Sunday's Walk in the Park

Compared to Friday and Saturday, yesterday's weather could be considered "balmy"! The temperature got up over 40, the sun was shining and the snow was starting to melt. It melted enough by the river that the hounds and I were able to take a nice leisurely stroll in the afternoon.

I still had to wear my winter coat but I could feel the sun's warmth through it and the Bassets must have enjoyed it too, even plunging in the deeper snow for some scent or other that attracted them.

If you look at the top of the picture you can see that I couldn't let them follow the scent or they would be going over the bank into the river!

With the sun's warmth came the sound of giant icicles crashing down all along the rock face. You can make out some smaller ones still hanging there.

After our walk, the hounds waited in the car while I got a few groceries, and for being so patient I treated them to a bag of beef basted biscuits and the little treats that look like t-bones steaks (not all at once!). And then we came home and snuggled.

I love Sunday's like this!

Winter lingers on....

It's pretty if you don't have to go out in it.

Although the chickens don't seem to mind.

 But I think I will make tracks for the back door.

And enjoy from the inside!

Valentine's Day

From my DH...

...and inside said "No wonder we're so good together. Happy Valentines Day!" plus a personal note ;-)

Our gift to each other?

FISHING LICENSES!!!

So that we can spend even more time together! Spring is coming!

Happy Valentines you all!

A Treat!

I have made a day trip to the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival for the last few years, but never participated in the classes or a lot of the fun. This year my DH insisted I treat myself, invite some friends and stay the whole weekend. For me, it was a mini vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The hotel was wonderful...

I loved the views from our room....

The window looking out was a whole wall of glass, DH definitely wouldn't have liked that - he doesn't like heights unless it is out of a tree stand!

Being able to see some of the class sessions from an eagle eye view...

Breakfast by room service was a real treat too...

And the meals in the hotel were scrumptious too...

Of course there was something for everyone whether shopping...

knitting...

knitting for charity...

spinning...

There was a ravelry meet up which meant catching up with online friends (drat forgot to take my camera!)and meeting new people, a wonderful fashion show complete with wine and hors d'oeuvres, a pj/knitting party where drawings were held and prizes given out! There were a lot of free patterns given out at any of the gatherings just for showing up. My ticket was drawn and I was given the book by Iris Schreier (of ArtYarns) who was one of the headliners at the festival. She was really nice and autographed my copy for me.

Since last fall I have been hosting a knit night at my house every Thursday evening. A couple of weeks before the festival I had bought two knitting magazines to share with my group. It wasn't until I was at the Festival that I realized one of our headliners was Steven Be of Yarn Garage who was featured in the Vogue Knitting magazine I had picked up!

He was a very amusing, entertaining and inspiring speaker and while I admit I am a more "sedate" knitter, he did encourage me to "glitter up my knitting", as you can see by the article he autographed for me!

My knitting mentor Jane (Jane and her daughter Jill of B-ewe-tiful Designs,) had one of her patterns selected for Knitters Magazine.

and I have her autograph now too!

I brought home some yarn, and a couple of presents for people who couldn't go but I feel very spoiled!

Want to go next year?