Author: Miss Lynne

So the good news was that there was snow during the night the not so good news was it was still snowing when we got up. Not enough to stop us skiing though.

We were on the first lift as soon as they started. There was a lot of high winds when we go to the top of the lifts but apart from that the conditions were pretty good – We skied until noon and then had a quick pit stop to have some chilli before hitting the slopes again.

We really only had one bad run – the bottom of the town trail was very slushy. We finished the day after 18 runs – 23 miles of skiing and top speeds of over 30 mph ( iPhone app) Then back to the hotel. We decided to go to Fuego again and this time we both had pasta.

Saturday we were up early and off to the airport. Flying Delta to Salt Lake City, very uneventful trip until we were within view of Salt Lake ….. Wow what a vista. It was a first visit to the area for both of us so a very pleasant surprise. Also we were greeted by blue skies and 58degrees.

Picked up the rental car and drove out to Park City, very easy trip and less than a 30 minute drive. Arrived at the hotel too early to check in so went up into the town on the free bus service. Stopped at the ski resort on the way so we could get Sundays lift tickets then walked on into the main Town.

The town is lovely – lots of old buildings and some great photo galleries. The best of which was Michael Fateli, his landscape photos were incredible. Although well out of our price bracket.

Back to the hotel to check in then out for dinner – very nice Italian restaurant called Fuego was just around the corner. The chicken salad I had was really great and the Pizza that Rob had was delicious. Can’t wait to get out on the slopes tomorrow

Rob says its just me that spoils them, here they are eating the cooked Oatmeal (porridge) that I made for them this morning.

But wait who is this hand feeding one of the girls – oh yes it is, its Mr Rob !

 

On Saturday we were up bright and early as we had to tend to our animals and then be over in Bremen by 8am. WakeRobin Farm had invited us to a vine planting. Being the warm popular people that they are, there was nearly a 100 people there. The day started with muffins, bagels and really great coffee (more about that later). We were then presented with a short history of vine growing in the region.

Before we were sent out into the fields to work we had a ancient Hebrew blessing of the vine – then out into the fields to be shown the correct way to plant them. Trillium (the name the vineyards will be called) had already got over 2 acres of pre drilled holes ready for us to plant into. The extension agent (Mr Rob will discuss who that is) then showed us the correct method of planting. Bruce and Karen planted the first vine and then we went off to plant our allotted area. People were working so hard the full 2 acres was done by 11.30.

 

 

I went over to introduce myself to their Alpacas and one of them, Turk, is just a doll. He was more than happy to come over to the fence and have his neck rubbed. Karen and Bruce also have St Bernard guardian dogs in with the pacas and they were quick to come over to the fence just to make sure that Turk was not in any danger.

I got talking to a really fun couple from NE Georgia, they trade as Walnut Knoll Farm. They have 88 pacas !! and they also have a coffee roasting business call the Alpaca Bean company. You can buy the beans on line and they are so good that even Mr Rob, the infamous tea drinker, liked it.

We had a fab catered lunch and then there were door prizes – so many that nearly everyone got something, I picked this neat gadget for aerating, poring and storing wine and when Rob won he picked this lovely Alpaca scarf.

 

Friday I met my good friend Robyn at the Gwinnett center in Duluth. It was the annual sewing expo for Georgia and we had planned this outing since early January.

It’s great to have a kindred spirit so close to home so that I can have company for these things. We spent some of our time looking at the quilts, although I have to say, even though they were lovely there really was not very many of them. There was however a lot of vendors 🙂

I had promised myself that I would not buy any fabric, i mean it’s not as if I am likely to run short anytime soon. However I still managed to find a few things that caught my eye.

 

We decided to move the chicken coop down to the horse ring. Moving the actual coop was the easy part getting the chickens down there proved to be more of a challenge. First of all we tried herding them down there with scenes reminiscent of Monty Python sketch and even resulting in an all out body splat by Rob.

I moved on to plan B, which was to lay a trail of oats across the grass and on down into the horse ring. It took a few hours but they all wandered down there and we were able to acquaint  them with their new home. They certainly look happy enough there.

This weekend I had a nice surprise in the post from one on my NY Quilty friends. Here it is, a book to teach us to speak properly. We have been giggling most of the weekend as we read through it. We now know we live in Etlaanta!

And going in the post today will be a belated birthday present for my sister. Hope she likes it, I took a basic pattern and me it more to her style, I hope.

While in Vegas, I was lucky enough to be given tickets to Rock of Ages. The PGI group had arranged for a buffet to feed us first. So we all met in the Grand Lux cafe in the Venetian, the buffet was really good also an open bar. Then off to the concert theater for the show. As you can see we had great seats and the show was excellent, just a good laugh and plenty of blasts from the past. Not for those of a sensitive disposition, a little swearing and lots of near the knuckle jokes.

Flew home on Friday, hardly seems time to sort myself out for the next weeks work. Hey ho!

Saturday we went to Turner Feed and bought a horse feeding manger for the Pacas, then off to Lowes to buy seeds ready to start on the garden. They also now stock Jim Shore garden items so I bought 2 planters and a chicken. Love his stuff!

 

 

One of the yahoo groups I belong to is the “small quilts” group and they were all talking about a new book – so not to be outdone I quickly placed my Amazon order and was not disappointed. It was really inspiring and spurred me on to get on with some small projects that I had lined up. Nothing radical just some small quilts for my hanging frames and a tea towel for the kitchen. In the evenings I am busy weaving, I have now managed about 25 inches only 35 more to go!

I found a box of pictures that we have not unpacked since we came to the US and had a fun 30 minutes finding homes for them around the house. Rob hung our leaded glass in the picture window, it is really starting to feel like home. Can’t wait to see what he has done by the time I get back from Vegas.

Nice easy trip into the airport this morning and one of the things I like to do is give myself enough time so that I can walk to my terminal rather than use the train. They have a great display of African sculptures between baggage and terminal A.

Our chickens have stopped laying and after much discussion we have decided to get a second chicken coop and some more younger chickens and just let the other girls live out their lives in the original coop. We might toughen up over time but at the moment we are not up to slaughtering something we have named.

Whilst the weather is much better than New York – it still gets down around freezing overnight so we will have to wait a few more weeks before we can plant out our garden veg. We also have to wait until our new farm gates arrive or the chickens will eat it all and we would definitely review their life expectancy!

Arrived in Vegas and I am staying in the Wynn for the first time, the reception area is really stunning, all of these giant balls are made from flowers. they really know how to do things in style. My room is great and has a perfect view of the Strip. I know Vegas is an acquired taste but in short bursts I quite like it.

 

 

I was up bright and early Sunday morning and off to the Dekalb cultural center for part one of my introduction to weaving class. There was only 6 of us in the class and two tutors so we got plenty of time to understand what we were doing.

First we created our warp and then dressed the looms. The instructor showed us how to start weaving the waste yarn and then “declare” before starting to weave our scarf.

 

We had a break for lunch and joy of joy the center is right next to a Panera Bread. So Sonoma chicken stew with cheese biscuit and the chance to have a free cake for my birthday, Thank you Panera.

The afternoon we were weaving with our chosen yarn and trying to get the tension right, I needed to get 10 rows or weft to the inch and after a while I was close enough. Although this looks quite open on the loom it closes up when washed and if you do it to tight you will end up with rug quality not fabric. We were sent home with our looms and have 2 weeks to weave 60 inches before we have lesson 2. ONly 50 more to go.