My post is late today for a variety of reasons, mostly to do with having to make sure that my brother made it to my house after a late night arrival into O'hare (it wasn't supposed to be a late night arrival, but snow has a way of making these things happens), but a little bit to do with being a bit under the weater and also a little bit to do with having to make an unexpected trip to northern Michigan tomorrow and not being able to have a real post for Friday. So a mid-Thursday post seemed the best option given the circumstances.
I haven't shown off the goodies I got for Christmas. One in particular deserves special attention because it is just so special and smile-inducing. Here's the newest addition to my growing collection of sheep:

He is supposed to be a baby sheep on his back (he's a little over 6 inches), which is why he's photographed in that way. When Mom gave him to me, I just couldn't put him down. Not only does he make me smile, but he feels absolutely wonderful. I am waiting for mom to give me the name of the woman who made him, but apparently he is derived almost entirely from products from this woman's own sheep -- sheep that live a mile or so away from my parents in Ann Arbor. His little fleecy coat is locks from a real sheep. His soft hooves, face and ears are made from felt that come from the fleece one of these sheep as well.

I thought the felting details really deserved closer inspection, as the sewing and sculpting really is lovely and makes him feel so whimsical and wonderful. I think he may sit by my computer desk and be my sheepy blogging muse.
See y'all on Monday!