It was a beautiful day this morning. I don't often get up early enough to see the sun rise but Julia and I set the alarm for 4 a.m. to watch The Royal Wedding. I remember 30 years ago when Diana and Charles were married and my sisters, my mom and our friends had a great breakfast party as we watched the day. I wasn't going to miss this chance and we had a great time eating homemade muffins, scones and drinking British tea.
We live up in the hills above the Connecticut River and there are many streams and brooks that run down through the mountains feeding into the grand river. They make for beautiful moody fog filled mornings.
Many days, as the day unfolds, the fog lifts and the sun begins shining before it lifts down in the towns in the valley below. I love these foggy, gray mornings. It makes the colors so beautiful and muted.
The lambs are being weaned and it has been a bit noisy here the past couple days. We have been separating the lambs from their mamas all week and the babies are now grazing the fields in front of our farmhouse solo. It is such a great sight to see.... lambs running and chasing each other as they explore the nooks and crannies of the fields. Soon they will be accustomed to the new place and forget about their mamas.
Tomorrow, my family and I will be selling our frozen lamb meat at the Amherst Farmers Market on the Common from 7:30 to 1:30. We are "guest vendors" and will be there occasionally, as invited. Stop by and say hi if you are close. It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend and the Market is full of fabulous plants, greens, meats, cheeses, breads and other goodies.
More on the Knitted Royal Wedding from Yorkshire via the BBC ... HERE. I'm dragging myself out of bed at 4 a.m. to watch the festivities on Friday while breakfasting on blueberrry oat scones and Yorkshire Gold Tea.
While we here in the States don't have royalty, we do have Lady Liberty. Julia, Mom and I went last week to visit her. It was an awesome day. I had never seen her up close and she is breath-taking, as is her story via Ken Burns and PBS which I watched a while ago. Look it up - it is worth a watch. Fun ferry ride and trip to Ellis Island too. If you have never been to either, I highly recommend the day. Make sure you do the Audio add-on as it is so interesting!
There is a new interview with moi over on the Renaissance Mom series at Petite Purls. Do you know Petite Purls? It's a very nice on-line knitting magazine full of great free patterns for babies and toddlers, kids toys, diaper bags - everything a knitting mom or grand-mom needs! Petite Purls is run by a couple of clever knitting moms - Allegra and Brandy. They do an awesome job. Thanks guys for including me!
And while I'm speaking of little ones.... here's some cuteness from our house.
How does she do this? Bundling up all four into her arms? Two have left the fold and I'm looking for a home for these two. Had a home for them but the woman's dog didn't like them.... Now they are back!
We interrupt this month of Giveaways for some real content.... Thanks so much to all of you who sent questions about sheep farming to The Farmer. He spent a couple evenings scrawling out his answers and now it is my job to transpose it into something readable...... I didn't realize The Farmer had a "secretary" but I guess he does. If you had to wait for him to type it all, it might be next year for the answers!
I know that many of you who read this blog actually have agricultural lives but there are many more that reside far from any farm. Sharing our farming life has become the most rewarding and important part of this blog for my family and me. It's sometimes hard for me to determine exactly what to write about because I am in so deep and most of the things we do are part of a routine. This Q + A format works perfect. So here goes - Part 1 of 2011 Ask The Farmer.....
A new set of twin bottle lambs arriving in the kitchen
Natalie asked: I just have to ask...is it ever 'too late' or can a person learn to be a farmer? Lambs, llamas...does it take a lifetime to know about this? Must you be born to it?
The Farmer answered: Some of the best farmers come from non-farm backgrounds. They tend to be more open minded about things and they are farming because they want to.
Kristin adds: Natalie - you should read the story about my Aunt Addie who purchased her first two lambs when she was in her 70's. Here's the link. If Addie can do it, so can you!
mlacouture asked: Like Natalie I want to know is it too late?! For a 60-something grandmother to rescue a couple of (Shetland) sheep? What is the best way to fence them and to protect them from predators? I have two dogs but sometimes they're off-duty. I do have shelter for them. What about their hooves -- do they need attention? Can they live on grass only in the summer? What is their normal life-span (no lambing)?
The Farmer Answers: 60 sounds like a perfect age for rescuing a couple of Shetland sheep. For fencing you could put up a woven wire fence. I personally like electrified portable netting because you can move it around for pasture rotation. Ocassional trimming of hooves should be adequate for healthy feet. Sheep shearers often trim feet. Shetlands are a hardy breed and will do just fine on grass. In fact giving them grain would probably make them too fat. They should easily live to be 10 or 12. I recently sold some ewe lambs to a woman whose pet sheep Beatrice had just died at 22 years of age!
Kathy asked: I'm curious about the black lambs, do they turn white or do they grow up to be the black sheeps of the family?
The Farmer answered: Black lambs stay black. The sun bleaches them every year so they look brown and as they age, many of them turn grey, just like humans.
Anonymous asked: I know it is part of the cycle of life, but do the hand fed lambs still get sent to the market? Also, do you just sell the rams for market and keep the ewes? The mothers that die, do you shave the wool and bury the ewe?
The Farmer answers:Bottle fed ram lambs go to slaughter. Bottle fed ram lambs have no fear of people and can grow up to be quite dangerous. We usually keep the bottle fed ewe lambs for breeding ewe replacements. The mothers that die get dumped far out into the woods just as they are. No shaving or shearing. In a day, they are usually gone - eaten by the coyotes.
The Farmer with Olympia, a bottle lamb
Anonymous asked: In your blog you have mentioned that the sheep sometimes graze on other people's land. That's great, but how do you find people who want sheep to graze on their land, and what is the benefit to the landowner?
The Farmer Answers: I rely heavily on using other people's land for grazing our sheep. As far as finding people who want sheep to graze their land, I have several landlords and they all have different reasons. I guess the common thread is that until the past 30-40 years raising livestock (mostly dairy cows) in this part of Massachusetts was just what you did. Most of the landowners or their parents were farmers before it became so difficult. The landowners either have the choice of letting their fields grow up into woodland or keeping it open and green. A field has to be mowed at least once of year to keep it a field. Our sheep actually keep the pastures clipped and neat and they organically fertilize the land at the same time. The landowners don't have to pay for someone to mow it. I don't want to get too philosophical but there is something about seeing a field of sheep and a bunch of frolicking lambs on a green side hill pasture that makes Kristin and I and the landowners feel that all is well with at least this little part of the world.
Siri said: The questions I could ask... How I would have loved to have had the two of you standing by our sides during our own first lambing these past few weeks! I don't know how many times I thought to my self, WWKD? "What would Kristin do?!" Also, HOW ON EARTH DO THEY DO THIS WITH HUNDREDS OF LAMBS? Oy. We're just beginning to recover now a little from the exhaustion of only 4 ewes/6 lambs, the being on through-the-night watch for lambing and then feeding the one bottle lamb. My respect for you and your livelihood has grown ten fold in this past month!
Kristin answers: There was no question so I will babble on...... Siri - lambing gets easier every year but just know that even 30 years in, we are still learning. I think the most amazing part of raising sheep is that your natural instincts kick in and you learn so much about human nature, animal nature, life and death and yourself. Raising sheep has taught me so much about the cycle of life. I have become rather philosophical about life and death - both human and animal - and I feel more connected to the earth.
The other evening The Farmer and I were talking over the farming day at dinner. There was a lamb that wasn't doing good and we were discussing what we should do, and what kind of illness she might have. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do about a sick lamb and you have to let it go. Julia chimed in to the conversation and asked the most profound question of the week..... "Well Daddy, is it dead yet?" We looked at each other and both broke into smiles. "No, the lamb isn't dead yet." She then said, "Well then there is always hope."
And just when I think she isn't listening or observing any of what goes on around here and then she stuns us both with some great common sense.
This series will continue in a few days. If you have thought of a question and want to "Ask The Farmer", leave it in the comments.
A few years ago I stumbled upon a beautifully designed book called "Itty Bitty Hats." The concept and design of the spiral bound book was sweet, colorful and very well done. My interest was peaked because I hadn't ever heard of the author - Susan B. Anderson. I had been in the yarn biz for years. How could there be someone out there who was so super talented and who I didn't know? And then the next year, there was another Itty Bitty Book - this one on toys. I was dying to meet the author and as fate would have it, one evening at a TNNA show, Susan and I were seated next to each other at a publisher sponsored dinner with some book wholesalers. We hit it off and have become friends since that dinner, running into each other at different functions and keeping in touch by phone and email.
Photo Jim Mueller
Susan writes an incredibly cheerful and popular blog full of wonderful knitting, spinning, crafting and family. She also curates the Spud and Chloe Blog for Blue Sky Alpacas. She is Mom to four beautiful kids and lives with her husband and family in Madison, Wisconsin (knitting country for sure!). In person, Susan is exactly as you would hope - kind, smart, funny, pretty and a fabulous knitter/designer. I feel honored to count her as my friend. When Susan asked me if I would like to be part of her blog book tour for her next book, I was so happy to help her spread the word. Today I present to all of you Susan B. Anderson's uber-cute Spud and Chloe at the Farm.
To say Susan has done it again would be an understatement. The book is based on the adventures of two knitted toys - Spud (a knitted sheep) and his friend Chloe (a little girl with red hair and Mary Jane shoes). Along the way, they meet different knitted farm animals including Mother Hen and Chicks.....
Piglets.....
and many more super cute knitted farm inhabitants. The instructions are clearly written, gorgeously photographed by Liz Banfield, and a story weaves its way throughout the entire book. I really think this is the kind of book that many knitters will knit their way through, building an entire farmyard for a special little friend or even to keep for themselves. I think it would be a great project for a group of knitters to make for an expectant friend and to base a baby shower on! I want to point out that these toys are simply shaped and very straight forward. If you are new to toy knitting, Spud and Chloe at the Farm is the place to start. The most difficult thing to me looks to be Spud's wool but even that isn't hard.
And now for the good news.... I have a copy of Spud and Chloe at the Farm to give to one lucky winner courtesy of Susan's publisher Artisan Books. To enter the contest, answer the following question.....
If you could be any farm animal, what would you choose to be and why?
Make sure you leave an easy way to get a hold of you.
Deadline is Friday April 22nd at 11:59 p.m. Good luck!
Contest is over. The winner is Jennifer who wrote:First I thought sheep...because well they are probably my favorite. But then I realized I'd rather be a sheepdog, any variety. They have the fun job and they get to sleep in the house ;) Thanks for yet another awesome giveaway!
I met Linda Perman when she was editor of Adorn, the now defunct cool sewing and craft magazine that was out a few years ago. I did a project for them and have kept in touch with Linda as she has moved around the USA - first to Montana and then to Texas, two places that sound great to live! During it all, she got a two book deal with Potter Craft and we have kept in touch. Linda writes the great blog "Lindamade."
I must admit, I don't crochet too much. I know the basics and I love a good granny. I've never had the desire to become a crochet designer but I'm glad Linda Perman did. Her books are colorful, clever, really fun, and very, very stylish. Her new book is Little Crochet and it is full of amazingly sweet crochet projects for babies and toddlers. The photography is drop dead gorgeous and the instrux look clear and well written, just as her first book Crochet Adorned was.
There are 24 fabulous projects for babies and toddlers up to 4 years old. I am really in love with the cover booties. Are they just too much? Little stars inset into the top of the bootie. Linda says you can whip up a pair in an evening.
And the next one is a colorful afghan worked in my Julia Yarn. It's called the Mix and Match Blanket. This blankie is so clever. To work it, you use the one chart given. All of the squares are made with the same chart but it gets mixed up by changing colors. Some of the squares have a solid color circle, some striped, and some feature a pinwheel design. Linda added embroidery to some of them also. She is a woman after my own heart! I could see this Blankie made much larger into an official Blanket and looking really great on a couch or a bed. What a really nice gift for a new baby..... you could keep adding squares as the baby grows. Here's the Ravelry Page for it.
Linda was kind enough to answer some questions I had about the Mix and Match Blanket.
KN: I'll admit it Linda. I can change color like a master when I'm knitting but I have no clue how to change color in the midst of a round in crochet. What is the secret? LP: Really the key to nice color changes in crochet is this: complete the last stitch of the OLD color with the NEW color. IE, for Double crochet: "With FIRST color, yarn over and insert hook in stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through first 2 loops on hook, yarn over with NEXT color, and draw through both remaining loops on hook. Continue working with next color."
Since the last yarn over of the stitch before the "first" stitch in the new color is the loop that lays on top of the stitch, you have to change colors a little before what you would do intuitively (which would be to start the next stitch with the new color). I hope that makes sense, there is an illustration in the appendix of the book under "Joining Yarns and Changing Colors."
KN: Okay Linda, I trust you. I've got an idea for a video tutorial for you now! Like you don't have enough on your plate! But seriously, I love how you used the one motif for the blanket but really mixed it up so it looks totally fun and colorful. How did you plan it? LP: I knew when I was planning the book that I wanted to have at least one motif-based blanket. What I like about motifs is that they are easy to work and you can easily carry them along with you. I wanted to keep the pattern simple, because I'm someone who likes to put the pattern down after a while and just keep crocheting, so for the Mix and Match Motif Blanket, I based each of the squares on the same motif, with simple touches like color changes and embroidery to make each square feel different. It's easy to personalize the blanket and I also think it's a fun first colorwork project for those who are a little intimidated to mix and match colors.
KN: What was the inspiration behind the Mix & Match Blankie? LP: I was really inspired by the color palette available in your Julia yarn, and in case any art buffs are reading, by the work of Jasper Johns. If you have trouble picking out colors for this project, look to a piece of fabric or a painting that you like--then look closer to see what colors are involved. If you start with something you know you like, it will make it easier to visualize your color scheme.
Linda also made this really cute video for a book trailer. If you watch it, you'll see everyone of the projects parade across your computer screen. Linda surely is a talented designer.
So here's what I have for you to win today. To celebrate the launch of Linda Perman's Little Crochet, I have enough Julia Yarn for the Mix and Match Motif Blanket and a copy of Linda's new book!
I'll make it easy for you to enter. All you have to answer is this question:
Do you knit, crochet, or embroider, or do you do a combo of all?
Make sure you leave an easy way to get a hold of you! U.S. addresses only please!
Deadline is Monday April 18th at 11:59 EST. Contest is closed. The winner is cellobean who wrote: I love both, but barely get to either. I have always knitted, but taught my mother to crochet in the last few years of her life (she was a very accomplished woman and wasn't happy being less active and ill...the new skill gave her a boost!). I seem to do more dreaming about both than actual doing. I'd love to crochet the blanket! Love your blog.
I didn't grow up eating Shepherd's Pie but it has become part of my winter dinner repetoire over the past few years. I've finally written down how I make it to pass out at the Farmer's Markets (and to help sell our ground lamb). I'm sharing it with all of you today. I'm one of those cooks who wings it and it usually turns out fine. All this recipe writing is a stretch to say the least. Kids love Shepherd's Pie and it makes a great dish to bring to a potluck!
Shepherd's Pie is one of those recipes that you can tweak and use all kinds of odds and ends from your pantry, fridge or freezer. In fact that's the fun of it. It's also great to make an extra one to put in the freezer for those nights you just can't bear to chop an onion or mince some garlic.
I know that most cooks in the States probably do not use lamb. Heresy! How can it be official Shepherd's Pie if sheep aren't involved? Really now. Digging into the www I found that in England, Shepherd's Pie is definitely made with lamb. If it is made with beef, it is called Cottage Pie.
Anyone else want to throw in their own tweaks for their version of Shepherds Pie?
Leyden Glen Farm's Shepherd's Pie
This is our “farm version.” It’s yummy and homey and will feed a crowd.
2 pounds potatoes
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground lamb
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion - diced
2 carrots – diced into ½” pieces
5 cloves garlic - minced
1 cup chicken broth, lamb stock or white wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and Pepper
1 cup each corn and peas (I use frozen)
¼ cup parmesan cheese
Peel and chop the potatoes. Boil in salted water until tender and mashable. Drain. Add the milk and butter. Mash the potatoes, season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
Butter a 9 x 13 casserole. Pour in the meat mixture and smooth. Spoon the potatoes over the top of the meat and spread evenly. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese. Broil to melt the cheese and brown the top.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
To make an Italian-ish version of this:
Substitute red wine for the white wine.
Substitute 1 can cannelini or Great Northern beans for the corn and peas.
Add ¼ cup basil pesto to the meat sauce mixture before topping with the potatoes.
It's been a really busy week here - lots of time doing things that really are not blog-worthy. Going to Boston for an eye doctor appointment with Julia (she is fine), getting my hair fixed so I don't look like a grandma, and the dreaded organization of all the pre-tax filing information. That is what I hate the most and I can say that I don't know how accountants do it all the time. I'm almost done.... so I will celebrate with my next blogiversary giveaway for you all!
I've done two books with the fine folks at Storey Publishing and I count my editor Gwen as a good friend. She's an amazingly kind woman with a vast array of talents. She and her husband keep sheep, she is an amazing gardener, knitter, weaver, and craftsperson. I'm sure she cooks (although I don't know this for sure). She has three grown children (her daughter is named Kristin too) and a granddaughter who is the apple of her eye. As an editor, she is so calm and kind... never nagging.... If she needs a change or has another idea, it is suggested in the kindest, least threatening way. This is a very good way to work with an author and I feel blessed to have had that experience. I took this photo of her several years ago when we were shooting Kristin Knits. She really does pretty much always look this calm. Man, oh man, I wish I could be!
As an editor, Gwen gets extremely involved with all parts of any book she works on. She is always knitting... sometimes filling in holes with project designs. Like this project.... a easy to knit mitten design Gwen did for Storey's new best-selling Sock Yarn: 101 One Skein Wonders. The yarn is my Best Foot Forward.
Today I've got a great giveaway..... 4 craft titles donated by Storey:
Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece by the lovely Gail Callahan (aka The Kangaroo Dyer)
Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin who I had the pleasure to meet just recently at the Webs Author Day in late March
Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks! by Judith Durant
AND 5 skeins of my Best Foot Forward Sock Yarn donated by the kind folks at Nashua Handknits/Westminster Fibers!
Here's how you enter: Answer this question leaving it in the comments section:
When you finish a dreaded task, do you reward yourself? And if you do.... what do you chose as your reward? Deadline is Monday, April 11th at 11:59 p.m. Make sure you leave an easy way to get a hold of you in the comments. (No easy way and I skip down to the next person on the list..... It's my party and I get to play by my rules! Have to make life as easy as possible.)
Contest is closed! The winner is Pam who wrote: I love rewards! My favorite is shopping of course...usually for yarn to add to the stash. Thanks for the great giveaway! Pam
We have a new bottle lamb living in the kitchen with us. He has become great friends with the kittens. They all sleep in a little pile. They are so cute, aren't they?
I keep singing that song in my head with these words..... All around the blogosphere, I keep seeing flowers. We are still getting snow! In the last 5 days it has been white twice. But the snow did give me a chance to take some wintry photos of a pattern I am working on. Julia isn't quite as obliging as she used to be when I am taking photos. I've got to bribe her with money and then it is pretty torturous for both of us. Do you see the snow ball in her hand below? You can only imagine where it landed - at least it wasn't on my camera. Hard to believe it was April 1st, isn't it?
I received the prettiest little thing in the mail the other day from Robin in Minnesota. She came to the October "Get Stitched on the Farm" knitting retreat.
And a beautiful letter.
Dear Kristin, Attending your class in October of last year was one of the highlights of my year. It was so much fun! I've had more fun playing with color and feel a lot more confident. I've been knitting a lot, but I keep getting distracted with flowers. Here's one that reminds me of your sunflowers. Robin
What you can't see is Robin inserted a wire into the stem and the flower is totally bendable. It is exquisite and is cheering me up sitting in a little vase on my windowsill above my sink as I wait for something green to begin here. I was really tickled to receive this flower. As she was spending time at the farm last year, I could see her brain being turned on and a real creativity developing in her knitting. Robin is an accountant by training and letting loose doesn't come easy to her. As I sent her off into her knitting world, I could tell she really was taking away a lot of good information and that "I had gotten to her." To receive this little gift was truly special for me as a teacher. Thanks Robin!
I'm teaching the "Get Stitched Flower Class" in September here at our Farm. So far, there are no takers so I may have to cancel it and try something else. Or maybe the date is just bad. Or maybe noone wants to come.... There are only 2 spots left in the October 2/3 class so if you are on the fence, think about signing up soon.The July class is completely filled with a group of friends from Maryland. I'm looking forward to all the preparations, cleaning up the garden, airing out the house!
If you are looking for a nice Spring, Easter, or Passover gift to knit for friends, I must suggest my "Olympia's Knit and Crochet Flowers" pattern. (That is the pattern Robin used although she improvised a bit - yay Robin!) Who wouldn't like a knitted flower for a hostess gift or a centerpiece. I think maybe I will use my rustic basket with felted flowers as an Easter basket this year.
The felted flowers also look beautiful when decorating a grapevine wreath. They are so quick to knit and totally addicting. A nice "carry around" project when it gets too warm to drag around big bags and heavy wool.
The pattern is available for $6.00 on my website via PDF Dowload here.
Don't forget to add your question to "Ask The Farmer." Either you all are too tired of reading the blog or don't have enough time in the day..... Or you are still working on your taxes like we still are. I've got a really busy week this week and next and I am hoping The Farmer will fill in for some of my posting.
Last year, I did a fun column called "Ask The Farmer." Now that lambing has slowed down a bit, I asked him if he would answer your farming questions here again. Miraculously, he obliged. So, if you have any sheep, lamb, farming, or sustainable agriculture related question for him, leave it in the comments section of this post or email me directly. It's okay if someone has asked the same question.... that way we will know what are the most important to answer. He will answer them over a series of posts, fitting it into our farming schedule.
More giveaways next week! If you are wondering who has won each giveaway, I've been adding to each post at the end of it once the contest is over. If you are looking for book ideas, check out all the comments in Tuesday's post. You all are a wealth of great information!
