PROJECT ALMOST DONE- SPRINGFIELD WEAVERS

GREETINGS

Fall here in Colrain has been beautiful.   We avoided the drought that everyone else had this past summer, so the colors were spectacular..  The air has a chill in it these days letting us know winter is not far behind.  The gentle sound of the sheep happily munching on their hay this morning reminded me just why I continue to do this.  Their coats are now getting heavy with wool .  Cosmo is doing quite well, acting more like a kitten than an older cat..  The chickens are almost done with their molt and ready for the dark days ahead.  I am hoping to get a small hoop house done for them but time is fleeing and it may not get done.  Today is the last day for the Tuesday Greenfied Farmers Market to be outside .  We will be inside on Main Street.  Look for our signs.

PROJECT ALMOST DONE

I saw this quilt pattern  years ago and decided it would make a great rug.    I dyed the yarn from the flock and  changed the pattern slightly.  I have to finish whip stitching it and put a backing on it.

SPRINGFIELD WEAVERS

I was asked last year to teach the Springfield Weavers how to hook with yarn.  A couple of Saturdays ago the day arrived.  It was a wonderful Day with new friends and many old friends.  I was a weaver many years ago, taking a 4 year class at Hill Institute.  This group was a group that I had belonged to.

We had a wonderful day and fun was had by all.  They all hooked and  many I think , will continue to do so.  I haven’t woven in years and got rid of my looms.  But maybe I may do some weaving again only on a smaller loom.  I do long to do some overshot which was my favorite weave and would love to make some hand towels to sell.  Who knows what the future will bring.

The leaves are mostly gone in the woods now with the wild winds of this past weekend.  I did get my garlic planted and plan to spread manure on a new area where I plan to plant flax in the spring and pumpkins and gourds to sell at the  market next year.

Many thanks for reading my blog on this crisp fall day.  Carole

 

HAPPENINGS ON THE FARM

 

 

 

GREETINGS

We have had a couple of very cold mornings and some frost hs touched the pumpkin leaves.  The beans and flowers are still doing well.  This year the frost has come late.

HAPPENINGS ON THE FARM

The chickens are all in their winter spots,

On these cold nights Morticia is looking for someone to cozy with!

and I am thinking of making a hoop house for the front chickens.  I can use cattle panel fence  which I have and I will need some cement blocks, and heavy plastic.  I was told I could probably find some heavy plastic from a greenhouse.  I will have to have some ventilation and a door that I can get in and out.  I have been wanting to do this for years and often thought of a glass green house and started collecting windows for this purpose.  I think this is easier.

The cats are all well.  Cosmo shows no sign of the cancer bothering him yet although the lump is back.  He is frisky like a kitten now.  Happy days for him.

 

Shorty, the elusive Baby and Willie taking their morning nap

 

 

 

 

Sammy prefers the bed for a cozier nap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The little lamb that was suppose to come to Maude was sickly and died so she will spend the winter separated from the sheep.  She seems okay with that we will see how it goes.

I have been busy gardening canning and freezing and making things for shows and the farmers market.

garlic waiting to be planted and bread and butter pickles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I am thinking of growing  mushrooms for a cash crop next year so am reading up on them.  I still plan to plant flax and more pumpkins and gourds to sell at the market.

THE DREADED STAIRS

These are the stairs that go up to the barn.  I carry hay and 50  pounds of grain up these stairs and have done so for the last 18 years.  I have felts quite lucky to have not fallen down them as there are steep.  Well last Saturday I did fall down 4 of the stairs.  I bent my unbendable knee and hurt my back.  I am fine but will take more care now.  Lesson learned!!!!!!!

A couple of these may be in my future!!!!!

Many thanks for reading my blog on this cool fall morning.

HAPPY EASTER-SEEDS & THE LINEN SYMPOSIUM-STARTING SCENTED GERANIUMS-THE PERFECT FRAME-NEW PROECTS

GREETINGS

It’s an overcast but warm day here, too early for spring flowers only the pussy willows are out but tulips are sprouting up and soon bouquets will be all over the house.  Cindy bought me an Easter Lily which is one of my favorite flowers.  The kitchen smells of them and the last hyacinth.

STARTING SCENTED GERANIUMS

I love Scented Geraniums.  My friend Susan sells them and I always buy a few.  This is the first time I have tried to start them myself.  I used a rooting hormone that my Mom had and so far so good.

The Pussy Willow starts are all doing well.

NEW PROECTS

I have found embroidery again and love to do it evenings.  I have this pattern which I plan to do for some of my shows this year.  I will make them into little whimsical pillows

PEA SEEDS, FLAX SEEDS AND THE LINEN SYMPOSIUM

I picked up my pea seeds and will be planting them soon

.  I have also ordered some flax seeds from The Hermitage in Pa.  Just enough to grow a small 5ft x 10ft plot of flax.  Hoping that I can produce enough to spin into linen yarn.  So exciting.  I have been picked as a volunteer for The Linen Symposium which will be held in August at Old Deerfield Village.  I am over the moon about that.    The symposium is full with a waiting list.

FINDING THE RIGHT FRAME

When my children were young we spent a lot of time at Old Sturbridge Village.  I love the time period and it was an educational experience for all.  I did this piece in the early 80’s and it has been frameless for many years.  This has become a priority in recent weeks to find the right frame.  There are fewer places to find old things these days but I did find a shop and was thrilled to find this frame.  It is perfect for the piece.

I also found a marble sink that may be a replacement for the ugly 60’s sink that is in the bathroom now.  Measurements will be taken to see if it will fit.

MAHATMA GANDHI

This is my favorite quote by him and something I try to live by. As we see our country declining we see an increased rate of animal cruelty..

“The Greatness of a nation can be judged by the way it animals are treated”

Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you have a wonderful day. Carole