oh where, oh where has our summer gone?

and when will it get here?

The rain finally quit long enough for me to get the pop-up opened, wiped down and the camping gear loaded.

Mary and I set off on the campers maiden voyage to Crown Point, NY on Lake Champlain.

We skirted rain along the way through the Green Mountains of Vermont.  Most of the nasty weather seemed to stay just south of us.  When we arrived a the campground if fortunately was not raining, and after many attempts to get the camper level so we could set it up we did and not too late as the rain came just as we finished the setup.

There are two bridges that cross Lake Champlain and this is the one we came across from Vermont into New York.

The rain finally let up so we could get out and scout some local wood for the campfire and ice for the margaritas coolers.

On our way back to the site the sun popped out and made rainbows.

So we walked down to the lighthouse on the campground and we could still see the rainbow through the trees.

It didn’t rain for the rest of the evening so we cooked some hot dogs and s’mores over the fire…. YUM!

Sure it looks easy – but I am not telling about the place I got the car and camper in – lets just say I am now an expert at backing the camper up now.

Saturday a high school friend (Rick) and his wife (Brittany) stopped by.  We grilled lamb speidies with salad and cocktails.  Then we walked over to the old ruins of the forts (Fort Frederic and Fort Crown Point) to check out the museum and the area.  What spectacular views of the lake – yes we all forgot our cameras and phones… sigh – but it was gorgeous.

After they left Mary and I settled in for another night of cocktails, campfire, dogs and smores.

Sunday the sun popped out so we decided to take a drive down to Lake George.  It was a lovely ride and when we got to the town proper, we checked out the local craft show and some of the shops along the main drag.  We thought about taking a cruise, but decided the weather was a bit too iffy.

We got back to camp around 5pm (bearing more ice and fire wood).  Margaritas and Tacos for dinner.  A bit of knitting by the fire until it got too dark to see.  I think I managed to get about 4 inches knit on a sock all weekend.

I think it rained a bit Sunday night but when we got up Monday am it didn’t look promising.  So we got our stuff together, the camper and the cars packed up and ready to go.

Things we learned…

1.  if you cannot push the beds in chances are you forgot to put the galley down so it’s blocking your path.

2.  be careful when taking down the awning – if it has rained then chance are one of you (in this case ME!) will get a load of nasty COLD water dumped on your head.

and finally… duct tape doesn’t stick when it’s been damp and wet for a month…  we did manage to save most of the pots and pans that flew out of the one of the compartments of the camper as we were climbing the Green Mountains on our way home.  Fortunately there was a turnout so we could pull over and retrieve the items in the road.  We did end up sacrificing the coffee pot – it had fallen out about 2 miles down the mountain road and I wasn’t going back… I think we lost the griddle too.   Oh well, note to fix the latches before we head out camping again.

Also add swivel tongue jack to list of camping items to get from the RV store.  I’m sure the list will get longer.

In spite of the rain…

My friend Mary and I headed up to New Hampshire this weekend to pick up the camper. YAY!

What a blast.  Every time I am with the girls I laugh so much my sides hurt.

I only had my cellphone camera so excuse the blurries.  The food was awesome! The company was great!

Mary and Kathy with my ‘new’ camper in the background.   I was very warm, dry and comfortable sleeping in my new play house on wheels.

And the good news is we got it home all safe and sound.

Once I got home I got a call from Gracie.  Apparently she and Bob have become adoptive parents of three baby raccoons, she has named Peanut, Butter, and Jelly.

They think Grace is the mommy because she chitters at them.  The mommy raccoon apparently was hit and killed by a car sometime last week.  Bob called about every rescue facility in a 100 mile radius and they are overloaded with raccoon rescues right now, so ‘unofficially’ they are helping Grace and Bob keep these babies going until they either have room for them or they can be released into the wild on their own.

They are so damn cute and although they were in pretty bad shape after a week with no mama, they have come to life with some warmth, a little puppy formula,  water, granola and yogurt chips and a surrogate mom to scritch and give them love.

There just seems to be some poetic justice that Grace is up all night worrying about her ‘babies’.   And yes I am enjoying this fact.

No more rain! No more rain!

Wasn’t that the chant from Woodstock?

I think we are all starting to grow mold from all this rain. The good part is that everything is green and lush. I like that.

The bad thing is I barely get enough of a rain break to get the lawn mowed so it doesn’t look like an abandoned meadow.

The hydrangea love this weather – it’s a beautiful blueish yellow.

The honeysuckle is grown wild and it smells lovely too.

I am working on a shrug for a friend and it’s coming along nicely (no pics) they might see it before it’s finished.

Spent the evening yesterday hanging in the hot tub with darling daughter instead of knitting – it was really nice. She gave me a pedicure and manicure afterward while I watched the Red Sox kick butt again.  Not sure who is the cutest Jacoby or Papelbon (sigh).

After multiple trips and a few hours at the DMV I finally got the plate for the trailer. Only to get the registration renewal for the car today. I was just thanking the gods that I could do it on-line and not have to actually go to the DMV…. but then I noticed the little note that says that you should check your MA license because they do not sent out license renewal notices anymore. Yikes, I have been driving with an expired license since JANUARY! Back to the DMV for a new license. I am so glad to get a new photo because the last one was so bad – the lighting at the DMV makes me look like Uncle Fester.

Bob helped me get the hitch installed yesterday, and pick out (we hope) the right adapter for the camper to car hookup and with any luck Mary and I will be bringing home the popup this weekend! Wish us luck.  I am so looking forward to camping in it this summer.  Lake Champlain in a couple of weeks, and a trip to Hermit Island for sure!

Busy Weekend

Friday was Laural’s birthday – Don’s was the week before and Scott’s is next week, so we had an impromptu gathering with lots of food and fun Friday night.

Saturday was World Wide Knit in Public Day.  So I met up with Cindy and Kristine and drove up to Nashua’s Greeley Park to meet up with all the lovely people from Ewe’ll Love It and from around the area.  I brought my spinning wheel since that is where my current creative mojo is taking me. 

Got home and fixed myself dinner then sat spinning while watching the Red Sox. Since I was too lazy to change channels during the rain delay I got to see this.

Papelbon and Delcarmen as Nilli Vanilli – Blame it on the Rain

It is very VERY funny.  Enjoy!

Sunday it was rainy when I woke up, so I just rolled over and snoozed.  I finally did get up and went down to see Mom.  I brought dinner (bay scallops, zucchini, summer squash and asparagas) Yummy.

I so don’t want to be back at work today.

Favorites?

Kali asks what my favorite fiber events are.    First of all, I haven’t been to all of them yet so I cannot say that I have a favorite.  And it’s kind of like picking a favorite child, they are are so unique and loved for their own special ways.

I love the Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival because it’s small and easy to see everything in a few hours and because it’s usually the first one of the season.

I love the Massachusetts Sheep and Wool Festival because it too is close enough to go for a day trip and I get to see vendors that weren’t at the Connecticut one.

I also love the NH Sheep and Wool Festival.  Again good for a day trip and there are usually lots of friends to run into.

I also love NETA Spa, Rhinebeck and Fiber Revival.

Basically I love anything to do with fiber, knitting, spinning, and hanging out with friends.

There is a really good list of most if not all of the fiber events and resources in the New England area on the NETA Blog .  So definitely check that out.   I am sure I could probably find something fibery to do every weekend if I had the time and money.  Now if I could just win the lottery!

I am really hoping to get to Nashua’s Greely Park this Saturday for the Annual Knit in Public celebration.  Anybody else going to be there?

Here is a photo of our vendor table at the Squam Lake Retreat from last weekend – the browser finally cooperated.  That is Brian in the back and look at that view we had!

That reminds me I still need to take inventory to see what is left!

Squam Lake

What a perfectly lovely weekend.   Saturday I left early and finally got to Brian’s a little after 1pm.  He had a lovely lunch of homemade zucchini soup, with a fresh tomato and mozzarella cheese and basil salad and warm fresh bread.  It was delicious and we ate it all!

It was such a lovely day and we had plenty of time before we had to be at the lake so we headed over to the Patternworks Tent Sale.  It was the last day so there really wasn’t much left but I did find some lovely natural alpaca and silk lace-weight.  I am definitely dyeing the two skeins I got (800+ yards each) so more than enough!  I also picked up a pamphlet of Ukrainian Shawl Patterns for inspiration.  Even better was getting the extra 20% off for the last/end of the day bonus.  SCORE!

I would show photos but my browser keeps crashing every time I attempt to load a photo.

We got up to Squam Lake early so we were able to wander around a bit and we found a lovely spot to hang out.  Brian had some knitting and I had brought my spindle.  So we are hanging and who should drive up in her very recognizable purple PT Cruiser…. Annie Modesitt!  I tried not to gush too badly  -  but she is one of my strong women heroes.  So Brian and I helped her in with her boxes.  She was very nice and very gracious even though she was feeling horrible from all the pollen.  Feel better Annie!

Brian and I then lugged in all our stuff and set up our table – it looked fabulous and we had lots of stuff so our two weekends of dyeing were not wasted.

It was really wonderful to talk to all the people that had been there for the retreat all weekend.  Everyone seemed to have really enjoyed it and considering the spectacular views and peaceful location – I would have been happy to just sit on their porch overlooking the lake for three days

The Ravelry party was really great!  Jess and Casey brought in pizzas, beers and sodas for everyone.  I managed to snag one of their “ripped” shot glasses!  Too cool!

Brian and I both did pretty well for the 1.5 hours we were selling and we just might have to do this again if we can find the right venue.   And somehow I need to stash some cash to come to this retreat as a participant someday.

Oh and Jody came to hang with us too so afterwards the three of us went out for drinks and food at the local Chili’s.  I have to remember Salsa Hornitos Tequila for margaritas – it’s really good!  After dropping Brian off – I headed home and went straight to bed.

I’m still spinning up a storm with little or no knitting going on.

But check out what Cindy, my sister, has been up to!

Girlfriends

I haven’t had a girls night out in ages and last night I met up with a couple of girlfriends for dinner, knitting and lots of laughs!  I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a long time.  I laughed all the way home too.

Thanks for the girlfriend therapy!  It was too much fun, and I think we need to do this again really soon.