A funny thing happened this weekend. My daughter and I were away from the farm on Saturday, leaving my husband to tend the flock. We've had a little ram lamb that has been on his death bed practically all summer, but was so bad, he couldn't even make it out to the pasture with the rest of the flock. Our great Pyr realized how poor he was feeling, and layed by him all day. Finally, she decided that she had better go check out the rest of the flock, out in the waterway about a half mile away. Eventually, she came trotting back to he farm, my husband was working in the lower gardens. She was so happy, came right up to him, and brought him 3 baby bunnies, all alive! I told him that she was looking out for him. She knew I was gone, and realized that he couldn't cook for himself! When she saw that he didn't care for the bunnies, she chowed down on them herself! Then, she went back to sitting with the ram lamb.This ram lamb, Gentry, is hanging in there. I've had him on Naxcel, but am waiting on a dose of Draxxin from my vet. This is a wonderful single dose treatment for pneumonia, when naxcel fails. I used it this past winter on a mature ram, and it worked wonders.
Currently, we have a couple of Jersey woolies and several French angoras. The French type are the easiest of the angoras to keep, and don't require quite as much grooming. Their silky wool is wonderful blended with our Icelandic sheep wool.
These past few weeks have been crazy-busy--moving sheep, getting ready for the fair, mowing, weeding, cleaning, weaning lambs, getting paperwork in order, the list just goes on and on...
I enjoy watching the sheep mow the front lawn, and always try to take a lot of photos. Maybe I can finally start working on our regular website and list some sheep for sale.
This has been the coolest summer yet. Very wet, too. I hope I can find enough hay to get us through the winter.
Everything is green and lush. Tomorrow is the first day of August, and I haven't had to pull the hose out to water the garden yet. 
Getting ready for the fair is hectic. Lambs have to be weaned, and the fair sheep moved to their own paddock. They have to get used to a different diet of hay and sheep feed, since they can't graze at the fair. There's a ton of paperwork to do. Three year old Drea (above) was shown as an aged ewe. She's a beautiful, meaty ewe with wide horns. 
My daughter tries to get everyone used to a halter, so they'll be easier to handle during judging. She took 9 sheep to the fair this year. The judge really liked Gardenia, one of Pippi's twin daughters born this spring. 
Grex, Emily's ram lamb also went to the fair. He's very muscular, great wide horns and silky fleece. Though Grex is the larger of the two, the judge liked the length on Grady. 
This was my son's "best of show" oriental lily from 2008. It really was a freak of nature, with more than 20 blooms on one stalk! He got another best of show this year with a pink lily. Oops, forgot to get a photo of that one!
This year's judge had seen Icelandics before, which was a real bonus. He gave us some great compliments, and said our sheep would be compete well against other Icelandics. He really took the time to look them over. So much of the time, the long fleece scares them away and they don't know what to say! 
Just look at this ewe class! Some of those Suffolks and Montadales are giants! They look more like a pony than a sheep. My kids typically have around 50 projects between the two of them. This year was a little more low key, which was nice, and will probably be their last fair.
I really can't complain about the rain... I have yet to pull out a garden hose to water the gardens... however, because of the wet weather, our waterway won't be cut for hay. It's just too wet. Now, I'm in the market for second cutting hay or an alfalfa/grass mix. Buying good quality hay may prove to be a challenge! The good news, is that my sheep will be able to graze the waterway the rest of summer. It's deep, rich and lush! 
I went out to take pictures, but everyone was too interested in eating. Such gluttons! A red winged blackbird was having a fit, I'm sure she had a nest somewhere in there and was worried about her eggs.
Elodie & Echo, with son Grady bringing up the year. 
Grady is going to be a wonderful sire someday. He is maturing beautifully. Such a momma's boy, though. I can't get a decent photo of him. My daughter will be taking him to the fair, so he will be weaned in the next week.
Grex, Emily's ram is another going to the fair. He is just outstanding! Almost as big as momma. Grex & Grady are both for sale. If they don't sell, we'll probably put them to work here in our own breeding program.
This is my orphan Godiva, she is such a beauty, and calls to me whenever I'm outside. Of course she'll have to stay here!
This is Frosty, our yearling wether. He is friendly & sweet. Because he was wethered, his horns look like a ewe's, since he's lacking in those male hormones. He's a bit of a clown, and is for sale as a fiber pet. 
Garland is also going to the fair, along with her sister Gardenia. They are both such lovely ewes, I'll have to keep them both. 
We finally had a chance to work the flock today. Gave the lambs their second cdt shots and dewormed anyone with pale membranes. It's such a relief to get it all done! 
My cute duo, Glimmer & Glade, always hiding from me.
