fiber sandwich

2 weeks ago we had ROC day here in Groton, SD–for those who don’t know, ROC day is the day that the weavers and spinners began their work again after the winter break. I am pretty sure this dates back to medieval times. Well, all us spinners and knitters got together, had an awesome potluck and all in all had a great time with each other. 12 or so of us particiapted in a fiber sandwich which is where you contribute some raw fiber–batts, web, roving, top of all different types (basically a fiber pot luck) and then you layer the different types of fiber like you would a sub sandwich. The thicker the better I say! Then each who participated got an equal amount which in our case was a 5 oz!
Here is what my portion looked like:

I left mine just the way I got it and spun it by pulling random chunks–I had some pretty wild looking yarn!!!

Some opted to card their sandwich. This is a shot of the sandwich after Marie put it through a drum carder

Here is another carded into web. This is Kelly’s:

So each had a different method to the madness and each proved to make a beautiful yarn in it’s own right. Kelly, Marie and I all attended a second ROC day in North Dakota the following Sat. and spun our sandwiches. Upon the spinning, Kelly came up with the great idea that we take her more consistant sandwich yarn and ply it with my random chunks yarn. Thus creating this yarn:

That shot was before the yarn was blocked and now that it is blocked I am just to lazy to take another pic. You can easily see the colors in the yarn and that is what I really wanted to show. That is a digested fiber sandwich. So to speak.

Here are some pics of the ladies at the North Dakota ROC day–my camera battery was dead for the first ROC day!

We had a blast yet again and had yet again–a fabulous potluck!

Here is my Harvey with a closing comment:

harvey and floyd

The cats were being very lovey dovey today:

They always make me laugh!

I thought I would share a little background info on my babies! The orange cat we call titty baby…his real name is Harvey but he doesn’t answer to this if you call him by this. I first saw him at the pet store–he was a rescue kitty and from the first time I saw him I loved him! I would go to the pet store just to see him and then finally the hubby said I could take him home! He was (is) a very strange cat. He likes to be held like a baby, he loves to be cuddled and he is very talkative! oh, and he is a BIG eater!
The black cat we call little black kitty but his real name is Floyd. He doesn’t answer to that either though. He was truly a rescue kitty-I found him about to be mauled by a HUGE dog. It was so bizarre because I told the dog to stop and he actually did, and then put the kitty in our yard away from the big mean dog! I sat out there making sure he was ok for a few mins and he started following me everywhere meowing. When I started to leave he really began crying and much to my husbands dismay–we had a keeper. Little black kitty was an aggressive petter from the beginning–he loves to be pet but will not stay still for you to pet him. Then he begins ramming his head against you in an attempt to get you started again! Him and titty baby took up immediately and I believe they are long lost brothers. I couldn’t ask for 2 better kitties!
Every morning we wake up with my husband and help him get off to work and then the 3 of us go back to sleep. It really makes my day waking up and seeing these 2 all snuggled up beside me.
On the knitting front–I am making significant progress on my wrap. Pics to come soon! I worked on the Cinnamon Grace wrap mostly all day and then started on another Josephine shawl with my kauny yarn. May not finish that till after christmas though…
Big Smiles!

babka

I was looking around the internet and came across this blog where she mentioned the smitten kitchen.

I had never heard of it but it sounded pretty amazing so I checked it out. It is way cool. I found this recipe for “babka” which I had never heard of either, but it was described to be so tasty that I had to make it–
And even though I misread the directions and added way to much butter–it was still very rich and delicious. (those are chocolate chips in the pic not raisins).
I also found this amazing junk store that is so cheap–and I spotted buttons!!! I may venture back over today…or drive the 20 miles out to “big” junk store in Bristol that is suppose to be really awesome too.
The shawl I am knitting in mindless garter stitch is what I have been working the most and it should be finished by the end of this weekend. I will post pics then…
Meanwhile, I caught my kitties snuggled up and sleeping the other day. ..

the cats

I thought it might be neat to share my cats.
Background:
They are about a year apart. Both are males. The orange cat loves to eat and the black one we call “ninja kitty” because of his stealthy moves. But they absolutely love each other. Here are a few pics: