wisconsin

Wrapping up

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Today is our last day in Wisconsin! I packed and sent off my four latest bears,  as well as my souvenir yarn and fiber purchases, which I sent home with some old photos, souvenirs, etc.

 Then this afternoon we had a littler birthday party for the wee boy.  There was also some hide n seek with a corgi.  And splitting of rocks to find out what they looked like inside. 

Now that was a full vacation!! I’m looking forward to being home and being in a two-parent household again! I’m exhausted!! Wish me luck on the long flight home! 

Zara Bear and Little House

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My Zara bear is finished! She’s the last of my goal of 15 bears in 2015, and the last of my second time through the alphabet, making my bear count 52. 

  
This was my second version of the bear beret, and it’s slightly better than the first. I’d like to make it just a bit slouchier.

In vacation news, today we hit a few literary spots in Wisconsin. First we went to the Caddie Woodlawn farmhouse/wayside.   

    
   
It’s a great spot if you’re a Caddie Woodlawn fan! If you’re. If you’re not familiar with Caddie, it’s a story about a pioneer girl, and it’s based on the author’s grand mother’s experiences.  It’s really fun to read!!

Next we hit a few Laura Ingalls Wilder spots– the site of the Ingalls’ cabin from Little House in the Big Woods, then the related museum in Pepin.

 

with cosplay, of course.

  
    
    

love the spinning!!

  

washing machine!

  

i’m tempted to simplify our own holiday gift giving, after reading this.

   
We couldn’t resist dipping our toes in the Missippi River while we were there!  

Later we got to hang out with my best friends from high school/college, and enjoy some woods/river time.   

  

i wish i could hang out with these guys allllll thentime!

 
We only have 3 days left in Wisconsin! We have just a few more things to squeeze in.

Yves Bear

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After I finished this bear and named him Yves, I decided he really needed a beret. So yesterday I made up a pattern and knitted it up, then refined and re knit it… This is the first one:

 
The second one was slightly better, but this one matches his color scheme better, so I’m using it anyway.  He seems to like it.  My bears don’t often get comments on Ravelry, but this guy got two compliments just today.  I think the hat makes him extra handsome.

Today we went to Wisconsin Point on Lake Superior. It was a beautiful day for swimming, digging, rock collecting…

  
 Then we went to Big Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park. This is the biggest waterfall in Wisconsin.

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Yarnapalooza, trains, and a lake

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I made it to Yarnapooza at Northwinds Books and Fiber!

   
It’s a really nice store, located in the adorable downtown of Spooner, Wisconsin. I only took photos of yarny items, but the book selection is fantastic as well!

wonder if i won???

    

spinning fibers

    

local yarns!

  

malabrigo trunk show

  

great selection of crafty books!

I left with 3 Feet of Sheep, and some potholder loom loops for the girl.

  
Next, we visited the Train Memories Museum in Spooner.  It’s chock full of train memorabilia and history. Well worth the visit!

    
    
  Then we took a scenic train ride!   

Nemakogon River

 Our last stop before heading home was the lake we used to go to when I was little. It’s especially nice because it’s super clean, quiet, and motorized watercrafts aren’t allowed.   
   
The water was pretty warm, and the kids enjoyed swimming and spotting many fish swimming around. 

What a fun day!

Barron County Fair

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We spent a rainy afternoon at the County Fair today! We admired many animals…  
    
    
 
Won a horse race…

   
Mostly avoided the fair fare…

  Admired the 4-H projects, especially this cake!  
Played games and won some prizes…

 Hung out with a friend from my knitting group in Sam Francisco!

  
And the wee boy was invited to fight bad guys with a local sheriff who admired his light saber. 

 The kids had a good time!

This n that, with art!

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Yesterday we hung out with an old friend (we were pals during middle school and part of high school, then we reconnected after a surprise encounter at UW-Madison during Freshman year!)  and her son.  

how awesome is it to see your kids playing with your old friend’s kid!??


It was soooo hot, we sought out some root beer floats and were not disappointed at Olson’s in downtown Chippewa Falls.

    
Today we hung out in Rice Lake with another old, dear friend.

this is the wee boy, of course, not my s, dear friend.

 And we visited our high school art teacher!
  
SAnd her frisky kitty who mistook me for her chew toy.

We got to check out her art studio/gallery, and browse her paintings!  http://www.olivebranchgallery.net

  
    
   
 so cool!!!  

Heritage Days

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Today the kids and I went to Heritage Days at the localize museum, Pioneer Village. It was super hot, but we had a good time.

 

they wanted to see the jail first. ??

  

the girl thinks we should get one of these.

  

i love these quilts!

  
  

making nails!

  
  

another beautiful quilt

  
  

wool!!!!

  
The highlight was running into my third grade teacher, Mrs. Olson, who was volunteering at the event.  She will be 80 in a few days, and is as sweet as ever. She was so pleased to meet my kids. 

 It was a good time!!!

New KAL

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Yesterday I casted on my new KAL project for my sock knitting group. The group voted to knit Splatterdash, a free knitty.com pattern for fingerless mitts.  It looks like I didn’t bring the ballband, but I think this is Koigu yarn.

It’s a fun little knit- I’ve finished the main part and am ready to pick up for the feather and fan section that wraps around the hand.  
On the vacation side of things, today the kids and I went with my sister to these pretty little waterfalls she’s told me about.    

    
   
To get here, we drove way out to the middle of nowhere, found the tiny unmarked trail, and followed it to this little stream. It was so pretty and the kids loved it!  

LYS and a trip to Duluth

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We finally made it up to Lake Superior today! But first– on the drive up, we conveniently had to pass a yarn store, and with my niece along to stay in the car with the kids (one sleeping, the other disapproves of my yarn habit), I was able to browse!

   
The building is small and doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s jam-packed full of great yarns!

a wall of noro!

    
    
 
There were also notions, fabric, and gifts, but the yarn selection was really outstanding, especially for the location, aka in the middle of nowhere. If you are up north on highway 53 near Gordon, stop by!!!

As for Duluth…

Well, first we made a quick stop at Amnicon Falls, although wencould have spent hours exploring the falls and trails.

  
In Duluth, we watched a few huge ships pass under the lift bridge. Wow!

  We took a boat ride and enjoyed some amazing views of the lake and city.  
Then we finished up with some beach time on Minnesota Point.

   
Phew!!! Tomorrow is another big day, so I’d better be off to sleep! Good night!