This weekend was the annual NETA SPA event in Freeport, ME. A co-worker, Robyne and I have made this an annual event for the past three years. This time, we stayed at the Harraseeket Inn, which was fabulous. Jetted tub, fireplace in the room, hot breakfast buffet and afternoon tea included. This year, the spinning and knitting rooms were at the Harraseeket while the vendors room and spa services were over at the Hilton Garden Inn.
It seems that one night each year, Robyne and I make a late night trek to LL Bean (open 24/7/365), and Robyne has been photographed in the fish tank bubble, sliding down the banisters (with permission), on the LL Bean boot outside the main doors, and this year, saying hi to the musk ox we found in the sporting section. Robyne scored a down jacket for $25. I scored some new, smaller jeans and pj's.
This year, both Robyne and I actually did a full day and evening of spinning (I know - shocking!) after visiting the favorites in the vendors' room at the HGI like Heather (Sereknity), Amy King (Spunky Eclectic), Kim Kaslow (The Woolen Rabbit) and others. It seems about half the vendors return annually, and the other half change over, bringing new faces and new items. Amy's corner always seems to be the most active.
The Harraseeket had a small herd of Ladybug wheels in the lobby spinning quietly away, as did the HGI. We met new people, found awesome sheepy slippers, shared wine, cheese, pizza, stories, laughs and friendship. Most of all, we got away from our daily
lives and winter with the most awesome folk in the world - fiber people!
I finished spinning some beautiful ice blue merino/bamboo from the Portland Fiber & Weaving Gallery, and getting it plied. It is destined to become an ear warmer for DD. DD is now a sophomore in college and a music major. She is the tuba section leader for marching and pep bands. The UMO mascot is the black bear, and their colors are sky blue and black. So, the
ice blue will be the MC, with black as the CC, and I will add in a bear paw print and a stencil shape of a Sousaphone(tuba) on the ear warmer.
And the parting photo of this post is the moose who joined us at dinner Saturday night (no, I wasn't drinking, but Robyne was). He was at the Broad Tavern in the Harraseeket Inn - there was lots of character in the tavern, including shotgun shell light strings, canoes hanging from the ceiling, a musket over the mantel, this moose peeking around the column (click for bigger), and tons of other wonderful details and character.
It was an awesome weekend, and it is a great annual tradition.
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