A couple of weeks ago we went to the State Fair. As far as State Fairs go, in my humble opinion i do not think that ANY fair can beat the Western Washington Fair at Puyallup. Aside from the fact that MY MOTHERS Norwegian sweater that she knit for my niece won a BLUE RIBBON (yay Mom!!!) this year, the fair has EVERYTHING that a fair should have. Scones (my personal fave, and a necessity for a successful fair), rides, cows, cow pies (big cookies), hottubs, saunas, camping trailers, food (ribs, yum!), amazing flower, and vegetable displays...and i mean AMAZING. If you want to see some cool stuff done with veg, DO THE PUYALLUP!!
Ok, but back to the New York State Fair. It is the first fair that i have been to outside of my home state that can come close to being half as good. We try to visit all the state fairs, of the states that we have lived in, but they usually fall pretty miserably flat, and leave us deeply disappointed.
New York is big on dairy, and let me tell you, there were some CUTE cows at this fair. Guernseys are my personal fave, and these ones did not disappoint. There was a newborn calf that i just wanted to pick up and snug. So sweet.
Ok...on to the spinning. In one of the pioneer houses, i spotted a gal in the corner working away at the spinning wheel. Being a knitter, it was like a drug addict being drawn in by a crack display. So mesmerizing to just sit and watch her work. And i just love to talk to fellow knitters. She told me all about her little fiber farm, and her sheepies. One of my dreams for the far off future is to retire away to a little hobby fiber farm, and spend the day with my alpacas, sheep, and goats...and of course dogs!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Gotta Love It....
....when people come to my house, and then tell me how to properly train dogs, how dogs SHOULD behave, and how to feed them properly so that they do not beg.
We had a dinner party on Sunday, and two of my guests did just this. How sweet, no? And so totally helpful. i REALLY appreciated it!
I just smile and nod, and secretly laugh to myself. Funny how all the people who do this, do NOT, nor have they EVER....been owned by Vizlsas! usually...they own, or have owned a Labrador. You know...America's most popular, and pretty much most easily trainable dog. Well, aside from the need to eat anything not strapped down. Nothing against labs, i love them. Had two of them when i was younger, and they are wonderful. But they are not exactly brain-busters to train.
The thing about my dogs...i train them to the point that "I" want them trained. I do not mind when Fred jumps on me. I actually train him to do it. I like it, and it is a very "Vizsla" thing to do...and besides, if he did not jump on me, how else would he give chin nibbies? He learned that one from his mama, so it is pretty much in his blood!
My dogs got into a spat at one point when the first people (among them, the advice-givers) were arriving. Anyone who lives in a multiple dog household knows that SOMETIMES, despite their excellent behavior most of the time, dogs will act like, well....dogs. Animals, you know? Well, apparently, that is just not acceptable behavior, as my friend pointed out! It is NEVER ok for them to act like that.
Ok....smile and nod. Give him a glass of wine, and talk about the weather.
:o)
No knitting going on, which is beginning to bother me. It is in the air though....
We had a dinner party on Sunday, and two of my guests did just this. How sweet, no? And so totally helpful. i REALLY appreciated it!
I just smile and nod, and secretly laugh to myself. Funny how all the people who do this, do NOT, nor have they EVER....been owned by Vizlsas! usually...they own, or have owned a Labrador. You know...America's most popular, and pretty much most easily trainable dog. Well, aside from the need to eat anything not strapped down. Nothing against labs, i love them. Had two of them when i was younger, and they are wonderful. But they are not exactly brain-busters to train.
The thing about my dogs...i train them to the point that "I" want them trained. I do not mind when Fred jumps on me. I actually train him to do it. I like it, and it is a very "Vizsla" thing to do...and besides, if he did not jump on me, how else would he give chin nibbies? He learned that one from his mama, so it is pretty much in his blood!
My dogs got into a spat at one point when the first people (among them, the advice-givers) were arriving. Anyone who lives in a multiple dog household knows that SOMETIMES, despite their excellent behavior most of the time, dogs will act like, well....dogs. Animals, you know? Well, apparently, that is just not acceptable behavior, as my friend pointed out! It is NEVER ok for them to act like that.
Ok....smile and nod. Give him a glass of wine, and talk about the weather.
:o)
No knitting going on, which is beginning to bother me. It is in the air though....
Monday, August 31, 2009
Football
Well, the Husband is home this year, as opposed to being in a desert land, far far away...so, that means, Football will be ON in this house, four to five days per week. That is fine with me. I enjoy it for the most part, but it also allows me to sit on my tush and KNIT!! Best thing about football. Well, that and Peyton Manning! Yes, i am a shameless Peyton fan.
We had our fantasy football draft this year. I got my man. I picked 12th, so since all the first tier Running Backs were gone, i took the plunge and picked WR Larry Fitzgerald. I then had 1st choice for the second round, and since i knew my main football man would be picked up by someone, rather than get a solid RB, i picked Manning. It is just no fun for me to watch, if he is not my QB!!
No knitting happened this weekend, and no sewing...other than sewing up the ripped out tush of my jammies! pretty sad....but they are my FAVES...with margaritas, mojitas, and other delish drinks all over them. Had to fix them, rather than toss them!
Oh...i had a sappy moment this weekend. I was rolling into town just as the town fire alarm sounded. I was rounding the corner in front of the fire house, and the men were really moving into high gear. I pulled over, as all the volunteers started jetting down the hill towards the station. The road cleared, but i just stayed parked and watched them for a minute, it was so exciting to see them kick it into high gear. Then i just got real sappy, thinking about the bravery of them. Running towards the disasters, with the intent to HELP and SAVE. So selfless, i just think they are wonderful.
And they look pretty damn fine in their gear, too.
We had our fantasy football draft this year. I got my man. I picked 12th, so since all the first tier Running Backs were gone, i took the plunge and picked WR Larry Fitzgerald. I then had 1st choice for the second round, and since i knew my main football man would be picked up by someone, rather than get a solid RB, i picked Manning. It is just no fun for me to watch, if he is not my QB!!
No knitting happened this weekend, and no sewing...other than sewing up the ripped out tush of my jammies! pretty sad....but they are my FAVES...with margaritas, mojitas, and other delish drinks all over them. Had to fix them, rather than toss them!
Oh...i had a sappy moment this weekend. I was rolling into town just as the town fire alarm sounded. I was rounding the corner in front of the fire house, and the men were really moving into high gear. I pulled over, as all the volunteers started jetting down the hill towards the station. The road cleared, but i just stayed parked and watched them for a minute, it was so exciting to see them kick it into high gear. Then i just got real sappy, thinking about the bravery of them. Running towards the disasters, with the intent to HELP and SAVE. So selfless, i just think they are wonderful.
And they look pretty damn fine in their gear, too.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I did some sewing finally!
This is an old pic, but it is one of my favorites of the dogs. This was almost three years ago, in Yosemite, and Fred was too intrigued with the view, and the critters on the other side of the rock wall, to bother looking at the camera. Not Henry though!
Yesterday was so rainy here, i decided that it was time to get busy with sewing up the curtains for the main bath. We are having a fantasy football draft party here on Sunday, and i guess people kind of like privacy in a bathroom! Pics later...when i take some. I have a pattern for the curtains, but really...curtains are pretty darn basic, and patterns can be so boring and time consuming, i winged it. They turned out just fine. Not polished, but workable. They are lined, too.
It is chilly this morning, so i guess that means i can knit again!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Jam Packed Weekend
What a great weekend. We went into with just a few plans, and ended up having more to do than we could have hoped for.
Friday night found us out at the speedway, watching races. Something we never, ever do. Every time i go to the races (all two times), i really REALLY want to be a race car driver.
Saturday we went up to the 1000 Islands region, for a Craft Fair. Found a couple of really cool vendors, including one who makes bears and such out of wood with a chainsaw. I have wanted a chainsawed bear forEVER, and i think that The Husband is finally getting it, and maybe i will have a bear soon. Not until he commissions the guy to make a beaver though. Soon, we will have a giant, chainsawed beaver in our backyard. Something to look forward to, right?
Anywhoot...our friends texted us from their boat, and ended up cruising over to the restuarant that we were eating at, and picked us up for a little 3-hour tour of the region. Very fun! I was non-compliant boater though, with my jeans on. I rolled them up as high as i could. Got them past my knees, which likely caused a little DVT, but whatever.
Sunday found us up in the Adirondacks, on a little hike. Just a two mile hike, up the mountain and back down again, but i feel like i hiked 10! The view from the top was gorgeous, and the hounds had a blast. We will do this hike again on a less muggy day. It was not even hot, but with the muggy air, it felt like my face was going to burst into flames a few times. Not my favorite feeling.
I brought some knitting along, and it sat under the car seat for the entire trip. I think it is still there.
Friday night found us out at the speedway, watching races. Something we never, ever do. Every time i go to the races (all two times), i really REALLY want to be a race car driver.
Saturday we went up to the 1000 Islands region, for a Craft Fair. Found a couple of really cool vendors, including one who makes bears and such out of wood with a chainsaw. I have wanted a chainsawed bear forEVER, and i think that The Husband is finally getting it, and maybe i will have a bear soon. Not until he commissions the guy to make a beaver though. Soon, we will have a giant, chainsawed beaver in our backyard. Something to look forward to, right?
Anywhoot...our friends texted us from their boat, and ended up cruising over to the restuarant that we were eating at, and picked us up for a little 3-hour tour of the region. Very fun! I was non-compliant boater though, with my jeans on. I rolled them up as high as i could. Got them past my knees, which likely caused a little DVT, but whatever.
Sunday found us up in the Adirondacks, on a little hike. Just a two mile hike, up the mountain and back down again, but i feel like i hiked 10! The view from the top was gorgeous, and the hounds had a blast. We will do this hike again on a less muggy day. It was not even hot, but with the muggy air, it felt like my face was going to burst into flames a few times. Not my favorite feeling.
I brought some knitting along, and it sat under the car seat for the entire trip. I think it is still there.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
LYS didn't happen....
boo. I guess i understand though, it can get tiring to shop, and eat lunch, all while constantly chatting/texting, etc on your iPhone. Can i just say ANNOYING??? Who does that? I guess I have not been out with my friend in a while, and i had forgotten how OCD she is about that thing, but yesterday she was in rare form. I don't get it. I LOVE the moments when i can go radio silent, and pretend that i do not hear my cell phone ringing, that i can turn off my computer, and just unhook a little bit. I am SO not a gadget girl...probably why i like to play with yarn and do crossword puzzles. The Husband and i finally bought an iPod, and a fancy little docking station for it last spring. I think we have used it once. I sort of learned how to use it, and then promptly forgot i had the thing.
Anywhoot....my friend was too worn out after shopping yesterday to hit the LYS. I was actually ok with it at the time. It was hot and muggy out, and i was pretty beat, too. I would not have put up a fight though if she had still wanted to go! Oh well...i will likely make a side trip down there in the next couple of weeks.
Wondering though...am i alone on the iPhone thing? At one point we were at lunch and chatting, and i was in the middle of telling her a story, and she kept checking her phone. I just stopped talking, and she did not even notice! I was more amused than annoyed, and not really sure it is anything i will ever bring up to her, because I really think she would get the shakes if she could not check her phone! Just one of those little faults that makes someone human, i guess.
Funny sidenote though. I was watching the news the other day, and they had a report on that claimed that if you did not participate in social networking of some type, you run the risk of becoming obsolete and unimportant. REALLY? What happens when you become obsolete to someone sitting right in front of you because you cannot STOP social networking, and no longer know how to carry on a conversation with a LIVE person!?
Anywhoot....my friend was too worn out after shopping yesterday to hit the LYS. I was actually ok with it at the time. It was hot and muggy out, and i was pretty beat, too. I would not have put up a fight though if she had still wanted to go! Oh well...i will likely make a side trip down there in the next couple of weeks.
Wondering though...am i alone on the iPhone thing? At one point we were at lunch and chatting, and i was in the middle of telling her a story, and she kept checking her phone. I just stopped talking, and she did not even notice! I was more amused than annoyed, and not really sure it is anything i will ever bring up to her, because I really think she would get the shakes if she could not check her phone! Just one of those little faults that makes someone human, i guess.
Funny sidenote though. I was watching the news the other day, and they had a report on that claimed that if you did not participate in social networking of some type, you run the risk of becoming obsolete and unimportant. REALLY? What happens when you become obsolete to someone sitting right in front of you because you cannot STOP social networking, and no longer know how to carry on a conversation with a LIVE person!?
Monday, August 17, 2009
knitting just sitting
That sort of seems an apporpriate title for right now! At least, concerning my sweater! it is TOO hot and steamy to have an alpaca/wool blend sitting on my lap right now! Summer has evidently arrived in my neck of the woods, and in the land of no AC...my knitting can sit and wait a bit for me!
I have done a washcloth though, so i have not been a total knitting loser! I have so much washcloth yarn, and i am in dire need of replacements, as the ones i have been using really just need to be replaced!
I am taking a trip south tomorrow for a little shopping excursion with a non-knitting friend. I wanted to suggest a side-trip to my CLOSEST LYS, which sadly is 50 miles away, but i did not think that the muggle would be up for it. Imagine my delight when she suggested that we swing by the shop? This shop...it is a stitcher and quilters delight. It is a combo yarn and quilt shop! The fabrics are FAB, too!! Oh....my heart is singing with excitement, knowing that i will be there tomorrow. It does not take much to make a knitter/quilter/sewer happy, does it? I am on a budget though, as The Husband has returned from the deployment (thank goodness), and that extra hazardous duty pay has dried up! We both get so used to that extra cash, it always is a bit of a shock the first few months after a deployment. Oh well...i DID vow to work from the stash this year...but really...what will a couple of skeins here and there hurt? They won't. They will not hurt at all. And neither will a pattern. or maybe two? And some notions? And maybe a few yards of a delish fabric? I am giddy with excitement!! squee!!!
I have bought a great hiking guide for the Adirondacks. We plan on getting the hounds out and getting some hiking in once the heat dissipates a bit. There are so many great trails out there, and we really need to take advantage of them while we are living in this region. We have a great trip planned to Lake Placid this fall, and i am sooooo excited about that!! With the houndies, of COURSE.
I have done a washcloth though, so i have not been a total knitting loser! I have so much washcloth yarn, and i am in dire need of replacements, as the ones i have been using really just need to be replaced!
I am taking a trip south tomorrow for a little shopping excursion with a non-knitting friend. I wanted to suggest a side-trip to my CLOSEST LYS, which sadly is 50 miles away, but i did not think that the muggle would be up for it. Imagine my delight when she suggested that we swing by the shop? This shop...it is a stitcher and quilters delight. It is a combo yarn and quilt shop! The fabrics are FAB, too!! Oh....my heart is singing with excitement, knowing that i will be there tomorrow. It does not take much to make a knitter/quilter/sewer happy, does it? I am on a budget though, as The Husband has returned from the deployment (thank goodness), and that extra hazardous duty pay has dried up! We both get so used to that extra cash, it always is a bit of a shock the first few months after a deployment. Oh well...i DID vow to work from the stash this year...but really...what will a couple of skeins here and there hurt? They won't. They will not hurt at all. And neither will a pattern. or maybe two? And some notions? And maybe a few yards of a delish fabric? I am giddy with excitement!! squee!!!
I have bought a great hiking guide for the Adirondacks. We plan on getting the hounds out and getting some hiking in once the heat dissipates a bit. There are so many great trails out there, and we really need to take advantage of them while we are living in this region. We have a great trip planned to Lake Placid this fall, and i am sooooo excited about that!! With the houndies, of COURSE.
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