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Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Day I Met Mama The Sheep*

It's been a busy several many days. Hickory and I have had the wonderful opportunity to ride with a fantastic dressage trainer while she was in town for a couple weeks, so we jumped on it. We fit in as much riding as possible, like being at horse camp. So fun.

However, I've been running as fast as I can and still not keeping up. Blossom's doing great, but it seems like she's still such a baby and needs so much time and attention. I think "This may be your last bottle lamb, crazysheeplady. You apparently don't have the energy for this anymore."

As I (and Comby, Iris, Weaslie, Hank, but no Betsy as she was locked in the house for bad bird behavior!) was sitting out in the front field last night letting Blossom have one last run around before bedtime, I was talking tired with a friend who pointed out that by now Ewenice would have taken over many of the momma duties.

Oh, yeah.

What am I going to do without Miss Ewenice? While I kind of like "being a sheep", I can't be a momma sheep forever. At some point I'm going to have to come back in and clean up this house.

In the meantime, breath deep and inhale some wool fumes. It will all work out.



This is Mama*. From Celi at thekitchensgarden. Disclaimer: that is probably not Mama on the picture postcard, but it's such a funny face I set it on there. It shows Celi's love of her sheep.



She sent me a box of Mama and Hairy McLairy and some beautiful "farmy" postcards. Which I could have spread out and taken a picture of...but the brain was too scattled. Her blog is full of them though and the accompanying stories make them that much better.



So, I am washing these two fleeces and spinning some yarn for her. Celi has a wheel on order and I have a feeling she'll be an easy convert, especially after she sees how lovely her wool is. After it's clean. Well, it was lovely before too (I love the smell of a freshly shorn fleece :-) but this is a scoop of the first soaking water ;-).



Here is Mama after two washes and three rinses (following my normal washing procedure).



How pretty and soft.

I can't wait to card and spin some. Maybe that would be a good job to do this afternoon while I'm sitting out playing momma sheep in the barn.

Sorry this post is kind of rambly/wonky. I've been trying to get it posted for two days, if for no other reason than to let everyone know things are okay and Blossom is growing like a weed and (along with everything else) keeping me really busy and away from the computer. And vacuum, stove, grocery... ;-).

22 comments:

janna e said...

wow, wow! What awesome looking fleece! I follow Celi's blog too and saw that she mentioned you were going to do some spinning for her-I'm so glad you showed us the before photos.

Very happy Miss Blossom is back to her old self again.

MarmePurl said...

What a kind thing to do for lovely miss c.

Tombstone Livestock said...

That is a big change in that fleece ... what soap did you use for washing? Dawn, Orvis ????? Good job.

Jody said...

I was just reading Celi's blog and enjoying the story of Mama. I can't wait to see what you will do with Mama's fleece :-)

Oak Creek Ranch said...

You have been busy! How wonderful to have those two weeks with the dressage trainer. I envy you! The wool is beautiful.

cecilia g said...

It is beautiful.. so white! I mean I knew it would be white but that is really snowy white! I am really impressed Linda. And that shot is of Moaning Mia, Mama's eldest daughter who is presently teaching the new lambs how to be as naughty as she is. Now don't push yourself too fast. Have another cup of tea. I am off to see how to wash a fleece now, I have to collect my spinning wheel from NZ as you have me converted already!! celi

Maureen said...

Oh so nice to hear that Blossom is on the mend; but hopefully you will find some time to relax too! The wool is lovely - what a change from unwashed to washed!

Deb W said...

No one can EVER take the place of Miss Ewnice, but don't you have any girls that are kinda maternally inclined that you could groom to take up that dropped mantle?

How about a different species, like a llama for example?

Michelle said...

Are you going to do a post with pictures of your lessons with Hickory? Would love to hear all about it!

I may have horse envy again soon. The trainer who looked at Larry last Sunday before our show wants to bring her client to try him out next week. :-(

aarond said...

That fleece is beautiful. I know what you mean about bottle raising.We raised a calf two years ago on a bottle and she still thinks I am her Mom but now she weighs 600 pounds.

Shirley said...

Skirt work is highly overrated. Hire a maid for a couple of hours!

Sheepmom said...

I love seeing grimy wool come clean. There will be some nice spinning there! Suffolk is under-appreciated for spinning. Too bad you can't borrow Mama sheep for a while to help raise Blossom. Although, "having" to sit out in the grass with a lamb is great work if you can get it!

ceciliag said...

oops i just called you linda! I am sorry Sara, I guess it is because I found you through linda! Or I have linda on the brain..it is hot here today and blowing a gale, blew my brain clear out of my head! anyway have a lovely afternoon! c

Terry said...

So glad Blossom is thriving.
The fleece is so clean and pretty.

Alice said...

You are the most wonderful wool washer woman!
Happy to see that you are very busy doing things that make you happy! Enjoy these good times!

kbdoolin said...

I always find myself a bit worried when a few days have gone by without a post on your blog. Glad to hear that Blossom is recovering nicely and keeping you busy. I sometimes think that it's sad that they don't stay little for long, I guess that at this point you are glad that they don't.

Nancy K. said...

How wonderful to be exhausted from doing the things that you love!

Wishing you a peaceful weekend...

Jessica said...

Lovely, It always amazes me ...the transformation! I would love to see your washing process.

I have been learning to spin (with llama fiber). I am not so coordinated.

J

Benita said...

You know, the computer, vacuum and stove will always be there waiting for you, but Blossom is a baby for only a few fleeting weeks. Enjoying being a sheep mama while you can.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the kindest sheep--Buddy--can step in? Although no one can replace Miss Ewenice.

Ann W.

Gayle said...

As you know I am Mama to the World's toughest sheep who doesn't need shelter at forty below zero. She hasn't been cut in two years. Her wool is a foot thick....hell, I don't know...bad. I will be cutting her as soon as the rain stops. OMG it rained today. I will be using your washing techniques and then probably mailing you the wool if it comes clean (remember offering that to a crazy Alaskan a couple of years ago?). If you want to point me in the direction of said cleaning post that would be cool.

So sorry you are so busy. I know busy. My busy is not fun. I hope your busy is.

Ed said...

Ya know this is the only time the fleecing of america sounds cool.:-)
Hardy har har..

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