Koigu Chicago Sock

There's a trend here where I name the socks by where they're completed. This one was done on my latest trip to Chicago. Used the Loopy Pattern from Knit Picks without the loops. Koigu is 100% merino wool but it's very silky and the most comfortable sock yarn I've come across so far.

One Magnificent Mile

The name says it all....magnificent! A one-mile shopper's paradise along Michigan Avenue. Following a day of classes, a coworker and I hoofed it to shops such as Bloomingdales, Saks, Chanel, and Harley Davidson. Sad thing is I didn't make it to any knit shops but I did purchase a LV handbag that I'll cherish for life. Later, the promoter of the seminar booked the House of Blues for all of us complete with buffet, drinks and a live 70's disco cover band and we danced the night away. It was a great, short trip and we fly back home in the morning.

Conference in Chicago

I'm here in the windy city for a training conference. I had some very wrong misconceptions about Chicago only being about subways and ghettos. We're staying at the Sheraton in downtown among the tall skyscrapers. After our meetings we walked down to the Navy Pier and along Lake Michigan.

New Mexico Inspired Socks

Picked up this Regia stretch Crazy Color yarn in New Mexico to take back with me as a reminder of my trip. The free pattern is Loopy Socks from Knit Picks.

Images from New Mexico

I wish I could live in an adobe house in Albuquerque and a have a rock garden and gaze upon the Sandia Mountains every day. More great, colorful images from New Mexico:

A Day in Santa Fe

It was sunny but cool (70s) and I got to wear my "Santa Fe" poncho to town. Today I gave mom her Mother's Day present - 3 hours of spa bliss at the Downtown Day Spa. I dropped her off and made my way to Needle's Eye where I purchased more Koigu yarn and a beret pattern. Feel in love with a pair of boots at Back at the Ranch but had to walk away -- reluctantly. They told me my all time favorite singer, Ronnie Dunn, comes into the shop at least once a month!

Later, we took a bus tour around town to learn the following from our tour guide about Santa Fe:

• Santa Fe means "Holy Faith"
• 5th largest state
• 148,000 population
• 230 art galleries

Around the Enchanted Circle

Drove from Santa Fe to Taos to check out LaLana Wools by the Plaza. Picked up a really pretty indigo dyed handspun but could only afford one skein so it will be reserved for a special project. The next destination was the 86-mile scenic byway circle connecting Taos, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. Made many stops along the way for shopping and snapping mountain shots. My favorites include the Rio Grande Gorge and Spanish pottery roadside vendors. It was a full day and I'm already saddened we only have one more day left of our trip.

Old Town in Albuquerque, NM

Found the energy to get up early and run for 30 minutes on the treadmill at the hotel. We checked out and headed towards Village Wools. I was in sock heaven and purchased some much sought after Koigu yarn. It's going to make the most beautiful pair of socks. We spent the day shopping in Old Town and visited the Thunderbird Harley Davidson dealership then it was on to Santa Fe where we checked into our cozy casita at the Santa Fe Motel & Inn. Had the best ribs at the Cowgirl BBQ around the corner. It was fun to sit outside and watch the sun set on the mountains.

Santa Fe Bound

Wahoo! I'm on vacation. Loaded up the rental car and picked mom up for our Mother's Day getaway to New Mexico. After driving all day I was pleasantly surprised that the one thing I didn't factor into our itinerary was that we gain an hour in mountain time. That allowed us to check into our hotel in Albuquerque in the daylight and head for Hooter's for chicken wings, a Corona and a margarita for mom. Bless TJMaxx for always being open until 9:30 -- we fulfilled a late night shopping urge.

Riding Destination: Texas

Did you hear about the storms and tornados in Texas this weekend? Well, we rode through it for about 150 miles. I can deal with riding in a downpour but it's the cold that does me in and that's what it was like all weekend. Took a break in Amarillo where we always stop at the Tripp's HD dealership - the HOG group next door is always so gracious and invite us over for lunch. Spent a little time riding in Palo Duro Canyon (where it didn't rain) and attended a very good for the soul conference in Ceta Canyon.