Going to Town

Mom and I left the woods and drove in to town today. We had lunch at a little coffee shop/cafe

called Emy J's. There were book shelves scattered around the coffee shop, filled with books and games like scrabble and local art on the walls. One side of the shop was a bar for smoothies, ice cream, coffee and tea, "the other side" was where you ordered from the menu. Lunch and breakfast served all day. :) We thought about the soup, after all it was 20 something outside, but instead opted for breakfast. Mine was a scramble with spinach, onions and mushrooms; so fresh and yummy. Mom had coffee with hers. We chose a table in the sun. (It was a gorgeous sunny day today!!) At the next table were two older women both wearing purple (mom's color). After lunch I talked with them and found out they were knitters and had just come from the store where we were heading after lunch! They were the unofficial welcome wagon and happily told us about a local senior center where mom might enjoy exercising, playing cards and knitting with others.

We were, in fact, on our way to the Wisconsin Wool Exchange, 3 doors down to learn to knit!!

I met Maud, one of the owners of the store, at my Thai Cooking class last week and she had invited me to stop by. Turns out we are related to her through my sister-in-law!!!! We fell in love with her shop. The Wisconsin Wool Exchange is a small worker-owned fiber store carrying many locally raised fibers including Icelandic, merino, angora, alpaca, and Shetland. They also have felting, crochet and knitting tools and books and many wonderful classes. The shop was packed with colorful yarns and handmade knit items, including hats, scarves, mittens, shawls, baby booties, purses  and so much more! Felted pins, hand made jewelry and the most adorable knit bunnies.

Maud helped us choose a good yarn for beginners. Mom and I both chose a wool/cotton blend in a color called baby's breath. We got our #7 bamboo needles and we decided, on Maud's recommendation, to start with the simple wash cloth. We sat for 3 hours and laughed and talked and knitted. Maud is a wonderful teacher and kept praising and encouraging us. Customers came and went. Another knitter, Ann, was there the whole time working on a yellow sweater that Maud was helping her with. We are on our way to being knitters!!!! We plan to go back on Saturday and hopefully continue once a week.

Today was a great day and reminded me of everything that I love about a small town. Slow paced, friendly, and people that make you feel right at home.