Quickie Funny

Mirian wants to know, if Barack Obama is elected, will it still be called The White House? Pin It Now!

Mission Accomplished

Wow, this weekend exceeded my expectations in every way! I'm so glad that my friends didn't shoot me after all because the kids were very good and helpful and we had a low-stress and very successful weekend at the Heartland Classic Show in Indianapolis. In fact, this was one of our best shows ever- with 9 animals we took 3 Res. Championships, 5 1sts, and 4 2nds!

Jitterbug didn't let me down, either, taking a blue in her class. It was pretty funny though, every time she'd get stressed she'd lay down and we had to get help to carry her from the show ring.
Maisy finally had her cria on Saturday, a white male sired by Sinbad. This morning we had another cria, a lovely dark brown male from Shiva and Dakotia Decadence. Shiva is one of our best dams, always so quiet, gentle and cooperative with easy births and lots of milk. This one is no exception! I love being with the dams and crias when the dams appear to be "in a zone" where they are awash in maternal hormones and stand calmly for their crias to take their first steps and find milk. It's a privilege to witness new life in this way, and it makes me feel very grateful to live on a farm. I hope you enjoy this small piece of farm life.

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Welcome to my World

First of all, let me reiterate that I am one of the luckiest girls I know! Above is what I woke up to this morning (in addition to my wonderful husband on the pillow next to me- we have an unspoken agreement that there will be no photos taken while in bed), literally right outside my window. I'll try to focus on this soothing image this weekend when I'm at my wit's end taking the land yacht to an alpaca show with 4 young teens, a dog, and nine alpacas.... without my hubby to provide reinforcement.

Last time I did this, I appealed to several friends to just shoot me if I ever suggested it again... they are not coming through. I plan to hand my Hosensizers (ask my sister-in-law, Sandy, what this term of endearment from her German grandmother means- she just found out)alpacas needing training whenever they get surly.... here's one that needs it:

I actually have very high hopes for this girl, Jitterbug, so hopefully I can report on Monday that we survived and came home with lots of ribbons!

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Alpaca Farm Days

This week I've been getting ready for Alpaca Farm Days, including Kentucky Alpaca Farm Day at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill on Saturday from 10-5 and an Open House here at Seldom Scene Farm on Sunday from 12-4.

Saturday's activities at Shaker Village include animals and products for sale and display from about 20 alpaca farms, an Alpaca Fiber Arts Show, demonstrations and free seminars, and Alpaca Games. It's also Apple Harvest Weekend and the weather is supposed to be perfect, so come on out!

Sunday we are having an informal Open House, a great time to tour the farm and see our new crias. Last year, Maisy delivered her cria just as the first guest arrived, and guess what? She's about 4 days overdue right now and just may make a similar presentation this year!

We'll have light refreshments (cookies, apples, and cider) both days. I'm making several batches of the famous Wicked Good Ginger Snaps, a recipe given to me years ago from Carol Cassedy of Whitestone Organic Farm. (My Mom and I always called her Superwoman, as she homeschooled about 5 kids, gardened, quilted, baked, ran a mostly-sustainable farm, gave lectures, etc. and seemingly did it all really well!)

These cookies seem to taste extra good this time of year, and I used Woodford Gold Sorghum that I bought last weekend at the Midway Festival, making them even more tasty. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Wicked Good Ginger Snaps

1 1/2 cups shortening

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup sorghum (I've used molasses as well)

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons ground ginger

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons cloves

Additional sugar and cinnamon

Cream shortening: gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and sorghum. Beat well.

Combine flour, soda, salt and spices in medium mixing bowl, mixing well. Add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls, and roll in additional sugar and cinnamon. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets for 1-2 minutes, remove to wire cooling racks using a spatula and cool completely. Yield: approximately 7 dozen.

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When Work is Fun!

Last week I found myself working and playing a lot in my studio, and at times it was tough to tell which was which. I think that's a good sign that I've somehow found my mojo again... things are so much more in balance in my life, at least for now! I've had some large blocks of quiet, which I've always needed more than the average bear.

A lot of my incentive to work in the studio was for dyeing yarn and fiber and organizing products for the Midway Festival. I also made felted soaps and put together some mini scarf kits. Attendance and sales were quite brisk, and the alpacas were a big hit again!

Being at the Midway Festival made me forget about the elections and all of the turmoil in our economy, if only for a while. There was bluegrass and Irish music, face painting, festival food, homegrown sorghum and honey, and sand sculpting.

My friend Dianne brought sheep and handspun, hand-dyed yarn and we did the booth together which made it more fun.
I've decided to try a more patriotic tactic and slow down on selling imported alpaca items and concentrate more on producing items from our farm's fleece, as people seem to be more "ready" for this and are willing to pay the difference for "homegrown." (I know I am as well). I finally put the finishing touches on a handfelted hat that I started back in July (shown here), and along came the person for whom it appeared to be made... Mary, a previous client at the festival. It was too hot for her to wear it yesterday, but when it cools off I hope she'll enjoy wearing it as much as I loved making it! Pin It Now!