Ring of Kerry...sort of

Well it was very wet today. We started the day off with a hearty breakfast at our lovely hotel, the Ballygarry House, in Tralee, County Kerry. This hotel is just amazing. Our bathroom is SUPER SWEET and I could easily park a car in it.

We headed down to Killarney National Park and for a two mile hike or so to Muckcross Abbey, a ruins that you can only access by foot/bike/jaunty (horse drawn) car. It is very quiet. We were the only people there. We carried on the Ring of Kerry for a bit and took in foggy, albeit lovely views of at "Ladies View" and Moll's Gap.

But the BEST part of the day, the SHEEP FARM! I got to sheer a sheep and feed a lamb with a bottle. We also saw and amazing sheep dog demo, but out in mountains and rocky terrain, it is much better than seeing a demo in a ring at Maryland Sheep and Wool.

We just got back from dinner in Tralee, where my sister drank her beer and finished off me and mom's cider...beatch! We looked at all sorts of ARAN sweaters today; they have them for about 130 euro hand knit to each Clan specific pattern...it was very cool. They also had some Aran weight wool...but I kept on moving to the Guinness souveniers...I've bought enough yarn already. Tomorrow we tour the Dingle Peninsula before taking the ferry across the River Shannon to County Clare for our last three days based out of Ennis.

Peace, Love and Yarn
Knitty D

ETOH

drinking in Ireland...

can't type anymore...

The Emerald Isle

Hello from Ireland! We are on day two of our Irish adventure. Allison arrived, a couple hours late but in good shape. Yesterday we toured Powerscourt Gardens and County Wicklow on our way to Kilkenny for the evening. We stopped for, of all things, an Italian dinner, in Carlow...but it was REALLY good and after eating fish and chips all week it hit the spot.

After getting ridiculously lost in this small town for 100 roundabouts, we found our in and settled in for the first all out Bach girl giggle fest. I'm so proud of Ali and how she staved off her jet lag.

Today we toured Waterford Crystal and got to see master craftsman blowing glass. The tour conveniently drops you in the shop. The crystal is really fantastic and the process by which it is blown and cut is fascinating. After lunch and 1/2 pints of Guinness, we headed back to Kilkenny where we've seen the Kilkenny Castle ( Castle # 11 of the trip) and the Kilkenny design center which hosts local crafts and craft makers. The knitting shop was disappointing...we would do better!

Tomorrow we are off to the Rock of Cashel, Cork and County Kerry...

I'm am homesick...but mostly beagle sick. Trying desperately to get more knitting done with very little success...

Also, I lost my mobile phone in the Glasgow Airport...unless it is wrapped up somewhere in a chacki...anyway...my number has been suspended. Please email me you numbers to knittyd@gmail.com so that I can reprogram before I come back to Philly (one week from tomorrow !)

Miss everyone
C

BAAAAAAAA....

Castle Count= 10
Miles Traveled around = 750
Cost for 1 tank of gas=50£ or about $110 (an we Americans think we have it bad!)
Number of Sheep Seen= Thousands
Number of Time keys were locked in boot requiring a call to the AA (american equiv = AAA)=1
Number of Photos taken= 1000 (and counting)---they are being burned to a DVD as we type


Hello from Pitlochry! We are heading down out of the Cairngrom Mountains and the Highlands back toward Glasgow. We fly out this evening to Dublin and meet up with Allison tomorrow after her overnight flight from Chicago.

We've had a lovely time in Scotland, and met some lovely people along the way. We are off to eat more fish and chips and drink more Tennets lager (from Glasgow and YUMMY!)

More from the Emerald Isle...Ps I've gotten like no knitting done, except when James was taking two hours to fish the keys out of the boot (trunk) yesterday...then I cast on the Koigu shawl...felt like a good time to do so.

Love
Knitty D

Sadly, No Monster

Hello from Inverness and Loch Ness. Mom and I took a cruise on the Loch today, on a boat outfitted with sonar and we DID NOT spot the Loch Ness Monster.

Scotland continues to amaze me...it is just fantastic. I have managed to MASTER driving on the left side and on single track (one lane for both directions of traffic). The Isle of Skye was fantastic...we drove past rocky coast line, towering cliffs, waterfalls and mountains. Last night we stayed on the end of the island, literally. If you look at a map of Scotland and the Isle of Skye, on the westerly edge is Neist Point Light House. Our B and B was about one mile from there. Last night we had a spinning demonstration from our hostess, Janet. This morning she had home-made bread and preserves...yum.

No I haven't tried Haggis yet and I'm not planning too.

Castle Count = 4
Miles Traveled in Scotland = 500
Times we've put the "hood" of top of our car down=2
Number of photos taken= 800 (and counting)
Number of Lochs we've sailed on =2 (Ness and Dunvegan)

And the fish and chips...oh yum yum yum
More to follow

Isle of Skye

Hi from the Isle of Skye! We have found yarn (!) cashmere and hand dyed silk! We are having a jolly old time. Lots of fish and chips and guinness. It is amazing here!

Sorry I can't write more, but there is a line for computers and we've got more shopping to do!

More to follow!

update

We are here and things are MUCH more civilized in Scotland. They have Starbucks. Need I say more. Feeling better...heading out to begin our adventure.

More to follow

Almost there...

We are in Dublin, awaiting our flight to Glasgow.

So far, we had a little surprise when we got to Boston and realized our flight had been changed...instead of going directly to Dublin, we landed in Shannon around 530am and then forwarded on to Dublin around 7am. The trans-atlantic part of the trip was very smooth and FAST.

Being in this airport reminds me of why I dislike Dublin so much. It is a mad house here. Too many people in a very small space with not enough infrastructure to support it...just like my experience with the city two years ago...so I'm looking forward to getting back on the plane and heading for Glasgow.

It's 335 am my time right now. And it's my birthday.
I'm going on no sleep. Almost finished a book and watched two episodes of The Office, including the season finale, which WAS AWESOME. There is NO decent coffee here and no where to get breakfast, so I got a rice krispie treat and a diet pepsi. But at least I'm in Ireland...not Philadelphia.

Peace

The Guy

Ellen and I went to the Phils game on Saturday. Yes, I ate lots of crab fries and Bulls BBQ...but the best part of the game was...THE RAIN DELAY.

Sitting behind us was this poor soul:

He fell asleep during the delay and his friends thought it would be fun to see how much stuff they could cover him with...look closely and you'll see:

-peanut shells (including one on his head)
-an all star ballet
-an empty crab fry container
-a food tray
-a bottle of beer
-lots of people having a good laugh at this guys expense.

What was even better...when he woke up...

Can you say DimSum?

Well, in a few days, I'll be 35. Since I'll be in another country we decided to celebrate at our favorite dive, the Lakeside Chinese Deli.

I am silly walrus chopstick girl

Klusaritz in the House

My knitting pals, Wendy, Robin and Allison

Jim is a copy cat!

Arthur gives Trishy some loving

Sergio, Me, Arthur and Super T

Check out that HOT shawl!

Jim, Me, Kava and Jen

Me and Ellen

Kelsey, Me and Money

A rocking time was had by all. Thanks everyone for sharing this special night with me.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

I am the Champion my friends

Success. It is very sweet. I finished the shawl.

Blocking:

Finished:


Now close your eyes and imagine me jaunting through the Scottish Highlands with this around my shoulders. See Gus demonstrate

Good job.

We leave Saturday. Finished just in time...

Worth the Wait

I know I know. I haven't blogged for a while...but I was saving it for SHEEP AND WOOL 2007!!!

Can you say, BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

The treck started Friday night. Wanting to leave promptly at the "crack of ass," Nicole and Elizabeth slept over at my house. They weren't into the traditional slumber party stuff like the Ouija board or levitation. No, instead, we planned our attack for the Festival. We all wanted to hit the Koigu booth...I mean, seriously, who doesn't want to score some discounted Koigu? I also got Nic into Socks that Rock when I showed her my stash, so we also knew we wanted to hit The Fold. We also knew we wanted to fondle all the Brooks Farm yarn (not the Brooks Farm hottie Wendy and I referred to after last year's festival). Beyond that, I was looking for Brittany cable needles, a shawl pin and blocking wires. And of course, we had to score FESTIVAL SWAG.

Let me start by saying, there was no Koigu. Maie broke her foot and they decided not to make the trip. After a brief period of disappointment, I knew we had to move on...no use crying over spilled milk...and I could spend that money EASILY somewhere else.

Well, I can tell you one thing about the festival. We are REALLY REALLY good at standing in line. You waited in line for everything...to buy yarn, to pee, to buy food, to pet a llama. The festival has become so much more crowded over the years. Not just with knitters, but with fiberholics galore. Weavers, spinners, dyers, knitters. And then, there are the people there to show their live stock. We saw sheep, llamas, alpacas, angora goats and angora rabbits! Here are some animals:

Here is my haul!

I realize it is a bit hard to visualize everything, so here are some more specifics:

Cute Socks

Brooks Farm Acero for Socks, Wrist Warmers and the "Crest of the Wave" Mobius,

a Brooks Farm Pattern

Socks that Rock in Carbon Dating, Pebbles and Lunasea

Two Morehouse Merino Kits

Not 1, but 3 Shawl Pins

No festival is complete without CASHMERE!!!

This is from Just our Yarn and when it grows up, it will be the "Feather Shawl"

which is one of their patterns

I also scored a festival tee, that just happens to match the one I got at Rhinebeck as well as a tote bag and a special present for my mom and my secret pal.

But the best part, the friends who joined us at "Camp Knitty D and the City!" Yes, we made camp, complete with chair, blankets and lots of room for knitting

and let us not forget, the brownies:

OH MY GOD!

Look what my dad sent me!

Sorry Roger! You tiger now!

Spring has Sprung!

I visited the Home Depot today and had a little party. My green thumbs were very busy as I planted this morning. It is hard to believe that last weekend it rained 5 inches and the wind howled and rattled my windows. Here is how we spent the weekend:

Spring Preview

I took this photo of Gussy in the front yard yesterday

Today is planting day, so more to follow:

The Phillies are Shunned

Dear Phillies Mgmt

It is time to fire the (owner's) Manual.

Seriously. What is going on? We are the WORST team in baseball-except for J Roll who actually IS hitting the ball.

I'm available for consultation and management of the baseball team...and I'm not afraid to stand up to Howard (F****) Eskin.

Using a technique employed by the Amish and Dwight on "The Office" I am shunning you.

A Devoted Fan

Catharsis

Well, I remember a song, from the 80's in which the words went something like, "I'm all cried out, over you." I think crying for four +++ hours Monday was something I needed to do, because I have really felt so much better since then.

It's been a busy week. On Tuesday, I went to a book signing with Giada De Laurentiis. I LOVE HER. I love her show on the food network, "Everyday Italian." Her new book is "Everyday Pasta." Besides meeting her, and being a bit star struck (yes, her boobs are that big)...I can't wait to cook some yummy Italian food. I've made my grocery list...this weekend I'm making crab stuffed manicotti and penne with sausage, peppers and onions.

I met up with the ladies at Rosie's for knitting circle Wednesday night, followed by dinner to celebrate Allison's birthday at Dmitri's.

Last night, I laughed for an hour while watching "The Office" and "30 Rock."

It's really the perfect weekend for knitting and cooking. We are supposed to get a RIDONCULOUS amount of rain Sunday and Monday with the first (yes, FIRST) Nor'easter of the year. I'm planning on honkering down Sunday...making scones, coffee and pasta, doing laundry and knitting. Fun Fun Fun.

I totally messed up Maude tonight. I'm so damn pissed...but I dropped a ssk down like three or four rows. Said SSK is flanked by yarn overs on either side. I have NO CLUE how to fix it without frogging four rows (NOT GOING TO HAPPEN). So, I've packed it away and am going in for an intervention tomorrow...In the meantime, I picked up the Highland Triangle and the Hunter's Safety Stole again.

But, while organizing my patterns in my new binder (thanks secret pal!) I came across a pattern I've wanted to make FOREVER. It called "The Nap Shawl" from Wool You Order. I don't know HOW LONG AGO I bought this pattern...certainly before I had conquered lace. But I am desperate to make it. Perhaps it is because I LOVE LOVE LOVE to nap. Perhaps it is because it is based on a traditional Shetland shawl pattern. Who knows? So I've been looking at yarns...

I'm supposed to get 5/inch on a size 6 needle--though the pattern calls for a fingering weight yarn. I'm not getting 5/inch on any size six needle in any fingering weight yarn that will produce ANY kind of fabric that I like.

Anyway, here are the candidates I've come across so far:
1) Blue Sky Alpaca Sport Weight.
Pros: Colors
Cons: Yardage for cost.
2) Blue Sky Alpaca Silk.
Pros: Hands down a favorite yarn of mine
Cons: How many shawls in this yarn can/should I have (this would be 3)?
3) Brooks Farm Primero
Pros: Going to Sheep and Wool in 3 weeks and can touch and feel ALL I WANT, great yardage, lovely colors
Cons: Mohair, though according to their website it is "Silk like."

Any other suggestions?

Craptastic its after 11 and I've got to teach at 9am.
I totally screwed though because one of my fav episodes of Seinfeld is on...

Nighty night

Meltdowns and such

Yesterday, I picked up Molly's ashes from VHUP. It was so strange. I took my friend Julie and we walked up after lunch. I made lots of small talk as I walked in and tried not to think about what I was doing. I signed a piece of paper and they retrieved the box from the CLOSET behind the front desk at the business office. Condolences were offered. I walked back to work.

An hour later I lost it. It was like she had died all over again. I was inconsolable, crying like a mad woman, hiding in my office. I started to question the decision I made to end her suffering (and mine). Did I do the right thing? I mean, should I have used my vacation money I had tried to hard to save, to try hard to save Molly? Am I so selfish for choosing not to do this? My heart was aching. Somehow, I made it home. I was greeted by Gussy and Maggie. Maggie licked my tears again. We went for a walk, snuggled. Thank god I have them; they are the best caregivers I could have.

So, Molly came home yesterday too. She is on the piano---she always loved to pee underneath the piano. I'm planning on burying her at the Joy House, near the fountain, which she also loved. But, I'm not sure when I'll be ready to do that...I'm certainly not ready for the finality right now.

Also making me cry, the Phillies. YOU SUCK! It is time to fire the manager.

I started a new knitting project: I find that my grief has been quite conducive to knitting. I'm working on Maude, a Courtney Kelly Designs/Smith Island Pattern Factory pattern. I LOVE IT. Wendy told me in October when she was making it that it was "such a relaxing pattern to knit." I'd never really been able to think of a pattern that way; but now I know what she is talking about. Anyway, it is gorgeous in Koigu (yum) and I'm anticipating finishing it in a couple of weeks. Photos to follow.

Speaking of koigu, look what I did:

I think this is all of the koigu I've purchased since January. I THINK. TWENTY FOUR SKEINS! Wendy asked me if I was still planning on making a b-line to the koigu at sheep and wool. My answer was, HELL YES! I LOVE IT! Isn't it Yummy?!?!

Maude is being made in the turquise multi in the back. Next to that is the yarn for my drop stitch shawl. The olive solid is going to be "Ene" from scarf style, which Wendy also just made in a delicious plum color...and the pink...well I'm not sure yet. A shawl most likely....

Oh, and I discovered something that Maggie likes to eat, OTHER than yarn:

PEEPS!!!!! That is a little bunny peep hanging out of her mouth!!

That's the update...let the healing continue.

Secret Pal Swag

Thanks to my GEORGIA PEACH for the fabu secret pal box of fun!
Look what I got:


In this photo, Maggie is exploring the goodies. I got a great ball of sock yarn & a new binder for patterns, personalized, complete with beagle. Inside is a KICKIN' sock pattern. SP also sent treats for the kids, some LOVELY smelling bath goodies, a REALLY cute beagle magnet which adorns my filing cabinet in my office and some Weight Watchers candies ( my FAVORITE--even though I've been totally going crazy on Reses Peanut Butter Eggs lately).

Maggie and Gussy enjoyed their special gifts too:

They had also just had baths! I've got the best smelling hound dogs in the world! I tried Kiehls new dog shampoo and conditioner...YUMMMMMMMM. These dogs look amazing; and boy are they super soft too!



So, last week, before the worst Wednesday of my life, I decided to ABORT the Highland Triangle in the Rowan Felted Tweed. As I sat here knitting last Monday night, the yarn just pulled right apart. I know I pull my yarn tightly, but this was ridiculous. I decided the entire thing was going to be spit spliced. I returned the aforementioned yarn and started over again in my old standby favorite, Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. I'm through the first two repeats---

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it...I am just afraid I'm not going to finish it in time for the trip...STAY ON TARGET. The trip is just 6 weeks away and I've got some SERIOUS knitting to do.

Anyone been to any good yarn places in Ireland or Scotland? Details please!!!!