Purling Oaks

Lightning bugs and owls....

......signal the end of a whirlwind weekend.  I was gathering the cats to come inside this evening and noticed very active lightning bugs and a very talkative owl.  The weekend was really too short and I'm almost too tired to blog about it.  Saturday was spent at my mom's place with my nephews for most of the day and Eric joined us at dinner after returning from visiting a friend.  The guys (DH, Hunter, Micah, and Micah's friend, Eric) repaired the Farm's sign. 

 

We had a yummy dinner of grilled venison haunch, salad with hot bacon dressing, and new potatoes.  Hunter made a delicious apple pie for dessert.

Today, we all gathered at Chez Purling Oaks and added some uncles, an aunt, a few cousins, and a few second cousins or first cousins once removed ..........depending on your generation. 

 

The weather was perfect....temperatures in the 70's, sunny, with light to medium breezes.  I am so happy that we could all be together today.  I love to have the house full of family... well, maybe not all the time but often enough.  I wish I could have had more time with everyone today.

Tomorrow, both DH and I need to be at work but we'll have Tuesday to spend with Eric, Micah, and Hunter on the last full day of their visit.

Soaked Saturday

I think Mother Nature likes balance but I wonder if she is working on balance somewhere else besides North America.  We've had probably over 4 inches of rain this week in Wisconsin, while my friends on the left coast are suffering with none.  Perhaps the balance is that we are all less than happy with the situation.

My brother and his sons are in Wisconsin for a quick visit so DH and I will be in the Fox Valley for a day then back home to host a small family gathering on Sunday.  I don't have much in the way of knitting content so I'll share a few other fun things.

I won Kim's contest and my loot winnings arrived this week.  I'm looking forward to knitting two socks on one needle.  Perhaps that will be the key to me having more socks.  :D  I'm really enjoying the sandwich cookbook.  I love old cookbooks and this one has a copyright of 1941, so it is older than I am.  I'm going to try a few of these recipes, especially the ones for fancy bread in the beginning.  Maybe not the prune bread though........

Here are the purchases I made a short while ago in Mayville at Loose Ends Yarn Shop.   All of my goodies were locally made.  Michele made the bag from upholstery book samples and adorned it with buttons  The yarn is handspun and is really a coral pink.  It changes in different lighting.  I don't know the yardage but I fell in love with it and had to have it.  The pin was also crafted in Wisconsin. 

Friday's fiber fun

Friday found me in the Jeep with my DSIL Anne, Anne's SIL Meg, and Meg's Aunt Kathy venturing North seeking yarn.  Our first stop was at Yarns by Design, in Neenah, and my mom met us there to join the fun.  This shop is one of my favorite fiber merchants and the customer service is wonderful.  A few cones of Maysville cotton rug warp jumped in my basket along with Deborah Chandler's Learning to Weave.  Then I saw this sample by/from Sivia Harding.....

It is the scarf size of the Norwegian Woods pattern, knit with Sea Silk.  (I posted this photo with permission of the designer.)  The flash of the camera accented the pattern but it washed the green/gray of the yarn.  I fell in love with it.  The designer describes the design as depicting a forest progressing from winter into spring.  The pattern and some more Sea Silk came home with me.  How ever did I come to this position of having Forest Canopy and Catharina Faroese shawls on the needles, Icarus and this pattern in waiting, plus the Stacey Lace Along yarn in waiting?  I think I have a few people of influence in mind.  Thanks, really. 

See how happy I am?   That's happy not hysterical, by the way.  Here is our happy group just before leaving for lunch at the great Mexican restaurant down the block.  (clockwise, from upper left:  Meg, Kathy, Mom, Anne, Moi)







We explored a local soy soap and candle shop, then hugged Mom goodbye so she could go home and let the dog out.  The four of us then hopped in the Jeep and impulsively headed North again, this time to Iris Fine Yarns in Appleton.  This is another great yarn store, also with great customer service.  IFY carries different yarns than YBD, so visit both when you are in the area.  I came home with a little HABU silk & stainless steel yarn to experiment with as well as a complementary bamboo crochet hook!  How cool is that? 

It was a fun day filled with great conversations about knitting, blogging, Ravelry, books, and even natural dyeing.  We were able to wish Anne a happy birthday, too!  Of the five of us, I'm the only (admitted) blogger and raveler, although I think Kathy may soon join the blogging community.  I'm looking forward to our next outing.

DH has been working in Fort Lauderdale recently and has been influenced by the foods he tried during his travels.  Last night, he made picadillo and it was very tasty.   It was a nice finish to a full and fun day.

Saturday surprises

Saturday, I met Nora in Verona at the Sow's Ear.  I thought I was early but it turned out I arrived at the same time as Nora.  First, she lured me closer with the promise of a closer look at her newly blocked shawl.  Then she brought out a large garbage bag.  A garbage bag that looked suspiciously familiar to one that I used to know.  She gave it to me and I looked inside to see Artemesia's fleece, 2008 vintage.  I did my best not to cry and scare Nora.  Nora, Stacey, Joan, and Cookie conspired to find a replacement Icelandic fleece for the one that was lost a short while ago.  Friends, I am so touched by your thoughtfulness.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!  See how lovely (and large) it is! 

And here is a view of the creamy underside with the fleece folded.  White Dot is performing a quality control check.  He found it meets his very high standards.  He's not quite sure why Nora got the heebie-jeebies when she touched it.

Nora and I enjoyed our yarn shopping, coffee-drinking, sock knitting and chatting.  (I actually accomplished two rows this time.  *g*)  Nora was stopped by a yarn shop employee for appropriate shawl admiration.  It is lovely.  I think Nora is going to do a full post on it soon so this photo will just whet your curiosity.   (It's wonderful what bloggers can do with a public utility box and a self-timer.)

Nora had to head off to her family event far too soon. I started home but stopped at the garden center to support the local economy.  When I got home I found DH had gathered these for the table. 

Aren't they lovely?  Blue thinks so.

 

I am so glad I blog.  I will always be able to remember this wonderful day of surprises and friendship by just reading my archives should I ever misplace this memory in my old age.

Oh yes...............DH knows exactly where the fleece is and what it looks like.

Hot date Friday

DH and I had a hot date this afternoon. 

We burned a brush pile!  I just couldn't resist the funny.  We have a burn permit but you can only burn between 6 PM and midnight.  Probably because it is more likely that the volunteer fire department members are home and not working away from the area.  DH has been battling buckthorn in our woods.  It is an invasive tree species that will take decades, if not forever, to eliminate but he's making great progress in the woods behind the house.  Buckthorn saplings pulled up last fall made up a big part of this brush pile.  What did I do?  Well, I enjoyed the fire. 

The cats enjoyed running around today in the lovely weather.  (Yes, I'm still knitting the brown bag project so no knitting photos.)  (You get cats, instead, like any good knit blogger would give you.) 

Fuzzle and Blue in the violets and a Fuzzle Glamour shot, just so Fuzzle's girlfriend knows she is still around.  And the pear tree is blooming.......

Pink Reminder

Cincinnati was interesting but not enough to stay.  *g*  I'm home again for less than a day then heading northeast if I can dodge the storms.   Saturday Mom and I are attending the knitting Lace Faroese-Style Lace Shawl Midwest Masters class in Neenah with Myrna Stahman.  I'm looking forward to the class and I hope my lace knitting (especially Forest Canopy) will get a boost from a day of instruction.  Nora, you might be interested her bio!   

I'm also picking up my new loom after class.  ::bounce::  I really need to clone myself.  Realistically, I should investigate ways to better schedule my time (also known as "step away from the computer, Mrs. Simon!").  I want to do everything.  Suggestions?

As a reminder of a lovely vacation, here is a flower from the beach dunes at San Diego.

I met "The Girls!!!"

It's been a busy weekend, friends.  Nora, who claims to have little knitting or fiber background until recently, has become a fleece broker.  She made it known that friends of hers had Icelandic fleeces available for sale.  Hmmmm, Icelandic fleeces?  Sounds interesting.  I guess I could use an expansion of my fiber knowledge. 

So Saturday, I ventured west to visit Terry and Kate Moen near Richland Center.  I went to pick-up two Icelandic sheep fleeces.  I followed Terry's directions most of the way but when I was almost there I decided to take the advice of the woman with the English accent in the box on my dashboard (Garmin Nuvi GPS).  Probably not the best Idea I've had lately.  Oh, I got to Terry and Kate's all right.  It is a DARN good thing I was driving a four-wheel drive vehicle since I took the shortcut they call the "goat path."  *sigh*  It is a single-lane, gravel and mud track.  (At first I was thinking that they *really* live out in the country!  Then I was just hoping I would not get stuck.)  Turns out the lady in the box told me the worst way and there is a perfectly fine road that I could have taken if I had followed ALL of Terry's directions.)  Well, at least I know I can drive in 4WD when it means something.  *g*  I was going to wash the Jeep anyway.........

Here's what I came to see:

They are a little shy........

But if Terry adds some grain to the feeder and you give them a little room, they will come closer even with a stranger in the barn.  Aren't they sweet?

Reflecting perhaps, the new owners in that they are very different but also very similar, are the two fleeces.  I like the lighter fleece and Stacey chose a chocolate fleece.  What you cannot see, is the deep dark chocolate on the reverse side of her fleece.  I think she'll see a nice variation of yarn shades in the finished yarn.

This will be my very first adventure in producing yarn from the source, a fleece.  I will certainly document my future efforts in producing yarn.  I'm not sure yet if I'll separate the short and long (and I mean LONG) parts of the fleece or spin them together.  My first impression is that the fleece is, um, sheepy.  *g*  It is a natural smell, not quite like wet socks, not offensive, but not quite what my husband considers sexy.  A spinner or knitter may have a differing opinion......

The shearer is coming to shear "the girls" at the end of this week.  So, there will be five more fleeces available according to Terry and Kate.  Let me or Nora know if you are interested and we can put you in touch with the folks with the good stuff.

Happy Birthday, Brother!

Today is my DB's birthday.  I have only one brother and I'm very fortunate that I got this one.  You all have seen him pictured here lately.  He was celebrating his birthday today with both of his sons and he sounded very happy and relaxed when I spoke with him.  Happy Birthday, Eric.  May you have many pleasant adventures in the coming year.  I love you!

Daffodil Sunday

Today was the day the daffodils decided to bloom.  I'm glad I was home.

California dreaming

Here are a few of my favorite photos from my vacation:

DH on the ledge.

Stacey looking back at me, wondering what I'm doing with the camera.  (as if!)

Stacey going for the 300 yard target with the big black rifle thingy.

Stacey shooting with her LEFT hand and doing a pretty decent job.

(I know this photo didn't get the approval stamp, Stacey, but Dr. E emailed it to me.  We were so smiley I had to include it.)

What can I say?  I love this guy.

DH, me, and the 2 DNs in San Diego on the harbor cruise.

Birthday cake with Stacey

DB and his #1 son

It was a fabulous vacation.  Family is very important to me so spending time with family is always a good time whether we are working or playing.  The timing was fortunate that DNs #1 and #2 were available for most of our visit.  Meeting Stacey and being part of reintroducing her to shooting has to be a highlight.  She is so enthusiastic, fun, and talented.  Our fibery adventures on Thursday were frosting on my cake besides being able to celebrate her (mumble mumble)th birthday with her.   Very good memories, all.  And even a little sock knitting.

Mojo migration

Santa Clarita is still standing, for those of you wondering.  Stacey and I had a great time Thursday.  She picked me up at my DB's after her PT and we set out for the yarn and fiber stores.  First, we stopped at a great needlework shop.  Stacey made me buy a lovely painted canvas.  (photos at a later date.)  Between me and the other customers in the shop, Stacey also purchased a canvas that *ahem* fits her personality perfectly....but I'll let her share that with you. 

We had lunch at a great Philly Cheese Steak restaurant (my *first* authentic sandwich, ever).  There just happened to be a knitting shop next door, imagine that!  (I can't remember the name of the store, it is just a blur.  Stacey?)  I discovered where Cookie's pink mojo went........

Stacey has it!!!!  For a woman that has professed a hatred of pink, she was picking up pink yarn left and right.  My theory is that her cute new shirt was influencing her decisions.  We purchased some lovely Australian yarn there for a little side project in the Knitting w/Nora KAL.

Then we set out for the Weavers Cottage.  It is such a lovely place and full of yarn, fiber, hand-dyed silk, and fiber tools.  (The next time you contact Stacey, say/type "loom."  She needs a little help making a decision.)  We both left that location with big bags and big smiles.  I'll share my booty with you later.

Stacey joined me and my family for dinner.  We had venison haunch on the grill, vegies, and birthday cake.  Stacey's birthday is Saturday and my DB's is next week, so we had an early celebration for them both.    This wasn't her birthday gift but she really liked it! 

I hugged Stacey goodbye this morning since we did engage in a few beverages last night.  *grin*  It was a fun night.  She's just as fun in person as she is when she blogs...maybe even more so.  I'm *so* glad we were able to get-together during my visit.   I'm sure this won't be the last time we see each other.  *Happy Birthday* to you, Stacey.  Have fun with your presents, girlfriend.

No knitting, just family stuff......

The adventure continues......

My guys in front of the "singing tree" on the UC-San Diego campus.  The "tree" is actually an art object with music somehow played through it in a loop.  It is located in one of the eucalyptus groves on campus.

(l-r: DN Hunter, DB aka Dr. E, DN Micah, and my DH)

Tuesday we toured campus with our favorite guide, Micah.  We had lunch on campus from the "farmers' market" food vendors. In the afternoon, we took the two-hour harbor cruise then we toured the USS Midway.  It is amazing how well those men work together in such close quarters.  We had a great pizza dinner at Filippi's.

After our full day, we hugged Micah goodbye and climbed back into the car for the drive back to Los Angeles.  We were very much a group of tuckered out vacationers!

On Wednesday, we visited the Angeles National Forest where LAPD has a shooting range and DB wanted to check out a new shotgun that his friend/old partner was testing.  The National Forest is lovely.  It really isn't a forest in the way I think of them in Wisconsin when they are full of trees but the mountains are gorgeous and Morris Reservoir was full.  We traveled the winding road between the water and the mountains.  I was so busy hanging on that I didn't take any photos.  *g*

We all (DB, DH, DN, DB's girlfriend, and moi) had an opportunity to shoot and it was an enjoyable time.  Since we were with two instructors, we also received a quick rundown on the training that takes place at the range.  For lunch, we had In and Out drive-through fare, which was quite yummy!  If you have to eat fast food, go to this classic California institution.  Stacey told me later I should have tried my burger "Animal" style.   Hmmmm.

We then stopped at Major Surplus, a military surplus store that has just about anything you might want.  I stocked up with three of my favorite nylon blankets, also known as poncho liners.  If you have ever used one, you, too, would want several for your very own. 

Thursday, Stacey and I are going to go wild in the knitting and fiber stores of the Santa Clarita Valley.  It should be a great day.