Not a Rhinebeck post
I may not be at Rhinebeck with most of my knitty friends, but I’m still managing to have the best weekend I’ve had in…well…maybe since Rhinebeck last year?
Yesterday morning, Billy, Thumper, and I met my friend Tereza and her son at the Children’s Museum. Tereza and I were friends a million years ago in undergrad, and hadn’t seen each other since graduating in ’95. We found each other again on Friendster (last year, obviously, since Friendster is now a ghost town). Guess where she lives? And she has a son 10 months older than Thumper. In Utopia you reconnect with old college friends and it turns out they’ve moved to the same city as you and have children close in age to yours. (She and her husband are expecting their second in January. I think an acorn hat may be just the thing…) It’s wonderful getting to know Tereza all over again, this time as adults and mothers. It’s also comforting to have someone in town who knew me as a teenager. It’s nice to have something outside of our immediate family that isn’t so entirely NEW, you know?
Thumper had a blast at the Children’s Museum. I think we’ll be spending a lot of time there. Yesterday they had a truck petting zoo set up outside, with a fire engine, an ambulance, and a backhoe. Thumper was all about the fire engine.
Yesterday evening we had some friends over for dinner, including Tereza and her son. (Her husband was home with a cold, unfortunately.) I made an entirely vegan meal for a crowd of meat-eaters and I’m happy to say it went over VERY well. A house full of friends, a table full of food (including tostones…mmm…), a couple of happy toddlers… Clearing the table and finding our friend Kent already up to his elbows in soapy water, doing dishes, comfortable enough in our home to just dig in and start cleaning… The sound of Tereza speaking to her son, a voice I used to hear in the halls of our freshman dorm, when she lived across the hall from me… Seeing Billy with friends he’s known for 18 years… The house really felt like home for the first time last night.
(Kent is featured in a story in the Oregonian today. Check out the paper version if you’re local, because the online version doesn’t include the great photos of him–one of them with his two boys.)
And then we slept in this morning, Billy made us blueberry pancakes, and then he and Thumper saddled up and headed out to give me four (count ’em! FOUR!) hours to write. Twenty minutes of which I’m spending here. A fine weekend, indeed.
Even if people are now starting to get reminders from #&%@ Shelfari in my name.
And yeah…I didn’t go to Rhinebeck, but I did treat myself to some sock yarn. You know…because I don’t have much sock yarn at all. Behold.
It’s from Fearless Fibers, in the Inner Sanctum colorway. Mmmmm….
Okay. Off to write. If only there were some tostones left over…
Glad you had fun! And if you like the Children’s Museum, you should take Thumper to OMSI. They have a kids area upstairs that I cannot drag my kids away from. I’ve heard they re-did the Children’s Museum, I took my kids once and walked out with a huge headache. 😉
Posted by: Michele
Cari, it was great fun seeing you guys twice in one day! I had a blast at your house. Dinner was tasty. Great company! And don’t worry. Your reminiscing didn’t really embarrass me that much. I think what was more embarrassing was how bad my memory is since I had no recollection of half of what you talked about. Ah, those wild college days!
Posted by: Tereza
ah, the comfort of old friends! So happy for you that you have found Tereza and your new home is fitting well.
Posted by: kellie
Oooo! I’m so happy to see that table again! Sounds like a perfect weekend indeed : )
Posted by: Andrea M.
Yeah, sounds like a fantastic weekend! Very cool. Oh, another place, if you haven’t found it yet, is the children’s playground up at the Rose Gardens in Washington Park. It’s over by the end of the Gardens as you start driving back down the big loop. Not that I’ve ever taken any kids there, but the ones I’ve seen there all look like they’re having a ton of fun. And if Thumper likes trucks, he’d go nuts over the Zoo train ride!
Hope your muse is cooperating while you’re writing now. Being a newbie reader, I have to say – love that table!! And doesn’t Deb do the most beautiful yarns? Isn’t it great knowing she’s just on the West Side? She was the first person I started buying handpainted sock yarns from, and I just went nuts with ’em. (Acquiring, that is. I am a very, very slow knitter, and still have my first three socks in – long – progress. ::snerk::)
Posted by: MonicaPDX
Glad you had fun! And if you like the Children’s Museum, you should take Thumper to OMSI. They have a kids area upstairs that I cannot drag my kids away from. I’ve heard they re-did the Children’s Museum, I took my kids once and walked out with a huge headache. 😉
Posted by: Michele
Cari, it was great fun seeing you guys twice in one day! I had a blast at your house. Dinner was tasty. Great company! And don’t worry. Your reminiscing didn’t really embarrass me that much. I think what was more embarrassing was how bad my memory is since I had no recollection of half of what you talked about. Ah, those wild college days!
Posted by: Tereza
ah, the comfort of old friends! So happy for you that you have found Tereza and your new home is fitting well.
Posted by: kellie
Oooo! I’m so happy to see that table again! Sounds like a perfect weekend indeed : )
Posted by: Andrea M.
Yeah, sounds like a fantastic weekend! Very cool. Oh, another place, if you haven’t found it yet, is the children’s playground up at the Rose Gardens in Washington Park. It’s over by the end of the Gardens as you start driving back down the big loop. Not that I’ve ever taken any kids there, but the ones I’ve seen there all look like they’re having a ton of fun. And if Thumper likes trucks, he’d go nuts over the Zoo train ride!
Hope your muse is cooperating while you’re writing now. Being a newbie reader, I have to say – love that table!! And doesn’t Deb do the most beautiful yarns? Isn’t it great knowing she’s just on the West Side? She was the first person I started buying handpainted sock yarns from, and I just went nuts with ’em. (Acquiring, that is. I am a very, very slow knitter, and still have my first three socks in – long – progress. ::snerk::)
Posted by: MonicaPDX
That is great! Glad Utopia is treating you well.
Posted by: Sharon
I thought about you in Rhinebeck when i was standing in precisely the spot where I ran into you, Billy and Thumper last year. You were wearing your lace leaf shawl (and Thumper, of course). It was fun to see everyone, but it was seriously mobbed this year. It’s become the SXSW of knitting. Eep. Glad you’re having fun in Utopia. We miss you all.
Posted by: regina
I can’t even express how much I missed you. Utopia is cool, but dude, there was a Cari-sized hole in the Rhinebeck day.
Posted by: Lee Ann
Nothing like good food and good friends to make a house feel like a home. May you enjoy many such evenings in Utopia!
And oh. That sockyarn is lovely, but what are those tiles (?) in the background? Me loves it!
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter
We had a small digger parked out the back of our house over the weekend, which was TOO much excitement for one little boy who roamed all over it and brmmed to his heart’s content as the builder watched on. But a Truck and fire engine petting zoo is such a great idea!!
And I’ve been lurking on Fearless Fibers site – their stuff looks so lovely.
Posted by: Alison
Sounds like you had a great weekend. 🙂
Posted by: Phoe
That is a gorgeous colourway! Perfect reflection of the season!
Posted by: Barbara from Nova Scotia
That is great! Glad Utopia is treating you well.
Posted by: Sharon
I thought about you in Rhinebeck when i was standing in precisely the spot where I ran into you, Billy and Thumper last year. You were wearing your lace leaf shawl (and Thumper, of course). It was fun to see everyone, but it was seriously mobbed this year. It’s become the SXSW of knitting. Eep. Glad you’re having fun in Utopia. We miss you all.
Posted by: regina
I can’t even express how much I missed you. Utopia is cool, but dude, there was a Cari-sized hole in the Rhinebeck day.
Posted by: Lee Ann
Nothing like good food and good friends to make a house feel like a home. May you enjoy many such evenings in Utopia!
And oh. That sockyarn is lovely, but what are those tiles (?) in the background? Me loves it!
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter
We had a small digger parked out the back of our house over the weekend, which was TOO much excitement for one little boy who roamed all over it and brmmed to his heart’s content as the builder watched on. But a Truck and fire engine petting zoo is such a great idea!!
And I’ve been lurking on Fearless Fibers site – their stuff looks so lovely.
Posted by: Alison
Sounds like you had a great weekend. 🙂
Posted by: Phoe
That is a gorgeous colourway! Perfect reflection of the season!
Posted by: Barbara from Nova Scotia
“Dear Cari, I sent you a Shelfari invitation 2.3 hours ago and you still haven’t responded.” Et cetera. Hee. I’m teasing you. It’s like a malicious cascade, and how can a software in this day and age even DARE to use that trick, especially if they are TRYING to be legit? Now I’m getting them from some of the people you probably invited. Rat bastards.
Glad you had a fun weekend. You were MISSED at Rhinebeck. XOXO
Posted by: Norma
Hmm, that sounds so nice (she says wistfully). Those are sounds that I haven’t heard in a long time. And the food – awesome. I’d love to hear what your menu was!!
Posted by: Kathryn
Yay!!!! Tereza!!!!
Posted by: Anina
you were very much missed at rhinebeck, but your utopian weekend sounds pretty freaking great. and it came with blueberry pancakes. yum.
Posted by: heather
You sound happy and have delicious orange yarn. All is well.
Posted by: claudia
Sounds like a wonderful weekend. I went to Rhinebeck for the first time, and it was a little overwhelming. I’m excited by the prospect of a weekend like yours NEXT weekend.
What sorts of vegan dishes do you serve to omnivores? I eat meat occasionally, but I love to cook vegan and vegetarian food. I’m up against a few people who shudder as soon as they hear the word vegetarian, but I’d love to show them how good it can be!
Posted by: Marlena
Have you tried out OMSI yet? I highly recommend the kid area there. My kids used to love that place so much that we finally purchased season passes each year until they outgrew it.
Posted by: LeAnne
“Dear Cari, I sent you a Shelfari invitation 2.3 hours ago and you still haven’t responded.” Et cetera. Hee. I’m teasing you. It’s like a malicious cascade, and how can a software in this day and age even DARE to use that trick, especially if they are TRYING to be legit? Now I’m getting them from some of the people you probably invited. Rat bastards.
Glad you had a fun weekend. You were MISSED at Rhinebeck. XOXO
Posted by: Norma
Hmm, that sounds so nice (she says wistfully). Those are sounds that I haven’t heard in a long time. And the food – awesome. I’d love to hear what your menu was!!
Posted by: Kathryn
Yay!!!! Tereza!!!!
Posted by: Anina
you were very much missed at rhinebeck, but your utopian weekend sounds pretty freaking great. and it came with blueberry pancakes. yum.
Posted by: heather
You sound happy and have delicious orange yarn. All is well.
Posted by: claudia
Sounds like a wonderful weekend. I went to Rhinebeck for the first time, and it was a little overwhelming. I’m excited by the prospect of a weekend like yours NEXT weekend.
What sorts of vegan dishes do you serve to omnivores? I eat meat occasionally, but I love to cook vegan and vegetarian food. I’m up against a few people who shudder as soon as they hear the word vegetarian, but I’d love to show them how good it can be!
Posted by: Marlena
Have you tried out OMSI yet? I highly recommend the kid area there. My kids used to love that place so much that we finally purchased season passes each year until they outgrew it.
Posted by: LeAnne
It sounds like you had a really lovely weekend. The picture of Thumper and the fire engine is too cute!
Posted by: knittripps
Hi Carrie:
I’ve been lurking on your blog for a couple of years and I finally have to come out with my two cents.
I am sooooo jealous of you because you’ve moved to Portland. I live in Baltimore, and while it is home to Maryland Sheep and Wool, and my home, it’s no comparison to Portland.
About once or twice (if I’m lucky) a year, I visit family members that live in Portland. Be sure not to miss “Black Sheep Gathering,” the sheep and wool festival in Eugene that happens every June. It is a whole lot smaller than MDSW and Rhinebeck, but it’s chock-full of roving and really creative fiber artists. Many people also like “Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival” which just happened in October better than BSG.
Also, you and your family will love touring the gorge and walking to all of the scenic water falls. Oh, and Mt. Hood, and the beaches on the coast! There is so much nature to enjoy, you almost can’t run out of things to do. There are tons of farmer’s markets and festivals going on all the time. Also, the Saturday Market in downtown is fun, although a little touristy.
I also like that everyone there seems so respectful of the environment. My family members out there are very green.
I know that you’re used to New York and let’s face it, there is no greater city, and I’m a total East Coast kind of girl, but the gentler way of life in Portland is really attractive to me. Much happiness to you and your family in your new home.
Peace
Terry
Posted by: Terry
That is a *lovely* skein.
I loved your description of the dinner party! What a great evening.
Posted by: Jennie VH
It sounds like you had a really lovely weekend. The picture of Thumper and the fire engine is too cute!
Posted by: knittripps
Hi Carrie:
I’ve been lurking on your blog for a couple of years and I finally have to come out with my two cents.
I am sooooo jealous of you because you’ve moved to Portland. I live in Baltimore, and while it is home to Maryland Sheep and Wool, and my home, it’s no comparison to Portland.
About once or twice (if I’m lucky) a year, I visit family members that live in Portland. Be sure not to miss “Black Sheep Gathering,” the sheep and wool festival in Eugene that happens every June. It is a whole lot smaller than MDSW and Rhinebeck, but it’s chock-full of roving and really creative fiber artists. Many people also like “Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival” which just happened in October better than BSG.
Also, you and your family will love touring the gorge and walking to all of the scenic water falls. Oh, and Mt. Hood, and the beaches on the coast! There is so much nature to enjoy, you almost can’t run out of things to do. There are tons of farmer’s markets and festivals going on all the time. Also, the Saturday Market in downtown is fun, although a little touristy.
I also like that everyone there seems so respectful of the environment. My family members out there are very green.
I know that you’re used to New York and let’s face it, there is no greater city, and I’m a total East Coast kind of girl, but the gentler way of life in Portland is really attractive to me. Much happiness to you and your family in your new home.
Peace
Terry
Posted by: Terry
That is a *lovely* skein.
I loved your description of the dinner party! What a great evening.
Posted by: Jennie VH