New on the Bookshelf

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

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

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

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.

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!

He is a nine week old broken Lilac French Angora.

I've got a secret!

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!