First attempts at processing our fleece

So ~ I finally got around to washing a little bit of our fleece.  We purchased a dog comb per Cary's suggestion for a cheap way to comb fiber.  We also used Cary's suggestions for washing the fiber.  It turned out pretty good I think.  MK is loving working with and I am loving the colors that are coming out.  I can't wait for her to spin it and see what that looks like!  Here are some pics that I had promised to post.

Hope you enjoyed them!  I hope you can see all the mix of colors in the last picture.  We used George's fleece.  He was a CVM/Corriedale/Merino mix.  What can I say ~ we tend to go for mutts. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
God Bless,
Kate

Just Pondering

I recently had a discussion with my spiritual adviser about my writing.  His advice ~ just do it and see if it bears fruit.  ON the way home today , I realized that I also really enjoy teaching. I don't always like the response of the students or all the paperwork, but the actual working to engage students in the discussion that I really enjoy. Unfortunately, it would seem that neither one of these are something I am really capable of doing to earn a living. I haven't truly tired writing, especially Catholic writing. I have thought several times about writing about our experience over the past two years. Larry's illness, our shift in focus, our spiritual growth both as a family and as individuals. So the invective to just do it ~ I am not sure what writing that should be. Should it be fiction, sort stories, essays? Dose it matter if the invective is to just do it? I guess not .So my first endeavor will be to go find a play I wrote a VERY long time ago and see what it reads like now.
Wish me luck and grace!

God Bless,
Kate

Spring!

Spring finally made it!  I know that it has been here for a bit but it took so long that I wanted to make sure.
We have finally burst out of the winter snow cover.  Trees are in bloom and so far I think we have a good chance at getting fruit this year.
The apple trees were buzzing as were our plums.
I snapped some pictures of our lilac bush and one of the many projects I have been working on.  This one has a deadline though so it is currently getting priority.

Thanks for the visit and I hope you are enjoying your spring!

God Bless!
Kate

Answer Me This ~

I decided to participate in this weekly blog starter....these are my answers to this week's questions.  Enjoy!
1. Are you becoming your mother?
Okay, so my first response is "No".  My mom was pretty amazing and much better organized than I will ever hope to be.  It just boggles my mind to think about all the parties we had and the planning and cooking she did, while raising 10 children.  We had a birthday party for each of us every year.  The party included a cup of m&m's mixed with mints at each place at the table.  The birthday child got to pick out the menu and the cake.  She had a book of animal/possibly some other figures cakes that you could pick from.  I usually just went with a plain double layer round cake because I didn't like all the coconut that was usually involved in the other cakes.  I don't have time to go into what was planned for Christmas.  I try every year to do something similar and so far have not succeeded.  SO no in that sense I am not becoming my mother.  I am however saying things that she said that I vowed never to say: "Because I said so." "This is my house and it gets done my way.  When you grow up and have your own house you can do it anyway you would like." 
I have said these things and then realized why she said them. :)
2. Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon or evening.  I cannot start a morning off without a good cup of coffee.  But that is usually the only time I drink coffee.  If I need a little pick me up later in the day I usually drink caffeinated tea.  In the evening I drink decaffeinated tea.
3. What foreign country would you like to visit?
The short answer ~ Ireland.  Actually what my husband and I have discussed is taking a tour of Europe visiting all the holy shrines we would like to see....so that would include more than just Ireland.
4. Do you cry easily?
Yes, I do.  I can cry during a movie or while reading a book.  I was accused once of crying to get sympathy.  I don't think that I have ever been able to "make" myself cry.  I am just one of those people who when I get upset...i.e. angry, or saddened, or extremely contrite I cry.
5. How often do you wear heels?
Rarely.  When I do wear heels they are usually only 1/2" high. I have never been all that comfortable in high heels and that has been a hallmark of my dressing style ~ is this comfortable?
6. Do you play an instrument?
Not regularly.  I know how to play the piano somewhat and I played the clarinet in the school band for a few years.  I love music though and my children are taking piano lessons and are wonderful to listen to...my husband seems to think that they get all of that talent from me. :)
So those are my answers.  I had fun joining in.  I hope anyone who reads this will keep checking others who have joined in.

God Bless,
Kate