tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49088129907357662302024-03-13T08:01:14.118-04:00Rural Suburbian Tales....of a wanna be farmer...Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-15917474137383637332012-09-16T06:28:00.001-04:002012-09-16T06:28:31.185-04:00FrostThere was a slight coating of frost upon the grass this morning. As I took Colby out for his morning constitutional, there was a audible bend underfoot. Not quite the crack or snap of a true frost, a November frost, but it is getting there. It reminds me that there is much to do before the ground freezes solid.<br />
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Soon I will need to find the heater base to the chicken's water dish, and coat the bottom of the coop with the old heat pads and a green tarp. We have thirteen chickens coming into Fall, and while I know it is likely that Winter will leave us down quite a few, I see no need to assist in that process. Although, I do have a few nasty birds for whom I probably won't shed a tear, should I not see them next Spring...<br />
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We need to harvest the rest of the corn and hang them up to dry. Other "friends" have been visiting by moon light, and if I don't quicken my step and get that process underway, I might need to bit that food supply adieu.<br />
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Additional raised beds will need to be set to rest for the Winter sleep. Old summer planting, past their prime, will be pulled up and laid upon the beds, only to be tucked in with a layer of soil and chicken manure. Spring will bring us a richer soil, having invited the earthworms to come and parttake in the remainder of that harvest.<br />
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It was a long Summer, and so I welcome this process, this coming of Fall, with a hope of renewal. I am ready for the break that it will bring, come October and November, before the heavy snows of Winter arrive. Of course, I will curse these words come January, when I have decided that Winter has already overstayed its welcome and I am itching to dig into the soil. But, for now, I am glad.<br />
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Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-25358338924760872662012-09-15T19:19:00.003-04:002012-09-15T19:19:31.430-04:00Greetings of Fall....Today, Fall felt like it arrived.<br />
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At mid morning, we picked a pumpkin. By mid-afternoon, it was cooked and settled within a pie. <br />
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Dinner was a stew of pickings from the garden, with some ground turkey and spices added. Thick and hearty to match the season.<br />
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Rows of the garden were finished and tucked away for the winter months. Rain hovered overhead, threatening to come upon us, but thankfully never breaking through. Spring will find us ready next year, raised beds in hand.<br />
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The evening ended with a romp over and above those beds by my own pup, fast as the wind with a huge grin upon his face. <br />
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Such a blessed good day.Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-73436911965456088362012-08-25T08:02:00.003-04:002012-08-25T08:02:31.990-04:00Saturdays...It is nearly 8am and the kids have just risen. Sleeping in, I say... ;)<br />
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Colby and I have been up since 5:30. I have run my two miles, and he has had his walk. We have cleaned the chicken coop (more I than him...) and cared for the guinea pigs. We have walked the garden and harvested the potatoes.<br />
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I am now deep within my next cup of coffee.<br />
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It has been a good morning.<br />
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We are now off for a round of harvesting and baking. I have crust to make for a lunch time quiche, to be accompanied by home fries from this morning's harvest. Tomatoes need to be picked and bought in for the makings of sauce, and green beans will need to be prepped for a round of canning dilly beans.<br />
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It will be a busy day.Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-64551526059157314752012-08-14T05:22:00.002-04:002012-08-14T05:22:47.325-04:00Mornings...It is 5:13 am, and I have been up since 3:50am. The alarm went off like a starting pistol, and we were off. <br />
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By 4:15am, I was hard at work in the kitchen. The giant garden of the summer, which kept me so very busy weeding and planting, is now keeping me tied to the kitchen. Cherry tomatoes are slow roasting in the oven, complete with olive oil and spices. Water is readying to boil to blanch the green beans. And once that is done, as soon as light hits the sky, we are back out to the garden to see what else can be harvested in the early morning hours.<br />
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There is no sleeping in during harvest days.<br />
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I know that I have scarcely a post to my name these days. The summer has run away, and taken me with it, caught up in its warm rays and growing days. But, I will be back soon with updates and pictures - so much has happened. The baby chicks are now nearly full grown, and (I think) even saw fit to lay an egg. We adopted a puppy, who is my new gardening (digging!) companion.<br />
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There is so much to write, and so little time. So, until I can get back again...Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-15303245547203687722012-06-28T09:24:00.001-04:002012-06-28T09:24:06.512-04:00Thursdays....So, I have been MIA for four weeks now. No posts, no writing, nothing. I know. <br />
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It has been a crazy four weeks. I am glad they are over. I tried to write about them last night for a post, but it was just too much to say, and too small a period to say it in. So, we will just say it has been crazy, and move forward.<br />
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'K?<br />
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Good.<br />
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So, anyways. It is Thursday. During the summer, this is my extra day off. So, given that it is a day off, it only seems natural to rise at 4:15am, pack the husband and send him off to work, do a 2 mile run, and then weed the insanely large garden for ages....and then tend to the wee ones when they rise...right? Right?<br />
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No, I didn't think so either. But, hey - at least I squeezed a shower in there, too.<br />
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So, let's see what the rest of the day bring, shall we?Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-83413335996704313852012-05-22T07:50:00.001-04:002012-05-22T07:50:44.530-04:00A late start....We are off to a purposeful late start to the morning.<br />
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Well, not totally purposeful. We did not mean to forget to set the alarm clock, which should have awakened us at 4:30am instead of 5, but the husband was still out the door on time and I still got my run in without child related interruptions. Which is a good thing, as this mom does not begin to wake until the first mile is behind her.<br />
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We have decided that the kids will not be attending their school-sponsored all-day field trip today, so there is no early to rise incentive today. My son awoke around 6:30, and my daughter just graced us with her presense about 20 minutes ago. She swears that she was up all night - didn't get a wink of sleep....but the lady who checks on her each night knows better ;)<br />
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The extra sleep agrees with them. Voices are lower, there are secret giggles...they are getting along. Gone is the rush, rush, rush, of the weekday morning. We will stay, right here, until about 9:15, and then will pack a bag and load van. Once in town, they will hop in the truck with my husband and head for a (relatively) nearby ice cream factory for a daddy-sponsored field trip.<br />
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It will be delicious, I am sure.<br />
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I will stay in town to work in the office, enjoying the peace that the post-tax-season environment brings. Work is still plentiful, but not back breaking. Enjoyable in many way, I venture to say. And a very good chance of pace from the weekend gardening marathons....<br />
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My hands are just beginning to heal from last weekend. My sunburn? Well that is another thing. Damn sunblock - it just can't keep up. And the garden is only about a quarter of the way in.... Memorial Day weekend will provide many, many hours to hopefully plant the rest.<br />
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Hopefully.<br />
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But, until the busy-ness sets in again, I will rest and enjoy. Soak in this peace and have another cup of coffee.<br />
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And enjoy.<br />
<br />Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-56102686487786654662012-05-18T20:59:00.002-04:002012-05-18T20:59:53.998-04:00Stubborn baby chicks....The baby chickens refused to get in the coop tonight.<br />
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Simply refused.<br />
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I don't know that reason - maybe a rude feathered lady. Something. But I tried to tuck them in at 8:30, and then at 8:45, to no avail. So, then, when I just heard some peeping outside the door to the chicken yard, I opened it slowly and pounced. Scooped all three up and tossed them right into the coop.<br />
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Well, not tossed, exactly. But, it probably wasn't so comfortable.<br />
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But now, they are safe. Annoyed, but safe. No skunk snack here. Done.<br />
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And the night is nearly done. The kids are watching a movie upstairs, the husband is watching Swamp People or the like downstairs. And I am here. Done. Or at least waiting to be done. And asleep.<br />
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Tomorrow promises to be a busy day. I will arise with the sun to get an early morning run in, and then head for the garden. More seeds to go in, more ground to till. Then T-Ball plant sales, team picture days, and general kid-related running about. I will need all of the sleep that tonight will bring. It will be a long day...<br />
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<br />Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-17822786400351693822012-05-13T06:33:00.001-04:002012-05-13T06:33:15.263-04:00Busy....It has been challenging remembering to get online. The days been taken over by so many things. By the time I have completed by to-do list for a given day, a new one has begun.<br />
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We finally got some new chicks to add to the flock. I purchased 3 pullets from a breeder in a nearby town. That trip alone was eye opening. I drove to a part of a familiar town that I was completely unfamiliar with - I didn't even know section an area existed, but there, on the side of a mountain was the most beautiful sheep farm. The green rolled on for acres, sheep dotted the field in the way you read about in story books, and their hen house was an actual little house. So beautiful - I think I fell oh-so-slightly in love.<br />
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The garden has been moving forward, more and more raised beds being created each weekend. I am worried about keeping up with it all once we have passed planting and moved on to the weeding strange, but, well, you don't know until you try. And try we will.... Dandelions are already popping up with a vengence.<br />
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The plants that had been growing full force in our dining room have been moved out to the garage to be hardened off. The tomato plants average about 18 inches tall, and I am very excited about them. We have been watching the weather closely, and I think that next weekend may be their weekend.... For planting that is. <br />
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So far, onions & potatoes are the only items that have been actually planted in this years garden. Asparagus is coming up, but that was planted years ago. Garlic went in last Fall, and we are hopeful that will be popping up any day. Time will tell. We are getting very tired of purchasing our produce from outside sources. It will lovely to begin our grocery shopping in the back yard once again.<br />
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I am continuing to run, training for a 5K that may or may not happen. That isn't really the point anymore. I am finding that in running, the thoughts racing through my head each and everyone straighten themselves out and make sense. So, it is 2 miles every morning and 2 or 3 miles nearly every evening. It is a good thing. <br />
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It is Mother's Day today...but it really doesn't effect our household. A few well wishes and token gifts - it is hard to get your heart around a holiday that really doesn't exist outside of Hallmark. So, the day will filled with some cooking and cleaning, along with a visit from some friends. I may dig through my seeds packets and see if any should go in today - seeing as how the skys are providing us with a nice light rain and some warm-ish temps.<br />
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But, for how, I think that it is breakfast time.<br />Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-15867880513997815182012-05-01T18:54:00.001-04:002012-05-02T09:13:00.037-04:00Coming back....<br />
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So, we are joining in with the <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Yarning Along with Ginny</a> and <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's Amis' Work in Progress</a> and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador Crochet</a> for the first time in ages...and I am happy to be coming back.</div>
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At the moment, I am working with some natural tone wool yarn for use in making a cardigan. I am hoping to make it similar to the one the I made my daughter in the winter...one which is still in her closet, folded and waiting for use.</div>
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This is a project that I am only using to hold time as I await the real prize. The prize which is beautifully dyed wool from sheep at a farm that my friend manages with her family. Never before have I been about to have any connection to the fiber I use, and this, I am cherishing. <br />
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As I have blogged in the past, my friend is Katie from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Bay-Farm/143912262150" target="_blank">West Bay Farm</a> in Maine. I would encourage anyone looking to support a small business to give her wool a try. They don't have a fully working website for yarn sales, but if you visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Bay-Farm/143912262150" target="_blank">FaceBook website</a> and send her a message, she would love to chat. She does some dyeing ahead of time, but enjoys custom orders. At the moment, I am eagerly awaiting an order of two skeins of a green and purple color blend which will be crocheted into a lacy shawl. In the picture above in a scarf done in her aqua and purple color blend. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafu2OVy_i5pc65KHbhRJLuTsjWNX5Jyz-hOAcN2sLvceoHhtWPh5ETYeCfomhoESlHMQwoGRRlcP0HHWuw27TLp_jDJAJqVO6krW9oetgGxcomFxQGx3iJUSRLj6U0-4l9162_DntP6g/s1600/scarf+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafu2OVy_i5pc65KHbhRJLuTsjWNX5Jyz-hOAcN2sLvceoHhtWPh5ETYeCfomhoESlHMQwoGRRlcP0HHWuw27TLp_jDJAJqVO6krW9oetgGxcomFxQGx3iJUSRLj6U0-4l9162_DntP6g/s200/scarf+close+up.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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As for the literary side of this blog...well, I am at a bit of a stand still. I am back to the stage of re-reading old favorites...currently being, well....the Twilight series. Yes, I know. Crazy. I just haven't found any thing else that I feel like losing myself in at the moment. I would, however, love some suggestions. What are you reading? Any good story lines out there?<br />
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So that is all on this end. I look forward to doing some blog hopping now and seeing what everyone else in doing. Want to join me? Head on over to the <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Yarn Along with Ginny</a>, <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's Amis' Work in Progress,</a> and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador Crochet</a>.</div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-50070871545870596792012-04-28T18:06:00.001-04:002012-04-28T18:06:09.297-04:00Asparagus!!!!<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH4Hr3XGfU0voAExAXYFJuWU1sUy8rFMYXukdRzSJhpdMV-Udd-U3X5P1i0i4394IJzJDMzK9p42VgoB-7bxSpufwy6outTi08gC7gqsp9kgXjffWksikGmkNxdU3ftB18L9T9HsytU8/' /></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-4159250438694301202012-04-28T07:58:00.000-04:002012-04-28T08:06:03.366-04:00A crafty indulgence....<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 12pt 0pt; text-align: center;">
OK – so while my technical issues have taken a brief break, and it appears that I can actually "blog", I thought that I would continue with an update.</div>
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So, as you know, tax season is over, and, well, I thought gardening season was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean…the tomatoes are ready!</div>
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We had many days in the garden, tilling up the dirt and readying the beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am just itching with the need to plant my seedlings and get some potatoes in the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we had temps in the 80’s in March.</div>
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It is time, isn’t it?</div>
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But this weekend, we had a surprise.</div>
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Snow!</div>
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Yes, snow. Horrid, isn't it? I do not love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The green grass is now crunching underfoot with a fresh coating of frost, and the feathered ladies are staging a sit-in within the coop.</div>
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So, I have plenty of time to spend indoors. Time for cleaning, organizing, ironging…..oh how the list goes on and on…</div>
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But, all is not lost, as I have also been a very spoiled girl. </div>
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Why, you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the craft is back!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And yes, I realize that I rhymed that, and therefore sound a bit like a tool…so goes…)</div>
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I have a friend, Katie, who runs <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/West-Bay-Farm/143912262150"><span style="color: blue;">West Bay Farm</span></a> in Maine with her husband and their children. Katie is a friend from back in the old college days when we were both accounting students learning about deferred tax assets, and business consolidation journal entries….you get the picture.</div>
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It very long time ago.</div>
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(I would insert a picture to demonstrate just how long ago it was…but honestly, who needs that? ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>)</div>
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But, anyways, on the farm, they have lots of different livestock, but sheep are the highlight of this story. Cause, as you know, sheep are a fiber animal, and fiber is wool, and wool is yarn... and well, that is one of my most favorite items in the whole wide world.</div>
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'Cause yarn means crochet, which means that Lee Ann is very, very happy :).<br />
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<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="240px" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/535440_3961322438128_1432332507_3708912_2013339089_n.jpg" width="320px" /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 103.5pt; width: 138pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/535440_3961322438128_1432332507_3708912_2013339089_n.jpg" src="file:///C:/Users/STARTF~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></div>
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Katie hand dyes the wool herself, and she even takes custom orders for weight and color….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I have indulged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am spoiled.</div>
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I am in heaven.</div>
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Truely, truely in heaven.</div>
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You should check it out - seriously. It is very, very awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for wool, it is incredibly soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So soft that my daughter already claimed the pink purse I made from their two-ply wool yarn for her very own…to be home to some Littlest Pet Shop friends…<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 207.75pt; width: 156pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/563236_3969341478599_1432332507_3711548_677501463_n.jpg" src="file:///C:/Users/STARTF~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image005.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></div>
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I am thinking about stealing it back, but that would be very un-mommy-like, and we can’t have that…</div>
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Their website for yarn sales isn't up and running quite yet, but you can visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/West-Bay-Farm/143912262150"><span style="color: blue;">West Bay Farm</span></a> Face Book page, and send her a message for details….</div>
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And don’t forget to tell her I said “Hey” ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that I had this thought…for some yarn…well, you get the idea ;)</div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-73918582559718757642012-04-27T18:14:00.002-04:002012-04-27T18:14:47.287-04:00Hurray....?I have been having technical difficulties.<br />
<br />
Days before the end of tax season, my netbook just gave up and died. <br />
<br />
My phone, normally quite smart, have been proving that it truely is a baby Droid...<br />
<br />
And then, our old laptop, which I thought was OK, proved that it is truely old. So old that it runs on a browser that it no longer supported by Blogger, and once I tried to update the browse, the whole thing freaked out and refused to budge.<br />
<br />
I wondered when, oh when...I would be back...<br />
<br />
But today, I logged in to Blogger, and found that I could type this post.<br />
<br />
Of course, it states "Some parts of Blogger will not work and you may experience problems".<br />
<br />
But...hurray..?<br />
<br />
Yes, let's call it hurray. Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-3504711784396929492012-04-19T19:46:00.000-04:002012-04-19T19:46:07.093-04:00Moving forward....Today marks the third day that I have spent a good part of the afternoon in the soon-to-be garden turning over soil. This is hard work! And my body, having spent the better part of the last three months parked in front of a computer, is exhausted. I keep thinking that if I just keep moving forward, it will start to come together.<br />
<br />
I am still working towards that.<br />
<br />
Yawn.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, we have a solid month before anything actually gets planted in the garden. Plenty of time to get my act together. We will get there. In the meantime, I enjoy browsing all of the seed packets I collected over the past months. Three types of pumpkins...hordes of onions...more tomatoes that I will know what to do with.<br />
<br />
The stuff dreams are made of.<br />
<br />
But, for now, we are just maintaining the status quo.<br />
<br />
We are now down to 11 chickens. It is such a small number for us. I keep counting and recounting them at night, thinking that someone must be missing. But no - there are just that few. Once a day or so, I think about adopting a few more, and then promptly change my mind as soon I as I go outside at dawn to find that yet another skunk found their way into the chicken yard. The ladies are yet unharmed, but those skunks make a horrid mess.<br />
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I am not a big fan of cleaning those messes.<br />
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I don't even like to do the laundry....<br />
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The husband has big plans for the homestead, of which I am only just learning about. That's the thing about tax season. You get to put huge blinders on and focus on the task as hand. And the husband move forward to price out wood stoves, plans to hire a friend to build a wood shed, and looks into buying a camper for use on our property across town.<br />
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Should make for an interesting summer...Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-60138070456614515222012-04-18T18:57:00.000-04:002012-04-18T18:57:52.593-04:00Done.It is done.<br />
<br />
Tax season is done.<br />
<br />
Sounds surreal, doesn't it?<br />
<br />
Done.<br />
<br />
I realize that it has been weeks and weeks since I have posted here. And once my brain has returned, I am sure that I will be back and posting up a storm...<br />
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But now? No, 'fraid not. I am on empty. Truely and completely empty. Not a single fun and creative thought up in my little head. My head even feels empty.<br />
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Today, I met up with some of the ladies from work, and we enjoyed some rest and relaxation at a local spa. And I attended my much cherished chiropractic appointment, where the good doctor straightened me back into a straight line. <br />
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I am now good and sleepy. Before 7pm.<br />
<br />
So, for blogging...I got noth'in.<br />
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But, on a plus side, I did vaccuum my house for the first time in weeks today ( I know, nasty...you don't need to tell me). And yesterday, I cleaned some bathrooms. <br />
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Good times.<br />
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So, I will be back soon. And it will be lively and inspired. Really. Promise.<br />
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Is it bed time, yet?Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-32646545763937195942012-04-03T05:29:00.000-04:002012-04-03T05:29:53.788-04:00Mind blowingly busy...To say that the world is busy on this end would be an understatement. We are in the dead heat of tax season - the point where it is all hands on deck, your main exercise comes from from run/walking from one end of the office to the other, and the time that I really wish I had those sneakers that have the wheels on the bottoms. 'Course, at that point, I would simply run into the doorways of co-workers...but you get the idea.<br />
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I no longer dream regular dreams. I dream of spreadsheet allocations, tying out trial balances, and tracking foreign investment income. It is an odd sense of comfort, as lately, in my dreams, my work has been perfect. I appreciate the lack of a panic-y cold sweat. And, as my dreams are just a continuation of my days, it is not hard to get back in the groove each morning. I never left it.<br />
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I got up early today get some work in, and now it is time to start moving on some home items. Chickens, cats, dishwasher. The day to day affairs. But rest assured, the end is in sight. Soon, the summer days of gardening and romping outside will be here.<br />
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Just a few more weeks....and I will be back :)Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-33469009096369084542012-03-18T07:23:00.002-04:002012-03-18T08:41:53.848-04:00Here come the peas!<div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTODQaJMH6Ykzng_Pn7Qe_VLRJVHd3l1ZTqUiIOtkqDObiRHi5Jmfma9ui1cqAAy1PEy_tebmyBFwz5PHtvKRPhamHJzEgB75ZmA2iZudjF7schWmvn-62b3T_fBU-cKQ1p-wKgap1vOI/" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After a week of dancing with the IRS, Sunday mornings are for the homestead. There is much to do, and a span of hours to get it all done.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">During the week, my husband cares for the kids, animals, and house, so indoors, it is only the once weekly necessities that draw us in. Bathrooms, ironing, vaccuuming - all tackled before 7 am.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Glad to have that behide me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once the kids, and the sun, was up, it was onwards and outdoors. Cleaning chicken coops, hauling wagons full of composted hay to the garden, continuing the annual spring extravanga of raking gravel off of the front yard. Oh, yeah. That's the fun stuff.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And lets not forget about those guinea pigs - who need their giant condo of an adobe cleaned out every Sunday... Not the fun stuff. But, they are soft, and randomly cute as they beg for carrots <u>everything</u> <u>single</u> <u>time</u> I walk by them on the way to the fridge....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wonder if that means I am walking by the fridge too often....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today was also the day to rack the 4 half gallon containers of soon-to-be hard cider.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or, at least, I hope they will be hard cider....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Really</strong> hope.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The seedlings started last weekend are popping up - broccoli, kale, onions. Tomatoes, however...well, I don't know. Hidden, they are. But hidden, I hope they do not stay. This is the first summer that our garden's bounty will be feeding more than our own family. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Those tomatoes have a job to do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And now it is 8am. And I will probably continue the morning by begging my kids to get dressed, and heading back outside again. High temps are in our future, and I was to get my share before it is back to the office this afternoon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Cause, that's just how we roll ;)</div></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-16371658493935144172012-03-14T22:36:00.000-04:002012-03-14T22:36:00.271-04:00Wednesday again?Holy goodness, it is Wednesday already. Shocking, I know. Or, maybe you already realized it...<br />
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Tax season is here with its gleeful array of documents and forms, so postings here lately are sparse... So goes the days. <br />
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But these are days made ever sweeter by the knowledge that every hour worked now is an additional hour home in the summer, with family, chickens, and wild expanse of garden. I may be tired, but I am also very blessed and happy.<br />
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It is a good life.<br />
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And now, it is to bed I go. Sleep well, friends :)Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-77680190450961969242012-03-11T11:02:00.001-04:002012-03-11T11:02:08.017-04:00It's official - gardening has begun!!<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGX2gF8DrxSeqa3qnnJwDtTDhPDaTYxetAotZ-j2FPI7MkCELkD6twuidg_wq5J6n-MVXRe4fijezYp5A0Ro2OgUhux09-V76EwtHdBaNLWkVvA1HhVlIjKJ_hcz5MMZLc51duHa-0d8/' /></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-73230652854026794082012-03-07T05:28:00.002-05:002012-03-07T05:39:45.386-05:00Yarning along, with a throw back in time...<div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pF4Pbf31a7T1bz09PYGOS8Cvu4DIJp0fBszazzIxJOA7eceg4fzlzDOq2ax-RccDRbcqhyyO6daEmvHtY0f1cF4UXNS1SwzatflnLIx3xz4_OQgKXbslyIomteSA3yhnMQ5_4mb5XG8/" /></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Hi everyone. It is that time again - we are <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Yarning Along with Ginny</a> and joining in with <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's Amis' Work in Progress</a> and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador Crochet</a> !</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As you can see from the picture, my scarf is growing. It is being done in a spider web lace pattern, and the fiber is a Lions Brand wool. <br />
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The new addition to the line up is a gift for a little one. The fiber, Paton's Silk Bamboo blend is delightful - so incredibly soft. The pattern is a bit of a granny stitch, reminiscent of by son's blanket, and is growing fast.<br />
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For reading, I have been going back to some old favorites. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Love, love, love it!<br />
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Did I say love?<br />
<br />
Favorite scene? In Voyager, when Claire travels back in time to Jamie, entering his printshop, only to have him faint in shock from the sight of her.<br />
<br />
Ah, love...<br />
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Jamie and Claire can make anything better.<br />
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Have you read this series? What is your favorite scene?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Head on over to <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Ginny's</a>, <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a>, and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador's Crochet</a> other interesting ventures of fiber fun. </div></div></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-37387919116131327602012-03-06T08:53:00.001-05:002012-03-06T08:58:02.581-05:00A week gone by...Well, the week got away from me. I meant to post before now, I REALLY did! But, I did not. A blink, a wish, I don't know. The week as gone by....<br />
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March is here. The start of spring, or so I thought. However, temps in the 40's have given way to the single digits, and our poor chickens are back to shivering in their coop. I, however, think that I am adjusting to the temps - a thought made obvious by the fact that I continue, dispite efforts to the contrary, to leave my coat in the car. Oh well. <br />
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Last weekend, I racked my second batch of hard cider, and I wonder if it might be ready by the end of tax season. I hope so - it would add to the celebration. A celebration that is a bit odd, I am realizing. See, my children have begun referring to the end of tax season as if it was a holiday to rival Christmas. Easter is has gone by the wayside, and my coming birthday does not get a thought. But, the end of tax season? Oh yes - they are excited :) <br />
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This coming weekend, I hope to start some seeds for the garden. Onions, sweet peas, broccoli...delicious delights. I ordered the seeds when grass could be seen in the dead of winter. Now that spring is around the corner, and snow is here, I am not feeling enthused yet. But, action will bring reaction, and the inside spurt of gardening will be a delightful rousing event. <br />
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Can you tell I am looking forward to the warmer days?Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-80811538449755536792012-02-28T08:30:00.002-05:002012-02-28T08:46:25.417-05:00Onward to a new project!<strong></strong> <div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tpcHlWwED-kwVQKQclgw5wW87OXMtkBHXzlvOm8o4rBigmQTP77zidim-UvSX8TookCOMM5kYmlsd85FH4jgygHRCqwO2vzsjyblGykUI5kwDmKCwCxfxi64XBDxfPdZ_wvOyAZMJ2Q/" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Hi everyone. It is that time again - we are <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Yarning Along with Ginny</a> and joining in with <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's Amis' Work in Progress</a> and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador Crochet</a> !</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am happy to report that I finished my daughter's sweater over the weekend - Hurrah!! Such a relief. I am really happy with how it turned out, and am thinking that another (maybe in a bigger size....) may be in my future. <br />
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AND....drum roll please....she EVEN wore it! Well, for about 5 minutes, but in my book, that totally counts!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next up is a scarf for myself - selfish, I know ;) *giggles*. <br />
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I am using the spider web lace pattern that I used for a holiday gift back in December. Something nice and easy. And a tad bit relaxing :)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpFG4cP0JBQWo78aTTBT36l4C8RZPlDqzuZoHS57AzHfjO4u0GJln6eLDFnWTn_cUuA2_NUyLlnbN9RUqjlrbQz_hPv65fkTuMtZVBaHZajJaroqMTCsUmK0LKZ6prGK68tWLWNqwILY/" /><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Head on over to <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Ginny's</a>, <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a>, and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador's Crochet</a> other interesting ventures of fiber fun. </div></div><div align="center"></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-91646807082556751462012-02-27T17:26:00.002-05:002012-02-28T08:48:13.827-05:00Winter in Vermont...a little late...<div style="text-align: center;">And here I thought Spring was right around the corner... ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hwf1K7BXxvpgDh-wU-x5B8GSgdGSx2oPQdHfgu69se6PLH6h8fM6tgT_lFaLkOoOZvqhgqYdrS7uwNTEdvNzRWzvop6wSAPTibohBMLCXTrLUufC6yazlIx0zymOWtNCgzkSnCqJAtE/" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGjcOt76DuZQaFkUPmVbWRf_V_Z_RrDFYW-vvcknQGb-ZIy32fJA3tHmgWTAJYiu_nA4I2lZbGtG6mmqt0ACmmjQK3HaI2gMDAVNblSFIUgssaaCV7ZGNT0pPDUhPuA8B0sDerjUCJGw/" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VmgY5js5utDXeAoNYZyrgN850AayzXBKK4cLcnEqC4rMx3KtTpt3pZ6nXnUv6IgWbaZ65ETwUCFIqOQGb2pL3kontet0eobbG2adeOyfzJBg2AcxkEqORz1PFpPzFybXY9RUcbKfcHg/" /></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-70809391408085345762012-02-25T19:17:00.000-05:002012-02-25T19:17:39.808-05:00Fiber, seeds, and trees...<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="img" height="225px" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s320x320/406474_3517679947343_1432332507_3498301_1978157595_n.jpg" width="300px" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a good day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I finished my daughter's sweater, which was a huge relief. She has been asking for it daily since I began work on it 3 weeks ago. Foolishly, I did not use a pattern, so the process entailed many, many bouts of trying on the interim project. Next time, though, I will have more of a clue and will know where to start.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I wonder what to do next....socks, anyone?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first order to seeds arrived today. March is typically my seed starting month, so soon I will be spouting greens and turning my dining room into a Chia pet... I ordered 100 Jiffy pellets for seedlings, but I am now realizing that my starting order should have been closer to 200... I will use 100 on onion sets alone. Oh well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The logging has begun on our property across town. Since the land is part of the Vermont Land Use program, there are certain things that need to be done to increase the health of the land and habitat for natural residents. This year, that is includes a large amount of logging.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We drove by the property today and saw the progress. The stacks of cut wood was shocking. I wish I had my wits about me enough to have taken a picture. Huge trees that used to tower above us...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After seeing the sight, my six year old son immediately cast in to a lecture about how awful we were for having cut down those trees. It hard to understand how such an act can be good for the land. But, we know that it is...and dream of a green and lush wildlife preserve of sorts that may occur once the sun is allowed to shine down on more of the ground cover.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It will be a beautiful sight. </div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-13534225643223770502012-02-22T07:15:00.002-05:002012-02-22T09:02:24.135-05:00Coming along...<div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmfBPLtzDaiqY6wawLlIaN4y9lpWcwenjYqIzJR-Xl1YrgK4JftDb0ShtSWYLqN3TSejyuuueIOuZ5_Aae7M4Trdq6veYgLwmekHapajEqZqAKoOVLRQm98RD1HafL_sfnE7Esou-bOA/" /></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Good morning everyone! It is Wednesday, and we are <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Yarning Along with Ginny</a> and joining in with <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's Amis' Work in Progress</a> and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador Crochet</a> today!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv5bSkcf95llS6FHF9iCvkSla0TzI0jIX5aUHi_99gfuR_vi5fCl4QS61I9SZShcp4Dnb0LwVdVaYpTUEyuo84f8hTxmKIN-R5L0AD-6nFwlbnIQhh64POgVw5SmA7rsP7arSMzfZdEY/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv5bSkcf95llS6FHF9iCvkSla0TzI0jIX5aUHi_99gfuR_vi5fCl4QS61I9SZShcp4Dnb0LwVdVaYpTUEyuo84f8hTxmKIN-R5L0AD-6nFwlbnIQhh64POgVw5SmA7rsP7arSMzfZdEY/" /></a>Just a super quick update. As you can see above, I am working hard to finish my daughter's sweater, which will be a larger version of the sweaters we made for the ladies last week ( picture at left). </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am not following at pattern, which means that I constantly making my daughter try on the sweater over and over again....but we are getting there!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
I am just shocked that she is actually planning to wear the sweater....this, from the girl that I have to BEG to wear a coat during the winter... but that is another story ;)<br />
Cross your fingers for the grand finale this weekend!!<br />
<br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Head on over to <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/">Ginny's</a>, <a href="http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/">Tami's</a>, and <a href="http://ambassadorcrochet.com/">Ambassador's Crochet</a> other interesting ventures of fiber fun. </div></div></div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908812990735766230.post-11340787005770249902012-02-18T11:12:00.002-05:002012-02-18T19:21:42.495-05:00Not your typical Vermont winter...<div style="text-align: center;">Now, I am not complaining - no, not at all - but this is not a typical Vermont winter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenadQ3g7SGzANwtC8rpSILSZwFJFEeW6P8Yw1_FVN3VfXY8AOzJcHox1HAGNO6t_nWI7c4GRrxfzOtQEpAHwyOy2LdEHm5_sChxwVA55XQmNPu0Tka6mOhS8HM4qGRSXOse3zlB1vzx4/" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spike peers out the back screen door and grasps a scent of fresh air. 'Cause it is 38 degrees. Seriously!! This time last year, we were stuck in FEET of snow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxC7mc0kN1XRUl2X1Wjmrc51nH0tcuP3DL2GxpPFihqM6__NSWTXXlLw1H_MxM9RDVHyWw55NZ6UJAVWjyyrMFYdx8XwSygL_VyX4zZJ1F76_va51EK9KjkTc9FEnwjKSoytChMC4zIo/" /></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Sugar is tramping on the strawberry patch. I just hope the warm weather doesn't take that patch out of winter hibernation too early....</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGd7XCmwu9ma0BAbCAaflcBU4YzMPJqiiHhJNudcCu8gzw0z3NZZd9UtFvA1SjkeQEKIGqNyZhzs8gBUgYuDVHzhlAPegP9O4YWOXZyI_6bGLcV2tKqzkqgwLjSvzDW9M4SR5zwQE2wo/" /></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The ladies are enjoying a nice graze in the sun. Not a normal occurence, which makes it all that much more special.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM2pJxns7ErSKmJZUmqbr2ORQK40DLxQKHLmn5DG3EYi57M4YKohacDwL-LwIKcRtvIo-nHUcf9EtbSLTKrPW12D3fA282u1SEbOD5QSHmsldrLJtBDdN3-jF3u94aRZ93IUre5k44B8/" /></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I can now see the ground that we will be planting in a few short months. I placed the first seed order yesterday, and am eagerly awaiting the excitement of starting my seedlings.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Spring is truely right around the corner...</div>Lee Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13923140811502868697noreply@blogger.com0