The Lamb Must Die!

Spirit of the West

First, a big congratulations to Country Goalie for winning yesterday's caption contest! I'll be needing your contact information, dear...my email link is over there to the right.

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A while back, City Boy bought me a lamb. It was white. It was cute. Downright adorable. And so sweet of him to think of me.

However, the lamb must die.

The news of Darling's and my plan to consume the lamb upset City Boy. But Darling and I were hungry; it couldn't be helped. I mean, just how long did he expect me to keep it, anyway? Besides, it was Darling's idea. She's long been a lover of lamb, and the thought of this one just hanging around, doing nothing productive, was driving her crazy. And not just her. I must admit to having a bit of a craving myself.

Why the lamb, you ask? Why not some stranger from the supermarket, who's face we'd not grown accustomed to?

Because we were having a chocolate craving, that's why!

Pesky little lamb has been taking up space and not pulling his weight far too long. Time to die, little lamb!

Darling quickly removes the packaging

The little lamb is clueless as to his future

Darling points out that he is defective, therefore should not be kept around. Look! The backs of his ears are pink!

I think he suspects something; he's claiming to be a Japanese poodle...

It doesn't take Darling long to suck off the feet and seal his fate

Mmmm....lamb is luscious!

Look, Mom, a puppet!

How are we going to split the head evenly?

Ah...that works!

And that was the end of the lamb. City Boy is still in mourning. He misses seeing the lamb looking at him in the morning, I guess. But Darling and I are not feeling the least bit guilty. Nope! Not in the least.

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!

And the Winner Is...

I'm so glad y'all have stopped in this past week to read the silly things I've written. I'm wondering how many of you will disappear now that you've realized there's no free beer?

But there is a winner. Darling and I sat here writing down the names of all those who've posted comments, then we folded them and she brought out a hat into which we deposited them. We wanted this to be a family affair, so Darling called the Grammar Nazi in to draw the name. He was just reaching in, when he had a swell idea (or so he said), and he called Tait the Australian Shepherd over.

Tait had nothing better to do, he said, although Tait disagreed. She'd been barking at Rufus, no doubt discussing tomorrow's security plans, as she'd been a bit concerned today about the neighbor dogs. Plus, there'd been several bicycles going up the road these past couple of days and she's been convinced they need herding. Of course you and I know that bicycles don't herd well, and Rufus was just explaining this to her when the Grammar Nazi called her away.

So anyway, the hat was handed to Tait, who promptly stuck in her snout and pulled up a mouth full of paper...lots of paper. Not just one name, but several! No, no, you don't all win, sorry. Darling and GN began pulling the wet, slobbery slips of paper out of Tait's mouth, determined to narrow things down from those she'd selected when they realized she still had one in her mouth.

Obviously, she'd spit out those of you she didn't like. And who did she feel the need to continue savoring inside that wet puppy mouth? Why, it was Laura, aka 2LMZ Farms! So congratulations, Laura, and I promise that we won't let Tait taste the soap!