Boy does time fly by during the holidays. As with most, the past few days have been taken up with shopping, spending time with family and friends, and knitting like a storm.
Atlanta seems like eons ago now so I will keep this short and sweat for all. On Tuesday, I found Priscilla the Pink Pig Roller-coaster and got myself some souvenirs.
That was followed up by some shopping, including picking up some candy from this place.
On Wednesday, I was tourist extraodinaire, hitting the Atlanta Botanical Garden first. They have an exhibit of Niki de Saint Phalle's outdoor sculptures that is fantastic. I really enjoyed her works, especially her very curvy ladies.
The garden also had other more traditional sculptures about. My favorite was the Frog Baby. How could you not enjoy that look of glee on his face?
I also liked the Sibley Structure on Ferst Mountain. Here's a close up of one of the faces:
Some flowers from the conservatory:
This is probably my favorite picture of all that I took of the flowers:
Once I was done with the gardens, I headed to The Carter Center and The King Center. I found a lot of wonderful books that the King Center including one on the Quilts of the Underground Railroad, one on two prominant families that raised mayors, and one for Ted about the theology of MLK.
My last stop for the day was at the Oakland Cemetery.
Even Yeats appreciated knitting!
The Lion of Atlanta:
Bobby Jone's resting place:
I did get a chance to visit two yarn shops as well, Strings and Strands and Why Knot Knit. Both shops were quite nice and carried the usual lines of yarn. I was disapointed that neither shop carried anything "local."
Overall, I had a very nice day and a half exploring the city. There were lots more things to do and see, but I was content missing out on the CNN and Coca-Cola tours. That's just not my type of thing, if you know what I mean.
If you get a chance, I would recommend spending some time in the city. I found the layout and people to be interesting. Most of the residents that I met were actually transplants and very friendly/helpful. The only thing I recommend is to aviod driving in rush hour. It's crazy!
The Yarn Harlot has started a holiday fund-raiser for "Doctors w/o Borders." I was lucky enough to make my first donation (and get a pin like above) when I saw Stephanie this past fall. I made another donation today to continue the holiday giving spirit.
See the link below if you are interested in donating as well:
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html
Let's keep the ticker rising! Stephanie is also keeping track of the results on her blog: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/
Check out the link below for the guidelines....wonder how long I will last??
http://wendyknits.net/stash2007.htm
PS. I am working on my post about Atlanta Trip #2. I uploaded some pictures yesterday from my adventure. Posting to be following soon. Here's a preview:
An Orchid from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Sorry about the lack of posting this past week. I took a last-minute trip to Atlanta for work to help out on another account. It's amazing how busy you can get prepping and recovering at work and home for only being away for 3 days.
Atlanta was nice last week. It was warmer that Minnesota which is always a perk. I also think I brought the warmer weather back with me this weekend as it was quite beautiful at home as well.
This is what I saw in Atlanta:
1. My hotel room at the Embassy Suites.
2. The office that I was working in.
3. The http://www.perimetermall.com/html/index3.asp. It's a really nice mall with good shopping, etc.
4. Gold Fish - yummy seafood
5. Cheesecake Factory - mmmmm, cheesecake!
6. The Atlanta Airport - now that's an interesting place!
Yep, folks, that's all I really got to see. That's a business trip for you. I am heading back out there tomorrow and will have some time to explore on my own as I have some personal days to use up by the end of the year. I promise I will have pictures to share when I get back.
On a knitting note, I have made good progress on both Kid Silque and David's Sweater, thanks to the airplane rides and the weekend. I am hoping to have both done by the end of the week.
Yesterday was the second No Coast Craft-O-Rama. It was good fun to explore the vendors as well as the shops of the Midtown Global Market on Lake Street. I acquired some gifts, which I can not show of course. :P
There was one yarn vendor, Aisha Celia Designs and she had some wonderful things. If I had an endless wallet, I would have gotten everything there. Unfortunately, reality did not allow. I did pick up some lovely hand-dyed sock yarn:
It's the holiday season and that means that there are more projects than ever being worked on. Actually, I have been quite good and I only have a few going right now.
First, we have the Kid Slique Scarf:
Yarn: Kid Silque by Prism Yarn
66% Rayon, 26% Kid Mohair, 8% Nylon
Color-way: Embers
Pattern: From Amazing Threads
Next, is a sweater for my nephew, David:
Yarn: 100% Cotton
Color-way: Pine Green
Pattern: Mac & Me Kid's Hooded Sweatshirt
And lastly, the Rally Sock!
Yarn: Gems Quartz
100% Merino Wool
Color-way: Red/Black/Grey
Pattern: Basic Ribbed Sock
Team: Manchester United
When I was in elementary school, we learned about death in a most interesting (and what I think) healthy way; we were taken to a cemetery and allowed to explore the area and headstones around us. One of our teachers took us around to visit the more interesting stones: a firefighter, a family that was murder and "brought home," babies that did not survive to their first birthday. It was a start of an appreciation of the peace and beauty that can be found among the dead.
On Friday, Ted and I went to Lakeview Cemetery in Minneapolis for a walk. As always, even with the hustle and bustle around from the surrounding lakes, there was a quietness about in which you could appreciate life and the good things in it.
Ted surprised me with an early gift on Saturday. He decided that I would get better use of it now than later. I have to admit that I fully agree with him.
As you can see, it did not take me long to start using my new "tools."
Look! It's the yarn for Little David's Christmas sweater:
First Finished Holiday Gift:
Pattern: Clapotis
Yarn: Rowan Tapestry
It's been an interesting year to say the least. Here are some of the things I am most thankful for, not in any real order except for the first:
1. Ted, my husband of six weeks, best friend, soulmate, lover, and so on. We have only know each other for 22 months, but my life has changed forever because of him. He's patient, kind, understanding, stubborn, and I could go on. Best of all, he let's me do silly things like this:
2. Learning how to knit. It has opened a new door into my creativity, brought me a sense of peace. My new skill/hobby/sport has given me an opportunity to make new friends and meet cool people, like the Yarn Harlot.
3. Little David. He's now my nephew and I am honored to be a part of his life. I can not wait to watch him grow up.
4. Grandma Ziegler. A year ago today, whe was struggling with a very bad knee. She had it replaced (for the second time) this past spring and she is better then ever. She is an inspiration to me, showing me that you can get through adversity if you have the will to do so.
5. My trip to Ireland and Scotland with Ted. It was a grand time. We saw many beautiful things and I made many a wonderful friend there.
6. Long weekend in Chicago in October with Ted, Felicia, and Phil. What can I say other than it rocked. I never knew you could fit so much shopping, site seeing, and eating into 3 days. We went to visit a grad school and came home with so much more. (plus we got to stay in a very poshish place)
7. The Ace Gang. Need I say more?
8. Our apartment. It's small, colorful, and full of books! It's Ted's and my first home together. Sorry no pictures for this one yet.
9. My job/employer. Never have a worked in an office that's so cohesive as this one. We are a small office, but we are strong. We are the "World Champions."
10. The ability to love and to be love. It's a magical thing that I am glad I discovered.
