Shaw Girl Happenings

I combined a couple of events and created a mini retreat for myself: a home winemaker's seminar on Saturday, with the state music educator's conference that started the next day. On Friday and Saturday I had my own little cabin at Timberline campground. The winemaking seminar was well worth the trip, and I'll probably be back next year. The conference was good, but it was very difficult for me, especially after 2 days of fresh air and nature, to be cooped up in a windowless, forced air, convention hall for 3 days.

Labels: music, nature

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Empress Susan the Weird of Melbury Bubblewick Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Labels: 'tis a silly place

Another successful year at the County Fair, for all of us who entered. I entered several photos this year and won one blue ribbon for my Thanksgiving photo (left), a couple of 3rds and an honorable mention. One category, “3 Scenes”, both Hannah and I had entries. Hannah’s 3 pictures of Nicole were amazing. Nicole was pitching in the middle of one of her games (she’s quite the softball player.) The photos were full of energy, and anticipation, capturing the concentration on Nicole’s face. The photos beat out my pictures of blueberries, and rightfully so.




Took two blues and a red for my wines: Rougheon (last year’s silver medal at the state fair), Cabernet, and Geisenheim (a German white) respectively. (The Cabernet and the Geisenheim are now at the state fair along with a bottle of Syrah and a Merlot/Cabernet blend. I don’t know their fate as of yet.)

Matthew’s picture of me fly fishing (which was previously published to this blog) received an honorable mention, and Katie was awarded ribbons for her knitting and woodworking. My friend, Patti, who I was in direct competition in with the coveted knitted socks category, won a blue for her socks and so did I! We entered our socks in different categories. So I guess we will have to wait another year to see who’s socks reign supreme! Brian’s green sweater also won a blue ribbon.

We weren’t at the fair very long this year. Gone are the days, when we had small children in tow, when we watched the fair through the fascination of their eyes. It’s not the same anymore. Sigh….

Labels: Brian, fair, knitting, wine

We have just returned from our vacation at Camp Findley, where we annually attend their Bible Conference/Family Camp. I think this was our 6th year. The kids have made wonderful friends here, with whom they stay in touch with throughout the year. They look forward to returning every year. Generally, no one gets enough sleep, we eat entirely too much, but we all have a great time.

This year I kayaked, swam to an island twice (at 7 in the morning), played golf, made new friends, walked up into town to a wonderful yarn shop, knitted, hiked, and took naps. Weather was good, the only day it rained was the day we walked into town. I spent so much time in the yarn shop, that the thunderstorm passed before I left the shop.

We had three different speakers, and I knitted throughout all of them. I actually can grasp more of what is being presented aurally when I keep my hands busy. (I actually overheard someone say, when she was asked where she sat, "next to the knitter." Our morning speaker, Dr. Timothy Dwyer, (pictured above) a professor at Roberts Wesleyan, gave a series of talks about violence and the bible. He was very thought provoking, with a delivery free of pat answers or sound bites, leaving us with few answers but much to mull over. A great educator. I ended up ripping out most of what I knitted whenever he spoke. Paid more attention to him than I did my knitting.

Here's a couple of more camp pix. A refreshing week.

Labels: Katie, knitting, vacation