FARM JOURNAL                         Return to HOME
 
AUGUST 16, 2008
THE BRIDGES ARE FINALLY OPEN!  WhooHoo!  They had been under construction for 3 VERY long months.  The detour was not bad, just longer.  Business-wise it has really slowed things down.  They did refinish the whole of FM 121 and the road is really nice.   Hopefully, things will now get back on track.   Now, back to farm NEWS.  We have purchased a new ram, aptly named "Chopper".  He should match well with my exceptional band of girls for some nice all natural market lamb next summer.  We have also been finishing another section of fence for the flock to rotate to, managing our forage base more holistically.  The summer is flying by and now it is time to get in gear with projects for the cooler season!  WHAT fun!

MAY 2008
It seems that the last two springs of flooding waters have done some damage to two bridges that you cross on FM 121 to ALF....

JANUARY 2008
We have made it past the holidays and have slid right up into another year!   I love the fall and winter, but the blustery winds have been blowing the last couple of days and that wiley North Wind is telling me to hang onto my snow shoes, because SPRING is really only a couple of months away.

NEW IN THE SHOP - a full line of Jacquard dyes, Wash Fast Acid dye kits, and Ashford hand paint dye kits.  Great colors that are vibrant, full spectrum and easy to use.  Some new spinning wools, and weaving supplies from Leclerc.  While we all love to spin, knit and wear our wools all year long, don't forget to challenge yourself with spinning these great cottons for some of those cool summer wear items.  If you want to shake things up a bit, consider taking the Intermediate spinning class, and then you will be ready to rock 'n roll in the Old and the New Spinning Class. 

New classes to come - Card Weaving, Silk Fusion and Raffia Hats.  Braided raffia technique can be applied to placemats, baskets, bags.... anything you can imagine.  Great fun that goes pretty fast.
SEPTEMBER 2007
We have finally OPENED!  The ALF Shop is now open and ready for you to come visit.  There are regular hours as below.  Please spread the word!  We carry a full line of spinning fibers, yarns to dye for, coned yarns, along with various supplies and tools for spinning, weaving, dyeing, felting, knitting, crochet and more...

Tuesday through Friday - 10am to 5pm
Sundays - 1pm to 5pm

Come spend some time!  Our Retreat Cabins are available.
Single occupancy $65 per night, includes breakfast
Double occupancy $85 per night, includes breakfast

SPIN INs are on the second Saturday of each month.  EVERYONE is invited to come and spend the day.  We get started around 10am until.....   This is a wonderful group that never fails to have fun and to enjoy one another.  What better way to learn than from each other!  So mark your calendar and bring whatever you are working on.  Take some time to walk up the hill and enjoy the gazebo and the wildlife.

I have posted a calendar for classes and some events <CLICK HERE!> 

Please email me for any other information or ideas.

FEBRUARY 2007

SO much news... where to begin?  We are moving into a much larger shop in Van Alstyne, Texas, which is just 12 miles down the road, WEST of our current location.  The new shop in the woods, will have plenty of room for all the classes, plus lots of new products.  It is an exciting time for us, as we have been in the "construction black hole" since October of 2006 (which I might add, is something I =never want to do again as long as I live!=  <G>).  Another exciting fact is that we have built cabins for retreat weekends.  The cabins here at the farm plus several of the wonderful Bed and Breakfast homes in Van Alstyne, will give us a wonderful opportunity to have some fine retreats.

We will have a Grand Opening soon, and if you would like to be on the mailing list for the announcement, please send me an email by clicking HERE.   Looking forward to seeing you ALL!

Below is a map to the new location.... From Hwy75, take exit #51 (Stephens St. in Van Alstyne), and turn EAST onto FM 121.  (it makes a turn to the right at the first redlight, then turns to the left at the next redlight).  Once you pass the RR tracks, our road is 3.8mile on the right.  Turn Right onto APPLE LEEF FARM ROAD.  Go all the way to the end of the road and the ALF Shop is the last building on your left.