Quite a Show

Well, though Deuce didn't win best in show at Westminster (I honestly don't think any of them stood a chance against Uno the Beagle - he was in perfect form and so "on". It was his night!), she had an amazing few days. We are all super proud of her! She was the #2 Aussie last year, and the rate she's going this year, she may top that! Yay Deuce!

While all the dogs were strutting their stuff (I admit I did not watch the toy group. Most of those I don't really consider to be dogs, just ornaments!) I finished the first Mertello mitt.

I love the combination of the cables and the lace. Because the first mitt is finished, we all know what that means. Casting on for Sigrid #2! I can only leave a single sock mateless for so long.

If you are itching to make your sweetie something sweet for V Day tomorrow, check out these cupcakes. Interesting. Very interesting. Not sure I could eat them. Gross but neat at the same time.

On to Best in Show!!!!

How thrilling was that?? Ace and I watched with great excitement to see his mom WIN the herding group last night at Westminster. A huge congratulations to Deuce and Jess (her handler) and to Terri!!! Cheer her on and watch her tonight at 8pm on USA compete for Best in Show! To make it even more special, she is the first Australian Shepherd EVER to win a herding group at Westminster! Go Deuce!!!

We interrupt knitting for this special announcement!

Very exciting news! I just got the call that Ace's mom Deuce just won the breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! Australian Shepherds were on bright and early at 8am. If you remember, I made the trip down to New York last year, and she unfortunately didn't win. I guess motherhood and a little time off agreed with her! She not only beat the dog that won last year, but beat the #1 dog in the country! Be sure to watch tonight at 8pm on USA network and cheer her on! I know Ace will be very proud to see his mom on TV! You can catch all the results here

On to knitting progress. While not totally casting aside the second Sigrid sock, I had the itch to start something new. So, I picked something small and relatively fast that would use up some stash and provide me with a very useful product in the end.

They are the Merletto Mitts by the talented Jody. The yarn is about half of a skein of leftover Tess yarn from the Turret Socks. It's a beautiful pattern - a little lace and a little cable. Working up fast too - I did the entire hand yesterday afternoon! My plan, so as not to totally abandon the second sock, is to complete this first mitt, then go back to Sigrid. Keep everyone happy.

Use a little stash, get a little stash. Look what I got in the mail!

Fleece Artist Sea Wool in a beautiful Peridot colorway. I won a little contest given by Lis from One Planet Yarn. How cool is that! The yarn is super soft and has a great sheen to it. The color is amazing. Kind of a greenish gray color. It will make some amazing socks!

We got another blast of snow this weekend. Yesterday was on and off snowing all day. One minute it would be blue skies and sunny, the next a white out.

It was really pretty how it stuck to the trees though. Unfortunately, with the 45 mph winds last night, it's all blown off. The boys had a great time yesterday afternoon. Luckily the cold and snow don't bother them.

Otis

Tucker

The Boys in a rare moment of stillness yesterday

Westminster 2007

What a whirlwind few days! We managed to make it back in the storm yesterday and I head out again this afternoon for Maryland. No rest for the weary!

I can't say we were thrilled with the results of Westminster this year. Deuce didn't win the breed, but did get an Award of Merit. She showed wonderfully - perfect in every way.

But, on to the pictures. There was so much to see! I have been to a few dog shows by now, but never a Benched show. Westminster is a benched show meaning that the dogs are all crated together by breed - all the Goldens together, all the Labs together, all the Aussies together, etc. When you get there, you find your aisle and spot (it reminded me of a supermarket - there were signs overhead with the aisle number and the breeds that held it) and found where to put your crate.

The size of the crate is pre-determined, so you really can't go any bigger than they let you. The dog is to remain in the "benching" area the entire time unless it is in the ex-pen (where they go to the bathroom) or being groomed. This is because it is a HUGE spectator show - the amount of people who walk up and down the aisles of dogs is incredible. Think MD S&W times about 50!

The benches went on forever. Each dog had its own little cubby.

The floor of the garden was divided up into 7 rings for breed judging during the day. It was pretty packed with people and dogs. I sat in the stands to get the best views.

(sorry for the dark pics - picture taking was not easy with the lack of lighting!)

I watched many different breeds compete. Cattle dogs, Pulis, Beagles. They all looked amazing!

Check out that Afghan hound's sparkly fun fur ear cover - nice huh?

There were 20 total Aussies competing. The #1 Aussie didn't come as she is totally out of coat. Deuce is #2.

There were a few really nice dogs that I hadn't seen before. Deuce looked great and showed her heart out as she always does!

The judge was asking all the handlers to "take it easy" on the go arounds, which Deuce doesn't do well - she likes to go, and it shows off her wonderful sidegait. So, she didn't get to really show her as she wanted. We were disappointed, but a few drinks at TGI Fridays solved many a frustration. All in all it was a wonderful time. After her turn in the ring, Deuce relaxed and socialized with her fans.

She had about 5-10 people around her for the next few hours. She ate it up!

Even though I wasn't showing a dog, I came back to the hotel exhausted every night. The dogs have to remain in the building until 8pm even if your dog showed at 9am and didn't win. It is so the public can see all the different breeds. So, you can guess what the line to get out looked like at 8pm. There is one freight elevator, so everyone waits in line to get out. What a production! There are no chairs allowed in the benching area, so I stood for most of the day except when I was watching breed competitions. I did manage to get a little knitting in on the Broken Cable Rib sock both on the ride down and while watching breed. I have the leg done and am starting on the heel. I hope to have most of it done on the ride down to Maryland today.

So, there is laundry, unpacking and repacking to do. I'll have a more knitterly post on my return from Maryland on Tuesday! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!