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Winter 2009 Spring 2007 Summer 2006 Spring 2006 Fall 2005 Summer 2004 9
A BIT ABOUT BLOOMIN’ ACRES FARM
Winter Newsletter 2009
As I was reminded today, the website needs attention! Where does the time go? 2009 has been a blur.
It all started with that nasty ice storm in January and we just never caught our breath from then on….we were hit very hard by the ice storm. The farm was without power for a week. The first day after the storm was spent digging out, clearing driveways of fallen limbs, and making sure everyone was safe. Day two had us mending fences so that the sheep could get back outside. Not that they were anxious to try and walk on an ice covered land! This was the worst ice storm to hit our state in many, many decades. Little did we know that this was only the beginning of a very challenging year for us!
Lambing started early…10 days earlier than we’ve ever started before, on 4-7. With 23 ewes bred, we were in for a busy spring. We had TWO sets of triplets…never happened before, and some of the most difficult births ever. We went to make a last check on 4-17, only to find 4 ewes in labor, two of which needed a bit of help. Blossom, our guardian Pyr. Dog was licking the face of a lamb who had one hoof out and the other was stuck. Dennis quickly flipped the other hoof out and here came the lamb. What a great addition Blossom has been to the farm. She is very attentive to her flock.
Blossom quickly learned that the new “Mothers” did not like her presence. She decided that a bit of distance was best (after several Mom’s butted her at the same time) and for the next 5 weeks, she guarded on the outside of the lambing pen. Once the lambs had some size to them, the new “Mothers” were more tolerant and welcomed her back into the flock.
The plant season was a total surprise. We expected a downturn in business, given the poor economic conditions our country was facing. Were we off base! Sales were brisk and we sold out almost 4 weeks before we usually shut down for the summer. My thinking is that plants are so comforting and such a joy that even though it was a tough year, people wanted a bit of beauty to add to their day and a new perennial seemed like just the low cost balm their soles needed.
We have sold out of most of the Tongue River Farm products now. There is a limited supply of sport weight yarn, roving and lace weight yarn left. There is also a bit of rug warp. I know that Susan’s family will be glad to have this come to a close. What a fiber business Susan had built. She continues to teach us even after she has left us. We certainly did miss her and her advice this year!
Our yarn products are selling well at the local shops. We’re about to add some of my knitted scarves to the web site. I learned to knit hats this year, but have already sold all that I can possibly knit before Christmas. My goal for next year is to learn to knit socks. This has become quite an addiction and I just wish there was more time to devote to it. It is a wonderful hobby to take along for trips to the VA with my Dad or business trips in the hotel room at night.
We had a wonderful visit from the “Society for Creative Anachronism” in November. Twelve members came to see our sheep and buy roving, raw fleece and yarn. What a fun group! They seemed to enjoy the farm visit and loved seeing the rams in full fleece. Their next project is to spin yarn on a drop spindle and then make a hat from the yarn. They’ve invited me to attend the class and I’m hoping to join them. Their group is “dedicated to researching and recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe”…to learn more visit www.sca.org
The shearer was here two weeks ago, so no danger of running low on things to do this winter! With over 35 fleeces in the barn, Daddy and I have a lot of weekends skirting in our future. This is a great opportunity for us to hug the heater and visit while we work.
While the year was full of challenges, it was also full of blessings. We are blessed with good health, loving family, and the joy of the Holiday Season that is upon us….here’s to a terrific 2010!! |