This Old House. And barn.

 Yesterday, I got a call from the caretaker at Cloudland Station. It's about 12 miles North of me on 193. A beautiful gated community where the homes are built like they were from a hundred years ago. I don't think they use power tools. They were having an open house this weekend. The reason he called was he heard I sold honey. I told him I had bees but don't sell the honey yet. We got to talking about other things which led to goats and goat milk soap and he asked me if I'd like to come set up at the open house? Well yes please, I'd love to! He said there was no vendor fee. Another yes! And the location is amazing! Another yes. And it's from 12-6. BIG YES! ( I love spur of the moment things like this. No time to think about it. Just do it.)

So that gave me plenty of time to get home from Mrs. T's. I had to stay til 6. Got home, wrapped the rest of my soap. Got everything packed up and ready to go. Got it all loaded up this morning with plenty of time to get there and set up. And I made a LOT of money! So I am going back tomorrow. My daughters are going to take care of my booth til I can get there about 3:30.

It was so much fun! Met lots of great people. So many from out of town. Lots of people have built homes there and come up for weekends or vacations.

The vendors were in the old 1800's barn. They bought this barn from somewhere in Pennsylvania and had it taken apart and brought here. They have weddings and other things in the barn. There was a wedding here last night. It's beautiful.

My booth is right at the door to the right. I have a really good spot. People came in through this door and a back door, right past me both ways. The smell of the soaps lured them in!

                                                This is inside, looking up. I love these lights.    

                                   From upstairs. There were several other vendors in here too.

      Not sure what this used to be, but now it's the bridal house. I love it. It's a little back behind and to the side of the barn, which is to the left here. There were bands playing during the open house.

And this house. Oh my goodness. It's so cute! This Old House, from the PBS show, came and built this house. I want to live in this house. I love every little thing about it. And the doors are all bright green! Loved it. But it was already sold. I wonder for how much?

I had such a good time today. Can't wait to go back. I sold a lot of soap. And lotion bars. And I sold a hat! My first hat I ever sold. It was from a pattern I got from Taproot magazine. I have to make more now. I also sold a lot of my salves too. So fun! I love good shows like this.

I hope you all are having a good weekend!

Knitting with the bees.

 Thank you all for the prayers and your kind words. I know her family will appreciate your prayers so much. It's still like a dream. I think everyone out here is still in shock. It's horrible. The local news did a story tonight about Mindy and the wonderful work she's done with handicapped children. I forgot to write about that. She  has horses and is a occupational  therapist. She started having children come to her ranch and ride her horses. So many children have been helped by Mindy. She just loved helping people. And her work will go on, with the help of her husband and friends now. She will be missed.

What's strange is the past few days have been really nice here. But not a single bike rider has been out here since this happened. Not a single one.

This afternoon, I sat out on the studio porch with a nice hot cup of mint tea and honey. I had lots of visitors! I had to rescue several that took a dive in the tea. They were all over me and everywhere! I love my bees. I had to drink the tea fast to keep any more from diving in and possibly stinging me accidentally.

Several landed on my hands while I knit. I finally got a good shot here. I love this picture. It's now my FB header.

I finished the neck ribbing finally. I have it on the table, blocking it before I do the front ribbing. The bottom was really tight and not quite as big around as I'd like it to be. I like sweaters to be big.  I really like this sweater so far. Although I wish I had knit the arms a bit longer. They are 3/4 length.

So hopefully it'll be dry by morning and I can take it with me to Mrs. T's to finish it. Well, maybe not finish it yet. I still want to add pockets to it.

Mindy

Yesterday, I wrote about a bike rider killed not too far from here. I just assumed it one of the many bike riders that ride down out road all the time. I found out later last night it was my friend Mindy. She was my bike riding partner when I first got my bike last Spring. She lives up the road from me about a mile. My husband was sitting outside yesterday about 3 when he saw 2 people riding side by side heading North. He said it looked like 1 bike, they were pedaling just alike together. Talking and laughing.

Mindy had gone to Bible study and it had just let out. So her and her daughter Jessie headed out for a bike ride. I do not know why they went all the way down W. Cove Rd. and got on 193 heading North. They were right at Prospect Rd. when a guy turned into the road and hit Mindy. Knocked her so hard she was airborne. Said he never saw her. Jessie saw the whole thing. If they had just been 10 seconds sooner or later, it would not have happened.

So there is an investigation. They are doing an autopsy and her body will be released Saturday. Funeral will be Sunday.

I am still in shock. She is the sweetest lady. Just so gentle and nice and patient. A little younger than me. Such a good friend. And neighbor. Her and her husband Bobby came a few years back when my husband was so bad off and brought us some fresh deer meat he'd just killed. Mindy had just sent me a text a few days ago asking us to come to their place for a Sunday afternoon church get together.

I just don't understand this. We are not promised our next breath. Or hour. Or day. I know she was prepared. Her heart was right. I know where she is right now. But I still don't understand how something so horrible could happen. Just like that. Here one minute. Gone the next. This world has lost an angel.

I'm going to plant some forsythia bushes along my driveway for her. They were her favorite spring flowers. She called them "ForMindya" bushes.

And I am going to sell my bike.