Woo hoo! Pregnancy Announcement!

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Okay, really, did any of you think I was referring to me? Kev, are you okay :cD?


Alison and I haltered The Ladies yesterday and did a quick check of their external baby-making apparatus (udder and other unmentionables :c) ...). To my extremely inexperienced eye, I am 90% confident that both of the girls are in the family way.

We also found out last week that they were exposed to two rams; one high percentage Texel white ram, and one high percentage Texel black ram. We are quite hopeful that at least one of the ladies was covered by the black ram. Both the girls have colour genetics so if that is the case, we are quite likely to have at least one coloured lamb.

I was searching the 'net yesterday and discovered that my perfect breed does exist. I like the "meat machine" qualities of the Texel but prefer to have natural coloured fleece. And here they are ... the Blue Texel! That beautiful variegated fleece could be a spinner and weaver's dream. Not sure of the fibre size, but I'm pretty sure they don't exist as a breed yet in Canada so it's likely a moot point :).

Our hobbit house shelter will be a bit small for more than two sheep; for lambing we'll bring in straw bales and make small sheltered areas for lambing and the first couple of days, then spread out the straw over the whole pen as a nursery until the land has dried somewhat. We will then do pasture rotation across the north-east portion of our property using Electranet fencing. The fencing was graciously lent to us by Linda Swaine at Rosehaven Farm Store since she has disbanded her flock. I'm very interested in sustainable agriculture, and I know our teeny tiny farmette isn't the real thing, but our land is shot ... it's not fertile after years of continual grazing prior to the house being built. The sheep will be giving back more than they are taking, which will only improve the property. Better than dumping bag after bag of purchased manure, or man-made chemicals on it. I prefer our fertilizer delivered in a fluffy way :).

Family stuff ... news this week:

Alison is presently getting used to her head gear and braces. She went to bed with the headgear on last night, then removed them at midnight. And 4H has started with a vengeance ... the girls are doing an awesome art club run by a local artist where they're learning self-portraiture, block printing and other media, plus having a blast with friends. Claire has decided she should jump on the knitting bandwagon, and has started to make a felted purse in funky blue wool. I'll post photos of it as she makes it ... it's a very cool project! The girls are also in the Sheep and Goat Clubs, as well as having a really good time Square Dancing every other Thursday. Kev is juggling a couple of extra Eagles' Flight jobs (thank you, Lord!!!) and this coming week is on course with the Free Methodist Church of Canada in Kingston.

Think that's all for now!