Coffee and Yarn Goodies!

Can you believe all the goodies? Yarn, needles, a pattern, coffee, biscotti, soap, and m&m's (which, unfortunately, I just ate most of...yikes). Thanks to Sheryl!! What a great swap partner. The yarn is so lovely, too - I keep touching it!

Now, I haven't sent off my package yet - although I do have the yarn ready to go. I still need to decide on some coffee and some other treats and get it sent off. But it'll be a good package I hope!

I want to start the messenger bag from "Knitting for Peace," but I don't have the correct size needles. I'm afraid to buy anything this close to Christmas, either - especially since I've asked for some needles... On the bright side, I could cast on for the bag shown in the photo - all set with the right needles, and two lovely colors of yarn! I am feeling like a slug (due to m&m overload I think) , so I think I'd better be off. Nothing else fun to report.

Except that Luis Gonzalez signed with the LA Dodgers. I'm not overly excited about this, but I have respect for Gonzalez - I've been watching him here with the Diamondbacks for years. And I was just thinking how he must be happy about not wearing anymore purple - but then I remembered that the Diamondbacks have new colors!!! Hideous. That's my take on the new jerseys anyhow. Sheesh. Colors are fine, new logo ICK. Why that silly font? And can we not write out "diamondbacks?" What's with the "d-backs?" Can you imagine all the money they think they'll be getting when all the fans need to replace their purple attire?

Vegan Pal Goodies!

My goodies from the Vegan Pal Swap arrived Friday! Lots of knitting notions (stitch markers, row counters, chibi), a set of straights and dpns - both size 6, bamboo yarn in a lovely wine color, a needle roll - so cool! - and some vegan yummies. The Alternative Baking Company cookie is super tasty (I've been trying to control myself and not scarf it all in one sitting). The Jerquee is an odd texture, but would probably satisfy an odd craving for slim jims.. and I'm afraid to try the caramel cookie bar - many, many calories and fat! I'll be eating that a bite at a time! I'm still trying to think of a good project for that bamboo yarn...a one-skein project... hat? small bag? I wonder what the properties of bamboo yarn are...?

Farewell James Kim...

I was a bit obsessed with this all week. And yesterday to learn that they found his body - I feel awful for his wife and daughters. I didn't know them, but their story could have been any of ours. I couldn't stop checking the news for more information all week. Even now I feel a lump in my throat. All they did was take a wrong turn in bad weather...and to be missing for 9 days! I can't imagine it. I can't imagine losing my husband that way - what were those last moments like? Will she play them over and over in her mind forever?

Day of Hiking!

Here's where a few co-workers and I went today. That's Tucson, Arizona off in the distance. The hike to Maiden Pools through Ventana Canyon is not especially difficult, although there is a bit of a climb. That's the fun of hiking though, isn't it? I thought we'd spend less time on the hike, so I didn't bring my sunscreen. Oops. See that clear sky? Yeah, my right arm got a wee bit too much sun. Luckily it was a nice cool day - 60's, and not too windy. I'm really loving this photo right now. Nice not going to work, too. Well, for most of the day anyhow.

On the knitting front, I am still working on my cleo clutch, two irish hiking scarves (I think I missed the only two days of the year I might need to use a scarf...), and a dishcloth. I finished a cabled dishcloth a couple of weeks ago, but only got down to photographing it (and weaving in ends - why do I hate doing that??) recently. I'm not overly fond of it, but it was a fast knit (even for me). The cleo clutch is not yet photographed, and almost ready for felting. Very excited about felting. Must really get to that tomorrow.

Wow. My mood is much better than yesterday. Must be the hike. Should definitely do that more often. And get better shoes.