Ghost in the Machine

Ok....so sometimes, when the work day is done and I'm exhausted, all that sounds good is to put the TV on and knit....  At my house however, there is a ghost in the machine....my TV to be specific.  For some reason, my TV and someone's ham radio or phone or whatever...are on the same wavelength.  This is all the entertainment I need sometimes.  The voice belongs to a man, very craggy and very, very southern.  Not Nashville southern, but redneck southern....does this make sense?  Of course I only hear one side of the conversation, but it's hilarious....  Just so you all know....somewhere on 46 there is someplace REALLY readnecky according to the voice.  I wonder does he hear my TV?  Does he think, were is that crap coming from?  Does he like Grey's Anatomy?  Ah.....the quiet evenings with my redneck TV buddy.

1st Murfreesboro Fibre Fest (aka Fiber in the Boro)

Ok....so what a great event.  I think I'm safe in saying that fun was had by all, that many shoppers went home very happy, that many vendors went home very happy and that finally the organizers of this event, Jan, Darlene and Meredith....can rest easy. 

The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable.  It was wonderful to meet so many new people and a joy to chat with so many old friends.  I hope everyone had as good a time as I did...chime in.  What did you go home with?  And how about the spinning circle...great idea!!!

My morning started off with a felted sheep building class. 

Ok....I know what you're thinking, but I've been dying to take this class since I saw the little things at the Dickson Fiber Festival. 

I had a blast.  I sat at a table with Nancy, Susan and Patricia....we did have a good time.  I didn't think to take pictures of the stages of this sheep building, but here are a few.  At one point, he was totally a troll sheep, but slowly his mane relaxed and he blossomed into the sheep I knew he could be.  Seriously, what fun we had.

Next I taught a drop spinning class with Darlene.  Once again, we had fun.  Yes, I know I was the teacher and on the other side, but what fun.  It's amazing to watch students develop into spinners before your eyes.  Everyone left with a small hank of possibility.  And from what I saw afterward, they were all planning to continue their new found skill.

Although I did not get a chance to eat the food provided by The Blue Porch, I heard it was amazing.  Looking forward to that next year. 

And, the door prizes....seems like everyone enjoyed that....what a great idea.  Anyone know who got my cards?

Of course, being the autumn junkie that I am....the weather being so beautiful just added to this outstanding day.  How about that fog in the am?  My car found it's way to Murfreesboro without much visibility, but what a gorgeous morning. 

So, there were animals...fun to watch as usual, but when the spitting started, I was out of there.

So thank you to everyone who vended and taught, cooked and directed and most of all to the amazing volunteers.....what is the world without volunteers.  Looking forward to next year already!

Home via the Smoky Mountains

Ok.....so we came back to Nashville though the Smoky Mountains in October....we stopped for boiled peanuts and apples.  Once you have these apples, there is no going back to the grocery store......enough said.

PS....snow...yipppeeee.....

Biltmore Village - Ashville

Ok.....quickly interrupting our regularly scheduled programming for the follow PSA....

Fiber in the Boro is tomorrow....join me at Lane Agricultural Park, John Rice Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 10:00 AM till 5:00 PM… lots of Daily Fiber goodies, an agility llama and other creatures, great vendors and yummy locally-sourced food. Come on down (or up!) We even have an all-day spinnner’s circle!

Ok.....so on Saturday, we decided to check out Biltmore Village rather than go back to SAFF.  I know, only one day, this is unheard of.  But the key to fiber festivals is to go until you're finished, don't feel like you've missed anything, or have reached your budget limit.  For us, we were excited to see some of the galleries in the Village and enjoy the beautiful day outdoors. 

Our adventure began with a yummy Mexican breakfast....well, everything else had a long wait or wasn't opened and we were hungry.  So, into Neo Cantina we popped for a very good start to the day. 

Then off to Bellagio Art to Wear Gallery.  This was a wonderful shop full of beautifully inspire clothing and accessories.  Although it is a clothing shop, it was like strolling through a gallery....double treat. 

Next on to New Morning Gallery conveniently located right next door.  This was a amazing.  Room after room of art for living.  There was plenty of art to just hang up or eye, but more than that was art for everyday living and use.  Beautiful and again inspiring.

Then to The Tree and Vine.  This is a relatively new olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting shop.  Oh what fun we had there.  I think I finally like balsamic vinegar.  Lovely when it's done right.  We tasted and bought and tasted and bought until we realized it was time for lunch. 

So on to The Book & Breadboard for a yummy lunch, which was too gorgeous to eat, but we ate it anyway.

We couldn't leave the Biltmore Village area without taking a stroll through the local yarn shop, Yarn Paradise, which lived up to it's name, with several rooms of yarn and many, many people knitting and visiting. 

Our evening was relaxing and quiet.....good company, good conversation, a view of the lake and alpaca throws.......what more could a girl want.....

SAFF for real

Ok.....a few pictures of the event.  We had a gorgeous day....gorgeous weekend for the event and all other activities in Ashville. 

For those of you who don't know, SAFF is a festival of fibre and animals held each fall in Ashville, NC.  So, we wondered, we looked, we touched, we bought, Jan dyed and Darlene and I knitted.  In the middle of this we all waited in a long line for a weenie or sandwich and cheese fries.  Ah....life at the fair. 

There were a lot of shops represented and a few independent dyers.  We saw all kinds of beautiful items and believe it or not, the two women I started conversations with were from Michigan.  Usually works that way.....we're everywhere.