So, we’re here.  At the County Fair.  Surrounded by smelly animals and 10 different PA systems all blaring different music.  Each year we set up an educational display about heritage breed livestock and, well, raising livestock in general.  (There’s a lot of farming in our area, but not much livestock anymore–especially sheep.)

And we really enjoy it.  It’s fun to meet people, see the kids loving the animals, see the parents loving the camera-ready moments of the kids loving the animals, and get the chance to explain things like horns are hollow and antler are solid or veal is cows and mutton is sheep.  But just for the record–it’s a lot of work too!

We start with this…

In the beginning, there was nothing...

And spend hours and muscles unloading to this…

Then there was a little bit...

And raid our whole house and neighborhood for decorations to end up with this…

Then there was Mr. Fix-It.

September 2010.

September 2010.

September 2010.

And then those smarty pants ewes go and do this…

That is not the water bucket!

Oh yes, every year.

Right in front of me with no shame at all!

And I end up with this…

{sigh}. September 2010.

But it’s Fair time–so we just smile and add it to our “sheep/wool/sustainable farming/grass-fed farms don’t use corn so it’s like eating ice cream to them” spiel and move on.  Be sure to stop by if you’re in town!  We’ll be here for 3 more days.  So check back–I’m sure there’ll be more blogging from behind the table!