Blog Archives

Rosa Rugosa

9/27/2014

Another Trickle Creek Peek...

These hardy and beautiful plants not only bring native color to your homestead, but offer a rich reward after the blossom has faded. Rosa Rugosa's very large rose hip is rich in natural vitamin C that is easily assimilated, especially when you extract the properties in tinctures and teas as we do. Yes, it's healthy contribution is a primary reason to have this plant but additionally, situated in an intimidating hedge formation, it's prickly thorns will create a menacing barrier not easily breached by potential predators.

For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. Isaiah 18:4

0 Comments

Beany's Babies

9/24/2014

1 Comment

This is Miss Bean. She was a house rabbit with an indoor family that wanted her to have more fun time than they could give, because of life circumstances. She liked being inside but once she realized there were other rabbits around the homestead, she started getting aggressive toward our cat. She wanted to be around every rabbit that came in for grooming and we realized she wanted to be out with the rest of the warren.
As rabbits are happiest when bred, she took up her charge like a seasoned pro and happily brought 5 little ones into the world without a challenge. She kept all of her large litter (for her breed/size) , has cared for them like a champ and is happy to be a Momma.

You'll notice all the baby's ears are erect (or stand up), while hers lop (or droop)...They will not stay that way. Their Dad was a lop too and as they get older their ears will develop that beautiful droop... The spotting gene gives them such beautiful colors and their faces, a bit more scrunched than angoras, make them as cute as buttons! They are so soft!

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. Psalm 40:16

1 Comment

Connecting with the past

9/20/2014

1 Comment

We so thoroughly enjoyed all the aspects of the Evergreen State Fair and Mom took a lot of pictures. We have been busy with school, as well as washing and dyeing fiber to prep for the upcoming change of seasons and events....
To coordinate with our current tasks, we want to share with you peeks at pioneer kitchens, schools and crafts; thanks to the stuffed-to-the-brim museum, rich with historical artifacts.

1 Comment

Love on the water

9/17/2014

2 Comments

Another Trickle Creek Peek!

Our Beautiful geese enjoying the dwindling sunshine before their evening patrol.

That's Bruce the Gander Goose and Lucy the Goosey Girl on Trickle Creek.
These fowl are a helpful addition to our homestead, warning predators to keep their distance and letting us know if anything out-of-the-ordinary is happening during the day. They have established a safety zone they guard carefully if the hound comes near, but have never been aggressive to even the littlest visitors. They honk, yes, but also make soft cooing noises to let the ducklings know they're around - even though they're not their parents.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Proverbs 4:25-26

2 Comments

Trash to Treasure

9/11/2014

2 Comments

A mountain of Alpaca Fiber

One of the things important to complete before winter is cleaning and storing your wool. The first steps for wool processing are shearing it from the animal and once it's off, skirting or removing the filthiest parts of the wool from what you'll retain. This year we have over 20 lbs of alpaca fiber most from a friend that has asked us to clean, spin and knit/crochet into gifts for her family. Fiber prep from animals that enjoy rolling in the dirt and rustling through bushes can be a lengthy task and our first step is to remove as much of that dust, dirt, vegetation and second cuts (those shorter pieces that are accidentally cut twice and too short to use) from the fiber before we wash it.

2 Comments

Falling into FIber...

9/10/2014

1 Comment

English and German Angora with Cabbage Dyed Yarn

For several who have been asking about our fiber availability and yearning for their very own angora rabbit, it's time to get excited! We have just confirmed an exclusive event for you to harvest your own bushel of fiber fantasy supplies for your fall and winter projects.

For those not spinning yet, it's not just fabulous fiber, it's natural soaps, it's luscious yarns, it's custom chainsaw carvings, it's beautiful angora rabbits, it's amazing clay creations, it's fun felting kits and SO MUCH MORE!
It's a Harvest of Handcrafts from several happy vendors sharing their talents and time with those attending from Noon to 5 pm on Sunday, October 26, this year!

1 Comment

Stir your thinking

9/3/2014

0 Comments

I love this heirloom plant. It's beautiful, unique and under-appreciated in our 'modern' world. We learned of the primitive uses for it in a fantastic book called The Forgotten Arts and Crafts. Years ago we stopped at a beautiful farm in Snohomish and they were growing it next to their dahlias and pumpkins. This time I captured it in a demonstration garden at the Evergreen State Fair. If we lived in a warmer climate or had more sun exposure, I'd grow it for it's intended use. Do you think you know what it is? It may not be what comes to mind first....really look at it.

We received a wonderful note from our friends at Milestone Books a rich resource of books the encourage and bless your entire family's studies...we want to share it with you! "Take a moment to visit this scene from heaven:"

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:10-11).

0 Comments

More Fair Fun in '14

9/2/2014

0 Comments

We were kindly invited to demonstrate our heritage skills and join a spin-in up at the Evergreen State Fair this end of August. We have been quite busy during the summer and determined it was better for our family to take a break from events for August to September and instead focus on prepping our homestead for school, fall and general reorganization to accommodate our continued growth. Touted as 'The Largest Country Fair in all of Washington', although we didn't commit to a demo, we couldn't resist visiting the fair to enjoy some wholesome family fun and relaxation on it's very last day. Held at the Monroe Fairgrounds, it was close to Grandma, so she joined us as well.

0 Comments

Blue Ribbons Abound

9/1/2014

0 Comments

It's not only a blessing to learn and create with our heritage skills - but it's also affirming (especially for youngsters) to share your creations, have it judged by someone with more experience, and receive appropriate marks for your effort. Your local county fair is a free and sometimes financially rewarding way of doing so! Sadly, in much of our region, the entries are fewer and fewer every year. I (Mom) feel it's another sad result of the ever growing appetites for more frenzied forms of entertainment, coupled with dwindling family agriculture.
We decided to enter some of our knitted, crocheted, and spun items in the Pierce County Fair. Additionally, the children submitted items in photography, woodworking and lego building. Open every August in Graham, WA, this is a small, country-style fair, geared for those in the Pierce County Region of Washington State. Did you know all entrants receive discount entry tickets as well as monetary compensation for ribbons they receive?

0 Comments

What's Happening...

Rosa Rugosa

Another Trickle Creek Peek...

Beany's Babies

Connecting with the past

Love on the water

Another Trickle Creek Peek!

Trash to Treasure

Falling into FIber...

Stir your thinking

More Fair Fun in '14

Blue Ribbons Abound

About us:

Archives

Categories