an afternoon of owls....

oh goodie... more snow this morning as I headed into the post office. Well.. it really didn't matter much, because this  afternoon, I had made plans for weeks ago. As a baby shower gift, Kelli gave Kassy a cute little needle felted owl. Needle felting is all the rave now.....








I loved the little owl, and said something about learning to make one. Kelli told me that the lady (who I know) would teach a class in felting if we wanted to pull a class together....well, that didn't take me long, and six of us got together this afternoon to make owls.....

Here are the parts and pieces... it's roving that is used to spin with...that, along with some VERY sharp needles and a bit of imagination  is all you need.

 You can make almost anything, but since I liked the owl so much and Beva (teacher) said it was easy, we opted to go with the owl.... this is one that she had made.....

and with her guidance,... we began. it is pretty easy once you get the idea of it... and learn NOT to poke your fingers!!!!!

Starting to take shape....

 Making the base is kind of boring, so we were pretty excited to get to the part where the design really begins to take place.... here are the eyes....










Kassy really got into it... in fact, I believe she had the first finished owl....and because we were so busy crafting, I didn't get anymore pictures until we were done.....

Our class photo.... the cool thing is, the owls are all different......

These are some of the pieces that Beva has made.. she is really into sculpting...and her work is amazing. But she assured us that with some practice we can make these sorts of detailed things...

I loved this tree fairy with the woodpecker on the back of the tree.....

And here is my final creation... I must say, he came out pretty well for a first try.. and let's just say.. right up front... there will be many more!!! (wait til I learn how to do the dogs!!!!)

visitng with the brownies...

Thanks to Jesse..... the doggies have been able to get outside. The big snow drift that was right in front of the door (and measured about four feet) was, of course, the door that leads out to the dog's yard. However, with the winds that came with this snow, there were actually bear patches in the yard and if you look, that's where Jesse was shoveling to.....

Camille and Hunter certainly appreciate their tunnel... look at how much deeper the snow is than them!!!

Now, Rylie... she took another approach... after surveying the situation.....

It was ... one - two - three..... she loves this snow.... I don't know if it's a "lab thing" or a "puppy thing" but either way, she has had great fun these past few days.....

There are two dogs in this picture... the bigger lab is Cappy, a guest doggie that was staying with us. He loved the snow as much as Rylie did (does).. but because he is so much bigger, he could break some good pathways for everyone. That's Rylie, right behind him.. determined to keep up.... they spent more time swimming that running!!!!

This was the sunrise on Monday.... know that saying .. "red sky in the morning".. well, it was right, by noontime we had a little storm of snow and sleet. I'm beginning to wonder if that ol groundhog had any idea of what he was talking about....

This afternoon however, Rylie and I had a very important date. We went to visit a local brownie troop to talk about dogs and service dogs in particular...The girls were very excited to meet Rylie and they were very interested in her story.

After we talked about service dogs and answered some questions... the troop wanted Rylie in a group photo..... Rylie was right in her glory.. all these little girls just for her...

They practiced the "lap" command with her, and awarding her a brownie cap... made her an official member of their troop. I have been asked that next year, I need to report to them about Rylie and how her training all went...

But here's the magic.. this little gal sort of hung back in all the activity. After Rylie had done "lap" with about all the girls.. this little gal came to me and said she thought she would like to try "lap" with Rylie. Turns out she was a little bit "worried around dogs'.. but once she saw how gentle and kind Rylie is.. she decided she could do it. Rylie was so sweet and knew she needed to be careful... the smile that came over this little gal's face when she was able to do it... priceless...... I never get tired of moments like that.....

ya, we got snow..

hold

they call it "Nemo" ????

soooo.. as predicted (for the entire week) we woke to snow falling this morning. It was earlier than I had expected but the experts kept assuring us, that this wasn't the "real snow" but a cold front coming in ahead of it. Real or not, it's  still snow... anyways, because the blizzard was due to start in the afternoon, Ed and I offered to get Abbie to the old home town in the morning, it's her weekend with her Dad and we didn't want anyone being out on the roads in case this storm proved to be what we were told. The morning actually worked out quite well, as we met up with my Mom and Dad and Kass... and all had a nice breakfast out together. Then Ed and I made sure we had "food and gas" (just in case) and headed back for the farm.

The snow was already beginning to pile up, and it does appear that we're in for it. By the way... when did "they" start naming these storms.. and who came up with "nemo" of all names..... have to admit, I think it's really silly.... I also wonder what "they'll talk about on the news" when this is over.. because it's sure taking up a lot of time now...we live in New England, we get snow... what's all the hype????? 

We went down to the barn in the early afternoon. More than likely the horses will be  kept in, so I wanted to get the stalls done, throw some hay down and fill the buckets. Just do as many chores now, so we don't have to do them later. Tonka was out enjoying the weather....

As was Duke, these drafts seem to be built for cold weather.. and I don't think they'll be very happy with me when we lock them in. I could leave them so they could go out, but if we loose power or the fence gets knocked down, I just don't want to have to "worry" about where they are.

And when they heard us putting "dinner" out int he stalls, they waited rather impatiently at the doors to be let in.....

Annabelle was all cuddled in, she knows how to ride out a storm... chickens and guinea hens were fed and watered.. and headed in ourselves...

OK.. it looks promising, and the wind began to pick up... so what more can I say, except welcome "Blizzard Nemo"... hope you have a good time.....




oooo... one more thing, I got a call from my boss.. and the post office is going to be CLOSED tomorrow (ever heard of that???) I don't have to get up for work.... now that's exciting!!!!!

2/7/13

running an errand...

So, today, after church, Ed and I find ourselves on a little adventure for my dear friend, Linda. She wrote me a few days ago, saying that she had bought a loom, and if we could... would we go and get it and keep it here until she can come for it. It was such  a pretty ride, and very close to where Deb and Dave live, so it was a fun afternoon.

The loom was at this pretty little farm... they have llamas!!! and not that I would ever really want one, but they are pretty neat. This lady is a spinner and weaver, and was selling this loom for someone else... she has plenty of her own. That's the "trouble" with hobbies... it's easy to "collect" when you have them. She was very nice and was quite interested in how I knew Linda, and the fact that she lives so far away, and yet, we are pretty close friends. The world really isn't that big, ya know.

The loom was bigger than I thought (glad Ed convinced me to bring the truck and NOT the jeep!!!) It fit nicely into the back and traveled well the ride home. We also stopped a minute to visit with Deb and Dave, and just enjoyed a winter afternoon outing... this time of year, I always appreciate a change of scenery.

 So, dear friend... here it is.... now waiting in the garage for you... and it might be wise not to wait too long to get it.. or I could "get used to having it around!!!!"     :)