Its raining!!!!

Normally that would make me really sad but oh how we needed this rain -my poor garden was shriveling under the heat and the ground is like rock. Bunnies are snuggled down with some hay so life is good for them. Only one sulking is miss "I'm not going out there I might melt" Java. Wusssy dog is she LOL but pricess of all she surveys she always is :)

How can you really be GONE???

I look in the mirror and I see shadows of you. I see your bright wisdom filled eyes in my sons face and hear your laughter come from my daughter. I hear your words echoed through me -words that I cherish and cling to when times are tough.  I smell your perfume in an old bottle on my dresser -a few precious drops remain. I feel your arms around me when I cry and hear your triumph when I succeed. I know you are no longer physically here with me but you are never nor will ever be gone.

12 years and it still is hard to believe I cannot go over to your house and talk with you - hear your wisdom and feel your pride in me but I know we will be together again someday. It is not yet the season for my passing. Life is wonderful and I am blessed.

I love you Beppe.

Growing up way too fast

The satin angoras are growing so fast -all 4 are Girls (what are the odds of that) -and all 4 ar stunning in their own way. we're keeping one here to add to the fibre herd.

Yesterday saw VanGogh -Jared's one earred Brun and his sister off to their new home in PA  -Jared was happy to know they were going to a great home!

Its just too darn hot....

Evertyhing is too much effort incuding blogging. Kids are home and are in full eating mode -you think I never had fed them before.  Feed dog, cats, rats, rabbits and then kids and repeat. Make sure fans are running at all times and sit back and do nothing. I have not weeded the garden (bad gardener) but the tomato plants are as tall as I am and full of blossoms. We clipped all the coats off the rabbits again just to help them with the heat.
Jarted is happily spending time with his friends especially Ridley his best pal. i keep telling them they make a cute couple LOL -oh do I get dirty looks then ;)

Brun babies

Jareds Argent Brun babies are quickly growing and should start silvering soon -they are born rich dark chocolate and then silver out all over their bodies. This litter of 4 has a VIB (Very Important Bunny) in the bunch -when they arrived early mommy tried to drag them over to the fluff she had pulled causded one poor little fellow to lose an ear. Jared has now named him "VanGogh" after the dutch artist who lost an ear as well LOL He of course is the cutest of the bunch but Jared already has three bucks so he has to find a new home.

Summertime fun while mom is away

While I was with Maggie at the Jazz festival in Syracuse the kids took advantage of Nanny and Poppa's pool :)
Nice and cooling n a hot summer day :)

Do you see what I see?

At long last after a major angora drought we have BABIES!!!!!!! 4 satin angoras from HH's Jazz (charlie marked broken tort) X HH's White Knight (registered REW) and 3 wonderful little french babies from CB's Racheal (registered REW) x Fuzzie's Minnesoda (registered broken black).

So excited I mean meat rabbit babies are cute but nobody gets named. Besides who can resist the cuteness :)

Happy Fathers Day!!!!

To all the dads out there thank you. Thank you for being the hands that lift us up, pat us on the back, tell us your are proud of us, for dads who take time to be a part of the their kids lives, for dads who patiently teach their kids all they need to know about life.
To Daryl who is the father of our two beautiful children -thank you -for being the man who has and is helping me raise two incredible children.  when I married Daryl my mom told me I married my dad. At first I was very insulted by this I mean who wants to marry their dad??
Last year I wrote my father a letter about that - I thought about it long and hard and why wouldn't I want to marry a man like my dad?  My dad is dependible, heardworking and above all a family man who is devoted to his family and community.  I wanted the best when I married so I realized of course I wanted a man like my dad :)
There are so many more wonderful dads out there -Daryl's dad  Poppa who teaches my kids so many wonderful lessons about life as well, my brothers and brothers in laws all devoted dads who are commited to their kids and families, my uncles and so many more.

Thank you guys!!!!!! You are all awesome!  You decicate so much time to being there for us all.
HUGS to you all

Fireman Jared???

Today at school the local fire department came for the kids fun day and and picnic. The officers even let the kids try on the gear :) Jared was thrilled to be chosen to be a volunteer fireman -too bad he couldn't move in the equipment LOL.

Is he not handsome???

Its time for a new post LOL

I know bad blogger bad. Too many things pull me away from the computer. Jared is in full baseball mode -three nights a week, he still has tutoring three days as well -will go to two over the summer but for longer times -last assessment had him reading at a solid grade 3!!!  up from his Grade one in January thank you universe.
Two more weeks of school and then summer holidays are planned -yipppeee -or not not sure how I feel about that yet.
Have been down for the count with an infected fingertip -ouchies -don't know what I did but had to go get tetnus shot and have it frozen and lanced to get the pus out -its healing but it slows things down especially rabbit cage cleanup. We have 26 (yes 26) new baby bunnies in the barn right now with two more litters planned - 4 are satin angoras -mmmmmm fibre the rest are American chinchilla rabbits a heritage breed that we have fallen in love with here.
Garden is growing well -have spring onions and bok choy now and will hopefully have some beans and peas soon.
Jared and I took part in the Ontario Handspinners Seminiar where his dye works recieved much accolades -we still have some sock weight Blue Faced Leichester yarn available if anybody is looking -picture at the bottom of the post ;)  If not mommy gets some really cool socks this winter if she gets her act together and knits some LOL
Well thats all the news here -am off to sprin some more fibre -funny how nothing can keep me from spinning LOL
HUGS all
Kim

Why I can't go to my friends houses very often

Cause they all have sheep -beautiful stunning wonderful sheep like Baby Thunder at Maggies Farm (he's a coopworth and my idea of a dream sheep) -social and loving and soo beautiful. And then there is Bill at Willow Garden Shetland who is tempting me with his open house and shearing day today. My friend Tammy  at Kalwa Taure Shetlands has lovely rovings that are perfect for Jared to dye up. And now there are the three sisters at Trinity Wool Works who are raising their own Blue Faced Leichester and other breeds and offering ready to dye sock yarn (they got tired of getting paid pennies for their fleeces at the wool co-op and bought their own processing equipment).  There are so many more wonderufl people out there raising fleece animals so I can play with it all :)
I love fibre and playing with wool -spinning to me is sanity and heaven all in one. Knitting is work -lots of work but I'm going slowly on that - I just downloaded the Iconic New Zealand Jersey from Ashford and have my fleece selected and prepped. I just have to finish spinning it up when I'm in the mood for white and cream. Its a fun pattern as you spin the wool and don't wash it till after the sweater is done -all the emphasis is on the fleece not the knitting -very cool!
Kids are vegging on the couch right now eating pizza after our hand morning of fishing -wonder if I could tempt them into holding my hands and telling me "no more fleece mommy" LOL 
Oh well I'm off to spin some more of Maggies wonderful roving -I love this stuff -she graciously is allowing me to spin some yarn for her - wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)

Saturday Driver and slowing it down

Ever notice as a mom we spend more times in the car with our kids than any other? Mine are of the are of the age of ballgames and playdates, drive me to the pool please, can you get me from the learning centre in an hour and while you're waiting pickup more food we're starving LOL.
So today the kids and I played hooky and went fishing for two hours -we caught nothing but good memories and laughs. Lindsay is drawing a picture of it all now as the camera is awol will post it as soon as she is done her work of art!
HUGS all
kim and crew
bright red because somebody forgot to put sunscreen on her face -kids are fine though :)

More yarn by Jared

I found a great wool co-op from here in Canada for Blue Faced Leichester sock yarn and bought some to try dyeing it :) Very pleased with the results

Here's the drying rack full of new colourways!  All will be for sale at the upcoming Ontario Handspinners Conference and on line :)

My Green Garden :)

Not only is it wonderfully naturally green it is also environmentally green :) All fencing was recycled as was the crib wall now being used a a cucumber rack.  The rows between the veggies are layed down with recycled plastic strips covered with grass clippings -no weeding and end of the year it all gets rototillered back into the soil for nutrients.  It only cost me three days of hard labour to make it happen but I can taste all the veggies now -tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, peas, beans, herbs, potatoes and asparagus :)  And down by the Scamper tree (a cherry tree) there is a blooming strawberry bed.   Loads of bunny poop used as fertilizer with no pestisides at all. Carrots and onions are getting planted in the front flower bed and the rhubarb will be ready this weekend if it keeps growing like it is.  YUMMY!!!

There is even room on the tarps for the kids pool -an inflaable pool we picked up last year for $10 on clearance.

HUGs all -I'm off to play in the dirt some more!

Look what Lindsay and I won~~~

We went Sunday to a local womens shelter plant sale and purchased one ticket. We were THRILLED when they called and let us know we had won this -load sof girly bath stuff for the princess of all she surveys and her maidservant (grin)
Funny how everyone else gets to be royalty in this house. Good thing I got the knight in shining armour though ;)

HUGS all
Kim

Its so hard to be a princess

Yearly checkup -adoring fans, manicure -man it is soooo rough to be the princess LOL

Happy mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there !!!!I never thought I would be a mom -really I didn't. Never did I think I would experience the immense joys and the soul questioning lows of being a mom. When I first found out I was thrilled and overwhelmed. Now I look at my children with daily wonder and amazement. I have learned so much by being a mom.

I want to take the time to thank all those mothers out there who have forged this path for us, moms who have laughed, cried, shared joys and had moments we can never wish on any creature.  moms who have held their children tight and other who have had to let them go. Moms not of the body but of the heart and soul who have given us love and courage to become who we are.

Thank you to all the moms in my life~~! You guys ROCK!!!!!

HUGS

Back from the beauty that is Maryland

We're back from the sheep an dwool festival -it has been so hectic when I returned I have no time to blog but here is a short re-cap.
Left Wednesday and motored down to Maggies farm for load up and packing. After a wonderful night of laughing and getting stuff done I was awoken Thursday morning by a soft furry little visitor Izzy :)
Maggie and I packed up the truck and trailer with much help from Matt and then off we went to Maryland. We stayed in Libby's luxury palace of a horse trailer and we had soo much fun.
It was WAYYYY too hot there but we prevailed.
I entered a skein of single ply spindle spun wool and won 2nd place :):):)
All too soon it was time for the long drive home through the torential rain and lightning then it was home to Canada. more to come am too busy enjoying the outside today as it is sunny nad bright.
HUGS
all
Kim

Enquiring minds want to know can you spin the fleece???

At first glance, with its woolly coat, onlookers would be forgiven for mistaking this creature for a sheep.
However, a closer look at this rare breed reveals a snout and trotters usually found on pigs.
It’s a confusing sight, but this is one of three curly coated Mangalitza ‘sheep-pigs’ which have been delivered to a UK zoo.

Aprently on re-reading the article the answer is yes you can spin the fleece -wow talk about dual purpose pigs LOL  They use to make sweaters out of fleece from similar type pigs -wonder how soft it is???


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266440/The-sheep-pig-pulling-wool-everybodys-eyes-.html#ixzz0lqnDAht8

My hubby and his OTHER woman

Do they not look happy together???  Funny how one couch is always full with the two of them LOL When Java first came here she wanted NOTHING to do with Daryl -now he is the love of her life.

Happy Birthday Jared!!!!

Its true my baby is 12!!!!!!!

Today my baby is 12 -he's growing so fast and he's so smart and clever and wise beyond his years.  I have realized that I am so blessed to have him here to teach me all about life and the wonder there in.

I love you today and always Jared!!!!
Love mom

Somebody is in my fibre!

Who could it be??????

Its the terror of the household Nemesis LOL. Is he not a handsome fellow?  But he has to learn the fibre is MINE!!!

Bunny pics

Was out at the barn today with the camera (shocking I know) and took some quick pics including one of the elusive Peggy -shhhh don't tell her LOL  The full butterfly broken sable doe -SOLD and the two blues are for sale -there is a buck and a doe - SOLD. There is also a black doe and two white bucks for sale from the litter. Their half sister Chance -the BIG girl pictured is NOT for sale. Neither is Peggy :)
BFN
Kim

Its suppose to be spring

Okay I'm sulking -its darn cold and snowing here........darn it I want spring NOW!!!!!~!
I'm going to go play with wool now -its the only thing from keeping me from going over the edge.  My daughter is currently singing "I'm smarter than the cat" as she wraps Neme in a blanket and carts him around. Jared has his Star Wars lego game on the Wii on full tilt and Daryl is playing with paintball markers much to the terror of Java who is cowering under the desk.
HUGS all
Kim

Patrick Green Triple Picker for Sale

Asking $500 -pickup at Maryland sheep and wool festival or arrange pickup delivery-its wayyyy too big to ship :)

Handspun angora

Is it not yummy??  And then just cause haha I needed to spin more I plyed one ply grey mohair with some novelty yarn I picked up.
HUGS all
Kim

Happy Spring -Blessing on you all

Its warm and sunny out today and we are just chilling out enjoying our 4 day weekend all together :) Off to play baeseball for spring training while the weather is nice.  Jared is very excited to get back to the crew at kingston Thunder especially Storm (don't tell him its dad inside the costume sometimes) LOL

HUGS all

Kim and crew

Wool gathering

Not really as I have no sheep but I am currently sorting through the massive plastic totes here -getting ready for spring shows -lots of new handspun yarn done -am going to work on some pure angora skeins next -some coloured fibre I found tucked away in bags and boxes .
I keep telling myself its all for sale but part of me just wants to lay in the big pile and fondle it all - yummy!

Why I love my son

Not that there isn't a million good reasons but this morning he came to me and said "Do you know why God picked you to be my mom?" in that sweet tone he has. I looked at him with a grin and said "why?" expecting some smart alex commetn that he is so good for. Instead with a big hug he replied "cause I would have driven any other mom crazy by now but he knew you were strong enough to handle me"
Do I feel special or what :)
HUGS
all
Kim
aka Jared's wonder mom 

Road signs to make you laugh!!!

I want one of these for my barn LOL
Wonder inf anybody would get the hint though.....probably not. I HATE going to shows where people tell their kids "poke your figer through the cage honey and pet the nice bunny" -things poekd through the cage are generally food in the rabbits mind.

Sigh one of those little things that tick me off.

HUGs all
Kim
out to feed the killer beasts

Spinning some spring sunshine

So to celebrate spring I'm spinning some of Maggies lovely sunshine inspired Mother Fiber -I'm hoping it will hold me till Maryland and her new rovings there :) Just being able to handle all the stunning raw fleece on Saturday was enough to get me in the spinning mood again ;) I'm thinking a shawl with all the colours swirling together in a spring celebration.

Happy Birthday Princess Pudding

Is she not stunning?  My baby girl turns 8 today. I feel so old.......no no I don't :) I'm so happy and proud of her -she's growing up so fast and I'm going to grab hold of every moment I can with her.
Happy Birthday Lindsay!!!! You are one in a trillion and you are definetely my daughter LOL

More dyework on the go

Jared has started his March break dyeing extravaganza :) Here's the first batches drying in the bathroom.
More to come!

A great way to buy local

Daryl and I love fresh farm produce -our little garden does produce quite a bit but there are so many other great tastes out there :) We looked around and decided to buy a "Farm share" so we get fresh veggies and eggs delivered all summer long. Here's the link to the group we joined! AWESOME!!!

http://rootradicalrows.com/index.html

Can taste the summer freshness now mmmmmmmm

The new fibre-mobile :)

Well our beloved Volvo breathed her last. It had almost 400K on the odometer so it didn't owe us a dime.
Daryl the wonderful mechanic he is tried his best but decided it was time to let her go. So we searched and found a new vehicle. A 1999 Dodge Dakota 4x4 extended cab.
Very sweet ride!
All we need is a cap to load fibre and bunnies into ;) Or better yet a farm so I can have sheep LOL.

One Skein done -one to go

So I'm working on a larger order of handspun 1500 yards of fingering weight of a lovely blend of wool/angora/mohair silk. One skien is spun and washed and I've started on the other. In between I'm getting some smaller spinning jobs done too :)
Good thing I have a couple of wheels to keep it all going!