Conferences and meetings...

Lily's New Look

But first darling dog got her new haircut last week. She loves it! And beside her is the bright purple yarn for the socks I'm knitting. They're going along quite quickly. The yarn is Crystal Palace's Panda Cotton in 59% Bamboo, 25% cotton and 16% elastic nylon. I heard somewhere that the yarn splits a lot, but I don't find that happening. Most cottons seem to split a bit but so far this hasn't been as bad as some commercial wools I've worked with.

Lily and TJ stayed at Buddy's Boarding in Floyd while I was gone to the conference (see below). I think they had a great time, although TJ was a bit frightened when I left. Diane said Lily acted like a queen while I was gone, parading around and being the boss. And that TJ is a sweet dog (spoken in a dubious "well, he's a Lab after all" tone.)


At the "Building a Creative Economy in Southwest Virginia" Conference

So anyway, there we are at the conference, all dignified and dressed up, with mostly government types surrounding us. "Us" at the moment is dear Charlotte and me. Charlotte's the chair of the Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council and a quilting/weaving member of Bull Mountain Arts, while I'm, well, the local crazy bunny lady. And also a member of the Tourism Advisory Council. Joe Wilson is the master of ceremonies. I play the CDs from the Crooked Road book that he wrote just to hear his wonderful voice. So he's up talking; everyone settling in to hear politicians, government officials and all that usual conference stuff that puts you straight to sleep. And he invites two Southwest Virginia musicians up to play. There they stand, surrounded by politicians and dignitaries, while everyone taps their feet and nods in time to the music. I bet New York City economic conferences don't start this way!

The whole day was quite lively, with lots of interesting information, slideshows, films and great food. Kudos to 'Round the Mountain, The Crooked Road and Appalacian Sustainable Development for their hard work in putting the conference together. And many thanks to these organizations and others like them for making such a difference in Southwest Virginia. Because dear Linda couldn't attend, I was asked to demonstrate spinning. Since I had planned to attend anyway it was no problem to do so. The Artisan's Marketplace showcased the talent of
Southwest Virginia with demonstrations of dulcimer making, spinning, weaving, basket making, wood working, stained glass and gourd art. And of course I didn't get a picture of my little display!


Barter Theater, Abingdon, Virginia

On Tuesday I headed back home, after a quick look around Abingdon. I plan to come back in a couple of weeks for a yarn shop opening! Abingdon is a beautiful town filled with lovely architecture and interesting shops. One of the nice things about these conferences is the interesting people you meet. I spoke to a lovely young lady who came through the Artisan's Marketplace and then ran into her again at Zazzy's. Donna Akers Warmuth is the author of several books on the history of Abington and the surrounding area. Check her web site for titles and events!

The rest of the week has been filled with getting ready for company and MORE bunnies, in between meetings! When we got back on Tuesday we spent the rest of the day working on replacing the bottoms of the sadly deterioriating and aged cages where the rabbits live. We managed to get a lot of them fixed up and the bunny house looks brand new again. Chris is coming this evening with new stock to replace the senior citizen rabbits that finally died over the last year or so. Looking forward to seeing her! And Jane from Fiber on the Mountain is visiting over the weekend as well to attend the Hit 'n Miss Engine Show and festival. Chris, Sally and I are heading to the Sedalia Fiber Festival on Saturday. My car is stacked full of fiber that needs to be weighed and separated into bags for sale!

Where Have I Been, You Ask....

or maybe not, as the case may be. But I've really been doing more than sitting around in torn stockings knitting the never-ending Trekking sock. Seems like every time I turn around, there's a meeting to be attended, a web page to be updated, a friend to enjoy time with or a fantastic meal to be eaten. From the picture it looks like I should be doing a good bit less of the last!


Elegant Grilled Chicken Salad

But speaking of wonderful meals, yesterday was top of the line as I went off to Chateau Morrisette for a lovely day with the Virginia Fiber Folk from Ravelry. "Stitching with the dogs" was a smashing success despite a foggy, drearly day. Ten knitters and two crocheters (me and Mary!) made it to the lovely restaurant at the winery for a lively day of visiting, eating, knitting and just enjoying pleasant surroundings with congenial folk!



Liz did a wonderful job of putting everything together, and decided to bring door prizes so everyone had something great to take along home (she was nice enough to include me in this as well; it was fun to give away a crochet hook to Mary and a fancy knitting counter to Kimberly. She also had a commemorative T-shirt made up for us that I'll treasure along with the memories. There was a lot of knitting done along with the chatting and eating, so I think we all felt that we accomplished a great deal. The minute most of the ladies sat down they whipped out their needles and hooks.

After lunch and a leisurely time knitting, most of the group headed over to the winery for a tour and some wine tasting. I went back to the shop to handle a few things and talk with one of my vendors before the knitters came down, but we had another nice visit while they were here. It was a full and lovely day. I know Liz blogged about the event and I'm sure I'll find some other accounts of stitching at the winery.



Lately I sort of feel like the towel that Lily and TJ are playing with, pulled in a lot of different directions! But things are settling down now, I think. The shop is open for regular hours now, from 10 AM to 6 PM on Thursday thru Monday. I've been working a lot on other web sites this winter, but will probably concentrate on my own for the shop and getting some vendor products on-line. I just put up a big shipment of knitting needles, circulars, bamboo and metal (the wretched people backordered almost all of the lovely Rosewood) and vendors are sending in some beautiful yarns that are going fast.

We have a new bookstore opening in Meadows of Dan next weekend; I'll try to sneak over and take some pictures when they unlock the doors. And sister-in-law Sue opened up her shop this week. She's going to be very busy with the shop while Sammy and the Lonesome River Band are off touring in Japan!

This the Season....

to dress up innocent dogs in hand knitted sweaters!

A group that calls themselves Bare Naked Ladies has a Christmas album. It's pretty good...lovely in places and funny sometimes....love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

Lily's sweater is made from my angora blended with merino from Thistle Cove Farm. Some is leftover from other projects and some of it didn't dye the color I wanted for the project I had in mind. Lily isn't going to always be a sweater girl, but on those sixteen degree mornings she may appreciate this!

Such a week....

Ducks on the icy mill pond

We're having typical November weather here in the mountains; of course it's December so it seems a little strange. One day icy, the next sunny and warm, then fog moves in and wreaths the trees and grass with ice, while the pavement gets slick in the shady spots.


Tidying Up

I'm in full nesting mode. This happens to me every year in the fall, when I get discontent with the way the house looks and have to change everything. Lily doesn't appreciate the activity at all. She likes things to stay the same, drifting dog hair and all!


Re-decorated

Lily soon settles down, though, with the new situation. She's not supposed to be up on the new futon, of course. Sorry about the ghost drifting across the picture; either I haven't learned to work this camera properly or I've captured the family spook!


My Sitting/Reading/Spinning/Knitting/Working Room

A long time ago I had a lovely sitting room in here, and I've really missed it. When I started working at home I turned it into a computer room. Now that I have the shop I can have my sitting room back. It's a nice little space, with lots of sun pouring into the southern facing windows (usually) and a beautiful view across the farm. And of course no house is complete without a cat snuggling in a comfortable chair!

It's icy this morning and I expect a quiet day. A nice bunny just went home with his new family; I'm really pleased with the lovely young people that have him. Last night was stitching group, and we feasted and talked and knitted with some delightful fiber friends!

Wendell is home from the hospital; thanks for all your good thoughts. I haven't been able to get a report this morning but yesterday he seemed to be doing well!

This Week: a Glance

Monday Night Dinner


My birthday was Thursday so the friends decided to make Monday a little celebration!


Cold weather and winter woods accompany our early morning walks now.


Lily napping in her favorite corner of my bed.


TJ after a brisk run outside in the wind.


Finally, one spiral rib sock completed!

Cold Sunday Morning

Lily discovers that it's fun to chase birds here, too!

My Very First Ever Trip to the Beach

Morning outside my window


Our first quick visit to the sand, on a cold November morning


Sandpipers and a beautiful horizon


Lily on our big adventure. Everything is fine with her as long as Mommy's nearby!


And of course I have to work on something as night falls across the ocean. This is the new start of Seraphina's Shawl. I like my variegated silk and wool yarn, but not as a lacy crochet pattern. It was obscuring the beauty of the stitchery too much. So this is Brooks Farm Four Play, dyed in deep purple and blue. There will be a band of lighter colors, too!