Furnace update

So far so good. We are heating with the heat pump and cooling with it since the temperatures are fluctuating so much.
The house even smells better. The purifier sure makes a difference. The service was really good too.

I got misty eyed

My new Strauch Drum Carder came last week. I actually got a little choked up.

I had to try it out right away.
Oh my goodness, this was like cotton with one pass through! I love my sheep! I love love love my sheep!

Harvest

We have been canning for the past month and there is so much more to go. So far we have Apple Sauce galore, Pickled Watermelon Rind (yuck! but Dear loves it), Rhubarb Strawberry Preserves (from our rhubarb and strawberries), Strawberry Preserves, Hot and Spicy Pickled Asparagus (I love this stuff), Peaches, Spaghetti Sauce, Dried Apples, and Dried Tomatoes. I still have more spaghetti sauce to do, I have to make salsa, can whole tomatoes, more apples sauce and apple pies and dried apples, make chili, more watermelon rind, and I am sure I will find something else. I did not get to the pears in time. Maybe next year. Then I get to start in on making pans and pans of lasagna. I forgot about all of the Zucchini Bread we made too and we will be able to make about 3-4 more loaves.

Having all of that food ready is a huge help. You may think I have loads of time to cook meals every day, but with MNVA, I have many days that I can barely get into the kitchen to clean.

Surfing

While looking around for a entry closet I found this site. It has so many neat things to create and even so weird, but hysterical things as well. Check out the crocodile USB drive:

Knitting update

Locks from 2 of my merinos. The brown is a 16.7 micron. I have not tested the white, but it is finer than the brown. The white will be spun and died orange for a sweater I am looking forward to doing soon.

I am finally ready to begin the v-neck part of this sweater. It is looking really nice. I think it would make a great tank dress for one of the girls, but I am putting 3/4 sleeves on it and it is made for me. Sorry girls.

This is the yarn I am going to use for my next sweater project. I am going to ply this 2-ply with another 2-ply so it is the right diameter yarn. It is 100% merino Baltic roving from Ashland Bay and I spun it very fine and plied it once only to find out that it needs another 1/3 in thickness to be able to make my next project.

School begins!

After a long summer of hard work, Amanda, our 8 year old developed a hard body.

We had our first official day of school. The kids will be updating their blogs regularly now. Check out what they are learning. Aaron is in first grade history and science, Amanda is in second grade history and science and Hannah is finishing up forth grade history and science.