Freshisle Fibers

Blog Break

I will be taking some time away from blogging for a bit.  Both of my parents are not in good health.  I need and I want to spend my time with them. 

The shop will remain open.  There may be some dyeing and shop updates as time allows.

Thank you for reading - and understanding.

Woolen Mill Fire

We have always been fairly quiet about where we have our wool processed for Freshisle Fibers yarns.  We use different mills for the different yarns and weights we carry.  But, this week we received some sad news about one of the mills where we send our fleece for processing.

There was a fire at Belle Vallee Wools that destroyed everything.  A news report can be found here.

We've been working with the owners of Belle Vallee Wools for years and they are wonderful people.  The mill was an incredible place to see in operation and the super-size loom that they used to make their famous tartan blankets was amazing.  It's hard to believe that's all gone.

My husband was just there two weeks ago with our delivery of fleece for processing.  That's gone, too.  Nothing left.  We have some stock from last year, and it's almost shearing time again so we're okay for a bit.  But, mostly my thoughts are for the Wight family.  Such a terrible loss.

March Break Melt

It's the glorious March Break.  There's lots of sleeping in and being lazy happening in our house.

And, of course, many walks with the Dusty puppy.

All the snow we had a week ago is fast disappearing.  We've since had rain and wind and much milder weather.  It's the muddy paws season!

I've walked past this old piece of farm equipment hundreds of times and yesterday stopped to take a picture.  I've known that the old seats are valuable, but didn't realize how much their value had increased.

There's the Lishman Rocker that's been famous and collectible for quite a while.  Ebay has many old tractor seats that range in value from $300 to $30.  There was even an almost matching sickle here!  My father-in-law has a ton of old farm equipment in a spot on his farm.  Maybe it's time to check them out again!

Mom's Determination

It's been a while since my last blog post but, I have good news.

My mother had a major heart attack last week and for a few days it was touch-and-go whether she would survive.  But she's determined and strong-willed and is still with us.  She came home from the hospital yesterday and even sat up at the table for dinner for a short time!

She's still weak and resting quite a bit, but being home is good.  Everyone feels better in their own home!

My brother, his partner, and my cherished uncle came home and we had lots of support from family and friends.  It was a difficult time but now we're looking forward to better days.  Precious days.

Done

My report cards are done. I'll be back with blog news soon. After a wee rest.

Dusty's Favourite Season

Dusty puppy's favourite time of year has arrived.  Winter.  It's finally here.  We're being covered with snow today.  Light, fluffy endless snow and Dusty is loving every minute of it.  This is his time.  He is a winter dog.

A walk with his friends in the snow is the best.  I really shouldn't say walk.  I walk.  They run.

They do slow down for interesting smells.

I survived my first week back at school and have been curling this weekend.  We lost our game last night so that meant no curling for us today.  A little rest instead.  Between school and curling, the blog and knitting/dyeing are taking a back seat.  It's the usual time management balancing act ahead for me!

For Rob

My day's work is finally done.

Shortbread for baby brother.

Sharing

All of my works-in-progress are still just that - in progress.  Maybe a few more inches here and there on the multitude of projects I've started in the last few weeks, but nothing finished to share.  So instead I'll share the beautiful knitting of my lovely sister-in-law.

These are Nordic Gloves from the Fall 2011 Vogue Knitting.  They were knit with our Freshisle Fibers Double Down - Midnight Black and Ice Blue.  Gorgeous. 

I'm better with mittens.  All those fingers are so fiddly and especially with stranded colour work.  She did a great job.

Our weather is turning colder each day but weekend afternoons are still pleasant and Dusty puppy and his friends still love their afternoon walk.  I don't know if I'm ready for the time change or not.  Brighter mornings will be nice, but I'll miss having that daylight when I get home from school.  The trade off.

The Three Little Kittens - Auction Sale Find

I was at an auction sale yesterday and was the winning bidder on some boxes of books.  Vintage books.  My favourites.

This version of The Three Little Kittens was in one of them.  It's new to me and quite different from the Mother Goose version of Three Little Kittens.  Not quite as warm and cuddly!

Knit, knit, knit, knit!
See old white-capped Pussy sit,
Fairly gray with worry and care,
In her little straight-backed rocking-chair!
 Knit, knit, knit,
 Till she is tired of it!

Why does she work so?  Look and see,
There in the corner, children three!
Plump and furry and full of fun,
(A good -for-nothing is every one.)
 And all those kittens
 Must have mittens!

Weather is cold; and snow and sleet
Make it bad for their little feet;
And they dare not peep outside, because
Jack Frost stands ready to pinch their paws -
 That's why she sits,
 And knits, and knits.

If by any chance she drops her ball,
And if one of them chases it at all,
She peeps out over her glasses' rim
With a savage, dreadful scowl at him,
 And cries out, "Scat,
 You saucy cat!"

Or, if her long tail gets uncurled
And sways but the least bit in the world,
And one of them makes a roguish nip
At it, or plays at mouse with the tip,
 Somebody hears
 A loud boxed ears!

With them 'tis hurry-scurry and play,
Or sleep in a round coil half the day;
While, creakety-creak, the rockers go,
And the mittens grow, and grow, and grow,
 So shapely and fast -
 They are done at last!

She summons the kittens; each one stands
While the mittens are tried on his clumsy hands;
Then her glasses drop to the end of her nose,
And her wits go wandering off in a doze,
 And as never before,
 Does old Puss snore!

She is off to that dreamland paradise
Of cats, where cupboards are full of mice;
Where white and sweet and big as the sea
Are the saucers of warm new milk - ah me,
 There is no cream
 Like that in a dream!

There the ways of things are very absurd;
For a bobolink, or a yellow bird,
Comes of its own accord, and sits
On every knitting needle that knits,
 And pipes and sings,
 As the rocker swings.

Suddenly there is a noise of feet -
Rattle and clatter and patter and beat!
Old Puss makes a flying leap from her chair,
With a half-awake and startled stare,
 Striving to see
 What it may be.

Helter-skelter the kittens appear;
"Oh, mother, dear, we very much fear
That we have lost our mittens!" they cry.
"You have?  Then you shall have no pie!
 Lost your mittens?
 You naughty kittens!"

Old mother Puss is dreadfully cross,
At the spoiled dream first, then at the loss;
And with floods of tears down either cheek
Each frightened kitten tries to speak:
 "Miew, miew, miew!
 Miew, miew, miew!"

A smart cuff over their little brains
Is the only answer the mother deigns.
"Not another word from one of you!"
It means, so without more ado,
 Ashamed and slow
 Away they go.

 

Home and Hot

We're home from our quick trip to Ottawa.  I'm not sure we should have left so soon.  My darling brother has a pool.  And central air.  We don't.  It's hot.  Super hot.

But, it's good to be home and I'm enjoying the hammock and staying in the shade.  I also came home with a new toy that's making it very easy to laze around and take it easy.

 

A new iPad 2.  My very own.  Finally.  I waited until we could go and I could actually have one in my hands instead of buying online.  It was worth the wait and I am so enjoying using it.

There are many free apps and free ebooks available but I'm afraid the ease of purchasing apps and ebooks might be a little hard to resist. 

Dusty is a winter puppy and does not like this humidity.  We're having lots of cool swims at the lake in the afternoons and his mornings are mostly spent airing his belly off and staying cool in the shade.  Disgusting!  And cute!