"See guys, I told you she wouldn't fall for it!"
Barnevelder
We listened to the strands of fleece. Below is a photo of Claire having a moment with one of my fleeces...which by the way, according to Claire, smells like popcorn. I have heard of popcorn chicken, and popcorn shrimp but I had no idea that I was raising popcorn sheep. Claire is a little silly like me. I am not sure what Abi is thinking in this photo....she was probably wondering what she has gotten herself into....
After we skirted, sorted, fondled, smelled and lusted over each fleece, we bagged them back up and left Abi's studio buried in fibery deliciousness.
Of course, when you go to Abi's, you have to stop and say "Hi" to their parrots. They run a parrot rescue and recently built a brand new facility on their property to house all of their feathered friends.
And no trip to a fiber studio would be complete without a visit to the sheep that live there. Her sheep are very stately and serious, they don't rush you baaaing for cookies like some sheepies that I am familiar with.
The day flew by, and after taking a few minutes to sit and visit on Abi's porch, overlooking the gently rolling hills, with the sounds of birds twittering in the trees, it was time to head home. I am so lucky to have met so many fun, interesting people through my blog and my little farm. Thanks Abi and Claire for a fun, relaxing day.
"We were framed I tell you!"
Fluffy goodness.I was thrilled to see that all of the fleeces were in excellent shape, only a couple of the girls had started with the rise so there was not a great deal of grease to contend with (which makes for a happy shearer).
People have asked me, "What the heck are you talking about when you refer to the "Ag" pattern with some of your sheep?". This photo is a good example of what happens with that. The white part is actually the part that was growing close to the skin and the dark ends were the sheep's original color, this shows how the fleece changed and lightened through the year. Now that the dark has been sheared off this ewe will stay the lighter color. This is why I don't like that genetic pattern to pop up in my spotted sheep. With the Ag gene, a lamb will be born as a pretty spotted, or solid, or patterned, colorful baby and then as they get older all the pretties go away and they end up a very light grey (if they are black based), or a very light brown ( Musket if they are brown based). Not that there is anything wrong with Ag sheep, one of my fav ewes is Ag and she has some of my nicest fleece, I just don't like my patterns and spots to fade.Same fleece, just upside down now...I just wanted to show it again to taunt Garrett with it's crimpiness.
Dillon...or..ET phone home (for sale BTW).
Diego
Diego and Dillon.
After we got all of the sheep finished and returned them each to their respective pastures, it was time to turn our attention to Ande. My shearer will NOT shear llamas. This was something that I would have to contend with on my own......or with the help of my unsuspecting, ever-helpful sister, Marie. By past experience, (see previous post about Mama Llama) this was something that would have to be accomplished far away from the watchful eye of Mama Llama. Once all of the sheep had been removed from the barn, we distracted Mama with some breakfast and lured a very gullible Ande into the barn and closed all of the doors. We decided that it would be best if I would be the one to hold onto Ande while Marie did the actual cutting of the fiber. Marie is not known for her discipline skills and if Ande decided to try to kick or wiggle away I thought it best to have someone in more of a position of authority to handle the situation, clearly Marie was not the best choice for this....she is the cookie lady to the animals, they love her, but they laugh at her meager attempts at sternness.
Now, I didn't buy any hand shears, because, after all, I decided to have the shearer do the sheep for me...but in retrospect, I should have purchased some for Ande's haircut. I should have, but sadly, I didn't and when Marie started using the scissors that I provided it was a bit like using a butter knife. Finally Gary came to the rescue with a sharp pair of scissors from his office and saved the day...or the fleece...or Marie's hands...well, whatever, all of that stuff.I never said that it was pretty, but we got it done! Mama Llama will have to wait for another day, when I am more ready to do battle.....and I am wearing a wetsuit.
"Did you see what they did to me, Edrea?"
" Look at this, Aleena, I told that shearer only A LITTLE off the top and now look at me!"
"I know, Fiona, he said that I had some grease in my fleece and that's why I have these little clumps everywhere, I can't go out like this!""Daddy, it was terrible, that shearer set me on my bum, and ran those noisy clippers all over and then mom and Auntie Marie gave me shots. I expect that from mom, but et tu, Auntie Ree?".