Free Wool

So, my maiden name tends to get me in some trouble (which borders on insanity or hoarding.... Not quite sure which one at times). This year has been particularly bad.

Before crops got in the ground, my uncle asked me if we would like some more trees from a fence row for lumber. 74 trees later... I'm waiting for a guy with a sawmill to get us boards.

A week ago, my father tipped me off that my uncle (same uncle) had "some" yarn for me. Great I thought. Love it when someone thinks of me for a project or resource.

I instantly got excited and visions of socks, scarves, and other knitted goods floated through my mind.

Yeah. Some yarn. Define "some." It's more than "a few" trees.

It's a truckload. A full sized truck bed full (heaping) of garbage bags of fiber.

I'm still optimistic about this project. If I manage to get through the next few months of skirting and processing without a divorce... I'll be a lucky woman.

Oh yeah... And what do I have to process it? Hand carders.... Period. I feel that a drum carder will be the next purchase I make.... Seems like a good investment.

Hooray for Fall

Fall biking is always a favorite. The smell of the leaves, the brisk temperatures, the beautiful changes of color everywhere—all make for an enjoyable experience. With the shortening hours, fitting in a decent ride during the work week always proves to be a challenge this time of year. Earlier in the week, however, I was able to squeeze one in.

Someday, I’d love to take a weekend to tackle the entire Ohio-to-Erie bike trail, but right now, a small section will have to do

 

 

This small stretch is known as Roberts Pass Trail. It extends from Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park to the eastern side of London, Ohio. Total mileage was around 11 miles (one-way) and is fairly straight and flat. Just put the pedal down and go! This trail takes you right alongside some abandoned railroad tracks. It passes by fields and farms, with the sights and sounds of harvesting occurring this time of year.

 

Also an interesting sight to pass by is the Peavey Grain Company. I’ve always been fascinated by agriculture, and grain elevators are no exception. Along with all the great aspects of fall biking come some of the negatives. This trail is cut through some wooded passageways—which, in most cases, is great. However, this trail is lined by quite a few oak trees and walnut trees—both of which could put an abrupt end to any bikers’ ride. I also would not recommend this trail in the event that it is a damp fall day. Leaves can be quite slick and on skinny road bike tires, can be like riding across an ice rink.

With only a half mile left remaining on my ride (and darkness approaching rapidly), my other not-so-favorite fall riding problem put a damper in the journey: bugs. I ended up taking a little black flying bug straight to the eye; it made for a slight challenge.

The trail is expanding and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the pavement will extend further northeast to Columbus.

Things Change

It's been a while since I've written here... and a lot has happened. Recap of the past two years: -Not in vet school anymore. Long, painful story... but none-the-less it's not in the cards for me, and that's that. -Got married (whoo hoo!). Been a tumultuous year, but we're trying to manage Here's hoping to being much more chipper about life, but it's been a struggle. When it feels like your dreams have been ripped out, stomped on and then handed back to you-- it makes for a difficult journey.

Tucker!

Our family has added another four-legged wonder :)

Meet Tucker.  He's a great dane pup.  Such a sweetheart (and a sissy), but we love him!

(9.5 weeks in this picture.... 19.4 lbs)

Look at those paws!

(10 weeks, 25 lbs = growing like a weed!)

Martha Stewart, Eat Your Heart Out....

So unemployment has led to a lot of gardening, canning and baking. 

Froze 15 cups of shredded zucchini

 Baked Grandma Ruth's famous jam filled cookies.  Yum!

Picked peaches with the family (and Cameron... more on that later!)

Cold Packed Peaches

Hot Packed Peaches (think I prefer these...)

And, because the girls asked for them-- Sweet Pickle Slices!

Later this week we're making our first batch of salsa for the year.  We've had so many tomatoes and there are so many more that will be ripe soon :)

Cucumbers Attack

We had a gigantic bowl of cucumbers and I had to do something with them.  Made six jars of pickles and seven jars of relish.  I'm hoping that they all turn out alright (and have been told from last year's pickling that my pickles turn out quite well).  Who knows.  All I know is that I'm excited-- our tomatoes are starting to ripen and that leads to salsa time!

Growing = Relaxing

I'm loving gardening this year.  It has been a source of relaxation and has given me a sense of some kind of accomplishment. Cannot wait for our tomatoes to start ripening.  :)

Round 2 of Green Beans

 Didn't notice how many cukes there were....

 Fairly decent sized zucchini... destined for bread!

Our row of beans

Tomatoes!  Lots and lots of tomatoes! 

Romas 

Beefsteak 

 Mess 'o' cucumbers

Broccoli.... (not sure if it's edible!)

Carrots!