Purling Oaks

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.

Squirrelly memories

Whew.  Gosh.  Oh Boy!  I'm home for a few breaths after a marvelous vacation.  Look at the very cool stitch markers that Stacey made and gave me.  Isn't the squirrel great?!  He looks so dashing.  He'll definitely add style to anything I'm knitting.  Stacey gave me only mildly naughty word markers, which I appreciate.  *g*  I'm trying not to expand my naughty-word vocabulary any wider than it is all ready.

I love the colors in these silk hankies from Stacey.  Of course, Her Wickedness expects me to spin these up soon.

But look, what's this lovely item rolling in my silk hankies?   

Why, it is the Merlin Tree spindle from Norma!  It arrived safe and sound from out East.  It immediately jumped into the luscious silk.

Norma also included tea and Vermont maple syrup with my spindle winnings.  Thank you, Norma.  It is a really beautiful spindle.  I'm so glad my name was the lucky one.

I will have a nice recap of my fun with Stacey as soon as I make sure I have our negotiated terms correct.  I may even throw in a few other photos in that post.  I'm heading back to Brew City tomorrow so I better go pack my suitcase!

ETA:  Well, the suitcase is packed.  But then it was pointed out to me *ahem* that I forgot something.  But not on purpose.  Stacey also shared her very local yarn with me.  She has something that I don't have....a hardware store that sells yarn.  Pink furry yarn at that.  Which is probably why we went fiber crawling on Thursday.  :D

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.

F is for Family and Friends

Negotiations with Stacey continue but I do have a photo to post from Sunday that isn't in review.   Two pretty happy knitting (and shooting) bloggers.

My brother hosted us on his land in the mountains.  As a firearms instructor, he does a lot of shooting and we did some target practice on Sunday.  I guess Stacey enjoyed it.  I enjoyed it.  It is great when you can hit the target.  I think it important to be familiar with firearms and not be afraid of a tool.  Firearms are tools.  That's it, folks.  Tools.

Today I'm in San Diego.  My eldest nephew attends UC-San Diego and we hooked up with him for dinner this evening.  Tomorrow, we will get the campus tour, take a tour of the harbor, and perhaps check out some of the museums.  This afternoon we viewed the Hotel Del Coronado and walked on the beach.   It was a bit cool by California standards but compared to Wisconsin, I thought it was great.  The hotel is a historic treasure and a beautiful hotel.  It just radiates atmosphere and I'm sure the building has many stories to tell.  Tonight we are just hanging at the hotel with a few beverages and snacks on the balcony overlooking the water.   Vacation.  Ahhhh.

Happy Weekend!

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Ether!

Ether who?

Ether Bunny!

********************

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Nother.

Nother Who?

Nother Ether Bunny!

******************************

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Stella.

Stella Who?

Stella Nother Ether Bunny!

***********************************

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Cargo!

Cargo who?

Cargo Beep Beep, run over Ether Bunny!

*************************************

Knock, Knock!

Who's there?

Boo!

Boo Who?

Don't cry, there'll be another Ether Bunny next year!

My Summer Vacation - Recap

Well, folks, I wasn't sure about Internet access in Grand Marais and I was correct to have my doubts. Not only did I not have high-speed or wireless access....I didn't even have dial-up access! (No telephone in our motel room!) I asked at the local grocery about wireless access and was told I might have to go to the library at a nearby town for that. *g*

Not having Internet access was probably a good thing. I really did relax up in Grand Marais, though it took me longer than I thought it would to get that way. I shouldn't have been surprised ---- because of the loss of my dad and the non-stop air travel I've been doing for work. I'm amazed at how good I do feel now after taking time to unwind and just.do.nothing. all day. The mental burden of *stuff* has been lifted.

Our digs in Grand Marais were pretty low key. We had a small two-room motel room with a 3/4 bath. Here's the kitchen part. There was a regular 'frig with a freezer on the other side of the room. DH indulged his love of trout fishing. We had cable so I knit while watching cooking shows, the History channel, and decorating shows. I walked into town every day but one so I got a decent amount of exercise.

The day I didn't go into town, DH and I went hiking/walking in the Kingston Plains. There is new growth on the plains, enough so that some (better managed) logging is taking place.
You can see the stumps that are about as high as a man's waist...imagine two guys in the late 1800's with a two-man saw, one man on either side of a huge pine tree.

We found some wild blueberries along our hiking trail to our surprise. Rain has been in slow supply in this area and some local folks are concerned for the berry production.
These blueberry bushes weren't more than ten inches high! DH found some more berries (that he sampled) at Clyde Lake, our final desitination for the hike.

Knitting-wise, I finished one sleeve for the Sonnet sweater and started the second sleeve. (Sorry, no photos. Sleeves just are not all that interesting, especially these sleeves. *ahem*) Craft-wise, I worked on this little doll/figure a bit.
DH calls her "button-butt" but I haven't given her a real name yet. I think the name will come with a face, which hasn't materialized yet. I'm pleased with her, so far, since she is my first doll from my own pattern. I started her a Lonnnnnnnng time ago. I hope she'll get some clothes and a face in the next month or two.

We arrived home late on Saturday afternoon to the hot and humid Southern Wisconsin weather. Grand Marais's weather was wonderful due to the wind off Lake Superior keeping nights in the 60's and days in the 70's with NO BUGS. Today's been full of catching up with a few chores and running into Madison for several things before the work week starts. In keeping with the low-stress theme of the last week, I'll be tele-working, thank goodness. *g*

Knock, knock

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Ether

Ether who?

Ether Bunny.

***

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Ann.

Ann who?

Ann-other ether bunny.

***

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Stella.

Stella who?

Stella 'nother ether bunny.

***

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Cargo.

Cargo who?

Cargo beep beep, run over ether bunny.

***

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Boo.

Boo who?

Don't cry. There'll be another ether bunny next year.

If this wasn't enough for you, visit this site.

I'm really not a very good joke-teller. However, this knock-knock joke makes me giggle ever time I tell it. Since it is seasonal, my family is submitted to this joke only once a year.