Sheep, not now

It's time to offer my sweet little Shetland ewes for sale.

I've thoroughly enjoyed them, but in developing our homestead....I think I put the sheep before the cart (or something like that.)  After much prayer and consideration, I've decided it would be best to sell the sheep and focus on some other farm endeavors first. 

About the pictures...The sheep are fascinated with the camera, but not in having their pictures taken....they would rather sniff, lick, and nibble the actual camera. 
So with the help of my 2 able-bodied recruits, we did the best that we could!

Under The Son Tiffany 
NASSA # S 32829   color:  Moorit
Under the Son Torvus x Under The Son Anglaise
born 4/3/2011

UTS Tiffany, May 2013

UTS Tiffany, May 2013
sorry about the rope around her front leg

UnderTheSon Tricot 
NASSA #S 32825   color:  black
UnderTheSon Apache x UnderTheSon Radisson
born 4/1/ 2011

UTS Tricot, May 2013

UTS Tricot, May 2013
Solid Topline....even though this picture
makes it look a little bumpy.

UTS Tricot on Left
S'more Czadas on Right.
Czadas is standing a bit cock-eyed
Both are strong and square in hind quarters.

S'more Czadas
NASSA# S 34884  color: shaela 
UnderTheSon Apache x S'more Spunky

S'more Czadas, May 2013
I think the halter makes her head look
a bit funky in this picture.

S'more Czadas, April 2013
This is Czadas' attempt to be invisible and
avoid the shearing stand!

S'more Czadas, April 2013
Coat just came off.  Ready to be sheared.
Gorgeous fine fleece!  Very soft.  Over 4" staple length.

Czadas, Tricot, and Tiffany, March 2012
I'm putting this picture in to show you how their
fleece colors compare.  All 3 fleeces are really nice!

These sheep were purchased from Theresa and Tori Gygi at Under the Son Farm in Greencastle, Indiana.

They are good breeding stock with strong genetics. They were purchased with the intention of starting a flock of fine fleeced Shetlands. 

Under the Son Farm specializes in breeding for strong conformation and fine fleece.

Asking $275 each.
Would really like to sell all three together, so will discount price to $775 for all 3.

I live in Lebanon, Tennessee....not far from Nashville.

Please email me if interested.
pamstahl at gmail dot com

blessings,

pam

Wheat Belly

first strawberry from the garden :)

I've been meaning to write for a number of days.  That means lots of stuff is rambling around in my head.  When I skip writing for too long my brain activity starts to mimic the classic pinball machine.  Unfortunately, writing is one area in my life that still bends toward the lies of perfectionism.  I keep putting it off, because I'm behind on all that needs to be reported on....thus I delay because I haven't time to do it right...which of course becomes One Vicious Circle.  Ugh!

Here's one topic that needs attention:


Wheat Belly
Have you read this book??  I've read most of it and find it fascinating.  I'm fearful that it's true, at least to some degree.  Have you taken a look at our bodies lately?  It's shocking how large we've become...overweight and unhealthy with diseases nearly unheard of 50 years ago.  What's up?  For a number of years I've been blaming our condition on processed food (totally hate that stuff...just ask my kids) and our sedentary lifestyle.  But now I'm wondering if there's not more to the story. 

Case in point:  Myself.  (I'm my own best guinea pig.)
I grew up in the country and we had horses.  My grandparents lived nearby and had a big garden and sometimes pigs and beef cows. 

Fast forward to around 2006, I started to miss the country and long for the animals, the garden, and yes...even the work of it. Soooooo...nearly 2 years ago we moved to a 10 acre farm (God love my long-suffering husband for going along with so many of my crazy plans and dreams!)

I know I'm an odd bird, but I really like to work hard physically especially when it yields something practical, like food.  For over 18 months, I've been physically active every single day.  At 48, I'm probably in as good if not better condition than I was in my 20's and 30's.  Add that to the fact that I rarely eat processed food.  I cook from scratch, grind wheat and bake all our bread products, have a milk cow and fresh unpasteurized milk, raise an organic garden, can and freeze for the winter, buy grass-fed beef and pasture raised poultry from local farmers; plus we have a constant supply of fresh eggs from our own healthy hens. (geez, no wonder my days are so full!)

BUT....over the last year, I've developed a little pot belly.  YUCK!  Yuck!  Double-Yuck!
I also have high cholesterol. 

So that's where this book comes in.  I first read an interview with the author, Dr. William Davis, and then sought out the book. The book's premise is that the wheat that we consume is not the same that our forefathers ate.  It's been hybridized into something very different.  I'm not especially surprised by this news because it seems that all of our food supply is being or has been mucked around with in some shape or form.  The problem with these well-meaning alterations is that we can't see all the consequences that might come from our tinkering.  That's what the book talks about.  I highly recommend that you read it.
(please know that I don't endorse all of Dr. Davis' viewpoints--like all the evolutionary stuff.  Just remember to use your own brain.  :)

I've been avoiding wheat for about 2 1/2 weeks.  Not long, but I've already noticed one significant change...I'm clear headed.  The brain fog that used to regularly settle in on me has lifted....even in the afternoons!!  Hooray!  I'll keep you posted if I notice other improvements. 

If you want to try this little experiment, expect to be amazed by the amount of wheat you actually consume on any given day.  It's everywhere.  The first hurdle is to figure out what to eat instead.  For me that translates to more veggies, nuts, and meat. 

The book says that some people really have a hard time getting off wheat because of the addictive qualities that are inherent to modern-day wheat.  So far I've been able to avoid wheat, but I know if I give in and taste "a little" I'll fall over the edge and gobble down a pound of cookies and bread.  Sounds strangely like an addiction, doesn't it?...I can avoid it, but once I start it will be difficult to stop.  Argh!

When I play the guinea pig game I try to leave my family out of it.  BUT my kids are starting to worry as they observe me passing on the wheat though, saying stuff like:  "no wheat?!!", "what about bread?!", "and pasta?!", "and cookies?!!!!!"  I don't have an answer for them.  We just have to let this play out.


many blessings,
pam


Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Psalm 32:1


fine print:  I'm an Amazon affiliate and will receive a tiny commission should you make an Amazon purchase shortly after clicking one of my Amazon links.  Having said that, please know that my opinions are my own....I have yet to be swayed by a few pennies from Amazon!

Trip to Wales, Anyone?!

Oh my.  I just came across a video that has my heart racing!!

I'm not much of a traveler, but if I went to Wales I would set up camp next to this little shop!!

No doubt I would return home with a lighter wallet!

Enjoy....

Oh my again!  The story gets even better. 

I just found a link for this shop where we can order these treasures!!!

I may be hyperventilating....Must go rest....(and find a pile of money!)

blessings to you,
pam

Here a Chick, There a Chick!

Freedom Ranger Chicks

Everywhere a Chick, Chick!

The farm is a whirlwind.  Our first order of chicks arrived last week.  50 Freedom Ranger chicks.  We are raising these as meat birds.  I know it's horrible to think of that when you look at these cute little guys, but that's the reality. 

Our goal is to raise healthy birds that will grow up on our pasture in the sunshine (as soon as they grow in their feathers).  We will know exactly what they have been fed.  That's a very good thing in my opinion.

Not quite a week old...growing wing feathers.

The chicks have heat lamps to keep them nice and warm until they get to be about 3 weeks old.  Then they will transition to living outside and eating lots of bugs along with a gmo-free grain ration.

Life is good. 

blessings,

pam

Recalibrating

The Living Water Quilt has been mailed!!  Through the years I've nagged others (gently, of course!) to label their quilts, so I couldn't allow this one to leave without doing the same.  When so much has transpired during the making of a quilt, the labeling task becomes even more challenging.  I'm wordy by nature and tend to complicate my endeavors.  Which means that labeling required much mental energy to say what needed to be said without writing a book.

I'm relieved to have the quilt done and shipped.  When the fundraiser concluded, I went from being exhilarated, to numb, to lost.  I tend to forget about that last stage.  Lostness (I think I'm making up a word...sorry about that) at the completion of a big project or reaching of a goal is a common occurrence for me.  I guess it's not something one can really plan for....You just have to walk (or wander) through the cloud of lostness when it arrives.

I think I have emerged from this particular cloud.  It's interesting to note how God timed all of this.  The fundraiser went from January to March which is a relatively slow time on our little farm.  And here we are at April and our piece of the world has come alive with green and growth and the many wonders (and much work!) of Spring.


Project 40
More strips have arrived along with one completed lap blanket!  (Thanks Kathy and Carol E.)

This lovely lap blanket was sent by Kathy!

Close-up so you can see this great stitch pattern

Completed lap blanket from donated strips. 
Thanks again, Strippers!

Farmy Stuff

Pastures are greening up!  The cows and sheep are enjoying the grass.  I notice that NONE of them are pining for the dry hay of winter.

Can I do the same?  Move forward into this season without looking back and longing for the past?

Lord, please help me to be content with this day, this season, this weather, this work, this life.

This is the day that the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
                          Psalm 118:24


Quilty Stuff

My latest creation:  A quilt top with bunny ears,
an arm, and a glove sticking out the top!

Pieced backing for the Amish Bullseye.
Held by my multi-tasking son!

Clipped to the table for pin basting. 
I gave up basting on the floor with one of my pregnancies. 
(It's not pretty when a preggo quilter can't
get up off the floor!)

Quilting the outer round of each block to get the pins out.

The Amish bullseye quilt is pin basted.  I'm quilting some basic lines attempting to get the majority of the pins out before this quilt gets put aside for the summer.  I prefer thread basting over pins, but am trying to eliminate the need for both of them.  I'll go back and quilt lots more after the pins are gone.

Quilting from back. 

May your day be blessed,
pam

Raffle Winner

I'm sure you must be wondering what is taking so long!  Me TOO!

I truly had no idea how much this whole fundraiser would test my organizational skills! 

We had close to 1,000 entries.  Here's what that looks like when I dumped the bucket out on my bed.

As I write this the total amount raised is $8,255!!!! 

YOU ROCK!  Not only did we reach the goal of $7,000--You blew it out of the water (bad pun, but I couldn't resist!)

So many people helped with this effort and thankfully umpteen zillion of you donated!!  Praise God!

Here are some of the blogs that helped spread the word:

Karen Griska of Selvage Blog

Sarah Craig of Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Quilting Babcia of Amity Quilter

Lori of Humble Quilts

Carol of Giraffe Dreams

Jessi of Rusty Nail Farm and ImakeUglyBags

Stacey of StasaLynn

Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville

Mary of The Curious Quilter

Linne of A Random Harvest


I'm sure I'm forgetting some of you.  I apologize and blame "raffle brain". 

So....I guess you're wondering about the winner?
Drumroll p l e a s e. . . . . . . .

Patti Gorman!!!


many blessings,
pam

Happy Easter!!

My guys trying to be serious and
hold the quilt up straight for me.

Hi Friends!
Yes, it's true---God is into wells for Africa because He showed up in a big, glorious way this past week! 

Last Sunday, we had raised $2,600 for the well.

Today the total is OVER $7,500!!!!!!!!
WAHOO!!!!!!!!!

So now you must be wondering why I'm not announcing the quilt winner. 

The reason is really good---I'm going through the last 115 donations to get everyone's entries into the drawing.  I'm taking my time to be sure that your name goes in the correct number of times.  I'm not complaining.  This is a really nice problem to have!! 

I am so thankful to all of you for listening to God's whisper and donating to this cause.

I am also very thankful for the part that Bonnie Hunter and her readers played in this effort.

Oh Happy Day!

I forced my sons into helping hold the quilt outside for a better picture yesterday. 
I've seen this quilt enough....my real motive was to see how much my sons have grown!

This picture was probably taken around 2009. 
I'm guessing I took this pic to try to convince myself
that someday I really would get it finished!! 

Ok...back to the entries. 

much love,

pam