Washing fleeces...

 A few days ago, I washed Amarillo's wool from this past spring. I used nearly all that was in the bag. Just a little tiny bit was no good. I was really pleased with how well it turned out. It's very white and fluffy and soft. I really don't know all the terminology that goes along with wool and fleeces and such. I watched some good you tube videos on how to wash fleeces and just went from there.

This is Amarillo's fleece. It just kept coming out of the bag. There was a lot of it. And not too awfully dirty either. Not much work in this one.

And it's really pretty. All of this I am thinking can be spun on the wheel for yarn. When I learn to spin. In 3 weeks. I am so excited to be going to the John Campbell Folk School in N. Carolina to learn to spin. And they will also teach up to the spinning as well.  So when I come back home, I just might know what all this means.

And today, I decided to get Adalaide's bag of wool out and start washing it. Man, was it a mess! Full of VM and nastiness. Took a while to just get it all untangled and looked over. And she has some really nice wool right now. I might have to look into getting a coat for her and Amarillo. They are both full Finn. And this was their 1st time being sheared.

Just look how nasty this is. A whole lot of it was so matted together I don't think I'll be able to use it.

This is really pretty here. So nice and fluffy. And some pretty good crimp, I hope.

This is the really crimpy part of her fleece. There was a lot of this. I tried to keep most of it together.

                                   Here it is in the wash water. And it's not pink. Just the lighting.

And all washed up on the drying rack. When it's all clean and white like this, I see all the crap I missed. But I'll get it all clean as I pull it apart.

I still have a little more of Adalaide's to wash tomorrow. I just got tired of doing it and it was getting dark over at the studio.

The 1st weekend in Nov. is a fiber show in Murfreesboro, Tn. I am going with my niece on Sat. I have never been to one before and am very excited. And a little nervous. I'm afraid I'm going to want a little of everything there. I do want to try some different fiber from different breeds. I would like to get a few different breeds for my farm later.So I hope there will be sheep there to see. If anyone is up this way next weekend, come by the fiber show.  I have to clean out my Trooper so I will have room for wool!

I hope you all have a great weekend. It's beautiful here.

Thursday...

Last night, on the way home from market, I saw a few houses with smoke coming out the chimneys. I just imagined how nice and warm it would feel inside. So when I got home, I saw smoke coming out our chimney. My husband had started a fire in the wood stove. But when I walked inside, the house was full of smoke! It was not very inviting at all. He said he was having a hard time getting the fire going, so had to crack the door, so all that smoke just came into the house. We had to open doors and windows. But he finally got it going and we are nice and toasty. This week is good weather for a fire. But starting Saturday, back up into summer again. Highs at night in the 50's and 60's with days in the 70's and 80's. So we'll let the fire go out Sat. morning. Anyone else have fires going?

I had some hay left from when the bucks were here, so I gave some to the sheep. They're nibbling on it. I'm just waiting til next week to get a round bale delivered for them. It's that time again. There's still green grass for them to eat.

Here's Stella, sitting in the sun by the front door. My husband brought the "wood box" in and started filling it up. See all the stuff that comes off the wood that we have to sweep up all day? What fun!

Tuesday, mom and I went out. She had an eye appointment that took a few hours. She got to see the eye doctor after all the eye tests the before person does. Then she went into another room and this really old man with a white coat came in. I mean really old man. And the nurse was pretty old too. She's already had her eyes dilated, but she put more drops in her eyes. So this doctor checked her eyes for 30 minutes. With all kinds of what I thought looked like antique devices. he was very thorough for sure. And the nurse put all he said into the computer. When they were done, we went up to the check out and I asked how old the doctor was. She said 88. I was amazed at how good he was. She said he's the best eye doctor they have.

We were starving so we went to the Chinese buffet around the corner. Ate like pigs. It was so good. Then went to Target. I found these boots. I love them. So warm and comfy.

This is so funny! Whatever is coming from under the house into the cabinet under the sink is driving Bubba crazy. It hasn't been back in about a week, since he spent so much time hunting it.  I heard it again a few nights ago. I opened the door and in Bubba went. I shut the door just for fun. Tried to get a picture of him opening the door but I couldn't get the camera to work fast enough. Stella is waiting for him to come out here. She kept watching the door. He was in there about 5 minutes. Silly dog. He just wants to kill something so bad. I hope he gets whatever it is real soon.

It hasn't rained in over a week here! We are actually pretty dry in most places. Except under the cedar trees. I need to have at least 8 of them cut down. They are so thick, the sun can't get through to dry the ground. So it stays muddy most of the time. But it's been really nice lately. I hope the trees will start turning now.

Going to work in the studio today to get ready for the next few weeks. Next Wed. market will be  3 hours. I did really good last night, so I hope to do even better next week. Some Chattanooga chefs will be cooking food from farmers and bringing it that day. So we hope to draw lots of shoppers in.

Bee talk.

This morning, while I was sitting outside bagging up lettuce for market this afternoon, I had a visitor. One of my sweet honey bees landed on my right hand and stayed awhile. We talked a bit about the cooler weather we're having this week. And how they are loving the sugar water I'm giving them every day now. And how they are busy kicking out all the lazy honey eating drones in both hives. I told her that's so sad, but I know it needs to be done so the her and all her sister workers will have enough honey to get through this winter. Then she left. Flew off to who knows where. That was fun.

It is the perfect fall week this week. Highs in the 70's. Lows at night in the 40's. Perfect. We haven't turned any heat on yet. just piling on the blankets and wearing flannel. Getting the yard mowed and looking good. Picking up all the branches that fall from the maple trees. We'll have a bonfire soon. I love this time of year.

I've seen some wooly worms around the farm. They are all black. Can't remember what that means. Will we have a hard cold winter or a mild winter? Does anyone know? I would love to have a dry winter. Not rainy, muddy or cold. We have enough firewood to get us through, I believe.


I have to go to the farmer's market this afternoon. I love going. It's fun, talking to people and meeting new people. But it's gonna be a cold afternoon!

It's the weekend y'all!!!

And it's finally feeling like fall. Chilly nights. Cool days. Bright blue sky. And pretty red berries.

It's been awhile...

since there have been goats in the back yard.

I'm buck sitting for some friends up the road. These guys are starting to bother the does, who are their mothers and sisters. Not a good thing. So they are here til they find new homes. Which I hope is only a few days.

They have been sick but are better now. They'll be eating good hay and whatever else they can find in the back yard.

I really have not missed having goats at all.

He went to the doctor today...

and he said it was not a TIA, but most likely caused by a spike in blood pressure. We had company Saturday and had pizza. He had to go get 2 of our grand daughters before we ate. When he got home, he just ate. He usually takes all his pills before eating, then a few after. Well, he didn't take any. Then remembered a few hours later, so made a PB&J sandwich and took all his pills. He thinks he did not take one of his BP meds. The doctor said that would most definitely cause a blood pressure spike and then blurry vision and confusion. SO, that is good news that it wasn't a TIA. But not good that he forgot to take his meds. He's usually pretty good about taking them. The doctor also said to take them at the same time every day too.

I've been feeding him good healthy food and his blood sugar readings have been great for him! So that's a good thing. And his foot is looking a little better every week. If we can get that healed, he can walk more which will bring that BS and BP down.

He thanks you all for your prayers and concerns. He is such a man and doesn't talk much about things he's feeling. So it's hard for him to have something like this to happen.


I found this at Whole Foods yesterday. It's turmeric root. Great for diabetics. Also a natural antibiotic. I am going to be making tea with it. I might even make a salve too.I just thought it was pretty cool. Almost forgot to add that I use this for wounds as well. On us and animals. I use the dried turmeric and 100% pure aloe, make a past with about equal parts, and slather on the wound. It heals within days.

It's cold now! All of a sudden, it feels like fall. A rather wet fall, but fall. I was freezing at market today. It was so dark and cloudy but never rained. I was so glad to get back home.

Rosemary-Mint soap.

I cut the soap today. I really had a hard time getting each slice to 4 oz. Hard for me to gauge. So I have some samples now. I really like this soap. Smells amazing and I love the color.

So I am really wanting to make some HP soap now.I found a crock pot at the thrift the other day. And I just love the rustic look and the HP soap. I may even be able to make goat milk soap this way. I just need to research the process and watch you tube videos. It'll have to wait til Thursday now. Tomorrow's market day.

There is something HUGE under my kitchen sink, rattling the bottles I store under the sink. And trying to get out! I saw some really big rodent poop.Way bigger than tiny mouse poop. More like a big gigantic rat or maybe even a possum. Huge poop. So awhile ago, when I heard it again, I got Bubba and Stella in there. Bubba just about disappeared in the cabinet trying to find what ever's in there. It was even rattling the doors. Big evil creature, in my kitchen, just a few feet away from me. I do not like this at all.

More storms. And soap. A good combo, right?

There were more storms all around last night here. Several mountain roads closed due to mud slides. A lady in Walker Co. where we live, was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home. So sad. And scary. And more heading our way. It's been like this for weeks now. Storms at night. Late. Huge loud thunder and bright lightening. It's so wet here. Just a mud pit. Wonder if it's going to be like this the rest of fall and winter.

I worked in the studio most of the day. Made a new soap with shea butter, cast, coconut and mostly olive oil. With rosemary and peppermint EO's. I also used dried powdered parsley flakes for color. It's still a bit soft so will wait some more to cut it. And I have no idea how to cut this one. This is the mold, which is a glass loaf pan, that I made the lavender-oat soap but wasn't this tall.  This is taller than the mold. They will be thinner bars but 4 oz. each. It really smells good.

Also worked on more dryer balls. And made a few more smaller orange felted pumpkins. And have been working on a goat for a week now. Goats are really hard. This one's a Nubian. Got her all done, with an udder, but every time I look at her, I have to work on her some more. IF I get her to where I like her, she's going to be $50 at least. Lots of hours so far. So I may just stick with cute fluffy sheep.

The soap in front is some I made with goldenrod tea. Had to take a pic for a soap forum because someone was thinking of doing this. I used a bar last night in the shower and really like the lather. It's a bit more squeaky than the other soaps. Don't know if it's the goldenrod or not. But I liked it. Not much scent though. Just a nice clean bar.

I might be going out today with my mom, if it's not pouring rain and windy. I need more oils for more soap! I need to make more charcoal soap. I have 2 bars left. So far, the best seller.

I could not get the husband to go anywhere yesterday. He seems fine now. Blood sugar is great. Been feeding him good healthy foods. We had the oldest and youngest grand daughters most of the weekend, so that keeps him happy. I hear him telling someone on the phone he may go see if his PC doc can see him this week. He's been going to her every other week so far til last week. She said she's see him in April if nothing happens. I guess it'll be sooner.Will let y'all know. And thanks SO much for all the prayers and good thoughts for him. He needs them for sure!

Some flowers...

   for your Monday. Hope you enjoy!

Pretty scary last night.

Last night, while putting sheets and blankets on the couch for the youngest grand daughter who was staying the night, my husband said he wasn't feeling right. He had the Nascar race on TV and had been sleeping a little. I asked what he felt like. He had a hard time saying anything. Then he said he couldn't remember anything. Like all of us. He couldn't remember who his kids were. Or the grand kids. Or me. I was getting scared. I usually laugh when someone gets hurt or falls or anything like that. It's the way I handle it. I don't mean to at all. It's just what comes out. But not then. I was starting to get really scared seeing my husband like this and was crying. He was trying to say something and would look down and had tears in his eyes too. Then he'd try again. This went on for at least 15 minutes. Both kids came in the living room. I was getting dressed to take him to the ER. He was remembering a lot by then. He went to the dining room and took his blood sugar reading. It was 200. This happened about 9:35. About 9:50 we took his blood pressure. It was 198/100. Took it again a few minutes later and it was down a little. Then back to normal for him about 10 minutes later. I had given him 2 low dose Bayer aspirin too, before taking BP. I called his sister and she told me to do that. Anyway, he refused to go to the ER. He seemed fine after all this.

 It must have been a TIA. Transient Ischemic Attack. I looked up the symptoms of a stroke and got a whole page on TIA's. He had all the ones listed. Numbness, confusion, trouble seeing. He had all these. It also said that 15% of people who have TIA's will have a stroke within 2 days. 45% will have a stroke in a few weeks after.

I was with Mrs. T not long ago when she did this, but so much worse. She couldn't get any words to come out right.  It doesn't last long. Maybe 10-20 minutes. But in that time, it's the scariest thing ever to witness. I just absolutely panic and freak out. I cannot handle it. I am worried to death now. Like any minute, he's going to have a major stroke and I'll lose him. I hate this. I'm afraid to leave him alone now. Or let him drive. My mom called him and talked him into calling his doctor tomorrow. But it's a holiday.

And it's done nothing but  RAIN for days now. And more rain to come this week. Yay?

My "ewe"nique flock...

is ready for their trip to market in the morning. I had fun making these guys. I love how each one is so different from the next. The blue one is my favorite. But then they all are. I love sheep! I'm working on a Nubian goat. It's really hard.

Have a great weekend!

Slow down and have a seat.

Fallen leaves...

there's starting to be a lot of them, all over now. And with all the storms we're having, that just makes them fall faster. We have several maple trees in the yard and down the driveway.  Most are Silver maples. But in the corner of the yard is a beautiful red maple. I also planted a Sugar maple a few years ago in the front yard. It's not doing as well as some of the other maple trees I've planted. I hope it will take off soon. They are so pretty.

 Yesterday, on the way home from the farmer's market, I just had to pull over and stop. In front of me were the most beautiful clouds I had ever seen. They were huge and probably a few miles ahead. I was facing South. There was a big white cloud surrounded by light gray clouds and a long narrow shelf of cloud underneath. I wish I had my camera so I could have taken pictures of this. So the outer clouds had the most beautiful lightening, that would light up the clouds almost pink. It was awesome. I don't usually like storms, but this one had my full attention. Every few minutes, there would be a long streak of lightening shooting straight down. But the colors were amazing. And it was very slow, moving to the east. I probably sat there 30 minutes watching this beautiful cloud show. Just thinking about how awesome God is. And how powerful. But then it started getting dark, and I hate night storms, So I went on home. And it got darker and darker. It had already went through my area. The roads were all wet. When I got home, the sheep and alpacas were out back, in the barn. It must have been pretty fierce for them to have gone in the barn.

I am going to town, to the courthouse today, to see what I need to do to get my little studio opened as a fiber art store. I have no idea. Maybe a small business license? I will find out soon. I hope I will be able to do this here. I am just a little frustrated with the farmer's market right now. I am not making anything extra after fees and gas and time. I will also go around to some little shops and see if they might let me put my soaps and fiber art on display. Or sell them soap. Don't know how that works either. Will find out soon.

Hints of color here and there...

just a little color now. But it's coming!

We've had some pretty intense storms here the last few nights. In Ringgold, to the East of us here, they had an F1 tornado go through and do a lot of damage. No one was hurt. But really scary. Then again early this morning. Not near as bad. I hate these night time storms.

What's it like in your neck of the woods now?

The wood pile in October...

 is really cool. This is oak from the "million dollar" tree at Mrs. T's. She had to have it cut down last year. It took us half the year to get it all cut up and brought here to use. So it's still growing this really pretty fern. And the pretty patterns the fungi (?) makes on some of the logs is amazing.

There is so much art all around us. We just need to look for it. Sometimes it's in the strangest places. But it's out there.

                                                  Look at the lines in this wood. So pretty!

I winder how many fairies and gnomes live here?

Sunday on the farm

Last night it got down to around 39 degrees. It was cold! But we didn't turn the heat on. Or start a fire yet. My husband had that procedure done Friday on his leg veins and the doctor said no heavy lifting for awhile. So no getting in firewood for him yet. I guess if I have to I will. But sure is nice to have someone else do it for me. And it gives him something to do, right? He's doing great so far. His legs are warm, which is a miracle in itself. We are hoping now that he is getting a good blood flow to his foot now, that that nasty ulcer will heal faster. So for now, he is taking it easy. Been watching this boring show all day called Jessie Stone. I am so glad I've been busy all day. But when I come in, all I hear is that boring music and droning voice.

So I have been in my studio, making soap and a few fairies. And taking lots of pictures too. Here are some of the animals of Outback Farm...



Louise, the cow. I think she looks a lot bigger than when she came here a few months ago. And the sheep and alpacas hang out with her now.

These darn chickens. I got 2 eggs today. I found 9 eggs over in my flower garden a few days ago. I'll get 6 or 7 eggs in the nester in the coop most days. But then I have to go on egg hunts to find more. I am sort of getting tired of this. They are laying them some place that I can't find now and I am not liking it. I have only gotten 2 dozen eggs since Thursday. Not good when I need to sell them at the market. Eggs go for $6 a dozen right now. So I think these guys will be in chicken jail for awhile again.

This is Sybil. I've had this cat for about 9 years now. I got her and her brother from a friend. My daughter took the boy a little later. Had them both fixed. I have all my cats and dogs fixed. She's a good cat. She is deaf. I sneak up on her sometimes and it scares her. I don't mean to. I have 5 other cats. All as old or older than she is. And the fig trees have doubled in size since last year. They have little figs on them, but I don't think I'll be getting any.

Here's my alpaca boys. I've had these guys a year now and have probably touched them maybe 5 times? The red one. The white one maybe 2 times. He just does not like me. He tolerates me, but does not like me. I always get the ears back and that silly look when I talk to him. The red one is a little more friendly. But if they see me with the water hose, they come closer to get hosed down. They love getting wet on a hot day.
I like these guys, but they sure are strange animals. Maybe one day, they'll like me. From what I hear, they live a very long time. So maybe, just maybe, we might learn to like each other by then.

I hope you all have had a nice weekend. It's been a beautiful fall weekend here. The trees have just a hint of color now. My mom's eye has more fall color than the trees do right now! It's all kinds of yellow. Her hand is not different colors anymore, except her thumb.  And her knee is a bit better. Except that she mowed her yard Thursday. She said she probably shouldn't have. Ya think. mom? But she's stubborn.

I did make more soap today. I'll post pics this week. Some different soaps for sure.