rhinebeck or bust (the 2013 edition)

As if we didn't do enough last weekend, we also did a bit of traveling.  We headed north to upstate New York to attend the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York.  You know, as we do.  It was pretty fantastic (it usually is).

We saw all sorts of fiber-y goodness.

We saw lots of sheep, probably not a surprise at all.

We ate lots of really healthy food.

Although there were no rides this year, there were lots of kids activities like a mad scientist show.

There was also a gem "panning" station.

Papa calls the trip a success because we went to a festival and the only thing we bought was the food we ate (because honestly, I don't really need anything of the wool variety right now).  It was a good trip!  We can't wait to go back next year!

we did that sheep thing in may, too

I dropped the ball here, again.  Since we have our big family trip coming up, I figured I could spend a few days getting things squared away here.

Back in May (before my birthday) we went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival (as we usually do).  We saw sheep.  We pet them.  We ate them. 

And then we bought some of their wool.  Pretty exciting stuff, really.

More pictures in flickr.

rhinebeck, 2010

We did go to Rhinebeck, New York for a wool and sheep festival two weekends ago. And we had a great time. The weekend was less about sheep and more about having fun and seeing old (and new friends).

The pups found rides.
And Papa entertained the kids at a knitter's meet-up.
And yes, we saw sheep.

More pictures in flickr!

so let's talk about maryland...

I am in the process of sorting through 12oo photographs of European vactioning at the moment, until I can get that taken care of, why don't we talk about our family venture south to Maryland, shall we? Oh and yes, hello, we are back.

At the beginning of last month, the family made the trek down to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, it's a start of summer tradition of sorts for us, but it was really hot. We didn't stay too long.
But we stayed long enough to see sheep, so that's something.
After the heat and sheep exposure, we decided to visit the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and just to be wild and crazy, we decided it would be a good idea to take our kids on the two hour docent lead tour. Good times!Before we headed home on Sunday, we visited some friends in Baltimore and stopped at a little neighborhood playground in Laurel.

It was pretty sweet.

Tons of photos up in flickr!

things to do in baltimore when it rains

Since it's June, it seemed only natural that I tell you about some wandering we did in May.

We headed south to attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival so I could (start the celebration of my birthday and) meet up with some blog-knitting friends (or rather, some of SP 1.0's adoring fans) and buy some fiber--for those interested in more fiber talk, go here.

I am sure a time will come when fiber festivals won't be fun family trips anymore and I will be doing them solo; but, till that time, it's a fun family affair. Because really, how can you not love sheep?

And since we were down there, we also headed to the Baltimore to visit the National Aquarium as well (on the advice of some good friends).

We had a lot of fun at both the festival and the aquarium. It rained off and on at the sheep and wool festival, which, wet wool, yay! But the aquarium was the ideal indoor activity for the following Sunday because the rain was torrential. We had a great time.

We were able to get a hotel pretty close to the aquarium which was good for kiddos who needed naps...or tummy time.

More pics in flickr, of course. Coming up: Pup 2.0's 6 month update, and 1.0's "Hey, I'm 3!" Catch-up. At the end of the week. I promise.

we brake for sheep

In my head, I wrote this post and put it up last week. In reality, I, obviously, did no such thing. So in the spirit of chronological order, let's talk about our trip to Rhinebeck, New York, shall we? On the 17th, we headed to upstate New York to go to a fiber festival, because, you know, "we" are into that sort of thing. There was a lot of yarn and fiber to spin to make yarn.

We ate like kings (I am eating for two now, so I too ate like a king, my friends).

I could go on at great length about the irony of eating lamb at a sheep and wool festival, but I won't go there.

The Pup found the best part of the day involved riding on trains... (which I totally don't get, it has nothing to do with sheep, knitting, weaving or what have you, but there you are).

And he also experienced the joy of fried dough, or, as he calls it, "dough with snow."

More pictures in flickr (because that is totally unexpected). Tomorrow (and I totally mean it), I will post about Halloween, because doing so after the fact might be a little gauche and also, I am too lazy to catch things up after a flurry of expected activity in the coming days...

i went to san francisco and i didn't get a t-shirt

(self-portrait in Japantown Center)

At the end of last month I took a solo trip to San Francisco to attend a conference for work. Classes had already started for the Papa Seal so he managed the homefront with the Seal Pup while I flew the coop. I missed my boys, but I have to honest, I had a really good time.

with knitblogging friends Risa and Rangsiwan

In addition to the whole professional development thing (which, admittedly was the purpose for said trip), I was able to meet up with knitbloggers that I have "known" for the last 2 years but I never really met (with the excpetion of 2 of them).

knitbloggers before the great Thai chowdown

I got a chance to hang out with my friend K who I saw in May and June, but whose company I never tire of.

taken after a REALLY good meal

I went to Chinatown with a colleague/library school friend, J, and we did a lot of shopping. (That's what Papa said when I came home and gave him receipts, "oh, you did a lot of shopping.") It was fun.

there are 3 bajillion shops like this one in a one mile stretch of road

Oh, and I ate.

lunch at Samovar Tea Lounge (right across the street from Imagiknit)

A lot.

pastry display at Tartine Bakery

With gusto, even.

ice cream consumption at Mitchell's

While I was gone, Papa and the Pup finished up their renovation project. They turned our old family room into a craft room.


Optimistically, I wish I could say it was done simply out of kindness; but, I think the real reason was that Papa Seal was tired of seeing all mechanations of craft spread out thoughout the house.


I sort of have a lot of stuff. Kind of.


Also, Papa Seal really wanted to try his hand at installing laminate flooring (the tile was kind of driving him nuts).


Obviously, the Pup helped too.


I won't question it, I now have a whole room dedicated to craft, all is right in the world.

And since I just realized that I failed to make mention of another project in development...um, here is a picture of Seal Pup 2.0. The Pup is very excited for you to know about his little brother, joining us in December (on the 2nd around 8:45 a.m. EST, to be more specific).

More San Francisco pics in the usual place.