Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Fun on the Fourth; TdF, day 3

After another good chunk of the day spent working around the place, Rick and Brian went to treat a sick horse and go to town. They came back with this lovely bouquet of flowers - and fireworks!

After eating supper (including a fresh strawberry/rhubarb crisp; mmm), Rick and I played spectator while Brian set off his day-time assortment. Since I don't do "spectator" well without something in my hands, Myrtle joined us in celebrating Independence Day:
As it grew dark we drove over the hill to take in the municipal fireworks display; I took Myrtle along for that as well. Spinning in the dark with black fiber was an interesting experience!

Day three's results:
Yes, the miniSpinner got some love, too:

That's it for the Fourth from . . .

Monday, July 04, 2011

Working up a sweat; TdF, day 2

No, not with spinning. Yesterday started out cool and cloudy, perfect weather to do another thistle sweep through the pastures. Lots of our landscaped areas are showing neglect this year (like my weedy iris bed!), but I have been staying on top of the thistles and tansy, which is probably more important in the greater scheme of things. I went through all three pastures, pulling or rooting up (with a poker tool I have) all the thistles and tansy I found, and stuffing all that were developing buds into a feed sack. Then I came upon a monster bull thistle in the upper pasture that was almost as tall as me; had to get the shovel for that one and wasn't sure I was going to be able to fell it with that! It was so established that a wasp or hornet built its nest in it; I've never seen that before.
All that walking and pulling and poking and stuffing left me sweaty and pooped. So I 'rested' by unloading the dishwasher, doing laundry, changing sheets - and sneaking in a bit of spinning on both spindle and miniSpinner here and there. Not a lot of progress visible there, but more yarn was formed.

Oh, the other big job today resulted in this:
a dehydrator full of strawberries! Rick and Brian picked all that were ripe, which was a sizeable harvest; we still have a BIG bowlful for eating fresh, with more to ripen. But Brian begged to dry some, so he helped me cut and arrange them. We got to try dried strawberries at Cast Iron Dairy when we delivered sheep and made cheese, and they were delicious! Now we'll have some of our own for wintertime treats.

Then we ate supper, did chores early, and headed to the St. Paul Rodeo. It was a great show (no accidents to ruin the fun), followed by fireworks.

That's it for Sunday from . . .

Sunday, July 03, 2011

TdF report, day 1

Documenting the starting gate:

Progress covering all four teams by the end of day one:
I know, it's not much, but it's something, and that's all I'm going for every day!

Last (tall bearded) iris standing. The white flags are blooming, and the daylilies and dahlias are budding.

That's it for yesterday from . . .

Friday, July 01, 2011

Last minute change of plans

Last night I called Laura. The camel/silk I'd chosen for the Tour de Fleece had me a bit concerned, and I wanted her input. As a result I have changed my Tour goals to spinning this Ashland Bay combed top (4 oz. 70/30 merino/silk, purchased from Corgi Hill Farm) on my miniSpinner, and spindle-spinning Inky's roving. Actually, I think I'll spin two ounces of it plus two ounces of Rechel's grey cloud (to be dyed later) for a two-color Taygete.

While talking to Laura, I hit a speed bump in clearing my miniSpinner for take-off; I ran out of one of my three singles! After I got off the phone I wound the other two singles into centerpull balls so I could continue with a three-ply. That worked for awhile, then the yarn barfed. After that it was an exercise in frustration until I could no longer cope; yes, there was wastage. Sad, but true. This morning I wound off a 1000-yard (approx.) skein, though, so at least it's done, and the ms and I are ready to tackle the Ashland Bay top.


Look who's loving the loving! This morning Marta stuck around after I slipped her halter off, and stepped closer when I stopped petting her to get out my camera.Of course, Sarai got her share:
Yay!

Happy July from . . .