Spinning wheels

This is my great grandmother's spinning wheel that I inherited. She made everything on this wheel. My uncle inherited it because he wanted to learn how to spin. And he did. He died and my aunt asked all the other nieces and nephews if it would be ok for me to have it. Since I had sheep. They all agreed. So I go the wheel. Please don't look at the dust on it. I have not learned to spin yet. But in the 2nd pictures, you can see that the bobbin is broken. I need to order a few more. It also came with the lazy something that has 3 bobbins on it. One of them still has some wool that my grandmother spun, still on it. This bobbin has some that my uncle spun. It's a very old wheel and I would love to spin on it.

But I think I'd like to get a portable wheel. Like an Ashford? They aren't too expensive, but if I can find a used one, I'll get it.

I would love to hear what you all are spinning on. And why you like that particular one over another wheel. I need something easy, like for a beginner, which I am. I'm having a friend come to shear my 6 Finn sheep in April. I still have 2 bags of wool from last year that I hope are still good. How long does raw wool last?

This is something I really want to learn to do. I'm going to see if there are any classes near me. I want to learn from the sheep to the sweater. Or scarf. Or blanket.

Happy birthday, mom!

This is my mother, Iris. It's her 81st birthday today. She does not look 81 at all. She's so beautiful. I am so proud of her too. Still working. So healthy. People don't believe her when they ask her how many pills she has to take. Just one really small one. She loves to be outside in the yard, planting flowers and shrubs. She just pruned down some rose bushes that were probably 10' tall. But she loves it. She weed eats and push mows the yard. She is amazing. And she's so nice and sweet and has the best spirit. I want to be like her when I grow up! She is the way I want to be. I hope she has 81 more birthdays. I love ya Mom! Happy birthday!

Kelp anyone?

I ordered a 50 pound bag of Nature's Kelp from Thorvin. It says it's a rich source of natural minerals. I got it for the sheep and goats. They can have a 1/2 oz. each feeding. I have never used this before. So am wondering if any of you sheep and goat people use it. And what do you think about it? Have you noticed a difference in your sheep or goat's health?

I also got a goat mineral block, which they LOVE. They almost fought over that thing. It's already half eaten.

I need to have soil tests done here to see what I need to do. Also need to do some spring grasses for all the pastures. I  missed the winter rye planting time. Although I think I can still plant that. I would love to plant a good grass-hay-legume mix. So much that needs to be done. I am so tired of feeding so much hay. I originally bought around 180 square bales in spring and late summer. But started feeding hay in September. Why did I do that? So I ram out about the end of Jan. Got 34 more bales for a barter of half a lamb. Supposed to have gotten 37 but missed a few. Need to go get the 3 bales. Then used all that and got 30 more bales about the middle of Feb. I have 7 left. Good grief, I had no idea I'd use so much. I have a source about 2 miles up the road. I'll get more from them. It's a better quality hay too.

I have 4 less goats now. And am trying to sell the 2 bucks. Won't be keeping any kids. I the 8 ewes, 4 of which had 7 lambs. I'll sell the 4 ewe lambs. I'll be castrating the 3 ram lambs to be butchered in late fall. I also will hopefully have the 4 younger ewes to lamb in late spring-early summer. But right now, I'm thinking all of them are not bred. If not, I'll breed in late June for fall lambs. I'd like to do it this way, so I'll have lamb twice a year.

Right now, I am spending a lot of money on these sheep and goats. I am only making a little selling kids and goats right now. And that money goes right back in this farm. I'll be selling goat milk starting this week. And making cheese. So there will be a little money coming in again. It just seems to have been an expensive winter here. Hopefully, we'll start having that nice early spring weather, so I can get the garden's going. I ordered lots of seeds a few days ago and will get them in a few days. The garden is still too soggy to til yet. I need at least 2 weeks of sun to dry it out.

So please, if you have used kelp or are now, let me know how you like it. Thanks.