Our Etsy Shop...

Felted Soaps

We are busy here and there getting ready for the holidays. Also on our Etsy shop on line, are many gifts available and made right here on Coon Hollow Farm, right down to the animals! We have various Alpaca Pillows needle felted, handspun yarns...



Assorted Needle Felted Pillows

 


Handspun Yarns





Goats Milk Lotion and Body Mist


as well as Goats Milk Spray Mist and Hand lotions,

Assorted Needle Felted items

 Needle Felted animals and Necklaces...the link to our Etsy Shop is to the left of our page, just click and it will take you right there!

The end of the Harvest, signs are everywhere...

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Ours was very nice, Tim and I had some time off from our jobs, my dad was visiting and we just had some time to catch up. The farm yard was gifted with the left over pumpkins... 

"Cyrus" seems to be asking "Winchester" what he might think is in the trough?!

 The plants were moved out of the greenhouse and into the house. The patchouli plant was getting wilty and was happy to get inside. The counters are cleaned, everything put away until Spring...        

The bee hive was closed up for the winter and the equipment put into the bin for winter storage. This year I am trying an inverted candy board that Tim had made to seal the base. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will help sustain them throughout the cold weather...

and with the leftover pumpkins that I grew, Pumpkin Jam is on the stove. This recipe is a three day process so I hope it's good! I also made pumpkin pie as well as Jalapeno Jelly from my garden harvest for Yule gifts for some deserving folks! So as we gear up for the next holiday, I am pleased with my harvest and look to the next one as the wheel of our year turns...

Meet "Mo"!

Today Tim and I got up at 5:30 a.m. and traveled to upstate New York to adopt this wonderful tempered ram. His previous owner recently passed and her husband is overwhelmed with the many sheep they have. His dad said his goodbyes which was sad...

 We loaded him up into our Jeep Wrangler which was totally unexpected because the brakes went on our truck yesterday and is now in the shop being repaired. Our journey was quite interesting and from time to time he would come up front and say hi!

He never once laid down and it was a 3 hour drive. He looked out the window, moved around but was very calm like he had done this before, hhhmmm...

When finally arrived, it was now time to get him out. Jeeps are not the easiest thing to unload a ram or get one into for that matter, but a little persuasion and he jumped right out. He is leash trained so it was rather uneventful, but will I ever get that smell out the Jeep??!!

So after stretching his legs, he had a good meal, some water, a worming, a hoof trim and he was ready to go.
His name is "Mocha Expresso Swirl" but we'll call him "Mo".
We decided to give him a day to get grounded before he begins to make a legacy for our farm...

Chickens molting, oh my!

Chickens molting is such a sad thing to witness and I really do believe that they are very uncomfortable when it happens. They go off their food, they hide and I really do believe there is some true discomfort there. 
The owls that we care for at the Nature Center where I work are the same way. I asked a friend who has a raptor center and she agreed with me, all birds experience some level of discomfort during molting. 
Just look at the girl in the top picture, she was one of the worse and she has been hiding and not eating well. All my girls are taking dust baths just trying to get some relief. Just think when the new feathers come in it has to be somewhat painful.
My whole flock of 15 Rhode Island reds are just a balding mess!
We are hoping for some big news this weekend and will announce it on the blog, till then appreciate those eggs, these girls really work hard for them!

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We made it through...

After a long full week with no power, no water, freezing cold temps we are back! On October 29th the State of Connecticut was hit with a historic nor'easter snow storm that knocked out power to close to 80 percent of the people of our state. The destruction was unprecedented, down power lines, trees snapped in half by a heavy snow and the weight of the trees. In the picture above, a huge sycamore leaf with debris as a tiny example...

This was one of the branches that hung from our power lines across from our animal fencing. We had snapped trees that politely missed our newly installed fencing. Not having power after what we went through in August for 5 days after Hurricane Irene was thought to be a nightmare that was long behind us. We were skilled by that storm however, so a carting water we did for the animals, fired up the wood burning stove, spent lots of time at the various family members who allowed us to shower and fed us meals. So it's back to the regular routine but we will never forget how we were challenged and how we persevered always thinking that it could be worse. However, as I type this I think of my friends who are still in the dark and are waiting for their power to be restored and my heart is heavy for them...

Fencing extention complete!




Their new space



Very nervous sheep who don't like change!



An excited "Norman"



Today Tim and I finished our long awaited fencing extension project. We moved the excisting fencing, opened it up adding another 225 feet of fence around. The Alpacas came through the gate knowing something was amise. The sheep were quite trepidated with the change. They knew something was different but were not too sure what to do. At one point I thought "Norman" and "Royal's" eyes were going to pop out of their heads in excitement. I swear I saw them all smiling which makes me very happy to see them happy!



Coming through the gate...



Inspecting their new digs



Some happy animals...



New Fence and more room!

We have started to break ground on the new fencing project that we just have not had time to get to. The summer was so busy and now with fall upon us we are getting a little more time to get to projects. So yesterday Tim and I set out to get the area measured and work with what we had, a whole roll of 100x5 foot horse fence as well as 130 feet of what we already have. Our son, Timmy and his girlfriend, Jackie showed up to help us. It was Jackie and my turn to go in and get dinner going and give her a knitting lesson.

 The first phase of the project is complete installing the new fencing. This new fencing will open up to twice as much room as they have now. I was watching the Alpacas play last week and it made me sad because they would start to run and chase each other and then had to stop because the fence was in their way. We are utilizing the other acre of property we have and we are only using half of it at the moment.
So next weekend we will move the current fencing up and over on the hill and I can't wait to see their faces when they explore their new space!

Hay!!!

This time of year brings the beautiful smell of second cut hay! You just can't beat it, the animals love it and eat every bit of it...

 Tim and I have had a standing appointment with our hay guy every Monday morning to go over and get a truck load full of it. The price is awesome too!

We have stacked and stacked all the way up to the ceiling of our smaller barn until we are now over flowing out under the over hang...

Just look at the texture of it, not one stick or stalk...It looks good to eat, no? Our hay guy will have more cutting in early November, so we will be off to get more...

Herbal Harvest and more...

Today, Tim and I set out to get a lot done around here, but it never goes as we plan. We started out with a phone call from a frantic woman who has a rooster and her neighbor is giving her a lot of trouble over it, I didn't know what I could do for her, but I listened and gave her some advice, so I hoped that helped her...
We then had breakfast and made a plan to work together to get stuff accomplished, you know teamwork but the hawks had other ideas. First I had a pair of Cooper Hawks come in to take a look at my chickens, then a pair of Red Shoulder hawks, come on guys! So I decided one of the things on my list was to get the rest of the harvest out of the gardens. I harvested many of my basil's that I grew in the greenhouse, Sweet, Cinnamon, Lemon, Lime Basil as well as this wonderful Pineapple Sage that "Zoe" our Yorkie is smelling in the picture. We were also blessed with an abundant crop of Jalapeno Peppers as well!
The best part of our day was when some old friends stopped by and we had fun talking of the old times. We laughed and remembered some funny stuff...now that's an abundant harvest, old friends and old times... 

Alpaca Days with friends...

 

Alpaca Days was so much fun this year, filled with many friends stopping by and making many new ones too! We met many new folks that have moved to the area and are seeking the more natural lifestyle as well as people stopping by to see these crazy creatures they drive by everyday. We met people who got me talking about bees and you know how much I love to talk about them!                                                                


Tim was a big help to our friend, Mickey. He helped her get her yarn into a ball that she has from her sheep that she takes care of at Booth Memorial Park. I plyed some Alpaca over to it to make it more softer. She then began to knit a skinny scarf that came out beautiful!

On the left, is a small sample of what we have to offer, needle felted items. I met two ladies new to Needle Felting and their excitement 
reminded me of when I first learned this very cool craft.

"Norman" was a little disappointed when it was all over, he was enjoying the extra hay and occasional pumpkin munchkins he was getting, until next year buddy! That's because we have decided to close the farmstand until next year, get caught up on some much needed projects. I am very tired and so is Tim, one can only push until it takes its toll. We will not have a Holiday Open House this year, instead we will enjoy our family. I will have many things listed on my Etsy shop and can get anything made you might need for that special Holiday gift. Tim and I are home usually on the weekends so don't hesitate to stop by!

Alpaca Days are coming!

Alpaca Days are coming this weekend, Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th. We will have the farm stand open and the boys will be ready and waiting for their visitors (and they have promised me no spitting at each other!). The local newspaper listed us as well as the other farms that will be joining us. The following is who and what we will all be doing:

*Alpaca Hill Farm, 8 Willow St., Seymour, visitors can meet 9 alpacas, a pony, muscovy ducks and herd guardian Kramer, a Great Pyrenees. The farm will be open on Saturday, September 24 from 10 to 5 and Sunday, September 25 from 12 to 5. It has for sale soft yarns and roving and alpaca felt in a variety of colors from its own animals as well as garments made from alpacas, cuddly alpaca toys and alpaca bears. They will have a fiber arts demonstration for kids too. Visitors will learn about alpacas and their care, and can pet and feed the alpacas. Those seeking additional information may visit www.alpacahillfarm.com or call 203-888-1526 or 203-215-8878.


*Coon Hollow Farm, located at 156 Punkup Rd. in Oxford, the public is invited to meet Tim and Dawn Sotir’s seven alpacas, Llama, Olde English "Babydoll" Southdown sheep and other farm friends. They will be opened on Sat Sept 24 and Sun, Sept 25 from 10 to 4. There will be spinning and felting demonstrations as well as beverages and snacks. The family farmstand will be filled with hand-spun yarns, alpaca items, felting kits, honey, eggs, goat’s milk soap, items made from beeswax, herbs and more. Those seeking additional information may call 203-881-1986 or visit http://www.coonhollowfarm.blogspot.com/.

"Royal Eminence"

*Dream Come True Farm, 82 Freeman Rd., Oxford, Mike and Pam Blasko will feature alpaca handspun yarns, wool for spinning, spinning wheels, goat milk soap, woodworks, maple syrup and handcrafted gift items. The public can obtain information on small farming. Those seeking additional information may call 203-736-2630. They will celebrate National Alpaca Days and Connecticut Alpaca Days on Sunday, September 25 by hosting an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their farm. http://www.pamsfiber.blogspot.com/
*Hubbell Farm at French’s Corner in Shelton (White Hills) is an 1825 farm that retains its original barns and outbuildings, vintage tractors and farm equipment. Visitors can view alpacas, a llama and sheep and purchase herbs, herbal products, sachets, dream pillows, alpaca and sheep raw fiber, yarn, felting kits, soap and more. Also available is roving in natural colors from the farm’s sheep and alpacas and wool dyed on the farm. The farm will be open Sat and Sun, those seeking additional information may call 203-929-2052.

Beehive Update...

Our bees did so-so this year with just one hive out of three making it. However, the one hive that is making it is doing great as well as the one I manage at the Nature Center. The one hive to the left, is shown with two feeders. I find that feeding on top helps with other bees "robbing" from my bees. The smaller box on top is the super which I will check at the end of the week for our harvest honey.

 They are frantic these days to get the pollen and honey made for the winter season ahead. The traffic is unbelieveable at the hive entrance. I still keep the hive reducer on for 2 reasons, first to keep out mice as well as other unwanted guest and to help the guard bees have a smaller area to guard and reduce the risk of another area hive stealing their honey reserves.

These last two shots are of the bees coming in with loads of pollen on their legs. If you look really close or even blow up the picture you can see the beautiful orange and yellow pollen. So all in all our bees have done well, I once again have  learned so much from them and am still amazed by  what these little, hard working insects can do...

Introducing "Ophelia"!

 We have finally named our little lamb that was born this spring. I had such a hard time with this one. Her personality is not liked any little girl ewe I have ever had, this one is tough and stands up for herself. She's quite a tom boy in ever way, so it was hard to give her a flower name which my Babydoll line is, named after flowers.




 I looked at sites and went through all the names and nothing came to me until I started reading about Shakespeare's "Ophelia", and then it hit me, that will be her name. Ophelia named all the flowers and this is how this little girl is! As you can see in the pictures, "Ophelia" takes what is hers, jumping in the trough to get her fair share of hay, going under and between the legs of the others to get to the food first...she's one tough girl!
Here in this picture she has her butt up in the air getting deep into that trough to get what is hers! She does this everyday and will take food even out of the alpacas mouth!

I caught this great picture of all three generations of my "Babydoll" Southdown girls. "Ophelia" is on the left, her aunt "Lily" behind her, her grandmother "Belle' in the middle and her mom, "Rose' is on the right. I was trying to get pictures of "Ophelia" and they all posed for me, what luck!

Hurricane aftermath...

 Well Hurricane "Irene" came and went with much fury and damage to Connecticut. Many people lost everything, suffered heavy damage and came together as a community and helped each other out. We lost our tree "Coon Hollow". We watched many a raccoon raise her babies in it and my time as a coon rehabber taught me so much about their natural ways. This tree is who we named the farm after...(sigh)...



We had so many branches down, kindling and firewood everywhere! We have much cleaning up ahead of us...

Leaves littered our property everywhere. The alpacas and sheep came out towards the end of the storm and enjoyed the humid warm rain and munched on some tasty leaves...

Our neighbors lost a big old maple that came down. It was old and dying and landed perfectly in their yard and didn't touch a thing! Here is Tim helping our neighbor Tom cut the tree up. Thankfully for our neighbor's who ran a generator and kept our fridge going and cold! We suffered through 6 long days without power. Sitting every evening with a Coleman camp lantern and feeding baby squirrels. Towards the end it was getting tough to get water to the animals, but we got threw it and it is behind us now as an old memory!