Serendipitous Knitting and Scenery

This past vacation to Seattle I spent an insane amount of time hanging out with the dogs, and the kids, in scenic areas. The first day, I forgot my knitting bag in the hotel room, so I made a quick stop at a LYS in which I purchased 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden, and a size 8 circ Addi needle. A longer perusal of Ravelry on my Droid (I love smartphones!), I found a pattern that looked intriguingly hard, but used all the skills I'd been working on, and making great strides in. This has been a challenge. It took me an insanely long time to memorize the pattern, but all through the trip I slogged away.

I've been meaning to photograph it, but it's been living in the car while I work on a considerably larger project in the house. Finally today, I just slung it over the steering wheel and took a picture. I still have a little ways to go, but I love it!

I am assuming like all lace patterns when I block it, it'll open.
I'm just so pleased that I'm purling and doing a moderately complex
(ok, minorly complex - hush) pattern.

In another serendipitous event, the other night I was driving home
took a different route, and passed this lake at just this perfect moment.

Beautiful.

The Great Frozen Tundra End of Summer Celebration

AKA the State Fair.

I love fairs, we would of course growing up we would never miss the Puyallup fair, we went to the Missouri State Fair (Hotter than Hades, but still fun - lots of ice water, air conditioned buildings and mules), and we have made it a ritual to go to the state fair here. The fact it takes place right as the weather is cooling down, yet right before it starts to freeze, was excellent planning on the fair makers part.

This year was a short visit - and most likely the last(!!!) That made it all the better as we enjoyed the favorites, ate the things it's known for, and enjoyed a beautiful Seattle-like day. I will even not mention the fact it will probably snow in a month. No, let us just enjoy September sunshine for awhile..

First stop - Elephant ear!

I still think this is weird, but I've never had one, so I can't really fairly pass judgement

Love the hair!

2nd stop - footlong hot dog!

I love this poncho. I'm wondering if I could make it.. minus the fringe plus a border?

Dipping Dots.

More candy bars in batter and fried. Hm.

You can barely see it, but this is the Lake Wobegon headquarters.

There was a sea of people everywhere. Seriously it was like this then entire fair

Making a rope with cowboys

At the horse corrals

Isn't this the prettiest cow?

Love these sheep!

Going through the barns was a lot more enjoyable as a vegetarian.
Evidently I've always harbored guilt over eating a cow.

But who couldn't? Look how cute he is!

Awww

"Let's get together, Say hey Alligator!" I have no idea what he was doing here

Grilled corn, I think they thought it was worth the 30 minute wait

Mini donuts for our donut lover

It was a 45 minute wait for cookies

Their parents were on the zipper. I think Cory was worried.

Trying to win a huge cow.

Machinery hill

Another shot with a country type couple in it for interest..

Taffy stand, nowhere near as good as the Puyallup fair taffy.

Home with our cookies in tow

Long Beach Girl

With apologies to Kenny, but I think he'd understand... After all, he and I are soulmates and all that. So I introduce Long Beach Girl (taken from Island Boy by Kenny)

She left MN 'cause she needed a change,
And she was desperate to rearange priorities,
And she thought the sea,
Would be the best place to be.

So she saved her money, loaded her car,
And with her eye set on a southern star,
She got the courage to follow her heart,
She set out for a brand new start.

She's a Long Beach girl,
Now she's a Long Beach girl
Livin her life where stress is the enemy
Now she's a Long Beach girl,
A stone's throw from the sky
Shee's finaly found her piece of serenity.

Now she tends bar, at the Old Mango,
And she see's tourists come and go,
With their pressed pants and camera case,
Too much sunburn on their face.

Now she watches the snow on CNN,
With all of her salmon smokin friends,
Just look at the Hell they must be in
She swears she won't go back again.

'Cause, She's a Long Beach girl,
Now she's a Long Beach girl.
Livin her life where stress is the enemy
Now she's a Long Beach,
A stone's throw from the sky,
She's finally found her piece of serenity.