WINTER’S LAST BREATH-SHETLAND WOOL WEEK PATTERN-UPDATE ON MAUDE

GREETINGS

What a year for Pussy Willows!

We have had a week on unsettled weather, with bright sunny days , unexpected high winds, sleet and rain.   Spring is here but winter is taking what I hope will be its last breath.  It’s turned cold and now we are expecting some snow for tonight  It won’t last long as warmer temps are coming in.   We have had a real warm winter.  It is really interesting that there are still some people who don’t believe in Global Warming..  Our whole country has been hit by floods, tornado’s,  weather that is too warm, these are warnings I fear that much worse is yet to come.

SHETLAND WOOL WEEK

This year’s pattern is out and ready for you to print.  Ella Gordon who knits delightful, whimsical Croft House pillows has designed this years hat.  I hope to make one.  Get yours by going on to the Shetland Wool Week site.  Shetland Wool Week is on my bucket list.

UPDATE ON MAUDE

Its a slow process.  Today Lauren and I will try and trim more wool off of her face.  Her eye is healing but its slow .  SHe doesn’t seem to know  that there is a problem.  Animals are resilient and live in the moment

VIOLET

Violet overnight got all broody.  COllecting eggs and screaming if anyone came near  She settled in the favorite nesting box and the only egg I left in there was hers.   Someone broke her egg I think it was overcrowding.  With two hens plus VIolet in the nest box it was bound to happen.   There are two other very nice nest boxes but they all seem to want the same one .

She’s all fluffed up, ready to keep the eggs warm.

SALVE

The first bach of salve is made and labeled.  I am going to make a dandelion salve soon and a Poison Ivy salve too.

Many  thanks for reading my blog and I hope you have a wonderful day.  Its Maple Sugaring Weekend here in Western Massachusetts.  VIsit your nearest syrup maker. Carole

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUSSY WILLOWS-ONE MITTEN FINISHED

GREETING

The weather has been crazy.  One day last week we had 3 inches of rain.  Roads and driveways washed out.

Rivers overflowed their banks.  Only a few patches of snow left in the woods.  Maple sugaring season has started.  Buckets are out and steam is coming from sugar houses and yes its mud season here.

PUSSY WILLOWS

  Every year its gets harder and harder to reach the pussy willows. I am trimming them and have started some branches to root in water

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MITTENS

I have started the second mitten  I have made a pair of these before but remember having an easier time with the decreasing on the top .  They are a dense mitten which will surely keep my hands warm.

FIBERuary is over and It was fun and  I learned so much from each blogger and presenter at Sheep and Shawl.  Be sure to check in with Sheep and Shawl and The FIBERuary site for more events that will be happening throughout the year.

CHICKENS

The two coops have merged and things have settled down.  The weather has been so warm that I have taken off the insulation on the door and am letting them out every day.

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

 

 

 

MINNIE-HESTER AND MARLEY-THE WARM UP-CELTIC BOOK OF DAYS

HELLO,

While I was out in the back yesterday I spotted this on my neighbors chimney.  

UPDATE ON MINNIE

Minnie has her ups and downs she has put on a little weight but not much.  SHe is more trusting of me and often sleeps right next to me.  SHe is very afraid of a soda can opening.  Her past does creep in sometimes.  She seems happy and will be due soon for another check up.  I hope that we can do something about her kidney disease.

Hester

She is doing well, eating well but not walking.  She is standing for a time each day.  I do think a vet visit is called for  I doubt if she will ever be able to be with the flock again and I really don’t think she cares.  She loves all the attention.  

Marley

Marley managed to take off his mask, he has not changed.  We are working around him cleaning the barn and he still may be separated from the rest of the flock, time will tell.  His problems are not his fault they are the fault of people.

Chris and I spent some of yesterday digging trenches to divert water from coming into the barn

.  There is quite a lot of snow on that mountain and it will be trickling down with the warmer weather that is now upon us

   I think we will see people making Maple Syrup this week.  I know if I was doing that this year I would be tapping the trees today.   Warm days and cold nights are expected through Sunday.  I am going to get my evaporator out of the garage this year and  make maple syrup next spring.

THE CELTIC BOOK OF DAYS

By Caitlin Matthews   A Guide to Celtic Spiritually & Wisdom

I bought this book many years ago.  It is a wealth of information on Celtic customs and wonderful drawings.  You never know what each days reading will bring.  Yesterdays was birth customs in the west of Scotland.  Very interesting, today was an Irish riddle.  Each day holds new information about Celtic life.  I bet you can still find this book  on Amazon.

Oh Where Oh where is my dryer vent

It disappeared under tons of snow that fell from the barn roof yesterday, hitting the window with force.  The window is fine.

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