Last Sunday, spinning with spinbuds, was the last time I didn't think of Thanksgiving. I am shamelessly guilty of old news and bad bloggerhood. The day was perfectly described by Cindy and Judy. The sun was out, the temperature was unseasonably warm. The drive to Judy's was a last die-hard New Englander's leaf peeping exercise. Only browns and dark golds were left. The greys of the trunks and branches were relieved by green pines. The eye shifts from color to texture. The tracery of tree bones against the sky catches the blue and the sun.
It's taken me some time (ask Julia) to understand fiber gatherings. The protocol is that there is always food. Lots of food. It is always very good food, too. Then, the secret protocol is you have to bring things that you are excited to be working on. The double secret protocol? Took me awhile. One must wear one's own handknit socks.
Judy was a fine and thoughtful hostess. The picture on Cindy's blog shows a woman awash in pure contentment. There is a cup of tea in my hand. Lorna's Laces socks on my feet. My wheel is in front of me, and I'm about to spend several hours in the company of good women, good spinners, delightful people. It doesn't get better than that.
Thanksgiving went without a hitch. The "E2" error that stopped one of my ovens dead on Wednesday night went away with simply turning a circuit breaker on and off. The scene in the kitchen for the three nut/cranberry tart looked something like this:
The wines were chosen for softness, and current fruitiness. They lined up, dutiful soldiers, for the last picture before contributing their part to the festivities.
Jonathan, for whom I knit the alpaca/silk scarf last winter, brought a tarte tatin that he made that morning. It's a culinary high-wire act, because you don't know if it came out successfully until the LAST MINUTE. That's when you either say, "Ta-DA!" or, "I hope you have other desserts planned?"
And although we awoke to this - 
everyone made it safely here and back. Most of us were groaning in the usual post-feast manner at some point during the day.
I hope yours was warm, happy, and contented also. Jonathan, who is 6'5", helped us hang my newest kitchen decor, which I think says it all.
John the Carver, who is only 5'11", smiles, and proves the point of the sign above his head.
The spinning party looks like so much fun ... love the proud smile you're wearing as you show off your socks.
Glad you had a good Thanksgiving. I think the snow we had was (potential travel issues aside) a perfect touch. It was a lovely day.
Posted by: Ruth | Friday, November 25, 2005 at 03:27 PM
Sounds like a great Thanksgiving! ...the three nuts were...pecans, walnuts and...? I think I might need that recipe someday.
(the purell on the counter next to the molasses is priceless.)
Stay warm!
Posted by: Kristen | Friday, November 25, 2005 at 04:34 PM
Maybe someday if I am very, very good, I can get you to cook me dinner.
Mmmmm. And the wine! Mmmmm.
Posted by: claudia | Friday, November 25, 2005 at 07:41 PM
I think you live life a bit more, ummm......deliciously than I do. It all seems so yummy. So glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Teresa C | Friday, November 25, 2005 at 08:03 PM
Ditto to Teresa.
And to Kristen. :-)
Posted by: Cordelia | Friday, November 25, 2005 at 08:24 PM
Love the summary of the "protocol!" You got it down perfectly! Gald you had such a good TD.
Posted by: Chris | Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 08:16 AM
Sounds like you've had an indulgent sort of week. Idyllic, I'd say.
Posted by: Carole | Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 08:35 AM
Life couldn't be more perfect with a fibery weekend that moves into a delicious day of friends and food. You sure know how to live;-)
Posted by: margene | Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 08:58 AM
For some reason, the link to Cindy's blog is not working...so I'll just trust you're looking resplendent in your socks ;-)
I love making tarte tatin. Believe it or not, though, my French husband prefers chocolate cake. oooookay...chocolate suits me fine....
Thinking of you today as I embark on the husband scarf with the newly acquired alpaca roving...
Posted by: Lee Ann | Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 03:17 PM
Mmmmm....lovely.
Posted by: mamacate | Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 10:17 PM
I heartily approve of your wine choices and scrumptious dessert.Sounds like you had a relaxing Thanksgiving, Laurie.
Posted by: Cindy D | Sunday, November 27, 2005 at 11:53 AM
The wine is my favorite part ;)
Happy post-Thanksgiving to you Laurie. It looks like you had a fabulous day!
Posted by: Bookish Wendy | Sunday, November 27, 2005 at 04:31 PM
So, I'm trying to learn how to do cryptic crosswords, and I started my first one on Wednesday. Clue #1 of this puzzle was "Life is a wild binge." The answer? Being (anagram of binge). Coincidence? I think not.
Posted by: Martha | Monday, November 28, 2005 at 12:50 PM
It looks like you had a wonderful holiday! So glad to hear it! :o)
Posted by: JessaLu | Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 11:50 AM
"The sun was out, the temperature was unseasonably warm. The drive to Judy's was a last die-hard New Englander's leaf peeping exercise. Only browns and dark golds were left. The greys of the trunks and branches were relieved by green pines. The eye shifts from color to texture. The tracery of tree bones against the sky catches the blue and the sun."
What a beautiful piece of writing and you so perfectly describe this time of year here in New England!
Posted by: Cheryl | Saturday, December 03, 2005 at 09:47 AM