Winter is causing an UNREAL amount of trouble. I know we're not alone in this, as this week's back-to-back storms have affected so many. We are simply running out of places to put snow.
The sheep are faring well, but they are yarded up and not venturing out into the paddocks. We were in the single frigits this morning, but temperatures here are expected to reach the low 30's today, hopefully enough to break up the crusty snow and give the flock more room to stretch their legs.
I'm ordinarily a winter fan, but this year is trying our patience. I'm grateful to note the lengthening daylight hours and counting the days to spring. How are you holding up?
BTW - If anyone is need of cozy, woolen-spun, farm yarn for mittens and socks - at a great price - check out this week's new listings at Foxfire Fiber's Etsy Winter Tag Sale (featuring Wool Alpaca Twist).
Glad to hear you and the sheep are making it through okay! The ice storm this past week was particularly awful, since all the sidewalks in town are now super slippery. I've walked the 2 miles to the lab (and the 2 miles back) more times than I care to think of recently. They're trucking the snow out of town in dump trucks at this point. I'm fighting regular battles to keep my car uncovered, but it's not moving so great about now...I think it's hung on a wee sheet of ice so I'm left hoping for just one or two warm days to get things going again.
My committee asked lots of questions about the sheep when they saw a picture of your flock as my desktop background (and my screensaver of pics from my visits). By far the easiest questions of my committee meeting. :)
Posted by: Kristy | February 04, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Barb, I was thinking of you this morning as I fed my flock of four at 3 degrees! I looked around at the piles of icy snow in the paddock and wondered how you keep your flock's area clean. I've made a perimeter track for them hoping they can get some exercise. I'm thankful for heated water buckets! Stay warm :)
Posted by: Lori | February 04, 2011 at 01:38 PM
ENOUGH WITH THE SNOW!!!!
Ahem. Sorry about that, but I think you know exactly how I feel.
Posted by: Lynn | February 04, 2011 at 01:56 PM
'Single frigits': what a wonderful new word. And so exactly right!
So, I take it the sheep will eat snow but not ice? Picky, picky.
Maybe you need some little sheep treadmills, or an exercise tape to play for them. (And right now I'm visualizing a Wallace & Gromit adventure, can't you just see it?)
Posted by: Susan | February 04, 2011 at 04:25 PM
The birds can't get out any more. We are out of space to put snow. I don't like winter in general. This winter I think I may actually hate.
Posted by: Melissa | February 04, 2011 at 07:12 PM
I've been hearing about all the snow up there - I guess it was New England's turn. I, in Maryland, would have been happy with one of those storms to spare you but it was not to be.
I'm glad you all are faring ok - the daylight hours are getting longer and the birds are starting their early spring chatter so I think there is hope!
I am trying to resist all that beautiful yarn you have on the Etsy shop since I increased my share this next year!!
Hang in there and I'll be hoping for warmer temps for you.
Posted by: Torre in MD | February 05, 2011 at 10:21 PM
I love reading your posts -- my own sentiments exactly! Just recently, I took my snowblower and made some trails for the sheep and llamas. Seeing them enjoy the trails helps me deal with the snow - I took a quick video if you'd like to see it. (on my farm website - www.speckleddogfarm.com) Hopefully only around 1 month left of this winter!
Posted by: Kinna | February 07, 2011 at 08:04 PM
I love "single frigits" too!
Here in my part of Montana it's been blowing and snowing all day; looks like close to a foot of new white stuff. By Valentine's Day I'm usually able to see the first crocus, which is a huge pipe dream now. Stay warm!
Posted by: martha | February 07, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Winter is lovely, especially when bright and dry however hereabouts it is rarely that. Winder is waning and the grey is turning to hope - with the bulbs peeping through the soil. This is a sure sign that winter is going for a rest and spring is, if not springing into action, sort of stretching and peeping out from under the covers. The first buds of spring, to me, really heralds the end of winter. Following that all the nice summer knitting
patterns coming out do too.
Love the winter coats on the sheep!
Love the
Posted by: Anne Armstrong | February 15, 2011 at 09:18 AM