Flying K Farms!!!! I love you!

I was going to describe how I was dressed, what I was doing and what Silver was doing the moment I found out I won the drawing from Flying K Farms. But I decided that that wouldn't be interesting to y'all. Although if you really WERE interested in what Silver was doing I can oblige you. (Hint:  Statement: He was cleaning his ears... the cutest thing he does!)

Anyway, I logged onto the facebook and noticed that a friend (the same friend who encouraged me to like Flying K Farm) commented my name. Turns out she was commenting on the status saying I won. Pretty certain that with this, I've used up all my "winning things" karma, but I'm okay with that because I'm getting an Alpaca batt. I'll update when it comes in the mail.

Bunny Lovin'- to the pet I never knew I needed

 So everyone, this is Silver. He is full of sassy spunk and doesn't take anything from anyone. (Not even cuddles.) He's an independent bunny who don't need no man.

 Here he is being mysterious and handsome, looking off into the distance. You can also see his bada** tattoo in his ear. Why yes, he did a couple of shows. That changes a rabbit.

 In all seriousness. (Which is almost impossible looking at that cute mug. This is his 'you may touch my ears and head' expression.) Silver is an adopted rabbit. Momar, Mei-Mei and myself went to the Maryland Alpaca festival (coming up soon in November!) and in a case of extremely poor planning on our part, walked into the rabbit show that was taking place in one of the barns. Talking to a couple of the breeders we found this amazing lady who was trying to find homes for some of her bunnies because she was getting married. It was impossible to say no (Silver is a rex, which means he is SUPER soft.) and we came home with a new family member. He has been ruling the house ever since.

Breezy Hill Farm- Woodbine, MD

 Breezy Family Fun

Memorial Day weekend means the beginning of summer for many people. It’s the start of the pool season in Virginia which usually goes hand and hand with a barbeque or two. The family was out of town and Alpha worked, so firing up the grill for me, myself and I was a little pointless. And the sun and I don’t have a great relationship (I, being the pale variety of human.) so the pool wasn’t particularly enticing. What is a girl suppose to do?

When she hears about an Alpaca Farm open house.. well, the situation becomes obvious right? I hightailed myself out an hour to visit the animals.

The trip was somewhat boring. An hour with no one to talk to and and a “300 greatest rock songs” countdown is not an ideal journey, but the scenery past the beltway was beautiful. Next time when I am not so worried about missing my turns, I’ll appreciate it more.

The farm was small and there didn’t seem to be anyone else there. I was worried that I had come at the wrong time. Luckily, the owner Alex, was near his bird pen and saw me drive up. He greeted me kindly and we immediately saw the animals.

Alpacas are beautiful. At least, Alex’s alpacas are beautiful. Graceful, lithe and fuzzy. Alex gave me some feed and I was slightly bombarded with animal affection, though once my resource was gone I was no longer popular. Fickle beasts!

Alex answered all of my questions and upon hearing that I was a spinner he offered to sell one of his fleeces that had a stress fracture. When alpacas are stressed the hair becomes weaker and tends to break at that point. It’s makes a crackle sound that isn’t usual for fleece. Since I am relatively new at spinning and I figure I couldn’t hurt the fleece anymore with my own spinning stupidity, I accepted. Would it be a tragedy if I had bought a perfect fleece and mucked it up badly?  I’ll reserve the ‘perfect’ for when I am more experienced.

Alex tried to sell me on buying an alpaca and while I was not averse to the idea, my pocketbook is prohibitive to any such costs at this time. It was very sad. After meeting the animals, Alex had to meet up with a gentlemen installing a pond in the back and I was introduced to co-owner and wife Heather.

Heather led me into their shop, very chic and filled with Alpaca knick-knacks. They had the furry little animals made from Alpaca fuzz which are nearly irresistible. Again the pocketbook made me resist. I had an excellent time with speaking with Heather about alpacas and their farm and what life was like. She was initially afire for horses, but an riding accident put those plans on hold and then they discovered alpacas. Serendipity!

I purchased the fleece. It’s a beautiful caramel color from a yearling named Lilia. I shall clean and spin it soon. Maybe in a few weeks, I’ll take up a skein or two while visiting the new cria (baby alpaca).

Sorry for the lack of posting

Blogger was acting a little weird and I couldn't see any of my posts. Instead of trying to fix it I got lazy and just didn't post anything for several months. BUT! I will begin posting again soon, even if I have to move heaven and the place below to do so. Or if it means copying and pasting my post from whatever Word/ google doc that it comes from. I will be heard!

It's been a great several months though in life. Alpha was accepted into grad school. So we will e living with the family for another year or two before we move on. I realized what a bummer my life was going to school. I love school. Love learning and education, do not love the stress.  All in all life has been very kind.

You know what the last few months haven’t been good for? Not so great for knitting. Being a nanny means that I can't take my knitting with me because the little wee ones think it's a game to unravel all my hard work and I can't blame them. It is fun to frog, unless you've been working on a shawl and that was the 4th time you tried to knit it.

I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival at the beginning of May. I took Momar and Mei-Mei with me. Momar decided that she wanted a spinning wheel and I didn't gainsay her in the least. We now have a little Roadbug, who will tentatively be named 'Lady' since she fits into my ladybug tesco bag from England. Pictures will be forthcoming.

I've visited an Alpaca farm. I want one... an alpaca, mayb a farm. Now I have fleece to clean and wool to spin.

P.S. Alexandria- Fibre Space will take your money and take it well. Very well.

P.P.S. Will anyone be interested in the excess yarn that will be spilling forth from the bowels of my house?