tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352032502024-03-14T05:43:57.675-04:00Travels with Swatchy™Swatchy™ goes out into the world, when I cannot.noricumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904523391639958451noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-81193799259253191832010-11-03T10:52:00.003-04:002010-11-03T11:02:09.692-04:00End of the RoadWell, my friends, Swatchy has reached the end of the road. I have been able to share so many wonderful trips with you vicariously through the Swatchys, and you have also been generous to the Botswana Project (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/botswana-project---gifts-for-kids">Ravelry link</a>).<br /><br />But traffic both to and on the blog has slowed, and so it seems a logical time to wrap up the project. We will keep the blog here as an archive, so you can flip through all the places Swatchys have gone, and all the wonderful people they have met. I hope you have all enjoyed the journey as much as I have! <br /><br />This project started at the suggestion of <a href="http://noricum.blogspot.com/">Noricum</a>, and I am eternally grateful to her and to everyone who has been a part of Swatchy. Swatch On!Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-89588865769153990682010-07-07T14:49:00.004-04:002010-07-07T15:03:52.874-04:00SheeplesDear Knittah,<br /><br />The day after we went to the Ex, we went to Sheeples, a sheep farm near Inwood, Manitoba. Did we tell you about the last visit a couple of years ago? I can't remember if that's one of the things we kept meaning to blog, but never got around to. (Sorry, we've been slackers!)<br /><br />Sheeples plans their lambing season to happen when it's warm: it's easier on the lambs, and since they don't have to worry about having the most weight come slaughter time (these are fleece sheep, not meat sheep), that's what they go with. Noricum *loves* spending a day at Sheeples during lambing season. (Frankly, I think she'd love to spend more than a day there!)<br /><br />We took a bunch of photos so that you'd be there in spirit too.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771660500/" title="IMG_3303 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4771660500_040beaea08_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3303" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771022549/" title="IMG_3304 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4771022549_bbb24be50f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3304" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771023247/" title="IMG_3305 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4771023247_1222266daf_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3305" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771662096/" title="IMG_3306 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4771662096_0705b4e1c8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3306" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771662434/" title="IMG_3307 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4771662434_9571f86394_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_3307" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771024449/" title="IMG_3308 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4771024449_5b0879a7e3_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3308" /></a> <br /><br />We even got a demonstration of sheep shearing this year!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771663228/" title="IMG_3310 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4771663228_a738639e8e_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_3310" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771663544/" title="IMG_3311 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4771663544_dff2f1af4d_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_3311" /></a><br />Did you know that when sheep are upside down, they can't burp/fart? The gas can build up, and essentially suffocate them! They try to do the shearing as fast as possible, and also check the sheep several times a day to make sure they haven't tipped over. (They're like turtles, and can't right themselves... especially when they have their full fleeces.)<br /><br />Now, you might be wondering where I am, since I'm not in any of the photos? Well, I was there, but hung out incognito all day... Noricum says it's too hard to hold a baby sheep, take photos, *and* hold me up too.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771663808/" title="IMG_3312 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4771663808_8e3bb54b53_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_3312" /></a><br />I was kind of jealous... but how can you compete with a face like this?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771664126/" title="IMG_3313 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4771664126_9465534c7a_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_3313" /></a><br /><br />One of the boys:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771026345/" title="IMG_3314 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4771026345_ec72cbfdd0_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3314" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771668938/" title="IMG_3315 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4771668938_6b24ce7a80_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3315" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4771669286/" title="IMG_3316 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4771669286_1246352e47_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_3316" /></a><br /><br />If you ever manage to visit us in Manitoba, make sure you come during lambing season... Noricum says she'll catch you a bottle baby lamb to hold in your lap. :)<br /><br />Love,<br />Swatchynoricumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904523391639958451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-62343646554816652352010-07-02T02:20:00.003-04:002010-07-02T02:38:50.519-04:00Red River ExHello Knittah! Swatchy here. Noricum took me to the Red River Ex last week, so we thought we'd invite you along too!<br /><br />We went on Friday, so we could help Noricum's mom carry stuff in for her demo. Here she is, demoing:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754363098/" title="IMG_3277 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4754363098_2a3e884b65.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3277" /></a><br />The other person is Noricum's step-dad. He's cool!<br /><br />Both Noricum and her mom got art in the art show at the Ex. The theme was "Manitoba Homecoming", so everything had to have something to do with Manitoba. (Although some artists seemed to ignore that rule.) Noricum entered her Great Blue Heron:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754363404/" title="IMG_3278 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4754363404_457cdcf8f9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3278" /></a><br />and Forest Chickadees:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754363602/" title="IMG_3279 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4754363602_fd6ce49ee0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3279" /></a><br />since both are present in Manitoba. Both paintings got accepted. (As you can probably see.)<br /><br />Noricum's mom entered four paintings (the maximum). Only three got in, but one won a prize! Here's her prize winning painting... it's the one with the brooms:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754364020/" title="IMG_3281 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4754364020_a859422cf9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_3281" /></a><br />Isn't that buffalo awesome? It was done by a *teen*! (There were three categories: teen, amateur, and professional. Noricum entered as an amateur, and her mom entered as a professional.)<br /><br />Noricum really liked this painting of mushrooms, but it wasn't for sale:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754363840/" title="IMG_3280 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4754363840_848554f87c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3280" /></a><br /><br />Another cool painting:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754364190/" title="IMG_3282 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4754364190_e02588a2b1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3282" /></a><br /><br />Okay, enough art... let's show you the fairground! (Note: if you're wondering why there aren't many people in these photos, it's because we went during the workday.)<br /><br />Look, a pig on a spit!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754364420/" title="IMG_3284 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4754364420_555790fafc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3284" /></a><br /><br />This guy was carving logs with a chainsaw:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754364790/" title="IMG_3285 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4754364790_57b82e89de.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3285" /></a><br /><br />Yep, it's a fair:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754364980/" title="IMG_3286 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4754364980_3fd18dd2b2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3286" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4753724051/" title="IMG_3287 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4753724051_6a5c81e1d3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3287" /></a> <br /><br />Whoa... *fresh* fruit? Not candy coated?!? Must be because it's operated by the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg, an organization which raises funds for charities:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4753724255/" title="IMG_3288 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4753724255_f4da81d815.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3288" /></a><br /><br />Noricum remembers this fun-house from when she was a kid:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754365638/" title="IMG_3289 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4754365638_384fac1728.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3289" /></a><br /><br />This is new, though:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754365844/" title="IMG_3290 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4754365844_046b312b8d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_3290" /></a><br />(Or maybe she just wasn't tall enough?)<br /><br />Hee! A little train!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4754366022/" title="IMG_3296 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4754366022_d712fe9b15.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3296" /></a><br />I wanted to ride, but Noricum said that I was too small to ride without her, and she was too big to ride. Oh well... she took me to the petting zoo instead. (We were too busy petting the sheep, alpacas and goats to take any photos, though.)<br /><br />We hope you enjoyed the tour! (And you didn't even have to pay admission, or get sore feet walking on the pavement!)<br /><br />Love and hugs,<br />Swatchynoricumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904523391639958451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-83264114361931635952010-02-07T22:10:00.001-05:002010-02-07T22:10:00.218-05:00Wine tastingHi Knittah.<br /><br />Todd, Robyn, Eliza and I did a little overnight road trip up to the Hunter Valley for wine tasting. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317894464/" title="IMG_1177 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4317894464_3e042eaaaf_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1177" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317161409/" title="IMG_1178 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4317161409_2797d91afd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1178" /></a><br /><br />After visiting a few wineries, we shopped for dinner. We stayed in a little cottage with a nice patio and grill and such. And wildlife.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317162027/" title="IMG_1190 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4317162027_57f7e723c3_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1190" /></a><br /><br />Todd grilled lamb chops and Robyn did a lovely spread of salad and cheese and fruit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317894876/" title="IMG_1184 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4317894876_c1b0a82d37_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1184" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317179653/" title="IMG_1187 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4317179653_8213ef9378.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1187" /></a><br /><br />Todd's "g'day mate" flip flops (purchased to spare his zjuji prada loafers abuse):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317894644/" title="IMG_1181 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4317894644_9858e3a73a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1181" /></a><br /><br />We stayed up playing manipulation, snap (Todd is wicked), and go fish.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317162125/" title="IMG_1191 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4317162125_cfd84c799b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1191" /></a><br /><br />And Robyn impressed us with her fancy karate kid moves:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317895324/" title="IMG_1196 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4317895324_5f27d9eb4f_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1196" /></a><br /><br />The next morning, we had company for breaky:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317162313/" title="IMG_1199 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4317162313_35d9967de9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1199" /></a><br /><br />And then we enjoyed a scenic drive on the back road to Wollombai and back to Sydney. The bridges are rustic:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317162451/" title="IMG_1210 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4317162451_a26e901aa0_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1210" /></a><br /><br />and vibrate a lot when you stand on them while a car goes past:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317162627/" title="IMG_1206 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4317162627_9f2f360e6c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1206" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-5424638121695465262010-02-05T21:22:00.002-05:002010-02-05T21:22:00.365-05:00Cricket!Hi Knittah.<br /><br />Todd took Eliza and me to the cricket!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317297474/" title="IMG_1166 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4317297474_23469de861_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1166" /></a><br /><br />Aus was playing three tests (what they call the serious, old-fashioned, multi-day international country-to-country cricket matches) with Pakistan and the second test was being played at SCG--the Sydney Cricket Ground. Apparently Australia has been the best team in the world for, like forever, and beat Pakistan handily in the first test. There was a lot of rain overnight and it drizzled on the morning of the first day and the Australian captain made the unorthodox and soon-to-be very controversial call to bat first (when the pitch is damp, the bowls get wonky and it makes it that much harder for the batting team. So batting first was a...curious...choice).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317060897/" title="IMG_1175 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4317060897_ef58d73b68_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1175" /></a><br /><br />We got to the match a little after play had started and Todd was shocked at the start--already 6 wickets and only something like 10 runs. Cricket has two innings. One innings (always with the "s") is 10 outs. Outs are when the bowling (pitching) team catches the ball on the fly or hits the wicket on the bowl. And Aus was doing poorly:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317297820/" title="Aus doing badly by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4317297820_a7a5dbba50_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Aus doing badly" /></a><br /><br />Our seats turned out to be in the Pakistan supporters section.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317087857/" title="IMG_1162 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4317087857_9eb1956f57_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_1162" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316563933/" title="Pakistan funs by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4316563933_bb4ab8d3a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pakistan funs" /></a><br /><br />They were very polite (always sat down before a play) and oddly cheerful, regardless who was doing well: when Pakistan got an out, they cheered like mad and waved the Pakistan flags; when Australia got a four or a six (sort of like home runs in baseball--automatically four or six runs), they cheered like mad and waved the Pakistan flags. And whenever Asif, one of the Pak bowlers, took his outfield position hear where we were seated, they went absolutely nuts. Almost disturbingly so.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317297924/" title="the cricket by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4317297924_1d8caf67f4_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="the cricket" /></a><br /><br />You can't make it out in the photo, but the blue sign being held by the guy in the lower right reads, "you are one sexy bowler."<br /><br />So the pitch is now completely encircled by stands. The two original, old stands are the Members' stands--very chi-chi (or "zjuji" as Todd and Robyn would say--although I'm not sure how they would spell it).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317844636/" title="the members' stands by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4317844636_526626d8f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="the members' stands" /></a><br /><br />(that's the ladies stands on the left--although apparently the members' stands are now fully integrated. not sure how recently.)<br /><br />So some of the fans in the "normal" stands would try to get the wave going (bizarrely, they call it the "mexican wave" there--and the authorities don't like), it would go all the way around the stadium to the Members' stands. Most of the Members don't do it so as soon as the wave reaches those stands everybody else automatically boos until the wave reaches the normal stands again and then everyone cheers even more. And then it goes around a couple more times until people get tired of it for the time being. It's hysterical. <br /> <br />Cricket is very very big in Australia--an everyman's game. And everyone just knows it--there's almost no announcing/calling of the game. So Todd just knew (and explained to me), when the umpires started talking at about 6:45, that they were gauging the light. Aus had gotten out a little after 6 pm and clearly wanted to keep playing to force Pakistan to bat under the same difficult conditions, with the pitch still damp from the rain. Pakistan faked an injury to kill time, hoping to just resume the next day when the pitch presumably would be dryer and they'd have an easier time batting. So the umps called it for the day, the fans all booed, and everyone went home. But everyone was walking off the field before the announcer came on and said, as an after thought, that the game had been called for light and play would resume at 10am.<br />Anyway, after the cricket, we met up with a friend from school, Brett, at a pub near the SCG. He and Todd have both served in senior levels of the New South Wales government and are active in the Labor Party. So for them apparently it's not unusual to have a beer with the premier (governor) (well, former premier--he got ousted in December). So Eliza had a nice chat with Nathan Rees before he got cornered by a couple of drunk yobs who apparently are very big fans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317297606/" title="Hanging with the Premier by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4317297606_b81a79e779_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hanging with the Premier" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-58719460515195806602010-02-03T13:29:00.005-05:002010-02-08T21:54:40.817-05:00SydneyOn New Year's Day, Eliza and I rode with friends of Todd's (lovely Johanna, Angela, and Jason, of whom Eliza stupidly failed to get a photograph) up to Sydney while Todd guided Diana and her parents. We met up with them in Sydney and had a bit of a driving tour of the Sydney before Ken and Judy had to go to the airport. Here we are in Watson's Bay (I'm pretty sure that was the name of the neighborhood) enjoying the sunshine and some very large prawns:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315989783/" title="with the Rosenthals (and large prawns) by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4315989783_1fa07478c2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="with the Rosenthals (and large prawns)" /></a><br /><br />And the view back across the water to the city:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316723944/" title="the view from watson's bay (?) by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4316723944_4288730fa7_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="the view from watson's bay (?)" /></a><br /><br />The next day after brunch with friends...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4317297118/" title="todd di eliza and me by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2772/4317297118_05a6c6e7eb_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="todd di eliza and me" /></a><br /><br />...Todd, Robyn, and I walked around Sydney, across the Harbor Bridge and around the Rocks and Circular Quay. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316724218/" title="view from the Bridge by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4316724218_8b0b5bbe92.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="view from the Bridge" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316723690/" title="opera house from the harbor bridge by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4316723690_cba0164044.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="opera house from the harbor bridge" /></a><br /><br />In the 1970s (?), Sydney built a public housing tower in the Rocks, right next to the Harbor Bridge and with amazing views of the harbor and the Opera House:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315990605/" title="public housing building by the Harbor Bridge by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4315990605_4c5c74dceb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="public housing building by the Harbor Bridge" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315990723/" title="public housing with a view by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4315990723_df5d3af078.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="public housing with a view" /></a><br /><br />By the time we got around to the Opera House, a storm was moving through:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315990307/" title="the storm passes through by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4315990307_1f565f9f18_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="the storm passes through" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315990371/" title="the Bridge walk in a storm by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4315990371_9fba699d9c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="the Bridge walk in a storm" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315990083/" title="after the storm by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4315990083_473b4c1533_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="after the storm" /></a><br /><br />Here are Todd and Robyn as the rain eases:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316054567/" title="Todd and Robyn in the rain by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4316054567_7f892be0b3_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Todd and Robyn in the rain" /></a><br /><br />Here's the view back towards the city:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316788064/" title="View back from the Opera House by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4316788064_384d963835.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="View back from the Opera House" /></a><br /><br />Up close at the Opera House:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316054851/" title="The tiles on the Opera House by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4316054851_790832d4b6_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="The tiles on the Opera House" /></a><br /><br />As Robyn leaves her mark (she wears bold lipstick):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316787702/" title="Robyn leaves her mark by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4316787702_e7ab265b88_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Robyn leaves her mark" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-31135210857610659392010-02-02T10:08:00.004-05:002010-02-02T10:24:44.697-05:00Botswana Project 2010What beautiful things you have sent me for the Botswana Project!! Since <a href="http://travellingswatch.blogspot.com/2009/12/first-ones-in.html">my last post</a>, there has been a knit avalanche coming in!<br /><br />Sweaters donated by Anne Marie, Shaz, Beverly, Patricia, Jill, Sally, Angie and me:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4324751465/" title="botswanaswtr0210d.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4324751465_11b1d9baaf_m.jpg" width="240" height="181" alt="botswanaswtr0210d.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4325488762/" title="botswanaswtr0210c.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4325488762_bb2fd556a4_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanaswtr0210c.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4324751399/" title="botswanaswtr0210b.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4324751399_a2d1f3cd6b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanaswtr0210b.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4325488700/" title="botswanaswtr0210a.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4325488700_36145c6ed8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanaswtr0210a.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Scarves/shawlettes from Patricia, Shaz and Anne Marie:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4324751309/" title="botswanascarves0210.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4324751309_5a9c10bbec_m.jpg" width="240" height="210" alt="botswanascarves0210.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Legwarmers and slippers from Anne Marie and Sally:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4324751345/" title="botswanaslippers0210.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4324751345_bb1008db66_m.jpg" width="240" height="211" alt="botswanaslippers0210.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Two dozen hats (!!) from Vickie, Bev, Beverly, Debbie, Maria, and Patricia:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4325488608/" title="botswanahats0210.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4325488608_85591a06c6_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanahats0210.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And a blanket from Regina:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4324751253/" title="botswanablkt0210.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4324751253_280f45531c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanablkt0210.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My photos don't do justice to your beautiful work.<br /><br />Our grand total for this collection is:<br /><br />28 hats<br />18 sweaters<br />5 scarves/shawlettes<br />4 blankets<br />2 slippers/leg warmers<br /><br />You are all so incredibly awesome! Thank you!Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-76607195727701516972010-02-01T12:27:00.003-05:002010-02-01T12:27:00.184-05:00Out and about in CanberraHi Knittah.<br /><br />We had such a nice stay in Canberra with Eliza's friends. One day, Eliza and Cath and I went shopping briefly and Eliza found the meat counter fascinating:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316516596/" title="kangaroo mince? by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4316516596_baf2bba3ff_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="kangaroo mince?" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316516724/" title="swatchy c in the meat department by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4316516724_77fea032ec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="swatchy c in the meat department" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316515548/" title="Fishy fishy fishy fish by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4316515548_318e65c440.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Fishy fishy fishy fish" /></a><br /><br />Rissoles? Meatballs anyone?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316514828/" title="Rissoles? Meatballs anyone? by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4316514828_fb0b040898_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Rissoles? Meatballs anyone?" /></a><br /><br />Cath's parents and sister Justine live in the area, and sisters Trish and Jane were in from the Brisbane area and Melbourne for the holidays. For Mr. Riordan's birthday, the family had a picnic at the park on the lake in Canberra. Aussies it turns out take their picnicking very seriously. Eliza had been impressed when Cath pulled out an honest-to-god picnic basket (at which point she looked at us as if, well, doesn't everyone?). Then we got to the park and she was right, EVERYONE has honest-to-god picnic baskets. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315780081/" title="The whole famdamily (most of them) by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4315780081_d70161d18c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="The whole famdamily (most of them)" /></a><br /><br />I met a black swan, found only in the southern hemisphere:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316516498/" title="swatchy c meets a black swan by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4316516498_3464045c94_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="swatchy c meets a black swan" /></a><br /><br />Here's me with Cath's sister Trish and Issie, with Canberra in the background (the brightly colored building on the left is the art museum):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316515292/" title="Trish, Izzie, and Swatchy C in the park in Canberra by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4316515292_3089d150e1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Trish, Izzie, and Swatchy C in the park in Canberra" /></a><br /><br />Issie and I are resting with full bellies:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316515048/" title="Izzie relaxes at the picnic by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4316515048_330a16e56c_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Izzie relaxes at the picnic" /></a><br /><br />Here I am with Charlotte, who's making a face at Kilian, then there's Cath, Issie, and Eliza:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316623200/" title="IMG_1071 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4316623200_486558bbae.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1071" /></a><br /><br />On New Year's Eve we made our way to Goulburn (pronounced "goal-bin") for Todd and Diana's engagement party. A visit to Goulburn would not be complete without calling on The Big Merino. Here's Cath and me and a big sheep:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315889617/" title="IMG_1108 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4315889617_137f8b58c7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1108" /></a><br /><br />And another view:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316616654/" title="IMG_1110 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4316616654_4b345f5804_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1110" /></a><br /><br />Just checking. Although I was later reminded that the horns are a clue...<br /><br />And here's a view the next morning before we began the trek up to Sydney:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315889431/" title="IMG_1111 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4315889431_cb49649146_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_1111" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-11966668370171764032010-01-30T11:44:00.011-05:002010-01-30T18:22:07.924-05:00G'day matesDear Knittah,<br /><br />Eliza and I travelled to the land of Oz to visit Eliza's friends and see friend Todd's country before he relocates to the US. We flew to Sydney and took the train down to Canberra to see friends Cath and Kilian and their lovely daughters Isabella and Charlotte.<br /><br />We had a lovely stay. Besides hanging out at home and doing much long overdue catching up, we got around Canberra a bit and visited the Australian War Memorial. <br /><br />Here's a view from the Memorial back across to the old and new Parliament buildings.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316623352/" title="IMG_1081 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4316623352_cd26b2fd78.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1081" /></a><br /><br />I'm not aware of the US having a comparable museum--this one had all of the wars and all of the branches of the service. Really an impressive museum--we could have spent days there. Eliza had a hard time getting proper photos inside but here are a few:<br /><br />The memorial has an incredible research section open to the public. Eliza learned later that week, from Todd's uncle at the engagement party, that the memorial has collected and digitized extensive records (including photos and letters and telegrams) from citizens. Todd's aunt has used it extensively to research the family's participation in the wars.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315779963/" title="The research section at the War Memorial by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4315779963_7b4680cbb5_m.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="The research section at the War Memorial" /></a><br /><br />A view of the memorial: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316533246/" title="A view of the memorial by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4316533246_668b0ef933_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="A view of the memorial" /></a><br /><br />The Navy mosaic inside (apologies for the poor photo quality). There was a mosaic for each service branch and for women serving:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315781209/" title="The Navy mosaic in the memorial by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4315781209_4bdb1a8514.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="The Navy mosaic in the memorial" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316563429/" title="stainglass at the war memorial by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4316563429_6f5e18684b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="stainglass at the war memorial" /></a><br /><br />Remarkable faces:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316533366/" title="WWI faces by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4316533366_d5b7605f44_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="WWI faces" /></a><br /><br />Simpson and his donkey at Gallipoli:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316516294/" title="Simpson and his donkey brought water to the soldiers at Gallipoli by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4316516294_149b0e11cc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Simpson and his donkey brought water to the soldiers at Gallipoli" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315781621/" title="Simpson and his donkey by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4315781621_d55454ba9f_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Simpson and his donkey" /></a><br /><br />So simple yet so practical (do you think we did anything like that in Iraq?):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4316533036/" title="Old-fashioned phrase book... by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4316533036_cf8849864e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Old-fashioned phrase book..." /></a><br /><br />The Korean section had a remarkable exhibit of telegrams and letters, which didn't turn out well in our photos. We didn't realize that POWs actually could get mail--it seems very Geneva Convention but really? in the Korean War? There was a wrenching series of telegrams notifying a mother first, that the government thinks her son is a POW but isn't sure yet and to stand by; second, that they think he is in fact a prisoner at a particular POW camp but that they don't have more information and she should contact the red cross; and then third, informing her that he'd been released and recovered and was on his way home. <br /><br />In the children's section, which was very hands-on (with a trench with siting scopes; a helicopter; and a gadget where you could put your foot in and see what it would like with trench foot (this was REALLY gross)), there were some pages of 1940s magazines. This was funny: a women's magazine offering recipes to "spice things up," including Mexican chili burgers. Really. In 1940s Australia. Seemed funny.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4315781867/" title="1940s Aussie women's mag: Mexican burgers? really? by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4315781867_f81d9f1d28.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="1940s Aussie women's mag: Mexican burgers? really?" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-54389815733294148182010-01-24T21:59:00.003-05:002010-01-24T22:05:51.438-05:00We Kinneared Gord LeclercDear Knittah,<br /><br /><a href="http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080114/wpg_gord_leclerc?hub=WinnipegHome">Gord Leclerc</a> is a local celeb... he's the anchor on the CTV Winnipeg news. January 6th, we were on our way to knitting (late, due to having to make a trip home to pick up something Noricum forgot... silly Noricum!), and Gord Leclerc got on our bus! It took us a moment to recognize him in everyday wear, rather than his suit. Noricum doesn't often run across celebrities, so she kinneared him:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/noricum/4302631340/" title="Gord Leclerc, kinneared by noricum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4302631340_a6bff3d2ba_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Gord Leclerc, kinneared" /></a><br />He's the one behind the silver pole... sorry for the motion blur, but using flash would break the rules of kinnearing, as it would alert the subject. Given that he looked asleep, she risked a second shot:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/noricum/4301882859/" title="Gord Leclerc, kinneared by noricum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4301882859_b434358d8b_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Gord Leclerc, kinneared" /></a><br />After that, she stopped trying. I wanted to be in the photo with him (actually, I wanted to run up and get my photo taken with him for real), but Noricum said that kinnearing didn't work that way, and that we shouldn't bother the guy after a long day at work.<br /><br />Love,<br />Swatchy<br /><br />PS: For those who haven't heard of kinnearing, see <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2007/08/02/i_was_kinnearing.html">here</a>, or <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2008/10/03/it_is_too_a_real_word.html">here</a>, or <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=kinneared">here</a>.noricumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904523391639958451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-15908800470708601062009-12-08T14:58:00.002-05:002009-12-08T15:01:55.463-05:00First Ones In!The first two donations for the January 2010 Botswana Project collection have arrived! Check out the two hats and two scarves that I received from niftyknitter:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4169285953/" title="botswana0110nifty.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/4169285953_d2aecb9fdd_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswana0110nifty.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And Eliza brought three baby blankets with her when she came for Thanksgiving!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4169285919/" title="botswana0110eliza.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4169285919_7315833abe_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswana0110eliza.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thank you to niftyknitter and Eliza for such lovely gifts!Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-53371516057084948892009-10-31T23:29:00.001-04:002009-10-31T23:31:05.671-04:00The Singing Revolution<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4062290989/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4062290989_811bc4609b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/4062290989/">The Singing Revolution</a> </span><br clear="all" /><p>Dear Knittah,<br /><br />Tonight Noricum and I watched "The Singing Revolution". It was a truly amazing and inspiring piece of history. We were both very moved by the lack of violence in the face of angry mobs and the Soviet Army. Plus the singing is beautiful. If you haven't seen it, I really recommend you try to find a copy to watch! <br /><br />Cheers,<br />Swatchy</p>noricumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904523391639958451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-48665945410838358432009-10-19T07:00:00.013-04:002009-10-19T09:58:45.294-04:00In which Swatchy gets some Canadian actionThis morning, after the kids were off to school, I went looking for Swatchy. I found him here, still sleeping at 9:30.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxsw2MtLTI/AAAAAAAAD0g/OPfFQXCum2E/s1600-h/nightynigh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxsw2MtLTI/AAAAAAAAD0g/OPfFQXCum2E/s320/nightynigh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394306040121339186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Poor l'il Swatchy. He was tuckered out, after a weekend beyond his wildest imaginings...<br /><br />It all started so innocently. He climbed into the car and settled himself on the dashboard, perhaps thinking that this was going to be a wholesome weekend, seeing as he was traveling with a suburban, station-wagon-driving soccer mom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxlEYwhAOI/AAAAAAAADzA/R6d3bCelzLo/s1600-h/dashboard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxlEYwhAOI/AAAAAAAADzA/R6d3bCelzLo/s320/dashboard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394297579722834146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The drive up was quick (relatively speaking) and uneventful. Swatchy enjoyed seeing the autumn foliage, and was fascinated by the gossip, although he tried not too look too interested.<br /><br />He was happy to arrive at the hotel, quickly selecting a lovely color-coordinated skein of <a href="http://www.blackbunnyfibers.com/">Black Bunny Fibers</a> Canadian Luxury sock yarn to nestle down in for the night.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxlQmzCbRI/AAAAAAAADzI/woDiFiJ9x_c/s1600-h/hotel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxlQmzCbRI/AAAAAAAADzI/woDiFiJ9x_c/s320/hotel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394297789649939730" border="0" /></a><br />I think Swatchy figured, once everyone was in bed by 10:30 p.m., that his traveling companions were nice, if a bit sedate.<br /><br />He was a good sport as we awoke early the next morning, bundling up and arriving at the show not long after the gates opened at 9 a.m.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxmLKjO7nI/AAAAAAAADzQ/5sO9z9LFeAc/s1600-h/laurajim.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxmLKjO7nI/AAAAAAAADzQ/5sO9z9LFeAc/s320/laurajim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394298795679739506" border="0" /></a><br />He was quite excited to be hanging with knitting designer Laura Grutzeck; I heard Swatchy whisper excitedly to passersby, "See that lady with the pretty curly hair? She has a sweater in Vogue Knitting!" He found faithful traveling companion Jim to be delightful and eminently civilized, too.<br /><br />Swatchy enjoyed seeing all sorts of beautiful fiber and yarn, and although he found the llamas and sheep a little intimidating, given how big they seemed to him, he quite enjoyed snuggling up to the bunnies, like this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxmw9hP-SI/AAAAAAAADzY/kr_BdBDFHBk/s1600-h/bunneh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxmw9hP-SI/AAAAAAAADzY/kr_BdBDFHBk/s320/bunneh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394299445016787234" border="0" /></a><br />(The bunny, on the other hand, <a href="http://www.dispprovingrabbits.com/">disapproved.</a>)<br /><br />I was having a great time seeing old friends and making new ones, buying some roving, fondling the wools, but then I saw Swatchy surreptitiously yawn. I decided it was time for the big guns. So Swatchy got to meet <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Jess</a>, of Ravelry fame:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxnd8nlj9I/AAAAAAAADzo/i64wOjzpPGs/s1600-h/jess.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxnd8nlj9I/AAAAAAAADzo/i64wOjzpPGs/s320/jess.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394300217869045714" border="0" /></a>and Clara Parkes, of <a href="http://www.knittersreview.com">Knitter's Review</a> and book fame:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxndNhLzXI/AAAAAAAADzg/2anZX4faU1I/s1600-h/clara.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxndNhLzXI/AAAAAAAADzg/2anZX4faU1I/s320/clara.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394300205225725298" border="0" /></a><br />and <a href="http://www.cabezalana.blogspot.com/">Dr. Mel</a>, of kilt-wearing fame:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxnesyyFYI/AAAAAAAADzw/hX0sLgS0z5o/s1600-h/DSCF0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxnesyyFYI/AAAAAAAADzw/hX0sLgS0z5o/s320/DSCF0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394300230800905602" border="0" /></a><br />I must say that Swatchy was very well-behaved and extremely polite to all the knitterati that he met, except when he mistakenly thought he heard <a href="http://www.retroknit.net/">Kristen Rengren </a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxtyFDYxiI/AAAAAAAAD0o/a1DkwIFnPfY/s1600-h/DSCF0064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxtyFDYxiI/AAAAAAAAD0o/a1DkwIFnPfY/s320/DSCF0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394307160800282146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />say that she knew a woman with Chronic Fatigue and it was all in her head, and then he threw himself at the table where she was book-signing, screaming stuff about "people who need to go to the <a href="http://www.cfids.org/">CFIDS website</a> before they start shooting their mouths off about stuff they know nothing about" until I was able to pull him off and tell him that she said "I know a woman with Chronic Fatigue and she has to stay in bed" and then he got all embarrassed and I had to leave the author's tent before <a href="http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com/">Melanie Falick </a>kicked the shite out of me.<br /><br />At that point, I whisked Swatchy away, and we retired to our hotel room for a brief cooling-off period before dinner. Swatchy wasn't very impressed with our favorite Rhinebeck diner:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxpwjOI6VI/AAAAAAAADz4/DyLoU274_Sw/s1600-h/diner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxpwjOI6VI/AAAAAAAADz4/DyLoU274_Sw/s320/diner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394302736492194130" border="0" /></a><br />But he cheered up immensely when he met our dinner companions, including <a href="http://puffthemagicrabbit.wordpress.com/">Mindy</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxpx9EiySI/AAAAAAAAD0A/cscRhlpggaM/s1600-h/mindy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxpx9EiySI/AAAAAAAAD0A/cscRhlpggaM/s320/mindy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394302760611137826" border="0" /></a><br />(he was all over poor Mindy!); the wild and wooly Ali P (I need your blog link, Ali):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxpy7Tya-I/AAAAAAAAD0I/Ya51m75tM_k/s1600-h/alip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxpy7Tya-I/AAAAAAAAD0I/Ya51m75tM_k/s320/alip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394302777318075362" border="0" /></a><br />and last but not least, <a href="http://stdenisyarns.com/blog/">Vé-vé.</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxp0Cg1S_I/AAAAAAAAD0Q/SZ1mLGS7PBg/s1600-h/veve.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/Stxp0Cg1S_I/AAAAAAAAD0Q/SZ1mLGS7PBg/s320/veve.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394302796431707122" border="0" /></a><br />I think that those wild Canadian minxes were a terrible influence on Swatchy, because last night I went up to Little Miss's room to kiss her goodnight and I found this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxswdT6HjI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/XI4DEZvXA-s/s1600-h/barbie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JnkxTFZaeWE/StxswdT6HjI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/XI4DEZvXA-s/s320/barbie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394306033440661042" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, Swatchy, lolling in the hot tub with the Barbie twins? What have I done?!Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07651035210994960810noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-89745861310705795372009-10-17T15:15:00.005-04:002009-10-17T15:42:41.201-04:00Botswana and Beyond!!!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383259/" title="botswana1.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3508383259_ac5cbf7275_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="botswana1.jpg" hspace="3" vspace="3" /></a> <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Some of your gifts to the Botswana Project, delivered last spring.<br /></span><br />You have all been so generous and loving in making gifts for children that we have more than our volunteers from <a href="http://www.upenn.edu/botswana/aboutus.html">Penn</a> can carry to Botswana. The good news is that Botswana is not the only place that Penn sends doctors and nurses.<br /><br />I am thrilled to announce an EXPANSION of The Botswana Project to Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. This hospital is the only hospital serving the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibera">Kibera slum</a> in Nairobi. There are approximately one million people living in Kibera, and less than 500 healthcare workers at Mbagathi. Thousands of children are HIV positive, and thousands more have lost a family member to AIDS. Mbagathi has a large pediatric clinic with a number of children's programs, and some of your future donations will be carried to Mbagathi by doctors from Penn's Global Health Equities Residence track. This video will give you an idea of what conditions are like in Kibera, and the amazing work done at Mbagathi Hospital. <span style="font-style:italic;">NB: the video was made by the group Physicians for Human Rights, not by Penn.</span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zmk35Nx4tFY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zmk35Nx4tFY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />We need hand made hats, sweaters, blankets and toys for children of all ages. Sturdy wool, cotton and acrylic fibers are all welcome. The deadline for this collection round is <span style="font-weight:bold;">December 31st</span>. Your donations will be carried to Botswana and Mbagathi Hospital by volunteers from Penn. Please <a href="mailto: knittahsp9@yahoo.com">email Knittah</a> with questions, or for the address to send your gifts. Thank you thank you thank you for showing these children that you care.Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-21071270091200607172009-09-24T11:05:00.004-04:002009-09-24T11:13:43.603-04:00September Botswana ProjectOnce again, knitters and crocheters have buried my house in an avalanche of beautiful hand made gifts for children in Botswana! In just three months since our last collection, I received almost 45 POUNDS of lovely things from 19 people in 3 countries. Here's what you sent:<br /><br />2 ponchos<br />7 pairs socks or booties<br />8 blankets<br />18 scarves<br />21 sweaters or vests<br />31 toys/dolls/playing cards<br />49 hats<br /><br />I thought you might like to see a few pictures of the items. Your generosity is such that I can't keep up in photographing it all! But believe me, each item is equally beautiful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3950868552/" title="botswanasweateryoke0909.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3950868552_921b418994_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanasweateryoke0909.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3950089547/" title="botswanasweater0909.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3950089547_f190567cc0_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanasweater0909.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3950868476/" title="botswanamixsweaters0909.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3950868476_4a98877ec1_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanamixsweaters0909.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3950089475/" title="botswanalambs0909.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3950089475_a0efc3b64f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanalambs0909.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3950089447/" title="botswanahats0909.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3950089447_5e6cd77129_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanahats0909.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3950868386/" title="botswanadolls0909.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/3950868386_566dbd57d0_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="botswanadolls0909.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I am packaging all your gifts for volunteers to deliver. I'll have another update very soon, and two lucky donors have prizes in their future too!Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-80968440192148956102009-07-05T14:10:00.003-04:002009-07-05T14:23:58.919-04:00Maine!Howdy Knittah!<br /><br />We decided to take advantage of the long weekend and take a trip up to Portland, Maine. Have you ever been there? It's a cute little city, and very laid back, with some lovely scenery. We had tried to find an alpaca farm (but the Garmin did not think the address existed), and we were going to go on a tour of a vodka distillery (but they were closed for the 4th). We did get to see a neat lighthouse though!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3690372307_d76be7217c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3690372307_d76be7217c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the <a href="http://www.portlandheadlight.com/">Portland Head Light</a>, and it's much prettier in person. (Someone managed to charge all her camera batteries, but leave the camera at home, so we were stuck with a cell phone and a disposable.) We arrived after the museum closed, but there were still interesting things to see there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3690372363_4d845f6eb5.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 332px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3690372363_4d845f6eb5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3690372519_7155d31ba9.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3690372519_7155d31ba9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3691180080_e79be49f79.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3691180080_e79be49f79.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hope you had a nice 4th!vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14237759290020563083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-20390115843737442522009-06-23T10:57:00.004-04:002009-06-23T11:02:17.633-04:00June 2009 Delivery<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3654329890/" title="bots0609atdrgoffice.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3654329890_da5fe9b0d8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609atdrgoffice.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I took all your beautiful gifts to my doctor yesterday, and laid out a few for him to see. The rest were in a huge box! Our final tally was:<br /><br />6 blankets<br />9 sweaters<br />3 shawls<br />15 scarves<br />8 hats<br />8 pairs mittens<br />5 hat sets (with either matching scarf or socks)<br />1 hand made toy<br /><br />He was thrilled, and we talked about some ideas for the future as well. He happily posed for a picture, but I caught him while blinking. Sorry Dr. G! I didn't notice until this morning! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3654329860/" title="bots0609drg.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3654329860_31bcbc9dca_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609drg.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thank you to each of you who donated for this round. Information on the next round will be posted this week!Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-2058100021113778652009-06-19T19:03:00.005-04:002009-06-19T22:59:02.556-04:00Big Fat GenerosityYou've overwhelmed me with your generosity once again! Today was the deadline for the latest Botswana Project collection, and I've got to cram a lot of gifts into this one post!<br /><br />Sweaters, by Vicki, Anne Marie, Lara, and Bev:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3642627386/" title="bots0609sweaters.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3642627386_c13d89d3b5_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609sweaters.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Here's a better look at the ones at the bottom of the pile (Lara's and Anne Marie's):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3642627610/" title="bots0609sweaters2.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3642627610_f55b307718_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609sweaters2.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thank you for all the gorgeous gifts. I'll be taking them to my doctor on Monday, and I'll have an update for you next week!<br /><br />Lisa sent shawls and blankets:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3641820413/" title="bots0609shawls.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3641820413_a15231b095_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609shawls.JPG" hspace=5 vspace=5/></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3641819385/" title="bots0609blankets.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3641819385_cfe03a276c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609blankets.JPG" hspace=5 vspace=5/></a><br /><br />Hats by Maria, Corinna, Yasemin, and Carol:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3641819547/" title="bots0609hats.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3641819547_0865533d4a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609hats.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Hat/scarf sets by Maria and Corinna:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3642626344/" title="bots0609hatsets.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3642626344_a40d7cbb5b_m.jpg" width="240" height="184" alt="bots0609hatsets.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Baby hat and bootie sets by Corinna, and a toy from Bev:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3642626560/" title="bots0609hatsets2.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3642626560_53af77b638_m.jpg" width="240" height="205" alt="bots0609hatsets2.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Mittens! Courtesy of Bev and her Monday night knitting group:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3642626744/" title="bots0609mittens.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3642626744_559ee544f1_m.jpg" width="240" height="215" alt="bots0609mittens.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A whole mess of scarves from Anne Marie, Maria, Laina, Clarissa<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3642626938/" title="bots0609scarves.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3642626938_2ee80a13d7_m.jpg" width="240" height="181" alt="bots0609scarves.JPG" /></a><br /><br />More scarves from Clarissa, Maria and Anne Marie:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3641820281/" title="bots0609scarves2.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3641820281_98c8294f52_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bots0609scarves2.JPG" /></a>Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-18596010182251378112009-05-30T12:39:00.003-04:002009-05-30T12:43:53.294-04:00Eliza and MeThe June 19th deadline for our next <a href="http://travellingswatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Botswana">Botswana collection</a> is fast-approaching. Too fast. Where did May go? Anyway, I made this blue pullover:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3578271961/" title="botswanablue1.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3578271961_2a8ceb40e2_m.jpg" width="240" height="175" alt="botswanablue1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And Eliza made two baby blankets like this one:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3579077384/" title="elizablanket1.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/3579077384_0a41d23b0b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="elizablanket1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />AND she made another baby blanket:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3578271869/" title="elizablanket2.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3578271869_9b5cfd30ca_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="elizablanket2.JPG" /></a><br /><br />AND she made three scarves:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3579077448/" title="elizascarves.JPG by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3579077448_65cdbd9b7a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="elizascarves.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Rock on, Eliza! Just a reminder that gifts for the Botswana project are due to me on June 19th. We've been asked especially for sweaters and scarves. <a href="mailto:knittahsp9@yahoo.com">Email me</a> if you need more info.Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-40242980158372139302009-05-12T11:00:00.000-04:002009-05-12T11:00:00.525-04:00Rocca, Bagno Vignoni, and San QuiricoHi Knittah.<br /><br />From Rocca, we hiked over to Bagno Vignoni and on to San Quirico. Bagno Vignoni is a spa town with thermal waters considered very beneficial for bone ailments. There are now, still, 2 big hotels that attract people, and certainly on Easter weekend the town was crazy busy with Italians on a day trip. Here's the view from Rocca towards Bagno:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515464575/" title="IMG_0682 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3515464575_5cc571fdbc_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0682" /></a><br /><br />En route, we encountered a Tuscan Serpent!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515392939/" title="IMG_0710 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3515392939_055452277d_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="IMG_0710" /></a><br /><br />OK, perhaps not on a par with the Hungarian Horntail or whatever, but still, it was about 2.5 feet and really active and threatening spread out like that across the tail...well, actually, no, it was completely still soaking up the sunshine.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515393645/" title="IMG_0711 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3515393645_57d98efbdc.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0711" /></a><br /><br />We came to the river Orcia and had to make the crossing. The nazis bombed out the bridge during the retreat...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516473116/" title="IMG_0716 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3516473116_977f773163_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="IMG_0716" /></a><br /><br />and it's never been properly replaced...the wooden suspension bridge only lasted a few years before that plan fell apart, as it were.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516472600/" title="IMG_0714 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3516472600_58d0feb157.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0714" /></a><br /><br />So we had to walk across the spillway (which you can see in the lower lefthand corner of the above photo). Which means stripping off boots etc. The water came up to Eliza's ankles, about the limit, according to the hike instructions. Of course, the instructions also said that the moss isn't slippery. Yeah, maybe not, if you're wearing crampons. As it was, Eliza almost lost it--And ME--on the second step. From then on, she took baby steps across. <br /><br />Approaching Bagno Vignoni, we saw a family BBQ'ing. Note the easter egg center piece on the picnic table:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516474610/" title="IMG_0733 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3516474610_dc82e32dbe.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0733" /></a><br /><br />The water and geology felt a little reminiscent of yellowstone:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515663449/" title="IMG_0738 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3515663449_7d3d535bdb.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0738" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515662669/" title="IMG_0735 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3515662669_2956ddcd9f.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0735" /></a><br /><br />At some point, the Italians built a grain mill within the hill you saw above, taking advantage of the steam from the water to power things.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515663001/" title="IMG_0742 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3515663001_d4ee0b722d_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="IMG_0742" /></a><br /><br />Eliza needed to phone her life line, the local contact Paolo, from Bagno to figure out how to get out of town, because the directions, "...follow along the street into the village. After you've finished moseying about...go to the loggia at the end of the pool. Facing the pool, turn left and then right..." etc. made no sense to her. How embarrassing to get lost in a small town.<br /><br />From there, we walked on towards San Quirico. In San Quirico, the town's gentlemen presided:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515711143/" title="IMG_0774 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3515711143_2dbe3aa5cf.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0774" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-17970794975400783962009-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:002009-05-11T09:00:00.588-04:00Swatchy C a fioriHi Knittah.<br /><br />During grad school, Eliza had an Italian roommate, Emanuela. Ema's mother doesn't speak English. Eliza doesn't speak Italian. Anyway, finally, when Ema's mom visited for graduation, it dawned on them to converse in Spanish, and it would have really simplified things if they'd thought of that sooner. But until that point, it was challenging. Ema's mom would call and Eliza wouldn't know how to explain that Ema was out. Ema finally coached Eliza on how to explain to her mom that she was out. Eliza, however, heard it as "Ema a fiori" which made Ema laugh hysterically because that means "Ema's in the flowers." What Eliza was supposed to understand was "Ema a fuori" meaning Ema's out and about. <br /><br />Anyway, so my point with this little preview is that Eliza has a...mischievous streak and she delighted in putting ME, Swatchy C, "a fiori":<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516330516/" title="IMG_0854 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3516330516_41c7b6a0c7_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_0854" /></a><br /><br />But finally, Tuscan poppies. And are those wild delphiniums?!!<br /><br />This post has some random snaps from the hiking. This is a lovely home near Rocca, and don't you just want to hang out on that patio?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505500371/" title="IMG_0566 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3505500371_99c09c2320.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0566" /></a><br /><br />Believe it or not, Italy has boxed wine. Which Barbara, Bill, and Eliza decided was a good idea for hiking. Here I am enjoying a much-deserved break on the trail, pizza bianco (basically a plain thick-ish crust) with some prosciutto:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505500041/" title="IMG_0614 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3505500041_2d8ffa5341_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="IMG_0614" /></a><br /><br />There were tons of lizards all over the place but they mostly moved like lightning so you could never get a good look at one. But here we got lucky:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505499823/" title="IMG_0831_2 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3505499823_b8cb04c9a0.jpg" width="500" height="312" alt="IMG_0831_2" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-49862827315081499842009-05-09T13:52:00.004-04:002009-05-09T14:28:51.606-04:00Rocca d'OrciaHi Knittah!<br /><br />We spent 2 nights in Rocca, the first after the walk from Castelnuovo dell'Abate and the second after a walk from Rocca to San Quirico (from which we got a ride back to town by the local contact, Paolo).<br /><br />The walk from Montalcino to Rocca was beautiful. We kept seeing the Castello di Ripa d'Orcia, of the Piccolomini family (of Pope Pius II and other infamous personages), from different angles:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516291280/" title="IMG_0666 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/3516291280_5ab837ab92_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="IMG_0666" /></a><br /><br />Here Barbara and Bill enter Rocca:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515392207/" title="IMG_0671 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3515392207_51c88d4faa.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0671" /></a><br /><br />Rocca is considered a great example of a medieval borgo (hamlet). The fortress on the top of the hill was built about a millenium ago. The old town piazza, around the well, dates from the 12th century:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516202440/" title="IMG_0676 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3516202440_fc20b4067b.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0676" /></a><br /><br />Our hotel, San Simeone, was just below the fortress. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516275168/" title="IMG_0847 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3516275168_0a6c98047c_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="IMG_0847" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516275596/" title="IMG_0678 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3516275596_94640a99b6.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0678" /></a><br /><br />Elements of the hotel were built right into the hillside. Here's Eliza's bathroom:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3516274826/" title="IMG_0689 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3516274826_939070e69c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0689" /></a><br /><br />We ate both nights at the town's only restaurant, Il Borgo (the hamlet), a lovely restaurant whose proprietess, Marta, spoke English and French fluently, in addition to Italian. (Apologies for the fuzzy photo--Eliza had the camera settings all wrong.) Marta was a lovely hostess and was incredibly patient in explaining the menu:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515393151/" title="IMG_0775 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3515393151_5c9f939462_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="IMG_0775" /></a><br /><br />Here you can see the view across the rooftops of Rocca, towards Bagno Vignoni and San Quirico, the hike for the 2nd day:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3515464575/" title="IMG_0682 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3515464575_5cc571fdbc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0682" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-47954097862859821562009-05-08T15:08:00.003-04:002009-05-08T15:15:01.757-04:00Making a Difference<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383259/" title="botswana1.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3508383259_ac5cbf7275.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="botswana1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I thought you would enjoy seeing pictures of one of the families you have helped with your donations to the Botswana project. Look at the smiles on these beautiful faces:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383293/" title="botswana2.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3508383293_7fbf8c9861_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="botswana2.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383309/" title="botswana3.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3508383309_d5bd215de4_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="botswana3.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383329/" title="botswana4.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3508383329_b50edfef26_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="botswana4.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383359/" title="botswana5.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3508383359_da2cd9b022_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="botswana5.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3508383377/" title="botswana6.jpg by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3508383377_34e6b25d9f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="botswana6.jpg" /></a><br /><br />You put those smiles there! Your generous gifts of time and knitting have made a positive difference in the lives of this family. Thank you. Thank you.<br /><br />Our <a href="http://travellingswatch.blogspot.com/2009/04/botswana-update.html">next collection</a> deadline is June 19th. I hope you'll join me, again.Knittahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945035053199605558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-42485033712669177512009-05-06T12:01:00.013-04:002009-05-06T17:16:43.188-04:00Montalcino to Castelnuovo dell'AbateHi Knittah.<br /><br />We stayed 2 nights in Montalcino. On the 2nd day, Good Friday day [I know, I posted the evening scene on the last post...sorry, bad planning], we hiked from Montalcino to Castelnuovo dell'Abate. This hike included instructions like:<br /><br />"You arrive at a driveway lined with cypresses (the tall skinny trees). Just past the second cypress on the left..."<br /><br />and<br /><br />"Stay with the main road where it turns left at the farmhouse on your right. There is usually a chained barking dog here."<br /><br />The countryside is practically littered with agriturismos--farms of various types that offer a twist on the bed-and-breakfast model. Here's an intersection outside of Montalcino with signs to all the local attractions and agriturismos. [The recycling bins are positioned there so that the residents in the area can deposit their recyclables there--no curbside collection.]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3506434638/" title="IMG_0596_2 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3506434638_0b5e8ffd1b.jpg" width="500" height="312" alt="IMG_0596_2" /></a><br /><br />Just outside of Montalcino are the ruins of an Etruscan settlement:<br /><br /><a title="IMG_0604 by knittahsp9, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505624735/"><img height="313" alt="IMG_0604" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3505624735_2b9aa68336.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />(Yeah, I'm not sure what all it says, but basically there was like a fortress part of the settlement for defensive purposes. And the image that came to mind was of Legolas and Gimli...)<br /><br /><a title="IMG_0606 by knittahsp9, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505624999/"><img height="375" alt="IMG_0606" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3505624999_078a532468.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Probably about a mile and a half before reaching Castelnuovo, up in the hills, Eliza and I came upon a large group of what appeared to be an Italian version of boy/girl scouts (there were both), in uniform, aged in the mid-teens maybe (Eliza can't tell any more), sitting in a circle on a hilltop around a crucifix and a priest (monk? Eliza can't tell that either) wearing full length white robes. Eliza didn't take photos, obviously. Anyway, proceeding on past the group and down the other side of the hill, we saw yet another group sitting in the shade off the trail, holding a service of sorts. And they were being passed by yet another group coming up the trail. This group was curious: there was a strict looking teacher in front, with a boy in civilian clothing, a girl in civilian clothing with a head scarf over her head (sort of like a hijab), and another girl wearing a super tight white t-shirt and a little black mini skirt. A boy right behind them bore a crucifix. They were followed by maybe 50 more scouts in uniform. Eliza was puzzled by the civilian clothing, especially the seemingly inappropriate mini skirt. And then she realized: the 3 in front were Mary, Joseph, and Mary Magdalene (the mini skirt).<br /><br />Anyway, it turns out that there's a big Catholic student/scout center just outside of Castelnuovo because of the abbey there. But it was quite a display--all those students schlepping crucifixes up a rugged farm track up steep hills for Good Friday services of sorts.<br /><br />The Abbey of Sant Antimo apparently was initiated under Charlemagne in the 9th century. The abbey became really powerful over the next couple of centuries until Pope Pius II "reorganized." The abbey was unoccupied for over 500 years until it was re-populated in 1993 with a small community of French Cistercian monks.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_0632 by knittahsp9, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505499623/"><img height="150" alt="IMG_0632" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3505499623_02e1602fe0_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br />In Castelnuovo, I spied a monk loose from the Abbey. Is that allowed?!<br /><br /><a title="IMG_0646_2 by knittahsp9, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3505500231/"><img height="313" alt="IMG_0646_2" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3505500231_5be123c178.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />And then back in Montalcino, for dinner...Eliza ordered pasta. There's a hand-rolled pasta from that area called "pici." Because it's hand-rolled, it's thick-thin (Knittah perhaps would compare it to a hand-spun) and in this case it was prepared very simply with tomatoes, garlic, and a bit of basil. Eliza says that it was heavenly. And is it not beautiful?!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3487797860/" title="IMG_0586_2 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3487797860_f8ae28a5f3.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_0586_2" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203250.post-92150747919977611812009-05-04T19:49:00.002-04:002009-05-04T19:44:41.450-04:00MontalcinoHi Knittah.<br /><br />Arriving from Buonconvento, we spent two nights in Montalcino, due to logistical challenges with the Easter weekend--we took the next leg of the trip as a day-hike and caught the bus back.<br /><br />Montalcino is a lovely hilltop town that seems to thrive on the regional agriculture and tourism. There are lots of wine shops and wine bars where you can sample brunellos and the local cuisine. Eliza tried a flight of brunellos (2004, 2003, and a 1999):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3487854810/" title="IMG_0634 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3487854810_a923897c8e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0634" /></a><br /><br />Eliza couldn't resist trying the spaghetti there on the menu. First the waitress brought out the crostini in the previous photo. Then she created the pasta dish by presenting a plate of plain noodles, then in front of me drizzling the oil over it, then grating fresh parmesano, then grinding fresh pepper. It was absolutely the kind of thing Loretta would fix herself while preparing a bloody steak for Ronny.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3487854688/" title="IMG_0637 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3487854688_bf5f169f1a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0637" /></a><br /><br />The town's bookstore had the following offerings:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3487854216/" title="IMG_0643 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3487854216_d411130fb9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0643" /></a><br /><br />(Patricia Cornwall...Marley and Me...Letters to Obama from Children...felt like home...)<br /><br />We were there on Good Friday. The town holds a procession from one church to another, winding through the streets and stopping at each major "intersection" for what Eliza interpreted to be one stage in a mass (there was a combined Catholicism/Italian barrier to overcome). The procession included life-size crucifixes and a large bier borne by citizens of the town. So many townspeople Much of the town followed in two columns behind the priest and the band. The band was made up of brass and drums and played a dirge of sorts. Eliza didn't take photos of the procession, but she did capture the lights beforehand:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30243864@N00/3487038383/" title="IMG_0639 by knittahsp9, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3487038383_4cc0638495.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0639" /></a>Elizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023367043426278632noreply@blogger.com2