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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Alpacas Are Awesome (and Other Mini-Break Adventures)

As I mentioned last week, Jeff and I took a romantic get-away on Thanksgiving weekend. We've both been traveling so much this fall, sometimes we've barely seen each other. It was really lovely to get a weekend away from it all and reconnect. But then a new man stole my heart on vacation, readers!

His name is Carbon.

Isn't he handsome? (I especially love how he always has bits of his last meal on his face.)

When Jeff and I arrived at the inn, I saw a pamplet for a nearby alpaca farm. I could hardly contain my excitement. Because, well, alpacas seem awesome and I've never met one. Plus they make lovely fabric and yarn! I could barely contain my excitement--to Jeff's amusement, as he wasn't aware I had any feelings on alpacas at all. (I guess it just hadn't come up in conversation before!)

So we made our way to Nature's Reserve Alpaca Farm and got a tour from the owners, who are (rightly) incredibly proud of their weird little animals. We got to meet the whole alpaca gang and they're so charming. (Plus, they have very soulful eyes. Just try to look away.)

We got to visit the farm store, where they had the most amazing alpaca fabric on a backing of silk! (I didn't come home with any; can you believe it?)



Before we left, Jeff asked if I could have my picture taken with an alpaca. I acted all embarrassed, but I was secretly pleased. They brought Carbon out on a leash for a photo op! I love this little series of shots, because it looks like we're having an intimate conversation.


 Readers, his fur (?) is so soft. Is it any wonder he stole my heart?
 Other vacation highlights included tromping around in nature. Look, trees!
 I loved the color of the moss.


But the biggest highlight of the trip was spending two luxurious nights sitting by a fireplace with Jeff, listening to Adele, and embroidering. I made a new "animal that says hi" for my wall!
It's a raven, get it? (Jeff came up with the copy; isn't he clever?) The transfer is from the amazing Sublime Stitching.

Anyway, moral of the story? If you ever get the chance to meet an alpaca, do not pass it up.
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35 comments:

  1. coffeeaddictDecember 1, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    This year Ljubljana Zoo added an alpaca family to its residents. They look like adorable over sized french poodles.
    unfortunately I didn't get a chance to get as close to them as you did.
    The petting zoo does have some sheep and some adorable docile pigs: http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/p/about.html

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  2. LLADYBIRDDecember 1, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    i love alpacas! my dad brought me back a giant alpaca blanket while he was in ecuador and it is my favorite thing ever! so warm & soft - i am constantly fighting over with with my boyfriend. even my cat fights for it sometimes :) so jealous you got to meet a real alpaca. those pictures are darling.

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  3. KimminitaDecember 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Were you and carbon discussing where ou get your hair done? You wear your bang the same ;)

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  4. Lucha LovelyDecember 1, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Your trip looks like it was lovely! Alpacas are nice as well, even though I must say, I have been chased by one before, not so much fun!!!!

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  5. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Can you get alpaca wool from them, Gertie? I would totally teach you how to spin it into thread!

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  6. kbeerDecember 1, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Those photos of you and Carbon are just the best!

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  7. Andrea (four square walls)December 1, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Hahah this whole post was adorable.

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  8. Second Hand RoseDecember 1, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    Aww sounds like you had a lovely time!! The alpaca is so so gorgeous!! I love them! Your hair is gorgeous too! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.com/

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  9. RachelDecember 1, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Alpaca are amazing! We went to an alpaca farm in OR recently. Here's a pic of my daughter with a very friendly one! http://www.flickr.com/photos/janssendesigns/6057748389/in/photostream

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  10. KatieDecember 1, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Gah! I'm also obsessed with alpacas! They're so adorable and lovable too! And I also have pictures of myself with an alpaca on my blog. :) The bit about revealing your alpaca love to your husband made me giggle. One of my favorite stories about my now-fiancee is that the first time we ever met, I ended up telling her that I dreamed of starting an alpaca farm, and she told me it was a beautiful dream. I knew she was the one! :)

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  11. AsiyahDecember 1, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    So stinkin' cute...the alpaca, that is.

    And you gotta love embroidery humor.

    Nice post!

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  12. sallie oleta barbeeDecember 1, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    oh it looks like such a wonderful trip! love the alpacas! and carbon is quite handsome :)

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  13. ElisalexDecember 1, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    aaah the allure of the Alpaca... I think they might just be the best animal ever. The epitome of evolution: adorable and useful, but never heard of alpaca meat! My 3 year old boy has been obsessed with alpaca's since his first trip to the zoo and a lifelong goal of mine is to have my own flock! I'm this close to persuading my Dad who lives in the country that it's a great idea!

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  14. AnneDecember 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Aww, I love alpacas! My dad raises them on his farm. Just watch out for "Berserk Male Syndrome!" (it's real- Google it!).

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  15. UnknownDecember 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I've booked myself on a one day workshop for knitting and felting at an alpaca farm (Toft Alpaca) in the UK in March. I'm very excited. The first part of the day will be meeting the alpacas. :)

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  16. Sewly a HarpistDecember 1, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I love camelids too! I have been obsessed with camels since I went on a camel safari in India in 2006, your right their eyes are so intriguing...Your trip sounds so peaceful and well deserved. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. petoskystoneDecember 1, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Carbon is a stunning animal! You look so happy to be in the photos with him, that you gave me a *much* needed smile :) Thank you.

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  18. DebiDecember 1, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    OMG. Carbon is so adorable!!!! he's so fuzzy too! I bet the alpaca fabric is just divine!!

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  19. PaulaDecember 1, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Oh I love Carbon! He is adorable. So is polkaspot from the Fabulous Beekman Boys! I love all types of animals. I've secretly been gathering information on the ins and outs of raising angora goats. They are the ones that mohair comes from. I have 13 acres - that's enough for some goats and llamas!

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  20. éadaoinDecember 1, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    he looks so cute! and he must be sooooo soft!!!

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  21. VickiDecember 1, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Glad you had a wonderful break and got to meet alpacas. they are wonderful animals and being a knitter, I have an appreciation of the beautiful soft yarn we get from them.

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  22. Katy CameronDecember 1, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Alpacas are such funky critters, you've got to love them (although I can't think why that might not have come up in conversation before... :oD )

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  23. adriprintsDecember 1, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I love alpacas too... It's the eyes and the eyelashes that pull you in, right? Let me know if you need any knitting patterns for the alpaca yarn! :D

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  24. Miss Tallulah PorkchopDecember 1, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I LOVE THEM! My parents have one named Denzel.

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  25. SusanDecember 1, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Alpacas are so cute -- especially the babies and their fur is so soft. I love knitting with it.

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  26. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    They're adorable! I also like that crazy humming sound that they make! I saw tons of them this year at the Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival in the Hudson Valley-- you and Jeff should check it out sometime if you have a chance! You can play with all kinds of alpacas, sheep, and goats!

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  27. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Oh my gosh. Alpacas. So cute.

    Love your new embroidery project. So cheeky!

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  28. Rachel W.December 1, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    ALPACA. How delightful! I've never gotten to meet one (how strange!), but I do have a couple ounces of huacaya alpaca fiber to spin up into delicious yarn. Just finding *that* almost made my brain implode with happiness. So ssssoft, precious.

    Those photos, they are the *best*.

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  29. suziwong66December 1, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Carbon is just lovely; fabulous name!

    I am, quite frankly, astonished that you didn't come home with any of the that fantabulous Alpaca fabric?!?!

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  30. dawn sDecember 2, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    As a knitter, I believe it is a crime or at least a crying shame, if you did not get some of that yummy alpaca yarn!

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  31. Gorgeous ThingsDecember 2, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    "Look, trees!"

    Hahahahahahaha! Snort!
    OMG, you slay me!

    I love alpaca, and I would love to meet an alpaca. They are really beautiful. Carbon is quite the guy!

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  32. amsansDecember 2, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Gertie I can't wait for your book to come out. You communicate so clearly and precisely. I also like the way you approach projects from the simple to the complicated in a very non-intimidating way. Thanks for your blog...I really look forward to your posts.

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  33. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    The alpaca is adorable and I love to listen to Adele, but that blue coat is stunningly GORGEOUS!!

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  34. SusanDecember 6, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    That is hilarious! My husband (then boyfriend) were going on a minibreak and when i was looking for a B&B, one had Alpaca's! My husband and I were texting and I was like "they have Alpaca's" his response simply -"Book it!" it's a continual joke with us!

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  35. AnonymousDecember 21, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    LOL The alpaca photos are too cute!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie