a cupcake lived in Minnesota. then i ate it.

red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
Originally uploaded by amysinger

Look. Cover girl London came to the guild meeting in Minneapolis and brought me a red velvet cupcake...with cream cheese frosting. London, it was delicious! Thank you! I enjoyed it back in my room post-Annie [see her stellar recap of our day on the twin towns here].

I will honestly say that I was surprised to instantly fall in love with the twin cities as I did. I had zero expectations, except that I knew I was going to teach and speak and I wanted to do well at both. Maybe it was driving around with Annie, who glows with the love for her new home, but it really felt like it could be home to me, too. Keep in mind that I lived the first 6 years of my life in New Jersey, and St Paul feels like the best of that, but even nicer. More charming, well maintained, without a stitch of pomposity. I love 1930s-40s-50s houses, and except for one short stretch, every neighborhood was more charming and cozy and real than the one before it. If I ever moved back to the US, I'd put St Paul at the top of my search list.

The people of the twin cities are similarly charming and likeable. Summary: I had a hell of a good time in a short time. Thank you and huge hugs to Annie, the best tour guide the midwest ever had, and to Karen at Needlework Unlimited where she made sure I had everything I needed to run a lovely class [and it was, too!] and more.

Speaking of teaching, it's a fascinating thing. I have no dreams of ever coming near what Annie does in terms of mileage and endurance, but I do want to do a good job every time I stand up in front of a new group of knitters. I'm very happy to say that teaching the Tuscany class is a joy for me -- more than I expected it to be. I get a real rush when the students' lightbulbs turn on, maybe because I remember how much it meant to me the day I finally understood how to read my lace and stop agonizing over charts. Is good.

I'm now blissfully home until the end of July, when I head out west to visit three cities I've wanted to see my WHOLE LIFE. The Threadbear pajama party has been rescheduled for sometime later in the year -- probably Novemberish. I'll let you know when we've got a firm date.

Oh, and pictures? There are many. and you will find them by clicking on the little cupcake at the top of the post, or here, if you want the full MSP set all tidylike.

Had a hell of a time. Very glad to be home. Happy sigh.

Going to pet the bunnies now.