Alpacamundo Monday: Hay Delivery

Generally my biggest concern with owning livestock is hay.

Our place is not big enough, nor do we own the equipment to grow and bale our own at a reasonable cost.  So while we do let our alpaca graze the field in the summer, we buy most of their forage.

A couple of years ago I connected with a local farmer that produces a high-quality hay, that is suitable for alpaca, at a fair price.

I'm grateful that he is able to deliver small bales (~65-lbs each) multiple times a year.

The small bales are more expensive for him to produce, but they are easier for us to handle.  He brings the hay on a flat-bed trailer and then stacks it in our barn... This is a huge benefit for us.

I'm happy to say that hay is less of a concern than it used to be.  This load should last into May.

Fiber Arts Friday: Washing Fleece

Last July a friend came over to select some fleeces for a class she would be teaching February.  It was possibly the hottest day of the year.

She didn't need the fleeces until January.  So I offered to skirt and wash them.  Five fleeces, Six months.  No problem.  Right?

Well...  In between the many other things...  I am done skirting, but I am still washing, and drying.

Since it's winter, the fleece is drying faster in the bathroom than outside.  But "fast" is a relative term.

Between my office and our bathroom, our place looks like a fleece factory.

I will make my deadline, but it will be close.  I'm very thankful for Hubba's patience.

What have you been up to?

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

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First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Fiber Arts Friday: Medium Brown Suri

It's been a while since I've sat at my wheel.

My fingertips are out of shape.

Assuming I've fixed the linkup tool, please share your posts and Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Orange Socks, part 3

I cast these socks on in April.  Posted about them in September and bound off on Christmas.

Eight months to a pair of socks.  That must be some sort of record.  ;-)

What have you been up to?

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Handmade for Christmas

For this year's annual Dirty Santa gift exchange with my family, I decided to make a Beer Mitt.

I'm not sure when that I first saw this, but I thought it was simple and clever.  (published in Knitty about three years ago.)

I pulled out two complimentary balls of left-over yarn and made a couple of swatches.

I settled on knitting the largest size, with smaller needles.  If I do this pattern again, I think working in something that is super-wash would make this project a bit more practical.

What have you been up to?

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Ramen

It's kind of a long drive for a bowl of soup, but several people have said this is the best ramen they've had outside of Japan.  It's a tiny place in a suburb of Denver...

I am no expert when it comes to ramen, but I love good food and good service. We got both. 

It's the best ramen I'VE had outside of Japan.  :-)

Alpacamundo Monday: Frosty Morning

I love frosty mornings.

Especially when the de-icers are working.  It's always nice to find open water during a hard freeze.