Where Have I Been?

Forgive me father, it has been days since I've blogged........

The days just zziiiiiippp right on by!  I'm having a very hard time believing that it's almost September.

I drove back from Maryland last Sunday.  The traffic was horrible!  There were back-ups just south of Washington, just north of Fredericksburg, and just north of Richmond on Interstate 95.  I don't understand -- the traffic was backed up as far ahead and behind me as I could see.  However, I never saw a cause for the traffic jams.  No accidents, no state troopers, no anything.  So, why does the traffic slow??  I know one thing --- I could NEVER do this on a daily basis!!  I'd be on medication after a week of trying to get to appointments in this kind of traffic.

I headed to Richmond by way of Colonial Heights late yesterday afternoon.  I stopped in Colonial Heights and met with the knitters at Panera's.  I love their Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken so ate a salad and visited with them a bit.  Pam, Emmy, Becky, Sandy, and Judy were all knitting away.  Sandy was showing off her handcrafted jewelry.  Very pretty!!  Had to purchase a cool pair of sterling earrings.  I had soap and jars of cream lotion for everyone to sample and sniff.  Cleaning the world - one knitter at a time!

Then, I hopped in the car and headed to Richmond to meet some of the knitters at Barnes & Noble.  There, Deb, Robin C., Mary Jane, and Cathy gathered to knit with me.  Their usual knit night is Tuesday but they joined me since I was in town.  It was really great to see them!!  My oldest, son, Brian came to deliver some stuff to me.  He stayed to enjoy a coffee drink and visit with the knitters.  It was great to see him - however briefly.  He only lives 2 hours away but has only managed to get home twice   this year.  Is this a son thing? a 25 year old thing? or what??

Today, I had a work appointment in Richmond and then headed to Williamsburg on my way home - well, kinda-sorta on my way home.  I had soap to deliver to Knitting Sisters.  They said they sold all the "Ewe Love Lavender" and all the "Mitered Mint" within the first week after I delivered it last month.  So, they ordered more of both of those fragrances and added "Knit 'N Bloom" and "Loop-de-Lemon" to the mix.  They sold a bar of lemon before I left today!  They also have a few bars of "Aran Apple" on hand for sale. 

With Meg's and Cat's help, I think I've finally am ready to start the wedding sweater.  I bought two more skeins of yarn to have on hand just in case.  I also purchased several books including three new books - Knit Kimono, The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters: A Knit-To-Fit Workshop, and Folk Style: Innovative Designs to Knit Including Sweaters, Hats, Scarves, Gloves, and More.  They are all great!!!  The kimono book -- LOVE IT!  The Twisted Sisters looks great, too.  Lots of nice basic patterns with good info on designing and measuring to do/adjust patterns.  In the third book, Folk Style, I fell hard in love with the Modern Quilt Wrap on page 25!!  I called Meg over and told her "THIS IS GORGEOUS!"  She said that was funny because she and Cat had just pulled all the skeins needed to knit it up as a store sample.  Well, that decided that - the skeins were already in a bag ready to go!  More later on what snuck into my car and traveled home with me.

It was finally time to leave for home.  I stopped for a coffee and then boarded the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry to cross the James River.  The ride is FREE! and it's so relaxing.  It gives me 20-30 minutes to read, knit, whatever - just relax and watch the water. 

It was very overcast today.  All my pictures turned out blue-gray in color. 

The ferries are escorted by seagulls.  They don't allow people to feed the seagulls from the front of the ferry.  But, you can feed them  from the rear of the boat.  You can imagine their reasoning!  As soon as we were underway, one family left their car with a bread bag in hand.  They came prepared.  To t he rear of the ferry, they went.  And, feathered chaos ensued!

Thanks for reading!! 

Hopefully, I'll have some wedding sweater progress to show soon.  Stay tuned!

Comments

[Robin C]

it was so wonderful visiting with you. and I just love your ride across the River. We must go down and do that one Sat.

have a great weekend

[Amy Artisan]

What a busy week you've had - sounds like a lot of fun in the midst of it all. All of your soap scents sounds wonderful - how great that they are selling so well! :)

[Diana]

I'm just wondering how many miles you put on that car a year!!! Whenever you are in Roanoke I'll have to meet you and check out your soaps! Robin has probably already invited you to our monthly 1st Thursdays knit/spin meetings at the Salem library. Some meetings we have tons of people. You'd be welcome to bring your goods.

[Rebekah]

Wow! That is an awesome picture of Ospreys. They are really cool birds, they make those huge nests. I got a picture one time of one flying into his nest with a big fish in his mouth that any fisherman would have been jealous of.

[isobel]

I must get to Kniiting Sistaers. Looks like a fun place.
It was great to see you for lunch!
I was right-- my daughter wanted the magnolia soap when I got home!!!

[janejane]

What a nice trip! I look forward to seeing you and wedding sweater progress on Tues.! Jane

[Robin in VA]

Awesome...glad you are home!

[Kim]

Wow....sounds like a fun (well except for the traffic) trip!!!

[KSee]

So close, if you had hopped off and gone south towards Fort Belvior you were about 5 miles from my house. The only time I see State Troppers is at the off ramps ticketing people getting off the HOV lanes there you can see as many as 6 in marked & unmarked cars. I too have yet to see the cause of a backup. Which is probably a good thing.
Love all your pictures. Wish we had a ferry up here but could you image the line! Nice that you have some many kniterly friends. The LYS closest to my home is more geared to stitchers.

[Suz]

I'm glad to know that someone has been doing some exciting things lately. I can live vicariously through your adventures for a while.

Very exciting news about your soap flying out of the shop. I'm about to bust into a new bar soon, maybe today! :)