New Chicks

This Black Sussex hen sat on her eggs under our oil tank. Marc got home yesterday evening and found her in my garden with her chicks. Never had chicks hatch in Tucson. The weather got hot too quickly for them and the eggs cooked.

I have two other chickens sitting in the chicken coop, so I hope to get more chicks. I think Marc is relieved, because I told him I was going to order a different breed, if these hens did not give me chicks. I love watching the chicks run around. This is the first chance I will have to see how the hens do as mothers. At one point all of the chicks were under her. You would never have known that they were there.

Wildlife on the Farm

I have added a Sunday nuno felting class on June 9, from 10:30 to 1 p.m. I have a wet felting class this weekend with room for a few more. We will be making a bowl that can be turned into a yarn bowl.

 On a dreary day last week, I took a walk about the farm. I discovered this turtle on the path that I walk from the house to the animal barn. The face looks somewhat like a face, if you enlarge it. Fast moving turtle. I came back after half hour and it was nowhere to be found.

 I finally made it to the pond with my camera. This goose has been sitting about 2 weeks ow, so I hope to see goslings in about a week. Her nest is about a foot above the pond water level and surrounded by weeds.

 The beaver is now long gone, but his lodge remains. It is very easy to spot now that everything else has turned green.

Technically, Shetland sheep would not be called wildlife, but they do tend to be distrustful. Spots had triplets and, sure enough, she has not been able to feed them all. This was the little guy that kept getting left out, so I am now bottle feeding him. He has learned to come up to me for the bottle, but he keeps me at arm's length . He does not like being picked up and he runs as soon as he feels full.

I started a new design at the Hampton, Virginia show. It is freeform, so it will not have a pattern.The back is almost done, so I will post a photo next time.

I have pulled the Pantone colors for fall and winter. Currently I am working in shades of natural black and brown to create freeform knit and crochet kits.

I discovered that one of the Shetland/Border Leicester crosses is pregnant. I am currently spinning her fleece. It is one of the blackest to date. And, Columbian is still hanging in there, getting bigger every day. They are the only two left to deliver.

In other news, we lost Pearl last week. She became a pet back when I first started raising animals. I was sorry to see her go. She gave me some awesome lambs over the years. I am castrating her last two lambs and keeping them. They are 1/2 Merino, 1/4 Shetland and 1/4 Border Leicester. They feel like Merino and are a lovely white. Not as sticky as the Merinos, so they will be a lovely addition to my flock.

Contest Winner, Last Kid and off to Hampton, Virginia

 The name my mannequin contest has been won by Ruinwen. She suggested Rhiannon and it stuck in my head. Goddess of Inspiration - we all need one! Ruinwen - you will need to let me know how you want your $25 gift certificate. I don't have your email.

I have just about finished this scarf which I started the 10th of June last year. I have one piece to attach and a few ends to weave in. Will do that during the Bodacious Bazzaar Show in Hampton this weekend. If you live in the area, come and say "hi."

 The last kid of the year was born yesterday. He is a white buck and still looks slightly dirty. Healthy and happy on mom. I am excited because all of my angora goat kids were born alive - none have died! Amazing to get a 100% survival rate. I have lost 4 lambs at or near birth and have one sheep, Columbian still to deliver. Any minute. She is probably waiting for me to drive off tomorrow.

I have designed and written the pattern for a dog coat. I starte dout with the idea of a goat coat, but there is probably not an interest in knitting an expensive garment for a barn animal! I still have to put the photo with the pattern. Will finish and list it for sale next week.