Fibre on the Hop-Cornerstone Fibres/Rocky Meadow Rabbits

New rescue bunnies

2012-01-28T20:33:00.001-06:00

Two lovely little bunnies who were an impulse purchase that quickly became a problem for their owners - they didn't realize they would have to groom them and clean the cages as often as they need. They are suppose to be both girls but I'll let them settle in and then check. They are pet store bunnies so one never know exactly what breed they are but they will make some great 4-H rabbits if they have the personalities to make them good pets.

Teaching spinning

2012-01-28T20:27:00.000-06:00

I LOVE drop spindling and I love corrupting (I mean teaching) it to others :) Today 5 brave souls joined me as I got to do what I love to do spin :) They all walked away very happy with their new knowledge and their ability to make yarn!

And their teacher was thrilled to have been able to share her love of fibre and spinning. One of the lovely ladies was going home to her grandmother's spinning wheel ready to give it a spin :)

Still spinning

2012-01-17T17:58:00.000-06:00

Working on this lovely yellow mohair blend from Maggie's Farm :) I'm hoping to start plying it this week and then see how much yardage there is - I have an idea in mind but it needs a HUGE amount of yardage so we'll see. It makes me happy to spin it though.

FO's and an almost FO

2012-01-11T14:23:00.000-06:00

Just need to finish shaping the brim for Meaghan and her hat and mittens will be done.

A special request for a special friend :)

These are mine unless Lindsay gets a hold of them LOL

Turn the page....

2012-01-01T09:47:00.000-06:00

Another year, another blank page to start a new chapter in our lives. A day to realize that no matter what is going on it is the little things that really matter.
A hug from my children, a wagging dogs tail, a smiling face at work these all mean more to me than anything else.
Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy 2012 -may only good things come your way but know that if there is darkness I'm there for you :)
HUGS
Kim

Litters in the barn -babies everywhere!

2011-12-30T16:14:00.000-06:00

Here's some of the presents Santa brought to me -a lovely litter of French angoras and a fat and chubby bunch of American Chinchillas. And of course my own baby snuggled safe and warm with her buddy Dutch guarding her.

HUGS all

Stopped by a friends today

2011-12-27T13:47:00.000-06:00

She has taken up rug hooking - I want her to teach me or in the spirit of the season let me take this spectacular rug home with me ;)
Its beautiful in its simplicity - I hate to think how many hours of time this took for her to do it though.

Happy solstice!~~

2011-12-21T10:27:00.000-06:00

The food is put away for the winter,
the crops are set aside to feed us,
the cattle are come down from their fields,
and the sheep are in from the pasture.
The land is cold, the sea is stormy, the sky is gray.
The nights are dark, but we have our family,
kin and clan around the hearth,
staying warm in the midst of darkness,
our spirit and love a flame
a beacon burning brightly
in the night.

Sunday spinning

2011-12-18T18:52:00.000-06:00

This week in the mail was a secret Santa present this week from somebody who knows I love to spin. Today I spun up the lovely superwash merino that was in the box :) 4 ounces now waiting to be washed and the knit up.

Santa came early

2011-12-14T12:33:00.000-06:00

And brought me sparkly little satin angora babies all tucked down in a warm little nest -there are 9 to first time mommy Arwen and daddy Twister. :)

Gratification as a fibre artist :)

2011-12-07T11:34:00.000-06:00

I attended the amazing and fun Plowshares show in Syracuse this past weekend. Beside having great food and music all weekend long I got to hang out with Maggie -aka Wonder Woman!!
We even got time to spin together !! Me on my spindle and her on her beautiful Robin wheel.

We rocked it all weekend long and both of us were very proud of our accomplishments of the weekend :) The best compliment I got paid was a lady looking over one of my angora yarn skeins for $80 and telling me "its worth that for your time and skill alone" -boy does that make a spinner feel good !!!!
HUGs all I'm off to play on the spinning wheel again!

Sweater project

2011-11-28T13:59:00.001-06:00

I love the slubbiness of this yarn and the glow of the fibre is just magical :) This sweater pattern just seemed a perfect match~
Maggie makes the BEST rovings!!! And they are so easy to spin!

Best Christmas Display at the Mall

2011-11-23T13:15:00.000-06:00

Thought these were awesome and very lifelike! Wanted to take one home with me but they don't produce spinnable fleece LOL

More angora yarn

2011-11-18T16:10:00.002-06:00

100% Angora yarn awaiting a knitter with ideas LOL

Another mans trash = this Spinners new treasure

2011-11-16T18:29:00.000-06:00

Can you believe this...Its stunning and just the perfect height for a spinners stool. So it's my new treasure and cost nothing -it was sitting on the curb with a Free sign.

Happy Spinning ahead!!!!!

2011-11-11T07:22:00.000-06:00

Spinning = Happiness

2011-11-10T08:42:00.000-06:00

Doesn't matter how upset or flustered or rushed I am - if I can spin all is right with my world. The fibre flows through the fingers taking with it all the bad stuff and leaving only good happy feelings. Unless I'm forced to use synthetics or cotton but we will not go there LOL
Wool, angora, mohair, cashmere, silk all are wonderful and fun to spin!
Here's some of the latest -warm, cheerful and glowing with colour!

And here is the next lot waiting, calling my name .............I could just sit and spin for hours lost in the feeling of it all. Too bad housework and other work is calling me away. But a quick fondle of fibre before I go. SQUEEZE and SNIFF AHHHHHHH Wool.

BFN

My beautiful daughter

2011-11-09T13:02:00.000-06:00

She is so darn cute in the morning all bright and bubbly and ready to go to school NOT! But she does have the most stunning eyes and when she smiles she is wonderful!
She is independent and clever and oh so smart too!!! And very very creative especially when it comes to crafts.
Love you baby girl!

HUGS

Working working working

2011-10-31T11:14:00.000-05:00

I am working on yarn and finished projects for a variety of events coming up soon :)
Here's some samples:
Black mohair and merino/silk trimming with a matching scarf! White angora and some merino wool for shape.

Back off girls -he's still my baby!!

2011-10-31T11:03:00.000-05:00

But oh is he tall and handsome and so darn cute!
Here he is going to the Air Cadets dance Saturday night. Every girls dream a knight for the damsel in distress.

Brave and valiant and noble too.

Crowds at Rhinebeck

2011-10-17T15:09:00.002-05:00

We can play where's Waldo -or in this case where is Kim and Maggie LOL

My new sweater

2011-10-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Sally sent me this AMAZING gift!!! A handknit sweater that fits me sooo perfectly and I LOVE the colours!
I feel so special that somebody made me something this magnificent!

A critter at Rhinebeck

2011-10-17T15:06:00.000-05:00

Any guesses as to what he is?

Back from Rhinebeck

2011-10-17T15:02:00.000-05:00

What can I say beyond WOW!!! What a great weekend. Daryl and I drove down Thursday - Friday we cruised through Hyde Park and toured the amazing VanderBuilt mansion there. Saturday and Sunday we spend load of fun time with all the people who make this so great Maggie, her daughter Mia, loads of bunny friends and a special delivery to a fellow Ravelry friend Vicki from Texas who got her yellow wheel.
Beautiful scenery, fantastic food and best of all friends! What more could a girl need!

Garden bounty

2011-10-05T15:13:00.000-05:00

I'm seeing lots and lots of lovely pots of soup and other goodies in my future :) MMMMMMMMMM

My father in laws new hobby

2011-10-03T08:24:00.000-05:00

My father in law is a supremely talented woodturner and woodworker. I asked him when he started if he could make a drop spindle -several incarnations later this is his latest creation. Its pure Purpleheart wood and is actually that amazing colour. And this thing spins forever with a flick of the wrist. He's making more for me to sell for him. This is if I can be parted from them LOL

Guess what I've been doing....

2011-09-29T09:54:00.000-05:00

Any guesses LOL

Looking back....Looking ahead

2011-09-23T10:12:00.001-05:00

A long time ago in a little church 2 crazy kids started walking the long road together. 16 years later they are still walking together hand in hand.
You are my always -yesterday, today and forever!

Love you baby - Happy 16th!!!!!

Nasty bunnies

2011-09-21T15:13:00.000-05:00

Nasty wicked little tricksy bunnies -weeess hatessss themmmm. No not really but somebody was asking me how you could eat these cute little guys -this is how. These were some 12 week old meat bunnies not my sweet cuddly angoras.

Maggie

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Maggie who graciously allows me to share some of her booth space is amazing!~! She works full time -special ed with highly challenging students, runs her farm, make the most amazing soaps, tote bags and to lust after wool to spin! She's also an award winning photographer and and a fabulous spinner!

She's the gal I want to be in the trenches with when things go bad!
HUGS!

Now there is no living with me LOL

2011-09-20T07:57:00.000-05:00

So I went with Maggie to the Fingerlakes Fiber Festival in Hemlock Ny and entered some skeins and my shrug into their skein and garment competition -and ....... I WON!!!!!!

I got:

1st and 2nd place spindle spun yarn
1st and 2nd place Singles
1st Place Handspun and Knit Item
5th place Dyed Yarn

and 2nd place in the Special Awards catagory Most Painterly Use of Fiber -and won $75!!!!!

Between than and now being called the Goddess of the Canadas -there is no living with me LOL

Here's the pictures

Barn visitors

2011-09-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

New camera and Kim playing round the barn and some beautiful pictures of some visitors.

Best birthday present ever!

2011-09-13T13:58:00.000-05:00

Beautiful satin angora bunnies arrived safe and sound this morning! Mom is REW and dad is broken black. There are 5 whites, 2 chins and a broken :)

9/11 Remembered

2011-09-11T17:35:00.000-05:00

New from the critters

2011-09-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

It Nemesis here with breaking news -yesterday the big yellow thing came and swallowed our children up only to return them later -we don't know how long they were gone for as we don't tell time.

All I know is I had the bed all to myself and that's all that matters. His lord and majesty Shenanigans was completely unfazed by the whole thing and lounged around on his spots all day.

"I could care less as they neither feed me nor pay proper attention to me" Shenanigans was heard to comment. My staff was in attendance all day!

Poor Java was tramatized by the whole affair "It happened again!! That terrible yellow thing swallowed up my children even though I barked at it very ferociously!!" She made a full recovery when they returned but will again be upset as they leave tomorrow.

Dutch decided that he needed to dig a hole and hide before it tried to take him so the couch seemed like a good place to blend into. Good thing it already had a rip in it!

And the kids finally came back safe and sound! So all is well -oh no wait it's back again!!!! AUGH!!!!!!! Mommy make it stop!

Here's our missing kids pictures -if you see them tell them to come home we all miss them!. Even Sheanigans though he will never admit it.
Bye all Nemesis, Java, Dutch and his old gumpypants!

Uh oh he heard me RUN!!!!!!!!!

Older Louet- S-10 Spinning wheel for sale

2011-08-29T16:35:00.000-05:00

Rest assured this is NOT my wheel LOL I will never part with my beloved Louet.
This is a trade in wheel from an older customer of mine. It is an older Louet s-10 manufactured early 80's under license by Louet by another Ontario company now that is now gone. The bobbins are very nice -barely used. I replaced the footman connector so it's good to go.

Asking $275 can deliver to Fingerlakes Fiber Festival in September or Rhinebeck NY in October.
BFN
Kim

Happiness is a big box of fibre!

2011-08-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

My SIL has been processing all the lovely Border Leicester fleece and look at it now -here's the first box of it all done and ready for ~~spinning~~ I mean sale of course silly me LOL

When everything else is going wrong -SPIN!

2011-08-18T10:22:00.001-05:00

So things have been chaos around here lately - Daryl ended up at emergency Saturday night with metal in his eye-he's better now but 5 + hours sitting there is enough to make anybody stir crazy. Add other stuff and I need stress relief big time -what better than spinning. Its peaceful and solitary and so fun!! And with fall shows coming up yarn is always a great thing to have on hand.
Here's this weeks works ready for washing - I have another couple on the go as well including this lovely beige cashmere gifted to me from a friend. I have an idea for a long cardigan when it is done but it could take a while to spin all that laceweight.
HUGS all
Kim

They're only babies!!!

2011-08-12T21:10:00.000-05:00

5 weeks old and look at the coats!!! Blue Boy is going to Virginia to be herd sire there. Broken Lilac Doe is staying here. There is also a Black doe(pictured) and a broken black doe in this litter. Very very pleased!
And the little bundle of tude aja the broken fawn boy is also staying here -he's part of a litter of 9 and I just could not resist his posturing and foot thumping at me.

Its that time of year again -my life has gone to the dogs :)

2011-08-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

Its the annual Kingston Sheep Dog trials again. I LOVE watching the dogs, seeing all the fun and interesting dogs people bring with them, Unfortunately I have to work Friday and Sunday night so that cuts time shorter there but we'll deal :)
I would love to bring Java and the Dutchman there but neither is overly social with other dogs that do not belong to "their" family.
Pictures coming when I figure out where the camera is.
HUGS
Kim

We got a little rain yesterday

2011-07-30T11:35:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture from a nearby street just to show how much rain we got. Almost 3 inches in less than 4 hours! It was wild!!!

Latest project done

2011-07-25T13:42:00.002-05:00

Handspun kid mohair and linen - spaced dyed. Needed a quick project to have on display with the yarn for sale so made this very simple cowl scarf. Loved it so much I've started another one as a gift~

Bunnies getting bigger

2011-07-25T13:41:00.000-05:00

Look how they've grown :) Getting so big and fluffy. Will have a hard time picking who gets to stay and go from these litters. Top litter is still unsexed. Bottom litter of 4 is three girls and one boy :)

LOL A friend sent this to me and I had to share!

2011-07-22T12:56:00.000-05:00

House Rules

1. If it’s not yours…don’t touch it.

2. Remove your shoes at the door. Not directly in front of the door…off to the side.

3. If the bathroom door is locked, knocking repeatedly will not make it open any faster.

4. Do not use “fair” to describe what something is not. It is the original “F” word.

5. Balled socks do not come clean…unball them or wear them dirty.

6. If you get too much toothpaste, do not try to shove it back in the tube.

7. Keep your private parts well hidden at all times...and apply rule number one.

8. If the dog’s water dish is empty, fill it. Or let’s see how long you can go without water.

9. Three drops of milk does not justify returning it to the fridge.

10. If you ask for seconds, you eat every bite.

11. Pretend the rim of the toilet will electrocute you if it gets wet.

12. Wipe every single time.

13. Wearing clothes to the mirror and back does not get them dirty.

14. Food and shelter are required of me. Everything else is a privilege and can be revoked.

15. I don’t care what everyone else gets to do. Whine about it and I’ll throw you off that bridge myself.

16. Money in the dryer is always mine.

17. Touch the thermostat and see what happens…

18. Loaning you something once does not make it yours.

19. Clean underwear at just that…clean. Sorting them with two fingers is not necessary.

20. Slam your door and I will remove it.

21. “Bedtime” means the same thing every single night. Do not look at me like I’m crazy when I say it.

22. When you run your toothbrush under the water, I always know. Same thing with the soap in the shower.

23. Everything you do cost money, from turning on the hot water to opening the fridge. Conserve.

24. I don’t care if you did it. I didn’t ask. I just told you to clean it up.

25. And once again…if it’s not yours, DON’T TOUCH IT!

Its just so darn hot

2011-07-20T14:05:00.000-05:00

Everyday here lately is the same routine. Check to make sure everybody has water, fans are working, sit down to cool off , nap for a few minutes and then head to work LOL. Kids are happy and content with sleeping in the basement, living on popsicles and swimming in nanny and poppa's pool.
I've been spinning laceweight mohair and linen and am trying to get it done for the two big shows coming up. Picton craft show in the 29th (8am -8pm) and then off to the Kingston Sheep Dog trials for three days.

Kids have helped making more cat felt toys for the shows -here's a basket ready to go!! They have also picked a HUGE bag of catnip to roll them into if the customer wants. We have two very stoned kitties here right now :)

Missing you

2011-07-16T19:49:00.000-05:00

I told myself today it was going to be okay and it was. 13 years ago you left me and I know it was time for you to go. Tonight when I went for a walk there were dragonflies everywhere. Just like there was when we said goodbye. I love you always and miss you. I see your smile in my children's faces and hear your laughter on the wind.

Long awaited arrivals

2011-07-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

Ever since I had Levi -my first Argent D'Bleu , I have been awaiting the time when I could breed him to make more of this wonderful colour. They are VERY uncommon here in Canada (I have only heard of one other one).

So today heralded the safe arrival of three blues and three champages (black) who will carry the blue gene. They will be going all over North America when they are weaned. I already have a waiting list for these guys :) That is if I can party with them -they're very special after all LOL
HUGS all

Baby bunnies everywhere!

2011-07-09T20:46:00.000-05:00

Okay we have a population explosion going on here::

3 litters of American Chinchillas 4kits, 3kits and 6 kits
Champage D'argent X Brun - 4 kits arrived with mommy here from another breeder
Argente'D Brun - 7 kits -Callista's litter from the previous post
German hybrid litter - 4 babies -picture here
French Angora litter - 9 kits -picture here

Still to come:

Champange D'Argent X Argente D'Bleu -nesting now
American Chinchilla x2
French Angora
Satin Angora

We also have two rescues arrive here this week -a REW Mini-Rex doe from Tamara's lines (Peggy's niece) and a very nice little tort Holland Lop doe - 4 -her's coming Monday to pick one out for sure maybe they'll take both :)
Its a good thing I have lots of people asking about bunnies -but they are so darn cute! I want to squeeze them all.

Whirlwind visits

2011-07-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

I love traveling and visiting my friends -I just wish more of them lived within driving distance :) Yesterday Daryl and I went down to visit Maggie and her amazing critters :) I love sheep and especially their wonderful fleeces.
Maggie sent me home with some amazing BFL and merino ones as well as some glorious soap including some of her new Patchouli -one of my favorites.

Look what Callista did!

2011-06-26T16:26:00.001-05:00

First time mommy Cliska's Z2 (Aka Callista) produced 7 wonderful babies for her first litter attempt here at Rocky Meadow Rabbits. 7 new little Argent Bruns safe and sound in a warm and soft nest.
Good girl! You get lots of fresh dandelions for dinner tonight!

A wounded arrival at the house

2011-06-25T20:42:00.001-05:00

. We had a pigeon slam into the building where I work and so we caught him and put him in a box to take to the local animal shelter. Well they wouldn't take him so back home he came with me.Next I called the local wildlife rescue but they said they are too full to take a pigeon. He's currently in a modified rabbit cage and is very happy to sit and peck at the seed we got for him. His one wing is smashed badly and I don't think he'll ever fly again so he'll either stay here or if I can find a better place for him to live we will.
He's actually very calm so I wonder if he is somebody's racing pigeon but he has no band on his leg.

Kids have named him "Crash" LOL

Happy father's day to my beloved hubby!!!

2011-06-19T10:26:00.000-05:00

You might be a little goofy but you are the only man I ever wanted to be the father of my kids! Love you always!!!
Happy father's day to all the amazing "DADS" out there~!

HUGS
Kim

New bunny at Rocky Meadow Rabbits

2011-06-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

She arrived Saturday at the CNY fibre fest -an A one world class event if ever there was one! Stella had graciously allowed me to use her buck Hershey for a litter and I really liked what he threw so I got one of his daughters from Stella's barn. She is a broken chocolate Satin angora and will be joining the lines as soon as she is old enough.

She didn't have a name so the kids decided on Twist of Fate's Destiny :) Love it!

More WONDERFUL wool!!!

2011-06-12T11:23:00.000-05:00

Hello my name is Kim and I am a fibre addict. We all know it - I cannot turn down more wool especially not wonderful wool like this beautiful merino wool from Jim Baldwin (Maggie's shearer of sheep) and a STUNNING coloured BFL fleece from Maggie herself :)
Okay everybody wipe the drool off your keyboards.

HUGS Kim

Lindsays AMAZING project!!!

2011-06-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

Lindsay had a project from school to make a mobile of her favorite animals. She blew it out of the park with this amazing creation of plastercine and coat hangers. Can you find all the critters? She used googly eyes on the peacock for its tail and spider has 8 eyes on her body -very creative! I give it an A+++++++++++++!

Baabaa white sheep have you any wool

2011-06-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

Daryl my wonderful hubby mentioned that he saw free wool fleeces on Kiijii (our local classified site). whats this Free?? Wool?? I mean helloooooo fibre addict. So off we went to the local farm that offered it. The gentleman says oh yes we have registered border leicester sheep. Oh my lord somebody stop me. 3 HUGE garbage bags later dropped off to Cheryl -my sister in law and fledgling wool mill operator. She's got some of it done for me to drool over on the screen. Here's the sad thing he told me if somebody didn't take the fleece he would bury it with the rest out in the manure pile -he couldn't be bothered with the wool mill. He now has my card on file and will call me to let me know when he shears again!

YUMMY!!!! My fibre stash has increased multifold and the fleece was way too nice to be thrown away!

D-Day -thank you to all those whose sacrifice is not forgotten

2011-06-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

Today, Canadians commemorate the 67^th anniversary of D-Day—the first day of a major Allied invasion of occupied France that led to the end of the Second World War. It was a massive undertaking, involving the Allied fighting forces on land, sea and in the air.
On June 6, 1944, more than 450 Canadians parachuted inland before dawn on the beaches of Normandy and engaged the enemy. A few hours later, 15,000 Canadian troops began coming ashore at Juno Beach in the face of enemy fire. Their courage and skill helped lead the Allied advance and soon, the Canadians had captured three shoreline positions.
Through the summer of 1944 the soldiers of the First Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy continued fighting against a powerful enemy, suffering and inflicting heavy casualties. On August 25, 1944, Paris was liberated by the Allies, ending the Battle of Normandy. Nine months later, the Allies achieved final victory in Europe.
The triumph at D-Day and the Battle of Normandy was not without sacrifice. Of the 90,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served in this military campaign, 5,000 would make the ultimate sacrifice.
Canada remembers its heroes—we pay tribute to their legacy and honour those who continue to serve. We enjoy our freedom today thanks to these brave Canadians. It is our duty to remember them. Lest we forget.

Commanding respect

2011-06-03T13:43:00.001-05:00

Shenanigans our old 16 year old cat demands respect from all the underlings in the house. He will not be chased by any dog and all other critters must bow to his majesty. Dutch LOVES to chase our other cat and Java around the house but he will not chase Shenanigans after he was told by the orange lord and master that that was very unacceptable.

He lays where he wants and with whom he wants. He has his own basket by the front door which is covered with one of my old winter coats -very snuggly and warm. He has decided that Dutch is allowed to share it with him. They looks so cute together. However the love does not extend to the food dish -the canned cat food is ONLY for his royal highness and his staff must feed him twice a day or listen to the VERY LOUD litany of complaints!
But I adore my old boy and want him to stay with us as long as possible -I think he looks pretty darn good for his age and the vet still gets out the welding gloves to handle him!

Okay I cannot get anymore plants...

2011-06-02T16:22:00.001-05:00

Garden has reached maxium occupancy :) Here's the list of plants waiting to go in or already here:
And the plan is for next year to add 6 chickens to the garden area as they just passed a law that allows each family to have hens (no roosters) and they must have an approved house to go into.

Back herb bed:
Rhubarb
Thyme
Sage
Parsley
Rosemary
2 types of Lavander
Cilantro
Chives

Front Flower bed:
Raspberry bushes
Carrots
Garlic
actual flowers including Peonies, Lilies and hen and chickens

Main Garden:
Strawberries
Asparagus
Potatoes
Onions
Califlower
Beans
Peas
Broccoli
Zucchinni
Cucmbers -3 heritage types
Tomatoes - 4 heritage types
Cabbage
Pumpkins

We also have a dwarf cherry tree just loaded with blossoms/turning into fruit and a plan to add 4 more fruit tress of - pear, plum, apple and peach

A lesson in spinning

2011-06-01T14:45:00.000-05:00

Came downstairs to find my "sidekick" teaching my other sidekick how to spin on the wheel. LOL What can I say Brianne knows the best things in life involve wool and a faithful dog. And a snack as well - we were eating carrots -hence the chipmunk cheeks!

Satin litter growing fast

2011-05-23T14:21:00.000-05:00

7 little babies getting bigger all the time - one chocolate (if it's a buck) and the tort are spoken for so far. Others will be looking for new homes when they are big enough to go!

Happy doggies

2011-05-23T14:19:00.000-05:00

Mommy shut off the terrible beasty that makes the lawn shorter and chases us around the yard as we bark like maniacs. Bones all round after the terror!
Mommy says next up is the roto-tiller -don't know what it is but it doesn't sound good!

Look at what is in my backyard

2011-05-17T08:18:00.000-05:00

Is that not stunning! Its a Baltimore oriole -I confess I had to search my handy bird book to figure it out -not common around here I'm sure but oh so pretty!! Had to share :)
HUGS

Fibre Festival overload

2011-05-17T08:15:00.000-05:00

LOL well not really but it was awesome! Two weekends of two of the best fibre festivals the US has to offer. First up Maryland -aka the big one. Went with Maggie and got to meet her incredible and beautiful daughter Mia for the first time. It was an overwhelming array of fibre, beautiful booths and lots of sunshine! Missed some dear friends there Henya -now in Israel who makes the most stunning stitch markers and knitting accessories -
http://www.chickenstitches.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=93_118
and Libby who was competing on a long distance trail ride in NY that weekend. We also caught up with Candace who makes her own jewelry -very stunning! She sells at the Hamilton Farmers Market in NY and various other shows -you need to check her out! Also met the incredible Linda Cortright -publisher of Wild Fibers Magazine and I picked up a subscription for my very own :)
Came home to kids and real life and then packed it all up again to travel this time not only with Maggie but my own darling hubby Daryl to go to New Hampshire -completely different vibe and feel than Maryland - much more small fibre producers and unique one of a kind artists. Both were wonderful in their own way. I love seeing how people use and grow their own fibres.
And on a smaller note it is so much fun to have people come up to you and tell you they read not only Maggie's amazing and wonderful blog - http://bundaflicka.blogspot.com/
but also my own right here :) Thank you for taking the time to stop and tell me that you enjoy my ramblings :)
HUGS all
Kim

Moms

2011-05-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

Mary W. Matthews wrote and I quote:
“Whether or not you’re religious, the qualities a healthy family finds valuable tend to be the same: Respect. Tolerance. Forgiveness. Honesty. Courage. Responsibility. Integrity. Self-discipline. Compassion. Generosity. Doing things together as a family.”

Good thing growing up I had two of the most wonderful women in the world to teach me all of this and more.
Happy mother's Day to all Mothers out there!
I love you :)

As a mom now of two amazing children I can only hope they will someday think of me with as much love and respect as I think of my very own mom!

Sunshine on another rainy day

2011-05-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

Nothing makes me smile like babies - rabbits, lambs, goats even kids on occasion LOL But here is my daily dose of bunny happiness :) 7 beautiful little satin angoras all tucked down safe and warm under mommys wool.

Can you find them all? There are two white, a pearl, two chocolates, a black and the little champagne coloured one!

April showers...

2011-04-28T09:06:00.000-05:00

bring May flowers or so the saying goes? So far we have had so much rain I figure when the flowers finally grow I'll be living in the rain forest! Raining again today with high winds too. Not much use going outside to try to clean up the messes so good day to work on some in the house projects. Hmm can't do dishes -cat in sink, llaudry hamper has dog sleeping in it -better not disturb him, vacumn and watch dos run around the house in terror NAHHH. Oh well guess I'd better spin some more yarn ;)

Meet Calisto

2011-04-23T08:03:00.000-05:00

Here's the other lucky now named bunny "Calisto" -she is a stunning black satin doe who will also be staying here at Rocky Meadow Rabbits.

Name Winners :)

2011-04-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

Kids have chosen not one but twonames as they pointed out we have another unnamed rabbit in the barn :)

The new satin girl is now Awen
the other winner is Calisto.

Can the winners contact me and we'll get the prizes out asap!

I need a Name!!!

2011-04-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

I am stunning and beautiful :) I am an opal satin angora doe and need a name? Please post your best suggestion in the comments -winner will recieve their choice of:

Infinkit Gauntlet pattern with 50/50 merino/silk yarn
or
Custom blended batt containing wool/angora/silk and sparkle!

Winner will be announced next week!!!

A Teenager in the House

2011-04-16T19:31:00.000-05:00

It's official. Jared turned 13 today. I'm asking for a recount -how could it be that long already. From the moment I laid eyes of him I was helplessly in love with him. He is bright, caring and so darn smart. He is also stubborn and opinionated and a bottomless pit when it comes to pizza.
Happy 13th Jared and welcome to your next step on the road to adulthood!

We love you always!

Finished Cardi-Shrug

2011-04-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

Here it is :) Its Polwarth Fleece from Treenway Silks - dyed, spun and knit by hand. Finished with sheep's horn buttons of course. It was leftover dyes from Jared's one of a kind rovings. I am in LOVE!!!

An ambitious new spinning/knitting project

2011-04-14T13:42:00.000-05:00

Am finishing up my cropped cardigan this week and am already looking at another project :) Here's what I want to knit with handspun yarn and sheeps horn buttons. It could take awhile to spin the approx 3000 yards needed to complete it though.

Here's the question coloured or natural? Any suggestions or comments greatly welcome!

Button mad

2011-04-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

So Daryl and his dad have been makine me sheep's horn buttons. They are incredible and I am in love.

Its so neat to see something that people once did as common practice made new once again. To me it completes the whole use fo the sheep and its amazing products. I can't wait to finish my knitting project and pick out the "perfect buttons" to go with it!

Dreaming of spring

2011-04-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

16 years ago when Daryl and I had out long awaited honeymoon we went to Holland to visit family and friends. I will never forget how GREEN everything was and the flowers! Tulips everywhere like big swatches of colour laid out like a quilt. I can still see it all -its keeping me going during this grey and muddy spring that we are having here.
HUGS all

Happy Birthday to my one and Only Dad!!!

2011-04-08T08:02:00.000-05:00

To the man who has been my measure of what a man should be and the kind of man I wanted to marry Happy Happy Birthday and many many more!!!!! There are so many words to describe you but Incredible is the best one :) I love you always!!!!

The new girl to come to Rocky Meadow

2011-04-07T21:05:00.000-05:00

This is Bonnwill's Sienna 90+ %German -she arriving next week to Rocky Meadow Rabbits -she's bred to Dark Starz's Healthcliff (chestnut) 90+% German. I'm hoping for another high producing fibre line from her in colours.

She's currently sucking up to my dear friend Julianna who is bringing her to the Port Hope fibre gathering next Saturday. Can't wait to see her and the rabbit too ;)

Oh spring where art thou???

2011-04-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

Grass is brown, bulbs are trying to make their way up, skys are predominately grey. Its April can I please have spring now??? Please?? The darn squirrels dug up my bulbs so I see them peeking here and there in the grass. I'm hoping Easter will show its beautiful spring colours of green, pinks, yellows and blues for me -but look there I found a little spring frog!! LOL
Upside we got back test results today from the latest skin biopsy on yours truly -no signs of the bad cells that were in the shoulder lump of two year ago. This one was removed from the left hip so its good its not everywhere.
HUGS all

My handsome new boyfriend

2011-04-05T14:17:00.000-05:00

So we got the new puppy a week ago -long enough for him to decide who he wants to be with ME :) Or Java -he's a ladies man thats for sure. If he's not with me I can find him snuggled down with his girlfriend . Only thing is I cannot get a picture of them as Java runs everytime I break out the camera -I keep telling her she's not going to get stuffed into a costume LOL. Here's a picture of the new fellow though. He reminds me of Maggie's Izzy -loves to be with people and LOVES snuggling down at bedtime under the covers. How they do not suffocate or get squished at night is beyond me.

Lovely ladies

2011-04-03T20:07:00.000-05:00

.Here's RM's Juliett -white satin angora and RM's Moxie -broken chocolate french angora fresh off the show circuit and ready for their first haircuts :) I'm waiting axiously to get spinning this lovely fibre!

Common Sense

2011-03-31T08:16:00.000-05:00

A dear friend of mine sent this to me after I complained about the number of phone calls I had gotten about "Easter rabbits" a very sore point with me as I know these people have put no thought into a rabbits needs before deciding they want a "cute fuzzy little baby" for Easter. These are the same people who will buy baby chicks and ducks not realizing that hey after Easter they magically grow up into very large birds that require attention and a safe place to live. Sigh.... But I did enjoy this and it is so very very true.

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm;

- Life isn't always fair;

- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned, but overbearing, regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;

and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Education... has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading.
G. M. Trevelyan (1876 - 1962), English Social History (1942)

Back from the show with the newest Parkinson addition

2011-03-27T14:21:00.000-05:00

Okay I am bad - I admit it - I decided that Java was lonely and needed a friend for when I am busy. And Daryl decided we need a snuggle dog for at night to sleep with us like Maggie's Izzy does -sooooo meet Dutch the newest Parkinson. Dutch is a three month old chihuaua and is soo darn cute and snuggly. and not a barky little nightmare that I was worried about only problem is I think we may need a bigger bed or I am sleeping on the couch :) Java is so terrified of him it is hilarious -she keeps watching him walk around with a worried look as it to say "but what if I step on him?" No worried Java you are still #1 doggie here always!

Getting ready to show rabbits again :)

2011-03-23T14:24:00.000-05:00

Spent the day grooming the girls for show on Saturday -here they are all pretty :) RM's Moxie -broken chocolate french angora and RM's Juliette - REW Satin Angora. They are both entered in the open show and the wool specialty. Moxie's length of coat is almost 7 inches!!! She is a just turned senior doe (6 months and one week)!!!

Back to dyeing -silk caps

2011-03-22T16:17:00.001-05:00

Put the kids to work again -such a mean mommy LOL But look at the results drying outside -can't wait till they dry and the colours are able to shine :) Best of all these are Peace silk caps meaning the moths were allowed to hatch out before the silk was harvested. There are sight colouring differences and the edges are a little more ragged but you can't tell as they are dyed :)

Happy Birthday to my beautiful little girl

2011-03-20T06:19:00.000-05:00

Lindsay turned 9 yesterday -where did the time go? She was such a tiny little baby when she arrived and now -she is a stunning young lady :) She brings so much to my life I cannot imagine it without her. She came screaming into the world at 4:04 am and announced here I am! She is named for her daddy and my Beppe -the two greatest influences on my life -I hope she can be half the person they both were to me. Life is so very precious -Lindsay's arrival just heralded that even more as the person in the room to me did not get to take her baby home safe and sound. Her son was born completely brainfunctionless after a difficult delivery that in so many ways echoed Jared's 4 years before. By what measure does one baby turn out so beautiful and clever and smart and another one never even get to see their parents faces?

Life is so short and so precious - I cannot be thankful enough for my precious daughter~! She is stubborn and strong, opinionated and loving, a real unique and freethinking person and I wouldn't trade her for anything!!!
HUGS baby girl!!!!

Can I live here when I retire??

2011-03-06T20:53:00.000-06:00

Here's my new job site :) Part time receptionist at the Waterford Retirement home. These folks have a wonderful place here -lots to do and see. They are a lively bunch too - love it!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

2011-03-02T14:49:00.000-06:00

MAYA ANGELOU'S'
BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .......

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny.....
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship....

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more.....
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

Buttons wonderful buttons!

2011-02-24T13:13:00.000-06:00

My father in law made these for me by slicing sheeps horns into buttons :) He's also working on deer antler ones :)

Are they not incredible -they feel wonderful to the touch!

Looking after Maggies Farm

2011-02-22T10:23:00.000-06:00

So Daryl, kids and I headed down last Wednesday to farm sit for Maggie so she could attend her daughters wedding. Mia has to be one of the most beautiful brdies I have ever seen -picture are posted at : http://bundaflicka.blogspot.com/ .
Kids quickly learned farming is not for the weak of heart or stomach - they learned the joy of seeing healthy little lambs and goats bopping around and the heartbreak of finding a dead critter.
They also learned that Daddy is amazing and can deal with mean roosters! LOL Mean rooster 0 -Daryl 1
They hauled wood, water, grain and hay to various parts of the barn -stopping to talk to kitties, chickens, ducks and of course Lindsay's beloved white boys.

Mommy feel head over heels in love with one of the bottle lambs Prince Harry aka Doodle. He followed me arround and called for me as if I was his mother. And of course no visit to Maggies is complete with out sheepie kisses from Lily who would proudly bring over her little girl for all to admire!
We were even greeted by Maggies resident ghost Lydia who stopped by to say Hello in a happy voice. We hope she knows we love the farm and are thrilled to be able to help out whenever possible.
All too soon Maggie came back and we made the ride home to Canada. Farming is definetely hard work but the joys are so apparent.
someday maybe I feel so blessed to be able even in a small role to be be part of Maggies Farm
HUGS all

Happy Valentine's Day !!!

2011-02-14T09:39:00.001-06:00

Found this when opening a bag of potatoes :) Nice to know somebody in the universe wanted to send me some love!

Having fun in the snow :)

2011-02-14T08:14:00.002-06:00

Been to busy to post -having playtime in the snow with the kids LOL Here they are having fun in the snow and a quick shot of me with my adorable nephew Jeffrey who just got his snowmobile license! He took me for a ride on Grandpa Rex's super fast ski-doo.
Happy Valentine's Day to all!!

Crochet or Knit?

2011-01-27T12:49:00.002-06:00

Any guesses???? 2 ply Shetland - short dress scarf handspun :)

From ho-hum to WOW!~

2011-01-21T13:04:00.001-06:00

so I in my foolishness attempted to dye some roving without the Dyewizard's help. Wrong idea -my roving was dull and uninspired.Lucky for me, Jared stepped in and overdyed the roving for me :)
Can you see the difference LOL

Good thing I can spin .......

and it doesn't need to be dyed as the colours are stunning :) Although leftover white does look very nice with some colour added to it. Leftover unexhausted dye from the dyepot provided some lovely pastel colours for blending into wool later on.

HUGS all
Kim and crew!

A new project in the works???

2011-01-11T14:46:00.000-06:00

Maybe. we'll see when the pattern arrives but is it not stunning?? I'm thinking all natural handspun wool from various breeds. We'll see......

Knitting and Spinning cause thats what I do

2011-01-10T09:32:00.000-06:00

Too cold to go outside now -we actually have snow! So I'm doing what I love to do spinning wool and knitting it into various items :) It keeps my mind busy as we await the results of the next level of speech competiton that Jared is participating in. He's representing his class at the next level and results should be given today!

Exciting!

No excuses for not posting

2010-12-30T11:12:00.000-06:00

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 :)

2010-12-24T14:09:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-23T17:19:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-21T10:12:00.000-06:00

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!

2010-12-21T08:56:00.000-06:00

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!