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Now that we’ve been thoroughly dampened (2.43 inches of rain this week), and the ground is nice and softened up, it seemed the right time to finally get a couple of little volunteer trees planted. These guys have had been hanging out in pots for a couple years, and have come along nicely. So today they both found new homes out in the pasture.

Pretty sure this one is a Mountain Hemlock

and the other is a Port Orford Cedar

They will have to live in cages for quite a while, for their own protection, as the sheep (especially Daphne) would make a quick meal of them without a barrier.

Also got garlic planted- both in the hoophouse and outside.

Inside I’ve got first year plants grown from bulbils of our regular “garden variety” garlic (no idea what it is- gift from a friend many years ago). Just dug and replanted them with adequate spacing so hopefully they will bulb up next year

and a couple new varieties from the farm store (Silver Rose and Red Toch) planted outside (bricks and rock to remind me of the edge of their planting area!)

Nice to have that done. Very nice that the weather has cooperated enough to enjoy being out doing garden work in early Nov!

And, I have a completed pair of socks to show off this week- ends tucked in and everything

I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the significant contributions of Boo Kitten to this project.

Some documentation of her being enormously helpful in the final stages.

Always nice when furry friends show an interest and lend a helping paw. 🙂

Not sure what is up next. I am suddenly without anything on the needles!

With a sock and a half to show for travel knitting

from this lovely Jadawoo yarn I picked up in Port Angeles a few weeks ago-

The weather has changed significant while I was away. Freezing at night now, but the afternoons are still warming up. And still warm enough in the hoophouse to dry some freshly washed recent spins

Was beautiful golden light in the pasture this afternoon when I went to spent some time with the sheep gals.

Have to savor these crisp fall days- it looks like we’re in for some mighty soggy weather very soon.

Alrighty folks. That’s about it for me. Have a good week 🙂

Earlier this week we lost Felix, the last of my original sheep.

He was 13 years old, and had been hanging in pretty well despite his arthritis for the last two and a half years or so. But he turn a hard turn last weekend and passed away overnight on Monday.

He was a sweet boy- and I feel like we’d gotten closer over the last few years, since his brother Frank passed away. He was a pretty low key guy, and I don’t think he’d want me to make a big fuss, so I’ll just share some of my favorite photos of him from over the years.

Frank (right) and Felix (left) shortly after arrival June of 2010.

and finally, Flying Felix

I like to think of him flying free again- reunited with the original pasture gang.

Sorry to have skipped out on the blog last week. Got back from my little adventure a bit later than planned and was really pooped.

The mini road trip took a friend and I across the Edmonds ferry to the Kitsap Peninsula- where we stopped in at The Artful Ewe, then checked out an area new to me- Chimacum.

Super cool little market at the intersection of Center Rd and Beaver Valley Rd. Great produce, a cool range of local products and a plant nursery as well!

In addition to some tasty treats I found some locally grown seeds for next year’s garden

We stayed at a little cottage by Discovery Bay- an interesting little place distinguished by it’s unique rock garden features

The view from the property is pretty amazing

The following day we made our way up to Port Angeles to visit the Pacific Northwest Fiber Arts Expo.

It was a beautiful day, and the event was lovely. Lots of interesting vendors- I had no idea so much fiber milling activity was going on out on the Olympic Peninsula!

Brought home a few select items from the expo-

That’s the Curiosity colorway from Jadawoo Designs, and some recycled sari silk from Siren of the Skeins.

Also picked up a bit of a sweet fleece from Taggartshire Farms

Just a short stay in Port Angeles- felt like there was a lot more to see in the area. Might have to start looking around for a good retreat place in the vicinity.

Back at home this week I’ve made some good progress on the Shepherd’s next vest-

Just finished the upper back today, so only the upper front (and arm and neckline edging) to go.

Think I might be cutting it kind of close with the yarn I have remaining, so I might have to spin up a bit more before it’s all said and done, but there is plenty of roving in reserve. So no worries there.

Have a great week folks!