Sleightholm Folk Art

Cocoa enjoying the shade in the pepper patch

   In the mornings its not so bad here. The dew is quick to burn off (if we even get it) and the weather is cool and not as oppressive as  the rest of the day. It’s the perfect time to get some yard work done– weeding and pest patrol (I hate those green worms that eat the tomatoes! And squash beetles! And gophers…lets not get started on the gophers!)
   All the animals have to be fed first thing or they might have a nervous breakdown…but after that they are happy to just follow along. Cocoa has been finding new and interesting ways to find shade. One morning he hopped up into the bunny hutch while they were eating their breakfast, and quickly hopped out! You don’t get between a bunny and her salad.

   We also picked our first ripe tomatoes of the summer, which is quite a feat when you realize that last summer it was so hot the tomatoes didn’t even bare fruit. They just flat gave up before they even got started. Now we’ve got some nice plump ones on the vine, and peppers too. The cucumbers are also itty bitty right now, but they’re coming along. Everything is surviving the heat, so far. Although I’m still hoping for some rain.  I miss 75 degrees.


   The hot is keeping us indoors during the bulk of the day, but last week we did venture out to Shepherd’s Cross to visit the farm, check in with the gift shop (where I have some of my art for sale!) and see their garden. They have the most beautiful white farm house and loveliest big garden….

Audrey chasing baby ducks through the vegetable garden at Shepherd’s Cross

    We pet some baby sheep. We walked through the beautiful garden. Audrey gleefully lost herself in the rows of corn, and they sent us home with a bagful of fresh produce. What I always love seeing though, is the yarn and the wool. How could I not?!


    I am always so impressed with their fiber making ventures at Shepherd’s Cross. They literally raise the yarn— they raise the sheep, sheer the sheep, clean and process the wool, spin the yarn, dye the yarn, sell the yarn. And you can also buy some already knitted items there in the gift shop! It makes my little knitter’s heart go pitter-pat.

Some of the yarn and fibers available at Shepherd’s Cross

   I bought three nice skeins of yarn and I’m eager to get to making something. I dont know why this hot weather makes me want to knit— wishful thinking perhaps? I long for sweater weather! They also do a pumpkin patch there at the farm in the fall, which is nice. It’s just an all-round beautiful place, so restful and calming. And all those little sheepies….and yarn…oh my!


   Well, I am still working away on my little Jane Austen project! And eager to enjoy the holiday tomorrow. We bought an ice cream maker and I’m excited about all the ice cream possibilities! I’m sure it will involve chocolate!


  Til next time,
~H