Well.  Apparently I took a blog-cation.  I didn’t mean to, exactly.  My last post was just a day before we went on a regular vacation (which I don’t blog about ahead of time in case there are some weirdos out there on the Internets who keep track of that, then break into my house while I’m gone).  Then, while I was gone, one of the court reporters I proofread for held all the work she would have given me and then gave it all to me when I got back.  I’m looking at it as a compliment that she did not want to ask any other proofreader to do it because she likes my work so much (??), and I’m trying not to complain that it’s not worth it to go on vacation if I have to do twice the work when I get back, because she is really nice and I’m glad she sends me ALL her work.  But, that meant I was super busy when I got back.  For a long time.  And then it was the July 4th holiday weekend and we were busy doing that type of stuff.  More on that later.  THEN, the same reporter asked me to do a super duper rush job the following weekend, PLUS I had a knitting class to get ready for and teach.  So there.  That’s my excuse for the blog-cation.  And now I’m back.  Here’s what you missed:

We went on vacation!  We went to Maine and saw all kinds of beautiful views:

We did a little hiking and one day it was a little bit spur-of-the-moment and I ended up bringing my purse:

I did however have appropriate footwear and attire.  I felt really silly carrying my outlet-Coach purse on a hike……until I saw a woman who not only had a purse, but she had high-heeled fancypants boots and a nice “outfit” on.  She looked pretty uncomfortable.  I have no idea how she walked across the very rocky can-only-get-across-it-at-low-tide sand to get to the trail.

But we had another nice view on that hike:

We also went to Acadia National Park, to the Jordan Pond House restaurant and had their WONDERFUL popovers (with butter and strawberry jam).  And I had their yummy tea.

While on vacation I knit.  A lot.  But not until after I bought an obnoxious amount of yarn from two yarn shops on the way up.  I’m blaming the “obnoxious” part on Paul because he was such an enabler (I just love him SO much for that.  It’s his best quality.).  I must say, though, that I’ve been knitting with that yarn like crazy.  At our cottage I started and finished  the Shawl Society’s first shawl Talisman:

It’s hard to see but there is a pretty little star pattern in the body.  Love the pattern!  I might knit it again someday. (Especially because I gave this one away as a birthday present to my friend Chrissy – she’s worth it.)  I think it might make a good class.

Then, while still on vacation I started and almost finished the Campside Shawl:

… which I finished shortly after we got home.  Love that one too. (These pictures could be better…)

And while driving up to and back from Maine, I worked on my nephew’s not-really-a-surprise blanket for him to take to college.  After we got back, on July 4th weekend, my sister had a little party for him and it still wasn’t finished (so close, though!) so I gave it to him while it was still on the needles, then took it back and finished it the next day (it was THAT close) and sent it right back to him!  He liked it!:

Look out Columbia!

The knitting class I taught was for the Lotno Shawl.  Here is the one I made and showed you previously:

And everyone in class got a great start:

If you are interested in taking this class, send me an email through the blog (liz at lizytishknits dot com) or post in the comments.  I’m pulling together my fall teaching schedule and can schedule this again.  It’s a fun, easy knit.

BY THE WAY…. The Spinning Room has been sold to a wonderful group of ladies who will take over on August 1!  So exciting! (However they are taking two weeks to get organized so the shop will be closed August 1-15)

When I was at my friend Chrissy’s, giving her the shawl, we saw this in her backyard:

OWLS!!  I just love owls.  I can’t tell you how badly I have wanted to see the owl that has been hooting around our yard for a few years.  There were about four of them and a couple were smaller so we thought maybe it was learning-to-fly day.  They were flying up and down from the trees.  But the greatest thing was that they were taking a bath in her sprinkler!  Spreading their wings out and waiting for the spray to come around and rain on them, then ruffling their feathers and rubbing their faces in the wet grass.  It was so amazing to watch – we watched and watched and watched.  And then were late to the kids’ tennis practice.  It was worth it.

Ok that’s it for now.  Lots more knitting to tell you about involving superheroes and dishes and The Shawl Society and classes. And I need to show you my garden!