New Year's Baby

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

some winter lambs at church

Clare the new "lambie in the fold"

Our fall was spent preparing for the advent of our newest grandaughter, Clare Felicity Wilson. Clare came on January 2 after much anticipation. She is healthy and lovely. Molly and Peter are relieved and grateful. We look forward to watching yet another "lamb in the fold" grow and thrive.







We have enjoyed a relatively mild winter here in central Montana. However, deep snow has kept the ewes barn-bound much of the time. We enjoy the extra barn space a smaller sheep population affords this time of year. No mucky stalls keep the bedding costs down and fleeces as clean as possible.

Our shearer should be coming in March for nice fleeces. Everyone's fleeces look very good this year; no breaks or stresses and minimal VM. Be sure to watch here or on my Etsy page for raw fleeces.

MILL NEWS

Lydia Christiansen

We enjoyed touring a newer mill in WA state last summer: Abundant Earth Fiber owned by Lydia Christiansen. Abundant Earth Mill is on Whidbey Island--an enchanted place. Lydia gave us a wonderful tour on short notice. What a delight!! Her mill employs a few people in a sustainable operation featuring full washing carding blending and spinning services.

Abundant Earth Fiber

After running into old freinds Barb Seeler and her hubby  in her receiving-room, the door opened on a wonderland of wool, whirring machines, yarns and dyestuffs. The smell of wet wool  immediatly caught my senses  and made me smile. We especially enjoyed watching the roving spooling off the pin drafter into huge rounds. Her spinning frame is amazing. And seeing a room full of drying skeins and lavender made my day. Check out her excellent webiste and consider Abundant Earth Mill for your carding-spinning needs.

Closer to home, Going to the Sun Fiber Mill in Kalsipell MT recently purchased a dear old freind. "Olga the carder", my previous commercial carding partner, sits wrapped in plastic waiting for spring  and final installation in Diana Blair's operation. I have dealt with Going to the Sun mill and known of her  since well before I moved to MT. I hope to visit my old freind this summer and see Diana's operation.

Abundant Earth Fiber