So much has happend the past week.  The lambs are slaughtered and off to the butcher for cut and wrap.  We couldn't contact our regular butcher so we had to make arrangements to take all the lambs to Telkwa, about 2 1/2 hours away, for cut and wrap.  We went through a huge blizzard on the way there, snowflakes like pancakes.  But the sun came out and we had a beautiful drive home. 

The butcher there was so impressed by the size of our lambs that he wants to buy some live ones from us in the spring.  That was a huge endorsement of our breeding line!  Our lambs ranged from 40 lbs to 56 lbs on the hook.  For hair sheep, that is a good size.  We had 4 over 50 lbs.  Hair sheep are a milder tasting lamb, not at all muttony.  Most people prefer the mild lamb, but I had one guy from England telling me he preferred the wool sheep for their stronger taste.  I think it is all what a person is used to.

We are off to Prince George tomorrow for a two night stay.  I can't remember the last time Dennis and I went away together.  The planning and preparation for leaving 6 dogs and 8 sheep is incredible!  It wouldn't be so complicated if it was summer, but winter has a whole set of extra demands.  Water buckets must be electrically heated and topped up.  All plugs, cords and buckets must be in good working order.  Extra hay must be brought from the barn down to the sheep.  Hay must be put in the shelters for the dogs.  Niko cannot curl up his back legs to keep them warm, so he must have a warm hay pile to nest in.  We have made a nice hay pile in the wood shed, nicely out of the wind.  Gates have to be dug out so the person looking after our animals can get in and out of the pens easily.  Food is portioned out for each meal for each dog.  Morning meals have the MSM/Glucosamine/Condroiten mix added plus a salmon pill.  Bridget and Crystal have other medications added.  Evening meals have no salmon oil or joint formula but Bridget still has her thyroid meds added.  So each dog has a bucket with all their meals in, plus extra in case we are delayed, and each meal is labelled a.m. or p.m.  It is a bit of work to prepare but makes it so much easier for the care taker to feed 6 different dogs!  She will be here for supper tonight to do a walk through and get a feel for how things are.  I'm cooking her a leg of lamb!  

Since we have so many dogs they are all fed in their crates.  This is done right from the start to help them see their crates as a good place to be.  It also allows them to eat their meals without the pressure of another dog possibly challenging them for their food.  This way they eat calmly and don't gobble.  Each food dish is labled as is each crate.  Each dog knows which crate is theirs.  At meal time the crate doors are open and the dogs immediately go to their own crate.  Makes it simple and theirs NO FIGHTING.

The wind has been blowing for 2 days.  It is -7 and blowing like a hurricane out there, making it seem a lot colder.  The furnace is going for all it's worth, but the wind seems to just get into the house anyway, especially upstairs where we still have the old windows.  A huge difference standing by the deck windown upstairs compared to the deck window downstairs! 

The Colleymount Recreation Committee had our annual Christmas bazaar at the Trout Creek Hall on Sunday.  I had a table of Victorian Epicure there.  I have been a consultant for almost a year now.  It is a great product and a local BC company.  It is always good to get out and show people what a fine product it is.  I had a crock pot there with pulled pork as a free sample.  Almost everyone who tried it bought a package of the pulled pork.  I sold out in no time and took orders for more.  It was a great sample!  If anyone is interested in learning more about Victorian Epicure, or becoming a consultant, let me know! 

I had better get going.  Our neighbours down the road will be returning from Prince George soon.  He had to have a pacemaker put in his heart at the hospital there.  We are looking after their dog, Megan.  She is a great dog and a lot of fun to have around. 

Since my blog is rather sporadic these days, if you are interested in knowing when I post, just subscribe to the blog.  You will receive a notification in your email when there is a new post.  You can unsubscribe at any time.  Things will be a bit sporadic for the next week for sure, as we will be in Prince George for 2 days, then home Friday, then back on Monday.  I was told yesterday, after being on hold for 47 minutes, that I must come on Monday for a CT scan.  I will be glad to get to the bottom of things but it is a lot of driving, being a 6 hour return trip each time.  I just hope the weather cooperates.  Things can get so slippery this time of year.

We are taking the insurance off the truck and insuring the land cruiser for a few months.  We don't really need the pickup now and the land cruiser has way better traction. 

Ok, I had better get on with my tasks!  Bye for now! 

This is my 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser, right hand drive.  Imported from Japan.  Terrific vehicle!  It has power windows, locks, air conditioning, sun roof and is turbo powered.  Goes like a hot rocket!!