Wow, the deliberations were intense. So many great captions... only one winner. After numerous ballots with sweat and tears, Candi emerged as the winner with her funny caption submitted on Facebook:
Not sure how well Candi knows Boaz, but that sentiment is spot on. Boaz loves to get in your face. I was actually backing up when I took that photo to keep him from getting paca snot on the camera.
Candi - you get to choose from our new yarns, fresh out of the dye pots. We have three different yarns, in several colors each. These colors are approximate - I'm not good at making my camera get the exact right color. Good luck picking your favorite skein ;-)
Shalom - 100% Fine Superwash Merino yarn, 4 oz. ~190 yards:
Top: Cardinal and Third Watch Bottom: Sprouts, Harvest, Lupine
We'll also be offering in the LRB Store, several natural colored cotton yarns for warm weather projects. Drop on by for a look-see soon...
I'm already looking ahead to Saturday - it's the Third Saturday Spin/Knit In at the LRB! Hope you can be with us... And Farm Camp begins on Monday! Now that's going to be a big time...
Finally, after quite a bit of hand wringing and prognosticating by the weather men, the storms arrived. As I was leaving my hair appointment across town, a wall of black threatened from the west, and I high-tailed it home. The rain caught up to me and then met me in new waves when I got to the farm.
Rain at the farm is a blessing. A mixed blessing, but one I cannot begrudge. I honestly believe the animals are a bit inconvenienced by the wetness, just as I am. At least from judging their faces as I made my rounds this evening.
A very bright spot near the house, from time to time, is this crazy amaryllis plant. It was here when we bought the property, survived all the construction and re-landscaping, and bursts forth in exuberant bloom every once in a while with no warning. Clearly, it belongs here.
Poor boys. The next big project, as soon as it dries out a little bit, will be to build a shelter for the wethers and rams. Since our huge hay haul filled up the Cadillac shed, they've had no place to get out of the rain. And it has rained three times. Yes, I know they're sheep, but I feel like an animal ought to have the choice to stand in the rain like a ninny if it wants, or get under cover. Next week. Tarps, cattle panels and baling wire, and we're golden. Then I can sleep better at night.
The ewes (and Moses the yearling wether) are snug under their little hoop house shelter and don't mind the current weather at all. Their number one concern is how fast I can get them a little treat of grain, if you don't mind.
Speaking of ninnies... The chickens are so single-minded about grazing in the fields that they ignore the rain till they realize they're sopping wet and uncomfortable. They puff up, shake out their feathers, and gripe at the top of their little chicken lungs, like someone pulled a really mean prank on them.
Then it's back to the pasture for more grasshopper hunting. Go, girls.
Poor Vanni - he hates the thunder and lightning. I found him in a new little cave he built for himself in the alpaca barn. Judah's the same way. Judah figured out how to weasel into the hay barn when I thought I had all the entrances shut tight. These LGD boys, brave in the face of a coyote or garbage truck, are no match for big, noisy weather. And the girls just sleep through the whole thing.
The alpacas prefer to stay under shelter for the most part. Although later, I caught Joseph out in the rain, completely unaware of the rain on his dense, fine fiber coat.
The temperatures have dropped blissfully into the 70's, and I'll definitely take that improvement. I can hear the stream rushing by in its channel, but haven't seen it peek up over the banks yet. We could still get a bit of storm surge even tomorrow, depending on how much rain gets dumped overnight. The chorus frogs are in full voice at dusk, and I can almost hear the pasture gulping down the refreshing drink. As we hear every day in casual conversation around here, "we really can use the rain."
I made about 100 new friends today. Emma and I got to traipse up to McKinney again today to share the love of the farm with several busloads of wide-eyed first graders.
These are not inner city kids who've never seen a patch of grass. These are suburban kids who have gotten separated from the source of a lot of their stuff: the farm.
Once the buses unload, groups of 20+ kids travel from station to station to learn about various aspects of farm life. These including samples of rural life 100 years ago, dog agility (as it relates to working dogs on the farm), hands-on lessons with some amazing farm animals, and of course, I get to talk about fiber - plant fiber and animal fiber.
We start by talking about cotton, and all the amazing things we get from the cotton plant. The kids play "cotton gin" by separating the fluffy fibers from the hard seeds.
Then we spin a little cotton thread out of the fluff, with our fingers. Not easy, but the kids to remarkably well.
Then we talk about wool and sheep, and the process of getting that wool into garments. Even the parents and teachers learn a few things. Today I learned some Spanish words: suave = soft, limpia = clean, blanca = white. That's what we get when we wash raw wool... clean, white and soft lana... um, wool.
I loved having Emma with me as a helper today, and so did the animal wranglers. She's always had a soft spot for those mini donkeys like Victoria.
The kids get to touch some sweet farm animals and look deeply into their little eyes...
the Momma Goat...
a Jacob sheep...
More goaty cuteness ...
Big dramatic, gentle Belle, the draft pinto
Cookie, the guard llama, some chickens, and more...
After four groups of kids came through, it was time to load up all the animals back into Ms. Keeley's amazing critter hauler.
Chris loads up the very pregnant mini-zebu heifer.
The goaties wait their turn to load up.
It all fits back in, like a 3D animal puzzle.
Last aboard, Heidi the agility Corgi.
Every time I see these kids' eyes widen with disbelief about all the cool stuff they learn, I'm reminded how amazing it really is. When their jaws drop, mine does too. It's very easy to take it for granted, when the stuff of nature and the farm surround me every day. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to see it with fresh eyes every time we share it with a child. Thanks for reminding me of the miracles.
This morning, the winner of the Half Share of fiber from the DFW Fiber Fest came for a visit! Melissa Rice, and her pal Sami Moss dropped by to see a little of what was in store for her as a shareholder at Jacob's Reward Farm.
Sami and Melissa greet the Menagerie
The critters did not disappoint. The chickens, sheep, dogs and alpacas were all on their best behavior to impress their new benefactress, and the newest members of the farm family.
Vanni, of course, as the Sweetest Dog on Earth, warmed up to animal-magnet Sami and nearly knocked her down with love.
He's such a lover. Melissa asks if he's really just 15 months old... Uh, yep. Still an adolescent in the LGD world.
Ruthie and Vanni then joined in a merry romp - something I haven't seen in a long time. The cool weather and liberating hair cut have turned Ruth back into a young pup as well, and the chase was on...
Rawr.. rawr.... rawr... The Lioness and the Clown.
All that roughhousing attracted the alpacas, who don't like missing out on potential treats. With just plucked grass from the pasture, Sami had all the boys eating out of her hand...
I think the crew won them over. Can't wait to have them back to the farm and the Little Red Barn for some knitting/spinning time together! Mi granja es su granja!
Severe weather pounded through north Texas this afternoon, leaving a wake of destruction in many parts of town, and terrorizing thousands of people. We, by God's grace, were spared. No hail, no high winds, no damage. Just a heavy, soaking rain.
And then it blew away. It left behind some gorgeous cool breezes, bird song, and saturated colors. Here is my evening, in pictures...
I add my prayers to many others on behalf of the people who lost electricity, possessions and property in today's storms.
It's done. All the shearing is done and the fleeces are bagged for cleaning. Ahhhhhhhh. Give me a minute while I enjoy some major shepherd relief. Nothing could have gone any better, from surviving the rain on sheep shearing day, to me learning how to successfully drag a trailer.
And the fiber is, easily, our best ever. Here's Joseph without his amazing technicolor dream coat. Cute spots, eh?
Here's his coat coming off in velvety waves. Every bit as yummy as we had hoped.
The pasture is now populated with pipe cleaner animals. They look like cartoon characters to me, freshly shorn.
And they match the nekkid sheep at the other end of the property. Everyone is ready for the 80+ degree temperatures we're supposed to see, beginning tomorrow. Whew. Just in time.
Now, comes the big job of getting the fiber clean and ready to send to the mill. We've been streamlining and perfecting our systems, so as soon as the last of last year's fiber is finished, we'll bang this stuff out. And enjoy every minute.
It's done. All the shearing is done and the fleeces are bagged for cleaning. Ahhhhhhhh. Give me a minute while I enjoy some major shepherd relief. Nothing could have gone any better, from surviving the rain on sheep shearing day, to me learning how to successfully drag a trailer.
And the fiber is, easily, our best ever. Here's Joseph without his amazing technicolor dream coat. Cute spots, eh?
Here's his coat coming off in velvety waves. Every bit as yummy as we had hoped.
The pasture is now populated with pipe cleaner animals. They look like cartoon characters to me, freshly shorn.
And they match the nekkid sheep at the other end of the property. Everyone is ready for the 80+ degree temperatures we're supposed to see, beginning tomorrow. Whew. Just in time.
Now, comes the big job of getting the fiber clean and ready to send to the mill. We've been streamlining and perfecting our systems, so as soon as the last of last year's fiber is finished, we'll bang this stuff out. And enjoy every minute.
Since it only comes once a year, it sure feels like Christmas. We trailer our boys up to my friends Amy and Arlin McCrosky's amazing ranch in Greenville, and we get to be part of a couple of days of assembly line shearing magic.
Everyone has a job, and the collective works like a Swiss watch. After four years, I've finally found my place in the machine, collecting the fiber into bags - one for the prime blanket fiber and the other bag for the leg and neck fiber. The bags are labeled with the animal's name, date of birth and other background information. We twist the two bags for each animal together and set them aside. The floor mats are swept and blown off with an air compressor between each animal to keep the fibers from mixing.
After several hours, we take a break. This is Mark Loffhagen, the shearer with the golden blades. I've talked about Mark before... he's the same as ever, an Americanized Kiwi with a rye sense of humor.
We were all ready to take a load off for a bit after about a third of our animals were sheared. Our lunch break came after about another third of the 'pacas were done. All told, I think I heard that we did 74 animals. Tomorrow we'll probably do about that many again.
Fun sights around the barn - this is a female boarding at Amy's place who has the cutest face ever. Can you believe that silly smile? And her dark eyes, and black snip on her nose! She is a doll.
This is part of the group of ladies that occupy the barn where the shearing takes place. It's quite a crowd - very good looking...
And then here came Amy's star herd sire: Abundance. Wow - he is really amazing. So much fleece coverage on his face that he can barely see. The rest of his body is just packed with fiber as well. They don't call him Abundance for nothing.
Hi buddy!
...And... the "after" shot. He's still a big guy without it, but the fleece is just enormous.
Every time I go there, I am amazed at Amy's fabulous barn. This much hay would last me for years! But with all the mouths she feeds, it lasts significantly less time.
She has a cool way of keeping her fleeces contained - we toss them into a big dog run. They stack high, rather than taking up all the floor space. Nice.
So, we got home without incident (and me pulling my very first trailer all by myself!) and the three shorn boys had to make friends all over with the still-fluffy boys. They literally don't recognize each other without their fleeces, just like the sheep a couple of weeks ago. Here's Boaz - a mere shadow of his former self.
And Moonstruck and Levi, together for comparison. Not a fair comparison - Moonie is a big piggy boy, and Levi is the tiniest thing we have in the pasture. But you get the idea.
And the payoff for the day's work: pretty, pretty fleece. This is Boaz's fleece. We made an interesting discovery. He's not a white alpaca with an apricot cast, he's a bona fide FAWN alpaca. Amy says our good herd nutrition did that for his fleece, and that it's a very good thing. Yay!
Levi's huacaya fleece is really, really soft and white, but what you can't see in this shot of the butt ends of the fibers is the outside of his fleece, which is a MESS. Mud, spit, and who knows what else, got all over him, and it's going to be a job to get it clean.
And then our little Suri superstar, Micah. Again Amy drooled over his fleece, which we have noticed has a lovely light silver cast to it. We're considering whether Micah may have a new career path ahead of him, besides growing the softest, densest fleece we've had here to date. (That may change once we get Joseph sheared.) More news if it develops.
It was a really great day, and I learned more cool things about alpacas, shearing, fiber, and our own boys. And the news is all good. We have some really nice fiber on our farm. Hallelujah!
And now I have an ice pack on my back and I've taken some Ibuprophen, so I'll be able to do all this again tomorrow, when I trailer the Boys of Color (black, fawn and gray) back up to Greenville for another day of shearing fun.
To wrap up, here's a video about how Amy "harvests" fleeces she may use later in competition. "Show fleeces" get special attention, and must be handled differently from your regular, run of the mill amazing fleece. The process is called "noodling," though no noodles are used. Crazy. Enjoy:
The chores took extra long to finish today, again, because I just couldn't soak up enough of the sweetness into my pores. I can't express how rare and treasured these days are in Texas - bright, cool, dry, refreshing. I will ache for this day, come August.
Lots of us are wondering what this warm winter will bode for the summer - will it be even hotter than last year? Will the bugs be worse for lack of freezing temperatures? Until I saw my redbud tree budding out today, I wasn't sure whether to believe that spring had really come for good. The native trees know, so I trust them. Conversely, never trust a Bradford pear - they are gullible and easily deceived into believing winter is over, and then getting frostbitten by a freak ice storm, and waking up dead. They ain't from around here.
Tomatoes aren't native either, and need special handling. Mine have grown a bit spindly indoors, just getting the sun through the windows so far. Today, it seemed mild enough for them to play outside on the front porch as the sun lowered toward the horizon. I think they liked it.
The woolie beasts are so anxious to get out of their winter coats--literally itching to be sheared. Joseph looks like the Michelin Man of alpacas - I really cannot wait to see him out of his fleece.
Everybody is fluffed up and ready to move on to the naked portion of the fiber year. Tomorrow, it is supposed to get up to nearly 80 degrees, and you really don't need an alpaca coat in that kind of weather.
The hens are digging this, though. The days have lengthened, and the girls have ramped up their laying. I think the sight of all this new green grass has all of us a bit rejuvenated.
The bugs are waking up and providing lots of food and entertainment for the flock. We should also be seeing nice orange yolks in the eggs, with all this free protein and greenstuff adding to the hens' nutrition.
The guineas are, well, guineas. Loud and crazy, like always. They're pretty faithful that way.
I spent too much of the day inside working on stuff that just had to be done. But I'm going to regret every minute I didn't get to enjoy of this day outside in the fresh air. Forgive the cliche, but, I wish I could have bottled it.
