Bell Curve Skirt

I finished the Bell Curve skirt. It is gorgeous. I'm also almost (one sleeve short) of finishing the Vogue shrug. Life is good.

We had great thunderstorms this morning, and I had strange vivid dreams. No, the content will not be discussed. The dogs are muddy and track everything into the house. I will hear about it tonight, I'm sure, but we all had fun stomping in mud puddles before I left for the gym.

I started Ellis by Norah Gaughan yesterday, and the Berrocco Suede is an interesting ribbon type yarn. I got some on sale in a terra-cotta coral color. I think I like it. More Zoe is coming in purple for another Bell Curve skirt, and I think I'm set for the summer for projects.

BH is reneging on the sheep fence - too expensive and he doesn't want to take the time. He did promise, and it was the one big item I insisted on before marrying him. He has no idea what he is in for. I need sheep to work, and to have students, and to work my own dogs. That is the reason I agreed to the family farm purchase. Everything else about the quality of my life has degenerated for the sheep.

The sun has come out now, and it is a warm lovely spring day. I enjoy seeing my kids after spring break, and they are now preparing for the end - graduation. I will miss them, but there is always another batch coming along that needs tutoring and mothering. But this group was special. They were at the wedding.

Spring Break and New Beginnings

I have been having a blast on break. Most of the usual chores are done, and it is spring (well, it is supposed to snow again) and I'm on the way to more sheep! The UT extension guy, Brian, is coming on Friday to help me out with shearing and such and discuss his new sheep project in Coffee County. Tomorrow I'm going to teach two women what I know about dyeing (not terribly much, but I've done it and they haven't). Theater tickets, a haircut, and a trip to the big nursery are also all in the cards very soon.

I attended the SnB in town last night and had fun. I normally can't go as it is 45 minutes from me, but breaks and summer I plan on going. I even got some work done. My Bell Curve skirt is almost finished, I started Kat Coyle's Linen Trumpet Skirt in hemp, and I just need the sleeves on the Vogue Shrug. I do feel I'm making progress.

I went to the Alpaca show in Shelbyville on Sunday. What interesting animals. I had not seen one up close. Of course I bought some great yarn - laceweight for the Estonian lily of the valley scarf and some heavier for whatever. You know, whatever because it is alpaca.

The sheep are craving pasture. My husband has had a year to put it up and it may happen soon. He becomes pissed if I ask him about it, so I have to keep quiet. I do see numbers on a piece of paper and I saw him measuring, so it may happen soon. I just hope it's about five acres or so for a dozen sheep to have fun in.

Happy spring.

PS The puppy needs a home. She showed up about a month ago in full heat. She is now spayed, shot, loves cats, small children, and needs to be an inside dog. Runs with my pack like a veteran. She's probably 9 months old and a beagle/lab mix. No name so I don't keep her.

Diary of a Switch Knitter

The wonderful time of spring break is here. I'm waiting for my last student before I am free and clear to go play in the mud.

I am working on learning new techniques again. I am practicing continental knitting, and ravelry friends have suggested learning to knit backwards and avoid purling. I am getting the hang of continental, but am as awkward as can be in purling. So may different ways to get the same result, so little time.....

My stray girl was spayed, shot, wormed and tested this week. She is all clear for a new home soon. My camera has died ( well, I bought it for 50 dollars at the unclaimed baggage store seven years ago, I guess I've gotten good use out of it) so I need to find my husband's camera and hope it has a computer cable ....

Saturday is supposed to be 70 degrees and sunny. I would like to go to a sheep and yarn show in Shelbyville at the Calsonic arena and see it. Maybe I can find a nice sheep kid or two to help with vaccinating and shearing my woolies since Ken has refused to help. Maybe even find some nice handspun. . . Yes I know it's Lent and I shouldn't buy more yarn, but this is special. I have been saying MP every day and doing spiritual reading (while I knit) and I do enjoy the discipline, but heck, it's handspun.

Today (Friday) I had to lead my yoga class again. I didn't know the instructor was going to be gone, but there we were with no one in front of the class. It is actually good practice for when I get my certification, but I'd really like to know beforehand. And as I have found out, I don't get to do much yoga if I'm leading it. Sun salutes this afternoon out on the lawn for me ...

It also looks as though I'm going to be trying to fence another pasture for sheep by myself. I am going to start and see if DH throws a fit and gets it done. I've been waiting a year. A friend also suggested cutting a hole in the old carpet to see if I can get the new bamboo floor sooner. I thought of cutting a hole and putting in the sample and just saying I wanted to see how nice it would look. I don't know if I'm brave enough for that. We'll see. Knit on.......