Good-Bye Parents, Hello Winter

Doesn't seem like a very fair exchange does it?



Saturday, at 6:20 a.m. my folks boarded their first plane taking them homeward and at 7:00 a.m. winter apparently (that could be a play on words....) moved on in. The rain and sleet and snow started, they got out just in time.


Snow falling on plastic. ;)

 They had the best weather ever I think, almost two full weeks of Indian summer. We are now however, in the final stages of "batten down the hatches" and get it DONE! Gene has been pulling wood from all the places on the property it would be too hard to get to once the mud or snow really hit. We have a bit over half of what we need already cut, split and stacked and more logs just waiting for their turn in the driveway in front of the shed.



 Looks like a pretty normal early November around here. Outdoor boiler Rube is happily smoking away, our own little wood fired Chernobyl!

I missed posting about Gene's big summer project and that was to finish the front porch floor.



 It actually sits over the basement and has always leaked in this area. Gene researched and installed a marine grade epoxy coating and it looks like this one may be a winner.



 It was a LOT of work. Looks pretty cool too as does this sweet little red Aussie grill my Dad donated to the cause.



 We'll get to my Mother's "donations" next post plus some fun new patterns and fabrics!

Finally a consistent routine has been set for feeding. Grain gets fed once a day like always in the morning. It gives me a chance to equalize the NAG bags if needed and gets eyeballs on everyone early. The big daily hay load gets stuffed into the bags anywhere from 2-4 in the afternoon and the goats get their little bit of cob and minerals
then too, in case I  feel the need to lock them up for the night since they trot right into their stall for that all important little treat.

I've gotten my sewing area back into shape and a little output even. I finished up a Liesl & Co Woodland Stroll cape.





 This is a lovely black and white plaid. The wool is soft and warm. The lining was pretty fun too. Look closely, not your average toile.



And yes, progress has been made on the frock coat. Woohoo, two sleeves and everything!



Further construction is waiting for shoulder pads to arrive and then I'll start in on facings and lining. I also need to construct an interior breast pocket. My Dad's one request.

This is a simple "head clearing" project. Two towels is the start of reusable "paper towel roll".



 The idea is to make about 12-12x12" squares, terry on one side, left over cotton on the other and snap them together and form a roll. How cute (and useful!), is that? I loved the idea and who doesn't need some handy recyclable pick-up towels around the house. Terry cloth is hard to find and the cheaper the better. I bought thin bath towels on sale at our local Bi-Mart, much easier than going to the craft store masquerading as a fabric store and 100% cotton.

Parting shot: Snowflake appaloosa.