What's up at Patchwork Acres?

Well, we've had quite a lot of rain last week, actually a lot for the month of October.  It caused several accidents last week, one of which included my husband and his motorcycle.  Thank God, he's okay!  He didn't get a scratch, but his bike is out of commission for the time being.  He's waiting to get a repair estimate from the shop so he can turn it in  to the insurance and then decide what he's going to do.  Either repair the bike himself, which is most likely what he'll do, or buy another used bike or buy a new bike.  Because of his accident, I was unable to do the spinning demonstration at an area elementary school last week.  We only have one other vehicle and hubby needed that to get to work.  

The new baby goats are doing well.  Since it's stopped raining, the goats are going outside to the fields or the woods.  They don't particularly like getting wet; so if it's raining, they're hanging out in the barn.  

One of my younger daughter's friends has taken some of the barn kitties to his house.  That will help out on the cat food bill.  I like cats, but we had too many.  Now I only have 2 more females to get spayed before this next spring.  

I washed and hung a load of clothes outside on the "solar dryer" this morning.  I had to use the electric dryer last week because of the rain.  I prefer to hang the laundry outside as often as I can because I'd don't like using the electric dryer.  I keep seeing the dollars adding up on the utility bill.   I even hang the laundry out when it gets cold, as long as it's not below freezing or raining or snowing outside.  I have to hang it out first thing in the morning to give it plenty of time to dry before dark.  

All of the regular farmers' markets are over now until next spring.  The winter market we joined that's located  St. Louis will open next week, but I won't be able to go because I'm already committed to craft show that weekend.   And I'm still busy making soaps for the craft shows that are coming up.  This morning I made a batch of Green Irish Tweed Goat Milk Soap.  MMMmmm, smells good in my house!

Some really exciting news about my younger daughter.  She received an invitation to apply for admission at the Missouri Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science.  If she's accepted (of which I have no doubt she will be since she's an almost straight A student), she'll be attending the last 2 years of high school there.  She'll receive a high school diploma and a 2-year Associate's degree and have a head start on her regular college career.  We are already familiar with this program since my older daughter graduated from this school several years ago.

I've been busy knitting baby socks from leftover sock yarn.  I'll have them for sale along with my soaps at the craft shows.  I've almost finished a 2nd pair this week.  I'm using a wonderful bamboo, wool, and nylon yarn.  It's very soft and comfy on the feet!  I'm still working on the lacy, red cotton cardigan for my younger daughter.  I had hoped to have it finished already, but now my goal is to finish it by this spring.  I have too many irons in the fire right now.

I really need/want to finish sewing a skirt that I started quite a while ago because my daughter is ready to learn to sew.  She's been checking out patterns for dresses that she wants to make.  I think she'll first sew a few aprons for her older sister and for me.  Then she can tackle a dress.

My dulcimer lessons are going well, when I can find the time to practice.  I can play the melody fine, just have to work on moving my fingers faster on the chords on the faster songs.  I'm sure that will come with lots of practice and time.

Well, it's time for Y&R, so I'll go watch that and finish that pair of baby socks.

Tabby Came Home and more!

My Tabby cat came home!!!!  (Oops!  Sorry #1 Daughter.  I forgot to tell you when you called to day.)  He's been gone since sometime in February.  We think he may have been scared off.   So anyway, this morning I went out to feed Zane, and lo and behold, there was my Tabby waiting for his breakfast, too!    I don't know where he was all this time, but he looks to be in good shape.  Maybe someone out there somewhere had a guest cat for a while.  I'm glad he's back home!

I had two events this weekend.  #2 Daughter went with me to the one on Saturday.  Lunch was provided for the vendors and it was delicious!  Marinated vegetables with pasta served over a bed of lettuce, cream of celery soup, several home-made breads to choose from, and baklava for dessert.  We sold quite a few soaps and visited with a lot of folks.

The Go Green event on Sunday was held outdoors.  The whole family attended this event.  We shared our space with a couple ladies from church.  They had apple, peach, and pear butter to sell, as well as pickle relish.  We walked around to see what the other vendors had to sell or on display.  We got a free 10 minute chair massage.  That was nice!  Met quite a few people and passed on information about the farmers' market's opening day coming up this Wednesday.  And the wind blew hard most of the day!  Good thing we staked the canopy, along with the concrete blocks we normally use.

My soap supply order arrived Saturday, so I will be making soap for the next few weeks.  I still need to order some coconut and palm oils.  Should do that while I'm online.  And this morning I found some sunflower oil at the local salvage grocery store.  I bought one bottle and will try it in a soap recipe I have that calls for sunflower oil.  I think I'll scent it with Sunkissed Currants.   I'd better go order those oils now.