Books I Love
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
My Blue-Eyed Girl!
4:33 PM | 
Posted by
Jen Pietsch |
Yeah!! I was hoping that totally random selection would work out in my favor! The alpaca of the day is none other than Wanda' s baby girl--
Prada!!!!
Prada has blue eyes. I will go into the reasons this is not a desirable trait at another time, but what it boils down to is in order for her to almost 100% assuredly have a baby with dark eyes, she needed to be bred to a dark male- as dark as you can get as far back in his heritage as you can get.
We found a crazy handsome award winning black man for her to pass the time with. He lives about three hours away. Prada (the little stick of dynamite) doesn't travel. She was never halter trained because it stresses her out to be handled. She, with the blue eyes was never going to be shown, so why push the issue? Alpacas don't do artificial insemination. This was a problem.
Onyx de Mico
After much discussion with his owners it was decided that Onyx could come for a short visit...a sleepover of sorts. I did however need to purchase two breedings. Who should I also breed with the dark stranger? I am not telling you today but I won't keep it a secret for long.
Alpacas are induced ovulators. This means introduce them to a male and they will be ready in a couple of days. We bred Prada on day one-three- and seven as it is the protocol I follow. I then wait another three days and do what is called a spit test. This isn't really fun. But it is easier than having her pee on a stick - which doesn't work anyway.
To do a spit test you catch the girl in a catch pen and then bring the haltered male- this doesn't have to be the one she was bred to- and see what happens. If she runs, spits and kicks start knitting those baby booties if not get back in the saddle.
Farmer Jeff decided he was going to assist on this one because Prada is indeed a firecracker! We caught Prada and put her in one of the barn stalls with a gate. We brought in Onyx and stood back to see what the verdict was. Chase, chase, chase (the alpaca, not Jeff and I), orgle, orgle, orgle (again the alpaca not Jeff and I), run, run, run (Prada from Onyx).
I decided that Prada was indeed pregnant- Jeff the armchair farmer - said "But she is not spitting!!!" (when you read that last sentence please use your- I know more than you- annoying inflection- go back and try it again) I assured him that, she was a maiden and maybe a little mixed up but was indeed pregnant. Maiden meaning never having had a baby not a virgin.
As I turned to open the gate to let our new little mother to be out of the stall, she jumped up and landed herself crosswise on the stall divider. She was up there like a car on a cliff teetering back and forth- and couldn't get down. You could have heard a pin drop. Prada looked confused, Jeff wasn't breathing and even I, hard to believe, was speechless.
Jeff was beginning to think that she MAY be pregnant. After we got everyone sorted and settled and looked over- I started to laugh and couldn't stop.
Jeff is no longer involved in breedings. Prada gave us a friendly, beautiful, brown eyed, curious little girl- but she will get her own day!
When I first met Prada she was like a little concentrated version of Wanda. Very concentrated. She had a cria this year and has undergone a shift in personality.
Prada has blue eyes. I will go into the reasons this is not a desirable trait at another time, but what it boils down to is in order for her to almost 100% assuredly have a baby with dark eyes, she needed to be bred to a dark male- as dark as you can get as far back in his heritage as you can get.
We found a crazy handsome award winning black man for her to pass the time with. He lives about three hours away. Prada (the little stick of dynamite) doesn't travel. She was never halter trained because it stresses her out to be handled. She, with the blue eyes was never going to be shown, so why push the issue? Alpacas don't do artificial insemination. This was a problem.
Onyx de MicoAlpacas are induced ovulators. This means introduce them to a male and they will be ready in a couple of days. We bred Prada on day one-three- and seven as it is the protocol I follow. I then wait another three days and do what is called a spit test. This isn't really fun. But it is easier than having her pee on a stick - which doesn't work anyway.
To do a spit test you catch the girl in a catch pen and then bring the haltered male- this doesn't have to be the one she was bred to- and see what happens. If she runs, spits and kicks start knitting those baby booties if not get back in the saddle.
Farmer Jeff decided he was going to assist on this one because Prada is indeed a firecracker! We caught Prada and put her in one of the barn stalls with a gate. We brought in Onyx and stood back to see what the verdict was. Chase, chase, chase (the alpaca, not Jeff and I), orgle, orgle, orgle (again the alpaca not Jeff and I), run, run, run (Prada from Onyx).
I decided that Prada was indeed pregnant- Jeff the armchair farmer - said "But she is not spitting!!!" (when you read that last sentence please use your- I know more than you- annoying inflection- go back and try it again) I assured him that, she was a maiden and maybe a little mixed up but was indeed pregnant. Maiden meaning never having had a baby not a virgin.
As I turned to open the gate to let our new little mother to be out of the stall, she jumped up and landed herself crosswise on the stall divider. She was up there like a car on a cliff teetering back and forth- and couldn't get down. You could have heard a pin drop. Prada looked confused, Jeff wasn't breathing and even I, hard to believe, was speechless.
Jeff was beginning to think that she MAY be pregnant. After we got everyone sorted and settled and looked over- I started to laugh and couldn't stop.
Jeff is no longer involved in breedings. Prada gave us a friendly, beautiful, brown eyed, curious little girl- but she will get her own day!
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Wu
Thank you Jeff for doing a guest post. I am pretty sure Santa Oma has now put you on her bad list for the comment about the brown traveling suit.
Next out of the hat is....
Wanda!
aka- Wanda Woo, Woo Woo, Wooey and the Wooster (good gravy try and page her in a supermarket!)
Right back at 'ya Wanda!!
aka- Wanda Woo, Woo Woo, Wooey and the Wooster (good gravy try and page her in a supermarket!)
Wanda is high strung- I think? She may just be afraid of everything. She knows I would never hurt her but she doesn't want to risk it by getting close enough for me to touch.
Here is my story of Woo- not a typo- I meant to say Woo not woe. Although Woo's woe would work.
My first hands on interaction with Wanda was to trim her nails shortly after I arrived on the farm. She wasn't havin' it. It took three people to hold her safely in order to get her nails squared away. She was terrified and so were the three of us.
My next farmer moment stands out so clearly in my mind and no matter how I try I can't ever erase it. It was when I questioned if I had what it took to make the farming work for me.
Labor day morning 2008- my parents were here- I went out early to feed all the animals and much to my horror there was Wanda with a half delivered baby. She was wild eyed and running around. The baby was obviously dead.
We caught her in the catch pen, delivered her baby and all Wanda could do was cry and cry and cry. She looked at her baby and looked at me and back again and cried the most awful, sad and lost cry I have ever heard human or otherwise. Wanda let me hold her, clean her up and sit with her for hours without any fuss. I think she and I both wanted time and quiet company.
I will now stop crying.
Wanda is complex. She loves her girl Prada who was the baby before her lost one. They sleep together every night, even now they have of course let Prada's cria join the slumber party.
Wanda wants so much to be a mom again. When ever the boys walk by she lays down by the fence and tries to tempt them to a breeding- they are more than willing- I can't breed her again the heartbreak is just too much for me.
She is always the first one ready to tend any newborn and will gladly take the older crias down the pasture for a graze and sleep with them in the sun. She is however not a pushover. She doesn't take any sass from those little ones. She is the perfect auntie!!
Wanda with Tinkerbelle's newborn
Oh look here is Wanda with Carmen's baby
Imagine... it's Wanda with Mickey's cria.
I love Wanda. I appreciate her for how she let me near her when she was heartbroken.
My first hands on interaction with Wanda was to trim her nails shortly after I arrived on the farm. She wasn't havin' it. It took three people to hold her safely in order to get her nails squared away. She was terrified and so were the three of us.
My next farmer moment stands out so clearly in my mind and no matter how I try I can't ever erase it. It was when I questioned if I had what it took to make the farming work for me.
Labor day morning 2008- my parents were here- I went out early to feed all the animals and much to my horror there was Wanda with a half delivered baby. She was wild eyed and running around. The baby was obviously dead.
We caught her in the catch pen, delivered her baby and all Wanda could do was cry and cry and cry. She looked at her baby and looked at me and back again and cried the most awful, sad and lost cry I have ever heard human or otherwise. Wanda let me hold her, clean her up and sit with her for hours without any fuss. I think she and I both wanted time and quiet company.
I will now stop crying.
Wanda is complex. She loves her girl Prada who was the baby before her lost one. They sleep together every night, even now they have of course let Prada's cria join the slumber party.
Wanda wants so much to be a mom again. When ever the boys walk by she lays down by the fence and tries to tempt them to a breeding- they are more than willing- I can't breed her again the heartbreak is just too much for me.
She is always the first one ready to tend any newborn and will gladly take the older crias down the pasture for a graze and sleep with them in the sun. She is however not a pushover. She doesn't take any sass from those little ones. She is the perfect auntie!!
Wanda with Tinkerbelle's newborn
Oh look here is Wanda with Carmen's baby
Imagine... it's Wanda with Mickey's cria.
Right back at 'ya Wanda!!Sunday, December 12, 2010
Trina Queen Mum
[Guest Post by Jeff]
When Jennifer asked me to write about a favorite Alpaca for the 25-days of Christmas series, Miss Trina was the easy choice. Why? She's the Queen Mum, of course!
Trina is the grand matron of the Brown Family; mother to Tinkerbell, Carmen and Brooklyn; grandmother to Rocky, Pipi, Muncho and Valentino. But she is more than that: she is also Leader of the Ladies, Queen of the Herd. As such, she is first to assist new mothers, greet their babies, arbitrate all disputes, and otherwise lead the everyday wanderings and activities of the group. What Trina says goes, and where she goes, the herd goes.
No matter when we look over the fields, Trina is looking back up at us; letting us know she has everything under control, is on the alert for predators, and is ready to lead the herd up for feeding time on the shortest of notice.
With her tan curly locks, ankle white 'socks', happy face and pleasant disposition, it is no wonder that she is our farm brochure cover girl.
To be honest and with affection, Trina also reminds me a bit of my mother-in-law Jutta: she is the glue of the family; she always has her fashionable brown travel suit at the ready; she is the Queen Mum; and we love her dearly. She is our Miss Trina!
When Jennifer asked me to write about a favorite Alpaca for the 25-days of Christmas series, Miss Trina was the easy choice. Why? She's the Queen Mum, of course!
Trina is the grand matron of the Brown Family; mother to Tinkerbell, Carmen and Brooklyn; grandmother to Rocky, Pipi, Muncho and Valentino. But she is more than that: she is also Leader of the Ladies, Queen of the Herd. As such, she is first to assist new mothers, greet their babies, arbitrate all disputes, and otherwise lead the everyday wanderings and activities of the group. What Trina says goes, and where she goes, the herd goes.
No matter when we look over the fields, Trina is looking back up at us; letting us know she has everything under control, is on the alert for predators, and is ready to lead the herd up for feeding time on the shortest of notice.With her tan curly locks, ankle white 'socks', happy face and pleasant disposition, it is no wonder that she is our farm brochure cover girl.
To be honest and with affection, Trina also reminds me a bit of my mother-in-law Jutta: she is the glue of the family; she always has her fashionable brown travel suit at the ready; she is the Queen Mum; and we love her dearly. She is our Miss Trina!
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Saturday, December 11, 2010
In the Sweet Summer Thyme
June 21, 2009
- Fathers Day
- Sisters Birthday
- Longest Day of the Year
- First Day of Summer
- Luke's First Communion and....wait for it...
Orcas Moon's Summer Thyme's Birthday!
Thank goodness it was the longest day of the year. That is a lot to fit in!
Up we rose on a beautiful sunny day to get ready for Luke's first first holy communion at Saint Francis here on Orcas.
Oma and Opa were here for the big day and well it was also fathers day!!!
Can you say Barbecue?
Our regular priest was out of town so we had a guest priest- lame. But we had all of our special people around us and there was CAKE!
- Jeff left at 12:00 to be ready to take pictures.
- Jeff took all the car keys with him- leaving us at home with no transportation.
- We tried to call the church at 12:15 when we realized that we weren't going to make it---no Jeff--no keys!
- Sent children down the driveway to catch our friends who usually pass our home on the way to church to catch a ride.
- Our friends pull in
- Jeff pulls in too
- Off we all go to church!
What a bright shining light of summer!!!!
Every girl needs a pretty coat!!!
Maddie didn't need any help from this good looking crowd!
Better than any TV show watching the newborn with your Opa!
Getting trained up for show season!
Okay, Okay you want pictures- I get it!
I am working on my picture/problem. Farmer Jeff is home and he will snap a few. I am also going to go back into the older posts and set up a bunch of links for those of you just joining the party. It probably would be nice for the new folks to have alllll the background.
Friday, December 10, 2010
15-Tile-Game
Chaska
No I don't actually have a photo of the alpaca of the day. But I can spin a yarn about why I don't. I sound a little like a teenager who dented your car and will now try and tell you how it was not their fault.
I just didn't take a picture of him- I didn't think he was staying at our house for long.
Farmer Jeff has a great camera which I don't use-way too complicated to be fun and flexible, and my children left my-indestructible- kinda like one you would give a preschooler- camera with our friend on their last fishing trip. It will come back...they have promised.
I will now describe Chaska- aka-Cha Cha- aka Cha Cha Loco- aka Buckwheat.
Chaska came over with a friend- Cimarron who we owned half of. Long story short, Cimarron passed away and Cha Cha is here to stay (ackkk I am starting to rhyme).
Chaska is from our friends farm Krystal Acres. He is amazing in every way. His fleece is dense his demeanor is gentle and he likes to talk (I love an alpaca that can hold up his end of the conversation). Whenever I go down to feed, scoop or even just to garden near-by there is my buddy Cha Cha hummin' along.
He is out of an fantastic sire- Emerald Farms Rincon Cloud and is a handsome eyeful so I suppose he will make a great cria- we will see if all goes well he and our little Autumn Diva will hear the pitter-patter of little padded feet come summer. If not, I am sure that Chaska is more than willing to give it another go!
Don't lose patience, I am getting to the 15-tile-game title
Today was a HUGE Day for our brown guy. We moved him in with the "big boys".
We- when I say WE, I really mean ME- moved all of the 'pacs around today. Doing this reminds me of doing the 15 tile-game. There are certain animals that shouldn't share a fence line, (big boys and any girls) some that can (little boys and girls, donkey girls and anyone, little boys and anyone) knowing this it is tricky to move all the animals around to avoid who needs to be avoided.
There was a little rumbling at the beginning but I am holding out high high hopes that he fits in and finds his place. If it doesn't work we can do something else.
I got everyone moved and decided to try Chaska with the big boys. He seems happy.
I will get some pictures tomorrow or more likely Sunday. Farmer Jeff is coming home!!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Jingle Val?
Valentino
the Latin lover
If I had known that I was going to be trying to come up with a carol for every animal I would never have started this! Work with me a little
Dashing through the fields.
In a two 'pac all out fight-
It's sometimes quite a fright.
It sometimes lasts all night- hey!
Jingle Val
Jingle Val
Jingle all the way!
He is short and brown but very proud we love him in every way---Hey!
Jingle Val
Jingle Val
Jingle all the way!
Show after show
He got the gate
in every single state--hey!
Jingle Val
Jingle Val
Jingle all the way
He is Carmen's boy
He brings us joy.
He's Kahana's favorite guy- hey!
Jingle Val
Jingle Val
Jingle all the way!
He's from good stock
and we got a shock
when he came our way!
Jingle Val
Jingle Val
Jingle all the way!
My children are now begging me to finish this post so I will stop singing this song.
Good luck with being able to sing it!
Here is the low down on Valentino- from the fleece prospective he is a ten. He will not be bred here on our farm. He is eat out of your hand sweet and the last of what we call the 'big boys'.
I promise that I will never do this again. I will not. Okay, that might be a lie.
Which one is Valentino? The brown fluffy one!
Enjoying the excitement of a show.
In the ring with Kahana and Valentino, both first timers!
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