Sunday Fun

Sunday was spent with Karen and Katie first at the Museum to see the Latvian exhibit before it closed the next day. That was my fifth time! Every time I went I noticed something new. Afterwards we went to the Fiber Gallery for some fiber therapy. Of course I didn't need anymore yarn but I couldn't resist Lavold's Silky Wool in a stunning red color.
On another note - thanks Katie for your fundraising efforts for Obama !!

Click on pictures for a closer look






Later Karen and I went to see "Mamma Mia" which was hysterical ! It's so campy it's fun. Some of the singing was pretty bad which caused us to break into a fit of giggles every time this person opened their mouth. You'll have to go see it to find out who !

Fiber Heaven

Last weekend I went to a three day workshop on Spinning for Aran, Gansey, and Fair Isle taught by Carol Huebscher Rhoades. I loved it ! It was my first such one so I was rather nervous about my lack of experience. It was a pretty relaxed atmosphere so nothing to worry about. I loved hearing all about the traditions, histories, breeds of sheep, and techniques. Some of the lovely samples knit from her handspun.
















Carol also handed out wonderful fiber samples which had me drooling. As one of my classmates said it makes you want to jump into a swimming pool full of wool - without the water of course !

The dark is UK BFL and the white US. Heavenly soft.



4 samples of Shetland. Other sample fleeces included Cheviot, Scottish Mule, Galway, and primitive Shetland.

This was held out in Preston at Suzanne Pedersen's house which is lovely and she provided such lovely meals and refreshments. Wish I had taken pictures of her home and garden.

The Latvian Exhibit is ending this Sunday. I've seen it four times and will be seeing it again this weekend ! I was given permission to take pictures which I'll try and post a few at a time. These textiles are stunning.







I can't describe how much joy these forms of textile "art" bring me no matter the country. The beauty, love, and care that seems to come to the surface when I look upon them and think of the generations that went before amazes me.

Summer Roses

Your hands hold roses always in a way that says
They are not only yours; the beautiful changes
In such kind ways,
Wishing ever to sunder
Things and things’ selves for a second finding, to lose
For a moment all that it touches back to wonder.

Richard Wilber



It is a quiet weekend. The kids left over a week ago for their annual 4H trip to San Juan Island. The sun has finally decided to shine more than one day in a row. The temp is perfect with a slight breeze. Went about the yard this morning taking pictures of some of the roses. If these roses can grow in this very neglected yard with little care they have to be some of the hardiest ever for this area.





Inga still makes me smile. She was in the shop for some major overhauls but she sounds and drives alot better. Between two cars there has been around $7,000 (choke) in car repair bills in the last six months. Just when you think there can't be any other major thing to go wrong it does :(
Driving around with her I've had people flash peace signs, honk and wave, call her a classic. With the "Slug Bug no hits back" when kids see her they start pummeling each other, here in the driveway or out on the road. I have never named a car before but here she is. People at work think she's very cute and ask about her almost daily. Just had to buy this license plate holder at the museum. I'm nuts over Sweden !


Mari, our eleven year old Lab/Whippet mix. I picked her up at the pound when she was around six months old. She was emaciated and shivering in the corner with her sad brown eyes. The vet figured she'd been abused,abandoned, and had resorted to eating manure to survive. She was very sick. I used to say she would be the best dog ever if no one came to visit. She was very nervous and unpredictable when anyone came around. She has mellowed quite a bit the last few years. It took almost nine years for that to happen. She loves "her kids" and is ecstatic when they wake up in the morning or come home from being out and about. She still plays like a puppy despite the gray around her muzzle. She takes after the Whippet side, certainly not the Lab side. She's very ladylike and water is only fit to drink, not to play in. Her silly names are - Mari Woof, Martita, Mari Woofer Woof, and Mars Bars.

The latest skein using BFL from :) Kristin.
I was up at 7AM and after making coffee headed right to the wheel !

I have not done much knitting. I am so embarrassed by all my UFO's that one day will pull them all out and count to perhaps, shame me into finishing them. My next life I'm coming back as an organized person