Tim's: the end of an era

When I moved to Taos in 1994, this was one of the first places I discovered.  It was where I went after skiing on a winter's day for margaritas, or for a hearty breakfast before skiing...and where we've gone religiously for all these years for some of the best green chile in el norte.

It's just out our backdoor, so to speak.  We can take the 8 mile drive up along the river to the ski valley to have lunch or dinner there on a summer or fall day...without having to go to town.  It's been our version of "Cheers" here in Taos.  It's where you know you'll see someone you know, catch up on local stuff a little bit, and have as much fun visiting with the staff as you have with your meal.

It's been for sale for years, and this past fall, it finally happened.  The new owners left it pretty much as is all winter, but now that it has reopened this summer, it's under their new name and personal touch.

We went up for dinner this past week.  I supposed I always knew it would happen, but I was hoping against hope it wouldn't.  Phil, the genius behind the recipes, is gone.  Most of the staff we once enjoyed so much was dispatched during the winter months.  The green chile cheeseburger, according to Mr. Sunflower, was still fine, but then, how much can you do to ruin that.  My green chile sauce over my burrito left me broken hearted...it was pretty much tasteless.  There was no one else there, also a telling sign.  I can't recall ever going in without at least a couple of locals hanging around. 

You might like it if you go there, but for me, it's the end of an era.  A sad end.

A mother's pearls

Yesterday, as I was talking to Mrs. Bird (nesting on our porch), I noticed this gorgeous moth laying her eggs on the top of our door jamb.  Isn't she beautiful?  I couldn't help but notice how her eggs resemble pearls.

When I see the patterns on the moths and beetles here, I completely understand where the inspiration for the pottery and basket designs of the southwest may have come from.

If anyone knows what kind of moth she is, I'd love to know more about her.

First day of summer

Happy solstice, everyone! 

After driving home from Durango yesterday in a downpour of rain, it is an absolutely gorgeous day today, with full sun, some fluffy clouds dancing around, and a gentle breeze.  A perfect day to, well, do some spring cleaning.  NOT.

It's true, though.  In my current de-stash mode, I spent the morning fearlessly spelunking through the wool room.  I have decided to devoid myself of all bags of raw fleece.  I'm going to stop selling the locks on the Etsy shop and I am no longer interested in spinning raw fleeces for the rugs I have yet to weave and the yarns that I never get around to selling.  Boy, does it feel good to have made this decision.  Now to get them all on to good homes.

While in the wool room, I found loads of yarns that would love to be used as is or dyed by someone else (pas moi).  One batch is a blend I had done at the Taos Wool Mill a few years back...a worsted two ply in a soft grey color, a favorite of my friend Merike Saarniit.  Then last year, just before I made the decision to offically close the shop, I purchased three batches of two ply worsted Columbia wool from a ranch in Oregon whose name, unfortunately, escapes me at the moment.  I've decided to start selling those in de-stash, also.  If you're not familiar with Columbia, it's a very bouncy and soft wool which is particularly lovely for garments.  More on that later.

So...where ever you are this weekend, I hope you're having fun and great weather!

PS  Don't do as I do, do as I say:  don't do any cleaning today, it's Sunday...enjoy it.

Let the de-stash begin...

I woke up from my fiber coma this past week and realized I officially have enough fiber to keep an entire village spinning for a year.  In view of this, and some other ideas I had (like how I have too much STUFF in my life and I need to start simplifying), I've finally decided to start de-stashing what's left in the retail shop.

First up:  commercial rovings. 

Monte has generously offered to take care of this on my behalf (bless you, Monte).  She started this afternoon with the Mountain Colors hand dyed Targhee wool.  In the next few days, she'll add the many colors of Lorna's Laces superwash wool rovings we love so much.  All of these rovings are priced to sell, at 40% off retail. 

Please visit Monte's shop to take advantage of this great way to built a stash for cheap:

MyMixMix.Etsy.com

Please remember that superwash wool does NOT felt!

More info on de-stash coming soon.  Next up:  my world class collection of top quality novelty yarns.  Stay tuned!

The tenant

 Just last week I bothered to take a look at our porch light fixture and noticed that someone had established a rather cozy home on the top of it.  I honestly couldn't tell you if it was leftover from last year or not...and about the time I was deciding it appeared vacant, one day I detected the tiniest bit of tail sticking up in the air.  

Well, this poor girl could have probably done a lot better in terms of privacy, but she's smart enough to be out of the weather and hopefully, somewhere where no invader birds will steal her babies before they're big enough to be on their own.  For now, she's sitting on her eggs.  I am now tippy-toeing in and out, trying not to disturb her.  For a few hours earlier today, she was facing out and I could see a small bit of her little head.  I saw some yellow...and she's quite small...so I'm guessing she's some sort of finch.

Just now when I went outside to turn off the dyepots, I noticed she had turned around.  It was too cute to pass up, I had to share it with you.

End of the week

Now that the shop has closed and I have the luxury of staying home again, I rarely go to town except on Fridays.  Friday morning is my standing Pilates appointment with my super wonderful Pilates instructor, Dianne.  She's been cracking the whip on me (figuratively, please) for at least three years now...maybe longer...we've sort of lost track.  I have no exercise genes in my DNA, so it is a testament to her good nature and fun personality that I've hung with it.  It also is what keeps me from getting stiff and creaky.  Here is a view from one of the many things we do on these visits.  Oh...and here's Dianne.  She had a fit that I aimed the phone camera at her.  She's adorable but hates the camera.

I've been planting in our new greenhouse (finally).  I was amazed to plant years' old radish seeds on June 4 and find them break through with sprouts on June 6.  I can see I'm going to love this greenhouse more than I had guessed.  It would take half a summer to grow a radish in our yard.

I've found myself listening to audio books again lately.  A few days ago, I read a complimentary posting about Audible.com.  Are any of you Audible users?  I'd love to know your experiences, pro and con, if any.  I'm excited to find somewhere to get unabridged books.  Please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.

I'll be dyeing rovings tomorrow...and hope you'll be having a great weekend, whatever you're doing.

Summer of Love

Two years ago was considered The Summer of Love, the 40th anniversary of 1967.  I remember going to a "love in" at the park at La Jolla cove that year, among other things.  My friend Cathy was reminding me recently the mother of another of our friends who went with us actually had the (well intended, I'm sure) nerve to show up with a basket of fried chicken for everyone.  I can't remember that part of the day...but I'm sure it must have been funny (or not) at the time.  For now, I only remember a few blissful months after graduating from high school that year, hanging out at the beach with friends, getting into all sorts of things, and having no particular responsibilities.  It was fun while it lasted. 

Taos seems to be celebrating The Summer of Love this weekend in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the filming of Easy Rider here in 1969.  There was a parade this morning through town (which I did not attend), called the "Hippie Dippie" parade, featuring Country Joe McDonald as the celebrity guest.  Tonight he'll give a concert down the road and replay his song list from Woodstock.  I'm too lazy to go anywhere after dark anymore, so I'll miss that, as well.  I have to say my preference is to remember some people as they were and leave it at that.

I usually don't like to do repeat color ways when dyeing rovings, but Summer of Love is one I've done before and will no doubt do again.  I just spent the morning photographing some new rovings to add to the Etsy shop, probably sometime tomorrow.

Stuck in my time period?  Probably, to some extent.  No apologies from me on this one.  Time has proven that many of us were right about lots of things that were considered so very wrong all those years ago.  And anyway...what's not to love about lots of bright colors.  And while I may be getting old, but I don't want to grow up.

Mat madness

Mr. Sunflower drove out for the airport yesterday morning and I immediately flew to the hooking frame.  I ignored all other tasks that should have been done and sat there, happily hooking and listening to an audio book.  At 6:30 last evening, I finished this piece, all but the handwork.  After struggling with how to do the background, I'm pleased at how it turned out.

Now I'm off to do the stuff I ignored yesterday.  I have a feeling it's all still waiting for me...