Catherine Friend's Blog, page 5
January 25, 2012
Back in the Saddle
Yesterday one of "my" librarians asked my how my year was going. I said "It's been free of stress and chaos."
"Are you writing?"
I laughed. "Yeah, actually, that's why it's free of stress and chaos."
Made me think about how we get ourselves into, and through, a bad year.
2011 was one of those years. I had two books come out, so in many respects it was a good year. But it was also a year filled with unexpected frustrations.
We've been self-employed for years, which means we pay for our own health insurance. Since MN doesn't recognize our legal marriage, we're stuck having separate policies. My premiums have been fairly steady, but Melissa's premiums recently shot through the roof, nearly doubling in 4 years. Not to get into it too deeply here, but Melissa was afraid to change policies because an insurer could exempt every sort of coverage she needed.
This was why she had to get an off-farm job. The farm just couldn't support itself and our insurance bills. She found the perfect job for her---locating underground utility lines. She was outside all day, walking around people's yards, neighborhoods, and out in the country. She had her own little truck and laptop. It was mentally and physically challenging.
It also required massive amounts of overtime. She worked from 7 am often until 7-8 pm. Not surprisingly, there wasn't much left for anything, or anyone, at the end of the day. She was so tired on weekends that I asked her not to run any power tools or equipment on Saturday because she often hurt herself or broke something. Sunday was her only day to work on the farm.
The bulk of the farming obviously fell to me. I have broad shoulders, and managed to keep everything alive and healthy, but weeds overtook and drained the electric fencing. The animals stayed put only because they were polite. :-) I fed 3 baby calves 3 times/day for 3 months. I fed two bottle lambs for nearly as long.
By fall, the weight got heavier and heavier. I'd basically spent more time alone than I had for years. I'd also done a great deal of traveling to promote my books. All the household chores fell to me. We had two elderly dogs that required a complicated array of pills, and cleaning up of accidents. How the heck do couples with two fulltime jobs and kids DO this?
By fall, everything started slowing me down. I stopped writing and sank into a major funk. Usually when I get depressed, I get bored and snap out of it in 1-2 weeks. But this lingered and lingered. I spent the fall not only struggling to keep farm and home together, but also sitting on our front deck holding our kitten Emmett, watching Netflix (all 11 seasons of Frasier! All 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights! All seasons of Parks and Recreation!) and drinking wine. Pathetic.
I tried antidepressants (screwed up my ability to daydream, and thus write) and therapy. (When I told the therapist I thought I was a lazy person, she nearly grabbed her copy of Hit by a Farm and smacked me in the head with it. Interesting therapy technique, but I got the point. Maybe not so lazy after all.)
This is why, when the end of 2011 arrived, I said, "Good riddance," (My actual words were a bit earthier than that) and started a fresh year.
I've written nearly every day in 2012. The depression seems to have lifted (although it sneaks back every now and then to slap me around), and I'm excited about the new year. I know that Melissa will be gone a lot, so I'll do a better job of reaching out to friends and family. I know all the farm chores will be my responsibility, so we're freezing the size of the farm---no new animals for awhile. I'm going to line up help to do chores when I'm out of town, and someone to help me keep the weeds off the fences. Our beloved elderly dogs have died, leaving huge holes in our hearts, but less daily chaos. This next year it'll just be Molly and me going on lots of walks.
I've learned my lesson. Stopping what you love to do isn't a way to feel better---it's a way to feel worse. I'm not going to go more than two days in a row without writing. No more Netflix, considerably less wine, and having Melissa home for the winter has been great. We're both resting and recovering, building up the strength we'll need to get us through another season.
Now matter how your 2011 went, I'm hoping your 2012 goes better!
"Are you writing?"
I laughed. "Yeah, actually, that's why it's free of stress and chaos."
Made me think about how we get ourselves into, and through, a bad year.
2011 was one of those years. I had two books come out, so in many respects it was a good year. But it was also a year filled with unexpected frustrations.
We've been self-employed for years, which means we pay for our own health insurance. Since MN doesn't recognize our legal marriage, we're stuck having separate policies. My premiums have been fairly steady, but Melissa's premiums recently shot through the roof, nearly doubling in 4 years. Not to get into it too deeply here, but Melissa was afraid to change policies because an insurer could exempt every sort of coverage she needed.
This was why she had to get an off-farm job. The farm just couldn't support itself and our insurance bills. She found the perfect job for her---locating underground utility lines. She was outside all day, walking around people's yards, neighborhoods, and out in the country. She had her own little truck and laptop. It was mentally and physically challenging.
It also required massive amounts of overtime. She worked from 7 am often until 7-8 pm. Not surprisingly, there wasn't much left for anything, or anyone, at the end of the day. She was so tired on weekends that I asked her not to run any power tools or equipment on Saturday because she often hurt herself or broke something. Sunday was her only day to work on the farm.
The bulk of the farming obviously fell to me. I have broad shoulders, and managed to keep everything alive and healthy, but weeds overtook and drained the electric fencing. The animals stayed put only because they were polite. :-) I fed 3 baby calves 3 times/day for 3 months. I fed two bottle lambs for nearly as long.
By fall, the weight got heavier and heavier. I'd basically spent more time alone than I had for years. I'd also done a great deal of traveling to promote my books. All the household chores fell to me. We had two elderly dogs that required a complicated array of pills, and cleaning up of accidents. How the heck do couples with two fulltime jobs and kids DO this?
By fall, everything started slowing me down. I stopped writing and sank into a major funk. Usually when I get depressed, I get bored and snap out of it in 1-2 weeks. But this lingered and lingered. I spent the fall not only struggling to keep farm and home together, but also sitting on our front deck holding our kitten Emmett, watching Netflix (all 11 seasons of Frasier! All 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights! All seasons of Parks and Recreation!) and drinking wine. Pathetic.
I tried antidepressants (screwed up my ability to daydream, and thus write) and therapy. (When I told the therapist I thought I was a lazy person, she nearly grabbed her copy of Hit by a Farm and smacked me in the head with it. Interesting therapy technique, but I got the point. Maybe not so lazy after all.)
This is why, when the end of 2011 arrived, I said, "Good riddance," (My actual words were a bit earthier than that) and started a fresh year.
I've written nearly every day in 2012. The depression seems to have lifted (although it sneaks back every now and then to slap me around), and I'm excited about the new year. I know that Melissa will be gone a lot, so I'll do a better job of reaching out to friends and family. I know all the farm chores will be my responsibility, so we're freezing the size of the farm---no new animals for awhile. I'm going to line up help to do chores when I'm out of town, and someone to help me keep the weeds off the fences. Our beloved elderly dogs have died, leaving huge holes in our hearts, but less daily chaos. This next year it'll just be Molly and me going on lots of walks.
I've learned my lesson. Stopping what you love to do isn't a way to feel better---it's a way to feel worse. I'm not going to go more than two days in a row without writing. No more Netflix, considerably less wine, and having Melissa home for the winter has been great. We're both resting and recovering, building up the strength we'll need to get us through another season.
Now matter how your 2011 went, I'm hoping your 2012 goes better!
January 10, 2012
Rescued Sheep Multiply!
It's been a month since I've posted. But I'm back. 2012 is a new year, and I'm thrilled to see the backside of 2011. (Long story....next post)
I wanted to update the rescued sheep and llama story (animals abandoned on nearby farm a month ago---we found homes for them.) Our friend Drew and his family took the sheep. When he got them home he sheared them. A fleece usually weighs 7-8 pounds. These fleeces weighed 30-40 pounds. That's how long it had been since the animals had been sheared.
Animals feel better when they get that matted stuff off. But one ram found it especially alarming. After Drew finished shearing him, the ram lay there for a minute. But then his tail twitched. The ram shot up and began leaping around the pen, freaked out at something. (Leaping around isn't really normal ram behavior.)
Drew finally figured out that the ram had so much wool on his body that he'd stopped feeling his tail long ago. He'd forgotten he had one. But now, with all that fleece gone, he could feel his tail. It gave the ram a bit of a shock to discover there was something moving on his backside . He's recovered, of course, and wags now without fear.
In this rescued flock, there were both males and females. But no one expected any hanky-panky, since, quite frankly, we didn't think a ram could reach his target through all that wool.
Turns out we were wrong. A week ago Drew's daughter found two lambs in the barn, one all white, one nearly all black. And they think another of the females is also 'in the family way.'
So five months ago, a determined ram succeeded. We're thrilled the lambs have been born on an established sheep farm that understands the animals.
And here's an update from Carrie. (Her llama rescue operation drove 7 hours to pick up the llamas)---
"A bit of an update- the llamas are really doing well. The big herd is settled in. One girl was concerning us for a bit, but she's starting to pick up weight nicely now. The three boys are now OUTDOORS and are no longer afraid of sunlight. They are all 3 together and are good friends. The matted boy is so friendly. He has nerve damage to his face and it makes his lip droop. The big white stallion is still not "friendly" but he is FAR from aggressive, he is afraid but coming around. The 5 boys will be gelded this spring once they are at a healthier weight. We want to thank everyone for the support! It costs us about 400.00 a month in hay, and roughly a hundred in grain and mineral to keep everyone in chow. We appreciate all the help! We can't wait for April when we can start shearing and getting the disgusting fleeces and cockleburrs off!!"
(The llamas were so underweight that the vet can't sedate them until they gain 100 pounds each.)
Just a reminder. If you want to help support these llamas' upkeep and vet care, you can give directly at http://whipstaff.chipin.com/saving-12-llamas. This is a legitimate organization, so your money will be spent wisely. (Unlike your donations to the Humane Society of the United States... also a topic for another post!)
Welcome to 2012! It's going great so far....
I wanted to update the rescued sheep and llama story (animals abandoned on nearby farm a month ago---we found homes for them.) Our friend Drew and his family took the sheep. When he got them home he sheared them. A fleece usually weighs 7-8 pounds. These fleeces weighed 30-40 pounds. That's how long it had been since the animals had been sheared.
Animals feel better when they get that matted stuff off. But one ram found it especially alarming. After Drew finished shearing him, the ram lay there for a minute. But then his tail twitched. The ram shot up and began leaping around the pen, freaked out at something. (Leaping around isn't really normal ram behavior.)
Drew finally figured out that the ram had so much wool on his body that he'd stopped feeling his tail long ago. He'd forgotten he had one. But now, with all that fleece gone, he could feel his tail. It gave the ram a bit of a shock to discover there was something moving on his backside . He's recovered, of course, and wags now without fear.
In this rescued flock, there were both males and females. But no one expected any hanky-panky, since, quite frankly, we didn't think a ram could reach his target through all that wool.
Turns out we were wrong. A week ago Drew's daughter found two lambs in the barn, one all white, one nearly all black. And they think another of the females is also 'in the family way.'
So five months ago, a determined ram succeeded. We're thrilled the lambs have been born on an established sheep farm that understands the animals.
And here's an update from Carrie. (Her llama rescue operation drove 7 hours to pick up the llamas)---
"A bit of an update- the llamas are really doing well. The big herd is settled in. One girl was concerning us for a bit, but she's starting to pick up weight nicely now. The three boys are now OUTDOORS and are no longer afraid of sunlight. They are all 3 together and are good friends. The matted boy is so friendly. He has nerve damage to his face and it makes his lip droop. The big white stallion is still not "friendly" but he is FAR from aggressive, he is afraid but coming around. The 5 boys will be gelded this spring once they are at a healthier weight. We want to thank everyone for the support! It costs us about 400.00 a month in hay, and roughly a hundred in grain and mineral to keep everyone in chow. We appreciate all the help! We can't wait for April when we can start shearing and getting the disgusting fleeces and cockleburrs off!!"
(The llamas were so underweight that the vet can't sedate them until they gain 100 pounds each.)
Just a reminder. If you want to help support these llamas' upkeep and vet care, you can give directly at http://whipstaff.chipin.com/saving-12-llamas. This is a legitimate organization, so your money will be spent wisely. (Unlike your donations to the Humane Society of the United States... also a topic for another post!)
Welcome to 2012! It's going great so far....
December 11, 2011
Llama (and sheep) Drama
Monday morning I found an email in my inbox from a woman in northern Minnesota. She'd found us through the internet. Her brother had been arrested and was expected to spend time in prison. She'd just learned that no one was taking care of the 12 llamas and 14 sheep he left behind.
And now that we knew about it, it became our problem too. The sister needed help finding homes for the animals. Melissa made a dozen phone calls on Monday, and found someone willing to take the sheep. Tuesday I posted the situation on my facebook page, and found a llama rescue operation willing to take them.
The sheep and llamas that had the run of the place could eat snow, but the three stud muffins locked in the barn had nothing. (I learned today that llama stud muffins are called stallions.) We could find no source of water.
It's been a stressful week. Melissa brought the inside llamas snow. Twice she brought a few buckets of water from home, but of course the water freezes before the animals drink it all. We don't have portable hay bales (ours weigh 900 pounds) so Melissa flaked off some of the hay and drove it to the abandoned animals.
The sister gave us permission to disburse the animals, but we also got written permission from a friend of the landowner, the one who'd owned the animals initially. (Anyone confused yet? We were!)
We lost sleep as we worried about the animals. Their coats were incredibly matted. The sheep hadn't been shorn in a LONG time. Would the rescues actually happen? How would we get the animals out of the barn?
Through ChipIn donations, the non-profit llama rescue operation, located 7 hours away, raised enough money to pay for gas, motel, and some of the other expenses associated with a rescue operation (vet care, gelding the 3 stallions, etc.)
So what follows are the two rescues themselves. Not to give the ending away....but everything worked!
Drew backed his goose-necked trailer down the hill and around the hairpin turn.
They drove all the animals into the barn, then separated the sheep from the llamas (except one. The owner requested that a certain sheep stay with its llama buddy.) Here are Drew and Bunnie setting up panels from the barn to the back of the trailer.
Then with lots of whooping, they drove the sheep straight out the barn and into the trailer.
So far so good. But getting up the hill proved a challenge, even with 4-wheel drive and Drew at the wheel.
Enter Melissa's tractor. We drove home, fired it up, then I followed her in the pickup, emergency flashers on, as we drove 1/2 mile on the shoulder of the highway.
Melissa and her tractor pulled the truck and trailer up the hill.
Sheep leaving for their new home:
Meanwhile, the WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue people drove 7 hours, reaching Zumbrota well after dark.
Sunday morning we drove to the motel, and led them to the llamas. Jeremy's trailer and truck weren't going to make that hill, so he backed it to the edge of the hill. We set up panels running from the barn, creating a walk-way for the llamas.
First step was bringing the stallions out. These guys hadn't been handled. In fact, it'd been so long since they'd been outside that it was very scary for them even to step across the barn threshhold.
By pressing the first stallion up against the wall with a panel, Carrie was able to put a halter and rope on him. Then they waited awhile to let the llama relax a bit and realize he wasn't going to be hurt. We're so relieved Carrie and Jeremy know llamas so well. They're llama whisperers!
Then Jeremy and Carrie "led" the llama out, pulling pulling pulling him up the hill. Melissa brought up the rear...literally.
She took her 'rear end' job very seriously, not stopping until the llama was all the way into the trailer! That's my girl---she commits 110%, no matter what she does.
They did this with the two other stallions as well. The three stallions were tied inside the trailer, otherwise they might slash and bite the other llamas.
Then they herded the rest of the llamas up the hill in two batches. All went well with the first batch. They used a panel to herd the llamas into the trailer.
The second batch was less cooperative, and stood with their butts to the trailer. We were all there pushing, and suddenly one llama went skyward. Hey! Where'd this giraffe come from? How'd he get so tall? Quick-thinking Jeremy held firm with the panel, even though llama hooves whistled past his head. Finally, all were inside.
Here's the happy llama crew: Jeremy, Melissa, Carrie, and young friend.
Here's Melissa saying adios to the llamas.
Jeremy's truck had trouble pulling the trailer up the hill, so I backed up our truck, and Melissa pulled him forward.
And off the llamas go.
We feel really good about helping, but we are so relieved it's over. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the llama rescue through ChipIn. The WhipStaff people will make sure the animals are healthy, then place them in new homes (at least 8 have been spoken for.) Drew will shear the sheep to see what's going on---are they skinny and need extra food? Are they pregnant and about to give birth? The fun never ends...
Once it was all over, Melissa relaxed by going outside and cleaning her shed---a favorite activity. I poured myself a gallon (I mean, glass) of wine, and started knitting a new sock.
And our lives will be quiet, until the next crisis.
November 28, 2011
The Check's in the Mail
Thanks everyone for loving our yarn, and buying it! We've shipped out about 1/3 of it, but the rest is languishing on our dining room table, waiting for ransom checks to set it free. :-)
So if you attached your name to a skein or two, here's what you owe. Please please please send us a check by Dec. 10. If there are extenuating circumstances (having surgery, kidnapped by aliens, etc), let us know. Otherwise we'll make the skeins available again. (I don't have the energy to bug people for money. Yuck. Hate it.)
If I've totally mucked your order up, please email me directly at info@risingmoonfarm.com.
Please send ransom check to Rising Moon Farm, Box 21, Zumbrota, MN 55992.
Amber $22 (Pink moon) $22 (tangled blue) $6 ship = $50
Amanda $22 (seaglass) $22 (s. sherbert) $6 ship = $50
Beth G $20 (woodland rose), $44 (Gonew/Wind) = $64 plus $7 = $71
Colleen $44 (2 Indian Summer) $44 (2 summer sherbert) $8 shipping = $96
CosmoDK $20 (s. sherbert) $6 ship = $26
goodbobo (sue) $40 (2 tie dye) $6 ship = $46
Gracey is Not My Name $22 (MN leopard) $6 ship = $28
Jamie $20 (napping) $6 = $26
Janet $22 (seaglass) $6 ship = $28
Jilly47 $44 (2 northern lights) $6 ship = $50
Karol S. $44 (2 gone w/wind) $6 shipping = $50
KNITMA $22 (napping) $24 (northern lights) $6 ship = $52
Marian T. Librarian $22 (Forest floor) $6 ship = $28
Robyn $44 (2 winter skyline) $6 ship = $50
Ruthie J $24 (Great balls of fire) $6 ship = $30
Sara $22 (Driftwood) plus $6 shipping = $28
twinsetjan $46 (2 endless sea) $6 ship = $52
Beef customers (pay when pick up beef):
Peggy $44
Sarah M $22
Joanne S. $46
Sherry A $22
Maggie M $42
Jan G. $42
THANKS, EVERYONE. Happy knitting or crocheting....
Catherine and Melissa
So if you attached your name to a skein or two, here's what you owe. Please please please send us a check by Dec. 10. If there are extenuating circumstances (having surgery, kidnapped by aliens, etc), let us know. Otherwise we'll make the skeins available again. (I don't have the energy to bug people for money. Yuck. Hate it.)
If I've totally mucked your order up, please email me directly at info@risingmoonfarm.com.
Please send ransom check to Rising Moon Farm, Box 21, Zumbrota, MN 55992.
Amber $22 (Pink moon) $22 (tangled blue) $6 ship = $50
Amanda $22 (seaglass) $22 (s. sherbert) $6 ship = $50
Beth G $20 (woodland rose), $44 (Gonew/Wind) = $64 plus $7 = $71
Colleen $44 (2 Indian Summer) $44 (2 summer sherbert) $8 shipping = $96
CosmoDK $20 (s. sherbert) $6 ship = $26
goodbobo (sue) $40 (2 tie dye) $6 ship = $46
Gracey is Not My Name $22 (MN leopard) $6 ship = $28
Jamie $20 (napping) $6 = $26
Janet $22 (seaglass) $6 ship = $28
Jilly47 $44 (2 northern lights) $6 ship = $50
Karol S. $44 (2 gone w/wind) $6 shipping = $50
KNITMA $22 (napping) $24 (northern lights) $6 ship = $52
Marian T. Librarian $22 (Forest floor) $6 ship = $28
Robyn $44 (2 winter skyline) $6 ship = $50
Ruthie J $24 (Great balls of fire) $6 ship = $30
Sara $22 (Driftwood) plus $6 shipping = $28
twinsetjan $46 (2 endless sea) $6 ship = $52
Beef customers (pay when pick up beef):
Peggy $44
Sarah M $22
Joanne S. $46
Sherry A $22
Maggie M $42
Jan G. $42
THANKS, EVERYONE. Happy knitting or crocheting....
Catherine and Melissa
November 19, 2011
YARN for SALE!
Finally! Our yarn spent 10 months at the fiber mill (they had many business and personal problems, some tragic.) Then it took me a few months to dye the skeins with London Nelson. Then it took another few weeks to reskein the skeins (got tangled because they weren't tied well at the troubled mill) with Kathy's help, and twinsetellen's swifts. (Thanks to both of you!) We tied them with pink yarn, which is why you'll see pink in surprising places in the photos. Here's the reskeining project:
But now I think we're ready. Should I call it "Hit by a Farm Yarn"? :-)
Here's what you need to know---
---yarn from a farm: We haven't yet purchased coats for our sheep, so there will be a little vegetative matter in the yarn. Not much. Just enough to remind you this isn't commercially produced yarn. :-) Also, this yarn is 100% wool, and is not treated as 'superwash,' so hand wash only.
---hand-dyed yarn: It's amazing how differently each skein of yarn absorbs the dye. If there are 4-5 skeins in a pot, some will be brighter, others more muted. Some will absorb more or less of one color. I've been told that if you're doing a project that requires more than one skein, you should trade off skeins every 2-3 rows to better incorporate the differences in dye.
---the skeins: The yarn is mostly worsted weight---but a few skeins look a little thinner---sport? And the weight per skein differs as well. I must say that I'm disappointed in the fiber mill, and I can see that consistency is going to be a problem. But what's spun, is spun.
Ha. Sorry.
The skeins will be enough for socks or mittens or a hat or a scarf. I'd asked the mill to put them in skeins of 250 yards, but it didn't happen---most range from 200-220 yards. If you want larger socks, you might have to make the toe from a coordinating yarn. Here are the socks I knit with a 3.6 ounce skein of Ice Palace:
---skein price: based on weight: 2.5-2.9 oz --$20
3-3.8 oz --- $22
3.9-4.8 oz--$24
Shipping is $6.
---ordering: So everyone can take home a bit of our farm, let's set a LIMIT of 2 SKEINS per person for this first round. First, skim the comments, then comment with the yarn name and skein number you'd like to purchase. I'll update the blog regularly so you'll know what's gone and what's left. When everyone has had a chance to order and there are still skeins left, the sky's the limit. :-) If you can't comment, email me at info@risingmoonfarm.com
---payment: Send a check made out to Rising Moon Farm (for yarn and $6 shipping) to Box 21, Zumbrota, MN 55992
---shipping: Please be patient. It's just me filling these orders, since Melissa is still making the world safe by locating underground utility lines. :-) And the dogs are not helpful at all.
---books? Want signed copies of Hit by a Farm or Sheepish? Let me know and I'll recalculate the shipping. Books and yarn might make a nice holiday gift... :-)
Thanks SO much for supporting Melissa and me and our farm, and being patient as I find my way through this fiber world. My goal is to keep making the yarn better with breeding and coats, and learn more about dyeing, and find a fiber mill that can be consistent.
TWO SKEIN LIMIT, PLEASE!
Cherry Fizz---fun range from dark to pink to pale. The camera freaks out at red.
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $24
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Driftwood
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Sara
Skein 2 $22 SOLD to Peggy
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Endless Sea
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $20
Forest Floor: Quiet, subtle yarn of muted blues, browns, and rose.
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Jan
Skein 2 $22 SOLD to Peggy
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Woodland Rose: Every skein in this batch came out looking totally different than the others. Not recommended for multiple skein projects!
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $20
Skein 3 $20
Skein 4 $20
Skein 5 $20
Gone with the Wind
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $24
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Skein 6 $22
Skein 7 $22
Great Balls of Fire
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $20
Ice Palace
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Indian Summer
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Lilac Blues
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Susan
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $20
Skein 4 $20
Minnesota Leopard: (There really isn't a MN leopard. Just playing with you...)
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $20
Skein 3 $20
Skein 4 $20
Napping in the Grass
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to KNITMA
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Skein 5 $20
Northern Lights
Skein 1 $24 SOLD to KNITMA
Skein 2 $22 SOLD to donateascarfforrescuedogs
Skein 3 $22 SOLD to donateascarfforrescuedogs
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Skein 6 $22
Pink Moon
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22 SOLD to Barb
Skein 4 $20 SOLD to Barb
Tangled up in Blue
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Maggie
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Tie Dye
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $20
Skein 6 $20
Sea Glass
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Summer Sherbert
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Skein 5 $20
Skein 6 $20
Winter Skyline
Skein 1 $20 (3 knots.) SOLD to JAN
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
That's it. Hope you found something you like.
Comment to claim your skeins. In the event two people claim the same skeins, there will be a sheep-off (a written test on the information in Sheepish!)
Kidding. Enjoy!
But now I think we're ready. Should I call it "Hit by a Farm Yarn"? :-)
Here's what you need to know---
---yarn from a farm: We haven't yet purchased coats for our sheep, so there will be a little vegetative matter in the yarn. Not much. Just enough to remind you this isn't commercially produced yarn. :-) Also, this yarn is 100% wool, and is not treated as 'superwash,' so hand wash only.
---hand-dyed yarn: It's amazing how differently each skein of yarn absorbs the dye. If there are 4-5 skeins in a pot, some will be brighter, others more muted. Some will absorb more or less of one color. I've been told that if you're doing a project that requires more than one skein, you should trade off skeins every 2-3 rows to better incorporate the differences in dye.
---the skeins: The yarn is mostly worsted weight---but a few skeins look a little thinner---sport? And the weight per skein differs as well. I must say that I'm disappointed in the fiber mill, and I can see that consistency is going to be a problem. But what's spun, is spun.
Ha. Sorry.
The skeins will be enough for socks or mittens or a hat or a scarf. I'd asked the mill to put them in skeins of 250 yards, but it didn't happen---most range from 200-220 yards. If you want larger socks, you might have to make the toe from a coordinating yarn. Here are the socks I knit with a 3.6 ounce skein of Ice Palace:
---skein price: based on weight: 2.5-2.9 oz --$20
3-3.8 oz --- $22
3.9-4.8 oz--$24
Shipping is $6.
---ordering: So everyone can take home a bit of our farm, let's set a LIMIT of 2 SKEINS per person for this first round. First, skim the comments, then comment with the yarn name and skein number you'd like to purchase. I'll update the blog regularly so you'll know what's gone and what's left. When everyone has had a chance to order and there are still skeins left, the sky's the limit. :-) If you can't comment, email me at info@risingmoonfarm.com
---payment: Send a check made out to Rising Moon Farm (for yarn and $6 shipping) to Box 21, Zumbrota, MN 55992
---shipping: Please be patient. It's just me filling these orders, since Melissa is still making the world safe by locating underground utility lines. :-) And the dogs are not helpful at all.
---books? Want signed copies of Hit by a Farm or Sheepish? Let me know and I'll recalculate the shipping. Books and yarn might make a nice holiday gift... :-)
Thanks SO much for supporting Melissa and me and our farm, and being patient as I find my way through this fiber world. My goal is to keep making the yarn better with breeding and coats, and learn more about dyeing, and find a fiber mill that can be consistent.
TWO SKEIN LIMIT, PLEASE!
Cherry Fizz---fun range from dark to pink to pale. The camera freaks out at red.
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $24
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Driftwood
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Sara
Skein 2 $22 SOLD to Peggy
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Endless Sea
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $20
Forest Floor: Quiet, subtle yarn of muted blues, browns, and rose.
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Jan
Skein 2 $22 SOLD to Peggy
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Woodland Rose: Every skein in this batch came out looking totally different than the others. Not recommended for multiple skein projects!
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $20
Skein 3 $20
Skein 4 $20
Skein 5 $20
Gone with the Wind
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $24
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Skein 6 $22
Skein 7 $22
Great Balls of Fire
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $20
Ice Palace
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Indian Summer
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Lilac Blues
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Susan
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $20
Skein 4 $20
Minnesota Leopard: (There really isn't a MN leopard. Just playing with you...)
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $20
Skein 3 $20
Skein 4 $20
Napping in the Grass
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to KNITMA
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Skein 5 $20
Northern Lights
Skein 1 $24 SOLD to KNITMA
Skein 2 $22 SOLD to donateascarfforrescuedogs
Skein 3 $22 SOLD to donateascarfforrescuedogs
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Skein 6 $22
Pink Moon
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22 SOLD to Barb
Skein 4 $20 SOLD to Barb
Tangled up in Blue
Skein 1 $22 SOLD to Maggie
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Tie Dye
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $20
Skein 6 $20
Sea Glass
Skein 1 $24
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
Summer Sherbert
Skein 1 $22
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $20
Skein 5 $20
Skein 6 $20
Winter Skyline
Skein 1 $20 (3 knots.) SOLD to JAN
Skein 2 $22
Skein 3 $22
Skein 4 $22
Skein 5 $22
That's it. Hope you found something you like.
Comment to claim your skeins. In the event two people claim the same skeins, there will be a sheep-off (a written test on the information in Sheepish!)
Kidding. Enjoy!
November 16, 2011
Beef Anyone?
It's time! We're once again offering packages of great-tasting, humanely-raised beef for those readers who live in Minnesota. Here are the details:
The farm: We make sure the steers have 18 months of natural living---outside, with shelter available in the winter, and shade during the heat of the summer.
The steers: They were bottle-fed as calves, with a bit of grain. Then it was nothing but grass all summer and fall. Then they ate hay during the winter, with a small amount of grain for energy during the cold. Since May of this year, all they ate was fresh grass. No growth hormones given. No non-theraputic antibiotics.
The beef: Tender and great-tasting. You'll find it hard to go back to the beef you buy in stores.
The package: We sell the beef in 25-pound packages. Half of the package is roasts and steaks, the other half is ground beef. Additional ground beef will be available for purchase.
The price: The package is $125, plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $150. (We spread 1/2 of the processing fee among our customers; we pay the other half.)
Ordering: Call to place your order, or respond by email. Let us know when you're available to come pick up your meat, and we'll set something up--weekdays or weekends---it's up to you! The farm is 60 miles SE of the Twin Cities, on the way to Rochester. (Sorry--we don't ship meat. Just too expensive.)
Feel free to contact us with any questions! Email us at info@risingmoonfarm.com
---Catherine and Melissa
The farm: We make sure the steers have 18 months of natural living---outside, with shelter available in the winter, and shade during the heat of the summer.
The steers: They were bottle-fed as calves, with a bit of grain. Then it was nothing but grass all summer and fall. Then they ate hay during the winter, with a small amount of grain for energy during the cold. Since May of this year, all they ate was fresh grass. No growth hormones given. No non-theraputic antibiotics.
The beef: Tender and great-tasting. You'll find it hard to go back to the beef you buy in stores.
The package: We sell the beef in 25-pound packages. Half of the package is roasts and steaks, the other half is ground beef. Additional ground beef will be available for purchase.
The price: The package is $125, plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $150. (We spread 1/2 of the processing fee among our customers; we pay the other half.)
Ordering: Call to place your order, or respond by email. Let us know when you're available to come pick up your meat, and we'll set something up--weekdays or weekends---it's up to you! The farm is 60 miles SE of the Twin Cities, on the way to Rochester. (Sorry--we don't ship meat. Just too expensive.)
Feel free to contact us with any questions! Email us at info@risingmoonfarm.com
---Catherine and Melissa
November 3, 2011
From White to Wonderful---Dyeing yarn!
So how does a color-obsessed writer/farmer turn her yarn into explosions of color? Come with me to London's house, the woman who's been holding my hand throughout this process. She's fearless. "Let's try this!" "That might work!" "Sounds good!" If I were doing this on my own, I'd overthink everything. I'd lay out swatches and analyze the color combinations. I'd bug my friends---"Should I use the royal blue or the navy blue? Bright Yellow or Yellow Ochre?"
But not London. She loves experimenting, so that's what we did.
Here's the yarn, undyed:
Then we soaked the yarn in vinegar water:
We dyed the yarn using three different methods. The first was painting. We stretched out the yarn and squeezed/poured dye onto it, then worked the dye in with our fingers. (By the way, London's lovely counter top is protected by a clear plastic shower curtain!)
We flipped the yarn over, did the other side if needed, then rolled the skeins up like caramel rolls in plastic wrap and cooked them on the stove for awhile. (This is how the color sets.)
[image error]
The second method was to put dye in the bottom of a pot, add the skeins, then squirt/pour more dye over the top.
A third method was to put dye in glass containers:
...add the skeins and more dye. At this stage the yarn doesn't look that great, but the final yarn is the very last photo in this blog---big difference. We then cooked these containers in the microwave!
Whether in the microwave or on the stove, when the water in the pot is clear, all the dye has been absorbed and we're done.
The final steps are to rinse...
Fling out the extra water...
And admire....
Now I must prepare the skeins, make labels, and then I'll post the yarn for sale on this blog.... soon!
But not London. She loves experimenting, so that's what we did.
Here's the yarn, undyed:
Then we soaked the yarn in vinegar water:
We dyed the yarn using three different methods. The first was painting. We stretched out the yarn and squeezed/poured dye onto it, then worked the dye in with our fingers. (By the way, London's lovely counter top is protected by a clear plastic shower curtain!)
We flipped the yarn over, did the other side if needed, then rolled the skeins up like caramel rolls in plastic wrap and cooked them on the stove for awhile. (This is how the color sets.)
[image error]
The second method was to put dye in the bottom of a pot, add the skeins, then squirt/pour more dye over the top.
A third method was to put dye in glass containers:
...add the skeins and more dye. At this stage the yarn doesn't look that great, but the final yarn is the very last photo in this blog---big difference. We then cooked these containers in the microwave!
Whether in the microwave or on the stove, when the water in the pot is clear, all the dye has been absorbed and we're done.
The final steps are to rinse...
Fling out the extra water...
And admire....
Now I must prepare the skeins, make labels, and then I'll post the yarn for sale on this blog.... soon!
October 13, 2011
Yarn Names that Rock
Thanks to everyone who posted such wonderful names. I'd put 4 yarns on the previous blog post, but currently have 9 to name. Amazingly, some of the names will work for the 5 yarns I didn't post!
So many, many thanks to the creative geniuses listed below, along with their yarn names. London and I are getting together soon to finish up, then Rising Moon Farm Yarn will be available soon. (Or should it be Hit by a Farm Yarn? Sheepish Yarn? Seriously. How can I write 5 books in 6 years and not be able to name my own yarn?)
Cherry Fizz.... thanks to sanderfarm
Northern Lights... thanks to transFarmer (or rather, the wife, for she thought of it!)
Gone with the Wind... thanks to Elaine Mulligan (I dropped the orange..hope that's okay. The yarn that gets this name looks like that scene of Atlanta burning---all oranges and browns)
Winter Skyline.... thanks to MaggieMaeFarm
Seaglass... thanks to Cindy
Ice Palace... thanks to Mama Pea
Pink Moon.... thanks to Sheryl Robertson
Summer Sherbert... thanks to Mama Pea again for sherbert, which I altered.
And just so you don't think I'm totally useless when it comes to naming yarn, I named one myself: Indian Summer.... which we've been having for 2 weeks but is almost over.
I'm currently knitting a pair of socks out of Ice Palace to make sure a pair can be got from one skein....
Thank you again!
So many, many thanks to the creative geniuses listed below, along with their yarn names. London and I are getting together soon to finish up, then Rising Moon Farm Yarn will be available soon. (Or should it be Hit by a Farm Yarn? Sheepish Yarn? Seriously. How can I write 5 books in 6 years and not be able to name my own yarn?)
Cherry Fizz.... thanks to sanderfarm
Northern Lights... thanks to transFarmer (or rather, the wife, for she thought of it!)
Gone with the Wind... thanks to Elaine Mulligan (I dropped the orange..hope that's okay. The yarn that gets this name looks like that scene of Atlanta burning---all oranges and browns)
Winter Skyline.... thanks to MaggieMaeFarm
Seaglass... thanks to Cindy
Ice Palace... thanks to Mama Pea
Pink Moon.... thanks to Sheryl Robertson
Summer Sherbert... thanks to Mama Pea again for sherbert, which I altered.
And just so you don't think I'm totally useless when it comes to naming yarn, I named one myself: Indian Summer.... which we've been having for 2 weeks but is almost over.
I'm currently knitting a pair of socks out of Ice Palace to make sure a pair can be got from one skein....
Thank you again!
October 10, 2011
Name that Yarn!
If you've read Sheepish, you know that I've struggled in the past when it comes to naming yarn. I've learned that it's best, when naming yarn, to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and double fudge brownies. You don't want to be under the influence of anything.
A few weeks ago it hit me: "Hey, I could get some help with this." So here are four of the yarns I'll be selling in a month or two. (Please note---they will be tidied up before selling---dyeing sometimes gets things a bit tangled.)
Some people choose themes, but I can't even come up with one of those. Seasons on the farm? Animals? Gaack. (My brain took a summer vacation and has yet to return. I miss her more than I can say.)
So---any names come to mind with these colors?
Wait--- "Will there be a prize?" you ask.
"You mean beyond the personal satisfaction of exercising your creativity? Hmmm. Can't think of anything right now (remember---missing brain) but if I come up with something, I'll let you know."
Yarn 1: (this is a bright red, not pink...darn that camera...)
Yarn 2:
Yarn 3:
Yarn 4:
THANKS!
A few weeks ago it hit me: "Hey, I could get some help with this." So here are four of the yarns I'll be selling in a month or two. (Please note---they will be tidied up before selling---dyeing sometimes gets things a bit tangled.)
Some people choose themes, but I can't even come up with one of those. Seasons on the farm? Animals? Gaack. (My brain took a summer vacation and has yet to return. I miss her more than I can say.)
So---any names come to mind with these colors?
Wait--- "Will there be a prize?" you ask.
"You mean beyond the personal satisfaction of exercising your creativity? Hmmm. Can't think of anything right now (remember---missing brain) but if I come up with something, I'll let you know."
Yarn 1: (this is a bright red, not pink...darn that camera...)
Yarn 2:
Yarn 3:
Yarn 4:
THANKS!
September 23, 2011
Going to Ground
Farmers are considered to be well-'grounded,' meaning they're firmly established, stable, practical. But even though we work with the 'ground,' we don't come in contact with it other than through our feet. (Grounding also refers to connecting electricity to the ground, but let's don't go over my head -- Melissa's the electrician in the family.)
A few months ago I read an article in the Utne Reader about how disconnected we are from the ground, and the electrical charges it holds. We wear shoes, and while gardeners might kneel in the soil, most of us rarely connect directly with the ground.
The premise of the article is that because we're not in sync with the earth's electrical currents, we get sick. I'm not going to debate the validity of wacky theories; the article just intrigued me.
So I decided to get some ground time. It was about 55 degrees out, but the sun had warmed the grass. So with our new barn kitten, Emmett, I lay down on the grass. I planned to spend 15 minutes there, getting connected to the earth's electrical charges.
But when that time had passed, I didn't want to get up. It was weird. So I let Emmett climb over me for awhile. Thirty minutes passed. Then an hour. Then Emmett crawled up into the bottom of my baggy pant leg and fell asleep.
I ended up 'grounding' myself for 1 1/2 hours! The next day I did it for 30 minutes.
Then the sun disappeared for a week, but now it's back, and I plan to spend more time on the ground. I don't know if I buy the stuff in the article; I just know it feels good. Weird.
Here's the link to the article: http://www.utne.com/Mind-Body/Earthing-Grounding-Sleep-Research-Electromagnetic-Fields.aspx
While I spent time on the ground, I amused myself by taking photos of Emmett.
So did it feel good to lie on the ground because of the electrical current running through the earth? Or was it because I spent 90 minutes doing absolutely nothing but playing with a kitten and soaking up the sun... :-)
A few months ago I read an article in the Utne Reader about how disconnected we are from the ground, and the electrical charges it holds. We wear shoes, and while gardeners might kneel in the soil, most of us rarely connect directly with the ground.
The premise of the article is that because we're not in sync with the earth's electrical currents, we get sick. I'm not going to debate the validity of wacky theories; the article just intrigued me.
So I decided to get some ground time. It was about 55 degrees out, but the sun had warmed the grass. So with our new barn kitten, Emmett, I lay down on the grass. I planned to spend 15 minutes there, getting connected to the earth's electrical charges.
But when that time had passed, I didn't want to get up. It was weird. So I let Emmett climb over me for awhile. Thirty minutes passed. Then an hour. Then Emmett crawled up into the bottom of my baggy pant leg and fell asleep.
I ended up 'grounding' myself for 1 1/2 hours! The next day I did it for 30 minutes.
Then the sun disappeared for a week, but now it's back, and I plan to spend more time on the ground. I don't know if I buy the stuff in the article; I just know it feels good. Weird.
Here's the link to the article: http://www.utne.com/Mind-Body/Earthing-Grounding-Sleep-Research-Electromagnetic-Fields.aspx
While I spent time on the ground, I amused myself by taking photos of Emmett.
So did it feel good to lie on the ground because of the electrical current running through the earth? Or was it because I spent 90 minutes doing absolutely nothing but playing with a kitten and soaking up the sun... :-)
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