How is this for fur??
Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: Spinners "One of a Kind (Love Affair)"
Topic: Rabbits

I've had some people ask to see a picture of a German Angora in full coat. Since it has been so hot here, I'll post a picture of Samson's Twist, who has a 2 month coat on here. The rest of the rabbits here have much shorter coats.

Twist fathered a whole bunch of babies earlier this summer, which will be available for sale in October. With his body type and density, I have very high hopes for those babies!

He wasn't exactly thrilled with being on a slippery chair, so this was the best pose I could get out of him. But he's beautiful!

On another subject, I just love this song that is playing now. I relate it to music that I used to listen to as a kid while on vacation at my grandmothers, in Deptford (south Jersey), which is just outside of Philly.
It makes me happy just to hear it! :D And reminds me of many happy vacations as a child. Doesn't music have a powerful hold on so many of us?

When your it, your IT
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Elton John "The One"
Topic: A bit of everything

Judith
tagged me. So here goes!:

10 years ago: I was still single, but wanting to get married to Dale. The engagement ring came in December of 1995, during a snowstorm on the beach down in RI.

5 years ago: I was married and had a two year old son by then. I was seriously getting into the fiber vending part of Bay Colony Farm, and planning where the business would go.

1 year ago: My two sons were 6 and 3. My husband had just received a promotion at work, and I was very sick with gallbladder problems, only the doctors said that was it acid reflux. Thankfully, they figured it out in November of '04, and I'm fine now. But I remember last summer as "The Summer I Was Sick".

Yesterday: I finished a paying job, which was two days late. But the customer was happy with the results and liked the professional looking format. :) I visited my dad at the hospital. He has pneumonia, and they are discussing a stomach feeding tube. I hope it doesn't have to go that way.

Today: I finished up a project (non-paying), but I'm greatly relieve that it is done. It has been hanging over my head way too long. The rabbits were fed and watered early today, by 11 a.m. I'm feeling positive about things, which is a good sign, having felt like a hermit for so long.

Tomorrow: I'm hoping to meet a friend and deliver a bunny to her from Mia's litter. Getting out and about will be nice, and this friend is always a pleasure to see.

5 snacks I enjoy: Ice cream, chocolate, watermelon and cantaloupe, fresh peas.

5 bands/singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs: Jon Secada, Def Leppard, Elton John, The Flamin' Caucasians, Bryan Adams.

Things I would do with $100,000,000: Pay off all my debt and our mortgage. Buy a vacation house somewhere at the beach; one of those duplex units, or with a carriage house so that we could have the main unit, and friends/family could stay on the property but not with us. ;-)

5 locations I'd like to run away to: Nantucket, Cape Cod, Sea Isle City at the Jersey shore, Barbados, St. Thomas.

5 bad habits I have: No domestic skills what so ever (I can find anything else that is more interesting to be doing rather than housecleaning!), stress eating, not being charitable enough, and swearing (that housecleaning thing takes up 2 bad habits! LOL!)

5 things I like doing: Reading, Eating out at Restaurants, Spinning and Knitting, Going out with my friend Kristen to Rafters.

5 things I would never wear: Birkenstocks, A pocket protector, glasses with big dark frames, over sized jewelery, olive green anything.

5 TV shows I like: Law & Order; SVU, CSI, Spongebob Squarepants, Wings, Cops, the Sopranos, Six Feet Under

5 movies I like: Rebecca, What About Bob?, Field of Dreams, Pure Country, Baby Boom, The Long Kiss Goodnight.

5 famous people I'd like to meet: Jesus (not that I'm overly religious, since I consider myself more spiritual, but I would like to meet him to talk to him and see and feel the calmness I think he would have), John McCain, Elton John, Bryan Adams and Joe Elliot.

5 biggest joys at the moment: My Family, my friends, my work on the parade committee, my business and my animals.

5 favorite toys: My Joy spinning wheel, my cell phone, my computer, my car and my drum carder.

Is it hot or what???
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Def Leppard "Foolin'"

I'm only feeling lazy because it's too darn hot to be anything else. If Tripod had a "melting" mood emoticon, I would choose that to adequately describe how I'm feeling. But, I also just came in from feeding and watering the rabbits (you must make sure that rabbits have adequate water when it is this hot, since they don't eat as much!), which is why I'm feeling so darned hot.

The Hitchhiker Wheel has found a good home with Katherine down in MD. She is a fellow Thriller, and I know she'll like the wheel. :)

How much can you fit into three days or What I did on My Summer Vacation
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Bryan Adams "Run To You"
Topic: A bit of everything
First of all; kudos to Claudia for her Lazy Girl Margaritas. Since I'm out of tequila (and have been for months), I've learned how to substitute Grey Goose Vodka instead, and that was last night's refreshment after 2 hours of lawn mowing. Usually, if there is any left over, it is poured into a container, and put into the freezer for Lazy Girl Sorbet later on. That didn't happen tonight, as DH and I polished off a blender full of the LG Slushies. Yeah, we were feeling relaxed. ;-)

My brother and his family were up from NJ last week, and when you have small kids, you tend to try to do things that they like. But we squeezed some fun adult stuff into the week too.

We started off with a trip up to VT to the King Arthur Flour Store in Norwich, VT. While the mixes and baking equipment are expensive, you'll find stuff there that you can't find elsewhere. I picked up a mini-scone pan, several rye flours, and an Italian cookbook which showcases the Italian section of Boston (delicious recipes!). The cookbook offers such great recipes that my brother Greg and I each plan to make at least one of our meals for our family beach vacation from it!). After the KAF store, we headed south to Quechee Gorge for a picnic lunch and a short hike. After leaving there, we spotted a tourist area which offered train rides to kids, but wine tasting for adults. I picked out two lovely wines from Putney Wines, a sparkling apple wine, and a cherry/apple wine. Yummm! After leaving this store, we headed over to another store which advertised wine tastings. This one is the Quechee Winery, which is the sister winery for North River Winery, a wonderful place I discovered back in 1989, when my former boyfriend was living within 20 minutes of it. One of the wines at the Quechee winery, is named Barred Owl Blush, and they donate part of the proceeds to VINS, a raptor center in Quechee. Of course, being the conservationist that I like to think I am, I purchased a bottle of this wine, along with a Vermont Apple, Autumn Harvest and Midnight Gold (excellent dessert wine!). ;-)

Tuesday was spent taking care of my niece and nephew, while they played with my boys in our pool. The kids had a blast, and my brother and his wife had a nice day out alone.

Wednesday we drove back up to VT to take the Green Mountain Flyer from Bellows Falls up to Chester and back. The boys loved it! But I have to admit, so did I. The scenery is beautiful (we saw a blue heron fly over an inlet in the CT River!), and the train goes over a couple of high gorges and past a covered bridge. I did get pictures, but they are on a disposable digital camera, which I haven't had developed yet, but I will post pictures later.

Thursday was spent working, while the rest of the family went to the Lupa Zoo. The rest of my time has been spent working. Either my main job, or finishing up some of the work I do as a volunteer.

Right now, we are in the middle of another heat wave, with high humidity, but the rabbits are taking it well. And Mia's litter will be evaluated this weekend, and I'll know just how many rabbits are good breeding quality, and which ones will be pet quality. I don't sell rabbits before they are 4 months old, as it is impossible to tell before that what they are best suited for, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Ideally, waiting until they are 9 months would be better, because by that time, you know what their adult coat looks like, since you have already shorn their baby coat and junior coat. But at 4 months, you do have a good idea about their body condition, and that is really important.

I do have a nice doe for sale who is almost 1 year old. She has a nice silky coat, and good body on her. She would make a perfect breeding doe (and is she ready!). If you are interested in her, please let me know.

As I've said before
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Jimmy Buffett "Boat Drinks"
Topic: Fiber
Sometimes life gets in the way. Who would have guessed that I'd spend the last two days doing rush jobs for my own company, and then for the company where my husband works? Let me say that working in a building with NO a/c, when the temp is 89 degrees leaves one exhausted by the time you get home late at night. :) But, the money is good which is what counts.

This is what I've spent my morning making for the gathering:

introducing "Cherries and Chocolate"

Two ounce batts of a 50/50 angora/alpaca blend. And it's ooooooh so soft!

Wool porn and bunny crack
Mood:  party time!
Now Playing: James Taylor "Up On The Roof"
Topic: Fiber

Two adults (Cassie and Winter) and two of Mia's babies were sheared yesterday. They all looked much happier without their longer coats on. Although the babies fiber wasn't over 3", it is still beautiful. I have 3 ounces of this fiber for sale right now (more available when I shear the other two down today) suitable for felting, at $3 per ounce. Can you see that crimp?

How about some Corriedale wool porn as Cate calls it?

Then I have some alpaca/angora I'll be blending. I'm making 1 ounce batts of this today. A cinnamon colored alpaca with cherry red angora.

These batts and fiber (and more!) will be at the gathering on Saturday, but if you want some now, e-mail me at Baycolonyfarm@aol.com and let me know. I can take MC/VISA, along with Paypal.

And, here is one of the bunnies for sale; two bucks from Mia's litter that will be ready to leave here mid August.

Isn't he cute? He's been living with his siblings, which is why his coat looks so scruffy.

He's naked now. :)

His brother (the one assuming the low position) discovered yesterday that shearing isn't such a bad thing. Both boys came over this morning pushing their heads under my hands wanting head pats and cheek rubs. I wish I had had my camera handy while shearing yesterday, when one of the boys decided to stretch out on my lap and just chill. It was too funny! Once they learn that shearing is something not to be feared, they become the most docile animals for shearing. This is really fantastic, especially for the new owners, as shearing a rabbit can be a stressful experience for both owner and rabbit. If the rabbit is relaxed, then the owner will be too. :)

I also have two nice pet quality bucks for sale, which will also be going to the Boston area gathering with me. I like to think of myself as an enabler. ;-)

Early morning luck
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Michael Sembello "Maniac"
Topic: A bit of everything

On the mornings I sleep late (6 a.m. is late for me!), I wake up to my favorite radio station. This morning, I wake up to hear them talking about their "What Came First?" contest. They give two clues, and you have to guess which item came first (what year). Today's clues were "Little Jeannie" by Elton John and "My Life" by Billy Joel. For those that don't know this, I'm a huge music fan, especially 70's and 80's music. In fact, until I was a senior in high school, I had wanted to be a radio DJ (I changed my mind when I realized that I might actually have to live someplace other than Western MA). Anyway, they give the phone numbers to call, and I dial (I haven't even talked yet this morning, and I'm calling a radio station?!). Amazingly enough, they answer the phone, and ask the question, to which I answer correctly "My Life" (1978 to EJ's 1980 release of "Little Jeannie"). So now I find out that I've won tickets to see Two Pianos Four Hands. I'm thinking "Cool!". And after I give them my info, and hang up, it occures to me that I have a meeting that night, and DH will be out of town on business. Damn! This isn't the first time I've won tickets to an event, and had a conflict of interest. So I've offered the tickets to my brother and SIL, and hopefully they will be able to attend (I can't miss my meeting!).

Still, it is fun to be lucky like that once in a while and win free stuff from the radio stations. :)

What a weekend!
Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: Bobby Darin "Beyond the Sea"
Topic: A bit of everything

It's been incredibly hot and humid here the past few days. So much so that all I really want to do is sit down and read books while the kids play in the pool. I have finished up several books, including my all time favorite, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I've read this book well over 20 times since the first time I read it when I was about 11. I have the movie on tape too. It's been over 15 years since I last read it, yet I pick up something new each time I read it. One thing that is interesting about this book is that you *never* know the narrator's first name. I figured that out the first time I read it. Anyway, if you are looking for some good summer reading, this book is it.

Saturday was our district meeting for IAGARB down at Charlene's house in CT. Charlene is a marvelous hostess (and Ken, her husband, was super sweet watching my boys when my babysitter bailed on me at the last moment). Lynda, Winnie, Christine, Charlene and myself made up the meeting, and we had a blast! Lynda brought down her mittens that she's been making. I have several pictures, but I won't post them here as they will be going into the IAGARB newsletter which is for members only (and I only have her permission to print them there). They are angora/wool, using the pattern from Leslie's book. Lynda is showing such a talent for her mittens; the designs are fantastic! I've never seen such artwork from someone that is so new at designing! She has found a boutique in NH to sell her mittens, and I know she'll be doing quite well. :)

Christine talked to us about insurance and the need for it when you are in business due to the liabilities. She was giving a demo on carding when I left, so unfortunately, I couldn't stay and watch, but it was looking interesting.

Charlene showed us her bunny cam. I guess that made all of us Bunny Voyeurs, as the camera is fixed on Mozel, the doe that Charlene got from me. Mozel is due to have babies on Friday, and started building her nest this past Friday. It was fun watching her get up, check the nest out, and then go back to resting. She's a first time Mom, so it's nice to see such a great nesting instinct.

Yesterday was spent washing a beautiful white Border Leicester fleece I purchased from a friend in RI who raises them. It's looking lovely, and has such great curl! I can't wait to card this with some angora!

Today will be bunny shearing day for me, after I go to the gym. Yes, that's right. I've been going to the gym several times a week to walk on the treadmill. Even though I despise exercising, I do feel a sense of accomplishment after I've finished.

I have a lot of carding to do for this weekend, as I'm attending a friend's party, and she's invited me to bring stuff to sell if people want to buy. So I'll be doing dyeing and carding this week. That is the only good thing about humidity; it keeps the fur from flying too much when carding on the Duncan. :)

They're at it again
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Def Leppard "Love Bites"

The birds that is.

We are in round two of nesting in the barn. Which means I found another baby bird on the floor last night, still alive, but with no way for me to get it back up into the rafters back into the nest (as if the mother bird would accept it anyway). This always leaves me with the unfortunately job of putting a baby bird down, which I DO NOT LIKE! It is part of having rabbits though, in a barn that isn't completely bird proof, so I just learn how to deal with it.

On a funnier note, I had quite a surprise yesterday. While working at the computer, I heard a noise outside the window to my left. I looked up and saw nothing. A minute later, I heard it again. Once more, I saw nothing but figured that the window fan was probably dying. So I go back to typing. Then I hear the noise *very* plainly in front of me and I look up to see a large white cow with it's nose pressed up against the screen of the front window! Needless to say, it just about scared the living daylights out of me. Now, I do live in a farming area, but the closest cows to my house are 1/4 mile down the road, and I've never seen one of them loose in all the years I've lived here. It would have to go through several back yards, plus a conservation area to get here. But apparently, she did. So I called 911. That call went something like this:

911 Operator: "911. Where is your emergency?"
Me: (I give them my address).
911 Operator: "What is your emergency?"
Me: "I have a cow in my front yard staring in my window!".
911 Operator: (laughing hysterically) "A cow?"
Me: "Yeah, I know. It sounds stupid, but there is a large white cow in my front yard, loose."
911 Operator: (still laughing) O.k. We'll send someone right down to get it".

O.k. so it took 25 minutes for the animal control officer to show up. In the meantime, the cow circled my property several times (and freaked out the rabbits with her loud mooing!), and then headed back up the road towards her property. I'm thinking that she's headed back to the farm, but noooooo, she has to cross the road (which thankfully didn't happen in front of my house as it is a blind hill, and someone surely would have been badly injured or killed had they drove their car into the cow), and head up into the woods on the mountain. Great.

By the time the ACO showed up, the cow was in the woods and nowhere to be seen. So the ACO went down to the farm to see if the farmer was missing any cows. That is the last I heard about it. But it was exciting for my kids, and they were hoping she would come back (I wasn't!). I have nothing against cows; I think they are pretty cool, but these are a kind of beef cow, and extremely large. Plus, I didn't know if she was ticked off or just lost. And I wasn't about to find out. I did attempt to keep her in the yard, so that she didn't go out into the street, but without a harness on her, the best I could do was keep an eye on her and watch where she was going.

That was my excitement for the day. :)

As promised.....
Mood:  a-ok

       
Another Day at Bay Colony Farm

Pictures as promised!

Yeah, I'm still recovering from the hell I've put myself through for 16 weeks. But I'm feeling like I'm getting back to normal, and taking some time out of things for myself, including hanging out with friends, like I should. Infact, my best friend Kristen (whom I've known for 18 years!) and I have plans to go out on Friday evening. Things are never dull with her around. :)