Knitters Coffee Swap #4

1. Whole bean or ground?
Whole bean please

2. Fully-loaded or decaf?
Fully Loaded Rich and Bold just NOT bitter

3. Regular or flavored?
Regular or flavored but NOT Irish Cream flavored

4. How do you drink your coffee?
With honey, whitener and even Splenda so I guess you could say sweet. I love it cold and hope one day to get a toddy maker.

5. Favorite coffee ever?
I love most rich and bold roasts

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do?
I can get any old bean here so I like what I can’t find in my city.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee?
Biscotti but NO ANISE in it please or any licorice flavoring

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences?
I like mine in a large mug. In a past recent swap I even got a Bodum to make coffee with. HMMMMMMM AND I even received a traveling Bodum in one swap.

9. Yarn/fiber you love?
I love yarns I don’t have such as STR, and indie dyers including some of those found on ravelry (ie Fresh from the Cauldron). I love love love Tilli Thomas yarns and Material Whirled yarns and yarn with stuff in it. Sock weight yarns and lace weight yarns are my favorite too and, of course, I do use lots of wool for felting. I hope one day to get a spinning wheel. I have tried to use a spindle but just can't get the knack of it.

10. Yarn/fiber you hate?
Absolutely hate Phentex and those never wearing out slippers. I can do without acrylic. I have more than I need

11. What's on your needles?
Maybe I should answer with what is NOT on my needles. LOL Socks with Flat Feet yarn, February Lady Sweater with Cascade 220, Lovely Lace Shawl using Fine Goat Down plied with a strand of Spun Silk, will start on Feb 1 a pair of socks in the 2009 Knitters Pentathlon International, MS4 still only have completed clue #1 and some toys and stuffed things. Should I go on with the rest?

12. Favorite colors?
PINK I do like reds, purples, blues and some darker greens, black and white but no orange and yellow (fall colors) or most browns unless the brown is with PINK

13. Allergies?
Wasps. ABHOR black licorice and anything like it (anise and fennel).

14. Other information.
I do not smoke and do not like yarn that smells like cigarettes or cigars . I have a cat and her fur finds its way into everything.

KNITTING PROJECTS #1

I have been busy knitting. Knitting for myself. Yes I have been the recipient of some of my own work which will be in another post. AND knitting for others, a couple for friends, the rest for swap buddies since NOT all my friends fully appreciate the work involved and the love knit or sewn in something I make. A project or two I would do differently next time and I am sure there will be a next time. Unfortunately, I can't show it to you as it goes to a swap partner. So without further ado here are some of my recently completed projects which I am able to show you as NOT to give away those that haven't been mailed yet. These are also on my ravelry project page with the particulars.

Yes I know some of these have already been blogged but I am just putting them all together in one blog now.

For my friend Vickie for the seasonal holiday just passed (I am not sure if she wanted it for Christmas or Hanukkah) I knit her a pair of Fetching in black made of a combinations of merino and possum yarn I received in a swap a couple of years ago. When she saw the ones I made my swap pal she got so excited about them and how it would keep her arthritic wrists warm she was almost drooling. So VOILA for Vickie.
These are the Fetching Vickie saw which she fell in love with. They were knit for my Amazing Autumn Coffee Swap partner. They are made with Rowan RYC Cashsoft Aran yarn.
For my addicted to knit dishcloth Christmas exchange partner in England I made her a pair of Mrs. Beeton wrislets. I knit them to match the sparkly Avon scarf I was sending her. It turned out to be a perfect match. I showed these to my friend Paula who after seeing them pulled our her new coat to show me how a pair for her would match her coat. So Paula got an identical pair. She also has the same sparkly scarf from Avon. These are knit with Araucania Ranco Multy for the ruffle part and with Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool double stranded for the cuff. I went down a needle size also. Both were extremely happy with their Mrs. Beeton wristlets.
While out with my friend Jennet she told me she needed a hat and we looked for one but she didn't see anything she liked. So for her birthday the first week in January I made her the Lisa Hat by Kirsten Kapur. She was very surprised I was able to knit it that quickly for her and was pleased to receive it. She has since told me it stretched some and asked if I had any yarn left so she could tighten it up. I used a sayelle yarn TLC. AND yes I have a fair bit of yarn left over to give her. I have knitted several items for her b/c she appreciates and wears what I knit and give her.

For another swap partner this past fall I knit the Misti Chunky Ribs and Ruffles Scarf by Nancy Kleiber. I used Diamond's Baby Alpaca yarn for this.
Close up of the scarf. It is a free pattern; it is easy and uses only one skein of yarn.
Since this is an old post that should have been completed and posted ages ago I will end it here and begin another with more projects I am working on and my Addicted to Knit Dishcloth swap Christmas package I received.

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

BUT despite it being frickin' freezing out I had to go and drop off Avon brochures this afternoon after all they are dated Friday and the order goes in Sunday. I waited until afternoon as this morning it was -38C and with the windchill-49C which would be about -56F NOT that I was up that early as to go out then or stupid enough to. It has warmed up slightly.
It is now ONLY -27C (-16.6F) and with the windchill -37C
(-34.6F). I was wearing cotton velour pants, long johns, leggings and wind pants on the top of it all. I had my snow goose jacket, hoodie, heavy red scarf which turned white after being out only a short while, gloves (three pair), boots and I could still feel the cold. B/C I was walking it wasn't as bad as if I was standing still. The little bit of my face showing was frozen. It was done within an hour and I came back into the warm house to a whining "Princess" who should only know how cold it out there. My snow goose jacket which is meant for temperatures of -40C is very heavy due to all the down. I would have never believed a jacket could be that heavy. It has a hood with fur (ruined by the cleaners) that when is zipped covers most of my face. I didn't wear my like Sorrel boots as I find it very difficult to walk with them and my jacket on together.

Ah yes Avon. When it is delivered every other Thursday it is like Christmas and I love it. Avon gets me out and I meet people and I love most of the products yet at the same time I sometimes think it is the bane of my existence ("....something that may profoundly annoy us but is certainly bearable" and yet fun?????... "Bane of my existence" is now almost always used in a semi-jocular, "what are you gonna do?" sense. This explanation is from google of what is the origin of "Bane of my existence"). Avon comes way to late when I have a lot of orders to pack, there are too many shortages and repeated shortages, items NO LONGER AVAILABLE, to little time to get the orders delivered, money in the bank to get the next order and new brochures out. BUT give it up I really doubt it. It has become part of my life.

Now what am I going to do since one of the local knitting groups is having a weekend retreat in March. Can I go? Do I want to go? Will I be able to go? I want to go but not sure if I can swing it at about $250. I still need to purchase my washing machine which I am saving for. I am leery with my medical situation and my poor sleeping habits. Then YUP Avon arrives on the Thursday of the retreat. I try to get my deliveries out on Friday and the Monday and Tuesday following. The money has to be in the bank by the Thursday after it arrives unless a Monday is a holiday than all that is changed and the times are shortened and that is because I do it online. If I was dropping off my order and money it would ALL have to be done by the Tuesday after the order arrives). I guess if I could round up the money, not worry about my medical issues and sleeping problems I might be able to get my Avon delivered elsewhere and pick it up after I get home on Sunday. HMMMMMMM!!!!!!

I guess this makes a good segway into those Avon brochures and deliveries. It isn't that I don't have help. I have a supervisor to watch what I do and make sure I do it all correctly. She doesn't actually lift a paw to help just watches checks and supervises.

First the brochures have to be labeled. I print up labels on the computer and then take them to the table downstairs to stick them on all the brochures which by the way I pay for. There are very few freebies from Avon.

Check out the photos to see my supervisor.

Here she is saying, "Come on mom, I am ready to help get these brochures labeled".
"What is it you want me to do now", says Solara, my helper.
I can hear her thinking, "Don't forget you have to do some of the work also, I am not going to do it all".
Once the brochures are labeled it is time to unpack the boxes and sort them. Things in the boxes are all mixed up.



I take out all the cosmetic, toiletries and fragrances and separate them from the "other" items.
I will sort them and put like items together for ease of packing orders but first Solara has to check out the boxes to make sure they are acceptable.

AND once I start sorting the items Solara will come and inspect to make sure I am doing it correctly and everything meets her satisfaction.

When it comes to the packing the smaller make-up and jewelry items Solara assists me by letting me know which I need to get from the assortment on the table to put in the customer's bag.

Yes Solara is a mighty helpful supervisor AND I don't know what I would do with her help.
Now that this blog is ready to post the temperature has warmed up quite a bit. It is -6C which converts to +21.2F. Despite it being warmer and our blood being "thick" due all our cold weather, I don't think it is warm enough to wear shorts while walking the dog. I can't believe my girlfriend Genie said she saw a guy in the complex walking his dog in just a pair of short!!!!

The next blog post will feature what I am knitting now that I am able to show. AND for those who want to get a head start on next Christmas, some photos of ornaments I have made over the past few years.

BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF BLOGGING

Boy I hope writing this blog is easier as the last was difficult. I would write and write and then have to wait for it to appear. It doesn't seem to be doing that now PHEW!!!!!

Knitting Goodness

It is time to acknowledge a couple of swaps I received after Christmas.

I received my third of four packages from Allison in the weluvknitting group on yahoo. The reason it arrived late was despite having the correct numbers of my address they weren't in the correct order so my package sat in the postal office somewhere from Dec 22 to Dec 29. BUT it eventually arrived intact.

She sent me a lovely assortment of goodies.
This is a very cute knitting kit. It has mostly easy simple patterns. I found one for a mouse I would like to knit for Solara and fill with Catnip for her. Her birthday is coming up soon and I could get if finished for her by then. HMMM I may even get her hoodie done by then also.
This is information about where Allison lives. As part of the swap each package is to contain something local. For this package I sent Allison some homemade shortbread. I figured you couldn't get more local than right out of my oven.
Allison made me this little sewing basket ornament.
Here is another ornament I received from Allison.
You can't send a package without candy especially around Christmas holidays.
AND what would a swap package be without yarn. I love love the color. Of course, it is pink. I have purchased some roving so I can make a pair of thrummed mittens with this yarn. First I got some deep blue but on my next visit to Mona's I was able to get some deep rose which looks better. I didn't see it the first time and wasn't sure if I wanted the blue or white which I didn't purchase. I had planned to get white until one of the girls who found the deep rose decided she wasn't going to purchase it and said I could. Actually, the girls are doing a thummed mitten KAL now at Mona's. I made a pair for a friend a couple years ago. I need a pair since I have to hoof it and bus it not having a car and it has been downright frigid outside recently.
All in all this was a very lovely package

Then I received my lovetoknitdishcloths Christmas grab bag from Noreen and funny there was a problem with this package also. It went back to her to be mailed again and she isn't sure why. She thought maybe it wasn't taped enough??? Both of these gals also live in Canada so packages that should have only taken 2 days and 4 days max took a couple of weeks.

Here is all the goodies she sent me.
Here they are individually for clearer viewing. Some Red Heart, Heart and Sole with Aloe sock yarn which I saw at Mona's and wanted. It is even the the same colorway I wanted from Mona's shop.
It is a dishcloth group swap and here is the luscious cotton yarn. You can't get this here and it has to be ordered from the states. The closest we get here is Sugar and Cream but it has to be ordered from Mary Maxim.
Of course, some candy.
A wonderful book that teaches how to knit two socks on two cirs.

Look at these stitch markers. There are 13 of them. I really need to learn how to make them myself.
A close up of the stitch markers.
Yes this was another lovely swap package. Thank-you Allison and Noreen for your generosity and wonderful packages.

AND to think there are two more on the way to me as I type. One is my addictedtoknit dishcloth Christmas swap coming from England. It should be here this week if what Malgosia was told when she mailed it is correct, that it would take only 13 - 14 days. I was told mine to her would only take 6 - 10 days as it was mailed via "air" but took a month. AND in this package is NOT only her swap to me but also some yarn I ordered and had sent to her. So I am doubly excited to get this package. There is also my SP13 #1 package which I haven't gotten yet either. I don't know if it is on the way but I would think so unless instead of three packages I am getting two. We are no longer allowed to send only one very large package. I know my secret pal has received her first package.

The other swaps I am in aren't due to be sent for quite a while yet. One involves a hand made item but I can't put it here in case my pal figures out who I am. This is a secret swap. It is the Ravelry Color Swap 2 and my hand made item is completed. I have ideas how to do it differently if I do it again. I have had lots of compliments on it already the way it is but I am just NOT to sure if I would do it the same way again.

I am also in the Ravelry Coffee, Chocolate and Yarn Swap 3 (not secret)and the Cocoa Swap 2 (secret). There is a handmade item in this one also but it is a blah buddy buster. In other words, a toy to help with the winter blahs. I have an idea but I am not sure if it exactly what is expected. I may have to check with the hostess of the group and see if it is an okay item to make.

What did I knit before, during and over the holidays?
I knit two identical pairs of Mrs. Beeton wristlets. One was for Malgosia in England to match the Avon shawl/scarf I also sent her and one was for Paula's Christmas gift. She has the same Avon shawl/scarf.

I knit a pair of Fetching in Merino and Possum for Vickie.
I knit Lisa Hat for Jennet.

I also knit two dishcloths, one for each of the dishcloth groups I am in that I sent swap packages to. The blue, white and lilac went to Malgosia (addictedtoknitdishcloths) and the red, green and white to Tracy (lovetoknitdishcloths). No I didn't send to Noreen. These are very easy and quick to knit up and look so nice.
What is on my needles now will be another blog post. The photos are still in the camera and need to be uploaded to the computer.

So now it is 2009 and we need a review of last year's news. I hope you enjoy this.



A few photos of Solara for those of you following her antics.

Here she is in a the Christmas box from Noreen.

Now here she is after she discovered that little wax spot. Did you think she wouldn't notice it?
AND here is another interesting video for you cat lovers.

Come back to visit my blog as I will have an interesting post on how Solara helps me with my Avon shortly. It will feature lots of photos of the "Princess".

COCOA SWAP 2 QUESTIONNAIRE

I meant to get this up yesterday and also finish the post in my draft section but I fell asleep very early after this busy week of early morning and long days. I will get the post up shortly so you will have to scroll down past this one to read that post waiting to be finished. I can't do it now as I am going to put this questionnaire here and lie down. I have a raging headache and sore upper back and neck.

My Cocoa Swap 2 Questionnaire

The Yarn…

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
I mainly knit. I do crochet but only granny squares but I did do that Hat of Horns from Anticraft (see my ravelry project page for a photo) for a Hat Swap my partner wanted. I had to have instructions to learn how to crochet the horns. I am not good at shaping so I stick to knitting.

2. What is your favorite one-skein project? What item do you find you knit the most of?
Socks and shawls using one skein, even the odd scarf but you can’t use as many scarves as you can socks or shawls. One can never have too many pair of socks. What I knit the most of is socks, totes and bags, shawls and now I am learning how to read charts but not difficult ones yet, I can soon add lace shawls. I am still learning so the charts still remain fairly simple. I also like to knit toys and whimsies (odd things, food, funny silly things (toilet paper rolls) etc. I do tend to give most of what I knit away though.

3. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on?
I like my Denise Needles for knitting in the round and as straights. Using round for LONG straights is easier on the hands and arms. Occasionally, I use short straights. I seem to be missing my #10 Denise tips though and would one day like a second set of Denises and more #8 tips. I use them a lot and have to pull them off started projects. Actually the smaller tips are all used a lot and that is why a second set would be great. WOW and now they have PINK Denises. I like wood DPNs around 6” but sometimes when I am knitting something that has only 4 or 6 stitches to start with the 5” DPNs come in very handy even if they snap easily. I find there is less slippage using the wooden ones. I have one set of Knit Picks Harmony in a 2.5mm so I need more of those. One day maybe I can get the set of Harmony DPNs. I do use the metal ones when I need it to slip easier. So one day I may donate my long metal straights but I will need help to do that b/c I seem to hang on to everything as you never know when it will come in handy. I am debating if I want a set of Knit Picks Options, also.

4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)?
I just started a hat from a Lousia Harding magazine which I purchased the yarn for early last year some time. I also cast on a pair of socks using my new Flat Feet I got myself for Christmas in the Jane’s Hedgerow Socks pattern By Jane Cochran. I will be casting on shortly for my whoduknit Santa Cruise project and also for my partner’s Blah Buddy Buster. I have two ideas so far. I am only NOT sure is one is the correct idea but I think it would be fun. Also, I picked up yarn to knit my friend the hat she asked me to make her called Frivol (in my ravelry project page). Finger in throat GAG due to all those bobbles (that remind me of tumors) but since she is my friend I will knit it for her but in a color I can handle. AND I still have my cat hoodie on my needles without the tips only I need to figure out how to adjust the pattern for Solara’s size and she is twice or there about what the pattern calls for. I am up to the armholes or should it be paw holes. AND there are a few others WIP.

5. What are your favorite types of yarns? Are you allergic to any yarns, or just hate working with something? Anything type/brand of yarn you’ve been dying to try?
I really don’t like PHENTEX. The kind that knits those never dying slippers. I do use acrylic for some things but rather have very soft superwash wool to knit those same items. Nothing I get goes to waste. If it is something I don’t like I pass it on especially acrylics in ORANGES, YELLOWS, DULL GREENS, BROWNS or autumn colors to a friend who despite NOT liking those colors will crochet them into hats to donate. I don’t give her the wools though (she is allergic to wool) and would find some other use for them. I love soft cashmere and alpaca yarn, sock and lace weight yarns. I also like super soft wool and wool that can be used in felting since I love to felt things. I do use eyelash yarn and have a hugh clear plastic bag of it. I find some people still like eyelash scarves and it is great in bags and as a trim. I LOVE yarns with STUFF in it such as beads, sequins and other things (see Material Whirled) and have the book Intertwined. I love Tillie Thomas yarns. I don’t have any STR (Socks That Rock) sock yarn yet. I love yarns from indie dyers and one of a kind yarns. I also like cottons. I am not allergic to any wools but do not like scratchy wools and can’t wear them.

7. What are your favorite colors? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there that make you want to stab yourself in the eye with your needles?
UGH!!! I don’t care for YELLOWS, ORANGES but a pale coral is okay, BROWN but if it is a deep rich brown mixed with PINK that is a different story. I also don’t care for autumn colors. I do not really have a use for neon colors either. Pastels, dark, light, variegated in PINK, red, purple, blue, are wonderful. Teal is nice and dark green, leaf green but not olive green. I like black and white and even grey. So when it comes to autumn and Halloween swaps I like to stick to black and white (bats, ghost and angels) NOT orange pumpkins LOL

8. What is your favorite knit accessory, your fancy needles? stitch markers? your yarn cutter? What do you have TOO many of? What do you wish you had?
I am NOT sure I have a favorite. I do have a few favorite stitch markers of all I received in swaps. I love my Chibi and gold darning needle with the bent tip. I love tape measures and now have so many I store them in their own plastic bag. Who knew there were so many different tape measures? Not only do I have a white sheep measure but a black sheep too. I can always use more row counters, the clicky click kind and the kind that hang on the neck. I also can always use more stitch markers which I should learn to make since I have all the things needed to so do. I especially need some for size 3.25mm 3.75mm needles. I would love to have a ball winder and swiff also. I also wish I had a spinning wheel. I have wanted one ever since I can remember which is decades now. They are just soooo expensive. I have tried to use a spindle but can't get the knack of it. I did know how to use a spindle at one time but I was in my early 20's then and leaned b/c even then I couldn't afford an actual spinning wheel.

The Chocolate

1. Do you prefer boxed/packets, or something homemade?
I have never had homemade. I love all of it.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
BOTH or EITHER

3. Do you use any ‘add ins’
Just marshmallows

4. Are you a year round cocoa drinker or just in the winter months?
Mainly in the winter but if it is cool inside due to air conditioning than a hot chocolate can hit the spot.

5. Do you like flavored cocoas or are you just a ’straight chocolate’ kind of person?
NO IRISH CREAM! If it flavored I love MINT. HMMM YUM!

6. Do you enjoy cocoa from restaurants or shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites?
I loved loved loved the Starbucks new cocoa they came out with earlier this winter with the variety of flavors of cocoa, whipped topping and then the salt. BOY was that good. I also like frozen hot chocolate. Second Cup a local coffee shop used to sell that. It was the same as regular hot cocoa but they then mixed it up with ice and frapped it. It tasted just like hot chocolate but was cold and thick and you drank it with a straw.

7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of cocoa - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it?
It is a mug and I sit on the couch with the TV on, a book and or knitting.

8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, what treats will you enjoy with it? Are they sweet or salty? Crunchy? Soft and flaky?
Something not overly rich as the cocoa is rich in itself. NOT that I don’t like cookies and cake and biscotti. Cake and ice-cream are my down fall.

It’s all YOU!

1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking?
I sew. I like to sew quilts, children’s clothes and bags. I read. I like mysteries. I have a cross stitch project started which maybe one day I will finish. It is the eyes now that I don’t see close up well after my cataract surgery several years ago but boy can I see far away. Before the surgery it was the opposite. At one time I did all kinds of crafts and who knows what the future will bring. I have a small garden area now and I always loved to garden. I can’t wait to get back to it again in my new place. I love my computer. I love cooking and baking and would love to cater and take a culinary course.

2. Do you collect anything?
YES, yarn, fabric, magazines, books (knitting, cooking, baking, and mysteries). I am a textile junkie. I have a few sheep I have been given on my stereo. I also have some cat items, angels, fairies and fancy tassels but they are all still put away since I have no place to display them anymore.

3. What is your favorite part of Winter?
How about knowing it will be over eventually? I love looking at the pretty scenes from my window. It looks like a winter wonderland sometimes. I definitely do not like the cold, the ice and the tons of snow when I am out in it. Sitting in front of a fireplace would also be nice.

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body?
My new favorite is Karma from the shop LUSH. I just got a new body cream and have the perfume. I also love Sandalwood from the Body shop and they can put the oil in creams and lotions and make other things with it since it only comes in oil. I like lavender. I can’t put oil on my body. I am an Avon rep.

5. Are you allergic to anything?
WASPS but I doubt I will receive that. I abhor LICORICE the black stuff. I have been told it was an acquired taste. I am lacking the gene to enjoy it so I never acquired the taste for it. I also don’t care for anise or fennel since it has the same flavor or taste as black licorice.

6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID?
I am on ravelry. I am pennala.

7. How would you spend an ideal winter afternoon/day?
Knitting with some nice music on or the TV or with company also knitting and having something nice to drink.

8. What’s your favorite animal?
Cats and kitties, of course.

CHRISTMAS 12 DAYS BEFORE AND 12 DAYS AFTER

For actually more than 12 day but for the blog we will keep it to 12 day

So for 12 days before Christmas we shop. We shop for wrapping paper, bags, tissue, ribbons, and all manners of tape. We shop for the perfect gifts to give to our friends and family. "We think about the perfect gift to make our friends and families". We clean so everything looks good during the holidays. We shop for groceries, eggnog, soda, wine and booze. We cook before Christmas, on Christmas Eve, on Christmas Day, on Boxing Day, on New Year's Eve, on New Year Day, on Hanukkah, on Ukrainian Christmas and every day in between. Some we eat when we cook it and some we freeze for after the holidays. For the actual holidays we cook turkey, ham, cranberry, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, salads, local, family and ethnic favorites. We bake shortbreads, cardamon spice cookies, sugar cookies, thumbprints, mince meat tarts, butter tarts, pecan tarts, fruit cake. We look at last year's fruit cake and wonder....... We cook more. We bake more. Sometimes we even clean more. We wash all those dishes and pots over and over again. We sew, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch, scrap book and we do lots of knitting NOT 12 days before Christmas but 12 hours before Christmas. Why can't we ever remember when these holidays are getting close so we can finish everything on time?????.

AND then 12 days after Christmas what do we have to show? This is what we have. This is my neighbor's garbage pile. You should see it from the front.

This is my pile of garbage.

Garbage pick up was Dec 24 and then not until Jan 5.

My Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Dec 26) was quiet. BUT I did manage to go shopping on Boxing day without leaving my home by getting someone else to do my shopping. It was a gift for Genie's birthday and I had Genie's boyfriend pick it up when he left work at Wal Mart.

It seems I had my company on Dec 27, 28 and 29th. I made chicken pot pie, salad and apple pie. I figured everyone had enough turkey for a while. When Paula came she brought over some wine. It was white wine! Yunji and her daughter Sayon who came over with Paula brought me the cute little Christmas salt and pepper shakers (photo is below).

When Lori came over in addition to the Lindt candy (photo below) and sparkling cranberry drink, gave me this angel tapestry. It has a button on it you push (the small red area on the bottom right) and it lights up. It not only lights up but the light twinkle too. I did decorate a bit for Christmas. This is my end table. Well, actually, it is a TV table. Here is my Charlie Brown tree. My menorah is on the window ledge without any candles.
I did get some pressies for Christmas besides the shovel from Genie.

I received this Old World Santa from my friend Vickie along with a cat note pad, a Santa jar filled with candies and a jar of raspberry honey. The tree next to the Santa is mine and it is a fiber optic . I have about three more in the basement. All of them are small trees. One is another fiber optic but smaller than the one on the entertainment and I can't find the base.
Here is a close up of my old style Santa and his helpers.
I received this lovely necklace from my SP 12 partner Ruby.
This is my Christmas stocking filled with goodies from from some of us knitting gals who decided to swap treats.
This is what I found in my stocking: a small hand sewn bag to carry a small knitting project, three stitch markers, three tree ornaments, star shaped paper clips, candy, stationary, a flip clip report cover, and a cute little booklet to put thoughts and ideas in. I hope I didn't forget anything.
I received a couple of ornaments. Here is a photo of one of them.
I received Christmas Tree salt and pepper shakers.
In addition to the shovel, Genie also gave me this cute mug which came with some hot chocolate and a little kitty.
I received this action figure The Crazy Cat Lady from another friend Elsie.
Jennet gave me an assortment of goodies which included, soap nuts, a Christmas CD from M&M Meats that includes a $10.00 gift card, a tea bag strainer, various size clips for open bags, maple syrup, cookies and a small loaf (cake)(not shown), and a wooden spoon.
My friend Paula gave me $20.00 gift card to the movies. I plan to go and see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She also gave me two $10.00 gift certificates to Wolselsey Wardrobe. WHOO HOOOOne of my knitting buddies gave me this. I wonder what is in it?
This is what was in this box. A knitting mug.
I received lots of sweet treats. The fudge was from Elsie who also gave me the The Crazy Cat Lady action figure. The PC caramels came from an Avon customer who also gave me a gift certificate to Safeway. The Santa jar, loose candies and Kahlua Candies were from Vickie. The chocolate covered pretzels I got for myself.
The Lindt candy is from Lori which she brought over when she came for dinner. The honey is from Vickie and the cookies are from Jennet.
This necklace is from my friend Rori in Florida. She also got me a few other small items.

Two other Avon customers gave me small Christmas gifts. One got me a white hat, scarf and glove set. Another gave me a Christmas mug filled with candies.

Of course, you want to know what Solara received for Christmas also. Aren't they a nice tasty assortment of mice? This is in addition to all her packages of treats. Rori sent her organic treats!!!

AND, of course, since I didn't get what was on my Christmas list I got some goodies myself. Here is what I went out and purchased. A new jar of Karma Kream from LUSH,
a Brewt,

and some yarn. This is Malbrigo sock yarn.
This is Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn. The color is Petal Shower.

This is Co-Creations Flat Feet which I already have on the needle knitting into a pair of socks.

Knitting goodness and swap packages coming up in the next post!!!