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May 30, 2008
Eye Candy Friday
The lilacs have gone by but the bridal wreath is in full bloom. I love that just being in my yard this time of year gives me something beautiful to photograph.
Happy Weekend!
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (21)
May 29, 2008
Thursday Meme
1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Dale and I were just about to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. My mom had died in March so I was still reeling from that. I was working full time as director of our town library and trying hard to be a good wife, mom and step mom. I was not yet a knitter.
2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
It's Thursday so that means payroll and next week's schedule. I have some paperwork to do, I need to stop at the grocery store on my way home from work, and I also need to finish up some test knitting.
3) Snacks I enjoy:
cheese and crackers, pita chips and hummus, popcorn, wasabi peas
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Quit my job, pay off the mortgage and various other things, travel, set up trust funds for my kids, and buy a beautiful spot for all my fiber friends to gather.
5) Places I have lived:
Ummm. Massachusetts.
6) 5 peeps I wanna know more about:
No tags. I think everyone has done this by now but if you haven't, feel free!
Happy Thursday, it's almost the weekend.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (14)
May 28, 2008
Boing!
I'd like to discuss for a moment the knitting of a scarf. I think that many experienced knitters tend to avoid scarves. I don't know if it's because we all got sick of garter stitch scarves when we were learning to knit or if it's because (sometimes) scarves seem to take forEVer but it seems to me that we don't knit enough scarves.
I, however, am doing my part to change that. Why, just last week I knit this sweet little scarf.
It's called Boing! and it is a terrific pattern from Anne combined with a terrific yarn from Kim.
It's perfect for cool spring evenings when you just need a little something-something to chase away the chill.
It's entertaining to knit and quickly produces a really beautiful product. It would be a great gift.
But not this one. This one is for me.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (42)
May 27, 2008
Mass Sheep & Wool
At two hours and forty-five minutes from home, Massachusetts Sheep & Wool is hardly the perfect day trip. But we all know that never stops a fiber enthusiast! So, on Saturday Dale and I and Sharon and Al left bright and early for Cummington.
The chatting in the car made the ride go quickly and it seemed like we arrived in no time. We were greeted in the parking lot by Juno and Cate and that was the perfect start to a day of friends and fiber.
The first sheep we saw was this one. I call him Lyle Lovett.
Once we started wandering around we quickly bumped into Kathy, Manise, Laurie and Jess. We spent some time shopping together and then had a wonderful picnic lunch of fried chicken, potato salad and wine.
After lunch we shopped some more while we waited for the fleece sale. And yes, I did indeed buy a beautiful merino fleece. Al asked me how many fleeces I had at home and I looked at him pointedly and said, "that's irrelevant. I don't have this fleece."
We then spent the best part of the day - lolling around on the grass, taking photos, chatting, knitting and spindle spinning. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, it's the gathering of friends that truly makes these festivals special.
And dear sweet Cate.
And Jackie and her brand new baby bump!
The day really flew by and before I knew it we were dropping Sharon and Al at their front door. It was great to spend such wonderful time with friends amongst the fiber.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (31)
May 23, 2008
Eye Candy Friday
My day lilies are in bloom. I've had these for years and no one has ever been able to identify the variety - any takers?
Have a great weekend and Happy Memorial Day! See you on Tuesday.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (26)
May 22, 2008
Bean Salad
I've covered knitting, spinning and a meme this week. I'm left with nothing to talk about but food. That's okay, though, because I like talking about food.
A week or so ago Cindy posted a dinner that included bean salad. I asked for the recipe, which she gladly shared, and I made it Wednesday night. Cindy then agreed to allow me to share it with all of you - so here you go.
Bean Salad a la Cindy
4 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/2 large purple onion, finely chopped
2 large handfuls green beans - blanched for 2 minutes and then cut into 1" pieces
4-5 cans assorted beans
1/2 - 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil
2 T fresh lemon juice
2 cloves fresh garlic
1 T dry mustard
So, combine the celery, onion, green beans and canned beans (I used kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans and garbanzo beans. I think I'd leave out the pinto beans next time, they were kind of mushy) in a large bowl. Whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and mustard and pour over the beans. Eat right away or refrigerate.
It's quick and delicious. Loaded with fiber and lots of flavor. Perfect for your Memorial Day weekend cook outs, in fact. Enjoy!
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (20)
May 21, 2008
10 Minutes A Day
I recently heard an organizational expert say that if you are feeling overwhelmed by a task then you should set aside just 10 minutes a day to devote to that task. The theory is that those ten minutes every day will get you on track and help you to feel like you're making progress without taking up a huge chunk of time.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by my fiber stash so last week I decided to apply this principle to spinning. And you know what? It works! 10 minutes a day for the past 10 days has produced a lot.
I have finished a skein of icelandic.
And have singles of Spunky Club "Think Spring" ready to ply.
I've spun up one of two braids from last year's Rhinebeck haul.
And I've made progress on a Corriedale Bond X fleece.
There has also been progress on some Indigo Moon alpaca and silk.
I'll admit that many of those 10 minute sessions have wound up lasting longer than 10 minutes but that's okay. The point is to just set aside those 10 minutes and sit down at the wheel. If it's longer, that's fine. If it's only 10 minutes, that's fine, too.
The bottom line, though, is that I'm learning that 10 minutes a day can really make a difference. I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed by my fiber stash but you can be sure that won't be stopping me from going to Massachusetts Sheep & Wool this weekend. Just saying.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (42)
May 20, 2008
Ten On Tuesday
This week's Ten On Tuesday is "Ten Movies You're Excited to See." It's no secret that I love movies so this was an easy list for me to write. Some of these movies are just coming out in the theater and some are from my Netflix queue and I plan on seeing all of them.
1. Sex and the City
2. Charlie Wilson's War
3. Get Smart
4. The Savages
5. Atonement
6. Love in the Time of Cholera
7. The Jane Austen Book Club
8. The Happening
9. 27 Dresses
10. Leatherheads
What's on your "must see" list this summer? Oh, and pass the popcorn!
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (32)
May 19, 2008
Daffodil Socks
This just in: Mama-E has dyed up 15 skeins of this colorway due to demand. Get 'em while they last!
This year's daffodils have come and gone but their memory lives on in my Daffodil Socks.
This yarn, you may recall, was inspired by one of my Eye Candy Friday photos and dyed by the oh-so-talented Mama-E. I actually had the chance to show these socks to her when I was at Maryland Sheep & Wool and I'm really disappointed that I didn't think to take a photo of her with them.
Nor did I take photos of them anywhere else but I have to say - these socks got around! Not only were they airport and airplane knitting but they were car knitting and town meeting knitting and sheep & wool festival knitting.
At New Hampshire Sheep & Wool they were even instructive knitting as Kathy knit her first successful rows of magic loop with these babies.
The yarn is soft and lovely to work with and the contrasting heels and toes are terrific.
It's too warm now for wool socks but these will be a sweet reminder of my daffodils when autumn rolls around again.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (43)
May 16, 2008
Eye Candy Friday
Sorry this post is late today. We are having internet connectivity issues at home. It's supposed to be fixed by the end of today but if you don't hear from me over the weekend . . . well, you'll know why.
My garden is too sunny for Bleeding Heart, these belong to my sister-in-law, Mary. I love the color and the delicateness of the blooms.
Have a terrific weekend!
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (22)
May 15, 2008
Good Things
I had a really good day yesterday. I had to go to a meeting in the morning and, unlike a lot of my meetings, this was one where I could knit. That was good thing #1.
After the meeting we had lunch at a very nice restaurant. Not only did I have a delicious prime rib salad but I also had a beer. At lunch. On a Wednesday. That was good thing #2.
I had another very brief meeting to attend after lunch and then I headed for home. I was a bit of a ways away and rather than taking the highway back I took the scenic route. I saw beautiful fields of wildflowers, a stream where someone was fly fishing, lots of farm equipment, and a pond or two or three. I thought about stopping and taking photos at all of those places but I didn't so you'll just have to use your imagination. Everything was green and lush and springlike. That was good thing #3.
When I got home I headed to the cell phone store to see about activating my replacement Palm Centro. You see, my brand new phone had been acting up but since it was still under warranty I was able to get a replacement at no cost. When I got home I synced it up and found that all my content transferred quickly and accurately. That was good thing #4.
Last night at "quilting" I spun up a whole basket of fiber. It was soft and pretty and I filled a bobbin. That was good thing #5.
It's important to stop and add up the good things now and again, don't you think?
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (29)
May 14, 2008
Sheep to Shawl, Gogh Gogh Style
Yesterday in the comments Martha asked, "Wait, Sunday was even more exciting? How could that be?" I'll tell you how it could be more exciting - Sunday was the Sheep to Shawl competition and my good friends were competing.
Here we see Betsy, Vicki, Terry, Cheryl and Kelly each doing their part for the competition. Each team had 3 hours to start with a fleece and end with a shawl. They were required to have a theme and The Gogh Gogh's theme was "Starry Night" or something like that. They took their inspiration for the shawl from Van Gogh's painting and they ran with it.
They painted a gorgeous warp in advance of the competition.
They knitted sleeping caps and made pajamas to wear as costumes.
They won the blue ribbon!
And made a really gorgeous shawl to boot. It doesn't get any more exciting than that, Martha.
It was lots of fun to watch and I'm so proud of my friends. Next year, though, they'd better watch out. I think there will be a new team in town. Hee hee!
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (39)
May 13, 2008
New Hampshire Sheep & Wool 2008
This past weekend was my fourth time attending New Hampshire Sheep and Wool and I have to agree with Norma - this is my favorite fiber festival of them all. The setting is beautiful, the vendors are terrific, and (generally speaking) all my peeps are there.
Dale and I headed north on Friday after work. It was so wonderful to have an entire weekend away. While the festival was our main goal in going away, we also relished our time together in the hotel. We had a beautiful room with a jacuzzi, room service and very nice amenities. It was the perfect respite each evening.
I'm sure you're happy to hear about our romantic getaway but I know why you're really here - to hear about the festival. I wouldn't dream of disappointing you. Allow me to present Saturday:
Like any good fiber festival, it's all about the people.
People who goof on you.
People who hug.
People who wear shawls.
And people who wear boots.
People who buy a fleece.
And people who exclaim over the fleece. Truly, this is the picture of the day. As always, more pictures are available on my flickr page.
The best part about Saturday was that I really got a chance to visit with everyone. Because there are no lines cough, Maryland, cough there is lots more time for catching up, hanging out, shopping and even knitting. It was relaxing and I honestly felt like there was time for everything and that's certainly something that doesn't happen often at a fiber festival. Hooray for the laidbackness that is NH!
Come back tomorrow and I'll show you the excitement that was Sunday morning.
Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (29)
May 12, 2008
Western Union
New Hampshire Sheep & Wool fantastic. STOP. Details and photos tomorrow. STOP.
Carole Knits
Posted by Carole at 6:33 AM
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 | Comments (18)
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 | Comments (40)
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 | Comments (50)
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 | 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 | Comments (27)
