The End Of Quite A Year!

Where did the year go? Well, we kidded, we sheared, we washed, we spun, we sent fiber in for processing, we wove, knitted and felted, took classes, attended fiber events and gatherings, went to shows, bred, farmed, worked full time and as if that were not enough we threw in some major landscaping for our oldest daughter's wedding! There, in a nutshell was our year. A great one, but boy it filled every waking moment. Then we had a major computer failure and are just now getting back on the tech train.

On the farm side, we are looking forward to a relaxing year. We downsized our herd having been blessed to find great homes for a number of our foundation lines. We now have 4 breeding does, no yearlings at this time, 5 kids to raise and evaluate and only 2 bucks! Testarossa, pictured left is a white color carrier (Seneca, a favorite black doe's son by Thorn) and assumed the herd sire position this year. We shall see what he can do. Life is simpler and the fleeces they are growing are looking fabulous! It is good to have time to spend with each and every one.

It has been a cold, dry winter here in Central Oregon. Although it makes caring for the animals easier it does make us worry a bit about water this coming Spring and Summer. I am by nature a worrier so if it wasn't that it would be something else. The extra time has given me opportunities to focus on projects. I am an accumulator of projects I want to do...someday. I have decided to tackle one at a time and try to reduce my "project inventory". That is not to say that I won't accumulate more as I come across them, just that I have inventoried those "in house" and prioritized them - somewhat. I am a great "concept" person. I event get them underway, it's just focusing and finishing that I need to be better at. I see a resolution in that sentence somewhere!

Spring is Here?

Well, you couldn't tell it from our weather! Snow, wind and freezing temps continue, but we all know things could be worse. I have been remiss in not posting for a while but here we go. It is now time for kids to be coming and we have entered that arena.

We have seven kids on the ground and five came all at once; a set of twins and a set of triplets.
Are triplets a set?
Oh well, they are here and we are thrilled. So far we have one caramel and two black does and two caramel bucks, a red buck and a black buck. Not bad numbers and great color. Oddly enough, the caramels are out of a red doe and a registered white buck. As I said, we are thrilled!

We have five more girls/ladies to kid and they are all taking their own sweet time. Two of these five are first time moms and represent white color factors we out crossed for two years ago. We are having a really hard time waiting to see what they will bring into the barn.

This next weekend is the annual Wool Growers Fiber Market Day in Prineville and it represents the opening of the fiber season in my mind and heart. After the long and relative calm of the winter this event always warms the heart and sparks the desire and motivation to grab some fiber and make something! There is always so much to see, so many people to reconnect with; color, fiber, projects and great fun. I know it will be a great day!