spring begins in march

Spring seems to be setting in a bit early this year. Yesterday it was unseasonably warm. warm enough to be out with no outdoor clothes. It was lovely. But last evening the wind picked up and today it is chilly again, but the sun is shining and it looks warm even though there is a chill in the air, as if it could snow.

I am beginning work on new clothes for the spring. A white silk dress, and a blue one. Both are for special occasions, so they require more hand work than average. I hope that I can get both done on time. I've been looking about at the fabric that is being used for bliauts now, and I must confess i'm a bit surprised. I didn't realize people were using such fancy fabric. Ornate weaving. Gorgeous stuff that. So, my two new dresses will be fancier than they would have a while ago when I was unaware of the current styles. Also, I am working on my embroidery skills. I must confess I've never had a good hand for needlework, but again, the new style require it. So, I'm practicing in hopes that my dresses will be adequate to the occasion for which they are intended.

I find that even with the medicines that I've been given, I'm often too fatigued by the end of the day to do much but sit and occasionally spin a bit of yarn or do some handwork, maybe work on some stockings. I feel like I don't get enough done, by half really. I'm hoping that as spring comes, with more sun, I'll feel more like working outside in the garden and on spinning and weaving and handwork.

I hope this finds you all well, and happy. May your spring come early as well.
Orlaith Ballach Inghean Fhlain

A New Harp

I got my little harp when i was not a harper at all. I have grown and gotten better and now need a newer, bigger harp. So i'm in the process of getting one. William (a luthier) is making my lovely new harp. She is almost ready! I am certain that she will sing beautifully!

And dark descends..

And so in late fall, as the days grow cold, the dark descends again on this Northwestern corner of Northshield. In spite of the really hard frost some days ago, there is one lone snap dragon blooming in my garden...brilliant red! I heard geese flying overhead, honking, a sure sign that cold is coming soon.

Today, a day that is meant to be kept for rest, i spent spinning and dyeing. I must do both daily if i am to even hope that i will be able to have enough for the winter weaving and knitting. When it is too cold to be out, and the wool is all spun, i spend my winter weaving and knitting...both to sell and to keep my family warm.

my little Brenden is finally old enough to learn to read. He seems so young still, and yet he is tall and grown big and strong and growing more each day. Padraig is becoming a great artist and nearly a man. He is as tall as his sister and much broader...as he should be. He is learning to play the hunting horn. Beatriu is almost grown as well. there is a young man who is clearly interested in her. Mayhaps, something can come of that, or not. for she is still quite young to wed...at least in my mind. i know that many are wed and with children at 15 but she still has much to learn.

My husband is well and busy.
be well,
THL orlaith

Winter Sets In

Here on the Western edge of Northshield, winter is setting in. It froze hard last night. I got up to frozen water for the dog. The plants in the garden are dead now. Even the most hardy plants that had been blooming right up until the end are turning brown and are dead.

I am working on socks and warm clothes for winter. With 5 people to put clothes on that is a real job. I have been spinning daily trying to get ready for this. But I am still not ready. I have more to get done yet. I also have been dyeing my yarn to trade with my neighbors and that takes a lot of time and energy. It also cuts down on the yarn i have available for my family. It is a fine line that i walk.

I have been practicing harp often in hopes of making some coins that way. I am busy...we are all well...