Sunday Walkabout 12-15

I know it’s not yet winter…but, boy, does it look like it!

We have had three “winter weather events” this past week.  None of which lived up to the pre-storm hype, I might add. We didn’t lose power and more importantly, we didn’t lose internet.  Believe me---we’re incredibly thankful for that!

The ice made for some amazing photo ops and granted us some much needed moisture…and it was pretty much all gone by the next day.(yay) 

 Although, the continued wintry mix and then some very cold temperatures meant that the ewes won’t be spending any more time at the creek paddock.  The heavily pregnant ewes don’t need to slide down the steep hill to the grazing and the hill paddock doesn’t need all those hooves pounding, sliding down the grass. If the grass takes too much abuse in the winter, we won’t have good grass for spring/summer.  So, it’s time for them to come to the barn paddock and eat hay.

  That means they’re close by and feel it necessary to voice their opinion about my feeding schedule.

the afternoon protest

They really have nothing to complain about!

and this was tidied up!

Three winter storms in one week meant that we couldn’t do any sort of outdoor work and the frigid temperatures kept us from harvesting and sales…which actually worked to my benefit.  There was no excuse left to keep me from the mountain of paperwork that had overtaken my desk and seemed to hang over my head like a cloud of doom.  I am happy (thrilled, ecstatic, joyful) to say that my desk is clean, the entry work is completed, the filing is done…and the bank statements balanced (to the penny I might add)! Yes, I did do a happy dance in my chair when I finally got done. For 15 years I have vowed to keep up with the paperwork during the season...and for 15 years the Boss has laughed at me. Some things will just never change. 

this is as good as it gets

I can’t believe that I worked for years in banking/bookkeeping and at one time entertained thoughts of becoming a certified public accountant. I could never do that on a regular basis anymore…I would MUCH rather be outside or at least in the barn.   But, with all the prep work done, tax time should be a “breeze”.

The work of one whole week fits in a file box
That's just sad!

Now that the dreaded bookwork is out of the way, it’s time to focus on cleaning out the greenhouses and planning next year’s crops.  The upcoming week promises to be far warmer than last week which means we should be able to work in the hoophouses and harvest this week!

Thanks for stopping by!  

Hope you’re having a

Happy Sunday!

Yo, Girls!

So…how do you say the word E-W-E?

“You”  Right?

Well, the old-time, local shepherds say “YO”…and the fact that I say “you” betrays me every time.  They can instantly tell that I haven’t always raised sheep and that I "ain't from around here”. (I know, one of them told me)  But, when I try to remember to say “YO” I end up with something like "you-yo" or at best "y-yo".  Since that sounds really stupid, I just let them know I’m not a long-time, native shepherd.

taking care of triplets

Blondie, on the other hand, has been a shepherdess since she was just a sprout.  But, she pronounces it “you”, too.  (I guess I corrupted her in her youth)  When she met her first lamb, she was hooked. she won!  I think at that point she thought she’d always have sheep.

caring for a newborn

some of the show babies

She took over the feeding duties, she raised bottle lambs, and she learned to shear.  Then, she discovered the show ring.  She competed, she learned, she practiced…

I have approximately 10,000 pictures like this (lol)

She won! (a number of times)

But, things change…

When Blondie met T-bone, she was nearing the end of her lamb-show career.  They got a couple of sheep after they got married and had their own place, but it wasn’t quite the same.  After careful consideration, they decided to sell the ewes and lambs and get out of shepherding all together.    They’re too busy with other stuff.  Check this out.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Country-Rhodes-Produce-and-Amandas-FamousGranola-Bars/100105200066781

Since we were in the market for a few replacements, I decided to buy the ewes and get a little new blood around here.  (the lambs are from our ram, so I really didn’t want them) Blondie brought the whole crew over here, and then the Boss helped her drop the lambs at the stockyard.  (where they brought a pretty penny, I might add)

So…here are the new girls.

The breeders all get names…and I was thinking of something that would go together.  I wanted to name them Thelma and Louise.  That would be amusing.  Then, I decided that naming them for “outlaw women” might not be a good idea.  They might become “outlaw sheep” and Mbrook doesn’t need any more animals giving the place character and atmosphere!  Neither do I, for that matter.

NO! It's not my goat...and don't even suggest that it is!

(there are already a few outlaw goats that show up in odd and random places)

After thinking about sheep names for far too long…I came up with Madge and Yolanda.  Like how I did that?  …a ewe (don’t forget to pronounce it YO) named YO-landa.  Clever, huh? 

Meet Madge and Yolanda

Now that I’m done cracking myself up…it’s time to note that the new girls are beginning to fit in with the rest of the flock.

can't pick 'em out

fittin' in

...and I have a couple more reasons to look forward to next year’s lamb chop crop.

Thanks, Blondie!

Sunday Walkabout 12-8

After posting daily for a month, I realize my absence this week has been rather conspicuous.  I’d like to be able to say I was doing something important (or at least important sounding) like thinking up a cure for the common cold…or at least interesting…like planning a trip or creating art.  But, I was just…well…doing the everyday stuff of life which kept me away from the keyboard. (I did get some great ideas for posts, though)

What was I doing?  Well…

I did the "town run" and then took the dog to the vet.  Lest you think I take the dog to the vet far too often, this was the other dog.  But, I must admit, I’m getting a little bored with the trip “over the river and through the woods” to the vet’s office. (even if I do get to look for the shoes…read this) All the puppy/kitten visits are done (finally).

This time it was Ellie Mae’s turn.  She gets her shots and heartworm check in December when things are slower around here and I can pick up the meds I need for lambing season.  (meds for the ewes/lambs…not for my own use) For the record, Ellie is fine and she was quite the celebrity at the vet.  You take 98# of big white dog to the vet…people notice.
 ...and everyone seems to love a Pyr.

Then, Blondie brought us a couple ewes. (I’ll tell you that story soon) That entailed a trip to the stockyard with her lambs and then we spent the afternoon weeding in the hoophouse.  (it is a never-ending battle I tell you) Thanks, Blondie!

The Boss finished his fence project and it is “purty”!

When we sent out our first email for winter sales we never expected a record-setting sales day. But, our customers are awesome! I am always a little amazed that everyone is so eager for our farm products. (guess I take the good stuff for granted)

While I was working on sales invoices, I got a text from toughchick saying that her husband thought they had a sick goat. (she was at work and had gotten the info second-hand)  Could I help her determine what was wrong?  It sounded like bloat to me. After a few more texts and a couple of phone calls, it became evident that it would just be easier to hop in the X and head to Draft and take a look in person.  After assembling a “goat vet bag” that is exactly what I did. Maybe toughchick will tell the story over on her blog.  Check out http://cheapfarmchick.blogspot.com/

I learned a couple of things on that trip.  When “tubing” a goat, know that a rubber tube and goat molars don’t mix well.  Of course she bit it in half! Yes, I did retrieve the other end of the tube before it slipped down her throat, barely. Yes, we did get the liquid down the tube before the biting.  But, perhaps, more importantly, when dealing with a horned animal, do NOT use your legs as the headgate to hold the animal in place.  I will spare you a photo of my thighs that are now polka-dotted with purple bruises. (OUCH!)



On the up side…Milly-the-goat has since recovered.

…and toughchick brought me a new tube. Thank you!

When I arrived home, there was 300# of inactive ram out back. Totally inactive.  He didn't answer when I called him, he wouldn’t eat, he wouldn’t walk…I panicked (just a little). Ever since we lost the ewe last month, I have been on high alert.  (and for the record…I was right, the necropsy confirmed listeriosis) It didn’t take long to ascertain it was only his hooves.  They were caked with mud and grass and his toes were splayed out at an awkward angle. It must have been incredibly painful to walk. Once we removed the clods, he made a swift recovery.  Phew!

Waylon (the ram)is back to "normal"

 

In other news, Living the Country Life  magazine  posted a video story about us. Back during the early summer, we did a photo session and later a phone interview for the magazine.

Giammarino  & Dworkin Photography & Styling Photo

A big thank-you to Betsy Freese (editor-in-chief), Anna McConnell (writer) and David Ekstrom (producer) from Meredith Publishing. It was a great experience.  …and an extra big THANK-YOU to Tony and Mona of Giammarino Photography for spending the day with us capturing the images.  You can view it HERE.

Giammarino  & Dworkin Photography & Styling Photo

Then, my internet friend and fellow Ag Blogger, Janice Person of “A Colorful Adventure” featured one of my posts in her blog. http://janiceperson.com/personal-insight/30-days-thanks/  Janice writes about all sorts of Ag-related things and does a lot of travelling.  I’ve been following her for quite some time, so I was excited that she included me in her post.  Thanks, Janice!

my beautiful view is out there...
somewhere in the fog and rain

We spent most of Friday picking and packing for our Sales delivery. While we worked, it poured.  We got over an inch and a quarter of rain, so things are pretty sloppy.  We kept an eye on the weather reports as well.  There is the distinct possibility of a big ICE storm, so we stocked up on gas and propane and made a list of all the things we need to do prior to the event.

we're in the orange...under the "h"

I think most everything is done, so now we wait…

I hope you’re someplace warm and dry and that you have a very 

        Happy Sunday!

Thanks for stoppin' by!  Come on back a visit a spell!

P.S. I’ll try to stay a little closer to the keyboard in the upcoming week.

Sunday Walkabout 12-1

It's December!

Gus is loving the cold weather!

Time seems to be flying… (I sure do say that a lot!)

This past week was filled with the hustle and bustle of food preparation. I found a couple of new recipes that were really good.  ...and the lamb roast was quite possibly the most delicious thing I have ever eaten!

green bean and bacon casserole
YUM

Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cheesecake
YUM

Grilled Lamb Roast
Oh my goodness...YUM!

In the midst of the food prep, we had to stop and re-arrange the barn.  The forecast included some dire predictions of the “white stuff” which, thankfully, were grossly overstated. (just enough to be pretty...not enough to be a problem!)

However, the ewe lambs were convinced they were going to starve and/or freeze, or quite possibly, both…so they were allowed one night of hay in the barn. (only because I am an easy touch) The Boss is quite the “hay miser” so back out to pasture they went as soon as possible.

Most of the snow was gone by morning…I think Gus ATE most of it.  If we can harness his propensity for eating EVERYTHING in sight, we may never need to shovel again!

Thanksgiving was full of food and fun and the “mad-lips” got pretty hilarious. (yeah, somebody misunderstood...and it stuck)

Here's to another family memory!

reading the crazy T'giving story

It was THAT funny!

yes, we did stop and measure the neighbor's fence

Last Sunday, the Boss checked out an attractive fencing job out Mbrook Road.  He’s got a load of lumber coming on Monday in hopes of finishing his little project out front.

Another cold day today…

...so I’m taking one more day “off” and perusing my favorite seed catalog before tackling the daunting task of cleaning/organizing my desk prior to getting caught up on bookwork.

Thanks for stopping by! 

                Happy Sunday!

 Thanks again to Holly Spangler for the 30 days blogging challenge...and thanks to all of you who followed along!