SNOW- WHAT I AM READING-SALEM CROSS INN HOOK IN-THE OLD SPINNING WHEEL

GREETINGS

What started as a few snow flakes lead to 3 or 4 inches of the slushy stuff with bad driving.  It will melt in a few days when the temps get back to normal.  I hope that this isn’t a sign of what is to come. I did like last winter’s snow.  We need just enough to keep the rivers full of water but no more!!!!!!  The new stove-pipe was installed by my son so the stove is going on these chilly days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT I AM READING

I bought this book in  1995   and in those days I was working full-time and taking care of a farm and doing many shows.  I bought books that interested me in hopes to read them.  Most of the were skimmed over and put away.  Now I a going through all my books and this one popped out.  I am into it and find it so interesting.  It is about the people of the south, weaving and so many other things.  Coverlets are covered at length.  Overshot weaving is has been my favorite thing to weave and is why I will probably get back to weaving but on a smaller loom  It discusses the patterns and how people wove and how they were put together.  So many interesting  facts are explained in this book.  One example is when you do see old coverlets where the blocks don’t match it may be because when they were taken apart to wash the person decided that there was too much wear and reversed the material.  Another fact is when a house was burning you got all the people out and then got the coverlets.    Most were family heirlooms. .   This book is full of interesting facts both for the weaver and the historian.

THE HOOKING IN AT THE SALEM CROSS INN

Another year has passed by and we enjoyed what may be the last hook in at The Salem Cross Inn.  It is a big undertaking and Sandy has done such a wonderful job.  We will know in the spring if it is to take place.  For my friend Debbie and I it has been a day which we had looked forward to all year.  Our favorite day to be exact.  Full of hooking, seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  A time to replenish stocks and get new ideas.  Always a wonderful atmosphere and a great meal.   We hope if Sandy decides not to do it someone else will take it over.  

A CUTE OLD WHEEL

This wheel was given to me in a box.  I have spent many hours trying to put it together but it wasn’t until I went to Lavender friends Sandy and Glen did we three finally figure out how it all goes together.  Glen is going to glue the pieces he can, and fix whatever he can, he is a genius woodworker!!  I am in the process of sending pictures to THE BOBBIN BOY, the fixer of all wheels.  I just found out about him and he and his wife are extraordinary people.  I hope I have a chance to meet  them in person..  I will keep you informed of the wheel’s makeover.  This wheel is very small and is decorated with some fine carvings  of leaves and acorns.  It looks to have been used a lot which is wonderful  I can’t wait to spin on it.

Many thanks for reading my blog today.  The snow is almost gone but the cold is here this morning.  Warmer weather is coming in for a few days.  The forecast for this winter is cold and snowy.  Hope you have a wonderful day.  Carole

 

 

RUG HOOKING AT THE SALEM CROSS INN

GREETINGS

Thank you all for the kind words about Marley they were so comforting.  The sheep have not adjusted to his loss yet.  He was the boss of where they ate and where they slept so it will take time..  After a very rainy day yesterday it will be sunny and in the 70’s today.  Clothes will be hung on the line today.

RUG HOOKING DAY AT THE SALEM CROSS INN

Deb and I gave been going to this event since 2004.  We look forward to it all year and when it comes the day seems to fly by.  Debbie calls it her Christmas and I call it my Birthday.  It is always around the time of my birthday and yesterday it was on my birthday.  Leaving the house shortly after 6:30 am this is the sight I saw and the picture just doesn’t do it justice.  It was the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen.

Everything about this day is wonderful.  The ride from Debbie’s house meanders on back roads with farm land and woods which were colorful.  The inn itself is very old and has a sense of comfort about it.

We settled in our favorite spot and hooked the day away.  A wonderful lunch with homemade apple pie and whipped cream for dessert was enjoyed by all.  The vendors enjoyed brisk business and Mary Jane bought some delightful punch hooked things. I don’t see Mary Jane often so it is wonderful to spend and entire day with her.

This is the only thing I purchased yesterday.

 I have been looking for one for over a year.  It was a reasonable price and this is what I wanted it for.  A drawer full of pot holders is not convenient when you need one right away.

I am so blessed to have wonderful children who each have helped me along this path of life I have chosen.  Thank you Cindy, David and Betty and their spouses for supporting me and helping me.I am ever so grateful.

Thanks Woolen Memories for holding such a wonderful event.  Its a big undertaking and you do it flawlessly year after year.

Thank you for reading my blog today, I hope you enjoy the day.  Carole

BRINGING THE CHICKENS IN-HANDSPUN VEST-NEW PROJECT

GREETINGS

We had a warm spell yesterday but a frost last night and we will be in a cooler pattern for the next week.   I have been spending my time trying to get the house buttoned up.  Windows closed and some covered with plastic. I love the fall but its full of busyness.

BRINGING THE CHICKENS IN

Yesterday I spent most of the day getting ready to bring the outside chickens in .  The screen door which separates the two flocks needed to be repaired and the Waterer needed to be put in a different place and feeders put back up.  Last night I bought the two new hens and Morticia and Violet in.

 They quickly settled  on the perches.  This morning I tried to catch Eddie with no luck.  I did get Gladys so she is in.  Three more to catch within the next few days.

HANDSPUN VEST

I made this many years ago and have hardly worn it.  It started off as a sweater but then was made into a vest.  The yarn is thick and the vest is toasty.  I rarely wear coats in the winter now, I do prefer heavy sweaters or vests.

NEWEST PROJECTS

This is my latest project for fall shows.  Woolen hearts with sweet little birds on embroidered  branches.  They will hang with some twine and be filled with balsam.  They are fun to make and I quite enjoy the hand sewing.

 

Next Wednesday we will be at The Salem Cross Inn for the annual Rug Hooking day sponsored by Woolen Memories Shop. Deb and I have been attending this even for years at least since 2004.  We have so much fun and we catch up with friends that we only see once a year.

Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks you so much for reading my blog.  Carole

 

 

WOOLEN MEMORIES HOOK-IN AT THE SALEM CROSS INN – WEST BROOKFIELD, MASS

HELLO

, Debmyself and Mary Jane arrived at Salem Cross around 9 am.  People were starting to trickle in and we were able to get a good spot downstairs.  Let the hooking begin.  Coffee, tea and pastries awaited us.

 

Vendor booths opened promptly at 10 am, there was a great assortment of wool, patterns, primitive things etc.

Tom McHerny was there with his wonderful rugs.  He was set up quite near us.  He is a primitive rug specialist working a lot with primitive animals.  He hooks with a very wide cut which makes a very cushy rug .  Very durable.  I think I would love to try to make one.  He was inspiring.

 

 

 

LIGHTHOUSE RUG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I worked on the lighthouse rug today and really made progress with the ocean,  Thanks for the kind help Debbie and Mary Jane.

Many thanks for reading my blog and hope you have a wonderful day.  Carole

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VOTING DAY – GETTING READY FOR THE CRAFTS OF COLRAIN – MORE PICTURES OF THE FEST

HELLO

Today was voting day.  Lots of people wore stickers saying I voted.  It was a good reminder for people who  forgot.  The radio was full of stories about polling places and they were upsetting.   I hope the American people will do the right thing.  Today I went to Home Depot.  I saw what might have been a homeless woman with a child, she had lots of plastic bags.  I have seen many homeless people before at this place and at the Big Y.  We are supposed to be such a rich country and we can’t even take care of our own people.  We are rebuilding other countries when at this time in our countries life we should be rebuilding our own.  

RUG HOOKING AT THE SALEM CROSS INN

Tomorrow is the day that Debbie and  I look forward to all year.  The hook-in at the Salem Cross Inn at West Brookfield.  You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.   There are fireplaces all over and the lunch is fit for a Queen.  Dessert is apple pie served with as much homemade whipped cream as you want.   A luxury day away from daily life.  Rugs are displayed all over and there are many vendors to visit.  Lots of pictures for you tomorrow night.

MORE FROM THE FEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINTER”S COMING
When I went up to feed and water the sheep I was somewhat surprised that the water was frozen and so was the hose.  I don’t know what I was thinking but the electric water bucket should have been cleaned and hooked up.  I thought about it last week.  Luckily the hose had thawed out some by tonight so I was able to hook up the bucket and fill it.  That gave me some time to spend out in the darkness of the pasture.  The sky was beautiful tonight all the stars were twinkling.  This will be the first year that I have water in the barn.  For the past 14 years I have had to hook up a hose to the kitchen sink and haul it upstairs.  It certainly wasn’t practical.  Cold air-filled the kitchen as the door couldn’t be closed all the way.  I had to have the plumbers come when that part of the kitchen was torn up and casually asked them how much it would cost to run a line there.  It was less than 200 to have it done.  I thought it would cost around a 1000 that is why I never did it.  It’s such a luxury to me , it makes my life so much easier.  I still haven’t found a way to haul the 50 pound bags of grain up there  but I can still manage that,.   I have given a hay elevator some thought and that would make getting hay in easier too.   I have 2 more electric water  buckets to install and that will happen next week.

GETTING READY FOR THE CRAFTS OF COLRAIN

Somehow I thought that I had more time so Thursday and Friday will be clean up days.  I will set up early Saturday morning and the cats will be locked in my bedroom for the day.  They would love to be out socializing but I can’t keep a watchful eye on them so they will be safer in the bedroom.  The boys will be here to help.

I am leaving you with this parting picture of Mrs. Brown in her new sleeping area.   Its suppose to be a nesting box but  she loves to be deep in the hay where she can be warm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile Morticia is still with Murphy.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and hope that you have a wonderful day

Carole