Six Days To Go...and Fleece!
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Posted by Jennifer Bogut on April 09, 2015 | 12 Comments
The countdown continues...just six more days and those wooly critters will be home with us...although they won't be as wooly as they are now because they will be sheared first! My son said it will be like taking our dog, Black Beary, to the groomer to be shaved...you take a dog in and get a puppy back!
In the meantime, what have we finished and what do we still have left to do? Dear Husband mounted the 2x4 for the mineral mix and salt feeders to attach to, but it's been so cool and rainy that we haven't been able to hook up the power washer to scrub down the hay feeder. I may end up taking out a bucket of hot, soapy water with a scrub brush - I did something similar to clean out the new water trough because it had a coating of gray dust inside of it (probably something from either manufacture or shipping), so I scrubbed it out and it's all ready to go. Speaking of the water trough, my kids and I got a ring of nice, flat rocks set up for the trough to rest on - the next thing to do is get some more flat rocks for the bottom "belly" of the trough to rest on so that it doesn't bend and warp out of shape from the weight of the water. Phew...this is starting to sound like giving a mouse a cookie...one thing just leads to another. Okay, a list - what is left to do before Mikey, Panda Bear, and Black Velvet come home:
- Wash hay feeder and get Dear Husband to do a few renovations to it.
- Get all rocks placed for water trough.
- Bolster fence where barn waste was hauled over the top of it - just needs another post to steady it in that spot.
- Bring home barley straw from Lee's place and get it spread out on the floor of their barn.
- Bring home mineral mix from Lee's place, and get it out to the storage area along with the hay and salt I bought the other day.
My goodness...I think that's it! I mean, yes, it would be nice to have been able to paint the barn before the 15th, but the weather is not going to cooperate, so that will be a job for the summer! We're so close to being ready - it's so exciting!
A word about barley straw - WHY does it have to be so difficult to find????? Here's my saga, but in shortened form - I found out from Lee that barley straw is better than wheat straw to use for the sheep's bedding because wheat straw is dirty - barley straw is typically much cleaner, which is better for the animals overall. But barley straw is more difficult to come by - which I find odd because Idaho is supposed to be one of the largest producers of barley in the country! So where the heck is all the straw?? Well, I found two sellers of barley straw on craigslist that are close enough to drive to - but neither one of these are at all interested in returning my phone calls and texts. I'm not sure why somebody would go to the trouble to advertise on craigslist if they're not going to follow through when potential customers call...seems counterproductive in my mind. Fortunately, Lee has a barn or two full of barley straw because she bought tons of it a couple of years ago, so I can buy some from her. I'm just hoping that as we get closer to harvest time, there will be more barley farmers out there who are trying to sell their straw!
And now...about fleece! I have the October fleeces from each of my sheep that I purchased from Lee, and I started skirting, scouring, and prepping Panda Bear's. Here are some fun before and after pics:
Pretty Panda Bear
Her October 2014 fleece
Close up, showing the inner and outer coats
After scouring
And after combing - all ready to spin!
Kind of a fun shot - before and after, with my Viking combs in the middle:
I was amazed at how long it took me just to comb that much - after about 45 minutes of solid work, I had almost 1 ounce! That's not very much, so now I know that handcombing is quite labor-intensive, and I have to give myself extra time to get it done - no rush jobs for that!! Fortunately, I have a drum carder on the way, so I will be able to process some of the fleece more speedily, and hopefully be able to get my shop up and running!
And all because of some sweet, sheepy faces that I fell madly in love with!
Comments
Jill McCullough
I can't believe you are getting so close. IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!! This is so huge; your dream coming true!!!! You have worked so hard for this.... gah!!!!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!
Jennifer Bogut
I just love you to pieces - I know if you were here, we'd be holding hands and dancing around the room together! :D HUGS HUGS HUGS! :D
alyssa lauren
Wow!! It was really great news!! Having pets at home is garage door installation really good and it's a great entertainment for kids as well as adults. The image you have shared here before and after the grooming session looks really nice. I am looking here for more updates on that and keep sharing more details here.
Emma scarlett
Wow, reading about your preparations and excitement for the arrival of Mikey, Panda Bear, and Black Velvet is contagious! It's clear that you're putting a lot of effort into making their home comfortable and diamonds rings near me welcoming. The pictures of Panda Bear's fleece transformation are impressive. Your dedication to the sheep and your craft is truly inspiring. Keep up the fantastic work!
cathyanna
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your update on the preparations for bringing home the sheep. It's heartwarming to see the care and attention you're putting into every aspect, from setting up the mineral mix and salt feeders to diamond rings finding the right barley straw. The pictures of Panda Bear's fleece transformation are amazing, and it's clear that you have a true passion for working with wool. Best of luck with the remaining tasks, and I can't wait to hear more about your sheepy adventures!
Werner Kunde
Gives the player a question about geographical location in seterra and you need to find the correct location on the geographical map. Check how many challenges you can guess and get right.
linher
If you're a fan of platform games and love a good challenge, Donkey Kong is the perfect game for you. Combining elements of puzzle-solving, precision jumping, and quick reflexes, this timeless masterpiece continues to captivate players of all ages. With its vibrant graphics, catchy soundtrack, and addictive gameplay, Donkey Kong will keep you entertained for hours on end.
Coby Brian
As the wooly trio's arrival approaches, your meticulous preparations shine through. While the weather hinders power-washing plans, your resourcefulness with hot, soapy water proves invaluable. Dear Husband's efforts on the mineral mix and salt feeders enhance the setup. The well-placed rocks under the water trough showcase your dedication to their well-being. The to-do list may grow, but each task is a step toward ensuring a cozy homecoming. Bonuses and boosters, like your creative problem-solving, are key in this pre-fleece phase, turning challenges into triumphs.Utopia: Origin Guide - Tips, Tricks, & Hacks to Succeed
hexeli
Right? Some other language challenges provide new space for you to refer to in the game letter boxed unlimited
Lino
Sheep's wool is often used to make wool fibers and wool fabrics, known for its softness wordle web and good insulation.
Slope Game
The goal of the game is to avoid obstacles and go as far as possible.
Anonymous
Controlling the ball rolling on a slope that is continuously changing is all that is required to play slope. Nonetheless, this ease of use generates a compelling challenge that motivates players to set new marks.
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