You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2007.
Our Vermont trip started with a 4-hour layover at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. it was quite a long time in transit especially with 2 active and chatty lil’ ones.
The girls and their dad upon arrival all cheery and looking forward to the trip
We proceeded to the cafeteria for lunch. had some pulled BBQ meat at the sub store
Time to board the airplane and get to our gates
The plane arrived and off we were to Burlington, VT.
The highlight of the trip was spent at Robin and Patrick Russo’s place. Total inpromptu trip; I had their number in my organizer and gave them a call. They invited us over. Pat Russo was working on a Vermont Spinning wheel and a few other projects. Apparently he is busy working with FEMA and was home at his workshop on Sundays only, thus it was a treat to start with…
The road to Bradford, Vermont; lots of pretty scenic hills and winding roads.
As many of you know Robin Russo is a combing guru cuz I always hear all these great things about y’all attending her fiber prep classes. She travels to Convergence, SOAR guild festivals and many other events to teach. Pat goes to Maryland every year with 12 Vermont wheels in tow. Most of them are snapped up like hot cakes at the festival.
Petra Ava with Robin’s Kumihimo stand
Robin mentioned she’s trying to get a Kumihimo class to teach at one of the fiber events in the near future.
Robin’s Dyed Silk hankies gracing her balcony window.
A large walking wheel and a Canadian antique grace her spinning studio.
A wide angle shot from another room; yes that’s an Ashford traditional in the corner. She mentioned it was her very first wheel.
The famous Vermont Heirloom Spinning Wheel based on a Canadian tilt-tension
Side profile
Robin demo-ing on the Vermont wheel.
Close-up of the flyer and more spinning in action
A shot of Pat Russo’s workshop
He makes traditional musical string instruments as well. They’re very decorative
Did anyone tell ya that he makes experimental jet planes as well? Such a talented man. It made my hubby’s day since he’s an aircraft turbine engineer. I thought it would be a great Father’s Day gift just to have Dave visit Patrick’s workshop.
Side view of the plane
A wide angle view with the engine in sight.
Nadya in Robin’s pretty garden
The girls enjoyed the Russo’s pool
Robin playing ball with the girls
And there is Pat in the background with Nadya Anne
One last photo for the memories; we had a great time with the Russos; they are very nice folks.
After visiting the Russos, we spent the afternoon at Ben & Jerry’s Ice-Cream Factory. it was Father’s day and I wanted to spend the day with Dave and the girls as I have a long week ahead at the University.
Petra enjoying her ice-cream sampler; she’s really allergic to milk but we thought we ‘d let her have her treat and deal with the rashes later. After all she hardly gets ice-cream.
Both girls enjoying their sampler.
Cute shot; this is outside by the ice-cream stand.
Dave & the girls posing by the cow.
We went to Montpelier for the afternoon cuz I was craving for Indian food. Well, we ended up at a Thai Restaurant instead. It was one of the most delicious Thai fare I’ve ever had, really. Mind you, I’m part Thai so as you can see I know my cuisines real well. Amazing what you can find in a small tiny New England town.
The Royal Orchid by Elm Street
After food, we proceeded to do the touristy thing, walked downtown Montpelier and snapped some interesting architecture…
An interesting building down State Street
Another interesting government building; it had lovely moldings.
The State building by the Park
Nadya met a Vermonter with a lovely Lab-Chow puppy dog and had a great time. Vermonters in our opinion and short experience there are very friendly, warm and welcoming people. It was a lovely trip.
They had lovely music at the Park; it was just a magical time for the girls and for us as well. We wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
Can you see the knitters in action; they were enjoying the evening as well.
Nadya & Petra by the Canon
Our final days were spent wrapping up at the University. These photos were taken at the Taste of Vermont reception on the evening of the presentation by the Assistant Secretary General of Peacekeeping Operations of the United Nations.
Petra Ava outside of Plumley Armory
Nadya and Petra outside of Plumley Armory
Both girls chuckling; we thought this was a great candid shot
The next day we had the big day where Vermont Masters Diplomacy Degree scholars were recognized for that arduous week long presentation and Residency.
Keeney Family Photo: One for the pictures
Bye Bye Vermont: Nadya & Petra watching the airplanes as we waited for our ride.
This came in the mail yesterday, a total surprise from the Jenkins. It seems just about yesterday that I mentioned I miss my hairpin lace frame/ loom and pronto there it is among my mail packages. Exquisite woodworking. Wanda and Ed are so nice, they even had my initials on the wood lest it went missing to another fiber lover’s hands (ahem! you know who you are if you’re reading this) Oh by the way this one is made out of special myrtle wood, my favorite!
I don’t know if I ever mentioned but our kitty cat Binge-ing went missing a few weeks after Granny’s passing. It’s very unlikely that he just decided to find another home so we came to the conclusion that he went off to die in solitude where the Texas wildflowers and bluebonnets grew by the White Oak Bayou. He will be missed. He is one of the greatest things that have happened to us and poured us with love since we came to Houston. Binge-ing is a Russian Blue X breed. More on cravings and morning sickness later …
It’s been over 2 months since this blog was updated. And so many things have happened since then. Firstly, Granny Anne passed away in March. Some of you will remember her from the Xmas post on this blog. Very sad news and the girls and I will always miss her. I know David will because he spent a great deal of his childhood with her. And she’s the greatest granny ever, she was neither judgemental nor over opinionated and she was always happy and put others first.
What’s been happening around here lately? Well, work, work and more work… but wait there is something else baking in the oven. We are into the second trimester of Baby No. 3 Yes, very hard to believe. I’ve always said 2 is enough and there will be no more, thank you. But I guess I spoke too soon… I can’t believe I will be having another little bundle of joy, the tiny fingers and toes to caress and the coos and chuckles.
To remind myself of reality, I dug up a newborn photo of Petra Ava (who’s now a little over 2 years) held by David’s mom.
OK folks here are the proofs to reality. Tiny baby, it’s for real and it’s coming, uh, buh bye sleep …
On the domestic front, the girls had their last day of the Spring session at the end of May. So school is out for the whole of Summer. They had Splash Party on their last day, so here’re a few photos:
that’s Petra Ava blowing soapy bubbles
Nadya Anne painting with shaving cream
And a snapshot of Nadya with her friends
On the same note, what is it about toddlers that as they age, they just make difficult photo ops. Both girls trying to outsmart their mother, “Nope uh uh no picture for ya,”
These sequences were really as best as I can snap of them. They were just not coordinated and I gave up after 3 shots.
On the spinning and fiber front, more later on that …
