a Gaspereau Valley afternoon

 

Company this weekend.

That meant that Wally and I had a chance to get out.

 



It was Wally's idea to head over to the Gaspereau Valley.

That suited me just fine because I love to take everybody who comes to visit over to

the Gaspereau Valley Fibre Shop, a glorious wool shop in a barn.

 

First to greet us was this friendly sheep who came over to say hello.

 

Then the chickens wandered over

This gorgeous rooster decided to do the hokey-pokey for us:

"You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out,

you put your right foot in and you shake it all about."

The chickens have taken a hen-pecking, or rather, a rooster pecking.

Oh those ardent roosters.

One of the rustic out buildings as we approach the front door.

 

the homey interior

 

one of dozens of lovely vignettes

 

the sweet shop cat woken from her nap

 

Then it was off to a farm where we can get free range chicken eggs.

As we drove along the Gaspereau River, we stopped at a cow path

 to take a picture of this crazy, makeshift bridge.

I left the group at the shop where one leaves their money on the honour system -love it-

and headed back down the road to visit the animals. As I walked, a horse came towards me.

 

I was so charmed to be greeted by this friendly white stallion.

Such a wonderful, gentle spirit.

I felt silly to be frightened, so unused am I to being so close to such a large animal.

I was happy to challenge myself by staying with him, brushing the flies from his eyes, patting his soft muzzle, and talking gently to him. They say a horse knows. It always feels like an honour to be accepted by a noble beast such as he.

I had no treats so the group became somewhat bored with me, but not enough to actually leave.

Here the miniature horse, the donkey and the horse make an equine totem pole as they graze.

 

The donkey was the least interested, but oh such a handsome fellow.

 

The miniature horse (I believe she was a mare) was somewhat shy with me, but curious too.

 She was very loving and got kisses from the stallion.

 

I was somewhat sorry to leave this bucolic scene.

 

In parting I leave you with some giant rose hips

 

the interior of a wild rose

 

and a wild rose tapestry

 

Again the time is moving along. Half way through the month and we're finally getting some of that cooler weather and frost warnings that the rest of Canada seems to be getting. Already, there has been major snow in Alberta. Certainly a big difference from last year's hot hot hot.

 

There is a poignancy, and tendersweet bass tone to the depth of early autumn that resonates for me.

I wish you the abundance and depth of spirit that autumn brings.

 

Back to the Gaspereau Valley Fibre Shop

Just when I was on a roll, my dear techie left me to return to "the scene of the crime"- our storage unit in Muskoka where we left some of my most precious things: my art supplies and portfolios and sketchbooks of years gone past.

So to soften the blow of being on my own for a week, I dropped him at work one day before he left and headed back to the Gaspereau Valley Fibre Shop for their Thursday afternoon drop-in where I would get the guidance I needed to started the hat project that Wally chose for me.

 

Lucky for me, it was one of those quintessential autumn days when the valley was laid in patchwork.

 

 

The romance of working in this old barn was not lost on me.

 

 

 This wickedly handsome sock was modelled by the person for whom it was being made.

 

 

Another lovely piece of work modelled by its maker.

 

 



And another, who wears the intricately patterned cardigan that she knitted while she works on an amazing hat that is no less rife with pattern.

 

 

And finally, my humble first attempt at a hat, made from "kitchen sink" fibre from New Brunswick, which is so much fun to work with , having so much personality.

 

 

I realize that last time I suggested that there would be pictures of the sheep and llamas, but they were nowhere to be seen.  I expect that I will see them again one day and share pictures with you on that occasion.

 

There will be a series of catch-up posts coming up shortly which will show how happily productive I was while Wally was away. Til then,

 

may you find joy in every moment for it is a precious time indeed.

 



 

 

escape to the Gaspereau Valley

A good Tuesday morning to you from an even warmer but light rainy day here in Kentville. Glad to have taken advantage of yesterday's sunshine to hang 2 loads of washing in the blowy gusts, watering my 2 potted plants that needed the weight as well to keep them from blowing over.

 

As promised more of our splendid Saturday afternoon out.

After 3 recommendations, we made our way over to Gaspereau Valley Fibres Farm Wool Shop.

Three barns and a grey farmhouse set in the picturesque valley of vineyards and apple orchards.

 

 

 

The chickens so sleepy in the afternoon sun that they barely glance at me before nodding off again.

 

 

When we enterred the first old barn, the blanket of warmth from the wood stove wrapped us in

the same heat that put this mellow kitty to sleep in a basket of yarn. 

 

 

 

The old wooden floors and generous cupboards and large mullioned windows created a most welcoming atmosphere.

 

All around were samples of knitting and felting.

 

I find it astounding that someone could make something so intricate and ethereal.

 

I love workspaces, even this sales desk which constitutes one. Don't you love the funky clothespin notekeeper that hangs from the chalkboard? 

 

How quickly the time flew. The chickens were awake now. In the meadow the sheep and llamas were milling about, a touch too far for my camera to capture. But next time....

 

 

 a peaceful path to this moment