The Last I Remember...

  Well the last I remember it was the first part of March. I had just posted my Foothills Sock  and my daughter and I had a trip to New Orleans planned. Along with that my mom had been hospitalized twice, my uncle passed away and my great-aunt has had a very serious stroke. A lot to handle, YES, can it be done, YES.

  So where do I start?
Let's just talk about the happy things. New Orleans was AMAZING! This is a city that you much experience for yourself. I am serious about this. We were treated so well, and everyone that we came in contact with was so kind and friendly. The city kind of reminds me of a big city on a limited amount of land. There is something to do every minute of the day, and the food industry there is nothing like I have ever experienced. My daughter, (Sara) got to meet the Executive Chef for Emeril's New Orleans, and got a full tour of where she will be working. She is so excited and I am for her also. She has a place to live and April 5th, we will be moving her down there. The apartments are so nice. River Garden Apartments on St. Andrews. Now that has it's own set of problems since the original plans got changed. So we are looking for someone to drive down there with us. Long story. Anyway, the Tuesday evening we were there, the chef invited us for dinner. We were treated so well. I have never seen a dinner service so on point. We sat at the chef's bar, looking into the kitchen being able to watch everything that was cook and watching the back kitchen staff. What an amazing experience. If you would like to see some fantastic photos of the restaurant , menu, staff, etc check out this link. Emeri's New Orleans.

  Creatively New Orleans was such an inspiration. So many artists there, and new ideas. On this next trip down there I hope to spend a little more time talking to the local artists and hanging out in the yarn shops.


While all this has been going on I've been expanding my hand dyeing skills. Mixed Berries & Cream and Bermuda are just a couple of the new techniques and colorways to come. I really appreciate the women who have willing and graciously shared what they have learned but more important I appreciate and am so grateful that these women love to share their knowledge in hopes that you will take what they have learned and make it your own, and turn it into "your own". Our talents and gifts will never grow and they will die with us, unless we share them, unless we plant those seeds into someone elses dreams.  (soap box warning, LOL) These ladies do not have a heart of competition, but a giving heart because they are confident in what they do, and what they know. 

  So off I go to start an evening of dyeing. The coffee is ready and the music is rockin'.

So Much Going On and So Much On My Mind

Hey, I'm finally having a few minutes to sit down and catch my breath. It's been a full schedule of coming and going, on the phone on the computer back out running the roads, work, knitting, selling my car, etc. It's been nuts. Then lets add a couple of things that have really been laying on my heart.

Giving. Sounds simple enough. But, it's something that I did a lot more of when I lived in Atlanta. I had more time then and could sit and knit all evening and make things to give aways. Now though my direction for giving is a little different. I don't have a single person or group in mind. I just know that I want to knit and donate when I knit. So I've been asking around to different churches, organizations and charity groups and found a couple that could REALLY use the help. One is a clinic for children and the other is a ministry for the homeless and especially our military that are homeless and living on the streets. Now, if any of you feel in your heart that you would like to join me in the outreach, please email me at knittingsatori@gmail.com. I know for a fact that right now the military homeless are in serious need of socks. Not just hand made, but bags of socks from like Hanes/Fruit of the Loom, etc. I have seen so many wonderful things happen when a person gives. I know I've experienced a few miracles when I've given that could take a whole blog post to talk about. But, really, if you would like to join me, I'd love to talk with you. The child's clinic is mostly looking for blankets, small hand knit or crocheted toys/animals, hats, scarves, mittens, things a long those lines.

One true thing about people in the hand craft community is that we are always ready to help another person, no matter where we are at in our lives. That is an amazing character for such a large group of people. I have seen knitter's and spinners, freely help and assist other's that they have never met face to face, just communicated with online. It's a great thing.

Another thing on my mind (and not so deep) is knitting related also,

Stitches South. I am so hoping that I can work things out financially so I can go. It's looking good right now. Meeting up with some of my knitting students from Atlanta would be so great. I miss them. I would also like to connect with some of the customers/Ravelry friends from Smoky Mountain Spinnery. I guess I need to come up with something that has my Ravelry name on it, so I can be recognized. Any suggestions? I'm even thinking about setting up a meeting time over by the concessions so we could all meet up for a little while.

Writing my bio. I am in a place where I have to write my bio. Let me tell you, I tried it last night and I'm not good at it. I sound pretty dull. I can blog, I can encourage and I can share from my heart and experience, but putting something together about myself in an exciting way. Well, not so much. If any of you have suggestions PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know.

Buying a spinning wheel. This subject has come up many times on my blog. I guess it just wasn't the right time. But, I maybe able to in the next couple of weeks. I'm really praying that it works out. I've got it down to two, (which is great progress from me asking everyone about their wheels). Both are Schacht wheels, The Matchless is my dream wheel, every time I walk by the Matchless at the Spinnery, it calls my name. I love that wheel. My other choice is the Side Kick. What a cutie. It's of course compact, and more portable, spins well, and again the one at the Spinnery and I are on good terms. We like each other. :-)

So that's some of what's been going on. Before I go let me share one of the projects I have on my needles that I'm loving. It's the Agave Scarf, by Universal Yarns. (the link is to the Ravelry description to it) The pattern could be written a little different at first, but once you get it, OMG, you will love it. It's a great knit, easy to watch TV and do, and it's beautiful when finished. 

I'm off again. Out to do my running around for the day. Enjoy yourself, smile a lot, and knit often.