Tried and True

Call 'em what you want - warshrags or dishcloths. They're always a good project and so easy to whip up. I find myself going back to the tried and true ballband pattern from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I'm going to ship these off as a special thanks to my friends in New Mexico.

A Quilt for Gabrielle

Our friends' baby girl, Gabrielle, turned 1 last week and I got the hand quilted blanket finished just in time. She is surrounded by the most beautiful flower gardens so I followed that theme using shabby chic floral print fabrics to go with the appliqued hankerchief butterflies.

Cowgirl up, Aunt Sharon!

Living in the Moment

I really love working downtown and taking walks on my lunch hour. I've worked downtown before and at that time did not take many lunch breaks let alone take the time to walk around outside. I think it's a good sign my life is in balance and I'm consciously living in the moment and taking the time to enjoy what's around me. I have many special places by the river or fountains that I like to read or knit. Today, I ventured out to one of those places and was pleasantly surprised to find Becca sitting there eating her lunch and knitting.

Guess I'm not the only one living in the moment--that's what knitting will do for ya!

Hit the NM Fiber Trails!

I'm missing New Mexico already but am comforted by the fact I still have one more return trip planned in October for the main purpose of yarn. So, speaking of yarn, I thought I'd share a resource for fiber galleries, trading posts and farms through the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails. Here you'll find a guide to more than 200 fiber artists and 71 destinations in this beautiful state. So, post this map on your cork board and hit the trails to collect your own New Mexico fiber. I found this lovely hand dyed silk at The Common Thread in downtown Silver City. (Found the matching turquoise belt buckle on my way home in Gallup, NM). Also made a stop at Yada Yada Yarn that was right around the corner.

One Incredible Ride

Melanie and I said a prayer before we left and it was answered as we made it home safe and sound from our 2,440 mile trip to Arizona. We got slammed by rain storms across multiple states coming home but if it just had to rain on us I'll settle for the last day any time. We parted ways in Pratt and I rode the remaining 90 miles home in the dark and rain reflecting on all the good times we had. And there were many. From pulling off a desert highway to discover a lake state park, Elephant Butte, for chips and beer to riding along the scenic Geronimo Trail Byway which took us to a vista point in the Black Range mountains. It was there we stood in the cool pine air looking off into the canyon amazed at how quiet it was all the while overwhelmed that we were actually there, together. Ride On, Girlfriend!

A Couple of Days in Phoenix

We are staying with another couple of Melanie's friends, Anita, Brian and baby Sam, in Phoenix. We've had the bikes in the garage and they've both been wonderful hosts to drive us around town to all the bike shops and shopping in Scottsdale and Tempe. My favorite stop was at Iron Horse Corral, a bike shop and boutique that was loaded with Ed Hardy apparel. I splurged on a pair of ultra cool Ed Hardy jeans with black leather skulls and roses stitched down the side of the legs. Just can't find anything like that in Wichita! We're rested up and will be heading back home tomorrow.

Riding Destination: Arizona

We made it to Phoenix after an afternoon of sightseeing in Tombstone. You know, from the movie and the famous line, "I'm Your Huckleberry." It was kinda weird being that close to the Mexico border but we had no problems. As we were riding down the highway dodging the monsoon season storms I'd look over to my girl, Melanie, and smile from the very idea that we are here doing this. She'd look over at me with a big grin and I knew she was thinking the very same thing. Not very many women can say they've taken off on such a journey and have experienced what we have this week. It's simply an amazing and empowering feeling of girl power. We did have a little mechanical setback this morning when we left N.M., but thankfully, we were only 8 miles out of town and Fred and Cindy came to our assistance and got us back on our way. (We just can't thank you both enough and I can't wait until we visit you again).

Riding Destination: New Mexico

Hola que tal? (Hi, what's happening?) Today is day 3 of our road trip. Our bikes have been running well, we've dodged storms and have made some really cool stops along the way. I've discovered pickled sunflower seeds and Rio Grande beer that's flavored with green chile. We stayed our first night in Tumucari and then a stop at Melanie's friends, Fred and Cindy, who live in Bayard, NM. Today, the four of us rode our bikes through the Gila National Forest mountains and tomorrow we will leave for the big city of Phoenix. Oh, yeah, and I also found some handpainted silk yarn at a women's collective in Silver City.

So far we've logged just a little over 1,000 miles. I love the scenery of New Mexico!

Ready To Go!

I've been talking a big game about riding to Phoenix with my girlfriend for some time and now it's a reality. We leave early tomorrow and I'm packed and ready to go for our week long road trip. I wouldn't dare say I'm scared, but the fact that two women riding motorcycles for such a long distance brings all kinds of challenges as well as big fun and adventure that's got me nervous and excited at the same time.

My bags are small (my patch bag is starting out empty for purchases along the way --- can you say yarn?) so I'll be taking just a few luxury items such as my (crushable) straw cowboy hat, a few belt buckles with coordinating jewelry, a koozie and limes for my Coronas, a can of Slim Jims, a knitting novel and a small Rowan denim knitting project (Thanks, Shelly!). I'll try to post if I get access to a computer -- See ya'll later!