Sunday Milking

The weather up here in the Finger Lakes has been hot like most of the North East but fortunately where we are on Skaneateles Lake we seem to be getting a steady cool breeze that has kept the flock pretty happy. Eyes are in the pink and panting is down to a minimum.  They have plenty of shade and a few glugs of ACV in their drinking water helps them keep cool.  They were all sheered last week except our lambs of course and that aids in keeping everyone fresh during these hot hot days.

Today was my first time out milking as we have had a very busy springtime.  Seems like though most of the lambs are eating a substantial amount of grass and hay they still are in need of mama's milk.  Since milkiness is one of my breeding priorities we still had plenty milk to go around for them to share.

Considering no one has been milked since last year and this was Benta's first time on the milking stand they were all pretty darn well behaved.  Aniella gave George at bit of a run for his money but he sweet talked her and she settled right down so that I could tap into the liquid gold!  They were all relieved to have that udder pressure released and not a one kicked or squirmed.

That's Mr. Paul holding Ania just to make sure she doesn't pull out of the head piece while I milk her.

These girls were happy to be milked!

Once the sheep were all done being milked, I checked eyes and made sure every one looked healthy.  Hooves look a little shabby, but those will have to wait a few days.

As soon as we let those baby lambs out of their stall, it was off to find mama as fast as they could!  As you see here with Aniella and her little one diving head first under mama.





The milk was plenty as I said for being so late in the game to get started this season.  But all in all out of three ewes I was able to collect just over a quart of milk.  Boy did it look fresh and yummy but I didn't drink any...I saved it all for soaping later this week.  Can't wait make some super moisture rich soap with our organic sheep milk!!

As you can see, this is about as processed as it gets before becoming soap.  First they graze, then I milk them, then I filter the milk like this...



From here it is frozen where it retains ALL its nutrients and enzymes, until it is ready to be mixed with the lye and made into YOUR favorite tub time treat!!

Here are a few shots of the girls after we were done milking!

And our one black ram lamb of the season.  He was our oops baby! But what a cutie he is!

So from that sad first day of lambing to our first hot day of milking all in all its still pretty darn good to be a sheep farmer.

Don't forget to PIN us!!!

More to come! Check us out on www.BacharFarms.com  !!!

Sandy

Shepherdess

More Icelandic Felted Soap Creations

On such a rainy day the wee one (who is not so wee anymore) is feeling quite content drawing her pictures.  Dinner is cooking and I had about an hour to spare so what else could I do....But Felt some soap!!

I need to learn how to spin soon before I run out of fleece making all kinds of felted things!! :-)

Felting Soap With Icelandic Fleece

Felting soap is a very new idea to me but apparently it has been around for a very long time.  Below is my first attempt at felting soap with fleece from my own Icelandic sheep! Icelandic fleece felts very easily so this process didn't take long at all. They were just shorn about two weeks ago and I have been washing and carding the fibers and this is the result of my handiwork. I think I know what everyone is getting for Christmas.  ;)

First I used about 2oz of fleece that had been carded into rolags and placed a very very inexpensive soap on it. I made sure the width of the rolag was just wider than the soap. I then rolled it. I then took another piece and wrapped the soap across the other way. Then I took a third piece of fleece and wrapped it length wise again to make sure the soap would not be visible after felting.

So here is my soap tucked inside a big ball of fleece!

I then ran it under hot water and began matting the fleece and began the felting process. I did little dribbles of water at a time and kept matting the fleece down until it was sticking together and not opening up. Lots of suds at this time.

(doesnt' it look like a yummy ball of fresh mozzarella)

After I ran it along the ridges for a while I continued to pat it and shape it with my hands. I tried to pull the fleece away from the soap and it would not give and that is how I knew the felting was complete.

Now picture it with a little raffia tied around it! Oooh lovely little homemade gift!

Its a pretty and practical gift, soap and loofah in one!

Have fun felting!!

Sandy

Shepherdess

Carding Wool

I am really enjoying my Ashford curved carders.  At first I was a little intimidated but after a few whirls, it got a lot easier.  Transferring the fiber from the stationary carder to the working carder seemed impossible to me (though it is really really easy) but I found a few great videos on Youtube.com and it became alot clearer.
Like I have said in the past few posts, I just need to find "stuff" to do with this beautiful fiber while I wait and wait for my spinning lessons.  I can't just let it sit there fluffy white and washed waiting!!!!

So I have begun the carding and making rolags.  From what I understand some handspinners will spin right from the rolag.  If any of you can shed some light for me please do, what is the difference between rolags and rovings? I know that rovings seem smoother...is that it?

For now I am working with my white fleece.  In the future I will play with some natural dye and see what lovelies I come up with.  There is a project I have in mind for today if I have time, Soap Felting!
It looks so pretty and practical! I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.  Meanwhile here is a picture of one of my first rolags.

And just a quick note.....Don't forget to VOTE!!!

Sandy
Shepherdess