Mexico...

... on my mind. That's what it must be!
It is my birthday this month so I thought I would buy myself an early birthday gift.
It arrived today. Just in time to be my companion while lying under a shady tree to avoid the second blast of heat that has drifted over us.


Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress--- Frida's Wardrobe--- Fashion from the Museo Frida Kahlo


I have yet to read a word. I quickly did a little flip through and lost my breath. From what I understand, on the day of her death Diego insisted that Frida's closet be sealed for 50 years. Once opened in 2004 every item was lovingly restored and catalogued.


From amazon.com--- "Now, for the first time, 95 original and beautifully staged photographs of Kahlo's newly restored clothing are paired with historic photos of the artist wearing them and her paintings in which the garments appear. Frida's life and style were an integral part of her art, and she is long overdue for recognition as a fashion icon. "

Oh, all of her rebozos!
I was fortunate enough to tour Frida's home in Coyoacan the last time we visited fantastically, dizzying Mexico City.


I could not help but cry as I moved from room to room. The beauty and passion and pain of her life could still be felt.


This is my cotton rebozo. I picked it up in a market on an adventure in Oaxaca. I was tickled to see one almost like it in the tiny gift shop at Frida's Museum. A little bit of Frida lives with me in The County.... sigh.


Now, where is that cool breeze?

Sometimes...

... I am like a dog with a bone!
I'll let you know right up front there is no knit content in the post.... just a gnawing ache I must share.
You'll need some background to get up to speed...
I spent a good chunk of last November in Morocco. It was my first time there and I must admit the whole adventure was truly dizzying. The saturated colours, the fragrant spices, the constant push of the souks, the thick scent of Jasmine all had me reeling as if in a dream. After "roughing it" for two weeks, we splurged on an incredible riad (bed and breakfast) located in the Medina section of Marrakesh for our last four nights...

Click here to view these pictures larger

I am hell bent in creating the "feel" I experienced during our stay. Open air... lounge-y daybed... sumptuous textiles... mint tea...
Where do I want my "riad" to be? On our relatively narrow side porch overlooking the garden.
However, I must keep in mind the following:

• I live in an 1860's Ontario Gothic farmhouse.
• "Outdoor living" is from June until September.
• Mosquitoes also enjoy "outdoor living" until the end of July.
• My budget-- as usual-- is shoe-string at best.

Yes... lots of thinking... hmmmmm... back to my knitting... more thinking... often the thinking is easier... ;-)

X is for...

... Oaxaca, Mexico!
Yes, I am still jonesing over this fantastic and inspiring paradise!

I'm plotting and formulating.... hmmmm...
my wabi sabi oaxacan life?

U and V are for...

... an unbelievable vacation!

Oaxaca, Mexico...

for Dias de los Muertos.

With candlelit altars...

colourful carvings...
happy chocolate cake with hot chocolate chasers...

at a favourite cafe...

a wonderful face from the past...

a wonderful face for the future...natural dyed wools...

perfect Margaritas....

tasty Chapulines.... fried grasshoppers with chili, salt and lime. Really... tasty!!

and everything scented with Marigolds.

I will never enjoy this citrusy scent again without thinking of Oaxaca..... ahhhhhhhhhhh.....

R is for...

... Rhinebeck and the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival!

Some of you may have noticed a noticeable gap between the letters "Q" and "S". I was mulling the feasibility of a virgin Rhinebeck Pilgrimage and thought it would be the perfect "R" if it was realized. Well, mulling became map routing, then room booking, and some day/timer shifting and before we knew it Skeeter was in the truck itching to go!

I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Sheep? Yes. Wool? Yes. Everything else? NO! I was so creatively overloaded by the sights, sounds and smells I am still processing as I type. And, I have a shocking confession.... I bought absolutely nothing.... nada... niente... zilch! There was so much choice my synapses misfired and I simply shut down!!!

What I did take away from Rhinebeck were perfect colours...

perfect faces...

and perfect moments...

I have already started plotting my next Rhinebeck visit. Yes, there will be a next time... this trip was to wet my toes in the Rhinebeck Experience.

My next adventure will start with a vehicle full of fiberlicious females, a "chick music" play list on my Ipod, and a fantastic selection of Merlot and Pinot Noir for the end of each day...

Oh, FYI....Top 2 knit sightings were:

Eunny Jang's Tangled Yoke Cardigan

Pamela Wynn's February Lady Sweater

Both have been on my To-Do List since they appeared from the creative ether where inspiring designs lay in wait. Ahhhhh, so many knits......

P is for...

... Paris!

Paris has the most inspiring places for the dead...

and the living...

Yarny...

... thrills of London in snapshots!

South Bank-- fanciful crocheted creatures of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef.

Loop-- pretty as the pictures.

The Good Yarn Stall-- a passionate Spitalfield's Market find.

I Knit London-- emergency knitting needle purchase-- Knit Picks' Harmony circular... I think I could knit everything in a solid neutral for the rest of my life if I were allowed the joy of watching the coloured wood of theses needles dance with the yarn.... swoon....

Yes, I dared to cross an ocean without yarn, needles or any other knitting paraphernalia.

I thought I could take time off from active knitting to enjoy just the thoughts of it.

W-R-O-N-G!

Liberty of London-- did someone say "sale"?

50 Canadian dollars for 10 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed in a heart pounding shade of red... Orient. How could I walk away?

Knitting silvery silk through "The Chunnel" speeding towards Paris....

M is for...

... macarons! French macarons!!!

Not those North American chewy, desiccated coconut concoctions. Those are coconut macaroons. Not that there is anything wrong with them.

But these are magically, marvelous, melt in the mouth morsels.

Imagine, if you can, two delicate meringues embracing a luscious schmear of chocolate ganache or raspberry cream or pistachio cream or... or... or...

My personal favourite? Chocolate. Dark chocolate... Chocolat Noir Amer!!

I can't believe I lived until June 23rd, 2008 oblivious to the existence of these lovelies!!!

Merci, Paris!

Now I have two lofty goals for 2008: master the invisible zipper... and the French macaron!

L is for...

... London! Lovely... luscious... lilting... lively... London.