Uma's Knight in shining Armour

Uma left our farm for the first time in her life today. She traveled comfortably in the back seat of our jeep with our dog Max, and was feed peppermint candies by my son Michael. Her destination was a rendezvous with a handsome fellow named Midnight, resident buck at Spinnakees' Farm in Augusta.

Uma actually came from Spinnakees' Farm three years ago, She has been a wonderful addition to our family. Since she is small in structure, we have waited for her to mature. This seemed like the right time... and I cannot wait any longer! :) So in three weeks I will pick her up and hope that in June a little "Uma" or two will be bouncing around the barn yarn. The best part though is they will be ours to keep.

Things to do......

Today was a day of things to do. Of course getting ready for tonight's game topped the list. I made dips, buffalo wings, and brownies. We picked up and unloaded two loads of hay, I finished clipping Alice, my Angora bunny, I checked eyes and feet of sheep, cleaned up pony "plops", cleaned water buckets and last but not least ... gave my son a hair cut.

Tomorrow I plan to work in my basement preparing my new, super-huge work table for my next project.

Oh and maybe I will deliver my Angora goat Uma to Spinnakees' Farm for a rendezvous with a handsome silver buck.

Now time to go to friend's to watch the Patriots kick some .....

Sledding with a Mastiff

How can one resist these warm days with all this snow!! Of course sledding at our house is a bit dangerous. Not because of the long, sloping, tree-covered hills that require a sledder to be on the top of their game when launching from the top.... no.... it is the Mastiff who thinks you are a ball to catch and pursues you to the bottom.

This is all you'll see before she catches you ... good luck!

It's Snowing .... Again

Well, it was another snow day for us. I needed the day to complete many unfinished projects, but of course farted most of the day away. How can you resist not playing in such wonderful fluffy snow when the temperature is so mild. I guess the trade off for all of this snow is the bearable weather.

I remember the clod blast we had last spring after 40 degree temps through December and January. I foolishly sheared my sheep and had to go buy them all fleece pullovers at Goodwill!

Max played hard in the snow today. After a feast of sheep grain and some yummy chicken poop, Kathryn read him a story ( Curious George is his favorite) and then it was time for a long winter's nap. Ahhhh the life of a dog.

The Stockings Were Hung......

I am bad mother. I made three new stockings for my dogs and even one for the Guinea Pig, but when I started the new stocking for my daughter.... I broke the needle on my sewing machine! Hopefully I can get out tomorrow to buy some new ones and finish her stocking. If not I will sew it all by hand. She told me it was okay and that she would just use her Dad's stocking since it was so big ... smart girl!

10 Inches And Counting!

Well... when I fed this morning it wasn't snowing. I walked up to the barn, opened the door, fed, smashed ice out of water buckets and refilled them, and brushed Lady Bug.

When I walked out the door, not 10 minutes later....it was snowing! As of right now ( 5p.m.) we have 10 inches on the ground. It s fluffy and easy to shovel and so beautiful.

I took a bale of hay out to Joker and the girls in the front paddock a spread it in their shelter. I know they will eat some and bed down in the rest for the night. I took a bale in one hand and the shovel in the other so I had a weapon to protect myself with as I exited. The snow was so deep, that even when the little bugger chased me I could easily out run him. It was so funny that I almost fell down I was laughing so hard! He is such a good boy to protect his harem from the Shepherdess with the shovel! :)

Inspiration

I am often surprised at what inspires me. In the early morning hours, just before I head out to do chores, I like to stand on the deck and take in the very different world that exists in slight daylight. With the snow on the ground and trees, twinkles of light wink at me all around as the light begins to grow. If I am quiet I can watch the sheep lying in the snow. It is always interesting to see who has chosen who for a sleeping partner.

What touches my heart lately is the sight of my Shetland pony lying down, surrounded by sheep. Do they have early morning meetings in the wee hours? Do they too appreciate the beauty around them ... the silence ... the peace?

I also find "snow piles" interesting. How the tinyest flakes become shape on a branch, looking much like a skeleton on the outside. I hope everyone is enjoying the season as much as I am.

Happy Holidays.

Winter Wonderland

I have to admit that the thought of shoveling snow, wearing boots, and treking up to the new barn ( now a few hundred feet away) was not on the top of my "favorite things to do" list ... but I have to say .... today I enjoyed it. I was supposed to drive 45 minutes away to my business class today, but my Jeep was stuck in 4-wheel drive, and I had to call in. Hmmmmm ....what to do?? Ahhh yes! My camera!

My sheep always look so beautiful in the fresh snow. I have waited for years for this barn, and years to take this picture of my woolies peeking out the door. I feeling of contentment settled over me while I sat on a bale of hay in the "nursery", a corner I have set up for my younger and smaller sheep. I just love them all. Lady Bug was looking pretty cute in the snow too, she is all fuzzy and ready for cold weather.

I found a radio station that was playing classical Christmas music and left it on for them. Of course I did not have my camera with me when I walked up for my nightly check tonight. Lady Bug was laying in the barn with all of the large sheep. I truly think she believes she is a sheep ....silly pony. :)

One Happy Boy!

Today has been a day of preparation. The weather man says we will be waking up to winter white in the morning. The barn roof has to wait, but the trusses are up and a ( rather tacky) heavy duty, silver tarp covers the sub roof until next weekend ... if mom nature cooperates!

I brought my camera out with me today while I worked around the yard preparing for the storm. Joker, my ram, was very interested in my work and I managed to get a few great shots of him. This one I love. He certainly is one happy fella in the paddock with his six girls!