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!

I don't believe I've introduced the newest inhabitant of the Cozy Cottage! Everyone, meet Possum, who came home with us after we settled affairs for my grandmother last November. The boy spent about 8 hours in his carrier, then Houdinied it OPEN during the last half hour and came to sit in the passenger seat with mom. His 16 lb butt is livin large as a house cat here, and with no mice to catch anymore, he catches toys and plays with Persephone! Best friends!

Today, I'm celebrating five finished skeins of handspun yarn! Yes, folks, the twist is set and my heart is full! Today is just one of the most peaceful days I have experienced in a long while. And what do I do when I'm at peace? I work with my fiber. I work with my fiber and I write. I write and become lost. And found. It centers me, but on a higher level, for a higher purpose. Today's word is kindness. And through kindness may we find bliss. Working with the fiber spirits this morning made me feel just gleeful. What brings a flutter to your heart today?

Today's Spin on the Electric Eel Wheel from Dreaming Robots was a Perendale yarn ( From the Perendale sheep of New Zealand) plied with today's finished Mermaid Tears embroidery floss and a little bit of my banana fiber yarn (to finish it off. I was about a yard short on embroidery floss and wanted to use up that little bit of banana fiber yarn.) I think it will be perfect for weaving and plan to weave some up soon! I had thought when I started spinning that I wouldn't sell anything I spun myself, but my hand spun pile is growing ever bigger. I thought I'd see how it felt though, if someone were to purchase something so special to me. Perhaps it could feel really awesome and empowering! Knowing that someone had an eye for one of my favorite creations really would send me over the moon with glee. So I'm putting it out there in the universe, Who hears this fiber spirit's call? $35