Friday, January 09, 2009

FROM over the river and through the woods...

...a fiber swap has flown. As I mentioned, when I drooled over Punkin's Patch Sara's artwork, she suggested a fiber swap (with one of her charming Christmas cards thrown in for grand measure). So I sent off some of Dinah's and Valentine's roving, she sent me a sample pack of her roving (plus some Cotswold curls), and we both got our parcels yesterday! After admiring her Christmas cards, I should have expected such nice packaging:
I haven't opened the package yet; anticipation is making me wait. First I want to finish the sample of white alpaca the local alpaca raiser gave me to try. It is as much a contrast in spinning experience as it is in color compared to the tender black. A lovely, even single is flowing from the roving; I might have to get more! (Did I say that? I think I need an intervention!)
This is the view from my windows these days. I LOVE seeing my sheep from the house! I wasn't sure Rick would go for turning the ewes out on the lower pasture, but he hasn't objected, so they are reveling in the green grass.

Dinah and Brava, my "wee stuffed sausages," as Kathy calls them.

The "grand old dame" Inky, with her knobby knees. She is looking pregnant to me already, even though she isn't due until late March. But I guess if you've been pregnant every year of your life, your belly muscles can't be expected to "hold it all in"!

That's it for now from . . .

14 comments:

Dave said...

"But I guess if you've been pregnant every year of your life, your belly muscles can't be expected to "hold it all in"! - Unless, of course, you are a Hollywood actress... Or is that all Photoshop??? :) :) :)

Michelle said...

IF any Hollywood actress had been pregnant every year of her reproductive life, she would DEFINITELY need PhotoShop - or plastic surgery!

Sharon said...

I sure do love the glow of the alpaca. If I were to turn back the clock ten years, I'd wonder what the heck were we talking about.

MiniKat said...

What a fun swap! Hope you enjoy it all.

Carol B. said...

I am so jealous of your green grass. It looks so pretty, and I am sure your sheep think it is yummy.

thecrazysheeplady said...

You are too kind. And I too admire all your green grass. No wonder you can grow such beautiful fleeces!

Anonymous said...

What neat packaging Punkin's Patch did! Looks like fun doing your swap, what a neat idea!

Kathy said...

What a great idea, Michelle. I'm trying to get one of the fleeces from Balck Sheep Creamery's gals - they are shearing today. Since I can't buy their cheeses I figured this was one way I could help support another sheep-person plus get to try out a breed I've never spun before.
Hmm...now if I just have the time to spin. Maybe after the Hired Hand With Benefits comes back after his hospital stay I'll be able to spin more - IF we don't get any more 4 ft. snowfalls!
To Inky: You go, Girl! Show them others how it's done and that older can mean better even if the tummy sags a bit. ;)

Heather said...

Your view from your house is SO beautiful. It must make you sigh with contentment.

Deborah Niemann said...

Green grass? I'm so jealous! I can't wait to see green grass again!

Michelle said...

This is the first winter my sheep have gotten to enjoy access to the green grass. Before they were relegated to their dry lot, because none of the pastures were really "sheep-fenced" and Rick didn't want them "ruining the pastures" (because they can crop the grass so short). But the bottom pasture is sufficiently fenced now, and the deer eat on it all winter long, so why not let the sheep benefit from some of it? (The horses do not go out on pasture during the rainy season, as they would quickly turn it into a muddy "slip-n-slide," and risk hurting themselves in the process. If you haven't lived around here, you probably can't understand.)

Claire MW said...

Love the sheep pictures - I'm so curious - why is it that 2 of your sheep have the "stuffed sausage" look and the rest do not? I have been trying to decide whether to give my Icelandics coats of their own, but can't seem to make up my mind. Is it just for keeping the fleece clean?

Michelle said...

Claire, yes - the coats are to keep the fleeces clean (mainly to keep VM out). The girls who aren't coated were purchased mid-year, and I figured there was not a lot to be gained by putting a coat on them when they arrived with VM in their fleeces. (I have thought about sitting down with each and having a marathon cleaning session, then coating them, but haven't had time.) I will coat everyone after shearing this spring - except for maybe Butter, who I may show this year.

Claire MW said...

Thanks Michelle! All my girls were purchased in fall or winter, so after shearing this spring, I may decide to coat everybody as well. I hope it won't make them hot in summer.