I live on a farm ... — knitting

New life on the farm

October 7, 2015 • agriculture • art • autumn colors • blogging • country living • culture • family • farm • farm life • farming • free knitting patterns • gardening • green • health • home • inspiration • knitting • Lace Shawl Knitting • Life • love • marriage • personal • photography • relationships • shopping • thoughts • travel • Upstate New York • women • yarn

This summer was a very busy season around our farm. We are in the midst of converting our farmland from leased cash-crop acreage to pasture managed by us. That might sound simple enough but it requires cutting, mowing, fencing, draining, digging, and budgeting, planning, etc. and not necessarily in that order. We are hosting a small herd of Black Angus cattle and have so far fenced in 12 acres of land for grazing. Over the next few years we plan to expand the fenced in land to 40 acres and the herd to 40. So, that has been exciting. Now that we...

Return of the firefly

March 17, 2015 • knitting

What a winter. I love winter, I love snow, and I am not one of those people who become impatient for winter to be over about as quickly as it begins. I do not even get tired of winter when it is half or two thirds over. Of course, living in the Los Angeles area for 36 years gave me more than my fill of seemingly endless summer, relentless sunshine, 85 degree holiday seasons, and miserable heat waves. Some people love that kind of thing, but I am not one of those people. That having been said, I am enjoying...

The handmade gift

December 9, 2014 • children • Christmas • craft • crafting • design • gift idea • gifts • handmade • holiday • inspiration • knitting • Life • love • making • photography • women

...to celebrate that message a bunch of us all over the world celebrate first and foremost the concept of loving one another. And we get inspired to do all kinds of great and wondrous and small and perfect acts of kindness and brotherhood toward those we are close to but also toward others we do not know.

And this is where I speak to you from my heart, again

November 20, 2014 • art • blogging • country life • country living • domestic violence • faith • family • free knitting patterns • hat patterns • home • inspiration • knitting • Lace Shawl Knitting • Life • love • marriage • personal • photography • relationships • spirituality • Thanksgiving • Upstate New York • women • yarn

Snow. It has been falling steady all morning. I knit, and write, and I sip hot cocoa. This kind of cozy, relaxing morning is fulfilling to the soul. The world is very quiet on a snow day. Watching the steady flow of softly falling flakes can be mesmerizing, leading to deep thoughts and philosophical contemplations. At least, that is how it is for me. This morning the snow along with the and the contemplation that comes with knitting have worked together to lead my mind to you, dear reader. I have known many of my readers for a little more...

Lace shawl knitting patterns and peach pie

September 11, 2014 • farm life • food • health • inspiration • knitting • lace knitting • Lace Shawl Knitting • Life • love • photography • travel • women • yarn

That's what I've been up to lately. I have designed seven knitted shawl patterns, published five of them (see photos of all,of the shawls at the bottom of this blog) and put up five peach pies in the freezer. Okay, I have been doing plenty more than just this but these are highlights. Living here in small farm and orchard country in Upstate New York is an amazing blessing during harvest season in particular. Everywhere you turn there is a farm stand, farm market or green thumbed neighbor brimming over with fresh berries, fruits, and vegetables beginning in June and...