132. New Hampshire Is My Favorite Festival

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool is my favorite festival.  It's not too big, it's not too small.....not too hot, not too cold (well, except for that Noah's Ark year), not too soft, not too hard.  Oops, I think I got caught in a fairy tale there for a second. But you get the idea:  It's juuuuuust right.

Yes, this will be one of those linkfest posts that are inevitable after going to a festival. I hope you will indulge me.

This year NH S&W was reduced to an afternoon for me, and I missed seeing some important folks, but I managed to pack in enough enjoyment to make it worth the drive.  Since I really don't need or want any more fiber or tools or toys, I spent my time socializing instead of shopping. I got a few photos -- not as many as I would have liked, but I did better with the camera than I have for the last several festivals and gatherings, so I feel it was a success. I'm disappointed that I left Julia F.C. and Kellee and her baby and husband out of the photo lineup.  I hadn't yet warmed up with the camera when I sat with them at a picnic table. I picked Laurie's brain on some questions about which she is an authority. (Thank you, Laurie!) And Mamacate (with one of her little sweeties) was one of the first persons I saw and hugged when I arrived. I can't believe we've been doing this long enough to have transformed from the double stroller to a big-little girl at the festival now.

I wish I'd taken a photo of the Tea Guy. A group of us bought fresh-brewed iced green tea with fresh mint leaves (DELICIOUS), and as we stood near his booth "clinking" our glasses of tea and wishing each other good health and good times, he said we'd just made his day.  I said we were therefore thrilled, because we live for making guys' days. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I think his wife raised an eyebrow at that. That's me.  Always getting us in trouble.  Later, I went back for a second cup, and I bought a bag of that most wonderful tea -- Dragon Well. (scroll down on that page a little for the first Dragon Well tea...that's the one)

I bought a purple Persephone Scarf Kit like this one from Judy of Ball & Skein.  The yarn is dyed by Judy and the scarf is designed by Mim. I thought buying something that was a joint effort of these two wonderful women was a good place to put my money.  I don't have anything purple, and Judy has such a wonderful way with color, she has added some brown in there with the purple, and I think this compliments my eyes.  I even cast it on yesterday.  Please don't tell anyone I'm knitting lace -- they'll never believe you. 

The only other thing I bought, besides food, was 12 raffle tickets on this gorgeous handspun, handknit blanket. 

The rest of the rather short afternoon was about the people, and although I did not see everyone I would have liked to see, and I did not photograph everyone I saw, here are a few I did, interspersed with some more festival eye candy:

Terry and Beth.  Terry's trying on fabulous BLUE (of course) and silver earrings (which she bought) and mugging silly for the camera. Beth's bag was strangely devoid of anything orange.  I did not check her forehead for a temperature, but I did quiz her. She said she was "all about the naturals" that day. OKfine. I bet she bought something orange before she left that place, though.  Otherwise, things just wouldn't seem right. 

Blogless Al and Blogless Sharon.   

(This seemed to be "Couples Festival Day."  Lots of people dragged along their significant others.  Blogless Sharon is Carole's friend who we all know and love as "Blogless Sharon."  She was with her husband Al, who I naturally dubbed Blogless Al. Just because.)

A fabulous Golding spindle.  I love Golding spindles.

A "Vermont Wheel."

Kathy and Manise.  Manise got her compost bin.  And we learned that a 1998 Camry has a significantly smaller trunk than a 2006, but we managed to fit the bin in Kathy's 1998 Camry (which looks brand new, by the way!).

But Sandy, we were wondering:  Should we tell Manise about the chin hairs?  Should we send her an anonymous pair of tweezers? 

Carole and Dale. Carole's shawl saved me from the blackflies.  I made the statement that they are attracted to black. I'm not sure where I ever picked up that kernel of info, but 'tis true.  I was wearing a black top and they were trying to eat me -- and me alone in the group -- alive.  Carole offered to let me test the theory by putting on her salmon-pink-and-yellow shawl, and whammo!  It was like magic.  No more flies. I tried to sneak off the grounds with that lovely shawl, but no go. Carole was onto me.

THIS is Maryse.  NOT Marcy, which is the name I called her when I saw her. I am dutifully embarrassed.  So in order to complete the circle, we made it our project to have me call Marcy Maryse when I saw her.  Yes, we are easily amused.

Ruth and the Wooly Babe

Dave and Kathy of the Merlin Tree

And Grumperina and Mr. Sweetness, the newlyweds.  Can you believe this was Grumperina's FIRST-EVER fiber festival?  I couldn't. I told you it was "Couples Day." Mr. Sweetness was bravely braving the wilds of New Hampshire. He was doing OK. Even though there was dirt.  And bugs.  And trees. And sheep.  Great job, Mr. Sweetness! Good Lourdes, I am glad they did not come in the year of the Great Flood. That would have totally put them off festivals for the rest of time.

I had a bunch more photos on my camera, but I was a dope and inadvertently deleted them. 

Ann (in Vermont), the coolest thing happened at the end of the day as I was about to walk off the grounds:  Someone approached me and said, "I recognized your earrings and I said, 'That's Norma!'"  It was Kelly, who I had met ever-so-briefly at Ann and Kay's book-signing table last fall in Rhinebeck.  She's an old college friend of Ann's, and there we were.  She had her entire family (and maybe a few extras) in tow.  Nice!  Such a small world, but can you really even believe the "I recognized your earrings" thing?  I can hardly believe it's true myself, and it happened to me.

I drove 65 or less all the way down (as Paula is my witness).  BUT I was not so virtuous on the drive home.  I was disappointed to return home to find that the hummingbirds are not yet back.  Maybe tomorrow?   

Comments

[Kristen]

I'm glad you got to go. When I purchased my small compost tumbler (years ago, from That Company), I managed to miss the UPS guy three days in a row, so I had to go to them to pick it up. It didn't fit in my trunk. I did manage to wedge it into the back seat though, so all was saved. I'm glad all worked out for Manise! Oh, and Dragonwell (aka Dragon Well) is one of my favorite teas. As is green tea with mint--sorry I missed that!

[Dave Daniels]

Wow, that looks like a lot of fun. And I think this is the first festival where you didn't purchase HUGE amount of fibery stuff. (David and your wallet mu both be loving you right now.)
And what's with all that sunshine in the photos??? I was stuck in the rain here. :)

[Kelly]

The earrings story? True! You know that "I'm pretty sure it's her but wouldn't it be embarrassing if it's not" feeling? Ann in Vermont, those very cool earrings saved me from it. Nice to see you, Norma.

[Carole]

I agree that this is the best festival of all! I'm glad we got to spend some time together.

[Laurie]

Wonderful commentary and descriptions. It's all true, really. Except I can't vouch for the 65mph promises.

[Manise]

I love my composter! My husband put it together as I emptied the old one into the wheel barrow- not enough room and had to make another pile nearby. So the new one sits in the footprint of the old one and the old one is holding the most of newly emptied and turned one next door to it. I layered using some grass clippings, old leaves, and lawn thatch, and kitchen scraps. The remainder which is ready compost will be spread out on the veggie beds this week. Norma you would have loved the smell off my hot compost pile- essence of dirt! Lol!

Thanks for the offer of the tweezers. I had those out after the compost fun. A tick thought the side of my knee would be a good place to latch on. I proceeded to pluck it out, only the mouth-parts didn't want to follow the body being tweezed and squeezed. So... I have a tick souvenir- yuck! Hopefully it'll work its way out.

The tea wife did wince a bit at your comment! Oh well. The tea was wonderful!

[Kathy]

Fabulous to spend time with you on Saturday. You know, recently, I'm feeling the love for the Camry again -- I had fallen out of love when we bought a Honda Odyssey. But, at gas nearly $4.00 a gallon and my husband CONSTANLY talking about our carbon footprint, I've been driving the Camry more on longer distances and I'm pleased to be back in love.

Lace?!?!?! Really?!?!?!?

[Carol]

You northerners have all the fun! Luckily, you all (mostly) also blog ;-)

[margene]

A very lovely report of the weekends Festivaling. Thank you for doing this just so I'd know what all my fine pals were doing.

[Ann]

Earings-Better than a nametag! Who'd a thunk it. Well I am glad that you had a dry time!

[jessica~]

Sounds like a great time, great peeps and a great festival. I think I need to remember to go next year!

[marianne]

Yep, I'm with Carol about all you northerners having all the fibre fun!

[Roxie]

You needed a goood time! Glad you got it.

[Jan]

That sounded like such a fun day!
We had our first hummingbird this weekend, so it shouldn't be long now.

[--Deb]

Sounds ideal!

[Beth S.]

Did you buy that Golding spindle? :-) I always have to go peek at them, but I never seem to leave the festival with one...

And I'm wearing an orange shirt today to make up for my lapses. ;-)

[Stacey aka The Loom Whisperer]

Looks like a wonderful time. I'll be going to my first festival in September. Carole's shawl is beautiful! Lucky you. I think I have the same on in skein form. :D

[maryse]

ok, i have to stay away from people with cameras. i don't know why i'm so surprised by what i look like. ugh. i'm depressed now.

[caro]

Sounds like it was a great day! I'm sad I didn't make it this year. (Stupid flu. Bah.) Next year.

[Lucia]

'Twas lovely, wasn't it? Even though we missed each other. I tried out that wonderful Vermont wheel, and bought some gorgeous laceweight from Carolina Homespun -- probably would have even without the incentive of refilling their cash box.

Wait, you bought purple? Maybe I need to buy something yellow/gold/orange.

[Cookie]

I live on the wrong damn coast.

[Miriam]

I'm so glad you bought a Persephone kit! And if the lace hair stays with you, the shawl you tried to swipe from Carole is one of my designs too. Aspen Grove... you know... just sayin' ;)

M

[Sarah]

Sounds like a great time. How nifty it must be to be so close to such fun. Try that gentler driving and see if that brings the hummingbirds back, eh?

[Ruth]

It was a fun day. I'm glad I got to see you, albeit briefly.

[Seanna Lea]

Sounds like you had a great time.

I made a vegetarian version of the Asparagus no crust quiche on Saturday. It worked just fine to use instead of half and half about a quarter cup of low-fat ricotta mixed with a quarter cup of skim milk.

[sandy]

Did I not comment? I may as well since you keep HANGING UP ON MEEEEE!> :D
It all looks so heavenly! HEAVEN! (wow, Manise has a bit of a problem there. Perhaps hormonal?? Oddly, it looks good on her. Perhaps we can SPIN right off her chin??? SORRY MANISE!!! LOVE YOU!!!!)
Thanks for the pictorial and narrative. I feel like I was there. Not.
xo

[Laurie]

Glad to help. You knew that.