Category — Life in General

We lost one of our chickens yesterday. She was hit by a car, and, mercifully, appeared to have died instantly. Although we have prepared our boys and ourselves for the possibility since the day we got our chicks, it was still hard. I was impressed with how well the boys handled it, better than me, probably. I guess that’s what makes me a wannabe homesteader, because as much as I tell myself that farm animals are not pets, I still feel like crying about that silly bird.

Red, Trouble, and Thing 2 are blissfully unphased by the loss, and I suppose that I should follow their lead. Having a farm is as much about death as life, and if I want a farm some day, I’d better start getting used to the idea.

RIP Thing 1. You were as loved as any pea-brained chicken could ever be.

Sorry blog- it seems that I got a little too busy for you this summer.  Two months without a post!

We’ve been busy, but good busy.

Busy watching our chickies grow:

Busy exploring the forest and finding interesting things:

And of course, busy making things; like this set I made for little Bean:

We’ve been busy watching our garden grow, too. We had so many sugar snap peas that we would send the kids out to eat them straight off the plants, and had many delicious stir fry dinners with pea pods as the main vegetable. And yesterday, Liam harvested our first ripe tomatoes:

And of course you all know I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t pursuing a new craft-related obsession. But that’s for another post.

6 PM. My new matchless is supposed to be here today- the website says it’s out on the truck but no UPS guy yet. Have I mentioned I’m not the most patient person in the world?

I promise pictures if the dang thing ever arrives!

There will be a shop update today after 12 noon EDT. There will be lots of MCN and a small selection of lace weight, including a yummy alpaca/silk/cashmere blend. If they get a good response, they’ll become regulars!

my fiddle: a 7/8 size german stradavarius copy

I had my third Irish fiddle lesson today, and although I cringed at every squeak and squawk, my instructor again assured me that I was doing very well. “It’s supposed to be harder than this.” Really? Then how the heck does anyone stick with it?

Actually, I think I know how– because when you’re in love with what an instrument *can* sound like, it makes it worth all of the hours of practice and sounding awful. It does for me, anyway. I can’t speak for my family!

Speaking of fiddles, Jenna has organized a group of wanna be old-time fiddlers who will learn together– Fiddler’s Summer. It promises to be fun, and squeaking and squawking isn’t so bad when you’re not the only one!

bluebird- one of the newest colorways

Dear blog,

I know I haven’t been around much lately. I’m sorry. Life has a way of distracting me at times, and this has been one heck of a month!

As soon as I finish dyeing this mountain of custom orders (yay!) and writing this big research paper, I’ll check in more often. Promise.

You may have noticed I haven’t been around much. The kids are still sick- I think we’ve had three fever-free days in the last three weeks. School is still in session and there’s this little business I have to run! This is going to be one of those flow-of-consciousness blog pots, please don’t hold it against me! I just wanted to check in with you all even if I don’t have time for a terribly well thought-out post.

one down! love it!

First thing- the fun stuff! I did manage to finish the first twilight sock and start on the next. I’ve stalled just beyond the ribbing but hope to pick it up soon.

I sent also barely managed to send off samples to the phatfiber box in time for the March box. I actually did it last month too but with everything going on I haven’t even had a chance to blog about it or play with the wonderful goodies I received! I plan (hope, pray!) to make time to write a proper gushing post about the March box!

I’ve been working on getting the site ready to go. I have the needle cases and project bags designed, but I haven’t actually made any yet! I’m getting the yarn categories set up too- this requires lots of photo editing and such. Very tedious, but worth it when I’m finished, I’m sure! I’m really excited about this- it feels like everything is falling into place just as it should be.

new cashmere/merino blend - yum!

I’ve been dyeing as much as I can, including an incredibly luscious cashmere/merino blend and a new, super-squooshy superwash merino sock yarn. I am truly in love with these yarns. They’re beautiful, soft, and all-around delicious!

I’m hoping for things to settle down a bit here soon- in the mean time, I’m just going to hang on and (try to) enjoy the ride!

Nine days of school vacation. Two sick kids. Two papers due. ‘Nuf said.

Other than trying to get kids healthy, keep the house a notch above disgusting, get ready for a major shop update and write two papers that might eek out a B (NOT my usual standard- yes, I’m a perfectionist) I’ve not had time for much else that requires actual use of my brain.

my first handspun socks- yay!

Good thing for me that simple 2×2 ribbing is pretty mindless! Yep, I finished my falkland handspun socks and I must say that I’m in love. I’m also, unfortunately, completely addicted to the subtle color blending that develops while knitting socks with handspun yarn. Now if only I could afford an electric wheel for plying. My calves get quite the workout doing all that plying on my little kiwi!

my first 3-ply handspun sock yarn

Proof that I am genuinely addicted: I also did a test-spin for my new spinning fibers that will be up in the shop later this week. I could have done a nice bulky or worsted weight but no — I did more sock yarn! 450 glorious yards of 3-ply superfine superwash merino handspun sock yarn! I LOVE this yarn. It is unbelievably soft. I think it’s going to be mother’s day socks for my mom because she’s awesome. If she weren’t, there’s no way I’d be giving this yarn away!

Well, now I’ve really got to get labeling. It’s been fun, folks! I’ll be back hopefully tomorrow with some fun goodies to share!

superwash merino and seacell roving- yum!

Happy Valentine’s Day, folks! My husband and I are spending a day at home taking care of two sick little boys. It’s not exactly romantic, but it’s our life, and we love it.

My socks still have heels, and even a teeny bit of ribbing! I’ll try to take photos just as soon as I can find my sock-blockers.

On another note, I finally got a chance to dye up some of the lovely spinning fiber I got for the shop. I’m not sure when I’ll be updating again, but I’m excited! The superwash merino/seacell blend I got is absoultely dreamy.

yummy new yarn base!

I also got some new yarn bases to try. One is a sock weight superwash merino that is almost identical to louet gems. It has great squoosh, great sproing, great luster and it takes color beautifully! I’m definitely going to be carrying this yarn soon, as well as some new luxury blends. Stay tuned!

all the pretty colors!

Tomorrow I will be adding a TON of new sock yarn to the shop. How did I manage such a feat? I was a dyeing machine this weekend, and I had a great helper- my husband!

Today was a homework, housework and photographing day. Tomorrow will be more homework, sewing and hopefully dyeing. We’ll see!

Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to work on my handspun socks. That’s another item on my “hopefully” list for the week.

almost to the heels!

I’m making slow and steady progress on my handspun socks.  I only have an inch to go before I turn the heels. I am loving the way this yarn is knitting up! Knitting with handspun is always like watching a magical process unfold.

I much prefer short-row heels. They go so much faster than heel flaps and I honestly like the look and feel of them better. I do not, however, like the fussiness of most of the short-row heel techniques out there.

I was absolutely elated when I discovered my favorite method- the one provided in the Lifestyle Socks Pattern from k1p1design1. The pattern author attributes the method to Priscilla Wilds. There are no wraps to pick up (yay!) and the method is simple enough that once you’ve learned it, you don’t need to refer to instructions.  These, my friends, are my kind of short-row heels!

I’ll be in class all day tomorrow, so alas, no dyeing. I have 15 pounds of fiber calling to me and I can’t do a thing about it. I did manage a small shop update earlier this week, but there won’t be another major one until at least this weekend, probably later. Ah well, such is life when managing a family, two businesses, and a Liberal Arts degree.