Brown Sheep Road Trip~ a photo diary

I took a very quick trip up to Brown Sheep Company today, and enjoyed a visit with Peggy Jo Wells at the mill; picked up some lovely yarn, roving, and new reeds for the Cricket Loom; and had a quick lunch out before heading home. For anyone who wonders why I find a day trip to Nebraska so enjoyable, I wanted to share a bit of the beautiful scenery with you!

Farm and Ranch Museum in Gering, Nebraska 

Scott's Bluff National Monument

Final Destination~ Brown Sheep Company

Wyoming trains, spotted on trip back home to Colorado

Compass Montessori School~ a photo diary

Sister learning to spin on a wheel

nifty toys at the Petite Purls display

handcrafted gifts

two young authors

chatting with Allegra from Petite Purls

Amy Clarke Moore giving spinning lessons

Scotts Bluff National Monument

by Phoebe

May and I had a great time hanging out at Scotts Bluff National Monument together!

"Towering eight hundred feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has been a natural landmark for many peoples, and it served as the path marker for those on the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails."

~U.S National Park Service

The views there are remarkable. You can see for miles and miles around!

We made a new friend at the Visitor's Center...

You know how I love adventures on the road with my friends!

Old Truck at the Drive-In

Sunset at the Drive-In.

A wonderful way to celebrate summer, childhood, and old trucks.

TNNA~ Cutting it close... in Long Beach

by Joanna

Today is the day.  This morning I am flying to California to attend the TNNA winter trade show in Long Beach.  This also happens to be the exact day that the very first finished copies of our new book will begin to roll off the presses on the east coast.  So, while I am in the air from Colorado to California, 2 precious copies of the book will be in the air (thank you overnight shipping!) from Maryland to California.  Ideally, we will meet for the very first time on the trade show floor tomorrow while we are setting up...  If that isn't cutting it close, I don't know what is!  Stay tuned as I let you know how it unfolds!

Bee Family Farm

by Phoebe

This pig is one of the new friends I made at Bee Family Farm last week.  He really liked the way my wool sweater smelled.  (I am not sure I like the way he smelled.)

We saw sheep, Brown Swiss Cows (my favorite), and chickens... it was a great day to visit a farm.

They even put us to work a little bit!

For some reason, doing the laundry this way is much more fun!

The house tours were packed with interesting tidbits of 20th century domestic history.  Check out this baby bassinet!  It doesn't look too cozy to me!  But I loved all of the neat old-fashioned clothing and quilts.

"War is a Woman's Job Too!"

This booklet from the 1940's was of great interest to Mother for some reason... the prefect blend of domestic history and knitting, I suppose!

The family saved their original homestead house after a flood by cutting off the first two feet of house above the foundation and resetting it on a new slab.  If that isn't economy in action, I don't know what is!

Thanks for a fun and educational afternoon, Bee Family!

Ancient Mummy... Newborn Baby...

by Phoebe

I recently took at trip to the Art Museum with some of my good friends to see an amazing collection of artifacts from King Tut's tomb.  I wasn't allowed to take photos in the exhibit, but trust me, it was really impressive! 

I also watched my first 3-D movie.  It was about mummies.  My friend was worried that the movie might be about dead people.  It was.  But being as I love history, I found it all quite fascinating.  I finished off the day with an outing with Mother to Knit Night...

... where she worked on her Minimalist Cardigan,

the Nanny worked on her Tea Leaves Cardi,

and the Weaver worked on her Feather and Fan Scarf.

The Doula decided to join us, and was busy knitting a pair of socks for her new baby...

... who happily slept in a hand knit blanket of her own invention.

All told, it was a good day.

Osborn Farm

by Phoebe

Our favorite way to celebrate the onset of autumn is to attend the Country Market at Osborn Farm.

Musicians, artisans, bakers, antique dealers, farmers, and families all gather to celebrate the new season and the fall harvest.  And there is literally fun for everyone!

An old-fashioned barrel train...

Livestock...

A psaltery, and even...

a hurdy gurdy!

We spotted this great hand knit pumpkin hat,

chatted with Kat, a talented weaver,

and checked out the beautiful array of pumpkins, corn, and gourds.

We did do some shopping, but were careful to only bring home a modest (yet inspiring) packet of goodies:

We are thankful for yet another great celebration at the farm!

Take Me Riding in a Car

by Phoebe

I love being taken for a ride in a car, especially on a beautiful autumn day.

Especially when you have this guy, a red fox lab, for a companion.

Especially when the views are stunning... and you are in a convertible!

We had a great time weekend driving with a dearest friend and caught up on months' worth of news and life... and sadly, it did have to come to an end...

It is always a little sad to say goodbye to dear friends.

But that is why I love looking at photographs to remember the great times!

"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship."

- Saint Thomas Aquinas

Highland Camping Adventure

by Phoebe

Our family ventured into the Rocky Mountains for a last-minute weekend getaway. 

We camped at a beautiful mountain-top park where we enjoyed scenic evening views...

... and went into town during the day to enjoy the Scottish-Irish Highland Festival.  I have never seen so many bagpipes and flags in one place- it was rather regal and ceremonious!

And, of course, we had lots of time by the fire for marshmallows and other yummy camping treats!