coziest tea

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/263603; commissioned 1997
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Who is Marjorie Fox?  The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa commissioned this supremely adorable woolen tea cozy from her in 1997.  I wanted to see if she had created more fiber artwork, but not a fiber more can I find.  At least this one exists for our admiration:  a sheep bearing a washing-line full of clothing.  Ah, yes, you say to yourself as you pour a hot cuppa, a fleecy fellow creature makes the wool that keeps me and my tea warm.  Remember to say thank you.

field trip: new friends at nashi orchards

all photos mine

Yesterday our departmental team went on our yearly staff retreat.  This year our destination was Vashon Island's Nashi Orchards, creators of delicious and unusual craft ciders.  

We met their sheep and watched them get a snack...

...then owner Jim Gerlach gave us a tour and an interesting talk about the grounds and the process.  

We proceeded to the open-air tasting room, where we met the official greeters: the orchard's three Bouvier de Flanders, only two of which I managed to snap.  

They were hot, but calm and happy to see us.

We were happy to see them, too.

We sampled the three unusual, delicious ciders made by Nashi, and while we couldn't bring home a lamb or a huge friendly dog, we could bring home...

Seriously, if you see this anywhere, try it.

wordless vintage wednesday

i own this. thanks seattle antiques co

happy new year of the sheep! or goat!

thanks wikimedia commons (pd)

Here's a one-day-late wish for a very happy Year of the Sheep (or Goat)!  And here are some sweetfaced, cuddly sheep by Giotto to bring the Museum's good wishes to you.  They are from the Nativity scene in his fresco series on the Life of Christ in the Scrovegni Chapel.
Would you like to see what the Year of the Sheep holds for you?  Check it out!