Notable February happenings

The neighbor building a snowman

In between snow showers, it was a Currier & Ives postcard

Mt. Hood on an evening walk down the lane on the 25th

Yesterday morning with a little rain added=slicker 'n snot!

Yesterday afternoon after thawing a lot

Then it did this for awhile

First and foremost, February has been "winter" here. Yeah, we got a dusting of snow and some freezing weather in December, but mostly we've been stereotypically Pacific Northwest cool and wet. We got our first significant snow on Valentines Day; our second, more-significant snow on February 23. It was beautiful – and is still sticking around in spots, although yesterday saw significant meltage. (It also saw heavy snowfall that started to accumulate again, but that was short-lived.) It also got quite windy and cold for awhile, down to 20° with 'feels like' in the teens. Rick put the heater in the horses' stock tank; for everyone one else, I scurried around supplying liquid refreshment – thawing the hummingbird nectar, swapping out a frozen font for one filled with warm water for the chickens, breaking ice in the sheep buckets and adding hot water. And feeding. Feed is the fuel for all the animals' central furnaces; as long as they have water, food, and shelter, they're all good. Surprisingly, the dogs were unfazed by the cold and snow, dashing around as usual, but of course they get to come back inside eventually to warm up and nap.

February has also seen more knitting action than the last several years combined, I think. I did cast on for a second Fair Isle hat and hope to finish it by the end of the month. Yes, that's tomorrow, but I'm on the crown decreases now so it's do-able.

Da Crofter's Kep

Rick is currently basking in warmth and sunshine in Wellington, Florida – not that I am at all envious (I am SUCH a homebody). Well, basking isn't really the correct description; he's suffering from a bad cold and attending a two-day veterinary workshop being held at one of the many fancy horse facilities in this winter horse show capital of the country.

His meetings are in the barn – yes, that's a barn – on the right

Yesterday I had a most enjoyable visitor, the talent behind Silver Falls Fiber Co. A bit of Leann's fiber was included with my most recent spindle acquisition and I liked it so much I contacted her about getting more. She got busy with her dyepots and then offered to deliver it! Of course, she brought along other goodies in addition to the one I requested and I ended up with two braids. We talked about dogs, sheep (and, of course, visited my sheep), spinning, knitting, fiber, and parents; we are definitely kindred spirits. She is working on a website and recently purchased a building in Silverton where she plans to open a storefront featuring U.S.-sourced fiber dyed by her; in the meantime, let me know if you want her email to acquire your own fiber fix!

L–Columbia/Rambouillet; R–Targhee

Lambing is not going to be a February happening here, but Brian helped me get ready for the eventuality. Together we cleaned out the extra stall in the barn, so it can be divided into lambing jugs and bedded with straw.

That's it for now from . . .