Fall

The air was crisp and the sky overcast when Cairo and I walked the beach this morning.  I noticed leaves falling for the first time and realized I had, once again, missed the last swim of the season.  I am sure the water is still warm enough for a quick dip, but the air is way too chilly for me.  I am always a little wistful when I realize I didn't take advantage of the last hot day to say goodbye to the bay for another year.

The cooler temperatures have led me back to the kitchen.  I made turkey vegetable soup the other day, and last night, this easy and delicious one-dish meal from Jamie Oliver: One-Tray Bake. Yummy!  Pete couldn't stop eating the garlic cloves and bits of bread.  I made a sour cream apple pie with a crumb top, too, but it was way too sweet for me.  (I'm really a crust girl -- the filling takes a back seat my  pie crust.)  Peter loved it, though.  We've also been canning tomatoes for the winter and I made a tomato marmalade, once again, a little too sweet for me.  I think I'll give it for gifts at Christmas.  My next thing is Jamie Oliver's tomato chutney (that's how I found the One-Tray Bake).  I'm hoping it will be a good accompaniment for cheeses and meats.

I've spent the last couple of days working on a new kit: Farmhouse Star -- named for Farmhouse Quilt Company in Southold, New York, where I will be teaching a class on November 9.  Janet and I met years ago at a craft show and got re-acquainted at the Eastern Long Island Quilters Quilt Show back in the spring.  She and her daughter Lindsay are anxious to learn how to hook, so we have set up a Saturday class.  For more information or to sign up, you can contact Janet at j-heins@hotmail.com.  I know it will be a fun day.

Maine Seacoast Mission

Several months ago I read an article in Antiques magazine about the rugs of the Maine Seacoast Mission.  (You can read the article, written by Judith Burger-Gossart here.  It's a pdf file with lots of great old photos and really worth reading.) The Mission, located in a gorgeous 1920s mansion in Bar Harbor, Maine, is hosting an exhibit of these special rugs as well as a collection of Grenfell mats.  So Pete and I packed up the car and headed to Maine on Tuesday, stopping in Connecticut to pick up my sister Barb.

Like the Grenfell Industries in Newfoundland, the Maine Seacoast Mission was created in 1905 to aid residents on  Maine's isolated islands.  The mission began a rug program in 1923, under the guidance of Alice Peabody,  that ran until 1930.  The rugs are often of landscapes or seascapes, and the loops are often clipped to produce a velvety texture.  They are charming, and to see them hanging in this beautiful house was a real treat.

The amazing front door was curved

Mission rugs in the parlor

I love this mat.  The maker did such a great job with perspective, using shading so carefully

Another favorite of mine.  This one is attributed to Henrietta Ames of Matinicus.  It is of the Mission's boat, the Sunbeam, 1926

The Mission's label

A collection of Grenfell treasures, including purses and a book cover

Grenfell mats in the dining room, from the collection of Paula Laverty

I have seen many Grenfell rugs -- I even own a few -- but this is the first time I've seen these fish.    I love the graphic quality of it.

Of course, a trip to Maine is not complete without eating a little lobster, so we stopped at Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast for lunch.  Delicious!

We spent the next night in Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire, so we could hit the Dorr Mill Store first thing,  Barb and I stocked up on supplies for our fall shows -- so if you are needing some linen or beautiful wool, just give us a call!

Almost forgot:  We drove through Arcadia National Park, too.  So beautiful -- and the weather was perfect!

Hallockville Fall Festival 2013

The Peconic Ruggers had another spectacular weekend at the Hallockville Museum Farm Fall Festival: blue skies, lots of sunshine, crisp northwest winds and lots of interesting people.  Lots of our members showed up to demonstrate and sell their wares.  We hooked a lot, and talked a lot (that would be me), and got sunburn (that would be me, too).  Margaret pointed out that a lot of men were really interested in our work --  and in Louise's Townsend cutter.  We sold several kits to people who want to learn to hook, and lots of wool to established hookers and also to quilters.  (The Eastern Long Island Quilter's Guild had a lovely quilt show in the big barn.)  And I sold a rug!  All in all --despite the sunburn -- it was a great weekend.  We are already looking forward to next year!

Another Dye Day

I'm gearing up for the fall show season.  I dyed eight yards of wool.  It's so satisfying to see it hanging on the line.  I also drew out a dozen patterns the other day to fill out my inventory.  Today I am packing up for the Hallockville Fall Festival.  I need to put price tags on stuff and load the car.  Looks like terrific weather for the weekend.  The torrential rain last night will have everything looking green and verdant for a few days.

Our next show will be the Southern Adirondack FIber Festival, just outside of Saratoga Springs, New York, the first weekend of October.  I'll post more info on that soon.

Sweet September

The weather has been wonderful -- warm sun, cool breeze -- perfect sleeping weather.  We're dining on gifts from the garden every night and filling the freezer and canning cupboard with food for the winter. I've been getting back into the swing of working, hooking on some Halloweenies.  I have some big rugs bouncing around in my head, so I may start on one soon.

Next weekend I will be at the Hallockville Fall Festival, in the Peconic Ruggers' booth.  It is always a fun weekend, so come out and join us.  There will be a quilt show in the Naugles barn, a tractor pull, lots of crafts and animals and interesting people.  Stop by and say hello.

Hallockville Fall Festival

September 14 & 15, 2013

10 am to 5 pm

Hallockville Museum Farm

6038 Sound Avenue 

Riverhead, NY 11901

631-298-5292