Homeward Bound...

We left Williamsburg, Virginia yesterday and are nearly home. 

I've had this ceramic pin for about fifteen years and

it's always been one of my favorite, whimsical pieces to wear.

It reminded me of Kessie with her silly ears, and

she was never one to turn down a little ride in the car.

It just seemed the right image for today's post.

I'm hoping to find an artist some day who could make another one 

for me, but with a corgi that looks like Taggart grinning out the window.

Tag has become quite the little traveler, so it would be perfect for him, too!

I've got so many exciting things to share with you in the next week,

least of which will be a giveaway that I've been planning 

to celebrate over 800 posts (It's actually 867 today!)

I'll do my regular weekend posts, but starting next week I'll share a few

revelations and then launch my 800th Plus Post Giveaway. (Catchy, eh?)

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions for locating my

Rhapsody of Grace fabric. I placed an order online yesterday 

and received an online confirmation for my order right away. 

I'm crossing my fingers that they actually have what I need now.

Because we're on the road, and I placed the order online while we

were driving (don't you just love modern technology?) I'll have to

wait until Monday to call and find out if it's on its way to me.

I'll be home late today, and will be back in the studio as soon as I can.

Enjoy your weekend...I have lots of relaxing planned!

Another Visit To Williamsburg...

We're back in Williamsburg, Virginia, but this year we're living in our Airstream instead of a hotel room. Handsome was invited to again perform with the Williamsburg Consort, so we'll be here for rehearsals and a free performance for the residents of the city.

It's been raining since we arrived, but we've been safe, warm and cozy in the Flying Cloud. I don't envy the tent campers here at all. Our campground is beautiful, tucked into a few hundred acres of wilderness, but we have all the amenities, too. There is a laundry facility, small shop, an arcade for the bored kids, and our campsites have electricity, water, sewer, cable and wifi. I'm happy as long as I can get to my blog and read yours!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a special day that Tag and I spent with friends after we arrived. You won't want to miss our story and photos. Tag is a wonderful little traveler and we're so glad that he's a part of our family. Unlike many of the dogs in the campground, he's not a barker (thank Heaven!), and he only gets noisy when he's running up and down inside the Cloud and playing with one of us. As soon as we "hush" him, he stops and settles down. He's making some of the bigger and older dogs look like delinquents.

I'm going to get back to enjoying the area where our great country got its start. Williamsburg is such a lovely area and I don't want to miss visiting the colonial area again. I just can't get enough of the history around here. Have a great day yourself, and I'll be back tomorrow with photos and a new story to share.

PS. Happy belated extended seventh Anniversary to my friend, Carol (Serendipity blog) and her charming husband, Jack. Their special day was Sunday. Wishing you many more loving and happy years together, my friends.

Another Williamsburg Year Comes To A Close...

This is my final post for our Williamsburg trip for 2010. We had a wonderful time, and although I already shared photographs from the Thursday evening concert, I'd want to share a few more from Handsome's special music performance during the day on Thursday.

The Dixieland Band (for which he is the drummer) always takes a side trip to a local nursing home to play for the residents. I'm sure I shared photos last year, but this was just as much, if not more, fun this year.
A lot of residents filled the common area. Those with hearing aids moved to the back because they said the music was "too loud", but I saw them back there, tapping their feet and clapping their hands, too. Even if they hadn't joined us in the common room, residents were able to enjoy the music from the dining and physical therapy areas, too.
You may remember that this sweetheart attended last year, and I'm pleased to say that she joined us again this year. She made sure she was in the common area early enough to get a front row seat, and the music had barely begun when she was tapping and clapping. I'm told that, while I was out parking our truck, Handsome was setting up his drum kit, and she was plinking on the piano, concerned that it be in tune for their performance.

By the end of the first number, she was on her feet and cutting a rug! We couldn't help but giggle when she turned her back to the audience and wiggled her butt. She was quite the spry young lady, I tell you!
Seated next to her was a rather dapper gentleman who had come in after she was seated. By the third number, he had asked her to dance and I'm here to tell you - THEY. WERE. GOOD!
I worried a bit that there might be a "dip" at the end of a number...never quite sure whether he might dip her - or she might dip him! Thankfully, they thought better of theatrical tricks and stuck to the basics. They might have put a few Dancing With The Stars favorites to shame!

That evening at the full concert, I saw that same sweet lady in the row in front of me. She smiled from ear to ear and her enjoyment fairly glowed on her face.

Go To FileFactory.com

You can hear one of their performances by clicking on the player to start the music. Hope you can just imagine this cute couple dancing their socks off!
We did the drawings for the Williamsburg Welcome Quilt, pillow and afghan after the concert. Maggie won the afghan and was thrilled to have it. Here's a photo of her hamming it up for the camera. Looks good on her, don't you think?

I asked Sally Craig (the Consort organizer) to let me know when she had a final accounting, so that I might share how much money was raised for the Scholarship Fund. I'll get back to you with that information as soon as I have it.

Another Consort under our belts. It was a great year spent reconnecting with old friends. We drove straight through on our trip back to Florida. We didn't finish our good-byes and set out until 10 am Friday morning. Add two hours for a traffic jam just south of Savannah, and we arrived home at 4:30 am on Saturday. Kes was so glad to see us, and I'll tell you the feeling was mutual. I missed my little dog and am glad for the three of us to be back home together.

PS. You've been busy, commenting and joining Brynwood's friends list! Now it's time for me to get back to business and make not one, but two lap quilts for my 500th Post/Friends Giveaway! Thank you so much for making me feel so loved. Please know that I feel the same about you!

Maggie And The Lt. Colonel...

Here is the program from last night's Williamsburg Consort "America Alive" concert. It was fabulous! Tom Puwalski was the clarinet soloist and his musicality was second to none. He received standing ovations for each of his performances, but there was an irrepressible presence in the house, and she stole the show.
Miss Maggie Worsdale brought down the house...again! When she sang "Alexander's Ragtime Band", the interplay between her and the conductor, Lt. Colonel Larry Lang (USAF) tickled everyone in the audience.
When she came back onstage to perform "All That Jazz", he started teasing her about her hat. She told him that after her performance, she'd let him wear it.

Then, she started singing her baudy rendition of the song and he had a hard time not laughing during the performance when she twirled her cape and hit him square in the tush! He really wasn't expecting that. (Being a serious military type, and all.)
The song ended, she reminded him that he was going to put on her hat. She handed it to him, and (to all of our surprise), he bent over and placed on his head! What a sport!
She had one more number (with a guest conductor) to do after this embrace, so she told him he had to take her hat offstage with him. He stepped down off the podium, hung his head, bent his shoulders...and still wearing her hat, sauntered off the stage. The house filled with laughter.

This is the image I'll remember from this year's Consort performance...a memory of all of the fun we had this year in Williamsburg. It was a wonderful week with all of our musical friends.

Today we'll load up the F150 and head south. Time to leave and go back to Florida. We're heading home, Kessie. Keep the light on for us. I'll share more photographs after we get back home. (I've saved some great ones of Handsome's Dixieland Band performance for you.)

The Most Recent Member Of My Team...

I'd like to introduce you to my newest assistant at Brynwood Needleworks. As I always try to bring a plethora of fun, creative, informative, joyful and cheerful posts your way, it only seems fitting that the most recent member of my team is "Cheerful". No, really! That's his name! Cheerful.
He's getting to know his way around the studio...asking lots of questions, teasing Kes, and most of all, bringing a wonderful sense of whimsy into my day. When I read his resume' and I saw that his pincushion was made using one of the French General fabrics, I knew he just had to move to Florida!

Cheerful comes to Brynwood Needleworks by way of the fabulously talented Susan Pilloto of Mouse Droppings blog and Crowsnest Pass Primitive Art in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. (By the way, I had a little chat with Cheerful and there'll be none of that mouse droppings stuff in the studio!)Susan's work is in high demand, and she always contacts her followers to let them know when she'll be listing up her creations. (Often only a one hour window of opportunity to purchase one of her "kids".) I persevered and was finally able to score Cheerful for myself. No indentured servitude here...only love and adoration for the little guy, and loads of admiration for Sue's creative flair.

Just look at his sweet face with a sly, little smile. Don't you agree he's the most wonderful little mouse ever?
Speaking of sweet faces...(nice segue, right?) Guess who I'm going to spend time with today? The photo is a little hint. I am thrilled beyond words that one of my beautiful blog buddies is driving to Williamsburg today to be with me! How special do you think I'm feeling right about now? Do you recognize her?

You can bet I'll spill all the details and share lots of photographs...tomorrow! muahahahahaha
I'd like to wish all of you a fabulous day today, but I have to tell you...unless you're getting married or giving birth...no one else's day is gonna hold a candle to mine!

A Joyful Obsession...

I was really busy yesterday! I finished the Williamsburg Consort pillow project, so I'm set to go to Virginia now. (Well, except for packing, cleaning the house before we leave because I don't like coming home to a messy house, and last minute errands.) I'm happy with the way it turned out, and hope that this, too, will generate more for the scholarship fund.

I shipped out some orders and my September ATC for the Blissfull ATC Swap group, and then late day, I got a phone call to tell me that the quilt I made for our master bedroom is quilted and ready to pick up. I'm not sure I'll have time to bind it before we leave on our trip, but if I do, I'll photograph it on our bed for you.
I finished this project, too. I can only give a peek right now. I will be shipping it out today, and hope that my Victorian Cuff Swap partner likes it. Once she receives it, I promise I'll show you the entire finished cuff. It's going to a new blog friend living in England, and goodness, I sure hope she loves it!
One of the comments I received yesterday on my giveaway post was this one from Lisette:

Ok, what would I like to see in a next entry. I would really love (t0) hear why you are so crazy about the acorn.

Hugs,
Lisette

Thanks for asking! I've always been a country girl, preferring a quiet woodland path of a nature walk to the hard concrete sidewalks and noise in town. I always found myself gravitating to the oak trees on my explorations. I love their size, majesty and beauty. They convey feelings of age and protection to me.

When I conceived my design business, Brynwood Needleworks, Kes' grandmother, Bryn was the inspiration for the name. Memories of those oak trees with their acorn treasures inspired one of my requirements when I hired our friend, Bob Fehring (who owns Artel' Design Studio in Waupun, Wisconsin) to design my logo.That was in 1989, and since then, I can't pass up anything "acorn" without considering whether or not to add it to my collection. Even the real ones that are regularly sent to me from my blog friends are prized gifts . I add them to a beautiful, big vase in the studio where they are precious reminders of old and new friendships. My friend, Michelle Palmer, coats hers with gel medium to keep them dark and shiny. I think I'm going to do that, too (after I get back from my trip).

So, Lisette. There you have it. My explanation for a joyful obsession...just one of many collections! Thanks again for asking!I'm overwhelmed with your kind comments and entries in my 500th Post Giveaway! I have been reading every single comment and want to thank everyone for your lovely words. So much so that I have another surprise for you...

If, in the course of doing this giveaway, we reach 500 friends (followers), too...I'll add a second drawing for a second lap quilt! I'll chose another fabric collection and post it tomorrow - just in case.

So, if you haven't done so yet, and you're so inclined...please share my giveaway on your blog. Not only will you earn another chance in the drawing, but if we get to 500 followers, you'll also earn a second opportunity to win a lap quilt. hee hee Are you happy yet?

Williamsburg Cardi Completed...

This is the sweater I worked on while Handsome played beautiful music in Williamsburg. It was on our trip that I realized I hadn't purchased the trim yarn along with the original yarn. Usually, I'll purchase all my supplies at once to be sure that I have everything (just in case I don't get to the project before the yarn is sold out). I was just a little nervous that they wouldn't have what I needed, as I had purchased the yarn last spring.

I ran up to my favorite yarn shop (The Spinning Wheel) in Sarasota yesterday and was greeted by (owner) Klara's sweet smile. We hadn't seen each other for a while, so a too-short but nice visit was in order, too. One of the things I love about specialty shops - other than the fact that I used to own one - is that they always recognize your face, love to know what you're working on, and when you ask if they have such-and-such for your project, someone jumps up to get exactly what you were looking for. She still had my trim yarn in stock - but only one skein in black. Whew! That's all I'd need.

I paid for my purchase, hugs were exchanged all around, and then I hurried back home to crochet the edging on my cardigan. An hour later I was finished! Handsome was kind enough to snap a photo for me so I could show you what it looks like now.

I've tucked up the sleeves in the picture. I think they're too long (they fall below my wrist line), so I will have to adjust their length. It will involve cutting the cuffs off (that's right, I said "cutting"). I'll cut the sleeves shorter than my desired finished length, and then I'll be grafting on new cuffs that fall where they're more comfortable for me. For now, "tuckage" was in order.

I'm really happy with the results, and I think I'll just refer to it from now on as the Williamsburg Cardi. What do you think?

Consort Photos And A Sweater Update...

I just had to share a few photos from the
final days of the Williamsburg Consort week with you.
First, Handsome in his Consort uniform...

Handsome played in a separate Dixieland Ensemble comprised of Consort members. They performed at a local nursing home, where they were warmly received. A few of the residents even got up and danced!
They also performed for the other musicians at two different receptions, and warmed up the crowd coming in to watch the America Alive Concert featuring the entire Consort on Thursday evening. That concert was held at the high school in Williamsburg and they performed to a packed house!

One of the guest soloists was a talented trumpet player named Ken Watters.
I've made his name a link to the Watters brothers website so you can read more about them.
(But don't go away yet!)
See Handsome in the percussion section behind him? Yup! That's my guy!

The female soloist of the evening was the incomparable Maggie Worsdale.
She and Ken performed the showstopper "Cornet Man".
Beginning with her walking onstage in her outrageous outfit,
to the interplay between her and Ken -
fully supported by the Williamsburg Consort -
they nearly brought the house down.
Here's a link to clips of some her music on her website.

I apologize that I don't have concert music to share with you yet. We'll be getting a dvd of Thursday evening's performance very soon. I promise to post a link to this particular number featuring Ken and Maggie as soon as it arrives, so that you get the essence of what you missed!

Finally, I am currently completing the second sleeve of the sweater I started on this trip. I'll be putting it together over the weekend and will model my finished piece for you early next week.
Friday we were on our way home to Florida. We settled into a brand new La Quinta in Pooler, Georgia (about 10 miles from Savannah). We'll be home later today. We're already planning our trip back to Williamsburg next year. We had an absolute ball - and I wish each and every one of you could have seen the performances on Thursday. Makes my heart full just thinking about it.

So, What Else Am I Doing In Williamsburg...

I know, I know. My title should have ended with a question mark. Call it "poetic license". I just want all my titles to end in ellipses. Call my old English teacher, Mrs. Gaskill. I'll explain it to her later.

I've restarted my Plymouth Confusion cardigan on this trip. I've already completed the back and am now working on the left front side. It's really knitting up quickly. I love the multi-textures of this yarn and it's going to look great whether I wear it with dress slacks or jeans. It's just that kind of yarn.

This is a photograph of the strand of yarn so you can see what I'm talking about with the multiple textures that are revealed as I knit along. It's easy to knit quickly because I keep looking to see what's next along the strand. Clicking on the photo will enlarge it for you.

I'm hoping to have all the work completed - and perhaps even assemble it - before we leave Williamsburg to head home. I promise I'll let you know how it's coming along. You can keep track of my progress by clicking here, or going to "Currently On My Needles" Flickr album in my right sidebar.

Nine Hundred Miles And Fourteen Hours Later...

Sunrise over Virginia
Handsome took the off-ramp so that I could get out of the truck to snap
this photo of this morning's sunrise as contrails from various flights crossed the sky at sunrise.
The crisp morning air smelled of Autumn and the sunrise was breathtaking.

We've arrived in Williamsburg, VA. It was what we like to refer to as an "arduous" drive. We drove in rain for the first four hours or so. At times it was raining so hard that we slowed to 45 miles an hour on the Interstate and drove with our flashers on. Then, we proceeded under cloudy skies for most of the remainder of our Saturday drive.

Although there was road construction along the way - and some mighty "skinny" roadways in some spots - we thought we were free and clear of the rain. About an hour from the end of the first day of our trip, another "gully-washer" punctuated our arrival into Battleboro, North Carolina, where we finally dropped the hook for the night.

Kes is in Florida at her favorite kennel. All the gals love her there and she's tickled to be around all the other dogs. When I dropped her off, they told me that she practically pranced down the row of accommodations announcing her arrival. I tell you this so you don't think we tortured her with a fourteen hours on the road. We were the only tired souls at the end of the day.

A walk next door to the restaurant, where we talked little, ate a bit and then back to the motel. Handsome placed a call to request a 5 am wakeup call and we were in bed by 8:30. Two tired bears that were asleep within ten minutes.

The wakeup call came way too early this morning, but like the troopers we are, we got up and were on the road again by 6. So, here we are. I'm in our hotel room writing to you, and Handsome is downstairs unloading his drum kit and assorted accessories. I'm sure that about now he wishes he'd taken up playing the flute or some other tiny instrument!

He'll be starting rehearsals today, so he's immediately jumping in with both feet. I, on the other hand, will probably start with a little nap and then knit or crochet a bit. Ah, yes. Traveling with my talented husband has its rewards.