• Mar. 1, 2009
March Snow
Wow, March 1 already, but it's snowing like crazy right now so it doesn't really feel like spring is coming -- yet. It feels more like this:
a new kind of sled dog??
Eowyn's main duty is guarding the livestock, but she really loves the snow and the boys love to get her out when they're playing in it. Even a guard dog needs a little fun time!!
All of our midwife duties are done for now, the last lambs were born 2 weeks ago today. We thought we were home free, with no bottle lambs or kids, but the last ewe to give birth, "Cornflower," decided to be a problem- once her twin lambs were born, cleaned up and nursing on their own, we went back into the house. When we went back out an hour later to check on them, she'd chewed off about 1/2 their tails - some kind of weird mothering instinct gone wrong thing!! (EWWWW!) She obviously couldn't be left alone with them, so they've required some extra care.
This year we've got 17 assorted babies out in the barn. When our first set of goat triplets were born, we thought for sure we'd loose one, as they were all pretty week and it was pretty cold that night. We got out the hairdryer but we ended up bringing them all in the house to try and raise their body temps. Two responded really quickly, but one of them just did not look good. We put her in front of the oven, on a heating pad, rubbed glucose on her gums, and anything else we could think of but she just seemed like a limp rag. I've seen that before and usually they just fade away. We finally went to bed about 3am, leaving her on the heating pad, wrapped in towels. I was really shocked to find her alive and perky in the morning, and she's been doing great since- a good lesson not to give up!
warming the triplets
Another set of triplets- these didn't have any problems, thank goodness! That little guy on top there is really cute, and he's got more coloring than any other Boer we've ever had.
Even with all the new additions doing well, there's lots to tend to: they all need shots, a few got "pasty" butts (sticky poops that need to be clean off), one of the moms got chapped teats and needed some extra care, the lambs' tails were docked, and creep pens need to be set up once they're a couple weeks old. I'm looking forward to watching them all play in the pasture once we get some warmer, sunny days.
I've still cranked out a couple pairs of socks though - socks are really the perfect portable project, I'm sure that's one reason they're so popular. They go with me to the orthodontist, karate, etc. And I have to admit, I've gotten pretty addicted to wearing them in this cold weather, so I keep wanting more!! The farmer loves the pair I made him so much, I really wanted to make him another as well:
"Globe Trotters" in Berroco Sox yarn
Not so sure I'd be in a hurry to use the Berroco Sox yarn again, it was softer than the Opal I used for his other pair while knitting, but didn't soften up as much upon washing. meh. I also wasn't nuts about the colorway, another instance where buying yarn online can be frustrating. But he likes them, and they fit well.
This yarn I LOVED, by Gaslight Dyeworks. I used the bluebell rib pattern from Charlene Schurch's "Sensational Knitted Socks" and it went super quick - just 11 days for these socks, which is a record for me!! (or it could just have been that I really loved this yarn!)
At least my feet are warm- hope your are too!!
Comments
• Mar. 1, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Junie Moon
I'm so glad the little baby survived. I think I'd have burst into tears if you had said otherwise. Your socks look so perfectly knitted. As always, I am so impressed with your skills.
You have snow on March 1 and we've been in the 90s the last few days. It's so amazing that we have opposite weather extremes. I've become so used to living in the desert that I shiver just opening my fridge door.
• Mar. 1, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Thimbleanna
Really? It's snowing now??? I haven't paid attention to the weather -- I sure hope that's not coming our way. (I can't believe I said that -- I love snow -- must be ready for spring LOL.)
And EEEEKKKKK! Look at those adorable goats! The pics we've been waiting for! I'd love to see those little goatlets (is there a name for baby goats like lambs for sheepys???) in person. Love the socks -- I agree with you -- they're the perfect portable project!
• Mar. 2, 2009
busy busy
Posted by Anonymous
Wow, you have been really busy! I am so glad the goats made it through the night. You are good people to take that good care of animals! Love the pictures of them!
The dog looks like he is having as good of a time as the boys in the snow!
Love your socks! They do go faster when you love the yarn,ha? I love them! Great job!
Nachaele
Knitting by the Pond
• Mar. 2, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by woolwinder
I've noticed the knitting always goes faster when you love the yarn. You did a great job on both pair.
• Mar. 2, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Emily
Oh I just love it when you post those baby pictures. They are so cute!!
• Mar. 3, 2009
Life on the farm
Posted by Anonymous
My goodness you have been busy! I love the baby stories and their pictures. I wish our snow event had been more than just a dusting. I could have gotten more knitting done on my latest pair of socks. I see that Max is helping with the baby goats. I love seeing him in action!
• Mar. 3, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I love love love the babies!! So darling!!! And the socks are to die for - great job!
xox - Raesha
• Mar. 4, 2009
lambies!
Posted by Anonymous
aw, hello there sweet lammies! (as my mom would say). So cute! hope your winter/early spring is going well, my friend
~africankelli
• Mar. 10, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Oiyi
They are so cuuuute! I also love the red pair of socks. The colorway is amazing.
www.oiyi.blogspot.com
• Apr. 6, 2009
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Your baby goats are too precious :)
Love your socks!! I'm kind of in a sock knitting craze right now. I think there is something very satisfying about wearing your own hand knit socks. I know I've been enjoying mine :)
happy sock knitting :)
hakucho
