dock day

Today (Sunday actually) was "dock day"... now Abbie doesn't have a clue what it's all about, but dressed in a pink sunhat, and watching all the activity... she was game!!! It was a "warmish" day.. the sun was out and the wind was "mild".. so we convinced Nate and Tom that it wouldn't be "that bad a job".....








One of the hardest things about the job is getting the docks off the shore. We "live" on the high side of the lake, which means, no beach... and no nice easy slope into the water. I don't know if it's harder in the fall dragging the docks up the shore, or in the spring, stepping down over the rocks to get back to the water. Either way, we were so HAPPY that these two young, strong guys were willing to help!!! (THANKS BOYS!!!!)






Supposedly the water "wasn't' too bad"... once your legs got numb!!!!












But once the pieces got into the place, it's does come together fast. So much better than the old wooden docks that we used to deal with!!!












There were two that absolutely couldn't wait to get in the lake!!! They would have been more than happy to help out, too bad they don't know how to use the wrenches to put the docks together.... "come on Dad, hurry... we want to swim!!!"











FINALLY!!!!!










And so Dear Abbie... that is dock day, and now the camp really seems like "camp".. and we look forward to many warm summer days spent on the docks with family and friends......

today's the 16th

Today... being the 16th.. means one thing, it's time for the Abbie/Tatter photo. It's seven months already, I don't believe how fast the time has gone, and yet, I can't think of "how" it was when Abbie wasn't here with us. Strange how that is. She is really growing into a little person, "talks" all the time, is beginning to be "mobile" and is such a treasure.

Course, you know that Camille must have her spot in the light as well.

Hey, Tatter, where did you go???

Good idea, I'm out of here too....

No, Mama... no more photos!!!!!

sure signs..

Even the thought of this blog makes me tired!!!! It's been a big week of decision making with regards to the house.. as of now we have (ta dah!!!) Kitchen cabinets - ordered... carpets and flooring - picked out (flooring man is coming this week to measure)... bathrooms - ordered or bought.

We have been buying things from different places. Where we can, we like to shop local and give the "little" guy the business, sadly though, sometimes they just can't compete with the "big guys" and since we do have a budget, I am looking at the bottom line. We ordered the cabinet and sink for the mater bathroom.. along with three toilets from a local company. But they really couldn't come up with a budget price for the cabinets in the other bathrooms.. so, we headed out to see what the "big guys" had. From the look of this photo... you can easily see they did have some good prices.

I had it in my mind that I wanted to do something different in the downstairs bath, it will be more like a "guest" bath being on the main floor and I did want it a little fancy. I told Ed what I would like is to find an old cabinet (like a sewing cabinet) and make that into the sink. I combed a couple of "junk shops" and the Internet but never came up with what I thought I wanted. Well, the "big guys" had some pretty cool cabinets and we got this one.. sink included for 350.00!!!! Then picking thru the piles, we came across this mirror... it listed for 140.00... but it was on clearance for ..... 28.00!!!!! (yes that's right ---- 28.00!!!! talk about a steal) And this is the "finished" look!!!! All we need now is plumbing - which Ed can do as soon as he gets a minute. This room just needs trim... install the toilet and we are done in here!!!!

On my trip to the barn this morning, I found that we had overnight guests!!! These two beautiful geese had found a warm, safe spot in our field. When I pulled up in the truck, they moved into the field a little, but really weren't in any hurry to leave. They walked around for awhile, picking thru the grass for "goodies" I guess, and then headed out to who knows where. "You're welcomed back anytime dear geese... come again"

Beeker has some pretty exciting news!!!!

She has officially joined the group of "egg layer"... this little white egg on the top of the pile is her's. Between the hens, Mrs. guinea hen and now Beeker we are getting five eggs a day. I know that's not alot compared to some who keep hens.. but for us... it's plenty. I have also ordered four more chicks from our grain shop.... can't remember the name of them, but they are the hens that lay the light blue/green colored eggs. They should be arriving sometime next week.

"yes, official chicken now - Miss Beeker"......

Oh and the barn swallows are back!!! I found a couple checking out last year's nest. I don't know if this is the pair from last year, if it's one of their young 'ens.... or if it's someone new. But I do hope they take up residence on the farm. I love their call and greatly appreciate the bugs that they eat.

And speaking of "bugs"... my first shipment of predators arrived int he mail this week. I have to give them a couple of days to warm up and hatch out, but they will be going into the manure pile and get a jump on eating nasty flies!!! They worked beautifully last year, we hardly had a fly in the barn all summer... so, we are definitely looking forward to them doing their job this year.

so all kinds of wonderful signs around the farm... signs of house finishing projects, new life, and things to look forward to..... we are blessed....

end of the week..... already???

So the week flew by way too fast, as I knew it would. Linda and I had such a good time, we both said that we wished we lived closer together. But, since we (sadly) don't it does make our time together so much "more special". This day started out with a visit with a lady I know from church... Jean... she is a spinner (like Linda is) and has a spinning wheel that needs some fixing. Linda was able to find some names of folks that work on spinning wheels, so we took the information to Jean. We had a nice visit with her, (saw her beautiful spinning wheel) and I think I have found a teacher to teach me how to spin. (there will be more about that in future blogs). Jean told us about a huge patch of "Lady Slippers" that we simply had to go and see... and so, after our visit, we did just that.






She wasn't kidding when she said there was a huge patch!!! They were everywhere and you can see that they are re-seeding themselves and there will be even more next spring. These aren't in full bloom yet, so I hope to get back there in a week or so and see them again.. still, even in "part bloom" they are amazing to see. Lady Slippers are endangered, and it's illegal to pick them or replant them. You're suppose to just leave them alone and enjoy them as they are!!!

While I have been "playing", Ed has been working on the window trim. He has all the trim made for the downstairs windows and is beginning on the up. I have a ton of painting to do now.. especially if I want to "catch up with him"... but actually, as soon as I am done with my part, he can finish the windows!!! I have picked out my trim color (actually Linda picked it out).... so, once I get the wood primed, I can begin on the final steps.

But, back to spinning. Linda brought her beautiful little wheel with her, and gave me a lesson in spinning. I really do enjoy it, and if I can hook up with Jean and get some more lessons, I might even get good at it. One thing I found out this week, is, I can get all the "roving" I want, and not have to keep the animals to get it. So... it I want to be a good spinner, there is no excuse not to.

So, here we go. It takes a "knack", sometimes I did OK and other times.. well..let's say it gave us a good laugh!!!

But, with a little help, I did manage to put together a small skein of yarn....

"designer" yarn so to speak. I still need to "set it".. and perhaps I will make it into something.. or maybe I will just keep it and one day laugh at my first attempt.....

Friday morning, it was time for Linda to pack up and head back to her family (who was anxiously waiting her return)... but, before she got on the road, we had a nice cup of coffee together. One thing around here, we want you to feel welcomed.... and the pets are just here to help out with that...

Linda called later in the day... she arrived home safe and sound.. but rested after her week with us. I can't wait to have her back again, and I am (someday soon) going to "run away from home" and visit with her. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends!!!!!!

buttons and yarn

It was another fun and interesting day with Linda- I am going to be so sad when she heads for home!!! I could get used to days like this!!!

Our morning started out with the Women's Fellowship group from church. It was our monthly meeting, but the guest speaker was a lady who collects antique buttons. She brought a small part of her collection with her, and it was so interesting. She has buttons from all over the world and from all periods of time.





From what she told us, button collecting is quite popular and there are gills and clubs all around the world. Some buttons are worth a lot of money, and some are extremely rare. She told us that if we have "grandma's old button jar or box" don't disregard it... there could be treasure's inside!!!!








The "thing" about collecting buttons is you can pick different categories.... anything from "what the button is made of" to what type of "dress" they button came from (military apparel, work apparel, fancy dress apparel...the list goes on and on). One thing for sure, there seems to be something for everyone when it comes to interesting items or hobbies... anyone who goes thru life "with nothing to do or nothing of interest" well... they're certainly not living life!!!!




After our morning of buttons... it was an afternoon of yarn. There is a cute little yarn/spinning shop not too far away. I have been meaning to get over there all winter, but it wasn't until today that we finally did. The shop is in a little old school house, and it;s as charming as it can be!!!!!









The lambs outside of the shop were a welcoming crowd. And so cute.... too bad they don't stay little like that!!!











Inside the shop is a wonderful collection of spinning wheels... both old and new.












The shop offers spinning classes as well. So there are wheels for students to learn on. (really need to look into classes!!!)











Linda and I had a grand time looking thru the beautiful yarns. (and yes, we each bought a little!!!) They also carry needles, and other knitting supplies, which is good for me to know the next time I am in a pinch and need something for a project.

so, if you are local... check out the Spinner's Warren (they have a website)...




Not too sure what's on the "list" for tomorrow... but I already know, it will be very fun... yup-- that's it... Linda can't go home!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry kids & Wayne!!!! :0)

so.. what's going' on?

After a few days of "farm week", it was time to get back to the farm and back to house work. To date, I am quite certain that we won't be moving in on time, and will more than likely be spending a couple of weeks back in the little camp... but there's always hoping that we won't have to. Still, there is much to be done, and the time is speeding by!!!! But, I also have come to the fact that I can't let "life go by" just because we have this house to finish, so the days I take off to do things like "farm week"... well. that's just the way it is.

Now, this doesn't mean that I haven't done anything. In fact, the master bath is now all painted, and two of the closets are done. And the window in the mudroom is now all primed and ready for "real Paint". Course, choosing that color.... well, it's a project all to itself. Painting window is.. quite frankly... a pain in the neck. It took me nearly two hours to do this one window (including the "panes")... in two hours, I can get a whole room done!!!!

I "hate" to think of the number of windows we have!!!! And this is just the prime coat... there will still be two finished coats... ugh... let's not think of that... I will just concentrate on one room at at time!!!!!

Sunday, was Mother's Day. Last year, we all went out to "brunch" and so Kas made reservations for us to do that again. We met up with the "Flagg" side of the family - and Uncle Bill - and had a grand meal together. This was at a local country club.. the meal was wonderful!!!!

And it wasn't just "Mother's day" for me.. but this year... Grandmother's Day as well. Abbie is getting to be quite the "ham" with the camera... we say "cheese".. and this is often the look we get!!!!

Now, I haven't said too much about this just yet.. but my very dear friend Linda is here from New York state... visiting with us for a whole week!!! So, the past couple of days, I have had so much fun talking and being with her!!!! (and thanks Linda's family for letting her come!!!!!) Linda spent Mother's Day with her family... but today, I had her all to myself....

We started the day out at the local quilt shop. I haven't been back to the shop since the day I took Kelli there to "pick out her quilt".. so it was so much fun to be back again and see what new things have arrived. It makes me all the more anxious to get my sewing room up and running!!!!

Now, aside from having some quiet time to herself, Linda is also on a fact finding mission. She and her family have alpaca and Linda is a spinner. She processes all her fleece by hand (a huge job) and has been looking into the idea of setting up a "mini process mill". There are a number of these small mills here and there around the country, and it seems that there is a need for them. Often the smaller farms of animals don't have a way to process small amounts of fleece so these "mini mills" are a real help to them.

Unknown to me, one of these "little" mills in nearly in my back yard!!! It's an alpaca farm as well, and I was pretty excited to go and see it. Linda, Sadie , Abbie and I went to check it out after our visit to the quilt shop.

It's quite a place!!!! And the owners were so excited to show it off to us. This is the storage room and all these bags contain "fleece" that are waiting to be processed. The owner thinks that this is at least six months of work waiting here, and that's not even thinking about this spring shearing!!!!

These are the drying racks that the fleece sit on after being washed. Once dry they are then "carded"... and processed from there. I don't really know all the steps... but there seemed to be a machine for each one.

The fleece can be "stopped" at any step.. so if someone just wanted their fleece washed.. the "mill" will only do that. Or if they wanted it done just to the "carded" stage, they will only go that far.. but... it can be done up to the "completed" made into knitting yarn stage. This is the machine that makes the skeins of "finished" yarn.

Course, we couldn't just see the mill... we had to visit with the animals as well. I think alpacas are so cute!!! and they seem much calmer and "nicer" than llama. Linda and her family love their alpaca (they have five of them!!)

Abbie found them fascinating!!! and she just looked them all over. (they are kind of funny looking after their shearing!!!)






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The funny thing is, the alpaca were pretty curious about Abbie as well. Many of them came right up to her and looked her all over as well.

Linda got a lot of good information to take back to her family/farm... and who knows?? there might be another "mini mill" on her farm one day....








Sunset on Sweetgrass Farm and the close to a very fun and interesting day. Days like this remind me of why we made a move to our farm.. and I just can't wait to be settled in to this house!!!!!