What do you think of my new Hand Spun?

I had a ton of fun spinning this 100% Shetland Wool on my Ashford Joy Spinning Wheel. The fleeces came from a long time friend who has been raising Shetland and Churro shepp for the past 35 years. I so love the way this turned out - I started by washing the two fleeces - which I tell you they had a ton of grease and dirt. One fleece of gray/brown and the other a soft white. I spun the fleeces separate and the plyed the two thin singles together. I must say I love the look. I was going to dyr them when I first saw them because I never thought the colors would be this clear and crisp. I am glad I washed them three times because the natural colors are fantastic.

You can get your hands on this hand spun at my Etsy store - great for your stash, perfect for that special someone and fantastic for that project you have been waiting to try. I would also love to hear you thought on this yarn if you have the time.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that the naming contest will be ending Sunday Feb 1st at 8pm MST. I have had some great suggestions but still willing to consider more - tell all you know to enter because there is still time.

You will not believe what is happening now !

Remember my strange plant that popped out some strange pods??? Well, look at this strange thing now It has grown over 9 inches in height and is still growing. Not sure what it is doing but it is interesting to watch and wonder.... I hope I am still me but just on the off chance the pod folks are coming to get me I was nice knowing you all. I will keep you posted about the plant but if I stop you know they have me - RUN if that happens because you may be next.....

A Book Give away from a MJ Farmgirl

Run over to www.notquitejunecleaver.wordpress.com/ and enter in her wonderful book give away. "French General Home Sewn" is being offered along with a great apron. I have been looking at adding this bood to my collection so I hope you will not think of me poorly when I say "I REALLY hope I win" Good to all.

Mom you forgot something - CONTEST TIME

Llama Boy is right - We have two sets of twins without names. Esmaralda's girl and boy and Rebecca's girl and boy. Born on the same day and this tired, bruised old gal just has not had the brain cells to come up with names.....

Sound's like a contest to me Llama Boy - so here are the rules:

1. When responding you need to let me know for which set of twins you are giving the names for.

2. If you have a reason for picking the names (ie., story, favorite lost friend, or whatever)just please do not make it too hard to say. This old gal has too many kids to call in the pasture.

3. Be creative but not too weird - just becaue our name is Larkspur Funny Farm does not mean I wish to scare the little sweet one's with a horrible name.

4. You can enter as many times as you would like - the more the better chance of you winning a prize. I promise I will have great prizes.

5. When leaving your enteries please let me know how I can contact you - promise I do not sell names and such - not that computer savy.

So let's have some fun and help me name these sweet one's. Thanks and good luck!

December 17th is a busy day - another set!

Remember how I thought I was going back to the house, well I could not get this battered body off the ground so I just sat in the dirt awaiting the strenth needed to get back. Lucky that I did, because right after Esmaralda delivered Rebecca started into labor. She was stressed from all of Esmaralda's drama and was pacing back and forth for several hours. Then started the pawing and up/down they get into right before delivery. However, she did not seem to be progressing so again I watched. As I sat in the cold barn I wondered how many babies have I seen born in this barn? Enought to know we where in for a bumpy ride. Rebecca was looking at me with that panic in her eyes. Just then I got to my feet and grabbed the vet kit - out popps a baby and right after that another. Normally this means they are dead. I ran in with towels and kit and picked up the first one to wipe down. I cleared his throat and he took a breath. I gently placed him under the heat lamp and repeated the same procedure with the little girl. She was moving but no sounds. I sat her down and stepped back to let Rebecca take over. She went to work quickly and with such purpose. The whole time she was softly talking to them - slow to get a response she pawed at them - it always makes me shutter when they do that but it works. Up pops the little girl and lets out a cry. Then little boy was up and crying also, not sure on their feet but up... Down on the ground I sat again trying to catch my own breath - by the time I could it was 4:00 pm and time to start chores all over again.

Tonight I am taking a very hot, long bath and having a very stiff drink.... I earn my keep today..

A couple of bumpy days

It is no secret that Esmaralda is not my favorite goat - she has always been very hard on the other goats, rude to me but always a great mother to her kids. Monday was a very hard day with her. It all started during chore time - I always feed the mothers who are in pens with little one's first. I then move on to the mothers who are in the main part of the barn. Esmaralda knows this routine but has never agreed with it. While feeding the mothers she decided to explain to me that she was not wishing to wait - she did that by coming from behind and smashing me into the large metal panels. My ribs, shoulder and hand hit with such a force that it knocked the wind out of me and dropped me to my knees. After catching my breath I managed to grab her and take her to an empty pen. As I almost had her in it she tried to charge again and this time Mishka tried to protect me by running inbetween us - I quickly grabbed Mishka and in doing so go hit again. Now I was mad but also in alot of pain. I tied up the pen and finished my chores. I sat in the barn for about a half hour before heading back into the house. That night the two hour checks where very hard - to take a breath was like a thousand knives. I sat in the barn and listened with my stethoscope to make sure everything sounded O.K. Needless to say Esmaralda was on my S**t List.

Two days pasted and I went to the barn early that morning for chores. Same rountine of which Esmaralda was still complaining. Something about her made me decided to stay in the barn - maybe it was because I still hurt so much that staying was better then walking back. Hours passed and I could see she was in labor. Esmaralda is a quite and fast delivery in past years so when it started to drag on I began to get concerned. Then she screaming and rolling on the ground - this is not typical so I got the vet kit, towels and swallowed my pain. I could see three front feet peaking out - again not good. I put the gloves on and told her that no matter what happened a couple of days ago I was here to help and she needed to let me. I think she understood because I came into the pen, pulled her tail up and pushed gently the head and three front leggs back inside of her. I then had to slide my hand in farther to push the second baby back to let the first present. With one contraction I craddled the babies head between my hands and pulled. Out came the first kid - a pure white girl and Esmaralda started to lick the little one. Before she could even clean it's face the second one was well on it's way out. Several pushs later and out came another pure white kid. This time it is a boy. Since Esmaralda has had twins before I stepped out of the pen, tied the pen and sat down to watch. As I said she is a great Mom and those kids where up and nursing in less then twenty minutes. They are strong, playful and large. Even thou we may have our differences (black and blue ribs to prove it) Esmaralda knows that I would move heaven and earth to assist - now if I can only get myself off the ground I might go back into the house.