Just down the road...

Pretty, viney, flowery stuff; don't know what it is.


White Yarrow


Sweet Peas


Lovely Lilies in Mom's Garden

And here at home:


Bunny at breakfast!

It Has Been a Little Busy...

Casey's Wedding

around here. What with weddings, festivals to get ready for, busy days at the store, moving stuff around and a day long bout with allergies Tuesday that put me behind in all the projects! Right now I have a list of things to do and am trying to do two at once; wish me luck!

A wonderful day Saturday that started out with fresh breezes and clear skies saw the daughter of a dear friend married, surrounded by dozens of loving friends. With so many sad things going on lately it was nice to gather with friends on a blessed occasion. Floyd County's beauty as a setting for such a charming event was perfect!

It has been busy at the store, and lots of fun meeting so many new people. Several young people in, including a smart young couple from Cologne, Germany. We had a very interesting conversation comparing our area to their home.

My days "off" weren't as much fun as usual. I felt bad on Tuesday because of allergies and then when I got myself together enough to go over to my aunt's lovely house on the hill a storm came in and we didn't get very much done. Wednesday was better but spent doing errands, and now I'm back in the shop, catching up.


Orange Blossom Special

I managed to get the twist set on this lot of yarn on Wednesday, anyway. This is kind of fun for me; I don't usually go for this type of bright colors. But I had some strange orange merino roving in my stash that needed to be spun up, and I thought it might be fun plied with some wild colors. So I spun up some Shetland singles and dyed them in black, yellow and red. The black looks brown now that it has the orange against it but I was pleased with the slightly off-beat result.

Now I plan to price the yarn, finish printing posters for an upcoming event, type up the wedding vows for a ceremony next week, work on advertising for the felting workshop we hope to have here on August 10, and fulfill some promises I've made lately. Not much happening in Meadows of Dan, is there?

Saturday Sky

Saturday Sky

Just a tad late in posting, sorry! This was taken on Saturday afternoon, in Floyd County.

New Yarns at Greenberry House!

Lovely baby alpaca from Atlantic Breeze Alpacas, hand painted in rich wine colors.


More wonderful yarns from Fiber on the Mountain (I especially like the red).


Cool novelty yarns from Claudia Hurt and builky yarns from Ann Catlett.

Cool Breezes, Warm Puppies (and Bunnies)

Some yarn, and then some more yarn, and some other yarn, and yarn!

It's terrible what I have to do on my days off. Tuesday I hitched a ride with Patrick County's talented tourism director (and assistant county administrator) for a Round the Mountain meeting in beautiful Abington, Virginia. Things are really moving along with the artisan's guild, and there will soon be a good web site in place that should be helpful to the visitor to Southwest Virginia and to the artisan in our area. The meeting went well with lots of great suggestions, and then we had a terrific lunch at Alison's, not far down the road. Looks like an old, kind of down-at-heels dinner but the food is fabulous! Then after I got home (and had a nap, hee-hee) I went down to beautiful Wolf Creek Farm in nearby Ararat. Wonderful place, delightful and charming hosts and the fun of harassing local politicians that are currently running for election. This was a "Business After Hours" gathering sponsored by Patrick County's Chamber of Commerce.

Yesterday I pulled out the dye pots and got to work on some neglected projects. The picture shows two lots of yarn I was able to dye, plus some finished yarns I soaked to set the twist. The yellow, red and black singles will be plyed, starting tonight or tomorrow night, with some wild orange singles I just finished spinning. The lilac and rose skeins are more Alpaca from Atlantic Breeze Farm; I'm loving working with this!


Greed personified!

And of course, even with dyeing, there was time to play with the dogs. I should be ashamed to show this picture of Lily with her nose deep in a yogurt tub. But maybe if yogurt is good for me....


Handsome TJ

And then there's the boy, in a rare quiet moment. After dyeing and other stuff, Lily and I headed out with Kym and her dog, Bentley, to visit the New River Trail for an evening walk. It's SO beautiful up there; we went in at Hiwassee. Now I know where that is, Linda! Poor TJ had to be left at home; he and Bentley together are just too much dog for the two of us to handle!


So sleepy!

I brought three of the bunnies up to the shop and they're having a good time out on the porch. The breezes are cool and there's lots to see, now that they're getting used to passing cars and odd noises. They were playing away earlier, but now they're napping. I can watch them just outside the window where I work on the computer.

Weekend Report

Another Bag

I had a wonderful time at the Covered Bridge Festival in Woolwine on Saturday. There was a slight threat of rain all day that never materialized, so it was nice and cool. Lots of people came out, mostly folks I knew so it was even more fun to chat and visit along with selling a few skeins of yarn and some fiber. There are some young spinners that I see every year at this festival and it's fun to catch up with what they are doing. The Covered Bridge Festival is a really nice vent. This year's success is a tribute to all the hard work Patrick County's tourism department and other county staff puts into it!

I don't usually have the funds to buy a lot at festivals, but I couldn't resist this funny little bag. I have half a dozen bags to carry around my current projects, but there's always room for one more. This one is SO not me, but I don't care.

Busy day on Sunday; this time with people in looking for books and spending a lot of time browsing the shelves. A young mother sat down in the floor with her little boy and read Curious George to him while a knitting shopper relaxed in the wicker chair and took her shoes off. That's the kind of place I want the shop to be!

No other news; the bunnies are growing like weeds and I need to get more pictures of them soon. They'll be coming up for sale in the next few weeks; there are white ones and black ones!

Check this out!

Smattery

Thoughts

A view from the Blue Ridge Parkway

"Perfect knowledge of the Universe and perfect Love of God are one and the same. I believe, therefore, that God meant for man to search that he might come to a more nearly perfect knowledge of the Universe--and consequently to a more nearly perfect love of God."
-Leonardo da Vinci, from A Fire in the Mind by Stephen and Robin Larsen

Mountain Early Morning

Hazy Mountain Morning

Every day Lily and I get out of bed early and travel part way down the mountain to meet our young friend Kym (yes, she's especially Lily's friend, too) and Kym's dog Bentley for a walk up the along the spur that Swuirrel Spur Road is named after. Some mornings it is really hard to get moving, but today the air was so cool and light. Bentley and Lily romped all along the way.


Lily and me

I wish the pictures could capture how beautiful our morning walks are, with the sun coming up over the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains. In the winter we walk under stars and sometimes under a brilliant, brittle moon; those are the hardest days to get out of bed and face the walk. This time of year the sun is coming up as we walk, and by the time I head home the mountains are glowing.

Our neighbors that work below the mountain wave us as they pass. There has been some discussion in the community as to whether we're completely crazy, out walking like that so early in the morning. It's a good thing we have the dogs, or everyone would really think we were nuts!

Now I'm out and about, remote blogging at Cafe del Sol in Floyd. I had planned to just run to the bank and then head back home to work but cool breezes and lunch in town tempted me to stay.

Had a nice visit with a friend that has a machine shop here in Floyd, and am enjoying a bit of people watching over the top of the computer screen. No one else I know here right now. I just had a terrific meal; a lovely cheesy panini sandwich and some sort of elegant cookie. Very healthy and nutritious, no doubt!

Today is the first day I've been out this way in months, so I've been catching up on all the news in this part of town. The Floyd Country Store is still getting a face lift, but word is that they're opening back up the weekend after this one. Along with some other shops; I'm hearing the words "Grand Opening" here and there.

I stopped in at Angels in the Attic for the first time today, and it was a lot of fun! There's nothing better than a thrift store, especially one in an art community like Floyd. I came away with a big stack of books and a gorgeous dress. After I unloaded my goodies into the truck, I went over to the Winter Sun and ventured down the steps to see Art Under the Sun. I had read about the gallery over at Ripples and wanted to check in. Here's where I heard about Grand Openings, on June 22 & 23. I also heard about an affliction; hope you're feeling better soon, David!

My battery is getting low and there are still more shops to see in Floyd. More later, most likely from home!

Edited later to add:



Mountain Laurel on the Blue Ridge Parkway

I wandered up the street after lunch and saw that one of my old favorite shops, New Mountain Mercantile, was open. They were having a sale so I picked up two of those long floaty skirts that I like so much. One of them is purple (could anyone have guessed?)

Then I stopped in at the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Diane was there and we had a nice talk about dogs and how business is going. Diane just opened Buddy's Boarding in Floyd and seems to really be enjoying her new venture!


Seen on the Parkway

Then I headed home, thinking about what a special place Floyd County is. Maybe next week I'll visit around in Meadows of Dan, and find out what's happening here!

What I See When I Get Home from Work

Lily, On Guard


TJ, ready to play


Stella, her demands fulfilled


Mom, I really hate doing this!

Lily's New Look

After the haircut

Last week (or the week before; the days are blurred) I took Lily over to a new groomer to get that heavy, hot, shedding coat off for the summer. Usually she hides her face for about three days after she gets a clip, but this time she was VERY happy with her new look. The groomer left some feathers and shaped her coat nicely, just like a Springer should look. She's not totally right; the fur on her hindquarters is so thick we decided to take that off. But from the front she's a Springer! Almost!


On the Alert!

That was the same day I spent dyeing gorgeous alpaca yarn over at Atlantic Breeze Alpacas. After Lily was clipped I went and picked her up, and she got to visit with the dogs there. As usual, she had an attitude and the new clip made her even sassier. We tied her to a tree and kept an eye on things, just in case!


Lil' Sophie

This is part of the reason for the somewhat concerned expression on Lily's face in the photo above. Sophie was SO darling, and Lily was afraid I might be thinking about taking the puppy home with me. No fear; Sandra (not that Sandra) wasn't giving up this little angel!


Curious Alpacas

A storm came in while we were working and I didn't get very good pictures of the animals, but the alpacas watched us intently while we worked on dyeing some of the yarn made from their wonderful fleeces. These guys had been sheared earlier and they're set to grow lots more fiber throughout the summer. I have a fleece at home that I'm dyeing bit by bit; it's lovely to work with!


Rose in Bloom

The results of the dyeing: beautiful rosy tones dyed in the crockpot. I dyed some Shetland for a shawl special order in the same colors awhile back; the alpaca yarn came out with softer hues. We were careful with the process and the fiber is lovely and soft.


Signature

Sandra and I hand painted these skeins in the barn and steamed them in my big enamel pot. I brought the wrong pot to fit the rack I had, but Sandra found a big rock and we used that to prop everything up. I was very pleased with the way the yarn turned out. Soft, soft greens and yellows. The alpacas watched our every move while we were working, and I wonder what they thought!

Sophie visits Greenberry House

Sophie came by with her mom yesterday, and I couldn't resist getting more pictures! Sandra's hoping that Sophie will develop into a guard dog for the Nigerian goats on her farm. Atlantic Breeze is just three miles or so up the road, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The farm is open on Friday through Sunday for tours; I have directions and hours at the shop. I also have the beautiful yarn from those wonderful alpacas here for sale!

Saturday Sky

Saturday Sky

Beautiful morning, clear, cool and breezy. It will be hot later, though. But not stinkin' hot, JAG. Bet it's something else again in the low country. Sue just went by to set up the farmer's market. Last night I had some of her wonderful lettuce in my salad for dinner. Really perked up my little meal of pasta, and made the store-boughten tomatoes and mushrooms taste great!


Hand spun skein from Fiber on the Mountain

Jane from Fiber on the Mountain came up for a visit yesterday, bringing her friend Sue with her. We had a wonderful time, as usual, talking and working and comparing business notes. She finished the terrific sweater she was working on for her grandson; I should have taken a picture. It's the cutest thing I've seen in a long time! I spent the afternoon winding hand painted yarn and we had a great day. Jane left another gorgeous skein of yarn here for sale; this one is brilliant greens and rich browns with some softer undertones. Once again she's showcasing her talent for beautiful spinning and wonderful color sense! Are you lookin', Sandra?

"Stitch and Chat"

Aren't they lovely?

It was a lovely day yesterday; folks coming in from all sorts of places and I kept myself very busy with computer work and all that other stuff I should be doing. I hope to get the Fiber Femmes newsletter out today. I totally forgot to do it; no excuses because it has been busy!

Yesterday evening was stitching group night, and three of my favorite ladies came to share goodies and swap knitting and spinning stories. Barbara and I are making the same felting hand bag; she's doing the knitted version and I'm doing the crochet. Since the power was out last week I got a lot done on mine but wasn't satisfied with how it turned out. With some advice from Barbara, I worked on it again last night and am much happier with the way it looks. Pictures when it dries!

Mary is relearning how to crochet and made great progress last night, while Linda and I set up our spinning wheels. It was fun answering questions about spinning. I finished spinning some commercial top I've had around here forever. Linda is working on a major project; she's spinning a gorgeous Thistle Cove Farm fleece that she's carding on her new drum carder. She did a beautiful job with the carding and the batts are spinning up like a dream! Linda tells me she's putting her etsy store back up; check out her beautiful and fun yarns whens he gets them there!

And we had cake, and some wonderful dips that Mary and Barbara made and brought to us. We stayed until nearly dark. Linda asked me about Buford; it was good to be able to talk about him, a little, and share how much he was a part of my life.

This morning when I went by the store one of the girls was coming out with a bottle of tea that caught my eye. She said it was great and so did the clerk inside. So I tried a bottle. It's really not bad. It's called Gold Peak Iced Tea and was in the Coke machine, so I guess they distribute it. It still has that bottled tea after-taste but not nearly as bad as most of them. I think maybe I still like Arizona's Green Tea with Ginseng and honey a little better, but this Gold Peak stuff is pretty good. But of course the best summertime tea is the homemade sweet tea in every Southern fridge!

A Good Yarn

Angeline the Baker

"--Angelina Baker came and stole my heart away...."

Gone Too Soon

Buford C. Wood

June 7, 1943 - June 4, 2007

Festival!

Linda spinning away in Williamsburg

It has been a wild week and getting computer time has been tough. I've discovered that three festivals in four weeks is a lot to handle! Add the fact that the power was off from Thursday evening into Friday evening and I'm so far behind with computer work and emails!


Talking about fiber and spinning! Photo by Bill Smith

Linda, my sister-in-law Sue and I traveled down to Williamsburg on Saturday evening after I closed the shop to work at the Virginia Arts Festival. We got to the motel about midnight, managed to sleep a little and then headed over to the College of William and Mary to set up. Of course it was raining. And raining. And raining. Setup went smoothly in spite of the puddles, though, and we were snug in big tents near small stages well before time for the shows to start. A lovely little lady came around to invite us to breakfast at the hospitality tent; she was a knitter and showed me some lovely charity projects she was working on.


Crooked Road Musicians, featuring Wayne Henderson

The day was all about the music, of course, and we were located beside one of two smaller stages. Wonderfully talented bluegrass and old-time musicians from Southwest Virginia performed all day, and we only heard half the performances that went on. Sunday's part of the festival was called The Crooked Road Festival, and it was the culmination of seven weeks of amazing performances around Eastern Virginia put on by the Virginia Arts Festival. Linda and I were in fine company!


Up on stage, us? Photo by Bill Smith

We got our share of the attention, though. When we arrived I was handed a schedule and I noticed that a fiber arts workshop was scheduled. As we were working I wondered who the other fiber artists were that were putting it on, and then Linda and I were asked to do it. It was a lot of fun; we just went up and talked about spinning and fiber before an appreciative audience. You'll never find either Linda or me at a loss for words, especially about fiber!


A new spinner!

This delightful young lady was a spinner in the making, for sure, and was quickly making yarn with Linda's drop spindle. She went away with fiber to try and I bet the next time we see her she'll be knitting her own hand spun yarn. Her father told me she was learning how to knit in school, which I thought was wonderful!


Greenberry House Yarn

Even with the rain there was a good crowd, and lots of people fondled yarn and fiber, asking questions about the processes and watching us spin. Both Linda and I were pleased with our sales. I was especially pleased to see what a good time the festival attendees seemed to be having, despite the rainy weather. It was one of the nicest crowds I've ever seen and we had lots of fun talking with them!


And the bands played on....

The mood throughout the day was wonderful. All though the day it rained, drizzled, cleared up and then started raining again. But people kept coming, not as many as there would have been if the weather had been better but they came. And listened to wonderful musicians from The Crooked Road and learned about the music and about the people in Southwest Virginia. I handed out brochures about Patrick County and talked about where we lived and the beauty of the area. The theme of the day was Southwest Virginia and the talent of the people of the area as artisans and musicians, and I think the point was put across well. It seemed as if a friendly piece of Southwest Virginia existed for a time in that Sunken Garden, and there was a spirit of "y'all come" in our little tent!


Sue's "Monkey-Man" Gourd

Sue was in a separate tent; there was also a blacksmith and master canner over there. Sue sold several of her beautiful gourds, we discovered, when we met to compare notes. The little hospitality lady came back around to invite us to dinner. We were glad to get up and stretch out legs, and the festival people were gracious enough to watch our tables so we could have a relaxing time together.


Final Jam Session, with Sammy Shelor on banjo at the left

Our part of the day ended with a terrific old time jam session, with flatfooters and cloggers dancing to good old tunes played with enthusiasm by a great group of Southwest Virginia musicians. Sammy and Linda Lay had done a show earlier on the other stage; we didn't get to see that but really enjoyed the group that got together for the final performance.

We packed up and headed home then, content with the fun we'd had and the contacts we'd made. Hopefully we made a good impression on the folks from Williamsburg, and they will come to visit us in our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!