Thursday, August 30, 2007

Happy 90th Birthday, Mom!



Sunday we celebrated Mom's 90th birthday. She looks pretty good, doesn't she? Several of her long-time friends were able to join us for the party. She lives in an Assisted Living facility with her hubby. They met there, and have been married for six years now.

For the party my granddaughter sang "Anyway", a Martina McBride song. If you're one of the few people reading this blog that haven't seen her YouTube video from last spring, just go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h1iEmfL0cg and take a listen. She was eleven then. I hope that works - you may need to copy & paste as I haven't yet figured out how to do links. Sorry. (And the video is fuzzy. Again, sorry. She sings pretty well, though, don't you think?)

Sunday, August 26, 2007

They're Here!


We went to get the girls yesterday. They’re all CVM/Romeldale from Rocky Long’s LIttle Orchard Farm in Bow WA. Rocky was very helpful in preparing the girls for their move. He sheared them as we watched and showed us how to trim hooves. They seemed to come through the short trip home without difficulty and are all settled in their stall. We plan to keep them in there for a few days until they become used to us and then let them out to pasture. The fences are in place and working. We are thrilled! My in-laws went with us so were in on the adventure.

The girls came with names, so “Lucy” & “Ethel” will be saved for ewes yet to be born. I’m still trying to remember their names -Ginger & Pebbles (the two big girls), Helena (little black ewe) & Animarie (spotted little ewe).


On the knitting front, I’ve started a sweater with handspun Shetland & miscellaneous wool. I’m doing a seed stitch cardigan which should be nice & warm for winter.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Apprehensive Wannabe

Okay, guys, it’s getting down to the wire here. My sheep are ready to come home, the fence line is mowed & the electric fence is working. The sheep’s feed is here, as are mineral supplements, feeding troughs and bedding for the stall. I’ve gone through the pasture to check for toxic plants, and it should be okay now. So I think we’re pretty much ready to go.

Maybe it’s just my nature to think that I need to read *every* book and consult *every* resource before jumping in, but I’ve gotten assurances that the sheep probably won’t notice my inexperience (that is, if I don’t feed them the wrong feed, they get bloat and die, or if they don’t get attacked by particularly devious & clever coyotes who figure out a way to penetrate the perimeter).


As soon as Doug returns from his fishing trip, and as soon as we get past a gathering here on Tuesday, I’m ready. In the meantime, I’m still pulling weeds, trying to bring some order to the chaos that is my garden.



My Granddaughter came to stay with me for awhile last week. She will be celebrating her 12th birthday next week. With her, as you can see, she brought her well-loved quilt, which I made for her just after she was born. She's a sweetie. But she's not much into weeding.