lovetospinandknit

Staying Busy

2010-04-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Before

Wow, I have been so busy. What with finishing my new "Studio" and knitting and spinning, I just can't find time for much else. I did get my sheep sheared finally. Had a pro come to our place and do it. He sheared 11 Sheep in 1 hour. That is 5.45 min per sheep. I couldn't believe it. I will have him do them every year. It took me 2 hours for one sheep at my fastest. It is such a bargain I hope I don't have to shear them myself again. Besides the bad "haircut" most of them had from my efforts. Now they all look like goats.

After

I have been working on socks and lots of hand warmers. Now that I have my room, I am working on some of my own fleeces. I have been dying some, then picking and carding. What fun. I love the whole process. Then I get to spin the wool and knit it too. Wow, I feel like a real artist sometimes. But still don't seem to be very good at picking colors.

My cousin was here from Oklahoma this last week. What a thrill to reconnect with her. She had lots of info about my Dad's family (her dad and mine were brothers) and I loved hearing the stories. I have longed for this conection for a long time. Wow, I found out my yarn addiction is heredity. My Dad's( youngest of 17 children) oldest sister Theresa was an avid knitter. Always knitting and surrounded by yarn. That just tickled me, because I always wondered about it. None of my Mom's family does anything like that. One of my maternal grandmother's sisters crocheted, but just once in a while. I have always been attracted to yarn in some way or another, even before I could crochet or anything.

I started out just having yarn and braiding it and making things out of it. Pretty bazar things really. Then I learned to crochet at age 25 and went crazy from there. At 40 I tried to teach myself to knit and was pretty frustrated. Someone told me about machine knitting and the rest is history. After 12 years of that I was introduced to spinning and I just got in deeper. Now I do nothing else and just hate the way life gets in the way of all things YARN. I am always happiest if I am surrounded by yarn and all fiber arts. And now I have a room for exactly that. I am a very happy camper indeed!!! More pictures to follow.

Spin on..................

A Homemade Zucchini Spindle - Spin-Off

2010-03-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

A Homemade Zucchini Spindle - Spin-Off
This is the best. I love my Turkish spindle, but this is so
cool. Makes me look at vetables in a whole new way.

I can't stop laughing.

AN OTHER SURPRIZE JACKET!!

2010-02-28T15:58:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Zimmerman must be proud. Her lovely jacket is everywhere.

Amy made another surprise Jacket
She is dangerous. I have created amonster. Great Job!

These are two rugs that I finished. The Red blue one is

a Twined rug made of cotton fabric. Or a Rag Rug.

The other one is a woven roving

rug made of unspun wool. Both

are being used in my house.

This is Tess in her Surprise Jacket. It is orange her favorite color

but I'm sure it won't be her favorite jacket. I really had a good time

making it.

I am working on some yarn right now to make some hand warmers.

It is white morino and silk and very nice. I am also working on learning a new

way to knit two at a time. I need to take a picture of that too.

That's all for now.

2010-02-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

The pictures of Cousin Donna with her Mom "Aunt Millie"

I tried to upload these to Facebook but it wouldn't do it.

Hope you like them. My Mom has the originals for you Donna.

Wow, it's been a long time!

2010-02-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

This is the roving I spun into
yarn for Amy.

This is the yarn I finally got done.

This is the Surprise Jacket that Amy

knitted out of the yarn.

Wow, what a team! I'm so happy to see this project. We did good kiddo!

Hard couple of weeks.

2010-01-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

It has been a long hard two weeks. I am finally starting to get back to the routine of my life. It has been hard. Jet lag always gets me down. We did ok, but I am still cold and dragging around here.
Today was a holiday so I didn't have class. I knitted on socks most of today. Got two more pair done for Lorraine and am still knitting the tops. It rained all day so a good day to stay home and knit.
Amy came last Thursday and went home Sunday. We had a good visit and got some knitting done. We took a ride up to Julian and took a look at Debra's shop. And of course we had some pie at "MOM'S" Yummy.
I still need to download my pictures from the trip. Maybe I will get to them tomorrow. Not much going on tomorrow so I should have time. It is hard to get started, I feel like I need a nap all day. The cold and the rain make me lazy!

Last full day in South Carolina!

2010-01-04T06:41:00.000-08:00

Today is our last day. The kids went back to school and we are going down town Charleston to the Market. It is an awesome place. Lots of goodies for sale. I am going to bring back some of their spices. They have these wonderful blends for all kinds of cooking. Cajun, bar-b-que and roasted chicken etc. I promised my sil Tony I would bring him some.

I have been knitting and will take pictures to post when I get home.

We leave for Alabama in the morning and head back to San Diego on the 7th. I could stay here forever, but miss my stuff the most. I know I will miss all the kids, but summer is not that far away and they will come to my house then. The kids (grandkids) not my children. They work for a living and I know it is too expensive for them to come.

I am looking forward to the warm days in Ramona.

Later still

Go Chargers!

2010-01-03T08:51:00.001-08:00

Today the Chargers play. We are going to a sports bar/restraunt to watch the game and eat Chicken wings. Ron is in heaven. Everywhere we go they have Chicken Wings. Yummmy. I think he is stocking up. I love them too, but he is way out of control.

It was 21 degrees last night. The dog's water in the screened in porch was frozen. Yikes it is cold. The sun is out, but the wind is freezing. I will never be warm again. No how many sweaters, socks and other clothing I put on I am cold.

Brrrrr Later

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-01T17:09:00.000-08:00

Can't believe another year has gone by. We had a great time. First we went to Red Lobster for dinner, yummy. Then we went to a Hockey game. The last time we were here (12 years ago) we went to our first hockey game. This time we had seats "on the glass". It was very exciting and now the Stingrays are very good. It was cold in the Colosseum, but then it is cold everywhere.

We got home and it started to rain minutes later. I was so glad we got home before it started. The neighbors were shooting off fire works and it got really loud as the New Year approached.

Today we had Chick-f-la and went to a game store so Peyton could exchange a game. I found another game for my Wii and a couple of DS games. We had Prime Rib Roast for dinner and I cooked some black eyed peas for luck and collard greens just because. We are all ready to rest and watch a movie.

Later

Another Birthday!

2009-12-30T11:12:00.000-08:00

What fun. We were in Alabama for Reese's 5th Birthday (dec 24th) and now we are in South Carolina for Grace's 5th Birthday. (dec 30th) That worked out perfect. Both of these children were surprises to their parents and to us. We all thought our kids were done having kids. Surprise! These two blessings were just waiting in the wings.

Reese being born on Christmas Eve will always have stories to hear. And Grace right behind him has her stories too. She almost was a New Years Eve baby, but couldn't wait another minuet. She actually was due on New Years Eve. Reese on the other hand was a week late.

Today Ron and Brian are taking Grace fishing for her birthday and then later more of Barb's family are coming for Pizza and cake and ice cream. I'm sure we will all have fun.

For Reese's Birthday we went to Apple Bee's and had a great dinner. He got his presents and played until we were all tired and had to go to bed to wait for Santa. Big day and night!

Later

In South Carolina Now

2009-12-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

We drove all day on the 26th from Prattville, Alabama to Charlston, South Carolina. Really we are in Summerville, a suburb of Charlston. It is a little warmer here in the day time, but still very cold at night. I'm talking 30 at night and about 48-50 in the day time. To me 40 anything is not a high, that is definately a low. So, I am cold.

I have been knitting alot, but not as much as I thought I would. I have made a couple of pairs of socks and am working on a pair of handwarmers now. I haven't touched my drop spindle, but probably will soon.

On Sunday we visited the Citidel where my son went to College and went downtown to the market place. Very fun, but there were too many of us. 14 total. Didn't really get to shop, but ate some really good Chicken wings. That is the best part of this part of the country, the food.
Of course I will miss all the mexican food eventually.

Ron went hunting on Monday morning, but didn't even see anything, but he is loving the country side here. Lots of forrest here and in Alabama. Everything seems really rural to me.

Later.

Cold and Colder!!!

2009-12-18T21:19:00.000-08:00

Today it was raining again. I had to go buy a jacket. I don't think I have had a real jacket in 20 years. I have sweaters, and sweatshirts, but no coat or jacket. I got something warm and water proof to a degree. It also has a hood. We also bought umbrellas. There is just too much water around here. I talked to Brian in South Carolina and it was raining there too. That decided it for me. I bought a coat.

The kids had their last day of school today. Everyone had parties and lots of goodies. Ron and I went to Walmart again. Then we had pizza tonight for dinner. Dana and I have been making cookies all night. Next we have to make gingerbread men. She is having a cookie decorating party tomorrow night. We make about 4 batches of sugar cookies.

I finished my sweater that I knitted before I left and got it all sewn together. Now I am knitting a hat to go with it. The plan is to go Christmas Caroling after the cookie decorating party tomorrow night. I know it will be cold. It isn't colder here at night, but it never warms up in the day time.

Spin on...............................Sheena

Alabamba Bound!

2009-12-16T07:04:00.001-08:00

Well, for all who read this. We are in Alabama. It was raining when we landed (Monday night) and continued to rain all day Tuesday. For us that is a lot of rain. They take it in their stride here. I didn't see anyone worrying about the rain. I, on the other hand, feel like a drowned rat. It is clear and very cold today even by Ramona standards.

We will be here through Christmas and are really happy to be here with our grand kids. After Christmas we will move on to South Carolina to be with more grand kids. This is a great vacation with grand kids to boot!

Today we are going out and about while the kids are in school all day. I still have some final shopping before Christmas. I still don't know what to get Reese. He has changed so much and is getting so big. All the kids have grown including Rebecca who is so tall I didn't think she would grow any more. I think she is 5'8" now. Very regal and beautiful.

I brought along a few knitting projects and of course some spinning ones. I had to bring my drop spindles because I couldn't bring myself to buy another wheel for travel. I was very timpted but will hold off another year. I want a Joy, but don't really need one.

Spin on....................................Sheena

The start of the Holiday Season!

2009-11-02T21:18:00.000-08:00

I love all the holidays, but the fall starts the real Holiday Season. I love Halloween just because and use to love to make Halloween Costumes for my kids. I also love pumpkins and really like to knit them. I have a lot and couldn't find them all this year. I'm sure I will find them when I am looking for Christmas Decorations.

This year I didn't make another pumpkin, well I did, but couldn't find my stuffing for it so it is still waiting for me to find some or buy some. Anyway, I made a pumpkin candy bowl and felted it. I love it , it came out so good. I filled with candy and It is perfect.

We spent Halloween at our church helping with games for the kids, and learning to line dance. It was a lot of fun and I think it was a big success. The kids all had fun and they were inside and safe.

Thanksgiving is next and I can't imagine right now turning on the oven to make a Turkey. We'll see, it is still so hot in the day time. The nights are really cool so that helps.

I have been knitting socks and spinning all different things. Some new sock yarn turned out really nice. I need to take a picture. Later

spin on .........................Sheena

Settling in.

2009-10-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

These are beautiful dish cloths a friend wove for me. I just love them. I can't wait until I can do something like this. For now I am weaving other things and mostly with my handspun. I have woven a couple of scarfs, and now a bag

This bag is one of my first attempts at weaving a rug.

I decided I loved it so much I would turn it into a bag.

Last week I went to a friends house and she lined it for me.

Now it is the most awesome roving bag ever. I love it.

I have been spinning some sock yarn for myself, and knitting socks for a friend. I did three pair last week and two more this weekend. I have a bunch to do. So between working on this and getting my MIL to her radiation treatments we are busy!

Spin on..................................Sheena

Some Great Pictures

2009-09-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

I have several pictures I have wanted to post for a while.

I have to share this picture of Panda
and Dude. They don't usually get near
each other. This day Panda's bed was
in the laundry so she went in and laid
in Dude's bed. He loves the closet. He
went to lay down and his spot was taken.
He snuck in on his tippy toes and laid
next to Panda. I had to get a picture be-
cause I knew no one would believe it.

This is one of Drizzella (the one on the far
right, looking right at the camera) She got
sheared the other day.
(Last Thursday) Anyway, I am
getting better and it is getting easier. You
wouldn't know that to look at her, but really
it is getting better. She looks kind of pitiful
and maybe a little embarrassed.

AFTER

I worked on my knitting machine a lot today
I haven't done much since last spring. It's hard
when I'm working. I am getting ready to
knit some wool socks for a lady and then will
get busy on Christmas presents.

It is really hot here today (104-officially, 107 on my
thermometer.

I am knitting a scarf a girl at MK taught me. Also still spinning on Amy's yarn.
Should be done by next week. I hope I get to take it to her.

Spin on..................................Sheena

And more garden pictures

2009-09-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

I took so many pictures of the garden and am just now getting around to putting them up. Most of these were taken a week ago.

squash and "Heart beets"

feeding Ron something green

Ron and I washing beets.
Tess and her new puppy

"Rain" Black Lab, so sweet.

More gardening and canning pictures

2009-09-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Tony and Rhonda came over to help make pickled beets. Tony, always the artist, used a cookie cutter to make "Heart Beets" They are wonderful and pretty. We all had a great time and I couldn't have done it without them. We canned everything outside so we wouldn't heat up the house. I am still working on some stuff. Now I am dehydrating egg plant. I don't know what else to do with it. We have so much, no one can eat that much eggplant. I just had a friend tell me to merinate it in some olive oil and vinegar to use on salads later. I'm trying a small jar to see what that tastes like. I added some garlic just for giggles.

Ron's watermelon. It is so cool and it tastes

good too!

A look at the office

2009-08-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

This is my desk.

Karalyn hard at work on my sweater. We are trying to knit a lace cardigan and I am not doing so well.

This is Deborah who sits behind me. We have taught her to crochet and she is doing pretty good. She has mastered the granny square and is moving on to the ripple afgan. She also made a tank top and it turned out really nice.

When we get done working I miss the people the most. We have a really wonderful bunch of people. The atmosphere is pleasant and everyone works together. I like that.

A View of the Races

2009-08-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

I am writing about the races today, I want my grandchildren that love horses to see some of these beauties. They are so awesome and magnificent I wish you all could see them up close. The grounds here are so wonderful and compared to other parts of the country, the weather is perfect

I talk to people from every state in the Union that plan their vacation around this time of year, just so they can come to Del Mar. We have had a really mild summer, with some really warm days just starting this week. It was 83 at Del Mar yesterday. I hate to tell you what it was in Ramona. Someone called from Lakeside with 112. It was 99 at 6:30 when I got home from work. I knew we were in for it because it has been cool and foggy in the morning and heating up to about 80 during the day, for August that is cool.

Back to the races. We have been selling tickets like crazy. Everyone from Palm Springs and Las Vegas have been coming to get out of the heat. The beach is within view from the second level of the stadium.

We will be done on Sept 9Th. Then it's time to go back to playing full time. I am really looking forward to moving into my new studio and getting all my wool out to play with. I have been weaving and spinning and even some knitting.

Until then, keep on keepin on.

Sheena

More Garden News

2009-08-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

On my day off this week we are going to can pickled beets. I will also make more pickles. Gotta make hay while the sun shines. I really must confess that I am enjoying all this. A long time ago I did this type of thing every year. I love the whole process.

I think I would have loved to have been a farmer. The fact of the matter is, we have had the best of both worlds. We had a little taste of farming/ranching, but our lively hood wasn't dependent on it. We had all the animals, steer, goats for meat and milk, chickens, rabbits, pigs, horses, and dogs and cats of course. But we just played at farming. We didn't have to depend on the weather which around here there isn't any and we had a well, so we had plenty of water. I haven't done this in years because of all the hard work and my back just isn't up to it. But I'm having a ball.

More garden pictures. This is beets and onions

Some of the harvest. Squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, crookneck squash funny little flowery looking zucchinis.

Now we have spaghetti squash getting ripe, and butternut squash too. Yummy I could be a vegetarian. Maybe a hamburger now and then or a steak once a month, but for now veggies are the best. Did I mention that we have 28 tomato plants. Big Boys, Better Girls, Roma, cherry, yellow pear tomatoes and a wonderful full size yellow tomato. They are so good.

When talking about the garden , I forgot to mention Ron's little corner of the garden. His friend gave him some seeds to grow water melons and cantaloupe. They are doing really good and that is what got him hooked on watering the garden. He has a vested interest. In fact I hear him saying things like" next year I'll do this" and next year I'll do that." He is enjoying the garden more than he thought he would and now sees the value of growing your own produce because everyone is so excited about the stuff, it must be good. (he doesn't eat vegetables himself, we count onions as a veggie just for him) I have been cooking lots of veggies and he has been eating some even when he doesn't know it. We are practising the "Don't ask, don't tell" rule around here when it comes to dinner. We also don't tell Nan that she is eating goat. that's another story.

I don't know how to tell when a watermelon is ripe on the vine??? I guess we'll just pick one and see. I am kind of waiting to see when they stop growing then waiting to see if they change. The cantaloupe are easier to tell and we have about 12 of them on three plants. There is also one that is starting to look like a honey due although no one admits to planting one. It's a renegade!

I'll take some pictures of the Watermelon tonight.

till then,

Spin on....................Sheena

PS I got some new roving on it's way. It is from Mollie who is 3/4 Moreno and 1/4 Ramboulet. Luscious chocolate brown. Can't wait!

Yarn for Amy

2009-08-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I bought this beautiful roving

from Loraine Powell a couple of months ago to spin for my friend

Amy. I have been working on it off and on and am finally

getting enough done that I think there is hope for a sweater.

I have this beautiful book I am going to send to her even if she

doesn't use any of the patterns in it. I love the way it handles hand spun yarn.

One more interesting thing. I dyed some yarn (white columbia from Freckles)

with some of the beet juice from the pickled beets we made. What a surprize.

Never dreamed that bright "beet red" what produce this orange yarn.

It's beautiful, but totally unexpected.

This is just a few of the things I've been doing lately.

I am still trying to catch up on the house stuff. It

will probably take me most of this next year, oh well.

Spin on.........................Sheena

Holy Garden!

2009-08-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

THE GARDEN

At the beginning of spring we all wanted to plant a garden. So we did. We have 28 tomato plants, and lots of chili's, Anaheim, jalapenos, yellow chilli's and purple bell peppers. We have about 100 onion sets planted 5 packs of assorted beets, 7 different kinds of squash, turnips, okra, egg plant and lots of cucumbers. Green beans and radishes and carrots oh well, you get the picture. BIG GARDEN!

This is the garden. It has gotten totally out of hand. We planted it with all good intentions, then everyone got busy. Papa continues to water and refuses to weed. I weed on my day off, but never get it totally done. There are lots of veggies coming on now. We are drowning in squash (7 different kinds) I just ate my first spaghetti squash last night and it was really good. I of course love zucchini and have been making bread and all kinds of wonderful things. Last week I made chocolate zucchini cake. Yummm. I put zucchini in my spaghetti sauce last night, and probably will put some in the meat loaf tonight.

Now it's time for cucumbers. Oh my goodness. Oh well, had to make pickles. First I made bread and butter pickles because the cucumber got too big. This week was better. I picked cucumbers every day and kept them pretty small. Made dill pickles on my day off. Rhonda was here to help on the second batch so it went pretty fast. We now have 12 pints of bread and butter pickles, and 14 quarts of dill pickles. It's not over, that is just this week. We will have to continue because the over whelming gilt of not doing it is more than I can take. We will pickle and can beets this week. Did I say we planted 5 packets, all different kids. Wow, we have been eating beet greens as fast as we can (which is the real reason we planted so many) Now we have to do something with the beets.

DILL PICKLES BREAD & BUTTER PICKLES
I sure hope we can keep up the pace. I've knitted 4 face cloths for Arlene at work this week and Karalyn and I are starting a new sweater we found on the Internet. Should be fun. I am still working on Amy's yarn.

Spin on.............................Sheena

Freckles after the "Hair cut"

2009-08-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Poor Freckles. I feel so sorry for her. I always make her look so pitiful. Oh well, the other sheep don't seem to notice. Of course they have their own version of the "Hair Cut" so they know better than to make fun of her. I still have three more to do that I hope to have done before we go on our trip.

Wish I was spinning!.......................Sheena

2009-08-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Del Mar Race Track

Things are really busy for me right now. I have been knitting when I can, but nothing that takes much thinking. Mostly wash cloths and little stuff. I have been spinning on Amy's yarn, and hope to get that done in the next few weeks. I can't believe how long it takes when I am so busy with other things.

Ron is working on my studio Wahooooo. It is coming along really good. The kids spent there time in there as a dorm of sorts and now he is busy finishing it up. I can't wait to get in there and get all my wool working equipment set up and get to work. I love working with wool and have lots to work with. I plan and setting up a dyeing station too. I have 5 white sheep, so I really do need to learn to dye. I also love color so that's a real plus for me.

When I get done working (Sept. 9Th) we are planning on going on a trip. I have lots of ideas for that going on too. For sure we will go to Morro Bay and see my sister who lives in Atascadero and then on to Idaho to see Ron's niece. We will end up in South Carolina to see Brian and his family and a stop on the way in Alabama to see Dana and her family. I love these road trips and want to go as long as we can do it. I love seeing the country side and all the different things this wonderful country has to see. Every place has such a special quality all it's own.

That's all for now, pictures later.
Spin on....................Sheena

2009-08-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

This is Freckles before her hair cut. What a wooley Baby. She is busting out of her coat! Man she has really beautiful wool. I have to take an after picture so you can see how funny she looks after she was sheared. (I am not a pro)

Harvesting Hay

2009-06-08T18:00:00.001-07:00

This is the Oat hay we grew this year being harvested. I love to see all the bales in the field. I got home just in time to watch it being baled.

These are the happy Sheep getting out for the first time in months. (while the oats were growing they were confined to their pen. It was a long winter. They were so happy to get out in the pasture again.

A little nibble here, a little nibble there. They had two glorious days of taste testing the bales before they were picked up and taken to the people we sold it to. They will spend the summer grazing on what ever was left behind. We may plant a pasture for them later, but for now they get lots of mowed grass (from our many lawns) and alfalfa too. They also have big mineral blocks to lick and chew on.

More later,

Spin on........................................Sheena

Some Shearing finally got done!

2009-06-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Sheep on the right is Ebony. She is a black Lincoln Ewe. Her surprise silver back was under the coat. Her fleece is wonderful even is it is a little long. I washed it myself and that is something I don't always do. It took me all day to wash and rinse and set out to dry. Then about three days to completely dry. I hope to make a rug out of the locks.

Another picture of the fleece drying.

I'm back to work and the Fair is coming together nicely. These will be short and sweet. I'm still spinning on Amy's yarn in my "spare time". Classes are ending this week so that will free up some time until the fall.

Spin on..............................Sheena

Back to work!

2009-05-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time of year again so......................Back to work. I started back at the Races on the 11Th and finished up today for now. Now it's time to start setting up for the Fair. I hope this year is a good one. I love the theme "Music Mania" but with the economy the way it is, it will be interesting to see how this year goes.

We took the long weekend off, and I am resting up and getting ready to work hard. We had some wonderful Marines help us set up our cabinets and that is going to make things so much easier. I also got a chance to shear a sheep. Isabella is done!! Wahoo. I burned up my shears so we didn't get to do Freckles. I thought my shears were toast, but Hubby took them apart and we just broke some little piece. I am going to see if I can get a replacement part, but have to wait until Tuesday because of the Holiday. Then we can get back to shearing. I guess I could do her with scissors, I have before, but she is so much bigger now and very "woolly"

I am still spinning on the pomegranate and have started some beautiful Corridale I am spinning for Amy. She loves yellow and this is a very golden yellow called "honey". When I am done she can make herself a sweater. It's hot now, but next winter it can keep her warm.

I am knitting a pillow top and bottom from yarn left over from my sweater I made out of Freckles. It is small mitered squares on the front and one big mitered square on the back. I saw it in a magazine and thought it would be pretty. And it is.

Spin on.............................................Sheena

Holiday Dinner

2009-04-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Paige "where did you hide them Papa?"

Tess " Eye spy with my little eye"

We had a really nice dinner for Easter. Only one grand kid young enough to want to have an Easter Egg Hunt, but Paige (now a married woman) joined in too. So it was really fun. We ate too much ham and all the fixin's and lots of goodies. Peeps and pie and chocolate bunnies!

Easter Dinner aftermath!

2009-04-13T08:17:00.001-07:00

Before

After

A Day With The Shepard

2009-04-11T14:56:00.001-07:00

They're following you!

Baking Bread

2009-04-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

At the last Machine Knitting Seminar the featured demenstrator told us about a really fun bread recipe. It is the New York Time No Knead Bread. It was great fun and tasted great. The one on the right has some wholewheat flour added and some steelcut oatmeal. Yummy! The other one was just plain white bread. They smell wonderful and are like an artisian bread. I have tried it twice and now want to try some with olives and sun dried tomatoes. I almost hate to see summer come because I have been having such a good time baking. Oh well, there's always next year.

2009-03-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is the view through my kitchen window. Ron brought the sheep up to the back yard to eat the weeds. They are as surprised to see me through the window as I was to see them. Now that's a FLOCK!

They really mowed down the weeds. It took three of four days, but they put a big dent in it. What's really funny, is that after the second day they knew where they were going and headed on up with very little encouraging. It was really cute to see them following him up the yard.

See the little white building in the background? That is where the sheep live. They really are far away from their quarters. Look at all that wonderful WOOL. Can't wait to shear again. I must be nuts, I have so much now I probably could spin for years without buying anything. It is a sickness I'm telling you. But what fun!

I'm still spinning the pomegranate for a sweater. Lots more to spin on that one. I finished some sock yarn and dyed it (see last post) and can't wait to start those socks. I spun up some with gold sparkle in it and still need to ply it. I bought the roving from Sherry of Morro Fleece Works at the conference I went to. (see what I mean, I bought roving when I have pounds and pounds.) Oh well, I don't have "that Kind". I'm almost done with my sweater that we are making in machine knitting. A few more rows and then I can knit the button band. Also am still hand knitting a scarf. That's it for now.

It's raining today so our oats are loving it. They have been growing so good. I will take a picture later this week. Everything is so green. (this is the only time of year it is) I dread the heat of summer already. It seems harder to take every year. I don't know if it actually is getting hotter, of if I just am getting whimpy about it. I use to love the heat.

Spin On.............................Sheena

Learning to Dye

2009-03-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to a Fiber Conference up in Riverside. It was great fun to see all the things they had and to shop for new things. I did buy a couple of things, but more important, our Spinning teacher took some classes to come back and teach us.

This is my dyeing project that we are learning about creating a formula to get a certain color that you can reproduce later to dye more yarn to match your project. I picked Denim Blue. We did a test piece of yarn in class and I chose the color that best looked like the color I wanted and then we mixed up enough for me to bring home and dye my yarn.

I had a skein of Columbia 2 ply and another skein of Border Leicester that I had spun really fine to use as sock yarn. I dyed both in the same dye bath. I love both of them. They are different because of the types of wool, but still the same color. The Border Leicester has a sheen to it that I really like. the Columbia is something I want to make more of and knit a sweater. I loved doing it. I think this is something I could do again.

The camera doesn't get the color exactly right. Somewhere between these two

Every time we dye in spinning class I am overwhelmed by all the choices and I really don't know how to put colors together. I know what I like, but that doesn't mean it will work. I haven't had much luck dying roving so I like dying yarn better. This was cool. To get the color I wanted and to test it in class first and then reproduce that color was really thrilling. I seem to do better if I have just a couple of colors to work with.

I think next I am going to do some solar dying. That's fun and not to fussy.

I have had a lot going on, but am knitting another Mr. Green Jeans sweater, only we have reworked for the knitting machine and it fits a lot better. I knit the main body of the sweater on the knitting machine and then am doing the cables by hand. It is turning out really good. I'll take a picture when it is done.

Spin on.............................Sheena

Spinning for a project and knitting for fun

2009-02-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Roving, on the spinning wheel, the singles, and the yarn. Yummmy, the name is Pomegranate. It is a blend of 80% NZ merino and 20% silk . It is a dream to spin. I am spinning it from the fold.

I have mentioned that I am spinning some Moreno/silk blend for a sweater. It is going pretty fast considering all the other things going on in my life. And the fact that I only spin it at home because I am spinning it on my Elizabeth II and she doesn't like to travel.

This is the roving, singles and plyed yarn from the Columbia I'm spinning. It comes from Freckles, one of my Sheep. I'm spinning this at my class. I take my Ashford Traveler to my spinning class. I haven't decided what to make yet, but since I have so much white wool, I think I will just spin yarn and decide later. I may dye some as yarn as well as dying some as roving.

I have been told it's ok to just make yarn!

I have also been knitting hats for my granddaughters. This is one I got on line and it is from the new Harry Potter movie so I think they will like it.

This is a Kumi Hemo braid that has a heart in it. It didn't photograph that well, but it was fun to make. Everything around here has hearts for now. I have a Valentines Day anniversary (43rd) and my oldest Granddaughter is getting married on Valentines Day. Also a daughter and granddaughter have birthdays this month. Wow, February is turning into a busy month.

Karalyn and I are taking a test on Thursday to see if we can work for the Sences. I think it will be fun. We really do need to get a new job. This one goes from Feb. to March. Just part time and temporary. Sounds like fun so we are going to try it.

Spin on..............................Sheena

What a fieldtrip. Coca Cola

2009-01-31T17:46:00.000-08:00

While in Alabama we all piled in our van and headed to Atlanta Georgia. It was about and hour and a half. We went to spend the day in the Coca Cola museum. It was so much fun and very interesting even if you are not a Coca Cola Fan. Ron is so he really enjoyed it. There was a lot of history here and Coca Cola actually originated in Atlanta Georgia.

Most of the art work we have seen over the years in their advertising. What I didn't know is that Coca Cola makes 64 different drinks all over the world. The different art objects in the form of Coca Cola bottles was very fun to see.

The last place to go after touring everything is the tasting room. In the tasting room you get to taste every product Coca Cola makes. There were some really good ones from other parts of the world. My favorite one was an orange creme soda from Australia. There was one from Italy that was really bitter called Beverly. Everyone had to taste that one so we could make a face and say how awful it is. Evidently, it is very popular in Italy.

This is another of those must see places. So if you are ever in Atlanta, Georgia, you must stop to see the Coca Cola Museum.

I have been knitting dish cloths for Paige for her new place all this week. She got her keys today for her new apartment and is very excited. I also baked cakes most of today. Almost done. I have two more layers (Chocolate Heart side cakes) to bake and I am done with that. Then it is on to making roses and frosting and baking some heart cookies.

I am also working on a heart scarf in a yummy soft yarn for Paige. She loves scarfs (and that is a good thing cause I love to knit them.)

Spin on..............................Sheena

Some Christmas pictures and family

2009-01-17T21:16:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken over Christmas week end. My father-in-law fell on the 23rd and was hospitalized. He had a hip replacement on the 25th and is still recouperating. He seemed alot better today. He's talking more and eating real food again. It has been hard on everyone, especially my mother-in-law. They have been married since they were both 18 and are both now 90years old. That is 72 years. Wow. That pretty lady with them is their daughter Pat, my husbands sister.

We had a pretty nice Christmas and a great dinner. I just want to share a special fun present I got. It's kind of silly, but then so am I. This little lamb is one of my favorites. It has a little pillow think in it's tummy that you heat up in the micro and then put it on you sore neck or shoulder (that is because of too much knitting or spinning) and it eases the pain. So cute and cuddly. I took these pictures myself so they are kinda funny.

The pillow my little sheepy is sitting on is one I made out of mitered squares all of my hand spun.

Very fun to knit.

I'm still working on cakes for the wedding (Feb 14th) cake. I am making the wedding cake and making cheese cakes for the reception. I am knitting on verious things while the oven is baking. I am also spinning when I can.

Spin on..................................Sheena

Alabama Bound

2009-01-11T16:15:00.001-08:00

This is a trolley bus we rode through Montgomery Alabama to get around the city. We did a lot of walking too which gave us a better sense for things.

My daughter lives and works in Montgomery Alabama. We spent a week there and had a really good time. Four of my grandchildren live there as well, so we really enjoyed being with them. While we were there we spent time in their home while Ron built a dog house for their dogs. And we went exploring the city while the kids were in school. There is so much history in this part of the country.

The beginnings of the Civil Rights movement. The government seat of the Confederacy. Lots of old buildings and historic monuments. Wow my head was full.

This fountain is in the heart of the city and the water comes from an underground spring.

This is Ron and I in front of the house where a lot of the meetings for the bus boycott took place during the time after Rosa Parks wouldn't give up her seat on that bus! Martin Luther King Jr. and his family lived here when he worked for the Baptist Church during all the Civil Rights movement. All the furniture inside is the original and is just as it was when the King family lived there.

This is the Baptist church that Martin Luther King Jr. worked for and preach in during this period. It is a museum of sorts, giving tours during the week, and is still a practising church. They have services on Sundays and all the things other Baptist Churches have and there are a few of the neighborhood who are the original members from the times.

The other thing that was so amazing is the Confederate White House is in Montgomery. We toured that also. I really never realized that the South had their own government during the Civil War. They had a President and a Congress and everything. I have to admit I was never that interested in history until I got older. These old Cities are fascinating and full of our history. We really enjoyed walking there and just soaking it in.

We had many more adventures and I will get to those another day.

I am still spinning the Pomegranate Moreno/silk blend on my Elizabeth (we are becoming better acquainted) and I am almost done with the EZ surprise jacket I am making for a grandchild. I am really feeling lost because I don't have any socks going right now. I am desperate to get some started.

Today I am working on cheese cakes for my granddaughter's wedding and other goodies we will have for that so maybe while the ovens doing it's thing I can spin.

Spin on...........................Sheena

Oh, forgot about this wonderful Day! HummV Farm

2009-01-11T15:11:00.001-08:00

I almost forgot about the day we visited an Alpaca Farm. It was a beautiful day in Kansas. We got up and ate breakfast and headed out to find the Alpaca Farm. The name of the Farm is "HummV Alpaca Farm." I think the name is perfect, because Alpaca make a sound that sounds like they are humming. I think they do it is they are stressed, but it is very cute.

My Granddaughter Grace (ready to see Alpacas) was so cute watching all the action. These people had shown their Alpacas and had lots of ribbons and awards on display. I talk to the lady that owned them and she had just opened a little store in her garage so we went in to look at the things she had for sale too. I bought three skeins of dyed Alpaca yarn in different shades and combinations of blue. I haven't made anything with it yet, but it is so soft and yummy I will be sure to make something for myself. This was the week end before my birthday so I considered he yarn a Birthday gift.

Haven't gotten much done lately. Working on lots of stuff, just not getting anything "done".

I've been spinning some new Merino and silk I bought at Lorraine's, color Pomegranate, streaky red and white and different other colors. When it is spun it looks Pinky. Very pretty. Also working on some of my Columbia (white of course) just because I like to spin it. I think I will just keep making white yarn. I can dye it or just knit white stuff. I have also been knitting on a Surprise Jacket that has taken forever, because I keep stopping to work on other things. I guess I am having a skitso knitting life for now. I'll take pictures when I finished.

Spin on.....................................Sheena

One last look at Kansas

2008-12-28T19:58:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of a buffalo that I saw at Levenworth, Kansas. This one came right up to the fence where we were standing. It was a small female. She was so cute. The other picture is of those round bales of grass that were every where. I just loved those round bales.

I have been spinning like crazy and have a bunch of new yarn finished. I will take some pictures tomorrow. Christmas is behind us and so is the rain for a while, so I hope to have more time.

My father-in-law fell on the 23rd and broke his hip, so we have been distracted with that. He had a hip replacement done on Friday the 26th and is doing well. I can't believe it! He is 90 years old and survived a hip replacement.

Later,

spin on........................Sheena

Kansas Yarn Barn in Lawrence Kansas

2008-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

This is the first thing you see when you enter the Kansas Yarn Barn. This loom is ready to go. If you want to try it you can. There are so many looms on display I can't remember all of them.

There were little ones and big ones and all the med size ones in the middle. They also had everything you would need to make anything on a loom. I only have the knitter's loom from ashford, so I am not much of a weaver, but I sure can appreciate what this place would mean to a weaver. Also they have classes so you could learn if you wanted to.

There were cones and cones of every kind of thread, yarn, what ever to put on the looms. the colors were over whelming. I bought some just because and I'm not sure I can even use it. I will try and then if not, give it to someone who can.

Then there was books. All kinds of books. Every book I have looked at on line and wished I could see was here for the seeing. I looked at a lot and bought a couple. I wanted them all. I have so many already, I vowed to make something from each before I buy another Book! (we'll see)
I want a book shelf that covers the wall like this. I probably have enough books to fill it.

Then there is the yarn!!! Yarn everywhere! Every kind I have ever heard about seen, wished for and drooled over. Every sample from their catalogue was there in person. So wonderful to see and touch and wish I could make. There was this long table you could sit at and look at patterns. How great is that?

They had pattern books and leaflets of every pattern I have seen in all the magazines. I had to take a break from looking at all this stuff and go eat pizza next door before I could move on.

Then...................................there were the spinning wheels. I was shaking just looking at them. They were lined up in row and I really enjoyed looking at each one. There of course was roving and lots of other interesting things to spin. I bought 2 ounces of angora to blend with some of my wool back home. They had every fiber I had ever read about. You could buy it by the ounce. That way you could try a little to see if it was what you wanted to spin.

This is a picture of Katherine (my granddaughter and other yarn crazed person in the family) in front of the store. We had a wonderful time shopping and looking at all the stuff. Wow, I think this was my favorite day of my trip.

If you are ever in Kansas, well, you gotta stop.

spin on.........................Sheena

Busy busy time of year!

2008-11-20T20:29:00.000-08:00

These are some of the things I knitted on our road trip. Socks on the left that will become Christmas presents. Next my Adult Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. This was really fun to knit and I learned so much. EZ was truly a genius and amazes me.

I use to get car sick if I did anything but ride, but I have found that I am so messmerized while knitting that I don't get sick. I truly loved that I could knit along and look at the scenery and talk all at the same time. Much to my husbands amazement. I seem to be able to talk while doing anything. Who would have guessed? I don't know what I did to the camera, but it looks ok until I take the picture, then it blurs. anyway these are not the best, but good enough.

These are two face cloths I made just for fun, and some handwarmers I made out of some yummy moreno and silk yarn I bought at Kansas Yarn Barn. I was really proud of the cables. This was the first time I made something from a pattern with no help and it was one of those things that I had to shut myself in the bathroom and read the pattern without interuptions.

I also made 5 baby wash cloths for my daughter-in-law's girlfriend that was due any day. She thanked me by having her baby on my Birthday. She didn't name her Sheena though, she named her Ava. Oh well.

Spin on.....................................Sheena

More pictures of my trip

2008-11-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

As we left Colorado we saw so much more open country. Before you get to Kansas, there is the beginning of the Great Plains. This includes the east side of Colorado. Lots of Cattle and some wheat growing there. The landscape became really flat and alot greener that what we had seen in Colorado.

Then we got to Kansas. Wow ! the fields of Sun Flowers were as far as you could see. I have never seen so much yellow, except maybe at Amy's (that is her favorite color) Very little housing or towns that I could see in this part of the country. They must be large farms because they were growing lots of Sun Flowers. I tried to take some pictures from the car, but they didn't turn out very good.

The houses or towns were always off in the distance, but lots of those yellow Sun Flowers. I loved all the green and think this part of the country is over looked and definitely has it's own beauty.

Mostly I knitted along the way. My daughter-in-law's friend was expecting a baby soon so I knitted on my Adult Surprise Jacket and then made baby wash cloths in between. I got 5 done from Las Vegas to Leavenworth Kansas and almost finished my Jacket.

I really started enjoying the freedom we were feeling just driving along and stopping where we wanted to or eating when we felt like it. This was the vacation of a life time. Every other time we have traveled we had a mission and were in a hurry to get where we were going. This was much more relaxing and I definitely want to make another trip.

I am still unpacking and finding things as I go long. I also have more pictures to download. For another day.

Spin on............................Sheena

I'm Back and still recovering.

2008-11-06T12:11:00.001-08:00

We have been home for a couple of weeks now and I still feel like I am recovering. I loved being on the road and am having a hard time getting back to a routine.

I took so many pictures and don't know where to start. This one is of the river running next to the highway going through the Rocky Mountains. Quite a site.

This one is from one of the rest stops along the way . The Mountains were all around us and they really are " Rocky."

I really love Colorado and I think it was my favorite. All along the way there were beautiful trees and we even saw a rainbow after what must have been a thunder storm, but we just got a little sprinkle. In fact traveling so far and for so long I can't believe what wonderful weather we had. Not any real rain and lots of sun shine.

This was taken from inside the car. It was so hard to take pictures along the way, but I practised and got pretty good at it. There were times that I got so crazy with it I really took some crazy pictures.

Anyway I got a lot of knitting done along the way and still haven't taken pictures of that. Coming soon.

Spin on.........................Sheena

Still on vacation

2008-10-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

I am still on vacation. Now in Kansas. Last week we were in Alabama to visit with my daughter and her family. It was great and we had such nice weather. It was trying to turn into fall, but still wonderful. We originally came to Kansas first, but there has been some problems so we are back.

Our Son Brian has had what they are calling a TIA. A stroke or something. We are here now waiting to see what happens. We came to help with the kids and see what they think is wrong. So far they thought he had a heart attack, and a Grand Mal seizure. I don't know for sure. He had an allergic reaction to some medication they gave him and that has complicated everything. We are going to see him tonight for the first time. Soooooo I don't know when I will get back home.

On a brighter note, we have had such a wonderful time seeing the country. We have been through so many states and I have taken lots of pictures. I have had to master taking them from the car which is such a task. I am not a photographer anyway so what a riot. I did discover that my camera does video too. ( that was by complete accident) I think I need to read the book that came with my camera. I have been pretty much the trial by fire kinda gal so far. I loved the trees and the greenery everywhere through the southern states. I also loved the Rocky mountains. I will have more details later when I get home and can add pictures.

I have continued to work on my Adult Surprise Jacket and it is almost done. I finished one pair of socks this week for a Christmas present and started another. I also knitted 5 baby wash clothes from Las Vegas to Kansas. They were for a friend of my daughter-in law's who was due to have her baby and had it on my Birthday! 10lbs and 1oz. I have been doing a little drop spindling, and hope to do more this week. I brought lots of yarn and projects to work on and have bought some yarn along the way. That is another story for later (with pictures)

Later................................Sheena

On the Road

2008-09-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

We are heading out. This is a long awaited trip. We are going to Kansas and then on to Alabama.

Kansas ???? you might say, yes Kansas. Our Son is stationed there while attending school. I know there is no ocean in Kansas, but the Navy sent him to school there anyway. So from there we will go to Alabama to see our Daugher. She was sent there by her company "Fast". Yep that's their name. Computer programs for doing taxes at the State level or something like that.

I plan to stop at several fiber related places along the way. Wahoooo. I am so ready to hit the road. We have lots to come back to so we might as well go now.

Now what?

2008-09-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

I've been home from work for one week. Can it be true? It seems a lot longer. I have been very busy and running around getting things done. I feel like I have "jet lag". I have been sleeping later and just pooping out for no reason. I have continued to work on wrapping up loose ends such as unfinished knitting and spinning projects so I can start on something new. WHy? Because I start feeling rattled and have nothing to show for my time? partly, but the real reason is so I can start a bunch of new projects without guilt! I have two new pair of socks I want to knit, and two new sweaters in the wings. There are no knitting or spinning police (nice to know) but I have to disipline my self, or I am all over the place. Enough!

We have been having such beautiful sunsets I have to share. This is my favorite. See the awsome palm tree. It reminds me of a view I had as a kid. I am miles away from that place, but there is the palm tree in the sunset. That's incredible. We had a bunch of humid filled days and I think that is what caused the sunsets. It is usually pretty dry here.

Yesterday Rhonda came early in the morning andwe finally got to shear Molly. Oh my I can't believe how beautiful her wool is. It is pretty dirty because she wasn't jacketed, but still pretty nice. She is the new one that is 3/4 Morino. I don't think I will be getting any more of those kind, or atleast not if I have to shear them myself. They are so thick and full of lanolin that they are hard to shear. Now with 10 to be sheared next spring, we will probably have a shearer come here.

Poor baby, not her finest look. But I have all her awsome wool in a big bag. Yum, ready to be processed. Until next time, sit and spin on.....................Sheena

What a sun set

2008-09-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our itty bitty lamb. Her name was Cao Coa and then the kids named her Dutches. Now she is just Itty Bitty. She is a Border Leister. She is the same age as the others, but just hasn't grown much. She's not skinny, just tiny. Even her little hoofs are little.

It's been really hot around here lately. But we get the most beautiful sunsets when it does. Some of it is caused from the cloud cover that comes from the east. It also causes humidity. Oh well, there's always pluses and minuses in everything.

I only have one more day of work and I am off until next spring. I am so ready to have some free time. I have lots to catch up on and alot of cleaning to do.

We are having a baby shower for one of the girls that work at the races. She has been such a blessing to all of us. She just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I didn't think she would make it until the races were over, but it looks like she did. (unless she has her baby tonight)

I've been knitting alot of little things to finish up things I had started and for a few gifts.

Sit and spin on.............................Sheena

Summer's Over

2008-08-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

I keep trying to get pictures to show how the chickens follow Ron across the yard. It is so hilarious I can't believe it. Every evening we let them out an hour or so before dark so they can free range and get bugs and green grass for a while before they head back to their chicken coop. They run out and follow after Ron. At first they didn't go very far because it was unfamiliar territory, but now they don't care. They follow him all over the yard.

This is the last week of Horse Racing. We have 4 more days, Wednesday Sept 3rd is the last day for this year. I'm ready. I can't wait to sleep in. I can't wait to spend time with my sheep and work on my plants. I am really anxious to get to my knitting machine. It has been so long and I really miss that.

This has been a great season and I will look forward to next season. I always miss it at first, especially the people. There are some really nice people there and I always miss them.

We will be leaving on a road trip very soon. I'm not sure of the exact date yet, but we will be heading to Kansas to see Brian and his family and then to Alabama to see Dana and her family. I have never been to Kansas and Ron has never been to Alabama. I know we will have a good time, because we both love road trips. I have a couple of fiber places I want to see along the way. Like I need more fiber. Oh well, I love it.

Ginger said I should say:

Sit and spin on...........................................Sheena

Ron has a following.

2008-08-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

These pictures don't begin to show how these chickens follow him

everywhere he goes. He's on the phone and they followed him over

over there from the back yard.

They were raised by the kids and got lots of petting and holding and still crave that. So they follow him everywhere when they are out and it is quite a sight. Pictures don't do it justice.

Then there are the sheep. They also follow him around. If the gate gets left open they come up to the house and are at the front door because they know he's in there somewhere.

My favorite girls with my favorite guy. They also want to be by his side at all times and want a friendly scratch under the chin. He is truly their Sheppard now.

I am busy spinning more yarn and workin on loose ends of things I have started and never finished. We call them UFOs and I have many. I am really happy with the progress, I have finished three pairs of socks and two slippers, and a sweater and a hat that I started last winter.

Spin on.......................................Sheena

DA DA.......................FRECKLES' SWEATER FINALLY FINISHED

2008-08-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here she is in all her glory. I am not a photographer, but I am a knitter. This is the first sweater I have handknitted from my own sheep's wool that I also hand spun. I started when the fair started and finished this week. I tried to take a picture of the ribbing with cables detail but it still doesn't do it justice. I love the feel of it and I know I will be able to wear it this winter.

I am really proud of this one. Now to spin the wool from Isabel's first shearing this last spring and make something from her wonderful fiber. I have 10 sheep now, so I need to speed it up. I have lots of ideas too.

Spin on........................................Sheena

Lambs in pajamas OH MY! itty bitty egg

2008-08-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get a picture of the lambs since Saturday. We finally put their jackets on. They are so cute! To me they look like "Lambs in Pajamas." This keeps their wool clean until time to shear them. This gives me the gorgeous clean wool to spin into wonderful yarn. It really does make a difference and is well worth the effort and expense. And they really look cute too.

I also finally got to down load the pictures of the itty bitty egg. These chicks were raised by my grand kids this summer and are so tame and sweet. One of them has been trying to copy the big girls and laid a tiny egg. It seems lost in the egg carton. I know they will be great layers by next spring.

That's it for now

Spin ............................on Sheena

Adopt a pet! what fun. I think I'll keep her.

2008-08-01T21:49:00.001-07:00

This is such a fun thing. I am adding a sheep to my pets. She will be a companion to my Llama.
Isn't she cute?

adopt your own virtual pet!

Chix with Chicks, Little eggs.

2008-07-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

These are the cutest Chixs with Chicks I've ever seen. We have chickens so tame and sweet that you can believe it.

Some really good pictures taken of the girls before they went home. Also some of the chickens and the girls together. They are the tamest and the sweetest chickens I have ever seen. They just come up to you to let you pick them up. It takes 30 minutes to feed them because they want you to hold them. We really had a fun summer with the kids here and I know they had a good time too.

I got new coats for all the sheep, so we will be putting them on next Tuesday. They sure need new ones. The lambs haven't had a coat yet, so they really need one.

Still knitting on Freckles. Had a major set back. I was using the wrong size needle on the ribbing and cables, so tore it all out and am back to the starting place. Oh well, this is truley a learning experience.

Spin on.........................................Sheena

New Lady, new eggs, what a summer!

2008-07-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

At the fair this year, I got to go to the Fleece Judging. I saw how they judge them and it was very interesting. I also bought a fleece to split with one of my spinning buddies, and I couldn't resist this beautiful new baby.

We have a new member of the flock. Her name is Molly and she is the sweetest ever. She is about a year and a half old and is 3/4s Morino and 1/4 Rumboule. Very soft and very wonderful. She is such a pet and very tame.

We also had a surprise when we went to collect eggs this morning. A little bitty egg from the new
hens that the kids raised this summer. I can't believe it. I'll have pictures tonite.

I'm working like a crazy person on my sweater out of Freckles. I am on the ribbing and cables of the body area. It is so cool, I can't wait to finish it. It will be really warm, I will probably have to move to a colder climate. It's big and beautiful and I can't wait to have it finished so I can start another one.

Spin on................................................Sheena

Races and Roses

2008-07-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

The opening of the 2008 Del Mar Races has happened. The grounds are covered with lots of beautiful flowers and everything is transformed from when the fair was here. The only thing is it really smells like horses around here. Also the flies are back too. Ha ha. Opening day was really big. 43, 456 people came and had a big party. I'm glad that's over with, but there were lots of beautiful girls in there very finest dresses and highest hills and lots of fancy hats.

We have so many flowers in the office. People who have had box seat holders for years send flowers to Arlene, our office manager. She takes good care of them and they send her all kinds of goodies, including See's candy. Yum she shares with us.

I took a couple of pictures of the horses coming through when I had a chance. This was on the way out to my car after my shift. We were so busy in will call that I never did see a race, and I went to lunch at 4:00. Things have settled way down now and the phones are even calmer.

I am finishing up some socks I started before the races and a couple of other UFOs when I have a chance.

spin on.........................Sheena

OFF TO THE RACES!!!

2008-07-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Farris Wheel in the infield at the Fair. This picture is of Weird Al in concert at the Grandstand doing his Anican song to the tune of "American Pie". I love that song and all my grandkids know all the words. That was a very fun concert.

well, the Fair is over and went pretty well. Very fast and furious. I have some great pictures and will add those later. All of my contests went well, and were a lot of fun. My favorite helpers, Valerie and Nancy were AWESOME as usual. I really enjoy some of the people I work with at the Fair. They make it fun. Karalyn and I worked really hard to keep positive even those this was the most negative Fair I have worked in so far (5 years)

That said, I am back at the Del Mar Races and loving it. This is a supper fun job. We are on the phones selling tickets to the races and most people are so glad to have a real person to talk to they are very nice. They are also excited to come to the races. As well they should be, because it is such a fun place.

The kids are still having fun and getting ready to go to camp next week. Rebecca, Tess, And Autumn are going to Camp Cherith with our church group. This will be the high light of the summer for them I am sure. They leave for Alabama on the Monday after they get back. We sure will miss them, but they are ready to go home. They miss their Mom the most and their little sister and brother.

With me working everyday, Ron is in charge of everything on the home front. Today he takes his Mom to one of her many Dr's appointments. They are both still doing well. We have someone from a service coming to assess them next week for some help part time.

He also takes really good care all all my babies with a little help from his right hand man, Elvis, (also known as Autumn.) They have great fun.

As for my knitting and spinning. I started my "Freckles " sweater and am plugging away. I am about half done and found some more of the yarn I spun so I think I have plenty. I will take a picture as soon as it is done. By the way, that is Freckles in the picture with Ron. She has been sheared and I have her wool all processed and lovely.

Spin on ....................................Sheena

2008-06-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

We have had so much going on around here. The girls have been having a ball. Here are Rebecca and Tess. Our next door neighbor's grand daughter got married today and we went to the wedding. The last picture is of Paige (oldest grand daughter) graduating from High School.

That's a lot for one June.

I'm still working at the Fair and am really ready for that to be over with. It's fun, but very long hard days. I hate to say I'm getting too old, but maybe I am. Really most things are going fine, and the weather has been perfect. It is so much hotter at my house than at the coast. It really is a good thing to be by the ocean.

I have been knitting on my "Freckles" sweater like crazy. Can't wait to finish it. I was hoping to get it done by the end of the fair, but I think that is too much to ask. I even think I will need to spin more yarn. I really have no idea how much a sweater needs, but I am almost out of yarn and haven't done the sleeves yet. Sooooo I will be spinning more "Freckles." I have lots so that's not a problem. Infact she lives in my pasture, so I have all I want!!!

Back to work tomorrow. I only took a day off to go to Angel's wedding.

Spin on....................................Sheena

Back to work at the Fair!

2008-06-16T10:38:00.001-07:00

Well, it is that time again. The San Diego County Fair is in full swing. It opened on Saturday the 14th and will run until Sunday July 6th. We are hard at work to make the Fair a fun happening.

After three weeks of taking in entries and setting up and displaying we are open for business. The Llamas were there just for the weekend and I missed them. I think the sheep and all come in today. (monday my day off). I am taking it easy and getting caught up on laundry and all that jazz.

The kids went to be with their Dad for the weekend and Ron came to the fair and I took him out to dinner for Father's Day. We shared alot of goodies and waited for my Mom to get off work. Then we all drove home and I almost fell asleep on the way. Only two days of the fair and I am already tired. Probably from setting up and getting ready. It has been rather stressful this year. The place we usually use for the oneday contests is not available for us so we have moved it all out to the patio. There are more challenges there than I had hoped for. Oh well, we will manage and all will have a good. time.

Here are three new members of our flock. The black one is a Border Leister and her name is Coacoa. The others are half Ramboulet and Columbia. Their names are Sweater (on the right) and Soxs (on the left) They are all sweet and Ron loves all of them. We now have nine in our spinners flock and I am told that is perfect. I agree and am now in Wool Heaven.

Spin on...........................................Sheena

Happy Birthday Nan!!!

2008-05-26T18:28:00.001-07:00

Nan With Greatgrand Children

Today is Nan's 90Th Birthday. Wow!! I always think of all the changes they have seen in their life time. They were young during the depression, had children and kept homes long before washing machines and micro waves and disposable diapers. Saw the first air plane travel and a man land on the moon. Anyway, we had a good time yesterday and ate too much and had a great cake and lots of fun.

Spin on..................................Sheena

Shawl done atlast.....Also Freckles is Finished.

2008-05-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

My Danish tie Shawl is finished at last. The pictures aren't that good, but it is really nice. The pictures are of the shawl and a close up of the colors. It is very cozy too.

Today is Memorial Day so we have some people over. My SIL and her family came. We will fix some hot dogs and hamburgers and also have cake and icecream for Nan's 90th birthday. Everyone is excited for the cousins to get to play together. Our Neice and her kids are coming too. I know Reese will be happy to have a boy to play with.

This is the yarn I spun from "Freckles" It turned out really nice. The first picture is the real color. It was hard to get a close up with out a bad glare. I am still learning to use my camera.

I have somemore to ply and then it will be time to find a sweater pattern that will be just right. I think something with cable.

I want to keep the natural color for this time, I have lots more where this came from.

Maybe I will dye some of the rest. For now I am really happy with this.

spin on................................Sheena

Winter in May!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

2008-05-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we got so much rain. It doesn't rain this much when we are having rain. It even snowed in the Lagunas on Friday. It was cold and gloomy all day and we finally got some sun in time for it to go down. We went to McDonalds anyway, just to get out of the house. The big kids went to their Dad's and the little kids spent the day with us. We really did have a nice day. The kids have been working on a "Club house" so Chloe and Reese got to have it all to themselves.

They worked really hard cleaning out all my yarn and machine knitting stuff. (I'm moving to a new studio. ) It's not done yet, but oh well. They have a tv and a small couch and a table and chairs. Everything you could want. The frig and freezer is just around the corner. We were running the air and now we were looking for a heater. This is crazy weather.

I can't wait until it warms up again. I hope it will be medium, not too hot and not too cold. We have baseball stuff to play if we get a chance. Aunt Pat and Tina and Albert and the kids are coming up on Monday. We will be celebrating Nan's 90th Birthday. I know Chloe and Reese will love seeing their cousins and having some other kids to play with. We will cook some hot dogs and some hamburgers and all the fixin's. It is suppose to be sunny by Monday. I sure hope so.

I finally finished my Danish tie Shawl. I love it. It is warm and cozy. I will have to take a picture to post. I also finished the last of Freckles last night and hope to get it plyed tomorrow. I'm not sure if I have enough to make a sweater, but I will try.

Spin on.........................................Sheena

A Boy loves dogs.

2008-05-21T20:52:00.001-07:00

Smile Butch you have a friend. Reese and Butch have become best buds. Butch get hugs every time he turns around. He loves having his own boy.

The chickens we have from last summer's visit are still really friendly and nice. They love people, especially the kids. So now we have really happy chickens too.
Here we have Autumn, Chloe and Rebecca holding last summer's Chickens

Now we have to see what happens next. We are very busy playing and playing and playing.

As for me, I haven't got much done lately in the knitting spinning world. Too busy setting up for the San Diego Fair.
Spin on............................Sheena

More Chickens and more swings

2008-05-20T19:50:00.001-07:00

We have new baby chicks. Chloe and Reese have new baby chicks. There are nine new baby chicks. I already have 16 from last year so now I will have a whole heard of chickens. That means lots of eggs. We like eggs and everyone in the family has eggs.

We also have new swings in our oak tree. Lots of new swings. It has been really hot for a few days and a long lazy swing under the oak tree is just the ticket. Thanks to Papa everyone has a new swing.

And as for me I have lots of lovely sock yarn. Isn't it pretty? I think it looks better than a bowl of fruit. In fact it is now a decoration on my table and I'm not sure it will every be socks. Well, maybe. This is "Happy Feet" and I got it on my last trip to Newton's. It was "ON SALE" and who can resister. Karalyn tried to make me put it back, because she know how much I needed more yarn, but I got past her when she wasn't watching. I will have to knit some of it so she won't nag me next time.

That's all for now.

Spin on..........................Sheena

THE KIDS ARE HERE!!!

2008-05-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

We went to Phoenix and picked up the kids. What a great time we had. They were staying at a wonderful Merriott Resort Hotel with the best pools I've ever seen. They even had a lazy river that I really enjoyed. I wish my hubby would make me one. We have room and he has a trencher to dig the ditch, and I've seen him move water around, so I know he could do it. Anyway we had a good time and a good visit. We even went to a movie while we were there. We saw Speed Racer, what fun. I really enjoyed that movie.

After all that it was load up the car and head back to San Diego with the 4 kids and all their gear. We were pretty loaded. We only stopped twice, once for a potty break, and once for dinner. That was a nice break and we ate McDonald's again, which we had had for lunch, but no one seemed to mind. They had a great play toy and we did play a little, and it was back in the car. The little kids (3&5) fell asleep and the big kids (9&12) watched a movie.

We got home at about 1:00 am and the first thing the kids saw (everyone is awake now) was "Bandit" the horse. That was a hit. Then we pulled up to the house and Butch (golden retriever) walked up and Reese (3) says, "There's a Lion" We all cracked up. Needles to say, Reese and Butch are great buddies. Everyone is having a great time and I am at work now, but I hear there are nine new chickens at my house. Can't wait to see them. I'll take pictures later.

Last night right after I got home the Fed Ex truck brought my wool to me. It seems like not that long ago that I sheared the sheep and really didn't expect to get it back from Morro Bay until later in the summer. Wow, I have a lot of wool. I don't think I can spin it all before it is time to shear again in Oct. It is all white too, so I will be dying some of it for sure.

This next weekend is my last weekend off, but I am kind of anxious to get going on the fair. We will start work on the 20Th. We have a lot to do in a short time. I hope we have enough people hired to get the job done.

I bound off my "Dutch tie shawl" the pattern is in the most recent Spin Off magazine. It turned out so pretty. I will take pictures when I get home. I still have to make the ties and finish the edge.

That's all for now,
Spin on..............................Sheena

Another shearing done at last!

2008-05-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

We got to shear our last sheep today. Well, now it was yesterday.
The weather was cloudy and over cast and that made it perfect. Every thing went really well and we were done in and hour and a half. That made it our easiest yet. We still need to work on the stantion because it doesn't fit the different breeds that well, but we are still learning so I think we can get it right before the next time. In October the three long hairs, Dolly, Gabby, and now Ebony will need to be sheared. But in the mean time we can enjoy the fact that it is done for now.

We are getting ready for another trip. We are going to Phoenix to meet Dana and the kids. We are bring the kids back with us. We are all very excited. Ron hasn't seen the little kids in over a yea and a half and the bigs ones since last summer. We will have a big time. I know Reese doesn't even remember being here and we babysat him three days a week. Ron took care of him and Grace (both now three) on the days I worked all by himself. We relly miss all the kids being here. We were very fortunate to have them all here for so long, I know. We were just spoiled.

The pictures are of Gabby before and after the shearing,, but I can't seem to get them to stay where I want them. I am tired of trying.

I worked on my lace shawl again last night and it is coming along very slowly. I can't imagine ever getting done, but I will keep trying. I am more than half way through clue 1. Ther are 5 clues, so I have a long ways to go. I am learning a new skill so I really need to be patient. Easy to say, hard to do.

I wound a bunch of sock yarn to get ready for knitting at work when the phones are slow. I am trying a pair on #2's this time so that will be slow go too.

Spin on...........................Sheena

New family members and other critters

2008-05-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Introducing: Bandit the newest addition to our place.

Here is the latest member of the family. His name is Bandit and he is an old fellow who is gentle and sweet. He was owned by a 90 year old man who was ready for a new horse. We are in the process of fattening him up and this is Tess riding him. He actually belongs to Rhonda and Tess and the perfect horse for them. They just want to go trail riding and Tess is just getting interested. If Dana looks at this, this is a surprise for Rebecca and Autumn, and the other kids too. By the time they get here he will be ready for pony rides. This picture was taken the first weekend he was delivered and he already looks better. He doesn't seem to mind the sheep and the dogs like him too.

These are the ladies from out back............................and Ron and his dogs, Butch and Honey. There are others, but I don't have their pictures handy. I'll have to take some of the other dogs and the numerous cats who live here too.

I am still struggling with the lace shawl and will not give up. and I am almost done with the Dutch tie shawl I am working on. And of course I have started another pair of socks.

I continue to spin "Freckles and have about 1125 yds of yarn so far. I don't know what you need to make a sweater, but will spin until I finish all of it from last years shearing. (I hope to be done before this years shearing comes back from the processors. )

Spin on....................................Sheena

Introducing New Babies

2008-04-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

Meet Ebony and Ivory!! My new babies. We brought them home last night.
Ebony is a Lincoln lamb and Ivory is a Columbia/Lincoln cross. They are just adorable. I can't wait for my grandchildren to see them. Ivory is about 2 months old and Ebony is about a month old. Ebony still needs a bottle. We just brought them home last night, so they are still getting aquainted with each other and with their new home. My hubby built them a new pen with a manger so we can lock them up at night. So far so good. It will take some work to get them petable, but it is fun to spend time with them.

I go to work next Monday! Where did the year go? It seems like only yesterday that I was looking forward to being home full time. Oh well, lots of time to get ready for next fall. I will be hand knitting a lot while working. Then the Fair will start and I will be really busy. All this while the grandkids come for a visit. Wow, we will have a busy summer.

My fleeces made it to the processors today. I only mailed them on Tuesday. That was fast. I really look forward to getting it back in wonderful roving. I need to learn more about dyeing wool now that I have 5 white sheep. I did some a couple of weeks ago. I used the black trash bag method. I have been spinning some of it to make a novelty yarn. It looks pretty good. I think I will ply it with a silk thread or something like that. I dyed it as Fleece.
Garnet Red, Lavender, and Sky Blue. Very pretty!

It is a lot of work. I think I like dying yarn better. Oh well, gota try it all.

Today I am plying some Freckles that I spun. I have about 700 yds done so far.

Spin on................................Sheena

A day off

2008-04-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Today was the day I was suppose to take my MIL back to the eye Dr for a recheck. My hubby was sick all night and we are beat! I'm just taking the day off. We haven't done this in a long time so it feels funny. I did feed all the critters and make sure they are all OK. But that is about it for today.

My daughter and her sister-in-law are suppose to come over and help me shear that last sheep.

We were too tired to finish on Sunday. This one will be a challenge I'm sure. The others have had time to warn her. HA HA. Just one look at them and she knew. This one is a Border Leister. She is a different breed and has the most lovely wool. (I think I just love wool and all it can become.) She was one of our bottle babies from last year and has grown up to be a beautiful lady. Her name is Gabriella (we call her Gabby for short) She got her name on the ride home because she bellered the whole way home.

We cancelled the sheering for today. Maybe another day, probably Sunday. We need Ron's muscles to help us and he is not feeling that chipper today.

These are the deer that came up to my nieces house when I was on my trip. They go by her house twice a day. Every one's yard is natural because they eat everything.

More later.
Spin on...................Sheena

Sheep Shearing Sunday

2008-04-21T20:02:00.001-07:00

Freckles

Isabella

This was the week end to Shear the Sheep. Wow what a job. We got three out of the four done. We simply got too tired to finish. I'm sure the sheep felt the same way. We will do the last one on Thursday night. We had lots of help, but it was still very hard. I might get a shearer to do it next year. I'm getting too old to work this hard.

They were very woolly and really didn't want to be sheared. I have a hard time with that. It's like if you don't want me to shear you, do you want to be "lamb chops?" You are no good to me if I can't shear you. Anyway, it's like a horse you can't ride????? what's with that? That is one Useless horse. So we got them done and will finish up later this week. I already have all the wool packed up in a box to send off to the processor.

These are the after pictures. Lost your wool? They were so happy to get back out to the pasture. They look really funny and kept sniffing each other because they didn't recognise each other.

It was really cute. They have on their new coats, ready for next time. I will have lots of wonderful wool to spin this next year. I plan on learning more about dyeing.

I did some dyeing of fleece in a black trash bag last week and it turned out pretty good. I am in the process of spinning some really fun novelty yarn. We did some blending at class last week and that was fun. I haven't had much time since then to mess with it.

We went to my friend Amy's last week for Wednesday, Thursday and came home Friday. We had a lot of fun and of course Amy and I knitted and talked not stop. She has a group of ladies that come to her house and knit on Thursdays so I got to meet them and that was neat.

We started a scart that I got off of Knitty.com called Edger and we had a good time with that. Amy is a really good knitter and makes lots of beautiful things. Sweaters for her grandkids and for herself too. She can really knit. This is one of the scarfs I made. I think it will be a mother's day present.

I will have more about our trip next time.

Spin on....................................Sheena

Train trip, fun fun fun!

2008-04-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is my Mom at the train station. We were a few minutes early so I took some pictures.

Back again. What a fun trip. Riding on the train was very fun. I love that you can sit and talk and knit and read and all that jazz while going somewhere. It is not as tiring as driving and certainly more fun for everyone. I love the sound of the train going clickity clack and when the whistle blew it was very cool. I finished my socks on the trip up there.

We had a good time visiting and my sister and I always talk our heads off when we get together. We went out for Mexican food on Friday night and that was really good. She lives in Atascadero and works for the Sheriff's Department. It is kind of rural there and she is learning all kinds of new things. Like, reading brands, comparing steers to their paper work. She is actually a crime prevention officer in San Luis Obispo. Everything was green and lots of rolling hills. I wish I would have taken more pictures.

On Saturday we drove up past Fresno somewhere for a birthday party for two of my sister's grandchildren. I'm still not sure where I was, but they had deer walking around in every one's yard. That was great. They eat all the shrubbery and grasses. All the yards are kind of natural, with very little landscaping. No yard work! I hadn't seen my sis's kids in three years. It was great to see everyone and all the grand kids (she has 8) and of course all the little ones had grown a lot since I saw them last. My sister is a red head and has two red headed grandchildren. That is so special. This is Sienna age 18 mo. She is a strawberry blond. The boy is Matthew he is a red head too. (he is also my very favorite)

Marsha with Sienna Matthew

On Monday we went to Morrow bay and spent the day shopping and eating and just plain having fun. These pictures were taken in front of a bit Rock shaped like a whale. Very cool.

Mom and Marsha Me and Marsha

We really did have a fun time and I can't wait to do it again. The train ride was so fun and it was great to spend some time with my sister.

Back to work! I need to spin more Freckles if I am going to have enough yarn for a sweater by the time I go to work. April 28Th. Boy that came around fast!

Spin on.................................Sheena

Finished Socks, Working on Shawl, Trip coming up.

2008-04-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished the socks I was working on and they turned out great. I went to Newton's this last weekend and bought a bunch of really great sock yarn. I don't know why, but I love knitting socks. Probably because they are fast and fun to take along.

I have started the Shawl from Mystinclight KAL and have had nothing but trouble. I really don't have any experience knitting lace, but really want to learn how. I have started and ripped it out three times now. I am determined to get this right . The second clue comes out Wednesday and I will just have to catch up.

My mom and I leave for my sisters on Thursday morning. We are taking the train to somewhere around Monterrey. Hope it is as fun as it sounds. I can't wait to see my sister's new house. We will be going to one of her Grand children's birthdays. I forget which one. We will be back on Tuesday. This is a short trip, but it will be fun.

I have six full bobbins of "Freckles" spun. I hope to make a sweater. I have about 15 ounces left to spin. It will be time to shear them in a couple of weeks. Then I will have more wool than I know what to do with. Maybe I should be planting cotton instead.

Spin on..............................Sheena

New Car, Happy Easter, Socks almost done!

2008-03-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for a new car. We found something that met all our needs. It is a Dodge Caravan. It has all the things my other Van didn't or doesn't have. Tinted windows, electric windows, electric locks, and cruise control. I am keeping my other van so Ron will have a car when he needs it for his folks, instead of the gas guzzling truck. My car was delivered on Wednesday night and it is so cool.

It is silver, and a 2005. Very nice with grey interior. I think I love it.

This Easter will be strange for me. I have always had most of my Grandchildren here to do the big Easter Egg Hunt. This year will be kind of quiet as all of the little kids in my life have moved away. I am planning a "Big Kid Easter Egg Hunt" so I can still have my fun. After all it is for me, the kids just get to join in. I boiled my eggs tonight and am ready to color them tomorrow. That is also for me. I am making a big Ham dinner and have plenty of grown ups to enjoy that. Hope you all have a Happy Easter and enjoy the peace and salvation that this holiday represents.

I am working on the ribbing of my socks. They will be done soon. Depending how much time I put in on them this weekend, they should be done before Monday.

I got to see my new babies on Thursday. A little black Lincoln and a white Lincoln/Columbia cross. They are so sweet and I can't wait. I love baby everything.

Spin on...................................Sheena

Women's Retreat, Snow again!

2008-03-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

This week end was the best. I went to a women's retreat with the church Journey. I was invited by my middle daughter and her SIL. I have been to many retreats, but this one was so different. For one thing it was in the mountains in cabins. Very fun! It was so spirit filled. This is how I always imagined a retreat to be. Not only that, but the food was great, (how did they do that?) The other retreats I have attended were in fancy hotels, and the food was not that good, such a disappointment.

There were a bunch of us in one cabin and we had a blast. The speaker was Debbie Alsdorf, and she was so inspiring and has a book. DEEPER living in the reality of God's love. Her main message for me is "You are HIS" wow, that alone is so profound. It kind of makes everything else fall away. If you are "HIS", what to worry? Everything else becomes so unimportant by comparison. In the picture, from left to right, Dawn Stewart, Me, Denise Lungulow, Theresa, Rhonda, Stephanie. I was the "Mom", and really enjoyed being one of the girls

When we woke up Sunday morning there was snow! It was so beautiful and magical. There were a lot of woman there who had prayed for snow (go figure) so they were thrilled. I thought it was pretty, but I am not a big fan. I did take a lot of my wool things so it was a chance to really use them. I was pretty comfy and it was gone by lunch time.

Now that I am back home, I feel so refreshed. It was a great getaway. I can't wait until the next trip. I just got my tickets for the train trip my Mom and I are planning to take to my sisters up the coast. She moved to Atascadero or something like that and I haven't seen her new house yet. Really have wanted to do this for a long time. It is getting harder and harder for Ron and I both to get a way because of his folks. If I don't go now I will be working soon and then will have to wait until after September. That makes it another year since I've seen my sister. We plan to go the first week in April.

I really need to get spinning or knitting or something. Working on what else? Socks!

Spin on ........................................Sheena

Try that again!

2008-03-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today I did the swatch for Mysticlight KAL over again. This time I used a size 8 needle and I like it alot better. The first one was done on size 7 (the size suggested by the designer), but my yarn must be finer so it came out too small. I really like this one better. Can't wait until we get the pattern. March 24Th or something like that.

The shades of grey look funny in this picture. It really is full of silver sparkles that don't show either. I know I will love this shawl.

Today was so beautiful. It was warm and sunny all day. Everything is blooming and it really does feel like spring. I took this picture for my grand kids. They love to eat sour grass. They say it tastes like dill pickles. ( I have agree with them)

It is so full and loving the sunshine.

Today after church my daughter and her husband came over and helped me put new coats on our sheep. We still have a month before we are going to shear them. Man their wool is so gorgeous I can't wait. It was great to get a close up peek at it.

My granddaughter is going to 6Th grade camp this week. It wasn't that long ago that I was trying to send her mother. Time sure has a way of slipping away.

Spin on................................Sheena

My Swatch for Mysticlight KAL

2008-03-08T18:17:00.002-08:00

I finished my swatch for the Mysticlight KAL. It took me three tries, but I finally did it. I'm still not sure if it is right, but close enough. It looks like the picture I saw. I'm sure there are mistakes in it, but I have a couple of weeks to practise and that is just what I will do.

Mine is smaller than the sample, but I guess it doesn't matter. My shawl will be smaller. Maybe I will try a bigger needle. I love the yarn and know I will use this shawl.

Today I spent the entire day in the car. We went to recycle tires in Campo. It was a long hard drive in the truck with a trailer behind full of tires. We got rid of about 60+ tires. Don't ask. why would someone have that many tires. Long story. Anyway it took all day, but I took my knitting with me and got a good start on the BSJ (Elizabeth Zimmermans Baby Surprise Jacket.) I am knitting it with worsted weight yarn on size 9 needles so it will come out big. So the day wasn't a total loss.

Ron's Mom's eye is doing well. She had a procedure done on Tuesday to try to stop the damage to her left eye that is being caused by a vessel that is leaking. Anyway, we went back for a recheck on Friday and all is well. Now we just wait for 5 weeks to go back and see if it is working. We are still doing drops every four hours until tomorrow. (Sunday)

Can you believe it. It is already time to turn the clocks forward. It stays light late enough for me, but I know everyone likes more daylight. I just get more tired, everyone expects to get more done because there is more time. Right!

Spin on........................................Sheena

We got the swatch pattern today!!

2008-03-06T20:26:00.001-08:00

We got the Swatch pattern for the Mysticlight KAL today. I think it will be hard. Atleast for me. I have never knitted from a chart before. I am trying it now and think I love the yarn I finally settled on. I bought three different yarns before I settled on this one. I like the sparkles. I hope
you can see them in the pictures.

This is a close up of the yarn. I call it "Stary Stary Night" I think it will make a pretty shawl. Now if I can just do it. I' working on it now and I already messed up the cable. I haven't done much of that either. I am really stretching on this one. I know I will learn alot and that's what it's all about. Right? I'll post a picture of the swatch when I get done. Probably tomorrow.

Guess I won't get much else done while I am working on this one. It takes consentration and I am not good at that. I might have to spin just to relax. Better go spin now!!!

Spin on......................................Sheena

Back to Reality (Shucks)

2008-03-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Well, we are back home. I always have mixed feelings about coming home. Sometimes I like living in a fantasy world. Coming home to reality is hard. I really do miss my house and all my classes and friends and like the feeling of coming home, but it was so nice and warm in Las Vegas and it is very cold here. Spring comes early to the Desert. There were lots of wild flowers on the hills on the way home. Very pretty. After all the rain the hill sides are green. This is the best time of year for this area. The rest of the year we are pretty brown. I took this picture from the freeway while moving. Turned out pretty good, but still doesn't do it justice.

I almost finished a pair of socks on the trip and am trying to make myself finish before I start anything new. It is so hard to do. I usually have new ideas and want to start another thing before I am finished.

Today I had a meeting in Del Mar to get ready for the 2008 San Diego County Fair. It was a meeting for the Demonstrators and was a great kick off for this year. I always start getting excited about the fair when we start meeting with the people who will be involved. This years theme is "Summer of Sports" It will be great fun.

After the meeting I followed our secretary to a yarn shop in Encinitas. I had never been there before and probably shouldn't have gone today. I did find some really pretty yarn to use for the Mystic Light KAL to start later this month. This will be my first and I am not quite sure what to expect. I am going to try it anyway. I haven't knitted much lace and have never followed a chart before, so it will be challenging. The colors most people are choosing has somthing to do with fire. I didn't understand that before so I have chosen something glittery and smokey grey because it is something I think I will use. I'm going to use it anyway because I like it. I'll have to take a picture of the yarn.

Well, spring has sprung at my house. My daffodils were all in bloom when I got home.

Spin on........................................Sheena

Off for some R&R

2008-02-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

We are going to Las Vegas today. I am really looking forward to getting away with my hubby. We both need a change of scenery and some down time. He works pretty hard all the time and can't seem to take it easy ever. When we get away from here he totally changes. I also love to eat out and stay in hotels. The party started and I'm invited!!!

We've had one storm after another lately with lots of rain. I took some pictures of the sunset just before the storm came in Saturday night (2/23) and the clouds were beautiful. This is my view from the front door.

Well we're off.

Spin on...........................Sheena

Some Real Beauties!!!

2008-02-23T11:12:00.000-08:00

I got a new camera for my anniversary. I finally tried to get some pictures into my computer, and am so excited. It worked!

This is Freckles. She is a Columbia. She turns two years old this March. She has awesome wool.

I am spinning her wool from last year and it is beautiful. I hope to make a sweater. I will leave it white this time, and maybe dye it next time. It is so soft and wonderful.

This is Isabella. She is a Columbia also, but is just turning 1 year old in March. She was a bottle baby and is very sweet and tame. I just love the face of the Columbia, and their wool is pretty nice also. I am going to shear them in April and can't wait. Their wool is so luscious I can't stand it. This will be Isabella's first shearing, and Freckles second.

This is the pin drafted roving I am spinning from Freckles.

I had it processed at Morro Fleece Works. They are my favorite. I love the way they send it all back in great coils of fluff!

This is the yarn I am spinning out of the above roving. Isn't it gorgeous? It is soft a fluffy too. I will show you the yarn after I ply it. I have about 33 ounces left to spin. I hope that is enough for a sweater.

Back to spinning!

Spin on....................................Sheena

New Adventure

2008-02-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

I have signed up to participate in a KAL. I have never done that before. It is a shawl KAL. I have not knitted much lace so this is a real adventure. It is MysticlightKAL@yahoogroups.com
We don't really start until the end of March. I haven't chosen my yarn yet, but am busy looking. Some of the yarn I have found was wonderful, but I am waiting to hear from a friend in Colorado who dies yarn to see is she will sell me some of hers. I have plenty of time, so no hurry. I'm very excited about this. I hope I can do it. I will get help from some of my knitting friends if I have trouble.

I finished the Icelandic in class today and even got it plyed. It turned out alot like the lincoln I have spun, but much softer. It is over died in blues and grees. I think I will use it in a bag. There are only 4 ounces so can't really do much else.

We set up our new computer desk and it is going to take some getting use to. I like the cabinet, but it doesn't seem like a computer desk to me. In the store they had it set up as one, but I'm not that comfortable. Oh well, I will give it a chance.

Tomorrow is Valentines day and my wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary to me !

Spin on..............................................Sheena

Great Day with a Great Lady

2008-02-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day of a two day seminar for Machine Knitting. The Lady was Maryanne Oger. She is so cool. After all she is from Canada. She did some really amazing things. She takes Machine Knitting to the next level. We always are trying to make things easy and in a hurry. She adds the little touches that make things really classy. I enjoyed the day so much.

Tomorrow we will meet from 10:00 to 6:00. Great fun. I hope my brain can hold some more info. Today I felt like I was in overload mode. I did buy a couple of her books so I can try to make a couple of her things. She uses yummy yarn and lots of texture. I hope this inspiration will last atleast until I get something new knitted.

I have been making more hats to send to the Kansas Kids. I have to hurry so they can get them while it is still cold. I also am spinning some Morino to make a felted bag.

Spin on ..........................Sheena

A Very Busy Week

2008-02-07T20:56:00.000-08:00

This week has flown by. I went to my machine knitting class on Monday with my felted clogs. They were halarious!! They look like they were made for Big Foot. I came home and felted them again and now they look like maybe a human Man could wear them. I think I will send them to my son. He has big feet and might wear them. After all it is very cold in Kansas. I imediately started another pair for me. Now I am trying the woman's Med. Because my yarn is so bulky it is making them turn out big. The pattern calls for double stands of wool yarn. I made mine with one strand of my hand spun yarn. They turn out way bigger because my yarn is very bulky. I'll find one that will fit me. It is mostly trial and error, but that's ok I have lots of yarn.

This was the last day of my Basket class. I sure wish I could figure out how to down load pictures from my camera so I could put some pictures on my blog. Won't be long, I am reading all the books that came with it and will figure it out soon. My Basket is beautiful and it has three baskets in a set. Turned out very nice. Next semester I won't be able to take the class because I will go to work before the class ends. Oh well, I am ready to take it easy.

Next two Mondays we will not have a class in Machine Knitting. Having Monday classes sure is a drag. All the Monday Holidays interfere. Oh well, I can knit all day instead.

This weekend I have a Knitting Seminar to go to. Can't wait. I have missed the last three that our guild has put on. This one will be really good. The Lady is from Canada and her name is Maryanne Orger. She publishes a Machine knitting Magazine and is a great designer. I'm looking forward to all the new ideas she will bring to us.

In Spinning class we are trying different kinds of wool each week. This week we have Lincoln (from my sheep) and some shetland. I worked on some morino I have from my fiber club and plan on trying to Navojo ply it. This is something I have been trying to practise.

Spin on.................................Sheena

A New Adventure in Knitting!!

2008-01-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

I am half done on my first knitted clog. I am so excited. The girls in our Machine knitting class that have knitted them are helping us that haven't done it yet. I am knitting mine out of "Sophie". The yarn I hand spun from one of my sheep. It is really bulky and felts really well. I found it easier than I thought it would be. I know all that sock knitting has help a lot. The short rowing was not as hard since I have done so much of it knitting socks for Christmas.

I got a new camera yesterday. A digital so I can put pictures on my blog. Of course I don't know how to do it yet, but when I learn I will really have fun putting pictures on. It has all kinds of gadgets and I need to practise first. It came with all the stuff to download to the computer and to the printer. Can't wait to really master this.

I am spinning some roving I got from my roving club "Spunky Eclectic" you can find it at www.spunkyhats.com. I really like their stuff and I get a new fiber to play with every month. This month is Icelandic Wool, which I have never spun before. It is grey over died with blue and green splotches. I think it is something I could do with some of my roving from Sophie. I'll see how it spins and then decide. I really have been wanting to die some of my roving, but it is too cold and damp right now. It would never dry. Maybe as it gets warmer I can try some. I also think I will keep on spinning and then dye some yarn. We'll see.

We have been trying different fibers in spinning class and that has been very interesting. Some things you think would be easy and not and things I was afraid to try have been easy. Who knows??? It's fun to try.

Spin on...........................Sheena

What a week!

2008-01-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

This week has been something else. With Butch being sick it is medicine and spray and lots of TLC all day long. He had a fox tail in his ear so after they took that out, he seems to be on the mend. It still has been fussy. We had to keep a sweatshirt on him to keep him from licking and ofcourse it rained so he kept getting it wet. I am so glad it is finally starting to get easier.

My father-in-law has had a fracture in his back and has been in pain for sometime. He had two different MRIs this week and and today they did a proceedure to releave the pain. They called on Thursday to get him ready for Friday for this procedure. I'm really glad they were able to do this now, but it was rush, rush to get everything ready. All went well and they didn't even keep him over night. We were glad because he was not happy about staying in the hospital. He's home now and resting so he should start feeling a lot better soon.

Took Paige to get her driver's lisence on Thursday, while DH took his Dad for the MRI. She didn't pass, and we have to try again. I felt so bad for her, but it will be ok. We fussed a bit and then ate ice cream. I'm back at WW so that probably didn't help my cause any. I have to keep on truckin' this weight is out of control. I have such a hard time. I know it is my age too, but MAN I hate to give up. Anyway we both felt better and now we are ready to hit it hard and heavy getting back on track. We will practise more the next two weeks, then she will try again.

I made a bunch of hats for one of my children's families that just moved to Kansas. I talked to them yesterday and it was -2 and they were freezing. I better get these in the mail!! They really need them. Moving from Southern California to Kasas is quite a change. I really feel for them.

I am working on a lace scarf made from my handspun for myself. I am also knitting a scarf for DIL to match a hat I made for her. Need to get busy with that so better sign off......

spin on...............................Sheena

A lot done this week!! Knit Spin Basket classes

2008-01-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

I have had a great week. Got a lot done and made it to all my classes. In machine knitting we learned to knit an ear flap hat for adults. I have knitted a baby one, but we have never really perfected an adult one. I haven't tried it yet, but will tomorrow.

At spinning class we got some luscious alpaca roving to try. It is so yummy, soft and puffy. I can't wait to try it. I have spun some Llama before and they are similar. This is a creamy beige color. Maybe I will use it in a hat for my self. I love to knit hats. Almost as much as socks. I have been making hats to send to the new Kansas transplants. They need them, they are very cold.

At Basket class we finished the first of a three basket set we are making. It is so wonderful. It stands about 10 or 11 inches high and has a big handle. Two more smaller baskets sit inside and it will be a great knitting/yarn basket (what else).
I can't wait to finish the others and use them. This is a fun class, and I wish I could take the class in the spring. We will begin working at the races before it is over. Oh well, there is always next fall.

Our precious Butch has been sick. He is a beautiful Golden Retriever and the first dog I actually raised from a puppy. He has a horrible rash called Hot spots and is very uncomfortable. It isn't deadly, but really miserable. We took him to the vet and have lots of medicine to give him for a time. He is on the mend and we are really glad. My DH was so worried. He is his buddy. They work together on all kinds of projects.

It's really cold tonight so we have a fire going. I think it will freeze tonight. I am going to go curl up and knit on my scarf. It is my television knitting. I am making it out of some of my hand spun. It is Dorset/mohair blend and very creamy off white and very fine. I sometimes wish I would have started a shawl with it, but there's more where that came from.

Spin on................................Sheena

New Years Resolutions??? I guess I needed to think about it.

2008-01-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

I really have been thinking about making a New Years Resolution. This year though I decided to make one that will make me feel great instead of guilty. It is kind of selfish too. But, lately I am feeling kind of selfish. So this is what I have come up with:

1. I will spend more time doing the things that make me happy. Take classes, learn new things, make things, spend time with friends, cook for my husband, and anything else I can think of that I enjoy.

2. I get to be the one to decide what makes me happy.

That pretty much covers it. Looks like a good year coming up. I think I like the sound of 2008.

Spin on.........................Sheena

Spinning and Knitting waiting for Rain.

2008-01-04T20:13:00.000-08:00

Well, they keep saying we are getting a lot of rain. So far none. I guess tonight for sure. I am ready. I brought in a bunch of wood for the fire and have lots of yarn to keep me company. I will knit and spin and watch movies. My three favorite things.

I finished plying the royal blue that I was working on. It is drying by the fire. I can't wait to put it in something, like a felted bag. I have one almost ready to felt. Just a few more things and it will be ready. I put an eye cord trim at the top to give it body and so now I am putting the same trim on both sides of the handle. I hope it works out, if not I will have learned something anyway.

Next Monday classes start again. I kind of miss them, but at the same time enjoy the freedom to do nothing. I get more done though when I have to. Oh well, I guess we need both. Down time and structured time.

I' going to start some hats tomorrow. I want to make Barbara and Brian warm hats for the snow. Also Katherine and Peyton and Grace need warm hats too. Maybe some mittens too. They had about 4-6 inches of snow when they got there. Brrrrrrr It makes me cold just to think about it. I am toasty in my little house.

Spin on..........................Sheena

They made it.....Praise God!

2008-01-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

I talked to Ron at about 10:00 their time last night and it was so great. They had arrived at Lansing, Kansas at about 8:00. I am so relieved. They were having problems with one of Brian's cars and I was really afraid they would have to do something else. Like get the car fixed or buy a new car, or rent a u-haul and tow his car. Anyway, they made it and Praise God. The weather held and all is well.

They picked the keys to the new house and Ron says it is a Mansion!! I know it will be wonderful for the kids in the long run, but they are upset now. Missing friends and worried about a new school. I know it is hard, but they will work it out and be OK. Plus, Brian won't be gone anymore, so that will help a lot.

I got a lot done yesterday, so I am loafing today. I know I have to get some of my knitting and spinning done so I can go back to classes next week with a clean slate! Ha ha. I will go back to classes anyway, but I do want to get some of these UFO'S done so I can move on. I want to make some hats for Barb and the kids. They will need them now. Ron said there was 4-6 inches of snow on the ground. Brrrrr I'm cold just thinking about it. The high today is suppose to be 39. I don't believe that is a high. Sounds more like a low to me. I know we are spoiled here, but it's all what you get used to.

I finished spinning my royal blue wool, and will ply it tonight. I am finishing up a bag I knitted and still need to felt it. I have yarn all wound to make me a sweater (for Christmas). I guess it will do for next year. I hope to get some of this done today!!! Better get busy.

Spin on.............................Sheena

New Year.......2008 can you believe it?

2008-01-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Well, it is now 2008. Where did the year go? I can't believe how fast that one went. Seems like only yesterday I was trying to remember to write 2007 on my checks. I'll never get it right.

I am making black eyed peas and ham for New Years dinner. I think I will make some cornbread too. My In laws really like cornbread. Ron is gone for about 10 days to two weeks. He is driving cross country (half way any way) to Kansas with Brian. Brian's back was so bad when he got back that he could hardly walk. So Ron is driving one of his cars, Barbara is driving the other one and Brian is reclining in the passenger seat. He is still miserable.

They have been having car trouble with one of the cars. The one Ron is driving. The Explorer is having transmission trouble. They are crippling along, so I hope today goes well. The problem is Brian has a time limit. He has to report in on Friday. His Classes start on Tuesday of the following week. They also need to get there to sign Escrow Papers for their new house. Oh well, once they get there all will be well.

When I talked to Ron today he was freezing. It was 20 degrees and the wind was blowing. Suppose to warm up to 60 today where they will be driving. I thought 60 was a low, not a high. It is about 73 here although the Santa Ana winds are blowing and they are kind of cool. I didn't even need to build a fire this morning. Ron was so worried about me being without fire wood because his saw wouldn't work. He ordered some from some guy and they delivered it yesterday. I'm all set, and he is freezing!

I have been cooking all day. I made some egg salad for lunch, and of course the black eyed peas. I also made some vegetable soup. I plan to start back to ww next week. I think I have to stay on some kind of eating program or I just gain weight.

I am working on a felted bag I started in Alabama. It is Noro yarn and knitted in mitered squares. I love it. I am working on the handle right now and then I will felt it. I can't wait to finish it. I was going to give it for a Christmas present, but that didn't happen. Maybe someones birthday. I will work on some royal blue roving tonight. I started in class before Christmas, and worked on it some at Loraine's last Friday night.

With Ron gone I am doing all the animals and really enjoying it. I use to feed all the animals until he retired and then he took over. I kind of miss it, but I can go out there any time and visit the animals. So we are getting reacquainted.

Spin on........................Sheena

Christmas eve and all is well!!

2007-12-24T15:15:00.001-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and all is well. All the cookies and candy are made and all the presents are wrapped. We are waiting for the Charger game to start and then we will eat Chicken Wings and lots of goodies.

We are also going to the Christmas Eve service at our church. It is at 6:00 and is a candle lighting ceremony. Very pretty and a great way to start the festivities. Tomorrow will be equally wonderful.

We are having a dinner for the whole family and lots of fun. This is the last hurrah before Brian moves to Kansas . We will all miss his entire family. I will especially miss the kids, because I'm all about the kiddos.

Merry Christmas and
Spin on...................................Sheena

A Sugar Storm in the Kitchen

2007-12-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

Wow, first thing this morning (6:00am) I was making Rice Crispy Squares. Ron ask for them which surprised me. I didn't even know he liked them. I made some not too long ago and they were a disaster. This time they worked out perfect. I made two batches and sprinkled red and green sugar on them. They are really pretty. Very easy too.

Next I made some fudge. No nuts, for Ginger and Ron. I still need to make some for my Mom with nuts. I like the one with nuts too, but if I make it for me, I will eat it all, this way I can share with my Mom and eat half as much. Last year nothing I made turned out right, so this year I am making it early in the morning without "help". I seem to do much better that way.

I am knitting on a pair of socks I started a long, long time ago. I was trying to learn to knit with two circular needles. I got about three inches done and really don't like this technique. Maybe someday I will try it again, but for now I am back to double pointed needles. Did I mention that there were two being knit at the same time. Yeah, I give! I think it is a great idea, but I don't have the skill yet to do that.

We had our last spinning class on Wednesday and I have been looking forward to the break. We brought things in that we no longer wanted, roving, yarn, unfinished projects or what ever, as long as it was fiber related. I took in some roving I didn't think I would want (it was so hard to part with anything cause I love all my stuff) and I am proudest of the fact that I didn't bring any thing new home.

I have my fudge done and tonight I will be making some English Toffee. My personal favorite. It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas around here.

Most of my spinning is waiting to be turned into something. I really need to get busy knitting. I made two hats last night on the knitting machine and will try to do some more tonight after dinner.

Spin on...............................Sheena

Christmas party for spinners

2007-12-15T07:38:00.001-08:00

Well, last night was the Christmas party for the spinning group that I go to. It is at Lorraine Powell's house. She is the local Shepherdess and has a flock of about 60 and also has goats (angora) and meat goats. There are several ladies who meet every other Friday night and the third Thursday for the day time group. We bring our wheels and some people bring knitting and sit around and visit and either spin or knit. There are plenty of people to help if you are just learning and it is really great fun. I never want to have it end.

Last night was no exception. There were a couple of ladies I never see anymore who came last night. It was so good to see them. A couple of them were affected by the fire and still trying to get back to normal. I really feel for them, we are so blessed. All together there were about 8 of us, that pretty well fills up the room. Lots of talking and hot apple cider and everyone brought something to share to snack on.

I got a brush to put on my drum carder. It is one of my Christmas Presents. I can't wait to get busy with that stuff after Christmas. I am going to blend some wool mixing colors and fibers. Great fun for this spinning girl.

Spin on..............Sheena

Getting Ready for Christmas, making goodies

2007-12-13T05:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I have finished the last slipper sock for my grand kids for Christmas. I have a couple of other things I am working on, but have plenty of time left to finish. Now I have to start baking. Well maybe I don't have to, but I want to. In fact it is my favorite part.

I have been spinning a lot lately too. I am finishing up a bunch of 4 oz bumps I have in different colors that I have bought over the last year. It is so fun to see what they become. Even if I don't like the roving, I seem to always like the yarn. In fact I usually love it. I hope to use some of it in some felted bags I plan on making. I have lots of ideas and am ready to get started. I have about 5 or 6 pounds of my Lincoln wool spun up. Can't wait to see how that turns out. I could make a sweater, but probably won't. I also want to over dye some of it. Blue of course.

I have all my Christmas decorations out, and the house looks festive and wonderful. I love Christmas and all the colors and lights. This is the first year my husband has really got involved. I don't know if it is because he finally has time, or because he just feels better this year. Anyway, it has been great fun and I don't care why.

I really miss all the kids, but am getting better at being away from them. I am looking forward to them coming in the spring. Oh!!! my chickens are laying eggs. I can't believe it. They usually don't start laying until the following spring, but they are laying now. I started with one a day, and am now up to 4 a day. What fun!!! The kids will be so happy when they get here. I can't wait. I have been making Ron Egg Mcmuffin for breakfast. He loves that.

It is really cold the last couple of days, especially at night. I guess it is suppose to be, after all it is winter. I'm glad I don't have snow. I would freeze.

Spin on...................Sheena

Rain Rain we finally have Rain!!!

2007-12-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

It started raining on Thursday night late. Really I guess it was Friday night. It rained all day and into the night on Friday. I usually don't like the rain, but this time I kind of enjoyed it. My husband stayed in for a change and we decorated the house for Christmas. This is the first time in a long time that he actually took part. He seems to be enjoying it. We unpacked everything, something we haven't done in a long time also. I am going through all the old stuff and getting rid of the broken things and warp things (there are a lot of warp things). Some things just don't do well in the heat. I had a lot of funny looking candles. Won't pack those away again.

We went shopping last week and bought a new little artificial tree. It has lights on it already and set up in 2 minutes. I love it! It is perfect for us and I have completely covered in all of my favorite ornaments. You can hardly see the tree. There is some green peeking out here and there. I always enjoy going through all of my ornaments. A lot of them my kids made over the years or they have a special meaning because of what was going on in my life at the time.

So today, I have spent the morning doing just that, going through and hanging up the best of the best and remembering all the wonderful Christmases we have had. I still miss those kids, but of course I love the people they have become. The Grand kids have totally taken up the slack. We have had all of them living here at one time, but now half of them are in Alabama.
I miss those very much, but am thankful for the ones who are still here. (the other half). Soon three more are going to move away, so I will only have two here. I do know I am very fortunate to have been such a big part of their lives. I will enjoy the ones that are here, and go on missing the ones who have moved away. Life goes on.

I have been knitting slipper socks for all the grand kids like crazy. Almost done. I need to mail the first 5 this week. I have also been spinning a lot to make yarn for some felted bags that I want to make. I really need to get to making those or they won't get done in time. I will do most of the knitting on the knitting machine. That way I can get at least a few done in time. If I want to hand knit them, I better get busy now for next year!! Ha ha.

Well, I best get knitting and spinning.
Spin on..........................................................Sheena

Time for a Christmas Sweater, almost done with Christmas presents!!

2007-12-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

Today at machine knitting class we worked on a Christmas Sweater. I am so ready to knit something for myself. I really need a new sweater, all the ones I have are old and I give so much away that I don't have that many anyway. I guess living in San Diego doesn't exactly call for a lot of sweaters. I love them anyway. I think I have the yarn, so I will look for it tomorrow.
It is in storage like all my yarn. I have so much, I go shopping at my own house.

I bought a new little Christmas tree this weekend. The one we had didn't make it past the storage job last year. I got one that is 4.5ft with lights already on it. It is perfect for us and will be fun to set up. It is about a 5 minute job. I am going to put it on a table and it won't take up too much room, since I have no extra space.

I have one more pair of slipper socks to make before Christmas. Now I am working on a couple of felted bags I have in mind. If they turn out they will be Christmas presents too. I love making them anyway, so it doesn't really matter. It is really fun spinning the yarn to make them. That is, I think, my favorite part. I love spinning for it's lack of planning and hardly any preparation. It is so relaxing, I keep threatening to teach my husband so he can relax. He really needs to relax more. I have to say he is very supportive of all I do.

Spin on..........................Sheena

Finally back from the TIME WARP

2007-11-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how horrible I felt this time getting back from Alabama. It took almost a full week to get back to feeling half way normal. I still feel lazy and low.

Thanksgiving was great. We had lots of food and lots of fun. I really miss Dana and the kids, but I was just with them so I should be thankful for that. I miss Brian too, but he will be back in about three weeks, so I am thankful for that too. My Mom and Ron's parents were all here and Rhonda and her family and Ginger too. We had 14 including the 5 grandchildren that were here. It was a very good day.

I have been doing alot of knitting. I am working on slipper sox for Christmas for the gradkids. So far I have 7 pair done. I am half way through #8. I also want to make some felted bags, so I hope I will get some done. I went to Lorraine's to spin on Friday night, and finished some BFL I have been working on. I hope I have enough for a vest. It is died a lot of colors and turned out really beautiful.

I hope I can start knitting some things for myself. After Christmas should get better.

Spin on............................Sheena

A Day of Quiet and lots of knitting

2007-11-07T06:13:00.000-08:00

Today I am keeping Reese home from his sitter. He usually has a hectic schedule on Wednesday. Autumn is still home sick, and today Rebecca joins her. We are all going to relax and take it easy. I am going to knit all day. Except when I get tired of that and want to spin. I have some roving I will start on and I think it will be another good felted bag. I hope to end up with at least a couple of Christmas presents by the time I get home.

The dog is still a pain in my side!!! With the kids here, it won't all fall on me to get him outside for his business. He's very cute and just needs to be house broke. I am not very experienced in that so we are lacking. Oh well, we will keep trying.

I think I will ask for advice from my friend Sue.

Spin on....................................Sheena

Today was a great day!!

2007-11-06T16:24:00.000-08:00

This is the first day that I really feel like myself since I got here. I guess the time difference or something. I have really been draggin' and not getting much done. My back has really been a mess. It was somewhat better today and I really got a lot done. The laundry has been the big challenge. I know I won't be here long enough to really doing any thing much, but I am trying to get things back to a starting point.

I started some slipper sox for Reese (3) today. They go fast when the foot is little. I am working on the heel of the first sock so I should finish them tomorrow. I will have Reese all day so I won't be able to do much house work. I will have to keep track of him as he tries to tear everything up.

I have been working on the baby jacket thing and so far so good.

Spin on.........................Sheena