What have I been up to?

Well not blogging, as is evident by my extreme lack of updates. That doesn't mean that I haven't been very busy though. It has been horribly hot and dry (until Friday anyway lol) in New England this summer. This has caused issues with our electric fence.

And because Isabella can jump the electric fence now - she has awesome form and I wish my horse had her jump!

And Edward is big so he just falls over the net fencing after Bella...yes ironic

We have been installing cattle panels to try for fencing. So far so good and the small flock is happy being out. Isis is particularly enjoying getting burrs around her face unfortunately.

Harvest Moon is just enjoying sunshine.

And as you can see by Horseradishes belly he is enjoying grass! I am planning to sell him this winter after he has bred my ewes, and bring in a ram lamb in spring next year. If anyone is looking for a lovely two year old ram that is so far very well behaved please let me know! He has good horns, conformation, and a very nice fleece that micron tested in the mid 20's last year.

The baby chickens are growing up fast and I love the variety we have now. I'm sure that their first eggs are just around the corner as well. Exciting times.

And just to show that we haven't really been slacking off we have also ventured out this summer and now own two piglets that we are raising organically for meat.

This is a new venture for us as we haven't raised an animal for meat before. They have been with us almost two months so far, and have another 7 weeks with us. They have so far been a lot of fun, and seem to really be enjoying their life now. They love being hosed down in on the hotter days in the evening, lying in front of the fan in their stable, eating grass and hard boiled eggs, and rotting around in the earth. We are thinking if it all goes well we might get 3 piglets next year to do this again.

Anyway summer is racing by, it has been hot and humid for most of it. I am hoping to get my hay in soon for fall, and look forward to the cooler weather and breeding season for the sheep. I am also hoping that my horse Muppet is finally getting over the lameness issues that have plagued him on and off since mid-May.

How has everyone else's summer gone?

On the move

Well we have been very busy here the past few weeks. Let me try to catch you up, starting with yesterday when 3 beautiful new sheep joined the flock after a lovely 650 mile drive.

This is Edward. He is a Costwold, and is our new fiber wether. I think he is adorable, and he reminds me of a giant teddy bear.

He also showed me that he can shake it out like a dog too!

This is Whispering Pines Isis. Not the best picture of her, sorry. She's a yearling and I am very excited to have such a rich black color, with such a fine fleece joining us.

And Whispering Pines Harvest Moon. Another yearling with a wonderful fine fleece. I am so excited to see next years lambs already!

They all settled in well, and are enjoying the hay and grass.

We spent the weekend finishing the retirement coop for our older chickens. They are really enjoying it, and are already laying eggs in the new nest boxes.

The baby chicks are at the rather ugly stage, but are excited to be out in the coop near the house. I'm looking forward to watching them grow, and produce their first eggs eventually. It is lovely to be able to get so much variety in a flock that is still quite small.

Vladamir, Eliza, Usher, and Jewel all left for their new home last week. They have settled in well. Ulric and Uther will be leaving at the end of the month as soon as they are old enough and are weaned.

My horse Muppet moves to his new barn on Friday. It is much closer to home, and I am excited to have him so close to me again.

Oh and the swallows are feeding their babies in the sheep barn, I managed to photograph them having a well deserved rest though.

That's all. I hope you are all well!