Back by popular demand: Rams

Meet Prince, the yearling ram:

My needle felted Wool Rams have been one of my most popular items. Prince, the yearling ram is hand made of 100% wool. He is a bigger than my usual rams standing about 6 1/2 inches tall and 7 1/2 inches from head to tail. He carries his tan/grey/cream fleece proudly. His face, ears, socks and his full grown ram horns are a deep black. Built on a wire frame, his head, and legs have just enough flexibility to change his mood with a slight bend of his neck and legs. Here is his handsome profile:

And a view from behind:



Prince is ready to find a new home. He can become part of your collection for just $32 plus shipping. Paypal invoicing available. Email luna.headhearthands@gmail.com

I will be making more rams, ewes and lambs after the holidays. If there is a color you would like to see, drop me an email or leave a comment.

Wooly Elf Santas

These three little fellas are just waiting for their new red hooded companion to be finished before they get sent off to their new home. Thank you, Ms. Mimi for your order!

And here he is:





Below is a side view and an idea of their size: Little button nose included for just $15.








Don't be shy, friends, more can be made, and I will do my very best to get them to you for gift giving.


There is more good news:
The large Red Hooded Santa is also now sold and will be on it's way to Michigan as soon as I can drive to the post office (it's beautifully icy here today!). I am making another one of these to and will be available for shipping tomorrow.

Also: PayPal Invoicing is now in place so there will be fewer delays in shipping. Thank you all!

Winter Woolies are Ready

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The creative juices are flowing again. I've been making One of a Kind Wooly Santa ornies in different styles. This one is about 8 inches tall with a detailed sculpted face. He sports a blue wool hood with a touch of gold thread around the edge. He's all wool from various fleeces in my collection. With his rosy cheeks and gentle eyes and smile peeking through his full curly wool beard, he would make a great addition to your tree or holiday table. Just $40. Here is a side view of his face.












The Blue Santa has been sold and will be on his way to Indiana tomorrow! Thank you Donna.

More Wool Available!

It's been great to get back to work. I have so much wool to work with. The fleeces from the fall shearing are scheduled to go to a mill for processing into roving later this week. That will certainly save me time. They are available as whole fleeces as well until they make the trip to the mill. The fall fleeces are between 3 and 6 pounds, pre skirted and very clean of vm. All colors are available from creamy white, moorit, silver grey, chocolate brown and a nice black.



If interested contact me for pricing and shipping information. Email: Luna.headhearthands@gmail.com. Thanks for stopping by!

Night Spinning

I've been staying up late spinning while all the resident critters are asleep. I don't know where the month of October and now November have disappeared. I know that I've done things. I've been back and forth to NJ twice. The most recent time was not good. I was very discouraged and afraid when I got home. But I've tried to turn it around. My dear friends in Ky have reached out to me and I am healing. I can look at the next phase of my life any way I choose, I suppose. I choose to look at it as an opportunity sent by the universe. I am in danger of being stripped of nearly every thing I have worked for my entire adult life. If it happens, I will begin again. I have decided to not worry and just DO. Whatever needs to be done, I will do it and it will be good.

Simple Goods Show

This weekend I had the fun opportunity to accompany friend Kathy of Sugarbucket Antiques to participate in the wonderful Simple Goods Antique and Folk Art show in Ohio. It was a great to be amongst such a wonderful group of artists and designers and discriminating collectors of the primitive segment of the antique market. Kathy's booth was beautiful showing as always her wonderful flare at placing just the right objects together to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. She is known also for talented 'make-dos and hand-dids'....objects transfored into other uses in the spirit of early American life when one made do with what they had, made it over or did without. The result is an overflowing stream of creativity and ingenuity. Not only were all the original objects ,and those that they have inspired in this modern day, useful but they are also uncannily beautiful in their simplicity. Some of my handspun yarns, carded and blended natural wool batts and needle felted sheep and pincushions nestled among her lovely pieces and were well received by the crowd. Now it's back to the spinning wheel and carder. Time to work! Check Kathy out at www.sugarbucketantique.com .

The Tapestry of Life

A fellow fiber friend posted yesterday about her feeling of general anxiety and fear about the outcome for our country after this most pivotal election. The feeling that all the good that is inherent in this extraordinary beautiful population that we are a part of would be once again ripped off by the few that would seek to silence the voice of true freedom. I recognized that feeling of dread and it was with me all day yesterday, too.

And as I watched the coverage, I felt that fear rise. I tried to quell it by keeping busy. Cleaning. (What i do to relieve anxiety!) Then as the night wore on hope and confidence began to build. But yet I refused to celebrate until there was complete certainty that it was true. And now it IS TRUE! I am in awe! In the end, as I looked at the crowds of young people celebrating in the streets, looking for all the world like mullticolord strands of fiber blended into a beautiful skein of yarn, i thought of my sons, now 18, and 21 and children of friends who are slightly older, and i felt proud. Proud that there were enough of us in our generation to instill these values in next generation. This generation. There is still a little place, this morning for that fear that it will be taken away. That it is a dream that i will wake from. But I will push it down and live in a state of creative gratitude. Let us manifest our dream! Let us weave the fabled tapestry of life that we know we can. In peace, love and abundance to all!

Shearing Day/Picture Day On The Farm

Last night the call came that our shearer was coming tomorrow. The weather was predicted to be warm for a few days. The sheepies would have time to get used to their new light coats before the weather shifts into more seasonably cool days and cold nights.
As always, this farm life is an ongoing learning experience. The last shearing, in fact the first shearing for the girls and our ram was in April under less than ideal conditions. George , who is known throughout the state as THE shearer you want was not available. Since the girls were due to lamb and since they had not been shorn since the previous Spring, the decision was made to go with a local guy who was learning the craft. Well, we did what we had to do , but the results were not great. Being the old pros that we are now, having been at this now for , oh, about 16 months, or so, we have learned a thing or two. We concluded that it was better to shear these long wooled Shetlands again in the Fall. And George was availalbe! So, drop everything else! It's Shearing time again.
There is no comparison between a shearer who has been working with sheep for decades and the newbie we had earlier. The ewe girls and ram boys look wonderful and were minimally stressed through the process. And the fleeces are beautiful! One reason for shearing now was to avoid getting the hay trapped in the fleece as fall supplementing became necessary. Despite a few flakes on the surface of their coats, the fleeces are all beautifully clean. And....all in one piece, unlike the last effort. The wonderful thing about Shetlands is (well, there are many) the variety in their fleeces. Some are wonderfully soft and crimpy, some are curly and some are long and wavy. Being a primitive breed originally from a cold climate, they often still retain a double coat with the outer coat being coarser than the inner softer coat. According to George, out little flock has minimal outer coat and have a very fine softness.. The amount of crimp varies but each has it's own character. And the colors! Another wonderful thing about Shetlands is their variety of colors, within one animal. I love working with the colors and either keeping them separate in the roving and yarn or blending them. Well enough words...roll the video tape! Each girl and boy posed for their portrait before they got their trimming. Here they are...hopefully:

Happy Halloween/Samhain/Third Harvest

Splitting and Stacking

Today we spent the day cutting, splitting and stacking wood for an elderly couple who live near us. They live near one of the caves that the Ft Knox Grotto explores and treks through. They have been very generous to the cavers over the years in allowing us to use their property. For us, it was just a wonderful day to be out doors in the beautiful clean country air. It was an absolutely perfect autumn day. Alan and Glen chainsawed fallen trees to manageable size while Jill and I took charge of the splitter. Who needs weights and a gym when your picking up logs and flinging wood into the back of a pick up truck?
This is the view over my shoulder as we were leaving. Could it ever get any better than this?

The EverGiving Garden

Every day I am reminded how much I love living here. After the first lush of the spring garden the rush of the end of summer harvest, there was a lull in what was coming out of the garden. But now we are into the flush of the third harvest. We have tons of turnips, mustard greens, spinach, lettuces, carrots and sweet pumpkins and gourds to dry and all sorts of peppers coming out everyday. These are treasures I never tire of. And what we don't have, we can trade with friends and neighbors. Here is a basket full of beautiful purple podded black eye peas from Lavone's garden. Down the road, Curtis has a bounty of watermelon and pie pumkins that keep appearing on our porch!
These are some of the turnips picked this morning with a pile of spinach and mustard greens. What a wonderful soup they will become part of. And the wonderful variety of peppers I planted are just bursting off the plants. These will be added to the tomatoes I canned earlier this year to make a nice salsa.

Going Batty

I've been rolling out the batts on my drum carder. Working with my Shetland fleeces has been fun. They are all so ymmy feeling and the colors are just so perfect for this time of year. I see these beautiful natural colors all knitted into a beautiful ...... what? Dunno! I'm not a great knttter but lately I've been getting this urge to knit! It is the fiber curse. It is just so beautiful that I want to wear it! We'll see. Meanwhile, I'll keep carding away. Would I sell it off, I ask myself? After all this is supposed to be a business. Yes, I think I would. I would love to see what someone else can do with it.

Count yer Blessings--Farmgirl type

Last weekend was a totally lovely experience as a Gathering of Girlfriends, new and renewed came to my little farm thanks to True Friend, Miss Frannie of Greensburg. Frannie, the epitome of Sunshine and seemingly boundless energy gathered 30-40 friends from across the country to arive here in Kentucky for a weekend of sheer fun and excitement the likes of which I've rarely seen. Starting with a tour of charming Greensburg a thriving little town in Green County, a caravan of no less than 8 cars, vans and trucks continued to Flaherty where dear Kathy Anthony of Sugarbucket Antiques opened her beautiful home and log cabin shop to the delight of the group. Kathy had whipped up delishes dishes and drinks on her gorgeous porch, prepared kits for making harvest garlands and more. Then the happy crew flew down the roads again to arrive here with just enough daylight to visit with me and my little sheep girls who loved all the attention they got from the new girl friends. I thoroughly enjoyed having everyone here and sharing with them how our sheep wool is washed and prepared for spinning my yarn and making my little felty things. It really was in many ways a house warming party for me because it was the first time that I had had an event here. I was swept away back to Frannie's lovely cabins back in Green County. We stayed up half the night laughing and giggling like preteens at a pj party and waking to a lovely breakfast made by many hands. We made dools and pumpkin trees, ate another delishes lunch prepared by the girl friends, and played pumpkin bowling (I Won!). The day ended with the most touching circle of sharing poems and love for each other that I have ever experienced. I would love to share some photos but alas I was so caught up in the being there, that i took very few pictures. I will post the links to a coule of blogs full of great pictures and more of the details of the weekend. Thank you Frannie for making this all possible. Here is Karin's site http://www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com/ and Cathy Cobblestone's blog is http://www.cobblestonefarms.blogspot.com/

Harvest Stew

Since a few of the girls from Frannie's Gathering have asked about the Harvest Stew we served, I decided to post it here. I remember finding it somehow through the forum but it is actually posted on CountryHome.com along with a few other yummy sounding recipes from MJ.

I have to admit again that I had very little to do with the actual COOKING of the stew other than finding it and handing it over to my sweet Alan who did all the prep (as well as a lot of help with clean up before and after , gardening, and heavy lifting in prep for the girl's visit. He also was my gentle assistant during the demos.).

Let me say here that I thoroughly enjoyed hosting this little piece of the gathering. It was a joy to my heart to meet such a wonderful group of lovely hearted, talented and just plain FUN LOVING gals. And to the Cleanup Fairies who stormed my kitchen, please don't tell anyone about my dust in the corners! You know who ya are!

Here's the stew:


HARVEST STEW


Add and subtract to this wholesome soup by using what's available—it's the MaryJane way.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced leeks
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
14 cups 1-inch pieces harvest vegetables and fruits, such as peeled sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled butternut squash, peeled beets, Granny Smith apples, and/or peeled parsnips
8 cups chicken broth
1 cup pitted green olives, chopped
2 Tbsp. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. sweet paprika
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
3 strips orange peel, white pith removed
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup snipped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 cup snipped fresh mint
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts, toasted

In a large kettle, cook chicken, onion, leeks and garlic in hot oil until brown. Stir in harvest vegetables and fruits, broth, olives, ginger, cumin, paprika, pepper, salt, cardamom, peel, and bay leaves. Bring stew to boiling. Boil, uncovered, 5 minutes. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove and discard bay leaves. Stir in parsley, mint, almonds, and pistachio nuts just before serving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

I want it all......and I want it Now....

Well, I'm coming out of my blues. My migrainis gone. I tried to do too much last week and it caught up with me. It truly was an amaZing weekend in many ways. Full of highs and lows. It seems that everything happens in October. There is so much here to choose from. I am like a child. I want to do it all. But alas and alack. I cannot bend the laws of physics and I just cannot be in two places at once. One must make choices or try to alternate. I still think that I am superwoman, though. I tried it and it didn't work. This past weekend there were two opportunities that were equally enticing. First there was the opportunity to participate in a small (I thought) wool show in NE Kentucky. The Kentucky Woolfest. Here was the perfect place and time to launch my fledgling fiber business. I had never done one before and Sara Dunham the coordinator made it all seem possible and was so encouraging. Then there was the FarmGirl Autumn Workshop at Miss Wilmas. In Knob Lick. At the same time. In the same weekend. If you know Miss Wilma you know that she is an amazing woman. When she organizes an event she goes all out. She draws you in. She envelops you with her kindness and generosity. You must go. There is no denying that it will be wonderful. There will be wonderful friends and wonderful crafts and an all around wonderful atmosphere. What to do.

But then, the break comes. The offer to share a booth with another fiber artist! She offers to split the time. The show is three grueling days 10-10. I can do BOTH! Happy day! Never mind that it is a three and half hour drive between the two locations. I am superwoman! I can do it. Woolfest, Friday and Sunday (Set up on Thursday) Then Saturday at Miss Wilmas. It's all set, all planned and coordinated. I'm all packed. I've built a great booth setup, I have my stuff all labeled and priced and organized, I've packed huge decorative FERN"S for pity's sake! I leave another bag to take to Wilmas set aside, ready. Wow! The universe is with me. So I thought. I am almost there. But maybe I overdid it. I get the booth all set up and ready so my partner doesn't have to do too much but I did such a great job (really, everyone said so!). She decided that she would be better off setting up by herself in another (newly available)location so she wouldn't mess up my display! But now she can't share the time with me. I am stuck. She is apologetic and all but it really was the best decision for both of us. As far as the wool fest. But now, there is no way that I can drive from Falmouth to Knob Lick and back. It just would not be fair to leave the booth for others to worry about. I put on my BIG GIRL PANTS , made the decision to stay and hope for the best. Hope that I would be forgiven and understood (yes I do worry about that...my wounded inner child...). There was no way to call and tell Wilma that I couldn't get there after all. No internet and no phone number for anyone that would be there. The show went great in many ways. My yarn and felting was well received and sold well. The other artisans were wonderful and I enjoyed their company and learning from them and the whole experience.

So why do I still feel so bad? Because I want it all. And I didn't get it. And I let someone down.

Getting Ready for the Kentucky Wool Fest

Wow what a day! I got all my wool weighed labeled and boxed up and ready. I put a coat of wax on the little cup pin keepers and felted the tops on two more. Did a littl more work on the crows and pumpkins. I also waxed the bowl, the vase and new spindles Glen made today. I have to tell you how much I love them and all the stuff he has been making. I showed him a picture of an ancient carved spindle and he just made in his shop for me. I waxed it all up to show the beautiful grain and it's drying over night. I can't wait to try the spindle tomorrow. I did a little test earlier and it spins beautifully. Tomorrow I'll try it with wool roving!

I still have more stuff to prepare but I'm feeling good about it. Tomorrow I will work on some more felting and running another fleece through the picker. I still have to bag up some special wool for dolly hair and pack up some felting needles into kits. This is going to be so much fun! Pictures hopefully tomorrow.

Kaving in Kentucky

One of the most amazing experiences that I've had since coming to Kentucky is learning how to explore caves. This is not something that I had ever given much thought to before. Once here I was introduced to the sport of caving by my neighbor who is a founder of the Ft. Knox Grotto, part of the National Speleological Foundation. The way he described it, it was an opportunity for adventure that I could not resist. I was ready for experience. My life had always pretty much been safe. But once i stepped onto the road less travelled, adventure and opportunity seemed to be everywhere. So I went underground, one cool autumn day last year. I was hooked. There is an entire new world underground. There is beauty that borders on the surreal. There is a gentle peaceful quiet that cannot be matched. Ocassionally there is the sound of sweetly lapping water if you chance upon an underground spring. There is the fresh coolness of the very breath of Mother Earth. There is the chance of discovering a place where human eyes have rarely if ever set upon.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to help The Ft Knox Grotto with the Annual Cave In. Nearly 400 cub scouts, boy scouts and explorers camp out for the weekend on donated lands. Members of the Grotto lead groups into the caves for first hand experience of one of natures most amazing wonders. For all, it is an adventure of a life time and experience that will hopefully create a consciousness of how alive the earth is.

Sprucing up.....

I've been cleaning up outside the last few days. Last week's windstorm left broken branches and twigs everywhere. One of my trees is completely bare. So, I've been picking up for days. The grass has been browned out mostly but there were some long weedy spots that needed mowing. And pulled out the last of the tomatoes in the kitchen garden and weeded it out again. Today i picked up a truck load of gorgeous Scarlet, Orange and Golden Yellow mums, Purple cabbages and TallPurple and Green Millet and arranged them around the two porches and around the barn. The mini pumpkings from the big garden went into wheel barrels and baskets too. A few green gourds came out of the garden too but most of them are not ready. Will plant them earlier next year. Well it got too dark for pictures but here's the front door lit from above. Will take some more pics tomorrow. Also decided to give the old blog a fall look too.

Henna's wool

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Henna, whose portrait is my logo right now, has given me the loveliest tricolor wool. It ranges from a tawny gold to rich auborn. I have worked it different ways to blend or not blend and have found that if I comb each lock out separately, I can keep the variation to make a truly naturally variegated yarn. Here it is in a two ply nubby weight and below I mixed it with robbins egg blue merino. I'm also experimenting with a mix of soft green cormo. Also on my lazy kate is a pumpkin and brown nubby mix of merino and agora that i got from spinner friend Fuzzarelly.

Felted work in progress....

Got back from NJ last night. Decided to take the time to explore West Virginia on the way back. Stopped at some neat shops, museums and of course antique malls on the way. Found a few treasures, made a few connections and learned a little about a state I had never really spent time in before. It is quite beautiful. The mountains were picture perfect on a cool late summer day. I did a little feltwork on the way (not while driving!). Then came home and put some finshing touches on some of them. I've been working with buddy Glen on making display pieces for my wool felt and yarn. He knows where all the great dead fall is around here. Beautiful cherry, aged cedar, and oak. He can make just about anything I dream up and comes up with some great ideas of his own. Here is a look at the pinkeep we made today. He made the beautiful cherry cup in his shop from found limbs and I made the felted ball for the pin keep top. I love it. We will be making more. Also I've started making my sheep a little more detailed, as seen here. More work will be done on the face and legs. Glen also made the great little trough onthe right and I added the oak and accorns to my felted pumpkin. Looks great! I love working with Glenn...we make a great creative team!

The Barn Loom

I finally got over to Fuzzarelly to pickup the barn loom she offered for free! It is an amazing thing. Each beam and post (?) is thick and heavy and hand hewn. I don't know it's history but it speaks to me. I also borrowed a copy of Foxfire showing a layout to help put it together. Can't wait to get it set up.

Working in Wool

In between a few other things (!!!) I have been experimenting with the wool. I made a little pile of rams from natural colored shetland roving. They are for sale through Kathy Sugarbucket (check her out on Picture Trail) or directly through me. They are about 6 inches from head to tail and about 5 inches tall. Each is different and modeled on one of my sheep. I also have ewes and lambs and crows. Pictures forthcoming. Let me know what you think!

Last of the Summer Harvest

The first harvest of All One Farms is over. It was more a learning experience than profitable but I loved tending the gardens. All in all we had various potatoes, onions, 2 lettuces and 3 different greens, tons of beets, carrots, 2 kinds of radishes, beans, beans beans and 6 different kinds of tomatoes. We had 110 tomato plants alone. We sold at two farmers markets and mets tons of wonderful folks who shared knowledge and offered encouragement and inspiration. I learned to can and creatively use what else: tomatoes! Nest year will be different. I think we will specialize a little more and try different markets.

Here is one of the beautiful dishes we made with our yellow stripey tomatoes and italian basil and a pic of Jake, one of our eager voluneers. He helped build barn doors, sheep fencing and of course, picked tomatos. Thanks Jake. I loved having students here, two of whom were my sons. I would love to do more with teenagers from the cities here on the farm. Another project for next year. As for this year, the late garden was planted in mid August, but alas no rain has made it slow growing. I'm not giving up yet. Planted are gourds and a variety of pumkins as well as a fw other cool weather crops. Pray for rain.

Dancing to the Rigbys

at Smith-Berry Winery with my guy, Alan. (It was late although no excuse for that ARM!

I got a new kitty!

Well, I guess I need more pets! This little guy, the one with the fur, followed me around meowing and staring up at me the entire time I was visiting friend Kathy....what could I do? The baby was Hungree! My Goldy, feline protector of the flock and homestead was none too happy. She'd already been having trouble with another cat that took up residence in the barn. We'll see what happens but Goldy the Queen does not take kindly to other cats..... Oh, the other fuzzy guy is my buddy Glenn. Those too hit it off right away.

Off to College for the Boys!

I've been kinda scarce here lately. Always running. Who says you rest when you retire? I think I'll plug in a few pics here and there from the last 2 or 3 weeks. Always sumpthin' happnin! I am blessed by friends local and cyberspace who have carried me through. First my boys both went off to different colleges.

That's David with his new roommate at Carnegie Mellon looking all grown up and independent!

Will is off to Univesity of Western Maine to study Forestry. Lea, his sweetie will be continuing her Art studies near by. They are such a sweet, loving couple.

When the going gets tough, the tough go antiquing!

Well , the last two weeks were most challenging spent for the most part answering interrogatories from my ex. The divorce battle goes on. I am weary of it but I will get through it. I am trying hard to stay positive and not feel defeated by the mean spirited actions of a hard hearted person. It is much too easy to get drawn down to bitterness but,soon it will be over and I can move on. In the meantime, I am grateful for the blessing of gurlfrenz! I am so inspired by these two ladies. They are strong and accomplished and cheerful and happy and generous with their time and love. I tagged along with them last week for a girls adventure up to Illinois. Kathy has a wonderful antique business and did some buying up there for her shop. Frannie, the maker of dolls and smiles and cheeriness was very good and kept to her only get if it fits a simple setting philosophy (new!). I bought a few treasures which will add to my garden and recreation of a 20th century farm house. We laughed and told stories and were quiet for a time as well. Thank you ladies for a much needed break from the routine!

Adventures in Canning Tomatos

Well I finally got over my FEAR of Canning. My kitchen is a mess but they are beautiful. First, must have beautiful naturally home grown Roma tomatos.

Second, lots of kettles of boiling water for blanching, cool water for ....cooling.... and peeling...ouch!....then stewing....Then, fill jars

carefully and tightly, Finally, into the bath they go!

More Yarn I Spun

Here is the most recent yarn I've done. On top of the pile is a sky blue blended with natural moorit (brownish gold). This is a 2 ply bulky yarn. I haven't weighed it but it 's a total of of about 200 yeards. The black is a true black , naturally colored, 2 ply yarn from my Ram Lincloln first shearing. It is so soft and warm. Shetland wool is just so yummy feeling and the natural colors are so soothing. Also shown is a natural creamy white , single ply, and a natural grey, single ply. A little chocolate brown is also peeking out from underneath. Back to the carding machine I go!

Spin Spin Spin

Here 's some of the yarn I spun up last week from my Shetlands. These are sinlgle ply, natural colors don up in a bulky weight 'artisan' style. Ha! that means it's kinda lumpy and and nubby! Not for your fine scarves but will make a nice warm hat or mittons. More pictures of 2 ply and colors coming soon's I get them off the camera.

Shetland Ram Lambs for Sale - Preview

We are just about ready to find new homes for our spring ram lambs. We had five this April and are looking to keep two for the time being. These little guys were gently hand raised and love attention. They are pure Shetland Heritage Sheep known for their extremely fine wool with extra long staple. These three were photographed together in the field at three months are all black Two others have developed silver grey markings around their face and chest giving them very elegant tuxedo like appearance. You can see the markings in a previous picture of Blinkin below. Their wool is cloud like in softness and promises to be a spinners dream or fine addition to a breeding flock.

Currently I am working on taking pictures of each one with accurate descriptions and confirmation as well as their markings and their genetic heritage and history. All are registerable through the Shetland Sheep Association. They will be listed formally through breeders lists but if there is any interest from friends of this blog, please email me directly.

Summer! Lushness!

Summer has arrived in all its glory. Beautiful red sunrises and the most amazing orange glow moonrises i have ever seen. The full moon this past week was a huge blood orange hanging in flowing cotton candy clouds over the sheep meadow. The days now are still with little breeze to beak up the afternoon heat. I have to admit that it has driven me under the old apple tree in the afternoons to escape the humidity. There is no air conditioning in this old house and no way to put it in without hanging heavy ducts all around. The original builders wisely planted tall maples on the south side and every outside wall (all walls) have a window in which creates a nice cross breeze most days. But if there are no breezes, unusual really, it can be quite steamy inside. I am way behind on working on my wool because of the heat.

The garden is doing well. The tomato crop just continues. Potatoes are almost done. Still have beans and carrots. New fall crops are in the ground, finally. Ten varieties of pumpkins and gourds are in and will hopefully be ready by early October. I spent a few hours this weekend creaning up the herb and kitchen gardens which were in need of a little maintenance.

Luna The Farm Lady and Alan the Gentleman Shepherd at All One Farms!

Here is last night's harvest! Tomatoes Tomatoes Tomatoes! Yellow Squash and Zuchini to die for! Beautiful golden onions! Green Peppers! Basil! Tarragon! I am so excited about the bounty this earth has given us. We are so blessed on this little plot of land. Two babes in the woods and look at all that we have brought forth.

Kentucky Farm Girls are Best

Yes we are! Over the holiday weekend I ran out to Knob Lick to Miss Wilma' s Orchard Sale. i have been wanting to meet her and see her shop full of primitive antiques and her wonderful pillows and handwork dolls and country needfuls. (www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace) I was not disappointed. Not only is her work and creations worth the trip, she was a gracious and welcoming hostess and a charmer. I want to adopt her or maybe she'll adopt me! It turned out to an absolutely lovely day in her beautiful country garden and orchard. I also finally got to meet some on line friends from the MaryJane's Farm Girl Connection. Jonnie, Janice, Lainey and Kayla. Jonnie and Kayla had a table set up with their collections and wares for sale. I got a absolutely delicate lawn dress from Janice and ooood and ahhhed over her antique child trunk. I wanted it soooo bad! I also got some wonderful handmade milk soap from Kayla and met her lovely family. What a treat to hear them playing fiddle and singing in the country air. Here's a pic of all of us except Kayla who had left before I remembered the camera.

It's the Fourth of July

It was a lazy holiday morning after a long week of fence building by the boys and weeding, picking, packing and selling at the farmer's market in Bardstown and Brandenburg. Will and Dave completed fencing in two new paddocks for me this week so that the growing flock can be rotated around to three areas now. We tilled up the rows where the beets and radishes and lettuce had been and turned under the south end of the garden and planted a fall crop of squash, pumpkins, gourds and melons. The tomatoes are ready to burst and the 10 cornstalks are eye level and beautifully shaded at the roots by the zuchini. Next week will be a busy week of picking and selling.

It's time to separate the lambs from their moms for weaning. I think they may be on the way already. The lambs are almost as big as the moms now at almost 4 months old and I'm sure those beautiful horns don't feel so good when those little greedy ram lambs start thumping their mama's udders! Moms is gone in a flash! Here is a picture of Blinkin one of my sleepy twins. He and his brother Nod were both born solid black with little tufts of white on their forehead. They have completely change into this beautiful coloration. I'm not sure of the name of this pattern but it is certainly beautiful. They are the only two who have changed this much. The others range from Darm Brown/Black to Black. But they too may completely change after their shearing next year. Papa Lincoln and Isaac the wether are now grey with black faces. My Moorit (Chocolate Brown) Henna and Aurora are now Fawn color with Brown faces and bellies. These Shetland Sheep are so surprising in how their colors change. I am thoroughly enjoying spinning the various colors that come off one fleece, as many as 3 and 4. No need to blend. The natural colors are gorgeous. I hope to have some yarn to sell by the fall. Still have many fleeces to prepare by hand. More on that later on, hopefully.

Meanwhile Will and Dave had an opportunity to go caving with me and Fort Knox Grotto and do some rapelling on a 72ft cliff near here. Those boys are fearless.

They've had a busy week and I am so happy that they were here to share this first season with me. They have been invaluable. And they have fun. Dave will be returning in August with some friends who want to volunteer on the farm. I love this idea. I certainly can use the help and they get to experience a way of life that hopefully will stay with them no matter what they choose to do later.

Well we ended the day at the most amazing and yet relaxing fireworks disply and picnic with friends Lavone and Randall in the fields they share with their families. Just another day, down home in Kentucky.