Spring – Plum Blossom Farm

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 by Carole Balala

The sweet sound of sheep grazing…

I have to share one of my favorite sounds in the world. The lovely noise a happy sheep makes grazing on lush, green pasture. I hope the sound quality is good enough on these short clips so you can hear. I suggest watching the first time then pressing play again and closing your eyes. I hope it brings you the same feeling of peace and calm it brings me. There is something so palpable about listening and observing someone who is joyful. And these beauties certainly are.

Check out the different styles of grazing that these two sheep have. The first video features Rabbit, a white Karakul wether. The second is of Persephone, aka Percy, a chocolate Corriedale ewe.

To view, click on the links below:

rabbitgrazing

percygrazing

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Carole Balala

Winter in California is spoiling me!

January and February have been so mild I feel guilty about what the East and Midwest have had to go through! The green grass is really taking off now and so many flowers are in bloom! First the daffodils popped out, then my plum trees started budding. Now the Camiellia bush is bursting, the redbuds have arrived and the Brodiaea have blanketed the hills.

I just cannot keep from photographing these beauties! On Instagram here.

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Carole Balala

At last- out to fresh pastures!

Joy! The sheep are able to do what they are born to do – graze! They fields have dried out enough that I have moved them into three of the four fields, moving rotationally so it’s easier on the land.

They are so happy and contented this time of year. The grass is cool and lush, the weather is in the 70s, they can come and go as they please. It is absolute bliss.

When they are stuck in the barnyard and they see me before the evening feeding they will all sing a chorus of “we are bored and hungry, please feed us now”. These days though there is this wonderful quiet due to happy sheep with full bellies. Pretty heavenly. Their feeling of peace is thankfully contagious.

Wish this could last forever but hot, dry days will be here before we know it. Better enjoy each moment of this season while it’s here…

Posted on February 24, 2014February 24, 2014 by Carole Balala

Blossoms Have Begun

Every year it surprises me how early the first flowers of spring arrive here. February seems like it should be the dead of winter but these brave blooms are a welcome treat.

One of the first trees to flower is the Plum tree which of course I am partial too. Plum blossoms are a symbol of strength and hope because of the time of year they bloom.

I have been lucky to be near Camellia bushes in most places I’ve lived and here is no exception. These bright bursts of color are always a delight to see.

Just today I noticed I have pink roses coming into bloom from the most productive rose bush I have ever known. She seems to come into season almost every month of the year. Although even she takes a break in January. 🙂

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Carole Balala

Daffodils Already

I couldn’t believe my eyes yesterday when I spotted my first daffodils of the season. They always sneak up on me but they seem even earlier this year. I am honestly surprised they could make it out of the ground with the little rain we’ve had.

Anyway they were a welcome friendly presence opposed to the dying grass in the pasture. The forecast is calling for rain in just a few days. It feels like all of California is holding their breath and hoping for some moisture!

Posted on April 17, 2013June 21, 2013 by Carole Balala

Shearing Day!

Always a stressful and exciting and stressful day for both me and the sheep comes every spring on shearing day. The sheep must be kept off food till they are done and packed tightly into stalls to await their turn. When I first got my Wensleydale’s I imagined that I would eventually shear them all myself. But since the first time I witnessed the hard work and finesse of a professional shearer I have since changed my tune. A good shearer is worth his weight in gold and I tip mine heavily to be sure he wants to come back next year!

shearing day april 2013 202 — Sheep waiting anxiously

carole skirting fleece — Look at this amazing fleece!

sheep in pasture — All done and happy to be in the green grass.

All the fleeces must have to be skirted before they are bagged to remove all the dirty bits and vegetation that has found it’s way into the fleece. This is a delightful time to see what has been growing all year and the results of months of energy. I had never seen the Karakuls shorn before and so it was fun to see what they looked like under that lofty coat! The photo of the gorgeous fleece shown above is from a shy sheep named Ferdinand. His fleece is large and absolutely unique. He is a Karakul, Romeny, Wensleydale cross and the attributes of each show up in his beautiful fiber!

Posted on March 4, 2013June 21, 2013 by Carole Balala

Plum Blossoms in Bloom!

Plum blossoms overlooking sheep pasture.

Plum blossoms are associated with strength as they are some of the first blooms of the year. They are a reminder of vitality, endurance through difficult times and the hope of renewal. They hold the promise of a nearby spring and the re-generation of life.
Plum Blossom Farm is blessed to have many wild, native plum tress around the property as well as a domestic tree which will deliver loads of sweet, juicy deep purple plums in a few months.

Plant life is starting to grow again

Posted on February 26, 2013June 21, 2013 by Carole Balala

February Feels Like An Early Spring!

Haggart and his Karakul family chomping away

Colorful Camelia

My friends try to remind me that it is common for Sonoma County to have spring-like Februarys and then fall back into the rainy season in March. Well it feels like that may happen again this year because we have had plenty off sunshine and warmth lately.

The flowers have started blooming and the clover has popped up. The sheep devour the tender new greens and munch with noisy abandon.

I saw that there is a storm headed our way next week so we will just enjoy these past few days of heaven before the mud returns.

Bayarma devours clover

So dainty and lovely!

Category: Spring