Tis the season ~ Opening the "Shoppe"

The calendar tells me it's November 28th.  The thermometer tells me that it's Indian summer - the temp was 65 degrees today!  All of our snow is melting and we have mud........each year it seems Mother Nature cannot make up her mind when it comes to winter - is it or isn't it?  We are prepared....and I would really love a white Christmas :) 
The sheep and chickens are very happy to have bare ground again.  The chickens spend their days out pecking and scratching.  The sheep looking for a blade of grass that they may have missed the day before.  Keeps them busy and out of trouble. 

We had a busy post thanksgiving weekend.  We are preparing to open our "Shoppe" each weekend for the month of December.  Working full time leaves me little time for my sweet little shoppe.  I do love spending time there and am really looking forward to being open.

Yesterday we trekked through the woods tipping balsams, spruce and white pine.  We are making and selling wreaths this year.  It's been quite some time since I have made wreaths and it was so enjoyable to be in the woods.  The air was so fresh and it was so quiet.  We are offering 18" wreaths with a bow and pine cones.  The photo below is the wreath we are offering.  I'm hoping to make a few after work each night and have a nice selection for the weekend. 

Our new pullets are finally laying.....farm fresh eggs are available as well as beautiful, soft hand dyed yarns and roving from our sheep.  Jewelry, greeting cards, framed and matted photographs along with many other items are available in the "Shoppe".   Our hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 - 3.  Stop in and enjoy a cup of mulled cider with us.  We would love to see you! 

Wishing you all a happy, productive week. 

Cheers!

Deb

Happy Thanksgiving ~

A pre-thanksgiving snowstorm coated everything with 8 inches of wet, heavy snow.  A little shoveling and plowing and playing in the snow with the puppies filled our day.
  It is beautiful as the sun rises this morning.  Having an extra couple of days off is a bonus and I'm loving behing home.  Mom and I started preparing food yesterday and the wood cookstove is roaring and ready to be cook up a storm. 

These three were thrilled to play in the snow.  In this photo they are waiting for someone to throw the next snowball! 

All of us at Tylerfarm wish you and your families and very Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter and great food!  In such troubled and difficult economic times, we are very greatful for all the blessings in our lives. 

Cheers,
Deb

Happenings..........

Happy Autumn......it's been a beautiful fall season here in Maine.  Sunny days, temps in the 50's and 60's.  Gentle breezes and a halloween snowstorm!  6" for our area but 18 inches a half hour north of us.  So many without power in southern New England for days.  A taste of what's to come before too long :) 

As changes continue here at Tylerfarm, we are slowly rebuilding our sheep flock.  I raised Shetland and Finn sheep for many, many years here but decided when change became necessary that I would change breeds as well.  We decided on Coopworth sheep.  They are a bigger breed than what we previously had.  The biggest perk for me is that they only have to be shorn once per year.  The finns were twice per year.  I'm fortunate to be able to shear my own but once per year is more than enough.  Their fleece is looking lovely and shearing time will be very exciting here. 

Our new ladies - they are all approximately 6 months old.  From left to right:  Godiva; Ghiradelli; Skittles and Maggie Mae.  All are registered Coopworth and all were born and raised here in Maine.  They are sweet, personable gals and we are very excited at the prospect of lambs from these gals.  Our plans are to add eight more ewes over time and have a small flock of 12 breeding ewes. 

Winter preperations are well underway.  We stripped the sheep barn and added fresh straw today.  The chicken house is buttoned up and the ladies will be nice and cozy as the cold, winter wind blows.  The woodshed is nearly full and the tractor ready to run the snowblower.  We try to be as prepared for whatever mother nature throws at us.  You just never know what the weather is going to be aroudn here! 

I hope all is well with you and yours.  I look forward to catching up with you all soon :) 

Deb