Winter 2005/2006 Newsletter
Despite the record breaking temperatures this winter, the north country is still blanketed in white and the animals are nestled in their hay contentedly chewing their cuds. Breeding season is over and the ewes are expectant. It would seem to be a time when chores are less and I can get to spinning but that never seems to be the case. Rams bash their way happily through our best efforts to contain them and remodeling jobs in the house take up the rest of our time. I did manage to spin and knit most Christmas gifts this year. I enjoy doing that, I feel that I have given something from the heart and that the recipient can know time and love went into the gift. Not just another shopping trip at the mall to add stress to the holidays but a way to connect to the greatest gift given, the Christ child. This is also a way to gain time with fleeces off our animals, to better assess what are the strengths and weaknesses of each fleece and what projects are most appropriate for each type. February seems to be the month the rams start shedding fleeces (rooing) and I will soon be plucking that fiber for next year's spinning. I can hardly wait!! Almost as much fun as the lambs themselves.
If you've ever lived in an area where winter lasts for a greater part of the year than any other season you can appreciate the creative efforts people in the north country go through to find ways to exercise outside. Sometimes it is a struggle to find a reason to go out in -30F temperatures (although this year has spared us that so far). But the effort to dress warmly is rewarded with some of the most beautiful scenes and peaceful days and nights of the year. The stars seem brighter, the aurora is a treasured display and the soft blues, purples and rich greens of the spruce forest are a sensuous treat for the eyes. The colors inspire summer dye days to reproduce naturally what is made by God and take those colors with you as sweaters, purses, scarves and hats for all year. Even though summer seems far off, the annual natural dye day here at the farm is just around the corner and I am knitting with yarns dyed last summer for projects that will be treasured for many years. If you want to add some earth friendly color to your fiber, keep that in mind.
Since I have dogs, along with the barnyard menagerie, I use them as the excuse to hike in the winter woods. My Siberian husky and her husky mix friend take such joy in snow and cold that their energy is contagious. So much so that this year I undertook to teach them to mush (along with learning this ancient means of transport myself). A true north country tradition, mushing is still done here in the form of races and recreation for people and their canine friends. After teaching the appropriate commands and hooking the dogs to a small basket sled, I realized that what I really needed was more dogs. For you animal lovers, this is obvious, for those not addicted to furry and feathered friends, take my word for it. We had searched last year for a breed that could pull, herd and still be a housepet and came up with the samoyed as a good choice. We had less luck finding a breeder of these majestic dogs that was actually breeding for a working dog, most are now show dogs. This winter we finally found a breeder with a litter of pups from mushing parents. Of course we jumped at the chance to own two and are now proud parents of a male and female samoyed, future herders and mushers. I am looking forward to seeing if one of them has a strong herding instinct (something originally inherent in the breed but fading as the showring takes over). I'm not sure the sheep are looking forward to a herding dog but a good dog could really simplify chore time and rotating pastures in summer. Not to mention that the samoyed produces a lovely white fiber that has always been used for spinning and weaving garments. Another source for those summer dye days...
As winter winds down into spring and lambs and milking take my time, I hope you take time to enjoy the beauty of the world around you and realize that beauty is a connection to the author and creator of all life. May you find blessing in His love this season and throughout the year. As time permits, I will update the newsletter with lambing information and puppy fun. If you have questions about our animals, our farm, fibers, spinning or just want to say hi, feel free to drop us a line or call.
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