Change is in the Air

School starts in less than a month.........stress. I have decided to quit my job, sell my house, pack up the animals, move to Vermont, add some miniature Jersey cows to the crew, open up a fiber studio (not that I know everything about fiber but it sounds good), and become totally self-sufficient (except for my Coke).

Well,...................its a thought.

Maybe I'll start with some smaller changes like my new garden flag to transition from summer to August like colors and atmosphere.

Then there are changes in the gardens as the sunflowers are starting to bloom.

The biggest change is I finally gathered the courage to take a fiber class! I took a fiber class today in felting and absolutely loved it!! The class was "Christmas in July" and the class made Christmas stockings. That is my Christmas stocking in the picture!!! Isn't it wonderful? I am so proud of my first attempt at felting. The base of the stocking is an alpaca/merino blend and the roving used was mostly merino. I bought some felting needles and another large piece of felted merino for another project I am thinking of trying.

This is a close-up of the little lamb on the stocking........so cute!!!

This is the autumn based roving colors I choose for my next project, each is a 1/2 oz. I am going to get started this week on this project.

Of course, after the felting class I headed out to see all my sheep and the changes in their fleece, already thinking ahead. Ethan and Ira are my top producers on wool for my Black Cotswolds ( I entered both of their fleeces in the fair this year:).

This is Ira's fleece as of today..........they were sheared mid-April. Looking pretty beautiful in just 3.5 months!!!!!!!

So, I ran all my change ideas by the "kids" as I sat with them this evening. I was not getting the attention and enthusiasm I was hoping for. Perhaps to them it sounded like, "Blah Blah, Blah Blah." Sometimes I just don't get the respect I want from my kids.

That's okay.......wait 'till I start decorating for Fall with all my new "stuff" I bought.......heck, I haven't even started with Fall Craft shows............CHANGE is definitely coming in August......even if its only right here on my little 4 acres in Ohio:)

So Today was Thursday...

Today was the first day in almost a month that it actually rained on and off most of the day. Dixie and I went to my parents in the morning. Mom and I did some shopping at Pat Catan's.....a really bad craft store that had all their Fall stuff out..........$55.00 later.......I digress. Then $30.00 at JoAnn Fabrics............I hang my head in shame for my weakness to just say "Yes."

Gee, when Dixie and I got home, what to my wondering eyes should appear? But PITA and friend hanging out at the neighbor's round bales........oh, Kara, that is your ram lamb with him:)

The rain was coming to an end around 7 tonight and as the sun was peeking out and the showers were coming to an end, a beautiful rainbow spanned over the sky..........I could only get part of it with my camera because it was so big but it was a wonderful sight to behold at the end of the day:)

This & That this Week

This week so far has been a little of this and a little of that.

On Monday, I decided since the temps were cooler, I would tackle trimming goat hooves. Let's see, I did 10 Nigerian Dwarf goats and 8 LaMancha goats and yes, Nigerians are much easier than LaManchas except Sassy's little Nigerian girl (pictured under her brother). She screamed and carried on like nobodies business. She really needed a time-out in a stall by herself:) I told Sassy her daughter is a spoiled brat.

Ram lambs are thinking they are little stud muffins regardless if they have horns or not.....
.......silly boys! I did get some of the Black Cotswold fleece entered in the fair on Monday! Last year I forgot.......would have forgot this year to but I was able to do it online.

I was attempting a cleaning and organization mission in my house this week (fyi...its still in mission mode) and often when I attempt these types of things I find "stuff" I forgot I bought. For example, this very beautiful piece of fabric from an Amish quilting/sewing store. I was going to make a purse but have decided now to make a pillow with it.

While I was weeding in the garden on Tuesday, I found a visitor hanging out on a sunflower leaf......I love little frogs and toads in the garden!

I got a nice collection of goodies from the garden today. Such a nice feeling of accomplishment when the garden comes to fruition. The chickens are laying from 8-10 eggs a day, though I am having an issue with some of them being egg-haters and breaking the eggs.

Well, Dixie and I are off to see her friend Tim tomorrow. He is going to get her looking pretty for the regional Cardigan Corgis Show in 2 1/2 weeks here in Ohio. On Thursday Mom and I are canning some pickles and going fabric/craft shopping (I heard Fall "stuff" is out:). Friday is back to mission organization at my house..........probably will need another ice cream break by then.