Road Trip!

All week I have been tying up loose ends and packing my car, getting ready for my move. How is it possible that even though I haven't bought anything to speak of, It still takes twice as much space in my car?? One of life's great mysteries!

I had been planing to drive by myself to Vermont, but it turns out that Gummibaer's Little Sister, M, wants to come to the farm for a few weeks! Yay! So now I have company on the drive. It will take two days and cover about 1400 miles. We plan to camp in Pennsylvania overnight.

The most exciting part? We get to see the Yarn Harlot!!!!
Ms Stephanie will be at Webs in Northampton Massachusetts just as we are going through! Perfect timing.
Lil'M is a brand new knitter working on her first scarf, so I can't wait for her to see Stephanie and get to shop in a real yarn store! So far she has only been working with cheap acrylic. Not my choice but, all she could get in her town. I think some nice, soft, forgiving wool will be just the ticket for her first hat!

I think I will finally be able to get a camera when I get to Vermont and I hope to take lots of pictures of farm life for you guys over the summer!

Special delivery from China!

Mein Gummibaer came back from China and he came bearing gifts!

A Chinese pattern book!

Being the smart cookie that he is he looked through the book and saw that everything was laid out in diagrams and charts and he thought, "she can decipher this!" He was right! It is pretty clear even though I can't read any of it.

There are about 170 patterns and variations in the book! Mostly for dress suits and many of them are in lovely lace patterns, I can't wait to try some of them.

Some of you may be wondering why I call him Mein Gummibaer. well, here is the story. We are both German language students and he has come up with so many pet names for me in German that it was time I found one for him! When I saw this video, I laughed so hard, I knew it had to be his new name! My Godmother calls him a Teddy Bear and I always say he turns into a grizzly bear when he gets hungry, the only thing to do is throw food and run! so, it fits him ;)

I've been Tagged!

(Doing a happy dance) To my surprise, there is evidence that someone reads my blog! Thanks Criquette!

Here are the tag rules:
Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write on their blog the 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you are tagging a note in their comments so they know they have been tagged and to read your blog. Have fun!

Seven Random Facts:

1) I have a twin brother, my partner in crime while growing up! I highly recommend a twin brother as a best friend. Get one! ;)

2) I was the most horse crazy girl on the face of the planet growing up, now I just want an alpaca. and sheep, and a dog and....oh yeah, I might need some land first!

3) I studied Arabic for a short while. I learned the alphabet and have probably forgotten most of it. It was fun!

4) I know how to make Butter, Ice cream, Bread, and just about anything "Old Fashioned" you can think of, but I can't figure out how to work a microwave!

5) I was home schooled my whole life until I went to culinary school.

6) I fell in love with Mein Gummibaer on the phone, we were together for four months before we met and a year and a half long distance before I moved.

7) I cut my hair all off (to 1/2") when I was sixteen and now it is so long it reaches my waist.

I am tagging:
Meg and the Fiddlin' Fool
Caroline
Queue
Rebekkah
Jo
Theresa
Dorothee

Very cool people that I'd like to know more about!

My Mom's exciting project!

In honor of Mother's day I thought I'd tell you a little about my Mom's exciting project. My Mom has been farming and running her own business for over 25 years. Just recently she bought a new farm and started a new project that I think is very exciting. Four Springs Farm is dedicated to hands on agricultural education and community building as well as being a beautiful vacation spot.
It is a working organic farm comprised of a Bakery, a Community Supported Agriculture program, a Campground and Cabins and a Community center. Mom's goal is to create a space for families to visit and learn about all aspects of farming and the natural world. She has workshops over the summer and everyone is welcome to come and stay on the farm. Next year we are planing a workshop on natural dyeing! Four Springs Farm is located on a gorgeous hillside in central Vermont. One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in all seasons. Check out her website and plan a visit!
Yay Mom!

Pitfalls of Packing

I don't know about you, but for me packing is one of the activities that tends to be put off until the last minuet. I plan, I scheme, I organize, but I don't pack. This time seems to be better, I have moved so much and this apartment is so small, that I already know exactly what is here and how to pack it.

I have moved eleven times since I left home in 2000. Military, School etc. I have lived in Chicago IL, Port Townsend WA, San Diego CA, Montpelier VT, Boston MA, and Jonesboro AR. As well as three ships.

Now, I have packed my clothes, most of my stuff and my yarn. Yarn is new. This is the first time I have had a stash to pack. I organized it, and in the process I rediscovered a couple of projects that need to be done soon, because the recipients are growing fast as is the custom for small people.
Such are the pitfalls of packing, you find everything that has been forgotten and stuck in the back of your closet. You can spend hours looking at old pictures, get caught up in an old project, or even go on a dust bunny crusade!

I am making two swing coats for my friend's little girls. I am using Mission falls 1824 wool in Macaw #27 and Mallow #25 I plan to use ribbon ties instead of buttons for the front. A quick and easy project that helps to keep my mind off my empty house.

Gummibaer travels!

(This was written 5/9/07)

Mein Gummibaer is off to China! He is so excited! He will see the great wall. This is his first trip overseas. I just wish I could go with him. But alas, I can't. So I will stay home and pack. For someone who has lived alone I sure do miss having him around. We were apart for a year when we first met but now that we have been together for a year and a half ten days seems like too long. The house is quite, no one to cook for, no one to watch movies with, no one to come home from work to. I can do what ever I want, stay up all night knitting if I want, eat ice cream and not have to share! But it is hard to feel excited rather than empty.

Knitting in Germany

Check this out! Knitting in Germany. One of the things I really want to do in Germany is get together with knitters. I only speak a little German and I'm not sure I will be able to work when I'm there so I need a place to meet people and get to know them, after all what is the point of going to a new place and not learning about it's people? I think the best way to meet new people is to share something you are interested in, something you have in common so that it is easier to get over the language barrier. My two greatest interests are cooking and knitting so I am trying to find a way to connect with like minded people in Duisburg. I am lucky that I already have a friend who lives in Duisburg and that I know some German. I'm totally going to have a great time, I just want to plan ahead to make the most of it!

Summer plans

You may have noticed a new button in my side bar, Summer of Socks. I saw this KAL on Wendy's blog. It looks just perfect for me! I am excited to share the world of socks with new friends. I even think I may be very brave and write my first pattern! I have tons of socks planed, pomatomus, jaywalkers, lace stockings and more. As for the rest of my summer, it looks busy. I am finally leaving Arkansas and moving back home for the summer. Mein Gummiebaer is off to Germany. He leaves on the first of June and I will be leaving for Vermont a few days before that. Gummiebaer has finished his course work and upon completion of his internship in Germany will complete his degree,Yay! I will be home for the summer helping plan for my sister's wedding and helping my Mom on the farm. The summer promises lots of hard work and sunshine. I will, of course miss Gummiebaer, but I plan to join him in Germany after the wedding. So, in the mean time, work, packing and sock yarn hording!

You knit????

Ever tried to explain why you knit? Had to justify your hobby to your family? You are not alone. We have all been through similar experiences. Knitting is under valued in today's world, but not in the land of knitting!
Check out Stephanie's interview with channel 9 news in Denver and get ready to say "Amen!" and "See, I tolled you!" There are 50 million of us, represent!