Half Pint's Sheep Milk Soap

Starting to finally stock back up on my sheep milk supply now that we've started milking again, so be prepared for some more fresh spring and summer fragrance soaps to be coming soon. Lambing season put a hold on any soap making the last couple of months so I'm ready to get back in the swing of things and maybe even possibly start back on some candle making as well.

In stock right now I have Felted soap, Unscented, Huckleberry, Fresh & Clean, Pa's Pipe, Hard Candy Christmas, Sweet Pea, Pumpkin Spice, Men's soap and Men's Shaving soap.
Hopefully, I'll have more Sassafras, Magnolia, and Honeysuckle back in stock, along with Sunflower and some other great scents.

Meet Gideon

    We've added a new member to our farm crew. Meet Gideon!

    A bright and spunky Great Pyrenees pup. With our growing flock, there was a need for another guard dog to protect the sheep out in the pasture and I'm pretty sure Gideon is up for the challenge.

 

  Dad and mom named him Gideon from the bible. According to the internet the name Gideon means "Destroyer" and "Mighty Warrior". I'd say that's pretty fitting for a guard dog. 

 

Don't let these brown eyes fool ya!

Once he made it to his new home, he moped around for a day or two but now Gideon is in full puppy mode. He's tried bossing the sheep into playing with him, he's even tried running off with one of the lamb bottles. 

   

 

Work Hard, Sleep Hard!

   

A Virtuous Woman

<sup>Words to live by, something I strive for and hope to be!

Proverb 31:10-31  KJV

10</sup> Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Kool-Aid Wool

About a month ago I decided to try my hand at dying wool. I really wanted to start finding plants on the farm to use to naturally dye my wool but I figured I better start with something a little simpler to see how well I would adapt to the idea. I read and heard a lot of people talking about dying wool with Kool-Aid, so I thought "Why Not'?

I used our East Friesian sheep wool.  Washed and dried but not carded.

This is my first wool batch. 

In a large pot with strawberry kool-aid mix and enough water to cover the wool, I heated it to a boil for just a couple of minutes and then sat it off the heat to cool completely, the water starts to clear more as it cools.  Once it has cooled, soak wool in a soapy bath and rinse wool until bath water is clear. Note: The boiling wool mixed with the tasty kool-aid doesn't smell up the kitchen too nicely!! :)

On the drying rack. Completely excited about this one and the way it turned out that I had to try a few more colors.

 

 Blueberry wool.

By the end of the night I had 4 different colors of wool and 4 very strange smells clashing together. Over all, I have to call this a success!  I'll definitely be trying this again soon, hopefully with some different colors.

Our Little Piglet

 Our first born in our first set of quads was born weighing 3 lbs. Our tiniest lamb here on the farm. He has truly been a treat. He loves to eat and when he sees the bottle in your hands, you better bet he's going to come running and begging for it. He's now at 5 lbs and has completely stolen our hearts!

He may be little but he has a very big personality.

Down To The Creek

A couple of weeks ago we had such a beautiful day out on the farm, the weather was just wonderful. We took full advantage of it and took the dogs down to the creek.

We've had so much rain that the creek was pretty full.

Nothing like playing in the water.

Nan loves the water and it's really hard to get her out when it's time to leave.

The Greatest Valentine

    This Valentine's Day, I feel in my heart I need to talk about something a little different, something not really farm related but something every day life related. Something that can change your life if it hasn't already.
    I want to share this song and poem that I heard on the K-Love radio station. If you haven't already accepted Jesus in your heart or you feel like you've drifted a bit, listen to this song as you read down through these scriptures. God offers you the greatest love you will ever know, more than any valentine can ever offer. His love is everlasting. I pray that you will open your heart to God and allow him in as your Lord and Savior.  He is waiting for you, will you ask Him in?

Selected poem lyrics from "Father's Love Letter" used by permission Father Heart Communications
Copyright 1999-2011
www.FathersLoveLetter.com

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God