For a Good Time...

L to R: Marjorie, Steph, Vickie, Tina (in front)

Our Grown-Up Slumber Party rocked!

So much laughter. So much talent.

New friends & adventures, midnight spinning,

savoring chocolate & chai,

hot tubbing under a starry sky, 

gorgeous handspun yarns,

and....

Daisy Lamont Natural Soap Company!

(Website coming soon)

The ever-generous Vickie surprised our

out-of-town special guest by bringing

all the fixin's so Tina could make her very own,

individual, signature scented

"Sugar Mama Emulsified Scrub."

Ok, I made a scrub too. 

 Petitgrain & Myrtle (above.)

It made the kitchen smell

like a divine woodland.

Thank you Daisy Lamont.

Wait, what about all the yarn, you ask?

Get ready because the show is about to begin:

This is one of the many new, irresistable,

hand dyed yarns offered by Tina Martinez

through her company, Bittersweet. 

When I leaned in for a closer look at Tina's goodies,

this oceany light turquoise, 80-20 merino-silk blend

jumped into my hands. Darn my luck!
Lace shawlette pattern suggestions, any one?

Next up: meet the incredibly sweet, energetic, 

funny, artistic Renee!

When I need joyful spinning

I reach for SpunRightRound art batts (above.)
They're a party unto themselves!

So, wasn't I lucky this weekend to spin up
SRR batts while sitting right next to Renee?!

Double the joy and happiness.

There's yet another fabulous woman to meet:
genuine, heart-of-gold, quick witted,
compassionate, talented Stephanie VanHamlin 
of Valley Spun.

 

Because I spun up my only remaining
Valley Spun batt this weekend (below,)

I simply had to order another one (above.)

Stephanie's sumptuous fibers are
the epitome of richness, sparkle and magic.

Spinning any of her batts is a voyage into
a fantastical land of mystery, surprise and delight.

Some of the sparkle I spun up Friday night. In person, a soft

purple shows against the gray and white. It's lovely.

Making good on Friday's promise, here's the

"company-worthy" recipe:

 French Toast Casserole

1 loaf unsliced cinnamon bread

5 large eggs plus 3 yolks

3 cups milk

1 cup half and half

5 Tbsp. B&B liquer (optional)

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 cup melted butter

Confectioners' sugar

~    ~    ~    ~    ~

 Lightly butter 2- 9" baking dishes.

Cut and discard bread ends,

then cut the remaining loaf into 8 equal slices.

Arrange 4 on the bottom of each dish.

Whisk eggs & yolks, then whisk in the milk,
half and half, B&B, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Pour evenly over the bread.

Cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, remove foil and drizzle

with the melted butter.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees

for 55-60 minutes, until

golden brown and the custard is set. 

Dust with sugar and serve immediately. 

Make this. You won't be disappointed.

 

Steph got behind the lens so I could say hello! (center)

 I spun so much fiber this weekend that by Sunday

my head might have been spinning more than my wheel.
Being with these talented girls for 3 days straight was

a BLAST! Reconnecting with Tina was wonderful,

especially after not having seen her since

her annual August spinning retreat, WOOL.

Thanks for making the 3 hour drive Tina!

It's safe to say a good time was had by all.