Archive | December, 2013

AT&T Travails

We are sorry for our radio silence!  While we have had to work with a “downgraded” tower for the last several months, for the last three weeks we have had NO cell coverage at all – no internet, no cell phone, no news, NOTHING!  In order to get cell I have to drive 25 miles to the nearest town.  Today I am using my friend Kate’s computer:) Please forgive the inconvenience, and if you have any influence with AT&T please ask them to fix the Cooper Mountain, WV tower!

In the meantime, best wishes for an excellent 2014!  I hope to be back online very soon with photos, recipes and new wools.  We also expect lambing to start before long!  Bundle up and keep warm!

Alpaca Romney Bulky – Back in Stock!

I am thrilled to announce that Meduseld’s Bulky Alpaca Romney is back in stock!  Whew!  This is a highly popular natural brown blend that flies off our shelves.  We have limited production of this yarn since I use the same two fleeces each year to make it – one a natural brown alpaca and the other a natural grey brown Romney ewe.  Their blend yields a luxurious, shiny yarn.

Meduseld's Alpaca Romney Yarn

Meduseld’s Alpaca Romney Yarn

This yarn is so squeezably soft, wonderful for warm winter knits, and perfect for this time of year.  This yarn has no itch factor and is sutable for garments that touch your skin.  For some reason I cannot explain, it is darker this year than last, looking more like a rich dark chocolate.

This year's blend is darker, on left

This year’s blend is darker, on left

 We only have five pounds of this yarn, so supply is again very limited.  Each 250 yard skein weighs approximately 8.7 ounces – over half a pound!  They are $30.00 each, the same price as last year.  You can find them in our store here!

Gratefully,

Patricia

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

In honor of the real Santa, happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Weckmann with Candies and Advent Wreath

Weckmann with Candies and Advent Wreath

We made Weckmann, or Nikolaus, for the occasion.  These are soft bread “men” made in the shape of ginger bread men.  I will share my own version below.

It has been tradition for the children to place their house shoes or slippers outside their bedroom doors for St. Nicholas to fill with Weckmann, oranges and candies.  Since we have a puppy in the house who could enjoy them before the children do, we decorate the table and place the Weckmann on plates.

Weckmann Dough

1 1/2 cups water or milk

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups King Arthur Bread Flour

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Combine all ingredients in bowl or in bread machine on dough cycle.  Let it rise until doubled.  Knead dough and divide into four equal parts.  Form each of these into “men” shapes by forming a ball head, and cutting arms and legs.  Place on greased baking sheets to rise.  When nearly doubled, brush on an egg wash and decorate. The egg wash will help to hold your decorations and will make the Weckmann shiny.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 10-15  minutes or until golden brown.