Sunday, September 28, 2008

OFFF, the personal side

This morning I left bright and early for the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival after staying up late teasing my last fleece. There was low-lying fog and clear skies with Mt. Hood in the background, creating one of my favorite scenes from our hill.By the time I drove through Newberg, the hot-air balloons were rising.
When I got to OFFF I looked up my new flock member. I had told Susan Kimball to register this little girl as Buffy after seeing her photos, but when I got my hands on her, I immediately thought, "Butter!" If her papers haven't been sent in yet, I'm going to change her name to that, for she is as soft as. And look at that tiny crimp!
Next I looked up Tammy and met our new Welsummer hen, who I had already dubbed "Welsie." Welsie makes seven feathered females for Boulderneigh. I think seven is a nice number, and I LOVE the variety of colors (hens AND eggs) we have collected! Below is Welsie at home in her cage within the coop. Tomorrow I will put out some produce distractions and let everyone run together.
After connecting with Tammy, there were sheep to help prepare and show for other breeders, lots of ring photos to take, fleece to deliver to the processor, and herding demonstrations to watch. I didn't do ANY shopping - unless you count buying four bottles of Hotlips Soda. These lightly carbonated, Portland-made, real-fruit-flavored sodas got a rave review from Tammy, and the one I sampled was mighty tasty. The other three I brought home for us to enjoy here.

Tammy and I were on the road by 1:00, me in my car and her following in her truck and trailer with my two new flock members (one feathered, one fleeced) and one of her own. We off-loaded mine, reluctantly loaded up Valentine, and off Tammy drove to hopefully get home before dark. I did a major sheep shuffle, putting a now-clean-nosed Inky and two of the wether boys in with Dinah and Brava, leaving Blizz to keep Buffy company during quarantine. I think Inky was happy to be out with everyone, and introductions seemed to be going okay.
Stay tuned for more from OFFF at . . .

6 comments:

Kathleen said...

What a beautifuul girl your Buffy/Butter is!

susan said...

stlerose3I miss seeing Inky's face waiting for treats at the fence. She looks happy.
It is so nice to be able to see people's blogs with the pictures of sheep that were once in my feild. I can't wait to see her lambs come spring.
Your camera is so much better than mine at taking the close up fleece pictures.
-Susan

Pamela said...

Oh my! That view of the mountain...is that from your house? It doesn't matter, it's GORGEOUS!

And what lovely, lovely animals! I can't wait to see more pictures of the OFFF!

(I can't believe how much I learn every single day from blogs like yours. Just amazing!)

~~Sittin.n.Spinnin said...

Wish I could have been there! I guess I'm not going to make it at all, at least not before next spring. Hay prices are killing me, gotta feed the critters.

~TigereyeSal~ said...

Fantastic photos! I need a refresher course on who's in your flock, now.

Kathy said...

It must've been hard to see Valentine go, Michelle. I know I'll be doing the same with some ofmine...