It's true. We are forecast to have highs near 70 in Ohio today. I believe the old record was 62 degrees for this date back in 1957. We had some rain the last couple of days and the overnight temperatures over the weekend were in the 20's, but now the forecast is showing highs in the 60's the next several days. No white Christmas here. I'm ok with that. It does mean a lot of mud though, here on the farm.
Since my last post, I have traveled to Grand Rapids Michigan with my mother to visit our family there. My cousin, who is 6 weeks older than my older son, and his wife had a baby in early December. This is me with little Easton. This is the first grandchild for my aunt, who is my mother's younger sister, and she is so happy to finally be a Nana. I am happy for everyone. It is wonderful to have another new baby in the family.
The other big news, which is closer to home for me, is that I have a deposit check from a man who is buying 12 of my remaining 17 alpacas. I have been wanting to make things simpler, especially since my sons live so far away, and this will definitely make things a little easier. But is is so hard to think about having only 5 alpacas out there after having had them for almost 17 years. The ones who are staying are Chiquita, 17 years old, Peg and Bodhi who will both be 17 in the spring, Truffel, who doesn't belong to me and is getting up there in age and Lightning, our white male. The buyer does not want a male. So mostly seniors who deserve to stay here and be buried here. The rest of the herd will be leaving for Tennessee in January. This weekend, Sam and I need to microchip 8 of them and Monday the vet is coming to do health certificates to make them legal to be imported into Tennessee. It is hard to say what might come along to live in our soon to be empty pastures. I had planned to get some sheep, but with traveling to the west coast a couple times a year, spending time with my mom in western Ohio and going to agility trials, I think it will be easier to just buy lamb and wool as needed.
And speaking of trials, at our last trial, which was in November, Grover earned his Open Jumpers title. I am very pleased to say that at our most recent trial this past weekend, Grover Q'd both days in Excellent Jumpers! He got 2nd place on Saturday and 1st place (only 20" ex dog who Q'd) on Sunday. I was thrilled at his Q on Saturday and amazed when we did it again on Sunday. So he needs 1 more Excellent Jumpers Q to move up to the Masters level. Our standard runs, while respectable, were not good enough to Q (weave pole issues again). I was not UNhappy with those runs, but we can do better. We have only 1 Q so far in Excellent Standard, so need 2 more qualifying runs to move up to Masters in that. Our next trial is mid-February. We will start back to class in January.
Look what I got in the mail last week. 33 pounds of rug yarn in 4 different colors. This should keep me busy weaving rugs for months to come. And I still have a lot of fiber in storage that can become more rug yarn. I am planning a new rug warp and may start to count it out today.
Last post I mentioned waiting for parts for my loom. They arrived shortly thereafter and I was able to start (and finish) my weaving project. Here it is on the loom. It has since been removed, but needs to be washed and hemmed. More photos next post. I am very pleased with this project.
My shawl is coming along nicely. I am now using the second color and need to finish a large mesh panel with it before I move on to color number 3. Considering I really did not like the colors of either of these 2 yarns, I think they work well together and I just love how this is coming out.
Yesterday the dogs and I walked to the beaver pond in the afternoon. After 2 days of rain, it is quite full. There is plenty of sign of beaver activity, but no sightings of beavers.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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