Oviedo Spain, Kings, Castile and Cathedrals

Traveling through Northern Spain was a wonderful experience.  Through villages and tall snow capped mountain ranges to the city of Oviedo.   Historically beautiful.   Our Hotel Reconquista was a palace hundreds of years ago.  

Around the corner I found this lovely yarn shop.. so different from what you see in USA.  The shop carried fine children's knit items and socks.   A tiny place but much to choose from. 

Portuguese Douro Shawl

My Douro voyage ended and then we were off to Spain to visit family.   I had no time or the frame of mind to sit and knit the lace work during the trip, so I finished it at home...

By the way I'm on my way to Cape Cod today..let's see what I find to knit there..Looking forward to spending time with my Friend who also loves to knit..

Knitting on the Douro River Portugal

2015 & 2016 were eventful years for me.   After my surgery I was more determined to travel and spend time enjoying life and the wonder around us.   Fortunately I had the opportunity to take a river cruise on the Douro River in Portugal.   We staying in Lisbon for 3 days, and as is my practice I visited a yarn shop and found a variegated merino yarn.   So as the ship cast off, I cast on a top down shawl.    The voyage was amazing, mountains, vineyards and so much history.  

 Slowly working on this piece.

Massive vineyards

Knitting and travel break

Tiny mountain top fortress of Rodrigo

getting further along on my shawl.   

A little road-trip Nashville to Louisville

June 2016 - traveled to Nashville, enjoying the sounds and sites.  Of course had to stop at this shop.  American Pickers one of my favorite TV shows. 

Driving from Nashville to Louisville, all on back roads.  

Goodlettsville , Kentucky

Passed Fort Knox and then found this lovely quilt shop.

Knitting is in Vogue

At one time knitting was considered out of touch, old fashioned and passé.   That didn't stop me from knitting..but it wasn't easy to find yarns of interest and I guess I did knit a little less.   The knitting world has changed over the years, and there is a renewed energy.    Blogs, podcasts, on-line videos and classes, knitting groups, conventions and world wide travel excursions, have brought thousands of knitters together.   The variety of  yarns only slightly surpasses the variety of knitters representing all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, origins and personalities.....knitting,crochet,spinning and weaving is for everyone..   I had a wonderful time at #vogue knitting live Chicago.   Sharing time with friends and family.

This is a small world

I've heard and used that saying so many times,  when I run into a friend while 100's of miles from home, or I meet someone new and find that they are married to my 3rd cousin on your grandmother's side of the family, or ......well you know what I mean.   But sitting in the airport the other day, just watching all the people pass.... made it clear to me that there are millions and millions of people.... living a life, wanting the basic things is life we all should have,  food, shelter, love and compassion.  I sat there and watched, and made eye contact and smiled and even though everyone was in a rush to catch a flight or get their baggage, they all smiled back.

Getting it together

It's been a busy 30 days!!! To NY and Back,  the move, new classes at Broadway Quilts and the International Knitting Studio, and now back in NY.   Handed west  today.  It will feel good to get settled!!!

Dim Sum

Saying good-bye is not an easy thing to do, so since I like to do things the easy way, it's best to not consider a good-bye a good-bye. Better to spend time sharing a meal, talking about the next time you will see each other, plan for future trips and make sure that where ever you go the people you love know that they are welcome to join you any time. Dim sum is a great meal to share- with the delicate appetizers spinning around the table- you get to know people, what they like, how they treat each other and how much they care about each other.