May 9, 2008

Eye Candy Friday

A co-worker remarked to me yesterday that she thinks the flowering trees are especially beautiful this year. After contemplating my flowering crab tree, I'd have to agree.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM
in category Eye Candy Friday | Comments (14)

May 8, 2008

May Day Socks & NH Picnic Plans

I received my May Day Socks from Katie of Daily Thread on Monday and boy are they terrific!

The green is a lovely shade of sage and the pattern is Artichoke Socks from Soxie. They are so very delicate and pretty.

Katie also included some heirloom petunia seeds from her mother-in-law's garden, a tube of Burt's Bee's Peppermint Foot Cream, and some dark chocolate covered cranberries. Mmmmm. Of course, I sure can use that foot cream this time of year!

Thanks for a beautiful pair of May Day socks, Katie! And thanks, Emily and Lynne, for organizing this sock swap!

Breaking News!

Okay, if you're going to New Hampshire Sheep & Wool this weekend this announcement is for YOU. We are gathering for a picnic potluck at Noon on Saturday in the picnic grove. Everyone is welcome - please pass the word along!

Be there or be square!

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM
in category Fiber Festivals | Swaps | Comments (38)

May 7, 2008

A Dork in Washington, DC

Maryland Sheep & Wool was fun, it's true, but the thing I was most excited about doing on this trip was seeing the nation's capital for the first time. Yes indeed, I have never been to DC and I've wanted to go since I was a little girl. Let me say right up front: I was not disappointed! I saw everything I wanted to see in the short amount of time we had and it was just enough to wet my appetite for a return trip.

Hillary is an excellent hostess and tour guide. She arranged tickets for us on a Tourmobile that allowed us to hit all the hot spots in just one day.

The Capital. Apparently I am more patriotic than I ever realized because I got goosebumps when we pulled up in front. Either that or I'm just a dork. The senate was in session while we were there (you can tell because there's an American flag flying over the senate building) and we saw a cat on a leash - how funny is that?

We toured the Botanical Gardens. I took lots and lots of pictures there. Lots.

The Lincoln Memorial is truly impressive. The view of the reflecting pool with the Washington Monument is gorgeous. And the statue of Lincoln is truly awe inspiring. I actually had tears in my eyes when I looked up at him. I told you I was a dork.

We also saw:

The Vietnam Wall, the Korean War Memorial, and The White House. That was just Friday!

On Sunday we went back and visited the Jefferson Memorial.

While not as moving as the Lincoln Memorial it's still pretty impressive in its own right.

We also visited the FDR Memorial. This one wasn't on my list but Hillary kept telling me I'd love it and she was right. It really tells his story and it's very well done.

I took loads and loads of photos - I've got enough Eye Candy Friday content for a long time to come. If you're interested you can see them all on my flickr page.

All too soon it was time for me to head home. It was a whirlwind tour, it's true, but it was really beautiful and I'm so glad I went. Thanks again, Hillary and family for hosting me. In the words of The Terminator, I'll be back.

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM
in category Vacations | Comments (47)

May 6, 2008

Maryland Sheep & Wool

Just as you all predicted, I had a terrific time this past weekend. Hillary is loads of fun and we really enjoyed getting to know each other. We spent lots of time in Washington, DC and I'm going to tell you all about that tomorrow but today is all about Maryland Sheep & Wool.

We arrived around 9 am after sitting in a long line of traffic. Honestly, that line of traffic set the tone for the day because this festival, while terrific and satisfying, is all about the lines! For instance, look at this line:

This is the line for festival swag. We stood in it for over an hour and a half. And yes, that's a long time. But, it was worth it. For one thing, the sale of festival merchandise is what supports the festival financially. It allows for free admission and free parking and I'm all for keeping that sentiment going. And for another thing, this may be the only time I ever get to attend Maryland Sheep & Wool and I wanted stuff to prove I was there. I loaded myself down with a t-shirt for me, a baseball cap for Dale, a bunch of note cards and some festival pins.

There were also lines for buying yarn and roving, lines for the restrooms, lines for the food. You get the idea, I'm sure. Thankfully, Hillary's friend Felicia had the wherewithal to suggest that we bring lunch. As much as I wanted a corn dog, I wasn't willing to wait in a long line to get one!

Now, don't think those lines stopped me from having a good time. Honestly, I love a fiber festival for one very special reason: the PEOPLE. I bumped into old friends and made a few new ones.

Here is Risa and Jessica. Risa was a huge enabler help when I was first learning to spin and Jessica and I have emailed so many times throughout Summer of Socks that it was great to meet each other in person.

And here is Dave. Like his new outfit? I think he's stylin'. He has promised to be sporting this same get up look at New Hampshire Sheep & Wool this coming weekend so many of you will actually get to witness this for yourself.

Then there was this guy, whose name I do not know but I just had to take a picture of him because of this shirt. I think I know what Dale is getting for his birthday. Hee.

Finally, I got to meet Lolly! She and I have corresponded through our blogs for a few years now and I was so happy to get to hug her and chat for a few minutes. Lolly, you need to come up here and visit one of our festivals!

I am proud of myself for not just wearing my camera around my neck but for actually remembering to take photos. I knew you'd want to see some yarn

And sheep.

And what I bought.


This is all that came home with me. The thought of packing fiber into a suitcase and lugging it on the plane kept my spending to a limit. Not to mention that most of my favorite vendors at this festival will also be in NH next weekend (potluck picnic plans are underway - stay tuned for details!) and then I'll have Dale with me to carry around all my stuff. Ahem.

We did not make it to the Ravelry meet up or the Ravelry party, which was definitely a bummer. But you can only fit so much into a day and we crammed in a lot!

So, Maryland in a nutshell: long lines, great people, good fun.

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM
in category Fiber Festivals | Comments (47)

May 1, 2008

Eye Candy Thursday?

I love this single pink tulip that's blooming in my garden right now. So strong and yet so fragile. So pink and yet so . . . well, pink. Just for you, Cookie!

I'm off on my trip to Washington, DC and Maryland Sheep and Wool. I'm excited to meet Hillary and (hopefully) many other blogging friends. Wish me safe travels and blue skies, won't you? Thanks!

Look for a new post here on Tuesday and have a great weekend!

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM
in category Eye Candy Friday | Comments (27)