rhinebeck

Last Saturday was the New York Sheep and Wool Festival

held in Rhinebeck, NY.

This was my fifth year at the show and I spent more time shopping

than taking photos but here are a few highlights.

waiting in line

carolee from the conversational threads bus trip

amazing sweater and socks

very sweet girl we ran into a couple of times

felted wren houses

beautiful

the cashmere goats of my dreams

My dear friend Jenn and I met up at 6am for the three hour bus ride North,

lunches packed and suitcase in tow, organized by or favorite LYS

Conversational Threads.

This time we planned our attack before arriving and hit all the events 

and yarn booths we most wanted to visit.

I bought yarn for two sweaters, a capelet and some gloves as well as

a coveted knitting basket, nostepinne, books and a beginner's rug hooking kit.

Jenn also purchased all of the roving from a sheep named Rosie.

So in a sense she brought a sheep home!

It was one of the best days of my year; a week's vacation rolled into a day.

Now to wind, swatch, knit and save up for next year.

*smile*

Thanks again Jenn.

xo, j

Rhinebeck-Part Two-The Sheep and Goats

Here is my last set of photos from Rhinebeck 2013.

As I mentioned yesterday, this year we spent more time 

wandering through the livestock area than in previous years.

I love the warm smell of the animals and the hay.

Although I'm partial to the goats, the ewe in the fifth photo

stole my heart with her large, expressive eyes.

Such beautiful faces.

***

Now there are hanks of yarn to roll up

and new projects to start...

This work week is going to be very hectic

but I'll try to fit in a blog post or two.

Thanks for letting me share my trip.

xo, j

an apricot colored day

It was a pretty spring day,

a chill in the shade and warm in the sun.

Apricot roses and cookies this morning.

Knitting, work at the drawing table

and I made a simple muslin curtain for my window.

In the afternoon I took a ride out to Echo Hill Farm,

an Amish run Dry Goods store that offers

organic foods without all the fancy packaging.

perfect

Saturday - Strawberries, Roosters and Sheep

I went strawberry picking at a farm along

the Delaware River this morning.

It's a week or so past the optimum picking time

but I was quickly able to fill two quarts.

Afterward, I visited another favorite little out of the way farm.

Apparently I arrived during siesta, although not all were sleeping.

The magnificent red rooster was enormous and

full of the attitude one would expect from such a bird.

The other male was smaller but no less splendid.

The sheep and hens seemed unimpressed by the theatrics

and dozed away contentedly.

Strawberries with freshly whipped cream tonight.

yum

Monday - Signs of Spring

I took a long ride down along the Delaware River today.
It's one of my favorite drives with many side roads and secret
places I've been visiting for years.

There are two lambs at the top of the sheep photo.
A sunbathing friend came over to say hello, my hand still
smells of horse.

The snowdrops and aconites are sure signs that the season is

beginning to change.
Oh, the sharp smell of those lovely yellow flowers!

Yes, I did my annual 'yellow flower dance' and was not ashamed :)