Fort Ticonderoga

My older daughter, Amy, and her family visited me a week ago.  We had so much fun!  Our first day was spent at Fort Ticonderoga, NY.  This fort was involved in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War.

 Entrance to the fort.

 My daughter and her family standing in front of a "one-man holding cell".

 The woman was actually cooking pea soup over an open fire to the side of her.

 One of the many beautiful brick buildings.

 Fife and drum corps

  

This young red-headed kid sure could play that drum!  The uniforms were pure wool and immaculate!  It was quite hot the day we were there and none of these folks complained.

 This bi-lingual soldier really knew his history.  (Such a cutie!)

 Just a small view overlooking the lake.  It was breathtaking!  There actually was a demonstration of the firing of muskets and canons.

We ended our day with a picnic at my favorite knitting spot at the Sand Bar.  I really enjoyed watching my daughter and grandchildren swimming where my daughter had so much fun as a little girl.

Yes, I've been knitting.  More on that later this week after I blog about the "Cheese Festival" I attended that left me totally exhilarated.

Happy Knitting!

Chelsea

I've been watching TV this morning for the latest on Chelsea Clinton's wedding.  What a refreshing and lovely young woman!

Chelsea was in Burlington campaigning for her mother when Hillary ran for President.  Because I had traveled to NH to see and listen to the various candidates I certainly wanted to support Chelsea's visit as I was concerned not many people would show up as it was viciously cold weather.  A sizeable crowd turned up all bundled up in weather gear. 

When I shoke Chelsea's hand and said, "Your parents must be so proud of you!", her reply was "I'm so proud of my parents!"  What a loving response!!!

I was interviewed by the "Associated Press" .  It was an exciting day.

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures of Chelsea's wedding.

"I Heard The Bells" - Progress Report and History

Please see previous post for more detailed information on the "I Heard The Bells" mittens with valuable information.

It's difficult to put down my knitting.  I love this pattern. 

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" is a poem that was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in the early 1800's in Portland, Maine.  On my next visit to my home state, I hope to visit his home which is open to the public. 

Longfellow wrote this poem while grieving for his wife who died of burns suffered when her dress caught fire while waxing an envelope.  Longfellow went to her aid and was severely burned about the face as well and thus, legend tells that is why pictures of him show him sporting a beard. 

Longfellow often went to Portland Head Light to write his poems....one of my favorite places to go and knit, cross-stitch, etc.  The park is huge with grounds for kite flying, picnicking with an old abandoned fort for kids to explore.  I never get tired of taking pictures of this lighthouse. 

Portland Head Light was commissioned by President George Washington.


Below is a view from the ocean.  $15 will get you a 2-hr. boat cruise on Casco Bay on a beautiful double-decker boat affording sunshine and/or shelter. Again, one of my favorite things to do.

It's ironic that there was a shipwreck on the shores of this lighthouse on Christmas Eve.

Links that you might enjoy!

"The Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"


"I Heard The Bells" with Johnny and June Cash


"I Heard The Bells" Lyrics

I wish I were cooling off by this ocean scene this week.  It's another very hot day in Vermont, the only land-locked New England state.

Happy Knitting!

"I Heard The Bells" Mittens

"I Heard The Bells" mitts now available at Knitpicks.  This poem was written by Longfellow who was from my home State of Maine.  In future updates, I will tell you more about the history of this poem and why it is so meaningful to me.

There are two easy color themes available.  One is red, white and green, the other is yellow, blue and white (?)The downloadable pattern is only $1.99.

"Knitting In Color" is the designer.  Her blog offers a tremendous amount of information on fair isle knitting.  Check it out.  The picture below is from her web site. 

I spent the day yesterday at my favorite knitting spot....The Sand Bar State Park.  I knitted just beyond what you see in the picture below.  I have the first round of words completed.  It's difficult to put this project down.  I am so loving it!

I love my 4" Knitpicks Harmony needles.  However, I found the points to be so sharp and hurting the palm of my hand.  Using the point protectors helps a lot.  The points on these needles and the yarn glides along just the way I like.

Inside looks pretty good, you think!
 

We are experiencing the three "H's" in Vermont.  "Hot, Humid, and Hazy" with temperatures above 90 degrees for three consecutive days is what is needed to fit the description.  We are on a "roll" with no relief in site.  

So hot today that I wanted to go through the car wash just to have a sense of being cool and give my poor car a break. 

So yesterday, feeling totally dehydrated after a day at the lake and the soda just was not quenching my thirst, I stopped by McDonald's to get a Reese's Snack Size McFlurry.  The kicker is that I asked for a LARGE ice water and was told I could only get a small.  In the McDonald world of "supersize" I couldn't get a large water because it is not in their computer system.  Go figure....huh!

Happy Knitting!

Hooray for Men Who Knit!!!

After reading this "article" , I was delighted to see that even more men knit than I am aware of. 

There is my blogging friend Brian who has just had a pattern published in the summer issue of "Crochet World".  Brian's pattern is #36.  Time to start blogging again, Brian! 

Of course we all rush to read "Brooklyn Tweed" when we see him on our Google Reader List.  If he's not on your list, he should be.

There are many, many men who knit and spin at my spinning guild.

And long-time readers will remember these two precious pictures shown on my blog quite a few months ago.

It's my second grandchild, all decked out in his soccer uniform, focusing on the knitting stitches I just taught him.

Later, my daughter went up to his room to check on him and he had fallen asleep.................

with his knitting in his hands and not a stitch was dropped!

Happy Knitting!