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I left my heart in Oakland

The title is more accurate than the usual San Francisco based song lyric. Not that I didn’t enjoy SF, but my time in Oakland with the Kristine and Adrienne (and CLEO!) of A Verb for Keeping Warm and my friend Karen Templer definitely left me with a case of the warm fuzzies. And an almost pathological avoidance of my inbox.

I left the day before Halloween to teach two days of Brioche Knitting classes at Interweave Knitting Lab in San Mateo, CA. My classes were delightful! Afterward, I stayed in Oakland for a few days of mini-vacation, exploring San Francisco with K&A: visiting The Presidio to see the Andy Goldsworthy installations, shopping in Japantown, and hunting for treasures at the enormous Alameda Flea and Antique market (where I bought a suh-weet vintage CAST IRON SKILLET, which I toted home in my carry-on suitcase like a crazy lady).

On the way home, I managed to miss my connecting flight through Chicago, so I called my bestie Amanda, and zipped over to her place on the Blue Line train. I got to visit her, her husband Derek, and the lovely Lorna’s Laces yarn studio for about 24 hours before hopping back on another plane. And then I slept. And slept. And slept a little more for good measure. And ate restorative Alabama BBQ.

Here’s a visual travelogue of my adventures and treasures.

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This sums up my California/Chicago travels. Dogs and yarn.

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Spire by Andy Goldsworthy. Epic.

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Goldsworthy installation. We hiked up and down the whole thing and met a little dog in a crocheted sweater, so much fun.

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Flea market finds.

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Shabu shabu dinner with A-day, Kristine, and Mary Jane Mucklestone. Fun dinner!

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Spirit tasting room at St. George Spirits, home of Hangar 1 Vodka. We’re VERY happy.

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Car ride with Cleo.

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Kristine in the Verb dye studio.

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A-day scouring and mordanting some California Pioneer yarn!

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My beloved skillet.

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Sam the dog at the Lorna’s Laces studio.

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Treasures from Verb.

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These sewing books from Kunokiniya were irresistible.

  • http://www.kimwerker.com/ Kim Werker

    Love love love. Looks like you had a magical time!

  • Nan

    Visiting my daughter in San Carlos, CA, in a few weeks, and we will be making our pilgrimage to VFKW! I know there’s something yummy waiting for us there.

  • Beth

    My favorite picture of Sam ever.

  • Jio

    LOVE Andy Goldworthy! Where did you see the installation?

  • http://www.burntobefit.com/ Lillyvette

    I’ve missed your newsies…I just LOVE reading about your adventures and all the wonderful things you’re doing!! Kisses!! xxoo