tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318278322024-03-13T13:00:41.385-07:00Musings and Ramblings of the Shepherd, PhDA place to share both the exciting and mundane doings from the Farm.Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-27297778927882205092014-06-27T15:28:00.000-07:002014-06-27T15:28:05.806-07:00AKC and Int. Ch. Briarbanc Brych Red Dog, VCD1, RE, AX, AXJ, JH, TDX<h3>
<u><i>Clifford, TDX!!!!!</i></u></h3>
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Clifford and I went to Montana and passed the TDX track. On *not-flat* ground. In the Mountains. Over bunchgrass, through snow bush, aspen and pine trees and along an old wagon road. He passed. That's the important part. The rest of this post is story telling, and gives me a chance to relive the thrill.<div>
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On Villa's last practice track, things didn't go as well as I'd have liked. The test had at least one "alternate" entry, so I pulled Villa out of the test and let the alternate entry run in her place (The dog, a Rough Collie from the Spokane area, also passed!) So, on the Thursday before the test, Clifford and I and all our "stuff" left Auburn for Missoula.</div>
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We arrived in Missoula fairly early on Friday, after spending the night in Coeur'd'Alene, Idaho. I drove out to near the tracking site where I'd been told I could practice with Clifford. Oh, my. The cover was bunchgrass with not much vegetation between the plants. The footing was tricky in places and there were lots of critter holes. It was sunny and a little breezy. I laid a short track up through some waist high snow brush, up a steep hill and along the top of the ridge. Then waited. And waited, and waited a bit more until the track was about 2 hours old.</div>
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Clifford picked up the track after casting a little at the start, moved along briskly to the snow brush where he cast back and forth to find just where I'd gone in. Once through the snow brush, he motored up the hill and cast for the turn on top. He paralleled this a ways away but came back to the two articles. At the "end", he got his special treat - a can of cat food. YUM. I considered this "acclimation" track a success. Clifford's attitude and performance were good. He got hot, though, and it gave me something to worry about. Sunday's forecast was for sun. Though the air temperature was only going to be in the upper 60's, the sun made everything feel hot.</div>
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We relaxed the rest of the day. I got to visit a friend and see her flock of Gotland sheep, which was quite a treat for me. Saturday, Clifford spent most of the day sleeping and I knitted, watched him, worried about sunshine and practiced positive visualization. Really. I think it helps. I "practiced" reading his body language, "rehearsed" his article finds and giving him water, and planned for lead handling in potential snagging situations.</div>
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Sunday, indeed, came with clear skies. We got to the site early enough to watch one of the TD tracks, then headed to the campground for the drawing. Three dogs were present for the TDX. We drew track number 2. A Golden Retriever from NW Montana drew track 1, and the Collie from Spokane - the one who got to run in Villa's place - drew track 3. The actual tracking site was a little ways from the campground, so we caravanned up the side of the mountain. At first the road was quite steep and through evergreen trees, but we soon broke out into grasslands punctuated by bands of trees. It was very, very pretty, and had nicer vegetation than the land by the campground.</div>
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The Golden started off well, but quickly ran into trouble and failed. We moved to the start of Clifford's track and had a few minutes to wait before it was aged the required 3 hours. I used the time to untangle my 40' tracking line and spray Clifford with water to help keep him cool. By this time a few clouds had rolled in, and it was only partly sunny. What a difference the clouds made! </div>
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When his track was ready, I put on his harness. He is so used to wearing it that he waits patiently and holds up his front legs one at a time for me to put them through the leg holes. Our start flag was only about 20 yards from the road and we walked over to it and the start article. In typical Clifford fashion, he just nosed the article and was ready to go. I clipped the line onto his harness and immersed myself into "reading" my dog. There was now no time for nerves; only time to watch Clifford and follow him on the track.</div>
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He cast in a couple of directions at the start, then moved purposefully away from the road with his head down and moving from side to side, taking in the scent. I stumbled on a critter hole and concentrated on letting him follow the track. The first leg went slightly downhill through the grass, and soon Clifford broke off and started casting around. His first corner? Yes! He zeroes in on the scent going off to the left and I follow. We go flat for a ways, then he jogs off to the right, slows and weaves a little. Cross tracks, I think to myself, and just like that we're continuing on the second leg, now going uphill. </div>
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I'm occasionally jogging behind Clifford and am getting winded. Fortunately, he breaks off again and I get a breather. It's brief, though, as Clifford starts off again to the right, slightly downhill, through a little patch of brush and into more open cover where he stops! Stopping??? It's an ARTICLE! Yeaaa, Clifford! Throughout his tracking career, Clifford has cared little for articles; he'd much rather follow the track. Yet, here he was, with a very clear indication and definite stop. GOOD BOY! I went up to him, petting and praising, held up the article for the judges to see. We were both relatively fresh, and not in the sunshine, so I didn't offer Clifford any water. As I poked the article (a pretty, needlepoint, oversize checkbook cover) into one of my vest pockets, Clifford was off again. </div>
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After another little jog to the right (second set of crosstracks?), I could see that we were heading right toward a grove of trees, aspens, as it turned out, at a fairly steep angle. It looked impenetrable. As we got closer I could see what looked like maybe a clear path into the trees. Sure enough, with little hesitation, into the trees went Clifford. I had a chance to close up on him - in trees and bushes and other obstacles, the handler is allowed to move up to 10' from the dog. It helps to keep them from getting tangled, and to be close in case they need to be untangled. Going through the trees was challenging for me even though once we got in, the ground was relatively clear of brush. Clifford moved right along, occasionally going around trees. Once I wove with him, once I had to reach around a tree and grab the lead because there wasn't room for me to get through quickly. </div>
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Ahead of Clifford, it looked like the brush got thick and indeed, when he got there, he turned right and within a few steps was back out in the grassland! This leg was downhill and he moved right along. I was back to alternately jogging and speed walking... and the sun came out. It had been nice and cool in the trees and now it felt HOT. </div>
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I didn't have much time to think, Clifford disappeared over and down a berm. I got to the top just as he decided to go LEFT along the ... road? I had just formed the thought... I wonder if the judges would follow the road? when off he went, first on the right side of the narrow road, then on the left. I took three big jumps down the berm and onto the road to follow. This "road" turned out to be an old wagon road and was set several feet deep in the mountainside. It was rocky soil with little vegetation and a few trees growing at the edges. Past a couple of these trees, Clifford stopped again. ARTICLE TWO! Yes, oh, yes! </div>
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This time we were both hot and I got out the water bottle and his bowl. I poured water for him and he drank. Another unusual thing that told me, indeed, that he was getting hot. Clifford usually refuses water while he's tracking. Like leading the proverbial horse, I can only offer. I poured him a little more and he drank it, too. And I drank some. I held up the article for the judges to see, capped the water and stowed both. I had just enough time to pick up the bowl and pocket it as I followed Clifford off again, down the wagon road. </div>
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There probably is a lot of history in that wagon road. Several of the wagon routes west came through this area of Montana, but my mind was not on that. It was focused on Clifford. I tried to count how many legs and turns we'd had on the track so far, but couldn't do the multitasking. Clifford had broken off the wagon road just past a little tree and was up the left side berm. I could only react by scrambling up behind him as fast as I could. Once up off the road, I could see more grassland ahead of us. Clifford was headed straight toward a grouping of pine trees, uphill again. He wove through the pines and one grabbed my hat. I poked it back on before it left my head. The lead was almost all the way out and I didn't have much to maneuver with but I did get it passed around another tree. Winded again, I was doing my best to keep up with Clifford, when the next trees grabbed my hat and I let it go. </div>
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A little ways past the trees, we started through a section of low scrubby bushes. Clifford got through them, then started casting. And casting some more, and even more. For the first time during the track, I had time to look and try to guess which way the track went. I couldn't figure it out. He kept casting; I kept my attention on him. Finally he went to the right, but broke off after about 25 yards. I knew I had to let him work back to that section of bushes. It took a little time and he eventually came back to the bushes. He was hot and tired. I stopped him and offered more water and a rest. He again drank. I petted him and let him roll on his back on the ground. I got out the sock article and showed it to him, offered him more water, which he drank.</div>
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Now we were back in the middle of the bushes and he cast all the way back to one of the judges. This is the first time I'd seen the judges since we started the track, which is actually a good thing. Okay, so the judge should be on the track, but Clifford kept casting, this time on the left side of where he'd come through just a few minutes earlier. He was working and working. I again got out the water, but he refused it this time. He rolled on his back again. I scratched his back when he got up, showed him the sock and he started casting further to the left side of the patch of bushes. I ask the judge if I can move up to the 10' mark behind Clifford because the line keeps getting caught on the little scrubby bushes. He says "bushes are bushes" somewhat enigmatically, and I shorten up on the line.</div>
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The judges are by now well within their rights to call us off. Clifford has cast in this area numerous minutes, has stopped and rolled on his back twice and shown no indication of following the track, wherever it is. Clifford, does, however, get back to work and finally leaves the bushes, moving to the left along a line of heavy brush and trees. </div>
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He works the edge of the brush and gets caught on a little snag. I have to move up and pull the line off the little snag. As soon as he's freed, he goes back the other way around the snag and gets caught again. This time, though, as I get him freed up, he angles up the hill behind me and away from the trees and brush and starts looking like he's found THE TRACK! Relief floods through me and I'm back into "follow your dog" mode. </div>
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We're now moving through thinner vegetation with a lot of bare dirt showing. I can see the ground at Clifford's feet and mine. Any article should be eminently visible and I'm looking. Up a little rise next to a couple bushes, Clifford circles and pokes around with his nose. Nothing there. He pokes and circles a little more, but there is no article near him. I don't remember now who said something first. I remember shouting "He's indicating something." back toward the judges and hearing from them "Look back here!" Nooooooooooooo. We can't have missed the end article. I was dejected... but. There was no whistle to indicate we failed. Both judges are standing on the route we'd just traveled. I could see the ground between us. No article. </div>
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Clifford is still casting, circling, working back and to the right of where we'd just come through. Judge says "You look, too." What?? Then "Over there" just about the time Clifford finds The Glove. It was about 15 to 20 yards off to the side of where he'd just tracked. I met him at the glove with lavish praise, scritches, hugs, water. Afraid we hadn't passed, but also knowing something wasn't right. Then "CONGRATULATIONS!" from the judges. Oh, Amen, Amen and sweet relief. Clifford had passed the TDX track and earned the title "Tracking Dog Excellent". He made it look so easy up until the last corner, and that probably influenced the judges to let us work just a little longer on that corner. </div>
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All my attention is on Clifford, yet I hear the tracklayer say to the judges, "Yes, I put the article right here" - back on the track Clifford had been following, right next to a little tree. The judges verify, "yes, the article should have been right next to this tree." Then they're all up with Clifford and me, congratulating us. I'm grinning from ear to ear. Clifford is soaking up the attention.</div>
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We'll never know what happened at the end of Clifford's track. "Something" had removed his article and it ended up well off the track. Would he have come back to find it if I hadn't hesitated when I recognized his search pattern, and then heard the judges? or would he have followed the tracklayer's path off the field? Had that "something" also messed with his final corner? Perhaps dropping the glove there? Had a pack of coyotes played keep away with the glove? Crows picked it up and dropped it? I saw no scratches or bite marks on the glove. It's a mystery.</div>
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The rest of the day was pretty much a blur. The judges left to follow the Collie from Spokane - who also passed! The gallery who'd watched Clifford's last corner and the missing article swarmed us with congratulations and hugs and lots of wonderings and expressions of relief. I eventually made it back to the truck where Clifford got his can of delicious cat food and as much water as he wanted. I got to watch the Collie track across the hillside, under a downed tree and off toward their final article. We all celebrated at the campground. It was hard to leave. I wanted to stay. I wanted to go back up and rewalk Clifford's track, take photos, bask a bit more. Practicality won out and we headed for home. Victorious!</div>
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Start is at upper left.</div>
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Green line - approximate track</div>
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Blue line - approximate Clifford path</div>
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Red line - Planned Cross tracks</div>
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5th leg is on the old wagon road</div>
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Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-25776882411768884292014-05-29T20:54:00.002-07:002014-05-29T20:54:34.384-07:00...and Just for Michelle - Shetland Lambs!The sire of these lambs is EverRanch Nut Brown Ale, a Moorit Gulmoget from Boulderneigh Bloom and Night Cap. <br />
A moorit ewe from Baby Bee, and a Gul-Kat ram from Valise - POLLED!:<br />
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A half polled white ram from Popcorn:<br />
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A moorit ewe and moorit gul ewe from Val - yes, triplets from Valise!:<br />
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And Val says, That's all Folks!<br />
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- Franna and the SheepiesFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-57013641983355309612014-05-29T20:45:00.002-07:002014-05-29T20:45:08.017-07:00A Tracking We Will GoWhat is tracking? you might ask. It is a dog sport wherein the dog must follow a path walked by a stranger and find along the way, one or more personal articles that the tracklayer left behind. The distance varies from 400 yards( minimum) in the basic urban, TDU, test to 1000 yards (maximum) in the more advanced TDX test. Turns, distances, age, and other features are all spelled out in the AKC rulebook for Tracking Tests. In a test, the judges and tracklayers will plot the tracks the day before the test, then just the tracklayer walks the track on the day of the test. Tracking tests are held all over the US and in other countries; scenting conditions and terrain vary from site to site.<br />
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Tracking is a wonderful activity to do with your dog, and unlike obedience and agility, the dog is in charge, having the vastly superior nose to find and follow the correct scent.<br />
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Over the years, tracking has waxed and waned in popularity. It's popularity right now, and for the last dozen years or so, is at a high, and in the Western Washington and Oregon area, tracking tests typically have alternate (waiting) lists of a dozen or more dogs. The number of dogs that can be tested by one pair of judges at any one event is limited to 12 in the basic (TD) test, 12 in the basic urban test, 8 in the VST (advanced urban), or 6 in the advanced (TDX) test. AKC has combinations of these limits for clubs who put on two or more of the events in one day. The passing rate is low, about 50% in TD, 17% in TDX, less than 10% in VST, and TDU is so new that I haven't seen statistics on it, but it's pretty low, too. Not very many dogs earn tracking titles in any given year.<br />
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I have been participating in AKC Tracking off and on since the late 60's - as a young 'un, and have been judging since 1978. Currently, I'm working with "my" three household dogs, Clifford, Villa, and Lucy. Clifford has his basic Tracking Dog title and is working on the two advanced titles - TDX and VST. Villa just earned her TDU title in March, the first Labrador to do so. Even though that is her first tracking title, she's been doing advanced tracking for several years. Lucy is still a beginner and not quite ready for the basic TD or TDU test.<br />
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So, now what? Why am I going into such detail about tracking? Well, after several years of ending up on alternate lists and not being tested, and at almost 13 years of age, Clifford "drew into" a TDX test! Not only that, but Villa drew in as well! Does it matter that the test is in Montana? Well, yes, it does. Montana is a ways away, involves a multiple days trip, and scenting conditions are quite different from "home". Does it matter that the test is on a mountainside on terrain that has been described to me as *not* flat by several people. Again, yes, it does. I am a bit "fluffy" and still recovering from ankle surgery (how long can I milk that for???). Clifford is a senior citizen and not as physically fit as he once was. heh... I can sure relate to that! Regardless, we're going and hoping for the best. We have trained in a variety of conditions, terrain and vegetation, plan to arrive a couple days early to acclimate a little, and will hope for the best.<br />
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This satelite image is from Google Earth, waaaay up in the air (the little line on the left is a state highway) and is the TDX site on the SE slope of Boyd Mountain, which is NE of Missoula, MT. It *is* not flat. I have seen ground photos, too. It is beautiful, even in its non-flatness.<br />
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Okay, so we're practicing. Today's practice was at Flaming Geyser State Park, near Auburn, WA. I had heard that the daisies were going to be in bloom. Yes, the daisies were in bloom... and *everywhere*!<br />
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I put in a track for Clifford and one for Villa. Lucy came along for the ride today. The tracks were about half TDX length, about 450 yards each, had multiple articles and as many non-flat details that Flaming Geyser Park offered. The last leg on Clifford's track also had...<br />
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...a group of about 18 home schooled model Rocketeers. About an hour before Clifford's track had aged long enough, they started launching Rockets... and retrieving Rockets... all over the field where Clifford's track ended. This was okay. It added some challenge, which was good. I had talked to the setup crew - a father and son - while they were setting up, and told them what I was doing, too. The son was expecting an English Shepherd pup very soon and was happy to talk tracking a bit. It was a happy event, sharing the field of daisies.<br />
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So, while I waited for the two tracks to age, I first went to the Black Diamond Bakery... for a latte. Right. A few other goodies jumped in a bag for me. :-) The Black Diamond Bakery is world renowned, or maybe just a local, historic icon. Whichever, it is well worth taking a side trip, or even a special trip, to enjoy the atmosphere and the goodies! They have a small restaurant, a coffee bar, and of course, the bakery. <br />
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Then, back at the ranch... errrr, park, I got out my knitting and watched rockets blast off, kids run across Clifford's last leg, and the Rocketeer Moms set up a picnic about 10 yards from Clifford's final article.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjX7fg9ZSDVvoFHIlaRhyxWA_TiFWoHPd8Wvbwl072b0dbJf6wkfP_6dPdUepAZ0RMqc0OV9bOoFRXtIP3ppf5HGwcNyM7kV0ZHAhvGyPzKStFs_Z8eZOCHR8QQAcXagtSjwEW/s1600/CarKnitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjX7fg9ZSDVvoFHIlaRhyxWA_TiFWoHPd8Wvbwl072b0dbJf6wkfP_6dPdUepAZ0RMqc0OV9bOoFRXtIP3ppf5HGwcNyM7kV0ZHAhvGyPzKStFs_Z8eZOCHR8QQAcXagtSjwEW/s1600/CarKnitting.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Clifford ran first. It's not easy to get photos while handling a tracking line and walking over uneven, or for that matter, even ground. It is easier to get them behind a dog who tracks at a moderate pace, like Clifford. However, today, Clifford didn't go at a moderate pace, he kept me jogging until the last leg, when I did get a couple photos. I didn't keep the blurry ones.<br />
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In the third field of daisies, after the path through the woods:<br />
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And across the road into the Rocket Field of daisies:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4owkQvK2QeLTmN_nRi2-6rOMk-tBMUM4xGXTn2wDqE5Rc7lNHWv2j89-8YMEpalnd8yj042OBU98mhMGGD6ymlf2XOaZVuJFXRfCCnOPpSL23iHBSVmpKyK9l9gyE6dRUgOhG/s1600/CliffordRoadXing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4owkQvK2QeLTmN_nRi2-6rOMk-tBMUM4xGXTn2wDqE5Rc7lNHWv2j89-8YMEpalnd8yj042OBU98mhMGGD6ymlf2XOaZVuJFXRfCCnOPpSL23iHBSVmpKyK9l9gyE6dRUgOhG/s1600/CliffordRoadXing.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
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Where he did a little casting at the end, but basically followed the track in most excellent style. He didn't even notice the picnic Moms until we exited the daisies. Good Boy, Clifford!<br />
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Villa, on the other hand, takes two hands on the line at all times, and a very mindful stride, lest I get pulled onto the ground nose first. I did get a shot of the first leg of her track... sans dog. Yes, all the white is daisies. The Red is her start marker.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyBByRLIksnS-w1GaN_C4nqBOCbSKNSB-7ke39qdEvGhNHHGpnfkC4ITDzHSg2gmB3hfsTfTuECS65h21JlPRsrxmrwJdd1thMn-2WgboZczCGeOaEq8T5SARbR4r0oj6dQax/s1600/VillaFirstLeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyBByRLIksnS-w1GaN_C4nqBOCbSKNSB-7ke39qdEvGhNHHGpnfkC4ITDzHSg2gmB3hfsTfTuECS65h21JlPRsrxmrwJdd1thMn-2WgboZczCGeOaEq8T5SARbR4r0oj6dQax/s1600/VillaFirstLeg.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Villa's first leg went right down the middle of this mowed strip, until the strip went left and I went straight. The mowed strips make nice scenting obstacles and pathways to turn off of and onto. They are used a lot by park-goers for walking paths, so they have plenty of cross tracks and scent other than mine. Villa's track (and Villa with me in tow) went crossways up a little hill through ferns, back into daisies, down the little hill next to a big evergreen tree, back into daisies, across another mowed strip and to her final article! She mostly did good work, is exceptional at locating articles, and I kept my feet down and my head up. Good Girl, Villa!<br />
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Clifford's next track will be in Montana. I try to keep him interested and wanting more by tracking less often and rewarding him with high value treats. Villa has a little less seasoning and more rough edges, along with much enthusiasm, so we might go out once more before Montana. Whatever happens, it will be an adventure. A not flat one.<br />
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- Franna, with Clifford and Villa.Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-40232115251765142092014-05-08T17:20:00.000-07:002014-05-08T17:43:55.110-07:00Awakening the BlogMy last post was two years ago! My how time flies. I'd forgotten my password... which happens far too often, and I need to figure out how to post things again.<br />
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Quick update: The puppy was born July 7th and arrived here in September. She was christened Stufield's Comedy Queen or Lucille, which quickly became Lucy, then Lou. <br />
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Here she is getting ready to go to the Welsh Springer National specialty in April. She isn't too thrilled about getting groomed. Lucy is a kick to train and is working on rally, obedience, agility, tracking and field. She really would like to try herding, too. Lucy earned her Rally Novice AKC title at the Welsh National. </div>
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Of course, we still have the sheep. Gotlands and Shetlands. We sold the last Scottish Blackface ewe last spring. This year we're up to 93.75% with the Gotlands. The last 3 years we've used semen from the Gotland's home country, Sweden. The lambs are gorgeous! Below are twin ewe lambs by Nors Fox. Mom is EVR Sapphire, a NZ Hoppy daughter, UK Daniel granddaughter, and UK Denzel great-granddaughter - three countries of Gotlands represented in our flock.</div>
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These two are trouble in the making. They're rams out of EVR Smokey Diamond ( a Granby Mr. Big daughter) and EVR Shine (a Sindarve Shaun son). Beautiful curls and masculine heads on these boys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKzgF2q745c-6s91fhBeCDllSzqozvQ8R86EfkjGzOPIfXL6YwSCBwn7Cib9gQhNpewb8u8W_9ip86Duh0a7godmVwx3akwpdpiu_9goPLuhF7Ccn4MO6nrQ9n1Espansc3Uv/s1600/SmokeysTwinRams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKzgF2q745c-6s91fhBeCDllSzqozvQ8R86EfkjGzOPIfXL6YwSCBwn7Cib9gQhNpewb8u8W_9ip86Duh0a7godmVwx3akwpdpiu_9goPLuhF7Ccn4MO6nrQ9n1Espansc3Uv/s1600/SmokeysTwinRams.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are two of EVR Lola's triplets. Lola is one of my favorite ewes. She had triplets for her first lambing, by Nors Fox, two ewes and a ram.<br />
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Not to be outdone by the sheepy cuteness, we also had puppies of our own this spring. Int. Ch. Winroc Winsome Winifred, RN, TDX, WC had 7 puppies by GrCh. Aquarius Stonewall Stuart. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQZVwDej76GSYKbqXzvrYUJc0SkF-_bjWSTTw0GibVIpJZ4ftUvVk1nIn6ZT6s5YmNydAMkI5qZSAkEgTWm0qOiPcHWIbArygSlzIquYwU_diFqwidDXMZ4PXyV5zG39kss03/s1600/TwoWeeksWMom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQZVwDej76GSYKbqXzvrYUJc0SkF-_bjWSTTw0GibVIpJZ4ftUvVk1nIn6ZT6s5YmNydAMkI5qZSAkEgTWm0qOiPcHWIbArygSlzIquYwU_diFqwidDXMZ4PXyV5zG39kss03/s1600/TwoWeeksWMom.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Everyone is in their new homes, California, Colorado, and Washington. And... this little cutie is making EverRanch her home! Meet Jennie, Winroc Clan Evrrnch Jenina, now 4 months old and smart as a whip. Dave is training her well... or is it vice versa?<br />
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While the password is fresh in my mind, I'll try to update more often than once every 2 years!Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-53951008765499560172012-05-31T17:46:00.001-07:002012-05-31T17:49:02.063-07:00Puppy! Puppy! Puppy!!!I spent a long time contemplating my next puppy. Another Labrador? Labs are my first love. Smart, good sized, love to work, and one can still find lines that are athletic and good looking. Then, there's Clifford, my Welsh Springer Spaniel. He's the senior dog in the household and is ageing gracefully, yet ageing nonetheless. Clifford is a super upland dog and I've fallen in love with the Welshie gentleness. Labrador people are great, and so are Welshie people. I looked again at other breeds, small herding dogs, big farm dogs, guardians, competition breeds, and always came back to Labradors and Welsh Springers.<br />
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I finally made up my mind one day while tracking training. The Labradors hauled me hither and yon, jerked my shoulder on track and off, and took me full bore stumbling down the track. Clifford pulls into the harness and goes at a nice pace, fast walk/slow jog for me. As I'm looking at starting my 7th decade next month, I'm going to indulge myself a little and go with a Welsh Springer!</div>
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Not too long after deciding, I found out that one of my favorite little Welshie gals was bred to Clifford's sire, and we're now on the puppy list! Today we found out that there will be puppies - Yeaaaaa!!! Puppies are due July 9th.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry7AIhcjKxA-qJrdsed9pBbUYHrkcD15ci3KVwdmnQiAdwT2WKFeBbQ1UtpPeIoS8nass5PP88zX6Fv4Cx4Vb5O3RZu-TA9Qo14adh96__IhZP3S_pZP_AP76figUbWpwwC7_/s1600/TatumPhotoCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry7AIhcjKxA-qJrdsed9pBbUYHrkcD15ci3KVwdmnQiAdwT2WKFeBbQ1UtpPeIoS8nass5PP88zX6Fv4Cx4Vb5O3RZu-TA9Qo14adh96__IhZP3S_pZP_AP76figUbWpwwC7_/s320/TatumPhotoCrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatum with youthful exhuberance. Photo by Susan Willingham.</td></tr>
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So, here's to crossing fingers for at least two little girlie Welshies from Tatum - Ch. Trystyn's Statesman Lakota Red, RN, NAJ, CHIC, 3 JH legs, and Eero - BIS/2x BISS Ch. Benton Ivy League, UD, RA, MX, AXJ, MXP2, MJP, CGC, CHIC, ASCA CDX. One for Susan and one for me! Mine will be Lucille. :-)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I6fCYAP9Ckcok9r_5JX6r2UfF5kma0am2QvY5WJBhgs1MFobcOWl03Qw0kxYQVBV8QV0UIkJyw1i7sl1OWW9wOT45vx_fanZ5EDekpDLJaI0TeHkS09MKaj1Jysxfob_SgiT/s1600/Eero-2+copyCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I6fCYAP9Ckcok9r_5JX6r2UfF5kma0am2QvY5WJBhgs1MFobcOWl03Qw0kxYQVBV8QV0UIkJyw1i7sl1OWW9wOT45vx_fanZ5EDekpDLJaI0TeHkS09MKaj1Jysxfob_SgiT/s320/Eero-2+copyCrop.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eero, looking fine as a Veteran show dog. Photo by Susan Willingham.</td></tr>
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- Franna</div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-90738027462980252312012-05-19T15:09:00.000-07:002012-05-19T15:09:26.903-07:00Close Call and Upcoming NW Shetlands EventDave and I were out with the sheep this morning, just watching lambs and ewes grazing peacefully. All of a sudden Dave says "There's a lamb caught in the wire!!" and leaps over the near fence, racing toward the far fence. I can't see anything until he's almost there, and yells back "Get the wire cutters!!" Off to the garage where I grab the first sharp thing I see, hoof trimmers, then a quick look in the tool box shows wire cutters! Racing back I hand the wire cutters over the fence into Dave's waiting hand. By the time I was back around the tarp wall into the pasture, the lamb was freed. <br />
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He'd been caught long enough that his face and neck were swollen, one ear was loppy, and his gait was unsteady. He found Mom, who wasn't ready for him to nurse - I'm not sure he could have with his swollen face. As we watched, he wobbled over to the water tub and drank successfully. In a few minutes he was steady and following Mom and sisters around and eating grass. The swelling looked like it was already subsiding. Whew! I don't know what it is with sheep and fences. This fence didn't even have anything attractive on the other side, just field fence up against the tarp wall. Half of him was poked in one square and his head and one leg poked back out the next square - no going backwards. He's a no-name lamb destined for someone's freezer or perhaps we would call him "Lucky". <br />
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Next month, Saturday, June 2nd, the Northwest Shetland Sheep group is having our spring get-together at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard (Seattle). This museum is wonderfully supportive of the fiber community and hosts Nordic Knitting (and Spinning) Conferences in October. We will be doing show and tell, and also have Nordic inspired fibery things for sale. I'm planning to take roving, some yarns, and maybe a hat or two and lay them out on my fabulous Shetland Tartan tablecloth!<br />
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If you're in town, come and join us!<br />
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<a href="http://nordicheritagemuseum.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/0941E35F5FFB13EB/F08A932B7FA4B2672C69F821C9DCC086">http://nordicheritagemuseum.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/0941E35F5FFB13EB/F08A932B7FA4B2672C69F821C9DCC086</a>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-14356898096904309652012-05-13T08:21:00.002-07:002012-05-13T08:21:24.343-07:002012 Shetland LambsVariety - one of the hallmarks of Shetland sheep. This year we have katmogets and solids, moorit, black, white and musket lambs. All this out of 5 ewes and a single ram - Lil'Country Nightcap. The boys are at most half polls, and have very small to medium scurs. <br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />We breed our Shetlands to the NASSA breed standard, striving for the fine, soft fleeces that Shetland knits are renowned for. One of our signature products is natural colored roving in multiple colors, suitable for Fair Isle knitting.<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonwool.net/show3v/Fair_Isle_Roving_Pack">http://www.washingtonwool.net/show3v/Fair_Isle_Roving_Pack</a><br />
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Here are the Shetland lambs:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcRYvwy9ZEI5KTMVYF2FKtpfaG8avW7X7dOujIv1AXqZvZHfR8E_umlCYpyg7LCTW64Z6wxdJiOhYrhPmV6fgznjbXbFYQQ5j-xgw25mmty9UEQ3CVjgLW8zEZCAaXtOi9EIi/s1600/3ShetlandRamLambs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcRYvwy9ZEI5KTMVYF2FKtpfaG8avW7X7dOujIv1AXqZvZHfR8E_umlCYpyg7LCTW64Z6wxdJiOhYrhPmV6fgznjbXbFYQQ5j-xgw25mmty9UEQ3CVjgLW8zEZCAaXtOi9EIi/s400/3ShetlandRamLambs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three ram lambs acting suspicious. Isn't any gathering of juvenile boys suspicious?<br />
The black and moorit are out of Dodge Electra, the fawn katmoget is River, out of Bitterroot Bessie. <span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">The 4 ram lambs are for sale - Electra's twins, River and his brother</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVEZaD6_JhMevBQI2YzagpsI1p9zDiAiJJJRZQemqUHFbbFdb4LtLBQPkV2cqZ5BeZ_8-xF9d3Wlz9RkQasNYBXKhsO5ixa7wPGqlEg1dQCTLVR-UQSJmGjWymyplm5-G8q6i/s1600/RiverOnStump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVEZaD6_JhMevBQI2YzagpsI1p9zDiAiJJJRZQemqUHFbbFdb4LtLBQPkV2cqZ5BeZ_8-xF9d3Wlz9RkQasNYBXKhsO5ixa7wPGqlEg1dQCTLVR-UQSJmGjWymyplm5-G8q6i/s320/RiverOnStump.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River - he went through all the panels starting just after he was born, and still goes just about anywhere he wants. I'm waiting for him to get big enough that the panels are a real barrier!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitd7J5sxPrrlJ8zxwdNTxKueUZLXOjXbPKfNzn1LpuIrjkLCpL5aksPXTLFMSV4RiIzMIwY1sM7S4ag03OO8zmmFgKjAq84dK0FRm3g-poQwhA4jVj_2B0FDqTYphsIlQKYcP/s1600/BessiesTwinRams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitd7J5sxPrrlJ8zxwdNTxKueUZLXOjXbPKfNzn1LpuIrjkLCpL5aksPXTLFMSV4RiIzMIwY1sM7S4ag03OO8zmmFgKjAq84dK0FRm3g-poQwhA4jVj_2B0FDqTYphsIlQKYcP/s320/BessiesTwinRams.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River and his brother. Both have very soft lamb fleeces. River's fleece is single coated, his brother's is more intermediate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4Hi3qmUhlYFhmHtgkP5eYefZfBGM_prK5FXLs7RQcW4KPcxvbnrGGhejXOlRaxceH8XEUBHaA8FkbXUgT3ZseBmZOH0s0NEn3uDnf7Cj5oCJl3riwx84xctdwUwUMZQVZujV/s1600/BessieRam2Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4Hi3qmUhlYFhmHtgkP5eYefZfBGM_prK5FXLs7RQcW4KPcxvbnrGGhejXOlRaxceH8XEUBHaA8FkbXUgT3ZseBmZOH0s0NEn3uDnf7Cj5oCJl3riwx84xctdwUwUMZQVZujV/s320/BessieRam2Head.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River's twin brother.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNdTd2nwSssMZYmMF93KDuTSpoWJk5mqNllPbGRhj7xm5oO49XbtfWO0pWzrcv9dBqedahyphenhyphenIE49RP-ncN8zcNWlMscw1kAkJ02MBv6Q8WLxb_s_AF0d9VxSFgh0_txeMfXvKj/s1600/BessieRam2Rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNdTd2nwSssMZYmMF93KDuTSpoWJk5mqNllPbGRhj7xm5oO49XbtfWO0pWzrcv9dBqedahyphenhyphenIE49RP-ncN8zcNWlMscw1kAkJ02MBv6Q8WLxb_s_AF0d9VxSFgh0_txeMfXvKj/s320/BessieRam2Rear.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River's brother's rear. Nightcap put very nice rears on these lambs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT-ql3y7IaFEte8efZpPAZQfF2N6HWFfVDkg37ypbgEZqDLUJ7NsrVMnyAiVpRu9zOs1HlkSz6r-A6U687gBOyRSoFBZryW_fYiy4aILnUF5vC4-HNp0F1TljF9Oyi-nJfwvr/s1600/BessieRam2Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT-ql3y7IaFEte8efZpPAZQfF2N6HWFfVDkg37ypbgEZqDLUJ7NsrVMnyAiVpRu9zOs1HlkSz6r-A6U687gBOyRSoFBZryW_fYiy4aILnUF5vC4-HNp0F1TljF9Oyi-nJfwvr/s320/BessieRam2Side.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River's brother. This little guy needs a name.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5jhiMFNe3OK6w_WMc8dGV841vtrykD3uhskrjBbUQcRS4et2WkA_QoG_dVmgX7UuMztZqoS5bwK2MDLArPIqeMXh-y3InqCOxfVqvJuTkQz2tF7Lxi0P5QXgywR4l4YdH3i_/s1600/Electra+MooritRam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5jhiMFNe3OK6w_WMc8dGV841vtrykD3uhskrjBbUQcRS4et2WkA_QoG_dVmgX7UuMztZqoS5bwK2MDLArPIqeMXh-y3InqCOxfVqvJuTkQz2tF7Lxi0P5QXgywR4l4YdH3i_/s320/Electra+MooritRam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electra and her moorit ram lamb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjRuJIOkRXK4c3MT0AN2XaJ4yYiZk_IXTeu8P4V48DS2hWSuDABD9_K9HJP-gePjVPniPb45tKKcmuxKMEAk726xMsMKhau54l8cASXBy25rnEIBVyWCt9QLZifW3jujN3ZJn/s1600/ElectrasMooritRam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjRuJIOkRXK4c3MT0AN2XaJ4yYiZk_IXTeu8P4V48DS2hWSuDABD9_K9HJP-gePjVPniPb45tKKcmuxKMEAk726xMsMKhau54l8cASXBy25rnEIBVyWCt9QLZifW3jujN3ZJn/s320/ElectrasMooritRam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electra's moorit ram lamb. His fleece will be intermediate and silky, like Electra's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHteAbqdwmZqel8InOvDehUu_sjb8_bHoWb0bElkl_GvxMU7p6Qlzx44-gvXfPncKK6DWgbQimejiziwA3fJiPC32XAhRSAiJqt6_4q8-k0W3pazA-Wqw3qi8XeYxz1_7jfLBI/s1600/ElectrasBlackRam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHteAbqdwmZqel8InOvDehUu_sjb8_bHoWb0bElkl_GvxMU7p6Qlzx44-gvXfPncKK6DWgbQimejiziwA3fJiPC32XAhRSAiJqt6_4q8-k0W3pazA-Wqw3qi8XeYxz1_7jfLBI/s320/ElectrasBlackRam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electra's black ram lamb. He's going to have a longer, intermediate fleece and larger scurs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJBjZvXrJiTvEnznqdIMIA8F5qqWKoUTcn0MgpZ2_XB77Nudn35NGB8cNorptth0fDHpuYaCqKRMq9fR8aIyr3OK69ItsK_tEBqlKdMwCaoKQw-OVjDEwm91pgFH8qx6LJVfv/s1600/BlancasBlackEwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJBjZvXrJiTvEnznqdIMIA8F5qqWKoUTcn0MgpZ2_XB77Nudn35NGB8cNorptth0fDHpuYaCqKRMq9fR8aIyr3OK69ItsK_tEBqlKdMwCaoKQw-OVjDEwm91pgFH8qx6LJVfv/s320/BlancasBlackEwe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanca's black ewe lamb (reserved). Lovely, soft and crimpy lamb fleece in a sweet package. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-D7T54FpkWeQE-NazUPxhG13C7OdFg7XAhIIwti9mAWPV6E9s-DoryWWPkAMUTrHuxEiFjYW0XZbRSsqgswUJtxolVsLhCTYXKBToIfA2IG-08Nud_OODyRnNp8MLgzs_IA0/s1600/BlancasWhiteEwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-D7T54FpkWeQE-NazUPxhG13C7OdFg7XAhIIwti9mAWPV6E9s-DoryWWPkAMUTrHuxEiFjYW0XZbRSsqgswUJtxolVsLhCTYXKBToIfA2IG-08Nud_OODyRnNp8MLgzs_IA0/s320/BlancasWhiteEwe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanca's white ewe lamb (reserved). She is ultra soft and crimpy. I expect these ewe lambs to have mid 20's micron fleeces with nice length.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzw0PA0G3Kl1wPP6efZhok-bMo4tRFNIATaZ6IytDqPjrm54ubb1cSs3hICeO5tZ2hItGK4OaFGK8lHfUcM8s5Zxdhh9hOFb-wTrDA99ERvZ5_b8Gs9_TTEYaaEJlMLyypsS_e/s1600/BlancasWhiteEwe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzw0PA0G3Kl1wPP6efZhok-bMo4tRFNIATaZ6IytDqPjrm54ubb1cSs3hICeO5tZ2hItGK4OaFGK8lHfUcM8s5Zxdhh9hOFb-wTrDA99ERvZ5_b8Gs9_TTEYaaEJlMLyypsS_e/s320/BlancasWhiteEwe2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanca's white ewe lamb. I like this little ewe. Well... I like them all!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvdxUMFsoe2d5Q7_M_3_pXRWykkqpXTxe9_-hyngeCqiaTzYfFHCuIHvXUWNdvogxzDQ42w0e7hpv_2nWfws_1LTeMc_QDIidfulm7iwU9rj8vS8Ah823-jNRW346kTZ0tJi-/s1600/SparkEmber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvdxUMFsoe2d5Q7_M_3_pXRWykkqpXTxe9_-hyngeCqiaTzYfFHCuIHvXUWNdvogxzDQ42w0e7hpv_2nWfws_1LTeMc_QDIidfulm7iwU9rj8vS8Ah823-jNRW346kTZ0tJi-/s320/SparkEmber.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spark with her musket ewe lamb, Ember (reserved). Spark has a lovely soft and crimpy fleece, and she passed it along to her daughter. Ember's sire and grandsire are both fine fleeced Shetland rams. Spark will have her second year fleece tested next spring.</td></tr>
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We also have a set of twin moorit lambs from Toffee and Nightcap. Toffee and her lambs went to live with the elderly Cobbitty Jane after her companion died. They've given Cobbitty Jane a new lease on life. Late in June, Toffee's ewe lamb, Godiva (reserved), will come back to EverRanch while Toffee and her wether brother stay with Cobbity Jane.<br />
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Contact us for availability of any of our products or just to "talk sheep".<br />
- FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-66392351401547323412012-05-12T11:00:00.000-07:002012-05-15T18:25:55.773-07:002012 Gotland LambsLambing season came early to EverRanch in 2012. The first lambs arrived on February 24th - 2 sets of triplets! - and the last on April 2nd - single Sprite. This post features most of the Gotland lambs. I'll get the Shetland lambs posted soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yqIMYxhI5BUlZMrgWQUpjvsCuoLNbHK04_0aBau5qm-HbU7Ei_AuG4BkaBrcSqEBF2kuLqF0xkUMb04z5V8tVwnUTRQ0EYSFC68mKZ0Fsc-A0LFhdqerKDSiTQHA9C669K0W/s1600/GotlandsFrontPasture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yqIMYxhI5BUlZMrgWQUpjvsCuoLNbHK04_0aBau5qm-HbU7Ei_AuG4BkaBrcSqEBF2kuLqF0xkUMb04z5V8tVwnUTRQ0EYSFC68mKZ0Fsc-A0LFhdqerKDSiTQHA9C669K0W/s400/GotlandsFrontPasture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the EverRanch Gotland flock<br />
(with Eve the Scottish Blackface in the background)</td></tr>
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2012 marks the first year with Gotland lambs in the US born of Swedish rams! The Gotland breed was developed in Sweden, so going to the source seemed natural for our upbreeding program. Carol Ronan, Polly Matzinger and I collaborated to import the first, and so far only, semen from Swedish Gotland rams. It wasn't so simple to get semen from Sweden and I totally credit Carol (Ronan Country Fibers) for making that effort successful. <br />
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Eleven top Gotland rams were collected. A limited amount of semen is available: <a href="http://www.washingtonwool.net/show136v/Purebred_Gotland_Semen_from_Sweden">http://www.washingtonwool.net/show136v/Purebred_Gotland_Semen_from_Sweden</a><br />
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Here are the results at EverRanch. Note that several are for sale - this is an excellent opportunity to add diverse genetics to your Gotland or fiber flock! EverRanch uses all Northern Short-Tail genetics in our Gotland upbreeding program, through Finnsheep and Shetland sheep foundation ewes. We feel that the body type is just as important as fleece type, and ease of care and production is most important of all! All of our Gotland sheep are recorded/registered with GSBANA - the original Gotland Sheep Association in North America. Ewes can be registered at 75% and up, rams need to be at least 87.5% Gotland to be registered.<br />
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Our products for sale, including sheep and lambs, are on Washington Wool dot Net:<br />
<a href="http://www.washingtonwool.net/show2b/EverRanch_Farm">http://www.washingtonwool.net/show2b/EverRanch_Farm</a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5FkXsnFZJUij6IV2SEtYw4-USKvX_pD8dRTGKcVWSgwwCYgoEI211ZqTlsPLkhHCq5NQE8izvD_hx07_lXhC7wV19sRURsAfVJIqpVoYTlURcqHPHn2pJ22GBFq4xhY42ksD/s1600/Bits+CameoGunpowderPuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5FkXsnFZJUij6IV2SEtYw4-USKvX_pD8dRTGKcVWSgwwCYgoEI211ZqTlsPLkhHCq5NQE8izvD_hx07_lXhC7wV19sRURsAfVJIqpVoYTlURcqHPHn2pJ22GBFq4xhY42ksD/s320/Bits+CameoGunpowderPuff.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firstborn Swedish Gotlands in the USA!!! EVR Bits and her triplets Cameo (e), Gunpowder (r) and Powder Puff (e), 75% Gotland/25% Finnsheep. Sire is Granby's Mr. Big. <span style="color: #741b47;"> Gunpowder and Powder Puff are for sale</span>. Bits produces terrific lambs and herself has fleece with high luster and softness. It's a favorite at fleece sales.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZpan0KR0nDzxwkLO1S7-AIfKaCHZtcfLBIEbHaipIELhq1tLM-xM7Qb94eNZ7jGw6FLdXl62wpbfUZqjRN7Z3__YpY8kdtSi67X2ZfUao-0jWBmzXnTyYruqFlgpX5CkgTnT/s1600/Cameo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZpan0KR0nDzxwkLO1S7-AIfKaCHZtcfLBIEbHaipIELhq1tLM-xM7Qb94eNZ7jGw6FLdXl62wpbfUZqjRN7Z3__YpY8kdtSi67X2ZfUao-0jWBmzXnTyYruqFlgpX5CkgTnT/s320/Cameo.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at Cameo. She's a keeper!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HCepPDSbRB1madjNH5CQ6stfyJaQvDD29GxfR7qHM5RYqgSfwKHB2rr8z17F9Fuo35M-ixcAQLvHXzko36uGwrMX-Nsy9Zmzkg0peKSB2MmwkZAMiTJFMvPBqPnRhfYxNzkD/s1600/CameoSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HCepPDSbRB1madjNH5CQ6stfyJaQvDD29GxfR7qHM5RYqgSfwKHB2rr8z17F9Fuo35M-ixcAQLvHXzko36uGwrMX-Nsy9Zmzkg0peKSB2MmwkZAMiTJFMvPBqPnRhfYxNzkD/s320/CameoSide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cameo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqXmFeVv3QGDHS2C6d7KdVn2FoDobEqzTtXrvnCLnBskVBUQvUmLhW73WD8mDPmhSWdptptQpWWir8-c_YmlUCyLXhNFNM7s2HXBBuh1sWh9PGdzdMpGioUTVrXN-bPPNZQc3/s1600/Gunpowder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqXmFeVv3QGDHS2C6d7KdVn2FoDobEqzTtXrvnCLnBskVBUQvUmLhW73WD8mDPmhSWdptptQpWWir8-c_YmlUCyLXhNFNM7s2HXBBuh1sWh9PGdzdMpGioUTVrXN-bPPNZQc3/s320/Gunpowder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunpowder -<span style="color: #741b47;"> for sale</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH6gekMtuXzdV9qwLnacqvU_htJtJLf-TTGHiMUaAajghZsCl2aH5QVYHzfUmM_M3_boImPM43D9MM6NOoNLGk0MZRYLptjxQ9wC9VdAIc8vZb3JhHy1HuyZmmTjh9_ydNdvI/s1600/Bossie+Trips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH6gekMtuXzdV9qwLnacqvU_htJtJLf-TTGHiMUaAajghZsCl2aH5QVYHzfUmM_M3_boImPM43D9MM6NOoNLGk0MZRYLptjxQ9wC9VdAIc8vZb3JhHy1HuyZmmTjh9_ydNdvI/s320/Bossie+Trips.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bossie lambed the same day with her triplets - two rams, Ferdinand and Angus, and a ewe, Elsa, by Sindarve Silver. <span style="color: #741b47;">The rams are for sale.</span> 75% Gotland/ 25% Finnsheep.<br />
Bossie has the softest fleece of our adult Gotlands and is wonderfully friendly. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCbT9Kp5Y-xU6rWxXpm0qZhDwum5pASuGSIOVCtKMqvCoX3jgbPqLQlKuHcWa-jLJvvorz_wuoZ6t0Xi8KqvQJFiSghT5Qt0yCljbKst4221J6ZbRX2FJg6XdhPhrykdfltQg/s1600/Bossie+2Boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCbT9Kp5Y-xU6rWxXpm0qZhDwum5pASuGSIOVCtKMqvCoX3jgbPqLQlKuHcWa-jLJvvorz_wuoZ6t0Xi8KqvQJFiSghT5Qt0yCljbKst4221J6ZbRX2FJg6XdhPhrykdfltQg/s320/Bossie+2Boys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bossie with Angus and Ferdinand <span style="color: #741b47;">(All for sale)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPtG7k5c8YH2JS_Nc8b6zL5zPsaQKUPljyz55rEBrMsRIkoFYF5o7oliSqwWI_-ek7DrgbPPt0LkFTmzgjOJQHP6jk4EuCZ8YlKlmqzsQGpOerO6bOyIfqWOmjdEY9W23tJt/s1600/AliceGraeme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPtG7k5c8YH2JS_Nc8b6zL5zPsaQKUPljyz55rEBrMsRIkoFYF5o7oliSqwWI_-ek7DrgbPPt0LkFTmzgjOJQHP6jk4EuCZ8YlKlmqzsQGpOerO6bOyIfqWOmjdEY9W23tJt/s320/AliceGraeme.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is EVR Alice with her ram lamb, Graeme, by Sindarve Silver. Graeme (87.5% Gotland/ 12.5% Shetland) will be used for breeding this fall, then will be for sale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAwc0ph6jN1EAo5LRjsdQyAFOAQ5YzakTqcFPQxhcGhmePjAHAQ0U9_9FJYKYy1PrAuizOThtZZ2vKUoDYddyStX6X931pHj9zD-DSf_2MeXcElqjkmcEi25wbx46ZyIrDukt/s1600/Graeme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAwc0ph6jN1EAo5LRjsdQyAFOAQ5YzakTqcFPQxhcGhmePjAHAQ0U9_9FJYKYy1PrAuizOThtZZ2vKUoDYddyStX6X931pHj9zD-DSf_2MeXcElqjkmcEi25wbx46ZyIrDukt/s320/Graeme.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graeme. Several of our Gotland rams have small scurs like Graeme's. I've learned through Shetland Sheep friends that genetically polled breeds like Gotlands can have these small, loosely attached scurs. They're often knocked off (they are rams, after all!) leaving a smooth polled head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVnoeSoxJ6nrDhgbu4591wFo_srN4zbDQdxnYfqYlpKjHLDZG8Jh3pkRLe8nuCPFwd1MEpPeUSV24i3Wb2W09VX7bxPMOwQmfkh6fDvOBUtYucF0UnvwxDXL7qeEfpnrDy8wo/s1600/MarieDesmond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVnoeSoxJ6nrDhgbu4591wFo_srN4zbDQdxnYfqYlpKjHLDZG8Jh3pkRLe8nuCPFwd1MEpPeUSV24i3Wb2W09VX7bxPMOwQmfkh6fDvOBUtYucF0UnvwxDXL7qeEfpnrDy8wo/s320/MarieDesmond.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Marie (Alice's twin sister) and her ram, Desmond, by Granby's Mr. Big. 87.5% Gotland/12.5% Shetland. <span style="color: #741b47;">Desmond (SOLD)</span>, though it's very tempting to keep him! <span style="color: #741b47;">Marie is also for sale</span> (75% Gotland/25% Shetland, by NZ Hoppy out of EVR Bunny)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH33DSJjaG3gWl9RJ9T1-L4ulLMsvj2-xH4_tI7Pw25bIRps9ugH0gOahDlH9h2y05p6ZZqp-fHKK23YhhBs2Nc9Xd7Es16iy68nYelyTuJKusm1rDG_1rrcE9NiqTWM06iPnY/s1600/DesmondMarie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH33DSJjaG3gWl9RJ9T1-L4ulLMsvj2-xH4_tI7Pw25bIRps9ugH0gOahDlH9h2y05p6ZZqp-fHKK23YhhBs2Nc9Xd7Es16iy68nYelyTuJKusm1rDG_1rrcE9NiqTWM06iPnY/s320/DesmondMarie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Desmond (Sold) and Marie - for sale</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHcFikRfb3T6LIZis5MV2AddO8NrYRPe99J9Xh_cKgh5m3X7a7Mr9X5NwPomJogkDek2aN4sG3rYQS-ndHJkBsA3P1U7BwkubGU_9cDuNM9anSnWzcYn-6w-CiWzkpl0sPy9D/s1600/Desmond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHcFikRfb3T6LIZis5MV2AddO8NrYRPe99J9Xh_cKgh5m3X7a7Mr9X5NwPomJogkDek2aN4sG3rYQS-ndHJkBsA3P1U7BwkubGU_9cDuNM9anSnWzcYn-6w-CiWzkpl0sPy9D/s320/Desmond.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's looking at you! - <span style="color: #741b47;">Desmond (Sold)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUON78MlLg7am1PtK2BATGCdLq5X_z-dsEO7Su6DaJYL1DTkb8piODMHMYRoFPbR36YYHEHIbUanI7_Bt0ADXuO49NtbpwwZf2Ep9otPHrc_-KHxq82Qcsa_pok7-Pc7qjdQ6/s1600/ChamoisShaunRam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUON78MlLg7am1PtK2BATGCdLq5X_z-dsEO7Su6DaJYL1DTkb8piODMHMYRoFPbR36YYHEHIbUanI7_Bt0ADXuO49NtbpwwZf2Ep9otPHrc_-KHxq82Qcsa_pok7-Pc7qjdQ6/s320/ChamoisShaunRam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor - he's 75% Gotland/25% Finnsheep by Sindarve Shaun out of EVR Chamois. I was so hoping for a ewe out of this breeding, and this ram is very, very nice. <span style="color: #741b47;">He's for sale</span>, though if he's still around I might use him on a couple of ewes this fall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07_AJPoFrSlEKr4mXHnmJdHnbjzfFee18Q5DF4BEKce_NXDU1nd28ISQrXkWqyFG3IlBGu0yNUkIlWEqE0mhIPs3gsWSV2gSNCfkxnph7W1O1GhHVKdqfkTEdsEM1fX6KBTlF/s1600/LolaGemsRam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07_AJPoFrSlEKr4mXHnmJdHnbjzfFee18Q5DF4BEKce_NXDU1nd28ISQrXkWqyFG3IlBGu0yNUkIlWEqE0mhIPs3gsWSV2gSNCfkxnph7W1O1GhHVKdqfkTEdsEM1fX6KBTlF/s320/LolaGemsRam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola! ...on the left (Mica on the right). I've been waiting for a nice AI ewe from Angie, and here she is by Fattings Tjelvar. 75% Gotland/12.5% Finnsheep/12.5% Shetland. Angie has the best combination of fleece and structure in our flock. Her wool is long, curly and lustrous. She's eye catching and four square with lovely tail and legs. Lola carries that forward into the next generation. <span style="color: #741b47;"> Angie is for sale</span>; Lola is staying.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZbesXhqVmt99mGlpoCpw2IbwEYPAqzjYghscrlRhE3jlOqXfIMiURMqxV1myoVP03aMJYqxZg4pCu1cCyXXqT80IhYY_DwBhcdRb2ya6uXs4nbdaB59A7PKzmHL3BSvAqQQs/s1600/Gem+BoyGirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZbesXhqVmt99mGlpoCpw2IbwEYPAqzjYghscrlRhE3jlOqXfIMiURMqxV1myoVP03aMJYqxZg4pCu1cCyXXqT80IhYY_DwBhcdRb2ya6uXs4nbdaB59A7PKzmHL3BSvAqQQs/s320/Gem+BoyGirl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Gem and her twins, Mica (r) on the left, Smoky Diamond (e) on the right. These 87.5% Gotland lambs are fabulously curly and stocky. Both will be retained. Granby Mr. Big is their sire. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvu43_a6-iSYp6YDWdTMkhUVsgUx4LT5xsWAXS1LABjTKcsFPOM-SVjrW7P5uzAiLyvkiHS0CBZp1QzsuWerqcPoHGs6iLcVHdbYzRbT3PITWFhaDTWA5yuNijXlidogB_4ci/s1600/GemsBoy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvu43_a6-iSYp6YDWdTMkhUVsgUx4LT5xsWAXS1LABjTKcsFPOM-SVjrW7P5uzAiLyvkiHS0CBZp1QzsuWerqcPoHGs6iLcVHdbYzRbT3PITWFhaDTWA5yuNijXlidogB_4ci/s320/GemsBoy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Diamond</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This next group features lambs out of the backup rams, EVR Flint (87.5% Gotland/12.5% Finnsheep by NZ Ralph out of EVR Gem) and EVR Dancer (75% Gotland/25% Finnsheep by NZ Flash out of EVR Bits)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrDHQXUZxznc4ViNKrLzarf3D6Z59mf5WdidbacBMwVm81yLO2zOOaQlVhQC7wQ8JGg5yeVAxIh6Dc_CA0Y5Uza1EzF-qvTjr89Iz8dsrO7FK9PxqcljDFwrky9wvZL0BMUTZ/s1600/Jewel+1of3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrDHQXUZxznc4ViNKrLzarf3D6Z59mf5WdidbacBMwVm81yLO2zOOaQlVhQC7wQ8JGg5yeVAxIh6Dc_CA0Y5Uza1EzF-qvTjr89Iz8dsrO7FK9PxqcljDFwrky9wvZL0BMUTZ/s320/Jewel+1of3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Jewel (twin to EVR Gem) with one of her triplets by Dancer. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Jewel is for sale, as are two of her lambs</span></span>, 1 ewe, 1 ram - 75% Gotland/25% Finnsheep. Jewel has the most lustrous fleece with larger diameter curls. She is a wonderful mom and long bodied ewe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSETZYL3GJS4cnYDRDx1UvoAv7Ff6Y5M7mXXN63yyz8BQARe_ozrDZoV1ZwA-wbyAs3Dp8pdEdwYqwziSuUwqkJ6qGCHP0nG0UdqZ5K5g3S3pyMDZE6QNKcsEkFMIGXx_KM7hv/s1600/SuedeMoving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSETZYL3GJS4cnYDRDx1UvoAv7Ff6Y5M7mXXN63yyz8BQARe_ozrDZoV1ZwA-wbyAs3Dp8pdEdwYqwziSuUwqkJ6qGCHP0nG0UdqZ5K5g3S3pyMDZE6QNKcsEkFMIGXx_KM7hv/s320/SuedeMoving.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Suede - by Dancer out of Jewel. Suede is staying. This breeding is a combination of our best producing Gotlands and the best of the UK and NZ bloodlines. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTYVCuhH5pY0K9y0emcpXjdPXUMubWvheuLLN_yMww7O5QpcS5ujtcZDqlUbs0xhdzJKp6-HSE-RfBwtzgfGLfUa_ot05ZTniLBdN80G1sJBgAPW4loFztK9Tw-QESZTVspfZ/s1600/DeeTeesTwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTYVCuhH5pY0K9y0emcpXjdPXUMubWvheuLLN_yMww7O5QpcS5ujtcZDqlUbs0xhdzJKp6-HSE-RfBwtzgfGLfUa_ot05ZTniLBdN80G1sJBgAPW4loFztK9Tw-QESZTVspfZ/s320/DeeTeesTwins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These twins are DeeTee's latest. The ram is on the left and the ewe is on the right. <span style="color: #741b47;">Both are for sale</span>. The ram has tight pincurls like his sire, Flint. The ewe has a more typical open curl. 68.75% Gotland/ 25% Shetland/12.5% Finnsheep</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhWJTwzeU_v59q7ozeytBb9yEdwiE-BA9rdc7prwVbagktSCGE_hQnRX8iMy9Ei7UPO5IfaPmHUD2yViTEARgoMhLzSbl3yw-mTd09EspDlDFVCQ2oBM1_wH3rsYdelnOs_vh/s1600/DeeTeesEwe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhWJTwzeU_v59q7ozeytBb9yEdwiE-BA9rdc7prwVbagktSCGE_hQnRX8iMy9Ei7UPO5IfaPmHUD2yViTEARgoMhLzSbl3yw-mTd09EspDlDFVCQ2oBM1_wH3rsYdelnOs_vh/s320/DeeTeesEwe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DeeTee's ewe lamb again. She's lovely<span style="color: #741b47;"> and for sale</span>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8sJMvs4npFCOH88SkYAy5aNihByRnZhtAunmsBBr4XDFzC_i02IsUpmdfTyo3e6UDHY-1YOUFap0Yl1u2_7gX3vxTJZvgGFAiZMbGw3ThNe3FKFtSRPFa6p11lzZY_vYudTo/s1600/DelilahSprite2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8sJMvs4npFCOH88SkYAy5aNihByRnZhtAunmsBBr4XDFzC_i02IsUpmdfTyo3e6UDHY-1YOUFap0Yl1u2_7gX3vxTJZvgGFAiZMbGw3ThNe3FKFtSRPFa6p11lzZY_vYudTo/s320/DelilahSprite2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two are EVR Delilah and EVR Sprite. <span style="color: #741b47;">(Sold) </span> Delilah is Angie's daughter from 2011 out of RCF Caidon. Delilah is 68.75% Gotland, balance Finn and Shetland. Sprite is by EVR Flint and out of Delilah. Sprite is 75% Gotland, bal Finn/Shet. Sprite was the last lamb born on the farm and has already overtaken the smaller triplets in size. She's a real character and very cute with her white tail tip and socks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJCdzqSrwXBjVAgZcwPqyzOpUoHgivvqwzXTYnrCBNszXI3IGEtzflHcp4lq3mdEoJjnZc01J_kFLbkhQIZU5j4kBrDC5wRDr3exCr7zLx5ZiNgy9GcbRTqAsoqgiaFCwsLob/s1600/DelilahSprite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJCdzqSrwXBjVAgZcwPqyzOpUoHgivvqwzXTYnrCBNszXI3IGEtzflHcp4lq3mdEoJjnZc01J_kFLbkhQIZU5j4kBrDC5wRDr3exCr7zLx5ZiNgy9GcbRTqAsoqgiaFCwsLob/s320/DelilahSprite.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delilah and Sprite. They are a very nice pair. Delilah is doing very well at being a first time mom. Sprite is 75% Gotland and eligible for registration with GSBANA. Both have the slender, long legs, body style and short, fluke shaped tail typical of the Northern European Short-tailed sheep.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11JY-3wPLWGz_emeNi-AolTOpGxSym4rvcgFqVaUwZ13k40-t6K1rwV6DXzr8riA95OfSbGG_Mmag68MDshc-eQWXb65tonkUyYDpOCZ4MTHQbHpbmLUqNZSBSXTwMR8li_8z/s1600/Delilah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11JY-3wPLWGz_emeNi-AolTOpGxSym4rvcgFqVaUwZ13k40-t6K1rwV6DXzr8riA95OfSbGG_Mmag68MDshc-eQWXb65tonkUyYDpOCZ4MTHQbHpbmLUqNZSBSXTwMR8li_8z/s320/Delilah.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">EVR Delilah - sold.</span></td></tr>
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Missing photo!!! Bunny and her triplets by EVR Flint will be included in a future post. Although, Bunny is the front and center sheep in the leading photo, above.<br />
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More to come!<br />
- FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-2092332772975100592012-05-11T21:14:00.002-07:002012-05-11T21:14:38.664-07:00Breeding Groups!Hah!!! I just found this post in the drafts pile. Well, better late than never to publish the post. It'll explain the lambs a bit better as they're posted in later blogs.<br />
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<br />
...written in mid-October, 2011<br />
Today was "move the sheep into breeding groups" day. AI was 2 weeks ago, and it was time to get the backup rams in. The "main man" is ram lamb EVR Flint - an 87.5% Gotland/12.5% Finn. Flint has soft, soft blue-grey fleece on a refined body. His dam is EVR Gem, the 2010 Island County Supreme Ewe, and his sire is from New Zealand - Ralph. Three of the AI'd ewes are closely related to Flint, including Gem, so they went into the pen with EVR Dancer.<br />
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Here's hoping Flint only has one ewe to breed - ewe lamb Delilah, and Dancer has none!</div>
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I also put the Shetland ewes into a pasture by themselves, soon to be joined by Nightcap and Babybee.</div>
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Flint has:</div>
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EVR Bits (50% Gotland/ 50% Finn). Bits is one of our favorite ewes. She has a soft handling, curly white fleece on a very nice body. She is friendly and produces well. We now have a 75% daughter of hers, so it's possible she'll be for sale in a year or two.</div>
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EVR Bossie (50% Gotland/ 50% Finn). Bossie is another of our first year Gotlands. She has the finest fleece of any adult we've kept. Bossie, too, is very friendly. We haven't kept a ewe lamb from her, so fingers are crossed for next spring!</div>
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EVR Bunny (50% Gotland/ 50% Shetland). Bunny is the third of our first year Gotlands that we still have. She has produced very well for us. We have three of her adult ewe offspring - Angie, Alice and Marie, and used a ram from her, Jack, for two years. This year she gave us triplets including 2 ewes. It's likely we'll keep at least one of them. </div>
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Owl Hill Deepti (50% Gotland/ 50% Shetland). We bought DeeTee as an adult and have yet to keep a ewe lamb from her. Hopefully, in 2012!</div>
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EVR Angie (50% Gotland/ 25% Shetland/ 25% Finn). Angie has the best fleece/body combination of any of our 50% Gotland ewes. Her head and expression are gorgeous! </div>
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EVR Delilah (68.5% Gotland/ bal Shetland/Finn)</div>
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EVR Alice (the 2011 Island County Supreme Ewe, 75% Gotland/ 25% Shetland)</div>
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EVR Marie (75% Gotland/ 25% Shetland)</div>
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EVR Eclaire (32.5% Gotland/ 67.5% Finn)</div>
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Dancer has: </div>
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EVR Chamois (50% Gotland/ 50% Finn)</div>
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EVR Gem (75% Gotland/ 25% Finn)</div>
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EVR Jewel (75% Gotland/ 25% Finn)</div>
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Nightcap has: </div>
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Dodge Electra (grey, double coat)</div>
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Bitterroot Bessie (fawn katmoget, long fine double coat)</div>
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EverRanch Blanca (white, fine crimpy, poll carrier?)</div>
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EverRanch Toffee (moorit, fine crimpy intermediate, poll carrier?)</div>
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EverRanch Spark (grey katmoget, intermediate, poll carrier?)</div>
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EverRanch Popcorn (white, fine & crimpy, poll carrier?)</div>
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Lil'Country Babybee (moorit, fine & crimpy, poll carrier)</div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-4764750748883697112012-05-11T21:11:00.000-07:002012-05-11T21:11:37.017-07:00The Maiden YearlingsThe group of Gotland lambs born last year at the end of May started the winter keeping company with the Shetlands. As the Shetlands had their lambs, they went into a separate pen, more suitable for raising lambs without competing with the unbred yearlings. These girls are actually not quite 1 year old, since they were born near the end of May, 2011.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3rtXn6lv_mjemM6iII3o9k_WOgLqDDkZ7oXMw9M1waQnYkiOS_UypYPYxtAsWBqmoDttzn_7QLNoeZJNnp3__kVrz1Z2sl8Ei62qZsRuUG4c_l4EUGN9YBUMwt2PHrbgGl6g/s1600/CrystalRubyPearl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3rtXn6lv_mjemM6iII3o9k_WOgLqDDkZ7oXMw9M1waQnYkiOS_UypYPYxtAsWBqmoDttzn_7QLNoeZJNnp3__kVrz1Z2sl8Ei62qZsRuUG4c_l4EUGN9YBUMwt2PHrbgGl6g/s320/CrystalRubyPearl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal, Ruby, and Pearl - Crystal is 87.5% Gotland by NZ Ralph and EVR Gem. Ruby is 87.5% Gotland by NZ Hoppy and EVR Jewel. Crystal is 75% Gotland by NZ Ralph and EVR Bits. Ruby is for sale.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpiIdNEgAtfJdjkC1d8xp0OQf8MQ4QK7aL_ShndTRvM993xIIV227sT8Ej13S_IiC85FDRDSB9tPx5H4b8MOoV09TSF0P6O55BdS-PGoCrxhp0W5asWtljoP4VNOlyLgs0Lnz/s1600/Ruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpiIdNEgAtfJdjkC1d8xp0OQf8MQ4QK7aL_ShndTRvM993xIIV227sT8Ej13S_IiC85FDRDSB9tPx5H4b8MOoV09TSF0P6O55BdS-PGoCrxhp0W5asWtljoP4VNOlyLgs0Lnz/s320/Ruby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is another photo of Ruby. She has nice length of body, like her dam, Jewel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByKsXYW33OKvHxTAZpmiwBtfzTUBAPs7LTLxtA14A5RiqmH8HTUSFAMokqsRO8zmc6XHwGGVWBQmkgtJIsLHsTSOrQ9sKdUNjCVVTb-GHK50oZfJGfHyY19M62W0l4KDMszI6/s1600/RubyFleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByKsXYW33OKvHxTAZpmiwBtfzTUBAPs7LTLxtA14A5RiqmH8HTUSFAMokqsRO8zmc6XHwGGVWBQmkgtJIsLHsTSOrQ9sKdUNjCVVTb-GHK50oZfJGfHyY19M62W0l4KDMszI6/s320/RubyFleece.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Ruby's fleece (top/side). Soft, silky, grey curls. It feels good and she likes to have fingers run through it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aPncEMjvKLYjQOR6SdSI20KFvFpmYl3wO_wOsrsPWXxVkkwwi4RVB4jUov9LK-8cAOjuMb2cNLyRjBuT1ExCFRXw9ceBmwpRDZK63p1lFNjxgCIACvZGvZCjQ6x0_udPpyte/s1600/SapphireFrontQtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aPncEMjvKLYjQOR6SdSI20KFvFpmYl3wO_wOsrsPWXxVkkwwi4RVB4jUov9LK-8cAOjuMb2cNLyRjBuT1ExCFRXw9ceBmwpRDZK63p1lFNjxgCIACvZGvZCjQ6x0_udPpyte/s320/SapphireFrontQtr.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Ruby's twin, Sapphire. Sapphire has a little more variegation in her fleece. Otherwise, they're very much twins.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApqLcv3YAOpIXqt-GX3WAFibsnadsaITIgNHxHbVr8Ofe06dA0a5bq4-o8-BifcbIe2jZUrOwHLZbe1nv2qSF16PkQ-7ix01pnyqvvuhHuvE8Rj9gQtILS1cdFvCq7V6hGuny/s1600/SapphireQuarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApqLcv3YAOpIXqt-GX3WAFibsnadsaITIgNHxHbVr8Ofe06dA0a5bq4-o8-BifcbIe2jZUrOwHLZbe1nv2qSF16PkQ-7ix01pnyqvvuhHuvE8Rj9gQtILS1cdFvCq7V6hGuny/s320/SapphireQuarter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Sapphire 87.5% Gotland by NZ Hoppy ex EVR Jewel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtflLgcJMj4CXxDQ9h2RLv9X541RHpDgJTEyBjZN7Bui3-Vx1WawvCyYQ_p9J5GrI_iOzQnUlPsZ83jaTD6fWitDfMfOGwbSDqMXFSa98L_yEum5YXgtUrbcs4-J1B9DHO8eYE/s1600/SapphireSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtflLgcJMj4CXxDQ9h2RLv9X541RHpDgJTEyBjZN7Bui3-Vx1WawvCyYQ_p9J5GrI_iOzQnUlPsZ83jaTD6fWitDfMfOGwbSDqMXFSa98L_yEum5YXgtUrbcs4-J1B9DHO8eYE/s320/SapphireSide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Sapphire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoFr3wzJC74E6XAfUHJBBixCvbPJ0kc-rN5wxPznVhmGe3N64g9qxRAYzPxGquMLdQD8-5YzBtrCwAge_VaKeFN7I_vg7VKM7Q81tFXeG2lihrcwKxPDO0LehGnZqO6t2UBim/s1600/Kanin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoFr3wzJC74E6XAfUHJBBixCvbPJ0kc-rN5wxPznVhmGe3N64g9qxRAYzPxGquMLdQD8-5YzBtrCwAge_VaKeFN7I_vg7VKM7Q81tFXeG2lihrcwKxPDO0LehGnZqO6t2UBim/s320/Kanin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Kanin, 75% Gotland by NZ Ralph ex EVR Bunny. Bunny has been one of our best producers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjLEWqE1NfYSF4PZbHYDXFIRleUXNZfvaJ2T9oFm8iEGKQaroT_OngHR86DnKbYbd3uA5jGZWIU9F7B0mrkPALnhN2Eoewh6_90AeLOtLPj9V3LK-0LLzb-oVFpklINJVTn6M/s1600/KaninSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjLEWqE1NfYSF4PZbHYDXFIRleUXNZfvaJ2T9oFm8iEGKQaroT_OngHR86DnKbYbd3uA5jGZWIU9F7B0mrkPALnhN2Eoewh6_90AeLOtLPj9V3LK-0LLzb-oVFpklINJVTn6M/s320/KaninSide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Kanin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMALwGHx5YB2e0lIYjE5wCAuPsjLkk8fknxt9ZpAU_fgK-Nm894m9fMpJin6FqiTk6aMsFyDdpMNrP23CsO70U0thlBV0amu2GKlljxZTdYQPfwTzRTm_PDbl5MFUf6XLHoskj/s1600/ConejoFleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMALwGHx5YB2e0lIYjE5wCAuPsjLkk8fknxt9ZpAU_fgK-Nm894m9fMpJin6FqiTk6aMsFyDdpMNrP23CsO70U0thlBV0amu2GKlljxZTdYQPfwTzRTm_PDbl5MFUf6XLHoskj/s320/ConejoFleece.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EVR Conejo, Kanin's triplet sister. Conejo didn't want to show her face this session, just her curls. Connie is for sale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrN148QebabmqsR_wRyKjajLY3_UIn-WPo9QpxpwQCcyvrZV62dae6NB0rPiIg2CAsd2hZ3cvwVsnONGQAyiu8FCe5CjJsBzOe3sEwBBoYCvuHaeiCijkZlq0ECrQ-nk3T62zm/s1600/PopcornSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrN148QebabmqsR_wRyKjajLY3_UIn-WPo9QpxpwQCcyvrZV62dae6NB0rPiIg2CAsd2hZ3cvwVsnONGQAyiu8FCe5CjJsBzOe3sEwBBoYCvuHaeiCijkZlq0ECrQ-nk3T62zm/s320/PopcornSide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EverRanch Popcorn. NASSA Registered Shetland. Popcorn is by Firth of Fifth Barish ex EverRanch Blanca, a V Creek Buddy daughter. Popcorn has lovely, crimpy, fine fleece and might carry polled genetics.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX7s87iXP0knNoi_eDFc5oP_eptBYiOs0jVQ0BYBXtyyl6azkElLsfUyCmyI0c1y6dWrn2qdw68INFQ5JdUgabkvB31P1UjFgjBbXrMTc_Dkae7aPUiYug4IvBg93UruiFVUq/s1600/PopcornNice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX7s87iXP0knNoi_eDFc5oP_eptBYiOs0jVQ0BYBXtyyl6azkElLsfUyCmyI0c1y6dWrn2qdw68INFQ5JdUgabkvB31P1UjFgjBbXrMTc_Dkae7aPUiYug4IvBg93UruiFVUq/s320/PopcornNice.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EverRanch Popcorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20OYFoikFpq-28i_-RffNN3-DSKPcxqo0yJTAUFCTSLHllvnop4T0iWj0CyKm3GKo2g7ezkUoC695i95c2-K5s88sHEXL-8cnaiD1CyNl7xLqf5LwBG1O4OTemowtuOhesphN/s1600/YearlingsGoose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20OYFoikFpq-28i_-RffNN3-DSKPcxqo0yJTAUFCTSLHllvnop4T0iWj0CyKm3GKo2g7ezkUoC695i95c2-K5s88sHEXL-8cnaiD1CyNl7xLqf5LwBG1O4OTemowtuOhesphN/s320/YearlingsGoose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yearlings share their pasture and feed with "Goose Goose". After his friend disappeared, GooseGoose adopted the sheep as his flock. He' protects' them from the barn cats, the dogs and the other sheep. It's very funny to hear him answering the sheep "baaaaaa's" with his honking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfZ3lF3CKxdgLPCU4G2f1Qx9qci1_bJjni-J7eH8TrE5ca5gCYj1-RWcz4xby1HDTcPtNg1Iy-PMvUSpqBt_i-HECiqqQste400SO3BRnz12gSSQUFGHwrOCCV_bp-oF9AntF/s1600/KatWatching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfZ3lF3CKxdgLPCU4G2f1Qx9qci1_bJjni-J7eH8TrE5ca5gCYj1-RWcz4xby1HDTcPtNg1Iy-PMvUSpqBt_i-HECiqqQste400SO3BRnz12gSSQUFGHwrOCCV_bp-oF9AntF/s320/KatWatching.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katrina watching the photo taking with interest.</td></tr>
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These photos were taken in the back yard. The sheep are very good at taming the jungle of spring grass. As a bonus, they've stripped the needles from the downed fir branches!Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-51059288379818075532012-01-22T13:55:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:46:40.866-08:00What did we do on our January "vacation"?<div>The Pacific Northwest has been in the news over the last week with the first big storms of the season. First we got hit with snow - less than predicted, but enough to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">paralyze</span> the area. Then, instead of the warming and melt that was forecast, we had an unprecedented 12+ hours of freezing rain! Heavily laden trees came down everywhere, along with many, many branches big and small - and many power lines. Over 300,000 homes and businesses in our area were left without power, and roads were impassible with all the trees and wires down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our pasture looks like a war zone with branches littered everywhere and fences crushed. Fortunately, the fences keeping our sheep in are still intact. We lost power on Wednesday evening and regained it yesterday (Saturday) evening. For us, that means loss of water, as our well operates on electricity. There was enough snow and ice, that we could keep water buckets filled and somewhat thawed. Inside water was harder, but we filled gallon jugs before our system lost all pressure, and filled them up again at a nearby gas station.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was cold outside, so no immediate danger to our freezers (thank goodness!), but for us... it got cold. We cooked on the gas stove, and the bed is piled with fleeces on top of the down quilt, so we had hot meals and were warm at night. Staying occupied and warm during the day was a challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>We ended up in my rather small wool room, powering a space heater and a couple of lights with the little gas generator, and were quite comfortable, if rather cozy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the setup: Dave brought in a little table for modeling and several books, I had my spinning wheel and knitting, the dogs had their rug/bed. Of course, the wool and fabric around the perimeter was very useful for thermal storage... <vbg></vbg></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-yRcy0DXz7r9u2eG-wkPth1R6qxRLORDP7XziVjpRfhKK207cOoSA3bVzlRjTYrZu9DvgQrFu7RBibDsXNs4NfeihoZTo2Lkz5fRYLI4dJ7DXlmA427h4XJsHarRfSsV-p8Y/s1600/OurHeatedSpace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-yRcy0DXz7r9u2eG-wkPth1R6qxRLORDP7XziVjpRfhKK207cOoSA3bVzlRjTYrZu9DvgQrFu7RBibDsXNs4NfeihoZTo2Lkz5fRYLI4dJ7DXlmA427h4XJsHarRfSsV-p8Y/s400/OurHeatedSpace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578947380268498" /></a><br /><div>I spun - some Cormo and Cormo/Pygora blend for the Ravelry group - Knitters Book of Yarn woolalong. Cormo is the February breed - and knitted on my boucle shawlette.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94c2mgpBvp4k0x98s0hyphenhyphenmZ1NZ4lCQWVBHS1X4TxuH3c1Lmz4fbiClEpiUm6aZOzD7PCzKoBjOPpuZABOpEVcaLh5DLai7MYVy8l9E6bFg7l7qLkCy4vPCA04671mYBJdjcg2R/s400/3DogsSpinning.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578834403254162" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><br /></div><div>The dogs slept. Dogs are good at sleeping when nothing else interests them.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1MJCrpa5FoQxjgKr0rxncVgoV3fo5_ED7w_4UOXL2s9trxE0Pk-anq_VSUCJTIC4oVc87x-qVMWJeuKDXDBNANDisiX4SdozULDIUAvlH-hPjgdGr_fwIJaJY9mJNti3bc9E/s400/4DogsSleeping.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578841128052226" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><br />Clifford could skinny into places the Labradors couldn't, so sometimes he slept with them, and sometimes he slept in the "cave" under my table.<br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPohbZOwsq3b-0P0xTT_QwmyVXGD9AB72JGb386fW5DbF5o9BDxPlPLQTsIvUhVgoiMOEfGdkl1aXn5uhhhxyKiG-vPHg9OetZfHJlmL_nothkCcOsh0WMH-EXA6l0UngSuxe2/s400/CliffordsCave.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578847314489170" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Dave mostly read, and worked on his models.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujlchb9Xj5cWOZ1Vd1qzxzcmSNSXgeN9xurUw3y_tJVASva4uMKYoA3rA8mVfb6-5dSVkXWN5kg-ETDq8n1irOzZcHK6cCuMNsUTdWmzP_vsShaJUjjUDQLAFnO76ZAuNXUFY/s400/DaveReading.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578855201094418" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><br /><br />Kat wanted in...<br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEFN-a4QMWGgQ_Mnuaz1kJEAdbSr-jU6QSguzClC6JFKDn1-Z9sa6k3LqqXcAkiaxLxmmWSoC3NL15JPqY-PUjIdjE3al982G1tbM_cpL3YUcKj2hQqcxC0wrTJn8LwFRQliL/s400/KatWantsIn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578857522788130" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px; " /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><br />...and Kat wanted out.<br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH_v_Pqb444D6GwIY1gcQAINgGXhrpfKSB1W014r0yuFVfR1Tnm_GEM6l7nR5RlKUS-qs8CPd-GwbDxoWfX65xKfOPQnZXD4gc-ymFQy5SkNkvflE57WbaOY8aN88QbgsAcTr/s1600/KatWantsOut.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH_v_Pqb444D6GwIY1gcQAINgGXhrpfKSB1W014r0yuFVfR1Tnm_GEM6l7nR5RlKUS-qs8CPd-GwbDxoWfX65xKfOPQnZXD4gc-ymFQy5SkNkvflE57WbaOY8aN88QbgsAcTr/s400/KatWantsOut.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578948083020402" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then, Saturday evening, while we were quietly knitting, reading, sleeping and (Kat) staying out with brother, Toby, the room light came on! Light! Heat! Water! Hot showers! Facebook... <wink></wink></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94c2mgpBvp4k0x98s0hyphenhyphenmZ1NZ4lCQWVBHS1X4TxuH3c1Lmz4fbiClEpiUm6aZOzD7PCzKoBjOPpuZABOpEVcaLh5DLai7MYVy8l9E6bFg7l7qLkCy4vPCA04671mYBJdjcg2R/s1600/3DogsSpinning.jpg"></a></div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-21134212525935705692011-10-18T20:59:00.000-07:002011-10-18T21:39:54.398-07:00Update<div style="text-align: left;">In September, I took almost 3 weeks for a trip to the midWest. Clifford and I shared my pickup truck out and back, and we picked up 2 Shetlands to share the ride home. The major goal of the trip was to attend the 2011 Iron Welsh Challenge in St. Louis. Clifford was entered in three of the events, though not in the Challenge itself, since I was judging the agility portion of the IWC.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before the IWC started, I gave a tracking seminar in Mountain Home, AR. The enthusiasm of the attendees was infectious, and I hope they continue on! I then spent several days with a friend in the area before driving to Sullivan, MO, for the IWC tracking tests - the first events in the 2011 IWC. We had 2 VST entries, including Clifford, 1 TDX entry, and 1 TD entry. Both the TD and TDX dogs PASSED, but Clifford failed after going well astray on the first leg then coming back to miss the first turn. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Iron Welsh Champion was also the breed's first CT (earned her VST in May) - Ripley with owner/handler Lisa. Highlights of the weekend included the Welsh Springer winning Best in Show at Sunday's all breed show, Meghen's baby shower, and the "Boys" winning the Rally Team class. Clifford's highlight was the hunt test, held on Monday. He was one of three qualifiers, though the important part to him was BIRDS!</div><div><br /></div><div>On my way home, Julianne and Tom Budde met me with Lil'Country Nightcap and BabyBee. They got the pickup bed "suite" on the way home. NightCap (below) is a very handsome, moorit, polled Shetland ram with incredibly soft and crimpy fleece. Babybee is a lovely, dainty moorit Shetland ewe who's produced well for Jules and now gets a chance to move the EverRanch flock toward polled rams.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeCGQmVvw8uMcGyRDnnzEdUEG-pQD99GgoBfGCmARbSvTkYTj8PhiXtPuDMPtHKgCTHLpARy4sqLJeKfnWJiECd5f5ZUzaGVBmoCgOwF_SS0SDcl3-IG3vYytMBM6NDl-fw2V/s400/NightCap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665053414069156818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">By the time I returned home, a shipment of long awaited Gotland semen from Sweden itself! had arrived in the US. Early in the month, we got 12 ewes ready for AI, 11 of them received semen from 4 of the elite rams represented in the import. Now we wait.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >It's a constant struggle to keep sheep numbers down. With so many really nice ewes - and rams, too - it's hard to decide who stays and who goes. This year, Shetlands Mindy (left below) and Astrid (right below) fell below my "keeper" line. Very nice sheep both, they found a home in a flock who has 3 other EverRanch % Gotland sheep. They might even get to participate in Living Nativity at their new home. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1poC-I2zwZsCLfjzjXqlMv5a3htzLn4ShmqoSUMqQ_QEAvbnT995xYR7KN69n6NmdLPXJfXY-sHwZcKgVmcSCyhhc7GJHAHAk1Plu5HXOEIuDA9DUSg5Fk-AyiQrixNVGj0KW/s1600/MindyAstridNewHome.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1poC-I2zwZsCLfjzjXqlMv5a3htzLn4ShmqoSUMqQ_QEAvbnT995xYR7KN69n6NmdLPXJfXY-sHwZcKgVmcSCyhhc7GJHAHAk1Plu5HXOEIuDA9DUSg5Fk-AyiQrixNVGj0KW/s400/MindyAstridNewHome.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665053417063202770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >While I was gone, the garden reached its peak of the summer. Tomatoes, corn, beans, squash all were at their best while I was gone, but held on long enough for me to enjoy them, too! Actually, there are lots of green beans in the garden, hard to believe it's late October and the beans still look like this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9_WmI6sV-x-gitk6JY0aQ9NNPlZEvEsokPGp5i8uwyXVLjW7VnLTlWAzpymh0LwbfJZuP-qfkzfMr3SnJrFyp1bpF_5k-PSvspJEoSgepJIcOiI7PtSeEQFBNuPMLUxs4mpE/s400/OctoberBeans.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665053420455034018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 336px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Tomatoes finally gave up with way too many green ones left on the vines. We grew a number of "Beefstake" type varieties this year, and they don't survive storage well. There are just too many folds and lobes, though the cherry tomatoes didn't survive well either. I harvested quite a few pumpkins and squash - Sweet Meat, Spaghetti, Delicata, Sugar Pie and generic pumpkin. The sheep fight each other for the bean plants, corn stalks and Brussels sprouts leaves. Soon, they'll get to clean up the garden except for the cold hardy plants - parsnip, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, chard, leeks. Yes, we'll still be eating from the garden for a while!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >- Franna</span></div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-47408788463575851252011-07-29T17:12:00.000-07:002011-10-19T00:39:14.551-07:00The Garden at the End of July...<div>Oops! Looks like I forgot to finish a post. How fun to look back at the mid-summer garden! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLuDWRduDxTESMbxvKi2SvyKqXnaJBLPLRdDjDdK3aeFnlOElEeuByD_YeOcEM5erdV20wxbxiYk94yfLR2cnNRibqdJKpjBBr_eBzziuc79gPT9EmIPztb_kgnFCXyble1ky/s1600/GardenLookingNorth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941747345731970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLuDWRduDxTESMbxvKi2SvyKqXnaJBLPLRdDjDdK3aeFnlOElEeuByD_YeOcEM5erdV20wxbxiYk94yfLR2cnNRibqdJKpjBBr_eBzziuc79gPT9EmIPztb_kgnFCXyble1ky/s400/GardenLookingNorth.jpg" /></a> ... looks a lot like a "normal" June garden. We're eating lettuce, green onions, chard, baby beets, summer squash, and broccoli. There is abundant promise.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvYJMsjsnlTJj-av5DZsOIJC_EZHU6rhYB6g_8WCSeeNxcw0NRvboJFUHh7-yKTF2tR1krAGSXA3uQFFhQO7B0r1mNwEQNSdbMxhMSTNrO6N9dPoVzHZWDITbSBgi5cRpChvv/s1600/Zuccini.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941280731944338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvYJMsjsnlTJj-av5DZsOIJC_EZHU6rhYB6g_8WCSeeNxcw0NRvboJFUHh7-yKTF2tR1krAGSXA3uQFFhQO7B0r1mNwEQNSdbMxhMSTNrO6N9dPoVzHZWDITbSBgi5cRpChvv/s400/Zuccini.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...Zuccini and blossoms...</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb6wPWFnviXD2f0FTdtKzWeQvKAlwG4bBYhv_9mEocOcIFLyQus6l4t5uTIg9Vn4LX1R53VaHY0usK1AEGqxAcQT9_thvoUUOBfMb2S1UlsgGt81Iceg0Wfm5dF9oGjEaIlCz/s1600/YellowSquash.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 355px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941276271819362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfb6wPWFnviXD2f0FTdtKzWeQvKAlwG4bBYhv_9mEocOcIFLyQus6l4t5uTIg9Vn4LX1R53VaHY0usK1AEGqxAcQT9_thvoUUOBfMb2S1UlsgGt81Iceg0Wfm5dF9oGjEaIlCz/s400/YellowSquash.jpg" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...yellow squash and more blossoms...</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk2bK75NmvfnDhE09mXNLbXJ7Hrvz2_FNygeNslA4wsLHdnhqClGExPE-2h7kY1zkcrQVFzRq3abxS7q2-0uFRXGUKw3IYDckldiwcI_5cWxgEiYKX1fE5YHf9s12lbPDgz1U/s1600/ShepherdsPotatoes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941278908655442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk2bK75NmvfnDhE09mXNLbXJ7Hrvz2_FNygeNslA4wsLHdnhqClGExPE-2h7kY1zkcrQVFzRq3abxS7q2-0uFRXGUKw3IYDckldiwcI_5cWxgEiYKX1fE5YHf9s12lbPDgz1U/s400/ShepherdsPotatoes.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...shepherd's potatoes...</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fww3jxrVCJ-wiWrR2vE6Uv7JwbRiTKJZIFd-z2Kz1xQq8Bl90m-P0BvHJbf95iXq8FX39Ad1gWKxI-ttDxbaXfnU4yXmHUD9yxwwDbJ-l3D8WzjSzDaf7-9oHdU0z4aKJf9N/s1600/SatinPotatoFlower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941273082992114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fww3jxrVCJ-wiWrR2vE6Uv7JwbRiTKJZIFd-z2Kz1xQq8Bl90m-P0BvHJbf95iXq8FX39Ad1gWKxI-ttDxbaXfnU4yXmHUD9yxwwDbJ-l3D8WzjSzDaf7-9oHdU0z4aKJf9N/s400/SatinPotatoFlower.jpg" /></a>...with blossoms. Potato blossoms are very pretty, and are obviously in the nightshade family!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj6ioZOa9aHQb_46nAL16hBw6dOy9DICjBpVBIvHezudS3R3_nXfM6rMsPtCSrYyMSVXZDPnRNR7BuZIAj5hX4uVCtZi6YXMsWNe6jTBsjxlPThKm2yFXananYX-c2s4P01PD/s1600/PumpkinFlower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941124468585298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj6ioZOa9aHQb_46nAL16hBw6dOy9DICjBpVBIvHezudS3R3_nXfM6rMsPtCSrYyMSVXZDPnRNR7BuZIAj5hX4uVCtZi6YXMsWNe6jTBsjxlPThKm2yFXananYX-c2s4P01PD/s400/PumpkinFlower.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...squash blossoms. Someday I'm going to try fried squash blossoms.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukzHR_u54V6UVMTgl1eIPrCOvmv_pRr7Uji4OFQ1T74SiE1O3Hu89sMtE6WzOe0y61GgPzE7_PFTUOcvEHtMlUVswurpKDfP-lbowu3SGyxUkpDPxyNpTu_JkrfzflqP8Zn5J/s1600/GreenTomato.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941119575233058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukzHR_u54V6UVMTgl1eIPrCOvmv_pRr7Uji4OFQ1T74SiE1O3Hu89sMtE6WzOe0y61GgPzE7_PFTUOcvEHtMlUVswurpKDfP-lbowu3SGyxUkpDPxyNpTu_JkrfzflqP8Zn5J/s400/GreenTomato.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...tomatoes, if not ripening, at least there are now green ones.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth3Z8DuLjusXc9jZfwWiU8Etq40Qy9BJBPlRaxmwa6SyTp-QK1VIesTb9sL_J_tmAC3szD4prNfC6V6ZVJ8qDNRkLwdRFeAVyLZqnRxz1sxOEgJ8SboYKeU-oBN-byR_dl5Zq/s1600/GardenLookingSSW.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941118154837282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth3Z8DuLjusXc9jZfwWiU8Etq40Qy9BJBPlRaxmwa6SyTp-QK1VIesTb9sL_J_tmAC3szD4prNfC6V6ZVJ8qDNRkLwdRFeAVyLZqnRxz1sxOEgJ8SboYKeU-oBN-byR_dl5Zq/s400/GardenLookingSSW.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Garden view looking SSW. Onions, lettuce, beets, broccoli, leeks, squash, corn, sunflowers.</div><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMqGZEbyOtWtPpIj91Mk-07Lys2OX-CJKWY6QANHuwkrVRLDO2s49nuoJei6CC4wZv8lqjWKrwLJ6BWeYwDSErUt4VgUyXekd6Fnxzb259HqeAzFh4qO-ts6yZJ5C2vXbgnbE/s1600/Corn.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634941108354972834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMqGZEbyOtWtPpIj91Mk-07Lys2OX-CJKWY6QANHuwkrVRLDO2s49nuoJei6CC4wZv8lqjWKrwLJ6BWeYwDSErUt4VgUyXekd6Fnxzb259HqeAzFh4qO-ts6yZJ5C2vXbgnbE/s400/Corn.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...corn with tassles!</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsOaEWoJF0GKvk2wyjS57qM0mXtScsjudgwNjg3EFTU7mpF_vlY9LnbreyuRNKMVwWUOfuuIyn0BD5C1dd0tXx59R5HnOjG1PoAzdz1szhhy4ipsQcgJD4t3-z_dWuls0CJkW/s1600/CarminePotatoFlower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634940916727343346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsOaEWoJF0GKvk2wyjS57qM0mXtScsjudgwNjg3EFTU7mpF_vlY9LnbreyuRNKMVwWUOfuuIyn0BD5C1dd0tXx59R5HnOjG1PoAzdz1szhhy4ipsQcgJD4t3-z_dWuls0CJkW/s400/CarminePotatoFlower.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...more potato blossoms. This time a red potato - Carmine.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6xHDnSx1fgXtMtopgZrnnrF1BB2k8qBZWaJiFNCU4F_xA6FgwKaMzH8uHaTkrcCes-xtRCvRsuE2GminqEzZXk43ScUzpAJz_VPMCg83qaE8IStik9avSTY3n-JLxtluX-YQ/s1600/BurgundyBeanFlower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634940910942008482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6xHDnSx1fgXtMtopgZrnnrF1BB2k8qBZWaJiFNCU4F_xA6FgwKaMzH8uHaTkrcCes-xtRCvRsuE2GminqEzZXk43ScUzpAJz_VPMCg83qaE8IStik9avSTY3n-JLxtluX-YQ/s400/BurgundyBeanFlower.jpg" /></a>...beans to come! The Royal Purple are gorgeous plants. Red stems and the lovely violet-pink blossoms! The little bean is still green - soon to turn dark purple.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovxuo45X3dWygsAm03FOcuAEPku-5rLeJmjBczvuFrtmAAZWsLQbn-rhhxVMP5W5yv7J9nPnWEmgEsxMlcA4sv1MeDD3bNv1ozjA__Ci9gRtKbH_26MV1v7HcHjlsYJIR9AL6/s1600/Broccoli.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634940910829219026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovxuo45X3dWygsAm03FOcuAEPku-5rLeJmjBczvuFrtmAAZWsLQbn-rhhxVMP5W5yv7J9nPnWEmgEsxMlcA4sv1MeDD3bNv1ozjA__Ci9gRtKbH_26MV1v7HcHjlsYJIR9AL6/s400/Broccoli.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This has been a great year for broccoli. Not too hot, not too cold.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPO03-r80IotozMc4heZ08A1kJ8kfT-MTgkn2jgRpYJZjHUxe-Hl1bKgwXtcV7ifgv7Yd8lWuxZYAq9NBCL2ZMWsmSLJUAPtCZF6bG-PD9Hyd6pUxkwHILFwDkPNQqlWQs571/s1600/BeanOnSunflower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634940909055563506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPO03-r80IotozMc4heZ08A1kJ8kfT-MTgkn2jgRpYJZjHUxe-Hl1bKgwXtcV7ifgv7Yd8lWuxZYAq9NBCL2ZMWsmSLJUAPtCZF6bG-PD9Hyd6pUxkwHILFwDkPNQqlWQs571/s400/BeanOnSunflower.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pole beans climbing up the sunflowers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyvV5DepTiA3MTjdPzYGTjN1iBQtZMfB2mnN0Q29IdRzWI3KpXcVUgsUqSQGik5050tWc8lbgmStO6gk-UUwhbCHu8Kpv2RZvY5_Ke52w97aGoDXlsrOq8WuFy5r-NGlO22MC/s1600/BabyBean.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634940903628098530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyvV5DepTiA3MTjdPzYGTjN1iBQtZMfB2mnN0Q29IdRzWI3KpXcVUgsUqSQGik5050tWc8lbgmStO6gk-UUwhbCHu8Kpv2RZvY5_Ke52w97aGoDXlsrOq8WuFy5r-NGlO22MC/s400/BabyBean.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A closer look at a baby Royal Purple bean.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was where I stopped, but I figured it is still worth sharing. The garden of 2011 isn't quite done, though long past its peak. It's not too early to look forward to next year's garden!</div><div>- Franna</div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-58630425019702355392011-07-29T17:02:00.001-07:002011-07-29T17:12:47.072-07:00I Finished the Tour de Fleece!I started Le Tour de Fleece a couple of previous years, but didn't stick with it to the end. THIS YEAR...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL2LRIZl2IynDFRy0uj2ooC3uBJJLpW-7sMFXEJya9Ykkz3_Apw_TSCaMs6o3IAXVeumVwagCGQQn_4Pqs5-HbhWcj1cbXwJeWHvhI65z6k0YVFG5u-pF_wK9DTjrMJa3Pteh/s1600/TourdeFleeceResults.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634929276960101826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL2LRIZl2IynDFRy0uj2ooC3uBJJLpW-7sMFXEJya9Ykkz3_Apw_TSCaMs6o3IAXVeumVwagCGQQn_4Pqs5-HbhWcj1cbXwJeWHvhI65z6k0YVFG5u-pF_wK9DTjrMJa3Pteh/s400/TourdeFleeceResults.jpg" /></a> ...I spun a little or a lot every day the riders rode. And most days, I watched the "other" spinning - bicycles, lots of bicycles. It was an exciting Tour with many sprint finished, lead changes, accidents (boo!), and wacko fans lining the roads. <br /><br />I started spinning batts from a class I took this spring, and FINISHED them all! Those are the colored skeins in the photo. <br /><br />Then the next week, I started spinning my "peloton" yarn - Shetland! The white on the bobbin is fine top from Shetland sheep living in the Shetland isles via Jamieson and Smith. My other Shetland spinning isn't shown - it's bulky yarn from one of our first Shetlands - Electra. I'm making a lap blanket with two of her fleeces. <br /><br />My stretch (difficult climb days) spinning was on the spindle shown above - a cashmere and silk blend. I only got a few yards spun. It's quite fine and I had a lot of "help" from the cats and dogs. They wanted to help spin that spindle - hah!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AuRIcqangYSwFIgeeA5ZUUHK1eQwU-ZHjXCNvKIA99mfGdFqFTEBrtOn6c-WSnnJYNZFvFa9u-uTyg8RZGl4Up9JPDfP0SN_C5enbBZL31RreBY5qlV5uKOq0RqHN4fdSML5/s1600/TourdeFleeceAndFranceFinale.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634929274545768210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AuRIcqangYSwFIgeeA5ZUUHK1eQwU-ZHjXCNvKIA99mfGdFqFTEBrtOn6c-WSnnJYNZFvFa9u-uTyg8RZGl4Up9JPDfP0SN_C5enbBZL31RreBY5qlV5uKOq0RqHN4fdSML5/s400/TourdeFleeceAndFranceFinale.jpg" /></a> This was my favorite image from the awards ceremony - the three winners with raised, clasped hands, jubilant in their victory, and I'm sure more than a little glad the Tour was over for another year.<br />- FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-84586794175119149102011-07-04T17:52:00.000-07:002011-07-04T18:41:11.275-07:00Garden Bounty<div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiUBG0znnXDzc0CxfFoPX2QZNGHJK0rMrt13bxb2FMq5EK30wnE8oKUBRcbzWI_VRWk0yw4hPJDSs6wsBi_7vbMvi4FIpQHxkYmkSNDTuncxEqehuzbMh_amI_rcjWS94RzsJ/s1600/TilledGarden.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625667673606111906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiUBG0znnXDzc0CxfFoPX2QZNGHJK0rMrt13bxb2FMq5EK30wnE8oKUBRcbzWI_VRWk0yw4hPJDSs6wsBi_7vbMvi4FIpQHxkYmkSNDTuncxEqehuzbMh_amI_rcjWS94RzsJ/s400/TilledGarden.jpg" border="0" /></a> Remember the photo above from mid-May? </div><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625667683132512866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKjcZVi9bF5vFMqpFEFob8Vr9YrAabQ_MST517wXjCbdx4O3fj5_py781saQ14oAlT12ygjxvTFgK9d7vGjiB-wGU8azMx9HnqsiIeIXGUfTJix0i-5s7B1MNy0YCnTGPmk2g/s400/BroccSproutsLeeksReadyPlanted.jpg" border="0" />...and this one with the baby broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leek hairs newly planted?</div><br /><br /><div>Here it is today - July 4th, 2011 - the 235th Birthday of the United States.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666599212805458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintfCeS7o2h2dzIDGpq2KpPS7ozFjXXsAokixFS1Nkb7bjaWCxHXB82v8-2JKr1ZZoIgp4d8Y7Pm4-HP9XBc91SpO-G49b5472v84Y3ZTpsPZHHQqx7b9AFgZV3uE1u_EzO5EJ/s400/Garden070411.jpg" border="0" />It's a bit behind the usual Western Washington garden and growing well with our recent warm weather. ...just add water!</div><br /><br /><div>Today, I harvested this "bounty" - our first lettuce and scallions.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625665372499908818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZDETMT5EiJz3SilUnt0Dtyud_HAI1zCLMmwzxAwK0e8r1IYOgNE4kfssFEtDxkmOLdK16z2LMlwhS91hF79qW_vUhyFQvFHhmYhYUZtK9mI7VmWc0WKbXmVNEzJ193a0aJe0/s400/FirstGardenLettuce.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>The lettuce, one leaf from each of three different types of lettuce, went straight into my lunch - pastrami and mustard on Dave's Killer Good Seed bread!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666609411118562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkUlf_LPIZyAyMvBlIFbApibatxs5uwJ47QLfLjAJSFU96j0E4lYP9ETWmSiEUrs6DR1HRSY18Y6ocVLF7e4fagv-gbjyOHtp9qx8r-0We1lyiEWdMu0nxi7F-cocC1_6_fRC/s400/LettuceSandwich.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Mega-flavor and crunch!!!</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666882258959202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1KHqx1V18JdoXkV39XX-9ppzExVJqgztRnN6Yd8QNhuOk4LxlHyxyKtWuN0EXMabMPl_oBd_oPMBENpivKJPH13G1H5qJvVvO8Yc2xtbtRxccl_HgtslpkMnsABgSDv49Crk/s400/SandwichBite.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Below are the "shepherd's potatoes", growing in a tower made from old fencing, then lined with mulch quality fleeces, and filled with compost as the potatoes grow. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666881741539554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qNLxPy5k_vAFe0Xa5a8TgjQjFBtigkkEQQ0_rXN-jallQHhZzTpxGUGHhE8DVerHmbrM0sp9BiZIwRC0WUFt-jV0xzW9INevuunJ4Y_d_pUeRe8IKQLc6WiaVPu62gMfh0rM/s400/ShepherdsPotatoes.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>The tower below, third from the left, holds Carmine potatoes. I'm so tempted to check the bottom layer for new potatoes! It won't be long, they've got flower buds!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666878724767250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM5-bkCw_VVlXWmxNO7cV3TYC3NUtbRx7BScHBITll8NX__LBvnhgPK-pPTesgoqB9GSXcnoJGlxTu7XArco_RgRDMDH32YvyE88-lh-2NFViSOQM-q1uZHsId5NgGY_OHak3/s400/PotatoTowerCarmine.jpg" border="0" /> The broccoli LOVES this weather! <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625672655551624338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRnuaGve-emqK2xCbL9irVPPTt4d67LLP7TE2AsMrrf2gs04fu6TkjGVDyujzbWVVjTOcCWSuHxaQs_3JaocqRelCBFE4WAyhajnSL9UQ2jKTScHtXtIH1g-KsuShiRmbZlKU/s400/Broccoli.jpg" border="0" /><br />...and so do the Brussels sprouts. They've grown so tall, that they fall over and I've added stakes and big rocks to prop them up! Tiny Brussels sprouts are starting to form - promises, promises!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625672661437802130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPswxAARtL4ohOslTVd0p4N91pH60l5UlulMgLeb1UKkXjwVP4WNTv5nrrjl6feGVCkpurBNrvsZXTapEiC2NDOss0WTYIWdHo4FTfPoypC8-q4h7BzmTI6zELUXV1TfdR2UwL/s400/BrusselsSprouts.jpg" border="0" /><br />More promises - the tomatoes are doing better than expected. They have lots of blossoms, and even...<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtNMuDAFSD76ER79LGGg_C1vN2_khyphenhyphenfhJGxIRB3KS1v1OV2dS95RQZmSVdxe3E_UhrrJqU1WAWYFn9A9YkQK0BwOhcPv9-a_1tnwHdg85TU2GNVAc3qCzGCDiz5Oj9nTR9y4s/s1600/TomatoesFleeceMulch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666898457871090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtNMuDAFSD76ER79LGGg_C1vN2_khyphenhyphenfhJGxIRB3KS1v1OV2dS95RQZmSVdxe3E_UhrrJqU1WAWYFn9A9YkQK0BwOhcPv9-a_1tnwHdg85TU2GNVAc3qCzGCDiz5Oj9nTR9y4s/s400/TomatoesFleeceMulch.jpg" border="0" /></a> ... one little tomato! It's an heirloom variety beefsteak type - Persimmon.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625665374329260818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VUBqfJIIByLzwdePL74ZWwjT8rdr5DG6zOXQwGUmzBpjcPOjG4BFa49z7P1MG2xkbk8_XXZqoBrikhP06g5CB0ZPXE05noN1J1s_UczzNBRp8Xg9jPtQEgsKb1ZdJDh6U-qQ/s400/FirstTomato.jpg" border="0" />The corn is doing average. The rule of thumb is that corn should be "knee high by the Fourth of July". Welllll... <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625665360817545666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsBxMnBZB9U_bEaHuEFLRfhxdkOdI8z8FO1pMRwTVeW8uTT7oiWeIPGIyi115jdQhW3TMVMW4BWQaf6irqBwdvOn5qgCLUiObtTCEdzXZ7I0_ATP7ZZwncEVG1uuL6CMDsUKL/s400/CornWFleeceMulch.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>... with a little help the first planting of corn is knee high. The last planting is just emerged. I'm hopeful... the local corn mazes aren't up yet, either.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666604115412594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNijwZ4WFBV_i3-_3VpS5DXxBGGN5z6mLsr-g6iEKByeoe6PGsumfGbiOk-9cGmzd1dctKzKMSZAALbXEy2OdGzdBH5WXgAhyphenhyphenov8TTs3hlr7N9-xKbCMEpFvpcUEmxjQIhgcV/s400/KneeHigh.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Beans - looking good! after a shaky start with no help from the moles. grrrrr!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625665356069599666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUFKpHXF64_r_5b3jX9WFe2OMqHtUD1EFKo4TH4VyKMxPGVirJWBNKDXhWpPeMT0mkYe1pY98-rmTGTY18mRtKCRmdN08ErHSRu98SaUcu0HyL7IXadiVgemcVAe4Mx5JVR7d/s400/Beans.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>One little zuccini with a big blossom! ... well behind "normal" for this area.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666597412517794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 327px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCs0TMIh2JFxcCbWlLl_dZzX71J98ZptTvO-2-5QIzllTsr9rIQI8O5r_kbprpIP1aawpQXKei6nWmELa6i2S4sU1Eo3wIMQ-2wnWvmBPEfw0lhQgoqvuVB0BrCgw3B4sUTGS/s400/FirstZuccini.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Carrots and Beets coming along. I can't blame the weather for these, they were planted late. Beet thinnings to come!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625665356581703778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbUAb2B3ZWeVYDUIQMsxnq9nUsMHcqxNla87yv7vEORU9-Rq9uUKHLpR6f0SdVJXRe9EFfeHeT_zaO6SyVd5v0rzpmI4irqsyCUQItjdN-Ihs8h6WSV7F_5u0ldeey2GVAr0k/s400/CarrotsBeets.jpg" border="0" />This goodie is one of four... count 'em... four parsnip plants that came up in 8' of row. <sigh>At least there's still time to plant more parsnips.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl2a4rOglp6ZGyYivRA1F3g2Ob0hyQ7U9_wPXteOfh6DeV7ZnG7GF18hnFT8tv71uPEuNzj0faqbPUX5OGJ-1IV9VaWA5gjmx9-pHs6okQlnu2VO01MKcHwyZCXM9YcYi7iQK/s1600/Parsnip.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625666615737277890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl2a4rOglp6ZGyYivRA1F3g2Ob0hyQ7U9_wPXteOfh6DeV7ZnG7GF18hnFT8tv71uPEuNzj0faqbPUX5OGJ-1IV9VaWA5gjmx9-pHs6okQlnu2VO01MKcHwyZCXM9YcYi7iQK/s400/Parsnip.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-76130982688433003492011-07-02T22:59:00.001-07:002011-07-02T23:03:42.225-07:00Le Tour de Fleece - Day 1 Progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk54SFiWAdET6oy__2u7a_k-zLVGNz7tjGN3xTTQPW-OCuCZzh4ypOEFy1ShdiBVFcWM-EK4uunDOGqeNwmPrk0N8COYESCNHYWHCKVQqupwriGT0OdX7trGhiwuqYVKdWX_-/s1600/Day1Skein1_0.9oz_79yds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625001944733613026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk54SFiWAdET6oy__2u7a_k-zLVGNz7tjGN3xTTQPW-OCuCZzh4ypOEFy1ShdiBVFcWM-EK4uunDOGqeNwmPrk0N8COYESCNHYWHCKVQqupwriGT0OdX7trGhiwuqYVKdWX_-/s400/Day1Skein1_0.9oz_79yds.jpg" border="0" /></a> I completed a whole batt! It took about 2 hours spinning, plying and skeining. 0.9 oz and 79 yards. The color's not quite right on my monitor, it's the center top batt in the previous post - magenta blended with white, a little grey and a bit of flash. Yeaaa! Progress!<br /><br /><div></div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-85936683735134925922011-07-02T09:58:00.001-07:002011-07-02T10:28:39.809-07:00LeTour de Fleece - Day 1<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADAAjnMWKo8tfI23GcgamKTXsAKQxJtXnBclaJRPo6uR_l6oxk4cqUiN31P4kYVV785Sz6bflUa5uFBUZMKKZ52HEk8Ug01IWCsHFu_Ug_T1tv3bSNjj7LnzpFoiI0jULJtJV/s1600/Batts4LeTourdeFleece.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624800919598660322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADAAjnMWKo8tfI23GcgamKTXsAKQxJtXnBclaJRPo6uR_l6oxk4cqUiN31P4kYVV785Sz6bflUa5uFBUZMKKZ52HEk8Ug01IWCsHFu_Ug_T1tv3bSNjj7LnzpFoiI0jULJtJV/s400/Batts4LeTourdeFleece.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is my chosen fiber for the 2011 Le Tour de Fleece. The idea of Le Tour is to to spin every day that the Tour de France cyclists compete, plus including challenging oneself, doing something difficult during the most difficult day of the Tour de France... you get the idea. </div><br /><br /><div>I've started Le Tour de Fleece the past 2 years, and haven't finished. This year I'm on the start line again! My big challenge will be to finish Le Tour. My stretch challenge will be to complete the above batts. I'll be using my Majacraft Rose, and the days I'm not at home, I'll have one of my trusty spindles with Shetland fiber. I have moorit and white in work that I take with me for demonstrations.</div><br /><br /><div>I took the Designer Batt class at Shepherds' Extravaganza this year - taught by Amy Wolf. These batts came from that class. The class was incredible. If you ever have the opportunity to take a class from Amy, or listen to her judge sheep or fleeces, DON'T MISS OUT!!! She is an incredible instructor and judge, always with something positive to say.</div><br /><br /><div>The batts are:</div><br /><div>(Vertical from left) - Rescue batt, Gradations (dark), Gradations (light), Rainbow, Water Lilies, and horizontal - Sunset.</div><br /><br /><div>They're all made from Washington grown fiber :-) and include kid mohair, Romney, Gotland :-) :-) :-) , Jacob, Icelandic, Shetland, Corriedale, and some I don't remember. We got to add silk, more mohair, flash, and other assorted goodies. Amy had some examples and walked us through making shade and tint gradations, rainbow batts and rescue batts (something didn't turn out well - instead of tossing the fiber, add "things" to it!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think I'll start with the shade and tint gradations. I won't be alone in my spinning. My "helpers" Toby and Kat are always close by!<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4lTfo2f7XHeD5Qgv7QTXsvJ4f3iEaCPrX4_EZkPLEBCC6U7VuTs7rpnG-NQd4LB4QLWH27zUBaDCemoHfC8U_UAuXdcgxcHZd5_Db47TiCkudlM-TLlmmnohDiaXiSSBIKq/s1600/LeTourHelpers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624800917564433586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4lTfo2f7XHeD5Qgv7QTXsvJ4f3iEaCPrX4_EZkPLEBCC6U7VuTs7rpnG-NQd4LB4QLWH27zUBaDCemoHfC8U_UAuXdcgxcHZd5_Db47TiCkudlM-TLlmmnohDiaXiSSBIKq/s400/LeTourHelpers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And just so the sheep don't feel left out... This is my favorite Gotland ewe: Gem.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624800923263178402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 353px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7vMau15DH_2t37jyXmvgFx9iSnq87St3nUSNWEteJOMbKWo9lN8yxeU0nh0sIDR_m0ZRleTDp_KWHqMfVtGhv-cfYc2qElOLTCfVL0Vdkr_VLp2x2ikjHWGSnyjwVaoH-6dw/s400/GemChewing.jpg" border="0" />Gem is 75% Gotland and 25% Finn. She has lovely, lustrous, dark grey curls, and classic Northern Shorttail conformation, plus is friendly and easy to handle. Lovely ewe!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This year, Gem gave us two beautiful 87.5% lambs. The lighter one is a ram with the tight pincurl type lamb fleece that I love. Her ewe, Crystal, has the more traditional curly fleece. Their sire is Hamish Black's (Chocolate Wool NZ) Gotland ram, Ralph.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624800928001057970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITW_f_UdptXbYg_wdX7wyF8ZtHyRu1Mny9l0-44lbkzi5RPcHyCOLJkYON-UgqT3UHNwRUwaT2-0WLrwWNN_uwTPAz0PGfXx0Sls-tFc9TJi2xBTHwSqqz-JqC_EN6HN29kWI/s400/Gem%252BTwinsB.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br />More Le Tour and Lamb updates to come!Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-29697968978051253672011-06-24T17:04:00.000-07:002011-06-24T17:14:23.526-07:00Mad Dash from Pasture to Pen!<p><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxoRzE_xax5WCtpD5ifFFRQIHEfMKpfLtyD7UeSafOKCPtugnDVbZWqaFEODq9tFdMCRYYIBAdPWoc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><br /><p>This is their third excursion from pasture to pen. (Pen to pasture doesn't go quite as smoothly - yet.) There is grain in the pen and the ewes know it! The lambs just (mostly) follow their moms. At the end, I have to wait for Chamois and her triplets, then scoop one laggard through the gate into the pen.</p><br /><br /><p>These are most of the Gotland ewes and their lambs. Several are for sale. :-)</p>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-22965599905084874642011-06-22T10:54:00.000-07:002011-06-22T11:27:52.932-07:006 ewes - 17 lambs<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621105074691927906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0bruxrQ5ysmXFFmZ9HNNBegvL0Fv8goBXZZAI5lrhzLY96_skjYB-oj8_uWMBE608FsNgToiU0EelENpEihKGa8s5niC4X8OEDJ3qttDUnax3k1l5_ASdF8oYZmZDdp1XYq0/s400/Chamois%252BTripsLong.jpg" border="0" />EVR Chamois and her triplets, 1 ram, 2 ewes.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">We did AI late in the breeding season this year. We AI'd 6 Gotland cross ewes - 4 at 50% and 2 at 75%, then left them with the backup ram, 87.5% Gotland ram RCF Calloway, for just one cycle. The lambs came in late May and early June - two sets of twins, three sets of triplets and one set of quads! That's almost a 300% lambing rate, and more than doubled the number of lambs on the farm.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGIt27voZSUfVEEbxipKVDWLvclbMY6tsnZES0VAPpBpbPMqdBANWit5Lb54w7X2c4e0cVAR-9NYC7eQRXT-b4JSWnhPeG8W-zTj8WTqcn_kgYauT6zw5NH3GSyRRVXuDcRQd/s1600/Gem%252BTwins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621105077901320642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGIt27voZSUfVEEbxipKVDWLvclbMY6tsnZES0VAPpBpbPMqdBANWit5Lb54w7X2c4e0cVAR-9NYC7eQRXT-b4JSWnhPeG8W-zTj8WTqcn_kgYauT6zw5NH3GSyRRVXuDcRQd/s400/Gem%252BTwins.jpg" border="0" /></a> EVR Gem with her twins, a ewe and a ram<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><br />This group is being kept separate from the rest of the flock so the ewes can get extra nutrition. They're feeding many mouths! I like the lambs in general. They have nice bodies, long loins, tall legs. Several have the tight pincurl fleeces that I like, usually seen on the whites, also on some of the greys this year.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKdumUMw097tOvMn-zugfFXtKOyxt-VNTjLXdJhZ0xkfV4Vv7kouiK5d8kaprsMZ3F5EBPVYVgaEeTSW1fKgIX5zau5cK87WStxmztSuz1UMlArrXOgI_e-i02B5mCGNFyCdZ/s1600/Chamois%252BTrips.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621105061796029970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKdumUMw097tOvMn-zugfFXtKOyxt-VNTjLXdJhZ0xkfV4Vv7kouiK5d8kaprsMZ3F5EBPVYVgaEeTSW1fKgIX5zau5cK87WStxmztSuz1UMlArrXOgI_e-i02B5mCGNFyCdZ/s400/Chamois%252BTrips.jpg" border="0" /></a> Chamois and her triplets again.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />These photos were taken on the lambs first trip out to the "yard" pasture. I like having the sheep close to the house where I can just glance out the window and see them.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHBXp2rS67QnmTwGR8BWVEAJ5o3hB-mj8xZj5oOGwLkaHacHR4wLPXnJztQn8HK7eIJiXimnG7WB8w8e2dJ7K-ZE3OfVOqhAiwZZlBtpWHJblohe_yFRORfXLXFH43OCHCkkE/s1600/BossiesFour.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621105056753389922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 337px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHBXp2rS67QnmTwGR8BWVEAJ5o3hB-mj8xZj5oOGwLkaHacHR4wLPXnJztQn8HK7eIJiXimnG7WB8w8e2dJ7K-ZE3OfVOqhAiwZZlBtpWHJblohe_yFRORfXLXFH43OCHCkkE/s400/BossiesFour.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bossie and her quads - from left: Chrome (ewe), Marlene (ewe), Sooty (ewe and sideways), ram.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />I stole Michelle's idea of leading the ewes out to the pasture and letting the lambs follow. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Oh, my! The first time was total chaos! The ewes came just fine, but only a couple of the lambs initially crossed the "threshold" into the great unknown. With Dave holding ewes in the pasture, I made several trips back with one mom or another to pick up the strays. Finally! They were all in the pasture. I kept halters on the ewes in case they were needed on the trip back. The ewes had been confined for a while, so they only got to be on the fresh, green grass for a bit, working them up to full access.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoPmFTJqoQaoiP0obn_jkWot9A_IrLCKzlW-oTFTFHdjDQD80ixzQPq0mZqJ_nyUAUVqjRXgqwPjsyu5q_TrBrVFbCVrIVW6tQNaiYPTgI4B4oLvbZ7FVA1tkZzhkTbYmFKMe/s1600/Bossie%252BFourTallGrass.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621105054344876146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoPmFTJqoQaoiP0obn_jkWot9A_IrLCKzlW-oTFTFHdjDQD80ixzQPq0mZqJ_nyUAUVqjRXgqwPjsyu5q_TrBrVFbCVrIVW6tQNaiYPTgI4B4oLvbZ7FVA1tkZzhkTbYmFKMe/s400/Bossie%252BFourTallGrass.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bossie and her quads again.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Fortunately, the trip back was like going "home" and the lambs followed very nicely... following their moms who were following me with the grain bucket. You gotta love the pig-sheep.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621110207451396274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 343px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwdhE7k8tPhcznncl_lIzSP82sIVjizjVvc75DMuHMMrzMUQxaF1eAhcoOycJfpDv1XNwsRdscNUR7etPaFjPo1wFWphaHkP7umlTh-EdYGNTRmrtvmIRkXu6QKU732wulxiT/s400/JewelsGirl1.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">87.5% ewe lamb - one of Jewel's twins.<br /><br /></p><br /><p align="left">Today - I led the ewes out to the pasture with a bucket of grain. About half of the lambs followed the first time. We made the trip past the gate a couple of times and got everyone except Chamois' triplets. Putting her on a halter and leading just her to the gate got the trio moving. The second time around was much easier! </p><br /><p align="left"></p><br /><p align="left">Not shown - this time - Jewel and her other daughter, Bits and her white triplets, Bunny and her grey triplets.</p>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-44449220979839478372011-05-14T22:13:00.000-07:002011-05-14T23:13:44.393-07:00Digging in the Dirt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgg0Rpoeo43ErpEvkhonPF-rlZYeyX5C0KdCcImxhWTDd8Y-lg0g8yWCb-WzYUwLsFFtTjafV9rvp3ZxhUZoem2EZn-nWl-cNM6pySmug5wUlGge4RlBTeOxIGyfhgQYSwrkB/s1600/AmericaunaHen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606807123297865954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgg0Rpoeo43ErpEvkhonPF-rlZYeyX5C0KdCcImxhWTDd8Y-lg0g8yWCb-WzYUwLsFFtTjafV9rvp3ZxhUZoem2EZn-nWl-cNM6pySmug5wUlGge4RlBTeOxIGyfhgQYSwrkB/s400/AmericaunaHen.jpg" border="0" /></a> First, a gratuitous photo of one of our older hens, an Americauna. the chickens are great at digging in the dirt!<br /><br /><br />Dave got the tiller going, and the rain held off long enough to get the garden area tilled! The back left corner is where the Sheepie Hilton compost pile was. I shoveled about half of it over the garden after the first tilling, then the rest stayed put... mostly. Sheep compost is wonderful! I plan to put the tomatoes in that location.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606807121093106514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjMcavj2I0YxTHMX_C5WgGrGKfDHgkrOFa5Q5_vaTNyeKnF1flqly2a2v1W2rsYxS0oyGfjMDvH1w58uRNqvYJbo2ynnbaluKfQELcE_ppXn8CYD3dT1g8Y0HbooUpbfi8juu/s400/TilledGarden.jpg" border="0" /> This is an expansion of our last garden - in 2009 during one of the best growing seasons that I can remember. This garden is maybe twice as large. The portion behind and to the left of the shed is new, as is most of the back towards the stump.<br /><br />So, first I laid out the garden using Territorial Seed Company's new Garden Planner. What a great tool! I moved plants around and around until I liked the layout.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606810576334391266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 514px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQks0hITFCk3U5y4fWp1R1KBwvwTsibX8XqpepgtgHrZRarvKz1kd8KKnlpdRXCJkkW97KvdcmPdjgStHDkzegls9UfEt1S96uPeJb_A2hjvGKLO-m7hM2C7DK-fUkokXxlmYc/s400/GardenPlan.jpg" border="0" />I started with the potatoes. The "potato towers" have intrigued me since I saw one at the Island County Fair two years ago. Potatoes take so much garden space when grown traditionally. The towers let the potatoes grow up, and produce more potatoes in the vertical space. There are many versions on the web, and I designed my own (of course!).<br /><br />We had taken this field fence wire down several years ago, and I was about ready to take it to the dump. It had been grown into the grass and took some doing to get it loose.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8MHyvnO56E0U4J6SVv03FS2uo2WPyCoEksokPpl7el0Xsklkkjpu3B9k0BHbwnUpXjZhYOJ0gquILXcxZhIlHHOpBQR620Jb04DlCajU9qVgFCVqKlFb9idDcjDKjW4rISsO/s1600/Wire4PotatoTowers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606807120295889682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8MHyvnO56E0U4J6SVv03FS2uo2WPyCoEksokPpl7el0Xsklkkjpu3B9k0BHbwnUpXjZhYOJ0gquILXcxZhIlHHOpBQR620Jb04DlCajU9qVgFCVqKlFb9idDcjDKjW4rISsO/s400/Wire4PotatoTowers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I chose to make my towers about 3 feet in diameter, so that's just over 6 feet of length. The bolt cutters made quick work of cutting the wire lengths. Then, I wanted the towers to be low enough that I could reach the bottom, but high enough to grow lots of potatoes!<br /><br />Bending the tops down, doubling the wire at the top, then rolling it into a cylinder, securing with the cut wire ends... voila - made a potato tower. Actually, the length of fence was enough to make 6 towers.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606806829453646434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVnr10rz_udJD6y_4QCyoV5OMk3tN3Se64vSwN1y0HB1lgp9XrDyLr0QsgLp69g8EB4sAaVXqjPv8UO5Hoe4DYmWpZqietB5N2KFMvKuP_AsS-hUQt-ZZu0N09itcihYmROyM/s400/PotatoCageFolded.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Above is the wire doubled and ready to roll. Below are 4 of the towers sitting in their planned location (yellow squares at the left of the plan above).<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606807109680845826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKtJhbrvNRxPr6ZdkcS2R_yq2Gy8tKG7JKktiwbOg8s2gPgegkNXy_6upNMJ5HCZpdv_bdEN1URT1fr0HMt9sfFzGvp-LZG-TwsQIJ8gs1X3H6xU8wpYkFNdX1EBBhRUBqciv/s400/PotatoCages.jpg" border="0" /> The box at the left, full of <s>junk</s> mulch quality fleeces, has a role to play. You'll have to wait until later to see that part.<br /><br />So, below are four of the potatoes placed at the bottom of their tower, ready to be covered with dirt. I got three varieties this year, Satin (a yellow midseason), Carmine (a red midseason), and Burbank Russet (the most popular potato in the US, late season). This one is Satin.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahV1bQhuJR4WW2D-11zR1Dgl4QhjpruyJJbNfqhL9NTYL_MMl5m4PYqCjMetpjjcRox3-ncaR1cUxIwQPTp6NZCB5Cp0yJcaSkHqQafIjNNb91x58s6m5azYpTb_c_6ep4xZW/s1600/PotatosInCage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606807113732063138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahV1bQhuJR4WW2D-11zR1Dgl4QhjpruyJJbNfqhL9NTYL_MMl5m4PYqCjMetpjjcRox3-ncaR1cUxIwQPTp6NZCB5Cp0yJcaSkHqQafIjNNb91x58s6m5azYpTb_c_6ep4xZW/s400/PotatosInCage.jpg" border="0" /></a> As they grow, I'll add soil, compost and maybe straw. New potatoes will grow from the covered stems. The longer the stems, the more potatoes will grow. At least that's the idea. It's important to keep the growing potatoes from the light, so as I fill the tower, the sides will have to be covered with something dark.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Next I laid out some of the paths, and put boards down to walk on. This helps keep the soil from compacting around the plant roots. The broccoli, Brussels sprouts and Leeks were the next to go in. Here they are waiting in their assigned locations - green and purple boxes on the lower right of the plan. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g55Cid7CR77DTt6tVMeQk15THNBMndR3GHY3LVdfOpMCuOIDHGc5MkrMFBvnXfU84XM6zkerisjCI8qJKRpK-pCq16JLXZVZKTDW4AtCDdMo_y8Jff3IQkCs_rgWlFWEtDOf/s1600/BroccSproutsLeeksReady2Plant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606806823964617986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g55Cid7CR77DTt6tVMeQk15THNBMndR3GHY3LVdfOpMCuOIDHGc5MkrMFBvnXfU84XM6zkerisjCI8qJKRpK-pCq16JLXZVZKTDW4AtCDdMo_y8Jff3IQkCs_rgWlFWEtDOf/s400/BroccSproutsLeeksReady2Plant.jpg" border="0" /></a> The starts have been living on the patio awaiting this day. I repotted the broccoli and Brussels sprouts once, giving them more growing room. I was pleased to see vigorous, healthy new roots on all the transplants.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606806818924355954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FrrWf-G1qAYX-WJXCrT4CvINPVY31Cbqs_kfK2HwoCD62-q-c6EWgKDrAv6Ul9HvVg2ITYBblXmOmGRQDKAs3SYlbpZjQy65ThF6pNZtP4Fli-64Dgr_XnqIxpgmjMlTwQ3A/s400/BroccoliReady2Plant.jpg" border="0" />Above are my tools of the trade - board walkway, kneeling pad, garden gloves, trowel, organic fertilizer and PLANTS! Feather, one of the barn kitties had to "snoopervize". The hole left of the gloves has a bit of fertilizer in the bottom, ready to be mixed in before putting the plant in. <br /><div></div></div><br /><div>Below, the little leek plants are in their trench, waiting to be covered. They had nice root systems, too, and were easily separated. We use young leeks like green onions, so planting them close together allows some thinning along with a nice harvest during fall and winter.</div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606806828475926354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYeH_3Yi3HauXQggVD2EVDXLf3YzXRQcRXgiY-R2HYJz0Jf4RyhIPzYWNDgRRtLxtWsboB75yqeYSXf5Kh0yTM4aOIepGxUmSfCSIjHBhh6yxj_CR2qf8j9kEYxwhPtxfomuJ/s400/LeeksPlaced.jpg" border="0" />So, 2/3 of the potatoes, all the leeks, and the broccoli and Brussels sprouts are in the ground! There is much more, of course, to go in. Now the pots that contained the broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and leeks will have squash and melon seeds planted in them, so they can get a good start while the unsettled, cold weather forecast for the next week passes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606806821585024690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit25AgSJ6MQPPRKV8DPgS524P4KOeMyAfZM44aNa_Dla-zIAvBslUVDJVW98KQ4JlTTcK8YPGZbDD_56W-EQ8s6KYSFXwiZQ3_Guc1A3S-i2GjC5cgcI4g8CEyFBwMoa2ztlLz/s400/BroccSproutsLeeksReadyPlanted.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>They look so little, with lots of space around them. Assuming all goes well, they'll fill in soon enough, and I'll feel for the boards with my feet through all the greenery. Better, will be the eating!<br /><br />PS. The sky was getting dark and threatening as I was finishing. The last photo was taken with a flash! As I was going back into the house, the rain started... again. It's still raining... hard.Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-47885966286278341792011-05-14T20:01:00.000-07:002011-05-14T21:57:31.673-07:00Fiber Test Results<div><br /><div>...came back today. I was starting to think the package had been lost. So, here are the raw results, some surprises, and some changes in my keeper sheep.</div><br /><br /><div>First, the Shetlands, since I think there are more Shetland readers than Gotland readers. :-)</div><br /><div>Format is Name/Breed/age/AFD/SD/CV</div><br /><div>Astrid/Shetland/3/32.1/10.2/31.8</div><br /><div>Barish/Shetland/4/27.2/6.2/22.9</div><br /><div>Bessie/Shetland/5/31.4/7.3/23.3</div><br /><div>Blanca/Shetland/2/25.7/5.4/20.9</div><br /><div>Electra/Shetland/9/31.6/6.3/19.8</div><br /><div>Mindy/Shetland/2/27.9/7.3/26.3</div><br /><div>Toffee/Shetland/2/24.7/7.1/28.7</div><br /><div>Average - 26.66 - not bad!</div><br /><br /><div>So, the surprises - Astrid has a much softer feeling fleece than her micron results show. However, she will be for sale. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bessie has been below 28 for the last 2 tests, so she's worth retesting. I didn't expect Toffee to be as low as she is, so she's coming off the sales list, and is staying. Electra and Barish are similar to previous results. I didn't expect Mindy to be so low either, but I'll leave her on the sales list. Blanca has a nice tight peak, both Toffee and Mindy have significant "tails" on the higher side - shown in their higher CV's. </div><br /><br /><div>Now the Gotlands, starting with the yearlings:</div><br /><br /><div>Alice/75%Gotland-25%Shetland/1/29.5/6.8/23.1</div><br /><div>Caidon/87.5%Gotland-12.5%Shetland/1/28.2/7.3/25.9</div><br /><div>Cocoa Puff/25%Gotland-75%Shetland/1/24.4/7/28.5</div><br /><div>Dancer/75%Gotland-25%Finn/1/27.5/7.6/27.6</div><br /><div>Eclaire/37.5%Gotland-67.5%Finn/1/25.8/6.1/23.7</div><br /><div>Fiona/67.5%Gotland-37.5%Finn/1/25/5.3/21.3</div><br /><div>Marie/75%Gotland-25%Shetland/1/30.4/8.0/26.4</div><br /><br /><div>then into the adults:</div><br /><div>Bits/50%Gotland-50%Finn/4/34.6/6.8/19.8</div><br /><div>Bossie/50%Gotland-50%Finn/4/32.4/6.8/20.9</div><br /><div>Bunny/50%Gotland-50%Shetland/4/35.6/9.3/26.2</div><br /><div>Chamois/50%Gotland-50%Finn/2/34.3/7.4/21.5</div><br /><div>Daisy/37.5%Gotland-25%BFL-25%BL-12.5%Shetland/2/36.7/8.0/21.8</div><br /><div>DeeTee/50%Gotland-50%Shetland/4/33.9/8.9/26.2</div><br /><div>Gem/75%Gotland-25%Finn/2/35.5/9.6/27</div><br /><div>Jewel/75%Gotland-25%Finn/2/39.9/10.8/27</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've been selecting for finer fleeces in the Gotlands, too. Gotland sheep are not fine fleeced, althought the lamb fleeces are often under 3o micron afd. So, I'm seeing higher AFD's in the higher % Gotlands. I'm hoping to select for finer fleeces still within the standard range for Gotlands.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So disappointment wise, 75% Gotlands, Gem and Jewel, have 35.5 and 39.9 microns at 2 years old. Alice and Marie are near 30 afd in their lamb fleeces. Bunny is their dam at 35.6 afd, and Hoppy is 33.61 afd, so I was hoping these two would mature in the low 30's. They still might.</div><br /><br /><div>Also, Bits as a 2 year old tested 27.4/6.3/23, considerably lower than this result. Six of the fleece tests came from sheared fleeces, where I guessed at the midside, last rib location. Bits was one of these, so she deserves to be retested. Bunny and DeeTee also showed increased thickness since their 2 year old tests, so maybe Gotland sheep coarsen for several years... or again, maybe I just need to retest those six (Bits, Bunny, Bossie, Chamois, Gem, Jewel)</div><br /><br /><div>So, there they are, just as they are.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Just so the blog includes photos, here are Cocoa Puff:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606801146336086066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_EcQ4uhVo_X7GcLK7H72dVVkiUaM1Hk0cTBTnz8bocJjaj3Cd6LwIVjsZR75G6M3mLkF5LPpTWI2_cTIcj3gFFovtB_4-Sqt_VnkqOyM-zqfO4dRdpRFIHP-6Zqx93S3hIRW/s400/CocoaPuffHead.jpg" border="0" /><br />and her daughter Licorice Drop. Licorice is 50%Gotland/50%Shetland.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606801147752673522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYHuftl8zDmHbGTzj1MYIIrQM5xjqgiB5m-2vXZg3mK8es9zwP8zK1Yi6jnxWOhfi22gnVgDlFUlqo5Uh9H3cMFeYbVyt_2mtjNpiwBkNYHs9SbZ986NRxR_7M113nSzezzQa/s400/LicoriceDrop.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />- FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-4842363528378573422011-05-04T19:54:00.000-07:002011-05-04T20:40:21.546-07:00Lamb Photos<div align="center">Finally. FINALLY. We had a good photo day - dry, warm, good light, and me at home - when I could go sit with the sheep and take some photos. These lambs are between 7 weeks (Ashley and Lenny) and 3 weeks old (George).<br /><br />We have 6 more Gotland ewes due the end of the month.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohAabZelCtlcinHLhXYHxnw3dqJ-RsrIDQFQbaxqQVbiTdIT0V_i1IqBhX1Ea4-LdVWdIyBAbBA0FmxxbHkBRsW8JKidNCvc_R5AX6-qxgE6239tCtU46s1x5VkqE4F4Nj23r/s1600/SparkElectra.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061531387535778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohAabZelCtlcinHLhXYHxnw3dqJ-RsrIDQFQbaxqQVbiTdIT0V_i1IqBhX1Ea4-LdVWdIyBAbBA0FmxxbHkBRsW8JKidNCvc_R5AX6-qxgE6239tCtU46s1x5VkqE4F4Nj23r/s400/SparkElectra.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center"></a>Shetlands - Electra with daughter, Spark, sired by FirthofFifth Barish</p><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKGMyOZ4o-KyGgHQY-HkN1gaPG9AzokR5wwG3VDqzEYwDxs_fCeSvJbEwzI4H49hhNnYny7wURSyroO8YJy0WopOK2VU3gr9DgdAxSptrkvoPduPNffydSK0s2q-WHoIz1G60/s1600/Bolt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061080312921474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 346px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKGMyOZ4o-KyGgHQY-HkN1gaPG9AzokR5wwG3VDqzEYwDxs_fCeSvJbEwzI4H49hhNnYny7wURSyroO8YJy0WopOK2VU3gr9DgdAxSptrkvoPduPNffydSK0s2q-WHoIz1G60/s400/Bolt.jpg" border="0" /></a>Shetland - Bolt is Spark's twin brother. He is for sale.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbdNbKkt8zlHa_rQmrnXfyH7CysIW3J-fuzgV86m1V2pEBW6rdqMlYOwZ_DRmXI7TqANb67qKITyw3_0dzZrwTaBeZrfdG1Tux9-j-Qa3LLSB1biPglt2Mq85S_Klc6GrdKzA/s1600/OrvillePopcorn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061522281312626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbdNbKkt8zlHa_rQmrnXfyH7CysIW3J-fuzgV86m1V2pEBW6rdqMlYOwZ_DRmXI7TqANb67qKITyw3_0dzZrwTaBeZrfdG1Tux9-j-Qa3LLSB1biPglt2Mq85S_Klc6GrdKzA/s400/OrvillePopcorn.jpg" border="0" /></a> Shetland twins - Orville (ram) and Popcorn (ewe)<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZWx__Z7I9yve1UeylYaB72fLpjsstFrMuEToZH7hvt92PAlAosPb1RuKe1-dk6HXOeMwwmRuaZnTMpJ4EOrUBOqKfsSZ5-BxPAgCRHA_ShI4R08ULp_5oSJia4uSe_TZ9QG2/s1600/OrvilleCute.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061299746806386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 381px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZWx__Z7I9yve1UeylYaB72fLpjsstFrMuEToZH7hvt92PAlAosPb1RuKe1-dk6HXOeMwwmRuaZnTMpJ4EOrUBOqKfsSZ5-BxPAgCRHA_ShI4R08ULp_5oSJia4uSe_TZ9QG2/s400/OrvilleCute.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another shot of Orville. Sire and Grandsire both have mid 20's micron adult fleece. Orville is well built with soft, crimpy fleece. He's for sale.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSAXe7dzgCwu0o5SG5FaWkujq4lG588H7US3IdHVEHYq6UD1a2bvpl5kgrHUbHSxM7KrPJk02LdQYIwwbIicr2n-2u9_4NxR76X7P4I8-5uMhyi91TKp526HK5ZMcugAwXwFl/s1600/PatchPeeks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061522351659506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSAXe7dzgCwu0o5SG5FaWkujq4lG588H7US3IdHVEHYq6UD1a2bvpl5kgrHUbHSxM7KrPJk02LdQYIwwbIicr2n-2u9_4NxR76X7P4I8-5uMhyi91TKp526HK5ZMcugAwXwFl/s400/PatchPeeks.jpg" border="0" /></a>62.5% Gotland (with BFL, BL and Shetland) ram - Patch is very light grey.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPJrbwPGZ_6z_AHsmwafFxv6Va61wVeS5mxTT_QvJAwLEdwJdozAyzSV531_9RfgFHtoIOi6Ztwoes7viCPBjHUzolCAX9zNGpEmPHmV_QFUIX6n3kLt8pmHgSIabZKH82B7Y/s1600/MorganNice.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061297319521986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 392px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPJrbwPGZ_6z_AHsmwafFxv6Va61wVeS5mxTT_QvJAwLEdwJdozAyzSV531_9RfgFHtoIOi6Ztwoes7viCPBjHUzolCAX9zNGpEmPHmV_QFUIX6n3kLt8pmHgSIabZKH82B7Y/s400/MorganNice.jpg" border="0" /></a> Gotland - Morgan, Patch's twin brother. Morgan will be a medium to light grey as an adult. Both Patch and Morgan have nice, curly fleeces and are for sale. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-09fOq2gEPNKFnj8Ro2-kr6BMPA4L9bGv-vNSmIyMv-F39WzQ_kWgNmlot1BVTYa5b0t-O9evtUVDAW8UqiL_A1CJmi9KXulcL4bL1ggk7M_Nw1QVGBzwplotUMJX9wyh_Mm/s1600/JayDee2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061293694370194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 335px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-09fOq2gEPNKFnj8Ro2-kr6BMPA4L9bGv-vNSmIyMv-F39WzQ_kWgNmlot1BVTYa5b0t-O9evtUVDAW8UqiL_A1CJmi9KXulcL4bL1ggk7M_Nw1QVGBzwplotUMJX9wyh_Mm/s400/JayDee2.jpg" border="0" /></a> 62.5% Gotland/37.5% Shetland ewe - JayDee is for sale.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3kYBNhwscaI2Vgt2DR-UAKeeMzSXygjcFzLLg8lv0tuiuPlX5b_NUHPHqM6h36qdZkHCdNtiaJ4mbgcJAk0ke0wOL-Jh-8EtaXYmp5csG1D3R8EldEVUtoDCP5O1BO2Fzl_k/s1600/JayDee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061288095539330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3kYBNhwscaI2Vgt2DR-UAKeeMzSXygjcFzLLg8lv0tuiuPlX5b_NUHPHqM6h36qdZkHCdNtiaJ4mbgcJAk0ke0wOL-Jh-8EtaXYmp5csG1D3R8EldEVUtoDCP5O1BO2Fzl_k/s400/JayDee.jpg" border="0" /></a>JayDee again.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZfxb90q4OL9PSCQ54QNA5JafyyleahJpnX4LrEBrkepi6GFb37i8nmz7SeMsOpxTV5fzCnN3mne7d4E-YwbCWFvJF3yuu9iuiG1cjzSoNfLWtK1Wqwf6YJz_h6QYBErIaYVV/s1600/DeeJay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061083552692994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 374px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZfxb90q4OL9PSCQ54QNA5JafyyleahJpnX4LrEBrkepi6GFb37i8nmz7SeMsOpxTV5fzCnN3mne7d4E-YwbCWFvJF3yuu9iuiG1cjzSoNfLWtK1Wqwf6YJz_h6QYBErIaYVV/s400/DeeJay.jpg" border="0" /></a> Gotland - DeeJay, JayDee's twin sister. DeeJay is also for sale. JayDee will be fairly light grey and DeeJay will probably be medium to dark grey.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603069942637791682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDfajwjLntriGIrP-WFGudIOYontCeC2n839MlgrCAmdOLkDk6ZeDy9-1JGNpM-EOeB_NS01Oi-HQ5s-l5y6Sldo92O_PJh7Qf3lMFCDGTIXY_G3FoKvuTmsYhY-WCfCPypLo/s400/AngieDelilah.jpg" border="0" />Gotlands - Angie (50%) and daughter, Delilah (68.75%). Both have incredible fleeces and nice bodies. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRv3HHRfbHrYKM-rMt1wOlLIuumQNDat4nAlOLb2Z1CKGQAXNq34JKFhov9DlGhcaJhi7JDlRACpAXUQteejIZ3F4A4Pj2eVlhF1mZPpfKWY1lHiagxUY4qvvAC0kDFVNfvYd/s1600/GeorgeCute.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061288041457362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRv3HHRfbHrYKM-rMt1wOlLIuumQNDat4nAlOLb2Z1CKGQAXNq34JKFhov9DlGhcaJhi7JDlRACpAXUQteejIZ3F4A4Pj2eVlhF1mZPpfKWY1lHiagxUY4qvvAC0kDFVNfvYd/s400/GeorgeCute.jpg" border="0" /></a>75% Gotland/ 25% Shetland - George is for sale and might carry brown. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9J6ilOYmPH_g6QrnvxJmjq5wdYo2WwONbVOffIOZPl8Au70uhWw9Nha0SemFgWti0ta0E7tgDW9P9iE8U-vE-TPOHP5fx4WKXA342q5A3xmAcgfniKeC9EpWxt3Tjl1Qeqjk/s1600/AshleyLenny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061074641291842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9J6ilOYmPH_g6QrnvxJmjq5wdYo2WwONbVOffIOZPl8Au70uhWw9Nha0SemFgWti0ta0E7tgDW9P9iE8U-vE-TPOHP5fx4WKXA342q5A3xmAcgfniKeC9EpWxt3Tjl1Qeqjk/s400/AshleyLenny.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mutt sheep - Scottish Blackface/Gotland/Shetland.<br />Lenny and Ashley playing King and Queen of the stump. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqICIxj-b9YN103AeTaM274-lCpoqb4UlJTqj-wE9MVBUmkLErUIjPcEjy4zpH-gFRefqHWz3qxggBXXRnlhsnoTcy2IFAxpomYriPsGDhYnvZX8KzV0uuiU8vuXWUa_fyX9jW/s1600/AbeAstrid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061070621370034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqICIxj-b9YN103AeTaM274-lCpoqb4UlJTqj-wE9MVBUmkLErUIjPcEjy4zpH-gFRefqHWz3qxggBXXRnlhsnoTcy2IFAxpomYriPsGDhYnvZX8KzV0uuiU8vuXWUa_fyX9jW/s400/AbeAstrid.jpg" border="0" /></a> Shetlands - Abe and Astrid, his dam. Abe is sired by Barish and is for sale.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TEY3NCceK24HvS-Y1KB-FrWaeRBO-ITEQFCM-P4VVTnlk6_lS-PiUb4Gjx80uSKrsxj_Y9jy5e5jpBnMpHw3Hkk9DNnWIst9iZ_dbnUKH92xN4R9DfdxotkbHyHpj28kQGJs/s1600/Abe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061072603948610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TEY3NCceK24HvS-Y1KB-FrWaeRBO-ITEQFCM-P4VVTnlk6_lS-PiUb4Gjx80uSKrsxj_Y9jy5e5jpBnMpHw3Hkk9DNnWIst9iZ_dbnUKH92xN4R9DfdxotkbHyHpj28kQGJs/s400/Abe.jpg" border="0" /></a> Abe in another shot, liking that nice, spring grass! </div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603061530898806066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtmQtHJ3ICfIDFLky7EcAHZa0qxl1ye7fKMwLl9LJiT_MmmOzUTX2_6TRUiAo62yVvtrmMns9Q-6YDpQqcWTNe2Bn_e4AIMeOmsq0iJkTL_fasY1hn_03cFf0HiNfr5pEdRdF/s400/ToffeeFullFleece.jpg" border="0" /> Shetland - Toffee, 2yo, in full fleece. She is for sale.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left">Thanks for visiting the EverRanch lambs!<br />- Franna</div></div></div></div><br /></div>Frannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-64482141097127418572011-03-21T17:25:00.000-07:002011-03-21T17:58:22.844-07:00Speaking Spaniel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqfECx2HSsCMxq8qJcsKOOO3l-WCVY-CtSrEBwA734rf_XciidkHG8J75s2hvYosQSA9Q6Ie7_qxSYYvsqA-uYx3K9gUgyDpF3FgTuF50_WlxSU-NPGYOqcTx9Otk-1aT0e3i/s1600/CliffAtSpanielCentral.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586694154457844818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqfECx2HSsCMxq8qJcsKOOO3l-WCVY-CtSrEBwA734rf_XciidkHG8J75s2hvYosQSA9Q6Ie7_qxSYYvsqA-uYx3K9gUgyDpF3FgTuF50_WlxSU-NPGYOqcTx9Otk-1aT0e3i/s400/CliffAtSpanielCentral.jpg" border="0" /></a> The big Seattle Kennel Club dog show draws a lot of spectators. Breed information booths fill three whole rows the length of the building. This year (as last year), three Spaniel clubs went together to rent one booth - "Spaniel Central", with the Mount Rainier Sporting Spaniel Association taking the lead. Cascade English Cocker Spaniels and the Pacific Northwest Welsh Springer Spaniel Club joined in. Clifford and I spent two hours in the booth meeting people, talking "spaniel" and promoting the breeds. Some of you might recognize the clip on the monitor as coming from "The Working Welshman" - a wonderful video showing how conformation affects hunting performance, showcasing Welsh Springers, but applicable to all spaniels.<br /><br />Clifford particularly likes young girls. He's reserved around others, will tolerate being petted, but will make eye contact with the young girls in the aisle, wag his tail and grin at them with his eyes and ears until they come up and make a fuss over him. It works.<br /><br />- FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-72784772193013876262011-03-14T13:46:00.000-07:002011-03-14T13:58:34.600-07:00Home Made Egg NogAfter experimenting for several years, just off and on - not extensively, I came up with an egg nog recipe that suits my taste buds! This round of taste tests was inspired by our chickens, who're just getting up to laying speed this spring. <br /><br />I'm a sucker for egg nog lattes and warm egg nog, yes, sometimes fortified a bit. :-)<br /><br />Now I have my own - I don't have to rely on seasonal, store bought egg nog with its laundry list of chemicals and heavy sugaring.<br /><br />Here's what I'm drinking:<br /><br />1 big mug<br />1 whole egg, fresh from the nest<br />1 tsp sugar<br />dash/pinch of allspice<br />bigger dash of freshly grated nutmeg<br /><br />I put a bit of milk in the bottom of the mug - maybe a tablespoon, add the egg and beat with a fork. When it's pretty well homogenous, add the sugar, allspice, nutmeg and more milk. Beat it some more with the fork. Add milk to fill the mug. My size mug in my microwave gets 2 minutes on high, then stirred, followed by another minute on high.<br /><br />It comes out smooth and creamy with just a hint of custardy texture. It's golden yellow from our free range eggs and just sweet enough. Just right for a stormy Monday morning... or Tuesday, Wednesday....<br /><br />Too late for a photo, it's already gone!<br />FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31827832.post-4112725633050152822011-03-10T22:28:00.000-08:002011-03-10T22:31:47.919-08:00EverRanch Ashley and Lenny<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaZpP8wg5FFSlIzBh9RVVQBc2HkSMz7o9_trwUKjRbYHfHT0JWXM3YP9vT6cbS3LDui5xoA6D5In8Rhtzdm4-2ZY970QyPM-ICXTuUYPPddjTpiNBFcasljlJUZ7-GrEfcBf2/s1600/020911EvesTwins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582705533726519106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 395px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaZpP8wg5FFSlIzBh9RVVQBc2HkSMz7o9_trwUKjRbYHfHT0JWXM3YP9vT6cbS3LDui5xoA6D5In8Rhtzdm4-2ZY970QyPM-ICXTuUYPPddjTpiNBFcasljlJUZ7-GrEfcBf2/s400/020911EvesTwins.jpg" border="0" /></a> Scottish Blackface, Eve, presented us with these twins late on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Their sire is 75% Gotland. The Gotland influence is amazing even on a Scottish Blackface fleece!<br /><br />- FrannaFrannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251158925458606105noreply@blogger.com4