Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Bloggable moments

You all are too kind to me--I appreciate the nice comments about the shawl as well as the tips for using the camera. My niece (a photographer at an ad agency) had perhaps the most impertinent suggestion of all : "...well, why don't you read the manual and then just play around with it?". Huh? Come again? This younger generation, they think they have it all figured out. Sheesh!
Yarn from Twin Cities
I have just returned from a 5 day trip to Minneapolis . My trip back home just happened to coincide with a monumental sale of staggering proportions at my fave Twin Cities brick and mortar yarn shop (Miss Thing Linda at Yarnzilla doesn't count as she is mainly doing Internet business), Borealis Yarns. Being a Minneapolis chick all the way, it was a bit of a strain to drive those extra 8 minutes to St. Paul, but it was well worth it as everything in the joint was 20% off. You can see the damage above.(N.B. The Hazel Knits was not purchased in Mpls. but sent to me there. Just trying to manage my deliveries if you know what I mean).
Hand Maiden Casbah
While in St. Paul, I also checked in with my second favorite yarn store, The Yarnery, where I got my grubby little hands on more Hand Maiden Casbah sock yarn. It's official, I am now stalking/hording this stuff. It is luscious and gorgeous and shiny, and possesses that most beguiling of all yarn fetish attributes: it's somewhat hard to get your hands on. Yes, scarcity really does it to me every time and the acquisition machine just kicks into overdrive. "Oh, this is hard to get? I'll take seven, please". Sad, but true.
Flower Basket Lace Shawl in Debbie Bliss in Cashmerino dk
This blog has gotten so FO-centric recently that I have decided to show a little more WIP action. At a café after my LYS yarn-induced high I cast on for another shawl--the Flower Basket Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I am on a roll with the heavier weight yarn for shawls and wraps, so I am doing it out of an all time favorite dk weight yarn, Debblie Bliss Cashmerino dk. Looove this stuff. The pattern demands attention and is definitely 'shut up I'm counting' material. I find the chart much easier to follow that the written directions, and am curious if this is the case for others as well. The written out directions instantly confuse me and make me feel like I'm in 8th grade doing a math word problem, which is a terrible place to be...
Helen and Phil
My parents and I paid a visit to my oldest friend on the books, Phil. He and his partner Randy have a farm in Star Valley, Wisconsin. Last fall they acquired a flock of sheep and several guard llamas to boot, so visiting was a must. When we were there he accused me of "...only visiting him to get blog material". Puh-leeze, what is wrong with him? Come on now. We had a fantastic albeit short visit. Above you see a picture of him holding Helen, a bottle-fed blind lamb that spent the entire time he held her suckling on his ear. Helen, many tragic individuals have been there before you, so take a number, sister!
Star Valley, Wisconsin
My dad and furry friends

We had a great visit, and my Dad, who has somewhat advanced Alzheimer's, especially enjoyed all the animals on the farm. When you have that disease, uncomplicated interactions are so welcome, and animals can provide that in meaningful ways.
Cocktails in Star Valley

Refreshing cocktails as well as delicious Morel mushrooms were plentiful during our visit. At dinner we heard our first whippoorwill of the season which was truly a thrill. I am so glad I went. You know, for the blog material and all;)

33 comments:

weezalana said...

Lookit all that squooshy softness! Ooo! 'Scuse me, I need a moment. Tawk amongst yaselves...

nicole said...

Sounds like you had a grand ol'time. I'd love to find myself in the middle of a pastoral sheep field right about now...

And hmm... wonder what you'll do with all that Casbah? ;)

I too find charts MUCH easier, though sadly, it takes me forever to memorize lace patterns (usually kicks in about 1/2 a repeat before the finish. Damn all that recreational doobie smoking in the 80's.)

LOVE the blue of that Sheep Shop yarn!

YawnOver said...

Love the pics of the lambs, and especially the one of your dad. Looks like a lovely day.

Yarnhog said...

Awesome post! Yarn, lace, sheep, farmland, friends and family, and cocktails. Doesn't really get any better, does it?

Sonya said...

Yummy yarns! Yummy Morels! Rolled in cracker crumbs and fried up in real butter. Oh, I think I need to sit down. Looks like you had a great trip.

Amy said...

Well, you have to admit that fabulous new yarn and wips, adorable animals, and really tasty-looking cocktails *do* make for a great blog entry. ;-)

Veronique said...

Your pictures look fantastic! So crisp, and with a lot of depth. It almost looks like you've read the manual and played with the camera :) I especially like the picture of your dad.

I'm a charts girl, all the way. It just makes so much sense to be able to see the lace pattern on the chart!

Sarah said...

What, you didn't bring a lamb home in addition to the yarn?

Jodi said...

Sounds like a great trip! The sheep farm looks absolutely idyllic. I need to find some Casbah yarn now. :-)

Angela said...

Sounds like a great trip. Those beverages look suspiciously like Mojitos...mmmmmmmmmm. Casbah has recently entered my world, too. You know, I managed to make it through h.s. and college in the 80s without any serious addictions, so now I am making up for it in yarn! I was really touched by the pic of your dad. My grandfather had Alzheimer's, and he experienced a sharp decline after my grandparent's dog died. The uncomplicated connection thing makes a lot of sense.

Anonymous said...

Is it a sin to covet thy Casbah? That is seriously gorgeous yarn! I am embarrassed to say that I am the same way. If I know that something is scarce, it only makes me want it more.

That sweet, little lamby face is so precious. OMG - I think I just gushed too much...

So glad you had a nice visit.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful yarn and adorable sheep! It sounds like it was a great weekend.

peaknits said...

What a wonderful yarn score and great trip! Your friend's farm and sheep collection are wonderful - the picture is great "blogging material" indeed!

Anonymous said...

i much prefer charts now too. it took me a long time to get over my fear of them though.

oh and the lamb/ear/take a number bit, had me choking on my coffee. girl, you are hilarious!

Melissa said...

I am totally and completely obsessed with the Casbah too. Those colos you got are glorious!!

Philigry said...

oh, that sounds like so much fun. i have sheep envy! wow! Your dad looks so happy!
all your pictures are lovely. I guess you read the manual.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a great time!

My dad has Alzheimer's too. We find ourselves searching for ways to be with him and entertain him without too much complications also.

Alison said...

Way to score on the yarn sales! Your stash enhancements look loverly... and so does that lamb... I want some...

Happy knitting-
ali

Jennie said...

What a fun trip!! And look at all your fantastic goodies. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm now in full-on lust mode over that Casbah!

[I'm glad your dad enjoyed himself. Animals are indeed therapeutic!]

Michelle O said...

I enjoyed the yarn sale at Borealis as well! It was the first time I've been there, which is sad since I live in St. Paul. Oh well...I got some lovely lovely yarn, but not as much as I would have liked and was so impressed with the friendly staff. And a coffee shop next door? What more could you ask for?

Unknown said...

I am also guilty of the "what, this is hard to find? I'll take it!" too.
Your dad looks like he's having a great time, I love the interaction in the pic.
What, you mean you didn't slip one sheep in your suitcase?

Anonymous said...

That really sounds like a lovely trip. The camera looks like it is working great...gorgeous photos!

Octopus Knits said...

Your Flower Basket shawl is looking lovely! I adore your Phil/Helen photo and the picture of your Dad and friends - so sweet - and what a neat place to visit : )

Janet said...

Oh man - I just ordered some Casbah from the Loopy Ewe yesterday. I'm glad to hear that it's as lovely - and hard-to-get - as I had hoped!

Jocelyn said...

Lufly, Reading the part about your dad was especially meaningful to me. I'm glad he was able to enjoy his time there!

xoxo Joce

pamela wynne said...

aw, what a great trip!
also, I didn't even know Borealis existed -- item one on my to-do list when I get back to the twin cities!

Traci said...

i like it out this way too. looks like a fun time was had by all. i must say, way to go on the yarn haul too. you can never go wrong with a sale. ever.
methinks your new fibers are oh so loverly!
:)

Kirsten said...

Your posts always leave me smiling. What's not to love? You start with yummy pictures of yarn, move on to lace in progress, then a man with a charming smile embracing a lamb, follow that with an adorable octiginarian (I know I'm making assumptions about your dad's age but I love that word!) and finish the whole thing off with cocktails. All of this is sprinkled with witty prose. One of these days I've got to hang out with you - perhaps cocktails will be involved then too. (Oh, and yarn, and charming men and lambs?)

Knittymuggins said...

Love that nuzzling sheepie photo! And those yarns - yums!! I am so with you on the scarcity breeding overindulgence thingy. I have a severe "problem" with that myself ;) Glad you had such a lovely trip and how wonderful that your Dad was able to enjoy the visit to the farm too!

knittymuggins

Knittymuggins said...

Oh P.S. - I used to hate knitting from charts, now I love 'em :)

knittymuggins

Knitting Bandit said...

You mmediately sent my heart racing and my blood srarted pumping. Right click finger itching, eye twitching... it's scarce? OMG! I gotta get some, quick!

Knitting Bandit said...

We have a grandmother with also in a somewhat advanced stage. SHe recently, quite accidently (born in her backyard) adapted a baby kitten and it has brought her such joy. I hate to sound cliche, but have no choice...it's almost like she's been given a reason to live.
What a keepsake that photo of your dad is.