*Back Yard Butcher Lambs*

~Taco and Squeeze~

They just might be pigs in sheep's clothing.

(Taco is lighter, on left. Squeeze is darker, on right.)

We acquired these 2 characters a few weeks ago.

They are "bummers," and though he is slightly smaller,

Taco is about a week and a half older than Squeeze.

They are suffolk which is a meat breed and

should finish out at about 105-125 lbs. each come fall.

I raised sheep years ago, but that was years ago,

and it was primarily breeding stock.

Market lambs were a very small part of it.

The other thing is that grain was the feed of choice "back then."

We are raising these on grass - and a bottle at the moment.

There are reasons both for and against doing this.

I'll share some of the rewards and sacrifices that have gone into making this decision, and will attempt to show how our little operation functions.

The For or Rewards List~

*The most prominent reason for embarking on this little venture is that we want grass-fed meat and the various health benefits of it.

*Lambs take minimal space (as opposed to beef or hogs)

 and minimal / non-permanent facilities.

*They are easily handled due to size.

*They are a meat product that we don't usually purchase (expensive.)

*They have a quick growing season (just until fall.)

*We should be able to process them ourselves with little difficulty.

*And 1 more, I am hoping to process their skins so might (if I don't mess up) have 2 lamb skin "rugs."

The Against or Sacrifices List~

(This list is small but mighty.)

*They still cost money.  Though start-up is the most expensive, they don't just give bummers away like they used to.  Many I looked at were over $100 and didn't appear to have had first milk.  Ours were not that much, had first milk, shots, castrated, tails docked, and were eating well on the bottle before they were sold.  Finding such a breeder, we have already made an agreement to be in contact again next year.

*They take time.  This is huge!  Mr. LB and I both work outside the home and have nearly an hour drive at each end of the day.  Also, if we plan on leaving, even for a weekend, we will have to find someone who is physically able and willing to tend our critters.

*A clean and manicured yard is out of the question.  They don't "mow" evenly.  This might not sound like a big deal to some folks, but kinda like the fall back - I'm no beauty queen, by my clothes are clean and my hair is brushed, for the property (to me) it might not be HGTV, but the lawn is mowed.

What we are doing~

Their pen was made from a 3/16" wire mesh that comes in an 8'X20' sheet.

Mr. LB cut it in half both ways, a few zip ties and they have a 10'X10' pen.  When they are gone, we can simply cut the zip ties and the panels will store flat.  He also put the scrap of tin over where the feeder hangs.

They get moved every day.

This is much more labor intensive than the good ol' days when they were kept in a solid pen and fed grain, but we are hoping it's worth it.  Also, they have 
the Bird Mobile following 2-3 days behind.  Then the dog(Rip) is tied near them at night.  We have bear, cougar, wolves, coyotes, fox and more in this area.

It looks like animals on parade around here.

Humans could play a nice game of "Name That Poo" after they've tracked by.

(Sorry, I'm still kinda struggling with the yard part.)

I know that blue tarp looks high-class, but we have had some major thunder showers go through.  Like kids, they don't seem to mind getting wet, but it makes us feel better to offer them some coverage.

      

Their diet~

Water of course, and they get a bottle for a few more weeks.

We do give them a very small amount of alfalfa about every other day just because they were already nibbling on it when we got them, and it should help them transition over to the haylage more easily.

I have been mowing certain areas of the yard with the push mower and bagger in order to gather the clippings and make haylage.  That process is kinda like planting carrots or spuds - you don't know how it will turn out until you open the bag after 8 weeks (or dig into the soil come late summer.)  About the time they are weaned, the first bag of haylage should be ready.  This will be in addition to they grass they are eating as we move them daily.

(Rip, hard at work!  This is how he prefers to spend his days.)

Lastly~

We can't get attached!

They are way cute.  They have a ton of personality.  Squeeze is a demanding brat, and Taco is an ornery stinker.  They are a hoot to watch as they pounce around and "act tough."  Mr. LB has actually been the one who takes care of them most of the time just due to schedules.  I'm making dinner as he's making bottles and moving them.  The other night he commented, "Squeeze likes his throat scratched.  He goes all hypnotic."

I asked if he remembered that they would one day be dinner.  He assured me he would be okay.  There is a different mind set to raising animals for butcher.

It doesn't mean we can't love and care for them, it's just different.

In the end, they will provide us health and nourishment in return for the care we have provided them.  We will offer a prayer of thanks to them for being such an important part of our being.

In the mean time, we will make sure they have a safe and pleasant life.

   

                                                             

The Loom is in the House!

Oh, the thrill.

I found this gem in a thrift shop a couple years ago.

She was marked reasonably and everything in the store 

happened to be 1/2 off that day.

So I thought for about a minute - really maybe a whole minute.

I was driving the pickup that day for whatever reason.

It was fate:)

She has sat in the shop for a couple years, and

every so often, I would take the shop-vac to her.

 She was dirty and tangled when I brought her in.

I took the vacuum to her as well as a lot of 'Old English.'

I cut strings that were binding.

What is on her now is a rag rug that was started at some point in her life.

I just left it on there so I can take mental notes as I remove it all.

I have met one or two nice folks who have offered to help me learn

how to get her set up for weaving.

I have been asked what kind of loom she is and other questions about her

that I have no idea how to answer.

After cleaning her thoroughly,

I can still find no makers name plate or stamp anywhere.

If someone can tell me what I have,

please leave me a comment.

As long as she works properly, it really doesn't matter to me,

but it would sure be nice to know.

There is now a whole slough of words and verbiage I need to learn.

petals, rutter, appendix etc. haha

I do know I will need different shuttles that what came with her so

again any suggestions as to which ones are preferred would be welcome.

Any words of advise will be greatly appreciated.

I am anxious to see what kind of tangled mess I can weave now.

Of course now, all kinds of projects come to mind that I can make 

in all that spare time I have.

I needed another hobby like I need a hole in my head.

But I suppose, when we quit learning, we quit living - right?

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

They Are Plotting Against Me

I mean for me. . . .

no, against me. . . .

well, whichever???

Over the past several months,

I have spent lots of time and energy decluttering.

Part of this process included going through my fabrics.

It a most cruel process having to decide which to keep

and which to be rid of.

The other day, I was in a thrift shop down town and

happened to run into someone and, as it turns out,

we know a few folks in common.

(Small towns, it's more uncommon not to know someone in common.)

We chatted a bit about what we were hunting for.

When I told her I like to just see if there are fabrics

that could be use for stitching, she asked

if I ever used wool.

Well, of course I love wool.

She asked if I could use some pieces so I said sure.

I've had folks offer a piece here and there.

It's usually just that - a piece or two.

She brought me two large garbage bags and a big box.

There were pieces like the picture above and others

that were wool garments that had been washed.

She said she thought she would make a rug one time

but has never gotten around to it.

When I asked her if she wanted any of it back if I didn't think I would use it,

she almost "Noed" before I finished asking.

I have about 3-4 garments left to get the zippers out of,

seams opened up, buttons off, etc.

I've now come to realize, it's hopeless.

I am a fabric-aholic.

I don't think this disease is curable:)

WooHoo!

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

***Ooops~I Got It Right***

Ever feel like if you do something right,

it must have been an accident?

I was cutting up some wool for an idea I'm working on.

I had just been telling my mom 

that I needed to find a soft peacock color to add.

I went to darken a little bit of tan that was too bright,

and I discovered that I had left a piece in some dye

probably 2 months ago.

Can you guess what color?

It was exactly what I needed.

If I would have tried to get this color,

I would probably ended up with orange:)

I have plenty more dying and cutting

before I can even get started on stitching, 

but I am so glad to have this piece.

These are the things in life I call miracles~

the perfect little things that happen without planning them.

They are like unexpected gifts.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Need a Good Laugh?

I won't even make you guess...

It's yarn, yes, yarn - 2 ply even:)

What do you think I should make with it - heeheehee?

I mentioned before, I was learning to spin.

I might be one of those sslllooow learners,

but at least I have produced something.

I think it rather looks like fishing net.

It kinda took a long time to get through

as I am really a quilter.

I am not a spinner in real life - just in my dreams.

Today there was a "Spin-in."

It was a wonderful chilly grey day for being inside

with a bunch of fun gals and lots of fiber.

Gals began slipping their shoes off & I noticed something interesting.

Nearly all of us had wool socks on.

Yep, those are vampire teeth on the back of those socks:)

Marie wore black??? Don't know about that gal.

In case you can't tell from the photo on the left, here is a close up of her pants. 

Renee was using her drop spindle (left.)

That yarn was absolutely beautiful.

I was, am, and I'm sure will continue to be amazed 

at the talent that was gathered in this room.

This is a new group event.

The first Saturday of the month from here on out.

I knew a couple of the gals,

but for the most part met new creative people.

I have to say the generosity of these gals was phenomenal.

If you want to learn, they'll get you going. 

Fair warning: 

Like most worthy hobbies, it's addicting!

I don't knit or crochet so don't know what I will do

with 'real' yarn assuming I am ever able to produce any.

For now, I am just enjoying the learning and the laughter.

I hope you have a day filled with as much enjoyment.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Learning More at Dye Day

This last Saturday, I went with Renee

and her mom to a natural Dye Day

in Lone Rock, OR.

It's pretty much a left over

Boom Town

that now has only a hand full

of permanent residents.

It was absolutely wonderful!

It's in the middle of nowhere

on a dirt road.

 

We used natural dyes including:

madder, log-wood, hollyhock, cochanai, and Osage orange.

There was a little mix up and log wood got mixed

with some used madder, 

but it turned into this deep, rich, brown color.

I forgot to get a picture of all the skeins

hanging to dry.

After lunch,

we each brought something to work on.

Marie and Renee brought knitting,

and Renee brought a wheel for me to try out.

It was my first time ever using a wheel.

I am hooked:)

I have a tenancy to over spin the wool.

I need to get on you tube and watch someone's hands

while they are drafting/spinning.

I haven't watched before, 

and there's a lot to just seeing it done. 

So my yarn (1 ply at the moment) is 

both lumpy and over spun.

I guess that's what it takes to learn.

This day had more to offer,

but I will save that for the next post.

And I will introduce you to our amazing hostess.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Wynken, Blynken, & Nod Crazy

It's almost quilt show season:)

I just registered my Wynken, Blynken, & Nod quilt

in the Krazy Horse Quilt Show.

The show is May 4-5, 2013

In Pendleton, Oregon.

I finished this up last summer (since last years show.)

It is not a judged show & I've only put

a quilt in it once or twice, but I like to support the local show -

(I like judged shows.) 

This quilt is made from a Pendleton Wool suit (pink,)

a pair of wool pants & skirt (ivory,)

and the beige is from a WWII military blanket.

It was a little thicker than the other fabrics, 

but it was the perfect color.

Finding quality fabric for joining the blocks was

the biggest challenge - 

which made piecing them difficult as 

the new fabric was 'wobbly' by comparison.

I just love the old E. Fields poem

Wynken, Blynken, & Nod

so did a center scene of the poem

and the actual poem which happens to be

4 stanzas long, one stanza in each corner.

On the crazy quilt part, I did all one stitch.

That was a first for me - I usually like to mix it up.

If you've never read the poem:

Wynken, Blynken, & Nod

by Eugene Fields

 Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night

Sailed off in a wooden shoe,-

Sailed on a river of crystal light

Into a sea of dew.

“Where are you going, and what do you wish?”

The old moon asked the three.

“We have come to fish for the herring-fish

That live in this beautiful sea;

Nets of silver and gold have we,”

Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,

As they rocked in the wooden shoe;

And the wind that sped them all night long

Ruffled the waves of dew;

The little stars were the herring-fish

That lived in the beautiful sea.

“Now cast your nets wherever you wish,-

Never afraid are we!”

So cried the stars to the fishermen three,

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

All night long their nets they threw

To the stars in the twinkling foam,-

Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,

‘Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed

As if it could not be;

And some folk thought ’twas a dream they’d dreamed

Of sailing that beautiful sea;

But I shall name you the fishermen three:

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,

And Nod is a little head,

And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies

Is a wee one’s trundle-bed;

So shut your eyes while Mother sings

Of wonderful sights that be,

And you shall see the beautiful things

As you rock in the misty sea

Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:-

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. 

My children are teenagers,

so maybe this will be for a grand-daughter someday - 

I can wait:)

It just all seemed to work, and

other than the quality of the new wool

I am pleased with how it turned out.

Oh, yea, It weighs just about 7 pounds!

It oughta be warm.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

(PS, waited a couple days to try to have nice enough weather to photograph the entire thing - Mother Nature doesn't want me to:)

And there by the fire

while the snow outside whirled and danced,

while the woodwinds played their song,

and while onlookers watched,

she sat.

She sat, though hands not idle~

As the old adage goes.

Dreaming of warmth 

and facing the sun with closed eyes

in order to better hear

the sound of spring,

in order to better smell

the buds unfurl,

in order to bask

in all that's joyous,

she dreams, mind's not idle either~

And here

she comes to an end

and a beginning.

Finished another block of the wool crazy quilt.

On to the next.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Drop Spindle Spinning

Have you ever been mesmerized by the vast knowledge

of someone and their talent?

Renee was someone I had never met & was kind enough to

teach me how to spin using drop spindle.  She showed me different 

dying products (some of which I've used on fabric:) and the

processing from a fleece to a fiber - so to speak.

She got me started with a spindle made from a couple of CDs

and a dowel and even provided me with some prepared 

fibers (both wool, but of different sorts) to get start on.

Yes, here you can see my very uneven yarn.  I was doing okay

the evening she showed me... then... I waited a few nights

before trying it again.  Aaaah- I had to re learn so the yarn

went from really chunky to pretty fine as I remembered just

what I was doing. 

 The white is really long fibers and the 'old man green' as I like

to call it is regular ol' wool.  In addition to showing me all

of these fun things, she introduced me to her spindle collection.

Oh, some of them were just beautiful.  A Turkish one that

came apart so your wool was in a ball when you were done, and

one with an ebony spindle and a wooden (can't remember what type)

of whorl.  I just love the terms as well.  They sound like words

from a faerie tale.

Anyways~ I had these clay discs that I got in a box of "stuff"

at an estate sale.  I hung onto them because they were

kinda interesting.  I thought, "I'll find something to do with them."

Well, I did.

The first I left the dowel plain, the second cherry stain, third oak, 

and last walnut.  I thought I might as well play with stain too.  

I love how they turned out.  

I haven't used them yet - I won't tell you how long

it took me to do what is on the spindle in the picture above :)

But, I am looking forward to using them.  I love the

long wool that I have started with - will have to find out

what it is.  I'm curious to see how I do with the green.

Don't you love learning 'how to' things.

I would eventually like to learn how to use a spinning wheel, 

but right now, it would be a waste of fiber.  I need to get

better at drafting (pulling the fibers to feed them into the yarn)

More words - love it!  A whole new world to me.

Again, thank you Renee. 

Until next time,

Even Stitches and Nimble Fingers

Fun Doing Laundry

So maybe I'm warped, but a friend gave me a recipe for homemade laundry detergent, and I just ran with it.

I mentioned in my last post I got a couple other things at the estate sale I would show in a later post.  Well, here goes...

I found these two beautiful carafes.  In the shorter one, I put my homemade laundry detergent, and in the taller one with a handle, my homemade fabric softener.

As if that wasn't enough, the measurements are in tablespoons so I found a couple old pretty spoons and stitched up a little fun.

Theeeeen... I ran across the idea of wool dryer balls.  I have of course heard of them and seen them.  Why I never thought of making them??? 

So I made some.  They are so easy.  Just wind up a ball of yarn just like you used to do for Grandma when you were a kid.  When they are a little larger than a tennis ball or about the size of a smaller orange, tuck the end in and tie them individually in an old nylon.  Run them through the washer and dryer, then remove them from the nylon.  If you do this, remember worsted wool will not felt so be sure to use regular wool yarn - I used the one for fisherman's sweaters.  
I have a pretty little spot on my dryer now, and all of my laundry is done because I have been so excited about using my new toys.  Yes, I know little things - little minds.  I must be okay with that, because I'm loving it.
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Oh Happy Me - WIP

Night before last, I returned home after working, and it was there.  It was the package I had been waiting for.  For two long weeks, I waited and waited anxiously checking the mailbox each day.  And what was I waiting for?

Aren't they pretty?  14 new colors.  I have about a dozen colors and got started using this #8 pearl cotton so wanted to remain consistent.  

Now you will either laugh at me or cry with me.  I love living in a rural community, but trying to find certain things such as pearl cotton is a bit challenging.  The closest pearl cotton is an hour away and only a few basic colors.  It is at times like these that I value the internet.

And to show you what I am using it on...

These are all works in progress so please excuse my markings and a few of the stitches that require more than one color are incomplete.

This will be a long term project as I don't get to work on it a lot.  None of these blocks are finished as I was waiting for more colors.  Now I can finish up a block at a time which is more like me.

I'm not quite sure how it happened that I have two hand stitching long term projects going at the same time.  Baaad me, shame on me.  Oh well, I won't be board - will always have something to work on.

The other long term project in my Cathedral Window quilt which if you are keeping track (as I'm sure you are:) I only have 54 more blocks to iron.

Keep warm and until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches