It's Raspberry Time! and Llama Shearing..

The raspberries are about 2 weeks ahead of normal! WoW! We've had lots of rain and warm days, they're plump, juicy and coming on like wildfire!!

I made a Raspberry Delight over the weekend
and 2 pies last night!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

It was still warm and oh~so~yummy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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Some of you have asked how, why, what, when, where do I shear a llama. These pics are from several years ago, but will show you "before" and "after".

I put the llama into my chute, blow them out with a very strong machine called a Circuiteer, this gets all the dirt and vegetable matter out of their fiber. Then, using electric clippers, I give them a hair cut. Depending on the animal, (show animal, 4H animal, pregnant....or just a PITB to shear) guides me on how I shear.

Here is Lady, who at the time was pregnant, so I wanted to make her comfortable...and, knowing she wouldn't be getting groomed often, wanted to take off more fiber just to keep her clean!

She's all fluffy after being blown out. All the other girls are looking on, waiting their turn!

And here she is naked! Ahhhh, the cool air!

This is Tobi...I sheared her this way to make it easier for a young 4H'r to take care of her. Normally I just do the middle, a barrel cut.

Why I left that tuft by her tail, I don't know! I think I later trimmed that down! LOL

She's such a pretty girl...but so funny looking with NO hair!

I got 5 done yesterday! Woohoo!! With the 4H animals I let the kids help, so have to wait until they're available to be here. As the kids get older, their schedules get busier!! Whew! But we're about done. We're gearing up for the Ohio State Fair show!!

Well, guess I need to look up MORE raspberry recipes! You can only make so much jam!! LOL!

Thanks for stopping!

Dawn