Sheffield Alpacas: August 2010

Do you have a passion for making things entirely by hand or appreciate it in other people? In my teens and twenties, I got a thrill out of being my own mechanic on my old '75 Mustang. Yep, I've changed a few water pumps and brake pads. I have sewn every stitch of handmade rag dolls with a needle and thread (no machine stitching), and I prefer to cook from scratch. Isn't it much more rewarding to gather family and friends to put in fence posts, and raise barns? So naturally for me, prepping the fleece, learning to spin, and then making things from the alpacas' luscious fiber is my idea of happiness! -Kaylen

Monday, August 9, 2010

And the Winner Is?

Measuring Day

Some people compete to see who can grow the biggest pumpkins. We keep things a bit more manageable...at least something I can carry! My mom and son have a yearly contest growing the longest Purple Noodle Bean. "Grammy" smashed the record last summer with 22.5 inches.

Oh, Oh! A Smidge Longer!

Little Man has just set the new record! This one is still growing, too.

Happy Little Man

They are also known as Chinese Red Noodle Beans. If you haven't tried them; they are stringless, very mild tasting, and obviously fun to grow. I cut them into 2" pieces and steam them. You can use them the same way you would any green bean.