So as an early birthday present, Mr Bird took me up to Napa Valley to a shi-shi resort for the weekend. We even got to bring our darling dog-child, and a good time was had by all. The drive up was brutal - getting caught in the morning traffic in LA AND afternoon traffic going past Vallejo added nearly 3 hours to the trip bringing it to a mind numbing 11 hours. The package included a couple of massages and dinner at their restaurant (very good for a hotel restaurant btw) each night and a "Pampered Pet" package. There were lots of stops on the way up to try to get the pooch to run around a bit and stretch her legs - she was a trooper the whole weekend.
We were unlucky enough to get stormed in a good portion of the weekend so there was quite a bit of knitting done. I got to work on Primrose and got both the front pieces done (knit at the same time). There is a mistake on one of the fronts but there is no way in Helllllll I'm going to frog that sucker and reknit it for one row. Do you see all those ends? No way. I'd rather peel my eyeballs like grapes.
Now I'll seam the front and back, and then do the sleeves in the round I think. Going down the final stretch wooo hoo!
Considering how complicated the chart was for the fair isle Primrose - I had to have an easy project for the cart. Nothing fulfills that need like a stockinette sock in delicious Curious Creek's Serengeti in Plum Thunder. I am so in love with this color. I'm going to do a short row heel, stockinette foot and the cuff will have a small cable running up each side. I haven't decided if these will be for me or if they will be a Christmas gift.
Napa was really beautiful - even if there was a lot of rain. We didn't go to any wineries - probably because I already drink a lot of California wines. We did have a rather weird experience at the groomer that was setup by the hotel. It was down this dirt road and there were piles of junk and broken down cars all over the place, and Mr. Bird and I just looked at each other and said "Texas Chainsaw Massacre all over this."
The lady was nice but her place was rather unkept and I wouldn't have brought my dog there if I'd known it was like that.
Most of the vineyards you could see from the roads have turned yellow and withered from the cold weather but I'm sure it must look amazing during the spring and summers.
If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known there was a mistake. Naw, I wouldn't rip it either. What are you going to do with all those ends? Ugh!
Posted by: Marina | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 03:16 AM
What a nice gift! How strange about the dog lady!! Your cardi is going to be beautiful - and I wouldn't have ripped it either! I'm sure no one will know but you.
Posted by: jillian | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 06:56 AM
I'd be upset if you ripped--Sophie wouldn't ever know! I'm going to have to make her a dress to wear with it, so she looks like a little English baby, all Lucy Pevensie style.
The spa trip sounds fabulous, despite the long drive.
Posted by: Heidi | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 07:19 AM
Huh, doesn't sound like the hotel people have been out to see her, as there's no shortage of shi-shi groomers with swank setups in Napa.
Such a cute cardi! I'll bet only you can spot the boo-boo, I know I certainly can't.
Posted by: Wendy | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 10:58 AM
Beautiful! I can't spot the mistake, but I woudn't rip either. You could duplicate stitch over it if you want.
Posted by: Barbara | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Make sure you keep those socks away from that dog (you know the one I speak of ;)
Posted by: Cristina (CrissyPo) | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 06:29 PM
I found the mistake! I found the mistake! Do I get a prize? No? Oh well, I was lying anyway - there's no mistake! Unless the mistake is that it is too, too cute?
Posted by: Hilari | Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 06:58 PM
Congratulations winning the SKC KAL! The cardi is very cute, are you going to fess up w/ what the "mistake" is? Nobody can really tell... That's quite the contrast between shi shi and chain saw! My bro has a boxer and yours reminds me of his, they are funny creatures! (I am the other KAL winner!) contrats to us!
Posted by: lisa | Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 04:08 PM
I was at the same resort at the same time! We were at Vino Bello which was the time share portion of the resort. Nice place! What wineries did you go to???
Posted by: Gail | Friday, December 15, 2006 at 11:07 PM