All is well

Irene has moved through and thankfully no major damage was done.

The alpacas didn't fly away.

Some flooding at the beach and looks like the boardwalk took a hit.
We lost a few limbs, the brook is very high and overall a bit swampy around the farm.

My crew decided to brave the storm at "headquarters"

Nick and Finn surveying the damage

The water in the brook is very high and fast moving

The alpacas would have lived in the garage if it got too bad.

My front yard. Thankfully all trees stayed up!!! Thanks trees. I like our little house.

Morning with the Coppola boys.

Breakfast at headquarters.

I knitted so much that I am sore today.

So the news had us all freaked and thankfully, this storm was nothing more than an excuse to hang out together and eat a lot of cheeseballs.

Hope everyone is ok!

Yarn for Sale

We have opened a shop on Etsy! We will be updating the items that are for sale as they become available. For now we have some of Liz's hand dyed yarn posted and a few other goodies. As soon as we have yarn available from our alpacas we'll be sure to post it for sale.

Our Etsy ID is: ArrowAcresFarm

Now I have to go back to getting ready for the hurricane.

Happy Knitting,

Andee

Preparing

We're getting ready for Hurricane Irene. If the news is correct, we are expected to get SLAMMED! We have had hurricanes come through before, but I never remember the news coverage or warnings like there is surrounding this storm! I'm sure they are being overly cautious and hopefully all will be just fine.

So, in preparation, I have yarn. Yes...yarn. New projects waiting to be casted on, one sleeve left on my cardigan and some baby sweater knitting to be done. I promise that I will take care of my children and feed them and supply them with the necessary items. I'm hoping that my house doesn't get squashed by the giant old trees that are looming above. So we're heading to "headquarters" (aka my mom and dad's house) to hang out with them, keep a very close eye on the alpacas and hunker down.

Here is an email I received from my sister Andee today:
Clearly, we have the same priorities....

Sean stopped at the store on his way home to pick up some items so we would be ready for the hurricane. He came home with skittles and wine.

I want to go to the yarn store.

I don't think we have very good survival strategies. I should go check for flashlights, then go to the yarn store.

Yes, we are prepared around here.

In all seriousness, I do wish everyone safety and minimal or NO damage to their properties.
Good luck to all and enjoy this forced down time to hang out with your loved ones and do what you love. For me, it's being with my crew and knitting needles in my hands...oh and a glass of wine.

See you all when this storm is over!!!
-Leanne

A Walk Around the Gardens

Just wanted to share a few photos from my walk yesterday around the gardens.

Have a good one!

-Leanne

Wednesday Yarn Along

Happy Wednesday!
Joining in on the yarn along once again.

I had all intentions of setting up my cardigan and taking nice pictures to show you all how far I've gotten on it. But, I thought it was more appropriate to show you "my corner". Everything in the place that I left it last night. Books, yarn, sweaters, blankets, boppy pillow and all that yarn to my side on the floor!!!!

I returned home last night around 7:30 pm after watching G's practice football scrimmage. Bath for all three boys...then headed to my corner of my bedroom with baby in arms. Hubs was at a meeting so I thought I would take some quiet time and nurse the baby and knit my sweater.

No tv...no music...just quiet.

Hah.

My older boys decided that they wanted to curl up in my bed and watch their shows. Rick came home shortly after and got in the bed with them. So all 5 of us, crammed in my little bedroom. Honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way.

And i DID get a chance to knit.

(my corner)

Ravelry link to sweater: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/leannecoppola/peasy

On Andee's Needles:

Plaited Cable Reversible Scarf
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Eco Duo
Needle: US 9


Plaited Cable Scarf
Yarn: 100% alpaca Awan (washed, carded, and spun by Andee)


Website Updated-
I have been busy updating the Arrow Acres Farm website. I was working on it when the earthquake hit yesterday. My computer was shaking so bad I couldn't type. I walked outside trying to figure out what was going on and the bald eagle that lives behind my house looked more freaked out than me. I felt bad for him I thought he was going to land in my arms. I wish I had my camera in my hand instead of my cell phone. -Andee


Hope you all find time to knit this week. Even if it's with your entire family at your side.

-Leanne

Well Folks, it's been a whole year!

1 Year Ago

This week, one year ago, we welcomed our herd of alpacas and officially became

Arrow Acres Farm

In the past year, we have met many many wonderful people...alpaca owners, farm managers, alpaca lovers that slowly drive down the road, newspaper reporters, neighbors we didn't know existed, learned what a dark and stormy is, created a very large pile of "beans", held a hugely successful farm day, won many ribbons for the alpacas and for our photos, knitted, knitted and knitted some more, and most importantly of all, created memories as a family that you can't beat.

Awan and Kal were the first alpacas to join us. They are our fiber boys.

The picture below was taken at the farm where Awan lived before here. (Abenaki Acres)
That's him on the left sticking his head up...saying "pick me! pick me!"

That's Awan giving Garrett a kiss

The first shed being delivered to the farm. No fences yet!

The shed, fences (I have to add that it was the hottest summer of all time that we put these fences in!!!!) waiting for the herd.

They're here! My mom walking her boys to their new home.

My all time favorite picture of my mom. She's so happy!!!

Two days later, the girls and babies joined the party.

It's been a great, amazing, alpaca filled year. I feel so fortunate to have been introduced to these wonderful fuzzy friends and I want to thank my mom and dad for having the guts and excitement to take on this adventure. It's been a great year!