Dainty Kitty

Pleased

I have two days and nineteen minutes left of work.  Or at least it's the only bit of work I have left as a resident of the United States.  I'm taking off a week to pack (which is really my new job) before Matt gets here, a week before the wedding to, well, do wedding things and then a couple of weeks with family and friends before I head to Salisbury on July 12th.

I am as pleased as a girl drinking good coffee at a little cafe in Rome.

  

(I did start a Rome picture post the other day but the internet freaked out and crashed out on me.  I hope to get back to it this weekend)

Winchester Cathedral & Jane - November 12th

I really do love Jane Austen but have to confess that I had no idea she was buried at Winchester Cathedral until Matt asked one of the tour guides where she was buried.   Jane was easy to point out because there are always flowers by her marker.

The marker, which was added later, reads, Jane Austen. Known to many by her writings, endeared to her family by the varied charms of her character and ennobled by her Christian faith and piety was born at Steventon in the County of Hants, December 16 1775 and buried in the Cathedral July 18 1817. "She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness".

This is her original marker. 

It was surrounded by tourists when we first walked.  After we toured the rest of the cathedral ("toured" is used lightly) I asked Matt if we could go back and visit Jane for a few minutes and I got her all to myself.  It was kind of an overwhelming few minutes.  It seemed silly to cry but I really did have to hold back a few tears.  

Speaking of Austen - I got to watch the Lost in Austen series while I was there.  It's really clever and I recommend it for a couple nights of girly fun.    Matt was a trooper and watched the last two episodes with me but if you're not familiar with Pride and Prejudice...yikes.  And to come in halfway made it worse.  I appreciated the effort, though.  :)

Stourhead - Tuesday, November 11th

The past couple of days have been really hard.  How do I combat missing Matt?  By reminiscing.

A month or so before I left, I started a thread in a West Country group on Ravelry looking for not only yarn shop suggestions but just interesting things to do in general.  I felt a little guilty that I was showing up on Matt's doorstep for two weeks, "Entertain me!"  Lots of people suggested a visit to Stourhead.  The house was closed but a fellow Raveler who works in the gardens assured me that they would still be beautitul in early November.  And they were.

This is one of the first views as you walk down into the gardens.   Here you can see the Palladin Bridge and the Pantheon. 

 

From The National Trust booklet that Matt purchased on the way in:

Not far from Stourhead House, the flat meadow suddenly falls away into a steep valley at a spot known as 'Paradise'.  When  the sun sets over the far slope, glinting off the lake and gilding the hanging woods, it feels just like that. 

Here, from the 1740s Henry Hoare II created the perfect landscape garden.  He dammed the stream to make a huge lake, around which he laid out a circuit walk.  As you progress round the lake, you take in a series of carefully composed views of classical and Gothic buildings set against wooded slopes.

We had come to The Temple of Flora before we read about Henry's pre-Hollywood Hollywood sets and were completely at a loss.  The outside was incredibly ornate but the building itself was just one room that was maybe about six feet deep.  After reading those paragraphs, the gardens took on an almost magical quality. 

Especially when you walk around a corner and spot things like this -

   

A tiny robin posed on a wooden bench.  Robins in Ohio look like tough, escaped convicts compared to their sweet, little, brown, English cousins. 

There were grottos reminiscent of Labyrinth that lead to amazing views or up secret paths.  Unfortunately, this grotto lead to the death of my camera -

 

I was getting ready to snap a photo not unlike this when my camera slipped from my hands and landed in a puddle, right on the edge of the lens.  Unfortunately that meant I didn't get as many photos of Stourhead as I'd have liked to.  Thank goodness I got this one of the Temple of Apollo -

 

I think, of the entire vacation, this is my favorite photo.  Later we walked into a grotto that led to a secret path that took you up to the Temple with an amazing view of the gardens.  It's the perfect picnic spot on is our list of things to do when we go back. 

I was lucky enough to cross off a few things on my 101 in 1001 list (the list is a mess - I was cleaning it up at one point and haven't gotten back to finish).  Here I got to cross off number seventy-four, "Kiss in the rain."  We'd already talked about the list and he had mentioned that he wanted to help me cross off a few (I was hoping number 98 was one of them and it was - just a day later) so when it started to rain just a bit and he stopped walking, I knew just why.  I actually crossed that one off my list several times, all over England and a few times in Paris as well...not that we really needed an excuse to smooch (red lights were also an opportunity we took advantage of as often as possible). 

And to continue with the magic of Stourhead, it was raining just enough to give us a beautiful, full rainbow as we drove away.  Absolutely amazing.  This was one of my very favorite days and I can't wait to go back and see it in other seasons - it'll always hold a very special place in my heart. 

How Did I Miss This?

I’m woefully behind on unpacking and putting things away.  Mostly the putting things away part – I’m pretty good at pulling things out of boxes and putting them on tables and shelves until I find a place for them.  It gives me a false sense of settling in because I get to throw boxes away.

 

Anyway, I didn’t hang my calendar up until this afternoon but even then I didn’t realize what I’d missed earlier this week.  It took mention of it in a couple of blogs before it dawned on me that I missed the first day of fall on Monday.  No wonder I’ve been wandering the grocery stores looking for pints of cider (so far only gallons and as much as I love cider, I know a lot of it would go to waste so I’m waiting patiently) to heat up and top off with spiced rum. 

 

That also explains my desire to do absolutely nothing but knit.  Yesterday I cast on A Scarf Askew with the blue fibranatura yarn that I’ve cast on, oh, about three, four or maybe even five different scarf patterns for Matt.  I spotted this one when Ginny queued it recently and I think it’s going to stick – especially since I’m about a foot into it. 

 

Speaking of Matt – it’s time for the All Matt, All the Time portion of my blog.  I point this out so that uninterested parties can change the channel, root around in the fridge for a snack or whatever. 

 

I spoke to his family this afternoon.   I can’t wait to meet them.  He keeps pointing out that I should be there with them now which is really comforting.  If I squint my eyes I can almost feel like I’ve met them all before and that I really should be there building sandcastles and relaxing.

 

Not that I really want the month of October to disappear or anything because it’s my favorite month of the year but…November 7^th can’t get here fast enough.  Even with the previously mentioned body issues the excitement is pretty amazing.

 

 

Too Excited to Come Up With a Title

Matt booked our flight to Paris tonight.  It's so real (the actual trip part) yet so unreal (the fact that I'm going to be with him) that it's unexplainably scary/exciting.   Mostly exciting. 

We'll be flying there on the second Sunday and staying until Wednesday morning..  That'll give us a couple days back at home before I leave (which is something I refuse to think about) and that'll be really nice. 

Holy cow...just a few more weeks!

Harry Gets a Job in England & Some Sappy Stuff

 

Much to my surprise, Harry arrived in Salisbury yesterday morning and has taken a position in Duck Safety.  He attempts to remind incoming ducks to slow down so they don't land like this:

It's kind of neat to see something over there that I made with my own two hands - no matter how simple and tiny - that was in my two hands less than a week ago.  Not that it makes the distance any easier - it just makes the whole crazy mess a little more real. 

Because I'm silly, I started my first packing list last night while I was waiting for his call.  It's never too early to start making lists, right?  I think not, especially when the act of making any list makes you happy. 

I started as realistically as possible with a list of things to take on the plane:

• knitting - sock?? Christmas knitting? Crochet?

• iPod

• travel journal & pen

• change of clothes

• book

• toothbrush/toothpaste

• face cloths

• make up

• courage & patience

• camera & batteries

I think the next to last on the list there might be the most important.  Especially the patience part. 

We talk about lots of stuff but the conversation always turns to Our Adventure.  We've got the first week kind of planned out but it's the first couple of hours that we talk about the most.  The first few nervous, awkward moments, a cup of tea somewhere, hand holding, the hour and a half drive home - just sharing the same space.  And I can't stop thinking that while I'm taking forever to get my bags and through Customs and all that, he'll be on the other side of some wall, waiting. 

Sigh. :-) 

Kitschy Crewel

I spotted this from across the room, high up on a shelf at the Salvation Army (which used to be a dance club/skating rink called the Bus Stop because the dj booth was the front of a school bus and the back end stuck out into the parking lot).  I walked across what used to be the skating rink, sure that it would have a large price tag because a.) retro is "in" and b.) the Salvation Army puts stupid ridiculously high price tags on some things but was delighted to find that it was in excellent condition and the frame was just as unique as the piece itself.  And what's the price on that little blue sticker?  $4.99?  Hooray! 

I love this nearly as much as I love my scrapghan.  No, wait...I might actually love it more.  Maybe.



This kind of kitsch is representative of how I'd love my entire apartment to look.  I've always loved that seventies look even though you'd never know it to see my apartment now.  My last apartment, that is, since the current one is a serious work in process.  I also found the most amazing hide-a-bed couch at a second hand store a few weeks ago.  I nearly purchased its green, yellow and white flowery goodness.  It was a bit steep at $250 but it was in fantastic shape and, honestly, how great is a hide-a-bed?  I'm sure someone snapped it up but it's been on my mind like a boy I met at a bar, talked with for hours and then let get away without a name or number.   Finding that bed, this picture and starting that afghan has made me think about how I thrift shop (mostly books) and I think I might focus more on this kind of stuff - the stuff that makes me happy. 

Upper Valley Fiber Festival

Today Ginny and I went to the Upper Valley Fiber Festival which, despite a little mishap with some spilled tea and an allergy pill I forgot to take, was a great time.  I went to the Wool Gathering last year with a boyfriend and, man oh man, is going to this type of thing SO much more fun with actual knitters!  We met up with a few other Ravelers who go to the Sunday knit night, too (which makes me think there needs to be a term for a group of knitters - you know, like "pod" but more yarny).  Yeah, it's much better to go with people who understand (en, in some cases, encourage - ha ha).   

There was the obligatory duck herding.... 

That photo was taken right after the ducks passed/around between us which was kind of cute.

And baby angora goats....

A handful of (very loud) sheep...unlike his pen-mates, this little Rastafarian was still unshorn when we left....

And of course, fiber.  This photo doesn't really do this skein justice - the purple is really more pinkish.

And some merino sock yarn because we know how I'm an avid sock knitter - ha ha.  I'm determined to finish a pair, though, and actually spent a lot of time this afternoon on the toe of a Marigold sock I'm making with the Panda Cotton I bought a couple of weeks ago.  I had to start over a couple of times but am happy with it now and get to start the actual lace pattern (gasp) whenever I get to pick it back up.  Oh, and I'm using the magic loop method for them - hooray for learning a new technique!  I didn't pack at all today, though, and am feeling kind of guilty so, around Mother's Day activities tomorrow, I need to get quite a bit done which means trying to stay away from the needles.

Back to the sock yarn....

And I bought more fiber to spin even though I've yet to learn to spin!  I bought a drop spindle last year along with some nice fiber and some practice stuff but...I never put enough time in it to really learn.  Unfortunately, when I got home I realized there was no tag whatsoever for this.  I know that I bought it from the really nice lady with the angora bunnies but there was no information on her shop or anything in the bag.   I think it's a mix of sheep and goat with a little bunny mixed in but we'll never know.  It's very pettable, though, and I'm sure it'll make something nice some day.

Chris - who inspired me to go ahead and write this post tonight before heading off to bed - has some other photos including a a cute one of her with one of the angora bunnies as well as a photo of all us enjoying French fries whilst dreaming of what we'll make with our purchases.

The You Make Me Smile/You Make My Day Awards

Blog awards rock.  And I've been so lucky as to have two bestowed on me in the past couple of months.  Unfortunately, I'm terrible about passing them on.  I have a great excuse though: when I post about my favorite blogs, I want to say The Absolute Most Perfect Thing about each one and that's a heck of a lot of pressure! 

But, thanks to my procrastination, my favorite blogs win not one but two awards - the You Make Me Smile Award and the You Make My Day Award!  I mean, if they make me smile they most likely make my day, right?  ;-)    

Without further ado and in no particular order:

Delly Bean: My oldest blog friend who still blogs (albeit on a different blog than when I first met her but I can't chastise anyone for that, can I?).  Her knitting, costuming and now silversmithing talents astound me.  She also thinks Labyrinth is awesome and makes a pretty cool sock monkey - both incredibly positive traits in my book.  :-)

Hand Eye Crafts: The lovely hostess of The Knitter's Hunk and bestower of the You Make Me Smile Award (and a fabulous prize giver).  She was my first Met On Ravelry friend - hooray for Ravelry!  And the she loves Alan Rickman which makes me like her just that much more.

Karma Kitties: She knits!  She sews!  She makes adorable kids! (Okay, that sounds kinda weird but you know what I mean - her little girl is a cutie)  She passed the You Make My Day Award on to me and saved me in my recent yarn crisis, thank goodness.  The blog world is a fine, fine place. 

Bent Objects: Quirky art made of objects and wire.  His cleverness never fails to make me smile.  I mean, for Pete's sake, he made one using Chapstick.  'Nuff said. 

dharma's universe: Another reason why I love Ravelry.  Finally!- a blogger/knitter who lives in my town!  I love reading about Dayton through the eyes of someone else - and the fact that she's a knitter is pretty freaking fabulous, too!

Miss V's Hobby Adventures: A new crafter of all things.  She actually might have Delly beat for oldest blog friend who still blogs now that I think about it btu I'm not sure.  She didn't mess around when she picked up knitting recently and her progress is damn impressive.  I look forward to a time in the near future when we can knit in the same room over - ahem - a (lotta) drink(s)!

Precarious Tomato: So funny!  And she just had a gorgeous baby girl so I'm looking forward to lots of hilarious baby stories.   

Rock-Paper-Scissors: I'm always happy to see her name highlighted with a new entry on my reader.  Her paper art and, more recently, adorable bears are stunning but I also apppreciate that her blog goes deeper into personal, spiritual issues.  She often leaves me thinking about some aspect of my life in a positive, thoughtful way. 

Roman Sock:  I just found her via Ravelry - egads her amigurumi creations are adorable and  I'm a sucker for the cute! 

Gluten Free Girl: I only read a couple of food blogs and this is my favorite.  I love reading about food just about as much as I love eating it - maybe more actually.  This is so much more than a blog about living gluten-free - it's recipes and love and beautiful photos, talks about trips and fresh ingredients that make me wish I lived where such ingredients were more readily available.

The rules for each award are different - one says to pass it on to five, the other to ten.  If you read this blog and were awarded, please pass on the love in whatever amount you see fit (unless you passed the love on to me in which case you are excused unless you feel like passing on even more love - it is February, after all)!

Zakka Style Owl Pennant

I found this via craftzine.com and I think it's my favorite Christmasy tutorial this year.  A beautiful Zakka Style Owl Pennant by Moonstitches.  I love the colors she used - especially the green - and the buttons on the letter E are wonderful.  My granny used to collect owls and she's terribly hard to buy for so I usually get her and her husband a gift certificate and sugar free chocolates (he's diabetic) as well as something handmade.  I think I've found my something handmade!