Where to Begin?

As of my last pre-Rhinebeck post I was having a grand time in Manhattan. This is Purl, the tiny little yarn shop in Soho that people rave about. I can see why. Lovely selection (not a novelty yarn in sight, my dears), lovely people and a very inviting atmosphere. I resisted temptation and only purchased two skeins of Koigu to make socks to match my gauntlets. Even though you have to scoot your chair closer to the table to let people get to the yarn, it was a cozy kind of small and I enjoyed it a great deal.

The next morning I woke later than planned, noshed on the scones I'd brought back with me from Tea & Sympathy and leisurely prepared for the day. The rain was still pouring down, so I wasn't too excited about tromping around the City any more. Normally I'd've been tough and walked from my hotel to Grand Central Station, but I decided discretion was the better part of valor and cabbed it to catch my train. Grand Central wasn't nearly as grand as I'd imagined it might be. I guess I've seen it glorified in so many movies. I did walk in, however, and nearly ran into a cameraman filming Isaac Mizrahi taping a segment for some something or other. I cruised through some of the shops, got a snack to eat on the train from the market and finally boarded the Metro-North train to Poughkeepsie. The journey was uneventful and a bit disappointing. The mist and rain was so thick that in many places I couldn't even see the opposite bank of the Hudson. I arrived in Poughkeepsie with no fanfare and took a cab to the hotel.

I sat in the lobby knitting and was soon joined by Laura and we waited patiently for Norma to arrive. When she did, at last, we found our suite, settled in for a good chat and eventually met up with Teresa for dinner. And then the wild rumpus commenced. Norma had brought an absolutely beautiful and ginormous cake, decorated with icing sheepcats and real yarn! Yes, I am in my jammies. By that time we were all weathered out, tired and discombobulated from our travels and ready to be comfy!

So many people showed up for the little room party! I know I'll forget someone, but off the top of my head: Leigh, Jackie  Cassie, Jen, Ann, Vicky,  Claudia, Cara, Julia, Laurie, Cassandra, Carolyn, Michelle, Cassie, blogless Alice, anyone else I'm forgetting? We drank champagne, ate cake, knit and chatted away like we'd known each other forever.  The next morning we were up early, cycling through the showers (effortlessly, considering there were four of us girls in that room. And we couldn't have had better roomies. You guys are the best!) and ready to hit the grounds as they opened. Teresa and I headed into the first building we saw and we were off and away.

Along the way we found these little guys. Border Collie pups waiting to go to a good home. It was all I could do not to scoop one up and bring him home with me, but having had this breed when I was a kid, I knew what a handful they are if not properly trained.

While I recovered from the total cuteness of all that puppy fluff, I found lots of fibery goodness (pics to follow soon), laceweight Icelandic yarn from Jager Farms in the perfect shade of Asian Plum - just ask Norma - Brooks Farm Primero and more.

And just when you think you couldn't possibly see anything more adorable than puppies, you wander back to the pens with all the sheepies and come across this: the most beautiful little lamb (and her sister) that you've ever seen. Now that little girl almost came home with me, but I think they frown on livestock in my condo complex.

I also met loads of other bloggers whose links I don't have time to find now: Nilda, Vanessa, Steph, Lara, Chelsea, Anne-Marie, Ann, Alison, Karen, Kim, Jaya and more and more and more.

Sunday afternoon Jackie, Jen, Cassie, Michelle and I piled into their rental car (after much creative arranging of the luggage and fiber purchases) and drove back to the City. We dropped Jen at home in the Bronx and then made our way into Manhattan trying to find a gas station to fill the tank before returning the car. We finally found one and all went our separate ways. I followed Michelle home to Brooklyn where we drank tea, ate Thai food (yum!), played with Scout the lovingest kitty I've ever met and watched old episodes of Buffy before I headed to JFK. My flight was scheduled for 9 the next morning, but I lucked out and got on a standby flight at 6:30. I was home and in my own bed by noon.

All in all a marvelous weekend. Thank you to all the wonderful people I met and can now call real life friends. Same time next year! Stay tuned for pics of the loot tomorrow!

Comments

[Ryan]

I am SO jealous, you have no idea.

[Laurie]

OhMyGod those puppies! It's a very very good thing I didn't see them there. What kind of handful are they? The lambs are just as beautiful. What great shots of the animals (which I totally missed, so wrapped I was in roving).

Can't wait to see your haul, especially the laceweight! And yes, great jammies! I'm glad you got a shot of the sheepcake.

[Lara]

It was good to see you!!! Cute jammies!!! I wish we'd been there Friday night to make it to your party... it sounded waaay fun!!! Congratulations again!

[Norma]

We had the BEST time, didn't we? I have remarked: We couldn't have picked a more eclectic group of four roomies, but it was an absolutely DELIGHTFUL mix. Next year, for sure!

[Teresa C]

It was total fun to have you to party and shop with! Glad you made it home safely, with your checkbook (did you get your coat?). I'll be thinking of you this weekend, I know it will be glorious!

[jackie]

Next year for sure! Can't wait to see what you bought.

[anne]

*wave*

It was nice to meet you! can't wait to see pics of the haul. :)

[spinnity]

Sheepcats! They so cute. Sounds like a lot of connections were made & thai food eaten: two signs of a good trip. :-)