This is the unglamorous time of year. The two big Sheep and Wool festivals we do are over, and it’s time to get back to routine farmwork, All but the most stubborn leaves have blown off the trees and hit the ground. Frost has ceased the growth of the grass, so all grazing now isContinue reading “UnGlamorous”
Category Archives: bluefaced leicester
Sheep for Sale
I have two BFL ram lambs and three Border Leicester ewe lambs available! Dorward Highlander is a BFL ram with all the right stuff. He has lovely wool, great length and perfect blue coloration. His lines are Pitchfork and Magic, tracing back to Myfyrian Trueblue, Llwygy Black Mountain and Beechtree Bruce’s Stone. $500. I alsoContinue reading “Sheep for Sale”
A Trip to the Museum
If you know me in real life, you’re probably aware that I am pretty nerdy. So a day trip to a local historical society and museum was just the thing to share with Matt and my mom. We decided to check out Old Stone House Day at the Old Stone House Museum in Brownington, VT.Continue reading “A Trip to the Museum”
Our BFL Yarn is Here
I am so happy with the BFL yarn that came back from Battenkill Fibers this year. In past years, our BFL clip has been too small for me to send it to a mill. Bluefaced Leicesters are bred to have light fleeces. In the UK, this was done with the idea of reducing the fleecyContinue reading “Our BFL Yarn is Here”
Summer Arrives
Summer arrives to find the bobolinks have fledged from our neighbor’s hayfield. Three streaky brown birds making little plink calls were flitting and bouncing around the pasture I set up for the sheep. I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide habitat to this struggling species. We are so close to weaning time. I know the ewesContinue reading “Summer Arrives”
The Ram You Need.
For Sale: Pitchfork 926 “Fred” 2016 Registered Bluefaced Leicester Ram Fred has been the main ram in our flock for the last two years, so it’s time for him to find a new flock. What can I say about the ram who has sired all of our 2018 and 2019 lambs? The ram who stillContinue reading “The Ram You Need.”
The Yarn is Here
Most years, I have sent my wool to the mill with the expectation that my yarn might come back just a few weeks before the festivals I regularly attend. Usually, that was just enough time to count it and dye it while Mom might knit a sample or two. This year is different. Our mill,Continue reading “The Yarn is Here”
Out to Pasture
*bang bang* My eyes open. Matt says, “Someone is at the door, I think?” My phone says it’s 5am. It can’t be anything good. *bang bang* Definitely someone here. I’m bleary-eyed and quasi-dressed when my neighbor at the door tells me that our sheep are out and she’s worried they’ll be hit in the road. Continue reading “Out to Pasture”
Waiting for Spring
It’s almost May. The grass has been taking its time in growing, but the lambs haven’t. It pains me to see my tired ewes nursing their enormous lambs. We began vaccinating our flock for Clostridium C+D plus Tetanus last week. Matt and I hauled in the scale he built us and weighed each lamb. OurContinue reading “Waiting for Spring”
Triumph and Tribulation
We have 73 lambs on the ground and only one ewe left yet to lamb. Lambing was a constant process of checking, evaluating, assisting, monitoring, feeding and collapsing. For me, tiredness can be measured in my motivation to do regular daily activities. Cleaning falls off first, then relaxation, then cooking. When I didn’t feel likeContinue reading “Triumph and Tribulation”