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.