Our llamas

A little over a week ago we adopted 5 new llamas to add to our little zoo.  These llamas came from a very loving home, with a sad story.    The littlest ones just love attention, and have bonded well with my youngest girls.  These guys will hopefully supply me with some awesome fiber to spin as well as protect my little flock of sheep.  We have had some deaths from coyote's as well as a possible mountain lion.  They do get some grain, especially the females who are a bit too thin going into the winter.  I have a tiny bit of pasture left, so hopefully with the pasture, good hay and some grain they'll put on weight.  Here's a picture of Merlin and my

Emma.

One of my favorite web sites...

Today is the day

I admit it.  I have been putting off this task for a while now.  I need to clean out our chest freezer.  Now that job in itself isn't all that bad.  Its empty and needs to be defrosted.  Its just cleaning the basement that I really dislike.  Now don't get me wrong.  I like to clean.  When I'm in the mood.  Boy put on some good ole rock-n-roll, hot soapy water and rubber gloves and I'm good to go.  But this is my basement!  So I"m putting this off to blog and post some pictures.  Later... I hope!  This picture is one of this years ram lambs.  Nice isn't he?  I can't register him since the rams were bad boys last year, and broke into my breeding pen and I wasn't sure who the father was.  He's for sale and would make a nice addition to your flock.

Baad Blogger

Yes, I'll admit it. I'm really bad at blogging. Honestly my world was turned upside down about 18 months ago and blogging was the last thing on my mind. We've been busy here. My oldest is in her last year of college, one daughter has moved out, and another isn't quite sure when she'll move out. Homeschooling 4 children, and put one in Catholic School this year. Purached a tri loom this summer and have had lots of fun learning with that. In fact I sold my first shawl just this past Sunday! I liked the colors when I picked them out, but once my shawl was compledted and off the loom, well I was disappointed. I knew there were things I would do differently. The second shawl turned out much better.

Thunder, our star ram, was with us for two years. I traded him for a lovely black,horned ram and little white ewe lamb from Red Brick Farm in Dixon Il. I purchased some of my first ewes from Terri about 4 years ago and was eager to do buisness with her again. I'm sure these guys will be a wonderful addition to our flock.

We had a heck of a lamb year! I am now looking for homes for about 20 lambs! Either as fiber animals, non registered breeding stock, or freezer meat. I'll try to post some pictures later.

Well thats it for now!

Soap anyone?

Here it is December 1st and I'm still making soap for presents1 Ugh! I made a batch of lavender/olive/coconut oil soap right before Thanksgiving. That should be ready unless I totally messed up the measurments. Today I'm making peppermint/ecualyptus olive/coconut oil and lard soap. This one of one of my favorites. The soap lathers well, and smells wonderful! Lovely in the morning, really picks you up! Its also very cooling, after a hot day working outside.

I try to make enough soap for us to last a year, and have enough to give away for presents. I like the fact its homemade, it has zero ingredents that are harmful, and its way cheaper than buying my soap from the health food store.

I'll also be working on cotton wash clothes and hand knitted socks. I'll be busy these next few weeks.

Its breeding time again

We purchased a really good looking ram from Tongue River Icelandics, in Missouri last spring. Sadly the owner, Susan Briggs, was dieing, and needed to sell her much sought after lifestock. First to go were the ewes. Priced at $300 a piece when you bought 3 or more, they went very quickly. We didn't need any more ewes here at Hedgeapple Farm, so I waited, hoping the rams would go next. My patience paid off. When the rams were listed for sale, I looked over what was available, and picked two rams. Thunder is who we got. He is gorgous, lovely carmel coloring, and what a build. He had the best meat confirmation out of her ram lambs that year. His mother was also one of her milkest mothers. He has been one of easiest rams to work around next to Rocky. This should be fun to see what colors the lambs will be come spring. Rocky threw mostly black lambs, only 2 were white out of 24 lambs. Looking forward to April 24th! That's when the first Icelandics are due.

Giving Thanks

Its that time of year where we all look around us to see what we are thankful for. Here I am reminded daily of God's goodness. I was reminded of the fact that I am living my dream of having a family, owning a farm and raising animals. I didn't have anything specific in mind when I was a young girl, as to how many acres, or even what kind of animals I would own or even the number of children I would have. The journey to get to this place in life has been fun, though I doubt my husband would agree with me. Seems I get these *ideas* and he winds up either helping or taking over the job himself.

I give thanks daily to our Precious Lord for giving me life, and for Jesus giving up his life for me, all because he loved me.

I thank all my customers for helping us have one of the best years ever. They have bought eggs, chicken, lambs, breeding stock, and wool products. I pray for each and every one of them daily. Thank you.

I also want to thank the people who help make our little farm successful. Thank you Abi,High Prairie Fibers, for processing all our wool for us. Also for teaching me how to spin, and sparking that love of sheep again. Thank you.

Thank you Maggie for helping me sell my wool and yarn through your shop at Prairie Land Herbs. Thank you for the classes you hold at your shop. Without the classes I most likely will not be spinning, owning sheep, making my own soap, laundry powder or tooth paste. Thank you

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and may God bless you and your family during these holiday's.