Monthly Archives: May 2017

2017
05/31

Category:
Life
quilts

COMMENTS:
2 Comments »

Chores, shopping and some sewing

This morning, I went shopping for this orange construction fencing to keep sheep and hay apart until winter.  Then I took care of some mundane chores like vacuuming and other cleaning, watered the hoop house, and found a

little time to sew.   Because I am not in the middle of a project, I chose to sew mindlessly.   These 4″ squares were already cut out so I paired them up and sewed just over 125 pairs.   I only need to cut another 20 pair to make 2 lap quilts with them. Of course there is still a lot more to do before they become a quilt, but they are started!

 

 

2017
05/30

Category:
farming
Life

COMMENTS:
1 Comment »

The body knows and geese

So often we hear that we should listen to our bodies as “the body knows”.   I’m not sure about that now.  This morning, I got up and went through the normal routine, then decided to clean a couple shelves in the pantry.   By 8:45, I was ready for a nap and took an hour nap.  

After lunch, I went shopping (mostly unsuccessfully) and came home at 2.45.   This crazy body wanted another nap.   I  need a reset button for when it pulls this.   But I don’t have a reset button, so what does one do?A photo of our second set of Pilgrim geese.   These came to us already have grown, but as you can see they are in “flight” mode.   Now I need to catch them and leg band them so next year, I know which ones to put together into pairs.

2017
05/29

Category:
farming
Life

COMMENTS:
3 Comments »

Hay, hot wire, OMG, and company

Today was busy with hay, hot wire and company.   We first had to take a partial wall and flooring out before the hay arrived. This corner holds about 3 ton.   There is more stacked at the back of the barn and another half ton in another building, a total of 6 tons.  I will have to put some 2 x 4s across the front to keep little mouths from making a mess as we won’t be breaking into this until after the first of the year.   It is beautiful, second cutting,  organic, grass hay cut this week.

We just finished stacking this, when the fellow came to work on the hot wire on the perimeter fencing.   This is taking way more time than it should because he has a full time job elsewhere.   So when school is out, he will have more time and can give hotwire and the cross fencing more time.

The home health nurse came to check on DH who is doing much better, and apparently he will be making another visit on Friday.   He was followed by our daughter, her DH and 2 sons.   It was lovely weather to sit on the deck and just enjoy the weather.  I know you’re wondering if I’ll get  back to sewing or quilting, or something involving fiber.   Sheep count, don’t they?  Rain is forecast for Thursday, so if we have no further life interruptions, I plan to get started on a new project then.   I am so itching to make something again, but the sun compels me to be outside since it is such a short season.

Meanwhile, I  am linking up to Elm streets “One Monthly Goal”  with this rabbit I finished earlier this month.

I hope you had a lovely memorial day weekend and remembered those to whom we owe this holiday.   We are blessed to have this freedom.

 

2017
05/28

Category:
Life

COMMENTS:
3 Comments »

Recovered and visitors

We want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers during our mini-crises.   DH has recovered nicely and has enjoyed the visitors.

One daughter helped get him all settled at home Friday, and another came with her DH yesterday to spend a few lovely hours.

Then eldest son came with his friend today and we had another delightful day of visiting. He had been in Morocco during my birthday and Mother’s day, so also came bearing gifts.  These hand painted plates don’t show well.  They are beautiful and since two sons were on this trip, they each brought me a lovely plate.   His friend brought me some lovely skin care products as well.

Not to be outdone, a yellow jacket got into the house and gifted me with a swollen finger.   So with hospital visits, guests, and a holiday weekend, no sewing or crafting has happened.

 

2017
05/25

Category:
Life

COMMENTS:
1 Comment »

Liver cyst and hospital

The last few months DH has been complaining about his side hurting a lot.  He had been to the doctor on at least 2 occasions and they only found liver  cysts which are water filled and many people have them.  Since they rarely ever cause any issues, they are ignored.  Very, very early  Tuesday morning I was awakened with complaints of severe pain.  We went to urgent care and he had a CT scan with iodine.  Again,  they only found the cysts.   But his abdomen was so extended, he was weak and couldn’t walk, and one cyst was as large as a large potato and crowding other items that belong in there.     They had to put him in the hospital to do surgery.  Did you know that hospital beds are becoming very VERY difficult to get?  They spent 5 hours finding a hospital bed – while I got to have some fillings at the dentist.   Finally after 7  that evening, we had him in the hospital.  Then it was another long wait for the admitting doctor to show up (after midnight).

We are so blessed to have several children as they came to help while away the hours, as well as take their turn at night, so DH wasn’t left alone.  This morning, the doctor came and talked to all of us about two procedures that he could do.    One was surgery and the other was to aspirate all the fluid from this cyst and then monitor it to see if it stays empty,   All of us thought that sounded like the best option.  So this afternoon at 5, he was rolled away to be worked on.   They removed 2.2 liters which is about what a large soda bottle contains.  He was back in an hour and said that he felt better than he had in awhile.    Now he needs to gain his strength back after all of this.   Hopefully he will be coming home Saturday and life will return to normal or somewhat normal.

 My aim is to get back to normal by the beginning of next week.  And since I will be at the hospital most of tomorrow, there won’t be a post.    Thanks so much for understanding why I have not been here.

 

 

2017
05/25

Category:
Life

COMMENTS:
3 Comments »

Hospital

I missed posting the last two nights as DH was in pain and now is in the hospital.   He has a large liver cyst of water.   We finally got a hospital bed this evening and will take a rest and go back in the morning.   I should be able to post tomorrow

Recycling, sheep, nettles = farming

Recycling day – Amazon, we wish you would collect all the cardboard that you bring here.    The car is as full as it can be and hopefully the driver can see out.   It will go to the recycling place in the morning.

It is terrific to have a sheep who comes when called.   Ava (in pink) and her son went out through the gate when I drove in.   DH  found her and opened the gate.   No response until I called her.   Then she was so happy to come in.   Another great thing is that she is an alpha to the group.   When she runs, they all want to see what she has found.   So she is helpful in that way as well.

It was a wonderfully warm day again, but our helper spent 6 hours cutting nettles, so that they wouldn’t bloom and create more trouble.

And the new washer arrived.   It has been test driven and is so quiet, one barely knows that it is running.   Our last one could be heard throughout the house when spinning.

I tried to digitize this, but I’m at the very beginning and it was sunny outside and I can come up with as many excuses as a child as to why nothing happened.   I got nowhere on this today and there are 7 days and a pot holder to do.   I will learn, but you won’t see much in the way of results for awhile.

2017
05/21

Category:
Life
quilts

COMMENTS:
2 Comments »

Gorgeous day and a bunny

 

What a gorgeous day!.   After all the rain we’ve had for the last months, this week has been outstanding.  Today the temperature reached 76 degrees.   I spent time outside working on getting my quota of Vitamin D.  The above is what I saw when I lay on my chaise lounge.   And the forecast is for beautiful days for the next 10 days.  I think I’d just like to make a vacation of it, but that won’t happen.   I will slack off the winter pace however, as one just doesn’t get enough summer and I intend to enjoy this one.

This little paper pieced bunny is ready to be placed with the 10 other little blocks that are not yet made.   I did work just a few seams each day to accomplish this.  If I had stayed with it, I think I would not have enjoyed it.   As it was there were several seams that were put in place more than once.  I am slowly getting the idea.

2017
05/19

Category:
farming
food
Life

COMMENTS:
4 Comments »

Shopping for essentials

We spent much today shopping for essentials.   That is if you call tractors and washing machines essentials.   We looked at both and will take the next week to make decisions.   The tractor salesman may have talked himself out of deal.   He is coming over next week to look at the land, but really thought he knew someone who would do the work we need at an incredibly low price.   But then sometimes that is too good to be true.   We will wait and see.

The washing machine has a higher priority.   I am not finding a top loader that has all that I want and that I can still fill with water if I want to soak something or even dye it.  So I’m still searching.   It seems the companies have gone to the programmed machine that weighs the clothes and decides how much water that load will need.

We did buy groceries and light bulbs, so we are all set for the weekend.

2017
05/18

Category:
farming
Life

COMMENTS:
Comments Closed

Student farm help

As we are aging, I find that I am not getting as much done as at one time, and we also added to the work here.  This year I have help from the Tilth farm school.   They take about about 15 young students – mostly early 20s –  a year who work on the farm and have classes.   They each  have their own garden area on the farm and do farmer’s markets and at least 2 of them will be doing a CSA this year.  They learn mostly about gardening because this is the Seattle area and more city than animals.  So when I put an ad up asking for farm help, there were 2 people particularly interested in a work/learn program.   That works for me as well.   They teach me what they learn and we learn together as we do.   I asked one of them who has been here 3 weeks if this is what she expected.    Her answer was “exactly” as she wants to have her own small farm and she is getting to practice and see what works and sometimes what doesn’t work.  Between them, right now I am getting about 24 hours of work weekly.  Most of the jobs are not exciting, but they are real.   Monday, stalls were cleaned, weeds whacked, and some hoop house planting and harvesting was done.    Today, the gutters are being cleaned, and

They were also both particularly interested in the sheep. It’s difficult to wrangle sheep and take a photo at the same time, so I only have the photos of sheep after we have coats on them.   Yes, I do have to order more coats, as we didn’t have enough of the right sizes.

Ah, someone has the answer.   She thinks all of you are so busy working on your lists that you haven’t had time to let us know how you are doing.