Critic in the mind and on the ground

It is not only hard when the chatter in your head does not stop or say the kind and supportive things you heart needs but when your hens join in it is enough to make you want to go back to bed.

I tried to get a better natural picture of some fiber I placed on Etsy (Red Poppies) but still it is not right. The fiber is much richer, deeper and bolder red. Yep, my hen is right "Not Right Mom".... Don't you just hate when your hens are right???

What did you do this weekend?

Can you hear the sea calling you?? This weekend I had the dye pots going and the creative juices flowing... This is 50% silk and 50% rayon hand painted hand pulled roving - I have named it "Conch Shell" and is up for sale on my Etsy Shop www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com

I have placed many new silk rods, silk cocoons and fiber up in the shop and many more to come tonight as long as my attention holds out. Oh to just be able to create things and have someone else sell it for me... Any one know of someone, some where, some how??? Where have I heard that song before??

I gave myself permission to sit in the forest Monday afternoon and read a book. I had a sweet little fox watching my from under a large scrub oak bush. The birds where singing (almost too much to keep a thought on the book) and for once there was no wind.. Three hours of reading, breathing and understanding that I work myself into the ground without time to just "Be Here Now". Yes, I also watched "Fierce Grace" from Ram Dass which spoke of his recover from a stroke. I will be viewing this for the third time and still I an hearing very necessary words of wisdom.

So What Did You Do?

Driven To ...

Today is another over the top windy day at the farm and I must say I have had it.

This wind not only effects me but also the animals. Chief this morning bit Little Wynonna on the nose, drew blood and scared the poor thing - he is in time out and got a big time scolding. Sherlock got pissed off that I asked him to stop pooping on the kitchen deck so he decided to bash the banister and knocked out three more of the spindles. Devil Goat decided she did not want Llama's in THEIR pasture and bit Mari (little Llama Girl) and so Mother and Devil Goat got into a huge fight and I could not believe I broke it up - was more concerned that a llama would get hurt then what would happen to Devil Goat. In kind, Devil Goat plowed into me and Yep, face plant for Grace.

The wind is still howling and I had to get the mail because I had a movie waiting for me - need to remember I am much thinner and should place rocks in my pockets. Thought I would do the "Flying Nun" thing (how many remember that show?) and was a bit weird..

The howling is so loud I have the TV turned up as high as it will go to just hear the words barely. So I think I will find the headphones to watch my movie. Dinner is a Mexican Rice dish from the freezer and a bottle of beer. Not much of a beer drinker but tonight I think I will start with that and see where it goes from here... Have I ever mentioned "I HATE WIND" - I know you are sick of me saying it but just think how sick I am of being surrounded by it.....

What a WILD night

The lightening, thunder and YES RAIN made for a bit of a rocky night - so bad that I forgot to close the hens door to their coop - that's a first...

So this morning they greeted me at the shop door to tell me what a horrible caretaker I was - not to thank me for all the care and loving I have given them each and every day but rather to point out my one time mishap.. I told them if they wish me to be less tired and more focused they could help out and pull some weeds in the driveway. That sure shut them up..

So back to their coop they went to eat their breakfast and take a short morning nap - If only I could have that nap... Might just have a clear working brain. Yeah, when will that happen??

WHAT THE **** ?

Tuesday was one of those days you can not believe, understand or wish to ever repeat. We wont go into all the strange but screwed up things that happened to me, my electrical systems, animals fighting who never fight and just a whole bunch of horrible feelings but this one I am still wondering WHAT THE ???? Seriously

My middle finger began swelling up and turn black and red without me doing anything silly, stupid or "Grace" like. I was simply walking outside and noticed it. No, I do not give the finger so it was not that someone got mad by my hand expressions. I have no idea what happened. This is a picture of it today and trust me it is a million times better then on Tuesday.. There is no pain, I even could spin and I also shorn three goat girls without it hurting.

SO WHAT THE (you fill in the blank) ??? Any ideas??

Breadkfast with Sherlock

As the eggs where frying in the cast iron skillet and the toast was filling the air with nutty goodness and the coffee pot was making it's normal sounds I looked out on the kitchen deck and there was my breakfast company. Sherlock basking in the sun awaiting for my presence.

As I plated up my breakfast I took a quick snap. As I sat on the step eating my eggs and listening to the birds sing their songs - Sherlock nipple on a piece of my toast and smiled up at me with that face that would melt an iceberg..

This lovely boy and I have gone through much over the years and we have been there for each other. There is such joy and peace within me when he wraps his horns around me and just closes his eyes and breaths so slowly - a quite knowing that we share something that words do not need to get in the way of, a heart song that for this gal brings me more peace then anything on the planet.

As I finished my breakfast and lingered over goat snuggles I wonder what today will bring after such a PERFECT breakfast meeting...

Simple Yet Amazing

Now for the last baking entry and this is well worth the tiny effort it takes to make these.

CHAI MERINGUES

3 large egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves. Preheat the oven to 250 degree F. Beat the egg whites with mixer at low speed until foamy, then continue to beat at high speed until they form stiff peaks. You should be able to turn the bowl sideways without the whites moving. Add the sugar to the egg whites a little at a time while continuing to beat at high speed. Turn off the mixer. Add the spices all at once and beat in gently by hand. You can place these in a piping bag to make fancy but we want easy so drop the mixture into small mounds on a baking sheet that have been covered with foil or parchment paper and bake for 90 minutes. Turn off the oven. Leave the meringues inside to sit overnight. Remove from the pan gently and store in an airtight container. Makes 3 dozen.

These are so very easy but OH SO GOOD!!

So at 1 am I was done and just in time for the storm to roll in. Now I am up because of the storm so I have a nice cup of tea, a Spicy Hermit Cookie and watching "Dead Like Me" Just the way to end the Friday I had and start my Saturday....