Oct. 6, 2005 - sheep shearing
Yesterday was a beautiful Fall day. Dave and I, with 3 of our children, spent the morning at a neighbor's farm. It was shearing day for their 30 Shetland sheep. Our children watched, climbed on the hay bales, and fed the mules and donkeys fresh grass and apples. Dave caught each sheep, delivered it to the shearer, assisted when they struggled and returned them to their stall. I helped label, sort and bag the wool. It was a lovely morning. I love to spend time talking with my neighbor, Cris. She is my sheep and fiber mentor. When we moved to our farm 4 years ago I bought my first ewes from her, Claudia and Amariah, to begin my own handspinning flock. Every Fall I borrow one of her rams for breeding. We now have 15 sheep of our own. We sell some, put culls in the freezer, and process the wool for farmer's market and our own use. Cris has taught me how to wash, card and spin the wool. Dave bought me a beautiful spinning wheel which sits by my fire and awaits a quiet moment without little ones underfoot. Did I remember to include my beloved spinning wheel in my list of gifts more precious than jewels? Check my first blog on that! (Right now it is waiting and waiting and waiting :) As we sorted over each fleece yesterday she continued to teach me about the differences in single-coated and primitive wool, color genetics and management practices. We selected a ram for my ewes this year. "Filip" will be arriving in November, a gray 2 year-old with a magnificant set of curled horns.
In the evening the shearer came over to my farm to shear 5 of our own sheep. They were all beautiful shades of brown. We sheared in the pasture in the fading light, with my barefoot children sitting on the fence, watching. As we piled the soft wool into bags I was overcome with gratitude for my life. I love being a wife, a mother, a hearthkeeper, a farmer, a milkmaid, and a shepherdess.
Comments
Oct. 6, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by vickth
Spinning is next on my list of hobbies to master! I have a little drop spindle and am trying to teach myself. It woud be so fun to see the process from sheep to yarn!
Oct. 6, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JenIG
how marvelous! man, i wish i could bring my family to your house for a field trip!
:) jen
Oct. 7, 2005 - Hi Molly...
Posted by TOSPUBLISHER
..what a lovely day...and I must say from reading your profile, your homestead sounds idyllic. So glad you are blogging and sharing your days here at HSB...looking forward to reading much more of what you have to say.
God Bless,
Gena Suarez, Publisher
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
Oct. 9, 2005 - Hello!
Posted by michelleshiree
Just wanted to say Hi! I decided to check out 5 random blogs today, and yours was # 5! So good to find you, I will be back to read more! I am in the process of creating a little farm of my own!
Michelle
Oct. 16, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dalyn
That was a really beautiful Picture you created. Thank you. My girl would like a few sheep for wool, and my Pastor is a sheep rancher, but I know nothing. I'll have to keep reading your blogs and learn a thing or two!
I too, love being all those lovely things! It's a sweet life.
