Yesterday, Adrienne visited The Loopy Room. She lives in Chicago and was on her way to a spinning workshop (how cool is that?) in LaMars. We were talking about spinning wheels when she came in, and she graciously offered to get her Lendrum that was in the car, so that I could try it out. (Knitters and spinners – aren’t they just the best?) She gave me some great spinning tips and it was very fun trying out her wheel. The Lendrum and the Schacht were the two that I most wanted to try out. We made her pose for a photo so that we can start the Loopy Wall of Fame. (Of course I totally forgot to take pictures of the fun people who stopped by today. I must leave the camera out so that I remember….) After shopping hours today, I left Loopy Central in the very capable hands of Susan-the-awesome-assistant and The Elves, and went to my favorite LYS – The Weaving Department. If you live in St. Louis, you know why that’s my favorite local shop. We have some great shops here, but Nancy and her gang have an awesome selection of yarns, always make you feel welcome and appreciated, and are just lovely to deal with. She also sells wheels and looms, and she had a Schacht for me to try. I never should’ve tried it. I was sold on it pretty quickly. 🙂 It helps that Kay – who works there – was an expert teacher and had me spinning away in just 10 minutes. I think I finally “get” it. It just so happens that they have a spinning class going on, so tomorrow I will go to the class (with my second class on 12/1) and at the end of the class tomorrow, I’ll take my new Schacht home. I’m excited!! (And now I’m in the poorhouse. But I’ll be spinning in that poorhouse, so all is well.) I’ll keep you posted on things as I progress. I have also started talking to some roving dyers, and am excited to have that coming here in the new year!
As promised, here is the decadent Pumpkin Dessert recipe that I promised you. Pay no attention to the 2 sticks of butter on the top. (Well, I mean YES, you do need to add those to the top, but NO, you do not need to obsess about how many calories it might add in to your dessert.)
Christy’s Pumpkin Dessert
1 large can of pumpkin (28 – 30 oz)
1 can evaporated milk (10 – 12 oz)
3 eggs
2 sticks of butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 cup of nuts (optional)
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon.
Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil and grease it. Pour the pumpkin mixture in the pan and sprinkle the dry cake mix on top. Pat the cake mix down with a spoon. Sprinkle with nuts (if desired) and drizzle the melted butter over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour (check it at 45 minutes and put a piece of foil over the top if it’s getting a little brown.) Let stand 10 minutes and turn out on a board to cut into pieces, or refrigerate. Great served with whipped topping or ice cream.
And now the November Loopy Loot contest (where you answer my question in the blog comments and I draw a name next Friday to win a gift certificate to The Loopy Ewe!) We love having music going here at Loopy Central, and I think we need some new tunes. Tell me your favorite one or two musical artists. (I know it’s hard to narrow it down. Ok, go ahead and tell me however many you want.) For instrumental music, I really like Matt Bachrach and Michael Faircloth. Matt was an artist that I ran across at our mall, of all places. They had him playing on a stage one day during the holiday season a couple of years ago. Michael has played at our church a couple of times. Both are amazing pianists and I think I have collected all of their albums over time. So suggest some new names – instrumental or otherwise, and I’ll check into them! (Note – this isn’t for playing while people shop here, since we’re not “open” most of the time – it’s just music for us to pack orders to!)
Sheri doanyofyouhavedaughterswhospin?IwonderifKnittingDaughterwouldlikethis?
Old time favorites:
Alternative (kinda): Ben Folds, They Might be Giants, & Bare Naked Ladies
ANd tons of others. Thank heavens for iTunes!
Recent favorites:
Alternativish: Pete Yorn, Cloud Cult, and Spoon
Jazzish: Antony and the Giants
I like good beats, melodies and funny or really good lyrics.
A good way to discover new music is Pandora (internet radio with a new twist) It’s the first hit when you google Pandora if any one is interested.
I like punk so it’s probably not that great for Loopy Central 😉
Oh my goodness! 345 comments?!
Here are a few that I enjoy and that you may not have heard of:
The Frank and Joe Show (mostly instrumental, but upbeat)
Trout Fishing in America (My favorite album of theirs is “InFINity”. Their “family” albums are geared toward kids but my husband and I really enjoy them; they’re very witty and musically talented.)
Yoko Kanno (a composer for tv/movies; check out the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtrack. My favorite song is Inner Universe.)
I’d have to go with either Feist or Regina Spektor – I’m listening to both of them quite a lot lately.
For piano music I love Jim Brickman and David Lanz. I also LOVE listening to my kids practice – but they’re not for sale…
I just wanted to come back & let you know that I made the dessert – and holy smokes! DE-LISH! I think next time I’ll add pecans (but we didn’t have any, so I just made it without). Yum, yum, yum, thanks for sharing!
Music – well, I also love Pete Yorn, his voice just does something for me, and he’s on the mellow side of alternative. I’ve been indulging in all the old Counting Crows albums lately, too. Lily Allen, Regina Spektor, Amy Winehouse, Feist – all fun ladies. Shawn Colvin and Sarah McLachlan are a couple of my tried-and-true female singers. (There are so many! My iTunes has 15 days of music! But I’ll stop.) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving….
Old Blind Dogs, especially the album “Close to the Bone”. They’re a Scottish group with instrumentals and songs with lyrics.
For the most part I don’t listen to secular music anymore, so my suggestions are all Christian artists, but they are awesome! Ones I listen to the most are Todd Agnew, The Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin and Rebecca St. James.
All that being said, I do love the Dave Matthews Band and always will. I could listen to Dave sing all day every day. It’s the beat and the sound of his voice, not so much the words. And I’m a big jazz fan too…in college, not so long ago, I was in a jazz ensemble. Good stuff:)
Have fun picking out music for the Loopy Room!
JIMMY BUFFETT!! Great to listen to while doing just about anything. 🙂
My daughter (who is 8) loves to spin. She get frustrated with the spindle, but can manage the wheel with help. She breaks the yarn a lot, but she has a new found appreciation for Alpaca. I love having a daughter who is so interested in the fiber arts!
That sunglasses smiley is supposed to be an eight! Sorry. 😉
i could go on about my favorite music for hours but i’ll spare you. instead, you get the two at the top of the listen list this week — matthew sweet, master of the perfect 3 minute pop sing, and anything that includes neil finn — split enz, crowded house, finn brothers, solo. both of their voices make me incribly happy. and happy is good.
How about “The Nutcracker Suite”?? It’s been playing in my car for the last week!!
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!! I just love your shop!
Lately, I’ve really been enjoying Rilo Kiley. Not so much their latest album, but most of their older stuff is some of my most played music on my iPod. Some other favourites are a lot older – I really like Cake, and I’ve just recently ‘discovered’ The Smiths. I listen to music all day, every day at work, and it really helps me to focus.
Thanks for the pumpkin recipe – it looks yummy!
i am in love with sister hazel as a music group. i would suggest their albums: Absolutely, Chasing Daylight and Lift for packing listening – in that order. 🙂
Also, for the holidays and speaking of pianists, one of my favorites is George Winston’s December. 🙂
How about the new Robert Plant & Allison Kraus?
Quite the unusual duo but I have heard great things about it….
I just got the new Alicia Keyes I am enjoying it….I think some good Christmas
music would be good Like any Sounds of Blackness those cd’s are awesome.
Have fun!
Happy Packing!!!
I’ve been listening to Elton John’s greatest hits lately, as well as Simon and Garfunkel – but they’re nothing new! 😉
I have to add my vote for Feist, and I love anything by Enya. For instrumentals, Windham Hills wonderful collections. I like the Winter and Celtic Christmas which isn’t really Christmas-y.
Sufjan Stevens is amazing. I also love Dar Williams!
Check out Ellis Paul, singer-songwriter originally from Maine. Great voice, and he tells amazing stories. My other faves are the Indigo Girls.
Augie March, a nifty indie band from Down Under. They have a dreamy, pyschadelic feel that is quite addictive and Dylan-esque.
I haven’t seen Cesaria Evora and Ricky Lee Jones in the comments yet, so thought I should mention them. I also love Dar Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah McLachlan, Paul Simon, Radiohead, Nancy Griffith, etc. etc. My favorite classical pianist is Martha Argerich, with Murray Perahia running a close second. Holiday packing music: Handel’s Messiah conducted by John Eliot Gardiner (well, actually anything conducted by John Eliot Gardiner!).
I love the Eagles. They have a new cd out that I need to get. Have a happy Thanksgiving week!
I like Earth, Wind & Fire – though it may be hard to package orders when you are shaking your booty all around the room. 🙂
I love a group called Apocalyptica. They are Finnish cellists that have taken heavy metal, namely Metallica, and turned it into very emotionally charged, vibrant instrumentals. Even if you dislike heavy metal they are worth a listen, they are amazing cellists.
Ian Melrose (http://www.melroseacousticguitar.com/) is an awesome choice for background music. He plays acoustic guitar and he is amazing. I only have “Between the Sighs,” but I want his other CD’s!
We also enjoy Michael Buble’ (http://www.michaelbuble.com/). I am especially fond of his renditions of some of the old standards like “Call Me Irresponsible.” But then again, my dad’s favorite was Sinatra and so I was raised on that stuff!
Serious spinning wheel envy here. I have been longing for one for a while. I too would love to see you post the reasoning behind your choice. When I “shop” for wheels, I get overwhelmed with all the choices.
Wilco, Wilco, Wilco! Also, I love the Sam Cooke SAR records boxed set–one disc is gospel and the other secular. The new Holmes Brothers record “State of Grace” is great–who doesn’t love blues/soul singers covering Cheap Trick?
I love listening to Jimmy Buffet when I am working around the house, as well as to Van Morrison. Oldies bug goodies for me.
Teddy Thompson or the Chenille Sisters. Or when I need some culcha, then Chanticleer.
I personally am into way too many types of music but right now Broadway songs… (Esp. Hairspray/Fiddler on the Roof/Wicked/ and Rent) have been playing repeatedly… I find I get more done while dancing around my house… Also I like Fratellis, Cake, Beatles, Classic Rock of any kind etc.
It isn’t an original idea, of course, as the fabulous Elizabeth Zimmerman used it as the theme music for her knitting show, but Bach’s chorale, “Sheep May Safely Graze,” certainly ties in nicely. You could also focus on your latest venture with Schubert’s song “Gretchen am Spinnrade”–Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel. The piano accompaniment actually goes around and around in circles, like the wheel. Of course, the old Elly Ameling recording is required listening.
Buena Vista Club because its cold out and I want to be somewhere hot and sunny, like Cuba (I’m Canadian, so I can say that. LOL) and U2 because Bono is still hot. Mmmm I must really be feeling the cold …
My musical tastes will probably not mesh with the neat little tunes you were discribing. I love to listen to The Doors when I need to get it in gear. I also like classical- Pachabel got me through more papers in college than I care to remember. 😀
This might be cheating, but I like best to listen to compilations and tv/movie soundtracks. There are three soundtrack albums from Grey’s Anatomy that are full of good tunes. I also recently went to a They Might Be Giants show and was reminded of how much fun all of their songs are – wacky, but fun 🙂 I also enjoy musical soundtracks – my favorites include Wicked and Avenue Q (which is sorta naughty, but hilarious at the same time). You’re going to have so many things to listen to by the end of these comments that you won’t know what to listen to first!
I like Allan Parsons for knitting music. Not intrusive or demanding, but interesting. My husband and I also use it for driving music on trips.
Ray Charles and Gillian Welch are two of my favorites!
Congratulations on your new wheel. Your newly made “yarn” is beautiful.
With Thanksgiving this week and the time to turn to Christmas music near I recommend Elliott Yamin’s Songs of the Season. This CD is a Target exclusive and if you enjoy bluesy Christmas classics and a something a bit naughty and nice then I suggest you hurry to Target. I have been playing it since it came out in October and I NEVER play Christmas music before Thanksgiving. His self titled CD is also awesome!
my favorite christmas cd is a little . . . eclectic.
the bells of dublin
by the chieftains.
it’s got jackson browne singing “the rebel jesus” and elvis costellos singing “st stephen’s day murders.”
three ships
some french number that i can sing because i’ve listened to it so much, even though i don’t speak french (except i know that petit enfant is little baby, lol)
a wonderful cd (and i need to buy a new one, the old one disappeared!)
This time of year I love to listen to Vince Guaraldi. But right now I’m listening to David Bowie (my boys love “Changes”) in the car!
Wonderful spinning, by the way. I look forward to having the time to try that!
Right now, I’m really into the Harry Potter soundtrack music! Makes everything I do seem so mysterious. I also love Jean Yves Thibaudet’s “The Chopin I Love”–it’s amazing.
I’m glad you’re getting roving. My husband built me a spinning wheel just because he wanted to build one–and I have NO idea how to use it! I live on the island of Kauai and there is definitely NO roving here to learn with, either. I can’t wait to order some from you!
Current favorites are Prince, and Flogging Molly, who are an Irish folk-punk band. “Irish folk-punk” may sound a little bizarre, but it actually works really well, and they’re about the highest energy act I’ve ever seen.
I have a daughter and son-in-law who both spin on drop spindles. She loves thick and thin yarn with “character” and he loves “thin and perfect lace-weight”. Opposites do attract!!!
My current favorite CD is from Taylor Swift, a 17-year-old country girl who writes or co-writes all her songs. She just won the Horizon Award on the CMA award show. Her CD is wonderful! I also like the four CD’s in Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook series. All those oldies, but goodies!!! Kacey Chambers is also a great singer with a little edgier sound.
Your spinning looks wonderful, by the way!
I love to listen to funky, retro disco-style music when I need a pick me up! Try these:
Good Times by Chic,
Dancing Queen by ABBA,
September by Earth Wind & Fire,
Car Wash by Rose Royce,
Copacaban by Barry Manilow,
Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees,
Ladies Night by Kool & the Gang,
Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band
You’ll have a great time while you’re working!
I have been wanting to learn how to spin. You will be my inspiration.
Some of my favorite artists are BB King, Susan Tedeschi and of course Jimmy Buffett. Yeah, Parrot Heads.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
I have to say Enya….it’s soothing, but upbeat at the same time. I like to listen to it during stressful/busy times … and Mom and I listen to it during Christmas cookie baking, along with Celtic Woman.
When crafting, I usually like instrumental music.
My favorite is harpist Aryeh Frankfurter. I first saw him playing at Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco many, many years ago. His music is just beautiful.
http://www.lionharp.com/home.html
I also really like Angel Firestar (more harp) and Yanni. If I want something with a bit more rhythm, Craig Chaquico (acoustic guitar) is great.
http://www.craigchaquico.com/
Bon Jovi Rocks. That is all I have to say, oh except his CD with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles is awesome also.
I highly recommend checking out the recently released Alison Krauss/Robert Plant collaboration “Raising Sand”. It is AMAZING. I know, I know–it sounds like a very odd pairing but something magical happens when T-Bone Burnett works his genius, especially with artists of this caliber. This combo ties Jeff Buckley for tops in my can’t-live-without list.
My favorite for holidays is Mannheim Steamroller. Other than that, I think I’ll go with Shania Twain – I like both her jumpy tunes and her ballads. I like most of the country artists.
Thanks for another contest!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Things to be thankful for — The Loopy Ewe and Sweet Sheri!
Hi! I was at the shop this afternoon! I’m going to Omaha this weekend and my knitter friend who I’m visiting *had* to have the Kitchener Dogtag. LOL!
If you’re looking for non-holiday music, I’d like to point you at Great Big Sea – they’re a group out of Newfoundland and most of what they sing is based on the culture of the region. It all has a good beat! They do have some very funny songs and some pop ones, as well. http://www.greatbigsea.com/
Another is Michael W. Smith’s instrumental album, “Freedom”. I like to play that one in the background while I’m cooking – at least, in the baseball off-season I do 😉
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Boy I’m late with this, and I didn’t have time to go through all the comments so I’ll mention MY favorites…
James Blunt-delicious to look at AND listen to!
Sarah McLachlan-she is awesome.
happy turkey day sherri! Hope you get to eat some real Ocean Spray crannies!