Giving thanks

Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a hectic and great weekend here in Suffield. Ten people enjoyed the feast. It was wonderful to pull out all the pretties and set a beautiful table to share with friends, old and new. We all had a grand time with close to sevenhours of eatting and drinking, and a lot of giggles. Friendship, full stomachs, and fun memories - a great time to be thankful.

Saturday, my friend Bob and I went to Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA - the home of Heifer International. Check them out a Heifer.org. This is a great organization that sends animals to third world countries to help those less fortunate to provide food, clothing and even commerce. Last year I donated a sheep in honor of all my Local Yarn Store customers in New England. This was a well received Christmas gift, that I felt meant more than giving little tokens of my appreciation. THIS year Heiffer is offering a "knitting package" to contribute to - which will provide 2 sheep and 2 alpacas to a community or family. Hopefully they will procreate and provide an opportunity for trade as well. I am excited to become a part of this offer. I realize my own fortune from this industry and hope others can share in this. Providing warmth as well as the opportunity for commerce will be well appreciated.

Here are pictures of some of the great animals on the farm. These animals provide the opportunities for visitors to appreciate the gifts this organization provides. Heifer also provides experiential programs where you can live as someof the third world individuals Heifer supports.

Weekend programs and camps provide education on farming, caring for animals, milking and sheering. Here's a picture of one of the Camps you can enjoy and farm.

And finally - a thanksgiving picture of Gracie giving a little RAZ to the turkeys who survived the holiday. She had a great time at the farm and met many new friends - some just didn't understand her sense of humor!

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving weekend - and in giving thanks will join me in the spirit of giving. Check out Heifer.

first trip

I had a great first outting.... sent to Vermont and New Hampshire and saw 8 customers in 2 days.... that really felt great.

My first instincts on the market are good. Although sales are not huge, there is still a lot of interest in knitting. perhaps it's one of those things that do well in recession. And why not? It's not all that expensive, even with beautiful fibers. What could bemore relaxing? A great method to contemplate. Something you can get involved in mentally and enjoy the repetitiveness and rhythm of it. Especially when one uses really fine fibers - the tactile pleasure is enormous. Makes sense to me. And I am acutally seeing it in the yarns stores.

Here are some pictures, to show you what I do. This is outside our hotel in White River Junction, Vermont the night before our "hotel show." My little mini, great on gas but not so much on space.... but all of that luggage AND Gracie fit in with me! Even Gracie is amazed that it will all fit. I set up all of my samples and yarn cards and welcomed peopel from 7 stores during the day. At one point is was so crowded it was hard to find a place to sit down. I was almost thinking of taking appointments the next time I do this.

I also spent time with another customer and feel that my first outting was a total success. I scheduled more appointments next week. It feels great to be back.

On the Road Again...

It's been almost 5 weeks since my back surgery!!! and I am feeling GREAT! The surgery went well. They removed 80% of my herniated disc and I have no pain... NO PAIN. I am trying to take it easy as recommended but the road is calling.

The car is full - already, and I still have more to go. I have lots of samples to show the customers. Then I need my stuff and, of course, Gracie.

I will be doing a hotel show with my fibers on Monday and making a customer call on Tuesday (they have offered to unload my car!). I have been knitting and computer networking but it's time for some face to face. In one more week I should be pretty free to lift most of my stuff although I will be easy on myself.

It will be good to be back out there and hopefully catching up with my friends in the business, in person.

To the left is the Baby Surprise Sweater that I finished. This is a pattern by Elizabeth Zimmerman from 1968. I made it with one skein of Fiesta Boomerang - a beautiful washable sofgt merino. It is all one single piece and the only seams are across the top of the arms - a topological delight.

I guess I need to make another Moebius Strip.