As promised, some snapshots from last weekend's excursion to the Knitters' Review Retreat in Williamstown, MA. It was the perfect ending to a busy fall season of work and travel. There is something wonderfully cohesive and embracing about this weekend. Perhaps it's due to the roster of faithful, mostly repeat attendees, so it has the feel of a reunion with good friends.   Holly, ready for shoppers at the marketplace at our booth. But it's mostly because of the tone and spirit of this event which is set by  hostess, founder and master of ceremonies, Clara Parkes. Clara has created a
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  Patten Hill was veiled in fog as I went about this morning's chores. The sun came out long enough for me to squeeze in a three mile run and it's been back to fog and light drizzle, a somber but welcomingly quiet Thanksgiving day.  Although we might eke out another three to four weeks of grazing, the sheep are getting hay now, to keep them healthy and to preserve the fields. The ewes were looking for their share while I took this shot in the breeding/birthing barn. Teaberry appears thankful breakfast and for the company of so many lovely
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I love seeing the sheep after being away from the farm for a few days. Mike took charge of the flock so Holly and I could both attend the Knitters' Review Retreat, and I'll have more to say about our very special weekend in a separate post tomorrow. For now, just a some quiet moments from evening chores.  Topanga was being silly, standing atop a rock at dinnertime, dropping hay on Amy's head. It's nice to be back.  
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Holly and I are off for the Knitter’s Review Retreat today ( her first, she’s “super excited!”). I’ll leave you with a peaceful video clip of the young rams & wethers coming to the barn with Crackerjack one evening this week. Hope you have a great weekend. xo
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 Don't let his "ah, shucks" expression fool you. This guy's been up to no good. At morning chores I was startled to discover the entire ewe lamb group in the breeding pen along with Teaberry and the ewes. I ran through the pasture to check the gate that separates the two adjacent paddocks. From a distance it appeared closed which mystified me until on closer inspection I saw that the latch had been bashed out of shape. In fact, the staple that held the latch was nearly pried from the post.  So Holly rounded everyone up into catch pens and
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Last week Teaberry, our Cormo ram, came down from the hilltop in Andy's truck. We call the ram's first day with the ewe flock "big love day". Lots of excitement. Teaberry waited patiently in the truck while we adjusted sheep coats on the ladies and trimmed their toenails. He needed no coaxing to enter the pen, so happy to greet his girls. All of the Cormo ewes have lambed before, so this group is looking pretty happy and settled. Everyone knows what's expected. Tea is not wasting any time. I can always tell which ewe he's pursuing; they'll always be
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At dusk I stood on the stone wall behind the barn while I waited for the flock to come in for dinner. I called them in from the pasture and let them take their time filing through the gate, slowly picking their way across the wet ravine beside the barn. They always balk at that, hate to get their hooves muddy. If the goats are in the lead, the sheep hesitate. Experience has taught them not to crowd the goats or they'll get a nasty butt with the horns. Caitlyn always brings up the rear. With the change in season,
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I've been saving these pictures I took at the New York Sheep & Wool Festival to share with you today. These jack-o-lanterns were in the booth of Hugh McMahon, master pumpkin carver. I didn't get to see much of the festival, but I was glad I didn't miss meeting Hugh and seeing him at work (this is why I love sheep festivals, where else would you find such a spectacular flock of  lamb-o-lanterns?).  Enjoy.   A Merin-o-lantern. A Cormo-lantern? I think this one might be a Leicester-Lantern. There were even a couple llama-o-lanterns. (Crackerjack and Caitlyn are so pleased). Happy
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Our Rhinebeck homecoming just happened to coincide with the first decent stretch of dry weather in nearly four weeks. While Mike and I unpacked the van, Norm wended his way through the fields cutting large swaths in the dense grass with his Kuhn mower. Clear skies and a light dew fall Monday night made for excellent drying time on Tuesday, perfect for tedding and raking. Then we let the breeze do its work, rustling through the windrows. When the windrows change color from bright green to dusty blue, it's time to run the baler. Norm baled the upper end of
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My main reason for posting this evening to is tell everyone how much we've appreciated your comments during this difficult week. I know that time will eventually dampen the hurt, but your thoughts have helped immensely. We miss Emma terribly and our home just isn't the same.  The feat of readying for a major show is all-consuming. My  very wise younger sister Kathleen commented yesterday that the distraction is letting me work through the grief a little at a time. We'll see if that's a good thing. Grief is tricky. We'll see if it doesn't clock me between the eyes
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