tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69203828631343862062024-03-13T17:03:19.862-04:00Sundown Alpaca Ranchis located in lower Northeastern MI, on the Ocqueoc River. My husband & I have been breeding Alpacas since 2006. We started with 2 fiber guys and now we currently have 32 Alpacas in our herd.Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-32473946006813698852019-04-12T11:45:00.001-04:002019-04-12T11:45:07.153-04:00New Website & BlogI have created a new website and blog. I will not be posting anymore blog posts here. <br />
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The new blog site is <a href="http://www.sundownalpacaranch.com/blog">www.sundownalpacaranch.com/blog</a> Please come on over and follow us there.<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647975638415270439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-17617641885626641882019-01-23T12:34:00.001-05:002019-01-23T12:35:08.585-05:00How I make alpaca yarn - Part 1I love to spin yarn from my alpaca's fiber. Before spinning I have to prep my fiber. I usually card all of my fiber. I do it different ways depending on what yarn I want to spin.<br />
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My default spin is usually 2 ply - dk weight.</div>
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Before carding is done I pick open the fibers.</div>
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Brother now makes this same picker, which I am a dealer of Brother drum carders. If your interested in purchasing it, click this link. <a href="http://sundownalpacaranch.com/item/brother-swinging-wool-picker" target="_blank">Swing Picker</a> Free shipping anywhere in the USA.<br />
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Here is a collage of the fiber drying in the trays, then picked open, and finally put through our dye lot carder.</div>
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Then I either spin from a cloud or small batts.</div>
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After filling two bobbin with singles, I then ply them with my Roberta Espinner.<br />
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Then I skein the yarn and wash to set the twist.</div>
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My next post will be on how I prepare and spin my alpaca art yarns.</div>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647975638415270439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-7617655098994349732018-09-20T15:49:00.000-04:002018-09-20T15:54:39.565-04:00How I wash my Alpaca's FiberI have been hand-processing my Alpaca's fiber since 2006. I thought I would share with you how I do it. Alpaca fiber does not have any lanolin in it, but it does have a lot of dust and dirt from them rolling in their dust bowls as you can see in the picture below.<br />
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During the shearing process we collect the fiber in three different bags. The main blanket, is tagged with the alpaca's name and number 1. The neck and some of the other fiber as number 2 in a separate bag. Then the leg fibers go in a bag numbered 3.<br />
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I take the number one bags and place on my skirting table. From this I pick out any hay, pickers or whatever might be in the fiber. I also pull out any shorter fibers. As you can see in these pictures my alpacas fiber is very dirty from rolling in their dust bowls.<br />
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After skirting we use a homemade "blowout box" and a leaf blower to blow out most of the dirt and dust. This helps with the next step of washing.<br />
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I place the fiber into laundry bags that you can close up with a drawstring. Depending on how much fiber I usually have it separated into 3 laundry bags. Now it is ready for a soak. I like to use Orvus Paste. It is a non PH shampoo (typically sold in farm supply stores). Horse owners like to use this to wash their horse with. You may also purchase smaller quantities in quilt shops as it is used by quilters for washing their quilts. It also can be used to wash your delicate clothes. A little Orvus Paste goes a long way. I scoop out a half a ladle for a full wash load for my fiber.<br />
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I have an older top loading washing machine that does not agitate (I was given this machine free because it won't agitate). I use this for washing the fiber. I fill the washer with HOT water and my Orvus paste. I then place my laundry bags of fiber into the washer (after filling). I close the lid and let the fiber bags soak from 30 minutes to an hour or more. (It depends how busy I get doing something else). Then I spin out the dirty water. This washing machine does not spray water as it spins (that is important to prevent felting). After spinning out, I fill again with HOT water. I let the fiber soak for 15 minutes or so, then spin the rinse water out. I fill again with HOT water for a second time and soak for another 15 minutes or so, then spin the rinse water out. Usually my fiber's second rinse water is clear.<br />
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I then take it out of the bags and place in this herb/seed dryer trays. This is hanging in my basement with my setup for washing and processing the alpaca fiber.<br />
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So this is how I do it. I have never felted any of my fiber by washing with hot water. If you were to agitate with the hot water and soap, then yes you could have a felted mess. If you try this, please remember no agitation allowed!<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647975638415270439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-77503436324864073112018-09-03T13:29:00.002-04:002018-09-20T12:00:33.555-04:00Hello anybody listening?Hi Strangers! Guess who? It's me, Liz.<br />
Yes, I know I have not posted here in a very long time. Life just got in the way. I now have a few extra minutes to start again. For an update on the ranch-we currently own 32 alpacas, some chickens, and have added Muscovy ducks. We have 4 new Maremmas' LGDs. Two of our older dogs passed this last winter and Pan now lives in the house with us. He has hip issues and is slow because of his age. He is 13 years old. So we needed to add some young blood to guard our livestock.<br />
I still hand make products from our Alpacas fiber. I am a Spinolution spinning wheel dealer and a dealer of Brother drum carders. Our on-line store has changed. We now have our own website <a href="http://www.sundownalpacaranch.com/">www.sundownalpacaranch.com</a> with an easy to use on-line store. We still schedule tours here at the ranch for you to come and learn about the alpacas and visit. So contact me if you are interested by commenting here or by email. I still am doing art and craft shows. I will make a separate post with my schedule for the rest of the 2018 year. So stay tuned for more and if there is something you would like me to blog about, just ask. <a href="mailto:lfagel@sundownalpacaranch.com">lfagel@sundownalpacaranch.com</a><br />
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Here are some current pictures from the ranch.<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647975638415270439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-26888618911769659802014-02-23T12:57:00.001-05:002014-02-23T12:57:10.438-05:00We give Mother Nature, We are crying Uncle.Enough is enough already! It has been blowing & snowing here for three days now. When the wind blows out of the west, the snow piles into the Alpaca pens. Here are some pics of the drifts of snow. We have to dig out the guys gate to get into them and the chickens.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iILaFt56NWA/Uwo2aWlnR6I/AAAAAAAAAlY/Oy0dL_iZqnI/s640/blogger-image-84043077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iILaFt56NWA/Uwo2aWlnR6I/AAAAAAAAAlY/Oy0dL_iZqnI/s640/blogger-image-84043077.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNElciyfICc/Uwo2ZcgXQDI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/451s4mapKPM/s640/blogger-image--317459683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNElciyfICc/Uwo2ZcgXQDI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/451s4mapKPM/s640/blogger-image--317459683.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>The drifts are almost over the 5 ft fence between the girls & guys pens. Thank goodness the Alpacas do not like getting into deep snow, because they could easily walk over the fence.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wdoGR8XXG0/Uwo2dPgUEFI/AAAAAAAAAlw/tENjcS1JCOM/s640/blogger-image-90132212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wdoGR8XXG0/Uwo2dPgUEFI/AAAAAAAAAlw/tENjcS1JCOM/s640/blogger-image-90132212.jpg"></a></div>Here is a picture of Gary and the Alpacas as he ventures into the pen to get to the chicken coop. Notice how high the drift is compared to him?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rtsHHBt1jwE/Uwo2bB0dXBI/AAAAAAAAAlg/4TLTtqtFAZk/s640/blogger-image--27517544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rtsHHBt1jwE/Uwo2bB0dXBI/AAAAAAAAAlg/4TLTtqtFAZk/s640/blogger-image--27517544.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It is supposed to blow even more this afternoon. Once it stops blowing, we can get the tractor in and start the digging out. We sure will be glad when this winter is over. Lady Liberty is smiling for her picture. She doesn't seem to mind the weather.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tcIBL624-Vw/Uwo2cFHTIVI/AAAAAAAAAlo/fL-C8MjSdhc/s640/blogger-image-373426511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tcIBL624-Vw/Uwo2cFHTIVI/AAAAAAAAAlo/fL-C8MjSdhc/s640/blogger-image-373426511.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-67509636656322104912014-01-28T14:18:00.000-05:002014-01-28T14:57:38.326-05:00Help us please to receive a small business grant.Well it sure has been a very long, cold , snowy winter so far. It has been tough both on us and some of our animals. It seems everyday we are "digging out" of the snow and drifts, just to take care of them. We now have two alpacas that are getting special care daily. One is Sir Prize as he is having issues with arthritis in his legs. I now have him on a natural arthritis formula for alpacas daily. Our other Alpaca snowflake, has hurt her leg either by slipping on ice or getting into the deep snow in their pen. Usually they do not like to walk in deep snow. We now have her and the girls in their shelter full time, until she gets better and the weather warms up. It was -12 below this morning again when we did chores. I have been spinning, knitting, weaving and washing lots of fiber to process into batts. My dream has always been to have a full service fiber mill, not only to process our fiber, but to offer services to other artisans and farms Recently we have found a mill that is going out of business and is selling their equipment. We are now working on updating our business plan and hope to get a loan and some small grants. Today we were notified from Fed Ex that we were accepted into their small business grant contest. We are getting into this a little late, but are hoping that we can get enough votes before Feb. 24th to qualify for the 100 finalists. We sure can use all of your help. You can vote once a day for us and share this among your social networks. Thanks for voting and spreading the word! Here is a link to the site.<br />
<iframe height="235" src="http://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/Banner/Index/f74d2240-c8fd-4575-9987-49afa5f4bd1e" width="290"></iframe>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Prize & his buddy Sugar Ray</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowflake is in the jacket with the girls in their shelter.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-31110648781865358382014-01-04T12:29:00.001-05:002014-01-04T13:36:46.244-05:00It has been a "Bang" of a start for the New YearSometimes living and working in N. MI can be a challenge. We love it here, but there are days, I think living on a sailboat in the tropics, would be a lot easier. We have had a lot of problems these last two days. Yes,<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> we do expect to have very cold weather and snow, but it seems it has just been so much of it this winter. </span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Friday morning, our temperature was this when we went outside to do chores.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yK4HhwoPi4k/UshFC8vTFMI/AAAAAAAAAkY/VrqH7327-_c/s640/blogger-image-884871757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yK4HhwoPi4k/UshFC8vTFMI/AAAAAAAAAkY/VrqH7327-_c/s640/blogger-image-884871757.jpg"></a></div><br></font><div>We decided to drive the Blazer down to the barnyard with two 6 gallon jugs of warm water for the animals. As I was driving up the driveway, I slipped into the ditch alongside of the drive. My 4 wheel drive would not engage, so I was stuck. </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RPJDaGsb3jg/UshE_ANxWoI/AAAAAAAAAkA/jeZAAg7waF0/s640/blogger-image-1236684817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RPJDaGsb3jg/UshE_ANxWoI/AAAAAAAAAkA/jeZAAg7waF0/s640/blogger-image-1236684817.jpg"></a></div>Gary & I decided to leave it there for the moment and to continue with the chores & checking on the animals. He would bring the tractor down later and pull it out. After<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> chores we walked back to the house. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">While we were in the house, we heard a big bang and then a pop! One of the large windows in our house had broken.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--VibIFPPd4s/UshFBqzCP6I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/7NSyS-FdeHo/s640/blogger-image-13037744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--VibIFPPd4s/UshFBqzCP6I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/7NSyS-FdeHo/s640/blogger-image-13037744.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div>This bird had flown into it and broke it's neck!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y70lFhT2HBg/UshE-ZdmmNI/AAAAAAAAAj4/2MEccFQa7D0/s640/blogger-image-332429367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y70lFhT2HBg/UshE-ZdmmNI/AAAAAAAAAj4/2MEccFQa7D0/s640/blogger-image-332429367.jpg"></a></div>So I had to make a few phone calls to get that replaced. In the mean time my husband left for town to deliver eggs and do some work at his customers. When he arrived home later that day, we went to get the Blazer out of the ditch. He turned the corner and his tire rolled off of it's rim on the tractor!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5GgiaFmLo8/UshFAUepapI/AAAAAAAAAkI/5VcqozzoT24/s640/blogger-image--1456903077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5GgiaFmLo8/UshFAUepapI/AAAAAAAAAkI/5VcqozzoT24/s640/blogger-image--1456903077.jpg"></a></div>Now we have to get the tire fixed! So we decided to continue with the chores, go back to the house and call it a day. After all tomorrow would be a better day.</div><div><br></div><div>Now it is Saturday morning. The plan was to get the chores done and for Gary to take the rim and tire off to get it fixed at a business in Rogers City that closed by noon.</div><div>So we get to the barnyard and find Sir Prize, one of my first male Alpacas down on his side. It looks like he slipped on the snow and ice. He just couldn't get back up. He has some arthritis in his back legs. So we managed to get him into a shelter and under a heat lamp, and throw an old sleeping bag over him to quickly warm him up. We fed him his grain, hay and water right there. He literally was served breakfast in bed. He seems to have hurt one of his legs in the fall. We are keeping him there resting for now. So we continue with the chores. After the chores are done. Gary takes the tire off of the tractor and puts it into the back of the truck. He has an hour to get it there, which will take about 20 minutes to drive to Rogers City. So he left. I went back to check on Sir and he was on his side again from trying to get up. I couldn't get him rolled back up and cushed. I called Gary on his cell to come back and help me. Gary had not gotten far as he was still on our private road. He started to back up and his truck hit a patch of ice and now he was stuck in the ditch! He came walking up the drive to the barnyard grumbling something I should not repeat here on the blog. Here is a pic of the end of the drive with broken down and stuck vehicles!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YcSBT4SU1M8/UshRMTk51OI/AAAAAAAAAko/bS5JzEsB4Q4/s640/blogger-image--1967439500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YcSBT4SU1M8/UshRMTk51OI/AAAAAAAAAko/bS5JzEsB4Q4/s640/blogger-image--1967439500.jpg"></a></div>Gary & I get Sir situated again. He grabs a shovel and he tries to get the truck out. No luck. So I decide to call our good neighbors Mark & Sherry. Of course Mark comes with his tractor and pulls both of the vehicles out for us. They referred a man here in Ocqueoc who fixes tractor tires on your farm. So I called him and he came right over. He wanted to warm up the tire to fix it and he took the tire back to his place and delivered it when it was done. What good local service and wonderful neighbors. Another reason we love living in the country. Everyone helps each other. I hope this is the end of things breaking down, Alpacas falling, and us getting stuck in the snow! Now I need to get the 4 wheel drive fixed on the Blazer.</div><div>Happy New Year!</div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-62229957572693845522013-12-22T15:17:00.001-05:002013-12-22T16:13:10.939-05:00Yet another winter snow storm<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Santa and his reindeer should have no problem delivering presents Christmas Eve here in Northern Michigan. We have about 2 & 1/2 feet of snow on the ground, and it is still snowing. Doing chores in this weather can be trying. Gary & I go outside no matter what the weather, to take care of them. We find things like this poor chicken that we rescued from being buried alive in the snow.</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7fU-TYmg8wg/UrdI5jDALbI/AAAAAAAAAi4/A27IEz2gAbU/s640/blogger-image-998275545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7fU-TYmg8wg/UrdI5jDALbI/AAAAAAAAAi4/A27IEz2gAbU/s640/blogger-image-998275545.jpg"></a></div>I think she was rather happy to see us.</div><div>Our Maremma Sheepdogs have two coats of fur and do really well in the snowstorms. They all have dog houses to cuddle up in and stay warm. This pic is Meadows condo.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z4Ui8LMRoBQ/UrdI67_uNCI/AAAAAAAAAjA/TZIcZI_ifNU/s640/blogger-image-1662241888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z4Ui8LMRoBQ/UrdI67_uNCI/AAAAAAAAAjA/TZIcZI_ifNU/s640/blogger-image-1662241888.jpg"></a></div>The next pic is of Meadow trying to catch a mouse under the snow.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sxIz8RZxjgc/UrdU4RM9nfI/AAAAAAAAAjo/s_X0tmcNWpw/s640/blogger-image--1149706213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sxIz8RZxjgc/UrdU4RM9nfI/AAAAAAAAAjo/s_X0tmcNWpw/s640/blogger-image--1149706213.jpg"></a></div>The snow has piled up against the girls fence. We will have to try and move the fence feeders. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JiJmJAp8xrM/UrdU0DeDUkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/222R2WhwgPg/s640/blogger-image-1461042569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JiJmJAp8xrM/UrdU0DeDUkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/222R2WhwgPg/s640/blogger-image-1461042569.jpg"></a>As you can see, the Alpacas fiber keeps them warm and dry underneath all of the snow.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sdIU2zeYDqc/UrdU1k_4EKI/AAAAAAAAAjY/iKZBAvi2D-4/s640/blogger-image--961792845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sdIU2zeYDqc/UrdU1k_4EKI/AAAAAAAAAjY/iKZBAvi2D-4/s640/blogger-image--961792845.jpg"></a>I also wear my Alpaca's fiber to protect me from the winter elements. I spun and knitted this ski mask from Thumper's fiber. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MfAsFlSGGyU/UrdU25jC4OI/AAAAAAAAAjg/6UQK_0dqSUE/s640/blogger-image-159003323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MfAsFlSGGyU/UrdU25jC4OI/AAAAAAAAAjg/6UQK_0dqSUE/s640/blogger-image-159003323.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well tomorrow will be another day of "digging out" of the snow. N. MI is truly a winter wonderland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-13698598485471275262013-12-15T12:08:00.001-05:002013-12-15T12:08:11.301-05:00Snow, snow & more snowHere it is Dec 15th. Not officially winter yet! We have over a foot of snow on the ground. Below normal temps with wind chills below 0. This cold weather came so fast, there seemed to be no time to adjust to it. I know the rest of the nation has been dealing with the arctic cold and snowstorms too. We have lost a lot of our old chickens. They just don't do well in cold weather. We also have lost two of our older Alpaca gals. They were a part of our original Alpaca herd purchase. R.I.P. Abbey & Plum. We now have added Probiotics to all of the Alpaca & goats daily diet. Along with their grain, minerals & hay. Next we will start growing fodder to supplement their diets. Hopefully this will keep the rest of the herd healthy through winter. I have some pics I took today of the Alpacas & snow. Enjoy! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yd79IJWEmbY/Uq3h9c0x5zI/AAAAAAAAAig/mumQuxAuETs/s640/blogger-image--41512814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yd79IJWEmbY/Uq3h9c0x5zI/AAAAAAAAAig/mumQuxAuETs/s640/blogger-image--41512814.jpg"></a></div><br><div>The gals</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JfGC82fBcc/Uq3h-d4FSfI/AAAAAAAAAio/YfwjFYDSx8I/s640/blogger-image-846959159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JfGC82fBcc/Uq3h-d4FSfI/AAAAAAAAAio/YfwjFYDSx8I/s640/blogger-image-846959159.jpg"></a></div>The two crias</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F8uQ70Eam2U/Uq3h8idZYOI/AAAAAAAAAiY/_SdcGZqPSX8/s640/blogger-image-1137424038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F8uQ70Eam2U/Uq3h8idZYOI/AAAAAAAAAiY/_SdcGZqPSX8/s640/blogger-image-1137424038.jpg"></a></div>The guys with Gary trying to clean the snow out of the fence feeders.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZ0jWmuABOw/Uq3h7u3zObI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/oROHeeuDJCA/s640/blogger-image--1578943316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZ0jWmuABOw/Uq3h7u3zObI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/oROHeeuDJCA/s640/blogger-image--1578943316.jpg"></a></div>Meadow one of our Maremma Sheepdogs. She doesn't mind all of the snow.</div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-30686746732367238262013-11-28T09:20:00.001-05:002013-11-28T09:20:49.850-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G9LqLKUN2-A/UpdRPxlFo8I/AAAAAAAAAiA/MnC8B9YMan4/s640/blogger-image--1346598291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G9LqLKUN2-A/UpdRPxlFo8I/AAAAAAAAAiA/MnC8B9YMan4/s640/blogger-image--1346598291.jpg"></a></div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-79433476408579675222013-09-27T14:14:00.000-04:002013-09-27T15:15:37.391-04:00Our New Alpaca Farm StoreWell it finally arrived last Friday. Here are a few pics of it delivered & being unloaded from the trailer. This building is 12 ft. x 24 ft.<br />
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The next couple of pics shows how he moved the building from the road to the pad of gravel and sand for the building.</div>
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Now the building is ready for us to get it ready for a store. The inside is unfinished . We have left it this way for now. We plan to work on it this winter once we decide how we want it to look. I am thinking of tongue & groove cedar. It will not have electricity. We are installing a sun tunnel, which really brings in a lot of light when the sun is shining. When the sun is not shining I purchased RV LED lights that run on a battery. I also have an inverter that will run the cash register and open sign. We also have a flexible solar panel to help keep the battery charged. Green is good! The next pics are a few of what I have inside the store.</div>
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I also have a lot of knitting needles which I am working on putting up on a display. We also sell pasture raised eggs. Next year we will add fresh produce to our store. We do not have a "Grand Opening Date" set as of today. At this time we will have the store open for private tours that we offer here at the ranch. Also weekends or days that we are here and are available. We will place signage on the roads and announce it via social media for the time being. With that being said, this Friday & Saturday is National Alpaca Farm Days. We did not plan an Open House this year. But we will be down at the barnyard working on projects. The fall weather is beautiful here and the colors are starting to turn. So if you are out for a drive and want to stop by and visit the store, alpacas, goats, chickens, turkeys, dogs and of course us, please do. Just follow the signs. No particular hours. Have a great weekend!</div>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-77853906470911703882013-09-18T13:08:00.000-04:002013-09-18T13:08:20.259-04:00We are back!Hi Everyone,<br />
A long time with no posts. It is a very long story. I changed over to Google apps and when I did that I could no longer access this blog as it is a "personal" blog. I became frustrated with it and just let it slide for most of this year. I am also working on a new web page with a blog built in, so I will eventually be just blogging there. I do not have time to maintain two different blogs with the ranch, fiber arts, shows and other things that I do. I do manage to tweet & Facebook pics of the animals here at the ranch. I love my smartphone as it makes it simple and easy to do some of these tasks.<br />
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Here is quick update as to what has happened here at the ranch this year. We have two new female crias born this year. Lady Liberty & Dimples. Here is a current picture of them.<br />
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I am currently working on canning foods. Some from our garden, but not much this year as the deer devastated it. So I have been buying locally from my neighbors and attending the farmers market to buy what I need. I am currently working on tomatoes. Ran into a problem though as my pressure canner was leaking during processing. I managed to order a seal for it online and it will be here today. I was afraid it would not get here soon enough to finish canning the tomatoes before they spoiled. So far I have canned spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes & green chillies, and will be doing tomato & basil soup. Anything left will be canned as stewed tomatoes. I also have canned pickled beets and fresh dill pickles. Next after tomatoes will be applesauce.</div>
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Our goats are doing good. Sadly we did lose Eva, one of our does this spring due to complications with the delivery of her kids. We do have some of our dwarf goats ready to kid any day. I will be glad to get back into milking again. We also welcomed a 3 new Nigerian & Nigerian/cross dwarf does to the ranch. Here is a pic of them.</div>
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We are also currently working on a farm store here at the ranch. I will blog about that in my next post. It is supposed to be here Friday. We had it custom built and it is being delivered finished here to the ranch.</div>
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I will also plan a post of all of my fiber projects that I have been working on or finished this summer. </div>
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It sure is nice to be blogging again.</div>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-38981470071768858332013-01-20T15:14:00.001-05:002013-01-20T15:14:29.123-05:00A Tale about Pan's Tail<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our younger girls</td></tr>
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Brrr... old man winter is blowing a lot of frigid air our way. The next few days we are going to be in the single digits for few days, with wind chills below 0. Our alpacas will be fine with this weather. But our other animals, we have to keep a close eye on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan</td></tr>
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Our Maremma Sheepdogs, have two coats of fur and do not mind the cold. We make sure that they all come in and get warm in the house once or twice a day when it is this cold outside. We brought Pan inside this morning after chores. Somehow he lost some of his fur off the tip of his tail. We do not want his tail to be frost bitten.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ufzlmurgGIY/UPxLbjXRytI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/1EvMdC0TRpY/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ufzlmurgGIY/UPxLbjXRytI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/1EvMdC0TRpY/s320/IMG_0492.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan's tail</td></tr>
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I had knitted a finger puppet from my hand spun alpaca fiber. I had not put a face on it yet. I thought this would fit the tip of his tail perfectly. But would he keep it on?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unfinished alpaca finger puppet</td></tr>
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So we put an old sock over it, then taped it on. He has not taken it off. I am keeping my fingers crossed that once he goes outside, that he
doesn't lose it in the woods while he is on patrol guarding the alpacas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXIT5S3pm0A/UPxLyS5HiNI/AAAAAAAAAeg/jo3TXMtObWY/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXIT5S3pm0A/UPxLyS5HiNI/AAAAAAAAAeg/jo3TXMtObWY/s320/IMG_0494.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan's tail</td></tr>
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The finger puppet being made from alpaca will keep his tail nice & warm. Maybe I should patent this? ;>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, he can still wag his tail</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-68243693265983860402012-12-12T11:43:00.000-05:002012-12-12T11:43:44.015-05:00Happy 12-12-12I know I have neglected the blog. I am so sorry. Life just seems to get in the way and something has to give, which ends up being the poor blog. I do try to post pics on both the ranch's Facebook page and on the Twitter feed. So if you follow us there, at least you get to see some cute pics. <br />
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To get everyone caught up of what we have been doing... well we had a few more visitors this fall.<br />
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Melissa Fleis, finalist on this season's Project Runway. For those of you who do not watch this show, it is about designers competing to win a lot of money, equipment, and publicity to start their own clothing lines. The 3 finalist of the show, get to show a collection at fashion week in N.Y.C. Meilissa Fleis is from Rogers City, MI. She resides in San Francisco. She came "home" after the show and was honored by her hometown. We invited her to meet us and the alpacas here at the ranch. Her and her family came out for the afternoon. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed their visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa meeting Thing 2</td></tr>
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We also had some fun with the Girl Scouts from Rogers City. The troop came out to the ranch to meet and learn all about Alpacas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Scouts feeding grain to Abby</td></tr>
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Then a couple of weeks later I attended one of their troop meetings at the Rogers City High School. We did a fun project of felting soap with the alpaca fiber. After they were done with felting the soap, they even created Alpaca Soap commercials and performed them for me. What a "hoot". Well done girls! I really enjoyed it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls Scouts hard at work felting their soap</td></tr>
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I have been busy with all aspects of the fiber side of the business. I belong to spinning and weaving guilds. So I clean and card fleece for them to spin, I also am filling orders for fleece, yarns, and finished projects. I am working on knitting an alpaca jacket, that I hope to get done soon as it is a Xmas present. I have towels on on of my looms that I need to finish. I did finish my alpaca felted slippers. I did a<a href="http://sundownalpacaranch.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-fun-day-of-spinning-at-ranch_12.html" target="_blank"> post</a> about this project when my spinning guild visited the ranch. Here is a picture of my slippers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felted Slippers</td></tr>
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Now we are finishing up anything that needs to be done outside, since our winter is starting here in Northern Michigan. It seems we are never fully prepared, but we do try. I surely cannot end this post without a picture of some of our alpacas. Everyone take care and I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Bye</td></tr>
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<br />Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-80711046493371774042012-10-15T12:25:00.000-04:002012-10-15T12:31:14.693-04:00Fall is a busy time at the ranch.I haven't posted much as I have been very busy. I have been processing our Alpaca fiber (washing, carding and spinning). I also have done 2 arts & craft shows this fall. I am now busy trying to restock inventory.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green tomatoes</td></tr>
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We also have been putting the garden to rest. I had to bring in green tomatoes as we had an early frost that killed the plants. I ripened them in a container in our house and of course this weekend they were ready to be processed. I canned them and also made tomato juice with my juicer. We still have some left that are ripening every day for us to eat. Even though we had a very dry summer and our garden relies on Mother Nature to provide the water, we were able to harvest lettuce, cucumbers, corn, potatoes, onions, zucchini, green peppers, tomatoes and our first attempt for growing mushrooms, we had wine caps. They were delicious. Most of our beans, peas, and other squash were eaten by the deer. Next year we will have to put back up the electric fence we once had around the garden. (We used it for the goats this season). We also have our meat chickens and turkeys in the freezer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine Cap Mushrooms</td></tr>
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We have to now work on getting the animals ready for winter. We need to do a herd health check when it is not raining outside. It has rained now for the last 3 days. We have about 5 inches so far. Well, I guess that is better than the "white stuff". I really am not ready for that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain is coming</td></tr>
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This year's crias are growing. They are adorable. What have you been doing this fall?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile for the camera.</td></tr>
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<br />Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-16321449982124709842012-09-21T11:31:00.001-04:002012-10-15T12:26:31.582-04:00A Fun Day of Handpainting Alpaca Yarn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glenda & Susan hand painting with Joanne mixing dyes</td></tr>
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This past Monday, my weaving guild, Loose Threads, met here at the ranch. We had planned to do hand painting of yarn for warp in our weaving. For anyone that does not know how we do this, we use fiber reactive dyes and literally sponge paint the yarns. Then we cover them with plastic and let them sit and process for 24 hours. We had a potluck lunch after we finished. I will post a follow up on this project, as some of us will be weaving mobius scarves and others shawls. We all had such a good time, thanks girls.</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patty is busy painting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yarn drying after rinsing them the next day</td></tr>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-64104457046876364152012-09-12T11:32:00.001-04:002012-09-12T11:44:10.833-04:00A fun day of spinning at the ranch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday at the ranch was a day filled with sunshine, warm weather, alpaca fiber, good food, and best of all, spinning alpaca yarn with my good friends from the Sunrise Spinning Guild.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Lou</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy & Delta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail & Donna</td></tr>
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Our guild had planned this event last year. I prepared the batts of Alpaca on my carding machine and drum carder. Each person that attended was given 8 ozs. of the Alpaca batts to spin into yarn.We spread out blankets and rugs to set our spinning wheels on at the barnyard. We watched the Alpacas, goats and chickens while spinning. We plan on knitting slippers to felt with the alpaca yarn that we spun up. I will have to do a follow up post of every ones slippers when they are completed. Our guild also does a pot luck for our monthly "spin-ins" The hostess provides the main dish and everyone else brings something to pass, such as salads, breads, desserts. My husband made a beef stew for our main dish. The others brought all kinds of good food to eat. It was delicious. A good time was had by all. Thank you ladies for traveling to spin at the ranch. I know some of you traveled many miles to attend. I had a really fun time with everyone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating lunch under the shade from the carport</td></tr>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-38295654548337657542012-07-21T18:08:00.001-04:002012-07-22T10:48:07.494-04:00Cria #2 was born this morningWe went out to do our chores this morning and found another surprise. Bella had given birth to a female cria. The cria was already running around in the pen. Bella (mommy) usually gives birth around noon. I guess she decided to have the baby during the cool hours of the morning. Here are some pictures of the new cria. I also have a couple of videos posted to YouTube of the latest cria. Now we have to name them. Any suggestions? <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S1p52ieONfM/UAsoPV-v7DI/AAAAAAAAAWw/C3iTZifi-MI/s640/blogger-image--576765293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S1p52ieONfM/UAsoPV-v7DI/AAAAAAAAAWw/C3iTZifi-MI/s640/blogger-image--576765293.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F_L7cO3F3HI/UAsoS5KvRLI/AAAAAAAAAXA/rqnpAtNPs1o/s640/blogger-image-1347616532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F_L7cO3F3HI/UAsoS5KvRLI/AAAAAAAAAXA/rqnpAtNPs1o/s640/blogger-image-1347616532.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pQQIRUGS_YI/UAsoQzwGqgI/AAAAAAAAAW4/yfkH5fFXIBY/s640/blogger-image-1509517490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pQQIRUGS_YI/UAsoQzwGqgI/AAAAAAAAAW4/yfkH5fFXIBY/s640/blogger-image-1509517490.jpg" /></a></div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-21865115024536029812012-07-15T13:49:00.001-04:002012-07-15T13:49:16.252-04:00A New Cria Was Born TodayWe have been on cria watch this past couple of weeks. We had a new
"mommy" bred this year, so we are not always sure how things will go or
how long she will go before giving birth. Pocahontas was bred to one
of our studs named Cyrano. The bred date was 8/20/11. The average
gestation for an Alpaca is 11.5 months. As you can see, she was just
under 11 months. Oh and it is a girl! She weighs 17 lbs. So here are the pics when we first went out after the
thunderstorm this morning, to do chores and check on all of the
critters. I also posted a couple of videos to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivfSsUY1FA8&feature=plcp" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. One of them is graphic, as it does show her expelling her afterbirth. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mom & Cria</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-85120873152618162612012-07-06T08:45:00.000-04:002012-07-06T08:45:10.567-04:00Shearing & haying are finally doneWe live in Northern Michigan, so we shear later than the farms south of us, as we usually are cooler here in the north. This year though has been an exception. We have never had so many hot & humid days in the spring. I'm talking high 80s & low 90s! Our Alpacas were very happy to have their winter coats sheared off. We did shearing on June 22nd. Our schedule was changed due to both the shearer having a family emergency and then the weather. The night before our second date for shearing it stormed and our Alpacas decided to cool off in the rain, which of course they were soaked. We cannot shear them when they are wet to their skin. We did finally shear on June 22nd. We had a really good crew of helpers considering the last minute changes of the date and that it was during the work week. Thanks everyone, we really appreciate it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave our shearer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our neighbors bagging the fiber.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edie holding Cyrano's head & Gary cutting nails.</td></tr>
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After shearing on Friday, Gary & I drove to Mackinaw City early Saturday morning to setup my booth for the Arts & Craft show for the weekend. Wow, were we tired after those 3 days. Then the following week, our neighbors started cutting hay. So we worked on unloading the hay wagons and stacking them in the barn. They also helped us unload when they could. One day that we worked it was over 90 degrees again. Talk about a scorcher! We put up over 600 bales in the barn this year. I'm glad that job is over. It sure is nice to live in a community, where we all help each other. That is what I most love about living here in rural Northern Michigan. Thanks again everyone.<br />
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This weekend (July 7 & 8), I will be at the Dancing Hippo Show in Bearinger Township. It is a show you don't want to miss! So, if you are "up-north" , plan on attending the show. You won't be disappointed. I hear a lot of people complain to me at this show, that it is to hot to think about wearing Alpaca, but this year I have a surprise for all of you. I have something that you can wear that will cool you during this heat wave. So stop my booth to see what it is! <br />
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I promise to try and update my blog more often! (I admit, I have been slacking). Have a great weekend everyone!<br />Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-53537033121097538272012-06-14T10:59:00.000-04:002012-06-14T10:59:50.356-04:00Shearing Day -Sunday June 17thWe will be shearing this Sunday starting at 8:00 am. We always look forward to having volunteers. It is a great way to learn more about Alpacas and their fiber. If you are interested, please post a message.<br />
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<br />Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-235793587104627152012-05-24T09:20:00.000-04:002012-05-24T09:20:10.419-04:00Where did the month of May go?I can't believe how fast May went by. I have been busy here at the ranch, planting plants in our new raised beds that Gary has been building. We have a couple of new kid goats. No crias yet as they are not due until July. I also have been busy, spinning, weaving and knitting some new Alpaca items for my first show of the season. If you can stop by the <a href="http://www.40milepointlighthouse.org/" target="_blank">show</a>, it is a wonderful setting, along the shores of Lake Huron. You can also tour the lighthouse and see a shipwreck on shore. It is Memorial Day Weekend - Sat. & Sunday from 10:00 - 4:00. I hope to see you there.<br />
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<br />Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-52439870763669308832012-04-22T18:38:00.001-04:002012-04-22T18:38:50.332-04:00Happy Earth Day<div style="text-align: center;">
As I was outside today enjoying Earth Day, I started to think about how far my husband and I have come being green. When we decided to become Alpaca ranchers and move to the country, we said that we would live a "greener" lifestyle and be good stewards of the land.</div>
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As I took out our household compost to the compost piles, I was noticing everything that we have accomplished in becoming green. We compost all of the alpaca and goats poo, plus all of the old hay and straw. We then use it in our garden and in our raised beds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50an0d51M7w/T5R4p0p36hI/AAAAAAAAAUo/YywxIpnwcjk/s1600/Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-50an0d51M7w/T5R4p0p36hI/AAAAAAAAAUo/YywxIpnwcjk/s200/Garden.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden</td></tr>
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As you can see in the pictures that we have lettuce growing in an old claw footed bathtub inside of our greenhouse, along with some cilantro and other seeds that we are starting for our garden. Our greenhouse was made by my husband for ice fishing. We no longer use it for ice fishing, so we put it to use being a small greenhouse this spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qgjGdFssX8k/T5R5Tnm66sI/AAAAAAAAAVA/d42S5Y9Kyoo/s1600/Seeds+started.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qgjGdFssX8k/T5R5Tnm66sI/AAAAAAAAAVA/d42S5Y9Kyoo/s200/Seeds+started.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed starting</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sihczGMJUng/T5R4Xhicm7I/AAAAAAAAAUg/0xu6QZYETOY/s1600/Door+to+greenhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sihczGMJUng/T5R4Xhicm7I/AAAAAAAAAUg/0xu6QZYETOY/s200/Door+to+greenhouse.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door to greenhouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LWWC8kckBk/T5R43Cx4vwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/g7mUEMWfDEc/s1600/Greenhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LWWC8kckBk/T5R43Cx4vwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/g7mUEMWfDEc/s200/Greenhouse.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenhouse</td></tr>
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Raising Alpacas is also green. They are good to the land. They have padded feet, which does not destroy the pastures. They also do not pull the roots up while grazing. They nibble down to the ground and move on.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kxaFucJjdE/T5R2k23Uv3I/AAAAAAAAAUA/Fs-6qjnfDQ0/s1600/Alpacas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kxaFucJjdE/T5R2k23Uv3I/AAAAAAAAAUA/Fs-6qjnfDQ0/s320/Alpacas.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpacas Grazing</td></tr>
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We have chickens that free range, eat the bad bugs and spread their natural fertilizer in the pastures. My husband built two chicken coops, one out of straw bales and one from used pallets. He then covered the pallet building with the blue tarps that they use to store the boats under here in the Great Lakes during the winter. My husband has built a dog house, a tool shed and three goat boxes with old pallets. He used the untreated pallets which are chemical free and safe for the animals.</div>
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When we built our house, we installed a corn boiler for heat. We now use a renewable resource (no fossil fuels) for heat and purchase the corn from our farmer neighbors. We also have burned cherry pits and wood pellets. </div>
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In the house we purchased new appliances with the high energy efficiency. I have a washer and dryer, but prefer to use the clothes line for drying the clothes.</div>
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We have all CFL light bulbs in the house. We turn off lights as we leave the room. We recycle all of our garbage and take the recyclables to our local transfer station. We might have one bag of actual garbage per month. That is amazing for us as I remember we use to put out two garbage cans weekly, when we lived in town. Our next project is to run our own bio-diesel fuel in our farm truck.</div>
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We do use some solar for our electric fences for the pastures. We only use head lamps at night when doing chores in the dark. We also have been investigating wind, besides solar power for generating our power.</div>
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I also thought about the process that I use to make my handmade Alpaca products. I spin my yarn on a wheel that I peddle with my feet, knit with my hand knitting needles and weave by hand on floor looms, all of it powered by me!</div>
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I really am living a greener lifestyle and enjoy doing it. I want my grandchildren and great grandchildren to be able to enjoy this planet and all of it's natural resources and beauty just as I have.</div>
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I'm very proud of how far my husband and I have come in preserving our planet.</div>
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Are you helping to preserve our planet?</div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-11965168109985433182012-03-21T13:12:00.001-04:002012-03-21T13:12:26.708-04:00Spring is in the AirIt is hard to believe that it is spring already. We have had some wild weather here in northeast Michigan. It is hard for us not to blog and talk about record breaking weather. I'm a little late in blogging about the winter storm that we experienced on Sat. March 3rd. We had no power for 12 hours during the storm, but was lucky enough to get ours restored compared to others in the area that were without power for days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB7ZtwY19J0/T2n8BZBNkyI/AAAAAAAAASo/3OfgFP1T2o0/s1600/Our+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB7ZtwY19J0/T2n8BZBNkyI/AAAAAAAAASo/3OfgFP1T2o0/s200/Our+Road.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQVP2k3K2JA/T2n7nOVofnI/AAAAAAAAASg/VobsB_n8qPE/s1600/Pasture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQVP2k3K2JA/T2n7nOVofnI/AAAAAAAAASg/VobsB_n8qPE/s200/Pasture.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zz3H9Q9P9CA/T2n_tuiiPPI/AAAAAAAAASw/6SYZjJxp1oU/s1600/Digging+Out+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zz3H9Q9P9CA/T2n_tuiiPPI/AAAAAAAAASw/6SYZjJxp1oU/s320/Digging+Out+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging out the next day</td></tr>
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As you can see in the above pictures, it was a very wet heavy snow. We had at least 18 inches more on top of what we had gotten on Leap Day. It took my husband hours to plow us out on his tractor. It was very beautiful outside the day after the storm as you can see in the above picture.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24nuoDQHR5g/T2oChXj8nfI/AAAAAAAAATA/c9Kzj7Owgtc/s1600/WaterShed+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-24nuoDQHR5g/T2oChXj8nfI/AAAAAAAAATA/c9Kzj7Owgtc/s320/WaterShed+Sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Now we have gone from the beautiful winter scene above to mud season here at the ranch. We have been experiencing some very summer like temps. We are running 30 to 40 degrees above our average temperature for this time of year, breaking all kinds of records. All of that snow melted in two days. We live on the Ocqueoc River and the alpacas pastures and our property are a part of that watershed. This means that the open farm fields 3 miles west of our property melted snow runs through our property down to the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DG3Jj2OHlnE/T2oEOkCujwI/AAAAAAAAATI/fBVqzjn629I/s1600/Mud+Season+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DG3Jj2OHlnE/T2oEOkCujwI/AAAAAAAAATI/fBVqzjn629I/s200/Mud+Season+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water in pastures</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEBky48UECw/T2oER11-OKI/AAAAAAAAATQ/NFzxuHyaIqc/s1600/Mud+Season+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEBky48UECw/T2oER11-OKI/AAAAAAAAATQ/NFzxuHyaIqc/s200/Mud+Season+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driveway to barnyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mna8mvav28/T2oEUuulyVI/AAAAAAAAATY/ohZbHPce1n4/s1600/Mud+Season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mna8mvav28/T2oEUuulyVI/AAAAAAAAATY/ohZbHPce1n4/s320/Mud+Season.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls Pen</td></tr>
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Other signs that spring is here are the return of all of the song birds, predator birds and of course the Turkey Vultures. I happened to get a picture of one sitting on this old homestead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8nHRGkBfuU/T2oGYp6PWmI/AAAAAAAAATg/0b80oCzJehw/s1600/Turkey+Vulture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8nHRGkBfuU/T2oGYp6PWmI/AAAAAAAAATg/0b80oCzJehw/s320/Turkey+Vulture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Vulture</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Of course spring also means BABIES here on the ranch. Eva our dairy goat is the first one due any day. Look at the girth on this gal. I'm thinking she is going to have triplets again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPPCDoltShk/T2oHLumqZDI/AAAAAAAAATo/kVy_P_cLDiw/s1600/Fat+Eva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPPCDoltShk/T2oHLumqZDI/AAAAAAAAATo/kVy_P_cLDiw/s320/Fat+Eva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I also wanted to share one more picture for this post. I happened to get a good picture of the moon during the day. It was not quite full, but it sure was big and beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WK3D82NWG9I/T2oIBvFIDZI/AAAAAAAAATw/hN0Aht2D-gM/s1600/Moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WK3D82NWG9I/T2oIBvFIDZI/AAAAAAAAATw/hN0Aht2D-gM/s320/Moon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon in the daylight!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I will be posting more pictures on our facebook page. Make sure to like us if you haven't already.<br />
Happy Spring everyone!Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6920382863134386206.post-81834110690559853012012-03-01T14:53:00.001-05:002012-03-01T14:53:15.961-05:00Leap Day Snow & Ice StormI know we have had a mild winter here in North East Michigan, but I think Mother Nature is now trying to play "catch up". We had snow and freezing rain here yesterday. We now have to "dig out" the alpaca pens so they will be able to walk and pronk. We have some hard pack snow drifts as you can see in this picture by one of the chicken coops.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IqWypXyd78/T0_Lyko75wI/AAAAAAAAARo/k3fTnq29XUY/s1600/Snow+Drift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IqWypXyd78/T0_Lyko75wI/AAAAAAAAARo/k3fTnq29XUY/s320/Snow+Drift.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Drift</td></tr>
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The alpacas do not mind snow, they just don't like deep snow as it is hard for them to walk in.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ0-r5C8Da4/T0_MWHqmUzI/AAAAAAAAASA/2DvWJt2BLk0/s1600/The+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ0-r5C8Da4/T0_MWHqmUzI/AAAAAAAAASA/2DvWJt2BLk0/s320/The+Girls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8U_tjro0esw/T0_MYGORdJI/AAAAAAAAASI/WLSRTQaFTxs/s1600/Wet+guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8U_tjro0esw/T0_MYGORdJI/AAAAAAAAASI/WLSRTQaFTxs/s320/Wet+guys.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Guys</td></tr>
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As you can see they will cush in the snow and chew their cud. These guys are very content.</div>
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Our Maremma guard dogs fair very well in the snow. Meadow loves to sit on top of the snow piles to better watch the barnyard during the day. We have to tie her up in the daytime, as she will not let the mail person drive down our private road to deliver our mail. She will actually sit in the middle of the road and bark at the cars to stop them. We have tried and tried to get her to stop doing this, but she thinks it's part of her job to protect the alpacas, goats and our property.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYXnC8ICng8/T0_MPtxSOkI/AAAAAAAAARw/-is9JpW0UtA/s1600/Meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYXnC8ICng8/T0_MPtxSOkI/AAAAAAAAARw/-is9JpW0UtA/s320/Meadow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow</td></tr>
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Pan doesn't mind the snow either. Here is a picture of him being the "gate guardian".</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCfVth9aGwM/T0_MSW_-SdI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Gm1tu-gwXGY/s1600/Pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCfVth9aGwM/T0_MSW_-SdI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Gm1tu-gwXGY/s320/Pan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I'm not complaining though as my heart goes out to all of those people who live in the south, where they had those terrible tornadoes yesterday.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Auc8KN0JWY/T0_QoZ957TI/AAAAAAAAASQ/3gdvAo6ta80/s1600/Snowy+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Auc8KN0JWY/T0_QoZ957TI/AAAAAAAAASQ/3gdvAo6ta80/s320/Snowy+Road.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mother nature can paint a beautiful picture.</div>
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Well the good news about all of this, is that we should not have another leap year storm for at least 4 more years! :)</div>Sundown Alpaca Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109444004429217961noreply@blogger.com0