Daily Farm Photo: 4/28/06

Snugglebunny's Twin Girls Always Stay Together

Lamb Report: Mad or mist? It was 38 degreesF this morning and very, very damp. When I got down to the barn, the sheep were all steaming. Current Lamb Count: 19. Number of unhappy mothers stuck in Bonding Suite Prison for one more day: 1. Number of times yesterday I counted sheep and delivered lambs to wayward munching mothers: Too many to count. (Good exercise, though.)

Daily Farm Photo: 4/26/06

Green, Green, Green!

Lamb Report: Things are looking up. At 3am I went down to the barn to give Bruisie's spotted baby a bottle, and she got up and helped herself to mother's milk instead. This is the first time I've seen her do that since she was born on Saturday. Yes! She is back to dancing and is quickly making up for lost meals. She also has a new friend in the bonding suite next door--Auntie R. had a big baby boy this morning. Current Lamb Count: 19. Number Of Lady Sheep Still Expecting (for those of you who are wondering when this Lamb Report stuff is going to end already): 5 (not including any more surprise pregnancies).

Answers to all your Munching Mowing Machine questions from Monday are up! Click here. And thanks for your patience.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/25/06

Sheep Freedom Day 3: Slight Overindulgence

Lamb Report: This whole coyote-deterrent-radio-blasting-in-the-barn thing can actually be rather amusing. Last night, after I sucessfully locked all the reluctant sheep up for the night, I turned around and found Martha and her twins calmly ambling down the driveway toward me. Bum-mer. This meant I would have to re-open the gate, thus giving the prisoners a chance to escape. So what happened? Bear herded Martha & Co. the wrong way and they fled, one devious little sheep sneaked out and made a run for it, somebody started yelling (who--me?), and a time out was declared. So I go back down later, somehow get everybody (for real this time) locked up, and as I slam the latch into the gate, The Clash starts blasting from the radio: You've just got to let me know—should I stay or should I go? Stay! You can't make this stuff up. Current Lamb Count: 18.

Answers to all your Monday Munching Mowing Machine questions are up! Click here.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/23/06

And She's Up!


And She's Down For A Rest Between Songs

Lamb Report: Well, it's been a rather exciting 24 hours sheep-wise on the farm. After we spent a couple of crazy hours working them (this involves catching up 50 sheep that in no way want to be caught up), we opened the barn gate and declared the start of Sheep Freedom Day 2006. Woohoo! There was plenty of leaping and jumping for joy and devouring of the bright green grass.

Bruisie got so excited she went back in the barn and had a baby girl. For a first time mother only one year old (another surprise pregnancy), she did great. We did have a little trouble with some of the mommy hormones kicking in (like the milking ones), as all Bruisie wanted to do was lick that baby clean--and she spent all night doing it. This is the softest lamb I have ever felt in my life. Meanwhile, baby was having trouble getting up on those long back legs, but after assistance with the milk bar this morning, she was not only up and walking on her own, but after a few minutes I swear she was dancing to the Sunday Morning Blues on the radio. Then, as you can see, it was time for a rest.

Current Lamb Count: 17. Number of surprise guests in Bruisie's bonding suite last night: 1. (Click here to see who it was.) Number of ecstatic participants in Sheep Freedom Day 2006: 50. Number of sheep wondering why Sheep Freedom Day Two has them confined in a tiny (but very lush) pen attached to the barn (because we'll be off farm again today): 0 at the moment, 50 once they mow down all the grass in a few hours.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/22/06

Lamb Love

Lamb Report: Apparently every night is Alice Cooper night on Non-Stop Classic Rock radio. While we were feeding hay yesterday evening he played "a serious amount of Led Zeppelin." As we headed to the barn for a midnight check, Joe said, "I think the music is working better at scaring off the coyotes than the giant spotlights shining onto the hillside--I don't even want to come down here." There is at least one diehard rocker who is enjoying what is (despite numerous attempts to prove otherwise) the only music station that will come in on the ancient, scary barn radio. Check back later to find out who it is. Current Lamb Count: 16. Number of sheep more than ready to be sprung on spring grass today: 50.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/21/06

It's Always So Nice To Come Home

Lamb Report: Had unexpected overnight off-farm delay, which means sheep were subjected to 38 hours of Non-Stop Classic Rock confinement. Everyone survived, though I'm pretty sure I overheard such phrases as "torturous," "totally unacceptable," and "borderline feedlot conditions" when I went to free them out into the barnyard upon our homecoming late this morning. I have the distinct feeling I may never be able to lure them into the barn again. Current Lamb Count: 16. Number of mothers-to-be who thankfully kept legs crossed in my absence: 7. Number of farm mysteries to solve: 1 (bad ass beagle once again covered with dried blood but so far no corpse in sight.) Number of farmgirls thankful everyone is okay: 1.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/20/06

Sometimes There Simply Aren't Words

Lamb Report: Um, apparently Alice Cooper Night isn't only on Tuesdays. And if this morning's disapproving discourse was any indication, I now have a pretty good idea that Dan (who prefers to sleep up against the barn gate, which is located about two feet from the radio) is not a Non-Stop Classic Rock kind of donkey. Today I will be off the farm until well after dark, so I have decided that the sheep must spend the day locked in the barn with the music on. I cringe at the thought of the flak from the flock I'll no doubt receive upon my return. Current Lamb Count: 16. Decibel Level Of Morning Donkey Rant: Off the charts.

Pssst! My new kitchen garden blog isn't just for gardeners. Two new recipes posted yesterday. Click here and here if you'd like a little taste.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/19/06

Watercress Thrives In The Spring Runoff
Click here to see how it grows.

Lamb Report: Everybody A-okay. Well, as okay as you can be after Alice Cooper Night on Non-Stop Classic Rock Radio. These lambs will probably grow up and be unable to sleep unless Jimi Hendrix is jamming in the background. We're just about out of hay. (We would have run out weeks ago if it weren't for the peanut butter waffles and apple fritters.) The Green Grass Feast is merely days away. Current Lamb Count: 16.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/18/06

Spots On The Glass? I Don't See Those Kinds Of Things.

Lamb Report: At 4am, I ambled down to the barn to find bright lights, Non-Stop Classic Rock, and 50 totally wide awake sheep. Little pangs of guilt. They are used to sleeping out under the starry sky, listening to nothing but the soothing sounds of nature. And now this. I mean, I was only down there because I couldn't sleep--and that was in the dark and silent house. I have, of course, explained to them that it is all for their own safety. I told them of rowdy urban teenagers and the perils of apartment living. (But not one word about the trampoline--that's all we need.) Oh, and it seems that I Gallop On was right. Just received ebay confirmation for 50 pairs of dark sunglasses, 16 of them size XXSmall. Current Lamb Count: 16. Current Number Of Cranky, Sleep Deprived (but soon to be very cool looking) Sheep: 50.

Monday Farm Photo: Sunshine and Laundry on the Line

It's Monday Washday!


Lamb Report:
As soon as it was dark last night, a pack of coyotes out near the hayfield burst into song. If these creatures didn't pose such a threat to my sheep, I do believe I would find their nighttime serenades rather pleasant. As it was, though, the dogs went crazy barking at them, and I, well, I did what one can do when they are miles from anywhere and anyone--I raised my head up high, took a deep breath, and let out a long, loud howl. That shut them up.

But as I mentioned previously, coyotes aren't the only danger lurking in the darkness. I thought the all night barkathon was for the coyotes' benefit, but this morning I found a murdered armadillo just a few feet from the barnyard—and one bad ass beagle covered with dried blood.

Current Lamb Count: 16. Known Dog Victories Over Menacing Predators: 1. And no, I don't think the armadillo got the lambs, but they're destructive, awful creatures, especially in the garden. Plus the dogs despise them.

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Daily Farm Photo: 4/15/06

I Haven't Shared A Sunrise In A While

Lamb Report: Everyone survived the night. The giant trees on the hillside looked spectacular all lit up with the big portable spotlights. (As I hit the switch, I expected that big sound of stadium lights going on--it was almost light enough to play baseball in the barnyard last night.) I figured out how to work the scary barn radio this morning and even managed to get reception, so tonight the woollies will be no doubt rockin' the walls. Oh, and click here to see what I spotted in the barn this morning. Current Lamb Count: 15.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/14/06

Bright Spots Are Everywhere

Lamb Report: Not only did every lamb survive last night in the barn, but we gained one. Zelda (who is Lucky 13's mother and the smiling, snowy-faced sheep in the middle photo) had a beautiful baby girl just before midnight under the big full moon. During our 4 a.m. check, the dogs were loudly patrolling the steep hillside. More coyote countermeasures will be in place tonight: bright lights, loud music, llamas. (Operation Llama Relocation is now complete.) Current Lamb Count: 14.

8:45pm Update:
This morning I had no idea how appropriate that caption would be today--I just spotted the first fireflies of the season!

Shepherd's Nightmare

Mary's Twins On 4/6/06

We have a serious predator. Mary's twin girl (on the left) has disappeared. This was not a helpless newborn; she was over five weeks old. This makes two lambs in two days.

I cannot fault a wild animal for going after my sheep. Given the choice of snatching a lamb from a small fenced in area or chasing down a rabbit or deer in the forest, I, too, would choose the lamb. And if there are more where the first one came from, well, you might as well help yourself to another.

This, of course, does not mean that I am not stricken with grief (and in a bit of a panic). As I said yesterday, I have never before lost a lamb to a predator on this farm (though we are surrounded by coyotes). Mary (who is Doll Face's sister), is one of my very best sheep, and I was thrilled when she had a twin girl. Her baby was my best replacement ewe born so far this year. She held a special place in my heart, too, as I successfully performed minor surgery on her to fix an inverted eyelid.

The sheep have been penned in their 1/4-acre barnyard (connected to the barn) since the first lamb was born two months ago. Now I will lock them in the actual barn at night. It will be difficult to do, and they will not be happy, but at least they might be safe.

Sadness and tragedy are always looming here. This is a farm. These kinds of things happen. And while I never had any intention of sharing every unpleasant detail of my life with you, I felt I should explain what is going on--the continutation of the story, so to speak.

What I had planned to write about today was my new Chocolate Chip Almond Biscotti recipe after making one final test batch. Kitchen (and chocolate) therapy. Who knows. Maybe there is still time. I know I must do something.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/12/06

One Final Photo: BB & Her Baby Girl on 4/10/06

Tiny life, big impact. I'm happy I was able to share her with you. Thank you for all your wonderful comments and emails. Your kind and thoughtful words mean so very much.

Hearts & Rocks & Numbers & Thoughts

Sometimes I think I need a heart of stone to live here.

One advantage to living on a farm in the middle of nowhere is that you can sit on the edge of a bunk feeder in the barnyard at sunrise and cry as loud as you like. Nobody is going to bother you.

I had planned to put this photo and its story up this morning, along with some thoughts that have been randomly connecting in my mind. About Lucky 13, who we lost a week ago today. About my brother, who we lost over 100 days ago and who was here on the farm when the first lambs were born last year. About the fact that Snugglebunny (whose eartag is #13) gave birth to the 13th lamb this year and should I give her a name that includes "Lucky" or "13" or would that feel wrong.

About the usual things—love, loss, life.

More below. . .

Daily Farm Photo: 4/11/06

Looks like he has his mother's eyes.

Lamb Report: This handsome guy, who is just 3 hours old in this photo, was born this morning to Amy (who was named after my pal Amy). And yes, his arrival necessitated yet another early check-out at The Bonding Suite Inn--much to Silly Wendy's dismay (she actually turned her back to the open gate and refused to come out--click here for a bonus baby photo).

Six lambs in five days. Now this is how it should be. Still several more to go (these girls are so big they don't waddle--they swagger), but at this rate we'll be done in no time. Current lamb count: 15.
Mini Milestone: I just realized that the 300th Daily Farm Photo came and went without my knowing it. The time sure flies by (too bad it wasn't the butterfly.) Click here to see the 100th Daily Farm Photo. So do you have any favorites?

Girls' Day OutorNo Room At The Bonding Suite Inn

I've Been Kicked Outside!

Well it's a good thing I didn't start leaving the farm every day, or I would have missed all the excitement. We've had five baby girls born in the last four days. That's why BB and her little cutie pie above were politely told that they had to check out of their bonding pen a day early--we needed the room. Snugglebunny had twins this morning, and first time mother Rosebud just gave birth to a big baby girl (start to finish was under an hour-woohoo!). They're are all doing fine, resting comfortably, and are of course absolutely adorable. Meanwhile, Bear & I are a little whupped. What a wonderful way to start the week.

Daily Farm Photo: 4/9/06

Alisha's inquisitive baby boy, born 4/6/06

First time mother Alisha is Doll Face's 2004 daughter. Today Silly Wendy (Doll Face's 2002 daughter), gave birth to a healthy and huge baby girl. If you thought Silly Wendy was big in this photo taken a month ago, you should have seen her this morning.

Ten-year-old Doll Face is from my very first 'crop' of lambs, and I'm thrilled to have so many of her offspring in my flock. The sheep like to sleep out under the stars in the barnyard, but if one of Doll Face's daughters (or her triplet sister, Mary) is in a bonding pen in the barn, she will stay in there, too, with her rapidly growing, sweetheart of a son curled up at her side.

Mini Milestone: This is my 300th Daily Farm Photo. Click here if you'd like to see the 100th Daily Farm Photo. So what are your favorite photos? (New to Farmgirl Fare? The easiest way to look through past photos is to scroll through the monthly archives—scroll down to the links in the left sidebar.)

© FarmgirlFare.com

Daily Farm Photo: 4/8/06

BB And Her 1-1/2 Hour Old Baby, Born Yesterday

The circle of life does indeed go on. Welcome to the flock, sweet girl.

What happens when you leave the farm for the first time in a week? You come home to find a newborn lamb of course. (This lambing business is dragging on so long I am seriously thinking about going out every day.)

BB, who is Tana's daughter and whose name stands for Black Beauty, Brown Beauty, and Bouncing Babe (a dear pal's nickname), gave birth to this darling little black girl all on her own and without any trouble. Not bad for a first time mother who is barely one year old. We don't generally breed 6 month old ewes, preferring instead to "waste a year" and let them mature, but these things happen. . .

Now unless we put a fabric "sheep coat" on this lamb (yeah, right), her wool is going to bleach in the sun. As you may have noticed, most of our lambs are born with lots of chocolate chip spots, but these quickly fade. Because BB and her mother are true black sheep (when we shear them they will briefly be back in black), this lamb may stay darkly colored. Time will only tell. Meanwhile, she is very busy sleeping and looking extremely cute. Her little ears flop down in the most adorable way. (You know I don't play favorites, LOL, but I have to admit that I love the jet black lambs the best.)

Of course I find every lamb born on the farm irresistible, including the two new members of the flock you haven't met yet. . . And as for baby names, I'm hoping to get to that this week. Hint: Jeffalina and Lefftey are (sorry, Jeff and girls) not on the list.

A Sweeter Sheep You Will Not Meet

Lucky 13
5/28/04 - 4/5/06

She was never without a hint of a smile,
and she was always first through the gate each morning.

That's what happens on a farm--animals inevitably die. But, at least for this farmgirl, even after 12 years it hasn't gotten any easier. Some people would no doubt say I let myself get too close to my critters, but I don't feel that way. They are my constant companions, my dear friends, my family. The joy that knowing them brings me is immeasurable, and that, unfortunately, means losing one hurts so much more. And while I try not to play favorites, some of them just work their way deeper into your heart than others. Lucky 13 was in there pretty deep.

Yesterday morning I thought Lucky 13 was in the early stages of labor. As the day went on, it became increasingly clear that she was not about to give birth, and that something was very wrong. I poured through my books, comforted her the best I could, and administered to her around the clock. When I went to check on her a little while ago, she was gone. I'll never know for certain what the problem was. But I know without a doubt that it will be quite some time before I stop looking for her smiling face making its way toward the barn gate each morning. The photo above was taken on July 14, 2005 but never posted. Please click here if you'd like to see one of my other favorite photos of Lucky 13.

Farewell, sweet girl. You will be missed.