Thursday, September 04, 2008

Home again - with a full "memory card"

What a trip! We filled six long days with flying, driving, family, fun, friends, knitting, and a fascinating assortment of flora and fauna. Brian met and made instant friends with six second cousins, and we adults enjoyed our time together, too. We haven't visited this part of Rick's family in 24 years, and it really was good to catch up and connect. The boys played a lot of "war games." (What IS it about boys and battles?) I took a lot of "posed" photos, but the candid one below captured the boy's fun best. :-)

I also got to connect with two Shetland breeders and blogland friends - modern-day pen pals, if you will. Tammy Powell (middle) and Allena Jackson (right, with baby Julianna) drove into Springfield, MO to meet me at Panera Bread, where we crammed in as much talking and laughing like old friends as we could before everyone had to go their separate ways again. We all brought little gifts for each other (great minds think alike, I guess); my dried cherries looked pretty ugly compared to the adorable likeness of Rechel that Tammy felted for me (perfectly capturing Rechel's "Call of the Wild" stance; see her here at her new home) and a beautiful, uber-soft angora/Merino batt from Allena, but hopefully they will make up for their looks in taste.Speaking of taste, Allena brought some homemade goat cheese spread with nuts, pineapple and coconut that we enjoyed on toasted bagels while visiting - YUM! This little get-together was a much-anticipated highlight of my trip; I only wish it could have lasted longer!

I'll be sharing more highlights from our trip in upcoming posts, but that's it for now from . . .

7 comments:

~~Sittin.n.Spinnin said...

Looks like you had a great time! Im sure the cherry's taste better than the felted sheep ;-)
Nice job on that sheep by the way! (in hopes the creator will stop by and view the complement :)

Pamela said...

What great fun! I love the shot of the boys all playing together. Definitely a moment they will remember.

Kara said...

What fun! I just love the felted sheepie. Welcome home.

country girl said...

That goat cheese sounded delicious. Glad you are home safe and sound with lots of good memories.

Heather said...

Yay your home!!! I have so missed reading you each day. Glad you had a good time and it looks like Brian had a blast - cousins are important!
How neat to meet up with your shetland friends! I love the felted sheep - how do you do that? I'd sure like to give it a try!

Gone2theDawgs said...

What fun! Some of my best childhood memories are times spent with cousins! Love the felted Rechel! :) Sounds like a great trip, thanks for sharing!

Kathy said...

OK...now Tammy needs to start taking orders for felted sheepies! How neat to be able to see both Tammy and Alena. I am so envious! (I was going to feel really sorry for myself saying that nobody comes here to visit, but John and Tina did, so I can't say that anymore) LOL!
I think I'll have to take an empty suitcase to NZ to see what "Sheep Treats" I can dig up there for poeple...
And welcome home, Michelle! I know I missed you! :) I'll bet all your critters are glad to see you home again as well.