My own Mystery Stole 3 offering

Here it is, my swatch for the Mystery Stole 3 that Melanie is preparing us for!



I knit this over the weekend while at the lake (see previous post). It is from my fine white Corriedale roving, all from farm raised sheep. Spun and plyed on my Louet S45, knit on my new Addi Turbo Lace needles. I love the look and feel, and am just about finished with my first full bobbin ~ hopefully will have yardage complete before the first clue day (this Friday, June 29) Once I have seen the clue, I may decide to go up one needle size for a more open look. Or I could block harder (grin)

This is also part of my Journey To A Shawl project.

He Leads Me Beside Still Waters....

Those of you who know me have heard me speak of the one weekend each year that I try to move everything else aside and travel with some very special friends to a cabin in the woods, overlooking a lake. We pack a change of clothes and toothbrushes, some simple food, our knitting projects and our spinning wheels. We visit the loons there, who call to us mysteriously in the dark (you can click on this link, if you aren't sure what a Common Loon is - or do a google search). They urge us to wake up in the morning and walk down to the dock to look across the stillness of the water. It seems to me that it is that very call and that very stillness that both calm and stir something in my soul and my heart every year that I am there.



This year, in our everyday lives away from the lake, the world around us had changed. It is a very different place than it was a year ago ~ than it was even six months ago. Death and loss had invaded ~ unwanted, unwelcome, unexpected. And it is still so very real and fresh, walking hand in hand with one very special person in our group. But touching all of us in ways to numerous to list. Would the lake still offer the comfort and serenity it had in the past?



It did. It offered sweet sleep under the rafters. It offered the beauty of a little blue eyed grass along the trails, glimpsed on a hike in the woods. If offered the bounty of the lake waters and fresh trout on the supper plate, thanks to the able fisher-women in our quartet! It offered bright colorful roving spinning around our wheels, and solutions to spinning and knitting problems as talk flowed around the screened-in porch. And especially in that call of the loons on the lake, reminding us of the mystery and uncertainty of life. Somehow in that, it seems we were reminded that we don't know or understand why ... that is a question we have to save for the day we meet God face to face. Sometimes as we walk ahead into those days after the loss of a person who meant so very much to us, we ask why in fear, in anguish, in sorrow and yes - in anger. But we remember that He is a good God. We can trust His heart for us. He does lead us beside still waters....He does lead us through the valley of the shadow of death.

I don't know, maybe my jumbled up words aren't making any sense....I only know that in that huge, aching hole of sorrow was also a reminder of life, and friendship and the beauty He allows us to glimpse to give us hope to continue on. To slowly and cautiously stick our toe in the water of life and keep going. It seemed to me that we were able to do that this weekend.



Maybe I should be quiet and just let some of the profoundness of the place speak to you? Here they are, just a few images captured:









I am sorry that in my photo journalism (LOL!) I didn't capture an image of Mary, another of the four of us, on film! The fish in the picture above were actually taken by Mary and Carol, with Pat manning the net. In this photo you see Carol on the left, and Pat on the right.

I am so grateful for the friends I have who even offered me the chance to share in this very special place! Every year I am awed and honored to be asked again to make the trek. It has become a golden nugget of the year to go. I already have this years memories tucked quietly away in my heart, to carry me through till next time.

So, to Pat and Carol and Mary ~ thank you. Till next time ~

Friday Flowers, Friday Fibers

What a glorious Friday this is! Sunny, breezy, low humidity and some decent rain fall for the past two nights...now this is what June in Michigan is supposed to be like!

Kim over at The Woolen Rabbit has started something she calls Fridays Flowers. I love the idea, because at this time of year, I am in my gardens constantly snapping photos! I will put a button and link in my sidebar as soon as I can get blogger to cooperate with me ;( In the meantime, here is my first offering for Fridays Flowers:



This is the Sally Holmes rose, which I adore! The color is just right with the first of my Asiatic lilies. And see the rain drops on the petals? Ahhh, bliss!

But at Serenity Farms, it is just as much about fibers as it is flowers, and so I am going to start my own theme of Fridays Fibers - LOL! The lavender has exploded and this morning, early, was a day of harvest. This is done (hopefully) when the florets just begin to open and on a cool, dry morning such as this one. They will be bundled and hung to dry upside down in a cool, somewhat dark place to preserve the fragrant oils and the color of the flowers.

Here is a small token of the Provence lavender in all its glory, along with some of my "Comfort Wool" ~ Serenity Farms Corriedale rovings:



The smokey grey is called "Warm Campfire" and is a blend from my grey, black and brown sheep. It is just amazing to spin and cuddle with! The antique ivory white comes from the fleeces of Amanda, Abby, Charlotte, Caitlyn and Autry and is called "Vanilla Dream" (was going to call it Whipped Cream, but saw another farm with fiber of this name) All of the fiber that went into these rovings are from fleeces that I sold, but I always like to keep about a pound from each sheeps fleece for myself to experiment with and check for quality. This is the result for this year, processed at Zeilingers Mill and I could not be happier with both of them!

Notice the little sample skein of white? I spun that yesterday and will be swatching as a possibility for my Mystery Stole 3 yarn, as well as my second shawl for my Journey To A Shawl project.

Finally, this roving is also doing duty as a prize for the winner of our first prize drawing for Journey To A Shawl. You will have to visit the Journey blog to find out who the lucky winner is (grin)

I am leaving today to spend the weekend at a very special place with some extra special friends. No tv, no radio, no computer...just spinning, knitting, eating well, swimming, walking....and wonderful friend time. I plan to remember my camera and share some photos when I return...hope everyone else has a grand weekend! See you Monday!

The Best Pature Management

We have been so lucky with our pastures this year! Early spring rains in abundance and just the right amount of warm days brought on even more pasture than the sheep could eat! (I know, I know...I need more sheep, right?) Here is a picture taken just a few weeks ago, in lush green grass...the little bumps you see out there are actually sheep!



Good pasture makes so much sense in livestock production...the animals are eating what God intended, they are out in the fresh air and sunshine, they stay in good shape physically. For sheep, the critical point in pasture management is rotation as sheep are so susceptible to parasites (internal worms) Now that we have sold the horses, I have plenty of pasture for rotation and the sheep are following behind the few horses we have left - they clean up what horses don't.

Just at the time when the grass was starting to get away from the sheep (ripening faster than they could eat it) it is hay making time. Because my husband has always done such a good job of managing our pastures, they actually make very good hay. So, hay was made off the pasture fields. This benefits in two ways - first the hay and second the grasses are clipped, giving them the chance for more nutritious regrowth. A good rain to get things growing again, and the sheep will go back into one of these pastures.

This photo was taken at 7:30 in the morning, today when the temperatures have shot up to mid-nineties with high humidity and is the same field as the one pictured above. You can probably see the haze in the air. This is the man who makes the hay in partnership with us, loading out the round bales that are already sold. Isn't it interesting to see the paths that the sheep and horses have worn into the fields? They follow those same routes almost exclusively, for reasons known only to themselves!



For me, I have a load of square bales in my barn, ready for winter. Before we put new hay in the barn, we sweep the chaff from last years hay and straw out of the mow to clean the floors. That is the "job" for the youngsters...and here is one of my favorite "helpers", four year old grandson Mason. Up until just a few years ago, that job belonged to Alex. Now fourteen years old, Alex has graduated to the real hay help, and spent his day on the wagons - loading and then unloading square bales. He did a great job and we are proud of him.



Mason chose his work attire ;) His Uncle Michael, my brother, wears a bandanna when he is working in the fields and Mason wanted to do the same. He couldn't stand still for very long though, and was soon hard at work:



First we pray for sunny, dry weather to get the hay put up and we had that...this June was perfect haying weather. Now, in the fickle way of a farmer, we pray for good soaking rains to kick start re-growth of the pasture and hay fields as well as the corn and soybeans and wheat in the crop fields.

Just enough, but not to much....

Picture Taking Help

This morning I was outside trying to take photos of the progress of my Journey To A Shawl spinning.

Evidently, Christy the barn kitty thought she made a better photo than the yarn:



I thought she was pretty cute myself, so I promised her I would put her picture up for all to see ;) You can click on the link above to read more actual spinning details!

And, if its June it must mean strawberries:



Its very hot and breezy here today, but these berries are delicious and refreshing. Wish I could share with you all!

Spinning, Knitting, Journaling and Nature

All of these things have in common spins, knits or swaps I am participating in for the summer.

The first is my own Journey To A Shawl spin and knit along that I wrote about in a previous entry. We now have a blog to share with others (why don't you come join along with us? We would love to have you!) You can read more about this project at the Journey To A Shawl blog, by clicking here...

Yesterday, locally, we had a workshop for those interested to create a journal for documenting our progress. Here is my journal, photographed in my garden this morning:



I will be knitting the Pendants shawl from Heartstrings Fiberarts. But before I can knit it, I need to spin the yarn (grin) I am finding little spinning time these past few weeks, but I will get there.

Also knitting along on my Sock Hop Sock '07 sock for my new friend on the west coast, Deb (hi Deb! By the way, if you clink on the link from Deb's name, you should be at her blog and you can read about the fiber swap she is hosting. I am signed up for that, too. I love sending roving out into the world and having some come back to me from someone else!) Of course, I can't show you a picture of that sock in progress, but I can show you a picture of the sock I received from Katrina, who was knitting for me:



This is just the neatest sock!!! It is the Acorn Sock from Fiber Trends (daughter has already confiscated the pattern to start a pair for herself - LOL!) The yarn is Lorna's Laces in the color Aslan. This sock fits as though I had knitted it for myself, what a great job Katrina and I thank you so very much! Um, there were also chocolates but they have mysteriously disappeared...hehe...and some soft and fresh Healing Garden Mandarin Therapy shower goodies.

More knitting looms on the horizon....



I call this photo Boudica Sky because the colors of the sky look like the colors in the yarn I am using to knit the Boudica Socks. My new friend Brooke and I are going to work on this pattern together at some point this summer, when life settles down for both of us (what? when???) If you haven't heard of this sock, be sure to take a look at the kit here at Wooly Wonka Fibers. I am using the colorway Wasatch.

Tracey has started a really neat KAL, too. Its called Inspired By Nature and the idea is that you go outside, "look around, find something in nature that you love or are intrigued by....take pictures, draw it, paint it....search out a pattern and yarns that represent the elements that you love...then, knit it!" If you are interested in this concept, you can still join. Click on the link to find out more.

Here is my "something":



These beautiful lavender-orchid colored irises in my garden never fail to inspire me. The yarn was dyed by my friend Sharon in Ohio, and though it is called Roses and Violets, the color is so very close to the iris that I couldn't resist. It maybe doesn't truly show just how close in this photo, but it really is. Not sure what the pattern will be yet...but think this will be the inspiration and the yarn.

Finally, Melanie has announced the Mystery Stole 3!!!! Oh my....will I have time??? I am sure going to try! And I am certainly going to follow along.

There you have it...my kal confessions for the summer. Maybe I will see some of you at some of these....

Now in May ~

I have been working on putting together a blog update for weeks….I really, really have! Taken photos, thought of witty and wise commentary (okay, I am poking a little fun at myself with that!)….but then one day passes….and another…then it’s a week gone by….well, you know the story. But finally, here I am, waiting for the freshly mopped kitchen floor to dry and deciding on another cup of coffee and a little blog update time. Especially important, probably, because I still can’t update my website for some reason ;(

I guess I won’t add all the photos and news of the past few weeks because that would take more time than I have in this day (speed is not helped by my slow dial up computer connection). I could show you gardens and pastures and lambs and tell you all about those projects…but instead for today, how about some fibery updates? Because I have really been in a fiber state of mind lately!

First some yarn for socks:



My friend Cherie offered a challenge by giving me just about 3 ounces of a new-to-her farm roving to sample. It is a 50-50 blend of Hampshire wool from her new ewes with Mohair from her adult goats. She had it blended with the idea of nice sock yarn. I started out spinning my customary 3-ply sock yarn, but this fiber has more “poof” factor than you would anticipate and I wasn’t happy with that sample. So I sat about spinning finer singles on my Louet S-45 (love, love, LOVE that wheel) and came up with a nice weight, nice feeling yarn. Although I spun each single with a far amount of twist (and did the same when plying) it does not feel harsh at all. And just look at how balanced the freshly plyed yarn hangs! This has not been washed or “weighted”….just fresh off the niddy-noddy here:



(A little side note…I never “set the twist” of my yarns by weighted them or tensioning them. I know there are two trains of thought about this in spinning land, that you should or that you shouldn’t ….but I have read and heard spinners that I respect say that you are fooling yourself by weighting a yarn to “balance” it. That twist is still in there, just waiting for you to wash or wet your garment and bounce itself back to what it originally was! Instead, my goal is to spin for a fairly balanced yarn in the first place. And unless I am experiencing some stress in my life that shows up in my spinning – I usually can do it. Just my humble opinion, and worth only that!)

In this photo, maybe you can see that the now adult Angora goats (or maybe even from the Hamps?) have some of the black kempy fibers that have the potential for feeling prickly in the sock that I will eventually knit, though it feels fine in the yarn.



My solution to this will be to spin something soft for the ankle of the sock – maybe some Angora bunny or Alpaca blended with my own soft Corriedale wool. This will solve two problems for me – the possibly prickly wool won’t be against my ankles plus I will have some additional yardage to knit the socks. I ended up with just 351 yards of the yarn and although I should be able to get a pair of socks to fit me from that (I will knit them toe up) having the soft stuff for the cuff will give me some breathing room.

This next fiber and yarn is from my friend and neighbor, Maple at North Star Alpacas. I had forgotten about a sample Maple had given me of her Farm Blend….a trio of colors blended into roving from her Alpaca “seconds” Now anyone who has spun Alpaca knows that even the “seconds” from a good Alpaca breeder is pretty nice stuff….and Maple is a very good Alpaca breeder. She is a dedicated fiber person, so is very fussy about what she offers to other spinners, knitters, etc. It was a calming and enchanting spin, turning this sample into yarn, watching the earthy colors flow through my fingers.



The little skein on the left in the photo is a 2-ply of the blend only. The skein on the right is a 3-ply - 2 plies of the blend with a 3rd ply of bay-black (also from North Star Alpacas!) I can't decide which I like best, probably a test swatch will determine. Maple surprised me with a few more ounces of this and I already have plans for a wintertime knit ensemble! I may even have it ready in time to enter in the contest at the fall Alpaca show ;)

Finally, I have to show you the swatch for my next shawl project. After a long winter of knitting I have been longing for more time at my spinning wheel. Some of you may remember that I have been hoarding – (um, saving!) – the last fleece from my beautiful ewe Hannah, now departed. I had it blended with some dyed French Angora bunny by my friends at Spinderella’s and they did just a beautiful job on my old girls last fleece. I had been thinking of a sweater, but I am really more of a shawl type girl and I knew that no matter how much weight I might gain or lose, a shawl would fit around my shoulders for a long time to come. So I asked a few friends if they would like to work on a project together and try to learn a few things about our spinning and knitting along the way. We are going to start the summer out by spinning for our shawl’s, then progress towards creating the shawl. Each of us is choosing our own pattern. (I really will be writing more about this project soon, as the idea has taken on a life of its own!)

In the meantime, I spun a sample yarn from Hannah’s fleece. I was not happy with either my spinning or plying; it was rather loose and sloppy. This was done on my Louet S-17. My next sample will be spun on the 45 then plyed on the 17. Anyway, here is the test swatch, which is actually the first few rows of the pattern for the shawl I have chosen:



Having recently become quite enamored of the Faroese style shawl, that is what I decided to knit for myself. My choices had narrowed down to making a second of Silvia Harding’s Follow The Leader shawl (love that pattern!); one of Jackie E-S’s Heartstrings patterns, either The Pendant Shawl or the Shetland Lace Patterned Shawl or possibly Lucy Neatby’s Faroese Flower Shawl (I am going to knit that one at some future date!) For many reasons, The Pendant Shawl was my final choice and I love it already!

Now, what do you think of the adorable sheep stitch marker?!? Here he is a little closer:



It just makes me smile to look at! These little cuties are made by Hide and Sheep right here in Michigan! I have been trying to snap them up as quickly as they are made! Be sure to check out their Etsy store, you should be able to click on the name to link. I have bought several things from Todd and Susan and have been thrilled with each item...they come in the neatest little container and ship SOOOO fast!

I am planning to convert two of these little sheep into earrings for myself ;)

Hope this update on the fiber part of my life was fun for you to read....in the next few days, I hope to have more written up about the Shawl Journey so check back in!

Shear, Spin, Knit

Shearing makes me happy. Though my fleeces go to new homes, I tend to keep at least a part of each one for myself. This past week included a trip to Zeilingers Mill in Frankenmuth to deliver fleeces to be processed for customers and some for myself this year (including a special blend being created in partnership with Take Heart Farm...watch for it later this spring!) It is a very good feeling to have mill employees who see fleece of all kinds all day long ooohh and ahhh over your fleeces (grin)

Here is a peek at a few favorites. First is Violet, who is always in great demand! Her fleece is on its way again to Alabama (and you saw the shawl knit from her yarn in a previous post)





Then this first fleece from a yearling, Cherie:



When testing (sampling) this fleece, I fell in love with it! Luckily, so has the new owner who has already written happily to me from Missouri! Incidentally, Cherie is Violet's granddaughter!

And finally this is from my ram, Autry.



His 2006 fleece will go to Ohio in the form of roving, and his 2007 fleece will go to New York along with another silver fleece. He is homebred and our first lamb crop by him are all very plush! We will have some good fleeces from his offspring that remain in the flock!

When I say I test or sample a fleece, I mean my own personal quality control for my product - the fiber my sheep produce! Before I sell a fleece and after skirting heavily, I wash a few ounces of the fiber, then either comb or card it and spin and then knit some for myself. That way, I have a pretty good idea of what the fiber is going to do and I can confidently represent it to my customers. I used to keep about a pound of each fleece for myself, but this year with 27 fleeces to deal with...I didn't need that many pounds - LOL! I guarantee my fibers to be as represented - and I have never had a fleece returned for a refund!

Now a bit of spinning....remember the roving blend I wrote about a while back, Stone Soup? It is a surprisingly NICE roving, a big soup pot mixture of fibers! I had time to spin just a small skein, and am now even happier with it! I had intended to dye this and use it for our upcoming Rug Braiding Workshop with Letty Klein, but I will definately keep some of it to spin, too! Here is the skein along with the roving. It has real shine, that is not just camera flash!



Just a simple 2-ply, about a DK weight. One thing I have really noticed since I have been away from my spinning basically all winter - my plying is really inconsistent! And I was always soooo proud of my plying skills! Definately need to log some hours at the wheel(s)!

Finally, progress on the Roza's Socks, designed by Grumperina in the Spring 2007 Interweave Knits. Just like Jaywalkers, I love this pattern for the simplicity with a twist...just enough to make a fun knit, that looks great! Tomorrow night, our Monday night sock knitting group is going to start this sock as a knit-a-long. We should all have our magazines purchased by now and a yarn in mind. I love the colors of this Regia yarn that I am using and don't think the multi takes away from the pattern at all. I do think a self striping yarn would detract, don't you? Anyway, I hope you can see the colors well in the first picture, and maybe more detail in the second:





I am just finishing the toe and then will have the second sock to do. I did go up to a size 1 needle, and also just did plain stockinette on the foot and I am happy with that.

Lots of Time for Knitting

There has been very little time for spinning at the farm, but with so many hours logged at the hospital and in waiting rooms I accomplished a lot of knitting since January...and most of that finishing projects - hurray! But before I show you my knitting progress, I want to share with you the February package from my Sockret Pal:



I just realized that you can't see the adorable pattern featuring some pretty playful kitties on the little drawstring knitting bag (I will have to take another closer up photo and show you on another day - cats and knitting, how cool is that???) The two skeins of yarn are Rowan 4-ply (my first Rowan yarn, too!) in the most appealing, earthy colors. There is enough here for a pair of socks, but I am thinking of combining these with some of my Ainsley brown wool to make Pegg Thomas' Fancy Feet sock pattern. There was also a gift set of B&BW Orange Ginger bath products - shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion - had I mentioned that I love Orange Ginger?!? What a "right-on" swap present, Dharmafey! And by the way, you live in the same town as one of my very dearest friends!!!!

Okay, here is some finished knitting. First, the big(est) one - the shawl I started for my daughter last November. I actually started two other patterns, the ripped them out because they just didn't suit. I was looking at something by Silvia Harding and knew that this was the one!



The pattern? Follow The Leader Faroese Shawl by Silvia Harding (downloaded from The Knitting Zone....love those downloadable patterns - instant gratification!)
The yarn? From dearest daughter's favorite sheep in the flock, Violet (natural colored Corriedale) blended with angora bunny (you can just see the slight halo of the shawl), mill spun by Jim and Lynn at Spinderellas
Needles? Denise needles (really, I love these needles), size 6 and the extra long cable (52 inch, I think?)

Here is a little closer look at the center back:



I wish I could show you the shawl on the daughter, as it looks lovely on her. The pattern was perfect for her, Nakia does not like light and airy, open work lace. I like the Faroese style for the way it can be wrapped and tucked into a waist band, leaving hands free (perfect for holding new grandson Elliot) I did make a mistake and got off on the pattern around the shoulders, but I went with it - as I told Nakia it is now snowflakes rather than triangle type shapes (grin) It was intended to be a gifted to her at Elliot's birth, but became instead a present at Mason's birthday. I think she doesn't mind ;) I also finished her Ainsley Yarn socks, from her second favorite sheep on the farm...I don't have a finished photo of these rich cocoa brown creations because they were whisked away and have been on her feet since their completion!

(Note ~ Now I am trying to decide on another shawl, stole or wrap pattern to start on and have in the works. I have yarn and patterns for several and just need to make the decision...I think I will write about that tomorrow and let you all help me decide!)

Next is the finished scarf I wrote about in a previous post. I think the colors look like a rainbow in the sky:



What this photo shows is that I need to re-block the thing! The mohair blend yarn was so beautiful to work with! The pattern? Not mindless and not really all that easy, simply because it did require some concentration, but the rows were short and there was the "resting" purl row to allow you to count your stitches and keep yourself on track. This is also a gift for someone special.

Another finished project happens to be on my feet today:



These Jaywalker socks, knit in Opal yarn, are from my first sock swap ever last year. The socks were started by Stariel (she chose the yarn and pattern, knit the first sock and sent me the remaining yarn to finish the second sock) They were finished but for a few inches, then sat in my knitting pile - isn't that ridiculous? So I finished them and have my lovely pair of socks and happy feelings for that first swap (which was also my first time using Opal sock yarn and my first pair of Jaywalkers, a pattern I have come to love)

Then, to celebrate finishing these projects I allowed myself to start a new one. And since I love the Jaywalker pattern so much, I got very excited when Grumperina (Jaywalker's creator) had a pattern in the Spring 2007 Interweave Knits, called Roza's Socks. I started them this week and think I will like them - maybe a progress photo later this week.

To top off the week, a plain manilla envelope arrived in my mailbox, disguising this sweet and thoughtful present from my friend Carissa:



Isn't this precious? It has ladybug fabric on the reverse side, but I am so taken by the delicate watercolors of this fabric, I have it on the outside for right now. My Roza's Socks are carried inside. Carissa has such a gift for making unexpected blessings arrive in the mail when they are very needed....I was completely surprised and so touched by this! Thank you Carissa ;)

There you have it, knitting content from Serenity Farms! With spring and summer approaching, I am now looking forward to more spinning time...wait, time? What time??? LOL...

We ARE Still Here!

And, life continues ~

I would like to thank everyone for their care, concern and prayers since our world took an unexpected turn in January. It has been a long struggle with Bill's health, but it has not been without many blessings along the way - and friends and family are surely right at the top of the list! God is good, and He is faithful. After nineteen days in the hospital (including a long stay in intensive care, with an hour drive both to and from) Bill is now at a live-in rehabilitation facility only a few minutes from home and we are looking forward to the day he will be able to be back here with us on the farm. I hope to be better at keeping up with things in coming days, and I look forward to visiting with many of you. This world is filled with wonderful people, and we are blessed to know so many!

In the midst of this all, we have dispersed our herd of Percheron horses - all but Sam and Lisa. These old girls will live out their days here. I am especially thankful for the new homes that Stella and Rochester will have, both are near by.

Lambing began and shearing was done in February. There are many adorable lambs and amazing fleeces:



I am VERY slowly getting the fleeces skirted and on the way to their new homes, but with so many additional responsibilities it is slow going as you can imagine! I want to be sure to thank all of my wonderful customers for their understanding and patience with me, especially when (along with everything else going on!) my computer died and couldn't be resurrected for nearly three weeks! And for those who could not wait and needed to forego your fleece reservation, I want to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience my circumstances have caused. The good news is that this makes more fleece available to those of you who have been on the waiting list ;)



My friend Theresa coined a phrase for my fiber...she calls it "Comfort Wool" and the sentiment has been echoed by many of my customers. I want to share a roving (pictured above) with you that is certainly deserving of that name! From a lovely little ewe named Bree (her picture is below with her 2007 lamb), this is so dense and so plush and so absolutely squeezable....it makes your heart and hands sing while you are spinning it! Rich, deep, dark brown.



Another roving I just got back from Zeilingers is this blend I call Stone Soup:



I was inspired to throw all kinds of wool together to have this one made after taking Letty Klein's Braided Roving Rug workshop - the intent being to have a nice felting roving to make some rugs with. Various amounts of things like Cotswold, Lincoln, Border & Blue Faced Leicester, Dorset, Columbia, Icelandic, Shetland and even some Alpaca, Llama and Corriedale - a real hodgepodge! Imagine my delight at how yummy the roving is and how beautifully it spins! I am currently spinning some of it up with the goal of a 3-ply sock yarn. Very soft yet with strength from the longwools and a neat tweedy oatmeal/grey, like Ragg Wool yarn!

Again, my love and thank you's to our friends and family who have kept in touch and had us in their prayers! A scripture that has echoed through my mind over and over in recent days is this one from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." It is a comforting feeling, to know that you are not alone when changes like these come our way!

Knitterly and Prayerful Gifts

Sometimes, life overflows and not always in ways we expect or would choose (if we had a say in the matter) My last posting here was the day before my birthday. The day of my birthday, I found myself phoning for an ambulance, fearing that my beloved husband had suffered a stroke. What has followed are days of hospitals, emergencies, surgeries and a massive change to our lives. As we face all of those things and more, I am only reminded more and more of the love and care of our Heavenly Father. How can I doubt when He has sustained me, cared for me and loved me every step of the way? Bill and I, along with our entire family, will survive, stand and walk through this all....and we are so thankful for the love and prayers and encouragement of our family and friends. There are literally moments, especially those in the night or in the quiet of the critical intensive care ward of the hospital, when you FEEL the prayers of those who are lifting you to God.

To say thank you is not enough, but it is truly the only words to say. And it is from the heart.

In the midst of all of this, I have been so blessed by prayers, cards, letters and words of encouragement and support. But also with gifts, and I am very behind in sharing some of those with you. So here is some catching up. I hope you will enjoy and appreciate them as much as I do!

First the birthday presents:



From my special new friend, Brooke, who shares a January birthday with me, this Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and a neat looking sock pattern! Brooke, this is my first Cherry Tree Hill and it arrived after a particularly draining day for me...one where I needed some comfort and some color. The yarn provided both and I carried around the house with me - LOL! I love the sparkle, it looks like snow on the yarn. Bless your precious heart, my friend!

Next, an anonymous present (though I think I know who it is from?):



A Cafe du Monde gift basket arrived, but there was no card with it! I am hoping that whoever sent it will let me know so that I can thank them properly. This contains goodies like famous coffee with chicory (and it is so robust!) plus the making for beignets ~ I will let you know how those turn out ;)

Then, my Sock-ret Birthday gift...socks and the cutest little knitterly earrings:



Thank you, to my still very secret Sock-ret Pal!

From Lynn of Spinderellas, who is my Life Overflowing Pal, the most amazing box of goodies ever! Check this out:



There is Spinderella Thrums fiber; Spinderella yarn; a special coffee roast from Lynn's favorite (and local!) roaster; Ghiradelli chocolates with caramel (already consumed!); a peaceful and serene handpainted mug; a card with my favorite Wooly Sheep from Daysprings; a gift bag that looks to be handmade paper PLUS some yummy Cinnamon-Vanilla candles that I am already burning. I also received some very special prayers from Lynn, the best gift of all!

From Pamela, oh my goodness!!! Prestat Fine Chocolates A gift just to open the layers of packaging, and then the delights inside!!!! And from best girlfriend Cherie and her family, special gifts to make day to day life easier...and so much more from so many!

When life gets crazy, what is as comforting as a very special kitty to warm your heart? My little kitten, Grey, amazes me with his capacity for knowing when I need a kitty hug! Yesterday, as I stood in the kitchen doing dishes, he flopped down on my feet and lay there purring like crazy. This picture was taken as he lay near me in the sunshine, just to cute, don't you think?



Along with my thanks to everyone (and special thoughts for our family), I would like to add my own prayer for anyone who might read my blog....and that is this. If you are facing something in your life that seems like it is going to overcome or consume you, don't face it alone! Look to Jesus for comfort and peace! Even if you have never trusted Him before, it is never to late as long as we are in this world. Let God care for you...I can see no other way to exist in this sometimes senseless world!