Wednesday, August 29, 2007

BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS

Thanks to Cathy in Atlanta I now know how to add buttons to the side bar of my blog. Cathy I think you may have created a monster. HEE HEE. Now I need to learn how to be able to link to a list somewhere else where I write down the books I have in my library and different groups I belong to. Can anyone help with that? BUT it has to be nice and simple. OH Sprinkles has a toy and some food if you click on more you can play with her. If you move your mouse around her, she will move in the basket. I have had her for a long time but didn't know how to get her on my blog. AGAIN thanks to Cathy she has a home. Several years ago I adopted a kitty who walked about my desktop. That was quite interesting.

THE MEANING OF MY BIRTHDAY AND NAME

Feb 4, 1949
Your date of conception was on or about 14 May 1948 which was a Friday.
I think a monster was created by Cathy H in Atlanta when she put the instructions on how to put buttons on the side bar of my blog. Thanks Cathy. See me waving.
Anyway I found this and though it was inteesting. You also can find it out by clicking on the link at the end.

You were born on a Friday under the astrological sign Aquarius.
Your Life path number is 11.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 3 & 6.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path number 9.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2432951.5.
The golden number for 1949 is 12.
The epact number for 1949 is 0.
The year 1949 was not a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/29/1949 and ending 2/16/1950.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Ox.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Otter; your plant is Fern.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Parmuthy, the fourth month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 5 Shevat 5709.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 6 Shevat 5709.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.16.15.3.7 which is 12 baktun 16 katun 15 tun 3 uinal 7 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Friday, 5 Rabi'u'th-Thani 1368 (1368-4-5).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 17 April 1949.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 24 April 1949.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 2 March 1949.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 5 June 1949.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 12 June 1949.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Saturday, 24 September 1949.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Thursday, 14 April 1949.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 1 March 1949.

As of 8/29/2007 3:31:02 AM EDT
You are 58 years old.
You are 702 months old.
You are 3,056 weeks old.
You are 21,390 days old.
You are 513,363 hours old.
You are 30,801,811 minutes old.
You are 1,848,108,662 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Brandon 'Bug' Hall (1985)
Natalie Imbruglia (1975)
Oscar De La Hoya (1973)
Lawrence Taylor (1959)
Alice Cooper (1948)
Dan Quayle (1947)
David Brenner (1945)
Betty Friedan (1921)
Ida Lupino (1918)
Rosa Parks (1913)
Clyde W. Tombaugh (1906)
Charles Lindbergh (1902)

Top songs of 1949
Riders In the Sky by Vaughn Monroe
That Lucky Old Sun by Frankie Laine
Cruising Down the River by Blue Barron (also Russ Morgan)
A Little Bird Told Me by Evelyn Knight
Mule Train by Frankie Laine
Some Enchanted Evening by Perry Como
You're Breaking My Heart by Vic Damone
Slippin' Around by Margaret Whiting & Jimmy Wakely
Forever and Ever by Russ Morgan
A You're Adorable by Perry Como

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 8.37181996086106 years old. (You old hound dog, you!)

Your lucky day is Saturday.
Your lucky number is 4 & 8.
Your ruling planet(s) is Saturn & Uranus.
Your lucky dates are 1st, 10th, 19th, 28th.
Your opposition sign is Leo.
Your opposition number(s) is 1.

Today is not one of your lucky days!

There are 159 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 59 candles.

Those 59 candles produce 59 BTUs,
or 14,868 calories of heat (that's only 14.8680 food Calories!) .
You can boil 6.74 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1949 there were approximately 2.8 million births in the US.
In 1949 the US population was approximately 131,669,275 people, 44.2 persons per square mile.
In 1949 in the US there were approximately 1,595,879 marriages (12.1%) and 264,000 divorces (2%)
In 1949 in the US there were approximately 1,417,000 deaths (10.8 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1949 the population of Australia was approximately 8,045,570.
In 1949 there were approximately 181,261 births in Australia.
In 1949 in Australia there were approximately 72,999 marriages and 6,572 divorces.
In 1949 in Australia there were approximately 75,260 deaths.

Your birthstone is Amethyst

The Mystical properties of Amethyst

Amethyst is used to increase spiritually
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Bloodstone, Onyx, Moonstone

Your birth tree is

Poplar, the Uncertainty
Looks very decorative, no self-confident behaviour, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organiser, tends to philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.

There are 118 days till Christmas 2007!
There are 131 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was waxing crescent.

This is what my name as it appears on my birth certificate means:

There are 19 letters in your name.
Those 19 letters total to 85
There are 6 vowels and 13 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:Greek Female Leafy foliage; green bough. In Greek legend, your name was changed to an almond tree after her death, and bore no leaves until her lover returned.

Your number is: 4

The characteristics of #4 are: A foundation, order, service, struggle against limits, steady growth.

The expression or destiny for #4:
Order, service, and management are the cornerstones of the number 4 Expression.
Your destiny is to express wonderful organization skills with your ever practical, down-to-earth approach. You are the kind of person who is always willing to work those long, hard hours to push a project through to completion. A patience with detail allows you to become expert in fields such as building, engineering, and all forms of craftsmanship. Your abilities to write and teach may lean toward the more technical and detailed. In the arts, music will likely be your choice. Artistic talents may also appear in such fields as horiculture and floral arrangement, as well. Many skilled physicians and especially surgeons have the 4 Expression.

The positive attitudes of the 4 Expression yield responsibility; you are one who no doubt, fulfills obligations, and is highly systematic and orderly. You are serious and sincere, honest and faithful. It is your role to help and you are required to do a good job at everything you undertake.

If there is too much 4 energies present in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes of the number 4. The obligations that you face may tend to create frustration and feelings of limitation or restriction. You may sometimes find yourself nursing negative attitudes in this regard and these can keep you in a rather low mood. Avoid becoming too rigid, stubborn, dogmatic, and fixed in your opinions. You may have a tendency to develop and hold very strong likes and dislikes, and some of these may border on the classification of prejudice. The negative side of 4 often produces dominant and bossy individuals who use disciplinarian to an excess. These tendencies must be avoided. Finally, like nearly all with 4 Expression, you must keep your eye on the big picture and not get overly wrapped up in detail and routine.

Your Soul Urge number is: 1

A Soul Urge number of 1 means:
Your Soul Urge is the number 1. With a Soul Urge number of 1, you want to lead and direct, to work independent of supervision, by yourself or with subordinates. You take pride in your abilities and want to be recognized for them. You may seek opportunities to display your strength and usefulness, wanting to create and originate. In your desire to manage the big picture and the main issues, you may often leave the details to others.

The positive 1 Soul Urge is Ambitious and determined, a leader seeking opportunities. There is a great deal of honesty and loyalty in this character. If you possess positive 1 Soul Urge qualities, you are very attainment oriented and driven to success. You are a loyal friend and strictly fair in your business dealings.

The negative side of the 1 Soul Urge must be avoided. A negative 1 is apt to dominate situations and people; the home, the spouse, the family and the business. Emotions aren't strong in this nature. If you possess an excess of 1 energy, you may, at times, be boastful and egotistic. You must avoid being too critical and impatient of trifles. The great need of the 1 Soul Urge is the development of friendliness, and a sincere interest in people.

Your Inner Dream number is: 3

An Inner Dream number of 3 means:
You dream of artistic expression; writing, painting, music. You would seek to more freely express your inner feeling and obtain more enjoyment from life. You also dream of being more popular, likable, and appreciated.

This is my name meaning as I call myself now (the name I have used since I have about 8 years old) with my married name (even though I am no longer married).

There are 12 letters in your name.
Those 12 letters total to 48
There are 3 vowels and 9 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:Greek Female Flower. Also a diminutive of Penelope: Bobbin.

Your number is: 3

The characteristics of #3 are: Expression, verbalization, socialization, the arts, the joy of living.

The expression or destiny for #3:
An Expression of 3 produces a quest for destiny with words along a variety of lines that may include writing, speaking, singing, acting or teaching; our entertainers, writers, litigators, teachers, salesmen, and composers. You also have the destiny to sell yourself or sell just about any product that comes along. You are imaginative in your presentation, and you may have creative talents in the arts, although these are more likely to be latent. You are an optimistic person that seems ever enthusiastic about life and living. You are friendly, loving and social, and people like you because you are charming and such a good conversationalist. Your ability to communicate may often inspire others. It is your role in life to inspire and motivate; to raise the spirits of those around you.

The negative side of number 3 Expression is superficiality. You may tend to scatter your forces and simply be too easygoing. It is advisable for the negative 3 to avoid dwelling on trivial matters, especially gossip.

Your Soul Urge number is: 7

A Soul Urge number of 7 means:
With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being.

You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly.

The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 5

An Inner Dream number of 5 means:
You dream of being totally free and unrestrained by responsibility. You see yourself conversing and mingling with the natives in many nations, living for adventure and life experiences. You imagine what you might accomplished.

So for those of you who know me am I more the first or the latter?

You also can find out about your name and birthdate by going here: http://www.paulsadowski.org/BirthDay.asp

And secret pal 11 I am going to check out 43 things next and list some on my blog.

Well I have finally made it below 4,000 people on ravelry even if not by much. LOL

Ravelry UPdate
You signed up on July 6, 2007
You are #14564 on the list.
3995 people are ahead of you in line.
14830 people are behind you in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

Sunday, August 26, 2007

AN ENTIRE WEEK'S WORTH OF POSTS

OH MY!! It's been a long time since my last post. Now I have quite a bit to write about. This is a long post with a lot of photos. An entire week's worth of posting in one day.

Yesterday I went to a "Silly Party". My friend Paula invited me to join her at her friend's for a silly party. It was a lovely day and it was held outside in a netted tent. We were to wear silly clothes and bring silly food. I wore two different socks, two different shoes, stripe Capri's and a polka dot shirt. I also wore my new pink scarf that didn't match. I put my very short hair in pig tails, and wore make-up on one side of my face with a nice round rosy circle of blush on one cheek. I won the prize for dressing the silliest. We played with water guns, ball & bat but a very tiny one, blew bubbles, drew with chalk on the bricks, did hula hoops and bobbed for apples.
Here is Karen squirting Paula with a water gun. Here's Paula and Karen playing with a toy you blow in and try to get the ball in the air.
Karen is bobbing for apples with Paula watching.
Paula is bobbing for apples.
Look at them with apples in their mouths.
We talked about all the fun things we did as kids and the different games we played. It didn't seem to matter where we lived we all played the same games.

We had absolutely nothing with any caloric value to eat. We had gummy worms, brownies, cup cakes, popcorn, finger jello, chocolates and I brought some delicious Kitty Litter Cake. When I first heard of it in one of my groups last year I though who would make something like that. Of course, since I don't have or go to Halloween parties I figured I also had no need to make it. When I was told of the party and I was to bring some silly food after thinking what I could bring it came to my mind the AH HA moment I will bring Kitty Litter Cake. It went over quite well. Here is a site with the recipe and a photo of it: http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/dessert/cakes/kittylittercake.html. Here is a photo of my cake. It is presented on newspaper with some cookie crumbs on the paper and served with a kitty pooper scooper. It was a big hit. Yesterday was a fun day.

Last Sunday August 19 was our Knitting Get Together's KNIT OUT. It was held at the Forks, a historical site in the city. The weather was perfect, cool with a slight breeze not hot or overly sunny. It went from 10AM to 4PM. Most of the photos are courtesy of Shelagh.


Here is our sign.

Some of the gals at the KNIT OUT.

More gals from the KNIT OUT and in the background you can see the prize table. Nope I didn't win a prize this year either. Many thanks to Ram Wools for their gift certificate of $25.00 and to Mona for her generous donations of goodies from her shop and to Shelagh for her donation.
AND even more knitters (Isabelle, Erica, me, Robin, Nicole). The chair with the umbrella is belongs to Shelagh who took this photo. Later Betty from Morden who Shelagh met at her knitting camp joined us and set between us.
Cory and Erica working on the joint knitting project which will become four way knitting when it gets large enough for four to work on.
A close-up of the the joint knitting which lots of gals at the KNIT OUT worked on.
Tuesday August 21 we gathered again for our monthly meeting at McNally's to knit and gab. We had several new people show up who came to our KNIT OUT and one who said she was a member but really hadn't been coming. I finally was able to get my friend of Pat to stop by. She left quite happy as one of the Erica's was selling some of her Alpaca Cloud and Pat was able to purchase two skeins to make the Knit Picks Candle Flame Shawl. That will mean it will be done by four of our members. It is a lovely shawl. I hope one day to knit it also (making me #5). Another project for my to do list.
Here is a photo of our youngest member (Nicole's daughter).
New members one with her husband to help her learn to speak English.
More new members.
Here is Robin.

Knitting News
I have completed my Circle of Friendship socks. They fit perfectly.
I am working on a scarf which should be finished within the next couple of days. This is for a swap I am in. I am working on my Monkey Socks for the monkey swap. I hope my partner will like them. I am really enjoying knitting them. This lace sock pattern is very simple and easy to do. So those of you sock lovers who haven't knit them yet you can find them here http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html. They are a Cookie A pattern.
I have received my Knit One Tea Two and my Fall Felted Bag partners. Now to decide what to make for my Fall Felted Bag partner. HMMMMM
I am slowly putting more books on the side of my blog in my wish list. Check frequently for more I am interested in obtaining to add to my library.
As I am writing this the post truck drove by. I happen to go and look out the window to see it go by without stopping. I am expecting a package from Knit Picks. Where oh where is it? Next week I will have four packages to mail to swap partners. I am always on the look out for goodies that would be good for swaps. I keep a stash of such stuff on hand.
Oh my the mail truck came back. Did he go around the block and realise he forgot to stop at my place. Look what he brought me. Two more books from the sale Knit Picks had and some lovely Peppermint Alpaca Cloud for another shawl for my to do list.
I am looking forward to starting on my Jelly Bean socks and my bag for my Fall Felted Bag partner. I love starting new projects. I love starting new projects way to much and have to control myself or nothing would get completed.

I have some news about my missing parrot. He was been seen in the company of another parrot. He was found by my friend Janice who sent me this photo of him with his new friend. I doubt he will want to come home now. Guess he feels better with another parrot for company than a cat.

Knitting Goodness
I received my animal cloth this week from Charlotte in the addictedtoknit dishcloth group I am in. She included a magnetic Americana notepad and pen.
I received my Whoduknit Tag Sale Swap package Friday. It was a secret swap and I now know it was from Jane. I will email her and the group later this evening.She sent me a lovely box of goodies which included:
- A lovely large tote bag (it says Readers Digest on it) and I used it yesterday to carry my Kitty Litter Cake in (which I first put in another bag so this one didn't get dirty). In this bag the cake pan could sit properly
- Family Circle Fall 2003 Magazine
- Knitting Stitches and Patterns book from 1972
- A novel called The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult which sounds like a good read
- A Red Heart leaflet called Crocheted Treasured Afghans
- A set of Wooden Round Handles
- 2 skeins of Lion's Brand Magic Stripes sock yarn
- A skein of Lion's Brand Trellis (ladder yarn) in blue
- 2 Skeins of a Boa type yarn in blue by Jackie Knitting Yarns
- A skein of 100gm WW Peruvian yarn she dyed herself in variegated colors of light blues, pinks with white
- A mini cross stitch kit
In the box she also included my blogiversary gift which was a lovely set of note cards she made herself and a book magnet from the whoduknit group.
Kitty News
My Solara loves when I rub my wet feet on her fur when I get out of the shower. After that I usually scoop her up in my big bath towel wrapping her in the "wet" towel and cuddling her in it. She purrs, kneads with her paws. Her eyes are all glazed over. I always wonder what she is thinking at this time.
I am going to see if I can figure out how to put a video on my blog. I have a really cute/funny one of Solara I want to share.

There is more I have to put on my blog after reading my emails. Some requests of my secret partners and a SP11 contest but I will do that later or tomorrow. I am now going to get ready to deliver Avon brochures and email customers for deliveries which have to be completed by Tuesday and money in the Avon account by Wednesday. This is one of those one week short campaign turn arounds that are even shorter due to the Labor Day holiday. Then they shut down the email service to improve it this past Friday the day after Avon arrived (at 9PM in the evening). With less than a week to do the brochure drops and deliveries in they chose Aug 24 to improve the email service. Maybe occasionally I have plans for the weekend? Why do they always pick on my district to short time us. It never fails. I have noticed that not this campaign but the next will be another week turn around. Then I want to look at my two new books, wrap & package my swaps for mailing, send some emails myself and KNIT KNIT KNIT!!!


Raveley Update
You signed up on July 6, 2007
You are #14564 on the list.
4211 people are ahead of you in line.
14133 people are behind you in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

Sunday, August 19, 2007

FALL FELTED BAG QUESTIONNAIRE

Yes another questionnaire. This one is from the Fall Felted BAG Exchange

1. How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn or from whom?
I have been knitting ever since I can remember (school age) and I can’t believe the number of my age now but I still consider myself an advanced beginner - intermediate as there is so much to learn.

2. What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
My first felted item was a tote bag. I made it about three or four years ago when I saw one at the LYS made by the owner. I loved that tote and had to have "one" (LOL) for myself. Since then I have made a pair of felted slippers and several other totes. Many of my felted items have been given away as gifts.

3. What are your favorite colors? Any you hate?
I really am not fond of or wear orange, yellow, lime, olive or drab green and brown. I knit them for others but I have to force myself. I love pink, red, purple, blue, black, white, dark green and all shades of them except for the green.

4. What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)
I like large totes to carry large knitting projects, small totes for smaller projects and bags I can carry with my personal stuff. I like something that can go over my shoulder but also like handles. I am pretty much open to whatever is made for me. I am sure I will love what my partner decides to gift me with but I have always wanted a Constant Companion bag. AND I do love some of those Noni Felted Bags with the wonderful Felted Flowers on them (Hydrangea, large Market Bag and In the Garden Bag are a few). I do have one set of Noni flowers, the Unfurling Rose Pattern.

5. What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?
OH dear I change seasonally and even monthly or more often. I have several bags and totes in use with different projects. Yes I usually have my knitting in a separate tote. I carry way to many bags with me. So I have been told. LOL


6. What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?
Socks, Socks, Socks and I now enjoying doing shawls. I also knit other items dishcloths, baby items when needed. I even something join in the yarn lovers room swaps (squares can be knit or crocheted but are usually crocheted) as that is about all I can crochet decently. I knit scarves and hats, wrist warmers, just about everything but my first two favorites are socks and totes.

7. What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
I use Denise for a lot of my knitting. I use them instead of long straights. I also like bamboo DPNs and Brypum. Sometimes I use shorts for dishcloths but since lots of times I will knit more than one dishcloth at a time I will use my Denise cirs for them also. I enjoyed my Knit Picks DPNs but on this latest pair of socks the stitches kept falling off when I was doing the leg and I was wishing I had started them on bamboo DPNs.

8. What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
Toe up socks, magic loop socks (I can do 2s2c), I think I may like to try a true fairisle and to steek.

9. What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
There are just so many, one is Tilly Thomas but if you read further down my blog you will see more yarns in other questionnaires. Oh and Brown Sheep.

10. What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?
I would love to learn to spin. I am just starting with a spindle and I am not getting too far. I have a very small spindle but not a spinning wheel which I would love to own. I don’t have carders either. I crochet a little as long as there isn’t any or much shaping involved. I quilt and sew but now living in this apt I can’t use my sewing machine anymore. I was threatened with eviction so that now has to wait until I get into another place which I am the waiting list for. I was even taking an apparel design course that I had to give up close to the end. I used to do a lot of needlepoint, embroidery and ribbon craft but until I move all these crafty items are packed in boxes up in the locker area which I am also not allowed to go to anymore. I have been told the locker use is not for casual or seasonal storage use but to put things in that you won’t want until you move out????? I would love to garden but at this time I don't live in a house so I can't BUT maybe one day.....

11. Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
Angels, fairies, cat stuff, Americana, yarn, fabric, books, patterns, magazines. I am a bit of a textile, yarn, magazine and book junkie.

12. What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
I most certainly do, unfortunately enjoy goodies and sweets. I love chocolate, dark, chocolate, expensive chocolate and "American" Hershey’s chocolate. I also love Jelly Bellys. PLEASE no Black licorice YUK YUK!!!! Only allergy is wasps but I doubt you will be sending me any

13. Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!)
I have one feline fur toddler and that is basically it for family.

14. What kind of project best personifies you and why?
After much thought and being in a quandary about this question I asked my friend Shelagh how she would answer it about me and here is what she wrote. “SOCKS! Especially colourful ones, because you have a colourful personality”.

15. What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer!
The change of colors in the leaves.

16. Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.
1. Put money away for the future so I am never again robbing Peter to pay Paul
2. Decide on the “toys” I want now (house, car, new computer system etc etc this of course is, in addition, to yarn yarn and more yarn – maybe even open my own yarn shop).
3. Help my friends who have always been there for me

Ravelry Update
You signed up on July 6, 2007
You are #14564 on the list.
5014 people are ahead of you in line.
12235 people are behind you in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

Saturday, August 18, 2007

KNITTING GOODNESS

Yes today I am starting off with:
Knitting Goodness
I received my Sockamaniac Hometown Sock Swap package on Wednesday and what a lovely package it was. Just check out my package and look at all the goodies I received. There is a Lion's Brand book called Just Wraps, two skeins of Rowan 4 ply Soft 100% merino yarn in a lovely blue color which will make a great pair of socks. This is a yarn I haven't seen at the LYSs in my city. There was also a skein of Grace in red (100% cotton), a most wonderful sock pattern, a sand dollar, body cream, two bags of Jelly Bellys, a container of Coconut Dates (and I love both dates and coconut), 10 tea bags, five post cards, a fridge magnet and there was more. The package was from California.

Then in the evening I went to Chapters and purchased a couple of British knitting magazines. I got Knit Today and Simply Knitting which came with a free tape measure with a picture of a sheep on it. A knitter just cannot have too many tape measures

Of course, with the good comes the bad. I had a headache start Wednesday evening and it turned into a migraine which I still have. This one is complete with the nausea. That is why there hasn't been an entry on my blog for a while.


Knitting News
I have lots of knitting news. I received my monkey sock swap partner so I can start on my socks. I even have the neatest sock monkey pattern to knit. I am not sure if I will be able to get it done but I will try. If I don't finish it on time I guess it will be mine. I also got my secret pal 11 partner. I have made contact with both partners and they have made contact with me. I also have my addicted to knit three month swap partner, my dishcloth and knitted food item swap from the love2knitdishcloth group. So everything is a go. Now I am just waiting to find out who my Knit One Tea Too, Fall Felted Bag and Christmas Swap partners are. I should know who they are shortly. I have a lot of knitting to do but I love it. Tomorrow is my Knitting groups KNIT OUT which is held at a local historic site called The Forks. It is from 10A - 4P. There will be knitting, gabbing and some gals will even bring their spinning wheels. The weather forecast calls for a nice day tomorrow; not too hot not too cold and no rain. Of course, that could all change by morning. I will take lots of photos and post some on here on my blog for you to see what fun we had. Maybe I will even win a prize this year as there are raffle draws for all who attend. I have planned what I am taking with me. I don't know how much knitting I will get done with all the gabbing and visiting with everyone to see what they are working on that will be going on but I will go prepared to do lots of knitting.
I was reading on the ITE4 swap blog that all five of us who didn't get a swap package from our partner will be receiving something from an angel. YEAH FOR ANGELS!!!!
I am still working on my Circle of Friendship Socks. I am now up to the foot on both which means I am half done on both socks. Here are the latest photos of my socks. This first one is of my progress to date.
This is a close up of the patter on the leg.

I have finished my tote bag which is a gift I will be sending in one of my many swaps. I think it came out nice. The first photo is the outside of the bag and the second photo shows the inside fabric I used for the lining. I didn't put any pockets in this bag.



I can now show the cloth I sent my partner Karen in the addictedtoknitdishcloth animal cloth exchange. I made her the hobby horse from the smarieknits blog which you can find here: http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/02/hobby-horse.html. I know she likes patterns from this blog. I know she also likes Avon so I sent some in the package with her cloth. I thought this was going to be a difficult pattern to do but it is very easy.
I never found my missing parrot. I called the transit dept and no parrot was turned in. I checked at the Bay both in the grocery dept and at the lost and found and no parrot was turned it. I also spoke to the one Avon customer I stopped at before I went to visit Luna last Sunday but she hadn't seen my parrot either. I hope he is happy and safe wherever he has gone to.


I am going to end this blog entry with photos of my darling knitting kitty Solara. I hope you enjoy them. In this first photo she is biting me but when I talk to her she stops and just keeps her open mouth on my arm doing nothing.
In this photo she says look at my pretty nose and lip. Don't forget to check out my cat eyes.
AND in this last photo she is saying this is my better side. Aren't I pretty?

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

MY LIFE PATH

I found this but I don't think it really fits me. So those of you who read my blog and know me tell me what you think. It comes from analyzing your birthdate.
Good grief, people drawn to me by my energy and I hold a great amount of power over others, without even trying.
You have the makings of an inventor, artist, religious leader, or prophet. It seems a bit far fetched. I certainly don't look at myself like this.
Could it be b/c I was born two months early and maybe should have had a different birthdate which would also be silly as that is not when I was born. I can't be someone I am not. It hard enough being who I am. LOL
HMMM I am to insprie others.......
I do agree I am too critical of myself, I certainly do set my expectations high and often I feel I don't fit in. They did get all that correct.
Maybe it is half correct. Well I await your reponses.

Your Life Path Number is 11

Your purpose in life is to inspire others

Your amazing energy draws people to you, and you give them great insight in return.
You hold a great amount of power over others, without even trying.
You have the makings of an inventor, artist, religious leader, or prophet.

In love, you are sensitive and passionate. You connect with your partner on a very deep level.

You have great abilities, but you are often way too critical of yourself.
You don't fit in - and instead of celebrating your differences, you dwell on them.
You have high expectations of yourself. But sometimes you set them too high and don't achieve anything.

LIFE BEGINS AT EIGHTY

The first 80 years are the hardest.
The second 80 as my experience goes are a succession of birthday parties - everybody wants to help you up the stairs.
If you forget anybody's name or forget an appointment, or promise to be at two or three places at the same time, or spell words wrongly you can explain that you are 80.
If you spill soup on your tie or fail to shave one side of your face, or if you take some man's hat by mistake, or fail to mail a letter for a week and carry it around in your pocket - you are 80.
So you can relax with no misgivings for you have a perfect alibi for everything when you are 80. No one expects much of you.
If you act silly it is your second childhood.
Everybody is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain.
Being 80 is a great deal better than being 65 or 70. At that time you are expected to retire to a little house in Florida and become discontented, grumbling, limping - a "Has Been".
But if you survive till 80, everybody is surprised that you can talk above a whisper - surprised if you reveal signs of lucid intervals.
At 70 people are mad at you for everything.
At 80 they forgive you for everything.
by Frank Lambach

Well, I still have a few years to go behaving myself before I can enter my second childhood. I anticipated I had to wait until I was 84. I am glad to learn I can begin my second childhood four years earlier than I had though. LOL

MY PARROT IS MISSING AGAIN!!!!!

Once again I was off to Transcona. This time to visit my friend Luna for a BBQ, conversation and while there deliver her Avon. I packed my parrot to show her. I have explained to Luna how the group Whoduknit works. On my way to the nether regions of the city I stopped and delivered one Avon order, picked up some food items at the Bay which included a watermelon and some beans to share for out dinner. Then I got on the bus and traveled long enough to do four rows on my bag and VOILA I was Luna's home. She lives right at the bus stop. Well when I got inside and emptied my travel cart I schlepped with me there was NO RED PARROT!!!! AND believe me I emptied out everything including my tote bag. I thought OH NO my parrot has run off again. My nice friend Luna is suggested I probably left him home. Later that night once I got home I looked for MY RED PARROT and couldn't find him. Where oh where could he have gone to???? I looked at Solara wishing she could speak to me and she looked at me but, alas, she can't. This was Sunday night. Then I went to sleep figuring I would look some more in the morning for my lost parrot. I got up on Monday morning to Solara not feeling well. She upchucked about seven times some phelgmy stuff, was lethargic and didn't eat all day. Now with my RED PARROT missing and my knitting kitty Solara ill, YOU DON'T THINK?????? LOL "Anywho" my knitting kitty is feeling better today and I can tell b/c she wants her Temptation treats but my red parrot is still missing.

While at Luna's she gave me my belated birthday (February) and Christmas gifts. I gave belated gifts (birthday in March and Christmas) to her when she visited me a few weeks earlier. I love getting pressies and I certainly got some neat items.

As you can see from the photo I got two books. Way on the left is a cookbook called Italy and the other is Danielle Steele's new book The Kiss. I usually don't read her books as after I had read a few I found them all much the same. Luna also seemed to be tiring of her books but this one caught her interest again and she told me she felt this was a good read. I gave her the book The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography by Sidney Poitier for her birthday. I am looking forward to trying a couple of the recipes in the heavily photographed cookbook. Those two candles in the front have the longest wicks I have ever seen. They look nice in my living room. Along with the teacup, lid and strainer I received some Saskatoon Berry flavored Tea by Riverbend Plantation. Then there was a lovely pink scarf. I also received some food items including cookies (flax seed omega 3, ginger and another twisted like a small pretzel from Asia but it has been eaten already (yes in one sitting), VH Sweet and Sour Sauce some of which I had with my chicken pieces last night, and a large jar of pickled herring. Now there probably not a lot of you who like that but I love it. I also love pickled lox. I enjoy them both pickled and pickled with sour cream. My dad made the best pickled lox and pickled herring but he is no longer here and he didn't leave me the recipe. So visiting Luna was extra special this time. She shared with me a poem on being 80 which I will put on the blog also but as a separate entry.
As for our dinner Sunday night, in addition to the BBQ chicken, beans and watermelon Luna prepared rice and beans. To drink we had homemade ginger beer. Ah yes Luna is from Jamaica. And can she make some good ethnic treats. It was a lovely evening which ended all too soon.

Knitting News
I am working on the icord of my bag and then have to sew the bottom together, make the lining for the bag but first have the lovely task of sewing all the yarn ends in. YUK!!!! I think I have chosen a fun lining for the bag. What do you think?
So I have mailed my whoduknit package out to my secret partner, my sockamanaic hometown sock swap package and my special package out yesterday.

AND I received my partner's name in the secretpal 11 swap. I need to check out her questionnaire, her blog and to make contact with her later today or this evening. Why later you ask? Well I am soon to get ready to make another Avon delivery or two and go back to Transcona to see Cathy. Who know maybe I will run into my red parrot while there!!!

Ravelry Update
You signed up on July 6, 2007
You are #14564 on the list.
5621 people are ahead of you in line.
10855 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

Sunday, August 12, 2007

MY RED PARROT

I lost my red parrot but I found him and he is home now. LOL For my project after reading Nancy Picard's The Virgin of Small Plains I decided to knit a red parrot. Mitch had a red parrot in the story but when he left Small Plains his parrot was stolen by his girlfriend Abby. She kept and loved Mitch's parrot until there was a tornado and the parrot got loose. My red parrot got away also and there wasn't a tornado here. We had very heavy winds the other day but not a tornado. I went looking for my parrot. I found him in the bushes but was unable to catch him and bring him home until it got dark when I found him sitting on the fence. See photos below for the story of finding my parrot.
Here he is hiding in the bushes.

I sneaked up on him when he was in full sight.
I am getting close to him but he has that look on his face. She sees me and I've got to get out of here fast or she will take me home before I am ready.
Now it is dark and I am ready to go home. If I sit here my mom will find me. Oh there is my mom and I am ready to go home.
My parrot is safe at home and asleep now.

Knitting News

I have heard from my partners in the whoduknit tag sale swap and sockamaniac's home town sock swap and both packages are on there way to me. I will be mailing mine out Monday. I just need to tape up the boxes. Since there is no mail pick up on Sunday I will wait until Monday to take them to the postal outlet. I have another special package to mail but can't say who will get it as it is a surprise but a hint is, it is not a knitting swap. I have mailed my animal cloth package and mine is also on it's way. So there is going to be some more knitting goodness coming my way very soon.

While out this week I found some treats for my monkey sock swap three partner. I don't know who she is yet. I also found a lovely new sock yarn which I hope to make her socks from. That is if they fit in with what she likes according to her questionnaire. What do you think of the yarn?
The colors are not as bright as they show in the photo. They are more dusty looking. It is a new yarn. I purchased it from Leona's. It is from Universal Yarns and called Wisdom Yarns. The color pattern is Los Angeles. I have never heard of that company before. It is 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. There are 437 yds in the skein. It is so soft to touch. I got one for myself also to enhance my stash.
I also have picked up some goodies for my Pink and Peach August color swap. I am sending to the hostess of the group. I hope she likes what I have found so far. There are a couple more items I want to put in the package. Pink is one of my favorite colors.
I still haven't received anything from my ITE4 partner. I also haven't heard anything more from the ITE4 swap hostess this past week about whether my partner intends to send me anything. I guess I am not going to get a tote bag and goodies this time around. I wonder if the others who hadn't received their packages ever heard from anyone or if they eventually received something. There has been nothing on the group blog about those who haven't received packages getting something. Now why bother to join if you aren't going to follow through? For those that don't know there is a yahoo group and possible there is more than one yahoo group where your name goes when you don't follow through with swaps. Why would anyone want to have their name on that list is beyond me. I am a swap junkie and I take swapping very seriously!!!!

What am I working on?
I am still working on my Circle of Friendship socks. I have completed both heels and now am on the gussets of both socks. I am also working on a bag which will be a gift if I like how it turns out. It is about half finished.

It is from the bagaholic group which you can find here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bag-A-Holic/. A photo of the finished bag is on the homepage. It is the August pattern of the month and you need to be a member to get the pattern which is free during August. I am using different colors than the photo of it on the group site. It is knit with cotton and Lion's Brand fancy eyelash. It is knit in one piece and the bottom is sewn closed. There are icord handles and it is lined. I like the colors I have chosen and think the person they are to go to will also like them.
I am looking forward to starting a scarf (tube scarf) shortly and my Jelly Bean Socks. I also need to work on my Victorian Lace Socks which have only four rows of cuff done on both of the socks. So many projects to knit and not enough hours in the day and night.

Ravelry Update

You signed up on July 6, 2007
You are #14564 on the list.
5815 people are ahead of you in line.
10241 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

WOW There are "almost" twice as many behind me now.

Friday, August 10, 2007

QUESTIONNAIRES QUESTIONNAIRES QUESTIONNAIRES

Well I have been meaning to put in these other two questionnaires for swaps but....... I had to think about the answers first

Here is my Secret Pal 11 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I absolutely abhor Phentex. I never made those Phentex slippers. I am becoming a bit of a yarn snob. I love the yarns I can’t get locally. Figures, eh? I also like Knit Picks yarn and yarns from Elann.com. I like sock yarns, wools that can be felted, wools that can’t be felted along with angora, cashmere, mohairs, alpacas, cottons, fun furs and even some acrylics for baby items.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have small DPN holder which I use a lot but it doesn’t fit them all.
I keep my round needles in a bag as I usually use my Denise which if not in the case are being used with projects. The long straights are in a big bag with matching sizes rubber banded together and I do use them occasionally. The shorter straights are in a basket nearer at hand as they seem to get more use.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting ever since I can remember (school age) and I can’t believe the number of my age now but I still consider myself an advanced beginner - intermediate as there is still so much to learn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No. I don’t know how to do that. I do want to put a list of books I have in my library on my blog but don’t know how to make the list and on then on the side of my blog to have it say, See what books I own or books in my library: Click Here and have it take you to where they are listed. I have a list of books in my library on Ravelry. I have more than those but the rest aren't on Ravelry yet for me to list. I have a wish list of books on my side bar though.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender, sandalwood oil (from the Body Shop), rose, ocean, fresh scents, some musks (Body Shop has a nice one) actually it depends on my mood. I used to love the Body Shop’s Dewberry but it is no longer available.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I most certainly do, unfortunately. I love chocolate, dark, chocolate, expensive chocolate and "Americian" Hershey’s chocolate. I also love Jelly Bellys. PLEASE no Black licorice YUK YUK!!!!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Do you spin?I would love to learn to spin. I am just starting with a spindle and I am not getting too far. I have a very small spindle but not a spinning wheel which I would love to own. I don’t have carders either. I crochet a little as long as there isn’t any or much shaping involved. I sew and quilt but now living in this apt I can’t use my sewing machine anymore. I was threatened with eviction so that now has to wait until I get into another place which I am the waiting list for. I was even taking an apparel design course that I had to give up close to the end. I used to do a lot of needlepoint, embroidery and ribbon craft but until I move all these crafty items are packed in boxes up in the locker area which I am also not allowed to go to anymore. I have been told the locker use is not for casual or seasonal storage use but to put things in that you won’t want until you move out?????

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love the oldies from the 20’s to the 60’s. I love blues and jazz. I have a DVD player and a walkman that play MP3’s and my computer which didn’t play them before but made them now seems to play them also. I have a new computer which plays them fine.

9. Colors you just can't stand?
I really do not wear orange, yellow or lime, olive or drab green or brown. I knit them for others but I have to force myself. I love pink, red, purple, blue, black, white, dark green and all shades of them except for the green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have one feline fur toddler and that is basically it for family.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, mitts, gloves and should wear hats. I live in the great white north which has a very cold winter climate.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, bags/totes and now shawls. I also knit dishcloths since I am in a lot of dishcloth groups and hope to turn them into a dishclothghan one day. I also knit scarves, afghans, baby items and hats.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A couple of Several pairs of socks, two three shawls, a couple of totes, a few dishcloths, and possible a scarf a hat and possibly a second hat.

14. Do you like to receive homemade gifts?
OH YES!!!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I usually use my Denise circs for straights even when I knit dishcloths as I do more than one at a time but when I knit one I use either short straights or my Denise. I love bamboo (DPNs and round) especially when I knit slippery items. I am using DPN Knit Picks for one of the pair of socks I am now knitting and the stitches keep falling off the needles. They should be on bamboo but I didn’t want to change them in the middle of the leg especially since I work two pair at a time on the DPNs. I have done the 2s2c method but with the cirs ends the same color I find that difficult and didn’t like the painting one set of ends with my nail enamel.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No but I would love to have them.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
It is too much of an embarrassment for me to say

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I always loved my birthday (HMMM love cake and ice-cream & pressies of course) and Christmas even thought I am not a Christian. Since I live alone most of my pressies are from swap exchanges although I do receive a few gifts from friends. I like the happiness of the season, the lights and the fact that most people are kinder to one another than usual which should be an all year round occurrence but… Living alone does make them lonly holidays. Not only b/c I am alone and these are family gathering, gift giving, food holidays but b/c I love to cook. I love thinking of what to give friends for Christmas and their birthday as it is my chance to pay back all that has been done for me during the year. My next favorite holiday would be Thanksgiving. AH another food holiday. BUT of course there is Valentine Day, Easter and Halloween which are candy holidays.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Angels, fairies, cat stuff, Americana, yarn, fabric, books, patterns, magazines. I am a bit of a textile, yarn and magazine junkie.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I currently only have a subscriptions to Cook’s Illustrated. I have none to any knitting magazines. I want to get myself some Berroco Boho Colors (in Newsprint) so I can make the Talisman bag. I would like to try Trexxing, Claudia Handpainted, Socks That Rock, Tofutsies, Jitterbug, Yarntini, Sundara, Chewy Spaghetti, Sweet Georgia, Cider Moon, Posh yarn, Zen String, Yarn Pirate,Trexxing, yarn made of corn, milk, wood and any yarns I am unable to get here locally. AND to have some Tilly Thomas (with beads and crystals in it) would be like WOW WOW WOW!!! I keep reading about smaller yarn companies that make wonderful hand dyed sock yarns that I am unable to get.
Would love a pair of sock blockers and mini sock blocker key chain, stitch markers and any of the latest knitting goodies that are out.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes, toe up socks, magic loop (I can do 2s2c), reading charts, entralac but I am not sure if I will like it

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Most definitely. I wear a medium size sock and a size 8 – 8.5 shoe. The circumference of my foot is 9”, my ankle is 9” and the length of my foot from heel to toe is 9” – 9 ¼”.

23. When is your birthday?
Feb 4

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am still on the waiting list. My name on Raverly is pennala but there isn't too much there yet as I screwed up my photos and have to fix that.

And now on to: Monkey Sock Swap THREE Questionnaire

The basics:

Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep?
I have been knitting socks for a very very long time. I stopped for many years but took it back up several years ago. AND I love to knit socks!! I am sure I could knit socks in my sleep if they didn't have a complicated pattern. BUT I consider myself at most an andvanced beginnner - intermediate knitter since there is so much more to learn such as reading charts.

The measurements:
Shoe Size: 8 – 8 1/2
Foot circumference: 9”
Foot length: 9” – 9 1/4"

Yarn Preferences:

What colors do you love?
Pinks. Reds, Purples, Blues, Greens, Blacks and Whites and most shades of them.

Do you prefer solids or variegated?
Either is fine with me.

Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn?
Wool & nylon combination, wool, cotton & nylon combo, cotton, wool & nylon combination, or sock yarn with bamboo or silk but no acrylic sock yarn and as long as I know what it is so I know how to care for it.

What colors would you never wear?
Orange, lime green, yellow and brown as a solid color sock. It is okay if there is a little of those colors in a variegated yarn just not a variegated yarn made of all of them together.

What are your favorite brands of yarn?
There are so many. Fleece Artist, Lorna Laces & Regia. Louet Gems and all of these I can get. Opal (I have a couple skeins) that I received in swaps and I once received a Cherry Tree Hill skein of sock yarn.

Are there any new brands you would like to try?
OH YES!! Claudia Handpainted, Socks That Rock, Tofutsies, Yarntini, Sundara, Chewy Spaghetti, Sweet Georgia, Cider Moon, Posh yarn, Zen String, Yarn Pirate,Trexxing II now have one skein of it), Jitterbug, Applelaine,

Cookie A. Patterns:

Which of her patterns have you already knit?
I have never knit a Cookie A. pattern. The monkeys are going to be my first.

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own?
I would like to have the Titania’s Revenge (From Blue Moon), Mona, or Thelonious as these look the easties for a non chart reader.

Other pertinent information:

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US?
A US pal would be great

Do you have any allergies?
Wasps but they don’t count. NO black licorice or anything with that flavor please

Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
No smoke but a feline does live with me and she likes to check everything out

Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name?
I am on the waiting list still


Friday, August 3, 2007

PENNY LIKES TO

I was reading someone’s blog and found this. You can do it also. You go to Google and type in "Penny likes to" (but you use your own name and include the quotation marks) and you paste 10 things that show up. Here is what I found:

1. Penny likes to dress up

2. Penny likes to get away

3. Penny likes to rest a spell in one of the rocking chairs on the back porch

4. Penny likes to refer to herself as an optimist and believes that positive solutions will result as long as she exercises her creative thinking

5. Penny likes to sew for herself, friends and ……

6. Penny likes to plan parties

7. Penny likes to hear, "Our country is at its best when you do your part."

8. Penny likes to read, spend time with her friends

9. Penny likes to make smoothies for her friends

10. Penny likes to spend her free time gardening and decorating her home

How close is this actually to me? Leave your comments. One hint is I would rather be in a glider than a rocker. I would love to get a glider one day with a matching gliding ottoman. They are so comfortable.

KNIT ONE TEA TOO QUESTIONAIRE

Here are the answers to my Knit One Tea Too questionnaire.

1. Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?
I like both loose tea and bagged tea and love to try new teas.

2. What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?
I don’t like any tea with licorice flavoring in it which includes fennel and anise. For a bagged tea, I discovered and liked Lipton’s Biscotti Tea but it seemed it is no longer available. It was great when I wanted a sweet treat and no calories. I like Jasmine Tea. Someone from the states sent me Salada Green Tea with Purple Antioxidants and enjoyed it (it is not available here). I also received from the states some Bentley’s White Tea (Peach Ginger) and Evolution White Tangerine Tea both which I liked and also can’t get here). BUT actually I like most all teas and am more than willing to try new flavors and varieties. What I drink depends on my mood when I am making it or craving it.

3. Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).
Again I like them all. I am open to all colors. This should make it easy for my partner although I don’t like all colors of green (such as olive, limes and drabs).

4. Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?
Again there are times I want a pot of tea (and more than two cups) and other times just a large cup of tea which will still give me two cups in my large mug. Even with company sometimes it is a pot of tea evening and other times it is just hot water tea if different teas are desired by everyone.

5. What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?
HMMMMMMMMM I need to think on this one.

6. How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).
I love chocolate, dark chocolate, expensive chocolate and HERSHEY’S chocolate. I also have a thing with cookies, cake and ice-cream. I am soooo bad!!!! AND I do adore Jelly Bellys. I sell Avon but still love treats for hands and feet so I do not mind receiving lotions and potions especially from those lovely bath shops in the states. I love going for manicures and pedicures when the finances allow it as there is nothing like being pampered.

7. If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?
Probably cashmere as it is very soft and comforting.

8. If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?
Since there is no choice for socks or lace shawls I would have to say I would knit a fun fur scarf. I have a bit of a thing for fun fur even if it is going out of fashion. Some of it is so soft, cuddly and fun.

9. What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)
A knitting get together, knitting class, yarn crawl, knitting camp or a chance to go visit my friends in Florida.

10. What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)
A tea party should have party sandwiches (the little round ones that look like pinwheels) made of: cream cheese with cherries, cream cheese with olives, egg salad, little cucumber sandwiches and dainties, lots of sweet treats since I can always have plain "ole" cookies at home.

11. When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?
It depends on if the original yarn is available, if the original yarn comes in a color I want, the amount of yarn I need which leads into yes the cost of the yarn sometimes does play a factor in my choice,

12. What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?
A Tote of some kind. I have several. Some were made for me by others or made by myself for me and a couple of real nice purchased ones I have purchased or have been given to me as gifts. Each project has its own carrying case depending on the size of the project. One can never have too many tote bags to carry their projects in like one can’t have too much stash.

13. Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?
If it is complicated it will likely be a repeat program or something I don't need to pay a lot of attention to so I can concentrate more on the knitting. Otherwise, I just watch what is on the tube I intended to watch that evening.

14. Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?
I like my tea in something large or my glass mug even though it is small. My favorite cup/mug is the new one I receive in a swap until the next new one is received or my glass mug. I used to love ceramic mugs. At a “real” tea party, fancy tea "cups" should be used and they can have mismatched cups and saucers.

15. Favorite childhood birthday party?
I have a photo of a myself at a birthday party when I was about three or four but I don’t remember it. I really only remember my sweet sixteen party. I had lots of friends help me celebrate. It was held at the Hawaii Kai (in NYC) and when we left there some of my friends came back to my house for a sleep over.

16. Favorite type of scone and jam?
I love raspberry jam, strawberry jam and grape jelly on fresh baked scones. I do not like marmalade of any kind as I don't like peels and citron.

17. If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?
I love candles and should burn them more often as I have lots. I like fresh scents, rose, gardenia (my favorite flower) and sandalwood.

18. If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).
The first person I would choose would be my mother so I could get to meet her and know her as she died when I was only about two years. I would also like to have my grandmother (mom’s mom) as again I had no contact with her after my mom died and I do not remember her either. The third person to come to my tea party would be my other gramma (dad’s mom) so I could get to know her as an adult. Would I have to invite them together or could I have tea with them individually?

19. You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)?
Is this a formal and traditional old fashioned tea party or is this a friends getting together to have tea, tea party? I would love one day to have a real traditional type tea party in a garden where you wear white gloves and a hat.

20. Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?
I am allergic to wasps but I doubt if anyone would want to send them. I do not like anything black licorice flavored.

21. Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?
I don’t smoke so items from my home are smoke free but I can’t say they are fur free since I have Solara, my furtoddler who loves to check everything out by that I mean sit on it, get in it if possible and maybe even take it somewhere. I am addicted to swaps.


WOW!! What a thorough questionaire. If you didn't know me before you sure know a little about me now even if I was a bit wishy washy in my answers.