Martini Knitter

The Big Reveal

  Thank you, Debbi!  We swapped our Silly Socks this afternoon. Debbi spoiled me with these lovely blue socks that fit perfectly (I need to get the specs on them), some Spunky Eclectic roving,  some of Mary's fabulous stitch markers, a yummy cookbook, handmade soap that smells good enough to eat, hot cocoa (that will be going with me to work), a fantastic sock pattern, and a whooping 600 yards of yarn called Dragonfly.  And thank you Christine, Crystal and Kathy for the wonderful narration....it was almost as good as being there.  What a great idea Julie and Crystal ! The group reveal photo's are here and go over and check out Madame Purl's lovely new socks.

Hmmmmm....

Saw this over at Debbi's and thought it looked like fun. Seems pretty accurate as I am knitting Lady Eleanor in an angora blend.  See what Fiber you are here.

Saturday Fun

   I had the good fortune this weekend to go back East and hang out with the gals. Today Crystal, this little guy, Julie and I headed up  to The Fiber Studio,  took a bit of a detour to Apple Tree Fabrics, then on to The Elegant Ewe.  We found the best stash of Noro Sock yarn, some Habu stainless steel and wool yarn, and I also picked up some Lorna's laces.  Before heading back to MA we had a lovely lunch at The Common Man .

Despite the snow this evening we met up with some more wonderful knitterly friends for dinner and then headed back to Julie's to knit and chat. 

Salad Spinner

After quite a large lunch at KT's,  I wanted something light for dinner.  I put together an easy salad of mixed greens, pears, and toasted pecans-if only I had remembered the blue cheese while I was at the store.

Then with all the spinning that has been about in blog land,  I was motivated to dust off my wheel and take it out for a spin.  I am definitely a bit rusty, but it was nice to sit down with it for a while this evening.

I wasn't doing anything....really

Surprise knitting...

We had another birthday visitor...my mom arrived Thursday morning for the weekend.  I picked her up at the airport and we were off to the outlet shops in Castle Rock for some shopping.  I managed to pick up a few fall items at a big discount.  On our way back we saw a wolf just coming out of a field (of course I didn't have my camera) and then we had a nice dinner out.  Friday morning Mom and I tried out  a local bakery for breakfast,  stopped by the LYS to pick up my gift certificate (my name was drawn during the 15th anniversary celebration) and then we picked up Keith from work and took a lovely drive up to Estes Park and The Stanley Hotel.  My great grandfather worked at the hotel years ago and met my great grandmother there.  We walked the grounds, the lobby area and the music room.      

Mom had mentioned that with moving north earlier this year that she would like a scarf.  Remember this alpaca yarn?  It became my so called scarf for Mom. 

Mom asked if Keith would take her out on the motorcycle,  so they went for a ride Saturday afternoon before the rain started and then celebrated with a toast.

And for the record I did make a carrot cake with cream cheese icing but it disappeared before I thought to take a picture.

The wait continues.....

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Last Friday of Summer Hours

So Friday started out fabulous....it was the first day of hand knit socks.  I don't usually wear my hand knit socks in the summer,  it's just too hot but the office has been very cold lately and the outside temperature had dropped just enough for me to break these out. They are an old favorite out of a great colorway, Cherry Tree Hills Foxy Lady. September has always been the start of fall for me, everyone heads back to school, the night's get cooler, it starts to get dark earlier,  football season starts, its time to dig through the recipe box for the comfort food and the leaves will change soon.

Keith and I took full advantage of the last half Friday and headed up to Estes Park.  We ran across a whole herd of elk.  I saw one on the side of the road and when we pulled off saw all the rest in the field. Check out the big guy in the back...close up below.  I was taking the picture on the left and they turned and walked right to me. 

After our fill of the elk, we went into the quaint downtown and Keith found the yarn shoppe where I picked up this lovely skein of alpaca.

Yarn and blueberries

It has been one interesting week!  The coolest was that for the first time in three years we went on a business trip to the same place at the same time.  It was definitely different for both of us.  On Thursday I went by Knit This, Purl That and broke the yarn drought.  I picked up a few clearance balls of Rowan Wool Cotton in Inky and Gypsy, Lorna's Laces in Sweetie, and Rio de la Plata in Multicolor and a lovely purple silk project bag.  I had a bit of a blow out on my current sock project bag.

Being that we had some unexpected visitors that took up all of our attention at work this week and made for some very long days, (read 7 am -7 pm), not much knitting happened.  I will spare y'all another twisted flower picture.  I am ready to pick up the gusset and finish the second foot.  I am very ready to start on a new project,  preferably without a chart.

I couldn't pass up these beautiful and perfectly named blueberries on Friday!

Yesterday, we headed out for breakfast and errands,  but seeing as it was just in between breakfast and lunch time Keith went with a chicken pot pie and I had some blueberry pancakes.  This wasn't quite what he was expecting but it was delicious and I loved the presentation.

Wool Anyone

I have been an absent blogger, reader, commenter and for that I apologize.  Life has been a bit on the hectic side lately.  I am happy to be back.  Keith and I had a great time at the Estes Park Wool Market last Saturday.  We spent most of our time with the animals.  A few of the goats...this one reminded me a bit of cousin it.  From there we headed to the Alpaca tent and had a most lovely chat with Diane from Falkor Ranch,  she mentioned that they are happy to have visitors so I have that on the agenda for later this summer.   I got the biggest kick out of this sign.... 

They were holding llama demonstrations most of the day but it was a bit hot to be in the sun for a long period of time. 

  And what would a wool market by without the sheep tent. Keith made fast friends with the biggest of the lot.  Some adorable twin lambs.

I couldn't resist the 2 month old angora rabbit.  Soooooo soft and these little girls thought so too.

We had such a nice time.  And if you can believe it the only thing I bought was an autographed copy of "Cast On, Bet's Off".  I'll leave you with a picture of the 'canoes'  otherwise known as weaving shuttles.