The Trifecta

Really. . . does it get any better than wool drying, sheep and llamas grazing and leaves changing?

I'm a Shepherdess!

This day has been three years in the making! From planning to moving, from saving to building, we've put a lot of thought, time, hard work and patience into finally having sheep of our own.

And now they're here! Sparkles, Peridot, Emerald and Knox all arrived safe and sound via . . . that's right . . . minivan (why does anyone buy a trailer?!).

 

Here I am working with Sparkles to get her out of the dog crate and into the pasture.

 

And here's Knox (our ram lamb) and me on our way to the pasture.

 

Starr was beside herself with excitement at the arrival of the sheep. The sheep were not so impressed with her. In fact, they were pretty much terrified.

 

But soon, everyone figured out how to get along.

 

Here are some gratuitous sheep and llama pictures. We still have some construction going on for the expansion of the barn. Before we go on vacation, the animals will have a roof with tarp sides. By the end of August, they'll have a shiny new barn to be safe and secure in.

 

Barn Raising

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've blogged. It's been an exciting month, too! I think one of the hindrances to my blogging is all the activity in my Ravelry group: Inspiration Fibers. We're a chatty bunch over there, and the blog has been neglected.

However, as we are preparing for the arrival of our sheep and llama, I want to make sure I share it with all of you!

On Mother's Day, I finalized selecting my sheep! We'll be getting three Shetland ewes: Sparkles, Emerald and Peridot. And one ram (he's a lamb right now, and unnamed). I'm getting them from my friend Jen Johnson; her farm is Whispering Pines. They'll be ready for pick up the first week of July, so we've been working our patooties off. Well, Mike is working really hard at least!

Here they are!

Sparkles

Peridot

Emerald:

Ram

We also have a llama coming from my friend Sue's farm, The Critter Ranch. Her name is Confetti, and is pregnant! We'll be having a baby llama and lambs next spring!

Confetti

We've decided to expand the barn on the side instead of trying to adapt the main building for sheep. Currently, there are no pens inside and no convenient doors to the field.

Here's the barn (and Hunter)--

The pine trees to the left will go so that I can see the sheep better. You can barely see the posts sticking up back there.

Mike rented a post-hole digger and set the post this past weekend.

The main posts have been set for the length of the barn, but we're going to do the expansion in three phases over the next three years. For this summer, only the first third will be finished off for the four sheep and llama.

AND, Mike got the permanent corner fence posts set in the field. Not a very exciting picture, but you can see them waaaay back there.

I'll keep you posted as more work is completed. Tonight Mike and Matt are off to get the fencing rolls. I think we'll be stretching the fencing tomorrow or Friday. Due to our recent bobcat attack on our chicken coup (I told you it's been an exciting month!), the sheep pastures and barn are going to be a fortress!