In Her Own Words:

She's gonna be celebrated and loved every single day of the year.

Liselotte:

Well Wendy... I'm not even trying to get there. I know she's gonna be better off living with farm girl and all her sheep friends, so the skills needed for that sheep is the skills I'm sure farm girl has more than enough of.

I'm thinking about the sheeps possibility to be unique. Her chance of being the one and only. Her chance of being cool amongst friends.

I still think Liselotte is a cute name for a sheep and I'm convinced Yellow 21 think that too...

There's nothing more to be said. That sheep wants to be named Liselotte and Liselotte here in Denmark already loves her and wants to share name with her...

May the best suited name win :-)

I rest my case.


Then Wendy:

MARZIPAN CREAM OF SHEEP

Perfect,Sweet,Beautiful,Unsurpassed

Enough Said!

Sam Shows Up (and concedes Liselotte may have something. . .):

Farmgirl - I wondered why Lisolette hadn't entered her own name too, it's a really good 'un. Almost up there with Guinevere.

But She Certainly Isn't Backing Down:

Lisolette, huh! Well I think it was actually Farmgirl's own idea to enter that name, not Lisolette's. oh yay, oh yay! Big news of the day - Farmgirl thinks up the winning name for her own sheep. And it had crossed my mind, too, that Lisolette might work if the fair and soft Guinevere didn't on this occasion. And I was a bit quicker of the mark than Lisolette herself. So, just be done with it and call the sheep Samantha, already.

Liselotte's Handiwork

Wendy Gets Busy:

I realize owning a sheep is a huge responsibility. There is an infinite amount of skill necessary to produce a happy ewe. So while Bubba has been stuffing his face with copious amounts of chocolate hazelnut cupcakes (He posted a picture of the cupcakes. Did he send you any Farmgirl? NOOoooooo..... Who do you think is going to eat all of those? He's a greedy little bugger!) I have been busy sharpening my sheep raising skills.

1.SHEEP SHEARING..I have spent the last 2 weeks growing out the hair on my legs. Using my husbands beard trimmer I have been practicing my shearing skills. I have done quite well. No second cuts, and I only nicked my fetlock once(thats sheep talk for ankle).

2.DETERMINING THE AGE OF SHEEP...Since I am a barmaid, I no longer ask for I.D. to determine that a person is 21. I now pry open their mouths and look for wear patterns on their teeth.

3.CHECKING FOR SUITABILITY OF A FLOCK SIRE...Now when a date comes to pick up my lovely daughter,I feel their hair for crimp and fineness. I also check for proper confirmation by making the young man jog back and forth in the kitchen. Of course I check for proper muscle tone:)

4.CASTRATING...Any date not suitable for future son in law is quickly dealt with. This would be any that have purple hair,body piercings,tattoos,or a tee shirt that says I love to party.I am quite handy with a elasticator.5.TAGGING SHEEP...Last night while my husband slept,I ear tagged him. Have you ever seen a grown man cry? From now on he is to be reffered to as sheep number 165.

6.SHEEP DOG...Every good shepherd needs a proper sheep dog. Unfortunately all I have available is a very fluffy american eskimo. Not a problem. Please see #1. A little shearing and some carefully applied black spots I cut out of post it notes, and now I have a very good likeness of a border collie. He hasnt herded anything yet, but he did growl at me.I am the shepherd.I also will not bathe for three more days so I can become accustomed to the smell of my charge.

And Knocks Out A Few Competitors:

Great bread you baked there Kitchenmage! But it doesnt change the fact that LARB sounds like the noise a sheep would make if it got hold of a bad salt lick...LARB,GAG,PATOOEY,PATOOEY! Go ahead Farmgirl and Kitchenmage and try this. Stick your tongue out. No... I said stick your tongue way out,all the way out as far as it will go. Now pretend you just ate the most rancid cashew ever and say... LARB,GAG,PATOOEY,PATOOEY!

Wendy Jumps On The Bashing Bandwagon:

I could almost hear the violins playing when I read Liselotte's post. Sweet, but not as sweet as MARZIPAN. Lies A Lot,Listerene,Lice Lot, and Lice Latte are not the best names for America's most loved (and wanted) sheep.I think that your sheep should reflect your love for food. MARZIPAN is perfect,just like are ewe is!

Think of all the M food names you could name her offspring: Maraschino(cherry), Mayonnaise, Macaroni, Macadamia, Marshmallow, Matzo, Manicotti, Mascarpone, Malted milk, Mango, Macaroon, Mozzarella, Minestrone, Mostaccioli, Muenster, Muesli, Muffin, Mushroom,etc.

Well I should get going I have so much to do. I have to figure out how to bubble wrap a cupcake:)

And Liselotte Responds:

Wendy... I make the best cupcakes ever... so that's not gonna make it for you... No, I still think she's a unique and special sheep, that deserves a unique and special name. A name only she will be able to brag about in the whole wide State of Missouri.

Sorry, but my cupcakes are better than yours... ;-)

I think maybe I have to make a statement now...My name is Liselotte not lisolette...I've never been called any names beyond my own (until today, that is). Maybe because it's such a beautiful name ;-)I still think that sweet sheep deserves to be enriched with a special, unique, danish and lucky name as Liselotte.I just think she looks exactly like a Liselotte. I really do...PS - she's gonna have her own banner at my site. She's gonna be celebrated and loved every single day of the year. Who wouldn't...

Back To Wendy:

I was not trying to bash OL' LICE A LOT. I was merely trying to point out that her name could easily be mispronounced. She very well could be a fine lady who's grandmother gave her this somewhat pretty Danish name when she first layed eyes on her.

But I have my suspicions about her. The internet provides great anonymity to the user. For all we know, her or his real name is Bubba(notice the B). He most likly came up with the Liselotte name from a Learn To Talk Danish web site. Bubba's blog site is just a ploy.He figures if he waves a cupcake covered banner in front of you, you will cave in. I bet he can't even bake a good cupcake! I have also heard that the correct translation of Liselotte is "DANG HE'S UGLY".

Farmgirl, do not be fooled. I on the other hand am a sheep hugging, food blog loving, one mother of a cupcake baking fool! Being a farmer you know that lice and sheep are never a good thing. Its just plain gross.

When you think of the name I have chosen, it brings all kinds of wonderful thoughts to your mind. MARZIPAN,MARZIPAN,MARZIPAN....make it your mantra. Marzipan is also more in keeping with your other pets names.

Well I have to go now. I have to whip up a batch of double chocolate chunk cupcake batter for OL' LICE A LOT to drown her sorrows in. It's nothing personal Bubba. All's fair in love and sheep wars.

P.S What do think about MARASCHINO for a sheep name? The more I say it,the more I like it.Please enter this name also. Im going with the "dont put all your eggs in one basket" theory.

And Liselotte:

I have to say, that it would mean the world to me, being the proud owner of a sheep. It really would, but the best part ever would be knowing, that in the other end of World there'a a sheep named Liselotte, who wanders about in a nature so beautiful it makes me wonder if it's for real, making time pass with all of her sheepfriends and - never forget him - Dan, who's in next for my love - he's so adorable...

Wendy... you're so totally cool. I almost rest my case but...At this very moment I'm in the middle of making double chocolate chunk cupcakes with hazelnuts and... I will post pictures to proof it later today. Now I have to go get the first 12 out of the oven...

Freshly uploaded, here is my proof - I will not risk Wendys making me look like a liar... :-)

Go take a look!

I'm so totally NOT won over ;-)I'm gonna fight this to the very end.I'm convinced that Yellow 21 would say "Please... Please, let me be named Liselotte" if we could ask her. She's dreaming of being the only sheep in Missouri... well, in the entire United States of America, named Liselotte. I'm totally sure about that and even though it's a foreign name, she will love it, because it will be hers, given to her with love and cupcakes and banners and...

No. I'm not won over. I'm still voting for Liselotte :-)

PS - Wendy - where are your cupcakes? I made 48 today. I also made 36 cheese and bacon muffins and I just started dough for some homemade fresh and delicious bread. Where are yours? Sheeps like this one prefers owners with stamina and will power - I've got loads of that ;-)

Liselotte Enters Liselotte:

Hmmm... well then... ;-)

She looks like a speciel sheep to me. Naming her Liselotte will make her a very special sheep. My sheep. A very very special sheep. A most adored sheep. A sheep to be loved endlessly. A sheep named after a Danish woman who never stopped dreaming about owning her very own sheep. Never stopped... unless...

Naming her Liselotte would make me very proud - and I promise... I will love her forever :-)
10/15/2005 4:15 PM

Then she returned with proof of her affection:

I'm totally in love with her...
Let me show you how much--please follow me... please... :-)http://www.slagtenhelligko.dk/images/uploads/liselottethesheep.gif

And answered a few questions I had regarding her entry:

Hi farmgirl... hmmm, spell out my name phonetically. I don't think it would do any good, because I've never known an american able to pronounce it the way it's pronounced in danish...I usually like the way americans make my name sound so different from what I'm used to, so...I think I'll just let the ones saying it out loud decide how it's gonna sound. I like it sounding different in different countries :-)

When it comes to the meaning of the name, it doesn't mean anything specific because it's a combination of two names. It originally comes from Germany and is a combination of Lise and (Char)Lotte.It's an old name and not a very common name in Denmark. We're probably about 4000 women named Liselotte right now.My great grandmother gave me this name. Her name was Kamille, which I also find very beautiful, and the second she layed eyes on me, she declared, that I was a true Liselotte.

I've always loved my name and that's the very best reason for giving it to your beautiful sheep. I love my name and I already love this beautiful sheep, so I'm still hoping for her to me mine :-)

Have a very lovely evening - It's way past my bedtime, so I'll check back tomorrow, to see if I have to give any more good reasons for naming her Liselotte, but it seems obvious - she's unique and I believe the name Liselotte will be unique too, when it comes to sheeps in Missouri ;-)
10/15/2005 6:25 PM

Liselotte's First Entry:

Well... to me she looks exactly like a Karen...She lives in a beautiful place and needs a beautiful name, but I'm from Denmark and maybe Karen isn't a pretty name in Missouri - but it is, where I'm from. I think, she should be named Karen... :-)

Oh my... I wanna win. How cool is it, to be able to say "Hey... I got my own sheep. She lives in Missouri..."

Sam Descends Upon Liselotte:

According to the Most Common Female Names in the U.S, Karen is an 'unlucky' 13th most popular name with over 1.6M American females sharing it. On the contrary, Guinevere is so unique and special, she isn't even listed. Our lovely lady-ewe, Guinevere, as I am personally apt to call Yellow21, may be a sheep but that doesn't mean she has to act like one and follow the rest of the herd like, you know, well, an ordinary sheep would do.
10/11/2005 5:15 PM

Here was my response:

Hi Lisolette,Welcome to the farm! Karen (despite what Sam's list says) is indeed a beautiful name. In fact, about 9 years ago I named one of my sheep Karen. Unfortunately, well, there might just be some truth to Sam's 'unlucky 13' list thing. She was a wonderful girl. It was very sad. Um, any other ideas?

See Sam Trash The Competition:

(These are just a few of the numerous clever comments she left, many of which included obscure and bizarre links to anything and everything she felt would help keep Guinevere on top.)

That Brett is too cheeky for words. Do I admire his bravado or do I envy it? hmmph. Trouble is, Brett, cheese is something we all love to eat, especially Pecorino. And you know the rules, this queen (Guinevere) of sheep is definitely NOT for comsumption. If you call her Pecorino Pepato, someone might accidentally think she is delicious and send her to the Butcher's Block. And that would be absolutely no good at all.

Brett. here is a little quote my father used to say to me when I was a kid. I didn't understand it then, but I certainly do now, thanks to you:"Me thinkst thou dost protest too much."

Jess. When I look at yellow 21 one, I see the noble and legendary qualities so fitting for someone about to be called Guinevere.When you suggest the name Camilla, however, the first person who comes to mind is a pretender to the throne - the new wife of Prince Charles. And, everyone knows Camilla looks like a horse, not a beautiful sheep.

But my friend is called Stella and she doesn't look anything like Guinevere (previously known as Yellow21).

Paul - sheep aren't really French, are they - they are more Welsh or New Zealandish. Now perhaps you should go and find out how to say 'yellow sheep' in Welsh. (Although a pretty welsh name like Guinevere would be better, don't you think?)

Sam's First Comment:

There is no denying that the Welsh have a stellar reputation when it comes to sheep. And Welsh names are so beautiful, so why on earth deny Yellow21 from attaining one of them?

Guinevere: aptly meaning "fair and soft", and with all the noble associations that come from being named after the Wife of King Arthur, Guinevere the sheep will surely become a legend in the blogosphere.

And then Sam added the kiss up line:

That she is already a legend on the Farm, goes without saying.

More From Wendy:

Okay how about MARZIPAN? Sweet and sugary. If I win I will sculpt a sheep from MARZIPAN and put it on a cupcake for you. Of course you wouldn't get to eat it (or visit it for that matter), but I would send you a picture to your e-mail. You would get the satisfaction of knowing that a certain cupcake was created in honor of your (our) very special sheep. Can I have the sheep now!!!!PLEASE!

Oh, Wendy:

First of all let me say that I still think my sheep name MUSHMELLO is brilliant. But just in case you were not totally swayed by my sheep naming abilities I have gotten on the Ball and come up with a few more.

1.Cotton ball...okay its been done before.
2.Matzo ball...is she jewish?
3.Moth ball...is she insect repellent?
4.Meatball...will she become one?
5.Pingpong ball...is she athletic?
6.Furball...does she look anything like what your cat might yack up?
7.Snot ball... does she have allergies?
8.golf ball...does she have a handicap? Okay,this is just a few to get you started.

As far as the other people who are trying to come up with noble and dignified names, I say humbug. Sheep eat,poop and baa. I think snot ball is a fine name for a sheep!
10/13/2005 5:38 PM

Ohmmmm.....I have decided to meditate and become one with the sheep.Our minds have converged,and now I can say without a doubt that the sheep wants her name to be MUSHMELLO. So please get with the program and give her the name her heart yearns for! And I will give you a few other names she toyed with.

1.WHACHAMACALLIT
2.SNUFFALUFFAGUS
3.PUFFALUFFAGUS
4.FLUFFALUFFAGUS
5.CREAM OF SHEEP
6.CREAMPUFF7.Q-TIP
8.SUGARLUMP
9.DANDELION OR DANDELIONDEW
10.DINGLEBERRY
11.BUTTERBEAN
12.TINKYWINKY
10/13/2005 7:35 PM

Then she got a little nervous:
Oh no! I made a big mistake. Please forgive the previous entry with the name Butterbean. I totally forgot about your sensitivity to the dreaded B-names.I have some Benadryl if you need it.I wouldnt want you to break out in a rash lol.

And this was my reply:
Oh Wendy,So many names! You sure are giving this your all (or would that be, ball?) I, um, really don't know how to put this politely, so I'll just come right out and say it. Honey, are you on medication?

P.S. Wendy! Benadryl starts with a B!

Wendy Joins In:

How about Mushmello? Thats what my little one calls marshmallows. She can't say marshmallow. And your sheep does kind of look like a marshmallow thats gotten a little too toasty around the edges. You know, a mushmello, all warm and toasty on the outside, but white ,warm and gooey on the inside. A perfect sheep name. If she has baby one day you could call it S'mores. Darn it! I want a sheep!

Jeff's Best Effort:

Here's a little ditty I wrote to sway the vote....:

Come 'n listen to my story 'bout a man named Jeff,
Poor city boy, naming sheep ain't in his head.
Then one day he was on the 'net for fun,
And up popped a pic of ol' Yellow 21....
Well the next thing ya know ol' Jeff's a-spoutin' names,
Joe, Max and Spike kinda thought he went insane.
Said "On the farm is the place you outta be"
So they stuck him in a box, shipped him off to Misery.....
(that's southern for Missouri. That's my story and I am sticking to it)
I'll finish the rest after I win! Hee hee hee :p

Just A Few Of The Many Clever Comments From Jeff:

Yay! First - I win! Pick me pick me pick me!!!!
Dear Secret Panel of Judges: You all look FANTASTIC today! And smart. Very smart. And smart people make excellent decisions....

PS - The Word Verification word this time was "cashew"...I think it's another sign from the sheep gods, who we do NOT want to anger....

Would I make this up? Look at this face! *insert face here*

Wow, is it just me or does that one cloud look amazingly like a giant.....CASHEW!! *hint hint*

Holy yumminess!! I would love one of these on Thursday, the day I claim my own babycakes, Cashew.

More From Jeff (we think):

I can just end this all and tell you what I like. Cashew. I would be so proud and happy. And if that very cool Jeff person were to be my honorary owner, I would be the happiest sheep in the continental US. All my love - Yellow 21

Doll Face said...
A mother knows....and that Jeff sure seems swell. I want only the best for my baby, and I can't think of anything better than any one of his wonderful names and his honorary ownership of my girl. *sniffle* I luv Jeff!

But Jeff claimed ignorance:
*puts on halo of innocence* I have no idea what you are talking about. But Y21 and DF's comments do bring a tear to my eye.PS - Maybe Y21 and DF built a computer in the barn out of tractor parts and tin foil...?

Jeff Jumps Into The Game With:

Entry #1:
If you are raising her for any sort of profit-reasons....Cashew. As in...Cash-Ewe :) Hee hee hee!

Entry #2:
Cocoa Puff Girl - it goes nice with Sweet Teddy Boy :)

Entry #3 was when he started getting messages from the Sheep Gods:
Little Miss Can't-Be-Wrong. (a) who doesn't love the Spin Doctors? (am I dating myself?) (b) It's sassy, and she looks like a sassy girl! And since she's a she, she certainly can never be wrong! (c) it popped into my head last night as I was falling asleep, so I take it as a sign from the Sheep gods. And we don't want to anger the Sheep gods...do we?

And Entry #4:
Try this on for size:Dolly Lamb'a. Dolly in honor of her mother - Doll Face. Lamb'a because Llama doesn't work, but Lamb'a does! I'm so proud of myself.....

Tana Fights Back:

I am going to defend my choice of names, which is NOT "Lovely Rita," as mistakenly endorsed above. And it's Farmgirl I'm trying to make laugh,* not a naysayer trying to topple me in the standings. =:0Rita Merino is my vote, until and unless you tell us what breed she actually is.

Brett, Sam is absolutely right. Naming a sheep something edible is just borderline psychotic.

A good friend says that the way to tell if a song is good is if you can sing it in chicken. I think the way to tell if a sheep's name is good is if you can bleat it. The thing about Rita Merino is that you can bleat it. "Riiiiiiiiiiiiiita Meriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiino." Try it. You won't easily be able to stop.

*Which, Tana, you did. : )

But then Sam says:

Tana - I hope you didn't spend too much money on you schooling. I hate to have to break it to you but sheep bleat with an aaaaa, not an iiiii. Had you suggested Ritaaaaaaaa Merino who knows, you might have been in with a slight chance.

Tana:

We need more information. Is she a Suffolk? A Clun Forest? Tunis? Dorset Down? She could be Bleu du Maine. Shropshire? Perhaps a Rhoenschaf? She even looks a bit Wallis Country (in which case, "Wallis Simpson" gets my vote). It's too bad you banned "B" names, because "Baabra Streisheep" would fit her, huh?Not knowing more about her, or her personality, I will go with "Rita Merino" for the time being. Lovely Rita, meat or made? (Okay, if I made you laugh, that's her name.)

Lindy's Last Ditch Effort:

I would just like you, and Ms. Muffaletta-to-be, to know that you have a chance to correct a Very Old Wrong. Well, maybe not a wrong per se, but a psychic wound. This is, by the way, a true story.

When I was a little girl of 9, I entered a "Name the Pony" contest. Imagine my excitement when I received an envelope with the contest name on the return address spot. I was sure the pony was mine, and told my dad it was time to get some hay ordered and start moving the car out of our city garage. (It was a near thing; I remember him visibly blanching while I opened the envelope.)

Sure enough, I was a winner. One of 100 winners of the 5th prize--a Roy Rogers and Dale Evans t-shirt.

Luckily, as Muffaletta will not be coming to live with me, I can forget about ordering the hay this time.

Want to know the excellent name I chose for the palomino pony? Then succumb to this shameless appeal for the sympathy vote.

Anyhow, as I may have mentioned, Muffaletta (Sandwich) is a truly suitable name for a sheep of distinction and good taste.

Then she came back and added:

P.S. Wooo. Sheep don't eat hay anyway, do they? Good thing she'll still have you to take care of her.

And I responded with:

Lindy,
"shameless appeal for the sympathy vote"--I love it! And I do believe you're the first one to use it.

P.S. My sheep had better eat hay. Or else we went to a whole lot of (hot & sweaty) trouble for nothing this summer!

Then Lindy said:

Oh, she does eat hay then? Whoops. It is indeed a good thing that you are going to be the one actually feeding her.

Lindy:

No, really, "Muffaletta" will be best for her.

In addition to the well known sandwich, the name suggests the Cypriot Moufflon, a sheep so honored that it appears as the main image on their paper money, as well as in their ancient mosaics.

And it sounds wooly too.

I would just like to point out that "Muffaletta" has a host of brilliant nickname possibilities: Muffy, Letty, Etta, Falalalala, Uffalie, and so on, some admittedly catchier than others.

And for formal occasions, she can use the full "Muffaletta Sandwich", which you must agree is widely adored and, uh, well-rounded.

And it's so wooly sounding.

Shauna's Threat:

If you actually stood on your farm and shouted, "Ewe Go, Girl!" I would have to stop reading this blog. And how, I want to keep reading this blog. (Sorry, Cookiecrumb. You know I love you anyway.)

Brett, Round Five:

Kitchenmage, do I personally believe Guinevere (if indeed she ever existed) was responsible for the downfall of the Round Table? Do I personally even care if she had relations with Lancelot? Of course not, on both counts. Unfortunately, some writers throughout history (see links in my previous entry) have apparently made such accusations. I'm just sharing what I read. My only concern is that our beloved Yellow 21 (aka Pepato) be named after a figure whose name is clouded in controversy;)

Although Pepato is of course my favorite name, I thought our nice little ewe might like to consider being named Ewenice after a favorite character Eunice from the old Carol Burnett Show. Since the name is pronounced Yoo-niss, it could also be referring to this lovely sheep's existential ewe-ness. Greek in origin, the name means "she conquers." Wow!

Or, in the name of randomness, name Yellow 21 after my current Blogger word verification "Coletta." (I had to share that I actually got a female name as a word verification. I usually get unpronouncable things like xrlljqg).
10/17/2005 1:17 PM

Brett, Round Two:

I fear that Judith, though a far greater expert on the Italian language than I, left the false impression that pecorino means "cheesy" in Italian. Pecorino is simply the word for cheese made from ewe's milk, as the Italian word for sheep is pecora. Hope that clears up any misunderstandings.

Our lovely sheep will be happy to simply go by her adorable and fitting surname, Pepato, if you find the name too cheesy (although in her heart she will know her full name).

Round Three:

Poor Pecorino, she loves the lyrical sound of her name, the way it rolls of the tongue. And the cute sound of the word Pepato makes her giggle inside.

She feels sorry for those poor humans who don't understand what an honor it is to be named after a culinary product that has endeared the sheep population to humanity. Ewes are very proud of the milk they produce and are happy that they can share it with the shepherds who take such good care of them, as well as all their human friends. They know that they, through the milk and the wool they provide, are making a contribution to the farm where they live. They are very intelligent beings, and are very aware (apparently unlike some humans ;P) that there is a difference between being named after a product of their flesh (Lambchop, Mutton, Muffaletta) and a product of their milk.

Guinevere, Rita, Willow and so many of the other names are lovely and inspirational if you are human (or perhaps a tree). But sheep, like our dear Pecorino Pepato, prefer to be named after things that are meaningful in their world.

10/10/2005 5:40 PM

Round Four:

I have heard that I "dost protest too much." Perhaps Sam is worried that I will reveal some of the other meanings of her controversial choice for a name for our beloved sheep.While Sam says Guinevere means "fair and soft (and "smooth and white)," it appears there are other meanings she neglects to tell us. Some translate the name as "white shadow" or worse "white phantom." Both translations are epithets referring to Guinevere as the shadow that "falls over the knights of the Round Table and leads to Arthur's ruin."Why would noble Guinevere, who as Sam tells us, was the wife of King Arthur, be considered the cause of the fall of Arthur's kingdom? What Sam neglects to mention is that Guinevere may have also been Lancelot's lover and her adultery (back then considered a grievous sin) played a key roll in the demise of Arthur's kingdom.Seems to me that Guinevere is as controversial a choice as Camilla, a name that Sam herself objects to.So, how much time do you think will pass before Sam doth protest?10/16/2005 10:42 PM

Brett's First Entry:

All you bloggers (70 comments so far!) have submitted such clever and well thought out names and yet the obvious choice seems to have eluded you. I mean, really, so many of you are food bloggers, even.

First, let me explain the problems inherent in the other names:

Molly, Clementine, Mary, Lydia, Darla, Rachel, Gertrude, Patricia, Mona, Heidi, Fiona, Stella, Isolde, Chloe, Cassie, Tabitha, Kelsey, Hannah, Eleanor, Emma, Masha, Matilda, Muriel, Meredith, Gertie, Gerlinda, Lydia: too human
Lambchop, Mutton, Muffaletta: dinner anyone?
Girl: too plain
Rita Merino: sorry, she's Border Leicester-Finn cross
Friday: why not Saturday?
Pepper: close, but mine is better
Martha: she'll end up in prison
Willow: is she a weeping tree?
Cocoa, Chocolat, Cappucino, Mocha Merengue, Mocha Merona, Cocoa Puff Girl: she's not brown
Mereno: too close to moron
Rachel: in 30 min. she'll be dinner
Gialloventuno: too hard to pronounce
JauneVingt-et-un: see previous name
Marie AntoiKnit: have you forgotten the guillotine?
Chirpy Chirpy Sheep: she's not a bird
Hot Rod Mama: she's not a car
Skittles, Snickers, Sodapop: all rot your teeth
Amarillo: she's not Texan and she doesn't want to be called yellow any more
Euphemia, Eustacia: by that logic, why not Euthanasia?
Mona Lucy: huh?
Coriander: good spice to season your lamb curry...bad connotation for sheep, perhaps?
Cashew: are you nuts?
Thum-baaa-lina: even the prince that married Thumbelina disliked the name so he renamed her Maia
LE Zed: Led Zeppelin?
Cy Lynn: are you insane? (as in asylum)
Frida: Kahlo me crazy, but I don't like it
Juney: too late, it's October
Cocoa Puff Girl: are you cuckoo?
Viola Swamp, Urma, Violetta, Fluffernutter: make up your mind
Patience: a virtue that will put her in the hospital (as in patients)
Daisy Dew: sounds like doo-doo
Cher: do you really want to see a sheep dressed in that skimpy outfit?
Philomena: I don't mean to be a martyr, but she died when she was just 14
Little Miss Can't-Be-Wrong: wrong, guess again
Laines, Lanas: are you wooly? (means: not thinking clearly)
Snorf: pardon me
Sphinx, Cleopatra: ancient history
Missy: excuse me, Missy, but am I missing something?
Tallulah: nice for an actress, but this is a sheep here
Lottie Lou: too precious
Guinevere: you wouldn't want to receive a lot of spam, would you? (as in Spamalot)
Dollie Lamb'a: may have to go into exile
Bella Fleck: right idea (noticed the flecks on the coat), wrong name

Now, don't get me wrong, I love you all and those are all great names and should receive honorable mentions, perhaps a hundred-way tie for second place.

But, look at this sheep. Look deep into her soulful eyes (especially all you food bloggers out there) and tell me her first name isn't Pecorino.

Look at her pepper-flecked wool and tell me her last name isn't Pepato.

Pecorino Pepato, named after the ewe's milk cheese flecked with black peppercorns from Ragusa in Southern Italy.

Name decided. Contest over.

Spiral's entry:

So much has to be balanced with this decision: Sheep lives in Missouri. Consequently, if she has a name that is too foreign or hoity-toity, the other sheep may say nasty things behind her back (as may happen anyway, considering the amount of attention she's getting just for her name). If the name's too silly, she'll have to endure tiresome jokes for years. If it's tied to some sort of trendy saying or trendy figure, she'll be out of date and show her time period (a lady never wants people to know her age after all). She needs a good name that shows her dignity, allows her to get along with the group, and has some flexibility.

Consequently, I think the sheep should be named Patricia. The name has flexibility: you can always call her Tricia, Trish, Pat, Patti, etc. The name is dignified--it actually means "noble," and it's not so out there that local folks wouldn't understand it.

Spiral:

Let's start by debunking the current entries:

Molly sounds too much like Dolly, the first cloned sheep, and who would want to feel like they are named in similar fashion to a clone?

Lampchop was a cute puppet, but it was a puppet, not a real sheep, who had a squeaky voice--definitely not the persona of your sheep.

Mary is overdone as a human name (my first name is Mary), more or less as a sheep name. I don't want to be named for what I look like or for a day of the week, especially considering there is an Adams Family member named Friday.

Martha makes me think of Martha Stewart, and that, frankly, is a lot of baggage to carry every day: everyone would expect high class, easy to make decorations. From a sheep. And that's just silly.

Girl is too generic. It's cute for the saying mentioned but too generic in any other context.

Many of the names have personal meaning for the person who suggested them, but what does that mean to your sheep? My grandma always says she thinks it's bad luck to name anything after someone else because then you have all those potential associations.

As for the translation names, those are like naming the sheep, sheep. I don't want to be named human in some other language, and personally, I don't want to think of a cooking lady that often.

Clementine would be dignified if it weren't for the song "My Darling Clementine"--it just doesn't ring of dignity to me.

The "Lovely Rita" entry didn't make me laugh--it made me a little sad to think about sheep becoming meat, so that can't be her name.

Gertrude is okay, but that name has a lot of bad cultural connotations: it's too often used to refer to unfriendly, stuffy old ladies. That, again, is a lot of baggage to carry.

Anna's Entry:

I think my future sheep should be called Mutton. Mutton is definitely a good name for a sheep. It says what the sheep is, it's cute and interesting, and it hasn't been used for a puppet yet.

Also, my future sheep is very cute and attractive, and I wish there were more pictures for me to ooh and ahh over. I'd love updates on my future sheep, especially since she is going to have a baby sheep at some time. It'll be like having a foster child or something. A foster sheep! Mutton my foster sheep. There we go!

(I read this outloud to my flatmate. Conversation went like this:

Me: blah blah blah reading outloud.

Flatmate: And you haven't even gotten into the spiced rum yet.

Me: Hey! I think it's a great name for a sheep! Think it'll get me a sheep?

Flatmate: I'm not sure what it will get you. Maybe directions to the local asylum.

Me: At least then we'd know where it is. I want a sheep!)

Amy's entry:

I have been driving through the state of FL all day long with the girls, but the car trip gave me the perfect name, one that would help your sheep make a grand impression at any gathering. Because every sheep needs to make a good impression.

You could call her Cy Lynn. (Cy is a nickname for lots of Greek names, including Cybele, an ancient nature goddess.) This way, you could introduce her formally in your best dramatic voice:

I'd like you to meet Cy Lynn...Of The Lambs.

(for your unwanted guests, you could always follow this up in your best creepy voice: Are the lambs still screaming, Clarice?)

Alisha, Take Three

However, in light of recent updates about the beauty in question I must give you her true (for real this time) name. Let me tell you the story. My great-great grandmother's name was Dolly Anne, called Doll by everyone. My great-grandmother (who was my most favorite person on Earth and passed away this past Jan.) was named Nonnie Ruth. So, since heretofore called Yellow 21's momma's name is Doll Face, her name must be...oh, gosh, I just can't do it. I was trying so hard to type "Ruthie", and...her name is LYDIA!!!!! Lydia, and 1/2 a sheep is better than no sheep at all. Can I please have her pretty face??? Please, please...

Alisha, Take Two

OMG, to Karl-I am dearly sorry for repeating your name. Maybe the reason I kept thinking Lydia is because I was subliminally "seeing" it as I hurriedly scrolled to check new posts. So I respectfully take back my nomination for Lydia, for 1/2 a Lydia-I mean sheep, wouldn't do for either of us.

Alisha, Take One

Lydia...because, well, because that's her name!!! And such a pretty one, just like her. Ooooh, FG, I want this sheep to be my very own! I have waited so long to post, because I was desperately trying to come up with a *kitschy* name for her, but Lydia just kept popping up, so I know for sure it's right. As I said before (see the Does Dan Miss Me post comments), I have the vision. Thank you for your support.

E-Bribe Lunch From Hopeful Contestant Kat
during the Name That Sheep Contest