Ranch News Blog
| April 28, 2008 -- 2 new lambs |
| We sheared our sheep lastg week, and noticed that one of our smaller ewes was looking very round. Sure enough about 7 days later she gave birth to two healthy boys, for a total of 19 lambs. |
| April 11, 2008 -- 17 lambs and holding |
| We’re done lambing for the year, and ended up with 17 lambs, all healthy and growing like weeds. We hope we are done lambing. Duncan, the Ram jumped the fence the other night and got in with the ewes, so we may have company at the end of August! All the lambs are now out in the fields with the rest of the sheep, so we've moved the LambCam (now the sheepCam). All the seeds came in the mail this week from our heritage and organic seed providers, so it is time to start planting the summer and fall gardens. This year we focusing on fall crops, pumpkins, cucumbers and squash as we do not have enough time in the summer for summer crops. Will will of course have tomatoes so we can make more green tomatoes chutney for the breakfast table, and herbs and things for the table and for our meat and veggie pies for the store. |
| March 29, 2008 -- 17 lambs! |
| As of today there are 17 lambs frolicking around here at States Inn. It is very exciting. They are fast! 5 boys, 12 girls. Two of our adult guests watched as our last pregnant ewe (we think) delivered (after prolonged labor) her first lamb with Richard’s assistance, then she delivered the second one on her own. As of 12:30 am, the babies are doing well, so Angel and I are going to sleep as we have to get up and make breakfast for our guests. |
| March 23, 2008 -- Happy Easter, Full Moon and Equinox |
| As of today there are 15 lambs frolicking around here at States Inn. Two of our young guests got to watch as Dora gave birth on Saturday to a healthy baby lamb. That was a pleasant surprise for them because when they were here in January, our first two lambs of the year were born about 2 hours after they left. We made Hot Cross Buns for Easter Breakfast. They were a big hit with the guests. |
| March, 2008 -- What Books do sheep read? (or...Too many lambs?) |
| Tonight while going out to the fields to pick up the evening
eggs from out pastured hens, Angel and I were counting Lambs - the
four older ones are having a ball bouncing around the pastures, running
and playing. But tonight there were too many lambs!
Sure enough, Avocado, our 4-H ewe gave birth to a nice strong healthy
baby girl. Not an early birth, just a simple, healthy lamb. Now our sheep books, and the WSU Livestock Advisor Training we took were pretty clear about the signs that let you know that a ewe (female sheep) is going to give birth soon. Evidently Avocado did not read the same books we did, because it looked like we had a few weeks before there was going to be a new lamb from her efforts. Avocado came to us through the 4-H Auction during the San Juan County Fair. Maybe the reading list in 4-H are different than in the Livestock Advisors Course. |
| March, 2008 -- Lambing - The Adventure Continues... |
| As of March 9, we have 10 lambs, and at least 2 more expectant ewes.
We got up this morning and found that Bella had two beautiful baby girls. Bella is a lamb that Angel and Lynne bottle-fed in 2006. You can see her picture below in August 2006. |
| As of March 7, we have 6 lambs, and at least 4 more expectant ewes.
We have four boys and two girls. Today the four oldest and their mothers went back into the pasture with the rest of the flock, so are no longer in view on LambCam. But the lambs are having a great time meeting other sheep, having more room to run and hills to climb. What Fun! The two newest lambs are inside for a couple of days to make sure everything goes well. You can see the maternity room here, and it should have new lambs very soon - tonight, or in a couple of days. At about 3:00 pm on Wednesday we had to assist the newest mother of twins with the birth of her second boy. The first one was fine, but Junior got one foot out before his nose and that's not really the way we are supposed to do it. So with a little gentle togging, Junior came into the world. He has needed a bit of extra feeding and attention, but so far, so good. |
| Feb, 2008 -- Lambing Has Started |
| As of February 29th, we have 5 lambs, and at least 3 more expectant ewes.
three boys, two girls. We are keeping two of them inside for a couple of days to make sure everything goes well. You can see pictures of the lambs out playing here At about 9:00 pm on Monday, Feb 18th our first lambs were born. One boy, and one girl. They are doing fine, eating well and momma has plenty of milk. We are keeping them inside for a couple of days to make sure everything goes well, and while we get some fencing installed so they can avoid getting too far from momma. You can see pictures of the newborn lambs |
| Jan 2008 -- Natural Horsemanship Videos on YouTube |
| The Plum Pond Videos were taken here at States Ranch, down the road at Plum Pond,
and at the country fair. They demonstrate the amazing skills developed by the students. Our guests are welcome to visit with the horses, the students and the trainers while staying at the ranch. |
| Jan 2008 -- Here comes the new year |
| So far we've had a pretty calm new year, the weather has been
mild, which has made the sheep happy. We've not broken a pipe so far
with the cold snap. That makes people happy. It is fun to see the frost on the back of the
lambs and alpacas. Our new chickens are getting bigger but they're too cold to go outside, so they say in under the hover where it is warm. And who says chickens are dumb! We've been working on new recipes, experimenting with new kinds of bread, and taking o breads, eggs, pies and the like to the farmers market over the winter. The store is open and our neighbors and other island visitors are stopping by and calling to order pies, breads and other goodies. |
| December/2007 -- An Egret comes to visit |
Here is a picture of an egret visiting our stream. He was out
in the field with the Alpacas, who were kind of interested, but
eventually ignored the bird, which has been around for a few days.
We’ve also had a number of Trumpeter Swans, Buffleheads and other ducks
hanging around.
|
| November/2007 -- Next Season’s Egg Layers |
| Here are this year’s new baby chicks at 4 days old. They arrived in November,
when this picture was taken. There are California/Leghorn Crosses, that lay white eggs,
and Auracanas, that lay green/blue eggs.
They'll join our other rare and heritage breed chickens in
the pastures as they get older. Pasture raised poultry make the best eggs, which helps make our breakfasts so special. Our eggs taste better and are lower in cholesterol, higher in Omega-3 and several vitamins than commercially produced eggs. (References available on request) 
|
| October Store Hours |
| The Ranch Store will be closed on Monday and Tuesday starting October 1, 2007.
The new hours will be 11:00 am to 6:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Now taking orders for scratch pumpkin pies for the holidays, made from our own sugar pumpkins. More Holiday treats to come. |
| October 2007 -- The Pumpkin Harvest |
Angel & Lynne looking over the Sugar Pumpkins harvested from our gardens to be made into Pumpkins Pies.
|
| September 2007 -- New Sheep and ready for Fall |
| We have received 5 new Suffolk ewes and a Ram named Duncan. Suffolks are Black-faced sheep, with very mellow dispositions. Duncan has already created quite a stir among the ladies (ewes) in the flock, so we hope to have pictures of new lambs on the site in the Spring. |
| August 2007 -- Blue Ribbons at the Fair |
| This year States Inn & Ranch picked up two Blue Ribbons (First Place) and one 3rd place for the three items we entered. A Blue Ribbon in French Bread came home for our French Bread, and a Blue Ribbon for one of our more popular cookies, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip came home as well. Our White Ribbon, 3rd place was for our strawberries. Since it was the first year we have entered them, we were pleased to get that far. Next year the plants will be stronger and we should have a better chance. |
| August 2007 -- Natural Horsemanship Demonstration |
| On August 4th and 11th, the students of Plumb
Pond Barn Cooperative will hold a Natural Horsemanship Demonstration
here at States Inn and Ranch. There will be a brief introductory talk of what Natural Horsemanship is, and then horses and riders will demonstrate the partnership that is possible between humans and equines. The exhibition will last for approximately one hour and end with a question & answer session with the riders. Other students will be on hand to answer questions during the performance. 
|
| July 2007 -- Lambo - with his summer haircut |
Here is Lambo, about 3 weeks after being sheared. Still cute as a button!
|
| July 2007 -- The berries are wonderful this year |
| Last year the strawberry crop was damaged by early rains - this year the weather is perfect - and the berries have been great. We go directly to the local farms and get our berries from the growers. This year our new 500 strawberry plants are just starting to produce, so we will have strawberry shortcake all summer long. And the blackberry plants are flowering like made - will be a great year for blackberry cobbler at the breakfast table. |
| June 2007 -- Angel and Lambo out for a walk |
| If you saw the pictures of Lambo last year on YouTube Guest Video of Lambo on YouTube.com , you'll notice that he has really grown. He is still really cute (for a sheep), and he is not spoiled at all. 
|
| May 2007 -- New Gardens are filling up |
These are some of our 500 new strawberry plants,
we'll be serving our own strawberries this year in addition to
the ones we buy from nearby farms. The small green roofed building in the back is the brood house where
we raise new chickens the first few weeks of their life.
|
| April/2007 -- A beautiful cake |
We make special occasion cakes for special occasions. The decorator on staff
has such a way with flowers 
|
| January/2007 -- Chicks First View of the outside |
Here are the new baby chicks (see how they've grown?) seeing the
outside for the first time. Notice the electric mesh fence to keep
the raccoons and foxes away. Recently they have moved to a larger
area where they will stay until their new chicken tractor is ready
in a
few weeks. 
|
| January/2007 -- Next Season’s Egg Layers |
| Here are the new baby chicks at 3 days old. They arrived in November,
when this picture was taken. They are Black Stars, good brown egg
layers. They'll join our other rare and heritage breed chickens in
the pastures as they get older. Pasture raised poultry make the best eggs, which helps make our breakfasts so special. Our eggs taste better and are lower in cholesterol, higher in Omega-3 and several vitamins than commercially produced eggs. (References available on request) 
|
January/2007 -- Wintry and busy! |
We had some cold, snowy weather, freezing the pipes and the livestock
water troughs, but when the early morning is this pretty, who can
complain?
|
| 12/2006 -- Merry Christmas to all |
Merry christmas to one and all, and we hope the new year finds
everyone healthy and joyous. We are closed on Christmas Eve and New
Years Eve  |
| August, 2006 County Fair Prizes awarded |
| We entered 6 items in the San Juan County Fair and came home with
5 ribbons. Angel received a Blue Ribbon and Best In Class for her
Cheese Scones, and a Second Place for her Chocolate Hazelnut Scones.
Richard got a Second Place for Hazelnut Brittle, our Cucumbers got
a Blue Ribbon (First Prize) for best cukes (thanks to Lynne, our
Ranch and Garden Manager). Talia, one of our summer staff got a
Second
Place for her Lemon Lavender Hazelnut Cookies. The only thing that did not place was our squash. It is wonderful, but was a little too big, we think. All in All, a good year. |
| August, 2006 Late Lambs born |
We had twins lambs, born late in the year but healthy and happy.
Here they are with mom at just a few hours old. 
|
| Natural Horsemanship Demonstrations |
| On July 29th, August 5th and 12th at 10am, the students of Plumb
Pond Barn Cooperative will hold a Natural Horsemanship Demonstration
here at States Inn and Ranch. There will be a brief introductory talk of what Natural Horsemanship is, and then eight horses and riders will demonstrate the partnership that is possible between humans and equines. The exhibition will last for approximately one hour and end with a question & answer session with the riders. Other students will be on hand to answer questions during the performance. 
|
| New Fawn seen on July 3rd |
We think this is the first time Mom has had the baby out for a walk. |
| The Bees are working overtime |
The bees are really busy with the summer flowers. We should have
fresh honey in a few weeks. Nothing like fresh honey on homemade scones!
Yum!
|
| Lambo has grown |
Our orphan lamb (named Lambo) is growing and growing. He should,
as he eats all the roses, worse than the deer. He is starting to learn
that he can't come in the house anymore but it will be a while until
he is big enough to stay on the other side of the fences. Until then
he is fun to pet and watch bounce around the ranch. Some people say
he is spoiled but it is not true ;) Here is a picture of Lambo taken
by one of our guests. Notice the bare, over-pruned rose bush. |
|
Here is the link to the 'famous' Lambo Video |
| Remodeled 2 Bedroom Cottage with Kitchen now available |
| Adjacent to our barn is a two bedroom Cottage that makes a great
place for a family or group to enjoy the ranch and their privacy.
This unit has two bedrooms, living room, full bath, washer/dryer,
and a fully stocked kitchen. Please see our new furniture and everything at the Cottage Page |
| April, 2006 -- New lambs! |
We have had several new lambs. We are hand raising
one as his mother did not take good care of him. He is really cute.
Here the alpacas are coming to say hello! They’re like good uncles to him. 
This is why the lamb is in a small pen: This tree is just above the lambing pen 
|
| April, 2006 -- The chick are growing! |
The chicks are several weeks old now. They have
grown quite a lot.  |
| March, 2006 -- 87 New baby Chickens! |
| Early on Monday the post office called and said our baby chickens
were in. We turned up the heater in the van and drove into town, sure
enough, there was a big box just peeping away. Our new chicks are just a couple of days old and were shipped in from a hatchery in Minnesota. 
We got a few rare breeds, Red Star and Araucanas (they lay green and blue eggs) and a dozen or so of different varieties.Here is one of the Red Stars 
They are doing well, adjusting to their new home eating and drinking and getting to know their way around. 
|
| March, 2006 4 new alpacas join the herd |
The nice folks at Honey
Lane Farms needed a new home for some of their alpacas, so four
alpacas joined our 2 to make a herd of 6. Two white, two black, and
two light fawn colored. Here you can see them getting to know each
other. They had the best time talking and jumping and meeting new
friends.
The white alpacas are from a very famous herdsire, "Legacy" that used to live here on the island and is now at Crescent Moon Ranch in Oregon. We will be having some nice alpaca fiber available in the store this summer. |
| February, 2006 "I DO I DO" runs through February |
Angel Michaels, Innkeeper here at States Inn is starring in the
local theater production of this acclaimed Broadway play. "I
DO I DO" chronicles 50 years of marriage in story and song. Angel,
a singer and voice teacher as well as being an innkeeper plays Agnes
in this delightful musical comedy written by the team that did the
Fantasticks. We can reserve seats for you for any performance (we
recommend the Gala night as part of our valentine's
day special, or you can reserve tickets online at San
Juan Community Theatre  larger
size |
| January, 2006 First lamb of the year |
Richard had a pleasant surprise as he went out to feed the sheep.
A little lamb, just a few hours old was tagging along behind her mother.
In the picture you can see Tony, a rather muddy Alpaca checking out
the little ewe lamb. The baby and mom are doing fine, and we'll have
more lambs in April. She is our first black lamb. Isn’t she
just the cutest?
Here is another one. She has the softest little "bah..bah.." 
|
| 12/2005 -- Merry Christmas to all |
| Merry christmas to one and all, and we hope the new year finds
everyone healthy and joyous. We will be closed from the 23rd of December
through January 2nd. We are all settled in for the winter, the heat tape is on so the horses can have fresh water all winter. The boarding horses also have a brand new loafing area that will keep their feet dry all winter and help preserve the water quality of our streams and marshes. The chickens are happy with the new organic feed they are getting, and the warmth from the heat lamps keeps the henhouse nice and cozy. Rambo, our loaner ram has been visiting with our ewes for the past couple of months so we will have lovely lambs in the springtime. |
| 11/2005 -- Migratory Birds |
| Our wetlands and fields look pretty inviting to the swans, geese, eagles, ducks and waterfowl that pass through the islands on their way south. Our guests enjoy sitting out at the edge of the wetlands in the bushes and watching all of the activity. |
| 10/2005 -- Red Trees |
| This year the maples have been gorgeous. Years ago States Inn & Ranch was a part of Blazing Tree Ranch. They must have named the place in the fall. Makes you want to call the Fire Department and tell them not to worry. |
| 9/2005 -- Blue Chickens |
| Yes, we now have 10 Blue Chickens - they are Blue Cochins, They have very fluffy feet. We'll have pictures soon. |
| 7/2005 -- New Chicks in the henhouse |
| 21 days ago two our our Brown Sex-Linked hens flock decided they were ready to have little chickens about. So they started setting, and first we had 4, and now we have 7 little chicks. Mothers and babies are in our maternity ward in the henhouse and doing fine. That brings our population up to 54 chickens. |
| 7/2005 -- A great berry season |
| About two weeks ago the local berries started coming in from Mount Vernon. Angel went off island to Schuh Farms and picked up raspberries right off the field truck. We made jam the next day. As well as raspberry syrup for our scratch sourdough pancakes. You just can't beat fresh berries. Soon we'll get Island berries and they are real special. Then our blackberries will come in and it will be time for cobbler. |
| 7/2005 -- Honey Bees are doing well |
| The bees are doing well. One colony is much stronger than the older, we're not quite sure why, but they are working hard. The bees have been covered with so much pollen they almost flop down on the landing strip in front of the hive. Should have some good honey for next year. |
| 7/2005 -- Stretch turned two, likes to play in water |
| Stretch turned two, and we found out he likes to get sprayed with the hose on hot days. He also likes the carrots that the guests feed them. |
| 4/2005 -- Two Honey Bee Colonies now at the Ranch |
| Safely away from the Inn we have two new beehives, each with a new colony of honey bees. They are busy as bees decorating their new homes with honeycomb, finding their way around, and helping the queens get down to business making more bees. It takes lots of bees and lots of flowers to make enough honey to share with our guests, but this fall and next summer guests will be able to enjoy our honey on top of fresh biscuits and scones. |
| 4/2005 -- Stretch, Tony and the Sheep get sheared |
| Stretch, the newest Alpaca at the ranch turned 18 months old in January. He is getting along fine with Tony, the other Alpaca. They've been spending time with the sheep while their pasture recovers from all the chomping. We sheared in April, and have Alpaca fleece and Suffolk wool available. We'd have pictures but we're too busy to take ’em! |
| 3/2005 Eggs for sale, new Chickens home to roost |
| Our friends at LaCrover Farm crated up new layers for us for the spring season. These organically raised chickens are now supplying lots of eggs for the store and soon for our guests. We feed them organic laying feed, fresh table scraps and let them free range near the barn. They come in at night to avoid the foxes, raccoons and other critters that think chickens are tasty. Eggs are $3.50 per dozen, self-service in the fridge in the office. Thanks for supporting your local farmers. |
| 2/2005 Spring seems early this year |
| Spring certainly seems early this year. The pussy willows are out, the days are getting longer, and the flowers and shrubs are thinking hard about blooming. The animals are happy because longer days means more food value in the pasture, so their tummies are happy. It also means good news as as local suppliers are getting ready to provide produce, and the chickens are revving up their egg production, so that is good news for guests too! |
| 1/2005 Stretch turns 18 months old |
| Stretch, the newest Alpaca at the ranch turned 18 months old in January. He is getting along fine with Tony, the other alpaca. With his beautiful dark wool and dark eyes he is a handsome fellah. Be sure and ask to feed him when you come to stay. He likes people. |