sheep in the city

Have Clapotis, will travel- Part 3- the big finale!

Day 4: Sunday was a relativly unscheduled day. We wanted to make it to Laguna Beach and that was about it. My mom had wanted to get a macaroon that she had the last time she was here, they are reported to be as big as your fist, now that's a big macaroon! Anyway, on our way there, my dad acted like he was kind of "turned around", not lost mind you, and where did we end up?

The Alamitos Yarn Company! The last time my dad was in L.A. he had stopped in here to pick up a gift for my mom, and he wanted us to see the shop. I'm amazed that they were even open on a Sunday, that's almost unheard of here in Denver. But open they were, so we made a quick run around, found a couple things and we were off. Thanks Dad...again, you are the greatest! Our next destination was Huntington Beach where my dad had a lunch appointment, so we girls were left to our own devices. We ambled down the pier, and ended up at a Mexican restaurant where we sat in the bar area to eat appetizers and knit. Mojito's anyone?

This was probably the most relaxing day of the trip yet because we just kind of drove where we wanted and stopped whenever we felt like it. I'm really bummed that I totally forgot to take a picture of us knitting on the beach...that was one of my main goals, oh well. I can't believe that I forgot! After we left the restaurant we headed to Newport Beach...I kept thinking about different landmarks that I had seen on The OC (yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I watch that show), but I didn't really recognize anything. We then drove over to Balboa Island and walked around some of the cutest shops. It's definitely touristy, but we still managed to find a couple fun things. My dad found these shoes on the sidewalk: Yes, they are knitted shoes by Steve Madden

If want to see a closeup, click here. They were on sale for $10.00, so he bought each of us a pair...doesn't every knitter need knitted shoes? I think so. Probably one of the funnier moments of the day was when we were standing outside a little shop called The Barkery. These two little dogs were coming out the door! When I asked what there names were she said that one of them was named taco-bella! So cute in their little pink outfits! My favorite little shop that we discovered was called, Melange. The owner, Holly Wojahn, was a fascinating lady. She is a painter and she sells her art out of her shop, but also has a lot of fun French imports because she has an apartment in Paris and spends a lot of her time living over there! Wow, what a life! That is a dream of mine to be able to suppport myself with the art that I create and live in Paris. Someday. It's going to happen someday. After we left Balboa Island we headed back to the city to have dinner with the bride and grooms parents, and then to the hotel to pack. What an amazing trip.

Day 5: The flight home, which could have been fairly routine, was much more enjoyable because my dad upgraded the three of us to first class! Yeah, it's much better up there. They had served me hot nuts (not in a bag, but in an actual little ceramic cup!) and a soda before we even took off! My mom and I were together so we made much progress on our Clapotis. By trips end, here is what mine looked like, no dropped stitches yet:

And here is my Mom's and RayLynn's progress. (click names to view) The idea of all knitting the same project really ended up being a good idea. We were all able to help each other out if we needed to, and plus it was just fun to be knitting the same thing, a bonding experience...I highly recommend it to any of you traveling with other knitters in the future.

Here we are, posing for one last picture at DIA looking a little travel weary. But it's good to be back in Denver...it had snowed while we were away and the air as soon as you walked off of the plane was so cold. My little red sweatshirt (insert Adam Sandler singing "Red hooded sweatshirt" here) that I was wearing just wasn't cutting it as a winter coat. Goodbye California sunshine, hello Denver cold and snow. Oh well, I'll keep the cold and snow and affordable rent and they can keep their ocean view and tiny apartments. (which is where I would have to live if I lived in CA!)

Now for the loot, I really didn't do too bad, I definitly saw more than I bought and that's a good thing. I really feel like I showed alot of restraint.

•Big green Frida knitting bag that my dad bought for me at Wildfiber
•Discontinued Noro Kureyon from La Knitterie Parisian in color number 39, dye lot C...it's yummy stuff! Pinks, greens, a little orange, brown, and turquoise. Fun, fun!
•2 skeins of Koigu, one solid pink skein and one bright varigated skein, click for a closeup.
•1 ball of sugar and cream yarn in a pink and orange color
•Eiffel tower zippered bag to put my knitting notions in because I always need more little zippered bags! Right, mom?
•My blue knitted shoes
•fun purple and green stitchmarkers and a Paris snow globe
Lots of fun stuff...but an even better trip with lots of good memories! Thanks mom and dad and RayLynn for making this trip so much fun!!