I think I'm back!

Hello all,
I can't tell you how sorry I am about being away for so long. I know it has been a month since my last post but I have had many computer problems. Blue Screen Errors. They kick you offline at a whim and shut you down in an instant. So, I had to get a new computer last week and have spent this time learning how to navigate the new Windows 8! All new to me but I think I am going to be fine now. We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Last month, when I was trying to post last, we had a lovely rainy day. You know, one of those days when the rain comes down steadily and the air is cool and there is no sun out? I love those days. They remind me of when I was a teenager and it always ensured a rare day inside reading and relaxing.
That particular day was a welcomed relief from a few weeks of cutting grass, weed whacking, planting trees, and general hard work. I was so excited about a day off that I ran outside and took photos of some of my favorite flowers and composed an entire ode to the lovely rain.

 

My lovely Sara Bernhart Double Peonies

Since then, we have had pretty much rain daily. Oh, not hard downpours, but enough to keep me off the lawnmower. Which is good in  a sense that I have been able to get some fibery things done but bad in the sense that the grass is growing and getting tall. I think it will be dry enough tonight to cut though.

 

Lambsear about to bloom

Meanwhile, I want to share some news! GOOD NEWS!! I have been accepted into the Phat Fiber Sampler Box and sent in my first samples last week. I am pretty excited about this. I have been trying to get in for about 8 months. For those of you who don't know what Phat Fiber is, visit phatfiber.com for details. Just quickly, however, it is a box of samples that online businesses contribute and can be anything that has to do with fiber...knitting, crocheting, spinning, felting. A lot of it is fiber batts and roving but there is also a lot of yarn contributed also. I have watched many of the Phat Fiber videos on You Tube and there seems to be patterns in there just about every month and there can be stitch markers, cards, and all kinds of neat things. You all should check it out. I will post photos of my contribution as soon as I can. I sent in batts.

 

Beautiful new rose this year that I cannot recall the name of

Another bit of news that I am excited about is the Tour De Fleece. I have been reading about it for a couple of years and this year I have joined in on the fun! I am spinning for Team Phat Fiber. I set goals of time. I want to spin daily for 30 minutes and then 60 minutes on challenge days. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the TDeF, it happens during the Tour De France. The object is to set spinning goals for yourself and post a daily log of your progress on Ravelry.
I will try to post on this blog about once a week so you can see my progress. I got off to a slow start on Sat. and ended up having a stare down with my Ashford for about 20 minutes. I was tired. I made up for it over the next few days though by spinning a little extra.

First bobbin completed for the TDF 2013 Fiber Team

 

Here is my first bobbin of singles. This is a mystery wool in Indian Sunset from my own stash. I am hoping to make more because I really like the way it spins up.

Ok, well, I hope you have enjoyed this post. Again, I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back here. Hopefully, I will be back on track now.

~Vickie