Working on the List

We have been working steady on that darn list. Little by little we have been able to whittle it down to just a few projects left. Ted gave both pastures a quick mow to get rid of the taller weeds. The sheep loved being able to get down to the last little bit of green grass left.

They followed behind the tractor. Hopefully next spring the weeds will not take over the pasture. I was out pulling thistle up by hand. Not a pleasant task. Those darn stickers are able to penetrate leather gloves.

While Ted was mowing we took a walk in the woods behind the pasture and this is what we found. A big tree stand. We had a good idea that it belonged to a friend we had given permission to hunt last fall. We now have animals and don't allow hunting on the land. After a phone call he came and removed the stand. Thanks Chris.

Work inside the barn is overseen by our resident critics. Everyone is enjoying the afternoon sunshine. The littles are still betting bossed around by Isabella and Corina (the bigs).

We were able to complete two milking stands. One full size for the bigs and one smaller for the littles. Amazing so, the littles are still a bit to small for this milking stand. We have to put blocks in the front for them to stand on to reach their food. Like a booster seat for the kids in the car.

We planned on using stall mats for the base to prevent slips. Blue Seal was out of mats so we took two old commercial rugs, flipped them over so the rubbery side was up and secured them with deck screws. We saved money with that adjustment.

Isabella is working on her portfolio. She wants to know if this is her best side.....

or is this her best side? I think she loves the camera. She is very photogenic.

Corina doesn't trust the camera yet. She is still a bit camera shy. But boy can she give good goat milk! Just look at those kissy lips.

All of the dirt has been spread in the back of the house. Ted is a fast learner. He has been working with the tractor and has become a pro at spreading dirt. No way to get grass seed to grow in this cool weather. Soon snow and ice will cover the dirt till spring. Then we can plant some grass seed.

Finally, we are able to get this old telephone pole down. Fair Point is the communication provider for our area. Anyone not familiar with this company you are fortunate. They took over for Verizon and went downhill like a snowball from a much warmer climate. They are filing for bankruptcy at this time. We had a new pole placed last fall. The previous pole was in really sad shape. I called Fair Point to let them know that the phone lines could be moved before we had a storm that could tear them down. According to the customer service assistant, we would have to pay $65 for a service call, $65 for 15 minute increments. Wow! However, if the line or pole just fell they would come out and change it over for free. Now that makes sense....... That is a high priced industry and a rip off. In a few, not quite so nice words, I told them it would be a cold day in a warmer climate before I would pay that. The whole thing would have to fall first. Well, this past week the line fell and we were without phone service. The Fair Point repairman came out and kindly, and for free, changed the line over to the new pole. It took him about 45 minutes. That was the nicest $260 that I didn't have to spend. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him work. Ted was able to use the tractor to push the old pole down.

Like a kid in a candy store. You get to drive big equipment and tear things up at the same time. Woo...Hoo........

Down came the pole with a mighty crash..... It was so old he was able to cut it into lengths to use in the wood stove. It was pre-creosote and safe to use.

All of our wood has finally arrived. What a beautiful site. Stacking can come a bit later, not too long. Otherwise, it will be covered with snow.

What a nice cozy feeling. Plenty of fire wood, a pot of coffee going on a cool fall day. Home. What a wonderful word.

We hope everyone is well and having luck finishing their list. Hopefully, ours will be finished soon. Much love and prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.

Kelly

The List

The List

Each year we are more determined to be ready when winter rears it's white blustery head. We have taken to making lists of things that most positively have to be done before winter. Somehow the list keeps growing. As we mark one thing off and done, we add another. We occasionally find ourselves in the middle of a nor'easter and realize the snow thrower is not working. We got up this morning determined to finish a couple of things on The List. We started in the basement with putting together the stove pipe for the wood stove. Why can't this thing come already together? Every time I work with the metal I cut myself at least 2 times. Today I have 3 cuts and Alex has 2. After we got the stove pipe snapped together we had to drill a couple of holes to put the damper in.

Quite a dapper damper don't you think?

All together and ready to attack the stove.

It always looks simple but turns out to be a bit more complicated that they tell us at Home Depot. I know they cackle as we leave. But, we make it fit. Vise Grips and all is well. Yes it will go into the chimney darn it!

It took us a about an hour but the wood stove is together and sealed. Now it's ready for the first fire. We installed a pellet stove last winter in the basement. It just didn't heat the way we expected. It seemed to eat more pellets and the price of a bag of pellets just keeps going up. Wood prices seem to be stable. We traded the pellet stove for 4 cord of wood. We felt like we got a good deal and so did the couple we traded with. Barter, yes!

Last Saturday while we slept, Ted was down in the basement working on a surprise. We had discussed how nice it would be to have a wood chute through the back window and into a wood box. The wood could be easily loaded into the basement near the stove. We even picked up a few sheets of OSB and a few 2x4's. What a lovely surprise to wake up to. Another item off The List.

Next, outside for another item on The List. The sheep shelter that we put up again about 2 weeks ago took another flight over the fence and into the pasture. The augers just aren't keeping them tied down enough. It happened during one of our 3 night stretches. A storm came up, I was sleeping, and the shelter grew wings. Ted came in and woke me up to say, "I told you it wouldn't stay tied down. Now are you going to listen to me and use the pallets like I told you about?" After I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, stumbled into proper attire we went out with the tractor to drag the errant shelter back into the pasture. Alex, with the use of the wonderful tractor dug trenches along three sides.

Truffles and Baby made sure the shelter was in good shape. It's always nice to have sheep that are so helpful.

The trenches are completed.

We all worked to re-erect the skeleton of the shelter.

We took time out for sheep love.

Finally, the shelter is up, the inside lined with pallets and secured with wire.

Once again, the sheep winter shelter is up. It seems more sturdy. Only time and another wind will tell.

Ever heard of a bucket of chicken? How about a bucket of sheep?

We are filthy, tired and hungry. Another chore marked off of The List. Whew...... I've got one for you. How can you tell you are country? You go to the mail box and get all excited because your new John Deere Owner's Edition hat has arrive. WooHoo...I got my hat!

Very tired wishes that your list is getting completed before winter. Much love and prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm. Good night to all.

Kelly