Whooo, folks! I am exhausted! After two days of plowing and planting, I'm feeling very accomplished. Yesterday, I learned how to use the walk-behind tractor. That was during our Crops lab for the WBFP out on my friend, Lizzie Camfield's farm. The tractor is definitely less graceful than draft animals, but it was very useful and fast. We also laid out a lasagna bed--fenced in with straw, we laid down more straw, horse manure, more straw, more horse manure, and so forth until we had unloaded an entire trailer of manure. The straw for the middle of the bed was a little hard to get. Lizzie had it out at the edge of her property in round bales that had been sitting for at least five years, decomposing. the majority of it was still good albeit not fresh, but perfect for composting. Me, Lizzie, Grace, and Hannah all woman-handled that thing into the back of Hannah's pick-up, and then pitchforked into the composting bed. At some point, I managed to fall out of the truck bed (with pitchfork in tow) but I lived to tell the tale! 
Today, I calculated out how many of my tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants I can grow; labeled them; and planted them in seed trays to go under the indoor grow light. I was proud! All of my seeds fit into one seed tray! That makes it all feel more manageable. You know, less than 70 plants is much easier than like 300 plants! Now, that's not 70 different varieties, no. I have 12 different kinds of tomatoes (three plants each) six peppers (three each) and 3 types of eggplant (2 plants each.) (Um, then I have 30 different varieties of greens...) Oh m'Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Fun, that's it! Just wait until we get the other two beds put down and get the maypole up--the yard will look awesome! 

Hullo, All! Today, I bring you photos of my angora rabbit, Midnight. Yesterday, I found a good method to clip her belly fur--which can sometimes get matted. Matts hurt the skin, so it is best that the bunnies remain matt free. Midnight loves being held and even sometimes climbs on top of my shoulders! Today, she was doing Binkies (little jump and run motions) all morning, which is a sign of one very happy bunny! What a sweet heart!

Hullo folks! Welcome back to the blog, I hope you all are well and happy! Today's photos are from this Tuesday's Draft Power Lab. Draft power is animals doing meaningful work for farmers, such as pulling a cart or tilling a field. This lab, we worked with Molly and Mindy Mules and Zep the horse. Zep has a good deal of energy, whereas Molly and Mindy walk a lot more at my pace--this makes a brisk pace for three abreast (three side-by-side), which we were able to do for the first time that day. As soon as our Professor, Rick, placed the driving lines in my hands, I felt at home. Everything just felt right, and the rest of the world melted away. Working with these equines is so therapeutic for me--feeling the soft, velvety noses and looking through thick brown eyelashes into knowing eyes makes me feel at seen, listened to, understood. Gentle yet firm care for the animals, the lifting and phenagling of harnessing and hitching, and the thrill of driving are probably the most rewarding work I have done in my life. It makes me giddy. Not to mention, you can get a LOT done. This class, we focused on hoof care, practiced three abreast, and skidded a couple of logs, while talking about farming systems, infrastructure revelations, and just the good, quiet life. Makes me long for the country and renews my future hopes of a farmstead. Every time I cross the line into Henry County, I beat my hand on the roof of my car and cheer. It takes 20 minutes from my house to that line, 5 to the exit, 10 to New Castle, and then only 15 to Port Royal. I think: this is my community, these are my people. 

Spinnin spinnin spinnin, keep them doggies spinnin! 
Yesterday I finished three skeins of yarn--another Witchy Woman, a black and rainbow I'm calling Midnight Festival, and a deep purple I'm calling Plum Tuckered. I can't wait to see what all I can do with these new colourways. There won't be any more Witchy Woman, because that was made from the sheep's tails, which are basically samples, but never fear! There are more sheep's tails to create other bright, fun, fiber spirits! Now, off to the wheel to spin it up!

What's the best way to relax on a peaceful Sunday night? Well, for me, it'll have to be Harry Potter and some spinning with my new fiber! Can't wait to see the finished product!!

Here's one skein of the completed Witchy Woman yarn for my witchy outfit! I even made a name tag for this fiber spirit to make her sound official!

Favorite fiber tuft from my fiber cauldron for this project!

In the process of spinning

Finished the first ply on two bobbins!

Yesterday, I started a new project! When I buy yarn and knit up garments, I plan what outfit they are going to be for and what they would pair well with. How do I make my yarn 'pop'? Sometimes, when I plan these outfits (that take such a looong time to make) I just think, wow, that's a LOT of knitting. How much is too much? Right now, I do not know. We will be going into the great beyond that is the knitting world outside of scarves, together. Scarves are probably the first thing anyone learns when they knit, and scarves can be so diverse! When I'm knitting--and let me tell you know, I am a lazy knitter--I place the hank around my neck, like an infinity scarf, to pull my yarn from. Saves tangles, saves time! Ha ha ha...
So! Last night I was working on my witchy outfit. So far, I have two clothing items prepared for said outfit--a green cowl with silver rescue buttons, and a black hood. The hood still has a lining that I need to finish, and I have another part of a garment that is to be revealed, but last night I had a revelation and dropped everything for the rest of the night. I was sitting, looking at my little spinning area--which is not very professional at all. I sit on the floor, by the plug, with my little tiny wheel on the carpet, a pouf behind my back to lean on, my box of tools behind my wheel and all my fluff in the box to the left. I was looking at my bags of sheep's tails ( colourful mixed fiber bits) and an idea came to mind of how I could use them. I could make a skein of art yarn to wear as a hank with my witchy outfit! So that's just what I'm doing! Here are all of my ingredients for the newest addition to the fiber spirits! I'll keep y'all posted as I spin!