Sleepin' outside??

We have some very postcard pretty snow for now! The sheep have been sledding, making snow angels and having snowball fights. Most of which involved me as their target too. (Good thing they are so cute right? ha!)

They must also know sleeping outside in the snow is something that makes me cold- and crazy? I know they have tons of wool so they do get too warm. They go outside to cool off. Aren't they cute when they look all sleepy- they must be asking why I am outside so early pestering them. And with the camera no less??


However, with such a nice warm barn, camping outside all night long seems a bit extreme to me. The sheep tell me it is comfy and perfect though. Stinkers! (I have a nobody gets to be cold rule around here!)

Got Fruit Loops? This is my morning 'receiving line'- waiting for hugs and smooches. Remember last year's bottle lamb Penny? That's her with the two crooked horns walking toward me on the right. She's a grown up now! Still a little smidge of a sheep though. She's being independent again, avoiding my hugs to be sure I KNOW she is grown up now. Good to know Penny- but how about a hug anyway for old times sake?

More of my sheepy line up.... deciding if they should go out for breakfast yet. This is the best way to start a morning. The sheep parade usually doesn't go further than the path from barn to hay bales now. We don't go on our walks because it has been too cold but soon soon- and oh my gosh! It is almost shearing time again?! Already? Eek!! 

Hope you are having a good winter and that the weather is treating you well! The sheep send winter smooches and hugs to you all! (be sure to check out the sheep's website- lots of new knit wear to keep you warm available!)

www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com

Serenity NOW!

We hope all of you are enjoying the first days of a new year! Hope it brings you lots of joy, happiness, and of course fiber and yarn! :0) 

This was the first day feeding the sheep hay by myself. I tell you, those sheep are lucky they are so cute. It is so hard to be mad at them when they are twirling around and jumping in glee in the front yard? I can almost be mad. Almost. They are so funny, thinking 60 sheep having a rodeo would go unnoticed by me? Too fun to watch, but not when they decide the party is on, and they are not ready to stop!

It all started when I opened the gate to pull our Gator and trailer loaded with hay into the pasture. As soon as I hopped back on the Gator to pull it inside the gate, the race was on. It never pays to step in front of them either. They all know I will step aside when they run straight at me-safety first! They will hit you like a 300 pound linebacker if you don't move- problem number one. Problem number two is when one goes, they ALL go. Thus sheep in the yard. 

Thinking one has the sheep all back in the pasture can be tricky business. I thought I had them so was going to replenish my poor chicken's corn and water. I did not think before leaving the chicken's door open for a little sun. The sheep made a beeline to the chicken house and ate all the chicken's corn and spilled their water. As I was walking over to refill the coop, woopsie, there was Tony sheep peeking at me around the back of our truck. Then there was a cute little black Shetland sheep named Bram peeking out from behind a snow drift? Really fellows? They were coming out of NOwhere? That is what took me so long to finish up- Tony refused to go in. He has the you can't catch me routine down pat. He stays a step ahead of me, looking back with out turning his head. When I almost get my hands on him he just walks a little faster. Sad when a sheep can out walk me right? 

Problem number 3 (and the most serious of all if you are one of our sheep) is the hay this year has less alfalfa in it. It is really nice grassy hay. We planned it that way because our David the Wonder Shearer was not happy with their weight last shearing day. He called my babies bubble butts??? SO, we have adjusted our plan for them BUT the sheep want alfalfa hay. Or as it is known to sheep- alfalfa candy.  I keep telling them we all need the exercise and salads we may not like. They told ME I should put my refrigerator waaay out in the pasture so I had to traipse around for my food too. Better yet they told me I could get some really great exercise if I strapped a bag of Fruit Loops on my back. Then run through the flock. I would have to be very very fast with their favorite treats on board. Smart alecs! 

Two hours later everyone is fed, watered and back where they belong. I am not going to even try to retrieve the Gator and trailer. That will have to wait til hubby Jim is home from work. I need to go sort fleeces to keep my New Year resolution, well, er, get it started. Goal is to sort four each week day. I've had my work out for today thanks to my sweet, cute sheep. Now I am going to find a cup of hot chocolate and treat myself to some marshmallow fluff in it too! 

Finding my serenity (for) NOW while the sheep nap in the sun-- resting up for the next round of 'fun'!

Smooches and good wishes to you all from the sheep! 

www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com

Fleece Navidad!!

And a Joy to the Wooled too! This is our Sonny sheep, he insisted on the disheveled look to his holiday bomber hat. Otherwise, no picture. Piper photo bombed too! I think he is laughing at Sonny? However, Sonny is happy to pose and be stylin'!

The sheep have been busy having fun with some mistakes they made. This is a photo of our new 'pre-felt' crazy quilt curls. The sheep put a variety of wool, alpaca and llama fiber together for each piece. The 'decorating' or embellishment is up to YOU! The felt can be manipulated (thus pre-felt) or you could felt it further if need be. You could wear them as a pretty boa-type scarf as is but would recommend some embellishment. Add beads, handspun yarn, vintage jewelry- set loose the creativity for a wonderful, unique project! 

Did you know the sheep also love to paint?? We have added our unique, one of a kind hand painted items back to the website so be sure to check them out when you can. The sheep create the original designs and I paint them. M any more will be available as soon as the items are signed and sealed. Drop spindles, vintage item make overs and more. :0)

We were blessed with around 15 inches of snow last week so the sheep have been busy sledding and making snow angels. I heard yesterday they are learning to snow shoe now? I should have them teach ME, that is something I have always wanted to learn! I hope your holidays have been happy and that you stay safe if you are out and about for New Years Eve. 

Special holiday smooches to you from the sheep!

www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com

The sheep parade!

Every morning I get to walk with the sheep. It is a blessing and wonderful way to start a day. 

Simon says let's go sheep! (he always leads the way and he is a little bossy too!)

Really Simon? So early?? 

Sheep leaving me in their dust (literally)!

Little Mayhem sheep says hey, wait up!

Still walking!

And we're THERE! Waaay out in the far part of the biggest pasture- whew!

Big Kitty walks too- he always wants a ride home. Too much walking for an old man barn cat! 

And that is my early morning. A good walk taken- part of the sheep parade! 

Just finished an update on the website so hope you can stop by. Lots of fiber, roving and even some mittens!! Smooches from the sheep everyone! 

www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com