It's been 5 months since my oldest left to follow her dreams and further her skills in the dressage arena. Brian and I headed North with just Hannah Grace for a 3 day visit and what a great time we all had!

That first hug after 5 long months felt so good for this Momma! It has really been an adjustment for me to get used to her being gone! Tthe only thing that kept me happy was knowing how happy she is and what a great place she is in with such amazing people surrounding her! We are all truly blessed!

We were able to watch her ride one of the horses she is helping to train. And then we were treated to a great cart ride by Bandit the pony. Hannah Grace also was able to ride Bandit with the help of Emily and she did not want that to ever end!

Emily made us a great dinner and we hung out spinning on our drop spindles a little and talking about knitting!

We spent another day in Toronto yarn store hopping! My wonderful hubby escorted us around town as we checked out all the great shops......we went to 3 in all and yes we did make a few purchases!! Such a great day!

The 3 days went by way too fast and then we were leaving again......hoping she can come home at Christmas for a visit!

Here are just a few photos of our visit........

With all the excitement of Rhinebeck this past week I forgot to post about a mystery KAL I just finished! It was the Lonely yarn Club KAL and I am in love with the finished shawl! This was my first design of Susan Ashcroft's and I have to say I will be making more of her patterns in the future.
The idea was to pick some yarn that has been languishing in the stash for a while and put it to good use.....I of course could not find the right weight in the right color even though my stash is rather large.....so I found my yarn looking lonely on the yarn shops shelf and rescued it right away!
I used Madeline Tosh Sock yarn in 2 different colorways and I just love the results!!




 I am really glad I participated in this mystery KAL and I look forward to knitting more of Susan's patterns!

Well I know it's yarn along today and what better way to celebrate then to share about my trip to Rhinebeck! It was my first year and so it was a little over whelming you might say!!

We arrived early and got right in the gates when they opened...the line behind us went on forever! I did have a must have list of a few items but I really just wanted to look around and take it all in. The weather was great and perfect for sweaters.....which we saw a lot of!!! I was lucky to have 2 of my girls with me......here I am with Hannah Grace in our handknits and some homepun too!!

It got crazy crowded fast! But we just let the crowds take us as we took it all in! The sheep breeds tent was so fun....we loved touching all the fleece! Here are just a few of them....





and the aisles and aisles of yarn and fiber..........





The one item I really wanted to get my hands on was a Trindle.......and I got one and I love it! You can buy them on Etsy too but I really wanted to see it first. I also picked up lots of different fiber to make rolags on my blending board. Here is my loot!!




I told my daughter to keep me in line and remind me how I don't need any more yarn right now.......but how could I come away without even one skein?? So I ended up with one skein of Socks That Rock that I could not pass up!

Oh and here is a photo of the Ravely meet up......there was sooo many people!!!


What a great day and I am already looking forward to next year!!

I actually was inspired and casted on for a new project this week! I have been spinning this gorgeous 100% merino and decided it wanted to become and Idlewood sweater. So even before I have finished spinning all the fiber I have started knitting this......next week I will have pictures but this is the homespun I am using for it....it is knitting up so soft and squishy!

Things have been quiet here....again. My Mom is finally home from the hospital and recovering slowly and it's been a roller coaster as they are still not really sure what is going on. But we are at least home now and only heading back down once a week to help her out and go to doctors. The past week has been...dare I say....almost normal.....well normal for us at least!
I'm excited to jump back into the yarn along and let you know what just came off the needles! Hannah Grace and I will be heading to Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend and a new sweater was in order. Little Buds has been in my favs for a while and so I decided to cast on. It was a great knit for all the hospital sitting I did this past month. And now it's done! Sorry for the overload of photos but they all came out so cute.....








 The cute dress she is wearing is one my Mom made for my oldest daughter who is now 20! This sweater is a great knit and I know she will wear this a lot! You can find my notes here.

I am really looking forward to Rhinebeck this weekend.....anyone else going to be heading there? It's my first time so I can't wait to get to see all the fiber and yarn goodness!!!

I have also been busy spinning and this week I made some rolags from my new blending board.....so fun!


 and this is on the wheel right now......the colors remind me of fall! I am not reading anything new, when I get the chance I seem to be spinning or knitting not reading right now! It's definitely that time of year!


Joining Ginny today for the Yarn Along.....Happy Knitting!!

September has been just crazy.......My Mom has been very sick and is still in the hospital, I will be heading there soon. I am so thankful I have my knitting to keep me occupied. So schedules are out the door and other stuff put on hold so we can get Grandma well again.
Two weeks ago before this all happened my amazing hubby took me to The Endless Mountains Fiber Festival and we had such a good time......so good I forgot to take any pictures! I did buy lots of good fiber and some yummy sock yarn and really cute stitch markers too!
Before we went I wanted Hannah Grace to have something to wear but it was too hot still for a sweater....so I whipped up this adorable Heartwarmer for her! This is a great piece and I know she will get lots of wear from it as it goes with everything!

ravelry notes here

I did manage to get a little spinning in as well......I plyed this 100 % merino that I picked up at the festival.......it really came out squishy and soft!


And on the needles now is a Little Buds sweater for Hannah Grace.....this has been in my favorites for a while and it has been my companion in the hospital as I sit with my Mom. I just need to do a few more inches on the bottom and then the sleeves and she will have a great sweater to wear this fall!
I just got a copy of Trim, Healthy Mama but have not had the time to start it.....it's gotten great reviews and the recipes are amazing!
Joining Ginny as usual over at Small things......grab some tea and join us!

This spot has been quiet this summer as I have just been too busy to get over here and blog. The spinning......knitting........and reading have still been going on and I have happily finished some projects this summer that truly make me smile! I also have some on the needles that are keeping me happy these days as well! And we are coming upon the most perfect time of the year to knit......and also to wear those knits!

Just this week I finished a homespun creation.......another shawl. This one is merino and bamboo and was and was just amazing to spin and to knit with! (Ravelry notes).









Sorry for the overload of pictures.....Hannah Grace looks the cutest in it! I'm thinking this will be my shawl to wear next weekend at the PA Endless Mountains Fiber Festival......anyone else planning on going this year? I would love to meet up with you!

I am also working on this blanket for Hannah Grace's bed......(thanks to Ginny for the pattern) it's a fun and easy knit! (Ravelry notes)


My reading right now is mostly for the kids new school year which we will be starting up next week! I'm planning out our read alouds and trying to get as organized as I can before we begin.  I'm excited to head on over to Ginny's at Small Things and see what everyone else has been up to! Looks like a cloudy day so I have an excuse to sit with a cup of tea and check out the links!! Happy Knitting to you!!