Winter Is Here

Good Morning, Winter! It started snowing yesterday and has not stopped. Fairly light snowfall and very dry, but building up and the temp has dropped to 9. Looking for a whopping 20 today. Good thing I didn't shear on Monday so my 9-tooth comb is still waiting to work.

This is the view from the front door. It's a bit cold to step out very far and I have not swept off the 4" of snow. Please use the back door when visiting for the next few days. I know the mountains are under that cloud and should be back in a day or so.

Waiting for Winter...still...

Here we are in February, waiting for winter to get started and lambs to arrive. Clear blue skies with a nip in the air.

The ewes are very close to their delivery date and if the weather cooperates I'll be shearing soon. Then the fiber can be shipped off to my favorite processor to be made into roving for my dyeing pleasure. I may even find some natural colored fleeces to ship as well. It's fun to 'clean' the studio--I never know what I'm going to find! Hummmm, what colors should I play with next...

Spring Is in the Air--Maybe...

Lambing is over for 2013, the sun is shining through the storm clouds, the grass is turning green, and the work is still waiting. Plans are being made for the season's upcoming shows to let the public see our Bluefaced Leicesters up close and hands on. My goal is to introduce folks to their mild temperaments and fabulous fiber while awards are a very nice side benefit for the display booths. Enjoy these photos of the new lambs.

Millie and her ewe lamb

Ram lamb and a sunny day

Maddi's ram

Ewe lamb smiling

Twenty-six lambs for the year, four are shades of silvers, all out of the new imported bloodlines.                                
                              
                                     

Contact tumblecreekfarm@gmail.com for more information and photos if you would like to reserve your next ram. A few ewe lambs will be available too.

Also available are three two-year-old proven rams, all white, with UK sires.

One More Update...

Purebred Bluefaced Leicester lambs are arriving daily but we are on the downhill slide now.


Reservations are now being taken and there is a great selection.We are offering small flocks (2 ewes + 1 unrelated ram), and individuals in white and natural colored. 

Several of the rams that are now two years and new yearlings are available also. This year I used four rams from UK bloodlines with fantastic results. Contact tumblecreekfarm@gmail.com for more information and photos.

New Lambs Now, More Coming Soon

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES: The sunny days are bringing the lambs. I pasture bred this year so the lambs are not quite as close together as in the past when I have done AI, but wonderful to see what the new rams have produced here at Tumble Creek Farm.

Last spring I purchased two rams--a yearling X1 offspring and a second generation lamb from Heddon Valley breeding. Here they are in their untrimmed splendor while in quarantine. They were intently watching the granddaughters running on the lawn so it was a good time to catch a few pictures. Lambs will be available from both of these sires in June.

INSIDE ACTIVITIES: Every once in a while I work, yes I actually go to work and earn a paycheck, for an auctioneer. I sit beside her and write down the important stuff--the description of the item, who buys it and for how much. That means that I really have to listen and pay attention to just her chatter even while the display personnel hand me the next item to get the info from the tag to try to be one step ahead. Usually the items for sale are western themed like bits and spurs, saddles, art, antique kitchen and houseware items, furniture, etc, but every once in a while there is something of interest to me. So last weekend I noticed a piece that just didn't fit so I changed my routine and got a buyer's number. In the midst of selling small miscellaneous items it pops up, I bid, the sale closed and I had won! Here is a picture of my new toy.

Yep, it's a 1925-ish Circular Sock Machine (CSM). Some attach to a tabletop but this one has legs attached. I just hope that my recent purchase of sizes 0-3 long circular knitting needles was not in vain. I have been searching for info about it and hoping the book I ordered will tell me how to feed and care for this machine. It seems to be in fairly good condition, no rust, and only a few slightly bent needles. What fun!

And another one down...

Another Super Bowl has past--Congratulations to the Ravens. However, being on the west coast we all cheered for the 49ers.

We had a great party at our son's and Callie made two wonderful cakes, one chocolate and one lemon.

Most of the San Francisco cake came home with us for another day. Lambs should be arriving soon and I'm planning ahead for energy food!


And the winner for the Best Commercial of the Super Bowl goes to ... Dodge Ram and Paul Harvey for "And God Made a Farmer!" The group was very loud during all the other commercials but this one started and everyone stopped and listened--an amazing feat. Yes, we have a Dodge Ram in the driveway too. Good night.

Happy New Year!

Technically a bit late, I know, but let's start the new year now when the lambs start arriving. One set of triplets have arrived from my new ram Xtra and a beautiful Rhayader ewe. Several more ewes of other bloodlines were bred to him so there is a good opportunity to obtain these new genetics.

We are experiencing spring weather but still very cold nights. The sunny warmer days give me a chance to catch up on a few chores but others will have to wait until the ground thaws. Some of my pastures will be overseeded this year while some areas will be rototilled and reseeded. We were successful in adding a new pasture at the street and will finish the other end of it when I can get the tractor down there. There is still field burning to be done and all the yard debris that is waiting as well. 

This year I am offering a small flock of natural colored ewes and an unrelated ram for sale. These are from UK bloodlines and have beautiful silvery fleeces. Contact me at tumblecreekfarm@gmail.com for more info.

There is wool in the dyepot for the upcoming High Desert Wool Grower's FIBER MARKET DAY. In years past I was very involved with this event but had to step back for a time. I have decided to share a booth with a friend this year and will have beautiful Bluefaced Leicesters represented. Another big show to prepare for is Black Sheep Gathering, always an exciting place to be. I hope to meet all my friends there, current and new.

Shhh, don't tell the grandkids! These will be in their stockings this morning.
God bless us, everyone! See you in 2013.

Good Morning, Wintertime. 

Just a few minutes before this photo was taken there was a low mist covering the field and the sheep. It was a reminder that the temperatures have changed from 70 degrees Monday to 40 degrees at lunchtime Friday. The Cascades are trying to peek through the clouds with a prediction of snow for later today. Better get the water out to the sheep still in the field before it freezes up again.
    The breeding groups are all together now with five rams working. I don't breed ewe lambs so they are happy munching hay alone in the barn and growing nicely. A few outside pens are being used by the extra rams.
    The big news here is the group of ewes that I purchased from a flock in Montana in September. They will make a nice addition to my genetics and are starting their work here, some being bred while the lambs will have to wait till next year.
    Next project on my list is to finish up the last of the socks being made for Christmas presents for the grandchildren. Some have requested specific colors, others have left the choice up to me. I may even make a pair for my daughter-in-law, an Oregon Duck fan, so green and yellow are waiting in my basket. That will be my next picture posted. Till then, keep warm, enjoy the wait for lambs, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Deschutes County Fair days

The first week of August was spent at the Deschutes County Fair. The weather was very nice this year, only in the low 90's, clear and no thunderstorms. Our judge again this year was Pat Ariaz from California (read his story in The Banner, May 2012, pg 80-81).

Theo-Grand Champion Ram with Judge Pat Ariaz

Here we are standing with my Grand Champion Ram--Wool Division--Theo, who was also the Grand Champion last year as a lamb. Great things are in his future. His ram lambs born this February are spectacular and available to work in your flock.

On Friday, the day after showing, I took a few moments to shear Theo for a few fairgoers. They sure enjoyed seeing the beautiful fleece fall off. "Look, Mommy, the sheep is getting a haircut," was the common comment from children, or sometimes, "Does that hurt?"

The next project for my flock is shearing before the breeding groups go together. I am already plotting the ram/ewe combinations for the 2013 lamb crop. 

Summer is finally here! The water is running well and turning the pasture green, the neighbor's cows are cropping the tops so the sheep can reach the sweet growth, the lambs are growing-growing-growing, and we are preparing for the county fair the first week of August. The iced tea is brewing for the afternoon to spend in the shade with a good book.

My breeding plans are in the works for some more beautiful lambs next spring using my new ram. There is still time to pick out your new white or natural colored ram from my flock of winners and hard workers. Their fleeces are growing and will be ready for shearing in September so reserve yours soon.

Enjoy summer with your friends and family in the great outdoors. Go-See-Do.

The Black Sheep Gathering of 2012 is now history. It was another great year for the Bluefaced Leicester. The judges are experiencing this breed across the nation, the public is noticing it and adding a BFL to their commercial ewes or handspinner's flock. There were several requests for BFL fleece as none had been entered into the fleece show. The reason for this is that we are all sold out and are taking reservations for fleeces now for the fall shearing.

The Champion Ewe is shown on the left and her twin is the Champion Ram on the right. Many thanks to all the breeders from the Rockies to the Pacific and Canada to Southern California that shared in the weekend. For more information about the show watch for a full article on the BLU site (here).

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!

The Frost is on the Pumpkin!

This morning upon waking it was 32.2 degrees with a heavy frost. Yep, fall is in the air.


A busy summer has come to an end. The Black Sheep Gathering was a very successful show for me with a Champion Ram and Champion Ewe this year. My ram was even selected to enter the final line-up of seven other rams for the Supreme Champion, but gave way to a gorgeous Merino ram from California. The weather was fabulous, the friends great fun, my daughter was here to help and share the memories, and BFLs moved around the country.

This year the pasture has definitely improved over last year. The flood irrigation is working better and the water is moving where it is supposed to now, thanks to a 10-yard dump truck load of dirt that I moved with my wheelbarrow to the places it needed to be. Next year's plan is to rototill some of the humps down to make the alleys wider so I don't have to move the water more than twice a day. And there is always overseeding and fertilizer to spread.

Then came the cousins from England for two weeks and that was a great vacation. We traveled around Oregon playing tourists to some places we had never been, saw the local fires from a distance after they had done most of their damage, lounged at home on the warm days and learned a new card game that they took home to teach their friends. Good times, and now the planning for our some-day trip starts.

Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival was at the end of September in Canby, OR. It is a very nice show to end the season with at a beautiful, but older, fairgrounds--just the type you would see in a movie. The setting between the livestock barns and the vendor buildings is a large lawn studded with trees. This show has grown over the years in both vendors and visitors, and the sheep and goat shows are well worth watching. I always show lambs there and came home with a Reserve Grand Champion for my ewe lamb. I also have a vendor booth next to my sheep so folks can see the sheep and their fabulous products.

Last Friday was my scheduled appointment with my sheep and their LAI (laparoscopic artificial insemination) session. Next Friday the ram will go visit with those ewes and inform me if it was successful. I am looking forward to lambs already. Now to select names...

Good to get back on track with my blog again after missing summer. Hope everyone enjoyed theirs and I'll be talking to you again soon.