Looking on the bright side

I'm making a conscious effort today to look on the bright side. It's been making me slightly crazy that the contractors have not been back since they poured the footers for the studio building at the beginning of last week! Is it any wonder contractors have such bad reputations? I can work myself into a really negative frame of mind, if I dwell on it, so I'm not. I decided when I woke up this morning, I was going to do some things I've been wanting to do. The sun is out, it's supposed to be in the upper 60's and I'm going to enjoy this day. So there!

I spent several hours hanging out around the barn after I finished the morning feeding routine. I set up a table in the barn aisle, got out my dye equipment and got two batches of roving started. I've done laundry and hung it outside in the sunshine (is there anything better than sun dried, sweet smelling laundry?) and have just now put my first ever CVM fleece in to soak. I've already decided we are having stir-fry for dinner and don't have to think about that anymore til it's time to prepare it. So, I think that's a pretty good start to my day!

one of the banty hens working on her tan

One of the fun things about just being around the barn is observing all the action and reaction taking place. When I feed the chickens in the morning, they usually stay inside until they have polished off their layer crumbles and cracked corn, but the last few days, as soon as I open their little door to the outside, they are lined up and jostling each other to get outside immediately. They head to the inside of the barn and start flinging bedding around in the sheep pens. When they've got it all rearranged to their own satisfaction, they work their way down to the garden (where nothing is planted yet) and spend most of the afternoon scratching around. I can tell they are really happy because they keep up a constant clucking and chattering. I love hearing that!

The ewe on the right is the first one due to lamb and the one of the left won't be far behind. I'm so anxious to see the lamb crop that Ollie has produced. Color and crimp are what I'm hoping for.

By the way, if you're wondering what happened to Penny, here's the report. Penny ran off at the first opportunity and after weeks of searching and calling animal control, she turned up several miles away. I called her previous owners and met them there and it took them an hour to get their hands on her. We decided that Penny was not going to work for us, so she's back in her original home and much happier, I suspect. So, we are still looking for another guardian to join Holly and thinking we want to start with a puppy who will adapt better to a new home.

I hope you all have sunshine and happy days for your weekend!