Episode 80 The Owl That Might Have Been

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This show by sponsored by Quince & Co, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, and The Blend Cafe.

The folks at Quince & Co believe that businesses can be good citizens—should be good citizens—without making too much a fuss about it. So, they have created a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool or sourced from earth friendly overseas. Find them at www.quinceandco.com and while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is a sponsor of our show and our knitting Pipeline Retreat, March 2-3, 2012 in Washington IL.  The shop is located just about a mile from our retreat location just off the historic Washington Square.  Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is practically at the back door of those of you staying at The Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast.  On the second floor of this 6,000 sq ft store is a fiber corner with an array of fine quality yarns, books, and needles.  http://www.peddlersway.com 

The Blend Café is an independent coffee shop in Washington IL  The Blend's slogan, “Where coffee and community come together,” is more than just a catchy phrase to us - It is our passion! Our desire is to provide a comfortable place for those in our community to gather together and enjoy good company along with GREAT coffee.  If the front parking lot is full there is additional parking in the Russell’s Cycling and Fitness Center parking lot, just behind The Blend. www.theblendcoffee.com

I enjoy your feedback, comments on the blog, and questions.  Feel free to write to me at Paulaef@aol.com or on Ravelry as PrairiePiper.

Pipeliner Notes

We did buy that first house we looked at because I fell in love with the front door. I could not have goats there.

I made a mistake when I told you last week about the way I do the selvedges instead of slipping the first stitch.  See directions in the sidebar on this site.

Last week’s episode brought out the goat lovers and back to the landers.  If anyone does send me a goat I will give it to one of you.

I read a note from SpringPeeper about her fondness for goats. 

Asta wrote about gjetost.  It is eaten in very thin slices and not combined with meat or much else other than perhaps a dab of lingonberry jam.

Nature Notes

Saturday morning I went on a Snowy Owl Expedition by myself.  A snowy owl had been seen at Illinois Central College.  This seemed to be the perfect moment for a snowy owl appearance as I was listening to David Tolk (see In The Pipeline), but I did not see one.

I took a walk later that day about sunset and I was looking up into the sky in a moment of complete reverie when I saw a white bird flapping its wings WAY UP HIGH.  I am 90% certain it was a Snowy Owl but can’t be sure.

Alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sits.
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Needle Notes

Spectra by Stephen West

Began Gyllis by Stephen West but I frogged it.  The way the pattern was written was too frustrating.

OhSo Hat by Lee Bernstein

Well-written pattern and wonderful for beginners. Photos show female models but really is unisex and my husband likes it. 

Piper’s Journey KAL

Wave 2 starts March 5.  We started a new thread on March 1^st because the other thread is getting quite long and that can be discouraging if you are just getting into it. Seasoned PJ knitters can jump in to help.

Piper's Journeys from left to right by Charr, Bronwyn, and Paula

In The Pipeline

Knitting
New shawl design called Hyla Brook and socks for retreat.

Considering casting on one of the other designs in Scarves, Etc.  Not sure which one.

Watching

Downtown Abbey is not a soap Opera.  Soap operas do not make a lasting impression, they do not have costumes like this or film in castles, and they do not have Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville.  You might say that soaps have come a long way since I last saw one in 1968 but they have not evolved that much.

Reading

Finished Birds of a Feather #2 in Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. 

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonsen  Random House 2010  Love, love, love this book!    Helen Simonsen’s first novel and may she write many more. The writing reminds me so much of Alexander McCall Smith.

Listening

Since finishing The Paris Wife by Paula McClain I am catching up on podcasts.  Thank you to Louise of Caithness Craft Collective Podcast for her shout out for Piper’s Journey.

David Tolk.  In Reverence.  Title song of CD which I have purchased on iTunes.  Beautiful.

The Blethering Room

I tell a story about meeting Hazel Carter, lace knitter and designer, about 2000.  I asked her how to pronounce “Mma” and “Rra”.

Travel safely to the Knitting Pipeline Retreat.  Yikes! It starts tomorrow!

Have a great week.  Haste ye back.  Hold your knitting close.