Big Ones

Spent the morning plying and getting to know the Hansencraft miniSpinner with Woolee Winder. We are great friends now that I've figured out I was missing the front spinning wheel bearing. Sheesh

Yarn in progress: Gray wool, mystery breed, 3-ply.

 

 

Spun the singles the early part of last year, even took the Lendrum spinning wheel to the weekly Spinners' Group. I rarely bring the Lendrum because it's a little heavy to carry.

 

 

I was quite pleased with the giant bobbin, nearly 7.5 oz. of a 3-ply yarn.

 

 

More giant bobbins to come.

 

 Received a fish report from The Man. I'm not the only one with big ones.

 

Crrraaack

 When you hear it you know. And sometimes, like yesterday, it just happens.

 

 

Spinning Fine (2)

 With the newly prepped fiber the Supported Spindle spin continues with Merino sheep wool "Delphae". 

Baby-Proofing

I needed to remove some old barb wire from the area we call the Paddock.

 

Baby-proofing the area for these little guys - twins.

 

 

And somewhere down in the Paddock there is another baby - a single.

The fawns will be on the property until they get strong enough to jump over the fence - that will be at least a couple of months. It looks like we're the Deer Day Care again.

Prepping Fine

This morning I brought out the Valkyrie Extra Fine combs to prep more fiber for the Supported Spindle spin.

 

 

 

Like Pahoehoe

We received a postcard from the Big Island of Hawaii (thank you Sebby).

It was postmarked March 14, 2023 and we just got it today.

 

The postcard has a beautiful picture of pahoehoe lava which is a s-l-o-w flow lava.

The Big Island is such a magical place perhaps some of pahoehoe's mana was imbued in the postcard. 

Note to self: Postcards with A'a lava (faster flow lava) might reach the mainland quicker than 6 weeks.

 

 

Gala

Gala Apple Blossoms

 

 

Herding Goats

It turns out that 3-year-old, Sebastian, is a natural goat herder.

Deck Weather

Spending the evening outside on the deck with family. So delicious.

 

Warm Up

 All of a sudden it's warm. We maxed at 81° today, tomorrow is supposed to be warmer.

 

In the afternoon The Man worked on the deck.

 

 

 

He also greatly improved the view from the deck. What a guy.

Evening Hoedown

The weeds are going crazy, lush even along the sidewalk.

 

 

We can't use poison on it.

Solution: gloves and a hoe.

Stocked Up

I had been pausing our Keurig Auto-delivery because it seemed like we had a lot of K-Cups in the pantry. That is until I checked on Friday and saw that we were nearly out of coffee. Oops.

Luckily our order came posthaste. I was surprised at the size of the mailing box - huge.

We'll be good for another long while, I think.

Library Books

 Finished an Amazon Prime Reading book

 

 

and a Hoopla Audiobook

 

both books are set in a library. Good reads.

Stink Eye

Spring, and the mosquitoes are showing up. The goats are mosquito magnets and I notice tails-a-swishing and heads-a-shaking as mosquitoes swarm around them.

It was time to put something on them.

I use CyLence Pour-On Insecticide. It works pretty well. I draw it up in a needless syringe and squirt it down their back (like flea med on a dog). The smell dissipates but initially it's a strong chemical odor.

 

 

They hate it.

I try to sneak up and dose two goats in rapid succession. As soon as one gets dosed there is much snorting/sneezing, running, and commotion. It'll take the rest of the day to get everyone else.

I try to get Jack first. Whether he's dosed or not he will keep his distance from me and watch me with a wary eye. He'll be fine tomorrow but today I am his least favorite person.

On the Line

 Care Instructions: Regular wash cycle, hot water. Dryer spin, no heat. Line dry.

 

I changed the weft to Palo Verde for a 20" section in the middle of the warp.

The natural-colored cotton - brown and green - will deepen with repeated washings.

 

Weft: Pima Cotton (top), Palo Verde (bottom)

It was an enjoyable Spin to Weave project. The fabric is soft and drapey. Not sure what it wants to be yet.

Cutting Cloth

It was a beautiful day to be outside and I got a lot of weaving done.

 

 

While I was carrying the loom to a shadier spot I dropped the boat shuttle on the driveway. The asphalt made a few rough dings to the maple wood. Fine grit sandpaper and wood conditioner (Howards Feed & Wax) smoothed the dings nicely but I need to be more careful with my tools.

 

This evening I finished the weaving on the 3-yard warp. When I couldn't weave anymore I cut the warp off from the back apron rod,

 

 

and untied the cloth from the front apron rod.

 

Spa Day

The weather has been dry and our days are sunny and warm. We decided Boots needed help shedding her winter coat.

 

 

By the end of her Spa treatment Boot's could barely stay awake.