Lindsay and her great big bag of everything

Lindsay is spoiled beyond belief :) She even has her own stunning Bundaflicka bag which goes EVERYWHERE with her. Unfortunalty we have to frisk her to make sure the cat is not in the bag LOL. She loves toting Nemesis around in it and silly kitty that he is he lets her. Here she is posing with it after Neme escaped. She also uses it to haul clothing up and down stairs, book to the library and even her toys. Hey what can I say my daughter knows quality workmanship! "Thank you Maggie for this beautiful bag" Lindsay says -she wants you know she can get everything she needs to come down to visit your farm in the bag ;)

The guardian at the gate

I have to laugh at the hydro men who apparently cannot read the "DOG In the Yard" signs posted all over the fence. I love when the Guardian of all she surveys pops up over the gate and startles the heck out of them. Is she not regal :)
She's my joy and best buddy especially when I am working outside.

Goodbye Greyman

Well its over. Grimjack left us peacefully at the vets held by the bravest little 11 year old boy telling him it was okay to go and Scamper was waiting for him on the other side. You can't see the tears but they are pouring down like the rain. Jared told me it was okay that the angels had sent Neme so Shenaigans wouldn't be lonely here. He also built with his dad a lovely little box to bury him in with Grimjacks name and the date painted on top.
This is the part of life that sucks -saying goodbye to an old friend.
Grimjack you entered our lives so long ago
You made our house blessed
Go into the light and we'll see you on the other side some day

Having to say goodbye sucks

Today I took Grimjack aka Greyman to the vet. He has had his tounge hanging out for a week and drooling excessively. Today there was blood hanging out so to the vet he went. Poor boy has bone cancer. Today I had to decide what to do after he was given a pain shot. He came home with me for one last night of loving and tomorrow its going to be hell for me. We've had Grimmy for 14 years -Daryl rescued him from a dumpster to live the life of luxury here with us. I'm worried about what will happen to Shenanigans they have been together all this time. Hopefully Neme will help fill the gap.

ROTFLMAO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4NCJxJ-jxM&feature=related

Watch the video and then post what you think LOL.

Simply stunning

Here he is one of the new arrivals here Dark Starz Heathcliff. He's a chestnut agouti German Hybrid. He is sooo stunning -look at the crimp!! Can't wait to spin some of this.......mmmmmm

Back from Rhinebeck

We're back home. Safe and sound -rolled in a midnight this morning.
Have to find the camera and unpack. Bunnies all got off safely to new owners and new bunnies came back to be delivered.
Lionheads FINALLY got picked up Thursday night -girl and her mom came at 9:15pm (was suppose to be 7:30) -she was very quick to take them and leave with barely a thank you. Oh well glad they are gone after two weeks here. They simply do not appeal to me - I like big bunnies with LOTS of fibre. Brought back two that could happily stay here a stunning black doe and an amazing chestnut buck with the crimpest fibre I have ever seen! Will get pictures posted later.

Of course the BEST fibre to be found at Rhinebeck was at Maggie's Farm -such wonderful colours and the feel I just want to make a bed of it and lay there -but then I'd spin it out from underneath me LOL

Two more sleeps til fabulous fibre overload

Oh yes it is coming Rhinebeck -that beautiful heavenly (kid free) fibre overload. Items are piling up to take down, bunny list is made and checked over -I swear if this youth breeder does not pick up her lionheads I will take them down there and sell them cheap!!! They've been here since last Sunday and I have to say the novelty of them soon wears off. They produce no usable fibre, eat and poop like rabbits 6 x thier size and have no real personalities.
Anyway back to fun stuff -fibr eawaits me -glorious colours and softness -squishy and soon to be mine. Yep Satan is shwoing her horns but this time the temptation is all hers LOL

HUGs all

Things I am thankful for.....

so Today being thanksgiving I thought I would share with you some of the things I am thankful for:

Daryl
my children even though they drive me crazy (see above napkin that says it all)
Java
The cats
fibre!!!! what would life be without it
my dear friends and goddess sisters -who make my life so wonderful and full
freedom -what terrible prices have been paid so we can live free
the earth and all her splendor

there are so many little things we take for granted every day - thank you for the moments and minutes of wonder and delight, thank you for the tears we shed in sorrow and frustration, thank you for the laughter and the anger, thank you for life itself!

HUGS to you all -we are so blessed here it is beyond measure

Pardon me are my horns showing??

A very good friend of mine sent me a very cute gift. Tammy of Kalwa Tuare Shetlands whttp://kalwataureshetlands-tammy.blogspot.com/ sent me these amazing little horns as I'm always Told I am Satan when it comes to fibre. LOL Love them!!! Psst hey Tammy -more fibre arrivng this week (laughing and ducking)

Back to spinning and a visitor in the barn :)

So I came back from the rabbit show with 8 new rabbits yesterday -4 for me all satin angoras to replace some of the dog attack bunnies and 4 for a youth breeder up here. She raises lionheads. This one is really cute in my opinion!
I'm back to work here happily spinning my way through some more Maggies fibre -I love this colourway it reminds me of fall -the vivid blue skies against the leaves as they change.
HUGS all
Kim

Update from the Rabbit Show

Back from the show :) Registered RM's Look At Me -she was a good girl through it all. Placed 2nd and 3rd with my senior does and also placed 2nd and 3rd with wool. Judge had wonderful comments on body types too!
My Junior Chin doe also won Best Fur -so I was pretty happy with the results.
Of course I HAD to get new bunnies came home with 4 new satin angoras.
LOL
Now to get everybody peeled down so we can start spinning their wool. DIBS on Look At Me's coat :)

Some of the Lovely Ladies of Rocky Meadow Rabbits

Tonight was tattoo night at the barn so I brought the camera along to capture on film some of the "DIVAS" of Rocky Meadow Rabbits :)
We have RM's Look at Me -to be registered blue pearl French Angora
RM's Second Chance a regsitered broken sable French Angora
RM's Karma - registered black golden steel French Angora -had to take a close up shot of her wool coming in -its soooo luxurious to spin
RM's Flare - to be registered chinchilla Satin Angora
and last but not least RM's Shine - our newest junior American Chinchilla

Never let it be said I don't love coloured rabbits :)

Wow is this incredible :)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113223398

Holy cow -its stunning, its amazing -its real silk made by spiders and woven by human hands. i'll be it feels amazing!!

More equipment for sale

More equipment for sale:

Swift $50

Wool Blocker $10

2 Tapestry Looms -your choice $25

There may also be two pairs of handcards and more coming up -have to keep searching through the piles of stuff :)

BFN
Kim

September 23rd 2009 -14 glorious years

Love you baby -today and always!!!

Off this weekend to (gasp) do fibery things

Lots of fibre and fun this weekend -off Saturday to Georgetown for the 5-counties fibre show and sale there and then SQUEEEEEEEEE off to Fingerlkaes Fiber Show in NY where I get to hang out with Maggie and other good fibery friends South of the border.
Think I'm a little excited??? Jared has been busy making more batts to keep up with demand -he's so talented.
On the bunny front we are starting our fall breeding lists. Our first fall show with them is October 4th in Syracuse -lots to regsiter there!

HUGS all
Kim

Just me and my sidekick

Kids are off at school today -its just me and Bri -my three year old niece. She;s a riot though. She loves to help Aunt Kim spin, sort fibre and of course visit the bunnies. She is also a terror who loves to grab unsuspecting kitties (especially Neme as he's too silly to run) and snuggle the heck out of them. She is also a willing model as I finish up another batch of waste angora hats ( I take all the matts and tangles and drum card them till they are good and spin them).
I forgot how much work kids are when they are potty training am sooo done with this area of my life.
HUGS Kim and sidekick

Happy Birthday to......

ME!!!! Thats right its the BIG 4-0 Today LOL. As my dad says "they can make me grow out but they can not make me grow up" heehee.
Its also my baby sisters birthday -she was born three years after me and thus denied me for many years of the puppy I had been promised as she was allergic to animals.
Oh well I did finally get my beloved Scamper and now I have the whole crew to make me happy :)
I'm proud of this milestone -I have learned so much with the time I have walked on this earth. I don't know how far the book goes after this point but each day and each page will be greeted with hope and laughter, tears and frustration for that is all a part of life. I will dance, sing (badly) and generally love the time I have been given to share with those who are important to me.
HUGS all
off to find some cake and eat it too
Kim

A Dragonfly moment

As many of you know dragonflies are special to me. They always seem to appear when I need a sign. Today was no exception. I was at a local show and had just finished setting up when a little girl with blond pig tails, glasses and looking so much like me at 11-12 that it was eerie. All of a sudden she exclaims "Beppe she has yarn!!" . Beppe was what I called my grandmother (it would have been her birthday today). Sure enough a stunning older silver haired lady came along and helped her granddaughter buy her first yarn and needles to teach her to knit. The memories came flashing back and I felt the tears coming. As they were leaving a stunning large ruby red with black winged dragonfly came along and landed on my hand. I feel so overwhelmed -I am not forgotten and neither is she.
Happy Birthday Beppe - I still miss you.

A day of memories -you are not forgotten....

I just realized its quiet......

No kids in the house. Java is out in the backyard chewing a bone. Cats are sleeping cozy together as always -except Nemesis -he's not allowed to be part of the "big boy" club. What shall I do - I know SPIN!!!!

HUGS
Kim

So I wanted to reduce my carbon footprint

HOWEVER -this is not the way I wanted to do it. Somebody last night decided we didn't need two vehicles so they stole MY VAN out of our driveway. This is not a joke it is gone. Neighbours across the road had a party last night -lots of cars coming and going. We had to keep yelling at Java to be quiet -our bad.
So hopefully this gets resolved soon. I did not need the crappening to continue.

UPDATE: Van is found about 150 kms from here. Officers exact description is its crispy -they burned it to a hull. RIP my lovely little mini van -how many miles we travelled together..

BFN
Kim

I soooo NEED one of these on a T-shirt

This is a fabulous artist who's works are called Sheep Incognito. I've emailed her and asked if she puts this print on a T-shirt -if so I am first in line !!!!!

HUGs all
Kim

busy in the garden

Spinning Equipment for Sale -can deliver to some shows :)

Hi All:

Need to make space for new project items and before long suffering hubby gets buried underneath it all :)

Coarse Drum Carder -believe it is an older Patrick Green model -in really good shape for the age. Will need clamps to mount onto table and doffer and pin (I can get them if necessary ) SOLD Pending pickup

Ashford Kiwi wheel -stained green -has two chip off flyer whorl but it doesn't effect the spinning. New springs and tension on her. Comes with 5 (maybe 6 bobbins if I can find the other one) Sold with a waiting list ;0

Ashford Traditional Single Treadle -with 4 bobbins -Asking $275

Pictures of the first two items here -waiting for the camera to recharge before taking its picture

am heading to the following shows:

September 19th -5 Counties Georgetown ON
September 20th - Fingerlakes Fibre Show NY
September 26th - FibreMania -Spinning Wheels Alpacas ON
September 27th - Wilton Road Open House Odessa ON
October 4th - Syracuse Finals Rabbit Show NY
October 16th -18th Rhinebeck NY Dutchess County Fiber Show

HUGS
Kim

What breed of Ewe are you -Winners!!!

I had so much fun reading all the responses both on the blog and via email so we've entered all the names in a hat. Jared the master dyer and blender has graciously donated two of his custom batts- winners pick of colour or your choice of some other fibery goodness.
and the winners are (drum roll please)

Tammy W -who is a Shopshire lol she raises beautiful shetlands btw and does fantastic pottery too -lots of dragons that I love :)

and Gypsegrl

Contact me ladies so we can get you your prizes!!!!

HUGS
Kim

Last Hurrah of Summer

Jared, Lindsay and I have been delivering papers all summer long now saving our pennies for one big trip for all of us :) Today we went to the Walking with Dinosaurs display in Ottawa. We had pizza and drinks and a wonderful time. Oh we're they magnificent and loud. Lindsay doesn't like loud noises so we packed Daryl's headphones for her.
One more day then BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!

HUGS Kim

I'm following Roz Savage and so could you!

I have been following this amazing blog for some time now after Maggie kindly posted it on her blog:

http://rozsavage.com/


She is now rowing the Pacific Ocean and what an incredible journey it is:) I can't wait to read her book from her first voyage -posted below.

Inspiration

In 2005 a five-foot-four, 120-pound woman set out to row – alone – 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in a 24-foot rowboat. After 103 days of storms, solitude and soul-searching, she arrived to an ecstatic welcome in Antigua.

Roz Savage’s feat is all the more astonishing because she had no previous experience as an adventurer. She had worked for 11 years as a management consultant before trading in her London career for a life on the ocean, seeking personal fulfillment through voyages of exploration, both literal and spiritual.

She now shares the lessons learned on the ocean with people around the world. Her amazing story, supported by jaw-dropping video footage, wins rave reviews from audiences, leaving them inspired and equipped with new tools to help them achieve their own life goals.

Sample Themes:

* Make the connection between present action and future outcome. If you repeat today’s actions 365 times, will you be where you want to be in a year’s time?
* No matter how big your goal, you can get there if you create a plan and then execute it with discipline, determination and dedication. One stroke at a time.
* Don’t waste mental energy asking yourself if you can do something. You won’t know until you try. So just do it – you may surprise yourself.

Rowing the Atlantic - Lessons Learned on an Open Ocean. Her book about the Atlantic crossing, Rowing the Atlantic – Lessons Learned on an Open Ocean, will be published by Simon & Schuster in Autumn 2009

Just what I needed -to really think about what is important and to think about what I can do for the enviornment :)

HUGS all
Kim

Whats that lurking above me??

Is it a bird?? Nope.. Is it two kids? Not yet they haven't figured out toget up there LOL. Its CEILING CAT waiting till you are intent on typing and then WHAM. He lurks and waits . and he got busted last night heehee. He's so darn fun!
He has had to learn not to bite toes, not to grab thge spinning wheel when in motion and so much more -forgot how much fun a young cat is.

HUGS all
off to play with fibre -ahhh fibre

Apparently I need to get a REAL JOB :)

Today my mom called ot remind me we are having a family gathering on the 19th when my aunt and uncle are here from Holland. I told her I would be there as soon as I was done a fibre event and told her I was leaving early as I was going to another show on the 20th. Her answer to me was a long suffering sigh and the question "when are you going to get a real job". LOLOLOLOLOL. I told my mother every family needs a failure so I'll be ours ROTLMAO. She was not amused.
Apparently running a fibre business from home, looking after 40+ angora rabbits (of course I have a peggy which everybody needs) , raising two kids and babysitting a third is not really work. Who knew ;) I've come to the conclusion that I'm happy, Daryl is happy, the kids don't care so what does the rest matter. I could wish for a million things but in the grand scheme of the universe I am so blessed what more do I really need.

I'm sitting here working on paperwork and listening to George Throughgoods "Get a haircut and get a real Job" while the kids bop on the WiiFit and Java barks at the squirrels in the back yard.
This morning I've finished off enough handspun to make up 6 Maggies HUG shawl kits -love it!! Who says I'm not productive.

Off to clean bunny cages and talk to Java. She thinks I'm pretty awesome -of course she'll agree to anything as long as there is a belly rub and a milk bone involved.

HUGS all

Jared's latest work for me

Yes I'll admit it I use child labour :) LOL its amazing what your kids will do when thy are "bored". I had borrowed a drum carder from the guild and as you allknow Jared' loved making new colourways on it. Well he ran out of material so I found my fleece that has been washed and picked and set him to work. Here it sits in its lovely soft glory -next stage spinning to make a sweater!! The project continues. Perfect for this years Guild challenge "Make something for you"

HUGS
Kim

Whale or Mermaid??

I saw a yahoo news bit today about PETA's newest billboard that says "Save the Whales" Loose the blubber and had a picture of an overweight woman in a bikini. I thought it was very offensive as they are saying all you have to do to lose weight is eat vegetarian. Well when later searching the groups I like to read I came across this fantastic article. I have decided I'd rather be a whale That being said I'm off to have an ice cream cone with the kids and go splash in a body of water HUGS all.

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring
> a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said:
>
> THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?
>
> A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match
> those of
> the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the
> gym.
>
> To Whom It May Concern:
>
> Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious
> humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have
> adorable
> baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves
> with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like
> Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are
> wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible
> creatures
> and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved,
> protected
> and admired by almost everyone in the world.
>
> Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up
> outside the
> offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or
> human?
> They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them
> not
> to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don't have kids
> either.
> Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who's skin is all
> scaly and
> smells like a fish store?
>
> The choice is perfectly clear to me... I want to be a whale.
>
> P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only
> skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my
> grandkids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a latte
> with my
> friends. With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much
> information
> and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it
> distributes out
> to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously
> cultured,
> educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the
> mirror I
> will think, "Good gosh, look how smart I am!"

A HUG for me

Okay I feel better now. Dropped the paperwork off at Animal Control. The officver was quite impressed with how professional it looked and told me she would send a copy to the dog owner. I figure I'll hear the scream of "WHAT" soon.

Anyway came home to find my Maggie's Hug shawl had dried. I made myself one with some leftover Maggies fibre all saved in my favorite fall colours. I had a tiny bit of border collie fluff from Scamper yet so spun it up with some fawn alpaca leftovers and added it in as an accent bit. I loved the effect :) And Jared was a willing model -he looks so darn cute how could I resist him. Maggies fibre is so soft and warm I can't wait to snuggle up with this shawl when fall hits. And its nice to have a spare model shawl to show people how handspun yarn kits I've made up look too.

HUGs all

Today I'm just pissed off.

Sorry if that word bothers somebody but I'm bummed. Yesterday a neighbours dog who has been warned twice not to let their dog run loose got loose AGAIN and made its way into my rabbit barn at Peggy's. This dog then procced to shake the living heck out of a bottom cage rack frightening 6 promising young show angoras to death. Peggy fortunately was able to corral the dog and called animal control. We have filed a report and the officer tells us the owner will be responsible for full replacement cost of the rabbits. My problem is how do you fairly assess what the rabbits are worth. I know what I charge to sell them but still.

My solution so far is it get three letters from other satin and french angora breeders with a quote as to what they would charge me for a show grade junior from registered parents. So far the range is $75 to $150. We took pictures of all the damage in the barn and the rabbits. We also took pictures of the dog in question.
Animal control has the dog right now until things are solved.

Hopefully it can all be resolved quickly. I love dogs BUT I know they need to be contained and taught not to hurt other critters. I know full well I cannot trust Java near any small critter loose and I respect and control that. These people need to learn that thier dog cannot be allowed to run loose. hopefully it can all be resolved peacefully.


HUGS all
Kim

Its just hot

So everybody is taking it easy. Do they not have a rough life here at the house? Snicker. Bunnies are all "nakkid" with fans running and frozen pop bottles to lay against. Kids are living in the little pool we set up and mom is learning new and exciting ways to cook everything ont he bbq.
HUGs all
Kim

Look mom I'm in the paper :)

And not in a bad way either. I was at the Picton Craft show last week and the reporter asked if he could take some pictures. And here I am :)
I feel so important right now LOL.

A love so big

Today is the 44th anniversary for my mom and dad. They are so suited to each other and still like two kids in love even after 4 kids and 9 grandkids. Here's a picture of them from my wedding -can't you tell its dated by my moms glasses, heehee.
No comments on which parent I look like ;)

Love you mom and dad!!!!!!!

Busy enjoying what little bit of summer there is :)

Sorry for the lack of posting -on the few non -rainy days we have been busy here -baseball games. mowing the lawn (if the neighbours wouldn't bitch I'd have a sheep or two to do the job for me) and enjoying time with Daryl and the kids. Last weekend we went to the Sterling Ren Festival. always fun -we LOVE the Mud show -where else can you see classics performed in the mud, as well as fabulous food and really cool stuff to look at (too expensive to buy). They also run a human chess game and full contact jousting. Awesome!

This weekend coming I'll be at the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials -its amazing to watch these fabulous dogs in action.

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/recreation/events/sheepdog/index.asp

Bunnies are all growing like bad weeds -amgoing to have some fabulous juniors to show by fall and will have a few for sale as well.

HUGS
Kim