New York Sheep and Wool Festival

It's time once again for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival!   Wahoo!!!!

After working at the festival all day Saturday, DH and I grabbed dinner at the Rhinebeck Brewing Company.  (He's been busy checking out the local brew pubs and craft breweries in the area.   They had some interesting food...and some rather tasty beers.   I even had a beer cocktail with a stout, vodka,  and chocolate.   It was delicious!!!!

On Sunday, at the Misty Mountain Farm booth, the Ashfords were there!   (The Ashfords of Ashford Spinning Wheels and equipment)  It was VERY exciting!  My first working wheel was an Ashford - an Elizabeth.   I LOVE it - it's a very pretty Saxony wheel.  And now I've met the folks responsible for it - how cool is that!  Linda looks right at home with them!


They are both delightful people.  Mr. Ashford can be seen on the left working with an attendee that's trying out one of his wheels....by spinning from a rolag made using his new blending board.  

Mrs. Ashford is showing the finer points of loading the board.

...and extracting the rolag.   

And now for one of my favorite parts of the festival....the sheep and other fiber animals.   I just love how different each breed is...and how full of personality the individual sheep are!