Friday, June 29, 2007

Eye Candy Friday...or...There's a New Rooster In the Hen House!!


I had HOPED to have a picture of the latest addition to Chicks with Sticks (the knitting group I am in).....but due to the lateness of the hour last night (and the exhaustion of the new mommy) I wasn't able to get any pics.

Did you guess? We have a NEW member of Chicks With Sticks.....although it may be a while before he can actually knit with us, we are all looking forward to the "Little Man" joining us for many, many Thursday night get togethers!!! (No doubt he will sleep well on Thursday nights after so much attention!!) LOL!!

Our dear friend Ginger gave birth to a precious little boy late yesterday, their first baby!!!

The ladies in our group had hoped to invade and all take turns starting the spoiling process of the Little Man but there is plenty of time and hope to have pics posted soon!!


Ginger.....we love you DEARLY!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I Love My Max Dog!!!






Latest Insulin on the market for dogs.

Dr. Goodbody (no that isn't his real name...simply what I refer to him because...well...because the name says it all).



Vet refers to this product as liquid "Gold". Discounted price: $ 32



Five ONE TIME syringes, manufacturers cost probably 1/10th of one red cent. Discounted price: $ 10 EACH. Yes.....that is for EACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Insulin injection twice a day for the rest of his life.



Total Vet Bill $ 270.00



Having your Best Buddy Back Home:





















PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Where's The END???

O.K. If I can JUST find the end to this one...I can roll it up, then get the end of that one, separate it from the red one....yep...I can have all this fun rolled up back into balls and in the basket before ANYONE knows!!!!!!!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Eye Candy Friday!!



AHHHHHHHHH..........Take me away.....FAR, FAR away!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Just In!!!


Judging from the box, I would have to say my little friend has enjoyed his travels....from Washington State to Alabama!!!!

To save money, I ordered the wheel without a finish and had planned on placing a coat of polyurethene myself but I am now thinking that I may stain the wheel first. I do like the natural look, but after seeing a couple of stained wheels on blogs I'm thinking I may go with a stain.

I'll make a trip to Lowe's tomorrow and check out my choices.

Hopefully I'll have everything stained, poly-coated and assembled in the next few days!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

I'm A Rag Tag Gal AND Kiwi Update!!

Leave it to the the MOST talented Miss Emily to come up with a FUN (but most important) STRESS FREE dish rag swap!!!!

Hey, even I can manage to make ONE dishcloth.....go over to Emily's site and join in, it's bound to be fun and there will be
P.R.I.Z.E. S.!!!

AND....while you are there check out her side bar for a so many cute links but especially the link to Shreddies TOO cute!!!

KIWI UPDATE:

From Oregon to Colorado:
Arrived in Colorado at 12:26 today!!

Huh....come to think of it, my little Kiwi is getting to travel to more places than I do....even going so far as to visit two places I would love to visit!!...somehow this seems unfair....but I won't hold it against him!! LOL!!!

Status:
In Transit - On Time......Oh Yeahhhhhh!!!!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

From Oregon to Alabama!!

Kiwi has left the building!!

PORTLAND,OR, US
06/12/2007
4:43 A.M.
In Transit - On Time

Scheduled Delivery:
06/18/2007

Shipped to:
TRUSSVILLE, AL, US
Woo! HOO!

Monday, June 11, 2007

I'm Gonna Be Spinning.....SOON!!!!


I have been going NUTS wanting a spinning wheel.....I have never spun yarn but for some strange reason I have just not been able to let go of this!!! It has hounded me till I have finally given in.......I BOUGHT A SPINNING WHEEL!!! Oh...somebody pinch me so I'll know it's real!!!
I had a very small budget...did WAYYY too much research but finally decided that for the money, options and resale value the Ashford Kiwi would fit my requirements....all but in the looks department that is.
I would have LOVED to have a traditional style wheel. but I know for longevity (specifically my back)...I needed a wheel that would allow me to have the flyer situation directly in front of me, no twisting allowed thank you very much AND a wheel that would fit my VERY limited budget and apparently in the scheme of spinning wheels I have Champagne taste on a very cheap beer budget!! LOL!!
I made this purchase quite on impulse late last night from an Ashford dealer that sells on Ebay. He has a 100% customer satisfaction rating for several years so I felt confident that I would be treated fairly.
The gentleman selling the wheel could NOT have been nicer....he offered his toll free number with unlimited assistance. He specifically told me that he didn't care if it was 6 months from now that if I had any questions or concerns that I was to call him and that the only "stupid" questions were the ones NOT asked.....gee....wish I could get such wonderful service at other places!!!!!
He told me he has helped many new customers to get started spinning with his instruction via the phone or the internet. His main goal he said was to be sure his customers learn to spin and that they grow to love the craft as much as he does!! How could I go wrong??? Bob...I don't know ya...but I love ya.....You Da MAN!!!!!!!!!
I got the New Ashford Kiwi wheel with 2 year warranty
Ashford Niddy Noddy (not sure what this is all about but I guess I'll learn) LOL!!!
One Pound of Corriedale wool ready for spinning
Upgrade kit for spinning at higher speeds
Lazy Kate
AND Free Shipping!!
ALL for the retail price of the wheel!!!!!
Shipped out today and H.O.P.E. to have it delivered Friday!!!!!
Oh My GOODNESS!!!!!
Now...if I can only talk my DH into selling everything and moving to a sheep farm......Waaa! Haaa! Haaa! I'm Dreaming BIG time here!!!!!!!! Or is that Hallucinations from lack of sleep due to spinning wheel excitement??? LOL!!! Sorry all the text is running together on this post....for some reason Blogger doesn't like line breaks today!!

Friday, June 08, 2007

Eye Candy Friday!






Last Friday, I met Ginger at Bibby's house for the most WONDERFUL lunch!! Not only did we enjoy a FABULOUS home cooked meal but Ginger and I left with the most BEAUTIFUL Violet!!
Bibby's home is absolutely GORGEOUS, filled to the brim with the BEST antiques and collectibles. Check out Ginger's June 1st post to see a display of Bibby's collection of antique chicken theme egg cups!!

Also up for your Eye Candy Friday enjoyment:







We are experiencing a level three drought here, the trees are showing signs of distress as well...which is very sad to me because most of the trees around me are the mega old trees and I hate the thought of losing any of them.


But...the gardenia's are in FULL bloom!!!! The smell is INCREDIBLE!!!








It is overcast today and hope to get a bit of rain today!!!





Last but not least:


BLUE MOON EYE CANDY!!! YUMMY!!!
L to R: Thistle, Lucy In The Sky, Watermelon Tourmaline, Jade.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Hurricane Hits Trussville!!

Make that Hurricane Sock Swap Package Hit Trussville.....and OH MY GOSH!!!! I am simply overwhelmed!!! I do not know how to begin to adequately thank Jane for such an incredibly thoughtful, not to mention BOUNTIFUL gift!!!! Lot's of pics to follow:



SUCH a cute box!!! The tag reads:

Hurricane Sock Kit




I already have a use in mind for the box!!





LOVE this box!!!


Wrapped in THE MOST adorable ribbon with sheep running across it!!!










Upon lifting the lid.....I laughed.....one of those absolutely delightful laughs that bubble out when you are so excited you can't contain it!! JUST LOOK!!! It is like CHRISTMAS!!!!






EVERY pkg. was wrapped and had the cutest tags......what a PERFECT idea!!! What creativity!!






Each label was a different shape and color!!







HOW cute is THIS????





Hmmm...I'm thinking my sock pal needs to host a "single sock seeks mate" swap!! Just too cute!!!





A few more labels.























AND NOW.......UNWRAPPED and in all it's glory!!!










(click on pic to enlarge the goodiness)


OH MY.....the card is so cute with a little frog peaking out around the lily pad leaves....maybe a pic made by my sock pal?

Stitch markers that spell out KNIT...in their own little carry case!!

A gift for Max as well as Bella, how thoughtful is that!?! Some wonderful citrus soak which I have not used and can't WAIT to try!!

Oh Goodness...so much!!

Sheep stickers, sheep magnet, sheep notebook with pen...PERFECT size to keep in my knitting bag for jotting down my knitting notes!! A Lantern Moon sheep measuring tape....which I have been wanting 4-ever but just one of those things that I wouldn't pick up for myself!!!

OH.....I have been to Michaels, looked at every craft department around town looking for a sheep rubber stamp and have not found one ANYWHERE!!! I jumped....I'm telling you I squealed and jumped up and down!!!

The NICEST scissors.....now I know to some that might not be very exciting.....but there are some things that for whatever reason I just haven't bought.....my scissors in my knitting bag MAY have cost all of $1.00.....TERRIBLE scissors......yet I just never got a good pair....I am so very excited to have nice pair of scissors!!

Not one...but TWO bars of emergency chocolate....which I'm thinking before the weekend is over there will be some kind of emergency (we are doing yarn work today which pretty much insures an emergency of one kind or another!! LOL!!) which will require me to consume said emergency chocolate!! LOL!!! I have never had either of these chocolates and can't wait to give them a taste!!!!

TWO books on the Fiji Islands.....which would be my ultimate, if I could only take one fantastic vacation in my life.....it would be to the Fiji Islands!! One of the doctors that I worked for traveled extensively and the most wonderful trip he took was to the Fiji Islands....just listenting to all the stories he told left me with the incredible urge to one day go here......and you just never know......maybe one day I WILL make it...but until then I have two GREAT looking books to enjoy!!!!!

Oh my.....now to the Sock and the Yarn(s)....yes...that IS plural!!


The yarn in the lower left hand corner is Claudia's Hand Painted yarn, Purple Earth color...which I LOVE these colors!!!!! An ENTIRE skein of Claudia's as well as what looks to me to be enough yarn to make the mate to my sock.....(my sock pal was afraid that I might not have enough to complete the second sock and added a second skein just in case)!!! Incredibly thoughtful!!

A skein of Cider Moon, in Birch Bark!!! PERFECT colors to wear with all the browns and blacks I wear!!! Oh....I have read SO many blogs showing socks knit with Cider Moon, no one around here sells it and I am SOOO tickled to have a skein to knit!!!! AND if that wasn't more than a person could possibly want or deserve......a skein of Jitterbug sock yarn, Jay 85...the most wonderful blues.....reminds me of the many colors of the ocean!!! Oh.....let me tell you.....my DH was laughing at all the squealing and jumping up and down that was going on!! LOL!

And now for the sock!!!



This pic is a tad light....the colors don't show up....but Oh LAWZY.....does this sock fit PERFECT!!! Not only does it fit my big foot....but it FEELS wonderful!!

I have knit several pairs of socks and I always thought that they felt fine on.....but when I slipped this sock on it was like buttah.....like buttah I tell ya!!! It was like....well....like it was made just for my foot!! LOL!!! I am not sure if it is the yarn or the pattern or perhaps it is the talents of a "Master Knitter".....but this sock fits totally differently than socks that I have knit for myself!!!! I wasn't able to get a pic of the toe....but it looks machine made it is so perfect....and the heel.....this sock is absolute perfection.......I hope I can make a sock that is worthy of being worn with this beauty!!!




During all the squealing and jumping around Max was going nuts.....it finally hit me that he KNEW there was something there for him....which upon receiving his treat he ran to the door wanting in and promptly set about testing the squeak component......which indeed passed his "inspection".






I had to wait until Bella had
ahem...."killed" the mouse before I could get a picture.....I'm not sure how to make a video and post.....let's just say there was LOT'S of zipping around the porch with the mouse!!! She went NUTS when I pulled the string and watched it move on it's own!! LOL!!

AND NOW......let me introduce my Hurricane Sock Pal!!


JANE......of Quiddity!!!! I love Jane's blog title which means 'the essence of the thing'....which she states, 'This is the quality I strive to capture in all my creative endeavors'. Which I can honestly say that once you visit Jane's beautiful blog you will know that she has indeed achieved "Quiddity"!!! Not only does her blog contain great knitting posts....her knitting pictures show great detail which I love but can't quite seem to achieve with my camera. Jane obviously has many talents.....there are so many beautiful photos on her blog that are not knitting related!! Oh....and did I mention that she also spins???? Creative Goddess!!


Jane, I can not begin to thank you for such a thoughtful, wonderful package that you sent me!! The time that you put into this is not without note and I want you to know how much I appreciate all that you did!!

From your blog I gather what a creative woman that you are, not to mention a PHENOMENAL knitter.....the type that I hope to be some day....hopefully before I am too old to knit!! LOL!!!

Friday, June 01, 2007

Eye Candy Friday & Hurricane Sock Swap Update!!

Not the most beautiful picture I know....but I wanted to share this pic of Max.

Max LOVES to swim in the lake.....but he loves to float on his noodle even more!!

After swimming for a bit he will generally swim to HIS noodle, hook his front paws over the top and float around for as long as we stay in the water....the lifejacket and noodle keep him perfectly suspended!! Sometimes he'll kick off with his hind legs and go from person to person for a head pat (although he doesn't like his head to get wet as it is above).....but generally just likes to "hang out" on his noodle!! He has even been known to fall asleep and not wake up till his little face hits the water and he snorts in a big taste of the lake!! LOL!!!

ON THE STORM FRONT: My hurricane sock swap pkg. was mailed today......should "blow in" next Tuesday to my pal!! Hope she likes it!!! My pal has been "teasing" me and I can't WAIT to see who she is!!!]

WHAT FUN!!!!!!!!!!! A BIG thanks to Christy for letting me participate!!!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

MONSOON!!




Finished!!!!



I was not impressed with the sock pattern that came with my first STR sock kit.



I may try the pattern at a later date, but I felt for me it was too complicated.





The pattern that I used for these socks is the Fluted Bannister sock pattern, yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks That Rock, colorway: Monsoon. This yarn is their medium weight yarn and is VERY thick!!

It REALLY bugs me that the yarn pools the way it does!! I love the way the yarn stripes but just don't know how to assure that both socks will stripe rather than pool.





Oh Well....ANOTHER Finished Project!!!




This is a pattern that I got from Lis...of Life's A Stitch

I'm not sure when Lis wrote the pattern but I have had it for quite some time.

I wasn't able to get the colors to show up as they truly are (the yellowish green is in fact a celery green) here is a color swatch from the internet .....but I LOVE the way the pattern creates a reversible pattern!! Knit with Arte by Needful Yarns, Colorway: # 402.

Lis is very sweet to share her pattern, all you need to do is send her an EM and she will send a copy......be sure to check out her sidebar for a gallery of pics of the Herringbone!!! Lot's of pretty variations!!! I will be making this scarf again most definitely!!!

Monday, May 28, 2007

Friday, May 25, 2007

Eye Candy Friday

As My DH took my camera to work today I decided to dig through some old pics to find something suitable for Eye Candy Friday!

This picture was taken a couple of years ago in Cozumel. A boat had just pulled away and I loved the way the colors and lines of the wet stairs looked against the water.....the most intense turquoise!!!

AND.....I chose this pic for today's post because it is dry as a bone here....grass is dying and the trees are showing signs of distress.......doesn't this just make you want to jump in and cool off???

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Holy Cow, It's HUGE!!!!!

I had to run to Michael's yesterday to pick up some candles for a graduation party and I saw THIS!!















And just how BIG is IT?????




Yep.....THAT BIG!!!


I'll have to see how many "warshrags" I can get out of this ball of yarn!!












Saturday, May 19, 2007

Strike THREE...You're OUT!!!

I may need to ammend # 6 on my Seven Things MeMe List:

Exhibit A: I was enjoying time on the porch knitting while doing laundry....upon returning from hanging/folding clothes and putting on load number 3 I encountered THIS:

As both dog and cat were on said porch so I wasn't able to determine which one was the culprit, no recourse.....let's move on to Exhibit B shall we?







Exhibit B: Repeat the laundy scene as above, return to discover partial sock in chair and yarn across the porch. ( I left knitting and yarn in chair, put a book over it to discourage pillaging): Again, no proof of guilt....so no punishment could be given....after tinking back to where I could add in the good yarn I ended up with something like this:












Notice there are FOUR strands of yarn!!

Exhibit C: Phone rings, this time I leave my knitting on the TABLE.....with a book on it (cat doesn't like the glass table)......return to this:



MAX, who has NEVER shown any interest in actually EATING yarn is trying to look very innocent...what ME????? I was sitting here, guarding your sock till you could return....Yeah...RIGHT!!!



If you look close you will see the yarn is still in his mouth....I guess I know why when I gave him the command to "drop it" he wasn't able to.

I won't EVEN show you the pile of yarn that was left over after I pulled what was in his mouth....or shall I say what was in his stomach......EWWWWW GROSS!!

So Emily, if you are reading this....see....there ARE worse things than your dog eating his bed!! LOL!!

I must have a bit of time to mourn the loss of my precious Blue Moon yarn, will start again when I am feeling stronger.









Friday, May 18, 2007

TAG....You're IT!!

Hmmm....seems Miss Elizabeth (spinning goddess) has tagged me for the Seven Things Meme....so here goes!!

1. I have an addiction to yarn...to buying yarn....to hoarding yarn! Some is so darn PURDY......I have a hard time actually knitting with it (Blue Moon to name one).....I just enjoy petting them!!!

2. I could be PERFECTLY happy to never leave home!! (As long as I have the internet and UPS could deliver!)

3. I have an incredible sense of smell.

4. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...little Debbie Cakes....gross to some I know...but i love them!!

5. I drink a diet coke while the coffee perks in the morning!! No matter HOW cold it is...I can NOT drink a hot beverage first thing in the morning...must be a diet coke and THEN 2-3 cups of coffee.

6. If I could clone my dog, complete with personality I would clone Max so I could have him with me forever!

7. I will NOT jump into any body water...not a pool, not a lake, not the ocean....I will ease in....but NEVER jump in.

O.K....now I have to tag 7 folks......hmmm

Tonni

Laura

Bibby

Ginger

Emily

Rhonda

Paula




Eye Candy Friday!

A dear friend of mine Bibby came by yesterday and brought me a spider plant and these BEAUTIFUL Dahlia's from her garden!!

We had plans to work on her blog but I'm afraid that I talked her ear off and we never got around to it.....ohhh...hate that....guess we'll have to do it again!! LOL!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Hurricane Sock Swap and SPRING!!





I have finished my Hurricane Sock!! YIPPEE!!!! Ahead of time at that!!


I am not particularly crazy about the way it striped....but if there is a way to control this I don't have a clue what it is....so please, feel free to share!


I have one item on order, picked up a few "goodies" yesterday....will hopefully have my package all wrapped up this weekend!! I hope my sock recipient will be happy!!




AND......Spring is HERE....It's OFFICIAL....time to shed off the Old and ON WITH THE NEW!!!!



Of course....this isn't exactly what I had in mind!!! YUCK!!! About 2 feet long!!!

I had just walked Max and this wasn't there......a few minutes later ran out to the mailbox and THERE IT WAS!!! I do NOT like snakes!!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

A contest..Summer Knitting Goals

Check out this great blog contest. Ali of Skeins Her Way is the hostess AND the aurthor!! I found Ali via Kaki's blog! AND...be sure to let Ali know that you found her contest via my blog and provide the link for an extra chance to be entered.

My knitting goals for the summer:

Socks....of course socks!
I have a baby gift to knit for a dear friend as well as my nephew's wife.
Clapotis.
I have three different cabled scarf patterns I have been dying to try!
OHH...and I have several lace projects I have been looking at!!

CHOCOLATE!!!


Today is National CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY!!! Woo Hoo!!!
Go Eat Some Chocolate!!!!

Friday, May 11, 2007

First Eye Candy Friday


My first Eye Candy Friday!

Not much going on in our yard as we are currently in a drought situation here in my part of Alabama. We are currently 19-20 inches behind on rain!! There have been numerous forest fires and no rain anywhere in the near future!!

I did have a few Lenten roses left in my pathetic little flower bed....that is pretty much it in the way of flowers!! Lot's of dead, brown grass and blowing brown leaves on the ground!!
A few Hostas came up this year...but not all.
Despite the drought...there are a few hardy weeds...at least they are flowering weeds!! LOL!!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Late Post and Hurricane Sock Update

I realized yesterday that I had not posted a picture and a big thank you to Amanda for spinning some yarn for me and I am sending out a big apology in addition to an even bigger thank-you!!



It has been a crazy two weeks, one week for vacation (now don't go picturing a beach and little umbrella drinks).....NO.....we were working....for SIX days straight!! Trying to tackle the rather large list of things that need doing around the house! THEN....to add insult to injury, the day we finished our porch (Day 6 of said vacation) and got everything settled with the intentions of enjoying a Sunday of doing ABSOLUTELY nothing.........I got sick and was sick all last week.....SOOOOO...I am a bit behind!!

I bring you Yarny Goodness!!



The color is not great as it is cloudy today...but isn't this yarn BEAUTIFUL??? The yarn on the left is It Takes Two Baby. I saw this yarn on Amanda's blog and absolutely fell in love with the color!! Amanda graciously offered to spin some for me!! So I not only have some awesome yarn....but it was spun just for me!!!!


Upon receiving the pkg. I not only had a skein of the yarn but a little center pull ball which Amanda included so I could swatch!! AND....if that wasn't enough she added in a skein of Moondance....which my camera did NOT do justice to EITHER skein of yarn....but it reminds me of grape Kool-aid!!


Amanda, thank you SOOOO much for your time and generosity!! I can only imagine how hectic life must be for you yet you took the time for me and I am most appreciative!!!!!! Words can't express!!!!


ALSO......I am down to the foot of my Hurricane Sock Party sock.


Again, the colors don't show up great....but I hope my sock mate will be happy with the colors....I know the brand yarn is one that she likes.....that's all I'll say now....don't want my sock pal to guess I'm her mate!!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Bella Update






Bella tends to sleep in several different spots around the house....depending on the time of day and where the "sunshine pool" is located. Apparently she has discovered another "sunhine pool".This is the plant shelf, behind my kitchen sink!!

AND.....the porch.

Extreme Close Up!



Saturday, April 28, 2007

Bloomin Sock Has Arrived!!

IT'S HERE!!!






Oh...I have been so excited to receive my socks from my Bloomin Feet Sock Pal!!

This is my first sock swap and the anticipation for my very first sock swap package has been INCREDIBLE!! So much so that I would like to apologize to my mail lady for SNATCHING the box from her hand....I knew it was my sock swap package and I truly didn't mean to "snatch and run"....I'm usually not so rude....but what can I say.....It was my VERY FIRST SOCK SWAP PACKAGE!!!! I can only imagine what she was thinking as I was running through the yard screaming..."It's Here, It's Here, It's Here"!! LOL!!!!!

Upon opening the box I saw yarn.....peeking out from the tissue paper....(what a tease!)....the CUTEST hand crafted card (I am not talented at all in this department and I love and appreciate so much when folks take the time to create something such as this)!!! Is this stamp not THE cutest thing you have EVER seen???!!! Oh...I have SOOOO got to get one of these!!!


There is another stamp but I wasn't able to get a pic of it but it says "Ewe Hoo"!! TOO CUTE!!!!!




My sock swap pal is Kaki!!! Who by the way is a FABULOUS sock knitter!!! Oh boy.....am I the lucky one!! Check THESE out!!

They fit PERFECTLY!!!! The yarn is Colinette-Jitterbug-Florentina colorway Lagoon..... such vibrant, happy colors!!!

But WAIT....that's not ALL!!




This is the MOTHER LODE!!!

1. I have not seen the Dark Chocolate Raspberry kisses.....you would have thought it was Christmas morning when I saw them....I will confess to screams...and I even called my sister at work to tell her about them.....(haven't seen these ANYWHERE and she is as big a fan of the chocolate/raspberry combo as I am)!! LOL!!

AND.....if that weren't enough....there is a bag of Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares with a raspberry filling....can you say MAJOR YUMMY INDULGENCE?????

2. I have been wanting the Knit Socks book for SOOO long, but kept putting off buying it!!!

I have a friend that has this book and it is full of really great socks for "newbie" sock knitters like me!! I love it Kaki and can't tell you how excited I am to receive it!!

3. Also included is one of the wee tiny sock blocker keychains!! These are SOOO cute!!

4. A Susan Bates circular needle....which I have never used this brand and I am looking forward to using them as I have only used the KnitPicks brand needles!!!

5. Last but not least.....as if ALL this wasn't enough.....I received 2 balls of
Sockotta, color number 20......which, oddly enough I recently received a card with a small sample of this yarn from a shop I had placed an order with and had decided to give it a try as it is 45% cotton and thought it would be good for the summer......and the clor sample that I received? You got it.....Number 20!!!
(insert theme music from twilight zone here!) LOL!!!

Kaki, I just don't know how to thank you enough for such a gracious gift box!!! I felt like it was Christmas....everything individually wrapped.....the hand made card and the AWESOME socks and yarn!!!

I know from reading your blog that you have had a rough time lately with your mom, your knee injury, not to mention all the other ups and downs of life and yet you had time to do so much for me!! I just can't express my thanks enough!!!!

The quality of your sock knitting has inspired me to work harder!! You truly are a GREAT sock knitter!!!!

Thanks so much for making my very first sock swap such a grand experience!!!!!!