Happy Easter!

By the time you're reading this, I should be on my way to Oregon!

The littlest Easter Egg

I went out to take care of the chickens the other day when I happened to look down at the ground and spot this teensie, tiny little tan ball. Not egg shaped in the least, but it was the right color. I bent down to pick it up...wow, it really is an egg! Never in my life have I seen one so small...at least, not a chicken egg. Not even the pullet eggs are this small. I wonder which of my new hens layed this? Can we say slacker?! How many do you think it would take to make an omelet?

Darling got all eggcited and wanted to crack it open. Why did she want to crack it open? I dunno...what else would you do with an egg? I guess we wanted to know if it really was an egg inside. We did it outside (just in case it was old and stinky.) Sure enough, a yellow yolk oozed out! Tait's nose was half an inch from where we broke it, and it didn't take that pup long to slurp it up...egg shell and all!

Growing up, I always used to go to egg hunts at my great grandmother's house. She'd hide eggs and invite not only the great grand kids, but half the neighborhood. Kids would be swarming all over her property in search of hard boiled eggs. That was back in the day when it was okay to eat an egg that'd been hidden all morning. Back when we didn't die because of it. Kids these days are weak, they're not allowed to eat old eggs for fear of stomach cramps or dying. Wimps.

Plastic eggs for today's wimpy kids.

Anyhoo...as I said, we're on our way to Oregon. We may even be there by the time you're reading this! We'll most likely head southeast, through Ellensburg, then down to the John Day region where I'm thinking we'll spend the night.

Come Monday morning we'll explore the fossil beds. If I understand it correctly, you can actually keep some of the fossils you find! How terribly cool is that?

Burns, OR is a bit more than an hour south of John Day, so we ought to be there at some point in the afternoon. The walking tour, I've been told, takes about an hour. For me? Probably two or three...or four or five... When do you think they close? Do you suppose they'd let me just camp out?

Hopefully I'll be able to post later tonight the things we saw and did today. I hope you're all having a blessed Easter! Don't forget that Jesus is the reason for this season as well =)

NEWS FLASH!

Deb just emailed me, letting me know that Taffy's mother just had quadruplets! Deb, you're going to have to email pictures to me so I can get them up for everyone to see =)

Oh...and one more thing! I was at Kim's blog and scrolled down to see she'd taken a quiz on what kind of horse she was. Well, I wasn't about to pass that up! Naturally, quizzes such as this tend to be full of Arabians, Quarter Horses, and Thoroughbreds...so imagine my surprise when I turned out to be...

What breed of horse are you? Find out!

Okay, I promise I'm actually leaving you now. Have a blessed Easter, everyone, and see you later tonight!

It Rained Today

I was going to go down to the neighbor's and work on my fencline today, but it rained. I don't work in rain. I barely work in sunshine, but most definitely not in rain.

Yesterday the sun was shining. I managed to get a few posts put into the ground and some more wire stretched. Below is a picture of the fence post pounder. I'm not sure if that's the actual name or not. My tongue always trips and falls over it...fence post pounder. Try saying it. Try saying it three times fast! Not easy. Hopefully there's an easier name. Something simple or pretty sounding. I wonder what it is in French? Of course, I don't speak French, so it probably wouldn't roll of my tongue any easier than fence post pounder.

The ground down at the neighbor's is a little wet, which is why you see that weedy, reedy grass in the photo. In fact, during ark season it's down right swampy! The frogs, however, find the boggy, slimy ground somewhat romantic, and everyone up and down the valley can hear their love calls all night long. All Night Long! You've not heard anything so loud as thousands of frogs singing "In the Mood" late into the night. People in the city wonder why we country folks are walking around looking like cast members of Night of the Living Dead. After all, things are so peaceful out in the country, right? Yeah, and roosters are charming little alarm clocks.

But I digress. Once we return from vacation, the sheep will enjoy getting out on that soon to be lush, green grass.

Speaking of vacations, I've found that my camera doesn't have a video feature. Something about the resolution being too high on the camera, and too low on a video...or something like that. Good news is that Darling's camera does have video! In fact, while playing around with it tonight, I see that she's got a short video of Taffy and Ohren shortly after lambing! Mind you, it was terribly windy so there's lots of rumbling noise.

Now, should I show you another one? I played a bit with the camera, trying to figure out how it worked, and shot a couple practice videos. Are you ready to see them? I'm not sure anyone is ready for this. I know I'm not ready for it. Which one to load? The creek? Or me? Well, whichever one doesn't end up here today will show up tomorrow, so be sure to come back to see it!

Baron Von Milchschaf

Congratulations, Ross!

I'm sick...sniff!

They've all had it; City Boy, Darling, and the Geek Boy. They've all been sick, coughing and sputtering all over me for a full week now. I've done my best to ward it off, but my body just couldn't fight it any longer. It's wet out, it's cold out, and I tend to spend too much time out in the wet cold. And my immune system finally said 'no more'.

But despite this, I know that you all are awaiting another days worth of lambie pie photos, and I can't bear to disappoint you! So without further ado...lambies!

Name me and WIN!

Despite several attempts, no one was able to guess the correct lambing date on Taffy. So, we'll just have to find another way to give the prize out! And that would be giving this dear sweet boy a name. His mother, of course, is Taffy. His father is Carrot. The breed is East Friesian, which is German (or Finnish or Dutch, but most often German.)

The prize includes, but is not limited to, the following: One hand felted lamb, perfect to stuff into some one's Easter basket or set upon a bed. A jar of sheep milk Manna, milk and silk Heavenly Body Butter, a bar of Ewe Stink sheep milk soap (the soap doesn't stink, silly!) and plenty of other goodies. All in all, a $50 value! So put on your thinking caps and offer up a name for our sweet little guy!

Yesterday Alice the Cat decided to accompany me out to the shed to watch the proceedings. Normally hanging out in the rain is not on her to do list, but she realized that everyone else was there, so something important must be happening. Sure enough, there were slimy things making noises!

Taffy is not so sure that a cat should be allowed in the birthing suite. She gives Alice the 'stare down' glare and stomps her foot. This technique works with most would be lambie assassins in the barn yard, but Alice pays no heed. She's wondering what lamb chops taste like.

Look, there's something hanging off the back end of this slime ball!

Kill it! Kill it!

Oops! A bit too close! Taffy charges and Alice jumps away from the target.

Aahhh...they just want to be friends! Alice doesn't appear to mind the blood and slime all over the little one. In fact, she appears to rather enjoy it!

This morning the lambs are bouncing about and a bit cleaner (thankfully! I know you all were rather disgusted yesterday!)

Here's Mr. Droopy Ears. No, that's not really his name. Darling has yet to give him a name. Well, she did try, but I vetoed Gollum. I mean, I didn't want my lamb wandering around saying 'My Precious' and talking to itself!

Did you know little lambies will try to nibble on solids so soon? Amazing, isn't it? Now, if the weather would just begin to cooperate, they'd be able to go outside and play. But for now, they've got enough space in their cozy little shed to bounce and drive mamma crazy.

Now, I do believe I'll go take some drugs and drift off into lala land for the night. Hope you've enjoyed the pics, and don't forget to leave a comment with your name suggestion! =)

And the winner is.... Stormin' It Up!

Being as Quiet Storm is Darling's horse, I felt it only fitting she should select this week's winner. And who would it be? Rachelle!

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Yesterday they held parent conferences at Darling's school. You may recall me telling you she was going back after a couple years of homeschooling. She was all excited, but after a day she decided she didn't really want to be there. So we cut back the on how many classes she's taking and that does appear to help somewhat. She's got just two teachers, and one of them wasn't there. So we spent something like, oh, a minute and a half with the teacher who was present. He said she has a good attitude and comes in with a smile, and that aside from a few holes, she's doing well.

After that taxing, exhausting and emotionally stressful event we came home to find three ewes staring into the sheep shed. Taffy was not among those staring. Being in my 'dress up and go to school' shoes, I couldn't walk through the gate(too muddy), but did go up alongside the fence beside the shed, and from there I heard Taffy's voice. Baaaa....baaaa...baaaa...in a tiny little whisper meant for mamma's and babies. I ran to get my boots, Darling ran for the camera...

....which means you get to see the whole, bloody event!

This is what greeted us as we walked into the pasture; one very new and very yellow lamb. With floppy bunny rabbit ears. Taffy was lovin' all over her new baby while he tried his best to get up and move. Newborn lambs can walk within minutes! And we complain when our children are walking before they turn one...

I had no idea how long ago she'd lambed; obviously not too long as he was still quite wet. I sent Darling off for some towels and walked in to inspect. Which is when I saw...

...oh...icky.

Before I could set the camera down and step in for a closer look, she gave a push...and out came lamb number two!

Another ram lamb; he was born breech, but so quickly that there were no ill effects. Taffy pulled the sack off from his face and I stepped in to pull a bit more away from his nose so he could breath. Darling was back out with the towels by now, so she took my camera while I wiped and inspected.

The bad news here is that no one guessed the correct lambing date! The good news is I'll have more photos up tomorrow, along with a new contest for you all, so be sure to come on baa-aack, y'hear!

That Never Happened...

Congratulations, Rachelle, on your winning entry in the photo contest! Winter Whiskers, it is!

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Darling cut her own hair!

I'm the queen of 'That Never Happened'. Really, I am. I never snorted boogers all over people while on a first date. I never dropped my cell phone in a public toilet and got caught fishing it out. And I certainly never go outside where truck drives can see me in my flannel pj's walking barefoot through muddy horse paddocks. No...these things never happened. Never.

Darling and Rufus

Today turned out to be quite lovely, despite the snow on the hill and chilly air. Darling and I decided to bring the dogs into town and walk along the old railroad tracks through Whatcom Falls Park. It's a lovely place; so picturesque and tranquil.

Now, I've not mentioned it before, but Darling has a habit of running into things. Little things, like walls, for instance. Fortunately for her, there were no walls out in the park. Unfortunately for her, there were trees. "That never happened," she said. That's Darling's second most favorite phrase. As I told her this afternoon, half of her life hasn't happened. She has no idea what I'm talking about, pleading complete ignorance. I really have no idea where she comes by such denial.

Someone is walking backwards...
Either the dogs are very talented, or perhaps it just never happened...


Hurry! She's old, we can outrun her!

While we're on the subject of Darling's favorite phrases...her most favoritist (is that a real word? The Grammar Nazi will come for me if it isn't) phrase is, "I was adopted, wasn't I. Please tell me I was adopted." I'm not really sure why she'd think that. We've always been very honest with Darling in terms of where she came from. Some years ago we sat her down and told her that, when a mommy and daddy love each other very much, they call the travelling pig gypsies who always have a supply of extra children. Pig Gypsies are always willing to barter a bit, so we traded a shiny bottle cap to them in exchange for a new daughter. To which Darling responded, "I was adopted."

Young Redwinged Blackbird pulls seeds from cattails growing in the pond.

Our walk this afternoon, as I mentioned, was along the old railroad tracks. Prior to entering the park, they travel past Scudders Pond, a gloriously swampy piece of water full of cattails, bullfrogs and mosquitoes. I told Darling how one early morning I'd decided to go for a stroll along this same trail. It was something like 6 am, probably not the safest time for a young woman to be out walking alone. That thought hadn't occurred to me until I'd been out there for half an hour and noticed that the only people I was meeting were a handful of male joggers. I was beginning to get just a bit nervous, imagining the worst each time I heard their crunching footsteps approaching me from behind. I'm sure they noticed my jumpiness, too, as I'd turn quickly around so as to get a good look at their faces just in case I lived through the attack.

My heart was racing by the time I was out of the woods and back alongside the pond. But I knew I was within sight of the apartments across the pond now; surely someone would be up and hear my screams should worse come to worse. Just as I was letting that thought slip through my head, my fears were realized. I was attacked from behind! I let out a scream; I'd been hit on the top of my head! I fell forward, the palms of my hands hitting the gravelled trail. I recall wondering briefly why I hadn't heard them come up behind me...

Quickly I attempted getting up to flee...or fight... Do you know how awkward it is to turn gracefully when you're on all fours and facing downward? Breathlessly I got up, but there was no one to be seen. I looked around. And then it happened again. Thwunk!!! On the top of my head!! What the heck??

That's when I heard the squawking and chiding from a tree above me... There sat a red winged blackbird, thoroughly ticked off at my hot pink headband!

Oh, sure, they look innocent enough...

I brushed the bits of embedded gravel from my hands, straightened my sweater and looked nervously around to see if there were any witnesses. Thankfully, there were no joggers at the moment. Hopefully, no one was awake over in those apartments to have seen what had just happened. Imagine, being attacked by a silly little bird and having it drive you right down to the ground.

But of course...That Never Happened!


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Now, a quick Taffy update! Here's what she's looking like from behind. Her udder is filling up, but we're not there yet.

Could this be considered Sheep Porn?
(Oh, never mind me...I'm up way past my bedtime!)

Oh! What a Shame It Would Be...

...to live in a place such as this...

...where you were forced to see views such as these...

...day after day...

...after day....

It just doesn't seem right that someone should be forced to live like this, does it?

Yesterday was so lovely! In fact, I believe it hit just over 70 degrees here. And today? Rain and wind. Ah, well, such is the blessing of living here in the pacific north wet.

Taffy's udder was filled a bit more yesterday, but still only about 25% of what I'd expect it to be prior to lambing. I've had ewes that looked to have a full udder for a full month prior to lambing, but as this is Taffy's first there's no pattern to follow with her. Keep your dates coming in; let's keep them in March(except my April 1 & 2 guesses), and if she doesn't lamb by the latest day chosen, we can try again in April. But I really do think it will be this month.

With things so lovely yesterday, I decided to go work on the fence line down at the neighbor's place. She let me keep my sheep there last year, which was a real blessing as the extra pasture comes in quite handy. There are three acres there, however, and since I couldn't afford to put in a woven wire fence, I opted for something a wee bit less expensive; this orange stuff that you see in construction areas or out in fields blocking snow.

Now, anybody can tell you that this is not ideal fencing for sheep. Unfortunately, Anybody wasn't around when I purchased it. They did show up, however, a month after I put it up and informed my sheep that it wasn't too terribly tricky to push through. Hence, I had a few loose sheep last summer. Fortunately, sheep are terribly cute and the neighbors got a kick out of them wandering through their yards.

So this is what my orange fence ended up looking like. Not terribly effective, I fear. Which means that this year I'll be spending a bit more time and a bit more money on something a bit more reliable!

The beginnings of a 'hoop house', Tracey style! This shows two rebar meshes that I lashed together, then arched into the air. I have two more that will go alongside these to make the arch wider. They're pegged down with fence posts. Once I've got the 'frame' done, I'll cover it with a tarp for an inexpensive, temporarily shelter in the summer pasture.

For those of you who asked! I've now got the beginnings of the soap blog going. More than soap, of course...lotions, yarns and whatever else happens to be a by-product of my life here at any given moment. So come visit me at the Palace!

Have a great day, and don't forget to submit your lambing dates (you have until tomorrow evening) and your caption for the boot (I'll be taking a look at them all tonight!)

A Day with Miss Banana Head

Happy Birthday, Banana!

Driving the kids crazy, ain't it grand? I've gone and purchased a couple of Dwight Yokum CD's and had to have Darling help me figure out how to get it to work in my computer. When she heard the honkey tonk coming from the speakers she nearly melted like the Wicked Witch when Dorothy tossed a bucket of water on her. I'll have to remember this technique whenever I need to clear a room!

Taffy and Bessie enjoy breakfast

I'm still waiting on Taffy to lamb. Anyone care to offer up a date? I think I'll send a couple bars of sheep milk soap, and perhaps a sheep milk cream, out to whom ever can pick the correct date for lambing. Are you up for the challenge? I'm guessing it's in March, but heck, who knows for sure? So offer up your guess in the comments!

Yesterday I brought my niece out with me on my travels. Banana's birthday was last week, she's 9 now; but it snowed so I didn't go to her party. She was horribly disappointed, but I suspect we made up for that yesterday. We went south to pick up Pokey, the ram, from his visit with the ladies. While there, Banana got to visit with Sugar, the donkey.

Banana and Pacman

Upon leaving the sheep, we headed up the road a couple miles to my friend Linda's where we were lucky enough to catch Curt and a few of his customers working cutting horses. Curt's the one in the bull (normally, he's just full of it, not filling it...rofl...I crack myself up...)

The bull is used for several reasons, among them that you can work a horse in it's weak areas and you never have to worry about sour cattle (they get bad attitudes after being chased around by a horse, go figure!)

I love this boot, don't you? I'll bet it's owner was wondering what the heck I was so interested in it for, but don't you just dig the color? Okay, I brightened it up a bit. Do you like? I think it needs a name, however. So look, here I've got two little contests going and it's not even Winsday! But yeah, offer up a name, and if I pick your's you'll be getting a set of lovely notecards in the mail, plus something else and I don't know what that is at the moment, but I'm certain you'll love it =)