On the Lake...

Recently, my DH and I spent a hot day cruising Smith Mountain Lake in our new (used) boat. The Lake (as people around here call it) was created in the 1960s by damming Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers and is used to supply much of the electricity to the region. This rustic marina was one my DH used growing up playing on the lake. While the gas, oil, snacks are long gone the hand painted signs remain... yes, two dollars is still the charge for using the boat launch.






We were greeted by two wary, but quickly friendly dogs...



I was amazed at the shore side diversity - the lake has become a popular retirement area and the "elite" area to live. Million dollar homes are becoming common alone the shore. Amazing to consider such affluence in a region where the median family income is around $45,000. However, plenty of humble cabins and trailers are spotted along the shore and cows still wade in coves and graze on pricey shoreline pastures. Perhaps the farmers are counting on the land to fund their retirement....


Not so humble....




The railroads seen from the lake are a reminder of the industrial origins of the Roanoke Valley and continue to move goods throughout the country.

During One Day Off Work...

I finished this sweater...
and cooked this tasty eggplant curry loaded with my own home grown basil...

Saturday Stuff

Ran/walked for one hour through the neighborhood early this AM before the heat became unbearable AND knitted another kitchen dishcloth! Yes, two different colors... ran out of the red so finished up with pink...

Weekend knitting

I decided I needed some kitchen accessories so I dug into my yarn stash for inspiration. I have never (intentionally) felted anything so I thought I'd try that as well. First up is a hot pad I crocheted from a skein of handspun wool/mohair a friend gifted me a while back. After felting it (two cycles in the washing machine) I embroidered random flowers and edged it with blanket stitch in a orange yarn to coordinate with my cool 70's dishes.

I enjoyed felted so that I crocheted another hot pad using some wool I purchased at the local yarn shop - the lighter color bands were originally yellow but faded after felting. Once again, I used orange to add embroidery. Next up will be matching felted oven mitts once I receive a huge statch of double pointed needled I recently purchased on ebay.Since this seemed to be a weekend of experimentation, I knitted up this washcloth using directions from smariek
- this was an opportunity to work with boobles and lots of yarnovers. Keeping track of the directions the yos needed to go kept me on my toes and it did not come out perfectly - perhaps the couple of cold ones I drank while watching my DH play in a poker tournament contributed to that???
I enjoyed knitting the first washcloth so much that I made a second, much easier one...yes, I do use these in my kitchen. I could have straigtened the edges on the pink one by blocking it but doesn't that seem a little silly for something I'll be using regularly....

Oh, isn't this the most wonderful vintage clothespin bag....




Sadly, my running has been nonexistent in this heat. I've been working a lot extra so I guess all that walking accounts for something...

Knitting Bliss

I received a great collection of vintage circular needles I purchased on ebay...


I finished a baby blanket in time for the shower tomorrow...


I have started my next project - a neckdown summer cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple...



If things were any better I couldn't stand it...

One year ago today

I started this blog...

A Wonderfully Satisfying Saturday

I ran the Coventry Commonwealth Games 5k today - the course was the Wiley Drive -Smith- Wasena Park Greenway. The weather was breezy and comfortable for morning running. I found myself at the back of the pack (no surprise!) and had a good conversation with a young woman who was running her first 5k. We helped each other get to the finish line....at least I was not dead last! I headed downtown to pick up some wonderful vegan handmade soap from Rebecca. The fragrant lavender soap is presently resting in a ceramic dish providing just the right amount of soothing lavender scent as I fall asleep. I also picked up four more basil plants so I can make oodles of pesto to freeze for the wintertime.


This small park is between two buildings across the street from the old fire station. The benches, tables and planters are made locally by Twists and Turns.

I headed north for about an hour to visit Orchardside Yarn Shop and take in their annual festival. I purchased some great yarn from the 50% off shelf and of course picked up another ball of sock yarn. I admired the alpacas but am still trying to not buy any more animal fiber yarn. This friendly poodle seemed to enjoy all the attention...

A view from the front of the shop...

Next stop - Buffalo Springs Herb Farm - wow! I'll be back to visit in the spring and pick up plants for my herb collection.

In several places I spotted succulents peeking out from the stone walks....

Unlike the poodle at Orchardside Yarn Shop, I think this cat was rather dismayed at all the commotion... Following are various buildings and gardens on the property - I particularly enjoyed the lavender garden. I plan to plant lavender outside our bedroom window....what a wonderful scent to lull one to sleep.

I stopped by Rockbridge Vineyard (well,it was right there) and tasted several good wines and picked up several bottles. Virginia is becoming quite known for the wine produced here. I particularly enjoyed the St. Mary's Blanc - a dry, barrel fermented Vidal/Chardonnay.

Driving back home I avoided the interstate and took a less traveled road to Lexington. Stopped in for lunch at The Palms and plan to have a day trip to Lexington to browse the downtown shops and the historic areas. I'll try lunch at the Blue Sky Bakery next time.
Relaxing and knitting on our patio I heard this piece on NPR about Nancy Cunard. I must learn more about this intriguing woman. Running, knitting, wine tasting and listening to NPR...what a satisfying day!