The Black Sheep Cottage

A Good Day and a Chicken Roundup

2012-02-05T16:11:00.005-05:00

February 2nd was Mom's 74th birthday and Daddy's followup appt. for another procedure. We received the great news that Daddy is still cancer free. Big PTL!

Angela and I took the folks to The Olive Garden for a celebratory late lunch. Most of us enjoyed our meal but Olive Garden is not Daddy's favorite ... as he let us know. {smile}

When I arrived home the sun was shining and it was relatively warm for a early February day. It was such a pretty afternoon I decided to set my self up with a chair, soda and my knitting while the hens free ranged in the barnyard (also know as my backyard). The girls love eating grass and scratching around the edges of the compost pile.

The Little Black Hen, no name as yet, is a cat chaser. Mostly she has it in for Indy. If she spots poor Indy first she gives her the stink-eye then takes out after her, head down, wings spread, and get the cat her aim. Indy is beginning to be a lil paranoid about TLBH. Always looking over her should to keep tabs on her nemesis. Lennie and Seal, the kittens from this fall, aren't fools they stay under the porch out TLBH's way.

Frack would graze for a while then come over to me to visit a bit. She is very social and liked to keep track of my knitting and nibble on the ends of my wooden needles. She is a sweetheart!

Everything was fine for about a hour then the girls began drifting into the neighbor's lawn. Not a good idea. The wind had also picked up causing it to be colder so it was time for the girls to go home to their run. Frack was easily scooped up, placed under my arm and placed in the run. Frick .. no problem. Rosemary is such a good girl. Just tuck her under my arm and pop her into the run. Then I picked up Tansy. Oh.My.Goodness. She squawked and carried on as though she had never seen me before in her life. Screamed like a big ol' girl. Napoleon comes racing over and began trying to spur me to rescue Tansy. So I'm trying to hold on to Tansy, who is easily ten pounds and not cooperating and push back Napoleon with my foot. He ended getting popped in the chest with my size nines six or eight times before I was able to dump Miss Tansy into the run. Napoleon has all the instincts of a good rooster. He was doing his best to protect the girls but I am so over him. He has to get a new home asap. I'm just not coordinated enough to do that routine on a regular basis. If I fall it will be ugly!

Library is ready to close so I had better stop for today.
Have a blessed week! Penny

Catching Up and Moving Along

2012-01-28T13:08:00.008-05:00

Apologies all around. I haven't gone this long with out posting for ages.

Christmas was a blessing. Most of our family was able to be together to celebrate and open gifts on Christmas Eve. Miss Jaidyn was a hoot. Being a four year old is a pretty wondrous thing at Christmas time. A sinus infection took me down on Christmas Day so I spent it in bed with fluids, throat drops and tissues ... not much fun. After a few weeks of yuck I'm much better.

I have a Kindle Touch and am using the Amazon gift cards I have acquired through Swag Bucks to build my library. If you haven't tried Swag Bucks I highly recommend them. It takes 450 points to purchase a $5.00 Amazon card. If you do any searching at all those points will build up quickly. I have a link on the left side bar if you would like to investigate SB. The first title I purchased was "Barnheart" by Jenna Woginrich. While I am really liking the Kindle it is doubtful it will ever beat holding a book in my hand.

January held two birthdays for my family. My niece Hillary turned 25 on the fourth and Angela gained another year on the thirteenth. Yep her birthday was once more on Friday the Thirteenth. We call it her lucky day. =)

Seeds will be started for tomatoes and peppers in two more weeks. I purchased a second greenhouse shelving unit at the Tractor Supply a few weeks ago. It will go inside my "greenhouse-in-a-box" for extra protection when I plant some cold hardy seeds for plants such as lettuces and other greens. I think the double covers will help hold in heat to give a little added protection for germinating seeds and developing plants.

Tomorrow I will sit down with paper, pencil and calendar to plan the rest of the planting schedule. Angela and I want to do some canning this summer so I want to have a plan for succession planting to keep us in produce, plus have some to sell. The plan will also tell me how many more raised beds I need to add. I found some end of the season deals on large flower pots last fall and will use them and a couple of flower boxes in addition to the beds. The pots and boxes can be tucked in here and there to add more growing space. Vertical growing is also something I want to add this year. Homesteading on a small city lot requires you to be creative.

Our temperatures in south central Indiana have fluctuated so much I am concerned about my Peach and Fig trees breaking bud. It has been nothing to have 30 degree changes from day to day. Crazy! I need to research dormant oil sprays for the Peach tree and see if they do anything for the Figs too.

Chick Update:
Tansy ended up raising three pullets and one rooster. They are now four months old and it is past time for the rooster to go! I call him Napoleon. If he was able tuck a wing into his waistcoat while puffing out his chest he would. My co-worker Roni is suppose to take him and I hope it is tomorrow. My lil town has a no roosters allowed ordinance and I'm afraid all the crazy crowing, beginning at 3:30 in the a.m., is going to get us in big trouble. He is a pretty thing but ... I. Am. Over. Him.

Next month Angela and I are vending at a two day show in Kokomo, Indiana. It is the Winter Woolin Workshop. This is a first time show for us so please wish us well and pray for traveling mercies as it is a bit of a drive.

Better get a wiggle on as there are farm chores that need tending to. Have a Blessed Week!

P.S. Napoleon still needs a good home. Roni decided against taking him as she hopes to be moving in the near future.

Happy 4th Birthday Jaidy!

2011-12-12T15:37:00.004-05:00

Today is my grand-niece Jaidyn's fourth birthday. She is our delight and joy!

Happy Birthday Jaidy Lu with love from Aunt Penny!

Our Month of Happy Birthday's

2011-12-04T15:02:00.007-05:00

December is a birthday month for my family. Today is my birthday followed by our Miss Jaidyn's fourth birthday on the 12th, and of course on the 25th we celebrate Jesus' birthday. Lots of festivities, food and family time going on this month.

Have a great week!

Getting Ready for Old Man Winter

2011-11-27T15:30:00.007-05:00

Our Market season finished the last Saturday of October and while I will miss seeing our customers and vendor friends I have to admit to being tired and ready for an occasional Saturday lie-in. Since Market ended we have done two shows and had a Retreat with our Back Porch Friends ladies so I just got that lie-in this Saturday morning.

Yesterday was a beautiful day, warm and mostly sunny, so I winterized the chicken run. If I wrap the run in heavy plastic about 2 1/2 ft. high it blocks a lot of wind off the girls. I also cleaned their lil coop and added fresh straw bedding.

Next will be the bunnies turn. Skirting the bottom section of the hutch with that same plastic keeps the wind from blowing under them it and makes a huge difference in their comfort. Later when it begins to stay consistently cold I will put plastic over the wire portion of the hutch for added protection leaving the door uncovered for fresh air.

My little cottage will be getting her windows covered in plastic and new blinds. I eventually plan to make window quilts ... but I doubt that happens this year. Half my windows are original to the house and are not the most efficient so I definitely want them covered.

I found a great deal on the bamboo blinds that I love. Some will be topped with long lace valances and others with battenburg style cafe curtains. It will be a funky look but I think I will like it. My living room has had vertical blinds for the last several years and I have never liked them.

When I moved here from the country it bothered me that my house sat so close to the street and that my neighbors were also so close. I still do not want anyone looking in but I've loosened up enough to not want to live in a cave. The blinds are made of matchstick bamboo so they will let in filtered light and can be rolled up if I want to let in even more light.

A kerosene heater is on my list for this year and I have been doing some price comparison. So far the Tractor Supply is the least expensive. I would prefer a small wood stove but to do it right is price prohibitive this winter.

One more oil lamp and lamp oil is on next week's purchase list. I would love to find more beeswax candles too.

The Library is closing in a bit so I had better get a wiggle on. Have a blessed week!

Busy, Busy

2011-10-30T16:24:00.009-04:00

I apologize for being such a slacker. There has been a lot going on this past month and I have been "doing" rather writing about doing.

Tansy's chicks have really grown. They each have their own distinct look and I hope to know who gets to stay and who has to go soon. This waiting around to see who are girls and who might be boys is very trying.

Sometime last month while receiving books at the Library a copy of "Homegrown & Handmade by Deborah Niemann came across my desk. It was with surprise, and delight, I saw my quote from her blog had been included in the book. If you get a chance check out page seventeen. [wink wink]. I can't wait for the book Deborah is working on at the moment to be published.

Tansy is a Mama

2011-09-22T13:11:00.005-04:00

Tuesday morning four of the blue/green eggs I had placed under Tansy hatched. I was doing my chores and while feeding the girls I checked on Miss Tansy sitting on her clutch of eggs. She was in an awkward position with her back end up a little higher than her front end. She also had an odd facial expression. Yes, chickens do have expressions and her's showed puzzlement. After the food was spread around she jumped out of the nest box and I saw three little peeps bopping about and a fourth one still working on hatching.

The chicks are marked like typical Ameraucana chicks although we have no idea who their fathers might be. The girl I got the eggs from has several roosters including a black Silkie, his mixed breed sons, bantams, and other mixed breeds.

Wednesday morning she moved her little brood to the pet taxi I had readied for her nursery. Tansy has explained to the other girls that while she may now be a mama she is still Queen of the Coop! When the chicks and Tansy are at one end of the pen all four of the girls go to the opposite end. Nobody messes with the babies!

These four little one are the first animals to be born/hatched on my little homestead. Living in town I cannot keep roosters so keep your fingers crossed they are all girls!!

~ Penny ~

Happenings ... good and bad

2011-08-27T14:57:00.007-04:00

Much has happened these last few weeks.

I am out of the boot ... Yay!
I'm now wearing a close fitting stretchy sock that will be my friend for the next few months. After wearing that hot, and heavy, boot for the summer I'm so grateful to be able to wear the stretchy sock that I will wear it happily until the end of the year if need be!

After my third MRI of the summer I learned I not only have bulging discs in my lower lumbar but I also have them in my neck. The pinched nerves in my neck from those boogered discs, and bone spurs, have been causing tingling with numbing/pain down my left arm. It's crazy! Crocheting and knitting were nearly impossible until my Nurse Practitioner gave me a cortisone shot and a few days of prednisone pills. For now things are better but I know pain injections are in my future. My NP has already made the referral for the shots. My Mom has the same thing but I seem to be coming into it a little earlier than she did.

Because of the foot/neck/back thing going on Nicholas, my 15 yo neighbor, dug holes for me so the Figs and Pink Reliance Seedless grape vines are finally in the ground. Hip Hip Hooray! There are still three Blueberry bushes, two Blackberry bushes and several herbs waiting to be planted. They will find their homes asap.

Chicken News:
Frack is now living with the other hens. She had taken to following me around the back yard like a feathery dog. It was actually pretty neat. She followed so closely that if I made a sudden stop she ran into me. If I sat in the chair, by the bunnies, she would come over to me and sit a spell and "talk" to me. I love that murmuring cluck talk hens do among themselves. One evening I heard her distress call and hurried over to find her being stalked by a large feral cat. I called her to me, chased off the cat, then clipped Frack's wings.

Clipping wings does not hurt the chicken but watching her being picked on, and pecked at, was too traumatic. I truly thought they would peck her to death. =( Even Frick, who has always been with Frack took a turn at tormenting the poor girl! It has now been over a week and the bullying is somewhat better. Frack doesn't cower in a corner now but is very light on her feet and keeps moving away from the bullies.

Family News :
Please keep my Daddy and Angela in your prayers. Daddy has to have another procedure done this week regarding the bladder cancer. Angela is now off chemo treatments but has had a blood transfusion this week and will be getting another next week. My family are fighters but help from above is always welcomed!

Remember this, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well", from Julian of Norwich.

~ Penny ~

Frick & Frack are home ... well sort of.

2011-08-10T18:02:00.004-04:00

Frick and Frack were returned home Sunday evening. They were received fairly well by the home team. I had sweet corn waiting as their "Welcome Home Banquet", I thought the corn would take some of the attention away from the new faces. After sitting outside for a hour watching to see there would not be any blood shed I went into the house. At bedtime I walked down to check if they were all in their little coop. John had told me F & F might not go to roost. That they sometimes had slept outside so I wanted to make certain they did not become prey for hungry raccoon.

I shined the flashlight into the coop and counted chicky bottoms. Yep there were five fluffy bottoms sitting on the roost bar. Excellent. I went to bed with a happy heart.

The next morning I hear Tansy throwing a hissy fit slap my glasses on my face and look out the window to see what all the fuss is about and count chickens. One, two three, four. Oops that isn't right so I count again. One, two, three, four. Dang! I toss on my robe and slip into my Birks and trot down to look inside the coop. Maybe one of them is an early layer. Nope. Frack has flown the coop!

She is no where to be found. With all the feral cats in the neighborhood it didn't look good. Finally it was time to go to work and she still wasn't home. Sigh. John had offered to clip their wings but I have never had to do this and thought they would be okay. Hind sight IS twenty-twenty.

After work I stopped to talk to Angela and she said the Animal Control Officer had spent a lot of time driving around our neighborhood. Hmmm wonder if someone reported a loose chicken.

The next morning I'm rushing through my farm work before going to P.T. and see Frack in the tree by the chicken run. She has returned to her roots and like the jungle chickens is roosting in the tree! Her new routine is to fly down into the run for breakfast, a drink and a dust bath. She visits with Frick then when Tansy notices her flies up into the tree for the rest of the day. Crazy!

Hopefully they will all be reconciled soon ...

Frick n' Frack are Rejoining the Flock

2011-07-28T18:58:00.007-04:00

When I purchased chicks more than a year ago I bought two extra Red Star chicks for "just in case". Stuff does happen and those lil bits of fluff appear so fragile I felt I needed spares. Oddly enough everyone survived and I was left with the dilemma of what to do with those extras.

John, the Library maintenance man, had chickens so I talked him into taking the two I was referring to as Frick n' Frack. I didn't want to get attached to them so I didn't give the pair real names. Now that Marguerite has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge I have room in the chicken hutch for another large hen or two smaller hens.

John's hens are getting some age on them so he wants out of the chicken business and has offered Frick n' Frack back to me. So yay they are coming home. They will not be as tame as my hens but that is okay. They still lay lovely jumbo eggs and are easy keepers.

We are waiting for the temperature to cool down before they reenter the flock and I'm hoping it will be an easy transition for all concerned.

Stay cool and have a blessed rest of the week!

~ Penny ~

The Bitter and the Sweet

2011-07-24T15:26:00.006-04:00

There are always ups and downs to farming ... recently I experienced one of the downs.

I came home from work three weeks ago to find Marguerite had apparently died from heat exhaustion. She was one of my Buff Orpingtons and a such a goofball. My chickens have been pets from the beginning and I frequently refer them as cats with feathers. They will rub against my legs when I am caring for them. I am constantly shooing them out from underfoot to avoid stepping on them. Rest in Peace my Golden Marguerite.

On the up side I was able to pick up several plants for my orchard at Saturday's Market. Espri from Brambleberry Far m brought me two figs, two Reliance seedless grape vines, two thornless Blackberries, and a Blueberry bush. Brambleberry Farm is currently running a sale on a selection of plants and I saved quite a bit on my purchase.

Please continue to keep Angela in your prayers. She will have her third treatment on Tuesday. She is experiencing wicked headaches and bad nose bleeds. The doctors do not know if the brain tumors are hemorrhaging (bleeding out), if they are caused by her constant high blood pressure or if it is a reaction to the chemo. =( After four treatment she will take a two week hiatus then there is suppose to be four more treatments. She is tough but the tough people still need to be lifted up in prayer.

Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. I go for my first physical therapy appointment for the inflamed tendon in my ankle. I hate PT but I hate the "boot" I'm wearing even more! It has been three months since I injured my ankle and I am so over wearing the "boot"!

I'm off to meet my niece Heather to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I saw it a week ago with the "Library Ladies" but told Sis I wanted to see it again so we made a date. =)

Have a Blessed week and stay cool!
~ Penny ~

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-03T15:41:00.007-04:00

I'm thankful for my Freedom!

Have a safe holiday!

Take joy,
Penny

A Little Update

2011-07-02T15:41:00.007-04:00

It surprised me to see I hadn't posted in three weeks. The month of June seems to have flown by until poof it's now July. Daddy told me as I got older time would become a fleeting thing and he was right!

One Friday evening in the middle of June Angela, Mom and Daddy did the Survivor's Walk at the Relay for Life event in Bedford. It was pretty special watching them walk arm in arm around that track knowing what they have gone through and what Daddy and Angela still face. Heather and Angela did the Caregivers lap. Because of the "boot" I wasn't able to make that lap, but halfway around the track Jaidy joined them so that was fun. Debbie and I sat in the bleachers for the most part but Deb did get a few photos.

Market has continued to be profitable for Angela and I. Her hats and felted bags are popular and my yarn is getting a good response. So yay!

This morning Jack, a fellow who sells beautiful wooden bowls at Market, gave me a bag of Osage Orange shavings. Before he tries a new-to-him wood Jack does a little research. He found that Osage Orange was a safe wood for his bowls and was once used by Native Americans to make a yellow dye. He thought I might be able to use it and brought it along this morning. The next time he uses Red Cedar he will save me another batch of shavings.

Natural dyes is something I want to explore this summer. Last year I dyed with Indigo but I really want to expand into things like native woods, plants and wild blooms. I'm looking for a Coleman type camp stove so I can continue to dye outdoors. Keeping my mess, and the heat, outside is always a good thing.

Please Angela in your prayers. She will begin chemo again a week from Independence Day.

Take joy,
Penny

Fireflies or Lightning Bugs?

2011-06-08T17:20:00.004-04:00

Whatever you choose to call them their first sighting on an early evening signifies the beginning of Summer to me.

While at Market, on Saturday morning, I saw my first lightning bug. It didn't make much of an impact what with it being daylight and all.

I've been keeping vigil for the last few weeks waiting for the first arrivals and Sunday evening my patience paid off.

First there were a few flashing lights and I was excited. After first dark passed the show began and I was giddy.

What signifies the beginning of Summer to you? The smell of just cut grass, that first ripe tomato, fresh picked green beans from the garden??

My New Favorite Footware ... Not!

2011-06-02T17:34:00.006-04:00

Finally got to see my podiatrist on Tuesday. After viewing my earlier X-rays then taking more X-rays he determined one of the extra bones in my left foot is cracked. Yes, I have extra bones in both feet and yes, I am a freak. There is also some tendon and ligament damage to my foot. I will be wearing the stylish boot for a month. =(

This Saturday Angela and our sister DebJo will be at a show in Princeton, IN and Angela's husband Mark and I will be at the Farmers Market.

I may be down .. but I'm not down for the count! [smile]

Moving Right Along

2011-05-22T13:57:00.014-04:00

Yesterday was the first day of Market and we had a great day. There were approx. 60 vendors set up and more will come as the produce comes in. We have had so much rain that the majority of the growers are behind on their planting.

Angela and I both made more money this opening day compared to last year's first Market day. I nearly broke even on what I spent compared to what I made .. this isn't always the case!

My purchases included two Jersey highbush blueberry bushes from the Brambleberry Farm, a cinnamon roll and pumpkin roll from Mary, one of the Amish vendors. I sold a skein of sock yarn to one of my Library customers. Mrs. W. has plans to knit every member of her family a pair of socks for Christmas this year ... I asked if I could be adopted until the end of 2011. =)

Mary asked if I could dye black worsted yarn for the ladies in the Amish community to make baby booties. Apparently black wool yarn is difficult for them to come by. Another lady requested pink in a soft wool yarn that she could use in baby sweaters. I love the idea of my yarns being used to keep babies warm!

My CSA idea has been getting positive feedback. The best I can determine no one in my county is offering a CSA so it seems that I would be filling a need in my community. I can still share produce and eggs with my family and donate to L.I.F.E., our local foodbank, too.

Continuing with the CSA plans, besides the Blueberry bushes, I added the following herbs : Rosemary, Sage and Peppermint. Blueberries will go in a raised bed across the south end of the hen's run. Herbs will go into the front garden. The Rosemary will be in a pot so it can winter over in the house.

Next week I expect to get my Vern's Brown Turkey Fig trees. At Brambleberry Farm these trees only get to be about ten feet tall, then almost die down over the winter. This will be perfect for my small city lot. I will plant them on the east side of my house. This is the most protected spot on my property and has worked very well for my Nectarine tree.

My ankle may be boogered but I'm still following though with my farm plans!

Great Quote

2011-05-17T19:36:00.002-04:00

Let your food be your medicine
and your medicine be your food.

-Hippocrates

Garden Plans

2011-05-11T22:22:00.004-04:00

I've been giving serious thought to offering a CSA next year. If I can get some of the basics finished this summer (raised beds, berry bushes, herbs, more fruit trees, etc.) then next summer would offer more time for actual gardening.

I thought to offer a dozen eggs, a fresh bouquet of flowers, and herbs along with fresh fruits and veggies. If I can get the grunt work completed this year, use drip irrigation, row covers and copious amounts of mulch I think this project could be very doable.

My niece Heather, the Asst. Chicken Farmer/Asst. Bunny Wrangler, is suppose to pickup up a greenhouse-in-a-box for me at the Tractor Supply. I checked on Tuesday and they had one left and Lola offered to put it back for me. I love TS and the folks who work for them! My friend Sandra, at Thistle Cove Farm, purchased one of these greenhouses and I really liked the looks of it. Saving $20 off and not having to pay shipping sealed the deal for me. =)

I'm spending most of this week with my sisters at the Back Porch Friends quilt retreat. Miss Heather is tending the farm and my Daddy is checking in every now and then too.

Most of my retreat time is being spent with my left ankle propped up wearing an ice pack. I took a fall last Monday and did a number on my ankle. It isn't broken but my Nurse Practitioner thinks I have some ligament damage. This is the same ankle I had a ruptured Achilles with a few years ago. My appointment with my podiatrist isn't until the 31st. =(

Looking Forward to Market

2011-04-21T17:33:00.010-04:00

Orleans Market's Opening Day
Saturday, May 21st
8am-12pm
West side of Congress Square Park, Orleans, Indiana

Angela and I are looking forward to Market!

We will have many crocheted hats, felted bags, hand dyed yarns, mixed flower bouquets, soaps, clay buttons and whatever else we can come up with over the summer.

The Sky is Falling

2011-04-20T17:26:00.009-04:00

I awoke to a cool, windy morning following a second night of wicked storms. Looking out my laundry room window I saw a huge green shrub in the center of the backyard where no shrub was planted. Apparently when my lil urban homestead was hit by strong flat-line winds last night it took out part of a Box Elder and sent it across the chicken's run. The girls were not amused. It had narrowly missed their little hutch and brought down most of the hoops and netting that cover the run. Poor girls I bet they thought Chicken Little had it right and the sky was falling!

I made a quick call to work to say I would be late followed by a call to my Daddy/Farmhand/Handyman. After about an hour's work (Daddy sawed and I picked up) we had the tree out of the chicken's space and most of the debris lining the alley awaiting pickup. We still need to redo the hoops that hold up the deer netting cover. This will be the third time we have made these crazy hoops in less than a year.

The girls kept telling me all about their adventure and I kept trying to talk them down as they followed me from one end of the run to the other end. My poor chickens were pretty traumatized by the chainsaw too. Does anyone know a good chicken therapist??

Busy Times

2011-04-07T17:38:00.004-04:00

The countdown has begun for Angela and I to be ready, one week from tomorrow, for The Fiber Event. Angela has been crocheting, painting and sewing like mad. I have been dyeing like crazy (48 skeins so far) and have soap, several hats and a few bags to finish.

While off yesterday I cleaned out the chicken run. That's one item crossed off my list of chores for Spring. Next is taking care of the bunny hutch and mulching some plants with what comes out from under the hutch. One good about bunny poo is it can go directly around the plants without being composted.

I began my orchard last fall by planting a semi dwarf Nectarine. I've watched that tree all Spring for signs of life. I was finally rewarded with tight pink buds and pale green leaves that look like hand folded in prayer. With the warmer temps the buds have burst open. The blooms aren't very big and are a very delicate shade of pink. The fragrance reminds me of pear blossoms.

After things settle down I'll be shopping for blueberry bushes and more fruit trees. I'm so excited to finally be growing fruit on my tiny urban homestead.

Disclaimer : While the photo is not my tree they look exactly alike. =)

New on the Bookshelf

2011-03-10T18:29:00.013-05:00

I posted a while back I wanted to do more food drying and had found a dehydrator on clearance hence this book. Mary T. Bell's books had some good reviews on Amazon. I appreciate that it isn't only drying info but also how to use what you dry.

I copy/pasted the product description from Amazon for the next book.
"Raleigh Briggs collects her zines, illustrations, and thoughts around what it is that makes a great DIY household—homemade cleaning solvents that aren't made from poison, herbs that will heal you, and how to setup a great garden. These tips and tricks fill in the gaps for those of us longing to live this lifestyle but lacking the necessary know-how." This is a tricky little book and I think it will be helpful with all the recipes for homemade tinctures, salves, bath & body products etc.

Book reviews coming soon!

The Yarn From Last Week's Dye Day

2011-03-05T11:24:00.008-05:00

I left the Library early one day last week to have a "Dye Day". My co-workers suggested I come up with a new name/phrase as an alternative to me saying "I'm dyeing on Wednesday." or "Sunday is Dye Day". They also feel it is a bit disconcerting to hear me say the reason my cuticles are green, blue, fuchsia etc. is because I dyed yesterday. [smile]

The balls in the photo are all approximately 44o yards fingering weight wool. This wool is from Corriedale type sheep and is pretty soft and felts great. I think each skein is enough yardage for a pair of socks or a scarf.

There are ten more skeins waiting to be finished this weekend and I will post photos of them next week. I hope to have at least three dozen skeins of various weights ready for the Greencastle show.

Tomorrow I'm ordering sock yarn that is superwash wool with a little nylon added to the mix.

My inventory has a dozen skeins of worsted weight wool and half of it is already dyed.The worsted weight is approximately 220 yards so I am dyeing those two at a time so there will hopefully be enough of similar colorways to make a project. There are two skeins waiting for the ball winder I think would make a awesome felted bag ... photos coming soon.

The next order will be more of the Merino/silk blend. It comes out very soft with just a little sheen. One of my favorites!

If the weather warms up enough before the show I really want to do some Indigo dyeing, yarn and Shibori. I saw on the Fiber Event workshop list a class will be offered in Shibori so it would be neat to have a few pieces available. I have planned to have some ready for market and the fall Quilt Guild show we are vending in November. Praying for above 65 degree days so I can get the Indigo vat going.

We are still requesting prayers for Angela's health. She was diagnosed with viral pneumonia on January 17th and is still sick. This is too much for anyone but if you have all the other health issues that Ange has it's very serious. I'm still having coughing spells and feeling snarfy so if you want to add me to your prayers I would appreciate it too!

Better get a wiggle on. I have to go to Bloomington to pickup a gift certificate for a friend's birthday. It comes from a greenhouse and is my traditional gift to her. I was in Bloomington last Saturday but forgot to get it. Last Saturday it wasn't raining like crazy. @@

~ Penny ~

P.S. Picking up the new chicks tomorrow!!

Planning for Market

2011-02-24T18:01:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow I will be mailing off our application to the Orleans Farmers Market. We hope to get a permanent spot this year. Last summer we had to wait in a first-come-first-placed line each Saturday and hope for the best. It was okay but knowing ahead of time where we will be would be better.

Last Spring my lil greenhouse shelves didn't work out very well so I am looking into alternatives this week. I've found a very small walk-in greenhouse on Amazon with free shipping and am seriously considering buying it. I have some gift cards (birthday and Swagbucks) that will help with the cost. It looks like something I can put up/take down by myself and that is a big plus.

This evening I also updated my Local Harvest listing. The updates show if I use Explore but do not show when I search with Firefox .. go figure.

Better get a wiggle on and head home .. there are bunnies waiting to be fed and lil Sebastian is just as demanding as Sunny when it comes to meals. =)

Blog Button FYI

2011-02-19T10:48:00.002-05:00

I updated my blog button. The previous one had a misspell and it was corrected so please grab the new button. Thank you Angela!!!

February has been amazing.

2011-02-19T10:04:00.003-05:00

This month in southern Indiana, like many other areas, has had everything from snow & ice storms to 70 degree days. Such strange and amazing weather.

Thanks for the comments on Sebastian. He is such a sweetie.

My niece Heather stopped by last evening. She is my assistant chicken farmer. lol Heather takes care of my "farm" when I am out of town. She loves the new baby and spent quite a bit of time finding fresh grass for the chickens. I gave the grapes Roni, a co-worker, sent the girls. The girls love grapes .. especially Cicely! Sweet Cicely will steal the grapes out of the beak of the other girls and run. I keep expecting to have to apply a chickie Heimlich on her when she chokes because she is such a greedy girl.

I was told on Thursday the Tractor Supply will be getting the new chicks in early next month. Orschlens are getting theirs at the end of this month. I'm still planning on adding 4 or 5 more hens to my flock this Spring. I'll be looking for Black Stars and Ameraucanas. If the Black Stars aren't available I'll get more Red Stars. My Rosemary and Cicely lay extra large brown eggs .. they are huge!

Better get a wiggle on. I have to go back to Bloomington and exchange my chicken feed. The Co-op guy gave me broiler feed instead of layer feed and that won't do. The White River Co-op is the closest place to purchase organic chicken feed. [sigh]

After the feed store I'm making a yarn run to Joann Fabric Store and maybe Michaels too. I have some great coupons. ;^)

Introducing Our New Baby ... Sebastain!

2011-02-12T15:53:00.005-05:00

He is a nine week old broken Lilac French Angora.

I've got a secret!

2011-02-10T18:08:00.002-05:00

If everything goes well ... tomorrow The Black Sheep Cottage is getting a new critter to add to the farm. I'll try to post photo(s) on Saturday.

Remember it's a secret so do not tell my family!

Groundhogs, Robins and a Birthday.

2011-02-10T17:09:00.007-05:00

Groundhog's Day was my Mom's 73 rd birthday. We waited until the 5th to celebrate with lunch at her favorite restaurant, the Asian Pearl. Lunch was followed by dessert and pressies at Angela's house. Mom had gifted Angela with the cupcake stand so she filled it with pretty lil cupcakes for our dessert. Notice the single candle on the topmost cupcake .. Jaidy "helped" her granny blow out the flame. That was her cupcake. Jaidy likes her a good cuppy cake. =)

My sisters and I are very blessed to still have our Mom and Daddy with us.

As I was going to the car I saw my first robin of the year. Poor bird. It is still freakishly cold here in southern Indiana. According to the official groundhog we are suppose to have an early Spring. I so hope he is right!

I'm a winner.

2011-01-22T13:57:00.007-05:00

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm had a giveway this month and I was one of the winners. It has a lovely poem and I intend to let it be part of my Mom's birthday present early next month.

The poem reads as follows ...

"My life is just a weaving
Between my Lord and me.
I cannot change the color
For He works most steadily.

Oft times He weaves the sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Until the loom is silent
And the shuttle cease to fly,
Will God roll back the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the skillful Weaver's Hand
As the golden threads of silver
He has patterned in His Plan."

~Benjamin Malacia Franklin ~

Three posts in one day ... this is some kind of a record!

Yay I have a blog button!

2011-01-22T13:35:00.005-05:00

Angela used a photo of the wool block I designed for a swap to make my new button. My sister is very tricky and can do that sort of thing. ;) She also made one for herself and I have it on my side bar.

Please feel free to grab them!

Yikes we are in for a busy year!

2011-01-22T12:05:00.007-05:00

Angela finally received a confirmation email that we will be vendors at The Fiber Event this April.

I've attended all the fiber festivals/shows offered in Indiana and in my opinion this is by far the best festival. So we are excited to be included in their list of vendors.

This week's mail also brought the application for the Bloomington Quilter's Guild fall show. This guild only has a show every three years and is always a welcomed opportunity to greet acquaintances that we only get to enjoy every three years. It is also a very profitable show.

So now our show line up is 1) The Fiber Event, 2) The Indiana Fiber & Music Festival, 3) Orleans Farmers Market, 4) The Woolkeepers Show, 5) The Bloomington Quilter's Guild Show. It makes me tired simply looking at the list. lol

In the midst of all this good news Angela has pleurisy and pneumonia. She isn't feeling well at all and if you feel so inclined could use some healing prayers.

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my hats. I ended up selling all them and have an order for another purple one. Better go finish my errands and start crocheting. It is freakishly cold here in southern Indiana and people are going to need those hats! [smile]

I've Jumped on the Hat Band Wagon

2011-01-15T11:34:00.008-05:00

Angela sold over 200 crocheted hats this summer at Market! She makes super cute hats for babies, lil girls, big girls, teenage girls and ladies too .. but no boy hats. When a few folks began asking for boy hats she didn't want to make them. You can't really frou-frou up boy hats. After being asked a few more times for lil boy hats I found a pattern and tweaked it to make it my own. It has ear flaps and I add a big pompom on top.

As time past a few requests came in for my hats in girlie colors .. pinks and lavenders etc.. I resisted but Angela said do it so I made a few hats. A few weeks a go someone ordered an adult ladies hat in hot pink in cotton so I made one. Can you say bright? I added the white band and white pompom to make it pop .. I think it worked. LOL

The hats in green and purple are a wool blend that is washable. I have nearly finished a wool hat for my neighbor Nicholas. The loose ends need to be woven in and I'm making a four inch pompom for it. I think if you are going to the trouble to make a pompom it should make a statement. [smile]

We are having Angela's and niece Hillary's birthday celebration today and I have to make a run to Papa John's so I had better get a wiggle on.

Happy Birthday to My Sister

2011-01-13T17:39:00.006-05:00

Today is my sister Angela's birthday. Although I am frequently treated as the youngest Angela is actually the "baby" of the family. =)

Wishing you many blessings on your birthday Angela!

My BPF Wool Swap Block

2011-01-02T15:55:00.007-05:00

New Year's Eve Angela and I worked on our blocks for a round robin we are parti-cipating in with our May Retreat group.

We are divided into two groups of four players. Each player chooses a theme, makes a base block (basting the wool pieces in place in a crazy quilt fashion) and adds one element. Then we send it on to the next person who adds another element. At Retreat we get our block back and can finish them with fancy stitches, more elements or whatever we wish.

My theme is "Down on the Farm". I made the barn sit on a hill. The top background fabric is actually a nice blue that represents the sky. The green and brown fabrics represent the fields and pastures. The blue in the lower right corner is for a pond. The gray on the lower left corner would be neat to have a ginger cat sunning himself on a rock ... just a hint. [smile]

I've been thinking about goals for 2011, both personal and for the homestead. As time allows I will make a list on the side to keep me on track. Some things I've already posted about but there are a few new ones and I think listing them together will be helpful. Hopefully there will be checks as they are crossed off the list.

Better get a wiggle on I've been here for far to long catching up on email and favorite blogs. I let my home internet go and must rely on the Library. By working in my shared office space I have privacy and no one hears my coughing .. still trying to get over my December bronchitis.

Praying for a healthy, positive New Year for all of us!

~ Penny ~

A Christmas Egg

2010-12-27T19:20:00.004-05:00

Christmas morning one of the buff Orpingtons gifted me with an egg. It was the first one I had received from them in many weeks. I chose the Orpingtons because they were reported to be good winter layers. All I can say about that is .. hah! There was another one in the nest box this morning so maybe after a little egg free vacay they are getting back into the program ... one can always hope.

The Red Stars have been faithful layers of huge brown eggs with very few days of not laying. I plan to get two more Red Star chicks to add to my flock this coming spring. Their eggs are nearly twice the size of the Orpingtons. My Sweet Cicely has the best personality. She trails after me like a cat and loves to be talked to and petted.

I'll also be adding four Ameraucanas. Either pullets from my nurse practitioner or chicks from a local farm store. I think I would prefer to raise the chicks but it would also be nice to have pullets ready to lay eggs in time for the Farmers Market. If I can figure out the lodging logistics I might do both. =)

Merry Christmas from The Black Sheep Cottage

2010-12-23T22:12:00.006-05:00

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We do our family celebration on Christmas Eve. This year will be a little different as we will gather at Angela's instead of going home to the farm. Our Mom hasn't been feeling very well. Being together is what counts so we adapt. This year Jaidy is three and should liven things up considerably.

Jaidyn was in her first Christmas program Sunday evening. She was a hoot. No concern at all about being in front of a crowd.

Wishing you all a blessed time with family and friends. Please take time to remember the reason for the season.

Swag Bucks?

2010-12-04T13:11:00.005-05:00

Do you know about Swag Bucks??

Swag Buck users utilize a Google search engine and earn points (Swag Bucks) that we turn over to purchase merchandise and gift cards. My Swag Bucks are usually turned into Amazon gift cards that I use to purchase gifts, or something for myself. Right now I am saving to buy a hand crank radio. I have a couple of crank lanterns and really like them so the radio seemed like the next addition to my emergency kit.

I recently added a SB widget to the bottom of my blog and hope you check it out.

It's Snowing!

2010-12-04T11:24:00.007-05:00

Yay it's snowing. I haven't had snow on my birthday in a very long time. It's only a inch, maybe two inches, but it is white and pretty so it makes me happy. =)

I didn't take this photo but there are squirrels in my backyard, and they do look like this one, so it works. [smile]

My chickens had been investigating the snow when I went to feed. It is their first snow and I don't believe they were impressed .. at least not favorably impressed. Cicely and Tansy kept telling me all about it. I love to hear them chatter at me.

My family is getting together this afternoon for a Birthday spaghetti dinner. Later we will go to the Christmas parade. Our town has a night time parade which is pretty neat. Every entry must be lighted so even the horses wear Christmas lights. Everyone bundles up, takes their folding chairs and hot chocolate and enjoys themselves. It's crazy but always a lot of fun.

Stay warm!

~ Penny ~

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T20:36:00.002-05:00

I'm giving thanks for all my many blessings.

Catching Up

2010-11-21T13:19:00.010-05:00

Yikes! It has been a week since I arrived home from Retreat and I'm still playing catch up at home and at work.

Retreat was wonderful. Hanging out with my sisters. Visiting with old friends and meeting new friends. Went for a walk around the grounds with Ally (5 yo granddaughter of Conni from Missouri). We graded the leaves for crunchiness as Ally jumped on them .. the crispy one won. =) Ally was such a good girl. She entertained herself and us too!

I made a few pairs of earrings and a fob to hold the latch on my laptop case closed. I also finished two hats and a scarf, all commissioned pieces. I planned to work on two child sized sweaters but there was too much distraction for a first time pattern.

Christine, Phyllis and I went to Sheep Street on Saturday. I bought oil for Jezebel and a cone of slubby linen/rayon to use on a weaving project this winter. It was so nice to visit the shop with like minded folks. Angela is getting better but unless DebJo dozes off in the car she still whines a bit if I go over my one hour limit. (smile)

Better close now and go do laundry ... part of that catching up business don't you know.

Packing for Retreat

2010-11-06T13:47:00.005-04:00

My sisters and I will be attending a quilt retreat November 10th -November 14th. Angela is the hostess so we will be there early Wednesday to set up and have everything ready for the ladies. This time there will be a mix of old friends and new friends. Several of the first time attendees are from Indiana which is a little different and very cool.

The photo I have posted is of the conference center at Camp Camby. The front part of the building is the kitchen and restrooms. The round barn-like part is our "sewing room".

Sister DebJo and I are the non quilters attending again this time. I plan to take Jezebel and wool so hopefully Christine can help me figure out why I can't get the spun yarn to take up on the bobbin. I have been commissioned to crochet two child size sweaters and three little boy hats so they are going with me. I told DebJo I would take my jewelry stuff so we can make earrings together. I think Angela plans to take mostly handwork too. She still isn't feeling up to par. =(

Time spent with my sisters and friends is something I've been looking forward too. Our meals are catered and everyone brings their favorite snacks. We will talk, work, eat and relax ... not necessarily in that order. ;^)

My neighbor, Nicholas, and niece, Heather, will keep the farm going while I'm away. Daddy will be periodically checking in too. It is so good to have family and neighbors you can count on!

Indiana Fiber & Music Festival

2010-10-31T15:00:00.004-04:00

Angela and I have been accepted as vendors at the Indiana Fiber & Music Festival. This is a new festival and we are excited to be vending in a new area.

April 30 to May 1, 2011, Clark County 4H Fairgrounds, Charlestown , Indiana

Last Day of Market

2010-10-31T14:27:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was the last day of the 2010 Market season. I had mixed feelings about the day. I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing the vendors and customers I came to enjoy visiting with every Saturday. On the other hand I look forward to sleeping in a little on Saturday mornings and need to be refreshed with that extra rest. Market was great but I'm worn out.

With the change in season Angela is having trouble with Lupus and we would covet healing prayers. She was unable to attend Market the last two weekends and very disappointed to miss the last day. She was particularly sad to miss baby Viola the Market baby and a special favorite. I was told there is a get-together planned for the vendors in February so that is something to look forward to.

Talking with customers has given us ideas for next year so we will be busy over the winter knitting and crocheting.

Wishing us all a blessed week!

P.S. I appreciate the compliments on my hand-dyed yarn!

Handpainted Yarn

2010-10-16T15:42:00.005-04:00

I thought I would share a photo of some of the yarn I have been offering at Market. Most of the yarn is Merino or a Merino/Silk blend. I mainly used acid dyes but also a small amount of Kool-Ade in some cases to get a particular colorway. Some of the yarns are indigo dyed and vary in blue tones.

Angela took photos of our offerings to send with our 2011 show applications. We are planning to attend two shows before Market commences next Spring.With Market beginning just a few weeks after the last show we will need to work hard over the Winter months. [smile]

The Drought Continues.

2010-10-11T11:49:00.004-04:00

We haven't had any significant rain since the first week of July. It was a few days after that rain when I planted the new front garden ... not the good timing I thought it was.

A week ago I planted my nectarine tree and truly longed for a pickax of my very own. The dab of rain the day before showed in the one half inch of slightly damp top soil. I have never dug into soil so dry. It was crazy! The hole should have been a little deeper but I wasn't woman enough to make it happen.

After the tree was placed into the hole I poured in a gallon and a half of water. While the root ball soaked up the moisture I carried over some of the good stuff from under Sunny Bunny's hutch. I mixed the "stuff" with a bit of the soil and back-filled the hole then watered again. To mulch around the tree (and to also keep the feral cats away from the loosened soil) I used the top and bottom from a pizza box. A slit went from the edge of the cardboard, then a circle was cut from each box and then they were placed around the base of the tree. It has worked well.

Herbal Teas

2010-09-30T17:06:00.004-04:00

In my quest to decrease the amount of caffeine I consume I've been drinking Celestial Seasoning's herbal teas. The teas are good but the cost does add up. I added Lemon balm and Monarda citriodora ( sometimes called Lemon mint) to the new front garden. This weekend I will harvest some of the Lemon balm and dry it in my new dehydrator (a Wal-Mart clearance purchase this summer). The LB has done very well considering I planted it in July and we had a miserably hot, and dry, summer. LB can be used to make a hot or cold tea and may also be added to black tea.

It will be probably late Spring of next year before I will have enough of the Monarda to harvest.

Peppermint, Spearmint, and Anise hyssop are favorites of mine so I want to add a few plants of each herb to the garden next year. The mints will either go into large pots to keep them under control or I will buy more landscape fabric which has worked well with some of the other invasive plants.

The dried tea herbs may be another item I can sell at market next year ... I'll have to add them to my list of possibilities. [smile]

Just a thought ...

2010-09-28T12:05:00.002-04:00

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
~ Thomas Edison

Fall – A Season of Reflection

2010-09-26T13:50:00.009-04:00

Kathy over at Two Frog Home was recently talking about journaling and Fall. This struck a cord with me so I bought an inexpensive sketchbook at the Dollar General Store. I want to keep track of my thoughts but to also have room to add other things that may appeal to me, clippings, sketches etc.. The photo above isn't mine but is similar to what I'm going to do. The cover of my newly purchased journal doesn't suit me so I will embellish it a bit and make it my own. Gotta love pretty paper and glue sticks.

With the beginning of Fall and the Farmers Market nearing it's close for the season I have been thinking of what I want to do different next year. I doubt if I offer my earrings next year. Although I kept the cost under $10.00, used sterling silver findings and semi-precious stones I still didn't sell very many pairs. C'est la vie

I did sell my hand-dyed yarns and will be expanding my offerings of them with more colorways and sock yarns too. This winter I want to make buttons using polymer clays. I have most of the supplies so just need to take the time to do it!

I have several knitted facecloths made up and want to make mini spa sets with a facecloth, soap and lotion bar bagged together and price them just under $10.00. The cloths are in pretty colors and the honey soap is nice enough to use on your face or a baby's skin.

I'm also wondering about weaving some wool hot pads then fulling them to thicken them up ... not certain about this one but may make a few test ones to see how they go over with my family.

Next Saturday a market visitor may come by our booth and help me with my spinning. I cannot for the life of me get the yarn to take up. After tightening and loosening and trying everything I know I called my wheel an old Jezebel and walked away. Jezebel is an Ashford traditional single treadle wheel that was gifted to me by a friend in Victoria BC ... thank you Michelle. I really want to spin and have many pounds of roving tucked away in my wool closet. Hopefully Connie will be able to get us working as a team and next summer I can offer handspun yarn at market.

It has been raining lightly most of the day so I'm heading home to work on my journal and give Jezebel a spin or two. Wishing you a blessed week.

Orchard Plans for The Black Sheep Cottage

2010-09-22T17:51:00.008-04:00

Fruit trees have always been an interest of mine. Where I lived before was not my property so I didn't want to invest in a small orchard when circumstances could change requiring me to move and leave everything I planted behind so I waited.

Well the waiting is over. Last week I purchased a semi-dwarf Nectarine tree at Lowes. Second on the list is a Red Haven Peach tree, another semi-dwarf. Next Spring I would like to add a Plum, a Brown Turkey Fig and a Seckle Pear. After those I'll probably call it done unless I find a very good deal on a pair of dwarf Apple trees that I could practice espalier.

Someone with a "real" orchard might snicker at the tiny homestead orchard I plan but I think for me it will be just right.

More Eggs

2010-09-05T14:54:00.005-04:00

So I was wrong when I posted all four of the chickens were laying eggs. It turns out only Cicely and Rosemary were getting with the program. I had a discussion with Tansy and Marguerite a week ago and explained that their free ride was about over. They had developed nice drumsticks and becoming a "Snack-Pak" was in their future. They beat the deadline of September 17th this morning. =)

Now if I can convince them to use the nest box and not the floor of the coop. Tansy is a big girl and even after I moved the box around she still squeezed her chubby self behind it. Silly girl.

Angela and I had a very successful Market Day yesterday. I sold two skeins of yarn, one of which is going to New Jersey. Angela sold over two dozen baby hats! It was crazy!! She also sold some felted bags including one she made from my indigo dyed yarn. The lady bought two other bags but kept going back to the ID one until she finally bought it. She loved the idea of the natural dyed yarn. Very cool!

Have a blessed week!

Eggs!

2010-08-19T17:28:00.004-04:00

There were four eggs in the nest box Sunday morning. Since then we have two more plus a couple of near-misses. The near-misses include one egg that was perfectly formed except it lacked a shell. Cicely popped out a yolk after much contemplation the other day and after more consideration followed it with the membrane. I have never seen a chicken have a "far away" look in her eyes but Cicely did while passing that egg.

The large light tan egg in the photo was a double yolk. I still do not know who is laying which eggs. I think the brown eggs may belong to the Red Stars and the light tan eggs to the Buffs Orpingtons.

We are still waiting for rain. It has been weeks since we had any kind of helpful showers. The grass/hay is crunchy and many gardeners have lost much of their produce.

The perennials and herbs I planted in early July have done very well. They have only been watered three times since they were planted. When planting we always place the plant in the hole and water well. After back filling the soil I left a depression to form a shallow well and watered again.

This my first time to use landscape fabric with a mulch cover and I highly recommend it. Most of what I planted is invasive so I cut large holes in the fabric to allow for growth. The fabric/mulch combo should keep everything in check but still allow nice full plants.

The small arbor I had been keeping my eye on at the Tractor Supply finally dropped to where I could afford it. While I love the look of traditional white arbors to avoid extra maintenance I'm sealing this one and letting age to gray. After it is assembled and in place I will get my photographer to take a few photos.

Time to head home....

Hallelujah It Rained This Morning!

2010-08-05T17:32:00.003-04:00

It didn't last very long but we received a much needed gentle rain this morning. I sat on my back porch before work and called Mom to see if it was raining at the farm too. It was .. so Yay!

Earlier this Spring we were moaning all it did was rain and storm but it has been several weeks since we had any rain and it has affected farmers, gardeners and the animals.

Last night, at first dark, I watered down the chickens' run. It had become so dry that the soil was turning to dust. The only green showing was a ground cover the girls do not care to eat. Hopefully the combination of that watering plus the morning shower will green things up. The girls do like a little fresh grass. =)

Giveaway at Two Frog Home

2010-08-01T15:22:00.003-04:00

I almost forgot to mention Kathy, at Two Frog Home, is offering a giveaway of one of her new e-courses. They both sound great and I am hard pressed to choose just one.

Visit her and please mention you saw the giveaway here.

Toodles!

Week's Update.

2010-08-01T14:10:00.004-04:00

My sister Debbie brought Jaidy to the Library on Friday. They popped into the office and visited for a few minutes. Deb told me Jaidy said she wanted to go to the "Liberry" to see Penny, play and get books. Big yay that she put me before play and books! ;^)

We had a great day at Market. The weather was perfect! We spent time visiting with friends, got a little baby love and made some money. My hand dyed wool received some compliments and a couple of folks were intrigued by the indigo dyed yarn and shibori.

I worked on a silk scarf this morning. It is almost ready for the indigo vat. If it is "photo worthy" I'll ask Angela to take a few photos. This afternoon I will prop up my feet and but the rest of the indigo yarn on the swift and use my ball winder. I should have five skeins to take next Saturday.

I also need to make more earrings to cover the ones I sold yesterday and fill up my display. I think I'll make a few dainty little earrings for young ladies. Most of what I create are long and not really appropriate for the younger girls.

Tomorrow I go to Carmel, Indiana to see my knee surgeon, Dr. John McCarroll. He is the doctor who did my ACL reconstruction several years ago. My nurse practitioner thinks I have a cyst on the tendon of my right knee. It has begun to bother me so I decided it should be taken care of before Angela has her surgery at the end of the year. Hopefully it won't be a big deal.

Take care and stay cool!

A few of my favorite quotes.

2010-07-31T15:18:00.004-04:00

I believe that when combined the following quotes make a great philosophy of life.

I Thessalonians 4: 11,12 (KJV) "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we command you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and [that] ye may have lack of nothing."

"To live content with small means ; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion ; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich: to listen to stars and birds,babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk, gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common ... this is my symphony."
William Henry Channing

Remember the three R's : Respect for self, Respect for others : and Responsibility for all your actions.
(Not certain of the source.)

Have a blessed week!

It's still too hot!

2010-07-25T14:59:00.010-04:00

It is still crazy hot and humid here in southern Indiana. We get these little pop up storms and instead of cooling things down they only raise the humidity even more. I apologize for being a whiny baby but dang I would like to enjoy some of the summer.

I raided the savings account and bought a laptop at WalMart this morning. It was a good deal on an Acer Aspire 5251. (Good thing I like Ramen noodles, oats, and other cheap foods!) Some of my Library customers use net books and like them very much. While I like the portability of the smaller size reading from the small screen and typing on that small keyboard would get old in a hurry.

We have several free Wi-Fi places in Bedford, including the Library, so I may wait a bit before I get service at home.

Angela's visit to the neurosurgeon didn't go as we had hoped. Because of the pleurisy, cracked rib and some capillary swelling in her brain it may be December before the surgery happens. =(

The photo is one Angela took a few weeks ago when Jaidy and her Meme (my sis DebJo) came to visit the chickies. We love how her lil rounded cheeks show the bit of baby girl still in her face.

Jaidy hadn't seen the girls since they were very small and was quite amazed at how large they were now. She knew she must not chase them but decided to try out her recently acquired "skipping" skills. Too funny! The girls did not think much of this so we only let her make a couple of laps in the pen.

Stay cool and have a blessed week!

Cleaning, Dyeing & Life

2010-07-22T18:02:00.015-04:00

While I've been neglecting the blog I haven't been a total slacker.

With the help of my neighbor, Nicholas, my backporch has become an outdoor living room. We cleaned out, scrubbed and rearranged to make a pleasant sitting/work area that I have been enjoying immensely. It's been so nice to sit in one of my wicker chairs and relax with a cool drink after work. A simple pleasure. Smile

My indigo vat is up and running. I remove the lid of the vat (a five gallon bucket) move the "flower" to the side then immerse a skein of wool yarn. The yarn comes out a strange yellow/green color but after it is rinsed and exposed to the air it changes to blue. Very cool!

Nicholas has taught me Shibori and I love it. We did a few samples (pictured above) using small squares of muslin and after I practice a bit more will move on to silk scarves.

This has been one of the hottest and wettest summers I can remember! The farmers (my daddy included) should be on their second cutting of hay but many are just now finishing the first cut. This first cutting is not the best hay. It is heavy and rank so it is slow to cure. I hope the humidity drops down soon so our animals have good, and plentiful, winter rations.

My chickens are doing very well. No eggs yet but Daddy has already made them a nest box. It is a bit large for their hutch but should work just fine.

Angela has a pre-opt appointment with the neurosurgeon tomorrow. She still has pleurisy and a cracked rib (I think it is the fourth cracked rib this summer) which must be healed before surgery. Sigh

The heat advisory is suppose to be over at 7:00 p.m. so I think I will head home and throw a few skeins of wool into the indigo vat. I have super wash sock yarn plus a few skeins of worsted I want to dye for Market on Saturday.

Stay cool!

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-03T15:20:00.005-04:00

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Let the Dyeing Begin!

2010-07-01T17:51:00.010-04:00

Yay my order arrived yesterday.

I bought a Indigo kit, several dyes (for cotton), a few inexpensive silk scarves (for practice), a good hand cleaner (because I rarely remember my gloves), soda ash and Synthrapol.

It should be a good start to fabric dyeing and Shibori. I plan to practice the fabric dyeing on muslin then move on to the better quality "Bella" by Moda. We will use more muslin and the silk scarves to practice the Shibori.

I bought a book on Shibori and it seems pretty straight forward. Basically anything goes when it comes to finding objects to use in the resistance dyeing. Marbles, popcorn, rubber bands, coins, PVC pipe, wooden blanks .... it's all good.

Angela is making diaper covers (longies and shorties) out of wool yarn and we are planning a "Dye Day" . She enjoys playing with the colors too so we should have a lot of fun. =)

This a little unique.

Saturday is Market at Orleans, Indiana followed by a wedding on the Orleans Square. The couple met at Market three years ago and decided that was where they wanted to be married. Everyone is to bring a clean mason jar and a hoe or rake. The farmers market will provide flowers to place in the mason jars for us to hold during the ceremony and then we'll all form an Arch of Hoes and Rakes for the happy, married couple to stroll under after being pronounced husband and wife. Angela and I decided to forgo the hoe/rake arch ... with our junky hands we would probably lose our grip and clobber the bride and groom!

Chicken Update

2010-07-01T17:35:00.004-04:00

The girls were finally moved into their pen last week. They weren't certain of what to make of all the space available to them. The pen is 10' x 22' so it seems huge to four pullets.

The first picture is of my neighbor Nicholas holding Cicely (Red Star). The middle one is Rosemary (Red Star) and Marguerite (Buff Orpington). All four of them enjoy scratching out the grit onto the grass. The last photo is Cicely and Tansy (Buff Orpington). We hope to get some better shots soon. The girls were distracted by the company and didn't want to pose. =)

I appreciate all the time and effort my Daddy spent helping me to make a nice home for the girls.

It's been A While ...

2010-06-19T14:07:00.003-04:00

.... since I last posted. A lot has happened in the last two weeks.

June 4th & 5th Angela and I vended at the Hoosiers Hills Fiber Arts Festival. No photos. =( We called this our "nursing home" set up. She had pleurisy and two cracked ribs. I have pinched nerves in my neck and my usual aches and pains. We decided this booth was definitely not photo worthy!

It was not a very busy show. We made some money but I think the best part was making new contacts. We were invited to participate in a three day quilt show next March at Rising Sun, Indiana. The show is held in a casino so that should be interesting. Our sister Debbie has begun saving her nickels and quarters for the trip. (wink)

This upcoming show has motivated me to try my hand at fabric dyeing. It is something I have always wanted to try but have never gotten around to doing. Plus, Nicholas, my 14 yo neighbor across the street, and I are going to play with Shibori. It will be my first time dyeing with indigo ... can't wait!

Angela and I went to the Midwest Eye Institute on June 7th. Her neurosurgeon wanted her to see a neuro-ophthalmologist in case the pituitary tumor was putting pressure on her optic nerve. After many hours of testing the doctor reported no pressure on the nerve and said the surgery was a go.

Now we wait to hear from the surgeon when she is scheduled for brain surgery. This is a very big deal and as always we covet prayers.

Daddy and I have spent two of my days off putting together a chicken run for the girls. While making the hoops that will support the netting to cover the run I commented now that we know how to assemble hoops we could make a hoop house to cover my little walled garden. I got "the look". You know the one ... that "Are you crazy??" look. LOL I suspect Nicholas and I will be making the hoop house. =)

We are celebrating Father's Day this afternoon and Mom just called to tell me she and Daddy haven't had electricity since 4:00 a.m this morning. We had some wicked storms last night. (sigh) Hope we can sit outside under the maple tree and catch a breeze or two!

Have to pick up a loaf of bread for Mom so I had better get a wiggle on.

Oh Wow! Look at What I Won!!

2010-05-26T13:49:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited! I entered a giveaway to win this book on the Backyard Farming blog and won.

Here is a description of the book from Amazon.

"Swap the annuals for edibles, creating attractive beds and containers that both beautify the yard and provide a bounty of fresh produce

As a trained chef-turned-professional kitchen garden designer, Marta Teegen knows what a difference freshly harvested vegetables can make to a meal—and how easy it is to ensure seasonal vegetables are always available when you need them.

You'll find more than 40 top picks for small-space vegetables that yield big and are trouble-free, plus a variety of menus and 50 recipes for fresh and delicious summer dishes."

The book looks very good and I can't wait to read it. I appreciate the folks at Backyard Farming for offering the book. They have a great blog!

What's been going on lately .....

2010-05-23T13:23:00.013-04:00

The last few weeks have been a mixed bag of life.

May 12th-16th Angela and I went to quilt retreat. This retreat came about through the Back Porch Friends, a Yahoo group Angela started several years ago. Ladies come from all over the country, and usually our friend Michelle from Canada also attends, to visit and sew together. We have been doing this for several years and enjoy it very much.

I'm the only non-quilter who attended this time. Usually our sister Debbie comes with us but Marjorie Melvin, Deb's mother-in-law passed away on May 8th and Bill Melvin, her father-in-law, was nearing the end of his time on earth.

Sunday, May 16th, our uncle Jerry Myers passed away. The morning of May 17th Debbie called to tell me Bill had died a little after midnight. Margie was 85 and Bill was 91. David, my brother in law, lost both his parents in eight days. We attended their double funeral on Thursday and funeral visitation for our uncle on Wednesday evening. It's been a very difficult time and I ask you to please keep Deb, David and their daughter Hillary in your prayers.

Saturday, May 22nd, was the opening day for the Orleans Farmers Market Angela and I are vending there this season. We were pretty pleased with our sales. Ange sold several of her sweet crocheted baby hats and a few little felted bags. I sold a few pairs of earrings. Next weekend I will have hand dyed yarns and soaps to offer too. I have to work at the Library that Saturday but Angela will be there with either Mark or Heather.

I will be probably attending the market solo after next month, unless I can talk Miss Heather into going with me. Angela will be having surgery to remove a brain tumor in a month or so and will be recuperating the rest of the summer. We covet prayers for her surgery and recovery.

Sunny Visits the Library

2010-05-07T12:14:00.005-04:00

It was take your bunny to work day for Miss Sunny and I. My coworkers at the Library have been after me to bring her in for a little show and tell. Sunny was nervous but still did very well. Staff and customers all ooohed and aaahed over her. Some of the customers didn't believe she was real until they were close enough to see her nose twitch. =) None of her admirers had seen a blue eyed bunny before and thought she was very unique.

Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival

2010-05-06T17:55:00.004-04:00

Angela and I will be first time vendors at the Fiberarts Festival in Franklin, Indiana in early June. This is the 6th year for this festival and there seem to be several vendors lined up to attend. Please stop by and visit if you are in the area.

Chickie Bums or We Are Growing Up

2010-05-02T15:59:00.005-04:00

The chicks are growing like crazy. The Red Stars are getting into the gawky stage .. not quite chick, not quite chicken. The Buff Orpingtons are a little younger than the Red Stars so they are still looking more like chicks. I've included a picture of my niece Heather holding Marguerite, one of the Buff Orpingtons. See how she is feathering out and getting lil tail feathers on her booty? She is named for Golden Marguerite also called Dyer's Chamomile. I've decided to go with herb names for the chickens. The other BO chick is Tansy and the Red Stars I am keeping are Rosemary and Cicely or Sweet Cicely.

The chicks are so much fun. At first whenever I introduced some new food item to their brooder box they acted as though I was trying to poison them! They have pretty much gotten over that and will jump into the the loose hay I give them like little children jumping into a pile of leaves. They are now showing an adult behavior by doing the little scratchy thing with their feet to get the seeds that fall from the hay. Very cute. =)

I will be going to a Retreat in a few weeks and plan to pop them in their coop if everything goes right with the weather and their progress. If they have the heat lamp and I block the wind on the front of the coop door I think they will be okay.

Wishing you all a blessed week.

Happy Birthday to Debbie and Ivan!

2010-04-27T16:18:00.007-04:00

A few photos of the birthday duo. Deb's birthday was the 18th and Ivan's is May 5th.

They got presents, we had good food .. everyone was happy. =)

Jaidyn and the Chicks

2010-04-27T16:01:00.007-04:00

After the food and birthday presents on Saturday I ran home and gathered up two of the chicks for show-and-tell.

They were a huge hit with Jaidyn (two and a half year old grandniece). Jaidy knew they were birds but just wasn't certain what kind of birds they were. She was really very good with them. We told her they were babies and she must be gentle and easy with them. Other than thinking she had been bitten when one of them touched her with it's lil beak it was a good introduction.

A Giveaway I just Read About

2010-04-25T16:17:00.003-04:00

The Domestic Witch is giving away the book "Simple Abundance, a Day Book of Comfort and Joy" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I've heard good reviews of the book so thought I would mention her giveway if anyone is interested. =)

My Nurse Practitioner is the Best!

2010-04-25T15:46:00.002-04:00

I had to go for my "physical" Wednesday, something I always dread but this time it wasn't too bad. When my NP asked me what was new I told her about the chicks and Sunny. So she proceeds to tell me she is the "Chicken Baroness".

All during the exam we talked about chickens! We shared about what breeds we were raising and little stories like the one about her rooster (who is probably not long for this world if he keeps up attacking Kay) It was great! Took both our minds off what was going on and made a necessary but unpleasant situation much better. She also told me I need a goat (or two) and she knows someone who has pygmy goats for sale. I told you .. she is the best!

Peeps in the Bathroom

2010-04-17T12:46:00.005-04:00

I went looking for my chickens last night. The Tractor Supply was down to only Golden Comet pullets. I want a mixed flock so I drove to Orschlens and bought two Buff Orpingtons and four Red Stars. The brooder was already setup in the bathroom so I popped them in and introduced them to the feeder and waterer. The Buffs are very small but will catchup quickly to the Red Stars. They are fun to watch. When they are tired they simply collapse wherever they are. When they are done they are done!

I still want Silkies and have been thinking about going to the 4H Fair in July and talking to the Poultry Club kids to see if any of them have a couple of pullets to sell. Don't tell my mom. I told her this morning I was done acquiring livestock for the year .... of course I still plan on getting a second bunny that is a given. (wink)

Newest Addition to the Homestead is ...

2010-04-13T16:09:00.004-04:00

Four Horn Farm Sunshine! Sunny is a two year old blue-eyed English Angora doe and a lil sweetheart. I found her at the Fiber Event at Greencastle, IN last Friday afternoon. The point of the trip was to bring back a bunny (or two) but there were not as many EAs as in past years. I was actually taking a pass on Sunny because I wanted a younger bunny but the fellow selling her placed her in my arms and that was it. Can you say sucker??

It has Been a Busy Week!

2010-03-21T16:07:00.006-04:00

This week I have added a chicken hutch, a set of greenhouse shelves and yesterday Daddy brought my bunny hutch to town. The bunny hutch still needs a bit of finish work (paint, tar paper, shingles, hasps and locks for the doors) but it is finally home. So yay!

In the little greenhouse I have broccoli, rhubarb, snow peas, various lettuces and greens started. The unit isn't huge but I think it will be functional for starting the cold season seeds, hardening off the tender seedlings I will be starting the house and keeping a few things going in the fall.

I meant to run to the Monroe County co-op Saturday but didn't make it so that means I'll have to go in the a.m. before work tomorrow to pick up the organic chick starter mix.

I'm still figuring out the best way to house the chicks. It looks as though they will have to stay in my bathroom until they are feathered out enough to go in the chicken hutch and their run (which still needs to be built). With three cats in the house this will be interesting to say the least.

The Library closes soon so I had better get a wiggle on. Hope everyone has a great week and it is sunny wherever you live!

~ Penny ~

News Flash!

2010-03-08T11:51:00.006-05:00

On the drive to work I saw my first crocus blooms of the season! Gorgeous gold blooms. They made my day. =) If the crocus are blooming surely Spring can not be too far away??

Hope you are all having a blessed and sunny Monday!

What a Time I've Had Lately!

2010-02-21T16:40:00.014-05:00

This post was started on February 21st but for some reason I forgot how to do a hyper link and had to wait for an epiphany ... It is now March 6th sorry it took so much time. =)

I sent a big order off to Pinetree Garden seeds. It included lots of heirloom veggies, herbs and a few flowers too. I also ordered several feet of floating row cover. I think (hope) this will keep the feral cats of out the raised beds. I just know those fresh beds are going to look like giant litter boxes to the cats running around my neighborhood!

Before coming to the Library I stopped at the Farm Store, not to be confused with the Tractor Supply store (which is still my first love) and made my very first chicken purchase. Ta da! I am now the proud owner of a one quart chicken waterer suitable for small chicks. It is similar to the one in the photo but has a galvanized base. I am such a dork! LOL I took it into the Library to show a few coworkers. They just laugh and humor me so it's all good.

Don't faint Angela! I think I figured out not only how to add photos but I also worked on my Favorite Blog Reads list. Whew it has been a big day for this chick! Bad pun was intended!)

Life is good and Spring is almost here!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T23:02:00.002-05:00

Hope you had a wonderful day spent with the one(s) you love!

~ Penny ~

Still plugging away!

2010-01-31T14:25:00.004-05:00

I'm still working on my Spring Lists and checking off ideas as they come along.

* Ask someone at the Tractor Supply about chicks. Check!
They really don't know too much at this point other than chicks will be arriving in a month or so. It's a new store so I'm cutting them some slack.

* Call local feed stores and the other farm store about possibilities of chicks. Will do this week.

* Find nearby source of organic chick/chicken feeds. Will ask when I call about chicks.

* Ask Daddy about the ETA of my bunny hutch. Will do this afternoon. Have a real possibility of getting a bunny soon! A two year old black tort English Angora buck!

I found a copy of Urban Farm !! It was suppose to be out by January 12th but after searching for weeks it finally showed up at the Tractor Supply. I love that store. Angela is always teasing me because it is my new favorite store.

I bought seeds and soil mix today. I have spinach and a lettuce mix for greens and I thought I would start some snow pea seeds too. I need to ask Daddy to look at my light situation on my grow stand. I could not get the lights to work last spring. I replaced the fixtures and bought new bulbs all to no avail. We WILL have seedlings this spring!!

I would appreciate it, if you feel led, to include my sister Angela in your prayers this week. She is suppose to have surgery on Friday morning at 11:40 to have one, possibly two, lymph nodes removed from her neck. As always we covet those prayers from all the prayer warriors.

Better get moving if I want to play in the dirt, read my new magazine and do some laundry too this afternoon.

Hope everyone has a great week!
~ Penny ~

Thinking about Spring

2010-01-24T16:08:00.004-05:00

I've been making my Spring lists and checking them twice.

*Email an inquiry to my Angora list about available bunnies in April. Check!

*Pull out the seed catalogs to see what I want in my raised beds this year. Check!

*Take home my "Square Foot Gardening" book to study. Check!

*Organize my dye materials so when we finally have a nice, warm, sunny day I can jump into dyeing.

*Bless my house so I will not feel guilty about planning for Spring. Working on it!

Hope everyone has a blessed week!

~Penny~

It's Her Birthday!

2010-01-13T20:23:00.002-05:00

Yep, today is my sister Angela's birthday and I'm wishing her many birthday blessings!!

This evening Angela, her husband Mark, daughter Heather and s-i-l Ivan and I had supper. Our whole family will be getting together Saturday afternoon for a bigger birthday celebration ..... more pressies ;) .

Each birthday is a victory for you Ange and well worth celebrating more than once!!

G'night

~ Penny ~

New Year ... New Decade

2010-01-02T15:37:00.004-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends celebrating the reason for the season.

I had a quiet New Year's Eve. Ate supper with Angela, then knitted while she crocheted as we watched her new Celtic Woman dvd. It was filmed at Slane Castle in Ireland and showcased some amazing talent.

Like many others I've been giving thought to goals for 2010 and the next decade. Some are long term and very personal like spiritual growth, a place I've been stagnating, and health & well-being a place I need to give some real attention.

Blessing my home is at the top of the list for 2010. Various health issues have caused me to let my house go and this has to stop. A thorough cleaning and touching up will be a freeing experience. It is hard to be creative in chaos!

In the spring bunnies and chickens will be added to my tiny urban homestead. Square foot gardening will be tried with dedicated beds to veggies, herbs and dye plants. With the poo from the new critters I should have some excellent compost this summer.

I want to create a pantry area so midsummer I'll be looking for a small upright freezer and some kind of shelving setup. If the garden is successful the produce will need to be stored.

Last year I injured my hand in March, followed by surgery in July, and was thoroughly thrown for a loop and my plans came to naught. This year I really want to work on my lil homestead and my cottage business too. I feel as though I need to make up for lost time. I hate it when my body is my own worst enemy!

When I figure out how to do it I want to add a check off list as a side bar to help me keep track of my goals. For now I will write them down and place them some where I will see them frequently as reminders of where I am heading.

The library will be closing shortly so ...

New Year Blessing to everyone!

~ Penny ~

Happy Birthday Penny!

2009-12-03T21:21:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet sister. Yes. This blog has been high jacked..but just in love!
My sister is an extremely loving and giving person. She gives of herself in so many ways to so many people. Especially to me and mine. I just wanted to let her know again, how much she is loved and truly appreciated. (And please don't be changing your password on me!)

Please join me in wishing Penny a blessed birthday and coming year!

smooches, Angela

Winding yarn

2009-10-27T01:57:00.002-04:00

Truck Envy and Shows!

2009-10-23T15:17:00.006-04:00

I was recently reading Jenna Woginrich's blog and she has purchased a red truck causing me to have instant truck envy! By the way if you haven't read Jenna's book "Made From Scratch" you should visit your library. I enjoyed the book well enough that after requesting my library purchase it I bought my own copy. She is a young writer, very enthusiastic about homesteading and living a sustainable lifestyle ... plus she is driving a fine looking red pickup truck!

For many years I drove a red and white full size Ford Ranger. It was, and still is, my very most favorite vehicle. I only gave it up after my mechanics (Daddy & my Uncle Jerry) said they could no longer revive it. To say I was sad is putting it mildly.

Trucks are just so darn useful to have around the homestead, even a very small urban homestead like I'm working to make. You can haul lumber to make raised beds, use the tailgate in place of sawhorses to make the raised beds, haul compost to fill the same raised beds ... you get my drift.

I would love to have a small or mid-size truck with an extended cab. Just enough space to put my groceries and the usual necessities that one always carries around with them behind the seat. A large enough bed to carry home the cat food, bunny food, chicken feed and bales of straw and hay. I will be needing materials to build my chicken coop next spring and wouldn't it be sweet to not have to finagle another way to get those materials home from the tractor supply! A truck would also help make vending at shows easier. Pop on a camper shell and load that puppy up then off we go!

Speaking of shows Angela has signed us up to do a show next month so I'm not planning my open house after all. This show is sponsored by the Orange County Homegrown Assoc. and will be Saturday, November 14th at the Orleans Elementary school at Orleans, Indiana. We are also planning to vendor at "The Fiber Event" April 9th & 10th 2010. This show is at Greencastle Indiana and is probably the best fiber show Indiana has to offer. After Christmas Angela and I will be spending much of our time making items for this show. It will take a lot of product for a two day show!

My home computer is being the spawn of Satan so I had to come to work to order new business cards and do this update. I'm suppose to meet Angela to do a few things and it is getting late so I had better get going!

~ Penny~

I'm Still Here!

2009-09-19T13:30:00.004-04:00

This will be a quick post to let you know that I'm still around.

My hand surgery back in July went very well. About six weeks after surgery I was able to begin knitting for short periods of time, which made me very happy! Although the surgery was done with a local anesthetic I think it messed with my Fibro. I have been fighting fatigue more than usual and it is making me crazy. I'm behind on everything!

I'm still trying to have the Open House but it will be moved back to November if I'm able to pull it off. The down time I've experienced with my hand/fatigue issues have really put a kink my plans.

This afternoon is dyeing day and I will take some photos to post in the near future. There are several skeins of worsted wool, fingering wool/silk blend, and fingering wool waiting for me at home. I also bought a couple of skeins of a natural gray Shetland/Mohair blend at the Farmer's Market that I want to practice my overdyeing on.

On a sad note note the bunny I was to be gifted with had to be put down. His owner came to tell me early last week that he began to have trouble with his back legs, then appeared to be in pain so they made the decision to put him down. My hutch was almost done and I was making plans to winterize it for the little guy. So now I will wait until spring then begin looking for another English Angora that needs a good home.

If you feel lead please include my sister Angela (The Country Cellar) on your prayer list. She is fighting pneumonia again and has recently begun treatment for her liver issues. The treatment includes some chemo and is making her pretty sick. Thanks a lot!

~ Penny ~

Nothing like a deadline for motivation!

2009-07-08T18:32:00.004-04:00

Hmmm ... so I'm giving serious thought to having a Black Sheep Cottage open house in October.

My offerings would include soaps, candles, sachets, earrings, dyed yarns, hand knits, dyed wool fluff, and whatever else I may think to add to the mix.

With only three months to plan I'll be motivated to organize and clean my house. It would also require me to get busy with making the items I want to sell.

My living room is larger than the average craft show booth and I own a lot of things that could be used for props. I would need to move a couple of chairs but other than that it would mostly be like setting up for a show.

Need to talk to my sisters and see if they would want to join me. We wouldn't have any expenses, (booth rent, travel, lodging etc.), so it could be very doable.

Stay tuned to see how this works out. As always prayers are coveted!!

~ Penny~

Okay so I admit it ...

2009-07-05T15:26:00.004-04:00

.... I'm a slacker.
I could give reasons, or make excuses, but the bottom line is I've been a slacker for not posting before now.

I want to thank Sandra Bennett from Thistle Cove Farm for giving me the One Lovely Blog Award! Please visit her blog ( the link is under My Favorite Blogs) she is a very gracious person and a kindred soul. As soon as I figure out how to show the award Sandra I will add it to my blog. =)

Since my last post I have been to a quilt retreat in May with my sisters and friends. This is an online group so friends come from across the US, plus our friend Michelle flies in from Victoria, B.C. to visit and sew. Not being able to do too much because of my crazy hand/wrist I did a little embroidery, shopped a bit, rested a bunch and visited with the girls.

On the bunny front my hutch is coming along nicely. Daddy has been working on it sporadically in between making hay and his other projects. When I saw it on Father's Day weekend I told him it was definitely a bunny townhouse!

Regarding my crazy hand/wrist I will be having surgery on July 15th. Will not know the time until the Monday before the surgery. They tell me it is a small surgery and in fact I could drive myself there and back. If anyone feels led to pray for me and Angela (who will probably drive me to Indianapolis) we would certainly covet those prayers.

I want to get this hand thing over with so I can get on with all my projects that having been waiting months to be completed. I'm told there is only a two week healing time so Yay let's get it over with so I can play with my yarn, dyes, wool, beading, etc...

Something I'm working on now is getting my house in order. I'm moving rooms around again trying to make the best use of my small space. The Black Sheep Cottage is pretty tiny! Only one closet and the furnace takes half of it! So I need to be creative with furniture placement for optimum room and storage.

My friend Linda and I worked a deal and I have gained a primitive cabinet (Angela has her name on the bottom of it!), a base to an old Hoosier cabinet (niece Heather has her name on the bottom of it!), a neat rattan rocker for my porch, an old Jenny Lind half bed that will take the place of my rickety yard sale find from twenty years ago.

Once everything is in place then I want to get my looms warped, my spinning wheel spinning and get some creativity flowing. It's been a long dry spell!

~ Penny~

Been Feeling a Little Blue.

2009-04-29T17:10:00.004-04:00

I haven't been able to knit, crochet, embroidery or any other handcraft for weeks and it's getting me down ... and made me whiny too.

Earlier in the month I was diagnosed with De Quervain's Stenosing Tenosynovitis. Needless to say I can't pronounce it and have been telling people I have tendonitis or handing them the brochure I received at the Indiana Hand Center in Indianapolis.

I've had a steroid shot in my wrist and I'm wearing my splint faithfully but dang it still hurts and I don't return to the doctor until May 20th. That was the whiny part in case you didn't recognize it. =)

While I can't knit I may try to make earrings this weekend just to see if I'm able. Farmer's Market season is almost upon us and I haven't the inventory I thought I would have already built up.

Hmmm, wonder if I could dye yarn in small batches using mostly my right hand ......

Happy Wednesday!

~ Penny~

P.S. I gave Daddy my bunny hutch plans Monday morning!

He's Alive!!!

2009-04-12T17:14:00.002-04:00

Hallaluja He is Risen!

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!

~ Penny ~

The Secret is Out!

2009-04-05T13:54:00.004-04:00

I spoke to Daddy yesterday and he agreed to make me a bunny hutch. =) First he tried to talk me out of getting a bunny but then he said yes. So yay a bunny is coming to The Black Sheep Cottage! My dad is such a blessing to me.

I found hutch plans online, there are shingles left over from my roof, so we need to buy wire and wood, then the fun begins. If possible I would like to have a vermiculture setup under the hutch. This will require a little more research but I see it as very doable if set up properly.

We are under another tornado watch this afternoon and evening but there is a strong chance of snow showers tomorrow ... go figure.

~ Penny ~

Shhh ... I have a secret

2009-03-28T13:01:00.003-04:00

Don't tell my family (or my allergist) but I have "Bunny Fever" again.

Every spring I get BF but this year it's a really bad case. I've checked out bunny books from the library and have been looking at different sites and blogs for cute bunny hutches. English Angora bunnies are my first choice. I love their little furry faces and froufrou ears. I want a pair (Not to breed!) but so they will have company and not be lonely.

My backyard has plenty of room for a hutch. It would be sheltered in the winter months but catch the cooling breeze of summer. It could be very doable in town. While city regulations prevent residents from having sheep or goats, bunnies and chickens are allowed. I'll save my chicken dreams for another post. lol

Remember it's a secret so don't tell Angela or the rest of my family ... they don't have the vision!!

~ Penny ~

We Survived!

2009-03-21T15:56:00.004-04:00

Taught my class this afternoon and it was all good. My student was a sweet lady and seemed to enjoy herself. I was blessed by Stephen, a library customer and the fellow who taught Angela to needle tat, when he carried in my microwave then returned at 3:00 to carry the thing back out to the car. I really appreciated his help!

Just picked up a new book at work "Fresh Food From Small Spaces". The book looks good. It's about year-round growing, fermenting and sprouting. I have recently requested a couple more books "The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City" by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen. The second one is "Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life" by Jenna Woginrich. I thought both books sounded interesting.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

~ Penny ~

Yay For Spring & I have a Student!

2009-03-19T14:03:00.002-04:00

It's the first day of Spring and a beautiful day!

While I was home sick on Tuesday I received a call wanting to know if I had room left in my soy candle class on Saturday. Yes I replied .... I didn't want to scare her off so I didn't tell her she was my one and only student! LOL Please pray for me that I can make this class fun and informative.

I'm still knitting facecloths and tweaking my pattern. So far my testers have enjoyed using these super soft cloths. I've changed the edging so the corners will not curl and am much happier with the finished product.

I'm making a run to Michaels to pickup one more thing for my Easter window display at work so goodbye for now.

~ Penny ~

Weather Report from Indiana

2009-03-11T13:04:00.005-04:00

We have been having crazy weather so far this March. Temps ranging from the high 20s to the high 70s, two tornado touchdowns, I'm expecting another hurricane anytime now ... remember Ike. We didn't get the precipitation but we certainly got the wind from that one!

One tornado took the homes of two of our extended family. If you saw a photo of a a school bus upside down on what was left of a home that bus and house belonged to Daddy's cousin! The other tornado damaged the home of a classmate of my niece Heather. The good thing is we are blessed with no being hurt.

My day is almost over. I'm going to offer to walk my furry nephew Toby then head to the house. Hope everyone has a good evening!

~ Penny ~

Knitting and Soap Making

2009-02-12T13:10:00.007-05:00

So I wrote this post over a week ago and saved it as a draft after I had trouble with the font on my schedule below. Now I've given up on straightening things out so here it is ... such as it is. =)

I have been working on knitted facecloths lately. For one design I'm using a very nice cotton yarn that is sooo soft! Knitting with double strands makes for a thick fabric with the feel of chenille. I plan to offer sets of a luxurious facecloth with a handmade soap at the markets and on Etsy too. I have already sold two, sets sight unseen. So yay! The second design is knitted in a cotton/linen yarn that while soft will soften more with use. These will also be offered as sets with a handmade soap.

Speaking of handmade soaps ... my soap making classes are coming up soon at the Old Jail Arts Center (link at sidebar). The class schedule is :

Thursday, February 26, 2009
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
&
Saturday, February 28, 2009
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Learn to make Melt and Pour Soaps using glycerin, goat’s milk, honey (My personal favorite!) and other soap bases. A selection of fragrance oils and soap dyes will be available for the student’s use. Students will take home 3 soaps plus an information packet. Soap making has the potential to be messy so aprons, or similar cover-ups, are suggested.

I recently bought two tables that I plan to use to set up my dyeing, soap making, candle making, laundry room. What I really want is a base cabinet with shelves and drawers but until that happens the tables and a few totes will work nicely. The tables are large enough to hold the extra microwave and the crockpots I will be using. We may also hang a long shelf above one of the tables for added storage. The shelf can't be too high because at 5' 2" I am vertically challenged. =)

Snow Dances are a Powerful Thing!

2009-01-28T17:23:00.004-05:00

Monday evening I asked a few of the library staff to do their "Snow Dance" when they got home. I did suggest they do the dance in the backyard. I didn't want the neighbors to see them and be concerned ... if you know what I mean! ;)

Tuesday morning my supervisor called to say we had a Snow Day. I said Yay and good job on the "Dance".

Wednesday morning, after a night of freezing rain on top of several inches snow followed by more snow, I got another call from my supervisor. Yay another Snow Day! I did suggest that next time she might want to take the Dance down a notch or two! LOL

It's only January 28th and our kids have already used up all the allotted Snow Days. They are going to be sooo sad when they are still going to school come July 4th!!

This afternoon we did have a few moments of sunshine. The wind had blown away some of the snow off the tree branches outside my window to expose the inch thick ice covering the branches. It was beautiful! Well worth me trying to not pop an ankle, or my knee, while dealing with cleaning off my car and the driveway. Beauty from ashes ... so to speak.

~ Penny ~

P.S. Thanks for all the comments concerning my last post. My furnace is still running and a part has been ordered. Don't ask how much the part cost I'm still in shock! @@

Don't you hate it .....

2009-01-24T14:40:00.004-05:00

..... when you come home from paying bills, one of which is the waaay high gas bill, to find the furnace has given up the ghost. I felt it was too late to call Daddy, who is my handyman, so I dressed warmly and went to bed. Usually Lucy sleeps up by my pillow and Lovey down by my feet. But last night both kitties camped at the foot of the bed to be closer to the little space heater I've been using at night.

Friday Daddy came by the library to tell me he didn't think he would be able to repair the furnace this time. Sad faces all around! Last night, after giving it some consideration, he said he would try one more thing. So I didn't have heat for a second night but it was all good.

This morning he removed the blower and we see the housing is cracked, the fly wheel is a little stiff and rusty, which probably explains that noise I heard Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Go figure ... Well this story ends with him using WD-40 and duct tape to rig it so it will hopefully get me through the weekend. Yay the "Furnace Parts Store" will be open on Monday!

Oh ... later he called to say if I smell a bad smell coming from the furnace closet or begin to yawn a great deal I should probably go to Angela's!!! I felt the love!!

~ Penny~

Yay for the Weekend!

2009-01-17T13:26:00.015-05:00

It wasn't a bad week but it was a looong one. I think the crazy below zero temps we have had this week has worn everyone down.

I took an hour of vacation time Friday afternoon so I could run Angela to Bloomington. While we were there we ran over to Michaels. Angela had coupons that were burning a hole in her pocket so for the sake of her clothing we shopped! lol

She found a crochet hook with the larger handle she wanted (50% off w/coupon). I found size 15 circular knitting needles (Again 50% off, thank you A. for sharing your coupons). I needed the needles to work on a prayer shawl I've started for a friend who recently had cancer surgery.

The sterling silver jewelry findings were on sale and also the Austrian crystals so I stocked up on earring makings. I'll work on earrings tomorrow and get them up to Angela so she can add them to my empty Etsy shop. I think I'll also take some of my hand dyed yarns too.

My goal this weekend, besides making earrings is to get the handout written for the Soy Candle class. Everyone who takes the class will get a information sheet, 1 jam jar candle, two votive candles, three scented soy tarts plus a tart pan.

Time is getting away from me, so I had better get busy. My family is meeting at 5:00 to celebrate Angela's birthday. Her birthday was actually January 13th, but we had to wait until everyone was free to get together.

Stay warm!

~ Penny

A New Year and a Fresh Start

2009-01-15T13:17:00.006-05:00

It's been many months since I last posted. I ran into a few difficulties and got discouraged but I'm over that now and ready to begin again. So here is what's going on at The Black Sheep Cottage.

Beginning next week I will be teaching a few classes a month at the Old Jail Art Center. The Center is the old Lawrence County Jail that is being renovated to accommodate classrooms, a gallery and a residence. It's large building built of our native limestone and a fantastic resource for our community.

The classes will be : January/Make Your Own Soy Candles, February/Melt n' Pour Soap Making, March is one class each of the above. In May I will be adding Dyeing Wool Yarn with Kool Aide.

While I enjoy making candles and soaps it's the yarn dyeing that I love the most. It is so neat to start with a plain white yarn and watch it come alive with color! I get the "Mad Scientist" thing going on ... a little of this ... maybe some of that and poof colors appear.

I always try to dye two skeins at a time. I can never expect to do an exact repeat of a color scheme. Dyes sometimes split, I add more (or less) of the vinegar, I get sidetracked and leave the yarn in the dye pot longer than I planned ... you get the picture

Two skeins of fingering weight is enough to easily make a nice scarf or a pair of socks. Other weights can be used for a small project, combined to use as an accent, etc..

My lunch hour is almost over so I had better close.

P.S. Thank you Angela for tweaking my blog and kicking my backside to jump start me on blogging again!

Penny

Snow Day

2008-03-07T12:19:00.004-05:00

Yikes! My day off has turned into a snow day. South central IN is under a snow/blowing snow advisory from noon today until tomorrow afternoon.

Instead of running errands I stayed in my jammies until early afternoon but now I'm getting some laundry caught up and working on a few other household chores. Later I will sit down with the natural dye book I got on inter library loan.

The book, The Complete Natural Dyeing Guide, is out of print and I haven't found a copy I can afford to purchase. It's a fabulous book if you are interested in natural dyeing. Great photos and recipes for using many different plants, trees and shrubs.

I'll be spending the afternoon taking notes of the recipes I want to try and making color swatches using my Prism colored pencils and I may break out the watercolors too.

I love dyeing. It's so much fun to play with the dyes and see the colors emerge from the dye pots. I usually dye on a sunny day and hang the skeins on my front porch to dry. Folks driving by slow their cars to see all the colorful yarn hanging from the porch of my tiny cottage. I enjoy sharing my fun with the neighborhood.

Penny