZhyBySweZ6sjNZl_7Bt_ZvkF-tVHDDpjWGNuz2FEUudL50Yiluq3xWGi2OUebuzLUAId0Sr2sB24gfebgpgy0x69gwmEgIirw/s1600/junefarmavis005.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Today is your birthday...hope your day is as special as you are. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-32758220697650060422010-10-15T13:05:00.005-05:002010-10-15T17:12:24.595-05:00Change of PlansWell, it didn't work out as I had planned. Couldn't move the blog over. Actually had fits with the other blog layout and language. Almost deleted the entire website. Thank goodness I knew enough to stop before I really did severe damage. Wish I was not so computer illiterate. Head hurts as if I had been banging it against a brick wall... geez ...trying to figure out all the technical stuff, by no means as easy as they make it seem. No just click here or click there. Imagine if my 13 year old great niece were here she could move it in a heart beat, not struggle in a continuous 2 week effort as I did. Unfortunately she is not. So here we are and here we will stay.<br /><br /><div align="center">Hey - Happy Fall Y'all!</div><br /><div align="center">The weather here has been amazing! Just <em>Beeeeuu Ti ful! Love It!</em></div><br />Mornings are brisk and cool. Even a little frost out on the pumpkins. Afternoons are sunny, bright and warm. Perfect for working out and about the farm. Have accomplished much in the last couple of weeks, a bit of yard work, mowing, raking, re-potting plants to bring in the house for winter and turning garden spots under. Sorted through the remains of a couple old out-buildings. With the help of a neighbor we recycled the scrap metal. I cleaned up downed limbs and branches from previous storms we never had time to totally remove.<br /><br />Last weekend was spent shearing the Angoras. Hooray they are done! I skirted as we finished each goat, now need to re-skirt and decide which fleeces I want to sell. I will list them on the website as soon as I can.<br /><br />I have started two new craft projects. A rug from twisted roving and a felted wool blanket. I really should have taken photos from the beginning, didn't, but will as I continue through the processes to post at a later date. Have been washing and drying fleeces while the weather is warm. Hoping to have all nice and clean, ready for working over the winter months.<br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528346572338822082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_tzprHsS1LEdPmrliZ66QZRQDXePgFrHBfeqkPmlwSxqOM2PkfBx0yffu3xIpwNIdrmdZ4a7EGjO4lvnuZ9dA5MzAr9we5errOGQ_oin4R46uwq9VYve6DfRvs_ZHQcSjP4OV0Y0P8c/s320/012.JPG" /><br />Now to the happy, happy, joy, joy news...saving the best for last...</p><p>Not sure if you remember back when we first decided to add the Shetland sheep to the farm I only intended to have wethers. Was not interested in breeding them. Thought I could have a nice spinners flock with just wethers. We started with the 4 woolly boys, Angus, Aberdeen, Kelly and Kirby. Loved all the little guys so much... we then had the opportunity to add Selena with her beautiful fine crimped fleece and Jackdaw our handsome spotted ram to breed to Pitty Pat and Scarlet. Deciding Jackie boy needed another Shetland ewe in his flock we added Lark and her son Jasper. Jasper was to be wethered but when Jim went to do the deed the little guy at a very young age was too large to band. Jim also loved Jasper's spotted fleece and gentle disposition so we kept him intact. Ok, I know....all this rambling just to say we are hopefully adding 5 more to the Shetland flock in a few days. 2 beautiful ewes and 3 wethers. More info and photos to come...stay tuned :-) </p>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-63152312968722239902010-09-21T14:15:00.006-05:002010-10-16T07:51:04.882-05:00Moving Weekfor the blog that is. Our new farm website has a Wordpress blog option which I have decided to use. That is if I can figure the thing out. The thought and plan is that I will blog a bit more since I work on and check the website daily. I hope to have all files, photos and info moved by weeks end. So my dear blog friends and followers please come on over. <a href="http://www.southardfarm.com/">www.southardfarm.com/</a><br /><div>I hope everyone is doing well. I see I have lots of reading to catch up on. </div><br /><div>Life is busy good here on the farm. We just had our annual big, fat, Irish family get together for the Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival (Sept. 10 & 11) Had a good time with family, saw old friends, met new friends and enjoyed the festival. Sales were enough to cover expenses (gas, food, plus a little bit extra). Peacock feathers as norm were the top seller. I had made a few small bars of goat milk soap and felted wool balls, both sold out. A new item we added this year were our custom designed T's shirts, sold a few of those too. </div><div></div><div>The highlight of the weekend came when a visitor to our booth (we had a booth in the beastie barn with 2 of our Shetlands boys on display) ask to speak to owner of the sheep. Everyone pointed at me. Low and behold she was an event PR person for the Warrensburg, MO Celtic Festival. She invited the Shetland boys to participate at their 2011 festival. Woot! Looks like we may be traveling with the Shetlands!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519465826777021698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpK_u_ZOZZEssmzM-p8kNhGw3tG_ohxKrlrTosltdEKA-KXsQ0tGSozk_Gj5ps5MbqQvDpuKoZ0UpshXdudG23uvuLZwYFXVt1NdgsAvqB_TdUswii-nmnyA9PUfcVggWCSQsRWu0kOE/s320/Celtic+Fest+sheep.jpg" /><br /><div></div><div>We took Jasper our little 6 month old ram lamb and Angus a two yr. old wether. Jasper was the crowd favorite and a little ham. Angus was very selective of when or whom he would allow to touch ... no one in a crowd, nor if they wore brightly colored clothing, especially not if they were hyper children. I can't blame him there, I can't handle hyper children either. The boys were also able to visit with Tammy from Fairlight Farm (their previous human mom). Tammy had a booth and two of her beautiful wethers at the festival also. We were hoping to be able to combine efforts and set the booths up side by side. Didn't work as we had planned, the festival powers that be set the sheep stalls in the middle and our booth areas on opposite sides. We still managed a visit here and there when the foot traffic slowed.<br /></div><div>I don't know about you, but I am so ready for Fall, my favorite time of the year. Things begin to slow down, cooler weather arrives and the holidays approach. I don't feel so rushed. Sure there are still the daily chores, milking, feeding, etc. Still lots of house work, yard work and clean up though it just seems to come at a slower pace. I am so ready for slow.</div><div></div><div>Shearing the Angoras is penciled in for the last weekend of the month. I started working on the breeding groups. Waiting to breed the sheep and Angoras til a bit later, don't want babies in the dead of winter. I did decide to breed Barb and Maybelle (2 dairy does) a bit earlier than planned. We put the buck in with them last week and will take him out on the 26th. That puts us at kidding in Feb. which is OK due to our bringing the bottle babies in the house. </div><div></div><div>Til next time, have a good one!</div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-73924243056791732822010-08-15T12:21:00.006-05:002010-10-16T16:16:28.725-05:00In The Good Ole Summer Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMDSsC2XrXHKNPnNxXskrQFyhqAwsPaVrd-5PKYou6xWaFir2HGecUBMNlwGSE8m1Yv_7XHisyKbpsMfKqAW7OE9AjcEokC_Seh53j-LLNxUaOEbZtb71jl06u_pjUKhZ6fOTBAhV9Mc/s1600/AngorasAugust10011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505716324347820786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMDSsC2XrXHKNPnNxXskrQFyhqAwsPaVrd-5PKYou6xWaFir2HGecUBMNlwGSE8m1Yv_7XHisyKbpsMfKqAW7OE9AjcEokC_Seh53j-LLNxUaOEbZtb71jl06u_pjUKhZ6fOTBAhV9Mc/s320/AngorasAugust10011.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>All in all it has been a good summer despite the heat. We did a few family things, a few fiber things and a few farm things. Though where ever we went, whom ever we saw, the heat was the topic of many conversations.<br /></div><div><div>It has been a real scorcher here at the farm. Everyone outside is miserable. The heat is taking it's toll on all of us. Milk production is down, chickens backed off laying, sheep, goats, dogs, cats...all panting and hiding in whatever shady, dark, cool spot they can find. I have been getting up at daybreak to do the milking, feeding and other chores. Go back out 2 or 3 times a day to refill and cool down water troughs, plus take a head count to make sure all are surviving. At sunset I go back out, refill troughs and check on everyone once again.<br /></div><div>The garden basically burnt up. A few veggies here and there were all we could manage to keep alive this year, even though I watered. The blackberries and wild plums barely made it past the blooming stage, what did fruit burnt up if the birds didn't get to them first. Then there was the issue with a wild animal of some sort, the lettuce, spinach, kale, arugala... all the summer greens were wiped out in one evening. Oh and how could I forget... the tomato-sheep incident due to my total absent-mindedness. We sold this year's wether ramling for a pet to a very nice family. The day he was to be picked up I brought him, his mom and sister into the front yard. So they could see his family as well as not have to walk a mile down to and up from the pasture to load when they were ready to leave. Three of the other ewes wanted to join in the adventure so I let them in also. Oh yeah, not even giving a thought to the few tomato plants we had planted in those upside down tomato planters or the variety of peppers plants I planted in decorative pots. The sheep basically left the plants alone though ate all the veggies. The roses however did not fair as well. Have hopes for the pumpkin they seem to be hanging on. </div><br /><div>I just couldn't tolerate the heat to accomplish many summer projects. I managed to paint one out building before the 100 degree temps set in. Oh, can't forget managed to paint half the propane tank. You do not know how annoying it is to me for it to be setting there half painted. I plan on finishing it first, as soon as the heat breaks. Did work outside a couple of hours each morning mowing, weeding, cleaning feed troughs, sweeping out milk room and stalls, trimming a hoof here and there, etc. until I could no longer bear the heat of the day. Have to say it was not a productive farm work summer.</div><br /><div>The weekends the better half was home we ventured out in the mornings to the nearby farmers markets, produce stands and feed stores. At the Lebanon Farmers Market ran across a very nice farmer who had the most reasonable prices we had found all summer. Plus like us he uses no pesticides on his produce. Win, win in my opinion. We bought some of all his produce he had available. Will definitely be returning.</div><br /><div>Speaking of the better half he has been sending a few photos of sunsets...he has been driving mainly at night lately. The first is in Texas, the second Kansas.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505705454737170898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9d3mt61SLPy2zieiQCGCRNClTZkSPOveeWltRPlLFquF_fyB_3atKXPwARnM0ZZaVtbSFpab8rgqSeESBr-r1qB-NnaFIfTPkFTb-Wos15NBLiKKrhIvinYC1ZMOnD2Os69sLAKxSOU/s320/texas+lon.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505705458255595810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8LHAd9yWHnrwWiWFJkaqpbZ5mUBMLtOoFZ0jT3UNapoyo3JqmFTFbk_OItSNXWYL9JfQTpOWeCDAKzR4EsexvNtuxHEs4vV8JjdNfCnvo50DBUpcWFyqwq_UxzjofBGZQAtKmwKBiLE/s320/Kansassunset.jpg" /><br /></div><div>Happy to report the "Lamb Warmers" are finished and listed on the new website. Have it up and running though no online store for the moment. It maybe a few weeks.<br /><br /></div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505709617728961762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRLvVmZWZq7cT5jRJ9JsI-VEuViiJlV8lvFru5Wzpw95o3GD-LCghAbcHZpHQALmxyOWCXmK19xs0CvB7muKu4TrsAvWXcdy-q7cdK5MqfLZy9m9ddPZX-YEFr-pA9950bUIC5ly8H3I/s320/47yarrlr78sp.jpg" /> <div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505709626432227490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO02uDfe8iWQYKdTuv24rCbt7X-d_O4PcT2LnkA1kbKqyikshFPcRA0ec1sU8QpJCBZkIzipL1awM5Xm_0Ffvqlf9m0J457qfKyV1gGEKzd0-es7DcM5GSCPdTo1uIiv9tYGmmzAHo9s/s320/47yarrlr78spDavid.jpg" /></div><div align="center"><em>Models and photos courtesy of Robin from Buffalo Creek Farm </em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div>I did say Lamb Warmers :-) though they also work well on kids too. For lambs & kids 15 lbs and under. Will have lambs modeling the warmers soon. <a href="http://www.southardfarm.com/">www.southardfarm.com</a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the summer, stay cool!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div></div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-55214321420227322592010-06-24T11:57:00.003-05:002010-06-24T12:19:40.023-05:00Foul Fowl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3dfKKToADRdNp23-GmEO6qFjZgC5q4O7PciMj4P2QEOjG8nmzz4yyypcLB4ualUtu9ZZ17IeSV6j7JxnQ6-Q2ms7CySEAjzBBRCokeYBcgpnPMnMTrl2b6dmtun6N1FVVB0L6OzQs9E/s1600/sheepangoras003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486386755715846930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3dfKKToADRdNp23-GmEO6qFjZgC5q4O7PciMj4P2QEOjG8nmzz4yyypcLB4ualUtu9ZZ17IeSV6j7JxnQ6-Q2ms7CySEAjzBBRCokeYBcgpnPMnMTrl2b6dmtun6N1FVVB0L6OzQs9E/s320/sheepangoras003.jpg" /></a>It started a couple of months ago, this fowls play… one of our older peacocks seemed to think he should have the ewes and lambs feed. He would attempt to chase them from their feeder each morning. I also noticed his occasional jump at the girls, though it was nothing I didn’t think they could handle. Each day he was becoming more aggressive with them trying to get to their food. He would peck at their faces and legs. The girls finally would just back away and let the peacock have at it. Nope, not going to have this behavior from a darn bird! I began standing beside the feeder, shooing the peacock away while the ewes & lambs ate.<br /><br />You might think that this peafowl was hungry, it is not. The peafowl are fed daily, fed well, they also free range around the farm to their hearts content. They eat bugs and such along side the chickens. Not one of our other 14 peafowl displays this type of behavior.<br /><br />Shortly after this began we were planning on rotating the ewes and lamb out to pasture from the pen so I didn’t think much more about the foul behavior and just watched over the sheep as they ate each day. <br /><br />You see the peafowl are territorial; the males of our group have established sections of the farm that they watch over. One wanders the front yard and cul-de-sac, another guards the top paddock, another covers the dairy girls’ pen, another the east pasture and so on. This guy’s place is up by the well house and he hangs out around what we call the back yard. I knew he would not follow the girls to the pasture (and he didn’t).<br /><br />A couple of days before we were to shear we penned the two Angora bucks where the ewes previously where. The boys were to be sheared first and it was the closest pen to the shearing table. Sundance and Jacob being macho manly bucks are not afraid of anything or anyone. Jacob actually gets a bit overly frisky and bucky at times, has even chased me out of the pen once or twice. I am not afraid of him, just know when he gets “bucky” it’s best to stay away. It is a rule of thumb for me, never to turn my back on any of the boys (rams or bucks) and not to place myself in harms way so I don’t.<br /><br />I raised both the bucks as bottle babies so they have no fear of me. In their world they rule and know no danger from dogs, humans or other animals on the farm. They have large sets of horns and they do use them. It’s a frequent everyday occurrence for Sundance to drop his head and lock horns with Jacob. Sorry I am rambling… the point I was making is that Sundance and Jacob shouldn’t have any problems protecting themselves from the peacock so I left them in the pen. <br /><br />No problems until yesterday that is, that darn peafowl was actually flogging the boys’ hind quarters in attempt to run them off from the feeder. I am guessing its previous attempts at running the boys off had not worked so flogging was his next plan of attack. The boys ignored the flogging and continued to eat. I on the other hand would have liked to have plucked every single tail feather from his hide at that moment. <br /><br />This morning I find the peacock hot footing it after Jacob around the fence line, Sundance standing inside the shelter watching the activities. Getting up close and in the pen I see blood on the peacock leg and specks of blood on Jacobs fleece. Jacob is fine, peacock is breathing rather rapidly. Leg is not broken. Wonder what tomorrow will bring in this fowl story? <br /><br />I reminded the peafowl of the farm rules - Farm Rule #1 - You make Mom mad, hurt her or another animal you are outta here! <br /><br />When this foul play began, we began looking for a new home for the fowl. We have found a farm willing to take him; it will just be a few days before the new owners are prepared for his arrival. I hope he lives long enough to see his new home.JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-34382079139318925542010-06-08T10:57:00.003-05:002010-10-16T07:48:21.642-05:00Fiber U<div align="center">Want to learn more about fiber and what to do with it?</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Fiber "U" - Fun, Fiber & You</div><div align="center">July 9-11</div><div align="center">Cowan Civic Center, Lebanon, MO</div><div align="center">This event is also open to the public.</div><div align="center">Registration and class information is on the MOPACA. org website.</div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932812649761387044.post-80303421926832664352010-06-06T11:24:00.004-05:002010-06-06T12:43:14.563-05:00Shearing DaysWe sheared the Angoras herd a couple of weeks ago, well Mothers Day to be exact. Decided to shear Selena as well that day... ran into the dreaded greasy rise. To avoid gumming up the shears I took to scissor- shearing her remaining fleece. Ugh! A chore to say the least, though she is sheared.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479716276783574738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj0q4mCBs7sJU5pf5Z1u_ipLQf96ZJTZnKfPKDstHe8nfmGKqDiOUPzR9jHm8Xfv2h24JZYXw41TR_wel4OdPBMyqBW1yj-knvD6rBOtb3aP7zL37TmLtcPxj5YbZdYlGOyBQ0gMeMow/s320/Photo002.jpg" />Greasy rise is a booger to deal with so we waited until the Sunday before Memorial Day to shear the Shetland flock hoping it would be gone. Perfect timing, greasy rise gone, the shears went through their fleece as if it were a warm knife cutting butter. <div><div><br /><div>It takes both Jim and I to shear. Jim pretty much gets the job of escorting the sheep from where ever they might be penned to the shearing table. Our boys seem to know something is up and resist all efforts of being caught, confined or haltered. I purely am not strong enough to fight the fight it takes to move the boys. I can't hold on to them while they popcorn up and down, twist and turn to avoid being handled. </div><br /><div>Once they are on the shearing stand they are quiet and still. I can then shear. After shearing Jim gives their yearly vaccinations, I give de-wormer if needed, we take turns trimming hooves, apply the BOSS down their backline, feed a handful of animal crackers along with a lot of praise and good boys. Off the stand they go, on to the next we go. </div><br /><div>Our plan was to shear Jackdaw first, then Kelly so both were in the catch pen. We also thought by putting Kelly in the catch pen with Jackdaw for company it would not stress them so badly. While Jim went to halter Jackdaw, I held the gate closed. Jim brought Jackie to the gate, Kelly stood quietly in the back ... the moment I cracked the gate open Kelly saw freedom and bolted! He actually was out of the pen before Jim and Jackdaw, using Jackdaw as a spring board out the gate. Lesson learned - only one sheep in catch pen to shearing stand.</div><br /><div>Poor Kelly was not having anything to do with shearing. He was outta there! He headed straight back to the pasture gate, which was open and went to his shelter. We attempted to catch him later on in the day after everyone else was sheared with no luck. Instead of stressing the poor guy any more, plus we were worn slick from the days work we decided shear him the next morning. Always a simple task to catch at feeding time. While they are busy munching we sneak in for the catch. </div><br /><div>We finished shearing in the nick of time. The heat of summer arrived quickly after Memorial Day. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479716281206585394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc6NII3zYo6um1T9yIZVQCFcf3VN-8OfPSBUXI4KA1tF-lApijWyX_Pca-b043VUQUisfFZ8Y595gUgpm5shZe3MHLUzo77aD-yjrNocQ5t7E9X-7-iT1_YComTyiFqyfI3RquQSplQY/s320/junefarmavis002.jpg" /><br /><div>I have began re-skirting the fleeces ( I do some the day of shearing, though go back over them a second time when things are quiet). Will have them bagged, tagged and sorted soon. Sister came to visit for two weeks. The days she felt well enough she sat outside with me, knitting while I sorted through the fleece.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479716283698279234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYoJqHg8wzb5ecQxwrF_zU9GRghgjBxx6FHsITa4mCnoJ42Je5cn7PH9mdJo3P_0lIhiSQBZkfoE25WgzAT2oM2Zv7qBgHJNI0FuIoYhpltbYbYwnAaTKBPdk6vjJ4Y1UhbFtY5yYE-E/s320/junefarmavis004.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>JKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862054995446494322noreply@blogger.com3