Rhinebeck Weekend

Because the fleece entries had to be in place for judging on Friday, we entered the fair by Mulberry Street.  I don't think I would have seen this otherwise.  It was an amazing sand sculpture.  I'm not sure if it held up through the rain on Friday evening or not.  On Saturday and Sunday when I was by that entrance there were so many people I didn't happen to see it.  Did any of you notice it?  

After the showers on Friday evening the rest of the weekend was dry.  It was warm and dry...just amazing!!! I had been fretting about the cold and rain that had been predicted.  Just goes to show it doesn't pay to fret!!

The colors were amazing!!!  It was a rhinebeck to remember. 

I was traveling through one of the many building and saw this shawl.  It just happen that Betsy was in the same building...could this be the 2011 Maryland sheep to shawl pattern??

Farm Tour

What a great day we had!!!

 Many thanks to all who helped make this work.  Tom and Liz and Maggie who kept things rolling in the barn, Sue and Hope for skirting fleeces you did a great job, the spinning guild who answered numerous questions about wool and spinning, and Gwen and Debbie our shearer and her mom, I thank you all!!!

I hope that those of you that were visitors also had a great time.

Here is the recipe I promised for the lamb soup.

It is from the Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook.

Hearty Lamb and Barley Soup

1 1/2 pounds of lamb stew, cut into 1 inch cubes( I used bone in stew meat)
1 T. cooking oil.


2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup pearl barley
1 cup chopped onion
1 medium carrot, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large parsnip, cut into 1/2 inch pieces(I didn't have one so i used more carrot)
1-14 1/2 ounce can of Italian style stewed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
5 cups beef broth ( I used vegetable stock)

In a large skillet brown lamb, drain off fat
Place lamb and the rest of the ingredients in crock pot, cover cook on low-heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-5 hours.  Discard bay leaf.  Makes 8 servings.

Now its time to get ready for Rhinebeck!!!  I am fitting sheep and packing the camper.  It looks like a great weekend weather wise (fingers crossed) maybe we'll see you there!!

Don't forget the shop is closed Friday and Saturday.