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We had a surprise visit from our friends Patrick, Claudia and Catlin this afternoon. They brought with them a very special house warming present.

His name, we have decided, is Roger. Roger the Rooster. The ladies of the hen house have already begun clucking.

We think he’s gorgeous. Lets hope we still think so tomorrow morning!!

 

Up early as always to feed the critters. I know it’s been cold but this is not supposed to happen down south. I thought we had left the white stuff back in New York.

Ok, it’s not going to hang around or make life difficult but still …… !

While in Vegas, I was lucky enough to be given tickets to Rock of Ages. The PGI group had arranged for a buffet to feed us first. So we all met in the Grand Lux cafe in the Venetian, the buffet was really good also an open bar. Then off to the concert theater for the show. As you can see we had great seats and the show was excellent, just a good laugh and plenty of blasts from the past. Not for those of a sensitive disposition, a little swearing and lots of near the knuckle jokes.

Flew home on Friday, hardly seems time to sort myself out for the next weeks work. Hey ho!

Saturday we went to Turner Feed and bought a horse feeding manger for the Pacas, then off to Lowes to buy seeds ready to start on the garden. They also now stock Jim Shore garden items so I bought 2 planters and a chicken. Love his stuff!

 

 

One of the yahoo groups I belong to is the “small quilts” group and they were all talking about a new book – so not to be outdone I quickly placed my Amazon order and was not disappointed. It was really inspiring and spurred me on to get on with some small projects that I had lined up. Nothing radical just some small quilts for my hanging frames and a tea towel for the kitchen. In the evenings I am busy weaving, I have now managed about 25 inches only 35 more to go!

I found a box of pictures that we have not unpacked since we came to the US and had a fun 30 minutes finding homes for them around the house. Rob hung our leaded glass in the picture window, it is really starting to feel like home. Can’t wait to see what he has done by the time I get back from Vegas.

Nice easy trip into the airport this morning and one of the things I like to do is give myself enough time so that I can walk to my terminal rather than use the train. They have a great display of African sculptures between baggage and terminal A.

Our chickens have stopped laying and after much discussion we have decided to get a second chicken coop and some more younger chickens and just let the other girls live out their lives in the original coop. We might toughen up over time but at the moment we are not up to slaughtering something we have named.

Whilst the weather is much better than New York – it still gets down around freezing overnight so we will have to wait a few more weeks before we can plant out our garden veg. We also have to wait until our new farm gates arrive or the chickens will eat it all and we would definitely review their life expectancy!

Arrived in Vegas and I am staying in the Wynn for the first time, the reception area is really stunning, all of these giant balls are made from flowers. they really know how to do things in style. My room is great and has a perfect view of the Strip. I know Vegas is an acquired taste but in short bursts I quite like it.

 

 

The university have come back with our soil report and recommendation. There is a large amount of lime to be spread! (click on pic to enlarge)

I was up bright and early Sunday morning and off to the Dekalb cultural center for part one of my introduction to weaving class. There was only 6 of us in the class and two tutors so we got plenty of time to understand what we were doing.

First we created our warp and then dressed the looms. The instructor showed us how to start weaving the waste yarn and then “declare” before starting to weave our scarf.

 

We had a break for lunch and joy of joy the center is right next to a Panera Bread. So Sonoma chicken stew with cheese biscuit and the chance to have a free cake for my birthday, Thank you Panera.

The afternoon we were weaving with our chosen yarn and trying to get the tension right, I needed to get 10 rows or weft to the inch and after a while I was close enough. Although this looks quite open on the loom it closes up when washed and if you do it to tight you will end up with rug quality not fabric. We were sent home with our looms and have 2 weeks to weave 60 inches before we have lesson 2. ONly 50 more to go.

 

What a lovely surprise on Saturday afternoon, we decided to go for hike with the dogs and we found this great park is only 4 miles from the house. The visitor center has a museum talking about the history of the area including details of the Manchester Company Mill that was burnt down in 1864 although some of the walls are still standing. The visitor center is one of only 21 worldwide to achieve Platinum status for its energy conservation.

We headed off to the river where one of the advantages of all the rain was the shoals were really active. I understand that they usually get a few kayakers braving the rapids.

 

A little further on we saw glimpses of the old mill – it must have been impressive in its day. It was 5 stories high and at the time of building was the highest building in Atlanta.

It was a little strenuous in places but we really look forward to many more walks there in the future.

We rounded off the evening with a trip to Joe’s Crab Shack. It is just another chain restaurant, but one we have been hoping to try for quite some time and we were pleased to see there was one in Douglasville.

I started the evening with a vodka spiked iced tea and followed it with a steam pot filled with crabs and prawns.Yum !

 

 

Sunday 17th I was up early taking Rob to the airport for a change, one more trip to New York to empty the house and hand it over to the Realtor.

He took all the good weather with him, it rained and rained and rained. Wednesday was my birthday and the high spots were Skype calls to Alana and my Mum a pile of really good books of the area from Kat and a number of cards including one from Rob. Last year I got a present no card, this year card no present but most years ….nothing. No one can accuse him of being predictable. I treated myself to some sewing time.

On Thursday I was treated to a scene from “Birds” when hundreds or crows descended onto the garden. Thanks goodness they did not stay too long

Very late Friday night Rob returned home – his truck looked like a scene from the Clampitts.

 

 

 

Flew to Minneapolis last Monday and the weather was down at 5 F blinking freezing. I had an early appointment on the Tuesday and woke up to 5 inches of snow on top of the car. Luckily one of the advantages of such cold temperatures is that the snow is light and fluffy and not heavy and wet. It did not take too long to get the car uncovered but it made for a very “interesting” drive.

 

On the Wednesday night I was able to go and visit my first live basketball team we had great seats and I did my best to support the home team despite their close loss. I have to say there are as many time outs as there is actual playing time but there was plenty of activity going on in the breaks. Everything from dancing to the Memphis street flippers and a slam dunk squad. Flew home on Thursday evening and the knock on effect from the winter storms in the north east meant that it was gone midnight by the time I got back.

 

All the animals were pleased to see me back and this time I have also taken a photo of the barn cats as well. And yes I am going to buy them some new bowls.

 

I was thrilled to see we have daffodils in amongst the trees – It was a great surprise and reminds me of Wales. Friday morning we went to get the cars tagged but I will let Rob relate that tale.

 

The soil around here presents a number of problems. It’s an acidic red clay that needs plenty of lime to promote healthy pasture. The clay soil absorbs rain fall slowly and given that we have hardly any flat areas, water run-off and subsequent soil erosion is an issue. The best solution is to promote the growth of a healthy and vigorous pasture. This will provide feed for the alpacas and conserve the landscape.

The majority of our pasture has only been established in the last few years after clearance of the forest. It is a “work in progress”. Step 1, for me, is to get the soil tested to see how much lime I will have to spread this spring. So out I went, taking plugs from various parts of the pasture. The local agricultural college runs a test lab. I’ve told them what I want to grow and they will come back to me with their recommendations in a few days. This is going to be an interesting project.