Ryan's Way

Update

2011-11-07T21:28:00.000-05:00

Well so much for keeping that promise to blog more. Haha, between work and school and the farm I am just a figment of everyone's imagination. I have down sized all of my animals to a nice number for winter and they all went to good homes. I am still considering selling more llamas and increasing my sheep herd as that is really getting to be my passion.
Moved the pigs into their winter home and they are very content. It is on cement and they both have a very nice shelter. I plan on breeding the pigs late winter to have some spring/early summer piglets. That will be exciting !!

Melody finally decided to have her baby, pictured above. A whopping 31 pounds and as tall as his 2 month old sister ! Please let me introduce: RWAY Kontrolled Khaos aka Lorken.
Here it is November and the weather is holding out very nicely. Thank you God, for small blessings such as this.

Being a Grown Up isn't Easy

2011-07-12T11:08:00.000-04:00

I'm back ! I make a promise every day to blog more often and as you well know life gets in the way. I remember telling my youngest son to enjoy the years in high school as they will go by so fast. Now that he has been out of school for two years he totally agrees with me.
Being a grownup is never easy. With the economy as it is decisions have to be made. Spring was hard and the summer weather is even worse with hardly no rain. So I am downsizing all of my critters dramatically. The hay and corn will not be what it needs to be come harvest. My sheep that I have sold have gone to very good homes and the ones left that are for sale hopefully will go during fair week. I have also found a good home for three of my donkeys. Thank goodness for the great people out there that can become new moms for my guys ! Thank you all.

A farmer's life is never easy and he hardly breaks even on the good years. So to those that believe otherwise step into our shoes for a year.

Hello All

2011-06-27T17:35:00.000-04:00

Cannot believe that it has been a month since I last blogged. Bad girl, I made a promise to myself to do it more often and look what Father Time has done to me but fly by.
Getting ready for fair. Have a nice set of lambs and yearlings going I think nine in all. I had twelve but had a chance to sell three ram lambs for sires instead of them going to market so let them go before fair.
Finally got first cutting hay up and even after this awfully wet spring am now wishing for rain right now for the corn and beans.
Hubby and I went on a "date" picnic and day at Sauder's Village it was a grand time that we do not get to do very often.
Does one ever wonder what destiny has in store for you. Peeling back the layers of time like an onion and living each layers to it's fullest.

Good Day All

Peaceful Moments

2011-06-01T17:44:00.000-04:00

When the world is in an upside down spiral motion for you and there is no light at the end of the tunnel look for the "peace" in the simplest of moments.
After I had dug up thistles in the pasture I sat on a little hill. The humidity was gone and the skies were blue with white fluffy clouds. I leaned my head back to feel the sunshine on my face and felt the soft breathe of a favorite ewe of mine, Melody. We bumped heads the way the ewes do that are in the same herd. She was acknowledging me as one of them. We stayed head to head for the longest time as she chewed her cud. I took a deep breathe and smiled as I realized how lucky I am to have the connection I do with many of my animals. That is PEACE.

My Melody as a lamb last year

My guys that are for sale

2011-06-01T11:20:00.000-04:00

The sheep pictured here were not listed on craigslist but are available for sale. Registered Shetland ewe and Romney/Shetland ewe cross.

Male llama: halter champion and proven breeder

Rosa: red female

Destiny

2011-05-31T10:29:00.000-04:00

Destiny is the reaching of souls across the sands of time for each other through the ages. Intertwined and connected by a single strand of "knowing" that each other is there for eternity for the other.

God's gift of love

2011-05-26T18:14:00.000-04:00

Many people go through life never knowing the feeling of unconditional love that a treasured pet can give you. It does not matter if you are in a bad mood or if you just want to sit in silence. Nothing can be more gratifying than a soft nudge or to look into adoring eyes. I have known this many times in my lifetime as I was blessed to have these pets for a short time and then had to experience the heartache of losing them as in the end we do have to give them back.
I have many pets in many shapes and sizes ranging from mini-donkeys to llamas to goats, sheep, bunnies, dogs and cats.I even have a 600 pound Hampshire sow that when I scratch her belly she falls over for more ! Each have their own personality and their own quirky ways. It seems I always get the ones that have these precious traits. It does not matter what type of pet it is or how often I visit them in a one on one setting, they accept me as I am and love me unconditionally.
Recently a loved one lost a precious member of their family, their cat. She said to me " I cannot do this anymore, no more animals for me, I cannot handle the heartache". After our conversation I thought long and hard about the losses I have had and the impact of these special creatures on my life. I then told her that it is my belief that one of God's most precious gifts is to allow these animals to come into our lives and allow us to "borrow" them for a short time as there are those of us that do give these pets the love that they need and deserve.

The heartache that we experience with the loss of a "best friend" is God's reminder of how valuable unconditional love is and that we should treasure and nurture it as it is a fleeting moment in our lifetime.

Mother Nature

2011-05-23T19:00:00.000-04:00

The lambs and kids are growing like weeds. I thought I would have had to feed hay all summer due to the pasture needing reseeding but God has smiled on that problem at least for awhile. Now if Mother Nature would see fit to stop raining until we get crops in I would be eternally grateful. We have yet a small window left and as of right this moment we are getting poured on. Not good.

Decisions

2011-04-21T21:00:00.000-04:00

It has come down to making some decisions here at Ryan's Way. I am having to downsize on my animals. So I will be offering mini-donkeys, llamas, Angora goats and Angora bunnies for sale.

I also have some rather awesome lambs and a few ewes for sale also. Pictured above are three mini geldings. Great boys about two years old.

Awesome female llama. BAL Silver Socks. Halter champ and great mom. Offered bred to one of two halter champion males, buyers choice.
Email me for details or questions: ryanswayllamas@yahoo.com

Sheep for Sale

2011-04-02T16:35:00.000-04:00

It has been so long again since I have blogged, aahhhh ! Time does not stand still for anyone, not even me LOL. Ryan's Way has finished lambing and kidding. We have ended up with eight lambs and three kids. Some smashing combinations !!

I have some sheep that I am placing up for sale. Check them out ! The first two pictured here is a three year old Shetland ewe, great mom, awesome fiber with a striking ram lamb at side. He is 1/2 Shetland 1/2 BF Leicester.

The next two pictured are a 1/2 Romney 1/2 Shetland yearling ewe with her ram lamb at side. He is 1/2 BF Leicester 1/4 Shetland 1/4 Romney and very striking. Email me at ryanswayllamas@yahoo.com for details.

First Lambs of the Season !

2011-02-28T17:18:00.000-05:00

My first Border/BF Leicester lambs arrived Feb. 27th. First time ewe Ezzmerelda who is a Border Leicester gave birth to twins, a ram and a ewe. The ram looks more BFL than the ewe. He will make a nice terminal ram who can add an improvement to fleece as well as the nice long, lean body style.
I crossed my BFL ram on an assortment of ewes this year to see what I can create when it comes to fleece. I also have some purebred BFL lambs expected so it will be a fun year !

Look for us at the Lenawee County Fair in July this year.

New Kids on the Block!

2011-02-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

Here are my new girls to start my Boer/Boer-Cross herd. They are nine day to two weeks old. All very sweet and on top of that bottle babies so we will bond greatly.

Some of the Guys !

2011-01-30T18:17:00.000-05:00

Went out tonight and snapped some quick pics of some of the guys. They were bouncing around so it was fun to watch ! Lou the pig and Wiggers her boyfriend.

Boo my favorite baby llama.

Bubba the Romney sheep

Let's Catch Up !

2011-01-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that it has been months since I have been on and updated. The holidays have come and gone and we are in the dead of winter now. I have to say I am ready for spring and even the mud in order to be able to become unthawed. It has been so cold and I am very happy to say the animals are fairing well.
I am hoping for many lambs in a couple of months and soon will be getting some Boer doelings. I am very excited about that. I will be switching from my Angora's over to a meat breed. Time for a change. I will be keeping my little herd of Angoras and just not stocking anymore.
I have some fabulous fiber rugs for sale ! Homegrown and Handmade ! Many colors and textures to choose from and priced to sell. Machine washable and will last for years to come. Sink your tootsies into one and you will never buy another store bought rug again !

Contact me for individual pricing as no two are alike.

Hercules

2010-10-31T14:54:00.000-04:00

Hercules has come home and is fitting right in. He is in the dog kennel right now as he is too small for his pen. So he has a nice size pen and a dog house for comfort. He was not very friendly when I got him home and wanted to sample my fingers. But today I sat with him for awhile and he let me pet him as he ate. So he will be just fine I think.

Hercules

2010-10-20T14:09:00.001-04:00

I have finally found a hubby for Luu the pig. He is a Hampshire cross and from a very nice farm near Reed City. I will get to pick him up on October 30th. Although he will only be 6 weeks old he will be the "man" come this spring and ready to sire little piglets with Luu.

Update ! Welcome Evan Almighty, Sir Lancelot and Conean !

2010-09-29T17:04:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe that it has been so long since I have updated my blog ! Time sure does move fast when the days are sunny and long. Now that they are winding down and harvest is upon us here I am again.
I have been so busy this summer, gardening, shearing, working and taking care of all of these creatures that time has escaped me.
My sheep herd and I did well at the fair this year ! I am moving into a new breed that I absolutely LOVE !! Blue Faced Leicesters ! the fiber is to die for and I love their dispositions. I have a lovely natural colored ram and two white ewes to start my purebred flock and then I am crossing the ram on my two Border Leicesters, my Shetlands and a couple of crosses that I have. So next spring lets just see what we have created in the fiber world !
On a sad note I lost my first and most favorite angora goat, Bruce Almighty to a urinary blockage. he is missed terribly and can never be replaced as he was a goat that never knew he was a goat ! On a better note I recently brought home three new little goaties and one is Bruce's nephew. Their pics are above. Welcome to the menagerie boys !

Sad Day

2010-05-24T12:33:00.002-04:00

Our latest cria, Bella, was injured in the pasture and passed away yesterday. Do not really know what happened but this is indeed a very sad day. She was a cria long waited for as her dam had not gotten pregnant in four years. She will be greatly missed.

Newest Addition !

2010-05-17T10:05:00.003-04:00

Our latest addition came one week after the last one. This cria is a beautiful steel grey with black points and may also be suri, yaaahhhh ! That would be a plus. Only one more to go.
LUA Bravado's Bring It ON x LUA Lady Liberty

Newest Addition-Surprise Addition !

2010-05-12T13:47:00.005-04:00

Well, well, well a baby cria unexpected and unannounced arrived on Saturday, May 8. Did not know mom was still pregnant. We had made a big move this past fall and we had thought that she and another momma llama had miscarried.
So into the world pops this little girl 3 weeks early and still weighing 26+ pounds. She is doing great, down in her pasterns still but running around and nursing good. Thank goodness momma had milk !
Have a sweater on her due to Michigan weather !!
And with no further adu: RWAY Bring It On Windstorm
(named as such as she was born during a bad windstorm)

LUA Bravado's Bring It On x DDH's Rosa Del Desierto

Lambs that are coming to Ryan's Way

2010-04-15T16:55:00.003-04:00

(Ally)

(Melody)

We have been keeping very busy here at Ryan's Way. All of the goats are sheared, vaccinated, wormed and trimmed. Now I am starting on sheep and llamas. The lambs are growing very fast, the Shetland Romney cross are just beautiful and I look forward to showing all of my lambs at the county fair this year in July.

I am loving the look and feel of the Leicester world. I have two Border leicester ewes and then two Border/BFL crosses that are just yummy. I am arranging for two Blue Faced Leicester ewe lambs and then a natural colored BFL ram to come stay with us in May. I love the crimp and feel of this fiber and cannot wait to try some new blendings.

The two lambs pictured above are Melody and Ally, BFL.

Lambs for Sale

2010-03-24T09:24:00.007-04:00

Keeping this little ewe. She is 1/2 Shetland 1/2 Romney

Left Shetland Ram-Right 1/2 Shetland 1/2 Romney Ram. Both for Sale

1/2 Border 1/2 Blue Faced Leicester Ram. He is for sale

Border Leicester Ewe- babies are 1/2 Blue Faced and 1/2 Border Leicester

A Winter Update

2010-02-12T11:26:00.004-05:00

This is what Luu looks like and about this size, this is a borrowed picture not actually her as my camera is still broke

I have been battling the snow drifts to haul hay and water this past week. But I would rather have snow than ice any day.

Been teaching Luu the pig to sit and play dead. She is getting quite good at this. Luu is a Hampshire sow that I bought from the fair when she was a month old. Now she is pushing 200 pounds and is 5 months old. She is rotten, plain spoiled rotten. LOVES attention and we are starting to play tag. I do not plan on butchering her as she is my pet but I do plan on breeding her and then selling babies to FFA and 4-H members. Of course my husband says that some day she will knock me on my butt and then eat me, I know she will probably knock me on my butt but I am hoping the eating part does not happen.

Had a couple of my rams made into sausage, hunters links as they call them, Very tasty I think I like that better than summer sausage.

Have some yummy Mohair and romney wool that will be available at the spinners flock meeting in Chelsea, plus bringing sausage also. Will be a fun meeting !

There are new sheep in town !

2010-01-25T16:15:00.003-05:00

These are not the actual sheep. It is a picture I borrowed from a UK Border Leicester website. But I have two ewes coming home tomorrow that look like this and they are bred to a Blue Faced Leicester so I am anxiously awaiting the new arrivals so I can see what a wonderful fleecy combination that will be.
Look at those ears, are they not the cutest thing ever !
Going to the Chelsea Spinnersflock meeting February 13th and have some yummy dyed Mohair in several colors plus some very nice Romney fleece from Bubba. If I don't get any buyers then I will throw a bag together of all sorts of colors and get it processed into roving to see what I can come up with !!

I need your Vote !!

2010-01-19T10:52:00.006-05:00

Hi All,

I have come across a grant opportunity through Pepsi. I have applied and my project is titled "Fiber, Food and Family". This grant opportunity will enable me to construct a small building on my farm to house educational presentations and fiber art projects to do with the community. I am trying to bridge the gap between family and farming, whatever type of farming you do from fiber to food products.
These grants are awarded based on public vote.

February 1, 2010 will open voting.... go to- www.refresheverything.com
Look for Fiber, Food and Family and place your vote !!!

Thank you in advance for your support !!

Mohair !

2010-01-17T09:50:00.005-05:00

The dye pots are going ! I have Mohair that is pink on silver and white, spruce on grey, yellow on white, golden yellow on white and teal on white. Yummy !

I am trying to be good and concentrate on writing a proposal for work but the weather is so mild and the sheep and goats are running around and playing as I watch out of the window it is hard to concentrate.

Will also be harvesting some Angora soon in a variety of shades.

Looking forward to adding Border Leicester and Blue Faced Leicester sheep to my herd. What fun that will be.

Must go stir the pot !!

Ryan Musings

2010-01-16T09:58:00.004-05:00

Hi All,

I am sitting here looking out at this snow covered world and thinking about the future and all of the plans I have for this spring and summer.

I have started shearing my Romneys and they appreciated it very much. It is the middle of winter and they have 4-6 inches on them that is so thick when I put my hand in the wool (to warm my hands) they are hot ! So I am hand shearing thus leaving on about an inch of fiber.

As I am shearing, (such a professional way to do it: Sheep tied to gate, Robin sitting on a bucket with a garbage bag to put wool in. Got the picture) Bruce Almighty (my first Angora Goat) has to visit. When I smack him away from rubbing his horns all over my back, he goes for the cell phone. After he is told many times that the cell is off limits, he grabs a mouth full of MY hair and pulls me off of the bucket. " Get the point" he says. He is one of the more spoiled ones around here.

This summer I am hoping to hold a fiber event in my lot by the road that was left out from pasture for just this purpose. My plans are to have some vendors, some educational demos and then some area for petting some of the animals, we will see. First I have to see about the big one and that is liability insurance.

My plans are today to dye some Mohair..............hhmmmm what colors can I come up with next !!

Take care all..........................

Creating New Jobs !

2010-01-12T11:59:00.003-05:00

Winter News

2010-01-08T10:59:00.003-05:00

Snow, snow, snow, winter is here with a Bang! We are settling nicely into the farm and I am lovin' it very much. The holidays came and went and were nicely spent. We are still trying to sell the house in Waldron and have decided to close it down for the winter. Too much heat bills to handle with two houses.

The animals are doing well and it looks like the first lambs will be making an appearance next month. Too soon for me I like spring lambs but the ewes had a different idea this year.

Had a scare last night with a llama choking, one of my best females and pregnant to boot decided to spit an another as she was eating and inhaled a bunch of grain. After the process of rubbing her neck (did not help), her foaming at the mouth, looked like the exorcist all over again. I ran into the house and got the calf tubing kit and proceeded to shove the tube down her throat about three foot- four times before dislodging her blockage. Must say scared the heck out of us both. She is not a llama that likes to be handled and when she just stood there and let me do this while looking at me with those big eyes, that about killed me.

The llama is good this morning and hopefully we will have no more incidents like that.

I will be shearing in February as long as we don't have any bad cold snaps so will have shetland and romney fiber, yummy!

Will be making some more rugs such as the one pictured above............................

Take care all

I'm Back !!~

2009-12-03T11:55:00.003-05:00

FINALLY, we are mostly at the farm and I now have internet access here. It has been a rough couple of months without it in the house and having to run around getting school work done and such.
The barn is in it's final stages and I have most of the animals here. We are working now on getting the fence hot so I can bring the rest home this weekend.
The weather has been cooperating wonderfully, Thank you God !
Jordon finished his AIT and is now home. But in May he will be going to California for advanced training. Rumor has it he may go to Afghanistan after that. We will see.
Happy Holidays !

New News

2009-09-01T09:00:00.002-04:00

Hi All,
Getting ready for Lamafest at MSU in Lansing this weekend. That is always a fun time and somewhere to be if you have a love for llamas and vendors !!
Indiana State Fair went well, introduced my new boys and they did pretty well.
It has been sad times around here lately. We had a premie llama that lived six days before we lost him. Ted, the Angora goat had to be put down and another goat died all within two days. I shall miss my Teddy terribly but he is now in a better place.
The building is going up well at the farm and we still hope to be over there before winter.
Nothing to do this weekend................come on up to Lamafest !!!

Take care all.......................

She has arrived!!

2009-08-13T19:20:00.005-04:00

Finally, I have been waiting oh so patiently, haha, for the birth of my baby mini-donkey and she arrived today.

Not as I had planned it with my waiting expectantly by Mama's side to assist, oh no, it was on the day that Jordon shipped out and I am two hours away, go figure.

But all went well and as I had a call from a neighbor saying a llama had escaped, I called my friend Rita, who by the way works midnights (so she only had about two hours sleep) and she was on baby watch for me) to go and see if she could catch my llama.

As she entered the driveway Lady had just had her baby. Lady is the proud mama of a jennet. I have named her Reetzcee after my friend Rita who watched over her until I got home.

Enjoy the pics.

Where we have been..........

2009-07-29T12:54:00.004-04:00

I have been lax in getting new pics posted for Ryan's Way and the activities we have been doing. We are really making a dent in the house as to moving to the farm. We have also decided on a building and pasture location for All of my critters, hehe. That was a task !

As for the pictures posted above: Jordon at his open house the day before commencements, the scene with paintings and fiber is when I demonstrated rug making at the River Art Gallery in Chelsea in June and the picture of the little girl and donkey is when I went into my mom's retirement complex for a petting zoo.

As you can see Persee and Emma are the best of friends !

Take care all, I am off to the Lenawee County Fair tonight.

Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies

2009-07-20T09:46:00.006-04:00

Angora bunnies have become a passion for me. The colors ! and the care and the harvesting of fiber is SO much simpler than my bigger animals. Plus they are so cute and inquisitive and cuddly !!

I have just added chocolate, black and lynx to my colors. Welcome, Nestle(chocolate doe not pictured), Coco Puff (chocolate buck), Sable (black doe) and Snufflefflegous (lynx buck), they are welcome additions to my angora crew.

July Update

2009-07-13T15:25:00.004-04:00

Well folks time is just slipping away from me and here it is the middle of summer. I was so hoping to get much more done than I already have. We have been moving things to the farm, mostly pictures and nick knacks, which itself could probably take all summer.

Second cutting hay should be down hopefully this week. One more cutting and then I am putting pasture fencing up. My goal is to definitely be in the farm by Christmas. My biggest obstacle:getting a building up to house a menagerie of animals. At this point in time I am looking into portable shelters and such to make it this first year.

Some companies have some very cool poly huts that have improved immensely since calf huts first came out. I have found a few that will be great for the goats and sheep and donkeys. Now I am working on the llama shelter ideas.

I will be dyeing more Mohair this next week. I am all sold out of what I had. Hopefully I will have some very funky colors as those seem to sell the best. I have a few Shetland sheep pelts left and one Angora buckling and his mom for sale (pictured above).

The weather is mild today and I am loving that !!!!

Finally An Update

2009-06-21T09:37:00.005-04:00

Top pic-(STAMF Rock On's Ace in the Hole), MIddle-(STAMF Rock On's Early Bird Special), Bottom pic (BAL Silver Socks)

WE have been so busy here I have neglected my blog. Jordon graduated and was supposed to "ship" June 16. So we went through the process of taking him to Jackson and meeting him in lansing and having the family "good-bye" dinner and going to MEPS the next morning with him.................to have to turn around and take him home as they had the wrong ship date. He will now be shipping August 13.

I have been trying to catch up on my shearing and have almost all of the goats done. Only three sheep to go and all of the llamas.

I have attended two fiber festivals in June. One in Franklin, Indiana and the other in Marshall, Michigan. Both were great fun.

I have added to my Angora Bunny collection. I now have four does and two bucks. Colors range from broken torte, to blue, to copper agouti, to silver. Hopefully our first litter will be coming in July.

I have also added to my llama herd. Thank you to Vicki Moses in Georgia for giving me the opportunity to own such fine animals. Look for these boys in the showring this summer and fall.

Must run now ...........Look for me on the 27th at the River Art Gallery in Chelsea. I will be demonstrating my rug making.

Take care all..........................

Jonesville River Festival

2009-05-08T16:40:00.002-04:00

Just a note to all:

Last minute decision, I will be a vendor at the Jonesville River Festival next weekend, May 16 &17. I will also have animals on display.

If you are in the neighborhood come join us. I will be set up on Maumee St.

Take care

RWAY April's Fool aka Joker

2009-05-06T16:17:00.003-04:00

What a beauty he is !! I am sure Joker will rock the show ring this next year starting at Lamafest at MSU this fall. You can sure see his daddy in him (LUA Bravado's Bring It On).

We now have 15 lambs. Very nice lambs I might add. The fair will be a busy one this year that is for sure.

Have started Davenport University and find the first class very challenging. Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, hhhmmmm. More than a mouth full that is for sure.

Pics of the lambs to come.

New Beginnings

2009-04-24T10:58:00.002-04:00

(This is a pic of the rugs that I make with fiber from my critters)

The last couple of weeks have been a blur for me and so much had happened !!

I have 13 lambs, the majority of whicxh are ewes, yyaaaa. The last set to be born are very nice and I will be keeping both of them. they are red with white markings on their heads.

With state funding being what it is and my job depending on state funding, it has become a little scary for me. So I have enrolled in Davenport University for medical coding. I can get my Associates in Applied Science in two years. So that will be my back-up.

I need to start shearing my Angora goats and bunnies. The weather has hit the 70's, it is green !!!

Time to Catch Up

2009-04-20T08:38:00.002-04:00

Hi All,

It has been a busy and stressfull last couple of weeks that I would rather never want to repeat. Between the Senior trip to Myrtle Beach, my Tree Sale at work and my mother-in-law passing away................Need I say more.

I did finally get my new sheep home and the two new rams that I am going to keep are truly impressive. I added four new ewes, two who are due next week so it is an exciting time to be adding new bloodlines and new colors.

I am up to 11 lambs so far and have three more ewes to go. All have twinned, even my first time moms, except for one.

All of the puppies have been sold, yaaaaaa!!! Happy times! We did keep the littlest female who is the spitting image of her father since this is our last litter. Lexee has given us 18 puppies, she has done her time and now she needs to enjoy life.

We will be moving to Adrian in the next year to the farm. Don has given me a six acre field for all of my critters so that is three times what I have now, happy times !!

Jordon's graduation party is coming soon and I need to get busy planning. the youngest graduating............I will be having empty nest syndrome...........hhhmmmmm..............more sheep?

Green is here...................

New Ram

2009-03-30T14:18:00.004-04:00

I think that spring has arrived in spite of the fact that we had snow on the ground yesterday. We are preparing to go on the senior trip, Jordon and I. We will be heading to Myrtle Beach and I am hoping for half way decent weather.

Upon returning I will be getting more Shetland Sheep. One of the new ram's, Daniel is pictured above. I cannot wait to cross him on some of my ewes !

Saturday I was a vendor at the Black Swamp Markets Day in Bowling Green, Ohio. It was a nice time and we did pretty well for it being our first year.

Lambing for me should be starting next week and I am looking forward to all of the cute, bouncy little bodies in my pastures.

Take care all

Happenings on the Farm

2009-03-23T09:55:00.003-04:00

(Kalvin at one of our PR events)

We are through our first wave of shearing and I have processed some very cool roving. We will be at the Black Swamp Market Day in Bowling Green this Saturday the 28th.

I have brought home my jennies and they are way cool. Lady is due in August so it will be very cool having a baby mini-donkey this summer.

We are down to five puppies, four boys and one girl. They are growing like weeds and maturing into very nice dogs.

Lambing should start after first week in April. I have six bred Shetland ewes and look forward to this years crop after seeing what my ram Robbie can throw crossed with my girls.

Next week is the senior trip and we will be in Myrtle beach for five days. I hope the weather is good for us.

Spring is here !!!

Critters

2009-03-15T12:12:00.007-04:00

Bella, Clarice and Ted

Lexee and puppies

Herbie, Ditto and Jack

Here are some pics of the many critters here, What a nice sunny day and I was having fun snapping shots.

PS: the scooter will be shipped next week !!

Ryan's Way Update

2009-03-11T13:35:00.003-04:00

Gizzmo is King of the Hill

Hello All,

Been trying to get some shearing done and vaccinations. Off to a good start, now if the flooding would just stop I could move everyone into their summer pastures. I have never seen water this high in the 13 years I have been here.

The puppies are getting very big and romping around. they have just had their second shots and worming and have pretty much gotten over their ringworm. Their hair is growing back in and they are starting to look normal. Now they just have to go to new homes, :-)

I have the senior trip coming up and hopefully we will have good weather in Myrtle Beach. Then it is on to graduation and Jordon's party. And in between of all of that will be lambing and kidding. I am looking forward to the crop I will see this year.

Robbie, my main ram threw some very nice babies last year and even though they were born dark all of them are turning silver underneath. I was going to retire him as he can be a handful, but with his UK bloodlines and his silver fleece,hhhmmmm, I guess I can put up with him another couple of years.

Then I have Ben, my second Shetland ram who has a primitive fleece and I will be breeding with him come next fall. That will be an exciting cross.

Don got me a "Billy Goat Gruff" pen that fits in the back of my truck for transporting a few goats, sheep, dogs ect.. It is very cool and will get put to good use that is for sure.

I want to see green....................................

Take care all

Spring is Coming !!

2009-03-04T09:58:00.004-05:00

(the two new girls I am getting......Persee and Painted Lady)

I know spring is coming and I want the grass to be green again. I want little warm breezes blowing softly through the newly blossomed leaves, hahaha Who am I kidding................It is not here yet.

I did hand shear an ewe yesterday as she was beginning to roo and looked more like a poodle with her center wool missing. I have another to try and do tonight and it is vaccination season, so it could be a long weekend.

The mini-donkeys had their first tying lesson yesterday. Herbie, Jack and Ditto were not impressed by their "captivity" but a flake of hay made them a little happier. Ditto is the wild and crazy one and it seems that he has spring fever by the way he is acting. I think that he will make a wonderful cart donkey as he is so energetic and fancy stepping.

Melody Sue (llama) is due end of this month beginning of next. I am starting to check her udder just in case. She was not impressed with the invasion of privacy last night.

Knight's and Bing (male llamas) are starting to scream at each other over the fence lines. Gotta love that testosterone. I am down to eight llamas and would like to move two more to get to where I want.

My youngest son graduates this year and is in the Army Reserves. He will be gone again all this summer and he is talking about getting an apartment when he gets back. So I am taking a hard look at the number of animals I have and the time and energy that I have to take care of them without Jordon. At last count I have: 8 llamas, 3 mini-donkeys (with 2 more coming), 5 bunnies, 11 Angora goats (2 are leaving), 2 Nupine goats, 3 Romney sheep, 11 Shetland sheep, 3 dogs, 8 puppies (whom are all leaving someday), 1 bird, 4 inside cats and 9 barn cats. Chores do take a bit of time 2x a day. Oh ya, forgot Don's 2 heifers that are at the house until he finds a spot for them back at the farm.

I have been accepted into LongRidge Writers Group. So I am hoping to sharpen my writing skills and bring to life all of my tales from "down on the farm" haha with all of my special creatures.

Take care all............................

Attack of the Puppies !!

2009-02-25T10:07:00.007-05:00

The puppies are now seven weeks old and growing like weeds. they would just not settle down last night and we had playtime for 3 1/2 hours !! I was ready to hit the couch after that

I have a couple coming this weekend for a girl so we will see.

Bella (my second dairy goat) came home the other day and I think that her and Clarice will be best of friends. Clarice is still going through "mommy" withdrawals and mugs me as soon as I enter the trailer where they are for right now. I will get pics soon of those two.

I introduced Teddy to them as the three of them will be housed together. Even though he is three times bigger than them he hid behind me, wussy boy.

The picture above is the puppies during playtime and chasing Wuver.

My Newest Toy !!

2009-02-23T13:59:00.004-05:00

I must be going through a mid life crisis or maybe spending so much money filling my truck is getting the best of me.

I am getting a 150 cc Scooter, pictured above !! I will be taking my motorcycle safety class in April so then I will be legal.

We still have eight puppies to go to new homes !! I have two people coming this weekend so hopefully they will leave with new friends. I do have someone in Conneticut who wants one but we are stuck when it comes to shipping. The airlines have no direct flights-they want to fly the puppy to Texas before going to the east coast, nonono. The ground shipping company is over 3 hours from me and I thought well that isnt too bad but then they want to meet a 2am. I don't think so. I guess we will see.

My Angora goat does are going to a new home this weekend.

I will have my second dairy goat as of tonight. Clarice will be going outside with her sister, I am sure she will not be liking that. But I got a new seatshirt for her to go under her bling bling coat. I will have to get a picture.

Spring is coming ................... just repeat after me..................haha

Winter Blah

2009-02-10T13:36:00.003-05:00

This picture is of Clarice in her diaper at work this past week!!!! She was such a good girl.

I have not blogged in awhile as I have been sick again. This time the flu and bronchitis laid me flat on my back for almost a week.

Clarice is now jumping up on furniture and can jump a three foot gate from a standstill. Time to be going outside soon I fear. I did take her out in her little coat the other day when it was nice and she was such a wussy girl, tip toeing around.

With the weather warming up somewhat I feel the need to begin shearing...........

Ryan's Way Update

2009-02-02T11:23:00.004-05:00

(Jordon and Clarice taking a nap)

Hello All:

The puppies have been started on food as they are four weeks old. Which is a very good thing as Lexee has mastitis on her one back teat. It is pretty bad and is going to blow, we are trying to keep her from getting gangrene at this point in time. So the puppies may have to be taken off of her.

Clarice is in diapers now and tools around the house as if she owns the place. She is trying to jump up on furniture now and if I am sitting in the floor she runs and jumps in my lap and then wants to be cuddled and lays her head on my shoulder. She is not spoiled, haha.

Our first puppy has been sold and is going to Muskgeon, Michigan. His name is now Bruno.

Take care all..............

Clarice

2009-01-30T14:47:00.004-05:00

Hi All,

I am having way too much fun with this new baby goat and of course she is spoiled rotten!! She lives in the house at this point in time until she gets bigger and the weather breaks. She runs through the house like she owns it and romps with the dogs. Her biggest thing now is that everything she comes in contact with goes in her mouth, hehe, just like a "kid", haha. She lays on the couch with me and LOVES to cuddle. My Boxer, Lexee who had puppies three weeks ago has adopted her and lets her nurse. They take naps together and Lexee washes her face after I give a bottle to her.

Of course I am near divorce court as Don never figured a goat would be living in the house. It has taken nearly a week before he would talk to me and even now it is only when I force it. I guess he will get over it sometime, haha.

Enjoy the pics !!

Clarice

2009-01-27T12:55:00.002-05:00

We have a new addition to the family as of last Friday. She is a baby goat, Nubian. Her mom had four babies !!! Mom belongs to a good friend of mine. Clarice was the runt and injured her back leg so I took her in and am bottle feeding her.

She was 5 pounds when I brought her home and now she is almost 7 pounds. I took her to the vet and her leg is in a splint. Clarice is a house goat for now and has the run of the house when I am home. She loves to romp around and will follow you anywhere. Her favorite time is at night when I lay on the couch and watch tv, she will want up and curls up next to me and goes to sleep.

When she gets bigger and stronger and the weather breaks she will become Ted's companion.

Puppies !!

2009-01-22T11:00:00.004-05:00

Our Boxer puppies are get fat and sassy !! I am sorry to say we lost a little girl that was born 18 hours after the last puppy delivered.

The brindles are boys and the fawn pictured are the girls. We also have four more fawn boys.

I cannot believe that they are almost three weeks old already.

We are going through a heat wave right now. It is actually 30 degrees out !!

Woohoo

More Snow

2009-01-13T16:02:00.002-05:00

We are getting more snow and the temps are supposed to bottom out in the next day or so. I guess winter really is here.

I was out watering the other day and Ted was following me around the yard as usual. He has to taste every bucket I draw from the pump. Maybe his way of seeing if it will fit the patability of his fellow goats, I don't know. But I was carrying a bucket to the far pasture and I heard a very strong cry.

There was Ted, as I turned to see what was up, stuck in a snow drift and looking at me like it was all my fault. It probably did not help matters that Gizzmo was standing right in front of him jumping around and barking.

So I had to go back and pull Ted free. In which case he stalked off and would not come to me that night. What a brat!!

The Big Snow

2009-01-10T10:33:00.004-05:00

Hi All,

We are currently having a great snowstorm. Not that it is great as I am trudgin through the deep snow throwing hay and watering all of the animals, but great in the amount of snow. We have 8-10 inches right now and it is still coming down.

Ted seems to enjoy it as he follows me around and hops, skips and jumps through the drifts. Gizzmo is the true snow dog and revels in scooting his snow through to see what new scents can be found.

Jordon is at an Army training at Fort Custer for the weekend and it is an outside training,bbbrrrrrrrr.

Lexee's 10th puppy went to heaven last night. She was fighting for her life until the very end, but sometimes these things are just for the better due to the chance of unseen complications. She was not alone as I had her wrapped in a shawl and was holding her until it happened. May she be in peace now. On the other hand, the other nine are fat and sassy and at night they all sing together their little howling song. It is very musical, haha.

Must start washing more fleece and getting ready for my first fiber event in March. So I think I will spend the day doing that. I also purchased a Navajo spindle and look forward to trying that.

May you have peace and hope in the new year.

The New Year ! 2009

2009-01-06T11:53:00.001-05:00

Hi All,

Well here it is 2009 and what a start we have had here !

Lexee had her puppies on January5 and delivered 9, but then we had a surprise delivery almost 24 hours later with a 10th puppy !! So we have ten little Boxers that all seem to be doing well.

The Holidays went well and were way too short but then again they always are.

Already looking forward to spring and the new crop of lambs and goats we will be having.

Merry Christmas ! Happy New Year !

2008-12-23T15:42:00.002-05:00

We at Ryan's Way are finally ready for Christmas, I think. Lots of wrapping to do tonight and getting all of the animals settled as it is a wintery, cold day and we are supposed to get more ! We will be having a white Christmas this year after all.

We wish all a Merry Christmas and a good start to the New Year !!

Bless all !

Don, Robin, Jordon, Champ, Lexee, Gizzmo, Stewart, Token, Garfield, Skidders, Wuver, Ted, Fred, Blue, Whitey, Herbie, Flapjack, Ditto, Bruce Almighty, Elmo, Ace, Morgan, Beacon, Tye, Ross, Bean, Robbie, Bonnie, Star, Ben, Bubba, Knights, Kalvin, David, Tucker, Marino, Rum Runner, Rae Von, Melody, Gertee, Millie, Liberty, Bing, Laura, Sara, Oreo, Penny, Giselle, and all of the rest................................

Mother Nature at her Best

2008-12-18T14:01:00.002-05:00

Tonight is the night for our first winter storm of the season. They are predicting 8-12 inches in our area as well as wind and ice. Mother Nature at her best !

I believe that we will come through fine as all of the animals are bedded snug as a bug in their shelters and maybe I will get a day off work and Christmas vacation will start a day earlier than expected.

What I will love out of all of this is maybe, just maybe a white Christmas. Just doesn't feel like the season without some white stuff.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Breeding Season !

2008-12-15T12:59:00.002-05:00

Well we are about done with breeding season for the sheep and goats this year. I am hoping for a bumper crop this spring !~We will have six Shetland ewes and two Angora goat does that will be expecting plus two llamas.

Lexee (our Boxer) is showing ALOT ! She only has a couple of weeks yet and we will be bouncing off of the walls with little puppies ! Her first litter yielded nine !!! So we will see what number we get this time.

The Nativity on the 6th went very well and we are just tickled pink to have been a part of that special day.

Some roving has come back and it is just scrumptious !!! I have a periwinkle/purple/silver blend that is 50/50 Mohair and Shetland, beautiful !!! I also have a black/silver blend, a brown/faded red blend and a cream/heathery brown blend, all 50/50. So if you want some wonderful roving let me know...........

Keep warm

Filming

2008-12-03T09:20:00.003-05:00

The filming went just fine yesterday except for the weather, bbbbrrrrrrrrr, to say the least. The trailer went in for winter inserts and now we are getting our educational boards ready and the animals groomed for our Nativity on Saturday. This will be very exciting as there will be 200+ people in attendance.

Thank you Peter Schriemer for this adventure !!

Normal weekend at Ryans'

2008-11-30T10:32:00.004-05:00

Well we have made it through Thanksgiving and are now working on getting ready for our Nativity on the 6th. Everyone needs a good grooming and the trailer is going in to have some inserts put in to make it nice and comfy for the animals.

Lexee (our female Boxer that is due on January 8th) decided to get into something dead. Yep, judging from the smell had been dead awhile. She then had an allergic reaction and broke out in whelts all over her body. This is her normal picture. Now put Frankenstein eyebrows on her. Since she is pregnant we have to watch what she is given in the way of medication, so she gets half doses of Benadryl and now resembles a miniature version of Frankensteins bride.

We normally get our Christmas tree this weekend. I am thinking we will wait a week or two now that we have four inside cats. Two are rescues that were babies when brought home and now are 1/2 grown. They will have a jolly time disecting the tree I fear. Anything on shelves or window sills are fair game to Wuver and Skidders.

Winter is Here !

2008-11-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

Well I guess the inevitable has happened........old man winter is putting his stamp on us. I am not ready for this yet but I guess my opinion does not matter to Mother Nature. Ted is holed up in the barn. Since he is an outcast and does not fit in with the other goats he has the run of the barn and also runs with the dogs in the yard when they are out. When I called the dogs in the other day he tried to get into the house with them. So we had to have a little talk about how goats are really farm animals and need to stay in the barn and not the house. He was very good natured about it and bounded out to the barn with me wagging his tail all of the way.

Ted loves to be picked up and hugged. He will lay his head on your shoulder. But I have to say he is pushing 50+ pounds. Getting a little harder !!

Crocheted Rugs

2008-11-24T16:10:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of one of the rugs that I made. This one is made from llama fiber. I also make them from sheep wool and mohair in all colors !! I do demonstrations on how to make these and also offer them for sale. Completely washable and lay flat to dry.

LUA KnightVision

2008-11-24T10:47:00.001-05:00

Christmas Special All.............

LUA KnightVision-beautiful future herdsire. Taking the showring by storm, correct, upright, colorful what more could you ask for????

Price to put him under your Christmas tree $1000

Call for more info: 517-403-2860

On the road again !

2008-11-24T09:50:00.000-05:00

Ryan's Way will be heading to Plymouth, Michigan on December 6th for a Nativity scene and church program. The we will be in Hamtramik, Michigan for a Nativity scene and church program on December 20th.