I have been to the kingdom of the Zeneedle Queen.
There were multiple reasons to edit skiing out of my life. (I counted three tibial reasons, two fibular reasons, and multiple fragments. Those were the pieces that were left after last March.)
I spent the week skiing behind Mr. Etherknitter, my poles extended at my sides in crowded areas to broaden my profile. Picture a balding porcupine with her quills sticking up. It worked.
So much in the week conspired to soothe my fear and worry. Fiber and skiing seemed to meld seamlessly:
The vignettes and views took away what little breath was left at 9500 feet of altitude. A snowstorm left the trees transformed:
As the winds hurried the clouds on their way east, the sun picked out beauty in the remnants of the storm:
My birthday saw me lounging on the Beach at Deer Valley.
Then, the Bacchus Wine Bar hosted our hilarity (after the lifts closed, of course).
My email DID explode with your fine wishes that day. Thank you!
There were no pictures to capture the gracious hospitality of Margene and Smith. They were lively, intelligent dinner companions, with hearts bigger than the mountains. I miss them.
While there has been little blogatory evidence of knitting recently, long airplane trips and post-skiing condo time were spent doing nothing but. When the 200yd skein of baby blanket yarn ran out, it became apparent that I had underpacked. I was stunned. The vest (yes, yes, there will be pictures in another post) was on metal needles, and unsuitable for TSA inspection. So I cast on my back-up st st sock, in Ellen's Halfpint Farm merino 50%/tencel 50%, colourway 'Stormy Skies' for the return trip. And it was good.
Birthday? Did I know about this? Evidently not! Well, happy birthday, dear! I'm glad you spent it in a lovely way, filled with friends and mountains and yarn.
Posted by: Lynn | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Sounds like a wonderful trip, birthday-wise, celebration-wise and even (dare I say it?) skiing-wise. I have once, just once, underpacked knitting for a trip. I have never done it again.
Posted by: Cassie | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Welcome Home! Gotta love it when knitting and skiing meet up with the 3 ply run lol. Perfect! Glad you had a wonderful time.
Posted by: Manise | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Sounds like a wonderful and safe birthday celebration amongst the ski slopes!!! Happy Belated Birthday, Laurie!!
Posted by: Cindy D | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 01:56 PM
Happy belated irthday. It sounds and looks like a marvelous time was had by all.That white stuff in the pictures looks familiar: I think we used to see it on the east coast.
Posted by: regina | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 02:47 PM
Glad you are home safe and sound and had a fun visit (without any tours of the local hospitals) this time!
Posted by: Anne | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 02:54 PM
I miss you...we miss you! Utah isn't the same without Lauie and Mr. E in the mountains. You left just in time...it's frigid here and not expected to warm much until weeks end. Miribella is a constant reminder of you, the delightful evenings and our friendship. You are the best.
Posted by: margene | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 02:57 PM
You've conquered and returned. So happy that you had such a good time. Looks like you've brought the cooler temps back with you. Oh yes, it is snowing north of you!
Posted by: Judy | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 03:11 PM
I was wondering if Mr. E would hit the slopes. Glad it was a good (and safe!) trip.
Posted by: PumpkinMama | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 03:12 PM
YAY for relaxing! So glad you all had a good trip.
Posted by: Cara | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 03:32 PM
3 Ply. hahahahaha
Welcome back.
Posted by: Paula | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 04:36 PM
So happy that this ski trip went well for you. May each one in the future be even better, and always safer.
Posted by: Carrie | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 05:00 PM
OK, but now I want a pic of you *knitting* the sock.
Posted by: Lucia | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 05:49 PM
I'm thrilled to hear that this trip resulted in only happy memories. You guys deserved this!
Posted by: Carole | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 06:05 PM
Sounds like a WONDERFUL birthday--I'm so glad! And that sunbathing-in-the-snow picture just cracks me up. I've never been skiing, is that a common thing? You look very, very happy, though!
Posted by: --Deb | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Talk about getting back on the horse....
Good work. Maybe there will be some local skiing worth driving for soon.
Posted by: claudia | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 08:04 PM
i'm so glad to hear that both you and mr. E got back on the horse so to speak and won.
Posted by: maryse | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Black diamond plying! Yikes! Caution! Dangerous plying ahead!
Glad you had good skiing. :D
Posted by: Marcy | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Whew! Glad that this was a fun skiing trip and not a traumatic one.
Posted by: Chris | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Stormy skies for a plane trip? Good thing you're not superstitous. Glad you had a good trip.
Posted by: Theresa | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 10:35 PM
So glad that the beauty soothed your fears.. the mountains are so worth it! It is a hard fear to face, but our bodies will do their best to keep us going and pursuing our passions. Welcome safely back home.
Posted by: Birdsong | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 11:08 PM
So you're telling me I can stop holding my breath now? No need to keep my son on alert? I'm so glad! And, I'd know that sky anywhere! Glad you are both back safe and sound...we go out in May, but obviously, skiers we're not!
Posted by: Marcia | Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 11:51 PM
I'm so glad you had such a nice birthday and who better than to share it with! Beautiful pictures!
Posted by: Kim | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Thank goodness you went back and had an uneventful trip. Now that ghost is vanquished (I hope)!
Posted by: Martha | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 09:44 AM
I'm so glad you had a fabulous birthday! AND you got back up on that horse! ;)
Posted by: Bookish Wendy | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 09:45 AM
What a wonderful birthday trip---many happy (belated) returns!
As for metal needles---I haven't had any issues with the TSA, have you?
Posted by: lisa Co. Springs | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Three cheers for getting back on the horse!
Late happy birthday.
Posted by: Sylvia | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 08:02 PM
So glad you had a good trip and a good birthday :o) Welcome home!
Posted by: JessaLu | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 09:39 PM
love the lounging on the beach. hah! Glad you had such fun with Margene - you definately deserve it!
Posted by: Teyani | Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:40 PM
A wine bar! In Utah! I bet you needed a special password to get in. ;-)
I'm so glad the two of you got to go up the mountain again, sans drama. It takes guts to get back on a horse that big, you know?... (Of course you do.)
No Silver Fork Lodge...?
Posted by: Beth S. | Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Look how stylin' you are in all black -- love the helmet :-)
Posted by: Kathy | Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I missed the birthday pile-on, being on the road myself, but sent birthday wishes through the ether instead. I trust they got there, you having a direct line and all.
It sounds like a lovely time. Happy happy.
Posted by: mamacate | Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Glad you have a great birthday. It looks like it was great fun.
Happy Belated!
Posted by: Dorothy B | Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 04:34 PM
That's amazing that Mr. E has healed enough to be back skiing again. Fantastic. Happy Belated Birthday - that's some present he gave you, eh?
Posted by: Barbp | Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Oooh, happy very belated birthday. Those ski runs and views look divine! Glad it all went well :-)
Posted by: lynne s of Oz | Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 05:23 AM
Welcome home!
Posted by: Ruth | Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 07:23 AM
Glad you had a good time and returnes home safely! The sunbathing picture cracks me up.
Posted by: Monica | Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Happy Belated birthday! That beach photo just makes me laugh!
Posted by: Lorette | Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 01:39 PM