December 23, 2007 by Elaine.

The longest night has passed for this year….ushering in the holiday season. We wish you peace and joy and health.

Fog has wrapped itself around us here….everything was white today, snow below and fog above. So quiet. Perfect snowman snow.

The sheep are settling down for the winter… contented pregnant ewes and  rams who really wish they would come back into heat. The farm will fall into winter routine now.  I am so grateful for the barn well filling again, no frozen hoses, no hauling water from the house. And soon , just a few groups with heated water tanks…we are so lucky.  Lots of snow on the ground for the rams, who seem to prefer it to the water I haul out to them when I feel guilty.

Be well shepherds, think of Christmas as you wash your socks by night. May you find joy and peace in your life, it is often in the most unexpected places.  Elaine

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December 16, 2007 by Elaine.

Ahhh, back from a long break in writing. Summer lingered longer than one could imagine and autumn, strongly under summer’s influence was far too warm for us October lovers. The garden was put to bed, the freezers filled, cider pressed and under David’s influence is somehow becoming vinegar, doing it’s magic in the barrel.  Cider vinegar for us and the sheep.

Breeding season for the sheep and goats is nearly over. The AI breeding, a whole other branch of magic, is done for this year. The stragglers are cozying up to the farm fellows and the last of the breeding will be done next week. Dreams of frolicking lambs dancing in my head.

Four new puppies are snuggled up with Embla….not even a week old yet, making little bird sounds and squeals of delight and frustration. Still with closed eyes and ears, they find their way to mom, fill their round little bellies, and pile into a contented sleep. Too cute…every new litter is a wonder. The rest of the pack checking in to see how the babes are doing in the special box; while Embla, beaming with motherly pride, gives a protective little growl and sighs, contented with her new brood.

Snowy day…some sleet and rain to round out the storm tonight. Looks like there will be enough snow to break out the snowshoes. Play day tomorrow. Wood crackling in the stove, time to close the day.  Be warm and well, Elaine

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