To the Beach!

To Myrtle Beach for six days of rest, fun and knitting! I packed more knitting stuff than anything - clothing included. I plan to finish a tshirt sweater and work on a Santa hat...

We stopped at a produce stand along the way to stock up - we're staying at a beachfront condo with a fully stocked kitchen I'll have time to leisurely cook.

Beautiful fall apples to eat out of hand and to cook for breakfast...

I'll pick up sweet potatoes on the way back home. I bake several sweet potatoes at a time to have for breakfast or anytime - one of my favorites and full of beta carotene.
Fall mums...

Warty gourds....
Regal turnips...
Ghostly pumpkins...
One little gray pumpkin trying to hide among his larger orange friends...
And the beach as seen from our balcony....

Blog Catch Up

My computer had connection problems that seemed to right itself after a week or so making me behind on blogging. Think I will be caught up after this entry and will have time to work on Ravelry now that I have received my invitation - now when do I have time to work?

A couple of Saturdays ago two dear friends married at this spectacular country mansion in Virginia's New River Valley.

The wide plank wood floors were beautifully refinished with a soft gloss I prefer over the high gloss glass-like glaze so many people seem to prefer.

Directly behind the manor was this tidy farmhouse. I don't know if the caretakers live there or if it is part of the bed and breakfast.

More barns and silos on the property....

We combined attending this wedding with camping and boating for the weekend at Philpott Lake. The weather for the first of October continued to be unseasonably warm - high temperature records from 1959 (the year I was born) were broken during this time.


Another lake sunset...


And a country store nearby where you can pick up a movie and work on your tan while buying beer and snacks...

Last Week of September

Before heading out for a week long meeting in Pennsylvania, my DH gave me my birthday present - I love it! - now maybe I can break up this SW VA rock hard clay soil. I can hardly wait to empty my compost bin and work it all those nutrients into the soil using this fine implement.
I drove to King of Prussia since plane tickets were just too expensive for such a short flight and I'd need a rental car anywhere. Additionally, I love a road trip. This seven hour drive took me through central and northern Virginia, a quick pass through the northeast section of West Virginia, northwest "skinny" section of Maryland and central Pennsylvania.

I used the rest stops along the way for their intended purpose as well as opportunities for photo ops and book releases.

I planned my trip to spend my first preconference / registration day in Philadelphia. I visited Philadelphia several years ago and was eager to return. I made it into the city around 2pm and headed directly to Chinatown to have a tasty veggie meal. Alas, my favorite vegetarian restaurant had closed but I found Singapore Vegetarian Restaurant close by and it was equally wonderful.

Walking along I saw this.....

And this.....

Oh, now how did this happen - a yarn shop :-) The Yarn Cellar is a tiny space packed with beautiful yarns and more books than I've seen anywhere else....Of course I made some purchases.

A squat building squeezed between two much taller ones...kind of like the way I felt on the metro at the Notre Dame stop in Paris. Just when I thought no one else could possibly get on the train here comes two very large guys pushing in around me....

Sore feet anyone?

The Love sculpture known to many on US stamps popular on Valentine's Day...

Philadelphia is such a walkable city with these wayfinding maps frequently posted ...

Amsterdam?

Paris? Can you see the beauty of Philadelphia? I must return again for a long weekend and stay in the city. The rest of the week was spent in class studying - I did exercise in the hotel gym and finished a sweater . Back home, I attended the day long Roanoke NoSo and had great fun visiting old and new friends and knitting a little....

A beautifully textured rick rack like yarn a college professor of mine was knitting - I always knew she was cool....
A soft throw someone was knitting for a charity raffle - I'd like it for my bed!

Pompom yarn because I like the preppy color combo....

A tableful of handmade scarves, baby hats, blankets and clothing to be donated to local charities..

A fun St. Pat's hat someone crocheted for the most creative yarn use award...

A precious little baby bib...

A huge amount of yarns were collected for the Alderson Prison Knitting group - this prison was the one Martha Stewart spent time....

And the winner of the best yarn use award was this cuddly knitted clown just perfect for a child to hold....I'm planning to look through my vintage knitting books to find a winner for next year....

Back home I froze some of my Italian flat leaf parsley.

Coarsely chop and place in blender with enough olive oil to cover it.

After chopping, pour into ice tray and place in freezer.

After the cubes are frozen solid, pop them out and place in a labeled ziplock and put back in freezer. These will be yummy in those winter soups and pasta sauces!

A few cayenne peppers salvaged from my garden....

Lastly, a quick purse I whipped up from yarn and a book I purchased with a gift certificate I won at the NoSo. I added vintage buttons from my collection as a decorative touch. Leigh Radford's One Skein is a beautiful book filled with fun projects....I'll be making more from this book. Sometimes a girl just needs instant gratification!

Saturday in the (Tiny) Park

Tucked between a busy interstate exit and a strip mall this tiny park is such a jewel in Roanoke. I decided to finally visit this park during a busy day of running errands - looked like a lovely place to have a healthy lunch.


I picked up veggie sushi from the Fresh Market across the street and perched on the stones scattered around this pocket park. You know, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone here - what a shame!





After a delightful (and tasty) lunch, I visited the newly relocated Wine Gourmet. Originally in Daleville, the owners moved to this location adjacent to the Ukrops that opened recently. What a smart move since Ukrops does not sell alcohol. I purchased some delicious Argentinian wine after a tasting with the distributor.
My day ended with a brisk 3 mile round trip walk to the Greek Festival in my neighborhood. This has to be the most delightful festival in Roanoke and there are plenty. Held on the grounds of the Greek Orthodox church the food and the music entice people to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. It's also the only festival I can remember having an alcohol license that allows patrons to purchase beer and wine on the premises and wander around instead of being confined to a "beer garden".


Another mouth watering plate of veggie food and a ice cold Greek Beer...



Just one of the several beer/wine carts scattered throughout the grounds..... And you say there is nothing to do in Roanoke!