Part of the Package

Our two Border Collies Phoebe and Ness sleep outside. They have beds in the mudroom and are comfortable. They are country dogs and they do their jobs. They also keep the coyotes and critters away. Sometimes I cave in when it is desperately cold but mostly, they are outdoors. Last year I bought them heated dog beds I felt so bad for them. But last night, one of the cats must have pushed the door open and Nessie came upstairs at 2:07 a.m. I know this because I woke up abruptly to the overwhelmingly fresh smell of skunk. She doesn't look bad in this photo but let's just say she smells putrid.


I pretty much go with the flow around here. But boy I didn't need this bit of country living this week. I went to Bernardston Farmers Supply and bought every product they have for skunk odor removal. You see, before she came upstairs, she must have tried to rub the smell off on some of the rugs, the daybed, pillows.... You get the picture. It wouldn't be bad but I've got 5 knitters arriving Saturday morning for the last class of the season. Hope they are easy-going too!

Thank you Pepe Le Pew! Any ideas anyone?

Life Cycles

Everything on a farm involves a cycle of life or the cycle of a year and the changing lengths of days and temperatures, the rhythms of the flora and the fauna, the sun and the moon. But then everyone’s life, wherever you live – in the city or the country – is a cycle – a school year, a summer vacation, a work year. As a child, I never realized the cycle we were living even though I was living my way through it. Now, into my fifth decade, the seasons, the holidays, the rhythm of life has become familiar. I see in Julia how she loves the rhythms of the year – her Dad’s birthday, her birthday, summer vacation, my birthday, and then the wonderful family and harvest oriented holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Which all leads me to…… Oh my goodness, is it autumn again? Must mean the leaves will be changing colors, the air will be crisp and lovely, the harvest festivals will abound. I love this time of year when the sun is low in the sky and the colors around me positively glow... when it is cold enough to put on a sweater.,, when we can look forward to lighting the woodstove and keeping warm in one little room in our house while the rest of the house shivers. But we’re not quite there yet. The sunflowers are still blooming and I am still picking them and stuffing them into the buckets on the old haywagon. That is until the frost comes and ends it all.

On Saturday evening, just before sunset, I was madly picking sunflowers to fill up the buckets for Sunday. It had been a busy day at the sunflower field - I think everyone around here is anticipating cold days ahead and they all needed a little cheer in their lives in the form of a happy bouquet. I had been at Fibertwist trying to sell my books and postcards. It was hot there and barely conducive to warm and wooly things. Very odd for a late day in September.

It's funny but I barely ever meet any of our sunflower customers. I must be picking at odd hours when noone is buying. It's actually nice that way - I don't have to chat with anyone and I can have the beauty of the field to myself. I'm not alone though. There are so many birds hanging upside down from ripe seed heads picking out the seeds. And there are bugs, honeybees, bumble bees, grasshoppers and as I found out the other evening - lots of moths!

I was deep in the field Saturday evening and I heard a voice. I went out to the road and met a woman who wanted to know about the flowers. She told me she had never stopped or bought anything before. I told her a bit about the field and then went back into the rows. I heard her calling me again. I met her halfway down a row and she had a green glass vase with her. She told me her 92 year old friend had died and she wanted some sunflowers for her friend's family. She said they wouldn't be into flowers from a florist and our flowers would be perfect. I told her I would set her up and picked away. In a few minutes, I had a beautiful bunch of flowers and arranged them in the vase. She was really happy, handed me 10 bucks and she was off.

I still had more flowers to pick for Sunday. It was getting really dark and I worked fast. As the sun went down, I couldn't help thinking about this woman, about the older woman who had just passed away and about the cycle of life. It is an amazing cycle. Every year, as we plan the field, plant, till, weed, and harvest the sunflowers, I think about the cycle of everything's life. Some creatures grow old over a century, some grow old over a decade, and some grow old over just a few short months. It is reassuring to see the natural cycle of life and rather profound. It also is just darn cool that I can see this happening right before my eyes.

I have patched together a little photo essay of our sunflower field for you all.

Seeds emerging... Little leaves just beginning to grow up tall and strong....


A few months later, a sunflower blossom is getting ready to pop.....


A single bloom... with a bit of subtle coloration. This one is a hardy variety called Autumn Beauty. Seed this year was in short supply.


Sun shining down bright on a golden yellow Autumn Beauty bloom. You can see the very flat disk and the little protrusions all the way around the outside of the disk.


This striped bloom is starting to have some pollen on the outside of the disk. The bees will not be far behind.


I love all the wild abandon in the multi-colored rows of the Autumn Beauty Sunflowers. It really is a mass party of bloom and happy faces.

As the blooms age, they become rounder and fuller. The seed heads begin to grow and everything, except the petals, becomes round and robust. The petals shrivel away. This could be a poem if I was any good at writing them.


As the blossoms age, they take on another kind of beauty. They remind me of the ending hours of a late party. Everyone of them is a bit pooped - looking like they could use a good night's sleep.

As the seeds develop in the blossoms, the heads become heavy with seed. The plants can no longer support them and they start to fall over. They look so graceful to me - the light catching the different shapes that are developing from the spent blossoms.


Each plant continues to set more blooms, even though they are smaller and not as beautiful as the first blooms. They seem to be saying to me, "there's still time to produce, to make more beauty, to set more seed for the next year."

Finally the seeds are mature. The seed heads are brown or black, full of ripe, mature seeds that the birds come and pick out and enjoy.


And then they become picked over. They are done.


The plants then stand tall, decaying, soon to return to the soil. The earth will rest and next year it will all begin again.


It is earthy, raw, real, and lovely in its very own way and I am fortunate to witness it all so intimately. I am happy to share it with you all.

Around the Farm

Pokeweed is a nasty weed which I am constantly fighting. At this time of year it is so unbelievably beautiful. You can read all about the many uses for it here. I never knew it was so toxic. The sheep know because they never eat it. Me, I just want to knit this photo! And I will one day.


The ewes have been grazing up the road most of the summer. Can you see how brown the pasture is? You've probably heard about the lack of rain here on the east coast. I have been so nervous we are going to run out of water. It is just one of those things and you put up with it having a well. My brother-in-law David (the Other Farmer - he makes milk) ran out of water last week. Dairy cattle need a lot of water daily so he is driving to a pond at a neighbor's house that is spring fed and pumping water a few times a day to give to his cows. Today and tomorrow it is supposed to rain but we are so behind on the water that two days will help a little but not much. My Farmer is filling up his water tank and delivering the water from a local pond that still has water to the ewes out in the field.


The lambs have been in the pasture right outside our house for most of the summer. They really are growing, aren't they? Tonight we have to separate the largest ram lambs to take to the processor on Wednesday morning. Should be fun in the rain. The dogs will have a good time because they will be doing some real work. Rain or not, they live to work. And by the way, if you want a lamb for your freezer, I am taking orders now. Information is over here on our Leyden Glen Lamb website. I will most likely be coming to the Boston area sometime before Christmas so I can arrange a "lamb meat-up." You can also take a drive and pick it up here at the farm. Lamb meat is always available in our "lamb shack."

The colors here in New England are turning gold and red at an alarming rate. Color usually peaks around Columbus Day but it looks like this year we will be at full color this weekend. My guests for the last "Getting Stitched on the Farm" Class of 2010 are very lucky considering many are coming from parts of the country where there isn't as much color.


The sunflowers are still doing their thing. The hot weather has made for an amazing crop. I will really miss the daily picking of the field and filling the buckets for neighbors to buy and take home for their kitchen tables. I'm also going to miss having vases around the house overstuffed with sunflowers. But I must admit, I am really looking forward to a little downtime, nesting in our cosy house, knitting, getting my studio up and going, and possibly getting my feet clean again. It has been months since I have been able to get them squeaky clean.

Farmer's Market Festival in Bernardston

Our Bernardston Farmers Market Festival on Tuesday was a huge success. We organized it very quickly and really were not sure if anyone would show, considering it was a Tuesday. But show they did. I really think the secret to getting people out was the FREE ice cream that was donated by Bart's/Snow's of Greenfield! And the radio ads Julia did on WHAI. (Radio really works for publicity around here!) Here are some photos from the afternoon.

My sister-in-law Debbie (wife of the other farmer David, Mark's brother) and our friend Sharon in front of the Our Family Farms booth.


The scoopers - Amanda on the right and Julia on the left. Julia is from the new business in town Kringle Candle Co. They donated a fabulous gift basket (and they aren't even open yet!)


Bernardston Farmers Supply, our local feed, woodstove, and garden supply store had a nice display. They were amazed at the turn-out.


Our friends Peggy and Clara brought Junie their dog to visit. That's Clara dressed up as an ear of corn! What a hoot!


We can now purchase locally grown wheat here in the Pioneer Valley. Check out Four Stars Farm website.


Knitter extraordinaire Melissa Morgan-Oakes was selling her honey and her daughter Megan demonstrated spinning with wool from our sheep.


Local music from Maddie and Lana from Bernardston Elementary School playing their flutes - how cute.


More local music from world-famous Stuart Kenney and his son Matthew.


Ervin selling produce from his Coyote Hill Farm. He never stopped smiling once - he was selling so much!


Maple products from the Severance Family in Northfield. They sold out too!


One of the many extremely cute babies who attended with ice cream dripping down her chin. Awwww!


Sandy Streeter was selling her beautiful pottery birds. I love these!



My friend Mike (who owns 7 South Bakery Cafe) volunteered to cook our lamb, Carrie's kielbasa, and Ervin and Gloria's veggies. Thank you Mike!


And he made this awesome bread cornucopia which he donated for a door-prize.


Julia's friend Levi set up an impromptu stand and sold his art and took orders for his comic books! He is such a great kid.


By the time it was time to close up, the moon was up and it was getting dark. It was such an awesome afternoon. It really is amazing how much we accomplished and pulled together in a short time and the luck we had with finding local businesses for vending. Thanks to all who came out!


Julia and I will be at Fibertwist tomorrow in Deerfield. The event is being held at Yankee Candle's Fitness Center (next to Yankee Candle). It is right off of Rt. 91. There is an enormous parking lot. If you come, please stop by to say hi!

Goings-On

If I lived near Idaho, I would definitely make plans to go to this great event - The Trailing of the Sheep! Wow - what a fun time. What a great celebration of wool, sheep and a way of life! Has anyone ever been?

Tomorrow is our big "Bernardston Farmers Market Fall Harvest Festival." We've got a whole bunch of guest vendors coming which is really exciting. My friend and fellow author Melissa will be there introducing her new "chicken and egg business" and her daughter will be spinning some of our sheep's wool. We've got a huge number of door prizes so it will definitely be worth your while to stop by. Gary from Barts/Snows Ice Cream has kindly donated enough ice cream for 100 people. My friend Mike, co-owner of 7 South Bakery Cafe will be grilling up some of our lamb, Carrie's kielbasa, and Gloria and Ervin's veggies. It should be a good time!

I'm back from The Creative Connection in Minneapolis and all I can say is WOW - what a fabulous time! Thanks to all who came to my classes and thanks to Nancy and Jo for inviting me to teach! I picked up the new issue of Where Women Create and it is fabulous!


The sunflowers are still blooming but they are pretty much over. Boy, it's amazing how fast they change. I was away for 4 days and the field is almost done.

I'll be at Fibertwist on Saturday the 25th. It is my local Fiber Festival and I'll have a little booth set up. Come if you can. It's being held in Deerfield at Yankee Candles' employee fitness center. This is a new location but it is conveniently located off Route 91.

Last but not least, Marsha Cunningham, one of my blog readers, has done this wonderful 2011 calendar called Knotty Knitters for Autism. It is a fund raiser for her two grandchildren who have autism. The really nice thing is she is also making the calendar available to other families with children on the autism spectrum to fundraise for their children. Looks like quite the hoot too!

Creative Connection - Evening Two

Day Two of The Creative Connection has been busy. Yesterday I taught a class on embroidery, then sat if on a Social Media panel discussion which was interesting. It seems like a massive amount of work and with dial-up it doesn't make sense. But this high speed at the hotel is amazing. There are very few knitters here - it is mostly women who do jewelry, collage, scrapbooking and some quilting. They are all incredibly nice. Most are younger than I am (early 30's to mid 40's) and most are building their own craft-related businesses. There is really great energy.

At the dinner last night, Mary Jane Butters gave a speech about her business, life, and how she has made a success of it all. After Amy Butler gave a really great slide show of how she and her husband David began and where they are now. It was an incredibly beautiful presentation. Both of these women have worked very, very hard to get where they are now. After there was a Q&A.

At dinner I sat next to Paige Hill who is in charge of Social Media and Web stuff for The Creative Connection. She was tweeting all night long. What a totally sweet woman though and her mom is a knitter! She also works for Where Women Create doing the same thing. Do you know that magazine? It is quite beautiful. They have a new publication coming out in December called Where Women Cook. Looks good too!

At lunch, Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman spoke. Another good talk. She was quite funny. She has a memoir coming out soon and another cookbook. Her website is amazing. During the book signing, I chatted with the lovely Vickie Howell and Betz White, two more very talented women.


At home, my family is picking sunflowers - I hope. They'll be there (the flowers and the family) when I return. It's been a great experience, thus far.


Thank you Jo and Nancy for inviting me.

Vogue Knitting News and VKLive In January in NYC

Vogue Knitting is having a sale of their pattterns which ends today! I'm alerting you to this because I get asked all the time "Where can I find those JULIA knee high socks you designed that were in Vogue Knitting?" The answer is that they were in the Vogue Knitting Ultimate Sock Book. And now the pattern is available for PDF download for instant download. Check it out here!


Just a heads up to all of you wanting to take a class with me in NYC at Vogue Knitting's new "VK Live - Fashion Fiber Education" venue. Here is the link to my classes at this event. It looks like many of my classes are sold - out so if you are on the fence, I'd hop on over and register.


And last of all, have you heard about Vogue Knitting's fabulous new Magic of Mohair contest? You could win a trip to South Africa if you win their Grand Prize. There are also many, many other prizes. The entry deadline is December 1st. I mention this here because the yarn you knit and design with must be at least 25% mohair. And you know which yarn - my Julia from Nashua Handknits - is 25% mohair, 25% alpaca and 50% wool!

I have always been in love with the mohair fiber. I love its sheen and luster and the way it takes dye. I love the silkiness of the fiber and what it adds to any yarn. When I designed my Julia, I knew I just had to have mohair in its blend. Here's your chance to design something stupendous with Julia or any other mohair. And besides, those goats are just so good-looking, aren't they?


MOHAIR - there is no other fiber like it!

Creative Connection - Evening One

I arrived safely in Minneapolis. Last night was the first day of the Handmade Marketplace. I met a fabulous artist named Tricia Lowenfield at the Marketplace. I love her style. She self-publishes beautiful children's books and paints. And she painted a picture of Olympia the sheep without knowing it! Do you see her down in the corner of the painting?


Got to go run and teach a class.

Fall Brings New Julia Yarns Colors 2010

Fall Knitting Season is certainly underway throughout the Northern Hemisphere! Yarn stores are busy with knitters looking for new projects and all the Fall knitting magazines are chockfull of great new projects to stimulate us all. Here at the farm, I can feel fall coming. The nights are getting cooler and the leaves on our hill are starting to turn towards olive, gold and orange. I love fall for its fabulous color and crisp weather. The sun is lower in the sky and it gives colors a magical glow - even weeds.

Apple season begins and it will soon be time to make some cider and my favorite apple crisp. Our old abandoned apple orchard is literally full of millions of apples. It has reverted to an every other year bearing cycle and this is the year! The sheep love to eat the apples when they fall but we've got to watch them so they don't get bellyaches. Those of you who are coming to the October 2/3 Get Stitched on the Farm Class will have a chance to actually make and drink fresh cider using an old-fashioned cider press!


I also love fall because I can feel the knitting coming on. During the summer farming months, we get in the house so late from Farmers Markets, the sunflower field, the sheep or the garden. Most nights we don't eat until after 9. I know, unhealthy - but that's just the way it is. As the days become shorter there are less hours to be outside. The days become a little less hectic and it is time for me to knit again next to the woodstove.

Fall also means the arrival of new colors of favorite yarns. The new colors of my Julia Yarn are arriving at your local yarn store! This year I was inspired by fresh green grass.....


Grape hyacinth flowers......


The tiny buds of a weeping cherry tree......


And lastly, a beautiful turquoise glazed pot......


Here are the new shades of Julia along with the numbers.


Check them out at your local yarn store or if your local yarn store doesn't stock Julia check it out on-line here, here, and here. I myself am looking forward to a great time trying the shades out and seeing what new designs I can knit up in Fair Isle this coming knitting season.