Maidenshawl

We will start Maidenshawl Feb. 9th (the Monday after Knit Michigan.) I will post more chapters from Knit One, Kill Two tomorrow.

Knit One, Kill Two Chapter 3 and 4

Well, still no love for the book but I am hanging in there. Let see, so far we have: mysterious homeless guy arrested for murder, mysterious $20,000 loan, and now the mysterious disappearance of the family quilt. Now in Chapter four a possible love interest climbs over the fence and makes friends with the rottweiler.

Maybe I am just being too hard on this book.....maybe. Either way there's 14 more chapters to go.

Read Along Knit Along

I am interrupting our regularly scheduled blogging to make a change :) I had planned for Brisingr to be the next book in the read along, but now am changing that in honor of the final release of Jane's book Maidenshawl. Jane and Marla Mutch will be at Knit Michigan signing the books so if you stop by and pick up a book be sure to come and read/knit along. I will post a schedule soon.


I will post Chapter 3 and 4 of Knit One, Kill Two later this afternoon.

Knit One, Kill Two Chapter Two

I am not loving this book. I really want to, but I am just. not. I guess I just don't find it believable. In this chapter Kelley visits the old farm house turned LYS. On the bottom of pg 18, she can't possibly take another step b/c her senses are so assaulted by the color......(insert audible groan). Okay, I am a knitter/spinner/hand dyer and I totally get the love of yarn and color but this is a bit much. What do you think? Please help me love this book.

Speaking of books.....a friend of mine wrote a book called Maidenshawl. She will be at Knit Michigan signing it! (I'll be there too, come say hi!) For you knitters there is a pattern written by Marla Mutch included :)

I have my own signed copy :) Hmmm.....maybe we should postpone Brisingr. What do ya think?

Chapter One: Knit One Kill Two

I've got to be honest so far I'm not impressed. (Sorry Maggie) I don't particularly like Kelly and it's terrible that her aunt died, but I can't quit get myself to feel for her. The mystery of the $20,000 doesn't intrigue me. Honestly I would rather be spinning, but I will plug through. On to Chapter two!

No words, just a bunny....

Time to crack the books!!

The new bunny cages are set up, the Cormo lambs are wearing new coats and I am feeling a little caught up in this farming venture.......for now.

I have neglected my reading and I am noticing that it is affecting my spelling. I struggle with words that used to be easy for me. I listen to a lot of books on tape but I am convinced that reading the written word is important for maintaining a rich vocabulary. I am a homeschool mom, yep, that's very important.

The first book I am breaking open is complete fuzz :) Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton.

I chose this one in an attempt to soothe my aching desire to spin, dye for my etsy store and finishing knitting the two projects I have waiting on the needles. Hey there is a few knitting pattern and a recipe (too bad it's not low fat... too bad I'm not low fat!)

Next on the list is Brisingr by Christopher Paolini.

I chose this one because it was a Christmas present, and of course, since I have read the first two I should read the last one. I am bit hesitant on this one b/c I have heard rumors that this doesn't end the series and I hate waiting for the next book to come out!

And finally I am going to start working thru the infamous (to me anyway) Honey for a Woman's Heart by Glady Hunt. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf (I actually have a signed copy!) for years; taunting me.

I honestly should finish The Shack....but I find this book to be a bit painful so have set it aside. I keep thinking I should pick it back up.........

I would love to have you read along with me! Just leave a comment and let me know you are joining in! I will post after each chapter read and we can share our thoughts. (A little accountability is good for the soul huh?)

The Stone Soup Challenge

Starting out as an Indie Dyer isn't the easiest thing I have ever done. The learning process required when starting to dye and the difficulty in learning to market and take decent pictures is compounded by the difficult state of the economy. It can be a bit disappointing at times. But no one ever succeeded that never tried. So I am hanging in there doing the best I can for myself and for my customers.

Artist Laura Bray of Katydid Designs decided the best way to ride out the storm is to help each other and issued The Stone Soup Challenge. Each participant agrees to spend a certain percentage of their net sales at another participating Etsy Shop. I will be participating through my etsy shop. If you would like to join visit the Stone Soup Challenge Blog to get more information.

For those of you who don't operate an Etsy shop, remember the little guys like me when you are spending your hard earned money....... we sure appreciate it.

Ode to Snow

I just want the world to know
that I am tired of the snow

Meet the sheep!

This is Grape. She objected very much to having her picture taken but it was time to put on a bigger coat so we were able to convince her. :) She has a beautiful fleece!


Next we have Lettuce. She was more open to being photographed but she was sure the new coat was going to eat her. It's like opening a present for me when I get to take their coats off and uncover that beautiful fleece. It's just so yummy!

The Bunnies!!!!

They are home and they have been named! The little black one is Fuffuhla named in honor of Twila's silly name for a washcloth when she was a toddler* The chocolate one is named star.


*She had just started talking and was in the bathtub. She looked at me and said "Fuffuhla?" "I don't know what that is;" I replied, "here's a washcloth." To which she responded "Oh fuffuhla!" Laughing I said "That's not a fuffuhla that's a washcloth. Say waasshh- cllloooth." "Fuuuufff Uuuhh Laaaa" she answered.

Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

The days are dreary here in Michigan and this poem somehow fits my current mood. Quiet and thoughtful with all of the duties of farm and family weighing on me, yet I need a moment. So I stop and watch the woods fill with snow.

The view from my bedroom window.....

Granted it is not the best picture but I thought you would like to see what I see from my bedroom window........


If you look closely you can see my Cormo ewes! Behind the tree the rest of the ewes are hanging out by the gate.

I saw my bunny today!

I was able to have visitation with my new bunny today. She (I think it was a she) sat on my lap while I spun :) There's a picture of all the little buns at this blog.

The Shearer is coming!

May 8th is the date! If you would like to come drop me a line at my8kidsmomm [at] yahoo [.] com, just to let us know who to expect.

Good Morning Dad!

David gets up in the morning to make sure Dad is sent off to work with a hug. This morning he was a little tired.......

My new bunny!

Jane with my new bunny!

Bunnies for lunch

The Fuzzy Buns came in for lunch today. Yum!

No Words Today

Just pictures. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!!

So what did we do in 2008?

Well, we all got older! Jed is now six. He had chicken pox on his birthday (we were happy to get it the old fashioned way!) When asked by a stranger how old he was he replied "I'm eight" Whatever, Jed. He still doesn't understand why he can't just redo last year's curriculum for school or why we have to pick up our toys but he loves to pray for the family each night before bed. Oh, and he still thinks his mom is the most beautiful woman in the world!

David is seven, but he thinks he is at least 15. He was also a lucky chicken pox victim (see the pic of Jed and him below!) He loves playing video games on the computer and we have to be very careful about how much time he spends playing. He does really well in math and reading is coming along nicely. His favorite subject is history, especially if it involves fighting or knights. He spends a lot of time playing Heroscape with Jed and his older brothers Joey and Eli. Sometimes He even wins! Of all that David has done this year, we are most proud that he chosen to make Jesus the Lord of his life and followed through with baptism this summer.



Twila is eight but she can hold her own with any older sister or brother. Her favorite activity is riding the horses. She is able to saddle them up and take them out all on her own! She recently had a scare with my mare Pepper, when Pepper tried to bite her, but she was out there in the pasture before too long with a whip to let Pepper know who was in charge. Twila is learning to bake with the help of Grandma and learning to keep her room clean. Dad was honored to baptized Twila this summer.




Josiah is twelve and has grown very tall! He still struggles with his school work but he works diligently and always tries to do his best. Every year we see more and more improvement. It may be slow but we are proud and thankful for all the progress he has made. He helps with chores and even has been known to do the dishes without being asked! His new job is to help Eli carry water for the animals on the farm, which is no small task!


Eli is 16 and of course driving. He plays the drums at church on Sundays and he has his own set at home. He is always there to help when they little ones need him. He is one of the best workers at BC Pizza and he always gives his all. He and Joey (now 18) spend a lot of time helping their dad for which their dad is most grateful. Eli was honored to be able to baptized his little brother David.




Joey plays keyboard at the church (very well in fact) and often has something to share from the Word. He is busy getting his schoolwork done so that he can graduate and then off to college. At this point he is considering doing some online classes so that he is able to save some more money. He is also a delivery driver for BC Pizza.




Bobbi is the manager of BC Pizza, Lake City and seems to enjoy it and does very well. She is still at home, waiting for Mr. Right patiently. She keeps herself busy teaching writing class for a family from our church and taking care of her sheep. She is 19 (4 days away from 20)