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Some Much Needed Rain

russianriverThank goodness we got another storm that brought some more rain.  I measured and this week the farm got 8+” from the storms that came through.  At the end of last month I had started to get a little worried since our dry spell seemed to stretch on and on.  We were having very warm temps for the winter as well.  It definitely felt more like spring.  The grass in my pasture had stopped growing and that is not what the sheep want to see!

As much as I hate keeping the sheep in the barn during a heavy storm it is very dry, warm and cozy in there.  I put down fresh straw and everyone just hunkers down.  And although nor the sheep or I enjoy slogging through the mud the days after a rain we all do love the life the water gives to the plants.  Including the moisture received by the hay and alfalfa fields of the central valley which will feed the flock next year.  I am hoping that we will get enough precipitation this winter to drastically lower the hay prices this year.  I won’t hold my breath but I’ll keep my fingers crossed 🙂

 

 

 

 

The Russian River really flows after a big rain and it feels so good to watch it grow to a muddy, healthy size!

 

 

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When it rains, it pours

ducks in puddle

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California had been waiting for rain and worrying about dry conditions.  This weekend we got a storm that took an edge off that worry.  On Saturday my house got 6″ of rain in a 24 hour period.  That’s A LOT!

I cleared all the drainage ditches in the morning and by the afternoon so much debris had washed down from the hills the ditches had overflowed and I had flooding.  It was a long day trying to get so much water to flow the ways that I wanted.

The sheep decided to stay cozy in the barn over the weekend while 8″ of much needed rain fell on the roof.  The ducks however had a ball!  Running/waddling as fast as their web feet would take them, they’d race towards the pasture and the little streams that popped up to dig their bills deep in the water and mud.  Whenever I get tired of the rain I can always watch the ducks thoroughly enjoying their playground and I feel happy about it once again.

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Daffodils Already

little yellow white daffodils

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!

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Brrrrr!

DSCF3120 DSCF3121Temperatures have been unseasonably cold for our area.  December usually brings rain but instead we are having a cold snap.  Dipping into the high twenties many nights in a row is not common for Sonoma County but these freezing temps have even been happening state wide.
I realize we have nothing to complain about since thirty degrees is a warm day in Wisconsin this time of year.  But having to do chores when everything is frozen and frosty definitely gives me a great respect for shepherds of the mid-west!

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Baby It’s Cold Outside!

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Brrrr! We have had a long stretch of cold days and nights over the past few weeks.  The water buckets have been frozen over, the water nozels are frozen closed, the ground is icy.  As you can see even the sheep are frosty!I know that compared to most of the country our temperatures are very mild.  My friend Jane who has an animal rescue in Wisconsin has been telling me about her weather and there 30 degrees is warm and it’s 20 below that qualifies as cold!
IMG_1016Frosty on the outside, toasty on the inside!
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