Kids in Costume

Our kids enjoy dressing up throughout the year. Years ago one of our neighbors told me she could tell what period of history we were studying by the costumes Nathanial was wearing!

The three youngest got out the costume suitcase the other night and Katelyn tried to organize a play. The boys didn't cooperate very well, but we enjoyed the performance.

Here Jonathan declares that he is a sheep. Nathanial would be horrified to find out how 'baa-ttered' his former powdered wig has become over the years.

Rhinebeck

This weekend is a big event in the fiber world...Rhinebeck...which is where the NY State Wool and Fiber Festival is held. The festival has dozens of vendors and displays all featuring some aspect of fiber processing. It's a feast for the eyes and a source of inspiration for new projects and ideas. Last year was my first time at Rhinebeck. We had hoped that Wayne would be able to attend with me this year, but the ride is too much for his back. He encouraged me to go without him.

Rhinebeck, NY is on the other side of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River. The drive is beautiful anytime of year, but yesterday it was gorgeous with the fall colors. If I had had a camera with me, it would have taken me a lot longer than the 2 hours because I would have stopped to take dozens of pictures.

I arrived right around 9 a.m. The line to the fairgrounds was about 1/2 a mile long, but they moved the cars in rapidly. By the time I left, the parking area held 100's of cars and at least 12 buses. I was glad I got there early!

It took a great deal of self-control, but I only bought 1 pound of fiber to spin, a book, and a couple of things for the girls for Christmas. It was a wonderful day of being with fiber people and I have all sorts of ideas for new projects for the months ahead. Now to find the time!

On the Wings of An Eagle

We have the privilege of living in an area where bald eagles are a common sight. Lately they've been flying over the house more often and Matt was able to get this picture. God has used the eagles to remind me in the midst of the struggles with Wayne's health and workers' comp frustrations of His promise in Isaiah 40:31..."Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Whenever I look up and see one soaring overhead, gliding in the air currents, I thank God for the strength to face whatever comes and look forward to a time when we'll soar and not be tired and weary. What a hope...what a blessing.

Cooks in the Kitchen

Nathanial had a four day weekend for Columbus Day. He invited a fellow dorm resident to come home with him since Sam couldn't go home for the long weekend. Sam is from India...not a trip to be made in a long weekend!

Sam told me that he likes to cook and he would enjoy cooking for our family. He made a delicious shrimp dinner for us on Sunday and then another wonderful chicken dinner on Tuesday. We have been thoroughly spoiled by having authentic Indian food! Sam is preparing Tuesday's meal in this picture and Nathanial also pitched in with the prep work.

Our kids surprised us...they ate the Indian food and actually enjoyed it! (Are these the same children who are so picky over some of my experiments with new recipes?!)

Leaves, leaves, leaves

The kids have been busy raking the leaves and having fun in the process...

Gourd Harvest

With the killing frost we received the other night, it was time to harvest the gourds. It was like a treasure hunt discovering the unusual shaped gourds hidden under the leaves and intertwined in the cornstalks. Maybe next year we'll get those trellis frames built for the gourds to spread out on, but this year they made their way into the corn and up into a birch tree that is near the garden. Here are 2 of the biggest gourds we harvested.

And this is what Matthew has been working on with last year's crop. This is his "practice gourd" where he has experimented with different woodburning tips and techniques.

Autumn Days

The autumn days are filled with preparing for the cold winter months. We clipped the goat's hoofs, gave the alpacas their shots (and decided for another day to trim toenails since I was tired out from the wrestling match with Mystifier during the injection), groomed the rabbits and trimmed their claws. In the afternoon Matt helped me dismantle the potato tire garden. We were very disappointed to only find a handful of potatoes in one of the 3 stacks. I think we should have layered in some straw with the soil and compost to help with the moisture since the bottom 2/3 of each tower was very dry. We'll try again next year. I'm very thankful that we didn't plant all our potatoes using this method.

We found another group of tomato plants hiding under the gourd plants...they were rogue plants, but the tomatoes are beautiful. So-o-o we'll be making more batches of salsa this week. We're really amazed by all the gourds we keep finding hidden under the leaves and in the cornstalks. Some of them are huge. When we harvest them I'll post pics of our crop.

Wayne did some carding of alpaca fleece for me this week so I'll have a steady supply for spinning. This is Flashdancer's fleece. Jonathan thought it was great fun to help Dad.

The kids have been enjoying the fall weather and leaves. They rake up big piles of leaves which the 2 youngest love to spread all over the lawn again.

Captain was so photogenic that I had to include this cute pic of him. Last night Jonathan fell asleep on the loveseat. Captain decided that Jon had picked a pretty comfy place to rest so he climbed up and fell asleep too.