SAFF-Day the Last

I'm feeling better (that cough nearly got the better of me- I've had just enough energy to teach my workshops and then collapse, but today I'm mostly human). Today's workshops went swimmingly, but I forgot to take pictures. However, yesterday, the Fair isle Design students worked very hard

on an intense all-day workshop, learning elements of Fair Isle design. And they were not only able to design a hat, but

my sister Sandi sat up untio 1:00am knitting on hers. That is exactly her 2nd Fair Isle project ever (her first was the workshop the day before) and her first oroginal design. I don't know who is more proud: her, or her Big Sister.

So, SAFF is over for another year- I had a wonderful time, and I hope hope hope to come back again. Tomorrow, I spend most of the day in airports- routing through Detroit on the way home. I'm sorry to leave, but it'll be nice to sleep in  my own bed. I'll leave you with a couple of pretty pictures.

apologies

Sorry I'm behind on posting. We've been incredibly busy, so in the evenings, I mostly just collapse. And unfortunately,the cough that I thought would magically disappear, didn't. But I am having a wonderful time, and as always, I have been blessed with genius students. Today is the last day of SAFF, and I fly home tomorrow. I'll post pics tonight, I promise.

SAFF- Friday

I'm too tired for witty repartee. But:

Cool hats were made

by one and all.

Many beautiful items were bought and sold.

The crowd was amazng.

And the Goat Milk Fudge was the best fudge I've ever had. Seriously.

Tomorrow? More of the same. Especially the fudge.

Biltmore, the last

Tomorrow the work portion of this trip begins. Of course, most people's work doesn't involve being surrounded by wool fumes and wonderful, enthusiastic people, which means I'm luckier than most. Unfortunately, I've picked up a cough that I can't shake, which does not bode well for 3 solid days of talking, so we'll see how it goes. I may be doing some of my classes in American Sign Language.

But before we head to the McGough Arena tomorrow, I'll leave you with a few pretty pictures.

Beautiful flower from the Conservatory.

One of hundreds of carvings on the outside of Biltmore.

Antler Hill Village, where the Winery is, with the Biltmore Inn in the distance.

Leaves!

More leaves.

Biltmore, from an unusual angle.

and from The Usual Angle

What an amazing couple of days it's been (the Behind the Scenes Tour was every bit as amazing as the Rooftop Tour). What fun the next three will be!

More Biltmore

We took the general walking house tour of Biltmore yesterday. Sandi had never seen it, and I definitely wanted to see it again. It's such an amazing house (such excess, such beauty, such everything). No photography is allowed inside at all, though we were allowed to take pictures outside while on the roofs (rooves?)

This is from the side of the house.

This was their back yard. It's not peak leaf time yet, but it's beautiful.

Carvings, carvings everywhere.

The gardens are beautiful in every season.

The fading roses are still gorgeous.

A view from the gardens.

And the mums are amazing.

Today, we're taking the Behind the Scenes tour, visiting areas not open to the general tour. And we're going to explore the Conservatory and Gardener's Cottage, and do some more souvenir shopping. Unfortunately, no pics are allowed inside, but I'll take pics where I can, and report back tonight.

It's interesting, last year we were able to go up to the 4th floor on the general house tour. This year, it was blocked off, though we went up there for the Rooftop Tour. They're very busy setting out the Christmas trees- I can just imagine how beautiful this place is during the holidays.

So- today we play. Tomorrow, I go to work. One last shot from the roof:

Biltmore Rooftop Tour

If you ever get to the Biltmore Estate- take the Rooftop Tour. That's an order.

See that flag up there? Waaaay up there? That's where you get to stand if you take the Rooftop tour.

Gargoyles have butts. Who knew?

It's a looong way down.

Biltmore Roofs are very pointy.

Biltmore stone is very carvy.

George Vanderbilt was very fond of his own initials (which were originally gilded with gold leaf)

and sisters who haven't seen each other in 14 years are very happy to be together in this beautiful place. How beautiful is it?

This beautiful.

AVL

I'm here, settled in my motel, with my sister (we haven't seen each other in 14 years). It was a very long (I hit the road at 3:30AM, my time) but uneventful travel day. No turbulence, no delays, no nasty surprises- the best kind of travel. Atlanta still has the fastest trams, and Watertown has free long-term parking (I met two, count 'em, cars on the 75 mile drive this morning. And no deer).

I had only limited hopes for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I started it this morning, and am about 400 pages into it, and am totally hooked (though it certainly does take its own sweet time getting anywhere). Now I'll have to get the other books.

We have our 2-day Biltmore tickets, and intend to go sleep early tonight. No pictures so far, but the leaves are turning, and the reds are glorious. Expect proof tomorrow.