Blue Monday....

My favorite summer color is (okay--just one of my favorites)...


Mom and I went blueberry pickin' this mornin'!! Mmmmmm...I love blueberries, lets see how long they last around here! I picked 8 1/2 lbs worth!
I even bought the pottery mug while at the farm.

Hey...my garden continues to grow~~




Can you guess what kind of flower this is? I'll give you a hint that it's a favorite of my Hummingbirds!

I'll post a picture of it in full bloom.








This is my Alstroemeria...I love this flower too!! Shoot...I just love FLOWERS!!!

Hope your Monday is a good one.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Happy Birthday!!

I hope everyone will join me in wishing My Sweetie...a VERY Happy Birthday!



Happy Birthday Honey!!!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

TGIF!!!

Look what's growing in my garden!!!

...Man, what a week!! Who needs a vacation? I DO!!! My butt has been draggin' this week, with that said I think I've found my first 5k to run. Yes, you heard me right, I'm going to run a 5k!! Two days after I turn forty-(mumble-mumble) I'm going to give it a go...I seriously doubt I'll finish running (one of my family members will probably be dragging me) but I'm going to do my best! In fact, I'll probably be the last to cross the finish line but at least I can say "I DID IT"!!

Calling all Spinners! The deadline (6/30) is approaching for Hush-Hush Homespun Hootenanny! I've already posted my questionnaire (on the sidebar)...this should be fun, it's the first "spinning" sort of swap I've participated in.

Have a GREAT weekend everybody...and...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

(Me) WoW!

I joined this....



because Mr Ace wants some "AirTime"!!





Guess who's upset we've been gone a lot?! He's taken to sleeping in my dufflebag!
I'll have to watch him at Christmastime, or I'll be like the little old Aunt Bethany on Christmas Vacation!

We made news again!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

WIP's~~Goals and....

...the ride home!

I guess you are wondering, since this IS a Knitting/Spinning blog, if I've been working on anything. The answer is YES!! I can prove it...

KNITTING~~





This is my Dayflower Camisole, I really should have finished it by now but I've been dividing my self time with my other projects.





Then there's...




Anne Hanson's Bleeding Heart Stole from IK Spring 2008. This is a very nice pattern to knit, but then again when has Anne's pattern's been disappointing? I've yet to find one!!








Baby Boy Cardigan for my friend Sherry's grandson due in October.









SPINNING~~



This is called Golden Hibiscus...but I think it looks more like "Spun Sunshine"! I bought this on a whim from Alpaca Direct and I'm NOT disappointed. It spins like a dream.



Then there's...




Berry Patch, from Simpson & Co., the skein is navajo plied (my new favorite method) with a bobbin of singles yet to be plied. I have another 4 oz's left to spin up.









The Ride Home...


Last week on our ride home from "The Top Secret Anniversary Trip" we road part of the way home on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so we HAD to stop at Mabry's Mill. This is one of the most beautiful spots you can visit on the Parkway. I LOVE this place, we stop every time we're in the area!


While we were there I had another opportunity to work with fiber...






Wood fiber that is!





This is a foot powered wood lathe, which Hubby has been wanting to build. I have to say it felt very awkward...


So I spent some time with something I'm VERY familiar with...



When we arrived in the cabin they were allowing visitors to try their hand at spinning, I guess I had an unfair advantage. I could have sat here all day! But I did get my "10 Minutes A Day" in...plus some!

We ended our trip just as wonderful as it began! Our next anniversary comes up in September (our first date) maybe we can do something fun again?!


Okay...about MY GOAL!

(arm pump and a thumbs-up)
Tonight I learned that I'm only 2lbs away from my goal weight at Weight Watchers! I'm so excited, but the next big battle is keeping it all off!!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Kentucky~~

...this post is long past due.

The Final Chapter!

There were 2 yarn shops I earmarked for a visit, Magpie Yarn a very unassuming converted house that once you walk in the door you are amazed at the vast selection. The owner, Jane, was very busy but not so much to greet everyone in the store. She had the store displayed in a beautiful color coordinated fashion. It was like walking into a rainbow! I bought 2 skeins of Panda Silk sock yarn and Noro Kureyon sock yarn.
Then we searched out ReBelle, this too was in an old house but was divided into several businesses which made it a little difficult at first. A really neat shop, unlike any I've ever been in before. Very Bohemian, the aroma of incense hung in the air...they stock lots of natural fibers like hemp and environmentally conscience products, along with lots of unusual recycled jewelry. Typewriter keys turned into earrings & bracelets, pop bottle tops turned into earrings, old LP records (remember those?) turned into bowls and flatware turned into art! They promote items for "natural living" and midwifery, if I'm not mistaken I think one of the owners is a midwife. A REALLY cool shop to visit!!! Here I bought the Hippie Chick fiber called "purple murple" and some Henry's Attic Kona Superwash merino for a lace project, I was looking for something in an ice blue color so I may just dye this after the project is done.

You also see here the piece of overshot weaving...we purchased that from "The Weaver's Bottom" it's a reproduction from a piece that can be seen HERE called "Lee's Surrender"...Appomattox, Virginia and the Surrender grounds have a significant history for Hubby and me!!

We visited, as recommended by the Visitors Center, the Lexington Brewery Company...and were NOT disappointed AT ALL! A free private tour & tasting of one of the BEST Ale's I've ever had! They brew up 3 different varieties, but they are only sold IN Lexington, KY (they DO NOT do mail order~~darn it)...so we brought back 2 cases and are "squirrelling" it away! The first we tried was a "light" German style lager called a "Kolsch" (this is where I become like "goldilocks") it was okay, though I prefer ales. Then we tried their Kentucky Ale which is A LOT like my favorite Smithwicks, and it was very good! But then we had their "Bourbon Barrel" ale, mmmmmmmm-I'm in LOVE! They take their Kentucky Ale and age it for 6 weeks in a Kentucky Bourbon barrel, the taste is AMAZING! Anybody coming our way through Lexington...would you mind picking us up a case or two??



On this trip we also visited the Kentucky Horse Park...where we learned all about the History of Horse Racing in the area. This place was beautiful!!! I'm not sure everyone will know who Man O' War was but this horse was unbelievable...go ahead read his history.






This was his grave site, and along the walk to it was a demonstration of this horse's size! Three markers showed the stride of Secretariat, John Henry and Man O'War, marked off in feet--24, 25 1/2 and a massive, unbelievable 28 feet respectively! It took me 13 regular human strides to match his!! Quite possibly the "perfect race horse"? Back in the day of no steroids...just good breeding!

Next...I'll show you the final chapter of our trip to Mayberry!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!!

Stitch-n-Pitch 2008

...was a SUCCESS!!
I think I can say that a good time was had by ALL! We had about 22 show up, including hubby's & kids...a wonderful family night!
I know I had a blast! Here in SW Virginia you make do with what you have, we don't have a MLB team so we gathered at our MiLB team, the Salem Avalanche. Farm team of the Houston Astros...but not for long, next year it's the RED SOX baby!!

The Hubby's even had a great time! (2 of the "Hubs" I didn't get a shot of...sorry T & TJ)


We met some new friends from Bedford and Danville!!




Congratulations to one of the Danville ladies, Trish for winning the door prize donated by Sereknity Yarn Shop in Roanoke!



A big THANK YOU is owed to all those area shops that donated to our goody bags...first TNNA for the Stitch-n-Pitch goody bags themselves~~ Knitters Knook in Boones Mill, VA (Ravelry link); On The Lamb in Staunton, VA; Orchardside Yarn Shop in Raphine, VA; Sereknity Yarn Shop in Roanoke and Yarn Theory in Bedford, VA.
Without their contributions I couldn't have pulled off the special surprise for the attendees!

I'm not sure that everyone knows AuntPam, but this chick is a RIOT!



She has a special way of holding her yarn...


I just use a GoKnit Pouch!!






This was "Throwback Thursday" with $1 beverages (including beer) and music from another time~~last night was 1994!



AuntPam serenaded us with her Knitting Needle microphone....Milli Vannili watch out! BTW, what song was it you were singing anyway?

(Hey, there's another Hubby in the background~TJ!)
Be sure and check out her POST about the evening!




I can't wait to do it again!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!

Top Secret Anniversary Trip...

...was a complete success! He didn't know where we were going, nor did he figure it out until we pulled up to our "abode" for the trip~~

Pretty cool huh? There are 6 of these at this B&B that are old converted tobacco barns...complete with Jacuzzi tubs, private balcony's and ambiance out the wazoo!! We HIGHLY recommend this B&B for a romantic getaway!

Besides begging for a jacuzzi tub I also want THIS bed!!! Amazing huh?


This was our view from the breakfast room each morning! Pilot Mountain

So you ask..."Where where we?"
I'll give you some hints...








Well...do you know? Yep, Mayberry aka Mount Airy, NC.

The Andy Griffith Show is a staple here in our house...the local TV station shows reruns every day at 5:30...and we are BIG fans!

Of course...

The Sheriff~


Locked up....

Otis!!

Here's how I ended every day...

Knittin' on the front porch! (boy, I look "plum tuckerd out")

Hang in there, I have more to show you...plus I haven't finished with the final chapter of the Kentucky trip yet!

Tomorrow night our group is having our Stitch-n-Pitch at our local Minor League Baseball game! We're not lucky enough to have a MLB team close by...

Oh...and we made the news with our WWKIPday! Check out THIS link!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

6 Years Ago Today...

Six years ago today was the beginning of the rest of my/our lives!

I married my best friend!

Every year we go on some sort of trip, usually one Hubby has planned. This year I'm taking him on a "Top Secret" trip. We're just getting ready to leave for a couple days but I promise to have pictures for you when we return in a couple days.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

WWKIP Day

As many of you know today is World Wide Knit In Public Day...really this is nothing new for me, I knit in public ALL the time, as well as many of you do! What better excuse to get together and spend a few hours? The day was really perfect, honestly I was beginning to worry since the temps have been so hot & muggy lately!

This was our setting: (the haze you see is, believe it or not, smoke from a fire burning near the OuterBanks of North Carolina about 200 miles away!)



This is our group early on:
(L-R) Catie, Dani, Stephanie & Pam...me? I'm takin' the picture!



This was our public early on:



But that soon changed...

Then Nikki showed up, lots of people followed...and a newspaper reporter! Do you think we'll make front page news? I'll keep you posted, I don't think it will publish until Thursday.



And...

Catie shared the hobby with this Cutie Pie!



We shared lots of laughs, and simply had a GREAT time together! I hope your WWKIP day was a good one!!

BTW~Thanks for all the kind thoughts over my "Mishap" yesterday!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Grrrrrrrr!!!!

I had another post planned for today, however, Friday the 13th as reared it's head and bit me in the "YOU KNOW WHAT"!!

I wrecked my truck today...

I'm okay except for my pride...

Truck was bleeding really bad when it was hauled off...

As I post this, I'm on the phone with the rental company trying to get a car...

THIS REALLY SUCKS!!

My 30+ year perfect driving record is shot...

Happy Freakin' Weekend...

Hope your day turns out better than mine did.

I need to go knit now...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

What tha?

2 DAYS?? Where does time go? No excuses here...

So, where did I leave off?

Hubby's intention on this trip was to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Boone. I think he accomplished at least some of what he wanted to do:
Fort Boonesborough, Boone Station, Boone Tavern, and EKU where we followed tradition and...

Rubbed the left toe of Daniel Boone's statue for good luck!



We traveled south to the small town of Berea. The Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of KY!
Where we found 2 favorite shops~Michelle Weston's Glass Studio and Weaver's Bottom!





This is the "woven" column outside the studio...pretty huh?

Of course, I spent quite a bit of time chatting with Neil Colmer, owner of Weaver's Bottom, what an interesting man. He was setting up a loom to make a copy of an "Overshot Coverlet"! As explained to me, this customer had come to him with this picture...which he showed to me, having a history myself of reproducing historical clothing...and guessing at what certain parts of the dress or outfit's design was I was astounded at this photo. The baby was sitting on the coverlet, the only portions of the blanket really visible were the corners and it was black & white so he was also guessing at the colors according to the date of the photo. AMAZING!


Before we left he sat at one of his many looms and let me take this picture of him. (He is not working on the coverlet I was telling you about.)
Have I told you I want to learn to weave?! I need 3 or 4 clones of myself...

Sorry no pics from the glass studio, it was really hard to get a good shot of her. She was making these beautiful starfish...and some of the things that she had made for sale were AMAZING! I love to watch glass making, but it's too darn hot for me to want as a hobby.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Feelin' Funky!

Sorry~~
no post today...went to the eye doctor...had my eyes dilated (finally able to read a little of what I'm typing)...but still feelin' funky! Good news is no new prescription...yet, but I know next year will probably be different. Oh~~but I did learn about bifocal contact lenses...oh yeah!!

Check back tomorrow!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin' (good thing I can knit without seeing it!)

An Author...Me??

...if Dr. Phil can do it~~maybe I can too!!
(mini rant ahead)
I need to write a book...the subject? Either "Camping Etiquette" or "Parenting" I'm not sure which.
While I've been camping since I was a child but today there are many people who are new to the hobby, if that's what you call it.
The campground was packed...I'm mean to the gills and beyond (the overflow was side by side) for the Memorial weekend, which we fully expected. The campsites are very spacious with lots of privacy. We were situated so that our site was divided by a creek (too overgrown with brush and poison oak to see) on one side and a gravel road on the other.
What we didn't expect was the disrespect of the kids...this is not just in the camping world, just ask any librarian!
I've always known this because I was "taught" that you don't walk through someones campsite...duh? In my mind, and maybe I'm the only one who thinks this way, when you reserve a campsite that's your "home" for as long as you are paid up to stay there. Would you just walk into someones home? I wouldn't! We had a regular parade of kids cutting through our campsite (and not down the gravel road just few yards away)...even while we were eating our dinner! Finally I broke bad (yeah~right) and told the kids it wasn't polite to walk through someones campsite...at first they looked at me like I had something wrong with me, but when they "forgot" and started to do it again all I had to do was give that "MOM LOOK" that my kids knew all too well. Then Sunday came and they were all gone. We had the place to ourselves...I bet there weren't even 5 campers/tents in the whole place....ahhhh! Which proves...patience is a virtue.
You tell me which type of book I should write?! I do feel that in society today "respect" is lacking EVERYWHERE! I don't just mean where kids are concerned...adults are just as guilty! Most recently, and this is all things I've heard and read about--I wasn't there, was at MDS&W. I still live by the "Golden Rule", when I get angry enough to feel like lashing out...I think back to what I was taught~~"Do Unto Others..." Is this such a foreign concept today?
(okay...so maybe it wasn't such a "mini rant")

Now...onto the purpose of this post!

As you know we spent the weekend re-enacting at the fort...and becoming front page news! Yeah, I had to say that again...
It wasn't too hot...it wasn't too cool...it was perfect!
I spent most of my time here~~




...chatting with the spinner & weaver...I only took my Kromski Sonata, which will not pass 18th century inspection!! So I would spin at the camper.

The fort is so interesting, it's built just as it was back in 1775...each log cabin contains a "craft" (lively hood) depicted that would have been necessary. Here's a sampling:


I'll save you all the pics from my other fascination while camping...lets just say the Cicada's (some people call them locust) are emerging and becoming adults. We would wake up in the morning to find the "shells" everywhere! One morning they decided my Crocs looked like a good place to "hatch". By the time we left they were beginning to sing to us. I remember when Julia was a baby we were camping and the boys were having a blast catching them. They kept this bucket that literally hummed!

That's all for now...but I'm not finished with tales from our vacation!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

For Your Amusement...

(disclaimer--this is for amusement...please don't take offense. I mean NO HARM...just laugh!)

A few things I learned while in Kentucky:

The Mullet, made famous by this Kentuckian, is alive and well! I saw more than I've seen in quite some time...hey, my ex STILL wears his, thankfully I don't have to see him...never...ever!

Apparently the US ends at the eastern border of West Virginia! People would ask where we were from...our response was "SW Virginia" they'd say...."Near Beckley (WV)?"...every time!

Jogging and/or exercise gets you attention...seriously I felt like Forrest Gump while on my daily run~~I saw some of the most puzzled looks on their faces. I just wanted to say..."I just felt like run-nning!" ...the Yoga on the other had I figured I'd get some strange looks.

The grass is green just like ours...we both kept looking for the "bluegrass" but were told that at the right time of the morning...when it's in bloom and the fog is just right you can see it!

Seriously...Kentucky is a BEAUTIFUL state! We had so much fun on our adventures, even if gas prices basically stopped us in our tracks with our plans. We were going to a Cincinnati Reds game (and further into the state of OH) but it had already cost us $300 to even get to Fort Boonesborough. It helped that Hubby sold 5 (yes FIVE) flutes while we were there. He was also able to trace the footsteps of Daniel Boone at many of the locations within 30 mile radius of our camp.

I'm going to have to spread this post out over several days (this post has taken me nearly 4 hours to put together)...there's just so much to share!

So, we start in Huntington, WV where we did stop at the Memorial for the Marshall plane crash and paid our respects, something I've always wanted to do. Next I want to attend the ceremony at the fountain in November. I remember when the tragedy happened and LOVE the movie!

Next was time for lunch...this was FUN! I'm a huge fan of Foodnetwork, which often times causes problems for me with Weight Watchers, one of my favorite shows is Diners, Drive-in's & Dives with Guy Fieri. A couple of weeks before leaving I saw an episode that featured THIS restaurant...it was on our way... (channeling Forrest...)..."so we went"! Now, IF I had not seen this episode


I seriously doubt I would have stopped at a place that looked like this...




But it was SO much fun...and there was SO MUCH to see!! The owner, Sonny greeted us (SUPER NICE GUY) and promptly informed us that "His Weenie Wife" (Sharie) was in town but would be back shortly...she was just as nice as her hubby!
There was graffiti everywhere...in fact it was encouraged. We signed our names too!!
Here's the front door...

...there was a test which we failed! The door is hinged on the same side as the doorknob. Which, for "out-of-towners like ourselves, we walk around looking for the "correct" entrance...duh! The menu is enormous so you might as well sit down and study for a while! When you leave a tip in the jar, they sing to you! Everything is made while you wait (including their handmade onion rings-yummy good) and if the lunch crowd is there (which we were just between, as we were leaving the next shift filled the parking lot) you have plenty to look at and read on the walls!

To order dessert you go to the next building appropriately called--

"The Sugar Shack"


And if nature called while you were there...

See the names on the doors? That's the names of the owners!!

The food was terrific...I'll be going back, and I suggest if you are in the area...stop in! Try the 5 or 10 pound burger!!

Finally...once we arrived at our camp and were all set up we enjoyed a Kentucky favorite:

Traditionally served in a pewter or silver cup...Bobbi, did I put them to good use?

More later, meanwhile...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!