Let It Snow-Man!

Things to love about winter…

Watching the snow fall covering everything with sparkling beauty.

The crunch of snow under my feet.

Sliding down the hill on a plastic or wooden sled, or even a piece of cardboard box.(Well, the card board thing didn’t really work out so well, I broke my leg in three places and was in the hospital for a week and a cast from my toes to my waist for 3 months, after i had the cast “reduced” to just the length of my leg, I fell down the stairs while racing my little brother Sean; broke the cast- and back to the hospital I went…. Yup, I was that child.)

The holiday lights that make the whole outside world look like a winter wonderland.

As temperatures dip, and the long nights take hold,(they are now on the upswing) Enjoy some of the things that only winter weather can bring. Without cold weather there would be no snow, no ice, no backyard skating rinks, no sledding, no snow forts to build,(my children used to paint their’s with spray bottles full of food color and water) and certainly no snow boarding! So, as long as it’s winter time, get out and have some fun,put on an extra layer, and head outside.
I have always wanted to build a skating rink in my yard, I will try this year; it’s going to be cold for the next couple of weeks.

Building a snowman, or watching a small child build one…

I think there must be an art to sledding…

Do you remember the walk back up the hill…worth it every time.

Zooom…(uhm, not so much) putt,putt was more like it.

Winter fun, never goes out of style.

Waiting for their turn…to shine.

I love the snow;with winter I feel close to home. We have our rituals and family dinners. And as I reflect, I smile at the nostalgia of my life.
Be well,
Jess

Wordless Wednesday…Spring Today Gone Tomorrow

Llamas Llove snow! (and dogs do too)

Be Well,
Jess
ps,I just noticed I posted the same picture x2…uggh.

Ya Know What They Say; When in Rome…

If it feels like spring outside, I thought I would make it feel more like Spring inside as well, and for $2.99, how could I go wrong.

Nothing says Spring like pink tulips.

Some time ago, in a post or two I referenced an old barn and a kitchen island…here is the result, whaddaya think?

This true color, I added a green to the last photo, you know – (fake)Spring thing and all…

My sauce is simmering downstairs..gotta run.

Be well,
Jess

Mud Season?

Mud season, It’s a time of pondering, planning, or plotting; for there is not much to do.

The countryside is in limbo, ready for a sudden rebirth, the trees are bare and there is this drizzle that hangs and then drips from everything. People are grumpy, sick and tired of winter with its slush, snow and freezing pipes The skiing is over, the frost is out of the ground, and buildings, are looking tired and ravaged by winter……screech (sound of brakes) It is only January,people.

The Mud, which tracks into my kitchen,my car, and sticks to my dogs like…well, like mud! It appears that I can tolerate mud season better with the promise of the coming spring…until then you can find me mopping, wiping paws and under bellies, and slopping, sloppy barns…ah,well;carry on we must.

It might be warm for a January day..but, it sure was pretty.

I suppose these chairs can rest awhile longer.

Be Well,
Jess

A change in perspective…

Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings.”
– Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Be well,
Jess

Have you noticed?

The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer. Minute by minute they lengthen out. It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change. It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour.

Finnigan? “Where does your white go when it melts?”

Sipping tea,the my toes and nose begin to thaw….seed catalogs in hand.
Be well,
Jess

Baby, it’s cold outside…

I Do Not Mind You, Winter Wind

(Jack Prelutsky)

I do not mind you, Winter Wind
when you come whirling by,
to tickle me with snowflakes
drifting softly from the sky.

I do not even mind you
when you nibble at my skin,
scrambling over all of me
attempting to get in.

But when you bowl me over
and I land on my behind,
then I must tell you, Winter Wind,
I mind . . . I really mind!

The wood furnace is dancing with flames, hardly struggling to keep our little cottage farmhouse warm. But boy, is it cold outside; it was -17 in the pre-dawn hours and up to a brisk -5 as I headed out to do morning chores, and check on the chicks and ducks, needed to be sure I didn’t have any “chooksicles”. All was as it should have been; animals in their nests of hay. It even looked as though Syria, our oldest llama had made her own nest of hay; though it was supposed to be her and everyone else’s breakfast..silly girl.

After the chores were done, both outside and in..I settled in to sip hot tea and knit. I am trying to finish a lacy patterned brushed suri, ear warming, head band for Jenn. Then a bit of spinning,I have finished a skein of llama/merino blend yarn(I am not sure what I am going to make that into).

Funny how each season sets it’s own rhythm on a farm. Nature eases you from one season to the next, each with it’s own flurry of activity. Reminding us to enjoy, if you wish, the comfort of home on a cold winter’s day, the refreshing nip of the wind in October, and the warmth of the sun’s rays in May. ( May plantings,oh shivers xoxox)

Time to warm the Earl Grey…

A blend of llama and merino…

Chester, is grateful for his spring shearing…He would be way too hot in his fiberluscious coat all summer.

Thank you for the fiber LLala..(Shangrala)

Llama rovings…

Merino rovings purchased at the Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool festival.

My Favorite wheel…a Kromski castle style single treadle.

..such a pretty wheel,they make.

flyer, whorl, and maidens…

The lazy kate…used when plying the fiber.

Be well, stay warm.
Jess

2013..plant the seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love.

You can choose to believe that anything is possible, choose to embrace your dreams, choose to follow your heart and choose not to give up in the New Year, 2013.

It is the beginning of a New Year! Today we can choose to become who you’ve always wanted to be – the somebody who is sometimes whispering and sometimes screaming – to be. Actually, we can do this with EVERY new day; but, I always feel so motivated at this time of year, refreshed and renewed…bursting with new energy and drive.Maybe too much energy… I had to stop myself from buying a Jersey calf last night (that was hard work), such restraint I have

What are your hopes and dreams, goals and passions for 2013? I would love to hear about them.

Be well,
Jess

Here, Here!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to min’,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And here’s a hand, my trusty fierce,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine,
And we’ll tak’ a right guid willie-waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,

We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint stowpt,
And surely I’ll be mine,
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
-Robert Burns

Whatever you resolve to do,
On any New Year’s Day,
Resolve to yourself to be true
And live-the same old way

I wish you Love,
I wish you cheer,
I wish you Peace
throughout the year!

Be Well,
Jess

Don’t be afraid of the darkness; Shine!

Stand Up! You must shine your light, follow your own path, and don’t worry about the darkness, that’s when the stars shine brightest.

LlaLla, (Shangrala), I just love this girl!

Be Well,
Jess
It seems, I can post simple posts from my phone: hurrah!