Fiber Arts Friday: Gift of Fleece

I met a long time Suri Alpaca Breeder last week.  We talked about day job and farming pursuits and became friends.

She was kind enough to gift some fleece to me... a raw fleece and 5 different rovings... all 100% Suri.

Even though I've been involved with alpacas for more than a few years, I am always impressed by the difference in weight and volume between Suri and Huacaya fleeces.

I started spinning the white roving.

My cup continues to runneth over.  Happy Fiber Arts Friday and a solemn Good Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Decision Made

I decided to spin Bison+Silk. :-)

The bison down is very short and the silk is longer so it took a little bit to get in the groove, but not too long.  I think I might be becoming pretty good at this spinning thing.  ;-)

Spinning is good for the soul.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: My Cup Runneth Over

It's been a while since I sat at my wheel and I want to spin.

I have a vast supply of lovely fibers in various forms, but just a few in roving... Bison+Silk, Navajo Churro and Green Cotton.

For the last few years, if I didn't have a specific plan I would spin the cotton, but the kitten has done some work of her own and I'd have to fix it first.

So do I spin the Cotton, or Bison+Silk which is very soft but possibly challenging or Navajo Churro which drafts easily but will be rough on my out-of-practice fingertips?

Hmmm.... off to ask Hubba for his opinion.  :-)

Enjoying the bounty of Fiber Arts Friday.

Planting Hope

The weather has been gorgeous the last couple of weeks.  So when I saw my stash of seeds on the shelf I realized I could likely get a garden in this year.  It's been a few years, so this was a nice revelation.

Hubba mowed the overgrowth when he cleaned up our pasture last week and I spent Saturday with the tiller.

I'm so happy with this soil.  What was only clay when we moved in has become a nice soil with lots of humus.  Amazing what manure and spent hay can do over a few years.

Sunday, I pulled out the early-season seeds and put together a rough plan for planting.

A few hours later, one third of the garden had been planted.

• Onion, Cortland F1
• Onion, Redwing
• Leek, Scotland
• Onion, Long Red Florence
• Shallot, Ambition F-1
• Parsnip, Cobham Improved
• Carrot, Red Cored Chantenay
• Beet, Colorful Mix
• Beet, Bull's Blood
• Beet, Shiraz Tall Top
• Greens, Spicy Mix
• Greens, Elegance Mix
• Cress, Upland
• Lettuce, Lettony
• Lettuce, Nevada
• Spinach, Renegade F1
• Arugula
• Lettuce, Encore Mix
• Lettuce, Seed Savers Mix
• Radish
• Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved

I've had all of these seeds for a while, so I'm hoping for a reasonable germination rate.

I have more early-season seeds, so I am considering a second planting in a couple of weeks.  Then I plan to plant the warmer-season seeds closer to Mother's Day.

I think gardening is the epitome of risk-taking and optimism.

I am looking forward to weekends of weeding,  as well as rain (but not too much), sun (but not too much), and an abundant harvest this year.

So here it is.  Nearly 600 square feet of hope, one third planted.