I love fiber festivals. There’s the whole stash acquisition aspect of them that is just downright enjoyable. I don’t have an opportunity outside of these events to fondle the fiber that I buy. All other purchases are over the net and can be a chancy thing. But when you get right down to it, it isn’t the fiber that has me driving (and towing two monkeys along) because between you and me, I really don’t need more stuff.
It is the opportunity to be among the similarly afflicted that has me itching to go. My daily life, with the exception of the weekly SnB gals, doesn’t involve those that are just ga-ga for fiber. So when Cate invited us up for the festival weekend, I jumped, dragging the monkeys along for the ride.
Friday we drove up, leaving here somewhere around 1. I’d hoped to leave earlier, but you know how things work when children are involved. My PT ran a little longer as I took the optional ice packs as the workout stretched in ways I’m not used to and I was a bit tender. Figured it couldn’t hurt, especially since it is my gas pedal foot. Anyway, we got to Cate’s house at 4pm. Amazingly we avoided the bulk of the traffic and the journey took only 3 hours. The kids made themselves at home.
For dinner Friday, we met up with some extraordinary women. Having tried one restaurant to find a 1 hour wait, we moved to another. A lovely place in a town I can’t remember. There the twins and I dined with Cate, Kathy, Cheryl, Marcy, Teresa, Lisa and her daughter Rebecca. After which everyone returned to Cate’s house for a little wine, wool and gabbing. With that many bloggers in one place you’d think there would be a photo of it, but alas, it seems everyone was suffering from camnesia. I certainly fought with the condition during the course of the weekend!
The twins both decided that they wanted to sleep with mommy for a change, so the three of us wound up in a single twin bed. Was an interesting night to say the least. We stayed up far too late but it was so worth it.
Saturday was the festival! Kristen arrived at the house sometime after the twins and I had gone to sleep. A leisurely breakfast, some living room rearranging for the blegger and twin wrangling later, we went to the fairgrounds. I oddly remembered I had the camera for the first time..
Here is the angel Kristen with Kat and Alex. She is so good with kids. Honestly, I wish I was that good! She even took them for a walk to see the animals so I could do some shopping. How sweet is that?
Here is Cate spinning on a Hitchhiker. What you don’t see in this picture is the young girl and her parents standing next to me. Cate was teaching the girl how to spin and shortly after this shot, had the girl at the wheel trying it herself. I spotted the family later in the day carrying one the cute Hitchhiker wheels. Good job Cate! Spread the spinning!
Here’s Cheryl and Cate who tried this cute little flax repro wheel that a vendor was selling. I didn’t catch the vendor’s name but they were right next to Journey Wheel. The twins were starting to melt down by this point so after a little more socializing, I put them in the car and drove off to ….
While I’ve ordered from them, I’ve never been to the actual store. Now that was an experience! One problem, during the drive from the fairgrounds to the store, this is what happened to the kids…
Don’t they look so cute asleep. Don’t be fooled! They’re still MONSTERS :) Anyway, I pulled out the stroller, piled the two sleeping bodies into it and went shopping. Alex woke up enough that I had to stay moving within the store or he got a little antsy. Not bad, really. He saved me some money. Kat made the transfer well and slept for the entire stay. I was totally surprised by her position in the back seat of the stroller though when i went back out to the car…
Her right foot is in the basket under the stroller, her tush is on the foot rest, the left foot is on the side rail and she has her head down on the seat. Oh boy that looks comfy! Not. I’m still amazed at the positions children can sleep in. My body hurts just looking at this.
Saturday night was the much publicized and extremely fun blegger at Cate’s house! Lots and lots of folk came to gab, drink, and enjoy the wool fumes. So many faces and blogs that I just can’t remember nor keep up. Please drop a comment if you were there! It was another late night. Kat fell asleep in my lap on the living room floor at some point. Alex continued to charm the ladies. He did show off his ability to accessorize by turning up in princess shoes, a beaded necklace, bracelet, ring and coordinating purse. The kid is cute.
Unfortunately, the late nights and short naps caught up with my little man. He had the nastiest meltdown shortly after breakfast, whining, crying, screaming intermixed with "excuse me" and "please mommy" as he went through a variety of things that he wanted all of which made him no happier. During this almost 2 hour tantrum, I rounded up our things, tried to neaten up the mess my shorties made, packed the bags, dressed and loaded the car. Kat very nicely shut down while Alex was tantruming. Thank goodness that when one of them goes that ballistic, it doesn’t chain reaction into the second one. I finally got them in the car, got the dvd player started with Spongebob and the car in gear when Alex’s cry turned to why he wasn’t wearing shoes. (He wouldn’t let me put them on him before). I had to stop for gas before the interstate, but as soon as we were moving on the highway both went to sleep and stayed asleep until after I pulled into the driveway! I had a blissfully silent 2hr40min drive home. A little time in the pool, an early dinner, some unpacking and all went to bed early that night!
Memorial day was a quiet one at home. The folks didn’t get home from the boat until after dinner time. The weather was spotty at best with some periods of rain. We spent a great deal of it inside. The kids took a 2 hour nap and I got to spend some time with the wheels. I started playing with the Greylock from Foxfire on the Vermont wheel. Then I moved to further acquaint myself with the new Schacht. I followed a number of recommendations, thank you!, and replaced the knot on the driveband with a sewn join. MUCH BETTER.
By dinner time I had finished the two remaining singles for the three ply sock yarn. After the monkeys went to bed, I plied…
Neat-o! Unusual for me, I even skeined it up last night. Oh and counted loops. It came out to be 197yards/72g. Slightly heavier than my normal sock yarn. I could probably eke out a pair for my small feet from this skein. I’ll just split it with the help of the scale.
All in all, tantrum/meltdowns aside, it was a fabulous weekend spent in the company of wonderful people. Thank you all!
Craft on!
