This lamp post in front of the shop delights me. I suppose because it reminds me of Narnia.

A Peek At the Bookshelves at Greenberry House

A few of the history titles at Greenberry House

WWSIP Day

Spinning in Public

I've decided, at the last minute as usual, to host a gathering for World Wide Spin in Public Day this coming Saturday, September 19, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Or whenever people get tired! So come join us, it should be fun! We'll set up outside the shop under tents. Bring chairs if you have them...I do have a few, though. People love to see handspinners at work!

Greenberry House
10 Concord Road
Meadows of Dan, VA 24120

Easy to get here. We're right off Route 58 at the corner of Squirrel Spur Road and Concord Road in Meadows of Dan. The Blue Ridge Parkway is within sight so we're easy to find from it, too. Come join us!

Awesome Weekend in Meadows of Dan!

What's Needlin' Ewe: New yarn shop in Mount Airy, North Carolina

It has been a busy week and weekend up here on the mountain, although you might have guessed that from my silence on this blog! Lots of people came up to enjoy the cool breezes, the Chinquapin Festival, the opening of the Corn Maze and lots and LOTS of yard sales!


Strange tomato from Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market

The garden is sort of winding down, just in time for me to be busy with other things. My tomatoes have fallen victim to late blight, but the freezer is full and I'm content to let them go the way of all things. The half-runner beans, however, haven't gotten the hint that fall is on the way and I've been stringing and freezing for days. We're also waiting on the sweet corn, planted late, and impatiently checking the watermelons every week for signs that they are getting ripe!


Wild Aster on the farm

It was a lot of fun this week seeing so many people at the shop. Some old friends came to visit and I met some new and enthusiastic knitters and may have started a couple of nice neighbors into spindle spinning. Everyone that comes in to the shop makes a bee-line for Miss Babs and her beautiful rovings, even if they don't spin. Yet!

We have a couple of great sales going on with two of our vendors. Fiber on the Mountain is running a 20% off sale on her beautiful handspun skeins and Knit Fit Knitting is continuing her 50% off sale on her hand dyed and handspun yarns, mostly sock weight. Come in and check them out!


At What's Needlin' Ewe

I took a break from my shop on Saturday to go down Squirrel Spur to Mount Airy to check out the new yarn shop there and record Episode 3 of our podcast. It was a beautiful drive down the mountain and a lot of people, especially on motorcycles, were enjoying the scenery and the sunshine. I saw the new Angel Overlook about halfway down Squirrel Spur. It's shaping up to be a lovely spot where people can picnic and see an impressive view of a lovely part of Patrick County.

There were lots of people in Mount Airy, but I found easy parking not far from the LYS. We talked a lot about the shop on the podcast, but I do want to say that it is lovely and the yarns they've chosen look to be smashing. I didn't have time to really shop because I had to get back to work, but I'll be heading back down soon to fondle and purchase. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and I know how knowledgeable Natalie is about knitting and spinning. Check out their web page for classes!


Blue Texel Two-ply Handspun Yarn

I finished the Texel I've been spinning, and really like how it turned out this time. I aimed for a finer single and the resulting yarn is a nice sport to light worsted thick and thin. The colors range from deep to light Carolina blues. I'll be putting it up for sale at the shop as soon as I get the skeins measured and rewound. It think it would make beautiful hand warmers or hats!

And now I'm spinning dog hair! One of the Stitch 'n Chat knitters told her neighbor about my shop and she brought in a lovely bag of combed "wool" from her dog. I think she said it was a Komodor. It has been fun to spin, much like alpaca. I haven't had much time to work on anything else lately, but I'm still crocheting a bag and spindling some of Miss Babs beautiful roving, when I have a break!

Fresh!

Heritage tomatoes from my garden


Beautiful new spinning fibers from Miss Babs here at Greenberry House!


Moss Creek Farm lotions, also at Greenberry House.


Favorite girl, Lily, enjoying cool summer breezes in the garden.

Memorial Day Weekend

Seen in Meadows of Dan

It is really hard to get out and get fun pictures to illustrate the blog when it just rains all the time here in Meadows of Dan!  Here I have tomatoes, lettuce and peas growing happily in my wet garden but no pictures to show and brag about.  But then, I guess if you've seen one tomato plant you've seen them all!  I've been dodging showers to get things planted but at least I can feel a bit better about all the rain, now that I have a garden!

In spite of the rain we had a busy holiday weekend.  Lots of people around for the Hit and Miss in the Mountain Festival.  I didn't have a lot of time to see what was happening down there, since we had customers (thanks, everyone, for coming by!) but I did see a good many engines setting up and lots of crafters.  There are some folks still down there if you're out in Meadows of Dan today.  Music is scheduled for 2 to 4 PM if the weather doesn't get impossibly bad!

Speaking of music, I looked out yesterday afternoon and saw the young man pictured above out on my neighbor's back porch playing his guitar.  I don't think he was involved with the festival but he stayed out there quite awhile.  I was a little too busy to find out anything about him but I'm sure passing visitors enjoyed seeing him out there!

As I suspected the new yarns and fibers I brought back from Sedalia last week have been very popular with customers.  Quite a bit of angora blend yarn and some alpaca went home with customers this weekend.  I hope I get to see some of the lovely things they create!  A couple of felters came in as well, and some nice return customers from last year.

Cinema on the Lawn, Chateau Morrisette

Friend Jane has been spending the weekend with us, camping out in a tent in the back yard because she's allergic to Barnabas, the cat.  Since she can't stay in the house, it's great to have something fun do in the evening.  Saturday night another friend, Mary, was free to go with us up to Chateau Morrisette for a mini girlfriend get-away at the movies.  This is our third time, I think, and we enjoyed it thoroughly.  His Girl Friday, with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, may not be the best movie ever made but it was terrific under the cloudy skies on the lawn at the winery.  Everything is funnier, and better, when shared with friends!  There were other friends seated nearby, with their delightful little dog, and a friendly young couple we didn't even know to chat with.  Friend Kym put the event together and she did a great job.  The food was really good, service was excellent and with a smile, and the cost reasonable!  I think the next show is Labor Day weekend, and we'll be there for the fun!

It's raining today (no surprise) but already a few people have drifted into the shop.  On my agenda for the day is to finish up this week's newsletter (Ok, I haven't even started it yet!) and I'm hoping to put some books online and on the web site.  This weekend I managed to put some of the sparkling yarns created by Linda Wright of Wild Iris Wool on the site, along with some vintage postcards.  

Texel Roving

Oh, almost forgot!  I did a dye day last Wednesday and it took awhile for the roving to dry in this wet weather.  Very pleased with the results, though.  This is the Texel roving I had processed at Central Virginia Fiber Mill from the fleeces Linda and I bought at Border Spring Farm.  Nice so far!  I'm hoping for another dye day this coming Wednesday.  Come on over and bring your fiber!

Getting Ready for the Weekend

A wreath of fiber

New yarns!  New Fiber!  And great new little bags to put your special project in!  it was great going to the festival, but even better to come back with new consignments for the shop.  Under the Dark Star is a new vendor for me, from Central Virginia (Sally, I need your address!) and she has glorious angora and angora blends, along with some other beautiful yarns and spinning fiber.  I'll be putting them up for sale on the web site before long.  But I have a feeling that when people get the chance to touch these wonderful fibers and yarns in the shop, they won't be staying here long!

Hand dyed yarns from Under the Dark Star

It has been a beautiful day, and I've been watching people getting set up for the 4th annual Hit and Miss Engine Show that is taking place this weekend here in Meadows of Dan.  I can see that a lot of hard work has gone into promoting this festival and there should be a lot of fun, music, antique engines, heritage demonstrations and more to enjoy out in the field on Concord Road.  I'll be at the shop all weekend, so come up and enjoy our beautiful breezes and all the things to do here!

Handmade Buttons from Lawre's Laine

Lawre has honored me by being a vendor here at Greenberry House since last year's Sedalia festival.  Her workmanship is wonderful and we also have some beautiful little project bags she calls "Bagettes" that are just the right size for that sock project or other small, take-along knitting.  Clip one on and go!  I've got my eye on a black one with an Oriental print...always go for the drama!

Rain, rain, rain....and then a little more rain

Foggy Mountain Morning

I think the whole East Coast has been under a huge wet weather system this week.  All anyone is talking about is rain.  Knitting by the fire while it's raining has been the best idea I've heard all week!  I raided the bookmobile last Monday and, along with spinning and crocheting, I've been pretty happy.  But I want to get out into the garden!

I went, in the rain, to the greenhouse and picked out some tomatoes.  Just couldn't stand to wait any longer.  I was hoping to get them into the garden this week...but it rained.   I got a new refrigerator (hurray!) which was delivered in the rain.  Then I waded across the parking lot of the grocery store so I could fill the refrigerator...in the rain.

Rainbow over the farm in Meadows of Dan

At one point I was hopeful that the rain might be slacking off...we saw a rainbow on Tuesday evening and the clouds seemed to be breaking up.  Woke up to rain the first thing the next morning, though.  Wednesday was an interesting day, despite the rain.  'Round the Mountain got a grant to have a video crew come out into the nineteen Southwest Virginia counties and film the artisan members at work.  They came to Meadows of Dan on Wednesday morning, despite the rain and fog, and spent over three hours filming and interviewing me about spinning and life as an artisan.  I had a terrific time doing it and really had the opportunity to talk about things that are very important to me.  Like the things I talk about on this blog.  Of course, the final video for the web sites will only be two or three minutes long!

Just as the video people were setting up, the delivery fellows called because they were at the house with my new refrigerator.  So I dashed down, between the rain drops, to let them in.  I just opened the doors, snatched up the cat and shut him in the bathroom, and ran back out, telling the guys not to let the dog bite.  She was secured behind a gate, of course!

Porch window at the house, with thriving Virginia Creeper

Yesterday we saw the sun!  Everybody cheered right up and several customers came in, enjoying the beautiful day.  The German Angora I had brought up here for the filming was on the porch and got lots of attention.  I'm planning to shear him today and take him home.

On a warm spring day in Meadows of Dan

Seen around the farm:

Violets blooming


Skunk cabbage...growing


Apple tree exploding with blossom


Neighbor plowing Sue's garden (he did mine, too!)


Hinge aging on outbuilding

Now back to practicalities.  Although I don't know anything much more practical than a garden.  I can't wait to get to digging.  The soil needs to be tilled, because this is the first year I've had a garden patch at this spot.  It's near the grapevine fence, in lots of sun.  And out where everyone can see it so I'll have to keep it weeded!  I've already gotten seeds for sunflowers, nasturtiums and marigolds.  Oh, yeah, and peas, lettuce, broccoli, brussel sprouts....planning to get some tomato plants.  We're sort of getting a late start because it has rained so much but I hope we can soon catch up!

Recycled!  Former refrigerator now feed bin

Sandra of Thistle Cove Farm suggested in a comment on this blog that I use the refrigerator that died as a feed bin.  I would never have come up with that idea myself, but it works perfectly!  In fact, I think that the feed bin will long outlast the life of the refrigerator used for it's original purpose.  It only kept food cold for a year and a few months!  We put it up on cinder blocks on a tarp to protect it from the damp.  Since it wasn't a full-sized appliance it holds two 50 pound bags of rabbit feed perfectly.  When I get the chickens, hopefully next year, there's room in the freezer compartment for laying mash!

Mary waiting for breakfast

Already the rabbits have realized that the sound of the refrigerator lid opening means breakfast, just like the recognized the rattle of the old metal garbage can.  Mary, as senior doe, gets her breakfast first (although it's mostly because she's closest to the door, but don't tell her that.)  Mary is coming up on seven years old now and still has a wonderfully thick fleece, eats well, and enjoys her outings on the grass in the little pen.  She's long retired from motherhood and doesn't seem to regret it.

Mom's Prayer Shawl

Finally finished this shawl yesterday.  Really pleased with the way it turned out.  The soft striping of the sock yarn and the fineness of the gauge really work, at least I think so.  It may be awhile before I tackle a pattern like this again but I enjoyed knitting this!

New project

No sooner did I lay down the knitting needles that I picked up the crochet hook.  This is a pattern from the Spring, 2009 Interweave Crochet, by Lily M. Chin.  It's called Glittering Capelet, although because I'm using a wool yarn mine doesn't glitter so much.  This is a shop sample.  Even thought it's made from a commercial yarn I got at A Likely Yarn in Abingdon a few months ago, I think it will show the effect you can get from our local painted yarns.  

We had a quiet day yesterday here at the shop because of the weather, but I got a nice surprise when Linda came late in the afternoon with some of her beautiful handspun yarns.  We had a delightful visit while we worked on getting her yarns settled onto the shelves and then gave ourselves a treat by visiting Christopher's Pizza just down the road for dinner.  I'm having left-over pizza for lunch!

New Yarn!

New yarns from Lil' Bit o' Heaven Fibers

Almost everything is back to normal here at Greenberry House.  Yesterday it was sunny enough to get some work done, and I washed some things and hung them out on the line for a change!  Bravo sunshine.  I had to "do up" the first piece I ever made with the handspun singles I spun on my great-grandmother's wheel.  It's a shawl in silvery tones and so heavy and warm.  There's a little hole in it, though, that I noticed.  Need to get out the crochet hook and make a repair.  I also sheared Amber, one of the oldest rabbits here.  She still produces quite a bit of lovely wool!

Thanks to Sandra's suggestion, I'm going to turn the old refrigerator into a feed bin.  Perfect idea and very clever on her part!  And friend, fellow spinner, expert knitter, (and probably cousin) Kristen down the mountain has a refrigerator!  When I can get a pickup and some pals to go along to help we'll be back in the kitchen business!

Nice responses to my very first newsletter!  When I get the full version of Constant Contact, I'll be putting the issues on my web site in an archive.  Since they offered two free months before signing up, I'm taking advantage!  I'm starting to work on the next issue, which will feature Linda's lovely yarns above, some information on llama wool, what's happening in Meadows of Dan, and whatever else I come up with before next week!

Road Trip!

Texel Wool from Border Springs Farm in Patrick County

After many days of being sick with miserable cold and flu-type stuff, and then more days of frantically trying to catch up on all the things I needed to get done, it was a pleasure to put everything aside for a (ta-dah) ROAD TRIP!

Friend Linda of just-up-the-road-and-under-the-hill-near-Buffalo-Mountain was able to get away, too, and we set out on a long-anticipated trip to the Central Virginia Fiber Mill, near Ruckersville.  Linda drove and we piled five bags of wool into the back seat of her truck to make the three hour trip.  For once we didn't get lost!  It rained most of the way, though, so I didn't get any pictures of the drive through the lovely valleys of Virginia.

Julep, Mill Dog

Julep met us when we drove up.  She's a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a breed I'd never met in person.   Farm life with the alpacas and at the mill seemed to really agree with her.  Julep greeted us graciously after a proper introduction!

Processing fiber into roving

I heard about the mill on Ravelry, in reply to a post I put up asking about possible Virginia fiber processors.  Since my shop mostly attracts tourists that are interested in Virginia and Virginia products, I thought I'd like to have a Virginia processor handle the Texel Fleeces I bought down in Patrick Springs a few weeks ago.  I was thrilled when someone replied with the information about the Central Virginia Fiber Mill, and Mary graciously agreed to allow us to bring our fleeces up and see the mill for ourselves.  Note: the lovely roving in the following pictures is NOT from our fleeces!

Mary watching the new roving carefully

It was wonderful to finally see how a wool processing mill works at last, after sending wool out to be processed for years to distant mills I've had no chance of visiting.  Everywhere in the spacious building something was going on.  Wool and other fibers were drying on racks; there was a picker back in a corner ready to go to work and the machine that makes roving was working hard.  The next step, Mary explained, was putting the fiber through a pin drafter and then finally on the big spinning machine to create a beautiful yarn.  The machine I envied her most for was the skein winder, which could wind six skeins at once of carefully measured yarn.  Automatically!

I'm excited about working with Mary, who was a delightful hostess and taught us a lot about how she processes the wool.  The Texel we left is going to be made into roving.  I want to spin it myself at first and see what kind of yarn it makes.  I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Roving as it comes out of the machine

Linda and I had a wonderful time together, as usual.  And as usual we talked ourselves hoarse about everything under the sun.  On Mark's recommendation we headed back toward Harrisonburg to stop at Hank's Smokehouse for a late lunch, and had a wonderful meal.  As both Linda and I would say "Goood.....I reckon!"  We shared a Bourbon Chocolate Chip Pecan pie with ice cream for dessert that could ruin you for any other pecan pie ever (except for maybe your mama's).  Then we headed back down the Interstate toward good old Meadows of Dan, glad to have had the chance for a fun trip to meet fantastic people.  Nice to be home, though!

Fresh from the Farm at Greenberry House!

This morning I dutifully trotted up to the shop through the rain for my first day back with spring hours.   Doesn't really feel like spring yet, watching the rain fall down and the fog crowd in over the bare trees.  But it won't be long until folks are heading for the Blue Ridge Parkway to admire the beautiful bloom of rhododendron and flame azalea, so I'd better be ready.  Greenberry House is now open from 10 AM to 6 PM, Thursday to Monday, until December!

Another New Year at Greenberry House!

Sassy Eunice

OK, I'm probably the only cynical optimist you'll run into, but somehow I think this year is going to be better. Not that last year was bad for me, really, but I'm seeing signs that there will be some improvement in at least my little part of the world. TJ, the exuberant Labrador, is finally learning to walk like a gentleman beside me instead of hurtling to the end of the leash all the time and ripping my arm out at the shoulder. We've got plans for gardening this year...don't know if that will come about but it's so nice to think about...And there's a lovely set of antique metal lawn furniture sitting out by my grape vine trellis...a little paint and some cushions and we'll be set for summer! And I'm seeing a few customers at the shop during the last few days.

Part of the reason for my contentment is having a wonderful visit with friend Chris, who is well-known in the blogging world as Woolybuns, from Connecticut. We had a terrific time, although she had to sit around the shop and knit a lot while I worked. A terrible fate for a fiber person! We did go out of town one evening to see a movie, Marley and Me, an interesting documentary on how NOT to raise a Labrador, I think (No, TJ, put that down!). Chris gave me Eunice up there in the photo..there's more about these sheep on her blog. This is my favorite outfit for her, although she looks fetching in her big yellow rain slicker as well. There are some really, really sassy outfits, though, that I'll be sharing during the season! It was so much fun having Chris here...wish she could have stayed much longer!


Mitered Squares Scarf

I'be been holding on to a skein of Brooks Farm Four Play yarn that I bought at SAFF last year (or was it the year before?) I was waiting for the perfect project and this season's issue of Interweave Crochet (Winter 2008) finally came up with it. This is the Mitered Squares Scarf, in crochet, by Annette Petavy. Really like the way it's working up...an fairly easy pattern with a little challenge in the construction.

New at Greenberry House!

Gorgeous Miss Babs Fiber at Greenberry House

If you want to feel surrounded by wonderful color, follow the photo link and find the larger version of this! Miss Babs sent a wonderful bundle of her glorious hand-dyed wool and silk by way of Jane yesterday. This stuff is marvelous and you would not believe how soft, soft, soft it all is. I'd love to crawl up in the shelf and sleep in it!


Jane and knitted neckwarmer

We had a wonderful visit yesterday, Jane and I, despite the fact that I wasn't exactly feeling wonderful. Too much fog inside my head and out. She brought along a lovely neckwarmer she made for her mother, in a beautiful knitted pattern. The yarn is from Atlantic Breeze Alpacas and we dyed it at a mini-dye day at the farm. it was fun painting the yarn while the alpacas watched us so curiously!

Tomorrow night I'm going down to Stuart (hope it's not foggy) and demonstrate spinning at the Patrick County Music Association show. I've been invited because of my work with the Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council, so I'll be talking about Meadows of Dan and all the things that there are to do up "on the mountain" during the year. Brother Sammy Shelor will be there performing with "friends" and some other awesome local bands will be there. Headliners are Kenny and Amanda Smith Band. Come out if you can!

It's raining, but that's OK

At least I'm getting a lot of work done. And it's kind of cozy here at the shop, watching a brand new mini-river flowing down the edge of Squirrel Spur Road. I'm listening to Christmas songs Bela Fleck style on Napster. Just got a laugh when I looked at one of the playlist titles Banjo Throwdown. What's with that?


Traveling Yarn

I've been resisting consigning yarns to other shops because I simply can't produce enough to fill this shop and have enough left over for shows. But this shop in Winston-Salem is right in my general customer base of travelers, so I thought I'd give it a try. I packed up this box of yarn to send down and Carla seems quite pleased with it. If you're down her way go pay a visit! The shop is Nonpareil at 3560 Vest Mill Road, Suite 6 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Looks like they have some lovely pieces, from the web site.

Speaking of web sites, I'm adding some more pieces to mine this afternoon, mostly books and some Civil War vintage pieces. It's a good day to tackle this kind of project. This evening I'm heading to the Reynold's Homestead in Critz for a Business After Hours sponsored by the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce. Hope this rain doesn't turn to snow!

After the Computer's Little Vacation...

Tammy and the boys

On the only day that I had time to blog this past week the power blinked off while I was starting the computer and the thing decided it didn't want to work for awhile. By the time I got it going again I had to be elsewhere! So even though Tammy and her "kids" visited last weekend, this is the first change I've gotten to show off their lovely faces!


Art on the Spur Gallery

And of course, since I had ten extra minutes one day, I decided to help with a new art gallery in Meadows of Dan. Featuring local artists, including several from Bull Mountain Arts Guild in Stuart, Virginia, this is a new venture for Meadows of Dan. The potter that was gracious enough to venture to sell his lovely work here was featured in a store here several years ago. otherwise everyone is new to the mountain and we're glad to welcome them! I've got to get a web site set up with some biographies of the artists soon!

It's a Beautiful Day!

Greenberry House and the new look

I finally went shopping and found some ferns for the porch; I had the idea I wanted to go for a cool, bistro look this summer. The porch furniture was serendipity earlier in the year, and I at long last finished the Leaves sweater. The avocado seedlings are fun, too, and get some attention.

Jane Plaugher is teaching a workshop here next Friday, July 25 at 12:30 on Entrelac Knitting. $25.00, Number 8 knitting needles and knitting worsted, basic knowledge of knitting required. Drop me a note if you're interested at leslie@greenberryhouse.com.


Forecast:
Meadows of Dan, VA
(Clear 83*F)
Today Mostly Sunny 68-83*F
Sun Mostly Sunny 68-83*F
Mon Chance of Storm 67-83*F

Come up and beat the heat this weekend in Meadows of Dan! I've got a cool shady porch!

On the Shop Porch

Where's Mom with dinner?


Look! I'm a bird!

Woosh! That was June going by!

My new neighbors

And July is starting out just as busy! It's lovely to just stop a moment and watch the clouds drifting easily across the sky. The hummingbirds have been visiting the hosta blooms by the window, and a noisy sparrow just hopped across the ledge fussing. There's a swallows' nest on top of a post on the porch. I've been watching their progress. Mom and Dad Swallow are both busy feeding the little ones now after an anxious watch and wait. Apparently all the activity around here doesn't bother them.


Spindles and More

When I went to Sedalia I didn't have much time to look around but I saw some customers carrying around these beautiful spindles. I made a dash out and picked up a card, and Darcy is graciously allowing me to sell these lovely pieces in the shop. Each is signed and numbered and would be such a pleasure to spin with. Darcy also has a sense of humor; I love "Blaze Orange" for spinning during hunting season! Can you guess which one is called "Teach Me to Spin"?


Fayetteville, West Virginia, Demonstration

I spent last weekend in Fayetteville, West Virginia, dodging raindrops and spinning some lovely Jacob wool I bought from Perfect Spot Farm. The New River Gorge Heritage Festival was very nice; new, maybe, because it was small but it should grow. The location was lovely. I was set up next to a Civil War encampment on a quiet town street. Two of the residents were kind enough to offer shelter if the storms became too frightening. I made it through two nights in my tent, though, sleeping on straw and tossing ants and some sort of friendly black bug out into the night. It was charming to sit spinning as twilight fell and the lightning bugs rose out of the lawns all around me.


Completed Some Sock Yarn Shawl

Since it rained a good bit last weekend, I finished this crocheted shawl. More details on my Ravelry page, but it's a simple pattern of double crochets and increases to make a triangle shape. I went over to Blacksburg yesterday to pick up bunny feed and stopped in at Mosaic. I'd been dreaming about that Noro sock yarn....