Spring weather?

It was so warm this morning that all the ducks thought that they would take a swim in the pool. They looked so cute paddling around on the pool cover and sunning themselves on the side. Ducks never fail to amaze me. They are one animal that can splash around in a mud puddle and come out clean. I had the wool socks out on the line today. My husband has taken to knitting socks on a circular sock knitter and is getting very good at it. I have several new pairs of socks for winter and he has some nice ones for doing chores. This coming Sunday myself and five others from our spinning and knitting group will be competing at the Royal Winter Fair in the sheep to shawl competition. It should be loads of fun. The wool auction follows and as all spinners know, one can never have too much wool. Right?

He Takes Me To Green Pastures

Sad news came today that little Annabelle has passed on. I have to thank the Stark family who took her, problems and all, and gave her the best life a little lamb could ever ask for. I didn't realize the seriousness of her jaw deformity when I gave her to them, but she became a much loved pet for three small children and her best canine friend Norman. Thanks for caring for her.

Thank-You

The Woodstock Fleece Festival turned out to be a huge sucess and was very well attended. There was something for everyone: rug hookers, artists, basketmakers and all sorts of fibre. I'm sure that it will be a great hit again next year. My show schedule for the year is over and I wish to say thanks to all those who organize all these wonderful events and all the people who purchase my fibre and animals and then come back to let me know my lambies are doing well and to show me what they have created with their fibre. Hope to see you all next year.

Woodstock Fleece Festival

The last show for my season is fast approaching. The first Woodstock Fleece Festival in Woodstock Ontario will take place this Saturday, October 17th, at the fairgrounds. Everyone involved on this end has been working very hard to put on a great show. There are 40 vendors for all the fibre connisoeurs as well as great home cooked foood and of course, a small display of fibre animals from local farms. I will be bringing a couple of my bfl cross lambs and a shetland or two. I have included some pictures of my ewe lambs and a close up of the wool. I just can't wait to get spinning. My shetland boys are still outside and growing well. They are all for sale and they have some great genetics behind them. Hope to see you at the festival!

Drumbo Fair

This past weekend members of the Oxford Spinners and Weavers and the Oxford Knitters took part in a sheep to shawl competition at the fair. Only two teams were available so it was very relaxed and a fun day. Our team, Wheels Away finished second: sounds way better than last. Hopefully next year there will be more teams but it is a new attraction so it takes time to catch on. Here are some photos of the shawls and the competitors.

Decisions

The air here is finally warm but all around signs of autumn have started to appear. We picked four giant puffballs from the field tonight and the trees have started to turn colour. Another sure sign of fall is the selection of sheep that I will keep and the ones that will be leaving the farm. I know my sheep have a good life but it is always a little sad when I have to send some to auction. I have decided on my rams that I will use for breeding next year. The large gray ram pictured here, will finally get his time with the ladies. He is gorgeous. Also the fall shows have started up and this Saturday September 12th I will be at the Waterloo County Knitters' Fair and next weekend I will be at Five Counties Seminar in Georgetown. Enjoy the pics of my BFL crosses and shetlands.

My Little Ray of Sunshine

I am sitting upstairs in a mess of boxes and clothing and memories as my boys are packing up their lives and moving on. It is a bittersweet time for me. Number 3 son is moving to his very first apartment on September 1st and I am happy for him. He had a very rough time this summer and is leaving behind childhood for adulthood. Number 4 son is also moving to go to school. He has also matured over the summer and is entering culinary managment apprenticeship. This is his second kick at the can, but I think he will do well this time. Son number 2 will be moving on this month as well leaving me with my husband. We have always had kids around so this will be our first time alone since we married. Son number 1 is more than happy to share his little one and I was able to have Avery for a whole afternoon the other day. She will certainly fill our house with joy. Enjoy the pics