Just Right

One of my book club besties decided to host our meeting in the middle of the day, at her backyard pool. She sent the hubby off with the kids (after he grilled up our turkey burgers), and those of us that could get away enjoyed a fabulous lunch (followed by some fancy snow-cones) and a few hours lounging by and in the pool.

Now, I'm sitting at my desk, smelling of sunscreen, my hair in soft waves down my back, dreaming I'm still there.

It was just exactly what I needed. Thanks a million, 'Chelle!

Happy Birthday, Fabulous Fibers!

Fab Fibers* is the knit/crochet/spin/other fiber addiction group I attend most every Thursday. I say "most", because I do miss it sometimes.
For instance, last week, I was in Idaho. Just as the rest of the Fab Fibers gals were gathering over at B&N (on the Parkway in Orem), I was sitting down to a post-wedding dinner, far away in Lava Hot Springs.
I've also, sometimes, somehow, usually because I've gotten distracted by my latest Netflix delivery, managed to forget it's Thursday. I usually remember somewhere around 9pm, as they're breaking it up to go home. Then I'm sad, that I sat there, knitting or crocheting alone, in the dark, watching a movie. (Not that I don't like watching movies alone, because I do. I'm just sad to have missed my girlfriends.)

Last night, there was just me, Amanda (our founder) and Megan. I worked on a baby gift (nottellingyouwhat). Amanda worked on this seriously cool, skinny, green scarf she's knitting for a friend. Megan worked on a black and red intarsia-knit scarf, also for a friend. We're very charitable, no? Seems like half of what I do isn't for myself. Except recently, what with the Ami thing I'm doing.
Anyway, we knitted (weird - all of us were knitting...), talked, laughed. Talked about feminine products. That's Amanda's fault - she asked if either of us went to the Smith's in Orem. I do, but, only because it's the one place in Provo/Orem that carries Instead. Having said that, the product had to be explained. (I converted back in '92, or maybe it was '93 - whenever it first came out, with boxes of 6 for $1 so you'd try it. I tried it, and I'll never go back. Seriously.) Megan uses Diva, a reusable version of the same type. That had to be explained. And drawn on a napkin (we meet in the cafe, 7pm, every Thursday - you should come). I'm sure the couple next to us enjoyed overhearing that discussion.
(Well? What do you expect? A group of women, left to their own devices...)

Ahem.

So, as it was FF's birthday, we decided we'd go out after, celebrate a little. Went over to Mimi's, just across the parking lot. (Not my restaurant-of-choice.) We walked in around 9:45 (they close at 10 M-Th). Then took forever deciding what to have. Nate, our waiter, was very nice, friendly and patient. I had the French Toast Breakfast. Not bad, just not impressed enough to want to have it again. I don't know what it is about that place. Something just isn't quite...I don't know. BUT, they have this amazing Pomenade - pomegranate lemonade (the word Pomenade had us thinking "I don't want FOP, I'm a Dapper Dan man" (O Brother), and someone with slicked-back hair walking with a pompous aire). Also, Berry Pom Lemonade - Lemonade with a berry-pomegranate nectar. I had that. Yummm. We eat, drink, and compare freckles.

We're all fair-skinned, dark haired, and freckled. Megan and I have similar freckle-patterning on our forearms. All three of us have at least one freckle on our palm.

After, we stood around in the parking lot talking for a while.
Amanda is single, too, and asks me if I know someone she met in a mid-singles ward. Someone who is about 32 or so. I say that's a bit young for me. Megan suddenly says she's so crushed, she's too young to date me (she's 25). This has all of us laughing. Megan's boyfriend calls just then, and she tells him how sad she is that she's too young to date me. He tells her I'm a snob, too picky. Amanda is giving me a weird look.
Megan, sweetie, I love you, but...well...you've got a boyfriend, and I wish I had a boyfriend...and...I guess, you're just not my type?
This morning, it was hard to wake myself up. Like I'd just had too much fun, and enjoyed my friends so much, that going back to regular, boring, normal life just wasn't the thing.

I love Fab Fibers.

Next week, I'll be at the Storytelling Festival, so I won't get to sit and knit/crochet with my friends, and enjoy the cryptic and rambling conversation. But, you know, Bil Lepp. I mean, is there really a choice? I think not.
Speaking of, if you are looking for something to do Labor Day weekend, you should come. The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is one of the very best. And we've got Bil Lepp this year.

I wish we could have him every year. We laugh so hard, sometimes it's hard to breath. Okay, it's always that way with Bil. Vampire Santa, Punching the Lard...oh, dear, my ribs are starting to hurt. I don't even have to hear the whole story, just the title, and I remember, and I'm off.

*Fab Fibers needs a logo. Anyone?

quick getaway

I ran away for a last-minute retreat with my good friend (and somewhat sister) this past weekend. I had a certificate for a free night at Zermatt up in Midway, and since it was about to expire, I thought I'd better get myself up there PDQ.

We stopped at Seasons of Home and Everything In The Barn before checking in. This town closes up early, and we didn't want to miss out. We found some cute stuff, and skipped up to the resort quick so we wouldn't be late for our spa appointments.

The room was lovely

the bathroom was spacious

the view was tranquil (we saw a badger on this hillside - for reals!)

and the weekend was just right.

I had the pedicure, she had a facial. I did a little knitting while I relaxed in the massage chair.

For dinner, we headed over to Heber and got ourselves Train Burgers (Have YOU been hit by a Trainburger lately?) at the Dairy Keen, followed by the best shakes ever (a bit delayed, they lost the shake orders, we had to wait, so we got coupons for $2 off next time - bonus).

Once back in our room, we changed into our bathing suits and headed for the jacuzzi. A relaxing 1/2 hour in there, a few laps in the refreshingly cool outdoor pool, and we were ready to wind it down for the night.

We somehow slept in, missing the chance to have an early morning swim or steam-room session. Ah, well, that's what a getaway is for, right? We got ourselves ready to face the day, packed up our stuff, and checked out just before 11am.

But on the way to the car, we were distracted.

They had this uber-cool chess game set-up out in front.

After stowing our stuff in the car, we raced back over, wishing we had something just like it at home. We soon discovered that the little playhouse where they stored the pieces

also contained checkers! (good thing, as neither of us knows how to play chess, and we were considering just having a game of checkers using chess pieces, which could have looked...odd.)

We quickly set up for a game and made our first couple of moves

I then proceeded to beat the pants off her (I'm playing white)

I did a little victory dance (not really), and then we replaced the chess pieces, ready for the next victims.

They also had an 18 hole mini-golf course nearby, but by that time, we'd had enough of the heat and were ready to get into town, step into something with air conditioning.

A little window-shopping in town (literally, since the shops were closed), then over to Park City, admire the stuff in Whimsy, and head for her place in Fruit Heights. (we picked up Panda for dinner - yum!)

It was nice to extend my break a little, relaxing at her house and talking. We also threw together the pillowcases from Seasons of Home (her kit was for her son). As soon as I was home, I slipped it on my pillow, ready to settle in for a good read before bed.

We had such a great time!