Yummy Wool and Chunky Turkey Stew

Would you believe that these locks are unwashed raw wool? I am in Love.... These two fleeces are beyond yummy. The tight little curls on the left are BFL. The silky relaxed locks on the right are a BFL and wensleydale cross. Both come from coated sheep and are lovely.

Yesterday I washed about 12 pounds of fleece and started dyeing the locks. Will post dyed locks pictures soon. I let the pots rest over night and will finish today.

What's for Supper? Chunky Turkey Stew .

I browned the chopped turkey, onions, celery with some leaves in a large stew pot. Then I added, chopped carrots, green beans, chunked potatoes with the skins left on, chicken stock, and few shakes of black pepper. Let simmer all day and ready for supper. Gotta - Love those one pot meals. So I can get to the important things, like dyeing fiber and playing with wool.

Calm before the Storm

I'm watching a bright red cardinal eating seed off my deck railing, as I spin. The wind is beginning to pick-up and the snow will be here in a few hours. Just a few flurries are falling now. The weather channel says high winds for tomorrow and into tomorrow night along with snow and freezing rain. We all know what that means. I don't even want to think about a power outage. The temperature has been in the teens for the last few days. Yes....we have a generator, but not my favorite thing to do.

One bobbin down and 3/4 of the other bobbin to go. Should have it plyed by the end of the week.

Take those Scraps for a fun Spin!

Loaded with color and lots of texture - scraps from the drum-carder are a fun spin. I can't seem to part with the teeniest bit of fluff. Once a week - I add more fiber to the spindle. Such a simple pleasure. Spinning and watching each little bit... add something new to the handspun.

Thought I would leave you today with a picture of my spinning buddy.

Spin....Spin...Spin

Holly - Days wool spinning batt.

Fairy Princess - Sparkly milk fiber spinning batts.

Fawn Alpaca - Silky smooth spinning batts.

In the http://giffordables.etsy.com/ shop, for your spinning pleasure.

Homemade Venison Chili

Nothing like some homemade venison chili - to warm you up on a cold winters day. This is what I made for supper last night. Of course - I had to bake some big biscuits to dip into that chili.

Thought - I would share my recipe :

2 lbs. - venison - (corn fed from the farmers fields, has the best flavor)
3/4 cup chopped celery with some leaves
medium onion - chopped
couple of good shakes - of chili powder to taste

I - brown all this together.


Then... add:

One large can of diced tomatoes
One small can of tomato paste
Two cans of dark red kidney beans
1 to 2 tbs. of brown sugar
Add 2 to 3 cups of water and let simmer all day.... til supper.

It will reduce and the flavors come together. Will be quite tasty.

December Phat Fiber Samples

A wee peek at my samples for the December Phat Fiber Box. Carded over 50 of those little buggers. Shades of cranberry and blue spruce. Corrie, romney, mohair, silk noil and a generous dollop of emerald firestar for that extra sparkle! I just have to tag them and send them on their way!

Folk- art Dolls & Phat Fiber

Mother and Daughter Dolls are in the http://giffordables.etsy.com/ shop now.

Sisters the Best of Friends are also in the shop. Wearing their vintage jewelry and dressed for the Holidays.

Home for the Holidays

November Phat fiber Box - Yarn from my box.

http://www.fiberfancy.etsy.com/ - Wrapping Paper War, handspun.

http://lightbrownhare.etsy.com/ - a wonderful sampler of yarn .

http://vibrantfibers.etsy.com/ - Mom's Harvard Beets.

http://bperry042.etsy.com/ - Peacock, handspun superwash.

http://northernlightsfiber.etsy.com/ - Under the Mistletoe.

http://twosheepshop.etsy.com/ - Plum Pudding sock yarn.

http://sweetpeafibers.etsy.com/ - Smashing pumpkins, sw merino.

Really enjoyed the November Box.