Hyalophora cecropia

I almost stepped on this poor moth yesterday at a shearing customer's house....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalophora_cecropia

The Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is North America's largest native moth. (from wikipedia)

One of our pure bred Horned Dorset ram lambs born this year is headed to Old Sturbridge Village to breed their Horned Wiltshire ewes.

http://www.osv.org/

http://www.osv.org/animals

https://www.facebook.com/sturbridge

How many days until Christmas?

http://www.xmasclock.com/

Interesting day

 The day started out bright and sunny. 1 load of laundry done and hanging. The 2nd load

almost done, and then it started to rain in spits and spurts. The sun came out and I collected 

the girls morning contribution. We try to keep our nests clean and therefore the eggs clean.

 Around 3ish the skies turned black, thunder and lightning rolled in, and it started to pour.

As we were relaxing listening to the heavy rain on the metal roof we heard a strange sound.

We go to the front door and see this. Hail the size of shooting marbles...

My tomatoes were not happy, but they seem alright a couple of hours later.

This is scary stuff!!

http://trib.com/business/university-of-wyoming-researcher-warns-of-virus-decimating-european-livestock/article_59641275-5dc4-5f96-b492-04c7c4496955.html

Why Am I Tired All the Time?

I wish I saw this last week...Feeling better today though. Now that I am not feeling sick, I can take my vitamins again. I know, I probably should have taken them all along...........

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/why-am-i-tired-zbcz1306.aspx#axzz2WU6LmcdQ




I like getting Mother Earth News newsletters. They always have something I can use or do.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/blogs/natural-health.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=06.17.13+HE&utm_campaign=2013+HE&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email#axzz2WU6LmcdQ

The next thing I need to add to my morning ritual

But, I will be making it with Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar. I use it for the chickens and will use it for me!

http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/the-power-of-apple-cider-vinegar/



http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html

Homemade natural energy drink

http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/homemade-natural-energy-drink/

How to make homemade yogurt in a crockpot, and another blog to follow!

http://everythinghomewithcarol.com/how-to-make-yogurt-in-the-crockpot/

How cool is this?? Homemade Kool Aid

http://www.fromscratchmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/the-kool-aid-alternative.jpg

Home made shampoo and Potato Bread

This is something I am definitely going to try!! I love that she gives LOADS of information on how to make shampoo for different hair types, and that she has a conditioner recipe!


http://backyardhomesteadadventure.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-series-natural-living-so-easy-even.html

This is also a blog that I will follow with much interest.


I am not sure about Potato Bread, but I may just try this recipe...
http://backyardhomesteadadventure.blogspot.com/2013/03/generations-of-swedish-potato-bread.html

Working on pig fence

 Valery and I picked up cedar posts yesterday.

Between the 4 of us, we got posts in and fence up.

Now to put up the house...

 Jerry had a 'butterfly' that would not leave him alone!

 Anyone know what kind of bug this is?

I snaps and clicks to pop itself around, and it flies.

I found it! It is a good bug!!

http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/native-plants-native-bees-and-your-dinner-table/

Rain, rain go away!

Wait a minute....That means Jerry gets a day off from shearing.

http://www.wmur.com/weather/-/9859398/20499186/-/6x84p/-/index.html

52 week challenge

Yesterday was the end of week 20. We are close to 1/2 way through the year. By now, if you are putting the amount of money equal to the week (yesterday you'd have put $20 in the account/jar), you should have $210 saved.

Below is the chart in PDF form for you to print out. At least at the end of the year I can buy Jerry one item on the shearing 'want' list.

http://www.digtriad.com/assetpool/documents/130118024915_52-week%20money%20challenge.pdf

This article tells you a few more ways to save cash, a little at a time.

http://www.digtriad.com/dontmiss/263861/347/52-Week-Money-Challenge-Save-1400-This-Year

Clipper blade sharpener wanted.

Also on the to buy list. Will have to buy new, unless I can find a used one at a good price.

http://www.treyco.com/clipper_blade_sharpener.php

Tooth-a-matic

                                                          On the to buy list....

                                         http://www.thealpacarosa.com/farmstoretools.html

                                                 



Bub comes to Ewe & I Farm from Springfield, NH

Because I was not sure how he would react to me, he was placed in the old hedgehog cage. It is a little dented for the blade of the tractor.... He rode well, but was not impressed to be lugged in the girl's barn.

At least he did not try to bite me!!

                                                The girls come in to check him out.

                                                He is a big boy. And only one year old!!

                                             In less than 10 minutes he found a new girlfriend.

The enclosed chicken run/kennel. They will be locked in tomorrow as I

have to work and then he has 2 shearing appointments in the afternoon.

Better safe than sorry!!

Looking for an alpaca shearing table.

Anyone have a used one of these of sale in New England that they'd want to sell us? I can not justify $1599 plus the extra $$s for the leg restraints and apron.....Jerry has sheared on 2 different types of tables in the past couple of weeks, and it does go faster and we've only had 2 screamers. We would still bring the chute for those who prefer the alpaca standing, but it would be real nice to have another option. Especially for those who cush!!

http://lightlivestockequipment.com/proddetail.php?prod=SHEAR

Thank you!

To all who stopped and shopped with us this past weekend at the NH Sheep & Wool Festival!! And, to all who stopped to talk, and to say Hi!. We do realize that you can have too much....and we did not have much new this year.

I am not sure how we did financially, but in this economy we are thankful for all the sales!

Next show not until the VT Sheep and Wool the last weekend in September. See you then.

TTFN!

Don't forget to see Ewe & I Farm at the 37th annual NH Sheep & Wool Festival in Deerfield, NH this weekend. We are set up and ready to rock and roll. We are having numerous items marked down 20% in honor of our 20th anniversary doing business as Ewe & I Farm. Come on down and stop in and say Hello! For the 3rd year we will have Hope Thomas's gorgeous Shetland fleeces! And LOTS of Icelandic fleeces from Morr-Hill Farm in Groveton, NH. And mohair from a customer in Hopkinton. Plus LOTS of Romney fleeces, roving and yarn. Horned Dorset fleece, yarn and roving. And what is left of hand dyed Romney roving.
See you at the festival!! TTFN!

Come see us this weekend at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival

And come help us celebrate our 20th anniversary with our gift to you of sales throughout our booth!!!

This will be our 2nd year in Deerfield, NH! Map below.



http://www.nhswga.com/index.php/events/65-2013-new-hampshire-sheep-and-wool-festival-may-11-a-12-2013

http://www.nhswga.com/index.php/sheep-and-wool-festival/vendor-information

Copied and pasted! This is crazy. We are trying to live as simply as possible on our own farm and they are trying to take water away from us! For anyone reading this that lives in NH, please help us take action!!

Folks,
This is a Red Alert for everyone. SB11 is part of the Water Sustainability Initiative started by Governor Lynch. It is part of SCI (Sustainable Communities Initiative) and is structured to take away your water rights. If you own a well, you will soon not own it. If you collect rain water, you soon will not be allowed to and you will be fined or arrested if you do. This must be KILLED no mater what the cost. I have no idea how this got so far but you must call your Senators and State Reps and urge them to KILL this bill. Clearly, they are not paying attention. It is up to us to wake them up.

Sincerely,
Jack Kimball

Writing is so easy with email. We used to do it the old way, call or write letters. Go to these sites and find your representative and blast out your wishes on this bill.
Fining with reference to rainwater happens in Oregon already.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/

NH House of Representatives

www.gencourt.state.nh.us



http://www.nhliberty.org/bills/view/2013/SB11

20 years and going strong!!

Ewe & I Farm became an official sheep farm in 1993 when we were given our first sheep, Isabelle and the twins, and my 12 year old daughter named the farm.

We had always had 3 sheep on the 1 acre that we owned in Springfield, NH, until 1999. Then there were 6... Jerry told me I needed to get rid of some sheep or find a bigger place. Well...I was working with a woman that disliked NH greatly and wanted to move back to CT. Her place was for sale. We came to Sutton to look at the property twice before we even looked at the house. That was the third trip. It was/is 17 acres with a 24x24 camp and a 12x12 barn. We asked how much and then told them we would buy it.

Not only is this our 20th anniversary of the farm, but it is the 14th anniversary for a LOT of things!!
February 1999-Our origianal Dorset/Romney sheep were born. Maggie is still with us and still has an incredibly soft fleece, even at 14 years old!
March 1999-My mother died from lung cancer after a 9 month battle on my mother in law's birthday.
April 1999-I turned 40
May 1999-My father passed away 5 weeks after my mom from a heart attack the day before my husband's 43rd birthday.
June 1999-I quit smoking after 24 years.
July 1999-My daughter turns 18 and moves out of the house.
October 1999-We buy the house in Sutton. The former owners stay as tentants until the end of the year. We close up the Springfield house and move here January 1, 2000.

So, I think I will having anninversary sales this year!! Starting with the NH Sheep and Wool Festival coming up in 16 days.....I am not ready for it yet as we have been working off farm a lot, and shearing every afternoon and day off. But, I will be there will bells on.

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/event/37th-annual-nh-sheep-and-wool-festival

http://www.nhswga.com/index.php/events/65-2013-new-hampshire-sheep-and-wool-festival-may-11-a-12-2013

http://www.nhswga.com/index.php/sheep-and-wool-festival/vendor-information  That is me with the drop spindle.

Hope to see you there!!


For grins and giggles, I googled the farm and found this one. I am not happy that they are using our name!!
I have googled us numerous times thru the years and NEVER found anyone else with our name. Not sure what I can do about it....We've been registered as a DBA for YEARS!! I guess it is time to register our yarn lines with the name we've be using for a very long time....
http://www.eweandifarm.com/


Off to get some outside work done and some fleeces skirted!!

TTFN!

Please vote for us!

https://www.loveourlocalbusiness.com/base/lolb2desktop?region_id=us-en&content_id=36003

If we 'win', we would get $5000 for something to enhance/grow our business. I am looking to add an electric picker to our current equipment for growing the fiber processing 'mini mill'. The only way I can do this is one piece at a time. The picker is $7500. I think we could find the other $2500. (-;

Thanks all!

I know...

I've not been here for a while...

I found a new blog that I think anyone who wants to eat healthy and to use non-toxic products on their body should check out.

 http://foodbabe.com/  She's 'Hot on the trail to investigate what is really in your food'

and you can find her here- https://www.facebook.com/thefoodbabe


And while you are waiting for me to find my camera and download some pictures, you can find me here- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ewe-I-Farm/208179205917180