Have you ever had one of those moments when you make what 'feels' like a deliciously spontaneous decision? A decision that leaves you thinking 'Look out world, I am utterly unpredictable, crazy and free-spirited. I DEFINE spontaneous. Wild at heart, baby. Wild at heart.' Don't you love those? I do. I love 'em. I even thought for a moment this weekend that I had one of those moments. Until I stopped and thought about it and realized that what had seemed like it had come out of nowhere was actually the slow stacking of little things - experiences, discussions, experiments, trials, a word here, a spin (or three) there - a slow building of ideas and impressions and desires that finally coalesce in an almost blinding flash around one very simple statement.
.
"You know that's going to look fucking fantastic against your red living room walls, right?"
.
It's a Lucien Paradis antique Canadian production wheel, tricked out for the new generation by Dave at The Merlin Tree. It's beautifully intact and beautifully (she was right, wasn't she) mine. The Spindicate may be ruthless, but they are never wrong.
(ETA: Thankfully, someone got a photo of the happy event. You can see it here. Thanks, Cassie!)
I wish that I had some spinning from her to show you, but I gave up my spinning time for this:
Finally we have actual life in our front yard. Monday morning, all that lived here were the two Corkscrew Filberts (planted last summer) and a whole mess of mulch. It was terrible. Now, after a day of hard work, we have Clematis, Yellow Trumpet Vine, a Lilac, Roses, Peonies, Columbines, Dwarf Day Lilies, a few Dahlias, and some herbs for the front border. Those white stones mark a tiny path that will be filled in with bits of broken slate (from the bathroom project) with Creeping Thyme and Irish Moss planted between them to fill in with greenery. The area behind the Filberts (now filled with mulch piles to be spread out) was to be planted with a red-stemmed Dogwood, aka cornus sericea, but I think it's too likely to try to take over, so instead I'm considering some Foxgloves and Hollyhocks back there for drama. Not to mention camouflage for the foundation.
There must be something in the water or air or whatever...I had the same experiance last week, just out of the blue one of those lovely's happened to cross my path...never thought twice about it, just bought it and now it's residing (temporarly) with Dave Paul for some much needed spa treatments. :) Your new wheel is simply gorgeous...enjoy!
Posted by: maggie | May 31, 2006 at 12:58 AM
Sigh. I want a Dave Paul pimped wheel too.
Posted by: Rachel H | May 31, 2006 at 03:05 AM
I wrote you too soon, I see you made your announcement right here!
Your new yard looks lovely!
Posted by: melanie | May 31, 2006 at 04:10 AM
Well, its good to hear that it wasn't really a snap decision - because when you walked out of the ladies room and announced you were buying that wheel, I was a little perturbed.
She was right, it belongs in your living room. Now spin, woman.
Posted by: Cassie | May 31, 2006 at 07:04 AM
I saw these intimations on Other People's Blogs about Kellee and a wheel. I was waiting...waiting...waiting...and THERE she is! It IS beautiful against the wall, and it IS a beautiful wheel. Wow! What a find! Someone said Cummington is a magic place. I really think that might be true.
Posted by: Laurie | May 31, 2006 at 07:10 AM
And yes, that is a lot of hard work in the yard. It looks really good! I like your choices of plant materials.
Posted by: Laurie | May 31, 2006 at 07:12 AM
It's beautiful! Spin well!
Posted by: Cara | May 31, 2006 at 07:49 AM
Fantastic, Kellee! Just wish I had been there on Sunday, too, to see the moment in person.
Posted by: Carole | May 31, 2006 at 08:23 AM
Man, that wheel is HOT.
I think I want to go apprentice up at the Merlin Tree next spring. Whaddya think?
Posted by: elisa | May 31, 2006 at 09:32 AM
Dude... you rock! I can't wait to go fiber shopping with you and Elisa next weekend at the Frolic. I've been missing my Boston area knitters!!
Posted by: Kate | May 31, 2006 at 11:32 AM
I spun on that wheel and really liked it. Good choice!!
Posted by: claudia | May 31, 2006 at 12:08 PM
Hollyhocks and foxgloves for sure, but something with branches for texture.
Korean spice bush, dwarf japanese maple, dwarf lilac ??????
Dunno. Looks good so far, though.
Also, hee.
Posted by: Juno | May 31, 2006 at 12:15 PM
that wheel was MADE for your room - it was meant to be. (and yes, it did, er, help to see what you brought home...) I'm just sorry I wasn't there to see it for myself. (sigh)
Posted by: Kristen | May 31, 2006 at 01:05 PM
Oh, congrats on the wheel! I have a Canadian production wheel I named Serendipity cause that's how she came into my life for instant bonding.
The garden's looking great!
Posted by: Chris | May 31, 2006 at 04:14 PM
It's a beaut! What a wonderful addition to your home!
Posted by: Kathy | May 31, 2006 at 10:51 PM
That wheel is delicious! I salivate over them everytime I got to a festival.
Posted by: Lucy at Mind's Eye | June 01, 2006 at 10:13 AM
Congrats on the lovely new decoration in your living room! :)
And on being so productive with your front yard.
Posted by: Chris | June 01, 2006 at 12:24 PM
It does look fabulous against that wall.
The yard looks great!
Posted by: Carrie K | June 01, 2006 at 08:04 PM
*sigh* Happy for you. Like you, my garden is demanding all the spining time this week. 5 yards of mulch and eleven peonies to move. Not to mention roses and the like to be tended, and why did I buy $200 worth of NEW plants at the nursery when all I wanted was two penstemons?
Posted by: julia fc | June 02, 2006 at 09:40 AM
That wheel is amazing. It's just the kind of styling I'd want in a saxony wheel--clean, simple lines, nothing frou-frou. Wow. I'm in awe! Now I really really wish I'd gone to Cummington. ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. | June 07, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Should we put out an APB on a wool crazed spinner? Where you been?
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | June 16, 2006 at 11:11 PM