Learning with Wool

Sheep shearing is just around the corner. Meanwhile, we have four fleeces sitting in bags waiting to be used. Hannah decided to pull some out and play around. The only supplies we have are handmade drop spindles. Everything else, we improvise. Hannah gathered a few handfuls of wool and washed it in Castile soap. Then she picked out the debris and brushed the wool. We could use a good set of carders. I bet Pinterest has instructions for making our own. Next, she attached the wool to the spindle and started spinning. 

She used Angora rabbit wool to make a bracelet. Once she started spinning the Shetland wool, she realized it was much easier to spin than Angora. We are excited to get more tools and explore the world of fiber arts. Shears, carders, combs, and a spinning wheel....so much to learn, so fun.

Leave the Doldrums Behind

If you've ever read The Phantom Tollbooth, you'd remember a boy named Milo, who traveled through the Kingdom of Wisdom in hopes of rescuing the princesses.  Along the way he gets stuck in the Doldrums.  While there, he becomes idle and accomplishes nothing.
Bing defines Doldrums as:
       1. stagnation: a sluggish state in which no development or improvement occurs
       2. gloominess: a state of gloominess or lack of energy
Boy, do I have days like that!  It must be the time of year...that time in the middle of winter, where the days are cold and we're itching for spring to come.  These days weigh on me. Each night, I go to bed super-tired, hoping to wake the next morning full of energy and ready to start over. But, alas, I awake tired and sluggish. When it's cold and dreary and spring feels a long way off, I sometimes get in a rut.  I feel paralyzed.  I want to sit on the couch in comfy clothes and watch movies all day.  If I allowed that, the house would crumble around me, the children would go out of their minds and the animals would starve. Not only that, a bad cycle would be created which begets more sluggishness and idleness; and overwhelming feelings would grow.

The winter doldrums are hard to fight. Many of us get them this time of year.  As I write this, I speak to myself and cheer myself on.  Maybe someone else will be encouraged along the way.  There is no need to stick around in the winter doldrums.

Here are some solutions I use to get motivated throughout the winter months.

• Take a bath.  Add lavender and bath salts to the tub.  While there, I often times read a book or listen to music.
• Play board games with the children. I have to motivate myself to do this sometimes.  I can get caught up in my "important" activities. 
• Make something, bake something, paint something.  Delve into an indoor project, like painting a room or rearranging furniture. Make comfort food for the family.  Do a craft with the children.  Find a new hobby. Hannah, at this moment, is asking me to paint her room.
• Girly yourself up.  I've been wearing yoga pants over layers of socks and stretch pants.  -sweat shirts and old sweaters.  They keep me warm.  I am comfy.  But, I also look tired and sloppy.  Today, I left those stretch pants on, but put a skirt over them instead of yoga pants.  It makes me feel tidier and well-kept and girly. Fixing my hair and putting on makeup also makes me feel good.
• Go for a walk.  I get outside everyday to care for the animals.  Occasionally I stay out a little longer and walk around the property.  Even on a cold day, it's nice to get out and breathe the fresh air.  While out there, play in the snow with the kids.
• Take vitamins. I started back into my vitamin regiment this week.  It helps. 
• Read books to the children.  When we are interested in a book, the children will sit and listen for quite a long time.  To change it up, we'll read picture book after picture book until I've exhausted my voice.
• Exercise.  I'm not so good at this.  Does taking a walk or doing laundry count?!
• Turn off the TV.  Turn off the computer.  I can become numb to the internet while mindlessly viewing other people's lives.  I want to live MY life.
• Send someone a card of encouragement.  I like when the kids sit with me and make cards.
• Go somewhere.  I like to visit friends when I'm getting cabin fever.  Spending time with girlfriends helps me relax, laugh and be refreshed.  Taking the children to the library, the zoo, a park or a walk helps to get my blood flowing and energy levels back up.
• Go to bed early.  I need to work on this one.
• Drink lots of water.
• Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Make a list of fun things to do this winter.
• Open the blinds during the day.  Light candles at night.
• Schedule time for relaxing.  I reward myself with TV or crafting time once my other responsibilities are done.
• Plan the garden.  I love looking through seed catalogs.  Now, is the time to prepare for seeds and map out the garden.  Actually, I might go ahead and plant herbs in window pots. 
• Play music throughout the house.  Dance with the family.
• Spend time alone with the husband.  Lock the kids out of the room, watch a movie, get a sitter. Get dressed up and go on a date. 
• Fill your heart with joy!  The best place to find joy is in God's Word.  Every morning, we start our day with a Proverb.  Post verses throughout the house. Smile.  Give hugs.  Sing songs and hymns! 

Joy-the thing that is lacking when I get in this winter rut. I think I'm a very happy and joyous person.  But, sometimes, I have to work hard to show it...even when I'm tired....even when I'm sluggish.  I am the example that my children see each day.  I am their teacher, friend, helper, mother.  It is my example that they are learning from.  It is important for me to snap out of the winter doldrums and live a life filled with joy and gladness, smiles and happiness, sharing and caring, love, interest and kindness.  They do not want to see a mama moping around complaining about the weather, feeling sluggish, and accomplishing nothing.   So, pretty yourself up and enjoy these last days of winter.  Sing songs of praise and be thankful for each beautiful day we are blessed with. 

What do you do to keep from getting stuck in the winter doldrums?

February

February: The month that feels the longest and coldest; yet it flies by before we accomplish the many tasks on our list.  As I look back at January, I realize we already have some catching up to do. 

 

The wood pile from fall sits seasoning in the winter snow.  We will split it early spring and dry it out through the summer.  This is next winter's fuel.  Free heat!  Just takes sweat and splinters to prepare it. We actually had a cord delivered to our house this week.  It is terrible wood.  I think the people found it laying by a creek somewhere.  It is soaked.  Lucky for us, we still had a cord split under a tarp.  The boys have been working hard to get it in and ready to burn.  We have gone through more wood this year then usual.

On our February list:  Pigs: They need to be moved to a larger area.  A few little fixes, and hopefully, they'll be in their new home this weekend.  Otherwise, they're going to bust through this door.  We had a chicken eaten by a pig last year.  I don't want any of our birds captured by these cute little ravenous girls.

 They are getting bigger each day.  It's neat to see them grow. 


Hog feeder - a wonderful farm invention

The melting snow and refreeze is causing trouble in the coop.  The door has been freezing shut and water keeps flowing into the coop.  This will be a mess once the expected snow and ice head our way this week.  Another chore to knock off the February list:  Coop drainage.  We need to clear the debris around the chicken coop so the water can flow past without flooding the doorway.



Thankful for lined bibs and snow boots: stinky bibs and boots

Our hay is looking good.  We have hay in our small barn and large barn. Our organization went haywire when the children decided to make forts out of hay bales.  Another task for February: organize and count bales.  I think we have enough to last till spring. 



Chickens are jealous because the pigs get the food scraps now.

The kids are great helpers when it comes to working and helping around the property.  They'll have plenty to do to keep busy this month. 

 

It will be so nice, though, when they can run outside, play and work throughout the day.  Although, we can get out a bit now, it's just not the same. We're getting cabin fever.  I'm finding myself dreading to go outside in the mornings.  It takes a long time to get dressed and head out in the cold.  But it's funny, once I step out the door, I'm instantly relaxed and look forward to seeing the animals.  I take time and enjoy the quiet.  It's actually hard to pull myself back into the house. It kind of reminds me of putting kids in the tub.  They don't want to go, but once they're there, they don't want to get out.  Having animals forces me to go out and enjoy the day, even when at first, I don't feel like going out.  It also gets the kids outside. 



We find tires in the woods.  It would be nice to find cool stuff. I guess tires are pretty cool to six year olds.



Other February plans include:

continue covering the garden beds

order seeds and supplies

clean brooder box

trim goat and sheep hooves

prune fruit trees

put gravel down on the driveway

clean pens for goat births

prepare kidding kits

order chicks (layers)

make rabbit watering system

bring goats in just before birth dates

make milk stanchion and get goats used to it.....ASAP.  This should be number one on the list.