Hattie and the Sheep Shed

After numerous delays we finally have a roof on the shed. You can see there was a bit of snow last night and we are mighty tired of this winter weather. Next step is putting a few windbreak walls on the shed and the door to the pasture, then we'll be ready to bring our boys home. 

Bye-bye sweet polluter

We turned in the Jetta for the VW diesel buyback this week so we're down to one vehicle until the Chevy Bolt arrives in April, if GM delivers as promised. 

Work on the sheep digs continues. The posts are up for the loafing shed/pole barn and we hooked up the pasture with irrigation water. 

It's not looking like much at the moment, but here is a shot of the future night pen and sheep shed, behind my studio....

The gate into the night pen....

And here is the new water pump....

Weather is still cold and wet but I hope we're past the freezing temperatures. 

Nosework and Fencing

Hattie passed the odor recognition tests for birch, anise and clove Saturday. She was fast and spot on. Made me proud. With ORTs out of the way she can start earning titles, but I'm planning to take a break from nosework for a while to work on the yard and get things ready for sheep. 

On the sheep preps, wood posts were put in for the small night pen and perimeter fence. The pen is going behind my studio/shed (top 2 pics). Bottom pic shows the main pasture posts. The fencing will be five feet, one foot higher than the existing fence, to discourage coyotes. A deer was killed in the pasture a few months ago, and last night when I was putting the ducks in their house for the night there was a tremendous screeching and growling down at the ranch. It sounded like Raven, the cow dog, was fighting a coyote. What a ruckus! I haven't seen Raven today. She's a stout dog but I hope she's OK. Coyotes are definitely going to be a problem so I want the night pen really secure.

Weather and sheep plans

The scene this morning, and snowing again this afternoon. Everyone keeps saying this is a very unusual winter but I'm afraid these wacky weather patterns are going to be the new norm.

We went over pasture plans with a fencer today and decided on a pole barn structure that will straddle the fence so that half will be in the secure night pen and half overhang the pasture providing a place for shade, dry hay storage, hay feeders, and protection from wind and rain in both areas. The night pen will be located in the corner of the yard behind my studio/shed and will open into the pasture north of the fenced yard. There's also a good area on the southwest corner of the property, out front and to the side of the house, but that will be an option we'll decide on later. We might just get temporary fencing that can be easily moved for other grazing areas and pass on field fencing there. 

Frozen Pots update

Disappointment! When my frozen pots thawed the reptilian texture was completely gone.  Here they are leather hard, trimmed and decorated with no sign of the texture.

Tulips carved and painted with white porcelain slip on stoneware pot. 

White porcelain slip texture experiment on stoneware plate.

Hattie with a favorite toy.

Sapphire, Amber and Ruby (peeking over the bench)

Crazy Dog Lady

I've officially joined the ranks of crazy dog ladies, closely related to crazy horse ladies. I put a down payment on five yearling Katahdin wethers and have two months to get fencing up, loafing shed built,  feeders, etc. The chocolate and spotted boys in the photo are mine along with three whites. Hattie will be in charge of their daily routine, adding to her duck responsibilities. She'll be a happy dog. Is there anything I won't do for my border collie? I had a choice between these Katahdins or Black-bellied Barbados, two breeds of hair sheep. The Kats have dog experience and are less skittish than Barbs, so the Kats won out. We are looking forward to bringing these boys home.

Frozen Pots

There was another hard freeze last night and the duck pool is a big ice cube. A few warm days last week lured me back into the mud room but unfortunately my clay hadn't dried before this latest cold snap hit. I found my pots covered with an unusual texture this morning. I have no idea how this will play out after they thaw and are trimmed. It might be very interesting.

Then there is Hattie. She's a wild thing with her toys, flinging them by the rope while spinning in circles and circling around me. It's like a dance performance. When she does it with the Jolly ball on a long rope it's a real show.

Spinning like a top, only one rear paw stationary, the rest of her a blur....

Hooper's Day

 Remembering Hooper today, her indomitable sunny spirit and drive.  I miss you girl.  💕