Winding up the year...

Aunt Lori & Uncle Mike have faithfully provided the family with new adventures in their yearly Christmas box.  This year the kids made 'ninjabread cookies' thanks to a special cookie making kit.  We still have the 'melting snowman' cookies to bake.  I'll try to remember to take pictures of those, too...if they last long enough.  The kids made these while Wayne and I were at an appointment and we only saw 2 ninjamen out of the batch.

Wayne surprised me with an early Christmas gift...it wouldn't fit under the tree!

 Ian seems to be enjoying them in this pic...




This Christmas we had the wonderful blessing of having everyone home--including Hannah's mother Susan.  Susan arrived in NY from TX on Tuesday and came with Matthew & Hannah on Wednesday.  Hannah and Susan made the Christmas Eve dinner featuring Johnson family favorites.  (Delicious!)

A reminder of what the season is all about

Abundantly Blessed!

Nathanial & Matthew enjoying their time together.

Christmas Day was extremely warm (low 60's) so some of us took a walk around Buck Horn Lake.  It seemed more like spring instead of the beginning of winter!

Today I was able to take the time to learn how to use my new loom.  It was a HUGE blessing to have the loom already warped so I got right to weaving once I figured out how to readjust the tension and retie some of the warp strings.  I think this is going to be a fun adventure.

Small Business Saturday

Today was quiet at "The Gift Cupboard" but I had opportunity to work on more items to stock the shelves for the next couple of Saturdays.

We'll be open from 10 - 3 December 5th & 12th or by appointment.

Mid-November Already?!

The beautiful autumn foliage is now a memory, but I have lots of pictures to remind me of the amazing colors.

Wayne has been busy with glass projects.  In addition to repairing the colored glass windows in the local diner, he's made a few angels.

 A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be part of the Harvest Festival at Harvest Baptist Church in Bath,, NY.  I spun yarn from our angora rabbits as they rested in my lap.  It was a lot of fun meeting and talking with the attendees.  It was a cold day, but the foliage on the surrounding hills was amazing and the time spent with wonderful people was heartwarming.  (A cup of soup on the way home helped me thaw out, too!)

 We've set up a little shop on our side porch for the next couple of months.  New inventory is being added every day, but this will give you an idea of what we have available...

We're in the process of shifting out the autumn themed items and replacing with holiday gift ideas.  Our hours are Saturday November 28th and December 12th 10 a.m. - 3p.m. or by appointment.

 I had a customer ask me to make some catnip mice from some old cashmere sweaters.  That order grew to include herbal sachet mice from the sweaters and a favorite silk tie.  These are very special mice, complete with alpaca yarn tails.  A lot of cats (and people) will be receiving them for Christmas this year.

Preparing for The Gift Cupboard's Opening at the Farm

Last weekend I attended the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.  I'm always amazed at the number and enthusiasm of attendees.  Strolling through the booths offering anything and everything to do with fiber is fun and re-inspires me to try new patterns and design my own.

Unfortunately, when the 'creative bug' hits it is usually when I'm in a time crunch.  This weekend we're opening our seasonal shop here on the farm, and I'm scurrying to finish projects in process.  But I'm also trying new design ideas that I want to include in the shop. (And I don't want to forget the design before making a sample!)  Thankfully, I have a husband who smiles and does all the prep work of cleaning and setting up displays so I can get "lost in the fiber zone." (That quote comes from a brooch I saw at the Festival and it's very accurate in my life.)

Here are some of the projects I've been completing for our seasonal shop...

Needle-felted applique on felted purse

Scrappy Jean Quilt--Twin Size

Fingerless Gloves

While Dad & Mom are busy, the two boys enjoy a good book on the back porch. 

To Everything There is a Season....

 This quilt was started last spring when I decided to make a totally hand-pieced, appliqued, quilted, and embroidered wall quilt as a just-for-fun project.  I finished it a couple of weeks ago and the verse is so appropriate.

The alpacas have moved to their new home, and I am adjusting to the naked field where their pasture used to be.  The fencing has been dismantled and we're in the process of selling it.

Marc had a buck goat delivered yesterday to provide services for his 2 does.  He's dreaming of new kids in the barn next spring.

Ian and I took a walk around Buckhorn Lake yesterday
and this was one of the many beautiful views...

The geese have been flying over in huge flocks
the past few weeks.  This picture shows a very small flock resting on the lake.

Yesterday Wayne told me to look out the window.  This is what I saw--Ian certainly seems to enjoy his new flannel pj's!  When I asked him why he was outside in his pajamas he said they were really warm and cozy.

The pear tree has been prolific this year.  We've shared the pears with many and I've made lots of pear crisp. 

We've had several light frosts...another season has arrived.

 Summer gives way to Autumn...

 Our booth at the Unadilla Autumn Festival.  We had a fun day seeing old friends and meeting new.  I spent the day spinning my wheel while lots of young ones watched and 'helped' make yarn.  I love seeing the look of wonder on their faces and joy as they wear and display the yarn 'bracelets' they spun.

My sisters Kathy & Mary watching loons at Lake Wilson

 The highlight of September was my trip to Maine to see my parents, and then meet at a friend's camp for a sibling reunion.  All six of us were there for a few hours, which was wonderful.  Unfortunately, I don't have pics of all of us (all of them are sighing with relief that I'm not posting the selfies!) The weekend held lots of love, laughter, and memories. 

We counted fourteen loons one morning swimming by the dock.  I love hearing them 'sing'.

Dad, me, and Mom

 Mom wanted this picture taken by the yellow azalea that was still in bloom.  They have beautiful flowers and birds decorating their yard.

Mary, Cindy, Pete, Kathy (Lori arrived after this was taken)

This is a much more serious photo compared to the selfies we took!






No visit to Maine is complete without a walk on the beach.  I was able to get to the ocean twice during my visit and enjoyed a barefoot stroll, breathing in the wonderful salt air--recharged until my next trip!

A beautiful sky over York Beach, Maine

Summer has come and gone, but we've had a productive few months.  These pics will give you an idea of what we've been up to on the farm...

 

 

 

                                                                                                      

Glass star project

Queen Anne's Lace

Sorting embroidery floss for future projects

Attic Windows Glass Project in Progress

Wayne's Eagle Project

Hollyhock

Rachael's Painting Project

Nathanial's Birthday Quilt

June Beginnings

   

Thirty years ago today, Wayne & I exchanged our wedding vows before God and our families and friends in Portsmouth, NH.  How can so many years pass so quickly and yet hold so many memories?!

Today we spent the day in Stockbridge, Massachusetts at the Norman Rockwell Museum.  I have seen the signs for the museum so many times in our travels from New England and kept saying, "Someday, we need to go there."  So this morning, I told Wayne we were going for a drive to a mystery location. 

We arrived just as a school bus of 6th graders unloaded, but with a little maneuvering between galleries, we were able to view everything up close.  It was rainy and cold--a perfect day to wander and enjoy one of my favorite artists.  Afterwards we went into the village of Stockbridge and had lunch in a little restaurant that is housed in the same building where Rockwell had a studio when he first moved to the area. 

We arrived home to find a surprise...

Last week Wayne and Marc tore off the front wall of the garage in preparation of putting in windows for what will some day be my fiber studio.  Today our contractor friends put in the new windows.

Step one of the process complete!

Spring days...

The alpaca have been sheared...

Jonathan celebrated his 12th birthday.  The t-shirt was a special surprise.  He was happy to get on his "uniform". 

Springbrook helped us get a special bike. 

He's having so much fun riding bikes with Ian.

I couldn't resist including a picture of Katelyn with her new haircut.

In a couple of weeks the Little Delaware Youth Ensemble will be having the final concert of the season.  This is a special concert because the director for the past 15 years is retiring.  Julie Signitzer has been such a blessing to so many young musicians and she will be dearly missed.  As a special thank you gift the parents chipped in to pay for the materials for Wayne to make a glass piece.  There is to be a plaque added to the frame, but here's a picture of the finished piece...