Outside and In

Outside ~

I cut wild raspberry branches for the goats

which they love.

Isaac found a neglected strawberry patch

dug up individual plants and potted them in various "pots" - there are actually quite a few strawberries ripening.  We hope to make a dedicated area on our homestead for a strawberry patch in the future.

Inside~

I have been working on some new products for our shop - hand stamped love bird branch tags

and I made this custom order for a bride's wedding party.

Life is so full right now, as it should be.  Long days full of light and warmth, the garden growing far too many weeds but also beautiful vegetables, children excited for upcoming camps (theater, old fashioned overnight camp, and a boat making camp), and planning a big graduation party and a family camping getaway.  Some of the children will be participants but the older ones will be directors and counselors.  Our house will be in constant change with some coming and others going.  

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Knitting and Reading Today

Joining in with Ginny and so many others at her knit along through her blog, Small Things....

I finished up the Plain Vest that I shared last week, and dabbled with some crocheting throughout the week and am now trying to decide on some new knitting projects.  I knit one bootie from the book, Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, but don't like having to pick up stitches on the front sides.

What is your favorite baby bootie pattern?

I am also casting on for another Colin's Vest using this really pretty soft wool that came in a barter from a blog reader.

I am still reading Greenhorns and am really enjoying the essays.

Looking forward to reading about what book you are enjoying and if you have any knitting projects in the works.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

Painting Around the Homestead

Mike made an outdoor table for us from an old door and branch legs.  Sarah spent much of a day painting the top.

Abby painted the chicken coop.

And I just came across this - this morning!

We are enjoying the summer weather and the added freedom summer brings to add a bit more creativity to our days.

What creative things are children up to?

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Crocheting a Netbook Sleeve

On our car ride to and from Massachusetts, I crocheted two laptop sleeves.

Using a smallish crochet hook for the worsted weight yarn left a nice tight stitch which makes a nice padding.

With Peace Fleece worsted weight wool and a size G hook, I chained 29 stitches and then turned and single crocheted across 28 stitches.

To fit my little netbook, I crocheted until the piece measured 21".  Then, using a contrasting color crocheted the sides together, across the bottom, up the other side and then around the top (leaving open) and adding a chain for the loop for the button.

We used a large hemlock button from a branch on our homestead.

I did up two - so I put one for sale in our etsy shop.

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Wedding Trip

Mike, Emmy, and I made a quick trip down to the north shore of Massachusetts for a special wedding on Friday evening.  The wedding took place outside just as the rumbles of thunder passed and then a rainbow appeared over the ocean.  The song that played as the procession began was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".  How neat is that?

Emmy and I spent about eight hours next to one another in the back of a Ford Focus we rented to get us to the wedding.  

which gave me plenty of time for this.

We are so blessed to have children that worked together while we were gone.  They all stayed safe, kept the house picked up, the animals cared for, and everybody fed.

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday,

Tonya

Knitting and Reading

Emmy's Plain Vest is done.  I knit this on size 8 needles with a light worsted weight soft wool.  I cast on 90 stitches.  When it came time to make the armholes, I knit 17, bound off 10, knit 36, bound off 10, and knit 17.

The next row when I knit to the armhole, I cast on 22 at each armhole.

She is pulling herself up now!

  and reading Blueberries for Sal!

Working on finishing up the other Plain Vest - this one should be a bit bigger.

Reading...

Making it a priority to read the Bible every day

Getting so much out of Radical - it is challenging me in so many ways.  One area specifically is how Jesus calls us to care for the poor (or the needy - those that have any needs really).  Our family lives in luxury compared to the rest of the world.  As our income has gone up we have been guilty of adjusting our standards of living - not in the right direction.  Jesus commands us to care for those that need food, for example.  Knowing that children are hungry, malnourished, and lacking makes it necessary that I do something.

The author, David Platt, talks about how 150 years ago Christians didn't think there was anything wrong with slavery.  He wonders if in 150 years Christians will look back at this time period and wonder how people that called themselves Christians could have lived in relative luxury when so many were in dire need.   

I wonder if our family should even be concerned saving? Do we need this or that?  How can I even think about buying a new outfit when many women have not enough food to nourish their pregnant body, for example?  

 I am praying for God to lead our family down a more radical path in serving and can't wait to see where we are going!

Finally, I am reading a super fun book - Greenhorns - the next generation of American farmers.

Farming is in my blood and while we are just providing for for our family right now, maybe someday we will have more land....

The book contains 50 essays from 50 different farmers that "are passionate about improving the food we eat through sustainable and humane farming practices.  Their inspirational stories speak to the challenge and rewards of earning a living off the land, embracing risks, and feeding local communities - all while maintaining a profound respect for the earth."

Perhaps there is some connection between feeding the poor and small sustainable farming practices....

Looking forward to all of the sharing today at Ginny's Yarn Along!

Warm wishes,

Tonya


(The winner of the last week's vest is Mama Isle. - Just let me know your mailing address when you get a moment.)

Repairing My Ergo

This Ergo is nearly eight years old - I used it with Sarah (now eight).  Then nearly 3 years with Abraham and the wear is showing.  But, I just love this style carrier. Carrying babes from about 6 months to 3 years feels nearly effortless - without one I would not get nearly as much done.  I think little ones enjoy being in them too.  They have a wonderful view being up higher than their usual ground level and have some time with less stimulation just hanging close to mom or dad.

Not wanting to spend the $100 for a new one and realizing that there is still a lot of use left in the new one if I could just patch the worn areas, I came up with an idea.

Not being much of a seamstress, I instead turned to my crochet hook and wool and crocheted up a rectangle to fit over the worn area, wrapped it around and crocheted the ends together over the worn spots.  The crocheted piece also adds a bit of extra padding which is nice.

Wishing you a wonderful Monday,
Tonya