Farm Update

I had to comment about what's been going on around the farm besides sewing....

We had been raising nine heritage turkeys from incubation in March. They were doing well and seemed to be full grown. This got the attention of our "friendly neighborhood" coyotes. Four days ago, we got up to do the normal chores and found our "turkey tractor" top netting ripped off and some of the chicken wire pryed off of the wood. Three turkeys were gone with evidence of the struggle on the ground. I'm sure the remaining six were terrorized. My DH heard some kind of noise aroun 3am but didn't get up to look--we regret not doing so.

We fixed the tractor and decided it was time to take them to the poultry processor before the coyote came back for more. We took the turkeys on Thursday and that night, the coyotes came back--howled right by our bedroom window around 3am. I'm sure they were disappointed!!!

We took the processed turkeys to our local butcher, to have them all smoked. We were raising them for meat but also for fun you know.

DH loves all kinds of critters and he is a vegetarian! I am not but really do not each much meat. He will eat meat on Thanksgiving. We are selling one or two. The largest one is 11 pounds and the smallest 5.6 pounds. Life on the farm is never dull. Our chickens and goats are doing well.

The garden is still producing tons of harvest gold (not sure of the name) cherry tomatoes and a few zukes. Beans are done and a few peppers are straggling.

In the orchard, I picked our golden delicious apple tree--two five gallon buckets full. The green gage plum gave us about 2 dozen; they are sweet! The Italian plum is almost ready. Probably by the end of the month the Fuji trees and the Bosc pears will be ready to be picked. Then we'll be real deep in processing and canning all of that!!!

We having cords of wood delivered too in preparation for winter. We use our wood stove for heat and it saves $$ for sure; plus it is cozy. The past two winters we have broken records for snowfall--I think 90+ inches last year. So we are prepared. It's a nice feeling to have a full freezer, food in the pantry, wood stacked and most importantly, a big fabric stash for when we get snowed in and I can sew all day!!!!!!!!!

Pant perfection and new skirt!

Today, I had a window of time to sew up a new skirt, Butterick 5249, view A. It is a high waisted skirt with belt carriers. I cut out a size 10 with NO alterations. The fit is very, very good. I used a drapey poly suiting with some lycra that I picked up at Hancocks a few weeks ago. I'd have to say that though the fit is great, I threw a FIT while constructing. Actually, I had a lapse of sewing sense and tried to use a regular zip, centered because that's what the pattern called for. What a mistake! It looked awful because this fabric was pretty slippery, even with basting tape. So, I ripped it out carefully and installed an invisible zipper. BIG difference. I can sew those in pretty well--done many of them.
The shirt is my fourth Burda 2561--cut out last year and just finished a few weeks ago! I love this shirt because it is only 5 pieces and no collar stand or separate facing for the shirt

These jeans are my third pants and really the best fitting of all. Simplicity 2700. I LOVE these pants. I have more of the fabric that I made the skirt out of so that is next in this pattern. Pretty much no alterations either; just a smidge deeper outside seam.

It's hard to photograph dark clothing but take my word, they look great!!!

Next on deck is probably one of those Donna Karan Cozy Cardigan wraps, or a jacket, or a coat, or a........

Hard for me to decide.

I've been back at work now for almost 2 weeks so it has cut into my sewing time--ha. I guess I need to earn money so I can sew more!!!