Monday, June 20, 2011

SBWF class visits D Acres

I have been taking a Holistic Management class with the Small & Beginning Women Farmers group since last fall. This was our final class. Most of the classes were in a class room, but some were farm visits which tied into what we were learning. The group was here at Ewe & I Farm after lambing. We went to Wellscroft Farm in Harrisville during the fencing clinic. And then here to D Acres. http://www.dacres.org/
Development Aimed at Creating Rural Ecological Society
Permaculture-see definition at end of blog.

This is dirt farming at its best. They also have chickens, ducks,pigs and 2 steer. The steer 'mow' the paths daily. The pigs till fresh earth, after the trees have been cleared, and provide good soil for potatoes the next year to grow in. Then other produce is planted in those areas. All done organically.
There are all forms of fruit trees, herbs, flowers, and many other edibles growing together in harmony.


   (Some of the pictures are out of order, but that seems to be the Blogger way...)




 
 

 



 

 

 

 
Garlic bed. 1 of many.














They have recycled a lot of items in their outbuildings that most people would have through out. Such as old windows for cold frames and for one of their 'greenhouses'. A lot of structures look strange because of it, but I for one think it is a great use of recyclable goods. Better than filling the landfill!

(From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture )

Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that are modeled on the relationships found in natural ecologies.

Permaculture is sustainable land use design. This is based on ecological and biological principles, often using patterns that occur in nature to maximise effect while minimizing wasted energy. Permaculture aims to create stable, productive systems that provide for human needs, harmoniously integrating the land with its inhabitants.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Random photos

 These were spotted while out delivering mail this spring.

Hernia

From Wikipedia-Femoral hernias are a relatively uncommon type, accounting for only 3% of all hernias.

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

Well, I guess I have to be the different one. (o;

Dr. Bears repaired my second hernia in 15 years. The first was repaired by his predecessor, Dr. Evans. It was the 'normal' type of hernia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inguinal_ligament The pain of this one was very different as I felt it in my thigh more than my groin. Apparently, it was pressing on the femoral nerve when it was presenting.

He put 2 plugs in to hold it in place. Right now it is sore and swollen, so I have no idea if I am having a reaction or not. But, he put in some kind of block in my leg/groin which put my leg completely to sleep from mid-thigh to mid-shin. With no feeling meant no walking. I almost felll on the nurse in the hospital, but I did fall here at home. I am hoping I didn't hurt anything. By this morning most of the feeling was back.But, I walking with my cane again as I am not steady nor strong enough to walk unassisted. The good thing is I can get my own coffee! I just can not take care of my own animals yet.

I go back to see the surgeon next Friday. We will see then if I did any damage to myself when I fell. In the meantime, I hope to update my blogs, get some quilt tops done and maybe even a little spinning.

TTFN.

Thursday, June 02, 2011

MIA

I know. I've not updated my blogs in ages... I've been busy with work, following Jerry to shearing jobs, and going to doctor's appointments.
I have hernia surgery June 10th, and hope to be able to spend time on the laptop updating the blogs.

In the meantime, see what followed me home? 6 white leghorns, and 6 black stars. They are 2 1/2-3 months old. (These are pictures from the website. I'll take my own in the next week or two...)

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html


 

Barred Rock
A very nice rooster came with Emma & Bo
 

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Black Star

  NH Reds
(came with Emma & Bo)
Pearl-White Leghorn

Saturday, May 21, 2011

End of an era

My '89 Ford Aerocruiser that I bought in 2000 finally went where all good cars go. It would no longer pass inspection, and then its fuel pump went just before we reached a shearing customer's house. Junk your car. com came and took her away. She has been replaced with an
'88 Chevy pickup and a horse trailer. The truck will be great for truck 'stuff', but I still need a place for my show stuff. So, that is what the trailer is for. That and hauling sheep. (o;
Bye Blue! You are missed!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

NH Sheep & Wool website is updated

http://www.nhswga.org/

(Almost) the last of the lambs...

I got in at 11:15 pm last night after a fun night of laughter, food and spinning/knitting. Thank you ladies!! I needed a night off!

I couldn't sleep, so I read email and wandered to bed about midnight. Max (the dog cat) started acting 'stupid', so I turned the baby monitor back on. There was no sense in listening to snoring sheep when no one was close. I heard nothing unusual so I went to bed. 12:30ish I heard something that seemed off, so on go the clothes, to the kitchen for the flashlight and coat. Get out in the barn and something doesn't look quite right. I notice Lillian's butt looks like it has blood on it, and I need to get in to see what is going on. We didn't expect anything from her for at least another 2 weeks. Sure enough, I get up to her and she has herself a little ram lamb. He was dry and fed, so he must have been born while I was out spinning. Good mom! She is one of my keepers. She is out of Shauna, a tri-colored Romney, and Joshua, a chocolate Border Leicester/Romney. Put her in the lamb jug, and head back to bed for about 4 hours.

4 am, Jerry comes and wakes me up. We have another ewe in labor, but only 1 foot is showing with the nose.  I make her stand back up, Jerry puts on the gloves and goes to work pushing the lamb back in to pull out the 2nd leg. We put her in the other lamb jug, he goes to work, and I go in to have a cup of coffee and wake up. I go out after my 1st cup and she had herself a white ram lamb. She is Dorset/Romney and was bred to the Horned Dorset.

Ok, it now 6 am and I am up and cleaning house (because it needs to be done) and listening for her to have a 2nd one, maybe... I hear groaning and moaning, put my coat back on and go out to look at Scarlett. Hmm. It is not her. Look in general population, and Callie has just had a ewe lamb. Ok, I grab a towel and go in to get the lamb. She follows me out and I put her in the 3rd jug.

So, now we have 3 new lambs under 3 heat lamps with 3 happy ewes.

All that is left (planned) is our boarder. Emma is a lilac, hornless Jacob. We bred her to our Romney ram. She is pregnant and is either going to have one big lamb or 2 smaller ones. This is her first know breeding. Neither the owners nor we know for sure how old she is, but she is not too old. We will just keep an eye on her.

Pictures will come later, when I find the camera and go out and shoot some. (o;

TTFN

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spring must be here!

The Canada geese came in this past Tuesday, the robins are around the area (too much snow here yet...), and the MUD is showing up everywhere!

We are still awaiting 4 mothers to be. Hopefully they will be shorn this afternoon to see how close they are. I think they are going to wait until the 26th when I am headed for school....

Happy spring all!!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Random shots


                                                           



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