Sorry it’s taken so long to post this. Although I brought my computer with me, it died the first day. And by “it died”, I mean I now need a new computer.

Sad face!

Only Neve ended up making the trek north with me; Emily was anxious about leaving the animals, and Oona was torn over not being with the new kittens for that many days.

It’s been many years since I was in the Hudson Valley for fall; I think perhaps last time was for Rhinebeck as well. I love the feeling of going home and seeing all the familiar things.  This time I had one of my children with me, and she has a new understanding of how and why I get homesick so often.

As for Neve, she was gobsmacked by the festival. She’s been to the Montpelier Fiber Festival, but really, it can’t hold a candle to the size of Rhinebeck.  The crush of people, the sheer amount of all things fiber, the food, the trees. What an incredible reminder of why I love this world.

I was thrilled to be able to meet up with some of the Juniper Moon Farm aunties and friends, and also lucky enough to run into a few other people, like Virginia from Gather Here (who recognized me first, and I’m glad she did, because I was so off in my own world I would’ve walked right by and missed her), and the always delightful Pam Wynne, who was sporting a windfall new capelet she will soon be releasing a pattern for on Ravelry.

We couldn’t get over the felted pumpkins, so we bought two. I really need to learn needle felting!

All of the alpacas and llamas made us miss Jerry. He was such a butthead, but such a character.  In the future I wouldn’t mind a smaller alpaca; Paul might kill me.

I think Neve will do great if we can get her into shearing school in the spring!

This lady looks just like our Border Leicesters.

I cannot get over how big some of the sheep were. It’s not an exaggeration to say some were the size of small ponies.

I bought Neve her very own crook.

Maple cotton candy is an absolute must.

We loved these felted lamb ears!

Neve spotted her yarn!

Neve has decided she needs a Shetland sheep of her very own, and I have decided we really need to do this every year.