Solstice Studios in Natures Parkland

Moving Colours

2009-10-09T17:11:00.003-06:00

Enlightenment *significant*small* I use a dye technique that I like to call my signature style. It creates color movement in the final piece, hand dyed roving, handspun yarn, handwoven fabric, handmade garments. The first time I took a dye class and created color movement I knew a long journey of learning and playing and moving was ahead of me. I'm starting to see a deeper level of why dyeing for movement is so important to me. It nourishes my transient soul and brings chance and change to my everyday life. Kids, family, farming, weaving, dyeing, shearing, wwoofing, milking, cooking, separating...

Here, my transient soul has tried to form an existence, on a beautiful piece of property, my beloved farm, but my roots resist going deep and my heart yearns for change, and feet itch for adventure, and my lack of skills and resources have crippled my being, and I must search for a deep healing salve. I'm afraid of doing it together. I'm afraid of doing it alone.

Almost. The llamas are gone and the goats are gone and the chickens are gone and the rabbits are gone. And I loved them. And I wish I wasn't so impulsive, but that's how they all came to me, and that's how they all go.

And I'm packing up water heaters and electric fencing, and feed bins, and wwoofer clothes, and sheets, and all the bits and pieces and it's time to move on.

Change.

I will fulfill dreams of craft vending, coastal living, traveling, wwoofing, moving, rolling home living, wandering, camping, festival touring, adventures in parenting, and dreams waiting for awakening. Only Dreams, a small consolation to the pieces of my heart.

Chance.

I'm still in the stage of muddling about, and musing, crying, and sorting, while my mind takes its time solving the puzzle of my present, and my heart heals enough to look forward to the future.

And so closes this chapter of Natures Parkland.

To Morgan, Cairo, Everest, Marley, and Loretta,

My friends, you are gone, I must learn and move on:
Washing, washing, washing, washing,
washing, washing, washing, washing,
washing, washing, washing, washing,
washing, washing, washing, washing...

To Lisa, Champagne, Billy, Blueberry, Charming Jack and the Beanstalk, Tickle, Revel, Sambuca, Taz, Radar, Daisy, Lavalynn, Violet, Ebony, Mimsy, Rooster, and all my baby chickies,

I surrender you to your destiny:
Breathe and release, pray, believe,
Breathe, release, pray, believe,
Breathe, release, pray, believe,
Breathe, release, pray, believe,
Breathe, release, pray, believe,
Breathe, release, pray, believe,
Breath, breathe, breathe, breathe
release, pray, pray, hope, believe...

Studio Warning: May contain scenes of creative messiness.

2009-07-21T20:21:00.004-06:00

Weeeeeell, as promised, I am posting the little blurb from the show I was in at the library that was a promotion of the Rocky Studio Tour. *sigh* yes, I wanted to do a little blog promo for the Studio Tour as well but it happened last weekend, sooooooo, I'll do a extended follow-up to make up for my bloglessness. :)

"The heart of my farm is the studio. My favourite symbol is that of an interlocking spiral, at the center for me is creative ambition, and from that, everything else radiates.

For example, if it wasn't for my obsession with fibre arts, we probably never would have become farmers. In turn, my fibre arts studio gives me the peace and energy I need when dealing with the adventures of farm life.

My artistic philosophy is that it is much better to create than to clean. A superficial sense of chaos and disarray continually surrounds me, however, underneath it all, there is a rhythm. Create!

I renovated an old, historical log cabin to become my studio. The cabin was the farm's original homestead, built by a man who wanted to escape the world and live in the wilderness. The quality of workmanship surrounding the cabin speaks for itself, the cabin has survived almost a century of use and abuse and stills stands strong and true.

I find the cabin is a source of inspiration for me, the quality, the history, the escape, and the wilderness are all aspects that reoccur in my artwork in various ways.

When I imagine an ideal studio, I think of great, big windows, wide open spaces, and maybe an indoor waterfall. Moving to such a space (if possible) would greatly redirect my creative flow, so I am in no rush to get there, yet. The fired-log cabin studio is my complex sanctuary and I am grateful for the opportunity to be it's tenant."

The photos above are of my studio tour outdoor hand-weaving display (can you see my chicken tractor in the background!) and the studio cabin with all the flowers in bloom. I also had to include my typical lunch/dinner plate, home-made naan bread made using freshly milled grains, salad greens from the garden, olive oil with herbs, and home-made goat cheese. So good!

I have taken a break for the last couple weeks from being a wwoof host and enjoyed messying up the house and having lots of ME time (my darling boys are also away with their grandma in Sweden and I am alone in the house and its so weird!) But now the goats are starting to get MY goat like only goats can and I am ready for more helpers/woofers/farm workers. And the wheel is turning and you can't slow down, can't get off and you can't stand still...

Articles

2009-06-08T20:08:00.002-06:00

I've been so busy writing for everyone else, I haven't really had time to blog. The latest studio news is that I am part of an "Studio" exhibit at the Rocky Public Library. I'll try to post my little blurb from that later.

I also did my first "formal" interview for the local newspaper and I am so tickled to have an article in this weeks paper thats all about ME and my artwork. Small towns can be so awesome that way, everyone can feel like somebody.

Trying to find the link, this might be it here on page 4c:
https://canada.arcasearch.com/abc/nIgolresu/blank3.asp?stCode=ab&siteID=caabroc

Other than that, life has been busy with spring planting. Can't believe it SNOWED two days ago. My tomatoes had already been long gone from previous frosts so I wasn't too mad about the snow, but still??!! My new herbs that i special ordered from ontario are going to have to survive in planters outside the front door, with all this ridiculous weather, I don't dare put them out in the garden. I also managed to plan Grams deck building weekend to correspond with the Rocky Rodeo weekend. I swear, that rodeo puts a jinx on the town, some awful weather always happens for rodeo weekend. Good thing for being hard-core (and now sore because of it), pounding nails through the sleet and snow. It felt great to get muddy with a good work-out and learn some more carpentry skills.

May Long Weekend Campout

2009-05-03T16:51:00.003-06:00

The May long weekend campout is a treasured tradition for many families that I grew up with. Soon we will be having our Reinstated, 3rd Annual campout at the Bone Tree and for the benefit of campers who do not use Facebook I am posting this blog with pics and mealtime info.

We hiked out to the campsite today and I think the trail into the campsite is relatively dry. There is still snow, as can be expected on the 3rd of May but the mud pits look passable.

We bumped into other campers who were also scoping out the site, they looked suspiciously at us, making me think that we may have some competition claiming the site this year. Anyone who wants to come early and spend Wed and Thurs night claiming the site, let me know!

The creek looks quite shallow, I don't know if floating on it will be an option. Upstream looked fairly clear, needs some work , but look at the size of the log jam down stream!

Food arrangements are as follows:

Gram Hazel is essentially providing and preparing the two main means for 4PM on Saturday and Sunday. We are to pick them up at the house and return CLEAN pots and dishes. Gram was very clear, she doesn’t want “people in the house/her kitchen.”

Anyone who wants to bring ‘something’ should bring a dessert cake or square for Sunday OR prepared veggies (washed, chopped before hand) for a veggie tray. If you have a preference and email/comment/facebook me, otherwise I will delegate a task to those who has already said they wish to help.

Everybody is to bring their own drinks, snacks and whatever they want for breakfast/brunch/lunch. Their own dishes and utensils. There is no dishwashing ‘service.’ Everyone is to clean up after themselves and do their own dishes. A dish washing station will be provided.

I need a volunteer to haul out the garbage this year. I need a volunteer to bring heavy duty garbage bags. I need at least 5 people to bring big water jugs to contribute to the communal water container. I need volunteers to chainsaw and chop firewood for the campfire and the wood-fired stove. I need two people to bring either a propane bottle for a campstove or both items to be set up for communal use (breakfast, coffee, tea, etc)

David will not be around to help me out this year so I need lots of VOLUNTEERS! If you are planning to help out, let me know by commenting on this blog, OR, facebooking me, OR call me! 403-845-3575

Summer Fun Article Ideas

2009-04-29T21:10:00.002-06:00

I've been asked to write an article for Edmonton Child magazine, the theme for the issue is Summer Fun and they want an article that talks about farm life. Sooooo, I'm feeling around for some ideas. There are many topics I could expound upon and I'm not totally sure which would be the most interesting.

Some ideas:
-daily chores for my kids: collecting eggs, helping mom make bread
-international workers living and working with us
-baby goats, llamas, bunnies, and chicks
-wide open spaces to run, roll, and play
-campfires in our front yard
-local creek, lake, forest, tobogganning hill

If you have more ideas about what would make a really fun, interesting article involving summer fun, please comment!

Rooster Roast How to Butcher a Chicken

2009-04-26T16:10:00.003-06:00

We butchered our first farm chickens this morning. It's something I've been wanting to learn for so long, and not really something that I've wanted to experiment with a whole lot. We selected 2 roosters who have been getting "hen-pecked" and decided to put them in the pot.

Brave Tim, woofer extrordinaire, agreed to do the nasty deed of chopping the heads off. I thought he did a great job of it. We decided at first to try wringing the neck, then chopping it off. With all the flopping around it seemed a little gruesome, so the second bird I held on the block while he found the neck and the head was off with two quick strokes. I wasn't quite prepared however for all the flapping around after the fact, the bird was so calm before the head came off. We all got sprayed in blood and I've learned to keep a better grip on those powerful wings for next time. We dipped the birds in a big pot of boiling water then hung them on the clothesline to pluck out all the feathers.

So many things I learned! For one thing, it's not necessary to pluck the difficult wing tip feathers cause you cut the wing off at the first joint later anyway. Also, that dead chicken smell really hangs around, I'm so thankful I don't work in a chicken factory. We brought the plucked birds over to Grams house and begged her instruction, she was so hilarious. Of course, we didn't know to singe the hairs off the body with a bit of burning newspaper first. Then, the first cut went above the asshole ("it's not a vent, it's an asshole!") and the breast bone had to be lifted to make room for digging in and pulling the guts out. Unpleasent indeed! I was super paranoind about busting the bile sac open, small green bean shaped thing. It would wreck the whole bird if I did. Tim and I managed to pull all the guts out, after Grams showing us how on the first bird. Then the asshole was cut out, the neck trimmed, the esophagus and other tubing removed, the lungs scraped off the back bone (paper towel in hand is great for the really slippery parts), the oil gland on the top of the tail removed, the big crop taken out up by the neck. Oh yeah, that's another things I learned, to starve the chicken before killing it so the crop isn't so full of food. Grams said she's the best gizzard cleaner in all of Alberta and showed us her expertice. It was truely educational.

The whole experience confirmed in my mind that you should throw out the book and beg, plead, or badger someone into showing you how. It really is the only way. That's why I love being a woof host. There are so many things we've had to learn the hard way, it is such a joy for me to show other people the shortcuts we've learned and share the wonderful farming life that we live. I wish I had been smart enough to do some woofing myself before starting my farm adventure. It's something I still hope to do someday.

Spring has sprung and it's pouring

2009-04-21T14:35:00.002-06:00

How does the saying go.... "it never rains but it pours" or " when it rains it pours" I'll look it up someday. In anycase, whether or not I have the saying right, my life is in the midst of the proverbial downpour.

Starting with the toilet, ahhhh yes, the toilet, modern necessity and trouble-maker, our toilet has been giving us grief since the tip of a lazer sword was secretly flushed down, leading first to vigorous plunging, then snaking, at which point the felon materialized. A small matter, if left at that, however, the vigorous plunging is now being blamed for seperating the sewage pipes below the trailer causing a major raw sewage washout. Probably 5 days of ewww de toilette from 5 adults and 2 children dispersing itself under our trailer.

The kitchen sink drain also seperated near the boys playroom, I thought the smell was coming from pissy pants that I had yet to discover.

On top of that, dh lost his job and is away looking for more work (we're actually happy, though still stressed), Papa next door broke his ankle, and I'm trying to prepare myself emotionally for a 5 week seperation from the loves of my life when the boys go to Sweden with their grandma.

Yes, I'm venting, but it's such a perfect venue. My favourite part of today was watching the baby goats push each other off the big playground tire, life isn't that bad.

Triplets!

2009-04-01T17:59:00.003-06:00

I can't believe it!!! Triplets were born today, just after a big snowstorm with 5 cm of snow. We had Champagne outside and Lucas came running in the house to say that Champagne had her babies. We bundled the babies up, still wet and covered in goo, and rushed them into the barn where warm straw was waiting for them. I could sit and watch Champagne mothering them all day. They talk to eat other constantly and the babies flop around seeking her teats and usually finding a leg or an elbow. Champagne did an impressive job of licking them all clean and dry. She keeps fluffing up the straw to keep them warm and nuzzling, licking and always talking. It's so beautiful. We've just put the other 2 goats in with her and I have to go check them soon to make sure Billy is not stressing the new mommy.

I've already named them, Tickle (with the airplane ears), Revel (black and white with LaMancha ears), and Charm (brown and white). I stayed long enough to make sure they all got a good guzzle of clostrum, but Champagne was trying to push me out. I'm trying not to be too nosy but they are just so darn helpless looking. ALL GIRLS! Hooray! They're keepers!

Random Pictures, wwoofing and kids

2009-04-01T08:54:00.003-06:00

Just some pictures, I don't have much to say today.

How to make the Greatest Playdough!

2009-03-26T07:47:00.002-06:00

As promised, I will now share the secret of how to make my favourite playdough. I have found the secret for this recipe is constant stirring and adding the ingredients in the right order. I would suggest you use a heavy wooden spoon cause the dough gets pretty stiff towards the end.

Recipe for Anna's Amazing Playdough

1 cup warm water
1/2 package kool-aid (or food colouring)
1 cup flour
2 TB oil
1/2 cup salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions: Put water and kool-aid in to a medium sized pot. stir to dissolve kool-aid. Heat at medium low temperature. Add flour and mix well, add oil, keep mixing, add salt, mix well. Add cream of tartar and mix mix mix. As the playdough heats the cream of tartar will make it start to jell. Don't stop mixing, it takes a bit of elbow grease at this stage. When it looks like almost all the flour mixture has been converted to playdough, take the pot off the heat and let it rest in the pot for 1 minute. Squish it around a bit to make sure all the water has been absorbed. The playdough should be not be too hot to handle. If you over-heat it, the playdough will become stiff quickly, if you under-heat it, there will be goey sticky sections that did not get jelled.

Make all the colors of the rainbow if you want! Sometimes I add a little essential oil to make it smell more sweetly although the smell only lasts for one day.

Baby Bear Wipes - Making Disposable Diaper Wipes

2009-03-14T21:50:00.003-06:00

I started making my own diaper wipes when my youngest got BAD diaper rash as a baby. His skin was very sensitive to the chemicals found in store-bought diaper wipes and I couldn't find a natural alternative in our local stores. I tried using washable cloth wipes but we don't have a dryer so the cloth wipes would get very stiff and scratchy after hang drying, and then there was the smell factor (phewwww!).

I've found numberous wipes recipes floating around, ranging from goat udder wipes to baby oil diaper wipes. I've fine tuned the recipe a bit and I now make and sell these wipes on my online store and at markets. I hesitate to call them "all natural", "chemical free", organic, or eco-friendly, cause many of these terms are being missued by corporations, etc, so I just call them "Baby Bear Wipes".

Baby Bear Wipes can also be used as a handy make-up remover, moisturizer, diaper wipe for sensitive skin, gentle alternative to chemically infiltrated store-bought wipes, hand and mouth wipes, emergency sponge bath, deoderant, farmers market table cleaner, you name it!

It may be difficult to find the exact ingredients I use so I'll provide alternatives in brackets (like this).

BABY BEAR WIPES RECIPE:

2 kg peanut butter jar, washed and sterilized

1 BOUNTY select-a-size paper towel, cut in half width-wise with a sharp knife and take the cardboard core out (must use BOUNTY, other paper towels will turn to mush, cut in half it will look like a toilet paper roll)

1 1/3 cup pure water (sterilize tap water by boiling for 10 min)

2 teaspoons phosphate-free dish soap (most biodegradable dishsoaps will work)

1 tablespoon tea tree bath oil (not essential oil, I used to buy bath oil from Melaleuca, am currently looking for an alternative)

5 drops tea tree essential oil

5 drops lavender oil (use any essential oil that will suit your needs best, rose, neroli, calendula, etc)

Pour all the liquids into the peanut butter jar, shake to mix, then squish the paper towel into the jar. To use wipes, pull the paper towel from the center of the roll (should be positioned upright in the center of the jar). It takes about 12 hrs for the wipes to absorb all the liquid evenly.

If this sounds like too much work for you, feel free to buy wipes from me! I also sell them at Earths General Store in Edmonton. I hope there will be many more happy baby bums thanks to this recipe.

Next up... how to make the absolute best most rocking awesome play dough ever, detailed recipe and hopefully some pictures of baby goats (although baby goats and playdough are not seemingly related)

Creating Kindness

2009-02-27T15:10:00.002-07:00

How to Create Kindness.

I live on a farm, in the wilderness. I'm surrounded by forests, lakes, streams, beauty, animals, children, gardens, sunlight, and .......... violence. The hardest part of living out here is dealing with violence. Animals, they kill each other, sometimes just for fun. A weasel once came during broad daylight and killed every chicken, except one. One chicken survived. And the hailstorms, in half an hour, an entire crop of food was flattened, demolished. All that work and love, gone. The wind, blowing strongly from the southeast knocks the trees over. The sun burns the ground, the earth cracks and the soil is blown away. The children, they fight with meanness.

In a moment of anguish I sought kindness. Where can I be filled, how can kindness be found, and taught? And I was given this song. And a dance. And my own kindness was unbound. I created kindness, and around my spirit, something responded. As a spiritual being, have this ability that no element or animal has, though they lend their voices. And now I sing kindness all around.

Dear Light, shining round
Fill our hearts and warm the springs.

Dear Rain, gently fall,
Teach us with your balancing.

Dear Earth, warm and cool,
Shelter children, and feed us.

Dear wind, bring us seeds,
Blow into us a nourishing breeze.

Kindness and Love abound!
Surround Spiral, surround!

Kindness and Love abound!
Sing the Presence round!

Let your own voice be raised in song, let the earth be filled with glory!

How to Dye Cotton Warp in a Pot

2009-02-18T19:26:00.005-07:00

My signature for many of my weavings is hand-dyed yarn. Playing with colors is my favourite thing about making cloth and it is so deceptively simple to create a kaleidoscope, creating movement and interest in the weaving warp yarns.

I order all my dyes from ProChemical in the States. I have only ever had a couple problems with the dyes, some colors, such as brown, will not take no matter what I do. Most of the other colors are great. I am still on the valiant search for the perfect red dye that will not wash out as fuschia or blank pink.

ProChemical Dyes

After winding a light coloured warp, I tie a bunch of loose choke ties to keep the warp from tangling in the pot. The warp then gets soaked in a pre-mixed soda ash solution. I have been dyeing cotton for long enough that I don't measure soda ash anymore, just close my eyes and pour till it feels about right. The soda ash FIXES the dye to the cotton, there will be no bright colours without it. After donning latex gloves, I squish and press the warp into the soda ash water until it is totally soaked and saturated. Some mercerized cotton yarns are infuriatingly water resistant so this step can take awhile, but it is very important for thorough dyeing. I have heard of pre-washing yarns in a detergent but I like to skip that step.

After the yarn is nicely squished and soaking in the pot, I dump out the excess soda water so the warp is still soaking wet but not floating in water. Then the fun part begins. I sprinkle dyes on the warp somewhat haphazardly. The power just goes right into the pot. I usually flip the whole mess over a couple times and use my highly sophisticated plastic utensils to sprinkle the dye powders and work them into the yarn. Once there is enough dye has been worked into the warp, I force myself to forget about it completely for 8-12 hours. I've made the mistake a few times of prematurely washing out the dyes or messing around with it out of curiosity, but I find the best results are had with patience.

After dyeing, the warp gets rinsed. There is a fine line between needlessly tangling the warp by over rinsing, and not rinsing enough. I tend to err on the side of not rinsing enough and walk around with coloured hands for a few days after dressing the loom.

I wanted this particular warp to have subtle colours to match the accent beige yarns I had planned for the warp. That's fairly easy to obtain by reducing the amount of soda ash used before dyeing. For really brilliant colours, I use a shorter warp with lots of fixer. Trying to get brighter colors by adding more dye powder tends to create muddiness and for some reason, all the colours blend together to become purple! One of my least favourite colours next to pink. :)

I used to try recording how I placed the warp in the pot and how I distributed the dyes over it, as if I could ever duplicate it again. I have tried and tried and tried to duplicate a particular warp that I dyed about 5 years ago and it has proven to be impossible. Rather than bash heads against the wall, I'm now content to accept all my weavings as unduplicat-able and I have found that omnipotent imagination never runs out of ideas.

How to Become a Woof Host

2009-02-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Woof is an acronym for World Wide Workers on Organic Farms. Also known as wwoof, woofing, farm travel, volunteer traveling, homestay, you get the general idea.

I can't even count the number of people who have asked me "How do you get these workers?" "How can I do that?" "Do they really work for free????!" "You're organic?" Ok, ok ok!

So, for starters, we live on a farm/ranch. We have 120 acres of mostly forested property that has never been "farmed" before. We have a small herd of llamas, a small flock of goats (a flock right?), and a small bundle of bunnies (I don't know what you call a group of bunnies) and miscellaneous chicken. We are not certified organic, I would say we are probably more "granola" than organic, meaning we have a healthy lifestyle, we strive towards sustainable living, we love the color green, we eat locally grown food as much as possible, and we love bugs.

Having said all that, we also love to share our love for nature and healthy living with friends and family. When I first heard of wwoof canada, I knew it would be a perfect match for our farm and lifestyle, which leads me to the next step, becoming a farm host. Wwoof Canada has a lovely, user friendly website here:

Become a Host

If you have a farm and you support the organic industry, follow the steps on the wwoof host site, pay $50 yearly registration fee, and Da Da! Become a WWOOF Farm Host! It's as easy as that!

Well, actually, it's not quite that easy cause the next step is getting woofers to come to your farm. I have a lovely little write up describing our highly desirable farm location that you can find here and you can also find "New Woof host guidelines" and "the ideal woof host/woofer" indicating what a woofer is expected to do and what a host is expected to provide:

Solstice Studios and Farm Woof Host

The above link is my write-up that woofers read and if they are interested in woofing. If they have paid their fee and got their woofer #, there is also contact information, email, phone #, address. Most woofers email me saying they are interested and do I have room? I respond to about 3 email a week. Last year I had 7 woofers stay with us for varying lengths of time. If you do the math, that's a whole lot of emailing and not a whole lot of turn-out. I find that many woofers end up changing their plans along the way, or get burnt out and go home before finishing their trip. Lots of woofers contact many hosts before committing to one, and very few woofers see a description and book ticket the next day. I have had woofers who phoned me, space was available, and they showed up the next week. I've also had woofers who planned months in advance. (Side note: woofers, plan to take breaks between farms so you don't get burnt out!)

The last and probably most difficult step in becoming a woof host is flexibility and honesty. We are flexible enough to have rarely turned a short notice woofer away. I'm still learning how to be completely honest about communicating possible difficulties a woofer might face when staying at your farm, such as renovations in the only bathroom, noisy little kids in your face 24/7, small living quarters, and cold weather. Sometimes it's hard to see how your lifestyle might be difficult or uncomfortable for someone else. Domestic problems, illness, transition periods, inappropriate accomodation, and lack of work are all good reasons to NOT have woofers. I have turned woofers away in the past for all of the above reasons.

Sometimes it is challenging for me as an individual to be a host cause I am accountable to keep it together and create a positive, uplifting environment for my woofers. I like having that accountability and that challenge. My kids love having woofers around to play with and boss around (or pretend to) Many of my woofers have said that the best things about staying here was the kids.

This is a general overview of being a woof host. If anyone has anymore questions about becoming a woof host or a woofer, please feel free to contact me cause of course I am happy to answer questions. In fact, I might talk your ear off.

(photos: looking out the front door, woofer summer accomodation bus, bus interior, humble *dumpy* home improving steadily, shared bathroom very very small)

How to Create a New Direction

2009-01-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

I tend to journal in fits and spurts, usually only writing when I'm excessively moody and turning out pages and pages of bitchy criticisms, mostly directed at myself, eventually trying to come up with some inspiring affirmations, but mostly ending on a pleading note for enlightenment from the higher powers that be. Absolute nonsense, for the most part, yet in amoungst all these ramblings is usually found a grain of truth, as was the case this morning when I wrote "there is this invisible barrier seperating me from the fullness of myself". It's not something I would usually reread, but later today this little light turning on in my head that exposed me, giving me new direction and filling me chock-full of inspiration! Amazing! And totally unexpected, but correlated to my morning writing. Of course, there are books and workbooks and seminars galore on this exact sort of thing (The Artists Way, to name one) and all sorts of 12 step programs to unleash your inner muse. If you have hours and days and years to wade through it all, that's wonderful, but for those who need to find a new direction soon, I would suggest this:

Empty your brain, be moody and mad, then relax your mind and your sub-conscious will do the rest.

I've been to 3 art related meetings in the last 2 days and managed to bask in the glow of some highly creative people. It has helped give me the uplift I have so desperately needed. I've been creating art without inspiration, and though still enjoyable, it can be tedious. In the last couple months, while my creative juices have stagnated, I haven't been particularly happy with anything I've made. Hearing the same thing from other artists brought perspective, affirmation and maybe even gave room for epiphany.

I finally feel true inspiration for this blog. Up until now it has been amusing, anecedotal, and probably boring. I can't say I've put much thought into themes or content. BUT NOW (dum dum da) my new direction for the blog is going to be based on "How to's". If you ever catch me reading a book (in my life it doesn't happen often), chances are it's going to be a "how to" book. It's part of me! I have always been aware of my strange choices in literature but perhaps never SEEN. And so, expect to read in the near future about my own personal how tos: teach beginners weaving, build a barn out of a school bus, drywall incorrectly, milk a kicky goat, catch an escaped rabbit, card exotic wool, spin for speed and softness, dye wool, birth naturally, breastfeed, potty train a 6 month old, make non-toxic disposable diaper wipes, get 4 bowls of popcorn out of one pot....
Honestly, I could go on and on, and I will! Won't it be fun! If you have anything your desperately dying to know "how to", drop me a line, I could use a place to start :)

As for weaving stuff, I have new inspriation for that too! I'm going to be using my facebook site for more studio photos and promos, etc. This new direction for my woven art is going to be AMAZING I just know it! But it's a secret!!! Ha ha!

Become a fan on facebook and expect updates (my apologies in advance, this site will take a while to get good lookin)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solstice-Studios/44135719650

Happy Robbie Burns Day!

2009-01-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take time someday to research this guy a bit more. The Ploughman Poet. There's something about him that just strikes a chord. Maybe it has something to do with working on a farm, trying to make ends meet, and at the same time, trying to fulfill an urge to create beauty and reach others.

Here he is described:
His person was strong and robust; his manners rustic, not clownish, a sort of dignified plainness and simplicity which received part of its effect perhaps from knowledge of his extraordinary talents. - Walter Scott

And I love his writing style:
I walk out, sit down now and then, look out for objects in nature around me that are in unison or harmony with the cogitations of my fancy and workings of my bosom, humming every now and then the air with the verses I have framed. when I feel my Muse beginning to jade, I retire to the solitary fireside of my study, and there commit my effusions to paper, swinging, at intervals, on the hind-legs of my elbow chair, by way of calling forth my own critical strictures, as my, pen goes. - Robert Burns

Here's my favourite poem by Scotlands Favourite Son (and why shouldn't it be!)

Anna
Yestreen I had a pint o' wine
A place where body saw na;
Yestreen lay on this breat o' mine
The gowden locks of Anna.

The hungry Jew in wilderness
Rejoicing o'er his manna
Was naething to my hiney bliss
Upon the lips of Anna.

Ye Monarchs take the East and West
Frae Indus to Savannah:
Gie me within my straining grasp
The melting form of Anna!

There I'll despise Imperial charms,
An empress or sultana,
While dying raptures in her arms,
I give an' take wi' Anna!

Awa, thou flaunting God of Day!
Awa, thou pale Diana!
Ilk star, gae hide thy twinkling ray,
When I'm to meet my Anna!

Come, in thy raven plumage, Night
Sun, Moon, and Stars, withdrawn a'
And bring an Angel-pen to write
My transports with my Anna!

The Kirk and State may join, an tell
To do sic things I maunna:
The Kirk and State may gae to Hell,
And I'll gae to my Anna.

She is the sunshine o' my e'e,
To live but her I canna:
Had I on earth but wishes three,
The first should be my Anna.

Robert Burns

Cold Feet

2009-01-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

yup, my feet are cold, and it is -25 and probably will reach -30 by midnight. Our pipes are frozen, which can be nice cause I have the day off from doing dishes, laundry, and showering! actually, I can't shower cause our hot water thingy froze, then broke. but, I have been called a hippie before, and I know just where to go. the swimming pool! the water pressure there is AMAZING! not at all like our rinky dink water savr shower head. so now dh is trying to thaw the vintage paloma, a propane powered on-demand hot water heater that was once used in a tree planting camp. good thing we got a ten ticket pass to the swimming pool :)

Sable, my black beauty, is here beside me farting and having doggie dreams. Gawd, what did I feed here today?! Oh yeah, a left over pig foot from our Solstice Celebration pig roast. It was a truely cold and celebratory time. You had to have Viking or Old Yugoslavian blood in you to enjoy the huge bonfire in -20 degree temperature. Owww, my feet are really cold, might have to melt some snow to cook and put in the hot water bottle. Going to bed with cold feet is the worst. Actually, no, going to bed with hypothermia would be worse, but at least you'd be laughing!

Heddle Meddle

2009-01-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

Bonus points to whoever can say what's wrong with this picture. Actually, I'll just tell you! If you look Veeeeery Closely, you will see that there are approximately 50 threads left in the reed of this loom and only approximately 25 heddles, none of which are on shaft 1 or 4. Yaaaaaawg! Now, I could also show you another photo, yet to be taken, of a mid-sized pottery vessel filled to the brim with empty heddles, all of which are about 2 cm to big for my table loom. WHY does the SAME company make DIFFERENT sized heddles for table looms and floor looms? Yaaaaaaawg! I was so excited to get this peice up and operating on the loom, I tried a quick and dirty dye technique on my warp and I'm anxious to see how it worked. I also have numberous backed-up orders for colourful tea towels that this warp could easily be turned into AND I'm desperately broke; meaning I really need to catch up on my orders and make a few gaurenteed sales (before my next car payment is due!) Yaaaaaaaaaaaawg! Ah, the life of an artist! Who knew that strategy and problem-solving had everything to do with being an entrepreneur. I have yet to grasp this whole concept of planning ahead (just ask my animals, they KNOW). Oops! Scrap that, lets think of an affirmation. I am a highly organized business woman with a strong and reliable cash flow. Anything I need to learn comes easily to me and I have all the money I need to finance my artistic endeavours.

Next blog I hope to post some pics of my 4 new roosters. That's right! 4! Right now that's 2 roosters for every hen. I kinda thought my hens could handle a little bit of spoiling after a very long and lonely winter.

Headshots

2009-01-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have been trying like crazy to update my profile pics but my computer keeps kicking me out when I try to change the picture. Also happens on facebook and etsy, and it's #^$*&^()%$#@ infuriating! Must be one of those "old computer riddled with cyber-disease and on it's last legs" kinda thing. However, this old Mac has served us very well and out here in the sticks where we have no high speed, it's WAY faster online than any PC could ever be. Go Mac! We even bought it "second hand", scary I know.

I'll post my little photos here and if anyone wants to comment on which one makes the best headshot, it would be greatly appreciated :)

More Doula Stuff

2009-01-12T12:09:00.001-07:00

I've been musing and waffling more on the subject of labour support. I think I was wrong when I previously said that alot of women don't want to feel empowered during birth. After having carried a baby for 9 months, dreaming of seeing baby's face and holding them, how could a woman not feel empowered by the birth of her baby The knowledge that she carried, nutured and was physically connected to that amazing being, it's empowering in and of itself.

I'm scrapping the word "support". It makes me feel like another cog an institutionalize machine. I would rather been seen as standing BESIDE a birthing mother, uniting in her struggle. Not carrying her through it, or serving up some chivalrous wisdom. I hear the word support and I picture a wounded soldier being supported by his comrades. I don't picture a healthy woman full of vitality and strength witnessing her baby's birth and cradling the little loved one in her arms. Looking at it this way, I don't like the word labour support, or even the word doula for that matter (which means female servant to another female). I'm going to redefine this whole thing that I want to be doing. Birth sister. Woman circle. Labour dancer. Blessing Woman, Courage Finder, Light Seeker. Mother to Mother.

Great. NOW how am I going to write the "The Purpose and Value of Labour Support"? *sigh* Maybe DONA is not the right thing for me. (more thinking)

Winter, Wool, and Woofing

2009-01-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

The boys, Chiaki and I had a great trip to Banff recently. Looking out of the window of the Banff Springs Hotel, I experienced a surreal sensation of peace and beauty. The sunset on the snowy mountains was so moving and the lights of the hotel glowing in the foreground looked like they were straight out of a fairy tale. I wanted to capture the moment forever and thanks to the super high tech Canon camera I got for Christmas, I managed to get a pretty amazing shot. I think this will be my happy place for a little while. :)

The last of the Christmas decorations have come down and I have been craving a studio fix and the chance to try out my new spinning wheel. I'm dyeing and spinning a skein a day. It's been fun digging out bags of wool, I was so excited when I discovered the white alpaca wool that was given to me this summer doesn't need carding! I basically spin it right out of the dyepot. So fun! And so soft! As soon as I get brave enough I'm going to try some angora. I've been holding off for fear of not liking it, or something like that. Here I have all these bunnies and I still don't have a full skein of angora yarn. Next, for sure. Same goes for the llamas. Still waiting to work with that wool. Once again, I think I'm afraid that after all my time, money and love, I'm not going to end up liking the yarn having been spoiled by so much alpaca.

For the last month we have enjoyed getting to know Chiaki, our woofer from Japan. She is so kind and dedicated, happy to help with all kinds of odd jobs, including dry wall, milking goats, herding llamas, cleaning bunny homes, the list goes on and on. Of course, when Lucas heard we were mixing up MUD, he had to get his hands into it! Creative drywalling!

What is a Doula?

2009-01-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

I've recently attended the third birth I needed in order to complete my DONA Doula certification. Since the DONA workshop in May, with Elaine Montgomery, I have attended 5 births and I'm now venturing into the stage of literary composition, a large part of the certification process. The question is posed: What is the purpose and value of labour support (in 500-1000 words). Ack! I'm tempted to write from a purely professional viewpoint, basically quoted the mutitude of books I have read on the subject, and come up with a very formal essay that any university professor would love, BUT, I'm not particularly fond of professors opinions when it come to writing styles. My instinct is to take a more personal and anecedotal stance, creating prose that would be interesting for non-professionals to read, perhaps even humorous and emotional, BUT, I really don't want to flunk certification due to entertaining writing skills. Hmmmm, finding a balance would be nice.

I have found my experiences as a doula to be humbling. Mostly cause my intuition sucks, and I previously thought it was pretty good. AND although I beleive a doula's main purpose is to facilitate a positive birthing experience for the family, especially the mother, in my heart what I want is for all women to feel empowered by birth. Not all women want that.

I would say, as a generalization, that most women are content to hand the birthing reins over to the institution and bask in the pandering and control that most health professionals love to administer. There is a feeling of safety, and a transfer of responsibility that an instituion allows which, for many women, creates a positive birth experience, but without any large sense of empowerment.

And so, how can I, as an empowered woman advocate, liberally making choices for my own life that will further empower me, really be a doula who puts other womens agendas before my own. How do I maintain respect for that women and pride in her accomplishment? How can I portray to a woman that she is strong, beautiful, and dignified with sincerity?

I have a feeling that it is in the little things, in the small yet emotional victories, that I will see the reality and will give heartfelt praise to its beauty.

Gladness

2008-12-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

We have too much stuff! It's easy to point fingers and accuse one of being the greater contributer, but really, it's all ours and it's too much! Clutter! It hurts my brain. The massive piles have become so great, they have their own gravitational force; a dark planet complete with alien species around which we revolve like brainless moons.

There is no easy solution. It is not purgable without great pain and loss. But I have faith! I search the universe for wisdom regarding our stock-piling situation. I WILL reach the answer that makes beautiful and perfect sense and can be conveyed with kindness to all parties involved.

"The creator has filled moment of every year with gladness. And in His thought there is no room for His Beloved Child to feel torment from sadness." - Anastasia

I love these ladies

2008-12-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

Funky yarns
Making scarves
It's our night out
Cosmopolitanize.
Wine and food,
Apricot ale
Laughing and jibing
Tangles and tying.
This group of girls
from so many places
it all works with harmony
and flow
and with rhythm.
We nuture without words.
We love in our creating.
Looking forward
To next month.
My house
Tie-dyeing!

Brrrrwinterrrrr!

2008-12-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

We had our first -20 night last night. The kids slept like little logs, they didn't even wake up to crawl into mom and dad's bed this morning (our NEW king sized bed yay!). The wood burning stove is roaring hot and it feels like a good day to sit inside and spin a yarn. BUT the goats need milking, and bunnies feeding, and we have to make our biweekly trip into town today. I'm glad I planned this year to dry the goats off for Jan and Feb, the coldest months of the year. Then they can put all their energy into growing their babies that are due in March and April, and then I can spend the mornings in my housecoat and slippers (yes, spinning yarns) :)

Even with the cold I can't help loving this time of year and the challenges it can bring. Thinking up inventive ways to keep ourselves and the animals warm, thinking up beautiful handwoven cloths to keep my appreciative customers warm, and spending days camped out in the house waiting for a cold spell to pass. It's really the only time of year when I can sit in the house all day and not feel guilty about putting off all that work outdoors. There's just not a whole lot you can do with the ground frozen, a thick layer of snow, and kids losing mittens in their valiant attempt to get frostbite!

Through all the fall months we scurry around in a self-inflicted mode of panic, preparing and building and stock-piling for the winter, making sure the animals will be secure, storing away bales of hay, dusting off all the heated water dishes, and reinforcing cozy nests for each of them, and now that winter is here, it sort of feels like "whew, we made it"!

I also like to teach classes in the winter and my first set of beginner and intermediate classes are set up for January. I still have to weave a sample for the intermediates and make sure my notes don't have errors. And I'm determined to finish scrapbooking Rowans baby book. And then there's Christmas! Next week we'll be pulling out all the Christmas decorations for both my house and our grandma's house. Between the two places, my kids and I decorate about 7 Christmas trees :)

Mircobiology, It never really left me

2008-11-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

I can't quite remember why I chose to study microbiology. I think it had something to do with the movie "Medicine Man" but in any case, at some point in my first two years at GMCC I decided to specialize in Microbiology. It was a bit of a journey for someone like me who tends to absorb information readily but bombs tests. In the long run (6 years later) I ended up with a degree in Microbiology minus an arts course and two Chemistry courses that I dropped out of (so really it's just a pretend degree). side note: Perhaps someday I will expound upon how DepoProvera can cause temporary insanity and personality mutations as I now look back and view a long string of erratic desicions rooted in the year I was on that drug. But I will save those rants for later.
Now, years later, the desire to grow aromatically fascinating things is still there.

I'd like to do more research into Kombucha. I heard a few things about it and decided to order a mushroom through Richters http://www.richters.com/ We have had a steady supply of this delicious Komucha drink since May and the mushroom is still going strong. Kombucha originates in Russia and is made using black tea, white sugar, and the Kombucha mushroom which magically transforms the glucose, and tea and turns them into a whole host of things including carbon dioxide (makes it fizzy, yum) and glucuronic acid, a chemical made by the liver to eliminate toxins from the body. It is the best hangover cure I know, and is also good for anyone who's ever had liver disease, or who has a highly toxic diet (eating lots of ready made foods).

Recently I have started a wonderful journey into the making of cheese. I ordered a kit from http://www.glengarrycheesemaking.on.ca/ and I've been having so much fun. I tried at first to make mozerella and ended up with pure rubber. It was truely inedible. But then again, I was following an online recipe which can never be trusted. I am now making couloumier using a recipe the kit provided. It is still young, only 1 week, and my first taste test makes me think of chevre with a brie rind. An unusual combination but defenitely palatable. I think I will store half the cheeses at this stage and let the other half age longer to the soft and gooey cheese stage.

Now for a news flash from the studio: WE HAVE BLANKETS! I have woven 12 full ones and about 4 half blankets and I have four more on the loom patiently awaiting completion. In this weather (snow, sleet, and rain) it may take awhile as the most time I spend weaving is when my children are happily frolicking outdoors by my studio.

Weaving frenzy!

2008-11-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

It doesn't feel like Christmas at all! But really, it's coming up fast and I am enjoying my Christams weaving frenzy! For the last week and a half I have tried to weave a blanket or scarf a day! Except when I'm away from home, which seems rather often.

Between Etsy (new listings uploading while I type!), Solstice Studios, Glad Tidings Doula Service, and Incredi-Mom, I am a very happy and busy girl. The weather has been awesome so the kids can play outside my log cabin for quite a while every day while I weave away inside and listen to their happy noise and try to ignore the sounds of them punching each other.

I haven't had a chance to blog as much as I like with all the studio work going on. I never had a chance to share about the goats breaking into the house and wreaking havoc while I was in town the ohter day. Something that I can finally laugh about (now that I have most of the mess cleaned up). They got in through the back door that was left ajar and ate all the cold storage food, all the fruit, a couple house plants, got up on the stove, chewed the toaster, peed on the carpet, peed on the futon, pooped EVERYWHERE, then stood at the window bleating loudly when I drove up to the house a few hours later. The sight of goat inside one's house can really make the stomach quake (haha, but it does).

Like I said, it's mostly all cleaned up but now my kittens have decided to destroy the remaining houseplants and I'm not really laughing over that. Some of my plants are like members of the family. These adorable little kittens have GOT to go, and no one in Rocky has responded to any of my ads. Seriously, kittens anyone?

Unravelling

2008-10-24T21:55:00.000-06:00

^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^
_-
_-_-
_-_-
_-
-_-_-_

Yes, I'm unravelling. It's a choice, albeit frightening. I wonder if I will like myself when there's nothing left to unravel. Rebirth? Reconnection? Returning? Hmmmmm.... This time I will not shy away, it is for my own good. (I'm talking metaphysically here, but lets get back down to earth)

I've had great fun in the last little while (not at all related to unravelling) visiting family, woofers, and wool! We've been dyeing and dyeing and dyeing. I just love to dye. So easy, and so rewarding! I had some talented woofers dye a bit of beautiful roving which has since been made into scarves (eep! no pics yet!) And we were blessed by the presence of the beautiful and industrious Annica who dyed some super funky yarn which she will soon convert into crocheted hats. I also loved what she did with her tie-dyed shirts! (Small promo to anyone who has a desire to visit us, you will most certainly go home with your very own tie-dyed shirt!) (*wink wink* Hero and Shari)

Break through in the realm of scarves! I can't wait to get these beauties online. Also blankets, though still waiting for the "a-ha" moment on those ones.

PS. my apologies for whining in the "random bloggings" blog, I'm over it and feeling MUCH more mature and giving (though I'm still working on being a wee bit territorial, silly I know)

Birth into Being

2008-10-14T21:16:00.000-06:00

I recently saw an amazing birthing video called "Birth into Being" Here is what the publishers say about it:
"Russian Spiritual Midwife Tatyana Sargunas and her filmmaker Husband, Alexi, recorded five totally natural, incredible Waterbirths. Their orginal footage takes you on a breathtaking expedition to witness two families birthing in the Black Sea, and into their home to see two of their daughters being born in a handmade clear birthing pool. Scenes of children and babiues swimming with dolphins will delight and amaze audiences of all ages."

Not only did it have surreal music and videography but there were so many other messages pertaining to living without fear, finding alternatives solutions to a difficult problem, as well as some great swimming lessons.

This video is the ONLY thing to date that has ever made me want to have more children. The beauty of these births and these empowered, joyfilled lives was magnificent.

For more info go to http://www.birthintobeing.com

Random Blooggings with Anastasia

2008-10-09T21:59:00.000-06:00

Hafiz, the Sufi poet, is someone I feel I can relate to. (see previous posts) Passionate, spiritual, grounded. Anastasia, however, Is "upsetting". That's the only term that I can seem to find for my new literary obession. My course is set and now it's up? I'm upset about my course? I'm feeling up but now I'm course and not at all set.

Anyway, for those of you who of heard of Anastasia (seek and you shall find), you cannot read a book without being moved in some fashion, and my particular movement has been into chaos and ponderousness (I love creating new words) and I'm feeling a bit selfish about all the things that I thought were strictly my own little quirks and are now being somewhat outline and majorified by some obscure Russian book.

Like spirit songs. MIne. Or rays of knowledge. Mine. Or communication with "them". Mine. ALL MINE! I want the whole world to go away and leave me alone. I like my aloneness, like Hafiz. But now I feel challenged towards community and *gasp* goodness. I'm having second thoughts about ever reading again. Why read, after all, when one can weave.

I will continue my weaving, and I do have many more articles completed, yet somehow my camera has vanished (again) so you will have to be entertained by my photos of Gods and Godesses (laughter, I love this combo).

About spirituality: In everything, set an example by doing what it good. (And then move to the woods where no one can find you)

Hafiz 2

2008-10-08T14:27:00.000-06:00

"My Eyes So Soft"

Don't
surrender
Your lonliness so quickly
Let it cut more
Deep
Let it ferment and season you
As few human
Or even divine ingredients can.

Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft.
My voice so
Tender.

My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.

Hafiz

2008-10-08T14:22:00.000-06:00

"The God Who Only Knows Four Words"

Every
Child
Has known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don'ts,
Not the God who ever does
Anything weird,
But the God who only knows four words
And keeps repeating them, saying:

"Come dance with me."

Come
Dance.

Gone Fishin'

2008-09-10T22:10:00.001-06:00

What pleasure there is in difting on a glassy lake in the last days of summer while lazily attempting to fish. It's hard to believe that we have lived for 4 years very close to a stocked fishing lake yet have never fished. I had forgotten how therapeutic water is to me. I grew up with a fishless lake in our back yard and I would often take out the canoe and paddle about, thinking deep teenaged thoughts and reveling in the isolation. I remember going out once with the wind blowing to the opposite shore and having to paddle like a wild banshee (luckily I come by that naturally) to finally reach home. It was after that experience that I learned to sit in the front of the canoe when paddling into the wind. Most of my experiences, though, were filled with uninterrupted peacefulness, a commodity I prize highly.

Special thanks to Jason and family for your inspiration and for finally dragging us out fishing (true to your word!). I have since bought a fishing license and a couple other lures for the rods you gave us but we have YET to catch our first fish. Lucas did manage to tangle the lines pretty good a couple times, and we are still having fun trying though really, I wouldn't have much of an idea what to do with a floppy thrashing fish if we did catch one on our own. In fact, the thought kinda scares me.

Moving.......on.

2008-09-09T11:23:00.000-06:00

Wakefield - Sept 6, 2008

My friend, you are gone.
I must learn, and move on.

washing washing washing washing
Dying washing washing washing
Crying washing washing washing
Hating washing washing washing
Despairing washing washing washing
Fearing washing washing washing
Dreading washing washing washing
washing Feeling washing washing
washing Knowing washing washing
washing washing Waiting washing
washing washing washing Lightning
washing washing washing Seeing
washing washing Hoping washing
washing washing Grieving washing
washing washing Wasting washing
washing washing Waiting washing
washing washing Waiting washing
Praying washing Knowing washing
Opening washing Breathing *sigh*

Spinning a fantasy

2008-09-04T11:55:00.000-06:00

I dug out some alpaca cria sliver that I've been saving for a special moment of spinning and here it is! I dyed it red (though it may look orange onscreen it is very red) and softness, lustre, and smoothness of the yarn was amazing, like spinning an erotic dream...

I suppose I could sell some of the handdyed sliver (finely combed roving) but to be honest, I really want to keep it all for my spinning self and it was expensive! $4/oz! but really worth it. I will, however, be selling some final products such as the scarf on the loom that is waiting to be finished, and possibly a matching hat... we'll see what my imagination unfurls.

Really, if I could weave lingirie, that's what this yarn should be. Impossibly light and soft and colorful! I love getting beautiful white wool cause I really do live to dye. Which is funny cause I'm a very natural colors kind of girl myself with a large portion of my wardrobe dedicated to browns and black but that's were accessories can be fun. Accents! Sometimes less is more.

Anyway, I have some fantastic projects on the go and I am very encouraged by the results so far. I've had a new wave of inspiration after having taken a bit of time away from the studio. I'll keep you in suspense to see what they are but they involve childrens clothing, oceans, felt, quiviut, and of course dye (not all together though).

Correlations Between Owning Llamas and Burning Calories

2008-08-25T19:25:00.000-06:00

Forget the gym. Try llamas. The llamas have done it again! Having escaped three days ago, I assumed they were grazing the rich forested area on the southern part of our land. Not so! I found them today, by chance, across the road, behind the fence of a huge section of land that I have yet to explore. I have no idea how they got there, there must be a hole in that fence somewhere and now I've created another one trying to get them out. (with apologies to the landowner, I'll fix it as soon as I get them out!)

I managed to coax the two young geldings back home with a lot of running and dodging on my part and a big bucket of rolled oats, but my mama and her baby are still being stubborn and I'm afraid they're going to be coyote bait if I don't get them out of there soon!

I attempted a second rescue mission just two minutes ago in the pouring rain but the mission was thwarted and I have resigned myself to leaving them in the great wild beyond for one more night.

In moments like these, I really wish I had my own horse, just throw on a halter and gii-up! It would sure beat trying to outrun them on foot. I'll take it as a sign and maybe check the papers tomorrow (ha ha David just kidding).

Llamas are supposed to be good gaurd animals, however, a mother by herself and her baby don't make a great team in my opinion and I think one of the reasons they are being to flighty is because they have met some wildlife already and are all freaked out.

I've been learning here in my life on the farm true practice of the Serenity Prayer. Accept the things I cannot change. Change the things I cannot accept. And the wisdom to know the difference.

Despite the fact that I truely believe I am doing the best I can, many, many, many things go wrong, I make many mistakes, and fall short in many ways. But here in the midst of it all, (somewhere) lies Serenity. (Bringiton!)

P.S. Number of days living in mud hut (my endearing name for trashy trailer) with no hot water: 82

I dream, I dare, I wish, I recieve

2008-08-16T17:07:00.000-06:00

I can't seem to escape an unreachable star
It's beyond my life's journey,
Fathoms away, Yet it's there, perhaps
Even dreaming of me.

Just cannot escape from this bright distant star.
It's beauty is wild and ruthless, untamed,
I imagine beholding it, savouring flavours,
Dark passions reach my aspiring brain.

Be part of me star!
Cease the torment of my mind,
You are too far to reach,
Unattainable dream.

Be part of me star!
You forbidden obssesion
You faceless opponent
Desired misdirection.

Be part of me star!
Time wastes for your presence
Unproductive imaginings
I speak your existance.

Your distance is lessening,
Your havoc and brightness
The morning is coming
I inhale our oneness.

Can you influence me,
And leave my heart be?
Please, be part of me star,
Let me be what I"ll be.

Mandala Garden

2008-08-12T10:03:00.000-06:00

A mandala garden is a circluar garden incorporating keyholes and zoning ideas outlined in the Permaculture work of Bill Mollison I was somewhat rushed while creating my garden this year, in fact, I had sworn to not garden at all and save myself the heartache and frustration, but sure enough, as the end of May sparkled and shone, I had a compulsive urge to plant, not just any kind of plant, but a beautiful mandala garden. I had been stewing over where to put it and what kind of soil to create all winter without coming up with any real plan. Our bales of bedding straw had to be moved cause the goats were climbing up on them and jumping the fence, but when I moved them, they all fell apart and left a big mountain of straw and my puny mind went, aha! the garden shall be here, in this mountain of straw. I set to work and had some help making an interesting looking fence from what appears to be giant garage door sections (read heavy) and basically worked way to hard into the night to make this garden plantable for the first week of June. I mixed about of tonne of llama manure into the straw and was going to use potting soil for planting into but ran out of time so I just planted directly into the straw/manure and hoped for the best. Enemy #1: Ants. The anthill that I was kindhearted enough to ignore in the corner of the garden became the first fatal flaw. The ants meticulously collected all my seeds and stored them in a pile that I found a week later when all my salad greens sprouted in the same spot close to the anthill. Enemy #2: Dry June. My subconscious (and my neighbour) repeatedly warned me that I was planting too far from a water source. I figured with all that sponge-like straw I wouldn't need to water. The water that I did pack up there was too little too late. Enemy #3: Chickens. It was a couple weeks before I realized the chickens had made a hole under the fence and were eating the tender young shoots (and not the ants). Enemy #4: everything else on my list that is prioritized before working on the garden which was the whole reason I promised myself in Feb. that I wouldn't plant a garden this year! *sigh*

Well, now that I've got that out of my system, I'd love to share with y'all a bit about my morning and all the delights that rose up with the sun. The kids slept late cause we finally got around to changing out our broken hot water heater last night, which had to come out through the bedroom and we were all up late (don't even ask how long I've been without hot water *hint* that's one of the reasons why I've been feeling so pissy lately). I took the opportunity to do chores while they slept and was greeted by a goat hanging upside-down from the fence by one leg. She must have got it in her mind to have an early breakfast and she had seen me fixing that section of fence a couple days ago so what better reason to go and try and demolish it by jumping over and getting all tangled up. Luckily she was not hurt, but is limping around a bit and looks rather humbled. While I was cutting the fence to free her leg, I managed to leave the gate open and the llamas (who can smell an open gate from a mile away) came charging down the hill and two escaped before I noticed my folly. About that time the kids woke up and started howling so I finished freeing the goat, sat the kids down with breakfast then ran out to milk the other goat whose incessant bawling was scraping at my nerves. Back at the house to strain the milk, there was yogurt everywhere and Rowan needed a change of clothes. I brought him out with me half naked but happy, to feed and water the rabbits and one of my new males was moping. I think he was stressed out by the other male next to him who was being all territorial and intimidating so I moved him to another hutch and noticed the two llama escapees where no longer peacefully grazing the front lawn. Got the kids packed in the wagon and we started down the road cause for some reason, the llamas love to go high-tailing it over to my neighbours horses and hang out and eat their hay. Rounded'em up, back to the ranch, locked up in recorded time, the kids were shipped off next door cause today is my studio day but what I really need is a neat whiskey and a long walk.

Angoras

2008-07-15T14:53:00.000-06:00

We have finally mostly finished the deluxe condo angora house, it still needs some furnishings but it's functional and so far the bunnies are giving us two thumbs up! The hutch is designed to accomodate up to 7 rabbits and the walls can be removed to provide larger living quarters for mommies and babies or whatever. Each hutch has its own nest box (you can see the one on the floor before it was mounted onto the ceiling) which provides a second floor in the hutch. My two English anorgas, Ebony and Wakefield, love jumping up to their second story and the nest box gives them a place to feel safe. My newest additions to Solsitce Farm are Daisy and her three kits, Violet, Lavalyn, and Morgan. They are all so friendly (although I think Daisy still misses her mommy) and the babies are so beautiful! They have blue eyes and are soooo soft and cuddly. Lavalyn is the most friendly, she comes when I call and loves to eat out of my hand. She also loves the exercise pen and I try to give each of the bunnies a turn in the pen at least every other day, depending on the weather.

I'm allowing myself a break to write this blog when if fact I should be racing around trying to get the last few things ready for my studio tour. It starts Friday and I wish I had some more weavings available, I had planned to have many more done and new warps tied on, but c'est la vie, non? My latest weaving style, as shown on the loom, is something that happened rather spontaneously and I am very excited with the results. I think I will be playing around with the hand-dyed warp with stripes for a while, it is very satisfying to weave and has somewhat satiated my artistic longings.

Be sure to come by and see my studio if you are free this weekend. The map is available at

Rocky Studio Tour

Fibre Girl!

2008-07-05T23:57:00.000-06:00

I'm warped and I'm twisted,
A true spinny broad,
Hair short of a micron,
A bit niddy nod.

I can't seem to stop,
All my spinning and roving.
My neighbours complain,
Of the woofing and warping.

A little short stapled,
I'm quite loosely crimped.
Though small varigations,
Have nubbed me and slipped.

I draw and I treadle,
And it's not surprising,
That adding a heddle,
Can leave me undressing.

Too late for me now,
I'm teasled and flicked,
My fastness is fading,
My selvedges slipped.

Don't mourn for my beating,
I'm leased and drawn down.
I'm just going to pedal,
My way out of town.

-Anna Williamson

A heartfelt thanks to the Nanton Weavers and Spinners Guild for all of their inspiration. I know you'll find this as funny as I do!

Mastitis, Enemas, and General Goat Craziness!

2008-06-30T14:19:00.000-06:00

I can finally write about my goats now that we're getting back to a less frantic pace. The weekend I was gone to NCF my 2 mama goats had their babies, turns out I had miscalculated their due dates. Although "the book" assured me that goat births are 95% uncomplicated, I was not sufficiently prepared for post-natal complications. The babies were 3 days old by the time I got home, and I came back to my first time mom, Lisa, rejecting both of her twins and getting a mild mastitis and serious engorgement as a result. We lost one of the twins trying to bottle-feed her that night and the second one is still on the skinny side. I have to put Lisa in the stanchon every morning to let the baby nurse, then after that they seem fine.

My 2nd time mom, Champagne was not cleaning her babies bums the way a good mother should and both her twins were completely bunged up. I thought I was going to loose one cause it was so sad and sick, it's little bum was oozing pus and other disgusting yellow stuff for days but it seems to have pulled through. Both babies got soapy enemas with tea tree as soon as I could get their little bum holes cleared (extremely nasty job) and now they are jumping around and playing like crazy. Don't you love their airplane ears? So precious!

Mr. Billy Bob, the father of these young creatures, has been moved to the neighbours' dog run. I've had endless problems with him trashing fences and eating my other neighbours flowers so we have finally resorted to tieing him up. Not something I like to do to any of my animals, but really, enough is enough. What I need is a 6ft high wooden fenced pen where I can feed him hay year round. I hate to feed hay in the summer, especially since I have more pasture that my animals can graze, but the alternatives for him are the auction or the bbq. Ugh, I've invested in him and it was such a huge pain to find a dairy breed billy at a price we could afford on our small scale farm. We wanted a dairy breed so we could get some more good milkers, but as it turns out, the three kids are all boys! So, I still need billy and I really don't want to have to build ANOTHER pen, and where would I put it anyway? Descisions like this can be so hard but if I meditate on it long enough, the right solution will come to me.

So in the next two days my job is to dehorn the babies with caustic acid and perform the small surgery of taking their nuts out. Mmmmmh mini prairie oysters anyone?

Truth be told, I've been too hard on myself for missing the births of my goats. Here I am training to become a birth attendant doula, and when my own animals needed me, I wasn't available. There were things I could have done to encourage bonding for the mom who rejected her kids, and helping the moms clean the babies off would have prevented alot of mess. I feel like it was a hard lesson especially cause I'm so wrapped up in birth and labour and bonding right now. I have to allow myself this failure and grow into greater awareness, intuition, and precaution.

North Country Fair

2008-06-25T17:08:00.000-06:00

I was a craft vendor at NCF and was it ever INTENSE!! I made lots of sales, talked to many cool people, learned alot about tie-dye, and worked my ass off with a little bit of crazy dancing thrown into the mix. I would never have survived without my helpers, Colin, Jasmine, Christy, and Ben, who deserve thousands of thanks. Honestly, I haven't worked so hard since my days as a highballer treeplanter and camp cook.

I had my weavings set up on one side of the tent and a tie-dye station on the other side. A few things to change for next year are to have some sort of awning so the shy customers don't have to come right inside the tent but can view from a safe distance. I'm so scary, I know. Also, I don't know if I would do tie-dye and weavings together again, it was too distracting to have all these options. I'm hoping for next year to arrange with the big fair bosses and have a tie-dye station set up for volunteer shirts. Have one big tie-dye workshop and that's it.

Of course, the things I thought would really sell, such as my Grateful Dead mini tapestries, didn't sell at ALL! It just confirms that it's so impossible to predict. The theory, however that you sell 10-15% of what you bring was somewhat true and I need to stock pile a HUGE selection if I do this next year. And not have so much variety, streamline baby.

Anyway, lots to learn and I'm no longer a fair virgin, though a long way from being a fair crone, ha ha, wouldn't that be great. I did meet a few and they are pretty wild, these ladies, especially the psycic ones. Shouldn't laugh, it'll probably be me someday.

The tie-dye boys had a blast. When Lucas wasn't busy kissing the girls he was wandering off and scaring the life out of us. Both the boys were so independant and free, they played hard, cried hard, slept hard, my little festival troopers, they were awesome.

This One's for you Daddy

2008-06-13T18:50:00.000-06:00

Happy Father's Day!

We love you and miss you more than we could ever express. We can't wait for you to get back, it's just not "happy home" without you. With love, hugs, and kisses, from your boys and mama.

Happy Birthday Cairo!

2008-05-27T20:13:00.000-06:00

Cairo was born today at around noon. I could tell something was happening cause all the llamas were gathered around at the top of the hill. Llamas have expessive body language and as soon as I saw them I knew there was a baby. He must have been born just moments before, as you can see he was still wet when I found him with bits of embryonic sac still stuck to him. I had the priveldge of "imprinting" him in the first moments of his life which will hopefully make him a very easy animal to work with. Imprinting is done by handling the baby thoroughly, but with no communication, so the animal will be unafraid of handling but will not become overly bonded to the wrong species.

Rowan was a great helper. He is so good with animals and the ones that I have a hard time approaching (like Cairo's mom, Loretta in pic 3) trust Rowan easily, and will eat oats from his pail while I handle the baby. Cairo's dad, Everest, is white (off in the corner of pic 2) and his half brother, Sambuca, is brown (checking him out in pic 2).

Loretta was a great mother to Sambuca, her first, and Cairo has had no trouble nursing or bonding to mom. He was up and walking withing minutes after being born and the beautiful sunny day dried him off in good time. I had such a wonderful glowing feeling in my heart, sitting in the meadow watching the amazing new life that had just come into existence. All the animals were so peacefilled and calm. The beautiful aura of love and life they created reminded me of why I feel so passionately about birth and helping women to make it a wonderful, empowering experience.

Only 6 hrs later, Cairo was running around, sticking close to his mom, but willing to stand still to let me handle him, and Rowan easily walked up and petted his soft silky fur. I am so happy he is white. He has a bit of ligth brown on his back which makes me think he may turn a light caramel color. I would like to increase the light colors in my herd so that I can dye the fibre. That's why we kept Everest as our stud, even though his fibre quality could be improved upon, and we castrate all our other males. I'm hoping to buy a couple more white females in the near future and then maintain the herd to a small size of 10-12. Right now we have 7 llamas and Marley is due to deliver any day. She is fairly old and was bred by accident so I will be glad when her baby finally comes and I can stop worrying.

I'm supposed to be at a Studio Tour in High River on the weekend but with these babies happening, I think I may have to make it a day trip. Champagne and Lisa (dairy goats) are also due in the next 2 weeks. I think I may try to stagger the births a bit more for next year!

Blizzard, Bellydancing, and Boys

2008-05-12T18:05:00.000-06:00

After driving through the worst blizzard April has ever seen (see previous post) I was happy to quietly wait out the worst snowfall May has ever seen in my warm and comfy trailer, despite having no power for 13 hrs. We had approx 40 cm of snow and I guess I can feel fortunate that the only casualty was my newly set-up barn tent that was supposed to be a dry shearing area for my llamas. Actually, I was anticipating our trailer roof to cave it, the snow was so wet and heavy and just kept coming and coming. I got this picture of my new wheels the next day, which was supposed to be a studio day for me but even with my new 4x4, I didn't dare attempt the slushy mud bog our road had become, so the kids and I relaxed at home with our new friends and WWOOFers, Julie and Christelle.

We did manage to drive to my weaving demonstation at the guild on Saturday. The Rocky Learning Council hosted a great arts and crafts day at the guild complete with free childcare and I did a lunch-time demonstation of weaving and spinning. I even snuck in on a workshop and learned to knit! My needles and been clickity-clacking ever since, I love it! Christelle also won a Mother's Day bouquet doorprize and was happy that she could leave it with me (when's the last time I got flowers? they are so beautiful) There was also a bellydancing demonstration that was amazing. I think it is such an incredible artform and I was happy to discover some classes that are being offered in Sylvan and Red Deer.

We couldn't resist seeing of some of my new scarves could pass as bellydancing belts. Julie and Christelle were kind enough to model a whole bunch of new stuff for me that will soon be appearing at my Etsy store. Be sure to check out the store soon!

Soltice Studios Store

Feast Your Eyes

2008-05-06T22:00:00.000-06:00

It really doesn't take as much time as I always expect it will to downsize the pictures on my labtop, then transfer to my internet Mac, and upload using dial-up. It seems arduous at the time but truely is worth the effort.

I've been wanting to show off my student's work for a long time. Can you believe that these beautiful works came out of a beginners weaving course, made by people who didn't know warp from woof? There is a blue, girls poncho made by Heather, a brown alpaca scarf made by Linda, and a pink varigated table runner made by Shirley. I also had another student make a lace weave alpaca scarf (not shown). These were made in addition to a cotton twill weave sampler during the 8 week course that I taught at the Rocky Arts and Crafts Guild. The Guild classes are advertised on Red Deer Kijiji for anyone who is interested in taking a course.

I have to thank my wonderful friends Hero and Hannah for their spontaneous visit to the farm, which just happened to be on the day that I really needed help moving the future playhouse frame. Since then, the frame has evolved into this one-of-a-kind backyard sandbox, playhouse, fort, and get-away. Every day I try to add one more board, which gives me a whole 24 hrs to conjure up where the next board should be placed and how the over all structure is evolving. Ideally, it will become an enclosed sandbox to keep the cats out, as well as an observatory, hiding place, and camper. I will try to post more photos as it continues to evolve.

Hanging laundry under a dark and threatening sky seemed poetic and optomistic. Actually, I thought my dish towels could use an extra rinse which they are getting even now as I type.

100% Yak fibre scarf. I was so excited to work with this yak fibre and this scarf is defenitely unique. It is thin and fine but the fibres, though soft, are dense so it has a nice weight to it. The warp is made from yak fibre that was sent to a local mill and spun into yarn (processed) while the weft was spun by me out of downy, delicious yak roving, I just want to wrap my whole body in the stuff. This fibre is COMBED from live yaks, each yak yeilding approximately 1 lb of fibre per year. It is very rare and very fine, however, because the yarn in the warp was "processed" it is a bit more scratchy than I think it should be and I am working on finding a suitable blend that will maximize the softness. Mind you, this is coming from someone who is extremely scratch sensitive, and to be honest, I'm wearing the scarf right now and I can hardly notice it.

I'm still planning on getting some pics of Alska (new car) but she's a little dirty right now and I'd rather have her pose all pretty and new.

Also, I just finished my 3 day doula workshop in Calgary and I'm now one huge step closer to becoming a DONA certified doula. The class, taught by Elaine Montgomery, was fantastic and I feel much more confident, though still a bit apprehensive about working with women and childbirth. I feel like now I'll have a little time of rest from the subject to let it all sink in while I await guidance toward the next step. When inspiration strikes, I will be rested and ready.

Death of Van

2008-04-30T21:57:00.000-06:00

Dead but still moving. My beloved. long suffering van has finally wheezed it's last breath for this family and has moved on to vehicular heaven in a mechanic's yard. After faithfully serving various members of the Thomsen family for 582,000 km, it's time came and it went peacefully. It was me who had problems with the peaceful part. My whole life turned upside down for a week after taking the van in to have a small thing checked and being told that it wasn't road safe and the whole front end was ready to fall out. Talk about unprepared. After madly searching the papers and kijiji for about 48 hrs, I risked driving to Edmonton, with the kids, through the worst snowstorm April has seen in 20 years and after being snowed in for 3 days, and shovelling some mammoth sized snow drifts, I arrived. Yes, I feel like I have truely arrived. I now drive a 2006 Nissan XTrail, probably the fanciest little wheelie thing I could ever imagine owning. My life feels complete. I have named her Alska (an Albertan derivative of the Swedish word for love). MUST POST PICS! (I'm having major problems getting camera and computer into house at same time)

The new doula-mobile has arrived just in the nick of time cause I would be pretty choked to miss my doula course this weekend cause of car trouble. Hence, the frantic race to buy a new vehicle. Ever since I decided to become a doula, it is true providence the way things have come together. It's like watching a path unfold before my eyes and simply having to step into all the wonderful things set before me. I will be taking a 3 day course this weekend, a piviotal point in my certification process, then I hope to do a little volunteering at the local hospital before my client's due dates arrive.

All this focusing and preparing and studying for the doula course has really brought out some creativity in me. I have a new love for being a woman and experiencing the joys and strengths and pains that are unique to WeMoon. But don't think I'm gonna start wearing pink! Speaking of pink, I have a dyer's problem with pink. It seems to occur far more often than planned (do I ever plan pink?) that my dyepots bubble along nicely, then suddenly turn pink. Well, it's not that sudden, but, for example, today I wound out a lovely white warp of slubby shiny wool and threw it in the pot with visions of Spicey Plum, Berry, and Nutmeg in mind. What comes out? Cotton flippin candy pink. Aaaaaarg! Dammit pink! Just leave me alone already!

Yak Fibre

2008-04-12T22:59:00.000-06:00

I apologize first for my lack of blog, you see, my camera goes missing everytime I want to blog on, which means no lovely pictures of my latest work. I guess I'll have to use my imagination cause, yes, my camera is missing again.

So, I've been working with some local yak fibre and it is the absolute softest stuff I have ever felt (the handspun stuff that is) It is such a dream and my husband is getting really sick of me describing this to him so I will share it all with you. The fibre I got is dark brown, although yaks can also be white and the extra special exciting part is that we might look into getting some yaks of our own as part of our 5 year plan. We have some beautiful land across the creek from us that is only suited for really independant and predator-free animals, yaks come to mind don't they? I think it could be fun, look out the window over the valley and close to the house the goats and chickens peck and graze, then the llamas and horses wander down in the valley and across the creek amoung the trees, yaks.

I also wanted to post a pic of my new tapestries that I've hand-dyed and handwoven. One tapestry in particular I love and I named it Northern Lights. A couple others have names like Spring has Sprung, and Sparkling Sea. They are part of the collection that I am frantically making for my up-coming venue at North Country Fair, June 20-22.

I am also teaching an intermediate weaving course starrting May 6 that I'm trying to prepare for as well as study for my Doula Course that I am taking May 2-4. Then there is the Rocky Studio Tour July 19-21 and my little log cabin studio is such a disaster right now cause I am shuffling looms around while trying to prime the walls for painting. Not to mention the house, no I' won't even mention the house. Then, I'm looking forward to acquiring my new angora doe who is being bred for me and will be ready the end of June. I may also be getting some more llamas (more llama! what are you thinking!) they are of a good breed stock and my herd could really use some improving. Oh yeah, and my dairy goats will be kidding sometime in June too and I need to give my 2 llamas hair cuts to get rid of the nasty surface fibres before shearing next month.

I know, I'm babbling on and on but it's just me ranting I guess. Did I mention that we are also now WWOOF hosts and would love to have people come and stay and work with us. David will be gone to Lac LaBiche for May and June so really, I need all the help I can get, maybe I already mentioned that.

Just remember, all this is coming from someone who swore they would never become a workaholic. I just enjoy new challenges thats all. Remember the nasty hen-pecked chickens from a couple blogs ago, well they're finally laying! And they look great although they are still very flighty. I built new nesting boxes and started adding Diatomaceous Earth to the water and feed. If you've never heard of this stuff it is defenitely worth looking into. I have started drinking it myself as it is very high in silica (good for hair, skin and bones) as well as many other minerals Now all my animals get a bit in their daily rations and it should keep the flies from breeding in the manure too! It's a natural insect repellant and the best part is, you can buy 25kg for only $30. I don't know why people aren't raving a bit more about this stuff cause from the research I've done, it's pretty incredible. Try googling Diatomaceous Earth, DE, health, animals, insects, properties, you'll find a whole whack of stuff.

This year I've also decided to try Lunar Living in earnest. That means, planting, shearing, fasting, fencing, and all that stuff base on the astronomical positioning of the moon. I'm skeptical but interested so we'll see how it goes. Already I screwed up by planting my first batch of seeds in the BIG NO NO time of the lunar cycle when the moon was in aquarius. My next batch I'll plant with the moon in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces and see if my results are any different. These lunar times can be found in the farmers almanac or llewelyn's lunar calender or on this great website

Lunar Gardening

by the way, aren't you proud of me for figuring out how to post a link in my blog. I AM trying to learn all things...eventually!

Hot from the dye pot

2008-03-28T11:11:00.000-06:00

I tried a new dye technique on cotton to see if I could duplicate on cotton what I did for my wool Kaleidoscope scarves. (you can see one here)

Kaleidoscope scarf

But the cotton didn't take up the dye like it thought it would so it's a little light, still useable though and I'm going to make a few different things with this warp, wall hanging, a variety of scarves, it's kinda fun to change plans midway, it challenges my creative forces. I like the earthyness of the colors though I was hoping for a brighter yellow.

I wanted to show off my beautiful boys in their handwoven vests that they wore to my brothers wedding. They didn't have any formal clothes and the wedding was just before christmas so it wasn't a great time to go shopping. Two days before the wedding inspiration hit and I whipped up these vests out of some old woven cloth I had lying around. I made bowties out of the cut out scraps and they were so precious! They certainly didn't inherit my camera-shyness. The little men can sure strike a pose!

Writers Block

2008-03-15T21:07:00.000-06:00

Why is it so hard to write about myself, well, I mean, it's obviously not too hard cause then this blog wouldn't really exist, but honestly, I have to write a one page bio and I have tried and tried and tried and.... nothing. Give me a paragraph to write, easy, give me a novel to write, no prob, but one single page, aieieieieie. It's just NOT WORKING!!!!
AND I have to submit some photos, well, it feels like my life hangs in the balance of these photos. Why am I so stressed about this? What's with the huge block? I know, it's because it's something new and new things usually come with some degree of discomfort, but this is just silly. Come on! Just write the damn page already! But what should I talk about? My farm, my dreams, my inventory, my kids, my treehouse, my teaching, my car gages that don't work, my burnt bread (almost burnt the bloody house down today), my log cabin, my blue ceiling, my axe? Augh, the pain.

So faithful blog readers, help me out on this one. And what do youse think of these pictures. One of them will go into a brochure and it has to be the most eye-catching one.

So back to burning the house down, (David, maybe you shouldn't read this) I was happily making the most delicious breakfast bread that you could possibly imagine, including, but not limited to, bananas, eggs, flax seed, raisins, walnuts, cold-pressed olive oil, lemon juice, molasses, honey, and stone-ground flour. It kneaded up well, it rose beautifully, the loaves were perfectly shaped and I gave them just a liiiiittle extra time to rise (I'm usually too imatient for that) and they were thrown in the oven and promptly forgotten. Yep, I went outside, visited Grams, fed the animals, etc etc etc and 6 hours later came home to the smell of very burnt bread. Hard as bricks. Can you believe it, the goats still ate them. Yeah, hmmmm. So that was four loaves out the window, literally, and now I'm making one humble loaf so we have something to eat for breakfast tomorrow morning. aaaaah, brain! work already!

Ok now what the heck, my lights are flickering. The power was out for 2 hrs this morning, it was fun! I cooked the kids breakfast on the wood burning stove and we cleaned the house by the light of the gleaming dawn. I think we should have a power outage day once a week. No humming appliances, no tv, no internet, no music, no fans running, it was so peaceful, like heaven.

Faerie Fabric

2008-03-11T15:47:00.000-06:00

Can you see the fairy? Ok, it's just me, but this fabric shows alot of promise and I'm excited about the possibilities. I'm going to make Fairie DNA by inserting wires into the weaving, then making a long cloth and twisting it into a double helix. I even have A-Ts and G-Cs embedded into the cloth (in a fibrey sort of way). After all, everything on the planet uses the same letters for their DNA, even fairies (dontcha know?)

I'd also like to make a fairy mobile (you know, the kind that hang in a window) and have a few of them ready for the studio tour that I'm getting pretty excited about. I will soon be on this webpage so look for Solstice Studios here!

http://www.rockystudiotour.com/

I got alot of my fairy inspiration from this site, which I love and visit often when I'm feeling too human

http://www.fairywoodland.com/

I have also just become Stumbled Upon, which is kinda a fun way to find friends, sites, etc. Here I am

http://solsticestudios.stumbleupon.com/

Don't forget to take a couple peeks at my Etsy store over there in the sidebar. I just got all my photos on line, the beautiful and professional photography is all thanks to Tribal Treats Photography (aka hubby). XOXO

http://www.tribaltreats.com/

It's alot of links, I know, my excuse is that it's marketing tuesday, as well as blog tuesday. Which also explains why I'm not out in my studio finishing the alpaca vests that are almost done! Good lordie, the spring winds are just whistling through my mostly finished walls. I need to put some fingerless mitts on. I might also mention, while I'm waiting for my photo to upload, that I just bought some of the nastiest, most hen-pecked chickens that you ever did see. They were cheap and were supposed to be companions for my lonely little hen, Chuckles, but so far, they just stink to high heaven and haven't laid a single egg. Just a tip, finding chickens through the classifieds is not a good way to go, and *sigh* you really do get what you pay for.

Solstice Bio

2008-03-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

She can weave with speaking threads,
The coloured patterns ebb and flow.
Woodlands, water, grass surround,
Her fired log cabin studio.

He can hold the camera lens
To capture moments near and far.
Hidden in the memory,
Is softness, sharpness, sun and star.

Creatures tame and wild blend,
In balance and in harmony.
Pastures lush, and forests dark,
Withhold, reveal, nourish, and screen.

Children laughing, gathering dyes,
Feast and resting, wax and wane.
Welcome guest, rain and sunshine,
Here in nature's parkland place.

To Market To Market

2008-02-18T18:12:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't call the Sylvan Lake Farmers Market experience a huge success but it did get me inspired in many ways. That's my table there, have to experiment a bit, I'm not totally please with it. I'm glad I came around to the idea of selling my diaper wipes (Baby Bear Wash and Wipes, I call them) cause they are the only thing I know is going to sell consistently, thereby covering the costs of the table, etc. Otherwise, it is impossible to know what is going to sell. I had ALOT of yarns for sale this time, didn't sell any, not a whole lot of scarves, sold one, tonnes of photo frames, didn't sell any but lots of people said they were going to steal my idea. Just as a side note, it's ok to steal peoples ideas, I do all the time in subtle ways, but for crying out loud, you don't have to tell the person, as if your giving them a compliment or something! Actually, what I usually do if I'm going to steal someones idea (modified of course!) is I buy something from them, just out of courtesy, and it gives me a chance to compliment them in a real way.

Speaking of ideas, I came home and had some major brain waves. I have an idea for "faerie fabric" that is going to be all loose and shimmery. In my mind it is magical and beautiful, the hard part is to get it to translate on the loom.

I was going to do some hat work but I'm torn, spring is on its way and I should really start on my hand-painted place mats and table cloths to get ready for the summer season. I'm going to do 2 markets a month in Sylvan, it's at a really great time, Fri nights. Then I might try a couple in Red Deer and I might have some of my stuff at an organic co-op in Red Deer. Lots to do! AND then there's the Etsy store... soon to be refurbished, if I can ever convince my ever loving husband to get is butt out to my cabin and take the #$@&%*%#$@ PICTURES! My own pictures being sadly inferior. Deep breath, in time.....in time. I did like the picture I took of my yarns in the washer though.

Ply away!

2008-02-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

I spent a whole day plying away. The top pic is of the phantom yarn plied with greeny stuff and it ends up looking eastery after all. The color combos are so fun! It's addicting, and I almost plyed every yarn I own, but ran out of time. I was using my new cherry wood indian head spinner that has a HUGE bobbin so I can ply a massive skein, enough for a whole scarf and hat or something. Aren't the colors great? I dyed the pinky orangy one the other day with my new batch of fleece. The other stuff I've had kicking around for awhile. I only have 11 skeins left to make this week to fill up my sales spindle for the farmer market I'm going to. Whatever doesn't sell at the the sylvan lake winterfest will have the priviledge of being made into funky hats. That will be my last winter project, after which I will be designing summer garb and linens.

It's getting to be that time of year, to hang the spring garland, pack away the remaining xmas decos, and hold my breath for warm weather. Can you believe our pipes are frozen for the 3rd time. arrrrrg. luckily its only the hot water in the kitchen that won't work, not a full on freeze. It did warm up enough though to castrate llamas today. Yeeeha! Life on a farm, I tell ya...

Phantom yarn

2008-02-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

I just finished spinning this yarn while watching the Phantom of the Opera *sigh*. I have always love that musical, I can never understand why she didn't choose the phantom, come on! mysterious, brilliant, dedicated, passionate, dark, did I mention passionate. Ok, he was also a killer and stalker, but STILL! Better than that flim flam dude, bossy and arrogant, yuck!

It's great to spin and watch movies on a cold wintery February night (especially ones with dreamy phantoms). The yarn turned out beautifully, so rich, I thought it would be more easter eggy pastels when I dyed it but its actually fairly dark, I love that about spinning, never really know what your going to get. And would you believe me if I said that some yarns choose to be fine and others choose to be bulky? This one I wanted to be bulky but I just kept coming out fine with little nibs and nobs. And since I abhore conflict (personality type I'm told, although I know someone who disagrees with this statement) the yarn always ends up getting its way.

*another sigh* It's going to take me hours to wind down (hey that's almost a pun). I might just spin up another bobbin of yarn. I dyed three batches yesterday, that easter eggy one that turned out to be hmmm, phantomy, and a bright pink and orange one, and a sea green and blue one. I found some old wool that someone gave me and looked in a couple bags when I first got it and it all looked very pilled and overwashed so I stacked it in a remote corner, but I just yesterday looked in the other bags and here it was, unwashed fleece, pounds of it! Dye dye dye! I love saying that. Or I tell Grams, I'm going to dye today and go to spinners heaven (where Gerard Butler movies play all the live long day).

Solstice Studios

2008-01-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm finally getting it together, I think I can blog again. Yes, its been a long time but the wait was worth it. I am so addicted to my new store. Now I know what people are talking about when they say if you have your own business, you basically dont have a life. I have spent so much time and effort on the damn thing, promoting, marketing, learning the cyberspace ropes, it's been exhilerating and exhausting.

So, check out the store and I love feedback so dont be shy.

http://www.solsticestudios.etsy.com

I want to post once a week, that's my business goal, lofty, no? I am also weaving two days a week which for me means big time production. I'll probably have 3-4 new items a week! That kind of production is going to take some major marketing cause I want to be selling 2-3 items a week. Lots of weekly goals, I know, but I KNOW this is going to take off if I do some major grunt work and get my name out there.

To my dearest, closest and loyalest friends, thank-you for your support, it means the world to me!

BellaWeave

2007-09-13T20:58:00.000-06:00

First of all, I'd like to thank my husband... wait a second, who is that gorgeous guy?

Brace yourselves everybody! This is the first official blog for BellaWeave, my newly-emerging, soon-to-be-hugely-successful weaving and spinning company. The ideas have just been pouring in and I can hardly sleep, wowza! I'm going to try to have a table at a few farmers markets before Christmas, depending on how much finished work I can manage. I'm really happy with the two items I'm focusing on now which are handdyed, handspun and handwoven scarves and tablerunners. They are truely unique with lots of personality, now if only I could remember to TAKE PICTURES!

I think I might also start designing some authentic Norseman cloaks with ancient Scandinavian symbols incorporated, it's something I've always wanted to do and the research would be fun. The possibilities are endless, but I still feel somewhat reserved regarding the quality of the final pieces. Of course, I see all the mistakes or things that could be just a little better that no one else would notice. It's just a matter of time before I feel truely confident with my current weaving and spinning style. In fact, its just a matter of time until I start teaching the beginners weaving course in Rocky! It's all set up for early in the new year and I already have one student! Hooray for creative functionings!

Making Mead, a sticky situation

2007-08-17T10:55:00.000-06:00

First let me say, it's a fine and lazy day, attempting to type with babe sleeping on lap while converting RAW photos to jpgs (pet peeve of mine in a huge way). OK, I take it all back, babe is awake and son # 1 being very insistant. No longer a lazy day, but it sure sounded nice for those 10 seconds

However, what I really wanted to expound upon was the fine and highly technical art of mead making. As the scientist of the family I am responsible for keeping the cellar stocked with esteemed beverages, and my latest yearnings have directed me toward mead, the nectar of the goddesses, the honey-based wine. After much research and browsing, I finally decided to wing it, cause there seemed to be a whole lot of garbly gook surrounding the subject, and I tend to lean more towards simplicity. I've got the yeast, the water, and the honey, what more do I need?

Weeeeeeeeeell, time, for one thing, cause that's what it took to dissolve 4 lbs of honey in an unmeasured amount of water (some instructions had indicated that warming the water would be helpful, though not necessary, as I discovered, as long as you have time and a good stirring arm). Measuring tools would also come in handy seeing as after I dissolved all the honey I found the specific gravity to be a tad low (1.062) meaning I had too much water and not enough honey (hmmmm, it suddenly occured to me that I should add some sugar). And now, having added the yeast 4 days ago, I have found that there is no fermentation occuring at all, none, zip, zilch. Bad sign. I recall mention of "yeast nutrient" having to be added (what kind of yeast can't survive in a batch of honey I ask, ahhhh, but it is not survival that is the problem but GROWTH!) so being that I am miles and miles away from any kind of fancy "yeast nutrient" supplier, I have decided to wing it (and you're surprised?). What could be more nuritious to a friendly little Blipitylicious farindiciae than a wholesome slice of my soon-to-be-famous sourdough bread? So I have thrown that into the vat, added another packet of yeast (good thing I bought two) and am crossing my fingers that something more evil and vile won't overthrow the whole thing before the yeasts have a chance to work their magic.

My highly technical and elaborate procedures, unfortunately, are not highly reproducable (somewhat like my cooking) therefore, with the optimistic hope that this does turn into something deliciously wonderful, it will be just that much more valuable simply due to the fact that it is induplicateable. What fun!

Sourdough Rye Crackers

2007-08-03T21:30:00.000-06:00

It's amazing how a huge failure can turn into a grand triumph if you have the patience and flexibility to work with it a bit. In an untimely flash of inspiration yesterday I decided to make a giant batch of bread. First I ground the grain (feeling like a god-damn self-righteous little red hen), then activated the yeast, and with the help of my 2 year old added about twice as much than I wanted. I also added a secret ingredient, yogurt (with active culture), which is supposed to give sourdough a more intricate flavour. Then we made a sponge, which is the correct term for runny bread dough (hold aside a few cups of flour from the dough).

Now being the kitchen goddess that I am, I own one of those fabulous Bosch contraptions that mixes my bread for me (a worthy investment for all you goddesses out there), so I let the sponge "sour" in that for the rest of the afternoon, mixing it down every time the rising action threatened to blow the lid off. This supposedly breaks down the flour into something so wonderfully healthy that I don't even want to think about it. Then I mixed the rest of the flour in and the dreaded failure occured. I just referred to the Bosch machine as fabulous but on a couple of occasions it has been too fabulous and overmixed my bread for me causing the gluten to break up (or so I've been told) and creating a disastrous sticky mess. I had on my hands about 16 cups of glue... after all that work..... aaaaaaarg! I could have killed the little red hen.

What could I do except throw the whole mess away, but I didn't have the heart, and I have learned not to take drastic measures while experiencing a fit of rage (drastic measures are saved for fits of desperation and an overwhelming need to experience change). So I put the lid on and threw it in the fridge overnight.

24 hours later I knew I had to make something out of the mess or I would be discouraged from making bread indefinitely, soooooo, I made crackers, and you know what!!!!! They're delicious! They taste like Swedish hard bread and are chewy and crunchy at the same time, in fact, I would almost classify them as TGFC (too good for company). Of course, it helps to have your own grain mill, which allowed me to grind Triticale (tre-te-CAL-ee), a grain that is a cross between rye and wheat. It also helps to have a wonderful husband, who once ordered up a hand crafted rolling pin the length of my femur, which allowed me to roll 3 long rectangular crackers at a time. Still, the whole process took pretty darn near 3 hours, but has been such a grand discovery that I simply must blog my success.

I have to include that a large part of this inspiration came from http://www.rejoiceinlife.com which is a fabulous website and may even change my whole outlook on food. Also, a book called Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon which I highly recommend to anyone who is serious about what they eat and the downfall of nutritous food in our society.

It's Irie

2007-06-26T17:37:00.000-06:00

Jah, man, de Reggae music make everything Irie.

It's my ultimate stress-free sounding and I needed it today from sun-up to sun-down. At what point did I know it was going to be a reggae music day, you may ask? Was it when my 2 year old started squeezing the kittens? Or perhaps when my almost 1 decided to scream relentlessly for 2 hours while I tried to clean the van for the first time this year. Was it when my sourdough starter jar (which I have been storing like a golden treasure for the last 2 weeks) inexplicably burst a perfectly round hole in the side spilling my precious, smelly slop over the whole kitchen? Or was it the flax seed grinder that decided to sprout my flaxseed into a mouldy mess instead of storing it nicely?

Regardless, the bread got baked, the van got cleaned, the kids got spanked, and all to the heavenly sounds of reggae music. ahhhhhhh, my hair starts to dread just listening to it, moving and soothing, shuffling and bobbing.

It took less than 2 minutes for my 2 year old to poop on the floor, squish it, step in it, and announce it with pride, but the reggae takes all the sadness away. It took less than one minute for my 2 year old to crumble styrofoam bits all over the living room floor, but the reggae music takes all the sadness away. It took less than one second for the loud toy to wake the sleeping baby from his first nap today, but the reggae music take all the sadness away. That, and writing a sob story email and blog, nothing like venting to take all the sadness away. It's Irie (all right)

I Survived Hurricane Rowan

2007-05-02T13:53:00.000-06:00

I blame the weather, the clouds are hanging so low and heavy it's enough to give a person a headache just being under them. Then there are the short bursts of rain, which I actually enjoy, the clouds releasing their somberness, like a good cry after a hard day. But I still blame the weather for turning my angelic little Rowan into a screaming water fountain: literally, since this morning he has shed enough tears to fill a small front yard water feature. The ladies at the play group were looking at me with a mixture of compassion and horror while I could see them thinking, "please Lord let that never be me". Rowan was oblivious, evidently caught up in screaming, however Lucas caught on and cowered behind my pant leg. No amount of shaking could loosen him off. I tried to see the humor in it all and was finally able to start a hysterical kind of small laughter (he ha ha ha, he hah ha e-e-e-e-e) after leaving the grocery store where the neighbouring cashier sang I've got a lov-e-ly bunch of coconuts, deedle ee dee to my wretchedly weeping child while I stood in a daze and totally forgot that I had to pack my own groceries. "He must be teething" I think I said that to about 20-30 people throughout the morning blitz, but honestly, I have no clue.

Hurricane survival guide, don't try to be prepared cause theres no way you can be, keep your wits about you cause it aint going to help to hit the deer jumping across the road, bong Tim Tams in the aftermath while trying to ease the knots in your jaw and upper back. If you don't know how to bong a Tim Tam, go to Australia and find out cause it's really worth the trip.

New Projects

2007-04-15T21:56:00.000-06:00

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, I'm trying to come up with something izzy but my mind is to bogged down with new projects. I've started weaving again at the Guild in Rocky and I just finished some black and white chair covers that still need to be upholstered, I think the antique chairs I made them for will look outstanding with the handwoven look. I'm also trying to spin but having a spinning wheel in the house with young children and cats just doesn't seem to work. Here are some nice hand-spun and hand-dyed wools waiting to be woven into some fanciful thing.

It's so unbelievably refreshing to get outside. I've had the worst case of cabin fever and now my poor house is being sorely neglected but I don't care, I'll tend to that when I'm stuck indoors next winter! My little chickens are 3 weeks old and starting to hold their own but I still worry continually about them. In fact, I must confess, I'm starting to obsess about my animals. Of course, being me, I have psycho-analysed this behaviour to great lengths and I am temporarily concluding that my lack of social life has led to the need to make up good reasons why I "can't" get out much, there-by leading to compulsive animal welfare worry. I've been eagerly anticipating figuring out what kind of chickens I have cause I ordered a "heritage package" and the hatchery just sends whatever they have on hand that day and until they grow real feathers it's hard to tell what they are. It'll still be a few months before I'll be able to tell male from female but I'm desperately trying to determine breeds, though every day I see a new feather and have to reevaluate. Yeah, I know, I'm obsessing, would you believe me if I said it keeps me up at night... I mean, this is me we're talking about.

I've also gone back on a promise I made myself to not do any gardening this year cause it would just burn me out, what with livestock obsessing and all, but unfortunately I did not share this plan with my husband who just went out and bought a bunch of seeds and I can't just let them sit there and DIE! Yes, I planted them (according to the proper moon phase and everything) and now the little shoots are starting to come up, though I have no where to put the little plants cause they will soon be evicted from the bunkhouse where they are now happily growing. We're trying to have the bunkhouse ready to rent May 1st. I guess I feel like I'm obsessing because it's not just that I'm taking care of these little chicks and plants but I'm falling in LOVE with them in a weird sort of way and when one chick was recently threatening to die I think I cried for about an hour, I mean real crying. I just am so worried that everythings going to DIE and it will all be because of ME and my inadequacy! sigh, deep breath, let it go. Ok, I'm ok. So, I can now conclude that obsessions are not healthy behaviours, and neither are internet addictions. I rather think I've said enough for today! Tootle E Too!

Ah, Luxury...

2007-03-21T22:22:00.000-06:00

You know, Calgary is not so bad when you're willing to overlook crazy road names and crazier traffic. In fact, Calgary is wonderful with time spent in the good company of friends and luxury. I just had a fabulous day with Katka and Matthew, sharing snippets of conversation while ooohing and ahhhing over cute babys and marveling at Lucas' ability to rampage through the toys then fall asleep lop-sided in the stroller. How does he do that? And if that was not lovely enough for one day, I was then treated to an exquisitely seared buffalo burger by Dalyce, chef extrodinaire, and now topping it all off, like a great big sprinkle of that pretty stuff on a latte, high-speed internet!!! A day of luxury FOR SURE.

Now I'm in for the one handed blogging as Rowan is occupying the other. Behold the fair goats, Champis (swedish word for a soft drink), and Lisa (named and owned by Mor-mor). Champis is the mother and I got about 3 cups of milk from her in one milking the first day, mmmmmmmh!, and it was delicious! Rowan isn't ready for goats milk yet but he was ready for Mor-mor to feed him. We will miss you Mor-mor, have a good summer in Sweden!We will enjoy Lisa in your absence and think of you often.

Which Rowan

2007-03-11T21:14:00.000-06:00

Hi'y'all! I'm currently having a gorgeously peaceful moment all to myself, the kids are in bed and I can't sleep (spring ahead time change, icky). There are so many wonderful apsects to my life right now, I feel so loved by my friends and I'm in love with my most handsome man. I'm getting good vibes from all my animals and I'm looking forward to extending the flock once again having somewhat recovered from the aftermath of the pysco-dog killing spree. On the flip side, living out in the boon-docks certainly has its share of disadvantages, most of them being psycological, but I'm feeling rather sunny, spring is on its way! I'm trying to choose which of these two shots to keep as my framed baby picture and to send away to all the family as the alternative shot to the studio at Wal-Mart disaster. I've already commented on that in past blogs but basically I got a really good shot of Lucas at the studio and a really unfortunate shot of Rowan that I was forced to send out with all the Christmas cards cause I had no other alternative. Soooo, finally, the alternatives!! Tough choice. Oh yeah, and ignore the one of me, I'm just using that for my profile.

February Blues

2007-02-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

Nothing quite like a beautiful, cheery amarylis to brighten oneself up on a blue blue February day. You know, the good thing about the blues is that it inspires all the deep dark questions that are usually tucked away in closets and dark corners, like what the heck am I doing with this life and these seldom used talents and what is it that I want out of this life anyway? Well, I sure enjoy some of the looks I get from these kids, but what do I do when child play and baby talk just doesn't cut it anymore?

David certainly knows how to cheer me up, I got a great big rrrrrruby ring for Valentines AND a night out at "Java and Jazz". Some other ways to fend off the blues.... hmmmm, therapy, very strong anti-psycotic drugs (yes, I've done my homework)? No I'm more along the lines of spinning, visiting, nights out, eating Grams food, and feeding the llamas. Also, I'm doing a small scientific experiment on how housework is related to the depressing, mood-thwacking "running to stand still" syndrome. My objective is to reach the nirvanic state of allowing my consciousness to rise above the surrounding mess/chaos and reach the plane of happiness and peace in which my mind is totally unaffected by a sink load or two of smelly dishes, a bathroom, hallway, and bedroom full of dirty laundry, and a million billion tiny crumbs on the floor. Ahhhhh, bliss.

Smiling buddha

2007-01-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Here is wise man Rowan with his drop-dead gorgeous smile, who can resist it? He is the happiest little boy, even when he was sick he managed a smile now and then. It must be cold season cause the boys are either sniffling, coughing, crouping, croaking, or all of the above. It's friday and I survived the week. I feel like I've been training for a marathon, in fact, a marathon would probably be kinder than the long days and sleepless nights that I have been through tending to my sick boys. The "body for life" man says to "transform adversity into energy", and all week long I've been thinking that's possible for everyone BUT the mother of small children. However, having experience the first somewhat normal day of the week, I can say that all this adversity of the past few days has made "normal" seem a whole lot more bearable. That's a positive thing, right? Well, considering that "normal" was starting to feel a little unbearable before, I can now say that something good has indeed come out of a week long adventure with high fevers and crying crablettes. "When you overcome resistance you create the power to continually reach higher"

Winter fun

2007-01-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, it's been awhile since I last posted anything but that's what the holiday season is all about, being busy with everything else, and letting most other things slack. So now it's catch-up time and hopefully time to get back into old routines, like blogging, and reading books, and taking time out for ME (is that allowed?). We had some fun tobogganning but it was a little intense cause our usual tobogganning hill had a bunch of trees that had fallen on it so we had to use the other side of the hill that was crazy steep, I mean triple black diamond steep. Lots of fun going down and LOTS of work getting back up. I even took little Lucas down twice (with full brakes on but it was still pretty fast and I was scared my leg was going to get broken). Santa, of course, was right on time and there was no coal in the stockings of these little boys. They weren't quite sure what to make of the jolly old elf but at least there was no crying, only a few ponderous glances. Rowan makes the cutest little reindeer around but he really doesn't like to smile for the camera and I'm still trying to catch one of his gleaming grins that he is becoming famous for.

Faux studio shots

2006-12-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

This is my alternative to the studio shot of Rowan that was taken in Edmonton and was out of focus, not to mention totally uninspired. The photographer was inexperienced in working with small children and we couldn't seem to get him to look at the camera, never mind put on a decent face (that's what you get for cheaping out at Wal-mart). Anyway, when I got home I figured I could do better and this is the result. I think it looks professional enough. Rowan is usually smiling and cooing away and if David would leave the camera home long enough for me to get a shot of him I might get one of his great big smile, it's so cute! David just got a new lens that's about a foot and a half long, something I would never be able to operate with any sucess, so that must mean it's time for me to invest in a little point and shoot type (my favourite) and maybe I'll actually get some more photos on this blog. Merry Christmas everybody!

Farewell Dog

2006-10-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Free to a good home. Killer dog, especially fond of goats, cats, cattle, and deer. Otherwise friendly (ie. no human attacks to date), fairly quiet, and was once voted number 1 dog on Whyte Ave. Any takers? Responses must be prompt as my patience has reached it's final end and dog is about to make a one way trip to the edge of eternity. Did I mention the chickens? Also fond of chickens. I had actually made some "free to a good home" posters in the spring when my patience was being strongly tested (but had not reached its end) and I sure regret not following through with them at that time. Five chickens, two goats and nearly a kitten later, I have no more mercy for this animal, though it has taken us some time to conclusively determine who was the destroying culprit. We even had to get some help from Fish and Wildlife, whom I called after the grievous death of our goats. Thanks to F&W I learned to determine what creature most likely caused the death by skinning the animal down and inspecting bruises and punctures, gory yet interesting. Maybe I'll include details on another posting. (We wanted to know for safety reasons if it was a cougar or wolf related attack) Despite her many short-comings though, Kona was a great tree-planting camp dog, good traveller, and cute besides. Here's a final farewell to Kona, hope you have better luck wherever you end up.

Extending the flock

2006-10-19T17:54:00.000-06:00

We just can't seem to stop extending the flock! This lovely little budgie we've named Bartholemew (one of David's favourite names, I call him Bartie) and he just started to give a few little chirps today, a sign that he's feeling more at home. I know nothing about domestic birds but I had envisioned that when my greenhouse gets built this winter (hopefully), I would create in it a safe haven for tame birds that they might encourage the plants with their song. Seeing as we seem to get everything in pairs (2 dogs, 2 llamas, 2 more llamas, 2 goats, 2 cats, 2 boys) I expect another bird will be arriving shortly.

These next pictures are for especially for you, Hero. David thinks we should start sending photos to food companys and get Lucas into advetising. He certainly is photogenic.

Let me think now, do I have any vents for today.... no, none today, I know you're all sorry to hear that.

Cats

2006-10-15T20:59:00.000-06:00

I'm trying something new. In my scant half hour of spare time today (thanks to my wonderfully sleepy baby and equally wonderful caring husband) I did a little web surfing and discovered the wonderful tool of snooping on other peoples blogs by searching their locations (ie. Rocky Mountain House) or interests. It was devilishly similar to reading someone elses mail, yet totally kosher, besides, we all know that what you say on the net is everyone elses buisness. Unfortunately searching Rocky Mountain House did not result in anyone of interest (to me) but I thought I would add a bunch of "interests" to my profile and see if anyone happened to look me up. Kinda fun don't you think? I was somewhat inspire to be a bit more bold with my postings, considering I've been tiringly neutral, and considering I have very few vent venues, why not use this as one.

But before I get on with my venting I have to address the issue of Dijeree Doo (I know I'm spelling that wrong but haven't had time to look it up). That is what we have tentatively named our rescue cat who is now attacking my foot with kitten-like fury. We rescued him out of a deep crate in the corner of the work shop, apparently abandoned by his mother (actually I don't know how to tell if it's he or she so we go with he). Anyway, with a new baby and an aggressive toddler in the house, this poor kitty is not getting the TLC it deserves and needs a new home. Any takers? Besides which, our fat cat, Kyoto, has taken a dislike to this little intruder and has not yet attacked though I do fear the day is approaching...

Now on with the venting. What's with all these newly developed parenting techniques that are supposed to make my life easier, I mean the ones that have been cropping up in the past 150 years or so. Kind of like how communication technology is supposed to bring people closer together. As if! I've never been so alone in my life and it's only getting worse. I could easily go a whole month without seeing a single member of my extended family or a single close friend, the kind I feel comfortable having a real conversation with. I blame the industrial revolution and the dissolution of the extended family. Honestly, why can't we all go back to cave man style parenting. I mean it worked for thousands of years, why do things have to change when I come along. I think I should have lived 2000 years ago, living on nuts and berries, spinning and weaving sturdy garments, washing wood smoke out of my hair with home-made soap, and chanting hymns to the full moon. Anyway, back to parenting, my world, life, and pet peeve right now. I feel like I am a little lonely boat in a huge empty ocean when it comes to "attachment parenting", a coined term that I've discovered most accurately represents my parenting philosophy. In a nutshell, let your kids sleep where they're comfortable and feel safe (with you, in your bed), feed your baby as much as he wants when he wants cause his body knows best, take your kids with you when you go places (carry baby in a sling), birth your babies at home (if you can), and don't count only on the school ciriculum to teach your kids, teach them what you know too. As simple as that all may sound to the non-parent, would you believe how much I have had to defend these convictions. If not out-loud (and usually I don't have the energy to argue my case) then I defend them in my mind which eventually leads to a mentality of constant defensiveness. Not really what I had in mind when I first became a parent. Like I said though, I feel pretty much alone on the whole matter, not that I critisize the parents that I know cause everyone must follow their own inner light, but I guess one is always surprise to find themselves travelling a path alone when they thought they were following a well-trodden course. Most likely my parenting convictions will change as I become older and wiser. Perhaps I will become a shining light so someone who also feels alone. There, I vented, aaaaaah! (I think that was the sound of a sigh of relief from my husband who was just saved from being a vent venue for the day) By the way, the picture way up there is of Lucas with his dad in bed, eating popcorn, with Lucas making his last clever attempts to resist bedtime. Yes, that is a queen sized bed that we ALL share with no difficulty, Lucas (18 months), Rowan (3 weeks) and their happy parents.

A Beautiful Fall Day

2006-10-10T12:03:00.000-06:00

I couldn't resist getting a photo of Rowan in the bright fall leaves. Good thing I got the picture when I did cause now it's COLD!

Rowan Forest Robert

2006-09-28T12:21:00.000-06:00

Our precious little boy was born Monday, September 25, 2006, at 3:00 AM. We had planned a home birth in Red Deer but Rowan decided he didn't want to go that far and was born with hardly a moments notice at our midwife's house in Rocky.

Rowan weighed in at 9lbs 8oz. with a 37cm head and 57 cm (22 in.) long.

We were all surprised that the labour was only 3 hrs long and Rowan was 2 min. away from being born en route in the car. Luckily our considerate midwife, Barb Bodiguel, had the forsight to prepare her guest bedroom for us just in case things progressed quickly and sure enough, Rowan was in a huge hurry.

He is a beautiful, brown haired, chunky little angel and Lucas is very enamoured by his newest "pet". Lucas rubs Rowans head very gently and tries to give him food and toys. We feel truely blessed with our two beautiful boys.

Lucas on the Harley

2006-08-12T21:36:00.000-06:00

We had a great visit with Uncle Colin (David's brother) and Rhonda when they came out to the ranch. Lucas got to stay up late and socialize and Rhonda took some great photos of him and his Uncle. I think Lucas has a lot of the Williamson features in his blood cause so many of these pics remind me of the shots I've seen of his cousin Levi (Colin's son).

I can't remember if Lucas was on the Harley last time Colin brought his bike down so I won't call this his first Harley ride but pretty close. Uncle Colin even let fire up the engine.

Morning chores on the farm are becoming the highlight of the day. Lucas has been learning to feed the chickens and he's pretty proud of his feed scattering abilities. I've tried to teach him to throw it far away from his bare little toes; I'd hate for one of his little toesies to get pecked. The chickens follow him around and he loves the attention. In the meantime I have to try to keep the goats occupied so they don't come and steal all the food out of his container.

Latest addition

2006-07-18T21:32:00.000-06:00

The herd is complete (for now). We picked up Juniper, a one year old milk goat from our neighbours so Cedar now has a goat companion, though Cedar seems to prefer the llamas because Juniper is a little wild. Our fences have been bunted, bashed and bruised by our newest herd member and I'm proud to say my amatuer fencing skills have passed the aggresive goat test. Unfortunately I have no pictures of Juniper yet cause our camera battery charger has gone the way of the wild turkey. Replacement parts are on their way, though for my snap happy husband they can't seem to get here soon enough. Maybe tomorrow...

Goats!

2006-07-12T21:51:00.000-06:00

Hooray! We had a little family outing yesterday and picked up our first milk goat, Cedar (she was already named and I call her Cedarina, it just sounds more feminine). It was a bit comical with me driving our battered and bruised pick-up and David squashed in the "back seat" with the loudly bleating goat. Lucas looked on with wide eyes from his rear-facing passenger position as we bumped along the gravel road. Amazingly he actually fell asleep on the way despite the loud rattling of the truck and baaaing of our 3 month old goat.

The goat promptly escaped from it's new pen (what was supposed to be Lucas's play yard) and we chased it around and around before David finally had to put Lucas to bed and I crashed off into the bushes for one last try. I finally caught up with the little bugger in some thick brush close to the property line and after failing to catch, pounce, lasso and coax the fearfilled creature back, I, in desperation, started bleating to the best of my human ability and wouldn't you know, that darn goat followed me all the way back to the pen echoing bleat for bleat. Thank goodness Cedarina has now accepted our big mamma, Loretta the llama, as it's surrogate mother and no further escape attempts have been made.

Sambuca (Sambo) seems happy now to have another small sized friend and I've seen him do a few acrobatical little jumps and twirls as if he's trying to impress his new herdmate. I forgot to mention in the last story that while we were chasing little Cedar round and round, our male llama JoJo was making the strangest hee-hawing noises. Honestly, I'm sure he was laughing at us and maybe I would have been laughing to if I hadn't been so out of breath.

I have to include a picture of Kona who has been feeling rather left out in all this new activity. She likes to chase the chickens when left out unsupervised, I had to practically pull one out of her mouth the other day, so sometimes she's only out of the kennel for an hour or so a day. Poor puppy! Here's a photo on the internet to make up for it Kona! Now grandma's cats are coming over to tell me that I forgot to feed them today. I guess I'll brave the nighttime mosquitoes or they'll come and raid my cat's food (the expensive stuff... $45 bucks a bag for CAT FOOD! I'm way to much of a softie).

Busy June

2006-07-03T21:36:00.000-06:00

Where does time go? My ambitious goal was to have at least a monthly blog but it looks like that might turn into a bimonthly blog. Insomnia is great for catching up on things. So much has happened in month of June, we got our long awaited Aurucana chickens (that lay green eggs) and built a chicken tractor for them. I'd love to post pics but I think they're on the other computer and that's just way to much fiddling. Maybe I won't sleep tomorrow night and find them for y'all.

More recently Loretta the llama finally had her baby... I was beginning to think she was just fat and not pregnant. Loretta is the brown one and we've named her little boy Sambo, he is SO soft! JoJo is the black male checking out his new herdmate in the picture.

I hope Lucas and Sambo will be good friends, they're off to a good start anyway. Loretta is a bit wild and tries to herd her baby away from me but I'm trying to work with him every day and I"m hoping he'll be the first of our llamas to handle easily.

It's been hot and sunny, perfect summer weather, and Lucas has fun in his wading pool. The pool has also become Loretta and Sambo's drinking hole cause we have them penned up in Lucas's newly fenced in back yard (wish I had a picture of that too cause I'm pretty proud to have dug the post holes, wired up the fence and made 3 gates for this yard all by myself).

Last Yukon blog

2006-05-16T17:35:00.000-06:00

Here's a couple pictures of Lucas going down the slide. We do a lot of "parking" to wear off that extra energy and turn down the squirm in the car factor.

This picture is NOT of Lucas choking but he's not really liking broccoli on this particular day.

We've had such a wonderful time in Whitehorse and we leave tomorrow afternoon for the Alberta oil country. Bye bye Yukon (Lucas waves whenever I say bye bye)!

Snowy Yukon

2006-05-12T16:52:00.000-06:00

These are snowy mountains about an hour away from Whitehorse. It looks like they just had a foot of new snow and we couldn't resist jumping in.

The last few days in Whitehorse have been cloudy, cold and snowy but Lucas is optomistic and looking like a hot northern guy. We've been busy hiking and park playing and doing cold weather stuff like watching movies with popcorn. Hero says last year the it was t-shirt and shorts weather. Well, we can't have all the luck.

Adventures in Whitehorse

2006-05-08T17:42:00.000-06:00

This is a fine shot of Lucas choking (yeah, call me a bad mom) but we didn't realize it at first. Hero (the nurse) though he was just making a cute face. Nothing serious, but we almost died laughing through the rest of our fine Mexican meal (I was the next one to start choking).

Here's Lucas and I doing a self portrait in the Yukon! Those big blue eyes are major chick magnets... go Lucas! We've been here one week and are starting to love the place. Whitehorse is a cool town with cute shops, NICE places to eat and tonnes of trails! A resort compared to Rocky Mountain Hole.

This is Lucas at Miles Canyon. We went for a nice walk along the Yukon river and I ended up getting distracted by crocuses and taking a little bunny trail over rock and roots and up a huge gravel hill. We finally had to turn around when I decided against scaling a cliff with the chariot in tow (tempting as it was). We had to take a little photo break so I could catch my breath; five months of pregnancy tends to squish the lungs you know.

Here's Hero and Lucas in Skagway, Alaska. We had a great day trip and even found a very intriuging orange "PMS" pylon. (No David, I didn't take it). The canal was beautiful and the drive was fantastic from bare gravely mountains to white snowscapes to misty waterfalls to sunny seaside.

Sunday outing

2006-04-30T22:02:00.000-06:00

This is a photo from last weeks Sunday outing when we went to Cow lake and drove down a bunch of backroads trying to get a feel for the place. Lucas is an amazingly co-operative passenger as long as he has his BOTTLES! Doesn't David look great with a little babe in his arms? Soon we'll have two hunnie bunnies...

Greening

2006-04-29T21:26:00.001-06:00

We've had some busy days, seeding bare pasture land, researching natural chicken feed, designing a chicken and goat barn that will also serve as a livestock vehicle in case of emergency evacuation (due to forest fires). We had a burn barrel wild fire scare recently that has moved us toward taking extra precautions.

Lucas and I will be heading up north soon... more postings to come from the Yukon!