pepperknit

My friend Tamar and I took a journey west today after yoga–we went to Lancaster, PA, to see some Amish people and some pretty leaves.

I worked on Pam on the way out:

We mostly drove around, on some small roads through farmlands. Didn’t see any Amish people, unfortunately, just a bunch o’ Mennonites, and cows. Because the weather was so nice, everyone had their laundry hanging out on the line. This house had about twenty pairs of stockings all drying, but unfortunately they were in front of a dark tree and the photo didn’t capture them very well. Plus we were trying to take the picture surreptitiously from the slowly moving car. I did what I could, with this second shot:

The cows were great. I’m really impressed with this shot, as we were speeding along at about 40 to 50 mph at the time–I can’t believe I captured the cow so well. I was definitely trying to get it just right; I’m amazed I did.

No squashes or apples. In fact, neither of us bought anything the whole time. We just drove around, then took a short walk around “Downtown Lancaster” and then headed back. We’d intended to go to the Central Market, but it closes at 2 on Saturdays. We ate dinner in Philly, and I just got home. I’m exhausted! It was such a fun day out in the country. It’s nice to get out of the city from time to time. I also made some good progress on Pam, until I lost the light and had to stop.

I actually just hemmed two pairs of pants. Let’s all take a moment, please. It’s a momentous occasion.

Sewing and I are not best friends. Jaax and I took a class a few years ago, learned how to make some things, but my sewing machine and I were never in love. I tried to make some dresses, but the whole cutting thing was too intimidating. Unlike knitting, you kind of have to get it exactly right or the pieces won’t line up.

So, I mostly just hem pants these days. But in my head, this is a huge production, a pain in the butt, and more effort than I want to expend. Hence something I avoid. Still, I’m 5′4″ (maybe 5′5″), and pants these days are cut for women 6 feet tall, so I’m left having to hem. I had three pairs to do, but have quit after two pairs because the last pair has a lining, and that really should count as two pairs in one, and well, four hemmings in one morning? All before 10 am? Nope, can’t do it, sorry.

But now that I’ve done the priority two, I can finally, finally wear the new jeans I got, ones that fit. And a pair of Anthropologie pants I got on sale for $30. (Incidentally, I had been shopping with a 6-foot-tall friend at the time, and she bought the exact same pair. It was so funny to each come out of the dressing room with these pants on–I’m dragging at least 5 inches, but they fit her perfectly.)

A friend (a shorter-than-me friend, incidentally) and I are talking about driving out to “the country” today to get some squash and apples and such. I think the new jeans will make their debut.