Puppy Pillows

The puppies are getting fat and sassy... slowly beginning to try to walk.  They look like tiny little tanks, trying to lift their bellies off the ground far enough to get around.  They are beginning to yip and yap a little also.  Still, their favorite activity is sleeping... snuggling, cuddling, using each other as little puppy pillows... all in their sweet little puppy piles.
Honestly, we could spend the entire day just watching them.

It's a..... Surprise

About a year ago we had Bella and Samson to the vet and had some discussion about breeding.  For months and months we watched and noted and counted days... and watched and noted and counted days... and watched and noted and counted days.  And nothing happened.  Seasons turned and we turned to other tasks - shearing, lambing, hay making.  And then in the last few weeks, the kids started noticing a change in Bella.  She was a little grouchy and as they put it, becoming obese.
And so, in her own time and season, Mother Nature took charge and delivered the most wonderful surprise... actually seven beautiful surprises. We're so proud of our wonderful mama and of course the papa too.

Good Fences - Early Morning

Samson is off on an early morning patrol around the perimeter of the back paddock.
A good fence and a couple of good guardian dogs keep the flock safe from harm.

Joining TexWisGirl at The Run*A*Round Ranch for a link-up at 'Good Fences'.

One of These Things

We've been playing a lot of "One of These Things Is Not Like the Other" for the last week or so.  With the heavy snowfalls and the apparently inherent 'es-capability' of hoggets, there has been an on-going game of musical pastures.  Each morning at feeding time everyone is moved back to their appointed pasture, and the next morning everyone is back in the barn paddock.  This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing except for the varying nutritional needs of the different groups.  We didn't really have the time or energy to discover and repair the escape routes before the next round of snow began.  So for now... musical pastures it is :)

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a single moment from the week
A simple, special extraordinary moment.
A moment to pause, savor and remember.
Participating with the SouleMama blog.

Freezing Fog

Another common occurrence this winter has been freezing fog, and while it has made chores wet and somewhat difficult, it has also covered everything it touches with beautiful frosty crystals.
Winter wonders... everywhere you look.

Sam and the Boys

In our flurry of moving activity, even Samson got in the rotating pastures mix.  He is now in with Liam, Strider and Jack.  A move he seems to be enjoying if the smile on his face in any indication.  The boys... they just try to ignore him.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a single moment from the week

A simple, special extraordinary moment.

A moment to pause, savor and remember.

Participating with the SouleMama blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please don't forget to comment on Wednesday's blog post for a chance to win a skein of our farm grown, hand-dyed, millspun hogget yarn!

Happy Birthday, Sam!

What a blessing you are!

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a single moment from the week

A simple, special extraordinary moment.

A moment to pause, savor and remember.

Participating with the SouleMama blog.

Pasture Buddies

Although it seems to be hard to capture these moments of camaraderie... they are both so spoiled if they see you near the fence they come running... Liam and Samson have developed a mututal respect.   It is neat to watch them in the field, spending time in the same area, respecting each other's boundaries but obviously enjoying each other's company. 

Just like Sam Sheepdog

Samson is in with the ewe lambs for the winter, and just like Sam Sheepdog he spends much of his day in a very business-like manner - sititng at the top of the hill by his dog house on the lookout for the bad guys or patrolling the perimeter fencing.

Hmmmm.... there seems to be one very tall lamb at the pile of hay...

Oh, it looks like our Sam has decided to employ the art of camouflage and disguise

or maybe he is just looking for a really warm spot in the sun.

Good dog, Sam.

{this moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a single moment from the week.
A simple, special extraordinary moment.
A moment to pause, savor and remember.
Participating with the SouleMama blog

(honor and praise for Samson this week following his brave attempt to save Erma, our last guinea, from the fox)

Tending the Flock

Over the weekend, we brought the ewes and lambs from the paddock near the knoll back to the barn for CD+T vaccinations and FAMACHA checks.  We brought them through a moving lane on the outside of the perimiter fence as that was the easiest and shortest route.  We had one lamb escapee, but it ran alongside and found its way back in before we got everyone in to the barn.  All the lambs had full bellies, and they and the ewes were 'all present and accounted for'.  We only had to treat one lamb (which may have been stress from getting its head stuck in a wire panel) and one ewe; praying that the rest of the summer goes as well!  

When we finished, we made the return trip back to the knoll paddock where we had oats and corn waiting in the feeders and vinegar in the watering trough.  By the way, we bought our first shepherd's crook this spring, and we honestly don't know how we ever got along without it.  We bought a fiberglass one since it would be lighter; such a great investment!

We also moved Belladonna to the large adjoining paddock.  She is very excited and happy to be right next to her charges, and she has a very large space to patrol.  There are squirrels to tree, and all kinds of new things to explore.

Samson continues to guard the barn paddock where we hope to encourage Mr. Foxey Loxey to develop new stalking grounds.  He is also guarding the yearlings and the triplets but more about that tomorrow.

Winter Colours Week - White

White Maremma Puppy - Belladonna - guard dog in training 





White Wether - Jack - Romney Cross

White Church - Mt. Olivet
built by our community in 1900
named by our Great-Great Grandmother, Amy

White Komodor - Samson - Guard Dog - The Big Guy

White Washed Wool - Dreaming of All the Possibilities

Well, it's Tuesday of the Poppytalk Winter Colour Week, and we are adding our farm girl whites to the Flickr Pool.  Take a look.  There are some really great pictures over there.