The Goat Adventure Begins...

We've been talking about getting goats for a while now. I'm not sure exactly how we got to the point in our lives where we have a serious discussion about having goats, but here we are.

So, we've bought fence posts. I mean, we can't just rush into this, right? Anyway, we're starting by putting in a fence. I'm not convinced that this fence will hold goats, but I'm no goat-confinement expert. I've heard that "if it won't hold water, it won't hold goats". Or was that "sheep"?

I'll update you when we actually get the posts in the ground. Now that I think about it, getting actual animals may have to wait.

Spring is Here!!!

Happy Spring!

It's Chicken Run All Over Again!!

I went out to visit with the girls a little while ago. We have 22 chickens who live in a coop out back, with a fenced yard where they can scratch around. They have been falling down on the egg-laying job lately. I'm hoping that they will pick up the pace once the days get longer.

Anyway, here they are, gathering around and hoping for a treat. Sorry, ladies, I don't have anything right now.

This is a view of the back of the coop and their yard. See that hole in the back corner? I think they're trying to tunnel out.

We're not going to eat you, honest! Just lay some eggs!!

Let's Take a Walk Around the House

Frodo the Wonder Yorkie is too busy catching lizards to come with us, so we'll go on without him.

Here's the loropetalum at the end of the house. It is covered with hot pink flowers right now and will provide shade for the hostas this summer.

Speaking of hostas, here they come now!

The Lady Jane tulips bloomed just this morning! They are the official "spring is here" flowers at my house.

Here's three small azaleas (below) that have been added around my October Red maple tree. There's also a forsythia there now too. I've been wanting one for ages!

This flower bed (below) backs up to the woods, so I wanted something as a bridge between my yard and The Wild, so we went with big azaleas. The guy at the nursery says they'll get 7-8 feet high. I'll let you know.

And, to conclude today's tour, the heucheras are looking very healthy in their container on the front steps. (I know, they're covered with pollen. I'll rinse them off tomorrow. Maybe.)

Anything blooming at your place?

So, I've been working in the yard...

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

I made this bag for myself yesterday. I've had the fabric for ages, even had this bag cut out, but I just hadn't made time to sew it up. It's a big, slouchy sort of tote with a very long handle that can be left long or tied to a shorter length. The fabric is bright orange, green and hot pink. It has palm trees and hibiscus flowers and just needed to be finished before warm weather.

Any new projects around your place?

More Amazing Artists

As promised, here are two more artists I met at the craft fair this past weekend.

This is Randal Spangler. He grew up in the heartland of America, exploring his family's attic and barn and enjoying fresh, homegrown vegetables. Those experiences, in a quintessential American hometown, shape his creative view. So much that something as fantastic as a dragon in a library can seem oddly familiar. A cat holding a cupcake? Naturally. A fairy having tea with a dragon? Of course!

Randal's art is at once elegant and playful, appealing to a sophisticated adult as well as an imaginative child. And he's a really nice guy, too.

I also met Shengzhu Berdardin, a fabric artist. She dyes her fabrics in indigo, to create fabulous designs, then sews the cloth into beautiful handbags, totes and duffel bags. She's friendly and always ready to answer questions about her work. There's a series of pictures on display at the front of her booth, to show her at work on each step of her process. Her business is called True Blue, blue and white cloth art.