Every evening The Farmer and Nessie put the sheep into their respective barns for the evening.
Closing in the ewes keeps everyone warmer and helps with lamb survival. The ewes aren't able to lamb in a snowbank if they are closed in. This is Nessie's one official duty of the day. During the winter, the dogs aren't able to "work" the sheep. The mamas get all crazy stamping their feet and charging the dogs to protect their babies.
Just a few weeks ago, our friend Dave Laprade installed lights in both the greenhouse and pole barn. This was a bit of a splurge as it cost $1500! It is nice to have lights but it has set us back financially at a time of year when we have barely anything coming in and so much money going out. It is nice to be able to see everyone because with a flashlight, it is easier to miss something.
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| The lambs and mamas snuggle towards the back of the barn |
We've been farming at these barns for over 20 years and it is pay as we go. The Farmer likes to make one improvement a year. Last year it was a new door on the greenhouse barn and hay feeders. A few years ago, we had a water line put in. That really helped - no more hauling of water! Baby steps. It's the only way to farm unless you have very deep pockets.
I'll leave you all with a nice video on how Creativebug began. (Creativebug is the on-line art and craft teaching website I filmed how-to videos for in November.) It tells the story behind this small start-up company. It introduces you to many of the staffers and some of the artists they are featuring to teach projects on their website. Don't forget the special PROMO CODE for my readers - STITCHED. It's good for $10 off any subscription
package and expires 2/16/12. (Not eligible for individual purchases). You can read more about it here.
Good day everyone. I'll leave you with a photo of a pile of 3 lambs snuggling together.
5 comments:
Nice photos. We just began working a small farm last year and it is nice to get incite from people who have been there. We have chickens now and have plans for sheep in the future. From the little experience we have we learned that although it's rewarding it's not cheap!
Hi Kristin--Absolutely always love reading your blog & seeing the photos. You do an amazong job!!
Hello to Julia & Mark too!
Kristin, still love your blog and your photos are wonderful. Love baby lambs, eating lamb and spinning wool. Have one of your books my daughter got me some years back and then clicked into your site. Your house is wonderful and you have so much energy. Your land is so different than here in SE Wyoming so that is very interesting. Thanks so much
The photo of the lambs and Mamas just melted my heart! And the pile of 3 lambs too!
I can't believe I'm eating leftover lamb meatballs for lunch right now.
Yes, it must be so hard to make these improvements when the cashflow is strained. It seems to be the way with small businesses, farm or otherwise. Always a stretch. But it must be nice to be able to see all those wonderful mamas and cute babes in the barns now!
The farmer must be in tremendous shape, with all the walking he does all day! Such good exercise!
I hope to be able to subscribe to some of your classes so I can help in some small way (since I can't buy your lamb from this distance!)
Keep warm!
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