Calving Season

The weather has turned nice with a heat wave and we all are enjoying the sunshine.  I thought I would share some of the other pictures I took during the last two weeks.  DD #1 was home for a couple days this week-end and helped us catch up on things and some sleep too.  :)

In labor in the "favorite" corner of the calving lot.

The corner was bedded with hay, but the snow is rapidly covering it up.  We let Mom lick off the new baby (bonding) and then they go to the warm dry barn.

The "old" long horn cow had a plain baby this year.  Each year she alternates--one year speckled like her, the next year a plain black one.  She is one of our tamest cows.  She comes to DH's cow call.

Just another "pretty" face. 

I'm sure there will be no sewing for a couple more weeks.  The snow is all melted and farming will begin very very soon.  Double duty will be on DH's schedule.  It is amazing how dusty it is in the pasture already.  The ground sucked the moisture right down.  Today I can actually see the beginning sprouts of green.  The trees are very late this year too.  None of the small retail greenhouses are filled in town yet.  It's a very late start for the growing season for everyone.

The Winter That Stayed

You haven't seen much of me--nobody has.  I've been either in the pasture, the barn or sleeping.  Not always enough sleeping.  lol   This isn't the kind of weather I like to have baby calves in.  In fact we are calving a week later than last year, hoping to avoid cold weather.  It has been a very, very long two weeks of snow and wind and colder than average temperatures.  There has been a lot of hands on calving help needed to keep everyone dry and healthy.

Snow is not an ideal place to have a newborn.  When it does happen,  it's up to the rancher to swoop the baby up and take it to a warmer dryer place.  Sometimes Mom follows--sometimes she needs to be persuaded.

The calves that are a week old do better in the snow.  You can tell a healthy calf by his looks.   They have their ears up and usually enjoy morning play time--even in the snow.

It takes a lot of straw and shelter to keep all the older ones warm and dry too.  It's a busy job when the weather is crappy.  There are emergency trips to the vet with little ones that need extra help.  I tell DH: "we can't sleep with them too".  

More later...........................

Feline Friday

Stripes is enjoying the 65 degree day and waiting for supper to be served.

I'm linking up with Sarah, because I'm a cat lover too.

Spring?!

 It does not look like Spring in the calving lot.  It has melted some since I took this picture last week.  DH blew snow away from the fences into the trees.  We really haven't even been able to fix fence because there is too much snow.  I'm NOT complaining.  We need the moisture and a lot of this will melt and flow into the small dam for drinking water for the cows.  It was almost empty last fall.   Yesterday it was 65 degrees, so that got rid of some of the snow.

We had our first calf last week on 3/31.  He is a cutie with some white markings on his face.  He was deep in sleep and I didn't wake him.   His mom was hiding him out in the corn stalks.

 Don't ask me why you would want to kiss a llama.  Sometimes I wonder about my husband--lol.  Lily loves him and always wants to kiss him.  I'm not trusting enough to try it.

I made a Schlep bag today.  You can download the pattern here.  I bought it as a kit with free pattern at a quilt shop.  I didn't realize I could get the pattern online for free until I googled it.   I think this will make a handy travel bag.  I'm always taking along extra stuff.  I didn't put in any inside pockets or batting.   I think this would be a nice gift to make.

Lily Butterfly

We have named the new baby, Lily Butterfly.  She floats like a butterfly and her Mom's name is Lillian, so I came up with this name.  DH wanted to name her Butterfly, but he said that was too long of a name for calling her.

She really doesn't need to be called.  As soon as you come close,  she is there to greet us.  She's very curious and loves to put on a show for us.  She runs, jumps, bucks and kicks.  She moves too fast for me to even get a decent picture.  I've tried videoing, but she's too fast for my small camera.

She does stop to take a roll.  Llamas take baths by rolling in the dust.  We are having fun watching her.  I have a ring side seat in the house.  She brings a laugh to us many times a day.

It's been a cold week.  Peanut needed a warm spot after she came in from a morning outside. (sorry for the mess by the window).  I sure hope it warms up before the calves start coming.

I feel like I spent the week on the road.  I went to the dermatologist with DD 1.  She had two more biopsies for melanoma.  One of her last biopsies came back with a moderate/severe rating of turning into melanoma and they did additional tissue removal. We did stop at a couple quilt shops.   On Friday I took DH to the doctor after much persuasion.  He has had "junk" for a couple weeks and was starting to have more difficulty breathing.  They fixed him up with antibiotics and breathing treatments.  Last night it was time for some fun.  I went with my SIL and niece and their husbands to the Show Choir dinner theater that my great nephew was in.  It was totally awesome!  The show featured 60's and 70's music.  There were a lot of talented singers and dancers.   I miss going to high school events sometimes, other times staying home is very nice.

No sewing at all this week.  : (  I did find out DD 1 would like a new tote bag for work.  I also checked out her color and design preferences at the quilt shops.  It's time to make my daughters quilts this year.

It's A Finish!

After a lot of practicing on paper, watching videos, practicing on vinyl and practicing on fabric, I have completed FMQ Gypsy Girl.  She is a finish!!  The size is 65" x 75" - so far  my largest quilt.

The key to good free motion quilt results is matching thread.  lol  I used a light pink from Connecting Threads.  After all the tension problems I had with the Sulky thread, this went perfectly.

I stippled in the main body of the quilt, circles in the small border and feathers in the 4" border.  I did a large loose stipple, because I wanted the quilt to be soft.  The feathers improved the more I did.  Corners were tricky and not perfect, but they will do.

I haven't washed it yet and it needs a label.    I was too excited to wait for washing!!   I had to show you!!  Now the fun of deciding the next project........................

 

A Little Surprise

We had a little surprise arrive this last Wednesday.  It was a busy morning.  DH had regular chores to do and we had 3 semi-trucks coming to haul our calves to the sale barn in Aberdeen.  The trucks had just gotten there and one of the drivers asked what was wrong with one of our llamas.  Sure enough, Lillian was having a baby.  The head and one long leg were out, but the other leg was back.  With a little assistance this little one was helped into the cold world.  It was only 14 degrees out.

 After the trucks left with the calves, DH and I loaded up mom and baby in the horse trailer.  We set up a pen in the heated shop for them.  (That sounds a lot easier than it was!!  Lillian was not very cooperative!!)

Lillian really didn't appreciate the help or the nicer accommodations.  Llamas don't bite, charge or run over you--thank goodness!!  BUT they do spit at you--nice big soggy hunks of yunky smelling partially digested hay.  We got the pair settled and then showered and headed for the sale.

They were just fine when we got home to check on them.  Baby is all legs and long neck.  She is light as a feather.  I'd rather carry her than a baby calf. lol

 

Michelle was home for a visit this week-end.  The baby is so fun.  She is curious and soft as a bunny.  She liked the sound of Michelle's voice. She bounces around and shows off too.  They are now in a suite in the old red barn.  Lillian wants to join the rest of the family.  It is suppose to warm up the end of this next week, so that will help.

 

 

 

I'm still practicing my FMQ.  I'm going to have a lot of "cat mats" when I'm done, because I need alot more practice!!