Yearly Archives 2012

Martha’s Vineyard is new home for these sheep . . . .

Martha’s Vineyard is new home for these sheep . . . .

November 12, 2012 | 7 Comments

Last week a small flock of ewes departed from the farm. Cormo ewes Chanel, Dolce, Sienna, Nimbus, Lucida and Helvetica hopped into the back of Andy's truck for a journey to their new home – on Martha's Vineyard. About eight weeks ago I was approached by a sweet couple who have some improved acreage on the island. They visited Springdelle, to meet us and my flock. Mike and I spent several hours talking sheep with them, showing them our ewes and answering their questions about keeping fine wool sheep in New England. I had assembled a small group of ewes
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Sheep Stuck in a Bucket

Sheep Stuck in a Bucket

November 7, 2012 | 14 Comments

This may be an odd way to start up again after a rather long blog hiatus, but I thought you would like seeing what greeted me yesterday morning when I stepped into the barn. I had left a grain bucket  in the barn. Java stuck her big poufy head in the bucket.The bucket stuck on her head. They were all very relieved once I extracted Java from the bucket. Aside from occasional sheep nonsense, the flock is doing well. We've had a busy summer (as summer tends to be on a farm) and  a fall full of the unexpected. I'll
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A Daisy, a Dandelion, a Bluebell and a Buttercup

A Daisy, a Dandelion, a Bluebell and a Buttercup

May 6, 2012 | 4 Comments

More wild flowers have arrived. On Thursday Crimson birthed adorable twins. We've named the ram lamb Bluebell (Blue for short) and the ewe-ling Buttercup, after her grandmother, Buttercup, one of our very first Cormos from Alice Field's flock at Foxhill Farm. As you may remember, Buttercup passed away last year. Crimson is a good mother, but her milk is slow to come in. It's weird because her udder is as big as a bowling ball, but there's very little coming out of the spigots. The lambs really have to work at it and then seem to give up. I've tried hot
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First Lambs Arrive!

First Lambs Arrive!

April 28, 2012 | 35 Comments

Big day – our first lambs are on the ground! Java delivered a pretty pair of ewe lambs late this afternoon. Thanks, everyone for voting on a theme for naming this year's lambs. Since Wild Flowers received the most votes in our poll for naming the lambs, all lambs will be named for wild flowers this year. Aren't we lucky, we get to start with girls? Would you like to suggest names for our first lambs? Leave a comment here. And check back here to stay posted on our new arrivals..  
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Help Us Name Our Lambs

Help Us Name Our Lambs

April 18, 2012 | 75 Comments

Note: The survey poll that was at the bottom of this post is not working.  To vote, leave your choice in the comments.  Thanks!Our lambs are coming soon! In this year of an earlier-than-usual spring, our lambs are arriving later than usual. We expect our first lamblings to debut near the end of April. We need to choose a theme for naming this year's lambs-to-be. Would you like to help?    Last year you voted for "Apple Names" and they were so cute – Pippin, Macintosh, Braeburn. In other years we've used Greek mythology, herbs & spices, U.S. towns, fashion
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Time to Shear Some Sheep

Time to Shear Some Sheep

March 29, 2012 | 2 Comments

Our Monday looked like this.  and this . . .  as we tackle the spring rite of shearing sheep. When my flock was smaller than it is now, we couId accomplish shearing in one day. We now have too many sheep for that! So on Monday we started by shearing the biggest, wooliest sheep on the farm: the mighty rams and wethers. We had time before lunch so we de-fleeced 16 ewes as well. This group included our "grannies". This was Cocoa's 15th shearing! Next Wednesday we'll shear our bred ewes. And then on Saturday, April 7th, we'll host our
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Happy 15th B-day, Cocoa! Join our Cocoa KAL

Happy 15th B-day, Cocoa! Join our Cocoa KAL

March 15, 2012 | 8 Comments

This is Cocoa – she is my very first sheep. This her special day, her 15th birthday, which makes this our flock's 15th anniversary also. We're celebrating with a very special Knit Along – and a little birthday party at the barn this afternoon. What does a birthday party for sixty sheep, three llamas and a goat look like? How do sheep and goats like to celebrate special occasions? What can you do to celebrate with us? Join our Cocoa Birthday KAL. Today is our official Cast on – but you could start tomorrow or anytime you like, as long
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Puppy Post

Puppy Post

February 4, 2012 | 10 Comments

A quick update on the pupster front. Zoe's rehab process has been labor intense, as you might imagine. She and Farley are in good spirits. We are all adjusting to changes in our lives and routines. Zoe is up to three ten minute leash walks a day and I'm helping her gently do stairs so she can keep me company in my home office. Last Friday she sat in the car and watched me trim sheep hoofs in the barn. Farley is growing up. What a tank. He's working toward his Canine Good Citizen obedience title. I actually think he
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Zoe Update

Zoe Update

January 17, 2012 | 13 Comments

Mike and I thank you for your great puppy rehab ideas. Zoe appreciates your get well wishes. She's home now. We picked her up Thursday, just in time for a heap of snow. It's just what we needed to make her homecoming more interesting. She was pretty out of it in the car on the way home, poor little peanut!  We created a puppy hospital pen in the kitchen by moving out  the table and chairs. Zoe has the cozy breakfast nook all to herself. She spent lots of time sleeping in there during the first few days. She came
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