Tru's Blues

The Seeds are In

2012-02-20T17:23:00.001-05:00

Last night we recieved three inches of wet, heavy snow which means....it's time to start thinking about starting those vegetable seeds. For the 2012 growing season we will plan Blue Lake snap beans, Green Arrow shelling peas, Tatsoi, Red Russian Kale, Beets for both greens and root, Italian frying peppers, White Wonder and Marketmore 76 cukes, King Sieg leeks and Galeux d'Eysines winter squash. We've reduced our selection of tomatoes four (unless Ramapo arrives in time) - Tropic, Sophie's Choice, Black Plum (paste tomato) and Japanese Black Truffle. Also for this year, for the first time, we are planting Okra - Hill Country Heirloom Red and Alabama Red. As usual we will have a nice variety of basils, including Lime, as well as sunflowers. Unfortunately we were unable to order our garlic in time so we will not have any this year.

The January hatch is growing well and acclimating to the outdoors with the help of a heat lamp for those really cold nights. Soon we will be able to figure out which are male and which are female. Two of the splash Marans do not have leg feathering; they will be for sale - male or female. The February chicks are growing like gangbusters and just feathering out. Below is a picture of two chicks hatched on the same date: a Euskal Oiloa (large) and a tiny Serama.

Our last hatch is four days into set in the incubator. Unfortunately the Barred Holland eggs do not appear to be developing at all.

February Hatch Has ARRIVED!

2012-02-11T16:55:00.003-05:00

The February hatch has arrived! Nine Euskal Oiloa peeps, five lavender Ameraucana, two EE mixes and four Serama. One little Serama almost didn't make it. He was the last to arrive during the night and when I checked the incubator this morning, I found him upside down and stuck to the mat. Poor baby! After carefully moistening the mat to un-stick him, he had trouble finding his feet. With a little help from a circle of eggs, he learned how to use those legs. Finally, he is in the brooder with his siblings. I call him the fourth Musketeer.

First Three Serama chicks hatched 2-10-12

Fourth Musketeer on the far left.

Brooder full of peeps.

"This food is mine, all mine!"

Serama Peep


First hatched Serama - the peep with attitude!

Lavender Ameraucana Day Old Peep

Euskal Oiloa (Basque Hen) Day Old Peep

The January hatch chicks have moved to their new digs too. The gang loved having all that room to move around. For some reason they ignored the feeder to scratch in the bedding. Silly chicks! Some of them have developed good sized, red colored combs. I suspect they are roosters but we'll have to wait and see. The two clean legged splash marans chicks (I think one is a hen, one a roo) will be available at the first Powhatan TSC Swap meet on March 31st. See you there!

Clean Legged Splash Marans Pullet

Splash Marans (clean leg cockerel in front) and Silver Leghorn/EE pullets.

Quest for the Perfect Tomato

2012-02-06T20:10:00.006-05:00

When January rolls around it's time for the annual search for the tomato of my childhood memories; a big, soft, deep red beauty just bursting with that tangy tomato flavor. For years I've remembered it as the Rutgers tomato (hybridized in 1934 by Rutgers agricultural college, now University) and every year I've planted seeds only to be disappointed at harvest. Don't get me wrong, the Rutgers hybrid is a nice tomato, but it isn't quite THE tomato I remember. So every winter, I pore over the catalog descriptions, study the photos and order a few likely prospects in the heirloom category in hopes of finding a suitable substitute for THE one. I've found some great tomatoes along the way - Brandywine, Japanese Truffle, Black Krim and Persimmon - but none of them were IT.

I've also tried the local and wildly popular Hanover tomato, but I just don't get it. Perhaps it is because I'm a Jersey (tomato) girl at heart; the Hanover, while meaty and succulent, doesn't even come close to the best in flavor for me. The skin is a tad bit tougher than I like too. I guess that's not a bad thing since we're growing in Powhatan soils, not Hanover soils, which according to enthusiasts is the raison d'etre (le terroir mon cherie! a.k.a. location, location, location) for their tomatoes. Therefore, I can't really grow true Hanovers anyway.

This year I decided to do a little internet surfing and stumbled on the Jersey Tomato Project . YES!!! Ramapo, it has to be Ramapo! This tomato looks exactly like I remember and the softness of the fruit is even listed as a flaw --- Ha! Not a flaw in my book! The clincher? It was hybridized in 1968 by...drum roll please...Rutgers! Much to my chagrin, it may not be possible to get seeds this year, but you'd better believe I'm on the waiting list!

Here's to the Jersey Tomato!

Peeps

2012-01-16T16:56:00.000-05:00

The little monsters are growing like weeds. Today was Marek's vaccination day. It looks easier to do than it actually is. The peeps are soooo tiny.

At six days old their wing feathers are starting to come in and I'm getting a hint of how they will look. The splash marans peeps vary from soft buttercream color to heavier blue penciling.

Splash Marans peep showing light penciling of wings.

Splash Marans peep with deeper blue in wings.

Leghorn cross with fuzzy cheeks. I think this may be an EE cross too.

Mystery chick.

The daddy of my mystery chick is a silver duckwing leghorn roo but I have no idea who its momma may be. I have one black australorp and one gold penciled black hen. With the copper patch above this chick's eye, I'm leaning toward the gold penciled hen.

Happy Hatch Day

2012-01-11T21:24:00.000-05:00

It seemed forever in coming but it eventually did -- Hatch Day. I started with 34 eggs, set 27, locked down 20 and now I have ten peeps in the brooder. On the assumption (from internet research) that serama eggs only take 19 days to hatch, I added those three days after the others. None of them have pipped yet. Since all of the hatchlings have been moved to the brooder, the incubator is going into another lock down in hopes that the serama eggs will still hatch. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures!

First pip & zip

Almost there!

Finally made it. Welcome to the world little chicken.

Fuzzy butts in the brooder.

Silver leghorn cross

I love when they suddenly fall asleep, even standing up.


No, not dead --- just soaking up the rays!

Pretty blue color on this blue splash marans chick.

Hatching!

2011-12-31T16:04:00.006-05:00

It's day ten of my very first attempt to hatch chickens. Of the thirty-four I started with, candling indicates 27 are still viable and progressing nicely. Can't wait to see how many hatch. So far the mix includes seven serama eggs, one d'uccle, two sizzles, splash marans and some of my "mutt" eggs.


Eggs in the 'bator. Marans to the right.


The tiny serama eggs are hiding under the guts of the machine and right over the water well so they get plenty of humidity.

The splash marans are a very pretty and lay dark brown eggs. This particular group came from a color project so the depth of color in the eggs still needs work.   I plan to purchase a black copper maran rooster in the spring to get deeper brown eggs and possibly blue wheaten marans offspring.

The seramas were not originally part of the plan but a bonus batch of eggs. After doing some research on this breed of chickens I became fascinated. Serama are a tiny pet chicken roughly the size of a parrot. They are very friendly and strut their stuff with a cocky attitude.   If you'd like to see pictures here is a link to the Feathersite page on Serama

I will also be adding a pair of Cream Legbar chicks from Greenfire Farms as soon as the Virginia permit is granted after the new year. Also ordered to accompany those two peeps will be a straight run group of Marraduna Basque chickens (Euskal Oiloas) The Legbar is a British breed of auto-sexing chicken that lays blue eggs. The Euskal Oiloas is a friendly farm breed developed in the Basque country (between France and Spain in the Pyrnees.) They are supremely suited to free range husbandry.

Bantam white silkies are also on my list of chickens to acquire for 2012. They are a small breed that don't fly, are considered "lap chickens" and best of all, they are broody.   Silkies will be my natural hatchers.

The remaining breeds on my wish list are Lavender Orpingtons, Barred Hollands and White Laced Red Cornish. I will also add Narragansett turkeys, but I suspect that might not be until 2013.   An additional coop will be required for them which takes time to build.

Wishing you all a safe, prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Bee Journey Begins!

2011-11-27T19:56:00.001-05:00

The hive and supers arrived on Thanksgiving morning compliments of my in-laws who were kind enough to pick everything up from Dadant's Chatham location. It is an 8-frame hive with two deeps, a cypress base and a copper topped "garden style" hive cover. Absolutely beautiful.


A beehive in multiple boxes

While most people were slogging to the mall at the crack of dawn or earlier, my Black Friday was spent staining the hive bodies. At first I tried making a pattern of large diamonds but I discovered that stain isn't the best medium for that so I ended up making a huge mess on the edge of the first hive body and covering the diamond pattern. You can still see it if you look. I think it looks pretty cool so I'm leaving it. The second hive body went much better. Only five medium supers left to stain!


Two deep hive bodies stained and drying. Yes, they are both the same size.

Of course I had to put the whole thing (except the frames) together to see how it looks. Pretty smart I'd say :) I'm still debating on whether I am going to stain the cover green or just polyurethane it in the event the copper top ends up oxidizing to verdigris. What do you think? Going to leave the cypress base its natural color. Also purchasing a screened bottom board that will be stained green too. Can't wait to bring the bees home in the Spring!

Assembled hive

A New Roo

2011-11-13T17:35:00.001-05:00

One of my neighbors is getting rid of her excess roosters so I brought one home. This is the little guy I chose. He is a six month old Silver Penciled Leghorn. The girls are already sizing him up. Hopefully I will get some fertile eggs to try incubating soon.

Autumn Artistry

2011-11-09T21:57:00.001-05:00

Sunday was a beautiful day to enjoy the autumn weather. Here are just a few photos of nature's artistry.


Mushrooms on an old oak stump. Beautiful striations.


Golden maple leaves.


Pixel watching the dogs play.


Miscanthus zebrinus.

River Birch hybrid. Love the colors in the bark. Photo doesn't do it justice.

Hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the little miracles all around us.

It's Official...

2011-10-26T19:48:00.000-04:00

We are no longer Shepherds. The last of our flock left for upstate NY on Sunday. It's been awfully quiet around here. Our LGD was so miserable we gave him a bunny to watch. Boy, does he love his new bunny! No more competition for his dog food, no more butting ram or little lambs climbing all over him --- just one quiet rabbit that is always where he left it. Too funny to watch him race back to the rabbit to make sure it's safe. He is the BEST livestock guardian dog ever. No matter what he has to guard, he does it well.

A farm is much like a garden, always evolving and never done. In the upcoming year we will be focusing on heritage and rare breeds of poultry - chicken and turkey. Honeybees will be arriving in the spring as well. Can't wait to move on to this new phase.

Apple Harvest

2011-10-21T20:55:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we picked the first apples from our orchard. It was only three Enterprise apples, small but tasty. We then purchased an assortment of Gala, Empire and Stayman Winesap from the Chesterfield Berry Farm Market. After taking enough apples to make two delicious pies, we prepared the rest for apple butter.

When I make apple butter I quarter them, and toss them in a big pot with a bit of apple juice or cider, whole allspice, whole star anise, whole cloves and lemon peel. Simmering on low heat, the quarters gradually reduce and take on the spiced flavors.


Phase I - Apple quarters start to reduce.


Phase II - Almost ready for puree.

When preparing the puree I use the old fashioned method, by hand. Instead of the Cuisinart or blender, I use a chinois and wooden "pestle." It's messy and labor intensive, but I think the flavor is much better. The mashing allows the skins to add their flavor without the bitterness of pureed skins in the mix. The spices also release their flavors without adding grainy bits.


Chinois, metal collection bowl and jars for processing.


Messy!

Once the pulp is pureed, it's time to add the secret blend of powdered spices - including cinnamon then it is into the roasting pan in a cool oven for a long, slow, simmering reduction.


Blending in the cinnamon and spices.


Ready to reduce.


12 pounds of apples reduced down to four pints of smooth and creamy apple butter.

Looking back...

2011-10-14T23:07:00.000-04:00

There are only two times in the year when I am bit by the cleaning and organizing bug. The biggest bite comes in Autumn.   Something about the start of school, end of harvest, or perhaps simply the changes in daylight, day length and temperature, makes me think about all that has been accomplished and what is yet to be done.

So much to do and so little time! This year we are visiting colleges for my youngest who will fly the nest next year. Of course Senior year brings its own brand of craziness.   By this time I have usually given the greenhouse its washdown, pulled all the trellis and begun breeding the sheep.   This year I am far behind, and of course we are trying to sell the sheep instead of increasing the flock.    Hopefully we will have some or all sold at the Chicken Swap this weekend.

On the bright side, I finally got to upload photos on my phone to the computer.   Pictures from market last year, holiday events, summer snapshots and even a recent sunrise have all been saved.

Here is one of our booth photos from the Goochland Market last summer.

June 2010 - Goochland Farmers Market

And a few photos from a Christmas Event at the Governor's Mansion. I would have loved to get more pictures of the architecture, holiday decorations and art which are all quite lovely, sadly it was too crowded. Didn't get to do more than shake hands in the receiving line but the food was fantastic.

Facade of the Mansion

Govenor McDonnell

Fantastic Buffet

As some of you may know, Tuckahoe Plantation is an historic landmark and the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson. What many people don't realize is that it is also a working farm. Emily and Daniel are two of the tenant farmers who raise beef and sheep (Border Leicesters and Cotswold) along with heritage poultry. In June we picked up our summer quarter of grass fed beef. I'm a definite aficionado of grass fed! If you are in the Richmond area, visit their booth at local farmers markets or their website here: http://www.tuckahoeplantationlivestock.com/Tuckahoe_Plantation_Livestock/Home.html
This picture is an outbuilding I found particularly attractive.

Outbuilding at Tuckahoe Plantation working farm.

Of course, Virginia is full of historic places. Colonial Williamsburg is one of our favorite weekend trips. We've done the tourist thing several times already, now we go to have lunch or dinner - particularly nice on Christmas Eve - walk around enjoying a nice day, and enjoying the shops at Merchant Square (Wythe Candy) or the Kings Arms Bake Shop for rootbeer, ginger cookes, queen's cake and cider. We also like to look into the gardens for the tried and true. This year we saw natural plant supports that we are going to try in 2012.

Thoughts on Farming

2011-10-07T14:42:00.001-04:00

With all the recent outbreaks of food borne illnesses, we have decided to re-evaluate all of our farming protocols and come up with a formal food safety plan. It will definitely help to have the sheep gone as well. Though we believe in the benefits of utilizing composted manures for fertilizer, it looks as though there are greater risks associated with it. While we were assured the heat of composting should kill harmful bacteria, we want to be certain what we use on our crops is 100% safe. Like many market gardeners and farmers we know, our families eat what we produce too so we're not going to grow tainted food!

On a more upbeat note, we've adopted a new barn kitty. He's an adorable little black shorthair with white mittens and boots. We've named him Pixel.

Pixel and the pumpkins. Both grown here on the farm. On the top step is Big Max and on the lower step, Knucklehead.


Pixel looking for more belly rub!

Shearing Day - September 18, 2011

2011-09-18T17:19:00.001-04:00

Today was shearing day for Selene and her twins. Thankfully the threatened rain never materialized. Once we were finished, Jasper was banished to the top pasture apart from the girls. He's been complaining all day.


Prepped and ready to go

The victims...er...sheep waiting in the holding pen

Emily starting with the ram lamb. He's not looking so happy.

...and finishing up with Selene.

Naked black sheep. The BFL is shorn only in the spring.

Still have sheep for sale...

2011-09-15T19:02:00.000-04:00

With everything that's happened over the past few months, we REALLY need to sell the four remaining sheep. Now is a great time to add some nice ewes to a breeding flock. Information is on the farm website. All reasonable offers will be considered. I would prefer not to sell such nice girls as market sheep.

Last of the Harvest

2011-09-05T15:34:00.002-04:00

Growing Season 2011 was definitely one wild ride. From heavy rains and cold temps in the spring to high temps, tornados, earthquakes and Hurricane Irene by season's end. We learned what, when and where not to plant for future years and have re-evaluated our goals.

Sheep will be departing and honey bees will be arriving. We're also going to focus more on small fruits for canning and preserving. As always, flavor and nutrition will be key factors in determining what crops to go, but we are also going to aim for those that preserve well. We're still proponenents of eating fresh, seasonal and local; but the fact is we still have to eat in the winter and we'd rather not shift back to the produce grown for shipping conformity over food value.

This weekend we finished the last of our fingerling potatoes. These are definitely a 'do again' item. I loved the creamy golden texture and the size is perfect for grilling or slicing for potato salad. The make pretty good mashed potatoes too, especially with roasted garlic! MMmmm!

Hurricane Irene Quick Post

2011-08-30T16:34:00.002-04:00

Just a quick post to let everyone know we survived the storm. Not that bad out our way, we were at the outer bands of the storm. Sheep continued to graze right through the wind and rain like it was an ordinary rainy day.

Hope everyone else fared well and if you don't have power yet...may you have it soon.

Fall Cleaning

2011-08-22T21:24:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year again; time to take stock of our successes and clean house on the failures.

As I have posted previously, I have decided to cease shepherding. The past eight years with sheep and goats have been an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world. I've met some great people, learned a lot and enjoyed the peace and harmony working with animals engenders even as we suffered the heartache that also comes with raising livestock. Unfortunately, 5 acres of cleared land just isn't enough for raising the number of sheep needed to be profitable while simultaneously growing sufficient crops.

So what will the new focus of Laingcroft be? We will continue raising laying hens for those fabulously flavored eggs. We are also considering an expansion of the small quail flock for both eggs and meat. And last, but certainly not least, we are exploring the possibility of adding a hive or two for pollination and honey.

As for our produce, we will be scaling back a bit on the diversity in order to focus on better meeting the needs of our community.

How can you find our goodies? We are excited about the Powhatan County Farmers Market and plan to sign up for 2012. We will also be investigating the Center for Rural Culture's Local Roots Co-op. Watch our website for more information!

Early Harvests

2011-07-28T19:00:00.002-04:00

It's been so hot that several crops, particularly the pumpkins, are ready too early. Still beautiful to see them!

Smaller than they should be, but still beautiful!

Green Machine Melon

Limelight Hydrangea in the garden.


Limelight bouquet

I'm melting....melting....(said with the best Wicked Witch of the West voice)

2011-07-21T18:52:00.000-04:00

I don't know how folks in the midwest have stood for 28 days or more of this heat. It's only been the second day over 90 degrees and already I can't take it. Of course the air conditioner in the car decided to call it quits and my commute is an hour and a half. All the animals are suffering. The sheep are panting in the shade and the livestock guardian dog is alternating between digging huge pits and soaking in this kiddie pool in an effort to stay cool. Even the chickens and quails are panting.

The corn is gone. Squash, pumpkins and melons are all wilting even though I am hand watering each morning. Beans look like they're ready to call it quits too and the tomatoes have petered out. Unfortunately we put them in a bad location this year.

Only four more days of this they say...

Some days things just keep getting worse...

2011-07-17T12:00:00.002-04:00

This morning I found three of our quail dead in their cage. It was obviously the work of that masked marauder....the raccoon. I knew the dangers of living in a rural area with small critters when we moved to the farm over a decade ago, but this has NOT been a good weekend.
I'm truly losing the heart for keeping livestock; we've suffered so many losses this year.

Initially I had planned to reduce our sheep flock to just the smaller Coopworth, but now I've decided to stop shepherding altogether. Three sheep remain, two registered and proven ewes; one ram lamb. Prices and pictures available on our sale page: http://www.freewebs.com/laingcroft/forsale.htm

Sad News....

2011-07-16T19:06:00.001-04:00

Our Border Collie Lena, crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. Lymphoma. She had a rough start in life, but it improved drastically when she was rescued and trained to herd. That was her calling. Even though she slowed down quite a bit over the past year, she still had her hollowed out spot under the trees near the pasture gate where she would lay to watch the flock for hours on end. Unlike the LGD who never leaves his flock no matter what, we knew if she found us before she was called in, there was something wrong in the pasture. Though we only had her for the last half of her life, I'd like to think we provided her with a happy retirement home where she spent her days doing what she loved best.

We'll miss you Lena...

July 4th Weekend

2011-06-30T20:49:00.001-04:00

We've added five Coturnix Quail. Our goal is to bring both meat birds and fresh quail eggs to discriminating gourmet shoppers.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

Hot and Humid

2011-06-12T21:02:00.001-04:00

Some of the plants are loving it. The iris in the water garden trough finally bloomed. What a beautiful flower!

We even have a couple of figs starting on our Brown Turkey. Can't wait to get a ripe one.

The rosemary is quite as happy with this weather. I think it likes things a little more dry. However, it is sending up fragrant shoots and tonight we're eating pork roast with a dijon and apricot glaze with rosemary. Side dish - rosemary and red potatos. MMMMMmmmm!

Here are some other pictures taken around the gardens. I love the solidago (golden rod) in the first picture. Have to find more of this plant or divide it a few times for a nice bed.

And just one of the butterflies that visit our buttefly garden.

What's new on the farm...

2011-05-28T12:41:00.003-04:00

First I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend; with a special thank you to all our military members - Airforce, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. No telling where or who we would be as a nation without them.

Now for the news! We had a surprise lamb - a natural color Coopworth x BFL ewe lamb. Her name is Dove and she's a keeper. Picture will be posted as soon as I find my camera :) Giselle, our last BFL ewe is still available for purchase. Selene's natural color ram lamb, Laingcroft's Jasper, is also available as a spinner's flock lamb. He is a Coopworth x BFL lamb with some nice fleece and a well muscled conformation - pictured below.

If you have been looking for us at the Goochland Farmers Market this year, we didn't sign up. Apparently there was rift among the market organizers. With all the claims and counter-claims, flurry of emails and discord, farmers made other plans and the market was cancelled for 2010. With this event hampering our market efforts, we have decided to look for new opportunities in 2012. If you miss our delicious eggs and specialty produce, please let us know. We might be able to arrange a local delivery. If you would like to see a CSA program, let us know that too.

The bunnies are busy doing what bunnies do. The last litters before "summer break" are starting to arrive. We still have two youngsters available from our March litters. If you are interested in a white rabbit, follow the bunny link from our website.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T21:42:00.000-04:00

...to all the Moms.

It was a gorgeous sunny day here in P'town   I spent it putting out all the sunflower, tomato, bean, cucumber, squash, and melon seedlings.   Technically it's a little early - last frost date is May 15th - but I just had to get them out of the greenhouse.   Thinned the beets and enjoyed a delicious dish of steamed beet tops with the dinner cooked by my daughter.

Basil seeds were started and second mounding of the potatoes was completed. Some of the early spinach has bolted and peas are blooming like mad. The corn is about 5 inches tall. Can't wait for those first harvests!

Next week the ram twins are getting weaned.   It's going to be very noisy around here.

SCARY!

2011-04-27T19:21:00.002-04:00

I think we just dodged a bullet and praying we continue to be so lucky!

We were on our way home from bringing two of the dogs to the vet for shots. My daughter calls to tell me we have nickel sized hail at the house. At that point we were almost home and were hitting mild rain. Sun is breaking through the clouds to the northwest so we think the storm is just moving through fast and are glad for the water since we just planted. Most of the road we travel from that point is protected by trees so we don't see much until we turned the big bend toward home....

... and saw the big nasty cloud the color of wet slate hanging over our house; literally, over our house! We start talking joking about the "black cloud" hanging over our house and the wispy bits hanging below looks like they could be a tornado except there is no movement. It gets much darker as we turn onto our private road under the cloud and it's almost eerie quiet. I'm looking up into the cloud and notice a small section, much lighter in color against the dark mass and, closer to the ground, maybe 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the road and a part of our neighbor's pasture, that is CIRCLING! A dimple, or perhaps a pimple is forming in the middle. At first I couldn't believe what I was seeing it was so unreal, then the next thought is get to the house NOW. John floored the gas pedal and we raced up the hill to the house. I grabbed Dante and ran with him to the barn where the sheep have gathered. John grabbed Murphy and ran into the house to warn our daughter. As I leave the barn and run to the house, the wind is really picking up overhead and the air near the ground is now getting breezy. Spring peepers are getting loud, but still no "train" sounds. From where I stand, I can't see the circling section through the trees, but it appears that the cloud is no longer stalled and has started to move. When I get inside John and our daughter are watching the news --- which says there is a 41 percent chance of tornadic activity. More like 100% I pulled out the laptop and fired off an email to let them know there is rotation in this cell and it's location. A neighbor later told me the funnel formed when it reached the end of our road and hit the State highway. This is the same cell that spawned the tornado that touched down to our north in Oilville.

For me, that was the scariest part. Even with all our technology, the time delay in getting information to the people who then disseminate it; that and the fact that people are inside of their homes completely unaware of what is happening right outside unless they are watching the news and watching the weather outside their window.

The second cell moved through just to our west. Here are pictures of the eastern edge of the same storm that spawned tornados in Farmville to our southwest. This cell was completely different from the first. The clouds mass, at least the edge we saw, was much lighter in color and had two distinct layers. The top layer was billowing and roiling over the lower layer which was moving pretty much in a straight line, at high speed and in a slightly different direction.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T12:58:00.004-04:00

Flowers are bursting out everywhere! Iris are beginning to bloom. Can't wait to see some of the new colors I picked up last year
.

The azaleas are covered too.

Even found an egg in the azaleas...a real one.

And I've discovered some new wildflowers. No idea what they are; I'll have to find my wildflower guide and look them up.

This afternoon we put the sheep to work mowing the lower portion of the driveway. They were busily at work until the gnasty gnats began to drive everyone bonkers.

Spring's Feverish Activity

2011-04-22T18:27:00.002-04:00

Many years ago, our place was part of a much larger farm. Over time it became part of the "back forty" and overgrown. As the years rolled by, trees took over from the weeds. Eventually the land was harvested for pine trees and subdivided into ever smaller parcels. When we've cleaned up and cleared portions of the property we've found a variety of relics that give testament to this past: old horse shoes, bottles from companies that no longer exist and most recently, an old single blade plow of the type that used to be drawn by a horse or ox. This week John fabricated and welded an attachment that would allow us to re-use this old farm tool on our garden tractor. (see his blog Red, Hot & Blue Rods for his car projects). For the first time we were able to turn all the manure - (green and animal - in less than a month as it would take by hand with a pitchfork. Over the newly tilled soil we've broadcast seeds for summer's green manures - hairy vetch and buckwheat. The green manures will grow up between the crops and push out the weeds.

With the past few days of sunny, dry weather we've finally been able to plant the corn. Bean seedlings will follow soon. The asparagus is still going strong, though I am getting a little sick of it now. Peas and red cabbage are growing well under row covers. Spinach and lettuce in the greenhouse are ready for harvest while the spinach planted outside is holding its own.

Tomato and Bean Pics

Lambs are growing well and putting on fleece and weight. Giselle and her ram twins will all be available for purchase on June 1. She is priced at $350 and the lambs will be priced based on weight. I am keeping Selene's two black lambs - Onyx (ewe) and Jasper (ram.) The sale of Symphony's fleece fell through so I will be posting pictures and prices soon. We won't be attending the Maryland Sheep and Wood Festival this year. We have a prior family commitment. I'll be sorry to miss all my favorite yarn and fleece vendors.

Well it's time to go feed the critters and prepare dinner for the humans. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and Passover.

Skirting Fleeces

2011-04-10T22:24:00.002-04:00

I was finally able to skirt the fleeces this afternoon. With the wind and rain over the past few days I didn't think I would ever get it done.   Giselle managed to get an unusual amount of VM in her fleece this year.   Luckily most of it was around her neck so it was easy enough to remove that wool. As for the rest, I pulled as much as I had the patience for. The price for her fleece will be lower than usual. Of course this is probably the last fleece I will get from her if she is sold when the rams are weaned.

The ram lambs fleeces are showing a wonderful purl from Piper.   If we still have them by October's shearing, the fleeces should be beautiful.

Selene's lambs are growing like weeds. Their fleece is so mottled with blue swirls that I can't wait to see how the wool spins out.   Right now the wool is too short to know if the purl carries through. Their coats are certainly dense and springy though.

Symphony's fleece is currently spoken for; however, if it is not picked up this weekend it will be posted on the website.   Absolutely lovely as always.

Next nice day I'm going to have to take some current pictures around the farm.

Shearing Day!

2011-04-07T12:51:00.000-04:00

All the girls are naked now. Giselle, Selene and Symphony were all shorn this morning. On Saturday I'll be skirting fleeces and taking pictures. We're keeping Selene's for the Warm Woolens Blanket Co-op this year. Symphony's may be sold this weekend. We'll have to wait and see.

After I finish my ripe strawberries with Nutella (OMG is this GOOD!) it will be time to get back to work.

Bunny Blog

2011-04-06T18:43:00.001-04:00

Just added a new BLOG for the bunnies. All future rabbit related postings will appear there.

New baby pics added to the Rabbit Website too.

Herd Reduction and Increase

2011-04-04T17:13:00.000-04:00

Triska and her lamb moved to a new home in New York over the weekend, while our ram, Piper, went to North Carolina. Giselle and her twin rams will be available after weaning at the beginning of June. Symphony had twins last week, one ram lamb and one ewe lamb so this year we had 60% rams, 40% ewes. Symphony's ram is too cute with his one pinto colored ear.

With the Netherland Dwarf bunnies, it's been a surfeit of bucks! But that's another blog. (Which I really need to get moving on!)

Hope everyone else had a smooth lambing season.

Shearing is scheduled for April 7th. The following week I'll be skirting the fleeces and posting them for sale on the website.

2011 Lambing Season

2011-03-09T18:27:00.002-05:00

We're half way done. Triska had a single ewe lamb while Giselle had twin rams. Waiting on the two coopworths now. Looks like Symphony might be first. Pictures will be uploaded to the website as soon as we have a nice day to take them.

Nature's Beauty

2011-02-13T19:31:00.002-05:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted any news here. So much has happened in the intervening months and time truly has flown by. Every now and then we should take a break, smell the flowers, and enjoy the new day.

For your viewing pleasure, here is a picture my daughter took of a sunrise as I drove her to school. So lucky to have this view at the end of our road.

As for work on the farm, I've planted several raspberry plants to compliment our blueberries. Soon we'll add strawberries too. Seeds are on order and the greenhouse is cleaned out and ready to go. Now all we need to do is wait for a nice day to prep the pots and trays and pick up the organic seed starter soil.

We also had our first litter of Netherland Dwarf bunnies. Three little kits. Here is a picture in their furry nest. The third little one is busy burrowing down to the lower left so he's hard to see. (I'm using he as a general pronoun, I have no idea what gender they are at this time.) All three are opal color which is slate gray on top, tan fading to white bellies along sides and on chest.

Time Flies...

2010-10-16T13:53:00.000-04:00

When you're busy! I can't believe it's the middle of October already. We sold some fleeces and bought some beautiful yarns at the Fall Fiber Festival in Orange Co. The festival was held at the home of James Madison, 'Montpelier' It's a beautiful restoration if you haven't had time to visit.

The chickens have slowed down on their egg laying with the shorter days and cooler (thank goodness!) weather. Leaves are already changing here. Time to set in the garlic and onions, lift the dahlias, begin the cool season crops (greens and coles), clean out the ponds and greenhouse and decorate for Halloween! Unfortunately we lost our pumpkin crop during the drought. I was really looking forward to the warty Knucklehead, glowing Lumina and eerie green Jarrahdale. Perhaps next year will be better.

Time to Streamline!

2010-08-12T19:31:00.000-04:00

With a season of selling at the farmers market behind us, we have decided to reduce our workload and focus on growing produce. We are offering our bluefaced leicester sheep for sale. For anyone looking for a nice breeding trio, or a small spinners flock this is your chance. Details, photos and prices will soon be posted on our website sale page.

Don't forget the Powhatan Farms Tour scheduled for September 25th! We hope to see you then.

Anyone have a rain dance they could share?

2010-07-06T10:57:00.000-04:00

It's official. June was the hottest and driest month on record. Our first year at market has turned out to be a real learning experience. First, we're going to need a secondary well.   Right now animal stock tanks, gardens and human needs, including the swimming pool are all met by the one household well.   And water pressure is dropping.   We've cut back on irrigation to hand watering but it's too little, too late.   We've had crop failure of lettuce, broccoli, corn, cukes, squash and melons.   The Kiwano (African Horned Melon), tomatoes, perilla and eggplants are holding on, but we don't know for how long.   Hope we get rain soon!

On the critter front, the hens are getting lazy. We're gathering one or two eggs a day, total, instead of the dozen or so we need.   The grasses are dried up - we're back on hay. The poor sheep are lazy too, but I can't blame them carrying all that wool around.   Have to schedule shearing soon.   Turns out Darby (the bunny) was not pregnant after all - so no baby bunnies yet.

Went to see Eclipse on Monday. This one was much better than the others.   Of course, this was my favorite book in the series too. Today it's off to see THE LAST AIR BENDER.

Latest Addition --- AR's Buttons & Bows

2010-06-26T23:48:00.001-04:00

Just brought home THE MOST ADORABLE little bunny from Angela's Rabbitry. Her name is Buttons & Bows for her bright little button eyes (half blue and half brown) and the smudges of color on the back of her ears that look like a bow tie when viewed from behind with her ears up and forward.

Button is a Vienna Carrier and a broken carrier. She looks most like a Charlie with pale tan markings (cinnamon?) around her eyes and on her ears. Looks like she tried to apply some eyeshadow. Cutest of all, she has a little beauty mark below her left eye. Button is a bit on the tiny side, but she is the friendliest and most curious bunny I've had so far. Can't wait to see how she matures.

We might have a baby announcement to make on July 4th. Yes, I was bad - I let the two youngsters (Jazz & Darby) play together in the bunny proofed kitchen a few times last month. Thought everything was fine as they didn't seem to show much interest in each other and explored in opposite directions. I didn't witness any illicit activity either or even see them near each other. However, but bunnies will be bunnies, and I wasn't watching them EVERY second.

Darby has been acting pregnant (grumpy), putting on a little weight, and today started trying to build a nest in her cage (they all have lots of free choice hay.) I've brought her inside where it's cool and given her a nest box. We'll see what happens over the next few days. If she isn't preggers, I'll still be able to breed her to Kinder for September or October kits. If she is...lesson learned. Boys and girls do not get to play together!

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

2010-05-27T21:59:00.001-04:00

As we enjoy our time off work, picnics with friends and family, please remember those who are far from home in service to this country.. Thank you to all of those who make this sacrifice for every one of us. Miss you Dad.

And here are some pictures from around the farm. The sweet corn is waist high and potatoes are growing fast. Buckwheat is in flower and getting ready to set seed. Tomatoes already have green fruits. Basil is leafing out fast and garlic is almost ready for harvest. Ah, I can almost TASTE summer!

This picture doesn't do justice to the vibrant purple stems of the Peacock Broccoli.

First Day at Goochland Farmers Market

2010-05-08T21:30:00.001-04:00

Today was our first day the Goochland Farmers Market. It was incredibly windy but the tent stayed in place. Too windy to bring the tri-loom. My apologies to anyone who was looking forward to learning how it works. Perhaps the next time!

Sold lots of eggs, some lettuce blend and iris plants. Lots of nice people, both vendors and customers. A thank you to all who purchased our products (hope you enjoyed them!) and to those who took the time to answer questions and help. What a great bunch of people!

Da Hubby Rocks!

2010-05-04T16:36:00.001-04:00

This post is dedicated not to all the women who shepherd, but the hubbies who support them! You guys ROCK!

Everyone knows how hard shepherds work, particularly when they're men. But what about the ladies and the non-shepherd men who love them? Like many other farm hubbies, mine does a fair amount of work around the farm, repairing fences, keeping weeds under control, fussing with tools and machinery, but few go beyond that. Of course he loves to grow veggies, particularly when it comes to corn. But start talking sheep - his eyes glaze over and he begins to nod off.

So why does he rock? Well, not only does he make a mean lamb kebab, but his grilled pork baby back ribs are to DIE for. And what can you say about a guy who sits patiently in a hot car with an impatient wife, crawling along a one mile stretch of road for an hour, waiting to get into a Sheep and Wool Festival I'm sure he could care less about. Sure, part of it is that he doesn't want me to overspend (BTW Ladies, this works. If your guy says he doesn't want to go, it's a free pass to buy all the goodies you want!) but the other part is he knows I value his good eye for conformation and fiber. And he can sure pick 'em.

However, that isn't what makes him so great; it's the fact that my guy, who laughs at folks who dress their pets in costumes or clothing, just helped me dress our sheep in their Matilda jackets. And didn't laugh when they were done!

Thanks honey!

Where do I begin?

2010-04-26T19:04:00.001-04:00

So much has happened since my last post!

Rammy lamb is growing like a weed on Momma's good milk, but soon that will come to an end. Weaning time at the end of the month and banishment to the Ram's Head Inn with his sire. Poor Rocky! He is also officially registered now with BLUNA.

Can't wait for the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Saturday. Lots of yummy yarn to buy and weave. We may also pick up a white Angora wether this year too. We'll have to see what's available.

Our farm also been inspected for the Powhatan County Fall Farm Tour. There are seven farms, maybe more, competing for a spot on the tour. Hopefully we will be one of those chosen. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

And we've received notice that our application to sell at the Goochland Farmers Market has been approved. Orientation tomorrow, first sale day, May 8th.

I've also been bitten by the Bunny Bug. Yup...bunnies. Nope, not Angora bunnies, but Netherland Dwarf bunnies. The hubby and I attended the Richmond Rabbit Breeders Association show in March and had a great time. Of course we came home with the cutest pair of buns! Rabbits that is :) Darby, a VC Cinnamon (tan w/ white patches) is the little girl, and Jazz, an Opal (silver blue w/ fawn) is the little boy. I'm going to give rabbit shows a try. They're so much easier to transport than horses, sheep or dogs.

Aren't they adorable?

With everything busting out in bloom, my allergies are going into overdrive. It's been the worst pollen season EVER...but it's also been so pretty.

I'm sharing some pictures of all the fabulous flowers. And yes, you may sense a pattern...I've got a thing for PURPLE.

...and now it's finally Official!

2010-03-25T20:11:00.003-04:00

(this was written on Sunday, March 21, 2010, but I was bad. It was too hard to sit down and write for long with birdsong and sunshine calling!)

March 21, 2010, the first day of Spring. Yesterday the sheep were shorn. Now we have a bunch of naked sheep boinking around. Poor little Rocky didn't recognize his own mom. With the weight of all that fleece gone, they seem to be lighter on their feet, when they keep them on the ground that is! Now the hard work of skirting, sorting and pricing the fleece begins. Please check our website for pictures and pricing.

After shearing and a 'dip', they were turned out onto new grass pasture. They were like kids in a candy shop! On the other hand, Piper wasn't so happy and he didn't hesitate to let us know, complaining well into the night. Yup, he was banished to the Ram's Head Inn (bachelor digs) until autumn. Rocky will join him at weaning.

The early daffodils are in full bloom, giving us fragrant. sunny yellow bouquets.   Peach blossoms have started opening in our two year old orchard.   Maybe this will be the first year we get fruit!

With the sheep moved out onto spring pasture, we've proceeded with tilling in the winter cover crops. Planting of cool season seeds has begun.   Lettuce is already going like gangbusters. Fragrant Sweet Peas and garden peas will follow over the next few weeks. Likewise the seed potatoes are going in the ground for staggered harvest. Soon we should have our first taste of Cranberry Red (red skin, pink flesh), Caribe (purple skin, white flesh) and Russian Banana Fingerlings.   Those last potatos are soooo yummy roasted whole and tossed with a drizzling of extra virgin olive oil, a little melted butter and chopped parsley!

Tomato and eggplant seedlings are progressing nicely. I find it so hard to wait for that first tomato sandwich! OMG - I'm getting so hungry!

This week we started the Italian broccoli, amaranth, Asian greens, radishes, beets and carrots. And at the beginning of April - corn! I can almost taste summer.   Hard to believe it's only six weeks until the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival and the opening of the Goochland Farmers Market.

Hope we see some of you there!

~ Tru

Spring has sprung!

2010-03-11T18:54:00.001-05:00

One of the first signs of spring have arrived...spring peepers are here. They began serenading at sunset today. Daffodils are poking their green stems up through the dead leaves, crocus and chinodoxia are blooming. The last frost date is officially 6 weeks away and seeds are sprouting.

We saw the first robin two weeks ago and lambs have obviously hit the ground. Peeps (chicks) will be arriving next week. Daytime temps have been in the 60s, and best of all...no signs of any more snow!!!

Hope you all are able to enjoy similar pleasures soon!

Hard Lessons

2010-03-02T20:03:00.004-05:00

Shepherding is a never ending process of learning. Some lessons come easy some simply take time, and some are very hard on the emotions.

After six years of pasture kidding and lambing with the usual crises of assisted births or poor mothering we thought we were ready for anything. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This past weekend I learned a very hard lesson --- never be complacent about anything involving living creatures.

I arrived home from work on Thursday to find Giselle, a 2008 BFL ewe, had given birth to what we thought were twins. One was alive, one not. Our young female LGD was in the process of consuming the dead lamb.   I’d heard varying opinions on this, some believe the LGD try to eliminate anything that will draw predators.

Since this particular female had gone through a previous lambing season with flying colors, my assumption was the lamb had some type of defect or been stillborn.   Shepherds with several lambing seasons under their belts know this is part of nature's plan...such things happen.

Because I had to pick up my human kid from an after school activity, I placed Giselle and baby in a stall and removed the dead lamb from the pasture. The other LGD, our senior male, went off to pace the fence line, not an unusual activity for him. As I drove down the drive, all seemed calm.

An hour later I returned to a nightmare.

The young female was chasing one of the Coopworth ewes.   It was dark now, but I could clearly see which dog it was. I called her off and she came over wagging her tail. Annoyed at the chase behavior I thought she had long outgrown, I grabbed her collar and walked her back to put her in “time-out” – a kennel near the shed. When I took my hand off to close the gate, I found the blood.    Still not suspecting a problem (maybe it was just the blood from the dead lamb) I set about getting feed and hay.

As anyone who has been to a petting zoo or around any goats or sheep know, these animals are food fiends.   The hair on the back of my neck began to rise when no one was waiting at the gate.

When I finally accounted for all the sheep, three had varying degrees of cuts and gashes on their ears and heads. The Coopworth who was being chased when I arrived was fine, the other was missing her left ear and her fleece from neck to shoulder was soaked in blood. The male LGD was still at the fence line, now racing up and down, barking in frenzy. If I hadn’t caught the female in the act, I would have assumed a predator had struck.    As it was, I considered his activity something I could deal with later, the wounded Coopworth ewe was a priority – I didn’t think she would survive the night.   I rushed inside to call the vet.

It was another two hours before I could deal with the still distraught male LGD. And that’s when I found the third lamb, a lovely female, frozen, just on the other side of the fence. I don't think I've cried so much since my mother passed on many years ago.

We are very fortunate to have a practice group of wonderful sheep vets.   The Coopworth ewe, Symphony, is doing remarkably well and should make a full recovery.   We will likely lose her lamb as well, but still having her at all is a miracle.

The second miracle arrived the next evening. Triska, our first homebred sheep, gave birth to a beautiful blue ram lamb.   He was between one and two weeks premature and his momma didn’t have any milk for him.   So far our little bummer is doing okay.

Here are our two beautiful 2010 babies – Inish (blue) and Rocky (white)

While I still believe there are many benefits to pasture lambing, all future Laingcroft lambs will be born in secure pens. And I will always make the time to investigate anything our male LGD is trying to point out to us.

Cue the Music!

2010-01-11T16:46:00.000-05:00

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."

THE SEED CATALOGS HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Okay, so it doesn't take much to excite me :) This year's selection is fantastic so it's going to take awhile to narrow the choices down. Once the seeds have come in, I will post the selections on the produce page of our website Laingcroft Farm If you are located in the metro Richmond area we plan to be a vendor at the Goochland Farmers Market and the Powhatan Farmers Market. The second is a new market located at the Collier Company's Waterfall and Garden Shop on Route 60 in Powhatan, 2 miles past the Chesterfield County line.

My other exciting news....I finally have a new laptop so I can go mobile! Had one years ago, an old Toshiba that I gave to my son when he started high school. Over the years he modified it and ultimately dismantled it. Since he is now in his second year of Computer Engineering at VCU, I guess that worked out well, but I'm not letting him play with this one! It's a lovely green (picture doesn't do it justice) Inspirion. I also found a Microsoft fan base (and yes, I've added the doodling in silver ink...it's always a bad idea to put a pen in my hand!) that helps keep it from overheating. The wonderful thing about having a laptop is now I can work on my stories, anytime, anyplace. Even in the barn.

Yes, that's right, I said in the barn. I find it very soothing to sit in the barn after the animals have been bedded down for the night with their last hay rations. There is just something magical about the whisper of hay pulled from the feeder, and the soft sounds of sheep contentedly chewing the dried grass, their misty breath sweet with memories of summer. Some of my best inspiration strikes in the oddest places (barn, shower, car) and at the oddest times - most often when I'm trying to fall asleep!

So now that I've been a good girl and updated my blog...it's back to dreaming over all those seeds....

First Shawl Completed!

2009-12-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of the first shawl completed on my new triangle loom. A total of 16 hours to weave from start to finish, two hours alone for the nine inch fringe. Woven of baby acrylic and nylon eyelash yarn, it is a loose weave, but still very soft and warm. Wore it yesterday for Christmas. Now to move on to the woolen shawls.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I'm looking forward to the New Year. Already planning the gardens...first seed catalog arrived in today's mail.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

2009-12-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

Went out to feed the sheep to find them sitting in the run-in, refusing to come out. Sorry guys, if you want to eat, you've got to make the trek to the hayrack. Of course, I could put the hay in the run-in but three things prevent that: 1) they'd trash it by laying and defecating on it, 2) it would get in their fleece, and 3) hay is expensive!

It's almost noon on Saturday, the town is shut down and it's still snowing. Twelve inches and counting so far. Here's a picture for those of you who don't have snow today.

White Christmas!

2009-12-05T17:20:00.004-05:00

Okay, so maybe it's not Christmas...but we have snow! It rained most of the morning; then around 2:00 it started with that granular wintery mix (yuk!) but now it's snowing with those big, fluffy flakes. Love it! Here is a picture taken earlier when it was just starting to stick to the ground. Now there's a bit more white on the grass, but too dark for photos.

Technically it's a Christmas present, but I had to play with the new triangle loom. I even dragged it out to the porch to take a picture. The stand was made by John. What a guy!

I was supposed to work on my newest story, working title "Haunted," but just couldn't seem to settle down and focus on it today. Instead it was cleaning and preparing for Christmas. I even reorganized my nailpolishes by color! (Did I mention I'm an obsessive organizer?) Here's a picture of the collection along with some sheepie collectibles too. Notice there are some spaces that could be filled in....*evil grin here* Tomorrow, weather permitting, we finish putting up the lights and the tree.

Got Mud?

2009-12-04T18:53:00.000-05:00

We do!   Lots and lots of mud.    All the sheep are up to their hocks in mud.    I'm not going to have any grass left in the winter pasture at the rate we're going.   And the dogs?   What a mess.   I have muddy tail lash marks all across my pants.

I just have to keep a positive attitude...just keep thinking "the well is recharging, the well is recharging"

We're supposed to get snow tomorrow night too.   I don't think it will be much.   Won't stick either; the ground has been much too warm.

Sigh....

Ram's Head

2009-11-29T19:12:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I found out exactly how it feels to be punched in the nose...and just how hard a ram's head is.

Our BFL ram is a gentle and friendly soul.    He's the first to run up to the gate for scritchies (his favorite spot is along the neck where fleece meets hair.)   Sweet Piper is also a gentleman when it comes to feeding time, so the fault was really mine. Stupid Shepherd.

I was dumping their breeding season corn/chow ration into the feeding pans from the mixing bucket as usual, except that Trista, one of the ewes, just had to get her foot in there and flipped it.   So I leaned over to flip it back up. Which of course startled Piper, who swung his head up and clocked me square in the nose.   It didn't hurt much, I certainly didn't see stars, and my glasses didn't even get a scratch, but the next thing I know, blood is spewing (lovely word spewing, and very appropriate) from my nose and mouth.   Yuk!

So there I was, trying to breath without swallowing blood, sheep are wrapping around my legs waiting for the grain, and the dogs are barking for their dinner.   Thankfully the hubby heard my garbled screams and rushed over to see what all the commotion was about.

It took two ice paks and almost half an hour for the bleeding to stop.   Then it was time to choke out the blood clots. Way gross!

Did I mention that Piper is also something of a character?

Today it was time to take the Halloween pumpkins out to the pasture for seeding.   Allowing them to break down over the winter gets the seedling vines started at just the right time. Usually the sheep ignore the pumpkins.

So out I go, 5 foot 5 inch me, with a swollen nose (so the eyeglasses don't sit quite right), wobbling along with two ten pound pumpkins.   Naturally my sheep entourage had to tag along and the two LGD were being typically helpful - translation - underfoot.   First I placed the smaller white Lumina pumpkin on the ground.   Sheep ignored it, dogs...well did what LGD do. They marked it.   While the white pumpkin inspection was going on, I moved a bit further away to place the big orange pumpkin where its seedlings would have plenty of room to grow.   And here comes Piper.

You can't fool this ram.   He knew the pumpkin was FOOD.   He pawed at it, he licked it, he tried to bite it. I wish I had a digital recorder to take a picture of his determined assault.   When those attempts all failed he started butting it...right across the pasture and out under the fence.

So I trudge up to turn off the electricity and go fetch the pumpkin.   I did this three times before giving in and breaking the pumpkin for Piper to enjoy a feast.   Thankfully he didn't overdo it and the ewes thought it was gross.

A yes, just another wonderful weekend shepherding!

Ark Not Needed!

2009-11-14T14:28:00.003-05:00

It's finally stopped raining and OMG...sun has actually broken through the clouds! The miserable wet and wind weary flock has rushed out to gobble up all the lush green grass.

For awhile I thought I was going to have to build an ark and load the animals two by two. I think Virginia was hit with more rain from Ida than Alabama where it came ashore. The trees have been stripped bare with few exceptions...and of course all the leaves are filling the house gutters to overflowing.

The crepe myrtle near the arbor gate is the only one left showing full color in beautiful shades of peach blush and gold. I'll have to gather some of those seed pod clusters for an autumn wreath as soon as they dry out.

In the garden the garlic is showing green tops and winter peas are starting to flower. Up against the fence we have a rogue nasturtium that is just blooming...in mid-November! I think it's a little confused.

For laughs, I couldn't resist this picture of our resident commedienne...Selene. She is one of two natural colored Coopworth ewes we acquired from Deer Run in the spring.

Can't wait to get my hands on that fleece.

And speaking of fleece...and fiber...my triangle loom (an early Christmas present) has arrived! Can't wait to get going on some lovely shawls and afghans.

Off to weave...

The K9 Rogues of Laingcroft

2009-11-03T18:32:00.003-05:00

Introducing the K9 Rogue's Gallery of Laingcroft...

First we have the Freeloaders. These are the dogs that don't really have a job to do, but we love them anyway. There is our Boomerang Baby, the Portuguese Water Dog. Try to throw something away, she brings it back. She is the Clown, a neurotic nut case, instigator, and comic relief. Then we have the West Highland White Terror, also known as the Enforcer. A regular running dynamo, he is our resident tennis ball de-flocker and K9 cleanup crew. The Dyson has nothing on this living vacuum when it comes to crumbs on the floor.

We actually have working dogs too, though at first glance, they are a lot less active than the Freeloaders. Our rescue Border Collie falls into both categories since she lives in the house, but still earns her keep. Inside she is the Queen of the Pillows (or any other soft surface), outside she is the Flock Master.

Guarding the goats is our Anatolian Shepherd, who is also death to chickens. We are trying to find the right home for her - with goats and people to love, but no free ranging chickens to chase.

Her daughter, an Anatolian/Maremma cross is an excellent sheep guardian and general Shepherd's Helper. This actually means she is a glove and tool thief extraordinaire with a knack for getting in the way.

Her sire, a Maremma, is simply King of the Farm.

Drive By Posting

2009-11-02T21:39:00.001-05:00

Don't have enough time to do a full posting, but with the season of lights just around the corner, I wanted to add this link to Extreme Shepherding. Too funny!

You Tube - Extreme Sheep Herding

New Beginnings

2009-10-29T18:39:00.005-04:00

Written on Sunday, October 25, 2009:

Everyone seems to have a favorite season. For some it is the snow filled chill of Winter and warmth of the holiday season, others revel in the blooming wonders and gamboling lambs of Spring. Of course Summer, with its lazy hot days of freedom, is the universal favorite of children everywhere. But Autumn has always been my favorite time of year.

One of the first things that announce this season is the weather. The days are still warm, yet the nights are getting crisply comfortable for sleeping under a down comforter. Here in Virginia, where Spring means high pollen counts and HEPA filters, Summer requires AC, and Winter, heat for comfort; that means I can finally open all the windows and shut off the HVAC. The shortening days and cooler nights also bring relief to the woolly sheep and inspire the ram to look for love.

Autumn also has that luminous quality of light caused by the sun sitting lower in the sky. It inspires me to create in glass, fiber, or paint - with a beautiful palette of sunset colors. As I type this from the rocker on our porch in late afternoon, I can look up to watch yellow poplar leaves slowly spiraling down from the trees, glowing rosy amber in the magical light, like jewels from the heavens.

But it's more than just the weather that appeals. This is the season of the Harvest. Viticulturists check the brix of their pendant spherical beauties daily, sometimes hourly, in order to pluck them at the peak of sweetness for that delicious transformation to wine. The gardens and orchards are also gleaned of the remains of maturing bounty then cleared in preparation for Winter's slumber. A few cool season crops are beginning to bear, garlic is planted and soon, mushroom spores will be set.   Fire returns to the hearth. Even now, the setting sun adds a seductive blush to wood smoke drifting low across the pastures, where it is pushed closer to the ground by the approaching cold of evening.

Also wafting out the window on cooling air currents, to where I sit, is the enticing aroma of apple butter baking in the oven. This is arguably the best part of autumn - the FOOD. Canning, preserving, and baking are in full swing. Wine festivals, homecoming tailgates, and church harvest suppers abound. And let's not forget the ultimate in harvest meals - Thanksgiving.

For me, this is what autumn is all about.    Friends and family - a time of celebration, cleansing, and reflection.   Closure and new beginnings.

The Celts celebrate the the beginning of the new year in autumn - November 1st to be precise. Samhain.   In keeping with that tradition, I begin this blog to chronicle life here on the farm and announce that our homestead hobby farm will begin anew as Laingcroft Farm LLC on November 1, 2009. ease join us as we strive for a prosperous new year!

Céad mille fáilte!