Weekend at the Lighthouse

 

Shrouded in fog on Friday

Sunny and warm by Sunday.

Sunset on the marsh

Salt flats as seen just prior to crossing the San Mateo Bridge. (Actual driving across it requires a death grip on the wheel and prayers for no earthquakes.)

Pumpkins at Half Moon Bay

The view from the "teaching deck" (where a sea lion graciously perched for a bit)

Maze and Chevron Hat class

Spinning class - hey, did you know that if you twist your roving clockwise, let it completely unspin expecting the twist to be counter-clockwise, your roving/yarn will separate and the spindle will drop to the floor? It's true! I am so glad I took the class, I may NEVER have figured that out on my own. Srsly. And I didn't dare to even sit at the spinning wheel, I observed. And took pictures.

Twining class taught by Spinnity - this is a seriously cool knitting technique and the fingerless mitts have this just amazing knitted chainmail feel. Not stiff or harsh but solid. The pattern from Knitty (on Ravelry) is Larus and Ardea.

Hmm. I may have another new project going. (I love how the keyboard is in excellent focus but the knitting? Not so much).

Walking the sunset and birding

I had an absolutely fabulous time at the Knitting Retreat. The hostel was nice, the view was spectacular, the knitters - well, were Knitters. Fun, fabulous, literate, chatty, friendly, helpful, knowledgable - is there a better group of folks on earth? (Okay, Readers are up there too but there's a lot of crossover ;)

Wedding at the Hostel (photo op - complete strangers, they were posing in the "Center Council" area at the lighthouse park as I was leaving).   

And when I got home, these were waiting for me:

 

 Ravelry mugs! That I won from Moonfrog. Aren't they perfect? I love that when the cup is filled with coffee, 'disagree' becomes 'agree". That is absolutely not how it is with me, I am perfectly delightful at all times, with or without my caffeine fix.  

This project may or may not have progressed much from as pictured.

I'd talk about television but I seem to be consumed by ....... Dancing With The Stars. I know! But I cannot resist. Kelly Osborne and Louie Vito are my current faves. Well, maybe Michael Irvine. No, Debi Mazer. Amy,  Miss T, notice THE CHAIRMAN:,  Mark Dacascos. Chuck Liddel.

Comments

[Amy]

What a talented guy, that Chairman!

Beautiful photos!

[Cookie]

Hello!

What about Tony and Ziva?!

[Elspeth]

Do you have a spinning wheel? Do you know how to ply? If so, I may have to invite myself over. I have a HUGE cone of yarn that I have heard it would be good for me to ply into heavier weight yarn (it's about laceweight now, and millions of yards!) but I don't know how/have the tools. Oh, and I loved your photos!

[Bridget]

Wow, it looks like the Knitting Retreat was in a perfect setting! I am jealous.

[Jodi]

Just beautiful! That pumpkin patch photo is so perfectly autumnal.

[Chris]

Oh, it looks like it was a blast!! You got some great pictures, too.

[Michelle]

I'm telling you, that is why it's called a "DROP" spindle (TM).

Lighthouse is spectacular, glad you had a good time.

[Angie]

Marvelous photos and it looks like a very fun time for the Retreat!

Readers!!!! :D

Very, um, hot mug.

[joan]

My California born niece was here earlier and she cried after seeing your pictures - she lived near your lighthouse when she was little.

The knitting, it will behave after round 7 or so. Have you tried starting with a crochet loop and then picking up the 8 stitches from the chain? And putting point protector thingies on the dpns?

xo

[mary lou]

Makes me miss the ocean. I did not grow up in the middle of the country even though i live here now. Sigh.

[kmkat]

What great photos! Looks like a great time.

[Jocelyn]

Ooh! What wonderful photos, what a wonderful weekend, in a gorgeous location, with good company! And spinning. It's hard to go wrong with spinning. Next time, do sit down at that wheel -- it's calling your name ;)

[Kim D.]

Okay, that knitting retreat looks gorgeous!!! Now that looks like something that would be worth flying across the country for. Next time, give a girl a heads up.

I'm absolutely loving Glee. I'd be embarrassed to admit it, but I love it so much. My complete guilty pleasure.

Did you watch Flash Forward? I'm looking forward to more...

[Bookfool, aka Nancy]

Awesome photos. Knitting retreat! Who'd have thought?

[Cheryl S.]

Wonderful!
Knitting retreats are fab.
Now I want to do one at a beach.

[Sonya]

What a perfect place for a knitting retreat! I think you definitely need to sit down at a wheel too. ;o)

[Rebekah]

Your pictures always make me so jealous! But thanks for showing the spinning picture, because I think I may now see how my sister's wheel needs to be set up!

[Aarti]

Looks like the retreat was beautiful! I love the pictures you post. And the mug is hilarious- glad you are getting enjoyment from it!

[Nora]

Wow, what an awesome time! I'm thinking I should prod some knitterly entrepreneur to put together a knitting retreat around these here parts... No ocean, but still.

[Brigitte]

Wow! Great pictures, lucky you. No clue what twinning is. Yet something else to search on Ravelry.

DwtS, huh. We need to talk.

[Miss T]

I love that spooky lighthouse photo. And I suspected as much, about the Chairman!

[Amanda Cathleen]

sounds like a really, really good weekend! Love that coffee mug.

[Becky]

Aw, that lighthouse is where the husband and I stayed many times and we were married just down the road on the beach. Nice photos of it.

Glad the mugs made it safely, too.

[Stacey]

Those pictures are amazing. So how is the spinning coming along?

[Rachel]

Looks like such a great time--one day I'd like to do a knitting retreat! Beautiful lighthouse pictures!

So what is the future of spinning in your house?

[Stefanie]

What a nice time you had at the knitting retreat! I'd be consumed by Dancing with the Stars too but we decided not to get a digital converter box and for some reason ABC.com doesn't like to stream the show on my Mac. On the up side, I have more time for school and reading.

[Geraldine]

I LOVE lighthouses, sounds like a good time was had by all.

I can so relate to the Dancing with the Stars interest, I LOVE THAT SHOW and I don't watch much on TV. It's addictive.

Crunchy, crunchy apples are hard to find. The best I've ever tasted were Snow Apples from Washington state. Yummmm...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Hez, G

[melanie]

oh, oh, oh....

[opal]

so? how do you like the spinning? yes? no? maybe so?

[Geraldine]

I'm wondering if you'd mind me using your lighthouse photo for an upcoming prompt (mine) over at One Single Impression? I love this photo!

On another topic, I am back to blogging at Veggies...too, hope you'll stop by soon. And hope to see a new post here soon, where are you???

Hugs to you and Hez, G

[CarolyninAlaska]

WOW! A knitting retreat... how fun is that?
I love your changeable Ravelry mug.