I'd Rather Waltz Than Just Walk Through the Forest

New Year's Eve the sky was breathtaking. How awesome is our God!

For a few years now, our family has begun a tradition of vacationing the weekend after Christmas. Our favorite haunt being the lovely little cabins in Carter Caves, Kentucky. The drive's not too far, but far enough to feel like we're leaving town. We're so blessed to have sweet neighbors to check on the critters for a few days, and sweet church family to check on Uncle Jerry & Aunt Ruth. 

The drive down was rather uneventful, excepting the rain, sleet, ice, and snow on winding roads.

The cabin is always cozy and warm. It's fun taking a break from routine, sleeping in every morning, eating junk food whenever I feel like it, etc. 

The second day, Josh and I decided with the sun out, we'd brave the great outdoors and go hiking on one of the many beautiful trails nearby. I brought my hiking boots; Josh did not bring 'hiking' boots, rather his cool guy boots with zero tread. I did a lot of giggling on those trails. 

Folks would carve their initials in larger trees on the trails.

"What are these?"

"Where did they come from?"

"I love you sweet icicles!"

ok. Josh. let's move on now.

The Fern Bridge all iced over. 

A Time of Sorrow

It's been a hard week on the farm. While I was at the Wool Festival in Falmouth, our sweet Clara got very sick. It was a sudden thing. One minute she was fine, and the next, she was not. Clara had struggled with bloat often as a lamb. I always referred to her as 'our miracle lambie.' She pulled through bloat, I don't know how many times. But, this time, she didn't. I miss my sweet girl.
A few days later, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to put Lightning, my sweet dog, to sleep. He had struggled with ear infections for years, almost his whole life. They finally culminated into a number of other issues. It was time to let him go, but I will miss my best friend.
Saying goodbye to critters is never easy. They have a way of wrapping themselves around my heart, and to let them go; it's hard to breathe. I'm so very thankful for the time that God gave me to have with His creatures. I will miss them both so very much.

while sheep safely graze

The sun is always so pretty right after dinner these days. Days are starting to get shorter. A sign that fall is nearly here, and winter will soon follow. 

Cora loves these 'picture visits.' She's a bit of a camera "hog," for a sheep that is.

Clara, on the other hand, is quite sheepish about these visits. Every time I manage to get the camera in focus on her beautiful face, she up and turns around. Thus, I have multiple 'Clara butt pictures' to delete.

This one I kept, because she does have pretty curls, even on her back end. :)

Dodge never wanders too far from his mama, Annabelle.

My sweet Aliyah, basking in warm sunshine.

It looks like some sheep have been here...

 It's so fun to take pictures of Cora. She stands there pretty patiently, nibbling on bits of green grass.

 

Cora lashes.

A wee sheep grin...you just can't help but grin too.

A Day of Sunshine

I went 'wild plum' picking today. We have a bit of a ridge full of wild plum trees. In the past we have collected some plums and when a good harvest permits, we make jam. 

I had a better idea this year...

I brought home this not-quite-bushel-full home and got to work. 

Washing, boiling, mashing, cooking down, straining, 

and more straining.

I thought I'd try to dye some yarn with the beautiful reddish pink that these plums produce when sufficiently mashed.

3 words.

DID NOT WORK.

Silly me. When you splice open a plum, it's middle is a pale yellow.

So, I achieved a pale yellow yarn.
2 words.

Lesson learned.

I spent some time with the sheep.

They got a new water bucket. The past few afternoons when I've gone out to check on everyone, the water has been a wee bit low. or just not there.

Cora thinks she looks especially spiffy next to it.

Aliyah and Clara have water wars about who can drink the most when I fill it up. 

Annabelle and the boys, well, they couldn't care less.

So much for adding some excitement to a sheep's life.

"Oh, you're taking pretty pictures of the water? Well, let me help."

"A little more nose perhaps?"

"How 'bout some ear?"

Cora's beautiful curls!

Cora, trying to eat the camera, nuzzle into my hair, get some attention. 

Clara