385: yarn london rhubarb

Sometimes my life doesn't feel like it could possibly be my life.

You know?

Look at that amazing shawlette that Beth gave me. Made with Sundara yarn, swoon. I have an amazing friend who gives me amazing hand-knitted shawls, mitts, socks, hats.

That's incredible enough, right?

But have you seen Beth's post about graduating from business school? Have you seen what she is doing to celebrate?

Dude, she is taking me to London.  

Like, real London.

British-accents-everywhere London.

We will celebrate her MBA and my book in London.

And maybe, you know, perhaps.... we'll be celebrating something else, too. I mean, who can say?

You never know with us, do you.

Whatever we celebrate, we will do it by eating scones and drinking pot after pot of Earl Grey tea. Together. In London!

Woah.

Yay!

A lot going on, huh?

Not only am I in oh-my-god-I-wrote-a-book mode, but I am in freakout preparation mode for Quilt Market, preparing-the-shop-for-the-season mode and now holy-heck-how-do-i-get-my-passport-renewed-asap mode.

I am vibrating with excitement. I've never been to England! I went to France and Germany when I was 13, but never England. You better believe I am now spending lots of time daydreaming about strolling through parks with the lovely Beth and oh, oh : There is an amazing Quilt exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum!

Eeeeeeeee!!!

We had been hoping to get to England sometime in the next year to go to Haworth, where the Brontes lived. We won't be able to make that trip this time, as it is quite a ways from London. Guess we'll just have to go back.

We leave in about 3 weeks, just a week after we return from Quilt Market.  How much excitement can one girl handle? Apparently, I am going to find out!

This afternoon, after spending a lovely day together at my shop, Beth and I repaired to my front porch where we drank this amazing elixir called, get this--- Rhubarb Soda.

My friend Katie made this pink deliciousness for me from rhubarb I grew in my garden. It's a syrup that you add seltzer water to it gets all fizzy-like and  looks like this, :

And tastes like yum. Isn't it beautiful? I'll see if I can get the recipe for you.

I am just trying to take in all this goodness, all this love, all this yarn-y/London-y/rhubarb-y magic.

You know how I struggle (stupid brain!), but even in the midst of it, I know I'm lucky and that life is beautiful.

And I'm so glad you are here with me to share it.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Oh my gosh!! How exciting!! You will love London!! And what a sweet friend you have! The shawl looks divine! You must wear it at market! Have fun celebrating, girls! You deserve it!

[Erin Blakemore]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god! Cue insane jealousy and happiness for you!!!!!

[Marta73]

So when do you go? If it's before June 5 you can go to TRT. If it's after June 5 you can go to the V&A and ask them if you can watch Phedre by Jean Racine starring Diana Rigg and Toby (when he was quite young and sort of fat--Tubby Toby). They have the only film of the play. You must eat in Brick Lane (curry) and in that neighborhood lots of famous actors, including Cate Blanchett, Ralph Fiennes and others (you can guess) live nearby and are often seen walking around. That neighborhood has wonderful Sunday markets--the Columbia Road flower market, as well as Spitalfields Market. I also heartily recommend going to the National Theatre for a tour (only L6.00 if you reserve online) and you will learn much about the upcoming production of Danton's Death (which will be in rehearsal and you might even see the actors rehearsing.) Go to Sir John Soane's museum, too. Right outside London you would enjoy Cambridge--watch "Cambridge Spies" first. You will have so much fun!

[pam]

Could I be any greener? NO. I COULD NOT.

[Heather]

That is so awesome! You'll have a fantastic time. London is such a cool place and there is so. much. to. see. that you'll definitely have to go back, and then go back again!

I remember my first time there, I was 15 and on a school trip. Most of the kids wanted to find McDonald's (which, of course, are on practically every corner), but my friend and I were bound and determined to have scones and tea.

Can't wait to see the adventures you and Beth will have. And I'm uber jealous that you're getting to see the quilt show at the V&A. It looks amazing!

[mari]

London. Waaaahh! Sounds great. That Beth sure is sweet. I've been to London many times, even lived there for a short spell. Haven't been in a long time, tho.

So. Take many pictures. And. Video too. Yes.

And get used to saying Cheers. A lot.

cheers, mari

[Busty LaRue]

OMG you are so lucky! That shawl is fabulous, the rhubarb soda sounds delightful, and to top it all off you get to go to London?! I am so jealous!! Hope you have a blast!

[lucy]

i can imagine that drinking that luscious pink soda while wearing that gorgeous shawl would be heavenly enough, but england? perfectly wonderful! have a great time, and drink a cup of tea or six for me. early grey is my favorite.

[Chris Davis]

Yay for you! Have fun at Market and in London!

I will have to bug you about signing my copy of your book when you get back from your trip :)

[Lucy]

Melissa! I am sooo excited for your book! I'm going to buy one from you when I see you at market next week! Are you having a booth? I will be walking around with Lila & Chelsea so we'll keep an eye out for you!

Yay! London! oooooh the envy! Ok, I must run, have much to do before next week!

See you soon!

[Silverilix]

Wow! The universe sure likes you! Enjoy, and have a great time!

[Amber]

oh London - how fun...and to go with a friend is even better! That will be so exciting - Quilt Market and then London - good for you!! And that rhubarb soda looks so yummy - too bad we can't find rhubarb in Hawaii :-)

[Rebecca]

Wow! So when I get to the Cape I will be able to hear all about this crazy-good trip first hand!!! Yowza what a summer.

Imagine the inspiration you'll both find there?!? And the creative energy that will follow? Whew! Almost more excitement than one person can be expected to handle.

Have a wonderful, safe journey!

[Gillian]

I agree with Marta73, the Brick Lane area is fantastic, there are some great second hand shops. Going to the Tower of London is quite expensive but we thought it was worth it.

On a map London seems like a big place but it is worth walking around, you'll miss so much if you only travel by tube.

I've not been yet but have heard going to the Liberty store is a must.

You will have a lot of fun.

[Kirsten]

You will love London!! I go there as often as I can & always find something new. I agree with all the suggestions so far & I would like to add Camellia's World Teas in Carnaby Street, (www.camelliaworldteas.com), Borough Green Market, (beside Southwark Cathedral), for amazing food & Portobello Market for gorgeous clothes, etc. If you decide to visit the National Theatre, then you must also walk along the Southbank, past Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, etc., down to Tower Bridge. St James' Park near Buckingham Palace is beautiful & you can feed the birds. If you want to see a musical/play, go to the ticket booth in the center of Leicester Square - they usually have good prices.
I could go on forever, but hopefully the above will give you a few ideas. Have a FANTASTIC time!!!

[Nancy]

I live in London and have done for the last 15 years.
Try not to do the obvious things... walking through the centre is the best way to see it.
Some very secret locals tips:
If you want proper British fish and chips central London is generally rubbish - but this place is an exception I have managed to track down:
google search 'the golden hind marylebone'.
One of the best pubs is a short tube ride to Hampstead on the Northern (black) line.
http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-holly-bush-london
Finally, I would heartily recommend afternoon tea at the Dorchester.
http://www.thedorchester.com/afternoon-tea

Have fun xx

[Sue at nobaddays]

Hi Melissa - I was idly browsing through sewing books on Amazon and yours was suggested. So I clicked on the video and watched that and am hooked -- I have SO many scraps ... this book is perfect. And then I clicked through to your blog and notice that we have a similar outlook on life ... and I love your aesthetic. Adding yummygoods to my RSS feed - keep at the good work ;-)

[kellie]

OH MY WORD!!! i have some seriously crazy exciting news (more exciting for me than you...but i have to share)...so i just found out that a girl i go to church with works here in indpls at wiley publishing. uh....so i was telling her how much i want the new anna maria book. this morning at church she comes up to me and says, "i ordered you that book, and another one, and i'll have them for you next sunday." to which i replied, "oh, you didn't have to do that, i can just pick them up at barnes and noble."...to which she replied.... "i don't pay anything for them, so you can have them for free!" i was thinking she meant the two anna maria books, but she then said, "the other one i ordered for you was small stash sewing"...THEN I FLIPPED OUT!!!! SERIOUSLY???? OH MY- i had forgotten a while back you said your new book was being published at wiley!!!! I'M SO FLIPPIN OUT...i get to have it on sunday!!! THANKS FOR BLESSING ME WITH CREATIVE SELF! i will def let you know what i think of it, if you can handle that much praise!!!
have a great day!!

[ej]

So happy for you, wll call in before you go and give you some "tips" Would love the Rubharb receipe

[Terriaw]

Wow, Melissa, so many wonderful things going on! I'm jumping up and down with excitement for/with you. I can't imagine how awesome quilt market will be, with your new book coming out, and then a trip to London right after that, and then summer season for shop. So so happy for you!