I know we've talked before about the perils of flaming out on re-entry, though I'm too lazy to go back and find those previous discussions right this second. Know, however, that it is especially difficult to go back to one's work-a-day world after one's friends have traveled from far and wide, some even crossing state lines, and successfully spoiled one rotten and generally made one feel like queen for a day - and also maybe bestowed upon one a wide array of incredibly thoughtful gifts - ALL against the backdrop of one's favorite S&W festival -- not to play favorites or anything. So it's taken me a while to process all of this and get back here to talk about it. There may also have been some of this in between:
This was my 3rd year at New Hampshire S&W. It was my first festival gathering, and still remains at the top of my list both because of it's place in my fibery history, AND because it's just a damned great festival. It's big enough to feel worth the devotion of an entire weekend, and yet small enough not to overwhelm. There's plenty of time to shop, socialize, pet all the cute animals, and STILL have time to actually learn something from the folks at the fleece judging.....assuming of course that one can stay out of purchasing trouble at said judging, right **COUGH**Cate**COUGH**? It also says something for it that even last year, in the midst of the nearly Biblical monsoon rain and flooding, we all still had a remarkably great time despite our discomforts, and that was BEFORE we started drinking at Margarita's. THIS year, we needed no such fortifications because it was quite beautiful. Stunning really, in that way that I have only ever experienced here in New England, where it's warm enough to make you eager for summer, but still cool enough to remind you of the winter we've just barely left behind and yet somehow keep the dread of the summer's humidity at bay. I love the times of year when it's almost too cool to sit in the shade and yet somehow also almost too warm to sit in the sun.
But I digress. We were talking about how effing cool my girls are. Oh, sorry, you didn't realize that's what we were talking about did you? Well, we were, and they are. In addition to completely overwhelming me with the aforementioned Queen-for-a-day thing - complete with enlisting many of my favorite festival vendors (hello? predictible much? ) in a bit of a treasure/easter egg hunt - they also did something even more extraordinarily cool...something that makes a girl feel almost famous...something which will be a great sustaining energy in the coming months of being covered in poop and spit-up. They went to Ms. Boogie, our favoritest pusher, and asked her to dye up some lovely, yummy merino-silk for me. Not just in colors I'd like, mind you, but.....and here's where I get a little girlishly giddy and embarrassed......in my very own colorway. Can you STAND it? LOOK!!!!
Spunky Ecclectic Merino Silk in the colorway *giggle* 'Kellebration'.
Dude. Amy is my hero, and yes, the colors really do glow like that. I can't even STAND the beauty of this, or the perfection. Someday soon I should round up the past and present Boogie fibers just to prove how bad the obsession has really been. It's no wonder that about half of my stash used to live in her house before it came to live in mine, nor that I am powerless in the face of her fibery-dying mastery.
And my girls? I won't even pretend to have the ability to express the all the love, joy, and admiration I carry in my heart for these women, or how thankful I am to have them in my life. Each of them is amazing, unique, and awe-inspiring, each in her own way and each with her own special place in the equation. It's not because they're famous or anything - though they might be a little infamous, some of them - but that they are inspirational in that they just keep rocking along in their lives, taking care of each other along with the rest of their lives and families, never too busy for each other, and never too busy stop and celebrate....well, anything, really.....whether it be a new spinning wheel, or a new venture into motherhood, or just surviving a day at work without succumbing to the desire to kill one's boss.....these girls always have each other's backs, no matter how far away that back might be. This was probably our last chance to all come together with relative ease because of some fairly momentous changes - many involving moving trucks and the cossing of state lines - and I love that we were able to do it at such a great place and have such a fantastic time. But then, we always do.
I love you guys.
How great it is to have wonderful friends. I've loved having my grrlfriends in life and fiber here in Denver. It was really nice to meet you at the festival. I kept wondering about all the "Kellee" bags we saw you wondering around with at the festival. I loved the NHS&W festival, it was just the right size to me, bigger than Estes in CO, but a nice size, nonetheless.
Posted by: Wanda | May 22, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Oh, wow, Kellee! Not only is that gorgeous fiber, but it looks like there's a LOT of it in that braid! And in your very own personal colorway, too... you have some fantastic friends, that's for sure. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | May 22, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Awww, sweet pea, the admiration and adoration is entirely mutual! We wanted to make this festival really special and I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed it, even if it was weird to be getting random gifts every once in a while. :)
And I need to get another look at that Kellebration (hee!) fiber in person again. I didn't get nearly as much time to drool on it as I would have liked. It really does glow. Just like you, momma!
Posted by: Debbie | May 22, 2007 at 05:52 PM
What Debbie said.
I'd also like to give props to Rick, because really? He started it all (and, um, I'm not just talking about the pregnancy bit, either - har). He wanted to make sure that there was something in the works, and that got all of us in a planning mood (I mean really, who doesn't love such a thoughtful partner?).
Oh. And really? You should look at this blog post and the Kellebrating (hee) fiber next to the pictures you have in your sidebar (cough*ye olde dye day*cough). Debbie absolutely NAILED the description of the perfect "Kellebration" colorway. ;)
We love you, too, btw. xo
Posted by: elisa | May 22, 2007 at 07:20 PM
What amazing friends... Kellee... I just got such a happy feeling reading this!
Posted by: Sara | May 22, 2007 at 08:07 PM
that colorway still haunts me simply because it's a perfect balance of the colors in the right tone...and had I seen it on a shelf somewhere I'd have snatched it up and said "Kellee just jumped off the shelf at me!"
Your sentiment about NH is similar to my thoughts about MA - the first gathering with strangers (now friends) and my first taste of spinning. I can't wait for this weekend.
Ditto to what Elisa and Debbie said - it's an honor to be able to sit and spin with you - whenever those random days occur.
(the floors look amazing and the walls look great! are you doing/have you done the trim too?)
Posted by: Kristen | May 22, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Good friends indeed. Altho, dammit, I'm going to have "Kellebrate good times, c'mon!" stuck in my head for days...
Posted by: Chris | May 22, 2007 at 10:19 PM
oh wow. how did i miss seeing this in person?
and your post made me cry.
Posted by: maryse | May 23, 2007 at 07:06 AM
That's a wonderful post. I'm so happy for you that you have such incredible friends.
Posted by: Carole | May 23, 2007 at 07:28 AM
Can't. Type. Through. Tears.
I love you man. I can't believe I'm leaving.
Posted by: Bookish Wendy | May 23, 2007 at 09:31 AM
What a beautiful post, beautiful friends, and a rock star colorway. [now that I've caught the spinning bug, I suspect that I'll be visiting Ms. Boogie soon.] With all the love you give out, clearly on display in this post, it's no wonder you have such amazing friends. That WeeBeastie's gonna be one lucky guy.
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | May 23, 2007 at 10:28 AM
That is so awesome! And Kellebration is perfect.
Posted by: Martha | May 23, 2007 at 02:57 PM