A long time ago (in knitting time it was a hat, two mismatched socks, two washcloths, four mouse booties, and several unfinished objects ago) in a galaxy far, far away (Louisiana), Amanda of Clothesknit had an idea. A good idea. A very good idea. Her idea, you ask? Why to start an exchange of sock yarn all around the world. And, thus, Yarn Aboard! was born.

I had never joined an exchange before. But I wanted to. And even though I originally thought I would have to knit socks for my secret pal, I still wanted in. Amanda patiently explained that I would not be required to knit for my pal but just to buy for her. Huzzah! thought I, that’s even better!

So Amanda drew up two lists. She sent out a Drill box that Alison had mailed her from Massachusetts and Alison of the blue blog sent out a Radio box that Carola of sheep and no city had shipped her from Iceland.

I promptly went out and bought yarn and needles for my pal. And then I sat down and waited for the box.

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When last we left our heroine, she was just turning out of the driveway of the Howard County Fairgrounds following an exhausting and exhaustive day at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. The bags were stashed in the back, the windows were down, and Brenda Dayne was chatting it up on the iPod — our heroine thought life was good. Find out how her optimism would be tested after this break.

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We last left our heroine trundling off to her bed, sleeping off the all-nighter she is really too old now to pull off painlessly.

Would she fall asleep? Would she awaken in time for the festival? Would she miss out on all the cute animals and pretty yarn? Tune in after this break to find out… (more…)

I am looking forward to this weekend (which will begin at whatever time I get this albatross of an obesity book from around my neck). Tonight, should the stars align and a time machine be invented and I finish this book surprisingly earlier than I think I will, there is a Cinco de Mayo happy hour over in Barracks Row. Michael has promised Mexican wrestling masks, which has potential, I think, for some intriguing scenarios.

Tomorrow is Sheep and Wool. I mean, come on — sheep and wool! And alpacas and angora bunnies and llamas and goats and sheepdogs and spindles and spinning wheels and fresh-squeezed lemonade and eclairs the size of your head and … and … and …

No, I’m not that excited. Why do you ask?

Check back Saturday night or Sunday for photos and a recap of events and purchases.

Sunday brings the farmers’ market. We’re trying something new each market in May. Last week was stinging nettles, which Rudi turned into a yummy soup last night based on Clotilde’s recipe. It was bright green! Rhubarb has been promised to go with the season’s strawberries. That might be something to try as a dessert. Although it will be hard to beat the pairing two days ago of strawberries, fresh whipped cream, and the rest of the chocolate torte cake Gramma made at Easter. (I don’t know how it lasted that long in the fridge either; who hid it in plain sight?)

And then we have a baseball game. I don’t remember who’s playing the Nationals this weekend, but given our record, it is a distinct possibility they will beat us. Since I know it is not the Mets coming to town, I can root wholeheartedly for the Nats to stop losing.

I hope to squeeze a lot of fun (and a lot of sleep) into this weekend. Next week is going to be another rough one at work, so it would be nice to feel that there had been some sort of break in there.

Thursdays offer us a chance to slow down (metaphorically, if not in real life) and look back at all the beauty of the last week. I offer you three highlights:

1. Eri came down to visit last weekend. She and I were college roommates and have known each other now for 14 years — longer than all but two of my friends. We rode bikes and talked and went to the zoo. We ate at a new (for us) restaurant. We lazed Sunday morning with the paper. We watched The West Wing. We talked about old times. And new. And times to come. All in all a lovely visit.

2. In preparation of Eri’s visit (and in reaction to Jason and Essia’s), Rudi and I spent several days last week doing hard core cleaning. The process of cleaning itself is not beautiful, but the results are, and the Burrow is now at least twenty pounds lighter because of all the shredding we got done.

3. In the last few days, I’ve had the opportunity to deal with some unresolved knitting projects. As you saw earlier, the mousies got finished. And yesterday I sent off Jason’s hat, which I finished a day late way back in February. (I’m sure St. Louis is not still cold enough to require a wool hat (pictured here with the unfinished mousies), but now he has one for the first cold breeze next fall.) Last night the sock I’ve been knitting came off the needles so I can now use those needles (if necessary) to cast on Rudi’s summer socks. (I also will be casting on the shawl I’m making out of the yarn I bought last year at Sheep and Wool so I can go to this year’s festival with a clear conscience.)

The medals plaza has been disassembled. The hotels’ vacancy signs have been up long enough to fade in the sun. And the only medalist we can name is the Flying Tomato. (more…)