I Love My Mailman!

First, let me just say that I have been stalking my mailman for days now. Let me show you why.

My fabulous Secret Pal Suzanne mentioned to me that I should expect a little somethin'-somethin' from her this week. Lookie what she sent. Five balls of Rowan Linen Print in #349 Cocktail for me to make Kelly from Beach Cool. Her first package to me was the Beach Cool book, and I've been drooling over Kelly ever since. My LYS charges a fortune for Linen Print, so I had resigned myself to wait until next year. My wait is over! Thank you so much Suzanne!

Next we have a scary picture that I took of myself showing off the gorgeous necklace that I bought from the very talented Craftylilly. The necklace is perfect, and I will wear it all the time. Craftylilly also sells unique stitch markers on Etsy.

And finally, both of the kind ladies sent my little ones something. Suzanne sent lollipops and Craftylilly sent Sponge Bob stickers. Both, went over smashingly. See for yourself.

Another Meme

This was sent to me by Crafty Lilly. It's a big 'un, but I'll give it my best shot.

What were you doing 10 years ago? I was about to graduate from Texas A&M and get married.

What were you doing 5 years ago? I was pregnant with twins. My heart was ecstatic, but my body was miserable.

What were you doing 1 year ago? About what I'm doing right now, except I just learned how to knit.

What did you do yesterday? I took the kids to the library, cleaned the floors, and worked on my Ruffles scarf

What have you done today? Blogged, answered emails, Grocery store, Target, laundry, more of the Ruffles scarf, taking care of kids. My hubby and I plan to watch Constantine tonight.

What will you do tomorrow? Visit with my little brother, knit, take care of kids

5 snacks I enjoy - Take 5 candy bar, Pringles, pickles, jalepeno poppers, dark chocolate

5 bands/singers for which I know must of their stuff - I am a lyric savant. Seriously. My hubby calls me the Human Jukebox. Name a popular song from the 70's to present, and I probably know the words to it. I'm also good with musicals.

What would I do with $100,000,000 - Pay off our house, pay off cars, put aside money for the girls education, travel, help family members, donate to charity

5 locations I'd run away to - Italy, London, the south of France, someplace tropical, Spain

5 bad habits - I bite my fingernails when I'm nervous, I eat way too many carbs, I can be very impatient, sometimes I speak before I think about what I'm saying.

5 things I like to do - Knit (hello), cook, read, blog, shop on the computer

5 things I would never wear - culottes, SAS shoes, really long acrylic nails, a mumu, bell bottoms (I'm too short for them)

5 TV shows I like - I'm not a big TV watcher, but I do like Big Brother, Everyday Italian, The Soup, anything on the National Geographic Channel, anything on the History Channel

5 movies I like - Out of Africa, Dracula (the '90's version), The Remains of the Day, Office Space, The Sixth Sense

5 famous people I'd like to meet - Leonardo Da Vinci, Cleopatra, Albert Einstein, Queen Elizabeth I, any of the designers of the knitting patterns that I love

5 biggest joys at the moment - My husband, my two daughters, our good health, our happiness, and having a loving family (sorry, that's 6)

5 favorite toys - Computer, my Le Creuset pans, my Wusthof knives, my swift, & my ball winder

Idiosyncrasy Meme

The lovely and talented Azuredrake sent this to me. I'm always a sucker for 'em.

id·i·o·syn·cra·sy

Pronunciation Keyn. pl. id·i·o·syn·cra·sies

A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group.

Write down five of your own idiosyncrasies. Then, if you wish, tag five people from your live gerbil or friendslist to do the same.

OK, here goes:

1) Whenever I drop something or get slightly startled, I let out a little "aaahh!!". This is an inherited trait from my father's side of the family. It drives my hubby crazy because he comes to investdisturbanceistrubance, only to find that I dropped a spoon or some such nonsense.

2) I talk to myself constantly, and yes I answer myself as well. This I inherited from my mother.

3) If I'm concentrating on something (TV, book, knitting) I won't here a thing you are saying to me. My husband calls it "the Zone".

4) I LOVE purses. I have one in every color. Not just any purses mind you, expensive purses. I am trying to help out my pocketbook now by knitting them instead. I also have a thing about matching my purse to my shoes.

5) I am a germ phobe. This causes me to wash my hands constantly. I have gotten better and not being so freaked out about it. Having to take care of sick kids will do that to you.

OK, now it's your turn. Knitty Cath, Craft Lilly, Laura, KnittingNurse, and Lickety Knit ....you're it!

No More Yarn Diet

It's official. I'm off the wagon.

For your viewing pleasure. Noro Cash Iroha, color #93, 11 hanks for the gorgeous Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Gifts. I found it on Ebay for $8.10 a hank! Score! My mom and I are going to have a mini knit-a-long. She will be knitting it in the royal purple color. I thought the color would be more green, but it is really more of a turquoise. It wouldn't have been the color I picked, but the price was right. Y'all that know me in the flesh, do you think this color will look good on me? I'd appreciate the honest feedback.

The next item on our agenda are three skeins of Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted. This is destined to become the felted Waterfall Scarf from Pick Up Sticks.







Finally, the two tan skeins of Encore Mega are for Ruth's Knits Cabled Clutch. Thanks Ruth for the fab pattern! The three tiny white balls are 100% angora I'm keeping for emgerency baby booties. I bought them from Webs for a steal! Lastly, the ice blue Rowan big wool is going to make me tres chic this winter. I'm using it, along with a jaunty brown velvet bow, for French Girl's Violette hat. Take a look at the other French Girl patterns. They are magnifique! I've also ordered Brigitte and Oceane.

The never ending sock

One down, one to go. It took a long time, but I enjoyed the process. Think about doing 8.5" of 2x2 ribbing on size 1 needles. We're talking slow people. I'm putting the second half of the pair on hold until I'm finished with my Secret Pal's gift (hi Suzanne!). I promise I will not fall victim to SSS (second sock syndrome). I start it later this week.

DH's first sock 

Beach knittin' 

Catcha Wave & Your Sittin' on Top of the World

It really felt like we were on top of the world. We had an awesome time in Port Aransas. The weather was gorgeous, the condo was luxurious, the seafood scrumptious, and the company couldn't be beat.

That is me attempting to finish my Hubby's dress sock on the beach. Have any of you knit a man's dress sock? It is taking me a loooong time, and I consider myself a fast knitter. The process is worth it, though, because it will be the first thing I have knit for my better half. I just hope he likes them when it's all said and done (eeek!)

I found out about the London bombings while we were away. My very special Secret Pal lives in the UK, which worried me. She thankfully checked in on the Knitty Coffeeshop that she is OK. My thoughts go out to her fellow Londoners.

Shark! 

DD #1 and Hubby in the surf 

DD #2 and her sandcastle 

Tall & tan & young & lovely.....

Well, I may not be any of those things, but every time I go to the beach I sing that song to myself. We are leaving tomorrow to go to Port Aransas. My gorgeous cabana boy, Kevin, has rented us a condo right on the beach through Friday. And, because I'm a true southern gal, I had to have my toes done for the occasion (see above). The girls are as giddy as can be, and their parents are as well. Hopefully, the possible tropical storm I've been hearing about will bypass us. Keep your fingers crossed. And, in case you were wondering, I am going to knit on the beach.

In other news, Cabana Boy bought himself a new truck this afternoon. Isn't he cute? (see below). He hasn't had a new truck in 13 years, so he is quite excited.

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments on my most recent projects. It means a lot.

Talk to y'all when I get back.

Beach tootsies 

Cabana Boy Kevin