NO snow day!

There was no new snow today. But plenty of COLD and WIND.
A perfect day for KNITTING! And I have the perfect tools:

I finally broke down and ordered the "KnitPick Options" needle sets. BOTH of them! I love the points and speed of the silver ones and Aren't the wooden ones PRETTY???
;-)
I figure they'll be nice to use when knitting with light colored yarn. Want to see what I've been up to?

I've been working on this queen sized, Shetland wool blanket for quite some time now. I love it! It's "mindless" knitting. Perfect for when I don't have time to concentrate on counting or patterns.

I'm using the wool from my wether, Zenith. Unfortunately, I sold Zenith a couple of years ago and had to BUY last year's fleece from his new owner so that I'd have enough to finish the blanket. I'm waiting for the second fleec to come back from processing so I can spin it up and finish. I figure it's about 1/2 done now...

In the meantime, I'm working on a knitted/felted bag. I'm using a black Shetland fleece and a fawn fleece (I think it was Paco's). I spun the fleeces up VERY bulky and the knitting goes quite quickly. I'm using the FiberTrends pattern, with a few variations. I only put one pocket on the outside and am putting two on the inside. I haven't decided if I'll needle felt a sheep on the outside pocket or not.

I'm almost done! I'm doing a smaller black I-cord to add to the handle for extra strength. The bag measures 29 X 29 inches (withOUT the handle). It will be interesting to see how much it shrinks when I felt it... I seem to have lost the pattern insert that gives the instructions on how to attach the handle and the felting instructions. If anyone has this pattern, I could sure use some help. I know how to do the basic felting but wanted to know if I'm suppose to felt the handle before I attach it or afterwards. Same with any needle felting. This has been a fun project and I may just do another one, when this one is finished. Then again, I am spinning up "Alice", in fingering weight, for a very special project, to be announced at a later date. ;-)

DREAM says...

..."Mom started writing this post YESTERDAY. We're supposed to get 4 to 6 inches of snow Today..."

Oh, good GRIEF....

*as always, click on any image to enlarge for detail


This is getting ridiculous!


I almost can't believe that it's snowing and blowing again.

The sheep don't seem all that thrilled with it either!


According to the National Weather Service:

"TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO FALL
OVERNIGHT AND WIND CHILLS WILL AVERAGE 35 TO 45 BELOW ZERO AFTER
MIDNIGHT. EXPOSED SKIN CAN FREEZE IN AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES WITH
WIND CHILLS THIS COLD. A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE COMBINATION OF VERY COLD AIR AND
STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS
WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF
PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN."

Needless to say...

The sheep will be fed in the Barn tonight!



DREAM says...

"Stay warm, everyone!"

Are you sick of Winter?

Are the short days, cold temps and never-ending snowstorms wearing you down? Check out Corinne's post ...There's NO way you won't smile. My jaw is sore from smiling so long! Thank you for a GREAT post Corinne!

I'm thinking I may need another 'pet'! My ex-husband sent me this photo in an e-mail. (yes, NOW we're friends!!!)

Who'd have ever thought that baby porcupines would be so CUTE????

DREAM says....

"If you think they're cute, wait till you see what I have for Mom in April....."

CHRISTMAS in February...

Christmas came to the Bluff Country yesterday!

Thanks to my Beautiful Baby Girl ~ who gave me a membership to a California Wine Club for Christmas! I'll be receiving gifts all year long!!

I got a kick out of the label! *click to enlarge* It's a good thing the mail comes in the morning!

;-)

(just kidding!!!)

According to the pamphlet that came with the gift...the

"Current Bargetto monthly Release (January 29,th, 2008) is 2 bottles of
2006 Lodi Carignane
The 2006 Carignane is from 95 year old Rauser Vineyard just outside Lodi. These vines are huge with arms thick as tree trunks. This is a lighter style of red wine with aromas of cherry and violets. When the wine is tasted the cherry aroma follows through as sweet cherry pie with hints of toasty oak. This is a wine to be savored in 2008 when the weather gets warmer."
- Michael Sones (Winemaker)

How cool is THAT? Thank you, Katie! I'll save a bottle to share with you when you come home again....

DREAM says...

..."Merry Christmas!"

And STILL it Snows....

I woke up yesterday morning to BIG, fluffy flakes of snow, falling from the sky. I can't remember a winter where we've gotten so much snow. Fortunately, the recent high winds blew away most of the accumulation from the previous storms so we're pretty much starting from scratch.

All of the animals were hiding in their barns until they heard me come out. First the goats came out to play...


Then, the sheep thought they might be missing out on something so they ventured out from their cozy barn....



It was a great day for me because I started training for my new position at work (I was promoted!) and was home until 3:00 in the afternoon! Training goes from 4pm until 10pm for 2 weeks and then I'll be working from 2pm to 10 pm. I like the being there at 4:00 better but am happy to get as many daytime hours at home as I can. I got SO much done yesterday!

And here I am ~ at 8:30 in the morning ~ playing on my computer!


BELLA says....

....."Life is GOOD in the Bluff Country!"

Bathroom Ettiquette....

"Cleanliness is next to Godliness". That's what my Grandma used to always say. I was not a particularly clean little girl and Grandma somewhat disapproved of my tomboyish ways. She'd a been proud of my CAT...

Lily knows the importance of good hygiene. Always wash up after using the facilities...

Wash thoroughly and rinse completely.

Make sure the water is the correct temperature ~ not too hot or too cold...

May as well wash your face while your paws are wet!

"Mom! There's a cat in the sink!"

I think I'm clean now....

...."sigh"....

"You Make My Day"....

My friend, Kathy, awarded me this lovely blog award. I am honored that she feels my blog contributes to a nice day for her. I hope it does for you too. I know that writing it and reading the comments and emails that you send in response definitely are a bright spot in my day! Thank you Kathy and thank YOU to all the people for whom I write ~ you inspire me and make me feel like I matter. It gives me great pleasure to share my life and my animals with you!

In keeping with the intent of the award, it is my duty to "pass it on". Here are the blogs that I nominate:

* SHEPHERD CHICK'S MUSINGS ~ Becca is a funny, bright, and talented woman. Hers is the very first blog that I read every day!

* TAMMY'S FAIRLIGHT FARMS ~ Be sure to scroll down to Tammy's Christmas post about her dog, Boone (have tissues handy!!).

* BOSTON LAKE FARM ~ Is Sabrina's random thoughts on her life on the farm that is "the only place that she ever wanted to live"...


* CORINNE'S CROSSWINDS FARM ~ is maintained by my unofically adopted sister (I'm not sure if I adopted her or if she adopted me but she is a delight)!


* STONEHAVEN FARM BLOG ~ Brook & Lois Moore's beautiful Shetland farm in Eastern Oregon. Breathtaking photographs!


* There are many other blogs that I follow regularly. Some make me laugh, some make me think. Many have already been nominated for this award so I don't list them here (although, you may see them listed on my sidebar). Follow the links from one blog to another ~ there's a whole world of wonderful people out there, just waiting to meet you!!

DREAM says....

..."You always make MY day, Mom!".....

And you make mine, Dreamer.

;-)

Sunday Driver...

*As always, click on any picture to enlarge it*


I know. It's Thursday. But I took these pictures last Sunday. It's been WAY too cold to go outside and take pictures of the sheep or goats, so this will just have to suffice for now. ;-)


Since it was too cold to play outside, I decided to drive into town and have brunch with my daughter. I so enjoy the drive from my beautiful valley into town, that I decided to share it with you. I hope you enjoy the ride!


There are even cows in my valley!


I'd love to see pictures of where YOU live! If you have a blog, why not show me the route you drive every day???





I hope this wasn't too boring for you. I had a wonderful trip! Want to know how I got all the photos?


"DON'T try this at home!"
;-)

More Snow...

The cold and snow just won't let up! Above is "Sheltering Pines Diva". Isn't she beautiful? Diva's one of those rare sheep who's fleece seems to actually improve every year. As a lamb, she was quite primitive. Each year her fleece gets softer and has more crimp. Her lambs have gorgeous fleece!


In this picture, you can see Diva (left) with "Zodiak" (Dream's mom ~ black/iset) and Bluff Country Zaria. Zaria is a shaela and white, HST ewe. Her fleece is YUMMY!


This is a close up of Zaria's soft, crimpy, steely, blue-grey fleece. It is absolutely exquisite! Of course, the outer tips are sunbleached so don't show the true color. I'll have to get some pictures of the inner fleece, before shearing...


Bella loves getting out in the snow and "playing" with the sheep. Although, she keeps a safe distance from the ewes ~ Diva likes to CHASE her!!

The boys, on the other hand, seem to be inviting Bella over to play...


So, of course, she complies!



Bella and Moon seem to have struck up a friendship! Then again, Moon is the most obnoxiously playful of the three boys. He's always chasing the others around and leaping and jumping. He's quite the character.



Although Moon does like to chase the other boys around and I frequently hear horns clacking as they butt heads, I think it's all in fun. The boys really do seem to be good buddies.



This is a peaceful time in the Bluff Country.


Life is GOOD

DREAM says...


...."Yes, it is!"