As the rainy season begins and the ranch comes alive with new growth, it is the time of year to sow seeds, apply compost and plant trees, all practices that sequester carbon and improve the health of our soil. Last year we applied compost and seed to about 35 acres of cattle pasture, and planted […]
A Beautiful Day to Plant Trees! Read More »
Our fleeces did really well at the California National Wool Show at the Mendocino County Fair last weekend. I entered 12 fleeces from our Romney, Corriedale and Cormo/Corriedale sheep and every fleece won a first, second or third. Brownie’s fleece got Supreme Grand Champion handspinner fleece, and Judge’s choice handspinner fleece. Judging from how Brownie
California National Wool Show Read More »
Our first indigo harvest was challenging, but Melinda prevailed…
Surviving the Blues Read More »
Our fleeces did really well yesterday at the wool judging at the Monterey County Fair! Dale, our awesome Corriedale ram, took first place in the Corriedale class, and won Reserve Champion in the Breed division, competing against the first-place of all the breeds. In the Romney class, Sky King’s and Blossom’s lovely charcoal-grey fleeces took
Prize-winning fleeces! Read More »
I got the most beautiful pinks from avocado pits…
Eat More Guacamole! Read More »
After giving away my dairy equipment last month, I was eager to set up the newly vacated milk room in my creamery as a dye lab! I got together a table, some hot plates, big pots for mordanting and dyeing the wool, cleaned out the milk room, and was eager to get started. Melinda is
Dyeing with Dandelions Read More »
I gave away my whole milking setup this week! It went to a wonderful part-Basque family from Wilton, south of Sacramento. I met them when 13-year-old Mati sent me an email inquiring about buying dairy ewe lambs to start a backyard dairy. I talked with Mati’s mom, Carmen, and after hearing more about their family
We’ve had a very unusual May. Usually May is our little bit of summer–the spring winds have died down, the pastures are still green and full of wildflowers, and we have sunny days and lovely long evenings that make me nostalgic for the summers of my childhood, in New York and visiting my cousins in
Lambing is almost over, and I’ve hardly had a minute to write a blog post this year! We began on February 13, and have had no lambs born for the past two weeks, but we have 5 ewes holding out. We expect them to lamb in the next week or two. My friend Annie is
Lambing Reflections Read More »
