even more dyeing from yesterday...

 

it was too hot here (97 degrees with 87% humidity) for me to do much else but run up and back moving sprinklers and turning them off and on every 20 minutes for the alpacas- who won't share the cool water with me, pout) so i was able to dye in  between, some are wool, some are alpaca, all lovely in my eyes, grin.. more later!

okay so i'm addicted to... more dyeing!

all these today are 100% alpaca!

a dyeing we will go..........

some of this weeks fun... 100% alpaca yarns, dyed naturally here on the farm...

some farm pictures today...

this is what i have always called the blood lily, my grandmother back in philadelphia grew them and when she died my mom dug up one bulb for me before they sold the house, it's a rich deep red and grows really well up here-
and it's planted next to my stella dora bright yellow lilies that just keep on blooming!

it's dragonfly season up here now, i adore these little prehistoric helicopters besides being friendly and curious they eat their own weight in bugs every day! here's just one kind that are here now-

pine cones that you'll see in my seasonal crafts will come from this smaller tree/bush besides the huge tree out the side of the house..i've forgotten the name of it but it's the soft friendly kind of leaves/spikes...

the alpacas and the importance of shade and fresh grass....

it's getting to be summertime here in minnesota and we raise alpacas here on the farm(we're a full service alpaca farm, offering everything form consulting, to onsite classes, to stud services, to sales besides selling and working with their fleeces for my own yarns and finished goods) and shade and cool places to avoid the mid day sun are vital for alpacas. we have barns including one that is 1/2 underground for the girls who spend alot of time on the cool cement floor when it's really bad outside.. and we have lots of trees for them to lounge under while laying around on the fresh grass(also important for nutrition and maintaining weight) here are some pictures form this morning, when they are first let out into the pasture(we have 3 pastures for the girls and rotate them weekly) from their night time barn pastures...they especially enjoy the center of the big pasture that is still semi wooded..
p.s. we have a few girls for sale, see anyone that interests you? just email me at notjustyarns@tds.net and let's chat)

dinner!Grilled Chicken with Chipotle-Peach Glaze

Grilled Chicken with Chipotle-Peach Glaze

 

Perk up grilled chicken breasts with sweet peach preserves and smoky chipotle chiles(careful this one is pretty spicey!). From eatbetteramerica.

Prep Time:30 min

Start to Finish:30 min

makes:8 servings(i cut this recipe in half easily)

1/2	cup peach preserves(i used sugar free preserves)
1/4	cup lime juice
1	canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded, chopped
1	teaspoon adobo sauce (from can of chiles)
2	tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
8	boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 lb)
1	teaspoon garlic-pepper blend
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1/2	teaspoon salt
4	peaches, cut in half and pitted, if desired(i used only 2 since i had already eaten the other two, sighs)
	Cilantro sprigs

1.	Heat gas or charcoal grill. In 1-quart saucepan, mix preserves, lime juice, chile and adobo sauce. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until preserves are melted. Stir in chopped cilantro; set aside. Sprinkle chicken with garlic-pepper blend, cumin and salt.
2.	Place chicken on grill. Cover grill; cook over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once or twice and brushing with preserves mixture during last 2 minutes of grilling, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Add peach halves to grill for last 2 to 3 minutes of grilling just until heated.
3.	Heat any remaining preserves mixture to boiling; boil and stir 1 minute. Serve with chicken and peaches. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

this mornings new yarns on a gorgeous day

so beautiful outside and a dear friend coming to visit this afternoon too! kathe from sawtooth star alpacas will be bbqing with us tonight and visiting her alpacas that are boarded here and maybe i can even persuade her to dye some with me too! in the meantime here's a couple of new yarns from yesterday and this morning! they are combos using alpaca and angora mohair with some silk...

todays crafts and goodies

today it was super hot, we're talking 98 degrees and 84 % humidity, not at all what this minnesota lady likes at all, nor what her farm critters like either. the alpacas spent most of the afternoon dosing in the shade on the grass under the trees, half asleep and seemingly rather content. the goats complained all the time, while hiding under their trees and then under the food bins, simon the cow spent the day in his hut, only coming out for his bottle then going back, and the sheepies, well the sheepies dosed in the big water bin, not caring if anyone else was thirsty at all(good thing we keep 3 water bowls out there under the big oak for them all to share)... but i did these in the cooler house-

new yarns with dyed to match sequins

stitch markers from marcrame and porcelain beads

and spinning wheel threading hooks with porcelain hand blown beads on copper

a bunch of grilled chicken wings with a dozen different toppings/dipping sauces and a big fresh garden salad for dinner and now i'm on my way to be settled in front of the tv with my knitting while mother nature waters the garden while rumbling and breaking the heat for the night