Happy Father's Day!!

The photo is an older one of my Daddy in his workshop (and not the best shot in the world). I have no clue to what project he is working on that day. It could have been for Mom, or one of his girls, or one of his sisters, or maybe even a paying job.

My sisters and I are blessed to have parents who love and support us. Even we do something they might consider a harebrained idea ... can you say raise chickens in town??

Love you Daddy!

Catching Up and Moving Along

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.

Our Month of Happy Birthday's

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!

Happenings ... good and bad

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 ~

Groundhogs, Robins and a Birthday.

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!

Happy Birthday to My Sister

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!

Merry Christmas from The Black Sheep Cottage

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.

Packing for Retreat

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!

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

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.

Okay so I admit it ...

.... 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~

Yay for the Weekend!

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 beginning.

I never thought I would be blogging but have decided to give it a try and see what happens. My thought is to use the blog to keep myself on track and be accountable on my projects. There are several projects on my plate for the next few months. An etsy store, a web site and a booth at our local farmer's market will all need inventory.

I need to start the seeds for the dye garden I'm planning, plus the plants I want to offer at market. There is yarn to be dyed, jewelry and soap to be made and the list goes on.

My etsy store, www.theblacksheepcottage.etsy.com , will soon be up and running. I need to get my offerings inventoried and photographed so they can be listed for sale. Hand dyed yarns, stitch markers and earrings will be the first items listed to be followed by soaps and wool felt bags.

Not having a camera will make for a boring blog but I'll forge ahead and expect to have a digital camera in a few months. My sister Angela, www.thecountrycellar.com , is helping me with the etsy store and I truly appreciate her help.

My family is usually very supportive of any ideas we pursue. My sisters and I joke that it takes a village for us to pull off any event ... shows, yard sales, family dinners it's all good. lol

I think that is enough for now so I'll say goodbye.
Penny