17 October 2007

What's New?

Emma says, "We have a surprise for you!"

What do you get when you take this...

... and combine it with this, and bake for five months?

THESE!

Please join us in welcoming Sequoia (left, firstborn) and Sitka (right), our brand new Nigerian dwarf goat doelings! They were born the evening of October 13th.

Aren't they beautiful?

We are just so thrilled with their gorgeous markings.

Sitka's coloring reminds me of a traditional Inuit sealskin jacket with a white ruff at the hem and matching pants.

Although their eyes aren't blue (that's just the flash), they do carry a blue-eyed gene.

Mama Hermione Granger delivered them without any assistance and has been very attentive.

Here is a little movie of them just after being born!

In fiberarts news, all I have to report is that a) I finally received my Ravelry invitation (I am StasiaSpins if you would like to find me), and b) I had to use my quilting scissors to trim the kids' umbilical cords before putting iodine on them. Sigh. Oh - the Angoras also got their fall haircuts (is there anything more pitiful than this?)

Actually, that is a fib. There has been fiber action at Tuppinz Farm! Tonight I had a few minutes to cast on some purple Malabrigo to make the Cabled Pop-Up Mitten designed by Cindi Moist of Yellow Dog Knitting - woo hoo! The pattern is free with purchase of Malabrigo yarn, and they do do mailorder! There is also a wonderful matching reversible Malabrigo scarf, which I'm also making. I want to do the mittens before finishing the scarf so that I'm sure I will have enough yarn for the set.

I enjoyed this knitting so much because of my new Knit Picks Harmony needles. It is true - a single 24" cable needle can be used for Magic Loop knitting! The best way I can describe using this needle is to say... I didn't notice it! The cable is so flexible, it didn't cramp my style. The wood tips are so smooth that I didn't feel them. All I noticed was the yarn... and isn't that what it's all about? I am thrilled that I ordered a complete set of these and I would definitely recommend them to y'all.

Well, that's the extent of my current creativity. Raising not one, but two unlooked-for kittens has been... interesting, and it's kept me busy. I thought I was finished with kittenhood (never mind puppyhood...) but here we are again.

Our biggest concern was whether teenage Max and little Yoda would get along after Max was un-quarantined.

Luckily, we needn't have worried.

In fact, we have a hard time trying to pry them apart.

Our second concern was whether the puppies would accept the kittens.

Again, we needn't have worried.

Emma says, "That's enough blogging, Mama. It's time for a nap!"

Maybe for her. And maybe you all are enjoying Ravelry, but I haven't the time to take even a little peek. Cats, dogs, goats - my life is a never-ending round of pooper-scooping these days. Not to mention that Jeff said we have a "giant mouse" in the house. Giant mouse? Is there, perhaps, another word for giant mouse??? I guess a rat can't be as bad as the bats we had flying around the living room in August... will I ever get used to farm life? Will I ever get to use my quilting scissors to actually make a quilt again?

Hope you, at least, are having a creative day!

5 comments:

Kary said...

O Stas!
YAY on the Ravelry thing ... you will love it!
The goaties are just to cute .... and Miss Emma just loves cuddling & being a mom, doesn't she??
Hmmmm and where *is* Miss Molly?
Great pix - and yes, you will use your scissors for quilting again!
HugZ!

Pamela said...

What a happy family - and each one as cute as a button :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the babies!

Welcome to Ravelry; I'll be adding you to my friends (I'm jessiebird) although I'm still not sure of the point of the friends setup. If you are too busy to add any of your projects, at least browse a pattern you'd like to knit someday. Seeing everyone else's will really inspire you!

Elysbeth said...

The wee ones are very cute! But glad I don't have to scooper them. Good luck with project time.

Anonymous said...

Love the animal pictures! Sitka's tail looks like a little pom-pom. The kitties are so cute!