The Arms of the Shepherd

2025 Lambing Count: 9

Beneath the hay wagon, which was rolled out to the pasture at the beginning of the season for shelter, stood two newborn lambs. Olive stood guard. Her lambs had been born on a warm (for January) day. She kept close watch over them, staring down other sheep that came near, aware that some ewes attempt to steal newborn lambs away from their real mums.

To the hay wagon walked the shepherd. The lambs were lucky that the temperatures were in the 40s, but a cold snap was coming. The lambs didn’t know that, but fortunately, the shepherd did.

He walked over to the hay wagon and bent down. “Hi guys,” he said, “You’re gonna be good little sheepies.”

The black ewe lamb was quiet as she settled into his arms. The white lamb bleated for her mum. The shepherd held the lambs safe and snug, strong arms enfolding them. He talked with them softly as Olive followed through the gate and to the barn. The lambs were laid in the freshly prepared straw. They were comfortable and warm, thanks to the arms of the shepherd.

Thanks for Reading!

And I hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

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If Sylvan Sundays was forwarded to you, welcome! To learn more about our farmers, check out “A New Year’s Introduction,” and to learn more about our name, visit “Being Sylvan.” Also, make sure to check out “This Week on the Farm” and “Farm Shop” below!

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This Week on the Farm

Olive’s lambs are named Veridian and Reseda. With the names of our livestock, we use inspiration from the father and mother’s names to keep a theme going.

Our lamb numbers have stayed steady at 9. We are ready for the rest to make their appearances!

The morning sunshine streams into the east side of the barn in the morning, and the lambs love soaking in the sunshine:

The lambs have started to nibble at their mums’ corn, and so they’ll soon be ready to receive creep feed, which is lamb feed that is fed in a separate pen. Only the lambs can “creep” into this small pen, so they don’t need to worry about their mums eating their food. The young lambs will still rely on their mothers for milk, but they also nibble at hay and drink water, delicately lapping at the water bucket after I fill it.

Farm Shop

Our Etsy shop is always open! Thanks for your support of our farm!