Wednesday, March 07, 2007

200th Post

...and the Grand Finale!! That is the final installment of the events from the weekend!
Here's the loot...keep reading for what's what!


We left Salem at about 8:30 Thursday morning, on a mission! I had a stop to make...Lynn Cosell at Fantasy Farms had saved me something very special! My first fleece purchase...a Merino fleece from Memoire. She was out in the field so I didn't get to see her but...








I did meet little Jerry, who was just 3 weeks old...









Then there was Rosemary...she has the sweetest face. I honestly don't know how Lynn new all their names...and they answered to her when she called them! Considering she has a flock of about 180 sheep! She did say she's running out of names though...


She had her shearing the second week of February and had a few *ladies* unexpectedly give birth...several little ones didn't make it including triplets! She was keeping the weaker-thinner lambs, ewes & rams in the barn until they fattened up...the ones in the field were in no danger of getting cold!
Now...about the fleece, for some a dirty fleece may not appear so exciting but let me tell you this stuff is gold! It has almost a 2 inch staple and at the cut it's milky white! I can't wait to start on it.


Okay...next~~







David of course brought his "fluff" and I couldn't resist...no yarn/fiber diet for me! A couple new colors to show off...




You've already seen my Highlander so follow me clockwise...I bought 2 more bags of Highlander, 3 bags of "Setting Sun" (which is quite amazing to look at) and one bag (2 balls) of Raja.
You saw the soaps & body butter I bought from Robin in yesterdays post.




And last but not least...



Debbie Dull from Green Valley Farm (no website~sorry) in Eggleston (VA) came up on Saturday night and brought some shetland fleece & roving with her...I was so bummed when she announced her shearing day (back in Feb) and I had to work. Of course Catie made it a day trip with her family and I had been kicking myself when I saw the fleece she bought...So~~all night Saturday and again on Sunday I kept eyeballing this fleece...
Meet Eva Braun! (I had to ask if she wore red lipstick and dated a ram with a little mush-do on his upper lip)
One thing you must remember...I'm a lazy spinner, I've always bought the "ready to spin" stuff! No trash~VM~or straw...
I've been needing to do this for years now...and the time has come! I love the feel of the lanolin on my hands...too bad it has to go.

Okay...you've hung around for this, was it worth it? I made my reservations for September prior to leaving...I'll have the same room, with the same view!! Hawks Nest SP is really working on the place, it has needed up grading for some time now, paint some rooms are getting new furniture...each suite room has a refrigerator, coffee maker and a wide screen tv with a dvd player...(but da#n who needs that with the view from the balcony?) Anybody else want to join me in September? Email me for information if you are interested!

Oh~Oh...the new issue of Knitty is up!! Several pairs of socks and I think a few items Miss Maggie will like!
I think I'm going to make my April 1st goal...I only have 27.5 left! I'm going to continue to keep track of my miles, this had really been a real motivator for me!


Well...till next time~~Keep on Knittin', Spinnin' & Walkin'!!

4 comments:

cate said...

I am so glad you had a great time at Hawks Nest!!! Someday, I will go. I love the New River Gorge. It's like God's finger traced a path. Missed you last Thursday, but love you new fiber. Debbie Dull is one of the nicest people I have met. Hope you are well. Talk to you soon, catie

Marianne said...

Holy Moley....(not really sure what that means but hey) What a magnificent haul! Of course you know I love your Highlander, but oh my gosh, that Setting Sun. I will be chomping at the bit to see that spun. What, you didn't try and sneak little Jerry out under your arm? I know, he needs his mama, but what a darling little lambie he is. Sweet.
I am so impressed, you'll be washing and combing/carding...well, all those things with your fleeces.
Wow.
I'm with you, a wide screen tv with dvd player?!?!? with the views you get???!
The new Knitty! I love those knee-socks, they're gorgeous. And the....Queen of Cups socks, very pretty.
Way to go on your walking!

Mary said...

Don't baby lambs, (I know, all lambs are babies), have such cute smiling faces?!

The rovings you bought are gorgeous! And I admire anyone who's willing to tackle not one, but two fleeces. Looking forward to your posting about them! Will you dye the fiber or yarn from the white one?

IndigoMuse said...

Wow! Those fleece will keep you busy for a while. I've been afraid of playing with merino for fear that I'd felt the living daylights out of it when I scoured it. Can't wait to see how yours turns out. Thanks for flashing more of Dave's beauties. He really is quite talented.

Tanya