17 October 2019

Going to Rhinebeck By Staying Home



As a lot of you (most of you?) probably know, this weekend is the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York, and I know so many people who are going.  And of course, on Instagram, blogs, and podcasts, people are not just talking about it, but knitting "Rhinebeck sweaters," planning what to buy, etc.  I enjoy the vicarious aspects of this, and to be honest, even though I know it's a huge festival and can be crowded out of this world, I would like to go myself just once.  For the experience and because it's such a lovely time of year to be traveling to that part of the universe.

Anyway, once again this year, I will be at home while everyone else travels, enjoying their various social media posts, hearing what friends did/bought/saw, etc. and feeling a teeny bit left out.  BUT guess what?  I'm going to Rhinebeck anyway, though I am not leaving the state of Pennsylvania.

I have been giving this some thought for about a month, and here is my plan.  By the way, the other day, I said to The Tim, "This weekend is Rhinebeck, and we are going to do it ourselves!" and he quite excitedly said, "Oh wow!  We're actually going???"  Yes, dear, we can just drop everything and go with no planning, and we won't have any trouble finding a place to stay or anything.  I mean - really? 

Anyway.

Being that it is Three on Thursday, I'm sharing three of the things I'm planning for My Rhinebeck Weekend.

1.  Apparently, a big specialty at Rhinebeck is Apple Cider Donuts.  I plan to get up on Saturday morning and head over to the farmer's market, where they have both freshly made apple cider donuts, as well as apple cider.  If for some reason, they are out, I have some apple cider tea to enjoy.

2.  On one of the days I'm walking over to Loop, because they are having a Fall Festival for those who aren't traveling up to New York.  I think it will be fun, and I like the idea of seeing yarns that are new to me.  I don't know if I will buy anything, but I do know one of the women behind Liverpool Yarns, and it's always nice to get to see her.  Who knows who else I might run into?  And you'll never find me turning down a Philly pretzel!

3.  Fall walk and crock pot dinner on Sunday.  If you are walking around Rhinebeck all day, you likely want a nice, hearty dinner where you can relax and enjoy thinking over your weekend and all the people you saw, animals you petted, yarn you fondled.  Hamlet and I will take one particular walking route on Sunday where we can enjoy fall, Halloween decorations, and just being outside.  That morning, I'll put stuff into the crock pot so that our dinner will be cooking while we are out walking, and the house will smell good all day.  I haven't decided yet what to fix, but I have a couple of distinct possibilities in mind.

Of course, I'll also be knitting - why have a Rhinebeck weekend without some actual knitting?  I have some gifts on the needles, and since I will likely be recovering from Members' Night at work after tomorrow night, sitting and knitting will be extra enjoyable and relaxing.

So that's the plan.  Depending on how things go, it may become an annual event for me.  And who knows, maybe next year, we can all plan a Staying Home Rhinebeck weekend, virtually or in real life!  Something to think about, right?

*****

Thanks to all of the people who sent kind comments about yesterday's post.  I am fine, and was all day - it just kept seeming surreal.  As I told several people, it's probably a good thing that I was stunned, because if I had been paying more attention, I think my natural impulse would have been to slap the woman back, and that wouldn't have ended well for me in any fashion.  It was all the more weird because Wawa can be crowded, but it is truly a benign place 99.9999999% of the time.  Go figure.

Moral of the story: Maybe I should stick to tea.  ;-)


14 comments:

AsKatKnits said...

I love your "Rhinebeck Staycation" ideas and just might have to join you in likewise festivities here in the 'Burgh! (Although, I too would love to go someday....sigh)

Juliann said...

Oh I love this not going/going idea! I am claiming Sunday as my personal Rhinebeck day. Thanks

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Have a fun staycation!

Bonny said...

I, too, would like to go to Rhinebeck at least once, but I think the crowds may keep me from doing that. Your "Go to Rhinebeck By Staying Home" plan is a great one, and I will salute you with an apple cider donut from the farmer's market this weekend!

Dee said...

Your Rhinebeck weekend sounds just perfect. I think I would enjoy YOUR type more than the real thing.



Jeannie Gray Knits said...

Great way to staycation Rhinebeck. I'll have to remember it next year. This year, I'm too busy packing for next week's move to even acknowledge Rhinebeck. And, since I'm behind on my blog reading due to the packing.... I'm off to find out what happened at the WaWa.

Kym said...

Oh, Bridget! What a wonderful idea! I think I'll do Rhinebeck-at-home this weekend, too. (And I'll never turn down an apple cider donut.) XO

Shirley said...

I really like your plans for a Rhinebeck weekend at home. Sounds great. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

KSD said...

Honestly, your plan sounds much cozier and more fun.

Lorette said...

I can’t believe that happened to you at the coffee shop! Well, I can believe it, but good God, what is wrong with people?

Enjoy your Rhinebeck at home weekend! It sounds a lot less dangerous to the bank account than going to the festival would be.

Araignee said...

I haven't been to Rhinebeck in years and honestly on my last visit I didn't have much fun. It's just too overwhelming. Having said that I still keep imagining myself jumping on Amtrack and going anyway because like you I feel left out.
I made those cider donuts last Halloween and oh, my goodness....they were good. Better than the ones at Rhinebeck that were actually kind of dry. Now the Rhinebeck pickles....definitely worth waiting in line for.

Mereknits said...

I think this was a brilliant idea. I have been to Rhinebeck twice years ago, it was so incredible. And as there are no sheep and wool festivals in Florida I just enjoyed every specail second of it. But I am home this weekend just like you and frankly got a lot done which actually included a bit of playing with yarn. So all in all it wasn't a bad weekend.

Jane said...

Even though the weekend has passed, I do love this idea. Now to find a really good Apple Cider doughnut. I did get out and enjoy the fall colors in my neighborhood and of course no weekend is complete with a latte and some knitting.

Nance said...

This was such a nice idea. And you can make any weekend special by planning a fun activity for each day like you did.

Aren't crockpot meals just the best? I love how they just simmer away, doing their thing, waiting for you, and making the house smell wonderful.