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Nangellini’s in Philadelphia

| Verónica

As many knitters do, I like to buy yarn from places I visit. More than a postcard, it helps me remember a certain place. When possible, I buy local – fibers from local farms, hand-spun, locally-dyed yarns. In a short Sunday afternoon, I made a beeline to Nangellini’s on the hip and quirky South Street in Philly. These are my souvenirs.

Super Something Hand Spun, by Nancy’s Custom Spinning (that would be Nancy, the owner). Made from strands of Merino and a Merino, Mohair, Silk combo plied together; 90 yards, 146 grams, 5.14 ounces. Nancy has a special bartering arrangement with a local dyer. Nancy spins, the dyer dyes and they each keep half of the fiber.

Nangellini’s Best.Batts.Ever are made from fine fibers including Merino, Mohair and Silk with a little Firestar for that hint of sparkle.

This is Nancy, owner, spinner, knitter and overall cool person. She explained that “Nangellini” was a childhood endearment her father used for her. When I asked if I could snap a photo, she agreed and grabbed that skein of hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn for the occasion. (I almost bought that skein). If I lived in Philly, my needles and I would hang out at Nangellini’s.

My memories of Philadelphia will include Independence Hall where the Constitution of the United States was signed, the Liberty Bell with its famous crack, workshops on leadership at the Wharton School at UPenn, a visit to Gettysburg, and yarn from Nangellini’s.

Super Sweet Blogging Award

| Verónica

Such sweetness! Agujas was nominated for the Super Sweet Blogging Award. My teeth hurt just from looking at all that sugar! A HUGE thanks goes to Knitting Revolution for sharing this award with Agujas.

In accordance with the rules, I will answer these five questions:

  1. Cookies or cake? Cake, definitely cake. I love German Chocolate cake, Coconut cake, Italian Creme cake. Cake, cake, cake!
  2. Chocolate or vanilla? It has to be smooth, creamy vanilla. Did you know vanilla comes from an orchid?
  3. Favourite sweet treat? Easy. Cold, sweet ice cream.
  4. When do you crave sweet things the most? Late at night.
  5. If you had a sweet nickname what would it be? Caramelo (in Spanish).

{Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

I am also delighted to nominate twelve sweet blogs for this award:

  1. Modflowers
  2. G-Ma Ellen’s Crochet Corner
  3. warmhotchocolate
  4. Serena Olivieri
  5. Roootreee Blog
  6. gone-rustic
  7. Now I’m Home
  8. belle cherie handmade
  9. Georgina Giles
  10. The {Tiny} Times
  11. The Middlest Sister
  12. Sugar and Cloth

Now all I need is a glass of milk!

Our Honeymoon in China

| Verónica

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.  — Mark Twain

Walking ten thousand steps is better than reading ten thousand scrolls.
— Chinese Proverb

Our Honeymoon

One dream became reality followed quickly by another.  Our first dream turned into the happiest day of our lives on our wedding day. We then embarked on a trip of a lifetime to China.  This is a collection of images from that dream-like journey east.

Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai

The Yuyuan Garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty.  It covers approximately five acres with winding paths, pavilions, rocks, and water elements.

The Streets of Old Shanghai

Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai

Pudong District

The futuristic skyline of the Pudong District with the Oriental Pearl Tower at its center. We took in the view from the observation deck at night.

Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. The first picture is one of the ship locks. The water levels are controlled to raise and lower ships passing from one side of the dam to the other.

Yangtze River

Cruising along the Yangtze River through Xiling, the longest of the Three Gorges. We cruised past Goddess Peak along the Wu Gorge. Notice the lone figure standing at the top of the cliff in the second picture, hence the name. At several intervals, we could see coal being extracted from the mountains. The “mist” which gives the mountains an ethereal look is mostly pollution.

We saw farmers plowing along the mountainsides close to the water. We were told that entire villages had been transferred from one side of the river to the other ahead of the rising waters upon completion of the dam. Entire cities would be under water, like sunken ships in the depths. Brand new bustling cities were built to replace the old towns and villages.

Hanging Coffins of the Ba People

You can just glimpse the coffin of petrified wood on the ledge. How did they get the coffins there? It’s a straight drop on the face of the cliff.

Giant Panda Bear at Chongqing Zoo

Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an

Delicacies at the Beijing Night Market

Inside the Forbidden City in Beijing