Goodbye Olympics

"Watched" the replay of many ice skating routines while doing things around the apartment. Pretty lake effect snow falling all morning, now given way to some sunshine, leaving blue lights in the holes our footsteps leave in the snow. I made fancy spinach/cheddar cheese omelettes for breakfast. Around here cheddar cheese is called "sharp" cheese to the point where the waitress in the local diner didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for cheddar cheese. Interesting local vernacular here in the North Country. Got the long weekend's worth of dishes washed, scraped crud off the stove - best I could do with no Brillo pads - and swept the apartment. Will do school paperwork until time for chores then closing ceremony. I'll miss the Olympics but the timing is perfect. If it went on too much longer we would get tired of it and not appreciate it. Canada did an unbelievable job and I'll miss all the wintery designs. I loved the tall pines, craggy mountains and the totem poles. I hope they have more whales in the ceremony tonight. I was sick and slept through the whale portion of the opening night show. I want to knit some of the nifty hats I've seen participants wear on TV, like the moose, stars, pines, etc. I'm sure the patterns are around somewhere. Some knitter smarter than myself has probably put them on a computer program and is selling them already. Back to school tomorrow. I like the kids but not the bureaucracy. I'm sure most teachers say the same thing. The snow gave us a nice vacation. Matt is going away again to teach Lead Safe Weatherization in Rochester and Buffalo. I asked him why his trainees can't do it, since his annual evaluation says he should do more delegating. Matt is the only EPA Lead Safe Trainer currently certified in NY State. He says one guy in the office will be ready soon. I don't mind doing everything myself, even with the heavy alfafa bales, but the funky electric goes out, and things can happen with the pipes, etc. I haven't fallen out of the hay mow yet, and I have my cell in my sports bra all the time. I have Jury Duty next week, and I don't know how to get to Wampsville. They said come dressed appropriately for court - very funny. I guess that means no jeans! My Colorscape application with images is due on the 12 with jury fee. I want to do Colorscape again so I better get cracking and put some pictures on a disk. They sent me a report card - very interesting. Two judges rated my booth. Out of seven categories, with the highest score of seven, one judge gave me all sixes and a nice note saying she bought some of my stuff. The other judge gave me all three's and said my "mission statement was not clear." Glad there were two judges to average out my score!

A Love Story

When Andrew's great-grandparents decided to marry there was no money for an engagement ring. After seven years of wedded bliss, his great-grandfather was able to finally buy his bride the ring he wanted to give her years before. He purchased a flawless diamond ring from Tiffany's in New York. When Andrew told his parents he wanted to marry Mia, they went to the bank vault and got The Ring. They gave it to Andrew to have in hand when he proposed to Mia. I haven't seen it on Mia's finger yet, but she tells me it looks and feels fantastic. Here is a picture that Andrew sent me of the ring, before he gave it to Mia.

Still Snowing

The trip to the Louis Gale Feed Mill in Waterville was a ride through a winter wonderland. A state forest seperates Brookfield from route 20 and Waterville. I stopped to take pictures of the beautiful pines, boughs heavy with snow. I usually go the opposite way to route 8 when I go to work. It's a treat to see the prettier view of my farm coming over the hill.

Tulip Goes to Disneyland

My fiber friend, Kim, AKA "Tulip" (Dutch/Canadian), spent a week in Disney World with her extended family. I personally think they had a lot of nerve leaving their mother country on Olympic week, but the trip was a gift from Tulip's parents and they dutifully travelled to sunny, balmy Florida. Upon return to Canada, they attempted to renounce their Canadian citizenship and defect to the US. When that didn't work out, Tulip resigned herself to spinning fabulous designer yarns and knitting nifty garments to sell at American shows. Poor little Kimmie...Here is a shot of Tulip's two little petals in Disney World.

Libby's Sweaters

My shepherd/long distance rider friend, Libby, designs and knits fabulous sweaters. I'm always surprised when she has time to sit down and do such amazing fibery things. Libby has hundreds, yes, hundreds of sheep and lots of horses. She puts the horses on a treadmill to keep them in shape for the endurance riding she does. When she first told me about her rides I didn't believe her, so I Googled her and there were the stats. Like, Wow! Libby's 500 acres farm is about 3 hours away. I wish we lived closer. I would ask Libby to adopt me and be my fiber-mentor. Anyway, Libby and I share a love of good, handspun classic sweaters. Here is a sweater she designed for one of her three handsome sons.

Big News!

Mia just called to tell me Andrew popped the question, ring in hand. Two Jersey tomatoes will be pureed together! I was sound asleep on the sofa with my cell phone ringing and didn't hear it. Mia called the main phone and got Matt who woke me up. Then I heard the sweet little voice, "Mommy I'm engaged!" Mia doesn't know that Andrew called a week ago to ask our blessing, which was happily given. No date has been set, but when Mia said she can finally buy "all those magazines" I got the feeling a date will be set in the near future. I can't wait to see the flawless Tiffany diamond ring that has been in Andrew's family for generations. I'm so excited I think I better sit down and spin some wool, after I have a sip of sherry! Oh, I'm overwhelmed! My little Mia! Twin A! Briday showers! Dish patterns! Dress fittings! I better pick out a pattern and get started on a wedding quilt! My mind is racing! I'm thrilled! Marriage is a good thing...

Brave Little Chickadees

All through the two days of snow storms the chickadees who live in the big pine tree have been coming to the feeder for seed. They are so tough and courageous. One can learn many life lessons from them.

Today's Bag

I posted this gun metal gray chenille tapestry bag on Etsy today. I would like to put my head on it and take a nap, the fabric is so luxurious. It has 8 inside pockets, 9 inches high. Amazing! The lining is so perfect. Speaking of naps...

My Favorite Tree

This towering pine in my barnyard has sheltered many a cow, sheep, llama, dog, chicken and goat over the years. I wish there were more of them on my land. It's just so beautiful, especially when the boughs are heavy with snow. The little farmhouse. where the old farmer lives, has a few of these gigantic pines in the tiny yard, too close to the house. Doesn't make sense. Did they think they wouldn't grow so big? If one falls it will surely crush the house. They can't give shade to the sheep squeezed together on a little lawn (even though my sheep have run over there many times to get under them.) I'll just consider it one of the many mysteries of life and this farm.

Currier and Ives

Can't help but think of the Currier and Ives calendars that people used to have in so many offices, stores and homes years ago when I ride around my area of Central New York. The view of my farm from across the valley is particularly lovely after it snows. Digging out was made much easier when Will Nolan, our dairy farmer neighbor stopped by to help out. This snow is wet and heavy, making every shovel full a struggle. We managed to get out and where did I go first - the feed store, ofcourse, for Billy Goat's milk replacer, dog bones and cat food. I was lusting after a new pair of Scrub Boots but they will have to wait. We took the long way home to look at the pretty hillside of Maggie's Farm from across Beaver Creek.

Home Again

Robin just called with good news. Another snow day. The carbon monoxide alarm went off about 2:30 AM and I opened the windows on both sides of the apartment. Didn't take long with the cold wind to clear the smoke out from the wood stove. Blasted thing doesn't work right when it's windy. Got up again to close the windows but couldn't get back to sleep. I wouldn't have been much good in school today anyway. Poor Matt took three hours to get home from the residential facility in the Catskills where he was teaching weatherization this week. He was holding a graduation there today but can't get back there. All his training equipment is still there. He had some stories to tell about his commute last night, like a snow plow being stuck, spinning it's wheels. He got home in time to watch the Canadian vs. US Women's Hockey game. Very exciting. Matt kept screaming OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! Those rowdy girls played a real good game. The Olympic Committee is upset with the Canadian girls this morning after they smoked cigars and drank beer on the ice last night. I loved seeing those Finnish girls get their bronze medals. Disappointed with the skating long program. I don't trust the judging. How could Rachel Flatt be 7th after landing all those jumps? Oh, well, what do I know. I have enough hay for today, and will have to shovel like crazy to get out and go to Postma's to pick up more. The hay situation again...I'm almost out of kid milk replacer for Billy Goat, but could always milk out one of the moms if I had to. Billy was so happy to see me climbing up the ladder with his bottle yesterday that he pitched forward and fell out of the hay mow. Luckily he landed on hay, no broken legs. He spent the rest of the day and last night with me. What a cutie, I love his company but need to have the mop handy. He follows me around the apartment jumping on my nightgown like he's playing with another goat. I think I'm going to spin some more, drink some coffee, and make myself some toast with marmalade. Love that marmalade. It's the little things...

Mostly Mohair

I'm spinning this old mohair roving. It's slightly coarse, as mohair will be, and I love it. It's spinning very thin. I usually let the fiber tell me how to spin it, and this wants to be fine. I think it will make an excellent thread to ply with something fuzzier, like fawn angora. Tulip????

My House

As I was outside enjoying the snow with the doggies I had a stange kind of flashback. My barn suddenly looked like somewhere I have lived before. Then I remembered a photograph of my grandfather's house in Sweden. Maybe that's why I was attracted to this old, classy structure. I still marvel at the enormity of it and the lovely lines and angles. The snow makes it look even more Swedish.

Sea Creatures?

What's this in my bath tub? Some kind of strange marine life? Fuzzy anemones? Oh, that's right. It's my handspun Mother Fiber having a rinse after washing. It will be fun to knit a swatch and see how it came out. I can tell right now that it will be more boucle than woolen. Must be that strand of llama, shrinking a bit unevenly compared to the other strand of wool/angora. Might be nice. If so, I won't ever be able to duplicate it...but that's the fun of "art yarn."

Lovely Lilly

While I was gazing at the pretty field yesterday morning, Lilly was being very affectionate. Her eyes were soft and her ears relaxed while she waited for her scratching. She's not asking for food, she's just enjoying my company. I kept backing up to take a picture of her in the snow, but she followed me everywhere I went. Lilly's son, Forrest, also has his mother's loving, gentle nature. His twin brother, Denzel, is a pushy, annoying bully. Sheep are so much like people with their many personality traits. I find them so interesting. Lilly's mother is still with me. I bought her ten years ago as a full grown sheep from a breeder in Ohio. Keeping these old ladies is becoming a challenge. I have one of my founding flock in a pen where I can feed her seperately as her front knees are totally shot. She seems very contented with her situation for now. I hate to think of Lilly being that way, but it will come. Sheep only live for 10 - 12 years and time is slipping by so quickly.

School Closed Today

Snow storm coming up from the South. The day off we were hoping for is a reality. What a gift, one of the best things about teaching. A furlough from the Front. I brought special ed paperwork home which I would have to stay late again to do. Got out of there at five last night without hardly denting it. Before I left for work yesterday I paused at the east end door of my barn to gaze at the beautiful, wild back field under the ridge.

Thank You Snow Plows

I live on a school bus route, fortunately, because I have to go two miles to get to a main road. The plows do a great job of clearing the snow and ice. This is what Academy Road looked like yesterday and it snowed again last night. A major storm is on the way for tomorrow. Teachers and students are very optimistic...

Sewing at Dawn

It feels good to be sewing in earnest again. I've broken the bonds with my spinning wheel for now. I adore my old Singer, almost a hundred years old, purchased from a New Berlin quilter, Linda Foote, for $75 with the cabinet. I had my Janome fixed, and it's broken again. Won't invest any more repair money in that machine. The old heavy metal machines are the best. I need a new drive belt on this one but it's sewing fine for now, with a little squeaking and a loud motor. I heard Matt mutter something about oh, no, she's sewing again. He'll have to get used to it because my machine will be running hard for the next eight weeks.

Libby's Lambs

My two shepherd friends, Mary and Libby both have a bumper crop of lambs this year. I stopped to pick up eggs at Mary's farm on the way home and got a look at her barnyard full of little angels. They surrounded me and nibbled on my fingers and jeans. Libby has a lot of black lambs this year. I adore black wool but my customers prefer vibrant colors which you can only get by dyeing white wool. I have a giant tub of black BFL and Merino fleeces to sort. I'll send it to the mill to be blended with streaks of vibrant colors. I might just leave some black for myself.

Another Day on the Front

Woke up at 4:50. Olympic Curling on TV. That would ordinarily be the perfect vehicle to more sleep, but I decided to spin some wool instead (after coffee and inside kittie feeding that is). I have another giant bobbin full of mostly natural colored three ply llama, BFL and angora, spun and plied very tightly, the only way I can do it these days. I might sneak half a skein to make myself a pair of socks. I'll display one sock at this season's shows to help sell the yarn. Better turn a nice heel on that one. It snowed a bit last night, with more coming now. Perfect day to stay home but no can do. Busy week with paperwork and some changes in the classroom, which never go over well with students who like to think they are running the show. Luckily this Batwoman has a Robin to back her up...no, not my spinning wheel! Better hit the road.