…Bought The T-Shirt!
The theme this year was the changing face of bluegrass, and as such, included a few artists that stretched the definition a bit. Some of it didn’t work for me, most did, as usual. I’ll listen to it all, though my favorite is still traditional Appalachian style old-timey music. There wasn’t much of that this year. Uncle Earl was as close as it got, and they were every bit as good as they were last year.
Other favorites? Crooked Still, with a great lead singer and a cello player (yes, cello!) that will knock your socks off. All the girls seem to like him, too. There was a lot of girly screaming every time he played a solo. Blue Highway, playing more straight-up bluegrass, and with one of the best dobro guys around, Rob Ickes. John Cowan, Darrell Scott, and Pat Flynn, each a great musician, and together they were dynamite. Cowan’s voice will send chills up your spine. The Infamous Stringdusters are a great bluegrass jam band. Mike Dowling is a wonderful acoustic roots-blues guitarist, and was one of my favorites of the festival. Doyle Lawson and his band were polished, as usual.
My personal favorite? This one was a surprise to me. Mike Marshall has never been one of my favorite performers. He plays mandolin, and is one of the best in the business, but his music tends to run a bit experimental for my taste. This time out, he performed with Hamilton de Holanda, a Brazilian bandolim virtuoso. Their music is astounding. I don’t buy many albums any more, as I can listen to pretty much anything I want on Rhapsody, but these two were good enough to warrant buying the CD. Mike also did a solo performance on Sunday of Bach’s Chaconne (yes, Bach on a mandolin) that was terrific.
The festival also provided many hours of uninterrupted knitting time. I saw a couple of other knitters there this year, including Leah, who is knitting Rogue. She was also knitting it in a dark purply yarn, in near dark. I was having trouble just managing socks in stockinette. I didn’t take any photos at the festival; after I lost my binoculars a couple of years ago at Wintergrass, I try not to take anything that might tempt another thief. (You’d think bluegrass fans wouldn’t be pickpockets, but there you have it.)
And the socks, you ask? How much sock can I knit over a four day festival? (Actually, two evenings, Saturday afternoon and evening, and all day Sunday.) I started on Thursday evening just past the gusset on the first sock. Here’s where I finished Sunday night.
Can’t tell from that photo? Here’s another:
I also have been working on the mystery baby project, using some of my closely guarded Cotton Ease stash. I still can’t show a real picture, or it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, now, would it. Here’s a hint:
By the way, Cotton Ease is back on the market, with newer, better colors. Once I use up the stash I have, I might just have to buy more. (Who am I kidding, I probably won’t wait that long!)
And just to tempt your taste buds, here’s the bread I made earlier this week.
It’s white-bread, but with cooked brown rice, polenta, and enough wheat bran to give it a nice chewy texture. It’s already gone, so I need to go make more. I make my bread in the bread machine, but generally bake it in the oven. I’ve finally gotten to the point where I don’t need much of a recipe; I just start with the right proportions of flour and water, then add the other ingredients according to whim. Yum, now I’m hungry.
Oh, and in case you can’t find it, here’s a link to Wintergrass. Yes, I already have my tickets for next year. Did you really need to ask?
I just heard some Uncle Earl songs on the radio this week and liked them. Sounds like a good time overall and your socks look great!
Hmph – better colors? Where’s the black, dammit?!
The festival sounds like a lot of fun! Love the knitting – the sock is so happy. I’ve never tried Cotton Ease – what is it that you like about it?
BTW, I see you’re into the CS Lewis. I grew up on this series, and now get the fun of introducing it to my own kids. I still like to dip into them myself, just for fun. :0)
Lorette, I was just thinking of you today, and wondering if you had a good time – so I’m glad you did! It does sound like a pretty good time.
I like the socks a lot, especially the top part of the cuff.
And whatever the mystery project is, I like the color of the yarn.
I don’t know much about bluegrass music but it sounds like so much fun – listening to great music and knitting. Could the mysterious project be a W*******l W*****y?
I love to make bread with sesame seeds and leftover rice . . . it makes FABULOUS toast because the rice adds extra crunch . . . great with peanut butter, and I don’t even like peanut butter (grin)
I don’t know much about Bluegrass, but I do know Bach. It must have been wonderful on a mandolin. That bread looks fantastic. I’ll have to suggest a mix like that to DH, who does most of the breadbaking around here.
Sounds like a really great time! The knitting looks great, can’t wait to see the rest of the baby surprise. The bread looks yummy too, I so love fresh warm bread. A hurray for the return ofCotton-Ease! I use lots of that down here;) I’ll soon be starting an afghan out of some. Have a great weekend!
I’m very envious of your festival fun! We’re planning on making it to the summer festivals around here.
Sounds like it was a lot of fun. And what cute socks!
Now please quit showing me bread, I’m so hungry!
What delicious bread–my mouth is watering. What a great idea to mix the dough in a breadmaker, then bake it in the oven. I’ve had a number of failures with baking in the breadmaker. I will have to give this another try.
the socks also look delicious!!