The biggest project I got done is the 2009 NA BFL Breeders Survey . This is the second year that I have collected data from North American Bluefaced Leicester breeders in an effort to determine production characteristics. The idea sprung up on the BFL Friends list when several breeders were posting their lambing results in spring of 2008. A small committee of new BFL breeders (Jody McLean, Linda Wendelboe and myself) developed a short questionnaire which was sent out the members of the Bluefaced Leicester Union of North America along with the Flock Book. This year's survey was a little more involved than the first year because we included lambing data from crossing BFL sires on other breeds of ewes. I think the results this year are very interesting and informative. You can download results on my website, www.riveroakssheep.com or click on the link above.
The other thing I finally finished was a basket I started way back in August of 2008. It's been sitting around for over a year! I can truthfully say that basket weaving is NOT for me. I never wanted to do it, but our art group was making them one day and I thought I might as well see what it was like. But I had to leave early that day and didn't finish the top edge. It didn't take all that long to finish it up once I had it well soaked. But still, I'll leave the basket weaving to others.
We got some snow overnight which reminded me that it's time to start thinking about Christmas. I finally dragged out the little artificial tree last night. I'll have to decorate it and the house in the coming days.
Shachah comes in for daily naps now. However he's been taking longer and longer naps lately. Last night with the blowing snow and dropping temps I didn't wake him to go back outside when I went to bed. Well, when Shachah wakes up and wants out, he wants out! Stan woke up when he heard all kinds of rustling and panting by the patio door in the kitchen. As soon as Stan opened the door OUT went the BIG dog. Then Stan had to get his boots and coat on and open the gate so Shachah could join the ewe flock in the pole barn.
I know, I'm such a sucker! I need to be firm and not let him in (the dog, not Stan!). At the very least I need to make him go out before I go to bed . But with the upcoming below zero temps that will be hard, he's just so darn lovable. So far his arthritis doesn't appear to be acting up. And it's amazing how little he eats.
Actually, looking at his picture, its not that amazing how little he eats! LOLOL
ReplyDeleteThey really are sweethearts, aren't they? Chuck refers to Beth as "my lovely assistant".
I am so glad that your big, ferocious, LGD is working out so well for you!
ReplyDelete...sleeping in the HOUSE 'cuz it's snowing outside... he he he he he
;-)
Sorry the basket weaving didn't work out for you. I still think you did a lovely job. You can always visit my blog for tons of tips and techniques as well as some free "easier patterns" should you decide to give it another try.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays,
Nancy,
www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com
Your basket turned out nice! I have wanted to try basket weaving but I am not sure I would like it either. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh no, I hope I haven't offended all the basket makers out there! I think I would have enjoyed the basket making experience more if I had picked out my own pattern and incorporated some color in it. Thanks to Nancy the Basketmaker for the link to your blog. I am happy to say my basket is pretty useful, I've got it all full of stuff already. But I still plan to apply some tung oil to it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if our Big Dog thinks he's guarding the house when he comes in for his naps. I'm just glad he gets too hot and thirsty to stay in very long. Last night something had him and the sheep agitated out there. I let Ozzie out and he went nuts too. So I went out to check but found nothing once I got all bundled up.
Oh no, I hope I haven't offended all the basket makers out there! I think I would have enjoyed the basket making experience more if I had picked out my own pattern and incorporated some color in it. Thanks to Nancy the Basketmaker for the link to your blog. I am happy to say my basket is pretty useful, I've got it all full of stuff already. But I still plan to apply some tung oil to it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if our Big Dog thinks he's guarding the house when he comes in for his naps. I'm just glad he gets too hot and thirsty to stay in very long. Last night something had him and the sheep agitated out there. I let Ozzie out and he went nuts too. So I went out to check but found nothing once I got all bundled up.