Tunes on Tuesday

A couple of years ago my guys and I took a whirlwind trip to Hawaii. We were tired of the cold and ice so we jumped on a plane and spent a week in ultimate bliss. We stayed right on Waikiki Beach and had so much fun doing the tourist thing.

My favorite day though was the day we rented a car and drove up the coast to the north shore. My favorite spot was a small town called Kailua. We went to the beach there and it was just so perfect. The town didn't have as much of a touristy vibe like Waikiki caters to. There were families, soccer practice, guys meeting up to wind surf. The place was generally quiet and the beach was ohhhh so amazing.

For months after our trip we all dreamed of moving to Kailua some day. It's a place that is imprinted on us as a family now and this song reminds me of our brief time there.

Friday Happy

My little 'garden gnome' and I frolicked around at the garden center (yes that is a garden and not the deep woods) on Wednesday.

I think spring has finally taken hold here in Maine... the extended forecast couldn't be more wonderful.

Last night I could hear loons in the distance as I fell asleep!

Yesterday I went to a knitting group that meets at the new yarn shop 2 blocks from my house and they were all wonderful and welcoming ladies. I'll definitely be going on a regular basis. I walked there... I don't know if my feet touched the ground I got there so fast. HAHA! Then when I stepped out several hours later it was just magically beautiful downtown. It was still in the middle 70s, the sun was setting at the end of the street and the sky was a beautiful pinky peachy hue. It was so calm and quiet! I walked very slowly home just to soak it all in. I got home to my guys sitting on the back porch eating popsicles in their PJs. I haven't felt that content in so long.

This weekend the big guys are going camping. I can't decide what the babe and I are going to do.... garden? tag sales? a trip to Portland? beach? It's a good problem to have. Maybe we'll just do it all. Or maybe we'll just draw sidewalk chalk roads all over the driveway and call that being productive :) Happy Friday!

Tunes on Tuesday

I cannot listen to this song without laughing and crying. This album and others of its time are pretty much the soundtrack of my childhood. Good memories.

Tunes on Tuesday

Alison Krauss -- Goodbye is All We Have

Window Shopping Wednesday

I could shop online all the time if money allowed but I've reigned in my spendiness as of late and plan on keeping that trend. I don't particularly like to stash a ton of yarn... it makes me feel antsy and overwhelmed about my favorite hobby. Even if money were no object, I wouldn't want a massive stash to weigh me down. I do, however, love to 'window shop' online and imagine all the fun I'd have with the wonderful yarns that are offered... I thought maybe we could do this together. Share some of your finds with me, too.

I hope to do this every Wednesday or at least most .... Now, let's ogle some yarn, shall we?

• Kaleidoscope Yarns put up their latest shipment of Tosh Pashmina yarn this week. I have one skein of this yarn in the cherry colorway that I ordered a while back from kyarns. It's scrumptious, my friends. 75% merino wool 15% silk 10% cashmere, 360 yards, sport weight. This is so incredibly soft that I'll probably knit it in to a cowl for this winter.

• Lately I've been eyeing Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Humboldt colorway (shown at left). I think it's a newish color.The colors are subtle and remind me of the ocean. I have never knit a pair of socks with Lorna's Laces... that surprises me! I think it's about time.  Speaking of Lorna's Laces, did you read Ysolda's great post on her very own color for the Color Commentary series? I'm so excited about Ysolda Red.

• Kim of The Woolen Rabbit has a new yarn line and it looks fantastic. Mara is a single ply worsted weight yarn that is a blend of 60/20/20 blend of Merino, Alpaca and silk, 225 yards/skein. I can't wait to try out this yarn. I've always had a thing for single ply yarns and have already knit up a couple of projects using Kim's fabulous yarns. She's truly an artist.

• My friend Sarah finished a pair of socks this week in UNI colors -- purple and gold. I went to the University of Northern Iowa and now my baby brother is going to be starting there in the fall. I figured out that this yarn is available through the Crazy Girl Yarn Shop web site. They also have U of I and ISU colors. I plan on picking some up in-store when I'm back in Iowa next month.

That's it for this week! I hope you may have found something that strikes your fancy. Has anything in particular caught your eye this week?

I really could go on and on about yarn ... I stalk all the yarn sites and am always looking out for what's new and different. I have so many more goodies that I need to share with you. I'm excited about this new series!

Tunes on Tuesday

I promise this song will put you in a good mood. I can't recommend Nickel Creek to you enough.

Pineland Spring

Pineland Farms is one of my favorite somewhat local places in Maine. It's just amazing! Our family ... especially the boys and I... have a lot of fun playing there. It's a great place to hike, to walk, to bike ride, there are many organized outdoor activities as well. We also love the market where we can buy cheese that is produced right there on the farm, and also buy local meat and produce as well. It's a great place for us to get away without really going too far.

We especially love the garden... It's been fun to get to know the plantings there and now to see them all come back again and have some idea about how spectacular everything is going to be in a couple months is a real treat.

May 2 in Maine

This one is for you. :)

We spent a splendid day at the beach followed by a late lunch at Red's Eats in Wiscasset. Red's is famous for their lobster rolls,  I have yet to have one... this summer I will try one. I love their fries dipped in cole slaw, yum! Afterward we drove up to Damariscotta and Camden before heading home through Augusta.

It occurred to us today that here we are, still in Maine.... and we get to do all of these fun things again! It is such a privilege to get to live in this great state.