She is a satin angora, four year old rabbit. She is no longer breeding but has years ahead of her for fiber. Here are the pictures and excuse the mess in the shed. hahaha
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Dixie
She is a satin angora, four year old rabbit. She is no longer breeding but has years ahead of her for fiber. Here are the pictures and excuse the mess in the shed. hahaha
It isn't a lamb....
So to any of you following my previous post, here is the rest of the story. The conclusion to the running joke. Before I went to the Sheepfest, I agreed that we were not ready for sheep just yet. It really wouldn't be fair to the sheep if for no other reason. But it was fun, because hubby knew that it would be something that I would do....carry livestock in a taurus wagon! He just knows me way too well. Anyway... a lady was at the festival with angora rabbits. I have been wanting one for awhile, but most are very pricy. When I saw them, I immediately thought of hubby....hmmm, its not a lamb. And....we didn't think of rabbits being there. And... its just a cage and a bag of food. And....we don't have to get the pasture ready for this critter. And....its SO cute. And...the prices were good! And..... I walked away.
I went inside to the spinning part of the festival, talk to some spinners, got to spin some myself and asked some questions. The rabbit wool could be mixed in with the sheeps to spin.....hmmmmm.....a purpose. Went back outside...of course I had to pass the furry little critters. So then I had to talk to the lady and get some educational information. That was definitly a mistake.
I took precautions before I left home and only had enough cash for my day....no significant purchases. Then I had to find out how far the nearest ATM was. Remember that I am out in the mountains of western Maine ...farm country. So I traveled about 10 miles to get cash for a bunny. I really did attempt to talk myself out of this. I got distracted by the barn...stopped by the road and took pictures and forgot that I was talking myself out of buying a rabbit. Back to the festival I went.
This is long winded, but bear with me. So I bought the rabbit, stopped at the Farmers Union and bought water bottle and feed and headed home to inform hubby that not only had I bought a rabbit, but "would he build me a cage too". I had this all rehearsed while I was petting the bunny on my front seat, the whole way home.
When I got there, hubby had his motorcycle out, polishing it, changing oil and guy stuff like that. I told him that I did not buy a lamb. He said thats good. I told him...that it does poop but its not a lamb. hahah He asked where I was going to put it and I told him I'd put it in the shed for the night and we could build cage on sunday. Well, the cats started sniffing around the shed. He stopped what he was doing and we went to look for a place to build a cage. He gathered up all of his tools took them to the shed and got started. He was still smiling throughout all of this. He will just say..."girls" and thats the extent of it. As he finished up the cage, I told him that I was going to chase down the rabbit that was hiding under a cast iron stove in the cook shack. I came back and reported that I would have to have another pair of hands.
I did not think rabbits were so strong. She gave us quite a fight and we scrambled around in the dirt for some time trying to catch my new addition. After a time, we finally caught her, put her in a box and took her to her new cage. She went in the cage with a thump...she was very scared but is just fine. Hubby then reminded me not to bring home any critters unless we had a place to put it.
Throughout all of this, he was never sour or dismayed. He kept smiling, ok maybe he sputtered just a little at the things girls do...lol. But it was always playful. In tribute to him.. I have to say that he is always supportive of the things I want to do or try, he may not want to be a huge part of somethings, but he never discourages me. I am definitly his biggest fan. He deals with all of my little quirks and loves me just the same. He spoils me with respect and kindness and we take very good care of each other. We enjoy each others individuality and independance but make great companions as well. LIFE IS GREAT!!!
I went inside to the spinning part of the festival, talk to some spinners, got to spin some myself and asked some questions. The rabbit wool could be mixed in with the sheeps to spin.....hmmmmm.....a purpose. Went back outside...of course I had to pass the furry little critters. So then I had to talk to the lady and get some educational information. That was definitly a mistake.
I took precautions before I left home and only had enough cash for my day....no significant purchases. Then I had to find out how far the nearest ATM was. Remember that I am out in the mountains of western Maine ...farm country. So I traveled about 10 miles to get cash for a bunny. I really did attempt to talk myself out of this. I got distracted by the barn...stopped by the road and took pictures and forgot that I was talking myself out of buying a rabbit. Back to the festival I went.
This is long winded, but bear with me. So I bought the rabbit, stopped at the Farmers Union and bought water bottle and feed and headed home to inform hubby that not only had I bought a rabbit, but "would he build me a cage too". I had this all rehearsed while I was petting the bunny on my front seat, the whole way home.
When I got there, hubby had his motorcycle out, polishing it, changing oil and guy stuff like that. I told him that I did not buy a lamb. He said thats good. I told him...that it does poop but its not a lamb. hahah He asked where I was going to put it and I told him I'd put it in the shed for the night and we could build cage on sunday. Well, the cats started sniffing around the shed. He stopped what he was doing and we went to look for a place to build a cage. He gathered up all of his tools took them to the shed and got started. He was still smiling throughout all of this. He will just say..."girls" and thats the extent of it. As he finished up the cage, I told him that I was going to chase down the rabbit that was hiding under a cast iron stove in the cook shack. I came back and reported that I would have to have another pair of hands.
I did not think rabbits were so strong. She gave us quite a fight and we scrambled around in the dirt for some time trying to catch my new addition. After a time, we finally caught her, put her in a box and took her to her new cage. She went in the cage with a thump...she was very scared but is just fine. Hubby then reminded me not to bring home any critters unless we had a place to put it.
Throughout all of this, he was never sour or dismayed. He kept smiling, ok maybe he sputtered just a little at the things girls do...lol. But it was always playful. In tribute to him.. I have to say that he is always supportive of the things I want to do or try, he may not want to be a huge part of somethings, but he never discourages me. I am definitly his biggest fan. He deals with all of my little quirks and loves me just the same. He spoils me with respect and kindness and we take very good care of each other. We enjoy each others individuality and independance but make great companions as well. LIFE IS GREAT!!!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
SHEEPFEST 2007
What an amazing day! I am in awe of those who raise sheep and spin, first of all. Secondly, I realized something very important today.... I am definitly a farmgirl and have found my niche on the farm. I have read and researched sheep to death. Everything that I find out about them only makes me ache for them more. So I went to the Sheepfest in Denmark, Maine today to find out more information and to see firsthand whether or not this is truly my path. YES! IT IS!
I got such an education today on all types of fiber, sheep, spinning wheels, carding, shearing, and skirting. It was a han
ds-on day and I got to do just about everything. The shearing was left to the "master shearer". After opening all of the senses to this day, I am convinced that I will achieve this and that I am not wishing too big. I took so many pictures, I will post a few here. The rest I will put on my flickr site, well, maybe not all. I don't want to overload the web. LOLA nice surprise was that Bill Greene of "Bill Greene's Maine" was the
re with his cameraman recording all of the festivities. I think it only airs in Maine, maybe, but on Mother's Day it will be on. All of the people were wonderful and willing to share their knowledge. One spinner told me that "fiber artists love to corrupt another new spinner." She gave me a quick lesson and let me try my hand at fiber. 
The ride over was breathtaking. I was about an hour away and enjoyed every moment. There are many small working farms on the west side of Maine. I had to stop and take a few pictures. I passed by many of the photo opportunities but I had to stop and get
some of a gorgeous barn, and the mountain view.The running joke for the last few weeks with hubby has been ... no lambs in the car!!! LOL We do not have our barn ready yet, or the pasture, or feeding and so on. I agreed but it has been going on and on because he knows that I would try. Well, I did not bring home any lambs or sheep in my wagon....BUT I did acquire a chocolate satin angora rabbit!!!! This brought a story in of itself, quite an adventure, but I'm going to save it for the next blog.
Words really can not describe the feelings I've had today. If I have ever had any doubt at all as to where my future lies...it was solved today. And not just with sheep, although they were awesome. Being a farmgirl with an amazing hubby and all that the farm will bring has truly made my heart smile!
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