Gettysburg

     It has been an amazing journey this year. With Patti and I moving. My favorite place in the world besides a fiber fest and spinning.... Is Gettysburg Pa..... I am standing on Little round Top a significant
part of the Battle of Gettysburg. Behind me to the left of the picture is devil's den. The foreground is more of the battlefield. I for the first time scaled big round top that is far to the left of me not in the picture. I was not prepared for the climb. Although determined to see the top, I found out how out of shape I am. It is an amazing expierence to walk on the ground that so many gave their lives to get freedom for others. I don't think their are words to express......... There's saddness, morning, grief, and even joy, suprise , reverance for what occured on this ground over 150 yrs. ago.

Gettysburg

                                 Patti and I, in Gettysburg Pa. We had a great time visiting with friends today.
I have had this blog going since 2008 seems like such a long time. I haven't blogged much but it has been fun.
        We have made a lot of changes in our lives as of late. We are moving to Pennsylvania to be with Patti's family and me to take a new job. It has been quite the transition for us this year. We are looking forward to all that God has planned for us. We have been having a great time reconnecting with Patti's
Pennsylvania roots.

Celebration of Life

Patti and I would like to take the time to Celebrate the Life of our precious "Abby."

It has been a 17 year journey. Abby has been a constant in our lives for several years. She has had an individual personality all her own. Her gentleness..., wondering around the house leaving tuffs of fur all over. Sleeping at the head of the bed an sometimes purring so loud that you can't sleep. She was so content in her little world. Occaisionally meowing at us for our lack of promptness getting food and water on time. Pushing her dishes out on the floor so we would be sure to see them. Her constant and unfailing devotion and love to all who came to visit.

Some times She would just need to be at your side for a little ear scratch or a belly rub. Or that startling wet nose in your face in the middle of the night when your fast asleep. Her favorite display of affection was those little kisses that she would give Patti. .That was a bond that would never be broken not even by me. That was also the last that she offered, shortly before this picture was taken..... Our beloved Abby Passed away this last week. She has forever left her mark on our hearts and tears in our eyes. All I have to say is.......

Good By to our........ Little Princess...........Baby Kitty

xoxo

Lace shawl

It is finally finished!!!! I wanted to spin,knit, and dye the yarn for a shawl. This is a gift for my wife. the pattern is the Leaf lace shawl by Evelyn Clark. The wool is cotswald cross breed. The yarn was spun long draw on the Kromski minstral spinning wheel. I was able to dye the yarn at the Geesee Country Museum. I did add beads to the last round. My wife was so excited with the shawl. I was excited to get it finished. We used Cochineal dye bath and alum mordant. It is a beautiful shade of dark pink to light red.

Flax Spinning

I had a lot of fun Spinning at the Genesee Country museum.

It was warm and cool at times throughout the day. the sunshine was a welcome sight. The flax on the distaff was left over from my flax class at our Finger lakes Fiber Fest. I finished up a nice sample skein of singles.

It was interesting wearing Clothes from that time period of

the house. I had actually had old bifocals that looked OK to wear. I think they matched well. Our fingers got cold from

dipping them into the water to spin the flax. I bought a sea

sponge from a vendor at the museum and put that in the water to cut down on the water dripping all over the place.

I finished up the indigo and cochineal skeins by setting the

dye in vinegar water and washing them. I have to finish

the Tunis fleece that I dyed. It was a great way to start the

fall season.

Spinning Flax( Genesee Country Museum)

Spinning Flax with my, flax instructor Freda. At Genesee Country museum. We got a lot of visitors at the dye pot at the Humphrey house date approx. 1750. There is a skein of linen
yarn hanging from the tension nob on my wheel.

Genesee Country Museum At the Dye Pot

It was a wonderful day at the Dye pot with good friends.

I had to dress in period costume from approx. 1800. It was just

the right amount of sun and cool whether. Although the fire
under the pots was nice when it got cooler. The pot had my hand

spun wool. I had used alum mordant. Then to the dye on the table

behind me right into the indigo dye. I have five skeins of blue.

I had to wear period costume to participate. It was fun to get

more in tune with our forefather. While we waited for the pots

to simmer we spun an talked about spinning Dying and flax.

I took both my kromski minstrel and flax wheel.