Snow Returns...arrrgh!

It's snowing again...although I have to admit, it is sorta pretty. And the good news is, it should melt quickly and give the new grass a good soaking!

The sheep have been sequestered to a smaller area around the barn to allow the pasture grass to come in. They ARE NOT happy about it...but such is a sheep's life. The dogs really seem to enjoy the snow...but they truly are easy to please.

Dale caught the action through the house window...notice how dark and dreary it is...but spring is coming, right?

Yasso & Peat

Possession is nine-tenths of the law, and Peat's learning the laws....

Trying to maintain the law....

And....once again....puppy see...well, puppy do....

Here's Peat at about 13.5 weeks

And here are the white hairs on his tail near his pre-caudal gland...wonder if any of his sibs have this trait??
And here's Yasso...caught him in a moment where he stacked himself! Good Boy, Yasso! :)

Most of the Snow is Gone...more coming?

Finally able to walk about freely without dodging snow piles! Peat and Yasso did a little bonding...weather forecasts say heavy snow is possible...really? Pleeeease noooooo....!

Shearing Day Tuesday, April 14th 2009

The sheep lost their fleeces...well, not exactly lost them...they were taken with a bit of convincing! Hard to believe Louise was carrying almost 14 pounds of wool!

Before....

After...

14 lbs of wool in the grease...that's a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood!

Very nice crimp....
And here's Louise and Thelma with Speed looking on...they barely recognize one another with their fleeces removed!

Easter Weekend 2009

What a gorgeous weekend! Peat, Tally and I spent the whole weekend playing. On our way to Illinois, we stopped on the shore of Lake Michigan along M35. Beautiful morning and Peat's first experience with a Great Lake! Next, we visited with my friend Jennifer Bosnos who lives about an hour outside Chicago. Peat met his first LGD! The series of pics below show in sequence just what they thought of one another! Then we attended the Wisconsin Working Stock Dog Association Fun Day in Portage, WI. Lots of dogs, lots of people, just a great time! Finally, we spent the morning of Easter Sunday at the fun trial at John Wentz' farm in Portage. We watched runs from the setout! What a neat perspective!

Peat looking at Jennifer's sheep and LGD.
Peat and Bo getting acquainted.
Still getting acquainted.

Mutual understanding!
Tally and Peat on the shores of Lake Michigan.

And Peat's ears do stand up...when he tilts his head back!
Hmmmm....

Peat, 12 weeks, 5 days on the planet.

April 5th and still snow up to you know where...!

Tally knows that sticking close by a vehicle means an eventual trip to town. Sadly, the old truck won't be making many more of those trips...but until it completely stops the old Ford will remain our trusty truck around the farmAnd monkey see...well, monkey do....

You can see the snow we still have...one of the "worst" winters many can remember according to many "Rumelians"... remind me again why we chose to set up camp here? :) Peat knows no different so makes the best of the snow every day...

And apparently there is ALWAYS something worth finding

The sheep watch Peat who seems clueless he's got an audience...until

Woah!

Shearing is April 14th...here is Thelma in her Sheep Suit. Hopefully the weather will get warmer by then....she and the others may in for a rude awakening when they return "naked." We are fortunate to have a shearer that comes to a farm down the road and is willing to shear our small flock if we just transport them there...now that I think about, that may be easier said than actually done....!

Peat is convinced that hard work WILL pay off and one day he will indeed successfully escape his space...Juli would like it...a lot!

Peat 11 weeks

We finally saw the sun! And took advantage of it to get a picture of Peat to mark his 11th week birthday! We often call him Smilin' Peat because of the way he puckers his lips when he's really, really happy to see you...which is, well, pretty much always!