Winter Planning for the Spinning C Flock

 I spend a lot of time taking pictures of our flock during the fall each year.  I review the pictures again and again during the winter months to plan for the next breeding season.  I am looking at size, characteristics of the sheep, their wool, and each sheep's health records to determine the future of our breeding program.  Have you ever taken a picture and when you went back a couple of months later, you seen something different than when you first took the picture? 

 Birdie and Gerty are two of my choice ewes.  Bonnie, a registered Oxford was their mother, sire is White Knight, a hybrid BFL ram from Herbal Maid Farms.  both of these ewes are very large, gentle, long soft  wool.  We will see if they twin at lambing time.  I will also be monitoring the wool fleece that they will give me this Spring.  So far we favor this line.  Can't wait to see the babies this Spring.

 Gerty....look at that wool...It has a very soft handle.  She is a big baby. 

We added Liam, Registered BFL, to our line this last fall.  He is just a lamb but really growing this winter.  Liam has beautiful wool, not quite as long as White Knight's wool but his wool is finer.  I will probably send samples off of his wool to have it graded.



Liam's wool...first fleece



I took this picture in the fall.  We keep the flock up closer to the barn lot during the winter.  That makes it easier for the dogs to do their job of guarding the flock.  Coyotes come closer during the winter months when their food supply gets slim.  We have seen a few coyotes cross our pastures in the last few weeks.  Also see their tracks in the snow. 

I dyed a BFL fleece and have been running it through the drum cardeer.  Notice the glimmer of the wool.  This wool will be spun for weaving a scarf to wear with my black dress coat.  Working with the fleeces also helps us develop our breeding program. 



I love color...I think dyeing a rainbow of wool is the favorite part of working with wool fiber...what is your favorite task of wool preparation?



November 2, 2010 Election Day for a working farm lady



Gerty, out of a Registered Oxford Ewe, Bonnie and BFL Ram, White Knight.  Her twin is Birdie, pictured in yesterday's blog.  I love their wool and they are BIG girls!  Doesn't she look like Teddy?  Both are out of Bonnie as well as Speckles.
Has anyone crossed Oxfords with BFLs, I would love to hear the results.



Close up of the new boy on the farm, Liam, registered BFL Ram Lamb



Soxs has no matters.  She is not much like her mother, Patches.




I am getting ready to download pictures and share some of my life as a farmer in Missouri.



Lady will not let a sheepy soul rest...she hugs and loves on her sheep and they just love her back...

Betty Lou getting a Lady Hug!

2 of my best friends.  Lady and Sissy.  Sissy stays by my side at all times. 

Yes, I am still mad at Whitey...rubbing on the tractor, oh how will I ever get his wool clean enough to spin and knit?

I started my day at 6:30 AM.  Praying before I leave the peace and quiet of the bedroom. 

Put on my chore clothes and go to the barn to do some chores.

I then prepare breakfast:  today it was oatmeal, hot tea, and milk.

Jump in the shower and get ready for work.

It takes me 20 minutes to get to work, I spend most of the time talking to God and today I really concentrated on the election.  I was raised in a home of a father that was a Republican and a mother that came from a Democrat family...so I try to research and look at the record of the polictians and vote for the person that I think will do the job.  But since I am just a simple human being, I am calling on God to give me wisdom and discernment to vote for the person that will do the best job.  I also ask for forgiveness, I get very angry listening to all the lies.  I am a lady that wants truth and action!

My day as a school nurse stays very busy from the time that I walk in the door until I leave after 3 PM.

I run home, get my voter's card, go to New Boston to a very small one room building and cast my votes...then hurry back home and change into chore clothes so I can help Danny fence.

I feed the hay to the sheep and give Sugar, my pet cow, a croup of sweet feed.  It is dark now so back in the house to change and clean up and prepare a light supper.

Temps are suppose to drop into the 20s tomorrow...I bring in some of my plants that I don't want to loose and put them on the back porch until I have more time to get them cleaned up before bringing them into the house.

It is almost time for bed and I still need to read my Bible and say my prayers. 

I was blessed with another beautiful day...and I hope you were too.

If you read my blog, please leave me a comment and do come back.

God Bless and Good Night