Saturday

Late Friday night we got into South Bend, and we were of course greeted with the usual Conyers flinging-open-of-the-arms — we hung out in Bill and Cathy’s kitchen for hours just chatting, nibbling, drinking, and waiting for more sisters and cousins to show up. Eventually we had a housefull, and I fell blissfully into sleep.

Saturday brought the “usual” for Cathy and I (me and Cathy?) — we went to “her” yarn store over in Niles (The Red Purl) and then to Houlihan’s for massive appetizers and twee martinis (they have a martini sampler; you can choose three from about seven types).

The logo for Red Purl is a dog balancing a red ball of yarn on its nose; Bill, Tim and Cathy’s dad, made the giant “sign” that she has. How awesome is that?! I really, really, love it – both from a loving blacksmithing point of view and from a yarn store owner’s point of view. How fabulous would it be to have such a one-of-a-kind thing in your shop?! Ahhhh! Love it! I also love Red Purl. Amy is very funny and welcoming, and even though this is only the second time we’ve met, I feel right at home with her. She is my people! I highly recommend her shop to anyone in the area.

Later in the evening it was over for a pre-show at Bill and Linda’s, where we had about 50 people for dinner (about half of what we’re expecting for the Reunion Proper later today).