No excuses for not posting

Really there isn't. We aren't battling snow and the elements like others. There are no emergencies other than the demands from two bottomless pits to be fed on demand. On the other hand there has been nothing exciting here to report. Bunnies are bred and awaiting spring litters, kids are on holidays and besides eating, sleeping and making craft stuff have been the big time occupiers. We had hoped to go skiing or sledding over the holidays but nope.
HUGS to all
Kim

in pretty much boring suburbia Ontario not even the great white north! Heres the view from my front porch to prove it all - I was wearing a sweater and my crocs no need for coat or boots up here.

4 years old -a big girl now :)

Today is Java's birthday -she is now 4 and for over 3 and half years she has been my "baby". From the very first picture Maggies posted on her blog I have been in love with this goofy personality. She is stubborn and loving, brave and such a wimp, big as life but still small enough to be my lap dog (or so she thinks).

Of all the gifts we are given in our lifetime none is more powerful and lasting than love.Thank you for giving me yours Java. I treasure it and you always.

Our own version of mother and child

Lindsay was playing Manger today. Complete with her own baby wrapped in swaddling clothing.  \

Does Nemesis not look THRILLED to be a part of it all. Sad thing is he will NOT run away and he lets her catch him everytime she comes looking for him. Silly cat!

Baby bunny pictures

Heres the first pic of the three brun babies we had here. Champangne, brun and BLUE!!!  Can see them all tucked in?  I sure couldn't.

Very cute!

Happy Solstice one and all!

This night is the longest night of the year. It's the night
that we celebrate the return of the Sun and the coming of Spring. It's the
time to allow all old hurts and cold to flow behind us and to concentrate on
the coming blessings.

This year it promises to be especially potent, because we're due for a lunar eclipse at the same time. How wonderful and mysterious is the changes nature brings and all of us are in awe of its glory.

I'd like to take a moment to hold up all my friends here at the
turning of the seasons and to ask for blessings for them. May they have only good time befall them, may they walk strongly into a future that is filled with love and joy and may the coming return of the Sun bring along all forms of abundance to them all.

Blessings to you all!

Whoo is this?

Its Lindsay back from the Midas Christmas party. Build a bears crafts  and face painting for the kids. Is she not adorable??
They're off for two weeks so pray for me LOL
HUGS all
Kim

To the baby bunnies in the shed

Sorry for thinking December would be a good time for little bunnies to arrive. Its sooo darn cold out there! Thank goodness for smart little mommy who made the monster of all nests and tucked the three little arrivals safe and warm down the end of a fibre filled tunnel of sweet smelling hay.
No pictures as its too darn cold to peel back the fluff to snap them but take it from me they are safe and warm tucked in down there.
HUGS all
off to tuck in my little ones safe and warm in their own beds

Favorite Christmas Carol

Today is the 60th anniversary of the First Reformed Church here in Kingston. At the closing the favorite and familiar is sung.

This is my favorite hymn of all time and one of the few I know in Dutch. It always starts in two languages but by the end only the Dutch still resounds. I can still see my grandparents singing it with me as a tiny girl. Today my little girl joins in. Life is so good and memories like this live on for ever.

Here's a link to the song being sung:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uqKcVEp5Pc

Here are the lyrics:

Glory To God (Ere Zij God)

Glory to God! (2X) In the highest! (3X)
Peace on the earth, peace on the earth to the people who have God's favor.
Glory to God in the highest! (2X) Peace on the earth. (4X)
To the people, to the people who have God's favor.
To the people who have God's favor, who have God's favor!
Glory to God! Glory to God! In the highest! In the highest! In the highest!
Peace on the earth, peace on the earth to the people who have God's favor.
Amen, amen.

Dutch (use the repeats shown in English):

Ere zij God! In den hoge!
Vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, in de mensen een welbehagen.
Amen, amen.

Happy Holidays all!!

Winter is here .....

Had a WONDERFUL weekend with Maggie at the Plowshare show in Syracuse. We had so much fun seeing all the other wonderful vendors, eating some fantastic food (expecially baklava) and shopping at Barnes and Noble (bookstores are like the best places on earth).  Drove home through some wild winter weather just to remind me of the season -slippery and slidey - best route is to get behind a snowplow and follow it all the way back to Watertown LOL  I am so grateful for friends like Maggie who let me be a part of all these adventures. I'm so gratified when people purchase my handspun and knit hats, scarves and even a shawl!  It makes me feel special that people enjoy and appreciate what I create.

Just found out that another dear friend of mine Henya and her chicks will be making the pilgramage to settle in Israel -how exciting for them and I hope to see LOTS of pictures etc as it all comes to pass.   I will miss seeing her at the fibre events though.
Of course since it is cold its time for the baby bunnies to start popping again. Due this weekend is two litters of Argent De"Bruns and two litters of American Chinchillas -good thing their moms know how to build monumental nests!
Kids are busy writing speeches for school before the 2 weeks of Holidays that await them. Better start stocking up on food now ;)

HUGS all
Life is so wonderful -thank you for being a part of the adventure on this road!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life

Thats right its Daryl's big day today :) i'm not saying how old he is -only that I am still older LOL.
Love you today and always baby! You are the best thing that ever came along in my life and I'm so happy I have you to walk the long  road with hand in hand. 

HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy knitting up a storm

With Christmas coming up you can never have too much yarn or too many items made up. Here's the latest knitted works from me :)
Hats galore including earflap hats!  Scarves made of soft warm angora with a silk one done for fun.
More yarn washed and hanging up to dry hopefully in time for upcoming shows.

HUGS
Kim

Back from Maggies Farm

Kids and I are back from our adventure on Maggies Farm :) the kids have a new appreciation for how much work animals are LOL
They were good helpers though -feeding and watering everything, giving pep talks to the sheep and dogs and they LOVED gathering eggs although we not fond of the chickens themselves.
And of course we were scrutinized quite carefully -the sheep were like is she still here? Where's mom -especially Baby Thunder who kept looking in the window looking for Maggie!

My favorite moment was when I let the three white boys off thier leads for their nighttime run -there was Lindsay laying down the law- Thor sitting there looking noble and intent, Knut looking around as if to say "is she talking to us?" and Finn just bouncing with enthusiasim. These boys easily weigh 100lbs each and they didn't once knock Lindsay down! Such good boys! Lindsay wanted to bring them home with her.

HUGS all

Bunnies as they grow!

See how big and handsome they are getting!  I'm so in love!!!!

Just call me the mad hatter.....

Okay I'm in love with making hats. Here are Serena and Saras hats in all their glory :) More hats to follow -I've knit about 8 in the last month!

Remeberance Day - never forgotten

"Please wear a poppy," the lady said And held one forth, but I shook my head. Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there, And her face was old and lined with care; But beneath the scars the years had made There remained a smile that refused to fade. A boy came whistling down the street, Bouncing along on care-free feet. His smile was full of joy and fun, "Lady," said he, "may I have one?" When she's pinned in on he turned to say, "Why do we wear a poppy today?" The lady smiled in her wistful way And answered, "This is Remembrance Day, And the poppy there is the symbol for The gallant men who died in war. And because they did, you and I are free - That's why we wear a poppy, you see. "I had a boy about your size, With golden hair and big blue eyes. He loved to play and jump and shout, Free as a bird he would race about. As the years went by he learned and grew and became a man - as you will, too. "He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile, But he'd seemed with us such a little while When war broke out and he went away. I still remember his face that day When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye, I'll be back soon, Mom, so please don't cry. "But the war went on and he had to stay, And all I could do was wait and pray. His letters told of the awful fight, (I can see it still in my dreams at night), With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire, And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire. "Till at last, at last, the war was won- And that's why we wear a poppy son." The small boy turned as if to go, Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know. That sure did sound like an awful fight, But your son - did he come back all right?" A tear rolled down each faded check; She shook her head, but didn't speak. I slunk away in a sort of shame, And if you were me you'd have done the same; For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed, Thought our freedom was bought - and thousands paid! And so when we see a poppy worn, Let us reflect on the burden borne, By those who gave their very all When asked to answer their country's call That we at home in peace might live. Then wear a poppy! Remember - and give!

A new fibre favorite...

Rambouliett -I'mn sure I'm spelling it wrong but ohhhhh its so soft and springy and dyes beautifully. Maggie graciously gave me some of her natural white and brown and I am IN LOVE!!!!!
It spins beautifully and take the dye so well -koolaid done by Jeffrey my wonderful nephew.
My other nieces have all informed me they need hats as well as since Brianne got one, so away to work I go.
Sara's is pink/purple and yellow -her favorite colours
Serena informed me she wants earth colours so hers is spun awaiting the knitting needles.
Jada just wants COLOUR! I have something in mind for her as well but need to spin it up.

Upcoming event

Annual Show and Sale at the Portsmouth Town Hall in Kingston Ontario Canada. Friday 2-6pm, Saturday 10-4pm and Sunday 10-4pm. Loads of handwoven items, knitted one of a kinds as well as handspun yarn including some by yours truly :) That is if there is any left over after the hat requests are filled. Got Jared's natural black/grey shetland hat done in a watchcap style. Lindsay's is yellow ramboulliet with linen and golden silk and two thirds of the way done. Brianne will be sporting choclate brown alpaca with pink/purple mohair with some electric pink mohair thrown in for the "pinkness" of it all. her hat was so small it was done in a day!
When Lindsay's hat is done I'm going to start an earflap cap -I think I have one figured out and there is some stunning dyed rambouliet from Jeffreys dye day here that is crying out to knit with it :) Pictures to follow. Of course poiled doggie is looking for a sweater or a blanket of her very own - as if she needs one as she sleeps with her adoring children at night -under the covers of course -she has it so rough.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

My amazing and wonderful mom is celebrating her birthday today :) I'm not saying how old because to me she is ageless and beautiful.

Mama thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
For the times
I forgot

Mama remember all my life
You showed me love,You sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed
along the way

Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong
Dry your eyes

Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed
Along the way
And I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you, Mama

Work day with Jeffrey :)

I had sooo much fun with my nephew Jeffrey -its so fun to have a excited and energetic helper with you when you play with fibres :) He loved learning to spin on the wheel, dyeing fibre and having fun.

Here's some of our results!  I think I've dicovered another fibre artist in the making. Welcome on board Jeffrey -come again anytime!!!!!!!

New baby bun pictures

4 stunning satin angora babies all tucked down in their box. What colours they are well that is still up for debate. We're having "Take you kid to work day" up here, a day where high school children go to work with their parents. My nephew Jeffrey didn't want to go to work with his parents today though -he came here to work with me heeheee -his parents don't know I don;t work I PLAY!!!!
So far we've spun wool, make felted cat toys, dyed 4 pounds of wool and made a special yarn angel for Grandma's birthday -shhhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell her ;)
Work day pictures to follow!

Halloween 2010

So another annual event had come and gone -kids are now pigging out of their treats. Java is recovering from once agian beign shoved into a costume -we can't help ourselves its too much fun.
Halloween this year brought a trick or a treat depending on your view in the form of snow.
Enjoy the pics!
HUGS
Kim

We can only ponder why.........

Monday we received a phone call every family dreads to get bad news, very very bad news.
Daryl's cousin Kim and her son Gavin were involved in a serious car/train accident Monday.  Gavin who was 12 did not survive the crash. Kim continues to struggle for her life at the hospital. I got off the phone and looked into the sweet eyes of my own 12 year old and burst into tears.  Kim is my age, her and her husband Frank were married the same year as Daryl and I, and Gavin and Jared were born three weeks apart.  He was their only child. At times like this the only word we can ponder is why?? We don't know the time we are given on this earth we can only be thankful for every day we are given. I cannot even fathom the loss for Kim and Frank.

Saturday will be the memorial service for Gavin.
If you can please send up good thoughts or prayers for Kim and Frank.

Roses for no reason

Okay two posts in one day I know very exciting :)
My darling hubby who I love more than anything surprised me with a dozen roses -his exact works "no reason I just love you" 
AWWWWWWWWWW do I feel special or what!

HUGs all

Sorry for the delay was distracted by fibre!!

Maggies sent me home with some of her stunning fibre from Rhinebeck. I have spun it up and the plan is to knit the Top down cardigan pattern I purchased at Rhinebeck for it. Itas a pretty little cropped top with half sleeves pattern that is suppose to be simple. We'll see :) Good thing I've got some fabulous stitch markers from Henya -  http://www.chickenstitches.com/shop/  to keep myself organized and marked :)

Here's the fibre and the yarn for your viewing pleasure.

On the bunny front 4 new satin angoras arrived safe and sound -picture will be posted when they get some fur on them -right now they look like shiny little rats LOL.
Next up on the wheel is some springy and soft Rambouliet also from Maggies Farm.

HUGS all

Rhinebeck results

I entered three skeins in the skein and garment competition and am pleased to report I won two ribbons :)

2nd place in single spun 100% wool  -spun on a drop spindle

4th placed in dyed 100% single spun wool also spun on drop spindle

Rhinebeck does not have a seperate class for spindle vs wheel spun yarn which I think is a little unfair but whatever ;)  Wheel is usally more consisitant due to the mechanisims involved.

Heres the picture of the winning skeins :) I'm still very proud of myself!

We interupt the Rhinebeck update

My dear friend Henya stopped by Maggies booth on Sunday bringing two of her adorable daughters with her to drop off some of her amazing stitch markers (you can find your own trasures on her website at http://chickenstitches.blogspot.com/).  Her talented husband Eli designed her website and her beautiful poster for display. They are working on immigrating to Israel to join family there- very exciting!! She told me her daughter loves the baby bunny pictures on my blog :) So today while out at the barn I took some update pictures of the three babies we have in the barn now - see how they've grown. They are almost as cute as Henya's beautiful daughters :)  I have to get out of the van the beautiful treasures Henya so graciously gifted me with -we got home so late last night we didn't unload a thing.

Touring Hyde Park

Daryl and I headed down early to tour around town Friday -we decided to head down to Hyde Park and see the FDR home and presidential library. What a stunning place and gardens - FDR and Eleanor are buried there in the rose garden along with his dog Fala.  There is a piece of the Berlin Wall there as well with the inscription Freedom of Thought and Speech.  After touring the house (no pictures allowed) we went down to the Everyready Diner for lunch. It was very cool and was on an episode of Diners Driveins and Dives on Food Network.  More to follow on the Rhinebeck experience when I get the other card from the van :)