CSA week 2

Here is the last share from the CSA. Love, love, love!!

We've got:
spinach
boston lettuce
romaine lettuce
watercress
snap peas
rhubarb
strawberries
mint
spring onions
asparagus

Let's just say, we've had several salads with the different lettuces and watercress. Sauteed spinach, roasted asparagus, and a strawberry/rhubarb crisp. And more to come. Loving all the fresh veggies. I've never tried watercress before, so it was awesome to get to try that. Really yummy!

girls weekend

So for the last few years, my FIL, husband and his two BILs went camping for a weekend in October. They decided that a guys weekend would be a fun way to get together, get to know each other better, and have some fun. When I saw my two SILs in March, they suggested we do the same thing as girls, along with my MIL. So that happened this past weekend.

Overall, it was fun. It was good to get to hang out with no other obligations (kids, spouses, etc). We relaxed, got massages, ate some yummy food, and drank some. And of course, I knitted a bit, while they scrapbooked and watched movies. It was very productive! I ended up making lots of progress on my Ishbel, and even finished it! Here is the unblocked photo:


So on Saturday as we were waiting for massages, I noticed a sign on a building across from where the spa was. It was for a tattoo place. I've been wanting another one for quite some time now, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to see if they had any openings. So I went in, and they were booked solid. But they said I could try calling after 6:30 pm and see if anything was available. I called, and there wasn't. So she said she'd take my number and call me if things were looking good. About 20 minutes later, my cell rang and I was in the car on my way to get my third tattoo! Yay!!


I had wanted to do something for my kids, so I went with simple. Each of their names around my ankle, with a heart separating them. Here it is:




It didn't hurt too badly, except for the place near the ankle bone. It was SO worth it. I love it, the script he chose was perfect, and I'm just so thrilled with it. Now to plan my next one- which will be bigger. And on my back/shoulder. Hmmm...

I got home Sunday afternoon, and slept for 2 hours. I was exhausted!! So glad this coming weekend is a long weekend. I really need it!

Huge news!

I have some really big, really awesome news!!

So, I was looking on Ravelry the other day, and saw something about the TKGA Knit and Crochet show happening this summer. In Buffalo! Which is where I'm from. At first, I was thinking it might be fun to go up for it and go with my mom, since she always comes down to Maryland for Sheep and Wool and came last year to Stitches East. And then it dawned on me...that it might be fun to try to apply for a vendor spot. If they actually had any left. So I talked to my DH about it, and talked to my mom about it (she's been a great sounding board for me). And I came to the conclusion that I should absolutely apply, and see what happens!

So yesterday, I faxed the application over, and 3 hours later, I got an e-mail that I have been accepted, and will be a vendor! So, there will be tons of dyeing happening at my house over the next 3 months. And tons of Harry Potter colorways to come up with! I'm over the moon with excitement. Cannot wait!! I'm thrilled that my first solo big show will be in my hometown. With my mom there to help me. And some good friends and other family members there to support me. I am still in shock. And in that "what the heck was I thinking?!!" mentality. But I am SO excited.

I leave you with a pic of some of the yarn that will be at the show!

CSA

I've been such a crappy blogger lately! I'm really going to work on that! I have some great posts a'brewing, from Maryland Sheep and Wool, a few dyeing days at my place, and lots of other stuff. But first, I want to post about the new thing we've started doing this year- a CSA. One of the ladies in one of the knitting groups I go to and I have decided to split a CSA share this summer, and today was the first pick up! I met up with her, got the goods, and we split them up at her place.

Here is a pic of my half:

Here you see some purple cabbage, lettuce, spring onions, asparagus, strawberries, and mint. They were going to include radishes, but since neither of us will eat them, they gave us extra asparagus instead. Yum! And they also gave us 2 extra containers of berries, so we had double. I got them home, and stashed everything in the fridge and went outside to work in our garden. We did eat the lettuce for dinner, as well as the berries for dessert. And some mint in mojitos. It rocked. The salad was probably the yummiest salad I've had in ages. Yay for fresh produce!

So I had started loads of seedlings about 2 months ago...and they were doing great! Until someone (a rat) decided to eat the tops off of the broccoli, so they ended up being moved outside, where they'd have a chance at survival. Let's just say that they were sad, and neglected after going outside (not enough watering...less sunlight...). So I was going to plant the pathetic little things, but plan on going to pick up some actual plants this week or next. Until our neighbor gave me his extras! Now I have a few tomato and pepper plants that absolutely will survive. And the peas are already growing out in the garden, and I planted the beans today (better late than never...). We also got the beds surrounded with fencing to keep out the adorable veggie-eating bunnies. I am curious to see what will grow. We'll either end up with TONs of tomato plants or just a few.

For some knitting content- I finally finished Celia's first pair of socks! They are out of my yarn, that Celia helped me dye, and they are fabulous. Black with pinks. Really pretty. I can't wait to show them to her tomorrow! I've also made some real progress on Ishbel, which is the first lace project I've really made actual progress on. And it seems to be working and turning out really pretty. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

And last but not least, Happy Mothers Day to all of you mothers out there! I'm looking forward to a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, some good quality time with Celia, Seth and the DH, and hopefully some dyeing time. So much to do and so little time!!