Spring in the Bluegrass

This is my second spring in Kentucky and admittedly last year I was still getting used to everything and didn't take the time to appreciate the newness that comes with the season. This year, as I have a more vested interest in having a few of my own plants, I am getting a feel for the differences in blooming times down here than what I grew up with in Connecticut. Back north I remember iris and peonies as early summer flowers, this year thanks to a very warm March they have become late summer flowers starting to show their beauty in April.

A few weeks ago I had a few moments to myself and went to the UK Arboretum and snagged a few shots of some favorite flowers. Here are the best ones :)

Farm Adventures

Back in the fall I noticed in the church bulletin a note for a knitting club. "Sweet!" was my first and only thought. I had been missing my knitting club back in Connecticut and was overjoyed to find a local group to get to know. So I ventured out on a Monday night to the local Panera where I was introduced to a group of very lovely women. One such lovely woman is Laura.

Its now been several months since we've knit together and have become good friend. Today, I got to go to Laura's house and watch her three sheep get sheared and then help clean the wool. Of course I brought along my camera. Here are a few shots from the day.

 

This is Ivy, she was spared any shearing trauma today since she's a goat :)

 

A before and after. On the left is Elizabeth, on the right is Etta.

 

A significantly smaller Elizabeth.

 And now for some of what I like to call sheep yoga...

 This is Elizabeth's fleece after we got it inside and skirted. She had the best crimp which we knew was important but had to do a little google-ing to find out why. It has to do with the elasticity of the wool.

 Not only does Laura raise super cute sheep she also dyes beautiful yarn. 

A Trip to the Mountians

"It's a vacation!"
"Well it's only 4 days..."
"It's a mini-break!"
"Yes, its a mini break."

That was the conversation between my husband and I a few weeks ago when he decided to turn a quick trip to South Carolina for a sweet friend's wedding into a long weekend in the mountains. (Being able to interject British-isms into my everyday life makes me very happy)

So we left on Saturday and made it to Spartanburg to see a friend of mine from high-school get married. It was also a chance to see my very best friend and her husband since she was in the wedding. The bride was beautiful and they were so in love. It was a great evening!

That last one I like to call "Cotton Eyed Joe" :)

After the wedding we headed to our cabin in Pigeon Forge. The best part was that my best friend and her husband followed us and spent the night. The fellowship is always sweet with these dear friends and our Sunday together was no different. Here are some pictures of the view from our cabin. 

While enjoying all the tourist options in the area we made a stop at the aquarium. Always a favorite place to play with my camera I found some interesting subjects. Very well done aquarium. A must see for anyone going to Gatlinburg.

Rainy Day Adventures

Yesterday I didn't have to work, it was raining, my camera is still pretty new and fun to play with, and I remembered a knitting friend of mine saying how much she liked to visit the Lexington Cemetery. So I took myself down there GPS and camera in hand (because there are still places in this city I don't know how to get to) and I once again visited with days gone by and people I never knew. Once again I found beauty in memories that are not my own. Here is what the Lexington Cemetery shared with me on a rainy Monday afternoon.