Monday, February 29, 2016

The Upstairs Bath + Lambing Continues

Thanks for all your sweet comments last week. Julia is still under the weather and we have been to the doctor a few times and are having some tests run. I had a bit of a false start on my new book project and then real life interrupted again. But I promised to take you all along for the ride so here we go. 

I had to start somewhere. On my new book project that is. I've got the basic premise and subject matter - PATTERN. And as Kim Werker says in this very well written blog post - the best thing to do is just start. 

I'm beginning with the upstairs bathroom because I have been fantasizing about some changes for years. Here's a photo that Rikki Snyder took of the it several years ago. The scribbling on the side of the tub was done by Julia when she was about 2 with "bathtub crayons." There were some nasty comments on the Houzz article about those scribbles but they were part of our lives and her growing up and they are precious to us.  


My plan is beginning to take shape. I began by taping off the walls with wide stripes with 3M Painters Tape for Delicate Surfaces. I also purchased some Frog Tape for Delicate Surfaces which many people swear by. I chose to use the blue 3M tape because it would show up on my photos for all of you. I will test them both as the projects progress but for now, the 3M is what I am using. 


After taping the whole room, I painted on a layer of messy white paint on the wider sections. On purpose, I left some of the yellow showing through. It is part of my plan. 


Although progress has been delayed once again, at least something has begun. I can't wait to see what I have in my head come out on the walls. Stay tuned.


A friend of mine shared this video of a 3 year old girl pulling a lamb for the first time. Amazing. Julia never would have done this at 3 - nor now. Great British accents. I love the part where she says "It's a bit slippery." Gotta love little farmgirls. They aren't squeamish about anything.


Normally, you don't "pull" a lamb unless there is a problem of some kind or if the ewe has been in labor for a very long time and needs some help. I'm not sure what the circumstances were in this case. I just love the conversation between the mother and the little girl and the determination in her face. 

We are still having some new lambs - every once in awhile. Mostly it is over for this year though. Now it is maintenance of feeding them and waiting for them to grow. When the mud finally gets over (it is quite horrendous) and the grass starts to grow, the lambs will be weaned by separating them from their mamas and moved onto pasture. That is still at least a month away though. 







You can see from the photos all taken on a beautiful sunny day that the lambs are all different sizes. Date of birth, breed of sheep, genetics, amount of milk the mama produces, and whether the lamb is a twin or a single all effect the growth rate. 

Sheep farming is pure science - working with nature and the earth. It is really interesting and there is always some kind of challenge to discover and figure out a solution for. It certainly has kept Mark interested over the years and it has enriched my life and Julia's life too - even if she can't wait to get off the farm and live in a city. I know way more than would have ever thought I would know about farming now. I frequently catch myself saying "I've come along way from the suburbs of Jersey." There are many Jersey girls that would never get caught doing what I have to do nor living with the mud, muck, manure and dirty house. I count myself lucky (although not always) that I have had the chance to live on a farm and witness so many fascinating (and sometimes sad and disgusting) things. It isn't a life for the faint of heart though, I must admit. 

I hope you all have a great week. Hope to see some of you tomorrow at the Northfield Public Library for the FREE talk - see post below. I'll have lots of samples with me and books for sale. 

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I love seeing all the great photos - thank you! I love especially love the scribbles and hope you keep them always.

Unknown said...

Hi Kristin,

Does your husband (or you) need another winter jacket to wear around the farm? It's a Patagonia, a bit beat-up but warm and and just fine for farm work...let me know if you can make use of it and I'll send it along if you give me your address.
All the best to all and thanks for everything you share with us ; ) .
Sincerely,
Lynn Springer

Carolyn at Kind-n-Lovely Stitches said...

Love the scribbles on the tub that say, "Julia has been here." I love furniture that has some life to it. Ignore those nasty comments. They must be from miserable people. I love the way you embrace life and color and your joy in using what you have and loving it as it is.

Anonymous said...

Loved the video! Fortunate little girl to have that experience and video for memories. And the red dress - charming.
Looking forward to seeing what you are up to in your bath.
Happy Spring.

Anonymous said...

Strange (or perhaps sad) about the scribbles comments. A 'home' always has personal touches and I can only think the writer of the comments didn't have a 'home' or 'kids'. I may not always been happy about things my child did, but he was a child and they do have their own mind and those are usually the moments I remember most. :) Can't wait to see the 'renovated' bath room. Helen

Laurie Lasala-Tuttle said...

Hi Kristin ~ I always love your writing & photos! You do have such a busy & colorful life, and I thank you so much for sharing it with us! Hoping Julia is better very soon. ~ Laurie in California

Kristin Nicholas said...

Hi Lynn. Yes this jacket sounds helpful. Email me at kristinnicholas at gmail dot com and I will send you our address.

Thx so much. Barn jackets live a rough life. Would be so appreciated.

Kristin

Cathy Ham said...

Best wishes to Julia, and a big hug.

Cathy




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