Spring really is here!

The weather has been great the past few days - so in addition to being out side from dawn to dusk - we took time out to sit on the porch and watch the animals. It's our hillbilly version of the discovery channel - with no commercials.

There is a huge hemlock off the side of the porch - and for the past 3 years we have watched a nest of robins - and this year is the same - I am going to try to take pictures as they develop. We watched them take turns sitting on the nest and looking for worms. Once they are hatched they dive bomb us if we walk under the tree - but as soon as the babies leave the nest we can walk without holding a hand over our heads :) It's a small inconvenience compared to the hours of joy they bring us.

Dye Pot

Last week was shearing for our alpacas - so in the dye pot it goes. I've dyed a mix of alpaca and dorset - alpaca will give it a nice soft feel and the dorset will make it strong. Great fiber for socks or gloves - anything that takes some wear.

The First two are out of the pot and drying. The second two are still in the pot.

I also have some dorset soaking in a pan of black walnuts. It looks like a medium brown right now - maybe I'll give it a day or two to get darker.

My alpaca vest is almost finished. In the morning before the sun is up I sit and drink coffee and knit - my chihuahua sits by me - mostly sleeping and snoring -her not me- I got up this morning and found that I had covered her up while I was working on my vest: it must be warm because she didn't wake up for the pictures.

Wool Carder

I sold my Louet Roving Jr Carder and bought a Kitty Carder, and I also purchased a motor from here - I am carding up a storm and very pleased with both. I first ordered the carder - I didn't like the 120 card cloth - traded it in for a 90 and had fabulous customer service too! I even received a hand written thank you from the owner - that's unheard of! I highly recommend either of these or both!

Working on Stitch Markers

I've been working outside - until the snow and now the rainy season. Now I'm inside so I made some stitch markers -here are a few:

Garden

This year I put in more raised beds - and tire stacks for potatoes. Usually we wait until mid May to put in plants and seeds - only because the ground is frozen or wet up until that point - it all depends on the weather and when my DH can get out the tiller. I thought with more raised beds I could put seeds in sooner. I did get the beds in and put in seeds - and now it is going to snow. Inches of snow. Hmph!*&$%!!! I had one raised bed already there - I grow garlic in that and this year added asparagus. I like to try a different veggie each year. Some work out well and some don't. Like the year I planted carrots and they came up like grass ;) Kinda planted them too close. Or the year I planted radishes and they tasted like fire! Radishes need lots of water ;) Live and learn I guess - I do a lot of the latter.

I'm planting peas this year - I will freeze the peas and the rabbits love the vines - it's a win/win.

I covered the beds and tires with plastic and added a bit of bunny poop before I put the plastic on - hoping that it won't get so hot that it cooks my 'taters but keeps it warm enough to get thru the cold snap. Wish me luck ;0)

Garden Humor

• The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig.
  
• Compost is best aged a little like a fine wine. I mean, would you prefer to drink a nice 97, or something that was made last Thursday.
  
• When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
  
• A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.
  
• Spring does not arrive until the ice is out of the compost heap.
  
• Winter does not arrive until the ice is IN the compost. Until then, all bets are off.
  
• Any self respecting rock will break at least one shovel before accepting its new home.
  
• Gardening requires a lot of water most of it in the form of perspiration.