Sunrise Farm Chores

It's the first day of Spring tomorrow, the first day of September. It's also the due date for one of our Lowlines to have her baby - how's that for perfect timing? Although I think she's going to wait until at least the end of the week before we get to see the first of our 2015 calves. 

It's drying out fast and with lambing and calving set to start from now and stretch across the next few months the days have gotten much fuller and busier. It's also heating up fast so the morning routine is being changed. No more slow cold mornings, second cups of tea, putting the sourdough into a warmed oven to prove or leaving the chicken eggs out of the fridge. Spring is short in our part of the world, but I am going to relish the gentle warmth while it lasts. 

We delivered the cows their hay as the sun came up this morning, and I took my camera along for the trip.

Here & Now

Pattern Love: Little Oddment Hedgehog

Hedgehogs seem to be a creature admired by many and these days they appear in many forms. There are real live ones with their own popular Instagram accounts, you can purchase them as drawings and prints and many other things. 

In the world of knitting, there are heaps hedgehog patterns around, but my absolute favourite would have to the Little Oddment Hedgehog by Julie Williams of Little Cotton Rabbits. This hedgehog hits all the right notes from the irresistible look to the versatility of the pattern. As the name suggests, this is a great pattern for using up bits and bobs from your stash. 

Sheep Work

Each night the Dorpers are locked into their little brick shed to keep them safe from wild dogs and dingoes. This daily duty falls on Rilla as little Bambi is still learning sheep work and is still learning in the controlled environment of the yards.

I have this one ewe, Sage, who is a royal pain every night as she is still very nervous around me so doesn't like being forced to be near me but isn't comfortable taking up the rear as that puts her near Rilla. So each and every night she continually breaks away from the flock and charges helter-skelter straight for the shed.

Winter Farmyard

Recipe: Passionfruit & Coconut Slice