LOOK AT ALL THOSE LAMBS! And one can be yours--Rams, whites, natural colors. (All ewe lambs have been sold for 2012. Make your reservations for the 2013 lambing.)The show season is beginning so reserve your selection now. These rams are from champion sires and UK bloodlines, all codon 171 tested at RR. The flock is certified scrapie free, export certified, tested negative for OPP, foot rot and soremouth free. Whether you have a purebred BFL flock, a commercial flock or a spinning flock, a ram from Tumble Creek Farm will add value to your flock.

This coming weekend will be the Fourth National BFL Show in Wooster Ohio. I'll see you there!

April already...

Wow, time flies. All the lambs are born, finally. The last set of triplets arrived (a bit later than planned but right on time) with no problems or assistance at midnight on March 27, 2012. Gorgeous white ewes and a ram out of a natural colored first-time ewe and a white ram and she did it all, as expected. These are the granddaughters with the first ewe of the triplets. The little one is terrified of the lambs but if she gives them enough loves then she may get over it. Who can resist a lamb???
   The irrigation is on for the season now and the tractor has been hard at work. Almost all of the front field has been disked and will be ready for seed and fertilizer in a few days. Tomorrow will see the end of the disking and my husband will drag what I have done, then we should be on a roll for more pasture for all the lambs. I have noticed coyotes have been in the front and center pastures so the llama will be keeping a watchful eye and earn her keep. Hubby said no more dogs and I don't want a donkey so we will be moving the ewes and lambs often this year. The rams will be in the upper pasture as it is smaller and easier to move them.

Dibden's twin rams

Silver's twin rams

Sunning ourselves...

One of Weslie's triplet rams

Zink, Zoe's white ram of triplets

Speaking of rams, there are several for sale this year. Two yearlings and a large group of lambs from several sires are available, so get your reservations made.  I am planning to attend the Black Sheep Gathering in June (transport east available), and Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival in September. You won't want to miss out on a good selection to add to your flock, whether it is purebred Bluefaced Leicester, a commercial flock or a spinner's flock.

Lambs a' Jumpin'

They are everywhere! Out in the snow, under mama's feet, on top of the straw bale, in the feeders, running and jumping like healthy little lambies should be. Taking reservations now! Enjoy the pictures.

Lamb Arrival, at Gate B...

The lambs have just started arriving and are finding their pens satisfactory. The food supply is ample, the conversation stimulating, no turbulence in the blue sky, pilot is doing his (day) job, the flight attendant is very attentive, what more could new lambs ask for. Three sires are represented so far in the 10 lambs, 8 being black, and the ewes to rams is 50/50. Only eleven more ewes expected to deliver in the next few days with the prediction of snow--I doubt it!

Ewe lamb #1 of the first set of triplets.

Brother in first set of triplets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Is Coming?

We can only hope that winter will be sometime soon and not hold out until March! This photo was taken from the front deck facing west toward the mountains. This fog rolled in suddenly because at 3:30 pm it was clear.

Lambs should be arriving in two weeks. Everything is set up in the barn and the kit is ready. Watch here for the new additions to be posted.
  The yearlings are being sheared as time and weather permits. I did three more today with four remaining. As they are sheared they join the bred ewes in the barn but in a separate pen for different feeding. They also get coats if their size is available, but I have found that old sweatshirts are needed with our weather lately. I slip the neck opening over their heads, front legs in the sleeves (shortened if necessary), and slits cut along the lower ribbing for the back legs. Works well so now I have to raid the thrift shops for a few more.
   Still knitting and getting projects completed before the lambs arrive. I have a lacy collar on my needles now that I have finished the sweater project. I'll need to get pictures of that posted here in a few days, along with those socks I mentioned last time. Washing natural colored fleeces too, to send off to the processor. Lots to do and so little time...

Almost Winter...

Yesterday looked as though winter was in the air, or at least falling from the sky. But alas, it was only rain. This morning started warm and dry and we had a beautiful sunny day. Winter can be counted on to show up the day the lambs start to arrive in mid-February.

My friend Kelly challenged me to get on with my blog posting so that she could see my sweater project in motion. Here is the beginning of it, entitled 'Sweater in Skeins'.

I am at the end of my sweater knitting for this year's competitions. It is called 'Shades of Blue', referring to the Bluefaced Leicester, not the color. This picture shows the skeins that started from fleeces I sorted, washed, carded, and spun. The pattern is entrelac starting with the white at the neckline and ending with the black at the bottom of the hem and sleeves. I modified it a bit so it has 3/4 sleeves which I like better than long sleeves. Never can decide how long I want them anyway.

Also finished is a pair of blue/gray socks and the pictures of those will be added next time.

MY New Toy--An Oldie but a Goodie

Last night I brought home a new toy! I have searched for a few years now for the perfect one. Of course it had to fit into the budget and have the desired attachments. I asked friends if they knew anyone that had such a thing and reminded them frequently that I was still looking. It had to be in working order but did not have to be shiny new. Just before Thanksgiving a close family friend knew an old farmer who said he knew someone that may have one. Turned out I knew her too. We all loaded into my little car and went to look at it the day after Thanksgiving and I knew I would be taking it home when everyone got done talking. The farmer said that he would take it if I didn't--his comment under his breath was "This is a no-brainer," after it started right up. So I told the lady to consider it sold and then went back yesterday afternoon to put it all together and on the trailer and home with me. Wanna see it? Here is 'Old Blue' still on our trailer...

I have big plans for that $10 disk to turn my brown field to lush green. I know it's not pretty but they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this fits everything on the list, plus it's paid for! Working 'yard art' and already an offer if I ever want to sell. Can't beat that!