Journal to a Muse

Thanksgiving in the Hill Country

I am fortunate to have had time and means to travel over the Thanksgiving weekend. DD flew in from the East Coast. We had a traditional turkey dinner at a local eatery before watching all of the pre-Macy's day parade tape and knitting. In the morning, she and DH and I drove to The Hill Country.

There is a lot of Texas that is NOT built up: that has mesquite trees, unidentified flame bushes, cows, sheep, goats and roosters. We went through a town called Hico, that apparently claims Wild Bill Hickock as their favorite son.

Crazy Aunt Purl told us to be sure to go to The Hill Country Cafe.
We went Saturday morning, which meant pie was kind of out of the question, but if the cinnamon roll is anything by which to judge... we'll make the 400 mile round trip for the pie. SOON. Mmmmm. Southern breakfast: Bacon, eggs, grits, biscuits.... heartstopping! (but in a good way.)

Then we headed for the Kerrvill Arts Center. Here's the Big Boy Toy parked next to us:











We saw gorgeous handmade furniture at the Kerville Community Arts Center. DH said he thought he was too much of an amateur even to be inspired. I think he was being modest. He knew exactly why the prize winners won, and knew how to point out flaws that I would never have noticed. And the pieces he's already made were as good (if not quite as BIG) as any in the show. Nothing like a smooth finish to please the senses. I might learn to do inlaid veneer (marquetry) or turned bowls... or just continue to knit!

There was a nicely crafted, but not-very-appealing MARTHA pancho in the gift shop! It didn't help that it was hanging out next to two other very synthetic, pastel panchos.

In the gap between the furniture and the knitting, there must be an essay to write about essay what distinguishes craftsmanship from crafts.

I must say that all tha driving and riding allowed for lots of progress on my Lion Brand Suede gift yarn scarf... It FEELS divine, even if it is synthetic! Photos to come when I'm finished.

A storefront in Fredericksburg


Before we left Fredericksburg (which has an old fashioned "main street" with oodles of galleries,
stuff-stores, and Texana), we went to Garden Spirits, one of my favorite Art-Craft Galleries that imports folk art from many Central and South American Countries. I managed NOT to get my wallet out this year, as nothing was a must-have.






I am a bit sad I didn't buy Ms. Henfeathers, though.










Just as well, because before returning, we stopped by Stonehill! What a charming yarn store! Well, actually they are big on spinning, rug hooking and all sorts of things besides "just" yarn. I might have deserved a commission because of how enthusiastic I was about felted hats... A customer dragged her husband back in to buy hat making supplies after he'd been patient while she bought baby sweater supplies.
and.... I am now equipped with everything I need to do needle felting. I've started a sculpted animal (it has 4 legs and a snout, but I can't tell if he's going to be a pig or a sheep... yet!
I made a felted heart with flowers on it! Whee!

In general, traffic was light and people were friendly: even the ones in camo jackets and caps. I was a bit sad though, because the weekend after Thanksgiving is open season on deer.

Thank goodness there was no shooting in the suburbs!





Only 2 more radiation treatments!
That makes it easier to be in the holiday spirit