Titty giving Benton (pup) last minute instructions before he goes to his new home : )
"Lorna's Black Sheep" 2008 ewe lambs
Patience-because-she-hasn't-any
Bobby
Christmas Greetings, from Wall 2 Wall Sheep Ranch
Christmas Greetings for 2011
Here we are fully into December and just a skiff of snow on the ground. It is hard to believe that we started the year under water (sever flooding all around us), which continued the hardship from last year on farmers in the area. In mid summer we suddenly switched to drought conditions. There is a joke here about farms celebrating 100 year anniversaries, for the first time having collected both flood & drought insurance in the same year! We had our usual busy year with February lambing followed by a slight pause until July. In July we celebrated the arrival of our first Jersey calf, Hazel. Pete took a trip this summer to attend a family reunion in La Crete, Alberta. I’ve stayed busy with writing articles and have been invited to write for a new regional Newspaper. My photos continue to be featured and as an added bonus they continue to pay me! : ) This year we took a gamble and built a large new coverall building to store hay, milk the cows, and house the sheep in winter, which has already proven to be much more comfortable for us as we are out of the wind. We did have some bad luck though in September, as the new building was being finished (the guy was still on the ladder installing the last door) and I had just written the final check, we had a terrible wind storm which rolled a large grain feeder out into the field & peeled half the roof from the work-shop. (Both of course took out the fences in their paths.) We had decided this shop would suffice for the rest of our farming days but it is not safe to repair now. We could only afford to replace one building so we had chosen the barn which Pete can not weld in, so if any one wants to do any thing for us they can build us a new shop. I really miss the olden days when the neighbors would just get together and have a good barn raising! That would solve everything. : ) A long with some of Pete’s cousins we also had a visit from Elizabeth (my sister) & Elwyn in July. Karen (my 2nd oldest sister) came for an early Christmas Dec 4th to 8th from Saskatchewan. On our internet website: www.wall2wallsheep.com you can see all our new puppies & lambs. I got Ally an Akbash LGD and a kitten who vacuums (see her on youtube) and Pete got Pebbles another Akbash Livestock Guardian Dog. Pete was unable to do much herding in his new trial arena for training our Border Collies, due to the flooding and then he was busy hauling dirt to build a new access road and prepare the foundation for the new barn. At least he was too busy to keep me painting the fences this summer. We also added Red, an Ayrshire milk cow, this year who helped Betzy feed our little free-range piggy’s who now taste very good. (Even the kitten thinks so!)
Now it is time to do the ritual Christmas baking… Mmmm…. should we start with Shortbread made with fresh cream or Sugar cookies with fresh churned butter?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!From both of us, down home on the ranch……
Christmas Greetings 2009
December 2009
Here we are November 23rdand no snow on the ground and no freezing rain and almost balmy days!There are still Pansies blooming in the flower bed.We had our usual busy year with February lambing rolling through to June.Logan & Kris were visiting for the first part of February which was very nice for the extra help.Having the larger house sure made all the company we had this year more enjoyable.Along with some of Pete's cousins we also had a visit from Elizabeth & Elwyn, and later in the summer my Mom, Kathleen came for her first visit since we moved here in 2003. Her comment after visiting was "They have to wear their rubber boots even on the lawn!"We did have a very wet spring and summer once again.Now if you want to come and visit we have a room (& room) for you, complete with your own bath, as well as a place to sit at the table.
We moved up our internet sales of breeding stock this year with the addition of a website:www.wall2wallsheep.com where you can see our sheep and dogs and what ever else we've been up to.I'm working with the Manitoba Stock Dog Association and built their new website as well this year: www.manitobastockdog.comTwo litters of pups born in March kept me on my toes into the summer selling pups.
Pete took over the training of our Border Collies.He was able to compete in stock dog competitions this year with Skeet, Pip and Kit (Pete's old dog now retired).They even did win a few competitions at the novice and pro-novice level.Not a bad showing for a novice handler first year out.We hosted a clinic & fun day here in November and had 30 dogs and 15 handlers come from all over the province and even USA. Everyone enjoyed the weather and happily ended the day with pie.
Now it is time to start the ritual Christmas baking.Mmmm.. Shortbread or Fudge anyone?Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.From all of us, down home on the ranch..
Pete & Lorna
P.S.Remember in these times of economic turmoil, if you are eating, THANK A FARMER.Help your local economy by buying direct from the farm and keeping your dollars at home.You are safer eating something from a local source than a multinational corporation.Join a food co-op if you need to share bulk purchases.
Wall 2 Wall Sheep Ranch: Ewes in 'North 40 pasture' June 25, 2008
Christmas Greetings 2010
December 2010
Here we are heading into December and still have water laying on the ground.This year we have had unimaginable amounts of rain, causing flooding all over our large InterlakeRegion of Manitoba, causing hardship for many farmers of the area.Fortunately we have yet again weathered the storm so far.We had our usual busy year with February lambing followed by a slight pause until June.Kathleen Collin (my mother) and I again took a holiday together in May for 6 weeks, travelling through much of New Zealand on a bus tour, followed by a train journey across Australia, from both East to West, and then North to South.In the Sydney, Australia area we were able to spend several days with Kay's family, a friend from our 2006 trip to England.We attended the Ballet at the Sydney Opera House and played with Koala's and Kangaroos.From there we travelled west by train on the Indian Pacific, across to Perth, where we took a side journey in a non-tourist area to Collin & Susan's "Dorper Stud Ranch".From Perth we flew to Darwin, and the only warmth we enjoyed all year!While in the Darwin area we went on a crocodile tour and to the KakaduNational Park (of the Crocodile Dundee movie setting).Heading South by train again we went to Alice Springs & Uluru (Ayers Rock), continuing south to Adelaide.Here we switched to the bus and then another train to visit more friends from our England tour in Victoria at Bairnsdale staying with Maureen & Bob, who took us to a Koala wild reserve.We were able to catch a bus tour to see the "Fairy Penguins" on the southern tip of Australia the last evening before our flight home from Melbourne.It was wonderful to be able to spend time on this adventure with my Mother, and be able to visit our friends all over Australia, although it is challenging to keep up with Mom!Mom did complain when she got home that she missed all the service & the dining car!Pete took a trip this fall to see his children in Alberta, flying to Calgary & Grande Prairie. I've enjoyed a new creative outlet this year with many articles being published in a major Agricultural Newspaper as well as being published in a national women's magazine that won a prestigious2010 People's Choice Award.My photos are also featured and as an added bonus they pay me!We've had a very luck filled year with Pete winning an "iPod Nano" and I won $100 Melitta coffee basket. We continue to enjoy having the larger house making weather enforced indoor activities & all the company we had this year more enjoyable.Along with some of Pete's cousins we also had a visit from Elizabeth (my sister) & Kathleen (my Mom), and later in the fall Dawn & Richard (friends). On our internet website:www.wall2wallsheep.comyou can see our sheep and dogs and what ever else we've been up to.This summer, I shipped in a new Border Collie pup for Pete as he had managed to sell the young female we had left even though she was not advertised for sale.Later I bought him another 2yr old female to help replace Kit, who although getting old, should have a new litter of pups before Christmas.Pete built a new dog herding trial arena for training our Border Collies, despite the rain & flooding. Pete also managed to keep me painting long enough to replace the fencing along the front drive & yard to match the back yard. Our newest addition to the farm is Betsy, a Jersey milk cow, who we milk twice a day so that we can enjoy more chemical free food.The dogs are very happy with the left-over milk.Our guardian dogs were not too sure about Betsy at first & Betsy doesn't like when the sheep leave to go to pasture.They all visit over the fence.Now it is time to start the ritual Christmas baking.Mmmm.. should we start with Peanut brittle?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!From both of us, down home on the ranch..
Pete & Lorna
Christmas 2010 Angel Cheeks Ornaments
** Gift of the Old Ones **
*GIFT OF THE OLD ONE* *by Eunice Day, Washington, ME. *
The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man And his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.
The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a little milk, and a few kids each year and the goats were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One?" She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had either kids or milk from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn floor and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.
So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One."
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."
And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most boughs, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the goats through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits.The milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift Because of love, Only Because of love.
Wishing You All A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Please note if you need information or require feedback please use the contact page as guest book does not provide your contact information. Thank you.
'He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.' --- Author Unknown
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but if you have a question you want an answer to, you will need to email us at wall2wallsheep@yahoo.ca
Cetyl M We have available Cetyl M for dogs. 360 tab bottles $115.00 including tax. 120 tab bottles $ 45.00 including tax. Kit has had great improvement in her mobility in just 2 weeks of treatment.
We now have available CM Response for people. 120 tab bottles $ 51.97 including tax.
W7 and lambs 2010 prior to weaning.
Katahdin Ewe & lambs
Purina My Puppy Purina My Puppy link: for informative and interesting information on the care and feeding of you dogs or cats. We are proud members of the Purina ProClub.
Face Value: Sheep & Smiles
It seems sheep are discerning eaters?at least when it comes to who serves them. In a 2004 study, researchers at CambridgeUniversity in England gave sheep the choice of two doors to push open to get food. One door depicted a smiling human, the other an angry one. By a vast majority, the sheep chose the door with the smiling face.
please leave a comment in the Guest Book (your address does not show and is not visible to me). If you are looking at building a website like this or have any questions, email me at wall2wallsheep@yahoo.ca
