![Just a peek at one of my current projects. This will be a scarf made from 100% hand-spun alpaca from Alpacas from MaRS ...](https://img5.voofla.com/416/861/747596514168615.jpg)
04/09/2024
Just a peek at one of my current projects. This will be a scarf made from 100% hand-spun alpaca from Alpacas from MaRS . It is so dreamy, soft, and warm!
Just our small piece of heaven on earth - our hobby farm and home.
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Just a peek at one of my current projects. This will be a scarf made from 100% hand-spun alpaca from Alpacas from MaRS . It is so dreamy, soft, and warm!
One of the ways I'm staying "busy" while my leg heals is by grooming my Angoras. I was SO FAR BEHIND! Here's a sneak peek at two of our senior ladies (Pumpkin and Bella). Pumpkin is feeling spicy today. π₯
If you don't believe me, just watch the reel I just posted. She is demanding everything be in "just the right place" and keeps getting indignant with me. π. She might not realize I can outlast her, since I have nowhere else to be today.
My recent leg break is motivating me to downsize our animals a bit. I'm not supposed to put any weight on my broken leg for a couple of weeks, and after that can expect at least a couple of months before I am fully recovered (if all goes well). In the meantime, Tom is caring for me and our animals full time (in addition to his regular full-time job).
To help lighten his load, I'd like to sell our Kune Kune pigs (we have five available, all 8 months old. Two barrows, three registered gilts). We also have registered Pygora goats available, as well as Rex and French Angora rabbits. If you're interested in any of these (or know someone who might be), please reach out.
Today the dogs took me out. They ran full speed into the back of my legs and (according to my daughter who was talking with me at the time) I went flying. We both heard a pop and an ER visit confirmed broken fibula. Now I'm on mandatory rest for awhile. π€ͺ
Since I'm not a very good patient, I'm thankful for my decent supply of yarn and some fiber projects that won't require me to walk around.
Could she be any cuter?!? Tinkerbell gave birth to a single doeling today and that wraps up our kidding season.
This little one isn't nursing well yet, though. We're hoping she figures that out soon.
For those of you who were wondering about my post yesterday (regarding an unexpected loss on our small farm). I wasn't trying to be vague. In reality, I simply don't know how to share sad news with a broad audience (or if I even should).
Lily died yesterday. Somehow, a wooden pallet fell on top of her. She was already gone by the time I realized what had happened. I'm deeply saddened by this. All I know to say is thank you to each of you who loved on her while she was here. You helped make her short life rich and full, and that means SO much to me.
Today we had an unexpected loss on our small farm and I'm an emotional mess. Afterwards, I decided to take my grandson for a wagon ride and found this little painted rock near our home. The "extra sunshine" helped me smile through my tears.
Then Little Mister decided he was done riding in the wagon and wanted to pull it himself, explore, put every treasure he could find in it (mostly rocks and pinecones), and basically delay rest time as long as he possibly could.
Lily has decided she wants to steal the bottle when we're feeding Jolly Roger. π. I now just add more milk to the bottle before feeding time (yes, I know I could easily make two bottles, but Lily is still nursing from her mama, and Jolly isn't.)
Silly goats.
When we first brought her home, I never expected to fall so deeply and quickly in love with a livestock guardian dog. Willow, however, has my heart. β€οΈ. This girl is so very gentle with our goats (even the babies), our grandkids, and most visitors we introduce to her. She even tolerates our Australian Shepherd (and that's saying a LOT!)
Today her first family came over for a visit and my heart is full. Watching them interact was so very sweet.
Also, Jolly Roger (our little Pygora that is being bottle-fed) might think she's his adopted mama. π
β€οΈ
The sass is strong with this one.
Some days are just like that...π€ͺ
Life is funny. When I was a kid (11-12 years old?) one of my chores was to help milk our goat Daisy. I hated that chore and was firm in my resolve to never, ever raise goats. Fast-forward around forty years, and I added goats back into my life. I have loved having them for the past 4-5 years. About a week ago, one of our does gave birth to twin bucklings, but there were issues (one of the babies didn't make it, and the other has struggled to latch on/nurse). I'm now milking Dolly twice a day and bottle feeding her surviving buckling (who we've named Jolly Roger). π
Now all I need to do is figure out what I want to do with the extra goat milk. (There are so many options!). She doesn't produce nearly as much as the dairy breeds do (and I'm not licensed to sell it for human consumption)... hmmm π€
I love this crazy dog! Late last night I was spinning yarn and needed the next section of roving...only it wasn't where I had placed it. This is where (and how) I found it - seriously! π
It's week! When I originally signed up I wasn't anticipating a couple of my most recent distractions, but investing in myself has value. Thanks to my support team (mostly and ) for helping me with the animals so I can enjoy spinning. π
These are just a few pictures of my spinning set-up, my "companions", and my first spin for this week...a beautiful Merino/Tencel from . Next up is a fun Corriedale/BFL blend from
I pulled these two French Angoras out for grooming today. Beautiful mother/daughter duo. π
If I participated in very many shows, I might consider different rabbits (these two both lack in a couple of areas type-wise). They're amazing fiber producing machines, though!
All of today's pictures on my phone are of very pregnant goats' lady bits. I figured these from yesterday were probably a little cuter for most people. π
Cute baby French Angoras and an adorable toddler. β€οΈ
#2
Expecting Mama's. Any predictions on the order they'll give birth? My guesses on birthing dates and number of kids:
Honey Buns - Feb. 11 (2)
Dolly - Feb. 16 (2)
Waffles - Feb. 21 (2)
Dottie - Feb. 25 (1)
Tinkerbell - Feb. 28 (2)
Huge "Thank You!!!" to our vet who takes such great care of our animals. Today, all of the goats were given boluses, Beau had his feet and joints checked out (he has arthritis and has been limping), and Archie had his horns trimmed (as they grow they press into his skull making one grumpy goat). We β€οΈ
Oh... She also gave Willow a microchip and checked all of our younger pigs to find the one with the hernia (turns out it has corrected itself!). π
First picture is our Hungarian Yellows (expensive and rare). I'm still trying to decide if I want to raise more of them or not. π. I love their color!
Second picture is an obnoxious Hungarian Yellow rooster. I say obnoxious, but really he is just extremely protective of "his" ladies.
Third picture is simply a variety of our hens and roosters. β€οΈ
Last picture showcases Dexter. He's a Salmon Faverolle rooster who also tends to aggressively "protect" what he thinks is his. I love our silly Salmon Faverolle hens, but this guy? I can't trust him around visitors.βΉοΈ.
What's your favorite chicken breed(s) and why?
February will be kidding month around here. We're officially on baby watch (which means constantly paying attention to all of their "lady bits"). π
Also, please don't mind Dollie's messy fiber. She currently looks like a young child gave her a haircut (and it was totally me). π€¦ I didn't get around to shearing her in the Fall, and just recently cut off a bunch of matted areas.
Spinning some 100% French Angora fiber on my Majacraft Rose wheel = contentment. Thank you for the luxurious fiber, Lincoln, Everest, Bartleby, Greta, and Bingo! π
In order to free up more time, space, and resources, we've made the difficult decision to no longer raise pigs. Ours are currently listed on Craigslist (just south of Everett, WA ). If you are interested (or know anyone who might be), please reach out with questions and feel free to share our info with others.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/grd/d/everett-kune-kune-pigs-must-go/7710495357.html
This is Willow (the first livestock guardian dog we've ever owned). She's adjusting to her new home, her new people, and our goats (but they aren't quite sure what to think about her, yet). If you have tips for me to help make this transition go smoothly, please send them my way.
We love our fresh eggs. With our colder weather recently, we have had several of them freeze, however. When this happens, I cook them up and give them back to the chickens. The extra protein is good for them. π
Mystique is thrilled that the holidays are here. π
Benny and Beau saying "Hello!" π
Cute piggies in a nice dry barn. Their regular pens under our shop flooded overnight, so today was spent making a temporary area for them (and all of our goats) in our barn. It's tighter than I'd prefer, but dry (yay!)
Praying for all of those in our area whose homes are currently flooded. βΉοΈ
Some of the "good stuff". π
Are any of my friends looking to adopt a pet bunny? I'm sharing this on behalf of a local rescue.
The first picture is Tulip, female, sheβs getting fixed this Wednesday the 15th! Sheβs very sweet & loves cuddles.
The second picture only shows one, but there are two of these girls that are around 4.5 months, unfixed.
If you are interested, please let me know and I'll connect you. π
So thankful! Even with the challenges, having the opportunity to raise animals is a privilege that I don't take for granted. I took these pictures yesterday of just a few of the things that make me smile.
5616 Lowell Larimer Road, #A
Everett, WA
98208
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Around here if you hear a chicken singing the "egg song", it just might be silly Norman. I can't tell if he's trying to mimic the hens, cheer them on, or mock them. π BTW - I call him Norman, but he was originally "Naughty Norman". This not-so-common breed is expensive, or I would have said goodbye to him a year ago. Instead, I reduced his competition (sold four roosters last year), and now he's happy and much less aggressive. #HungarianYellow #Norman
Lily has decided she wants to steal the bottle when we're feeding Jolly Roger. π. I now just add more milk to the bottle before feeding time (yes, I know I could easily make two bottles, but Lily is still nursing from her mama, and Jolly isn't.) Silly goats. #Pygoras #socute #Lily #JollyRoger
Toddlers and baby bunnies = SO much energy bouncing around! π Jane's litter is two weeks old today. Eyes are opening, and they're doing well. β€οΈ #Rex #babybunnies
WOW. I β€οΈ this view! Starting with Mt. Baker and then throwing in Glacier Peak and some of the surrounding mountains "frosted" with fresh snow and highlighted by βοΈ. And we can't forget the fields of blueberries showing off their autumn color. #pnwonderland #lovethisview #blueberryfields
We walk the boys up to their pasture every day and back to the barn at night (we don't have an LGD, and want to protect them from predators as best we can). This short little walk can take quite a while, as they cannot resist the yummy treats along the way. π #Pygoras #dailywalk #snacktime #theboys
You just never know what you might find when mucking stalls. This spider had built a beautiful (dusty) web in the corner just above Lulu and her baby piglets. Perhaps I should name her Charlotte?!? π
Just some piglet "tv". This was yesterday, at six days old. It was the first time we let them wander around in the pasture (supervised). #kunekune #piglets
Yesterday morning Lulu gave birth to nine little piglets. So far, they're all doing well. β€οΈ #kunekune #Lulu #piglets