Arriving Early... Two by Two

I thought I had bread for Fall and Spring Lambs .... I thought.
I had one ewe deliver Fall twin Lambs. Then I waited and waited and waited ...... no more Fall deliveries.

A month later Winter had arrived and ... "WHAT'S THIS"!  So did the start of Winter Lambing. I knew the Ram had gotten out and in with the ewes but, he was only out for about 4 hours. I have severally missed judged the time it takes for one Ram to impregnate a flock of Ewes. All Rams must bow down to this Great Stud of a Ram. For he is the King of Rams. 

Now we have 6 lambs in 4 days, with 3 more ewes looking ready to lamb any time and they are still coming.

The red glow you see in the photos is the heat lamps needed for warming when you have Winter lambing. 

I want to be just like Daddy!

FREEDOM!!!! ..... ah we got caught.

How do you catch two very excited two week old lambs, who along with their mother have gotten out into the big pasture and tasted the freedom of the open space? Running, romping and as quick as jack rabbits I thought how will I ever get them back into the barn. 

GUILT ... that and being willing to look like your crazy, talking and chewing out a sheep. 

As I suspected when I tried to get close they took off running along with the rest of the flock. At one point I was able to get close to the mother and her attention turned to me, that is when the guilt started. I stopped and spoke to her calmly. 

"What do you think you are doing having your babies out her on such a cold day? They are to little yet to be in the big pasture. Now you get them back to the barn, right now!" 

She lowered her head, turned towards the barn and started walking to it away from the flock, lambs following her low motherly rumbling baas. I brought up the rear, every now and then she would look back at me. 

I would point towards the barn and state, " Get going, get them back to the barn and warm them up". She would rumble some more turn her head back towards the barn never stopping but walking slowly. 

Once inside she headed straight for her pen, nosing the lambs towards the heat lamp letting out a loud baa as to say to me, "There you go are you happy now?"

First Fall Lambs

This is # 3, no she is not wearing lipstick. She had just finished licking the mineral tub when I took this picture a week ago. She is our ewe that won Tillamook County fair's FFA reserve champion over all breeding ewe. She was also the ewe that I expected to deliver Fall lambs first and I was right. On Saturday late morning I noticed signs that she was in labor. By that afternoon we had two new lambs at the Sheep Camp, the first of our Fall lambs.

Our first Fall lambs have arrived. They are healthy, hearty, and of course cute as a button. I think all lambs are cute though so you will have to judge for yourself. 

This little guy is enjoying the heat lamp.

His sister was wondering what I was up to.

Mom said that is enough warming time to eat.

And with birth weights above average, especially for twins (15 lbs &12 lbs) they will be doing a lot of eating. 

WHERE-O-WHERE did the LAMB go?

 NOT RUSSIA!

A few weeks back I posted on my face book account bragging on how many views I had received here on the blog. Stating that the two larges amount of viewers came from America and Russia. In honor of the viewers from these two countries, I was going to post a Russian Lamb recipe that had been Americanized.

BUT! Since I am not Russian nor a big expert on Russian cuisine this meant research and family taste testing would be involved. Which sometimes leads to my family wishing I was not related to them. Oh well somebody has to be the guinea pig. Besides they owe it to me, I carried them for nine months eating only things that would not up set them. Playing the Mommy card, Oh Ya if I have to. I would never post a recipe that I was not sure tasted good nor I had not cooked myself. So, off to research.

It was not long into my research that I discovered why I had so many views from Russia. Which like all good researchers know ...... leads to more research and more research. After many, many, did I mention it was many hours at the computer? Let me just put it this way I was on the computer A LONG TIME! I was left with ... sore eyes and the realization that if I was going to keep my word about posting such a recipe, I would have to do some flip flopping around  not only of ingredients but words as well. Such as; the "Russian Americanized recipe" will now be an "American Russianized recipe".

The reason why you ask? Even though you really did not ask and may not even want to know, but since I did all that researching and now have all this knowledge, I am going to share anyway, don't make me play the Blogger's card you know I will.

It turns out that there were not many sheep in Russia in the first place. The ones that were there was sold to or belonged to nobles. So the only other people that ate lamb were the shepherds and their families, then only the left over parts that the nobles did not want. Pretty sure I will not get my family to try those parts, no matter what card I am holding. Another problem was the ban on sheep and sheep meat coming into the country from other areas. Up till just recently when the ban was lifted and the economy has changed in such away that the difference between classes does not such a limit everyone being able to try all foods available to them.

This all explains the recent interest from Russia, they are looking for recipes for the new wave of lamb that has come into their country. They are searching American sites to see how to fix it. So here we go again my search is on. I will look for an American recipe that I can influence in a Russian manner.

My family has already warned me, "NO LAMB BORSCH!" I am pretty sure they are safe on that one. I the person willing to eat almost anything and likes most of it, does not like the sound of that either.

Lack of Work makes a dull Shepherd

It has been a learning week and even though I have learned a lot, I don't feel I have gotten much work done. I am one of those people who has to feel I have accomplished something physically every day or I do not feel right. This next month will be better we will hopefully be seeing new baby lambs arrive. With the arrival of new lambs there is no shortage of physical work to be done.

Here's a picture of the last big chore I did.
Cleaning the Barn.

Oh, doesn't it look so nice and fluffy?


OK, it wasn't the last thing I did. I have vaccinated and wormed. I have sorted and separated. I do daily chores well, ...... daily. OK, OK, I just feel the need to be physically working at the sheep camp daily, I am hooked.Hi, my name is Cyndie and I am a ...... Shepherd.

Weathering the Storm

We have had three good storms hit us this last week. Well, maybe good is not the right word to describe them. Winds blew pretty fierce and rain came down in dump truck loads. We lost our electricity once for about 2 1/2 hours. The boys always think this is fun as long as we are still able to cook. Isn't it funny how their stomachs take priority? After family and home my concerns are of the sheep. I know they are able to get inside the barn for protection from the storms but I do worry that a gate might blow shut and their next instinct would be to huddle close together under the trees. The trees that stand out in the pastures are big old trees and even though they have weathered some pretty bad storms for many years I do worry that they may come down with the very wet ground and high winds. 

Old Shepherds say if sheep gather together and all face the same
direction you can tell which direction the storms are coming from. 

After the storm I went to check on the sheep and everyone had done what they where suppose to and went to the barn. All our trees were standing but we did have some very large limbs break and come down just missing our round pen. 

This big tree lost a big limb, falling just short of the cement wall between us and the church next door. 

                                The sheep are happy to see a little sunshine as am I.

Fading Summer

I snapped a few photos of our fading Summer before the Fall storms hit this last week. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back on here.

Now that school is in and routines are falling into place I will try harder to post on a more regulated time schedule. 

Every time I pull the camera out they seem to feel the need to come see what I have. All of them. 

                                                           "Sheepish" aside here.

OK, that is just to close!

Enough with the camera hog-sheep shoving and pushing for their share of lens time. Here come those storm and here goes Summer. 

Where I was on 911, Remembering

Originally I was suppose to be on a flight to New Mexico, going back to renew my EMT certification. But plans had changed, instead I was at a nursing home in Astoria, Oregon working on my practicals to get into the local nursing program. I had been in EMS for a lot of years and had seen a lot of bad things. I was looking forward in getting into nursing cutting back on hours and trauma a bit. 

This is a borrowed photo from the web.
I Thank those who provided it.
I relive the scene I saw that day over and over.
Because of that I will not show any graphic scenes here.

I had an early AM shift and was standing in the room of a retired New York Firefighter who had, had a stroke and was unable to speak or walk. I had just finished getting him ready for breakfast, since we were a little early I had turned on the TV so he could watch some news. 
As the images appeared on the screen and the anchorman spoke of what was taking place, a hand gripped around my heart and started to squeeze all the emotions from me. I watched that day a scene I have never seen played on TV again since. As the reporter spoke in haste a fire truck rolled behind him towards the towers. Loaded to bear with fire fighters, so many they were hanging on to the sides of the truck. At that very moment the second tower was hit. The camera shook, the reporter screamed out , "Oh my God, oh my God, the second tower has been hit." 
The reporter and cameraman was ducking behind a car, dust rolled, derby fly by. As they stood up you could see the image of the firetruck and hear the backup alarm as it was backing out of the dust. Derby cover the truck, the windshield shattered, ..... and firefighters hurt, some slumped in the seats. Others hanging from the side of the truck lifeless. 
The news station went right away to another scene. I looked down at my patient, with all his strength he could mustard, his arm shaking, raised in the air pointing at the TV screen, tears rolling down his check and unspoken pain in his eyes. A hole was ripped through my heart and the hearts of America that day. Heroes were born, our Nation was attacked and changed for ever. Our bonds and respect for our fellow Americans grew to great heights. I, we, America, the world will never forget. 
God Bless America! We Will Never Forget September 11th

Where Have You Been?

I feel like I have not been here forever ... maybe you are feeling the same way about me?

Our beginning of the year clear up to this last week has been crazy. Between lambs being delivered, sheep sick or hurt, things breaking down, and my boys school and sports right up to having to move again for the second time in less then 7 months (not the Sheep Camp just our household).

To top things off this computer is trying it's hardest to die on me. It is old and wants to retire but we keep pushing it along. I have a hard time letting go of things that have been around for a long time.

Take for example, one of my sons has an old ewe my the name of Jasmine. She has been a great mamma giving us big healthy triplets every time she lambed. But she is up there in sheep years and is having a hard time keeping any weight on. We really need to cull her out of the flock and my son understands this and is willing but I keep putting it off. Pushing Jasmine along.

Sometimes you just need to let go, out with the old in with the new!

Speaking of new ... well sort of new ... they are about 4 weeks old now that's still new to me. Here are some pictures of our latest lambs right after they were born. These are the lambs fathered by one of our rams, the North Country Cheviot and one of our polled Dorset ewes ( #4).

Aren't they cute?

I am loving this cross breed!

This is the ewe lamb. 

                          We got twins, one ewe lamb one ram lamb.

Move over sis, where's the milk?



We'll keep the ewe lamb as a replacement ewe in our flock and sell the male as a market lamb when he is old enough. 

Don't you just want to Hug them and Squeeze them and Pet them and call them Poopsy? 

 

A peek in at the Camp

Our Horned Babies are so cute!!

This is Yum-Yum our bottle lamb, who is no longer on a bottle.
Boy, has he grown.

One gets a drink they all get a drink.

Mamas getting a much needed rest now that the lambs have all been weaned.

This ewe ( # 4 ) still has to lamb. 

She is running behind everyone else

because she was breed by our rams the North Country Cheviot. 

We are so excited to see about this can't wait to see the lambs from this cross breeding. 

This old gnarly tree at the camp makes for a great scratching post.

Wait a minute! That's not a sheep.
I have to herd more then sheep at times.
This is one of Tanner's fair pigs just keeping an eye on things.

OH, You want a KISS?
I think I"ll stick with the lambs.

Protect Those That Can Not Protect Them Selves!

Neighbors of the "Sheep Camp" have been reporting coyote activity. 

this photo was found on Google image
using key words free photos of coyotes

Coyotes have been running in packs, they attacked a cow, the cow was able to kill one. The coyotes killed another neighbor's chickens. So far the sheep are OK. We lock the ewes and lambs up in the barn at night but the rams are loose in the small pasture. I checked on them this morning they were OK. 




There were no signs of Coyote activity in their area. The rams would fight back but if these coyotes are running in a pack and willing to go after a cow it has me worried. A coyote running in a pack is unusual sounds more like domestic dogs but either way we will shoot them if they go after the sheep. 

We have all legal rights to do so, whether it is coyotes or dogs!

A TEAT for You to say I am Sorry!

Well It has been a while since I was on here and I have a blog in progress explaining why but haven't finished it yet. Since I have been gone for so long I thought I'd make it up to you by posting a couple treats for you. The first is a web site I found and liked it. 


http://www.myamericanfarm.org/

At this site there are free games about Agriculture and information for both kids, adults, and teachers. The more people are informed about farming and the farm life style the better chance to, 

        "Keep America Growing and Producing!"  
                                                        Check it out.

The second is a recipe I found that was easily tweaked to be used with lamb. It is one of those kind that if fixed right the kids will never realize what they are eating.

                            PIZZA BALLS 

There are two ways presented here to fix these both are great but the lamb is healthier and of course my preferred way. The Shepherdess

3 cans Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (10 per can), 
56 pepperoni slices, ( This can be substituted with browned, well drained ground lamb, 1 to 2 pounds)  
Block of Colby cheese, 
1 beaten egg, 
Parmesan, Italian seasoning, Garlic powder, 
1 jar pizza sauce

Cut the block of cheese into 28 squares. 
Flatten a biscuit out. 
Stack pepperoni or ( brown ground lamb in frying pan add lightly:  Italian spices, salt, pepper, powder or fresh garlic, chopped or powdered onions. After meat is drained and cooled add 2 teaspoons to biscuits in place of pepperoni) 
Place cheese on top, 
Gather up the edges of the biscuit. 
Line up the rolls in a greased 9x13 in pan. 
Brush with beaten egg. 
Sprinkle with Parmesan, 
Italian seasoning and garlic powder. 
Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes. 

Use the pizza sauce for dipping

# 1 STILL # 1

Every species has it's own way of competing for the top ranking position. Bulls butt heads over their lady cows. Male dogs pee on everything. Squirrels run around darting here and there to see who can gather the most nuts.  

BUT, I had no idea the ewes had a contest going on to see who could have the biggest lamb.

# 1 was in the process of lambing and having some trouble with it when I came in yesterday to feed. The lambs head was out and I could see by that, this lamb was BIG! ! 1 is one of our smaller ewes so that was not a good sign.

Usually with big lambs if the head is finally out the rest of the lamb follows with ease. I got right in helping her and discovered that the problem was the lambs chest. It was to large to deliver straight. So working carefully I turned the lamb at an angle and worked one shoulder through at a time.

Mom stop with the cleaning, I'm trying to walk here.

DAW-A-DAW! Lamb is delivered and alive.  #1 has delivered after some work a 15 pound ram lamb.

I know, I know you are saying,"Wait a minute Shepherd, # 8 just had a 15 pounder a couple days ago. How does that make # 1 the # 1 ewe?"

Mom look what you did to my hair, how embarrassing 

Simple, it says it right on her back. See right there in orange wool safe, animal safe paint.  

# 1 and her 2013 Spring ram lamb

BOY!! He is all boy

Went into the barn this morning to do the morning chore and all the time thinking to myself how I would use the front pen to sort some ewes out of my way. Not at all thinking about any new baby lambs. I had given up on # 8 lambing soon. I had started about two weeks ago saying she was going to lamb soon because of the size she was getting. She is a Spring ewe and not very big yet in highth.  But, not so in belly, her belly just kept getting bigger and bigger. I told everyone she is either lambing soon or having twins ( that was what I had been saying back two weeks ago). 

SO, arrived not thinking of lambs and there was a lamb in the front pen. At first I thought one of the other lambs got in by mistake but I soon realized it was # 8's lamb. Yes, she finally lambed and it was not twins. Thank God! because this guy weighed in at 15 pounds. Mommy Ewe and baby doing great.

# 8 and her 2013 ram lamb

A BIG BOY! weighing in at 15 pounds at birth

Need I say that I did not get to use the front pen to sort ewes, since it was being occupied at the moment.

A little Bit of Spring

The Sun came out in our area today. Not something we see much of not even in the Spring. But is was a welcoming and much needed sight. I thought it would be a great day to let the new lambs and their moms out on the big pasture for their first taste of that delicious green Spring grasses. 

Because we don't want them to have to much to soon and all end up with the scours, the plan was to only let them out for about an hour. 

But what an hour it turned out to be. I think we attracted more attention then the annual parade. Much deserved attention too. After all is there not anything as cute as a new lamb running and jumping on the fresh green grass on a warm Spring day. 
I say no-sir-e-bob there's not.

You clean it...We mess it.

Well it never seems to fail as soon as we clean the barn a ewe will lamb. We had just finished cleaning Friday and run to town to sign some papers. We stopped by the store and I stated to my husband, "I think we better stop and check on the ewes before heading home."

 Sure enough we found number 11 had gone into labor and had lambed a beautiful ewe lamb. Now number 11 is the last of our horned ewes to lamb and I was so pleased to find that it was a ewe lamb. We are planing on keeping all the horned ewe lambs, all 2 of them and one of the ram lambs for breeding. The rest of our lambs will be sold as market lambs.

# 11 and her 2013 ewe lamb

We have 3 polled ewes left to lamb. NO! I don't plan on cleaning the barn everyday for the next three days. It is to hard since we have the lambing pens up all the cleaning has to be done by hand.

What we like to see up nursing and not even 30 minutes old

Fridays are Barn Cleaning Day...

SHEW-WEE something stinks around here!!

Hey ! Shepherd I think you need to clean the barn. 

She's right and we are not having these lambs till you do!

MOM!! It's not me, it's the barn. 

Yes, just look at my knees. Can you see them ... cause I can't but they feel dirty.
I am so embarrassed, is any one looking, tell me please I can't see I have to much wool over my eyes. Someone please, my my my! 

Note from Shepherd: OK, the barn was dirty but, it is Friday and it gets cleaned on Fridays. So all is clean and everyone is happy again.