Archives for animals/wildlife

Lambing and Lactating and Crashing and Burning

Let me tell you about lambing season. It has been quite an intense time. Things got off to a rolicking start a full week earlier than expected and the pace is only now starting to ease up. I’m coming up for air to give you the run down. Papaya kicked off the season with an easy-peasy, “look, Barb, I don’t need your help” birthing of a strapping single ram lamb. A string of smooth deliveries followed: a darling single ewe born to Blaze (her first lamb!); lovely pairs of Cormo lambs to Aberdeen, Chloe, Corona and Dune. Add a pair
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First Lamb!

Meet our first lamb of the season, a singleton ram born early this afternoon to Cormo ewe Papaya. I came home from the grocery story to find him in the barn, on his feet, all cleaned up and sturdily nursing. Lamb is tuckered out and Papaya is worrying over him, licking him up and down. She’s still having contractions, trying to pass the placenta so she’s constantlyt blatting. I expect to find it when I head back to the barn in a minute for afternoon chores. Just wanted to share the news. Thanks for the great name suggestions. This little
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Contest – Name the Lambs

COMMENTS FOR THIS POST ARE NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT SUGGESTIONS. CHECK BACK ON SUNDAY TO SEE OUR SELECTION. Spring has sprung. Sort of. Here in the hillls a sheet of sleet and slush marked its arrival. Which made my morning drive to the barn rather interesting. We are on the brink of lambing season. I’m keeping close watch on the flock now, as our lambs should be arriving very soon. The sweet face above is a lamb from a former year. I’m tingling with anticipation of this year’s arrivals. You might remember we took year off from
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More Shearing Day Scenes

I had way too many photos for one post. Here’s another round of pics showing moments throughout the day. We stopped mid morning to celebrate our shearer Andy Rice’s birthday with a delicious cake baked by Sheep Share member Pat Philbin. ( I think we were shy a few candles on the cake!). Many thanks again to all. Photos here provided courtesy of Lisa McGuire.
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As the Wool Flies – Shearing Day, Part 1

Yesterday was our Sheep Shares CSA member shearing day. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer group of helpers, better weather or prettier fleeces. Mike and I thank everyone who came to pitch in. We accomplished so much in one morning – fourteen sheep shorn and about 90 lbs of wool boxed and ready to ship! You guys are awesome. Here are some scenes from the day: Thank you to Lisa McGuire for taking these photos. For more pics of Shearing Day action, visit our Facebook group: Foxfire Fiber Friends.
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Gypsy gets a vet check and new friends

Gypsy gets a vet check and new friends The vet was running late. It was a shivery 45 minute wait in the barn Monday afternoon. Thirteen degrees, wind chasing snow ghosts across the field. While I crouched and rubbed my hands together between my knees, Gypsy enjoyed my new down coat. We had to put her in a holding pen prior to Doc’s arrival. Catching her – not so easy. We used panels to corral her in a corner. But when I approached to hold her, the poor kid trembled so hard, I thought she was going to fall over.
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Our Goat was Kidnapped!

Our Goat Was Kidnapped! If Gypsy, our dear Angora doe, could speak she’d have a heck of a tale to tell about the last 72 hours. First of all, Gyspy is okay. She was returned to the farm yesterday by two of the three people who had stolen her from our farm on Thursday night. Now, let me back up a bit. I had to be in Connecticut all day on Friday. Mid morning I received a call from my husband Mike. He and our farm assistant, discovered upon arriving for morning chores, our flock was minus one goat. Gypsy
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GIVEAWAY – Adventures In Yarn Farming Celebration

Entries for this GIVEAWAY are now closed. Congratulations to our Givewaway winner, Sara, who posted on November 12 at 8:25 a.m. – she is the lucky winner of a Sheep Shares CSA 2014 Yarn Sampler (natural) membership. Thank you to everyone who posted – and for all your kind words on the launch of my new book. I can’t believe it’s almost that time. The official publication date for my new book, Adventures in Yarn Farming is next week – is November 12th! On that date, my book will be available everywhere. I’m celebrating the official publication this month by
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Evening Chores

Just back to the farm after a weekend vending and book signing at the Fiber Festival of New England at the Eastern States Exposition. Thanks everyone who stopped by my booth to scoop up skeins of Cormo yarn and to be among the first to acquire a copy of Adventures in Yarn Farming. I’m really flattered to hear the positive, warm responses from those of you who had purchased copies at Rhinebeck two weeks ago – and have already finished reading it. Wow, and wow. You made my day. Writing a book is like working in a bubble. It’s wonderful,
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