CF Groupies

This weekend at the OSRBA mini-convention in Columbus, we got to meet Don Havlicek, who originally imported the Frosties into the US, as well as holding the 1st COD. He regaled us with stories of his early experiences and show us lots of pictures. He really seemed pleased that there was so much interest in the breed, and happy to be surrounded with people who shared his passion. We are now CF groupies!

UARC Fall Specialty

 BOBs from today's UARC specialty in Circleville, OH  Nickie Chapin, BOB GA (and BISS)  Ashley Raschella, BOB SA, Lisa Moretti - BOB FA, and Sarah Martin - BOB  EA.

A special note - Nickie and Betty went on to win Best in Show B in the all-breed open show.

Our first REAL snow of the year.

It snowed on Monday the 15th and we had 5" of heavy wet snow that really is beautiful.   I took this shot just at dawn on Tuesday AM, then went back to bed.   With a Level 2 snow emergency and no plows out yet, I decided to skip work, hole up and read a book instead.

Here are a couple of February scenes, taken at the bottom of our driveway.  Beautiful.......but don't try to beguile me, February, you know I hate you!

The TRUE harbinger of spring

Forget that silly groundhog!
Dead skunk in the middle of the road, stinkin' to high heaven.
Kinda ironic that its covered with fresh snowfall.
Its skunk breeding season, so y'all be careful out there, ya hear?

Oh joy, snow

Yes, after over a week without it, we have snow cover again.
Should be melted early in the week, though.

I was remembering 3 years ago this weekend, when we were lambing several ewes bred to CH R1 and Barlaes Titus.  It was the only storm of the winter - snow, gale force winds, sub-zero temperatures. The 3 sets of triplets we had that weekend were not fun, although they all survived.   Since we have several ewes bred to Llwygy X1 due starting March 17th, I'm hoping for some decent nearly spring weather for those few days. 

First Day of March

Not sure if you could say March came in like a lion. Its still 10 degrees below normal and we still have snow covering the ground. The sky was leaden grey all day, and a few lonely snowflakes wandered aimlessly to the ground. Its beginning to wear on us - Chuck is worried about our hay supply (what hay supply?) and I'm worried we can't get the sheep sheared before lambing begins on March 19th. Our shearer can only come on Saturdays, so it looks like the 13th is our best shot if he can fit us in. Right now, there is no way he could get his equipment into the barn through the snow and especially ice, and the sheep are perpetually damp from blowing snow.
On the plus side, all the BFLs are fat and sassy, and udders are starting to form everywhere! Adagio, the one ewe that did not lamb last year (after twinning as a ewe lamb) is looking positively enormous already. She must be planning to make up for last year. Flock matriarch Peg, her twins, Clio and Caliope, and their half-sister Colette look like they will need a rollerskate under their bellies before long.

Here comes the SUN!

I got so excited to see the clear sky and the promise of seeing the sunshine today that I went out on the front porch and took this photo as soon as it started to get light this morning. The sun has shown all day long, and some of the snow has begun to melt. What a beautiful day!

Sheep in Snow

My friend Anne sent me this picture of her sheep in the recent snowstorm. They eventually got 15 inches. She has 4 BFLs, and a couple natural colored BFL crosses. The head in the doorway on the right side is the ram lamb she got from us earlier this year. McDuff is getting big!

As February continues to drag on........

..........do you think there is any chance we could make it a little shorter? Like make Feb only 22 days, and add 6 days to September or October? Who do I talk to about this? My state representative?
Seriously, I really think the reason that February only has 28 days is that we'd never make it through if it had 31........

Silent Sunday

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...........

with Carbon Credits, glistening in the snow..........

These are white pines, planted on AEP ground next door to us. We've got about 4 inches on snow on the ground. By the looks of the forecast, the snow should stay around for Christmas. The mercury won't be above 35 for the next 10 days.

Waiting for Grampa

Its snowing here. Can you see the big white dogs, waiting for Chuck to bring them biscuits?
Now can you see them?

That's Tim in front, and Buddy behind him. Don't worry, Tim is not sad - he always has that very serious expression. Tim's motto is: Never stand when you can sit; never sit when you can lie down."

Got this email from the father of the girls who bought a couple bred ewes from us last fall for 4-H projects:
Greetings, Just wanted you to see them at the first snow, yesterday. From front to back, Babydoll, Kerryn, Vogue, and Lyric.Have a great day.-Allen

Winter in Ohio has slid into a familiar pattern. Every 5-7 days, we get a clipper through here, wringing moisture out of the air and giving a clear, bitter cold day afterwards. Soon, warmer air comes up the Ohio valley, bringing with it clouds, rain, sleet or ice and dreary conditions. Right now we have a dusting of snow, and its cold enough to firm up the mud for a few days. There is the threat of 6" of snow for the weekend, but I'm hopeful it will slide to the north of us.