Or Scott, as the case may be…

A month or so ago, a very nice gent named Scott (from Scotland!!) posted a note in the candy swappers group asking if anyone would be interested in an International swap. I emailed him, sure he would have been hammered with responses already, but he emailed me back and we got to talking. What a super nice guy! Anyway, he said he would send me a box of goodies now, but only if I promised to wait 3 months before sending his as he was swapping with alot of people and it would give him time to work thru what he gets. I agreed, and it kind of slipped my mind.

Until yesterday! I opened the door yesterday afternoon and there was a box with this:

Clicking the pic will bring your to Flickr, where you can see notes on all the contents of the package

Pretty cool, huh? HUGE thank you to Scott for his generosity and kindness! I am looking forward to the 3 month mark, where I can go shopping to find all kinds of fun things to send his way

Yesterday and today I’ve been getting hit with a huge influx of spam by way of trackbacks on very old posts. So, I’ve changed it so that posts over 21 days old automatically close comments and pings and trackbacks. If anyone has any problem commenting on a post less than 21 days old, *please* let me know.

As for knitting? I finished the 8.5 inches for the hood last night, and hopefully tonight I will start working on the yoke. No need for a pic, it looks exactly the same as the last one you saw, only 4.5 inches longer :winky: Exciting, huh?

Ah Wednesday… the halfway point!

Today’s LONG post is a veritable smörgåsbord of content – a rant, a rave, a review, and even some yarn pr0n, there’s something for everyone (well, mostly anyway)

Starting with the rant, we saw the DaVinci Code last night – PACKED theater, which made me triple glad we prepurchased and printed our tickets earlier this week. As we were walking into the theater, we saw a sign warning all patrons that they would be showing a preview of the World Trade Center movie with Nicolas Cage and that it contained graphic images and may be considered disturbing. As someone who lost a close friend, and has several friends who lost immediate family members, not to mention a New Yorker, I was really torn. I accept that fact that movies are made about disturbing events. I accept the fact that even a tragedy as extensive as 9/11 is fair game for writers and movie makers etc. What I have issue with is not allowing people to chose whether or not they want to be exposed to it. I went to the movies last night to relax, to enjoy the movie version of a book I loved, not to have that awful day blared in my face at full volumn on the big screen. Yes, I could have got up and walked out during the trailer but let me remind you again, sold out movie, packed theater. I just found myself angry at the theater for exposing me to something so raw when I was there for entertainment. I’m not arguing their right to make or show the movie (which is a whole other debate entirely and one way to close to home. It’s not something I’m going to get into here.) I just really resent that I had to struggle against an emotional tidal wave thru the entire movie I had been so excited to go see.

The review? The DaVinci Code itself was entertaining although it was nowhere near as good as the book in my opinion. I saw it with my honey and our friend, and neither of them had read the book. They both enjoyed it, although they both felt there wasn’t enough emphasis on the puzzles/codes they had heard so much about. They had to leave things out of course, the movie was already 2 1/2 hours. Am I glad I saw it? Sure. Would I see it again? On DVD, why not. Will I recommend people go see it? If you are a book purist, it might annoy you in spots, but otherwise, it was an easy way t o kill 2 1/2 hours. I just hope that should they decide to make a movie from Angels and Demons they learn a few lessons from this one.

And the rave is coming, I have just one more rant… we all know how I feel about children who are allowed to run amok in stores (as annoying as they can be, I don’t blame them, I blame their parents) This morning, I ran to the store to pick up a few things for the cake I’m making for Rebecca’s daughter’s birthday tomorrow. (Yes, the 2 layer yellow sheet cake, filled with canolli cream and covered in chocolate ganache) While I was there, I also wanted to pick up some turkey breast from the deli. Bad move. I saw the little girl (who was beautiful, but obviously very unhappy) before anyone else in the crowd, because she loud and calling attention to herself big time with her histrionics. But as I got closer to the deli counter, I watched her grabbing at the rolls and wraps they have lined up along the bottom of the deli case, squeezing them, mashing them, mixing them up, in general destroying them all. And her mother watched in silence. Lots of other people were watching, obviously uncomfortable with the scene, but not knowing what to say or do. When the little girl decided she wasn’t getting a response, she started to put them in her mother’s cart, which got her ignored even further – the mother STILL did nothing. I was about to ask her a question about her pretty dress, anything to divert her attention from her hissy fit when a deli guy (manager?) roared over the counter that if the lady wanted to pay for all the damaged goods fine, but otherwise to get her “hellcat” out of the store immediately. I was floored. Not that someone said something but that the deli guy actually called the kid a hellcat. The mother responded by yanking the little girl by the arm and huffing away while the people all around the deli looked away or muttered something to each other. My heart breaks for the poor little girl because she was sent such mixed messages, and what we saw today was probably not even the worst of it. And again – you need a license to drive a car, but not to raise a child???

Needless to say when I got home, I was sad. Seeing stuff like that tends to stay with me. I’m mushy that way. But when I got to the door, there was a box. At 1st I thought it was from my Sockapaloooza pal but then I saw the return label (my Sockapaloooza pal is still MIA, along with my socks. I haven’t given up hope though that they are both still out there somewhere)

This brings us to the rave AND the yarm pr0n section of the post

Yup, when the invites for the re-opening of the STR club went out, I tried to resist. I failed, what can I say? No one’s perfect!

Catherine won their name the colorway contest by naming Fairgrounds. (Go congratulate her, she won SIX skeins of GORGEOUS STR yarn.)

Member button and Emergency Sock Yarn Keychain – too cute!

The STR club book, shown with the May colorway, Fairgrounds

We’re mid-way thru the cake making process (filling is done, cakes are cooling, but the ganache hasn’t been made yet) so I havent had time to look at the pattern or the tips sheet in the book yet. YET.

And you KNOW this is making it even harder to concentrate on the baby socks (which had to be frogged and restarted – something happened in the heel that I tried to fix but ended up with a snag in the yarn that I couldn’t get out and rather than leaving a knot, I decided to just snip -n- rip… it’s baby socks, they knit up quick enough, right? *sigh* I will be good. I will force myself to ignore the stash of STR and be responsible – I WILL finish what I promised I would finish before rewarding myself.

Final note – for those of you who might want to try an alternative to Flickr, or are just geeky and like to play with new things, there’s Tabblo . You can read more about it here and here

And how’s your weekend?

This has SO been my mail week (and that means another pic heavy post, sorry!). Check out what the mail man brought me yesterday! (most are clickable for big)

I admit, I couldn’t wait till I had time to read it, so I peaked insde, and now I can’t wait to really read this book!

Note the cameo appearance by the flourishing herb pot? (imagine the google hits THAT’S gonna bring :winky: ) Maybe my black thumb curse is lifting?

Now that book in and of itself is a great mailbox treasure (never mind I bought it for myself). But what comes next is incredible!

I was the very lucky recipient of a gift from an Angel. (I have not received confirmation from her whether or not it is ok to say who she is, so for now, she shall be referred to affectionately as Angel.) Why she sent me these things is irrelevant – the fact is, she did. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

Look at all the goodness! Look at the Reese’s Swoops!

Let’s look even closer…

A purdy tape measure!

The bear (who I’ve been informed has no name yet… I’m working on it!) has found his new home snuggled up between a stash basket and one of my felted totes

2 adorable polymer pins. The bear is residing on a bag strap, the flowers have moved to my over the desk corkboard

Just look at the stunning colors of that Wildfoote! It is going to knit up GORGEOUS

Two beautiful sock patterns (has anyone found more hours in the day yet?)

Still with me? Good, THERE’S MORE!

Pretty stitch markers, with a row marker too!

A sheet of pretty butterfly stickers, a great Pocket Yardage Guide (that I have been wanting!) and a really cool book Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets (more good reading!!)

Super pretty wool, along with a ball of hand spun, kettle dyed mohair. Yum!!

And even MORE Wildfoote in my favorite shade of green – deep hunter!

Can you believe all the wonderful things? I have seriously been spoiled rotten this week, with such great things finding their way to my hands. I am very appreciative of every single gift, and will smile when I use them, because they were given with such wonderful intent behind them. Thank you to each of my wonderful gifters!!

I decided I’m not going to be flashing any stash pics today. I ran out of organize and photoshoot time. It’s nowhere near as large as many, and bigger than it was a year ago. ’nuff said?

Knit a tiny bit last night, but after a few rows my eyes were getting heavy so I put the socks down. (My Sockapaloooza pal will thank me!) Today is about catching up on a gazillion podcasts, knitting, and later tonight, having that Indian food with friends we were supposed to have last night.

As much as I would like to forget it, if you live in a daylight savings time zone, tonight’s the night for Springing Ahead! Don’t they realize that’s an hour of valuable knitting time we’re losing? Maybe it’s just a bad April Fools Day joke?

And speaking of April fools…. (i heart think geek!)

picture/content heavy!

Since there are only 3 WIPs actually on my needles, my participation in WIP it Out Day is pretty easy. Had this been a “WIP in your head” day, I’d be screwed :winky:

Here ya go – my current WIPs

I know I have linked to my wonderful friend Cee before (click – go tell her how cute her haircut is! I saw it last night in person and she looks ADORABLE!!) but did you know she has an Etsy store open now? She’s selling the wonderful needles she makes, very reasonably priced and SO cute!! (Plus, rumor has it she will be adding her wonderful stitchmarkers and maybe even her wonderful needle rolls to the list at some point)

These are the latest in my Cee collection, which will hang out happily with the pair I got last October

I know the picture isnt the best but trust me they are awesome – the colors are all so pretty!!

I had another great mail day yesterday! I got my final package from my SP7… only problem is I still don’t know who she is! She sent a card with my gifts, but signed it SP7! So, if you’re out there SP, lemme know who you are please?

Pardon the concrete background – the daylight was running out on me and I had to go where the sun was!

A ball each of Berroco Plush and Lullaby in pretty purple colors

Cute (UNSIGNED!) card from my SP

How cute is this book? It’s Miss Bea’s Dressing Up Patterns from Rowan

A puppy tape measure!!
I don’t know if you can see but the pull tab is a little bone

Thanks so much SP!! Now pretty please can I know who you are?

I also got something else in the mail yesterday, but this was something I bought myself. I stumbled on this website a few weeks ago, and really liked the looks of her work. As I was looking thru her gallery, I saw a fabric that, while not my usual style, SCREAMED my name. I emailed Martha (the lovely lady who makes these GORGEOUS bags) and she was so sweet, so accomodating, I knew I was buying a bag. We discussed my custom order (I went a little deeper than the usual dimensions on the style bag I bought) and agreed on a (very reasonable!!) price.

The bag’s tag

Isn’t it pretty?
And see Trin in the background?

Look at all that room!!
and 3 deep side pockets too!

I can’t say enough good about the wonderful bag and the service I got from Martha. When I start to feel guilty about spending the money, I look at the bag and know I will have it for many many years (it is SO well made!!) and I realize it was an investment in my craft and in me.

And last, but CERTAINLY not least, I am pleased to present the handsome baby boy who finally decided to join us on Tuesday. Welcome to the world sweet baby!

Mommy & baby came home yesterday and are doing really well.

Even though we’re supposed to have some nice temps this weekend, it’s also suppose to rain some, perfect for my plans! Indian food with friends for dinner tonight, and otherwise, just another weekend of sock because I’m really hoping to finish the sockapaloooza 2 sock. I’d also like to get past page 66 of Stephanie’s Knitting Rules book.

Happy Friday!

At approximately 2pm today, 3/28/06, Viktoria gave birth to a happy healthy 9lb and 21 inch baby boy!

Mother and child are doing well and are expected to be home on Thursday or Friday.

Welcome to the world Ethan! Your “uncle” reminds you there will be ice skates waiting…

If the title didn’t give away my wonderful secret day with Mary & Rebecca (with a guest appearance by Gary!), here’s some (not even close to subtle) visual hints.

Rebecca & Mary

And (of course!) this is where my batteries died!!

These two are courtesy of Mary

Rebecca & me

Rebecca got the tickets and so very kindly allowed Mary & I to join her. We had a blast! Harrison Ford and Serena Williams were the guests today, and the taping was alot of fun (except for the small bruise on my right ring finger, where it smashed into my ring while we were appaluding ) The month of February is her Kitchen Essentials month and she is giving one of them away every day for the month. We got a transparant ORKA Silicone Oven Mitt (which I’m pretty psyched about). Serena has a new makeup line out, and we got one of her new lip glosses as well. I was pretty impressed, not only with how absolutely adorable Serena’s personality is, but also with how laid back and relaxed Martha was. I don’t know if she is mellowing with age, or if the whole scandal gave her a new perspective, but she really seemed very different from everything I had read (and the Cybil Sheppard movie). Harrison spoke briefly about his new movie Firewall, and was… well, to be honest? A little freaky. He has this odd intensity about him, which was actually kind of disconcerting. I know this is going to sound lke a contridiction, but as intense as he was he was also kind of lifeless – it’s hard to explain. Mary said it is like if he is scripted, he is fine, but when he has to be himself, he’s lost.

After the taping we met up with Gary and went to School Products. Secret Pal purchases were made (and I bought myself another skein of Trekking that I probably don’t “need” but wanted anyway ). He has promised to come visit us for a LI rendition of SnB soon (and he better!)

After I get batteries tomorrow I have to get some pics of the WONDERFUL package I got from my Felted SP2 Pal (THANK YOU!!!) so details and pics tomorrow. Suffice to say, she did a great job on my 1st package, and she certainly got great stuff for me! I also have to take (and post!) a “starting point” picture for my UFOlympics project – the Never Ending Lap Throw. AND (in the interest of full disclosure) I probably should share today’s train knitting

It has really been a great day… and a long one! I’m headed for a hot shower and the bed

I was busy busy busy all day, and we had to go pick a friend up from the airport tonight (yes, I know, we are good friends LOL) so I didn’t have time to check the mail all day. So, as we were walking out the door to head for the airport, I see 3 packages sitting by the door! :yaymail:

Grrr no time to look at them, so I put them on the chair by the front door and away we go.

Traffic there. Traffic back. 30 minute drive from the friends house back home. 4 1/2 hours after we left the house, we’re home again and all I want to do is tear open my packages!

I knew what was in one – I ordered it!

Does anyone really need 3 guesses as to what that’s for? (Well maybe since the color is really off… I would have color corrected but I wanted to get this posted…)

Give up? These 5 skeins will be transformed into this, eventually. Maybe sometime before the next one comes out?

Moving right along, the next package was part two of my wonderful November package from my very own Naughty Elf. As her note stated this package was alot about Trinity, a little about me – which is fine by me! I’m all for sharing the love! In the 1st pic, though, you mainly see my goodies! A WONDERFUL Lantern Moon project bag – which is perfectly fitting given my obsession with SOCKS and MAGIC LOOP!! I also got holiday tissues (too cute to blow my nose in I think LOL) and adorable knitting note cards. There is also an ADORABLE bone shaped tag for Trinity’s color that says The Queen on it – SO TRUE!! After the pic was snapped, it went onto her color. (Mastiff’s have a thing about their collars, once they are used to them being on, good luck taking them off – they pout and nudge you until you put them back on – too funny!) She also sent Trinity a Greenie, which is one of her favorite treats. She wanted it tonight but because of it’s size I have to watch her eat that one… tomorrow!

And there was also something else in the box for Trinity! I couldn’t keep it from her long enough to take a pic on it’s own, but here is a shot of Trin appreciating her new toy, and then napping with it close by. (Uh yea, that is the the tree in the background – minus all forms of decorations, as there may be a slight change in tree plans this year. More as I know more. Ignore it for now ) THANK YOU Naughty Elf, from me and the pup

And as if that wasn’t enough, I got my reveal package from my KRSP. This makes me very happy (to know who my wonderful pal is!) and sad (because she has been such a GREAT pal and I am sad for the last package of fun from my KRSP) I have so enjoyed getting spoiled rotten by her – she has been so dead on in her gifts. Not to mention generous and really thoughtful. I think I mentioned before I prefer the bi monthly pal programs, as it really gives you a chance to know your pal, to really see them thru several months. I am mailing my final package out this coming weekend, as I was dragging my feet admittedly – I don’t want this round to end! I think the person I have been gifting to will be surprised but until I know she has it, no hints!

So, are you more curious about what my amazing KRSP sent me or who she is?

Gift 1st, then the big reveal :wink:

Look at what I got in my final package!

An adorable flying pig card (which I am keeping forever and ever – it makes me smile!!) another box of See’s chocolates, which I am guarding with my life this time, a wonderful pattern booklet for some beautiful scarves, which will work perfectly with the STUNNING BLUE chunky cashmerino she sent me. 3 balls of luxurious yumminess! Told you she was good to me!!

And by her, I mean Cyndi!! Yes folks, this busy lady with a full time job and full time school and all kinds of law school exams and studying found time to spoil me rotten! Cyndi is a wonderful knitter, and such a special spirit – go check out her blog, and see what I saw – that her talents extend from exceptional secret pal and generous friend to excellent knitter and smart cookie too! I linked to one FO of hers I found when checking out the face behind the secrets, but seriously there’s tons more!! Go! See for yourself! (BTW Cyndi? If you messed up with an email, I missed it! I honestly was surprised, and never would have thought it was you!!)

Between Dani’s early birthday gift on Saturday, to today’s mail mother load, to dinner with my Dad tomorrow night, and then dinner this coming Saturday for the friends traditional dinner, this is turning into my birthday week! The big day isn’t until Thursday and yet I have already been showered with goodies and kindness! I am certainly lucky. And now, before I get sappy and weepy, I am signing off to go finish a training mitten. Yea, yea i know, it isnt my lap throw or IHS, or even the lonely sleeve of the one armed sweater (I’m not even going there, don’t say a word, it’s my birthday week!) But I was on hold for like an hour today dealing with some insurance BS, and I found myself casting on… by the time the call and 2 subsequent callbacks were completed, everything but the thumb was done. And technically, it will fill a need for a handknit ornament! A pic of that tomorrow provided I don’t mangle the thumb beyond recognition

I’m going to go finish the thumb and get some sleep :gnight: