October days...

Pictures! Matt and I have been trying to figure this system out and we think we've finally got it!

These were taken on Saturday...a beautiful, sunny, WARM day. Ian's favorite activity these days is playing hide and seek with chickens in the corn patch. He cornered one in the compost bin and she pecked him--He was NOT impressed, but it didn't keep him from continuing the game.

We harvested carrots and they are stored in the basement. The Indian corn has been on display for the neighbors and anyone else who passes by to purchase...so far they've sold about $10 worth.

Wayne found a trampoline at a yard sale, which the
kids are thoroughly enjoying. Jonathan and Ian are ready to go "jump" before they get out of their pajamas in the a.m.

As you can see by the picture our alpacas are filling in nicely with fleece. Tonight we gave them their menengial worm shots...by ourselves. I must agree with Matt--giving them their injections is MUCH easier than trimming toenails!! We dread having to repeat that experience...I think they do too!

Marc's newest chickens are laying eggs! Wayne has been teasing him that they better start producing or they'll end up on the dinner table. Maybe Marc spread the word and they decided to get busy.

Marc is dog-sitting for a neighbor's 2 Rotties. They are big babies and he adores them. They all seem to enjoy exercise time around the pond...Marc walks and enjoys the view while they chase off Canadian geese and tear around the property.

I've spun a bit of Mystifier tonight--I plan on using that to knit a sample of the headband that we are putting together in a kit. We'll provide the pattern, the yarn, and a picture of the finished product in a little package. Hopefully, they'll be a good seller. I don't think any of my yarn has sold at the shop yet, but with the warm weather we've been having, many people aren't thinking about needing warm, knit/crochet items. At least it's given me some time to do some spinning and working out the "bugs" in our pattern. Last week I spun an alpaca/angora blend--it is SO soft. I've also washed a lot of fleece. I'm finding the carding is the most time consuming step in the process. Hopefully at the beginning of the year I'll be able to purchase a drum carder which will allow me to do more in less time.

We've visited two goat farms in the past week. Marc is definitely taken with the Nigerian Dwarf breed. Matt is leaning towards the Alpine breed. Mom has been doing a lot of reading and encouraging (okay...nagging!) the boys that they need to be doing the reading if this is THEIR project. We'll see if this does develop into a new farm enterprise. Marc found out how much he needs to purchase a pregnant doe and is about 1/4 of the way there. He figures that he'll earn some for dog-sitting and from selling eggs...it'll be a long-g-g process, but I know if it's something he really wants to do, he'll make it happen. The doe will be bred in November and deliver in April so he has some time to earn the $--who knows, maybe Matt will decide the Nigerian dwarf breed is the way to go and will chip in on the purchase.

'Til next time....
Linda