Mayday Mayday Mayday

May 1st, often called ‘May Day’, may have more holidays than any other day of the year. It’s a celebration of Spring, a day of political protests, a saint’s feast day, a neopagan festival and a day for organized labor. In many countries, it is a national holiday!

photo courtesy University of Missouri

photo courtesy apartment therapy

Mayday is ALSO an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. It is derived from the French venez m’aider, meaning “come help me”.

photo courtesy Millers Field

It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by mariners and aviators, but in some countries local organizations such as police forces, firefighters and transportation organizations also use the term. The call is always given three times in a row (“Mayday Mayday Mayday”) to prevent mistaking it for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions, and to distinguish an actual Mayday call from a message about a Mayday call.

A mayday situation is one in which a vessel, aircraft, vehicle, or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Examples of “grave and imminent danger” in which a mayday call would be appropriate include fire, explosion or sinking.

My MAY DAY was a little of all of the above! Let me begin with a lambing update: three of my prego Shetland ewes have lambed (from a week ago Tuesday, last Friday and most recently, this past Tuesday). First and foremost, all mom’s and lambs are doing well!

First to lamb, Bella and her triplets!

Next, Dove and her twin ram lambs!

This past Monday, my prego ewe Serendipity, showed the familiar tell-tale ‘signs’ of impending birth… ALL.DAY.LONG. Before nightfall, I decided to put her in the barn (in a small make-do stall called a lambing ‘jug’). I believed she would be ‘safe’ without being disturbed by the other girls and I could more easily monitor her progress. By 10 p.m. and still anxious that she had not yet lambed, I decided to sleep/spend the night in the barn with her – just in case she required any assistance (pleeeeeze don’t require any assistance!!)!

My woman’s intuition did not disappoint. At approx 11:20 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., Sara gave birth to twin ewe lambs (a totally textbook perfect lambing!). YAY! Just short of MAYDAY arrivals! HAHAHA

Serendipity (Sara) and her day-old lambs!

As I own a very small spinner’s flock of Shetlands, I have one more ewe, Reese, yet to lamb. So, stay tuned… for further updates.

In the meantime, the milking ‘girls’ are doing well and their bucklings are growing by leaps and bounds. The boyz are as sweet and mischievous as little boys tend to be!! Anyone looking for a loving buckling/pet wether?

Oberhasli buckling at two weeks.

HEY! This stuff isn’t as good as mama’s milk!

Goats on parade…

Between playing (ahem) and checking-up on new mamas and babies, I’ve been cleaning more stalls than I care to…AND milking goats, making cheese again, working in the garden – STILL planting – and stealing a few minutes here and there to work on a growing backlog of fiber projects!

Happy goat family!

Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy family! BTW, Saturday I’ll be dyeing in the kitchen at Metroparks Wolcott Farm’s Sheep Shearing Saturday! Come and have some farm fun!

Mini FAUX Lambskin Rug

Not to worry… no harm was done to any sheep or lambs during the writing of this post!!

Say ‘hello’ to my mini lambskin sheepy ‘rug’.

I’ve wet felted several of these little splayed sheepies over time… and have one in my farm shop (my prototype) that I use to display small hand-made ceramic sheep figures. In fact, I have made them so small that they can easily fit into a Christmas greeting card  ~ world’s smallest sheepskin rug ~ that I’ve gifted to fiber friends.

THIS little sheepy rug measures approx 8 1/2 X 11 – inches.

A few weeks ago, a lady requested if I’d make her one of these little sheepskin ‘rugs’ for her 90-ish year old mother who is suffering from a rare blood cancer. Naturally, I said “yes”!

Well, Carolina dropped by the shop rather unexpectedly just this past Tuesday! YIKES!! I hadn’t even begun to THINK about making the little sheepy rug with all the holiday happenings! Thank God, she didn’t come to tell me that her mom passed-away!!!

How-To:

I used my North Country Cheviot wool batt and began with several alternating layers (north/south)… leaving the edges a bit ‘rough’ and in the shape (legs, front & rear/tail end) as if it were a sheepskin pelt. Sorry folk, that’s farm life!

Once I was satisfied with my ‘layout’,  I began the initial felting process. I used a kitty litter (clean) pan to contain the water, alternating hot & cold water w/a wee squirt of Dawn dish soap added to the hot water. I like to use a bamboo place mat to help with the agitation, remember to alternate directions – shrinkage occurs in the direction you’re working the piece.

Towel blot and allow to air-dry. Then came all the tedious work of needle felting all those little ‘tufts’ of fleece… remember, I LIKE lots of texture! My bumpy sheep is kind-of my trademark. Last, I added a few details to the face!

…and there you have it!

I was told by Carolina, that she actually wants to frame the sheepie and add a Bible Scripture verse around the perimeter of the sheep.

Very nice.

Lambs ‘play’ too!

I managed to snap a few pics of my Shetland lambs playing ‘King of the Mountain’.

Three’s a crowd!

Aston defending his position.

Everyone wants a turn.

‘Electra’ is sold.

‘Zephyr’ is a handsome fawn katmoget ram lamb…looking for a good home!

‘Chevelle’ is sold (to a family with her sister, Electra).

‘Aston Martin’ will remain on the farm. 

Zephyr has nice conformation and a beautiful fine single coat – out of Sheltering Pines Athos X Sheltering Pines Serendipity.

Uh oh, I’m missing ‘Mercedes’!? She’s a very nice black ewe lamb (with white marking on her head/kronet), twin to Aston — also looking for a good home. She escaped my photo shoot!

Here she is…ta da – ‘Mercedes’. She’s ready for ‘adoption’!

It’s difficult to get any work done around the barnyard. Seems I’m always ‘playing’ with the lambs and kids.

Honestly, who could resist?

Take time to play and have a nice day!

Farm chores.

During the past few months, the weather has certainly been newsworthy, affecting so many lives. Mother Nature has a huge influence on how we go about our day. She not only provides a positive influence ~ hopefully, most of the time ~ but, She is also able to devastate and kill…there is no taming of Her! My heart goes out to all those who are experiencing a loss!

And so we try to work in cooperation with the weather…between the raindrops and swings in temperatures, hot & cold, in an attempt to catch-up with our daily tasks!

 

 I’ve been ’pruning’ more lavender (see!!!) in an attempt to rejuvenate old, woody plants. I’m willing to sacrifice bloom this year, for healthier, more productive plants next year. We’ve applied more mulch between the rows to minimize weeds.

Oh, my poor ache hands!

The veggie garden is almost planted. The tomato plants and peppers were last to go in the ground for fear of a late frost. Hubby prefers his own stick trellis to tomato cages. 

I’ve been amending my herb garden raised beds with lots of ’organic’ compost before planting annual herbs, such as basil, parsley and dill. It will provide nutrients and aerate the soil a bit too.

Next, hubby finally finished building ‘Orthanc’ ~~ our little sheep play platform ~~ which the lambs are particularly enjoying! It’s quite entertaining to watch them frolic in the evenings, or tower over ‘mom’ laying below!

I’d love to add a little ‘dog house’ up top some day, like a little covered bridge…when we’ve accumulated more lumber to salvage/re-purpose?

Hubby also hard-wired the electric fence for the sheep/goats. Yeah! “Look Ma-a-a-a-a-a! No more extension cord!”

…and re-inforced/re-built the rams’ breeding pen(s ) for this Fall…with a real working gate too! Last year we temporarily separated the ram pen ~~ into smaller breeding pens ~~ with a hog panel and T-posts and 2-strands of electric wire between adjoining pens. That’s how we managed our 2 rams. I normally only breed a few ewes. Otherwise you end up with a lot of cute sheep and an overflowing wool room in no time! I like this new pen!

Ram’s can be very destructive (see the corner of the pole barn?)…but, I think this new fencing will hold them? Why is it that the ‘grass’ or perhaps the ewe on the other side of the fence is always ‘more appealing’? Or, we want what we can’t have? Two is better than one? The more the merrier? Crazy rams!

The baby sheep and goats are growing by leaps and bounds! They’re getting fat on grass and ma ma’s milk! I’m sharing goat milk with the kids now and making cheese regularly. Two Alpine bucklings have left the farm, another OBE buckling is sold/reserved. I have another Oberhasli buckling I’d love to sell as a herd sire…somewhere? And, yesterday/Saturday we castrated the two Alpine bucklings (who are now called wethers) - I hope we find them a home where they’ll make a very nice pet or 4H project…rather than meat in someone’s freezer. My sweet little goaties! It’s the part of ‘raising milk goats’ that I do NOT like!

As for my sheepies, two of my ewe lambs are reserved/sold, but won’t leave the farm ’til they’re at least eight weeks old. I have another black ewe lamb for sale; I’m evaluating the two ram lambs and considering selling perhaps a black yearling ewe? I’d like to keep ‘em all, but hubby gives me the eeeee-vil eye every time I’m hugging & playing with the little wooly fur balls…UGH!

I’ve been doing a few ‘projects’ too, but I’ll save that for another post!

Happy Day! ♥

Sheep play too!

Fair is fair. Hubby built the goats a split level ‘play’ fort a while ago. We dismantled our grown kids fort and reused/recycled the lumber for the goats’ playhouse. They have fun, exercise and endless hours of playtime. So, it seems only fair that the sheep also have a sort of play platform too!

A work in-progress, so far, we recycled wood from another project (the decking from an old hay wagon) to build a ramp and deck/platform for the sheep. We’re going to add another lower/split level deck – half the height of the existing deck. Later, perhaps we’ll enclose/add a doghouse-type shelter to the top-level?

The lambs race up and down the ramp while ‘mama’ rests in the shade below.

The lambs are growing so fast! Here’s the first ewe lamb grey katmoget…and her sister, my lap lamb! She appears black, but she’s gray/silver.

Dove’s ram lamb has nearly tripled his birth weight.

…and his sibling, a black ewe lamb.

Last, Sara’s little single ram lamb. I’m really fond of this little guy!

He’s ALL legs!

A real cutie.

Is it any wonder that I can’t get any work done cuz I’m either PLAYING with baby goats or baby sheep???

Butter Molds

I recently purchased a 19th Century plunger-and-cup-type butter mold. It’s rather unique; a hand-carved primitive ram and bird motif! I simply couldn’t resist purchasing this butter mold thru my blogging friend, Carole. You can peruse her awesome store (and visit Carole’s blog) at Carole’s Country Store. I just fell in love with it the minute it was listed in her shop…ya know I love all things sheepy…or perhaps it could be a goat?! Either way, I’m so happy to add this to my kitchen collectables. I hope to use it soon!

 A bit of butter mold history… 

Butter molds were first used centuries ago in northern Europe. Today, most of the oldest molds found in museums date to the mid-18th century Europe and North America. In the 19th century, dairies became commercial and butter – as well as the wooden butter mold – was widely mass-produced. Antique molds of the late 19th and early 20th century are often found in personal collections. Antique American butter molds have become popular  collectibles and have increased in value. Due to their condition, many of these butter molds are best used as decorative accent pieces.

photos by Alice Ross

Butter molds had fancy designs carved into the press so that the impression was left on top of the butter. Common designs were a sheaf of wheat, pineapple, thistle, cow, rooster and geometric designs. Butter would have been filled into the mold and then the plunger pressed to form a tight shape of butter. The handle screwed into the print so it could be removed from the case. These came in a one pound size, a half pound size mold and pat sizes. Sears, Roebuck & Company also listed a two-pound size in their 1987 catalog as well as square molds. The price of molds varied depending on the complexity of the carving.

Butter molds are rarely used today.  Instructions for use of a modern butter mold: 1) Soak the mold in ice water for 30 minutes and – if convenient – refrigerate the mold for 30 minutes more.  This helps to keep the butter from sticking in the mold.  2) Rinse the mold with cold water and fill it with softened butter.  3) Smooth the surface with a spatula and cover with plastic wrap.  4) Chill for 2 hours or more.  5) To unmold the butter, run the tip of a knife around the outside edge to loosen it.

Cleaning wooden molds: Use hot water, mild soap, and a brush to loosen residue, but do not soak the mold in water.  Reconditioning wooden molds: Mineral oil may be used to recondition a mold and prevent drying and cracking. Vegetable oil should not be used. 

Alice Ross, food professional teacher and historian, writes of butter making and molding: “If you want to try it yourself, the trick in a successful casting is to first soak and chill the mold. Then, after packing the butter in, refrigerate until firm, and then pop out into a plate. If you want to make your own butter to match the handsome form, all you need is fresh whipping cream. Whisk or beat past the whipped cream stage until the butterfat forms firm yellow lumps and separates from the remaining buttermilk.  (Save the buttermilk; let it sit out at room temperature overnight to culture and either drink it or use it in cooking.) Paddle and press the butter in several washes of cold water until there are no traces of buttermilk left. Salt if desired. Pack into soaked and chilled wooden molds, refrigerate to harden and then un-mold.”

Another historic method for molding butter uses a completely dry mold dusted with flour and slightly chilled butter. The butter comes out nicely 90% of the time. It’s worth a try!

Lastly, I want to mention that my moorit Shetland ewe, Sara (aka Serendipity) had a single ram lamb last Thursday morning! He’s very handsome (bersugget markings); mom and baby are doing well! It’s been so rainy and dark, I haven’t taken a decent pic of him yet! All the goat kids and lambs are growing by leaps and bounds too!

Sara’s little bundle of joy! I reeee-ally can’t get much work done!

Warm wishes!

Lamb Tyme…

 Life buds forth!

I roll (well, maybe more of a crawl) out of bed at 4 a.m. for chores – to capitalize on hubby’s ‘help’ before he leaves for work. I anxiously inspect the sheep and count noses…all present and accounted for…with no ‘extras’.

After 6 a.m.milking, another ‘bed-check’. Dove has gone missing! Apparently, she wandered out back to the shed for a little privacy while lambing. Twins: one HST ram lamb and one black ewe lamb waiting to greet me!

Handsome little guy…love that one black eye/one white eye!

Little sis…

…just hours old. Love her face with ‘freckles’!

Is this leftover molasses water for ME?

Hey…save some for me too! (BTW, Corey is ALL better!)

Another blessed day!

Goat Spa?

It was a glorious spring-like weekend…a perfect Mother’s Day! The weeping cherry and serviceberry are beginning to bloom, finally! It’s been a cold,  wet/rainy spring ~ so far ~ here, in southeast Michigan. I’m thinking we’ll skip ‘spring’ and fast forward to summer! We cut the grass for the first time this past weekend too and hubby & son worked on installing additional lighting in the barn. Yeah! The north facing stalls have no windows and is incredibly dark…

Aside from ’MOM’ visits, cooking, baking… I believe we had our first encounter with a case of bloat in one of our goats! Read more about bloat here.

The goat is a member of a class of animals called ruminants.  These animals ruminate (chew their cud).  Unlike us, they have special four-compartment stomachs especially designed to digest roughage (food high in fiber) such as grass, hay and silage.  The goat’s stomach has four chambers: 1) the rumen, 2) the honey-combed reticulum, 3) the omasum, and 4) the abomasum or true stomach.

A goat’s rumen is a big fermentation vat which produces carbon dioxide and methane gas.  These gasses are eliminated by the goat burping and pooping.  A goat needs to expel their gas, no matter how rude or funny you may think it may be.  If they cannot expel the gas, the pressure builds up and the goat ‘bloats’.  When this happens, the left side of the goat will become distended which might even cause difficulty in breathing. Bloat, in extreme cases, can result in death! Naturally, I was concerned ~ and wise enough to recognize something was ‘off’?

When you spend as much time as I do with each of my critters, you just know when something is amiss…call it woman’s intuition? Corey, a first freshener, looked like she swallowed a small ‘football’ on her left side (where the rumen is located). Noticeably different from what’s considered normal! She didn’t get into the grain bin, nor do I believe she ate too much green pasture/grass. Rather, I think we were ramping her up her grain – too much too soon - for her to handle since freshening/kidding three weeks ago. And, perhaps another contributing factor to the gas build-up(?) is the fact that Corey doesn’t seem to be eating as much hay/roughage as she should be or has been eating.

Fast forward…while Corey didn’t exhibit any signs of pain, discomfort, abnormal behavior, pawing, etc. none of the ‘usual’ accompanying signs of bloat. I just knew something was simply not ‘normal’. Still concerned (not waiting for her condition to worsen???), a bit of research on the web and goat books, we decided to administer a dose of milk of magnesia, walked her up and down a small hillside, massaged her left side, all hopefully helping her to belch and pass ‘wind’…to relieve the gas build-up. It seemed to be working and provided some relief. She was pooping lots and belching. But, by evening, the bulge seemed to reappear. So, we decided to take another path and administered/drench about 6 oz. of corn oil and withhold all grain! We also gave her some probiotics…and access to good quality hay. 

This morning, Corey ‘appears’ better, but I’m still watching her closely. I’m giving her a full body massage (with a palm massage thingy) ~ hoping to move the contents of the rumen along/breaking up gas ~ OR simply adding to the daily routine  of lots of TLC, brushing, grooming, udder massage w/peppermint eo… my goats are well-loved! And, Corey l-o-v-e-s the attention!

Any advice/experience with ’bloat’ is appreciated!

Oh ya, last evening, Reese, first time ‘mom’, gave me twin ewe lambs…just to complete my Mother’s Day excitement!  Lambing without incident!! woohoo!

 

 Hours old…they’re so difficult to photograph!!!

Sweet Shetland ewe lambs!

Congrats Reese! Great job!

Adopt a Shetland…or Two?

Offering for sale: WoolyTyme Alexanders, Moorit twin ewe out of Ramble N White Dove and SheltrgPines Athos

and…her twin,

WoolyTyme Amaranth, white Shetland twin ewe, born May 11, 2010. Both ewe lambs beautiful single coat, fine crimpy wool fleece.

Private (ahem, serious) inquiries welcome.

Bucklings to Wethers

I…ah…WE survived another farmstead FIRST. It’s our third freshening (that’s when you breed a goat and she kids) and I’ve had the luxury of ‘the breeder’ castrating my buck kids for me. This freshening however, I had to fess up and perform the dastardly deed myself…castrating the buckling goat kids. You may think I’m cruel, but it is very necessary. While I do not own a buck (for breeding my girls), I get very attached to my goaties and much rather find good homes for my pet wethers…rather than putting them in the freezer.

A goat kid of either sex can be – that is ’physiologically’ speaking - fertile at 7-weeks of age (though they should not be bred at that age). Intact bucks and does over 8-weeks of age should NOT be kept together because a young buck can, and will, breed a female at 2-months of age, including his mother and 2-month old sister!

I know of two methods of castration:

Cutting: This entails cutting the bottom of the scrotum off and pulling out the testicles, and/or

Banding: This requires using a tool called an elastrator to put special heavy-duty little rubber bands around the scrotum leading to the testicles. The blood circulation stops and in about 10 to 14 days, the scrotum and testes will slough off ( ie. the scrotum and testes die, rot and eventually fall off).

I prefer the ‘cutting’ method – it’s immediate and after a day or so, the kids act as if nothing  happened (well, perhaps they’d tell you otherwise)?!! All went very well procedurally, although it was more difficult to grab a hold of those slippery testicles than I had imagined!!

I’d like to end on a good note! My wethered goat kids and Tinkerbelle’s twin ewe lambs have a wonderful new owner and home with Bonnie at The Lamb’s Tail. They’re only a few miles down the road…so I’ll get to visit them often…and browse the barn for great antiques too!

Tink and her lovely Shetland gray katmoget ewe lambs…

…best wishes!

XOXOXOXOXO