Silent Monday

Lambing Prep 2012

Hi everyone.  Its been quite a few months since I posted last.  Lots of happenings at the farm.  For one I began a small business making gourmet sheep milk soap!! It is very time consuming but so much fun and rewarding.  After about three months of using the soap, my horrific eczema that tortured my hands has absolutely disappeared!!! There really is something to this handmade organic sheep milk soap.
If you want to check some of my goods out here you go  www.bacharfarms.com .

Now, seems like just yesterday we were wringing our hands losing sleep waiting on our first crop of lambs so arrive on the farm.  After three perfect births we thought we were pretty hot stuff as far as shepherds go LOL...but now its that time all over again and frankly I am a nervous wreck!

I have checked my lists and double checked them.  All the necessary items and some not so necessary goods are well stocked in the barn.  Heaps of towels an bottles of molasses are standing by.  Hooves have been trimmed and ACV added to their water troughs.  I know I have forgotten something...I'll think of it.  Funny how no matter how well versed I thought we were the excitement takes over and nerves along with it. 

True, this time around we have more possibilities of multiple births.  And though the thought is awesome, the real deal makes me shake in my boots.  Icelandic's are known to be excellent mothers to multiples but one can't help but worry about all those "what if"'s you read about in the sheep books on your shelves.  Nature certainly does know what she is doing. One has to know when if at all to intrude on their moment and help them just a wee bit.  Its the knowing when that makes the butterflies take flight in this shepherd.

What are some of your concerns your worries more than any other?  What are your lambing delights ?
Would love to hear from you fellow shepherds who's experience or lack their of brings them to this lambing season full of wonder and excitement!

God Bless all your lambings!!

Sandy
Shepherdess

Lambs 2011

Black Beauty (cliche' but so true)

Sweet and Funny spotted ram

First cozy night in the lambing jug.

Emma loving the new lambs

Abby too!!

Motherly love.

Finally out of the pen.

Lambs hoping about.

Oh, and thats me, the proud grandma of our very first lamb born on the farm!

Learning Together

The house is still and the last of the burning logs smolder in the stove.  Dear hubby left for Philly today, miss him already.  But so dear was he that he took to doing my chores around the farm this morning.  Practically before coffee was done brewing, he donned his coat and hat, slipped into his snow boots and off to the barn to fetch some hay he went.  He filled the buckets with fresh water for the sheep and chickens and collected the eggs.  Meanwhile I sat in the sitting room carding more wool.  Ahhhh, such a nice and peaceful way to start the day.  But no sooner was he back that the little ones came bounding down the stairs wanting much of our attention.  And we were glad to give it.

Emma, our oldest couldn't resist the temptation of all the wool on the floor and not being able to touch it.  She looked at me with pleading eyes and I went about showing her how to card the wool.  She beamed!! When she made her first rolag she jumped for joy and wanted to know when she could start to make felt LOL!!  Abby, who will be three next month was content to sit in her rocker with her lovey and her milk, she likes to admire from afar.

Emma placing her locks on the carders. They are bigger than she is! 

She looks like she knows what she's doing!



So as I go about learning all things Icelandic sheep and all things woolly, its so much more fun learning it together with my girls.  Even if they never grow up to enjoy the same things I do, its nice to know they have been exposed to these little wonders in the world.  Though I can bet that Emma will be asking for a set of carders instead of an I-pod for her next birthday!!! Yay!!! A mother can dream.....

Christmas Blessings

Only 4 more days 'till Christmas!! My little ones are busy counting down the days.  You can almost see Emma shaking with anticipation as she tries to think of something else but you know her mind is on that chubby red clad fellow who will be whisking presents through the air for all the good boys and girls!  In the evening we try to turn their attention at least for a moment toward the true reason for Christmas.  In our Christian Catholic faith this holiday represents one of the most holy days of the year second only to Easter, this is the day when the light of the world was born! Jesus Christ!!
We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of what in essence is good spirited, buying gifts, cooking meals, baking all sorts of goodies, keeping up with other festive commitments and sometimes we get caught in a whirlwind of activity that we scant have a moment to sit and BE in the moment or to LIVE the season and all its wonder.  So in the evening as we try to reign the girls in from their Christmas lists to Santa, we actually manage to reign ourselves in for a little while too.  We sit and talk about the different events that led up to the birth of Christ, what our Christian traditions are and our family traditions and how together they help us to relive what that special moment must have been like more than 2,000 years ago.  The girls are amazed and filled with a special wonder for a few moments before they drift off to sleep. 
It is in those quiet moments when all is still that I can run my fingers through their fine hair and take an account of all the blessing in our lives.  I am thankful for so much.  My faith, my family and friends and our health.  But this year amongst all those blessings that I have counted are our sheep our beautiful gentle Icelandic sheep.  I am ever so thankful that the Lord has placed them in my care.  They enrich our lives in countless ways and this being our first Christmas with them I will count them as EXTRA special Blessings!
There is something that moves me from within, the knowing that somehow in this life's journey I became a Shepherdess, just like those Shepherds thousands of years ago.  Somehow I was given the privilege of being a steward of these special creatures.  So, in the day to day I know I don't think of them this way as often as I should but...tonight I pause and reflect that they are part of ALL the many Christmas Blessings we have been bestowed this year and we are eternally grateful. Enjoy the pictures!!

May you all have a very blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year.  For my non christian friends...enjoy your own faith traditions and may you too take a moment and enjoy your blessings.

Sandy
Shepherdess

 Arna the regal elf

 Eliza Jane

Four of our little blessings.

Breeding Time and Fleece Sale!!

Wow, two posts in one day! Can I stand it!

Things are now really moving slow since the Thanksgiving calories are settling on our bones ahhh but the extra insulation doesn't hurt with these low temps we are having (gotta put a positive spin on holiday weight gain)!
Finally the time came for our gorgeous Ram Arna, to be reunited with his fabulous gal pals!! I got myself all bundled up in my heavy duty coveralls, wool socks and new wool hat (needle felted by yours truly) and off to the sheep pen I went.
The air was crisp and the anticipation was high both for me and the sheepies.  It seemed they knew what I was about to do.  That their natural instincts were to be satisfied after much separation.  Eliza Jane greeted me first, well, really second she head butted poor little Aniela out of the way.  Her look was curious, as if studying me and my intentions.
Snapping pictures as I entered they followed my every step.  Across the pen the boys stood at the gate with a quick little shuffling of the hooves. I spoke softly to them and asked them to play nice with each other.
As soon as that gate the kept them apart for the last almost three months was swung open, it took no more than half a minute before the choreography began! Arna's neck went down, his regal head went up and so did his top lip.  He set his sights on Ania, our black lamb only she wasn't too thrilled at the advances.  After a quick ring around the rosey round the big maple tree, he decided he'd change the game plan.  Elilza Jane our yearling was more than agreeable to his attempted affections and held her position!  I stood in amazement at the sight of this dance of nature.  Camera in hand and a few video clips later (oh did I mention I wore rubber boots not insulated ones? Yeah, my toes were numb) I knew my presence was not needed nor wanted I am certain.  After trailing them through the pasture for a good 45 minutes, I made like the wind and made my way back to the house.  Reluctantly I might add.

We all continued to watch from the kitchen picture window!! What busy bodies we are ;-)  .
If all goes well, come April we should have some lovely babies gracing our farm! fingers crossed everyone!!!

Changing gears for a moment, lets talk fleece!!! Since our shearing a few weeks ago I have been working hard at skirting and needle felting!! As you know I have felted everything I can get my hands on but truly I think hats are going to be my thing.  I will be posting some pictures a little later when the camera starts acting normal again.  I've already made two and am working on my third.  Meanwhile, I have put up a listing on Ebay and will soon on Etsy, for 2.2 oz of black skirted, unwashed fleece.  Check it out, its under gebjr90 on Ebay.  In the future it will be under BacharFarms.

Here is a sample of the locks...let me know if you'd like any or just your thoughts would be plenty!!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. It is my prayer that health and happiness abound for you and yours!!

Sandy
Shepherdess