Promises, Promises

Sal, Sally, and Willie

So here's the deal... I planned to take Sally on some travels, and actually got as far as going to The Ukebug to buy her a Shakerlele.   (For the backstory on this, check out the last two posts.)  

Once I had my bunny and her shaker ready to go, I realized that I had set quite a challenge for myself. When I traveled with Sal it was just me, the little uke, and a camera or phone.  Easy-peazie.  But now I'd have Sally and her shaker, a camera/phone, AND Willie.  He's a super sweet dog, but he has separation anxiety.  This means getting a dog sitter - or going only where he can go, too.  And then I pictured myself trying to set up and take photos while holding the leash of a dog who would probably be trying to drag me hither and yon to sniff all the strange new smells.

All of these realizations brought me to a stop.  The promised travels didn't happen.  Now, many moons later, I have an idea for a project which I hope to start in January.  Not gonna make any promises now (lesson learned), but please stay tuned...

Preparations for Hitting the Road Continue...

Sally is shaping up.  She's got arms, legs, and ears - but no face yet.  She looks pretty cute anyway, but giving her a face is next on the agenda.

What else does Sally need?  Since it didn't take much yarn to make her, I decided to use what remained to knit a bag to carry her in.  Of course there wasn't enough to complete the bag, so off to Peg's Knit-n-Spin to buy another skein.  The bag is finished, but I have a bunch of yarn left again.  This is how stashes are built...

Sally also needs a musical instrument for when we go to ukulele events.  Sal has retired from traveling and, as you can see from the photo below, is much too big for Sally anyway.  Unfortunately, smaller playable ukes aren't usually made, so what to do?  See if you can get hold of a Nano Uke!  It's smaller, playable, but sadly, there are none available at the moment.  Sally is thinking about getting on the waiting list for one, but perhaps she will be content with a different type of instrument?  A shaker egg, perhaps?  Time will tell...

Where Has Sal Been!?

Sal's last appearance here was in October of 2015, which is a very long time ago.  Time flies!  No worries about our favorite little ukulele, though.  Sal is safe and sound - hanging out with many other ukuleles at my house.  After all of her travels, she deserved a rest, and it doesn't seem like she will be hitting the road in the near future.

Instead of traveling herself, Sal is deputizing a new traveler - Sally the Rabbit.  Since it's the Year of the Rabbit, here's the plan...  First, make a rabbit.  Second, take the rabbit traveling and post the results here.

How far has the plan progressed?  First, I spent many hours searching for a knitting pattern for the perfect adorable rabbit.  PUN ALERT!  Looking for patterns sent me down quite a rabbit hole!  I looked through knitting books from the library, pattern books I already own, Etsy, and Ravelry.

Why don't you just buy a stuffed rabbit toy - or use one of the rabbit puppets you already have, you might be asking.  If you knew me you would laugh at this question. 

After many hours of back and forth between two finalists, this is the pattern I settled on:  Lulu the Little Bunny

And this is what Lulu looks like so far:

Her body, one leg, and her dress are knitted, and her body is stuffed.  Still to go:  head, ears, arms, the other leg, and the headband.  As you can see, it will be a while before Sally hits the road.  Off to do some knitting now!

Sal Is Treated To a Day at Hermes Vineyards

One of the rewards of raising kids is basking in any praise they may receive.  I was able to do this -- and to enjoy a lovely day out -- because my son Christopher is a tutor extraordinaire and an all-around good guy.  He recently helped Mary --  the daughter of our friend Avril -- study for a big exam.  As a result, Avril and Peet, her fiance, treated Christopher, Sal, and I to an afternoon at the Hermes Winery near Sandusky. Why did Sal and I get to go?  Because Avril and Peet are all-around good people, too!

A sunny September Saturday at Hermes Vineyards -- the site of some of Avril and Peet's first dates.  Wine and romance!  What could be better?

The gentleman who poured the wine was happy to pose with Sal.  We were happy to drink the wine!

We spent a couple of hours sharing delicious wine and conversation at this tree-shaded picnic table.  Heavenly...

Sal enjoyed hanging out on a pergola of grape vines. As you can see from the sunspots, it was a beautiful sunny day.

Sal enjoying the beams of the sun while resting on one of the beams of the pergola.

Sal had to get her photo taken on this picturesque old bike.

I don't know why, but I thought it was amusing to have a sign advertising live music in an empty field.  Actually, it would be a wonderful spot to spread a quilt on the ground and listen to music on a warm summer evening.

We spent a couple of stress-reducing hours at the winery, and then went to dinner.  I was so relaxed that I didn't think of taking Sal into the restaurant to get her picture there.  Suffice it to say, the food was delicious and the company was great. Thanks a million to Avril and Peet for treating us to such a beautiful day!  ...and to Christopher for inspiring their generosity! 

Sal Meets the Steel City Ukes at a Very Cool Workshop

Sal and I have been following the Steel City Ukuleles on Meetup for a long time, and have been quite tempted by some of the workshops they offer.  Unfortunately, I work every other Saturday, and it seems that the workshops are always scheduled for days I'm slated to appear at the salt mine.  Also, even though driving to Pittsburgh and back in a day is doable, I always get lost when I go there.  This makes me a bit Pittsburgh-phobic.

The workshop that was being held on August 22nd, however, was irresistible. As members of  The Cleveland Fleaharmonics, Sal and I were very interested in the subject -- arranging and performing as a group.  Also, I had heard great things about the instructors:  Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel.  And there was the chance to spend some time with other ukulele lovers, which is always a good thing.  I was able to trade Saturdays with a coworker so that I could go. Sal and I hitched a ride with Tabitha -- a fellow Fleaharmonic -- and we had a swell day.

Before the workshop, we made an expensive stop at Ikea.  (My rule = if you are in a town with an Ikea, you must go there!)  Then it was off to spend some quality uke time with the Steel City folks!  (We didn't get lost, but there was a terrible traffic jam on the freeway, which made us a bit late.  Fortunately -- or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it -- others had been stuck in traffic too, so the beginning of the workshop was delayed a bit.)

Sarah Maisel, Jack with Sal, and a bunch of other friendly Steel City Ukes members.  What a welcoming bunch!

Sal enjoyed being played by Sunny Park.

Sarah Maisel and Craig Chee with Sal. 

The workshop was wonderful!  Tabitha, Sal, and I all had a great time, and hope to return to Pittsburgh soon! (Too bad the next workshop is being held on a day I have to work!  ARGH!)

Sal Goes to the Park With Sophia

Sal and I spent a September weekend visiting Sophia and her Mommy and Daddy.  We took our friend Bruce along, too.  We hung out at Sophia's house, went on a couple of hikes, and had a tasty breakfast together at the restaurant at the Shawnee State Park Lodge.  (They make great omelets, and Sophia really enjoys the fruit and cheese plate.)

We also spent some time playing and singing Old McDonald Had a Farm and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star as Sophia danced.  She loves music, which makes this grandmother very happy!  The funny thing was that whenever Bruce would pick up the ukulele and begin to play, Sophia would take the instrument away from him and give it to me.  We had quite a few laughs about this. 

Shortly before getting on the road for home, we spread a quilt on the grass by a pretty lake and stream, and had a Sal photo session.

Sophia bringing Sal to me -- hoping for a tune. 

Sophia and Sal making music together.

Sophia watching Bruce play Sal.

Uh-oh!  Here comes Sophia to take Sal away from Bruce....

...and bring her to me!   :)

Soon it was time to hit the road.  It's always sad to say good-bye to some of our favorite people, but I'm hoping it won't be long before we meet again...

Sal Returns to the Pickle Factory

Last year a bunch of Fleaharmonics went to Sechler's Pickle factory on our way home from the Midwest Uke Fest.  Most of us went on the factory tour, and all of us purchased some pickles to take home.  You can read about that visit in this post.

Sal and I love a good tradition, so we -- and most of the other Fleaharmonics -- decided to stop at Sechler's again this year.  Happily, everyone's feet sported proper attire, so we could all go on the factory tour.  The lady behind the counter knew we were return visitors when we came in.  How?  Because she recognized Sal!

Closed toe shoes - check.  Hairnets - check.  The Fleaharmonics are ready to go on the factory tour! 

While waiting for our tour to begin, we stepped into the small pickle museum adjacent to the factory store.  Here are Nicole and Sal posing next to a photo of President Eisenhower -- and a letter from Ike thanking Sechler's for sending him pickles.

Who knew?

Thomas and Sal next to some pickle sheet music.  Methinks we should learn this song for a future visit!

Sal and the pickle-loving Fleaharmonics posing with the giant pickle.  Another tradition!

After purchasing many jars of pickles, we all traveled homeward.   We will enjoy the memories -- and the pickles -- until we return next year!