We’re back from the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. We couldn’t have had more beautiful weather for it this year. By the time the festival started, I was exhausted from first preparing to leave for our trip, our recent travels, and then going nonstop to prepare for the festival. I think I could have easily fallen asleep in my chair on Saturday and wasn’t the best at carrying on a conversation in my tired state, but I did my best. I have a picture of Bracken in the backseat on our way back to the hotel that first night, after he had fallen asleep on his hand. That picture pretty much sums up how I felt. We all felt that way, Jeff had been working nonstop to get ready for the festival. We were all a bit more renewed on the second day, after going to bed so early.
We were fully stocked with buttons at the festival and hardly had room for them all in our booth. There were also some great deals to be found in our sale jars. The first morning we were getting the booth ready and then I went to our car to tie some more buttons on cards, while Bracken drew pictures. I told him I’d take him to see the animals soon. After that we brought the cards I’d finished to the booth and I was doing some more things there, and finally Bracken insisted that he was tired of being patient, of hearing the word soon, and that he wanted to go and see the animals already. When you have your own business, it feels like the work is never ending sometimes and it’s hard to walk away from it. Especially as such a small business, when each and every sale we make means so much to our family (and having all the stock we can, and all the buttons tied on cards, feels so important.)
I did step away though, I was happy to visit the animals with my boy. One of the highlights for Bracken was seeing the bunnies being blow-dried. He found it so entertaining and Jeff and I took turns going over there with him to watch again. (Another highlight was the cool rocks he found among the gravel. They looked like agates.) Being surrounded by so much yarn just makes me happy, so yarn is always a highlight of the fiber festivals for me. I saw the best license plate that simply said: Yarn. I loved it. I did some fun yarn trades, which I’m always grateful for. (I have so many projects dancing around in my head and now the trick will be to find more knitting time to fit into my days.)
For Jeff the highlight of the festival was meeting so many kind people and the conversations that went along with that. As much as Bracken loved watching the bunnies, and as happy as it makes me to be surrounded by yarn, the kind people, connections made, and friends seen were definitely the highlight of the festival for us as well. I met a blog reader and when she told me her name I recognized it right away from sweet comments she has left here. I told her how much her comments meant to me. Oftentimes I feel like I’m writing to myself and knowing that these words mean something to someone out there reading them… that means more to me than I can say. So, I hope you all know how much I love and appreciate the comments you leave here filled with so much kindness and support! They lift me up and keep me writing.
Thank You for sharing the photos of the OFFF! We used to go annually. It is FUN and uplifting to be surrounded by so beauty and inspiration. I had also wished I could have met you, this year. You have been an inspiration to me! XX Kris in WA
Thank you Kris! I so appreciate the comments you leave, truly! 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now. I’m from Connecticut. I found your blog through Ginnys. I love to read your blog. I feel that you have a kind soul. Where you live, is gorgeous. Someday I’d like to visit your state. I really love the Gratitude on Sundays, that’s the best.
Thank you Christy! I’m so glad you come here! 🙂
And the end of Oct. we have SAFF in Asheville, N.C. I am so excited to be going again this year! SO much wool and yarn and all things wool related there. I LOVE fiber fairs.
Taryn, I have been enjoying your blog for a long time now! I would love to get out there to meet you all. I am way across the country in Ga. though. But maybe one day. You just never know. You need a few wooly sheep on your little homestead. You would love them. And they really are an easy animal to keep. I have 8 sheep and 2 alpacas and 2 dairy goats. Guess which ones are the hardest to keep? You probably know that answer! Sheep are the best! And just think of all that wool you could spin and knit with! Your pictures are beautiful! Now get some rest girl!
I’d love to meet you too Kris! And I would also love to have sheep. Unfortunately we have no pasture here, but I do hope to someday have sheep. 🙂
I’ve never commented before but have been reading your blog for a long time. It takes me away from my everyday 9 to 5 here in Texas. You are very inspiring. I love seeing the garden, yarn, and buttons. I hope to see your beautiful state one day.
Thanks for saying hello Barbara! I’m grateful that you come here.
I really need to find a festival like this in Michigan! It looks like so much fun!
I love reading your blog and seeing all of your pictures!
Thanks Dana! I’ve been hearing about so many fiber festivals, I’m thinking there must be one near you… 🙂
Dear Taryn, Jeff and Bracken – I too enjoy reading every single blog post of yours and have been for over a year now since I found you on the Web. It is always comforting to read about other people’s lives, but most of all about their little daily joys and rays of sunshine permeating through the at times oh-so-gloomy world. Thank you! And keep inspiring us by pouring out your thought. Katja and girls from Germany
Thank you Katja! That is my intention- to share some light, hope, and inspiration in the midst of a challenging world. 🙂
Well, then I just have to add that I love to read your blog as I get ready to go to sleep each night. And I enjoy seeing how your knitting has progressed.
Thank you Libby! I’m glad it’s been good bedtime reading and I’m looking forward to sharing my next knitting projects. 🙂
I love reading your blog and of course seeing pictures of my great grandson
Thank you Grandma! Love you!!
your last lines made me write a comment today 🙂
I just thought you’d like to know the fact that your blog reaches as far as Austria…
Your blog shines bright in the big www and it inspires me again and again!
Thank you Sonja! Hello from Oregon to Austria! I’ll keep seeking inspiration to share. 🙂