Soaking Up Some Rays

The quads in the sun soaking it up.  The little gal on the right is named Beulah.  She is definitely a keeper.  We have had two sets of twins, one set of triplets, and one set of quads so far. And just think, we are just getting started.

Just Wondering

I keep finding myself gazing at this handsome gentleman and wondering how many little brown babies we are gonna have.

We have about one more month and the fields should be bounding with lovely lambiness.

Me Me Me

This is what greets me every morning.  The Three Musketeers begging to have their chin scratched.   

       

        

   I try to tell them that I only have two hands and there are three of them, but they just dont buy it.

Esther and Jester

          

                                                        Oh the cuteness of it all.

A Shepherd's Perspective: Esther and Myrtle

       

I've been thinking a lot about Esther and Myrtle lately.  I've had Myrtle up to wean her away from her momma and have been spending a lot of time with her to try to win her confidence and get her to become my buddy.  It's slow going, but we are, little by little, becoming friends.  It's taking a lot of patience on my part, but it will be worth it in the end. 

Many of you will recall Esther's story.  When she was just about 7 weeks old she experienced a serious injury resulting in her lower palatal area being broke completly through her jaw, including the area of two of her front teeth.  Many suggested I just put her down.  I contacted the Vet and soon realized that the expense in taking her to the doctor would way more than out weigh her value and would really hurt my struggling little wool business financially.  I was left with only one option- treat her myself, the best I could.

After weeks of keeping her up in a small inclosed area, bottle feeding her, giving her antibiotics, and eventually removing an area of gum and loose teeth, she fully recovered.  During that time there has definitely  been a unique bond that has developed between the two of us.  When she was little she would come in the house and watch a movie with me or set with me while I read during the afternoon.  To this day, she enjoys escaping from the other sheep and going with her "momma" to go do the chores of a morning, and if we head back to the house and the door happens to open, she is sure she needs to go in with me.      

When I think of both girls I can't help but be amused.  Myrtle and Esther, of course mean the same thing, and except for their name and the fact that they are both sheep (even if they don't know it) that is about all they have in common.  Myrtle is hands down the CUTEST little thing I have among the sheeples.  She is a full blooded registered Finn sheep, and piebald at that, which means she is spotted.  This is a more unusual and often sought after color combination among Finn.  Her fleece is gorgeously soft and attractive.  She comes from a ewe that is really easy to handle, has good linage, and will difinately be a part of my breeding program in the future among my Finns.

Esther on the other hand is honestly just a mut among the sheep of this world.  She is a Finn/Poly Pay cross.  While she does have an extremely nice fleece, it is your non-standoutish "white".  She not only has no pedigree, her mother is Ethel, the crazy lady nut job that only has managed to maintain a spot in my small flock due to the fact that she lambs twins each year and has an extraordinarily soft fleece. Poor little Esther is by no means a beautiful little thing on any level, but I love her.

Esther and Myrtle remind me of many people in this world.  Most of us can more closely relate to Esther I'm sure.  We come with no pedigree, outstanding looks, nor great family background.  Frequently we find ourselves in a situation where the world would look at us and say we are not of enough value to invest too much time or money in, in order to save us.  Granted there are a few people in this world who are like Myrtyle.  You know, the ones who are born with it all; looks, money, family connections, ect-. 

As a shepherdress I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work with both of these little gals.  Once again I see my Shepherd from a little bit of a different perspective.  I have had the opportunity to experience caring for two little sheep, much the same way He cares for us.  Whether we are little injured "no bodies" or fine looking peidgreed "cuties"  He is there just the same.  They both have much to over come and only by spending time with their shepherd, no matter what the situation, have they come to the place in their life where they trust me, will follow me, and realize I will take care of them.

Wether you closely relate to Esther or Myrtle, take time to allow the Great Shepherd into your life.  The more time you spend with Him, the more He will be at work in you.  It takes time but He is always willing.

Fleece Love and Happiness

A few days ago I took a few minutes to take a peek at what I have to look forward to.

This is little Florence and her first shearing won't be till this Fall, but I'm already dreaming of all the wonderful wooly fun we will have with that beautuful fleece.

Boots, Bees, and Babies It Must be Spring

                         

                                      Thawing out and sinking to my ankles out there.  

                       

Just able to peek in at the edge of the hive. Good to see some activity in there.  Hope they make it through the Spring.

                       

I keep telling myself I'm not gonna name him cause he ain't staying, but oh, that's hard with a face like that.

       

The girls in the hen house seem to believe Spring is just around the corner too.  I hope they are right.

Having Lambies in My Jammies

For a while now I have been making regular trips to the girl's shed to check on everyone and see if there are any new babies. Frequently in the middle of the night or early in the morning I go down in my jammies just to check on them.  This cold weather is really brutal on newborns.  Last night though, I just couldn't get to sleep and when I finally did, I slept like a log - all night.

First thing this morning, I threw on my work coat and boots and ran down to check on everyone and guess what?

      

Hazel surprised me with twins, even though I had told her it was fine to wait another day or two till the temps warmed up a bit.

       

The little ram lamb had some how slipped in between the stock panels that the lambing jug is made from and the piece of plywood that I have set up against it (to keep them from coming through the stock panel of course)  and gotten himself quite stuck.  He was ok, but rather chilled.

     

So in the house we came for a little warm up and a small bottle of colostrum.  Don't ya just love my polka dotted jammie pants?

    

Didn't take long and he was ready to go back to momma who took him right in and added to his breakfast.  Now, if it will just warm a bit before the other girls get busy.

 

  

 

Happier Days

After the loss of Liza's triplets it was so nice to be greated with this little fellow.  I had put Hazel up just sure she was going to get her lambs and was checking on her regularly.  At 1:30 this morning I ran down to check her and heard that distinct Mommy/Baby talk coming from someone just outside the shed.  There was Fleecia and this little guy.  I knew she was gonna get him soon, but I thought Hazel was first in line.

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He is as cute as a button and seems more like his Shetland momma than his Finn daddy.  I do so wish he had been a she.  I don't plan to keep him, so if anyone out there in Blogland is interested in the little guy he will be for sale.  He would make a great fiber pet.  

      

Momma did a great job with him and I'm so thankful it all went ok.  Now we are waiting on Hazel and Ethel.  After that we have all our little girls who possibly might be breed, but I'm not holding my breath with them.