Shoulder wrap and another cowl.

Well I obviously have plenty of time on my hands. 

Is it possible that Santa could make a mistake?

I was out shopping last week and who did I run into but Santa! I was so excited! Amazing, 49 years old and I still get a kick out of seeing Santa.

I came home and told Joe all about it and how Santa said I was on the 'good list'.
Joe said, "Obviously he mistook you for a different Joy."
I slugged him.

Another Finger Crochet Cowl...I'm hooked!

I used left over yarn from 3 previous projects.  I was skeptical about how it would look, but I love it!

From the Goat to Joe's Head.

Front left: Xavier, Front right Lars, Back: Lena

Let's start with the fleece; it's from Xavier the Pygora goat and Rosie (i have no idea what kind of goat she is.)  
 I shear them  twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.

Rosie, coming in after playing in the snow.

After sheering the goats, the wool has to be soaked several times in hot soapy water, but you can not agitate it, otherwise you will end up with felted wool.

The fleece is rinsed several times and finally dried.
                                 

Raw washed fleece.

Close up of the fleece.

Weighing the dried washed fleece.

Fleece picker.  It opens up the fleece.

The fleece on the left is washed, the fleece on the right is what it
looks like after you run it through the picker.

A basket full of picked fleece.  It's now time to run it through
the carder.

The carder takes the fleece and blends it together to create roving.

Taking the fleece off of the carder.

The peeled off version of the fleece after it comes off the carder.

Rolled up and ready to be spun.

My Spinning Wheel

Taking it off the spinning wheel

Letting it dry.

Getting it ready to make a ball of yarn.

Creating a ball of yarn.

Nice ball of yarn about 230 yards.

All set for Joe! Love you! Hope it keeps your head warm!

TADA! All done!

Finger Crochet Chain Scarf/Cowl

I'm hooked on Cowls this fall.  They are easy and quick to make!

Finger Crochet Chain Scarf:

I use 3 to 4 strands of different or the same yarn.

Make a slip knot and leave at least 24 inches from the end of the yarn.

Make a chain with your fingers or the largest crochet hook size Q.

Chain until it wraps around your neck at the length you want at least 8 times.  The more times you wrap it around the fuller it looks.

End the chain when the two ends meet, tie off, then wrap the 24 inches around all pieces where the beginning and end joined.  

Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce...Oh my!

I love bread pudding and I haven't made it in I don't know how long.  The day was cold and raining and I don't think there is anything better than something baking or cooking in the oven.  I got online and searched some recipes and found what I believe is a great one, Betty Crocker's Bread Pudding.  I snagged the Vanilla Sauce recipe from AllRecipes.com.  I think it turned out wonderful!

I love Fall!

 Fall is the time for the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven.

Puppy dogs snuggling up in blankets

Crochet a new neck wrap.

 

I bought a book on bread written by a Jesuit Priest

several years ago.  I have made many of his breads

and they have all been wonderful. 

Joe loves sourdough, so I thought I would give

it a try.  I have never made sour dough before, 

because when I want bread, I want it today.

I started the sour dough starter when Joe was 

in California last week, which worked out perfect.

I made it yesterday morning and Oh My! 

It is so good with butter and my home canned 

Choke Cherry Jelly.  Yum Yum!

 Little Lucy snuggling up in her blankets, daddy needs

to build her a proper fire :0)

Family Walk

I love taking the babies for a walk in fall.  It's cool and everything smells good.  The difficult part is getting all seven of us in a picture.

Crochet Curtain Panels, 2 out of 4 done!

I have been working hard to give my kitchen a unique look.  I needed some shade on the two narrow windows on the west side of the house, but I could never find exactly what I wanted.  I decided that I would crochet some.  I searched the internet trying to find patterns; there are very few.  So I went searching in my crochet book collection and found a pattern that I liked.  I now know why people don't make their own curtains...they are very time consuming.  I am excited about them, however I am still not happy with how I first hung them up...I will have to experiment more.

Now to finish the last two panels for the other window; hopefully before next summer :0)

Lunar Eclipse

It was a pleasure to wake up at 4:15 am to run outside and watch the Lunar Eclipse.  Wow what a sight.

Mickey was not impressed.

The low down on Lucky Lucy.

When I was filling out the paper work I asked if she was surrendered or if she was found.  The helper said, "I don't know, all I know is we bring in animals who's time is up at another kill shelter and we try to give them one last chance at adoption.  I can tell you she came from the Colombia area and she received her first shot from them in March 2013."
I was saddened that she has spend the last year and a half in the pound, but happy Joe found her.  She's adjusting to life with the Bjerke herd, she did growl and snap at Rootbeer and Mickey when they first met, but they have since made their peace.  She had been swiped by the cats and ran away whimpering, usually hiding behind my legs, she has also decided that I need protecting from the horses, we are working on that.  I just hope she's happy here.

 All four dogs playing in the pasture. 

 Helping mom with laundry.

Lucky Lucy

I just first want to say nothing will ever replace our beloved Abby Zabby.  She filled our hearts with Love and our home with Joy.  That said...a new chapter is to be written in the Bjerke family.

Joe and I have been heart broken since we lost Abby June 15, 2014 and our world was turned upside down.  There were holes in both of our hearts the size of Texas, I still miss her.
When we would see Jack Russell's on the TV, we would cry all over again.

Our friend Annie had one that needed a home and we went to look at him, but for whatever reason, Joe just didn't connect with him.  I honestly didn't care, I thought he would be fine and I was tired of our home being quiet.  I think Joe wanted another little girl...but I'm not sure.

Joe spent last week in Sacramento and Friday morning he saw a commercial with a Jack Russell digging holes in the back yard to help his mommy plant trees.  He said he just broke...he knew we needed another baby.  He got on the internet and found one at the Spokane Animal Shelter.  He sent an email inquiring if she was still available and sent me the link.  I looked at her and called twice only to get a phone recording.  I left my information.  In the mean time, they sent back an email telling Joe she had already been adopted.  I was glad for her, and yet sad all at the same time.  No doubt feeling sorry for myself.

Then the thought crossed my mind as I was on my way home from work, what if they were wrong...I wanted to talk to someone.  I called a third time and this time a lady answered.  I asked if Lucy was still there and she said, "Yes",
No sooner had I talked to her, I got another text from Joe telling me someone else had sent him an email stating she was still there and I should stop by and check her out and if I liked her to get her.
Mikey was with me and when we pulled up, I asked him if he was going to go in and that I understood if he didn't want to go in.
Well, what could I do...We adopted her and brought her home. She's learning to fit in, although she is learning a few hard lessons about cats.

Beau has a new friend!

Cayleigh is Beau's new friend.  She wants to learn how to ride a horse and Beau is going to help her with her quest.

Cayleigh is learning how to lunge your horse to take the edge off and warm up their muscles.

 How exciting to ride without Joy hanging on to the horse!  Her first 

ride all by herself! YEA!!

 You must always take care of Beau afterward, because he will always take care of you.  What a great lesson in giving back. 

 Horse Hugs! 

 Giving Kota some love too.  He kept banging the gate with his hoof until Cayleigh came over and gave him some love. 

What an awesome way to spend the day. 

The joy's of fall.

I just love the colors of fall, but they do come with a warning, winter is on its way and you better be ready.

Hunting season is upon us, so Beau has to flash some color.

 I'm trying to put down straw in the goats pens, Joe and Mikey helped me clean out these stalls last weekend and it's time to renew.  Rosey acts like I never feed her, she loved nibbling on the fresh straw.

 Rosey is giving her pen a look over.

 Xavier, Lars and Lena check out their new bedding too.

 Lexi is enjoying a little down time.  Lars is nibbling on the straw. 

 Even Mickey Mouse came out to the barn to help mommy. 

 I just love the way a barn smells with fresh hay scattered all around.  I still have to fill up the dog houses and the horse stalls, hopefully I will get that all done this weekend.