Gardens, Alpacas, Fiber

It has been a strange, warm, spring.  The garden is in and growing.  I must say it is way ahead of schedule and it looks like mid-June.  The animals are nicely sheared and though we have had some heat it is not really bothering them since they were sheared in April.  The pastures are nice and green and the last one has been opened up to the alpacas.  They are like little kids in a new toy store.  I really love these days of fresh cut grass, gentle breezes and fresh new growth.  However, I am acutely aware of the time I have before Alpaca & Nature Day-Camp sessions begin.  I have much to do, including getting all this alpaca fiber to the mills.  Tomorrow and every day will be very busy, but I stop from time to time and inhale the clean country air and get ready to delve in to the farm chores.

Green Pastures

We walked the pastures and found they were really filling in and look so nice.  They are not perfect, but, oh my they look so much better.  All that hard work seems to be paying off!  GREEN is Beautiful!!!

The Pastures are Greening Up!

It is so wonderful to see the pastures greening up after we have worked so hard on them.  The last two years have been very hard on pastures with uncooperative weather.  I think it will take a few years for a full recovery.  We will be back in to the pastures, seeding, liming and fertilizing.  We are looking into some natural fertilizers.  Meanwhile the alpacas are enjoying the newly green pastures and I am enjoying the view.

Shearing Day 2012

Shearing Day 2012 was a beautiful day!  I am so happy to be able to say this, because more often than not we shear on rainy days.  Our favorite shearer  was with us, Michael Banks from New Zealand.  He is is a fast and accurate shearer putting very little stress on our animals. We had a great crew of friends out to help and it was a busy day.  I was so proud of how well we had our cria fleeces blown out,  It was a lot of work but it did pay off.  I need to weigh the clip and then it will be time to dive into fiber.  I am still looking for a good mill if you have any suggestions.

The alpacas were treated to fresh , new, green pastures after shearing . . .I know they are happy!

Spring Time on the Farm

It has been the strangest spring with record breaking highs and a lot of rain.  We are happy to have spring here, but wonder what this weather will do for us in future.  Putting those thoughts aside we are enjoying the beautiful days.  We have limed, fertilized, aerated, and seeded three pastures and now we have two more to go, but they will have to wait until we can move the alpacas off them.  We are now seeing the green . . . yes, the beautiful tender green!  The alpacas are going to be so happy when we can move them onto these beautiful, rich pastures.
We have shearing coming up on April 6.  We are working getting ready for the event.  For some reason the herd has found all the leaves, sticks and general junk they can roll in.  I guess they don't understand how much time it takes me to clean their fleeces.
Halter training is in full swing.  Dancing Paws was led up on the deck and visited with Annie our indoor cat.  There is not a lot of leading done in the winter, so spring is a great time to get everyone back into walking with us.  Alexi, the cria, is doing exceptional in this area.  He is a delight.  The two weanlings are a bit more hesitant, but two are doing pretty well on the lead.

Alexi seemed to have discovered the joy of loping yesterday after the chute was opened after being closed for several weeks.  I truly think loping is a dance of joy.

Eddie looking out.

Maverick caught in the bucket.

New Hay Stacked in the Barn

We moved 60 bales of hay from the drive down the hill to the barn.  It was cold and a lot of work.  Our son helped us which really reduced the amount of time it took.  Thanks, Isaac, for all the help!  The alpacas are happy for the beautiful fresh hay!

Just before the Storm . . .

At least that is how it feels . . .the weather is so nice, the days are bright, warm and breezy, so a storm must not be too far behind.  I guess the harsh winter, last year has made me very cautious at this time of the year!  I know it cannot stay this nice forever, though I secretly hope so.  I really enjoyed the weekend with happy alpacas, my husband working in the garden and an un-planned hot dog cooked over the camp fire.  It grounds me to have  a weekend like that. 
I know I need to get organized for winter, yet I find myself putting off all I have to do.  I did get the rest of the windows in the cottage covered in plastic and I am really liking the results.  It is warmer, yet the light comes in and I am happy about that.  I need to get out there and finish my triangle loom shawl, that way if the plastic does not work on the windows, I will be able to easily bring the triangle loom into the house.   
The barn chores were easy this A.M. and my aching body was grateful.


I am off to mark some items that I want to take to Good Nature where they sell many of our farm items and to get ready for our Columbia Weavers and Spinners' Guild meeting tomorrow night.