My cousins were kind enough to invite my husband and me over for dinner.  The game of catch-up went (more or less) like this:

Me: Gosh, Blake, it’s been years since we’ve seen each other. What have you been up to?

Blake: I’m excited about the medical treatment I invented. It’s in final clinical trials at a world-renowned hospital. The results are promising – it looks like we’ll be able to cure one of the leading diseases plaguing America!

Blake: How about you, Audrey, what have you been up to? You haven’t been just sitting around knitting, have you? (Chortling, as if this is the lamest thing he can think of.)

[This, followed by my trying to think up an honest response that also wouldn't embarrass the heck out of both of us. I mean, this was his house and all. And my husband watching me with a bemused look on his face, like "Oh, this should be rich. How's she gonna answer this one?"]

Me: Why yes, Blake,yes. In fact I have just been sitting around knitting. (And then in a desperate attempt to sound legitimate), I recently had a pattern published. Isn’t that great?

Blake: (Looking as if he had mistakenly invited an alien from Jupiter over) Uh, let’s eat the salad now.

Or crow.

I couldn’t wait to get home and check in with my Ravelry family where I could feel normal once again.

The move has proven to be worth the temporary withdrawal symptoms. Tracy McKay, ower of the Scarlet Skein, turned a lovely space in downtown Paso Robles into knitters’ new home-away-from-home. Tracy’s knack for interior decorating makes the space colorful and welcoming.

 Check out the chandeliers. Are they not gorgeous?

Cozy seating areas are sprinkled throughout the store, while the brick wall lends historic ambience.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll be greeted by Abby the Fiber Dog. What she lacks in knitting skills she makes up for in cuteness and a sweet disposition. (She’s paid in hugs, surreptitious scraps and chewy toys.)

If you find yourself in the Central Coast area of California (that’s halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco along Highway 101), come check out the Scarlet Skein. You can catch a class, munch pizza while watching a movie during Chick Flick night, and find a gathering of  knitting friends. Oh yeah, you’ll find a great selection of yarn, too!

Here’s CAT working on her lovely fair isle tam, while I show off  Mary’s Garden Sock.

If there are any knitters out there who haven’t discovered the Let’s Knit2gether video podcast, you might like to check out the link here or on iTunes. CAT imparts her wealth of knitting knowledge with enthusaism and clarity. Her husband Eric is a professional in television and film production. Their combined talents make for quality videos that I enjoy watching over and over. I’ve learned so much from the podcasts, I bought the DVD compilations to have on hand as references.

Thanks, CAT, for so generously sharing your time, friendship and encouragement!