The End of February is here

It is the end of February and the snow has blanket Absent Jack Acres.

Our flock of Navajos are loving the cold and they voluntarily lay out in the open, covered with snow and chewing their cuds like happy little campers. I wish I could get a photo of them in their leisure mode but as soon as I walk outside the front door they get up to see if there are goodies on the way.

Our yearly ram Faust shows the best contrast of the snow to his brown/black fleece. I so look forward to him covering the flock this next time around and I feel he will bring added dimension to the group.

He has an amazing wool with no crimp at all, a quality that shows off the hair in hair sheep.

As a yearling you can clearly see that the crown of horns he has is going to be very interesting, I am thrilled that his 2 primary horns are fairly balanced and not twisted off in odd directions and shape.

This profile photo shows off his very gentle and pretty face. We are proud of how he is maturing and how sweet his disposition is.

He is so curious and seemingly very smart. This ram is not like any other sheep we have ever owned. Thanks to a great start with a very nice family in Iowa with kids that hung out in the barn all the time.

This also makes him dangerous to appoint as he is not afraid to make physical contact. Too much handling can confuse any hoof stock into thinking humans are equal and what the hoof stock sees as play could mean a hospital visit to you or an unskilled visitor. So a word of caution is always in order. Don't over humanise your hoof stock, they are not dogs so don't expect them to train out like a dog.

Keep in tune for updates and know that you will have the opportunity to have lambs by Faust in your pasture next year.

Trouble with our Web Site & server

Sorry to those of you that have contacted me about not accessing our web site. It appears that there are issues world wide and some servers have black listed access to webs, where the site is served through.

From our side of th issue I have not been able to update anything or post current photos and information. Please be patient as we are hoping that this issue will be resolved and the information I have to share will be added soon.

Thank you from the team at Absent Jack Acres

Yearling Bulls are Growing

Last year we bought a replacement bull that we named Lakota. He is a white yealing highland bull and we are hoping for some very nice calves colorful calves from him over the next few years. It will be next year before he is big enough to do the job but he is growing fast and appears to be a bit larger then Fozzy was at this age.

Fuzzbuttons; son of Fozzy & Eck is growing nicely as well. I feel that he and his sister would fit into a minitures breeding program perfectly as they are very small and seem not to be growing up or out much.

Highland cattle do come i a minture breed but not naturally, they are bred down by crossing them with Dexters and other man made mini's then back to the highland to get the long hair. Not something we are intereste in pursuing due to the long time that it takes to create them from scratch.

Our big challenge now is to find a home for Fozzy which has proven to be a more daunting task then I had expected. Not a huge market in Nebraska for Highland cattle let alone a mature bull. We sure don't need three bulls ontheproperty but that is where we are right now and something needs to change very soon.

Spring is Coming

Once again we set on the edge of spring; tired of battling the bone chilling cold of winter and watching the girls all getting wider with their babies inside.

This season will be; once again a good one. I just know it. Our efforts to bring the first flock of Navajo ewes back from such poor conditions has really paid off in their outer condition. They have nice long shiny wool, heavy bodies with bright eyes and bouncing strides. They look exceptionally good.

The Iowa flock was looking good to start with and they have become a beautiful addition to the place for sure and we are anxious to see what the lambs will be like from Joe & Shaker.

Shearing day has not be scheduled yet; we are hoping to have them sheared just before lambing next month so a call to Mr. Littlefield is in order to set the date and from there we will have raw wool to sell. I plan to try my hand at cleaning and preparing the wool for pining and felting this year. Not sure that I will do any good at it but I need to learn how some time and it may as well be now.

To all of you that read my notes; Thank You.

Vine Wreaths & Holiday Craft items

My craft making ideas don't appeal to everyone but some folks out there think that I do some nice work.

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This dazzling white bird cage is loaded with silver, gold and glittery red pine cones and accented with a beautiful Christmas ribbon that pulls it all together. A short stand of red rights will be added to make this lovely table decoration brighten any corner for the Holiday season.

All natural Wild vine wreaths are fun and easy to do. Decorated with native plants and grasses can create a great conversation piece either indoors or outdoors.

This wild vine includes a milk weed bloom and wild tufts. It has been sprayed with polyurithane that will allow it to hold it color longer.

More native tufts and pinecones addorn this oval wreath complete with a handful of pine cones and a rustic bird house. Very soothing and pleasing to look at.

This odd shaped wild vine has three spregs of grass frawn and a home made nest complete with feathers. Now to find a small bird to perch near the nest to give it the real outdoor feel in your home.

I like this rustic piece I call "Window to the World" wall hanging; made from an old window frame out of the farm house and decorated with only a few items as an accent.

Wild grape and Ivy vine wreaths are my main contribution to the craft show and sale this coming November, some will be more simple then others like this one with a few Pine Cones to make a simple design for any fence, gate or wall.

This wild vine wreath has just a little more color with a matching bird house and heart with a yellow dangling star to give your eye just a little more to enjoy.

Not quite round and not quick heart shaped; this wild vine wreath touches my heart with to colorful hearts and a small cluster of pine cones; I'm loving the easy feel of this one.

Preparing for a Holiday Craft show

Putting on my creative thinking cap for the up coming November 20th Holiday Gift & Craft show has been fun and challenging at the same time.

I've made a few Newborn Diaper wreaths that look much better in real life; these make great gifts for that expected mother and even more fun when you add a few of your own personal gifts to the wreath.

My home wrapped Wild Vines wreaths will be on the back ground of my booth; displayed on a peg board along with Pine Cone Wreaths and a while variety of of pine cone creation. There is going to be something for everyone.

I have plans to make Feather Bunnies, Bird houses, Feather flowers, if my mini pumpkins hold up they too will find their way onto the wreath display in attractive and fun ways that you will simply have to stop by and see.

Pictures will be coming soon of all the fun stuff I will have for sale. I look forward to sharing them with you.

Late Fall Already

My head is still spinning from my wonderful trip back home to Oregon. The kids have celebrated their "Month-a-versary" already and they are so happy together; it's a beautiful thing.



Back here in Nebraska; We are gearing up for the winter. I have a feeling that is will prove to be an interesting one. Glenn has stock piled 9 large round bales of hay that we hope will feed the cattle through the snowy cold season and the two barns are loaded but not full of hay for the sheep and goats.

Our budget is strained to the end with the up coming installation of a wood burning stove but we are hoping that this will help off see the cost of heating the house. Goodness knows we have wood to burn. We have cut back on all the extras so far and may have to cut even more. The death of our tractor last year has placed up in a not so good spot after the cost to repair her and now the pick up with the snow blade is also down and out. I don't know what we will do by wait and see.

God Bless this house and all that live with in it's frame and bless those creatures to be healthy and strong in the coming season. My heart felt hope that we all do well and make another winter with minimal needs.