However, due the skill of our drivers (Katie and Nancy!) we arrived in Galena in good time. While on our trek to find the FiberWILD! yarn shop, there was a cry of "Handspun yarn!" and the group took an immediate left into The Great Galena Peddlery:
The shop did have handspun yarns (small supply) and various herbs, seasonings, lotions, etc. to choose from - it was a lovely shop and the owner dealt well with a group of knitters hopped up on sugar and yarn-anticipation.
We continued the walk up to N Main Street and we sort of glanced at the shops around (although we lingered a few seconds at the candy shop), then Katie spotted the restaurant where we had lunch reservations, Fried Green Tomatoes.
Soon after, Brenda spotted the yarn shop and we were off!
We had about 30 mins before our reservation, so we fondled, gazed, touched, poked around and gawked at the yarns, books, accessories, handmade items... Then it was time for lunch. We walked across the street to Fried Green Tomatoes:
Our server (help me out group, I've forgotten her name!):
Our group:
And after consuming some very different fried green tomatoes than we've ever eaten (they're fgt, but with marinara sauce & melted mozerella cheese - wonderful!), the amazing grilled cheese sandiches and tomato soup, seafood pasta, crab cakes, and various pasta dishes, along with the fresh bread, we wander over to the yarn shop to get down to serious yarn decisions & purchases. Plus, we wanted to wait a few hours to enjoy dessert as the food was fantastic and very filling (the lunch prices were reasonable, too).
Katie with the owner of FiberWILD!, Amy:
Amy very graciously allowed us to use the swift and ball winder to wind some of our yarns. I wanted to get to the Blue Sky Alpaca I had and use them with the Lantern Moon needles I picked up.
Sean was extremely helpful (and a bit naughty - he brought those of us who sat and knitted in the shop some dark chocolate and almonds) with the group:
Amy has many different Rowan yarns, some Cascade yarns, and various other yarns available. She also has a nice price range available for just about any project. As you may have seen the shop has a large bookshelf with reference materials, patterns, and books. Amy also has various handmade items for sale, along with kits.
Amy and Sean told us that next weekend is the Galena Wine Lovers Weekend (March 30 & 31, April 1) and they'll have wine tasting along with projects and patterns for wine bottles available.
After saying goodbye to Amy and Sean, we ended up back at Fried Green Tomatoes for their incredible desserts. A few of us had the drop dead amazing cannoli, while someone tried the lemon version of tiramisu. We chatted about our yarn purchases and hitting a few more shops on the way back to the cars.
It was hard to leave after such a great afternoon, but many of us plan to return in the near future.
