I'm Very Blessed

Oh My Gosh. I got spoiled so much this Christmas! I feel so bad for being such a Scrooge half way into the month. I admit I was feeling a bit down and selfish and I really regret that now. We did get a few more Christmas cards from family members eventually, just like the Big Guy said we would. So I really didn't deserve all this love from such sweet friends.

From my BFF Julie!

Thank you so much for everything Julie!! The cowl is SO pretty! I love the colors so much! That you took time to make it when I know how incredibly busy you are, it makes it a million times more special! The yarn is from Sunshine Yarns in the colorways Ginny and Hermione! I can't stop petting it and squeezing it, man this stuff is SOFT!!! I don't know how you were able to part with it! I love the cupcake mini bag too! I needed something for all my counters and markers floating around the bottom of my bags! Oh I just appreciate it all so much! Thanks for spoiling this bratty buddy of yours! Next year give me a big block of coal! LOL!!

This ornament was part of the package too and I just love it! My girls think I'm going to break it open! Wonder what makes them think that?? (addicted knitter here...)


A very sweet RAK from my friend Marie in New Hampshire:

These gorgeous felted vases and holders. I don't know how she makes that ruffle, I have to try that one day! But these are just so pretty I just adore them! Thanks so much Marie! I know you haven't been feeling well lately, my prayers are always with you my friend.

From my Knitting Swap Partner in the Knottygroup! Mona!!

Oh My. Mona spoiled me terribly as well. I got some of her homespun yarn (She sells it on her blog!) And she made me SOCKS (where did they go? They aren't in the picture? Ahhhh! I'll have to redo that one!) AND the coolest pink potholders! LOVE them! Plus all these other fantastic goodies! I just love it ALL!!! Talk about a kid in a candy shop!

From My Friend in COLD Illinois: Jeanne!

She didn't have to do that, but I WAS still expecting my standard Christmas card picture of Brody (Which I forgot to get in the pic because it was already downstairs but you can see him on her blog!) Thank you Jeanne for all the beautiful items! I love them all! And I'll use them all for sure! I just love that "book thong". It still makes me laugh!!!

From my Secret Santa Swap Partner Kathyrn in the Fibro Group on Ravelry:

I'm going to be busy for days making more stitch markers! I love my "D" ornament too, it turns and spins! It's so cool! Thank you so much Kathryn! This was so much fun! :) The "Healing Angel" pin is very special too. We all hurt so much with our health issues, I'm going to wear it all the time while I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank You for being Angels On Earth and showing this Scrooge some love.

Merry (late) Christmas & Happy (early!) New Year!

First of all, please forgive the picture heavy post and all my bragging. I'm going on another "yarn diet" in 2009 for sure! Yessiree.
(I probably won't have a choice, things will be tighter this next year for sure!)

I hope everybody had a very peaceful holiday. We were together on Christmas day and then went to my in-laws for the weekend. I almost didn't end up going, I've been having a MAJOR pain flare-up that just won't let up. I've been trying to get past it, but it's been a bad couple of weeks. Therefore, I haven't been able to knit much - but that's okay, Santa suprised me with one of these:



It's a pretty Pearly Pink Nintendo DS, and I didn't even know I wanted one until I had this baby in my hands. Everyone else in the house has had one for ages, but I never really got into it. I do have the "Brain Age" games but they never kept my attention for long (okay! I'm OLD, I don't need a game to remind me).

I've barely been able to put this down, the Crosswords game I got is just too addictive, and of course, it's PINK! It just tickles me to no end. I do feel a bit like I left my knitting in the dust to play with my new toy. Fickle Fickle Knitter, I know. Then I got to this "textile" wordsearch puzzle that had "kniting" and "knitted" etc. in it! Too funny! My Knitting will never go away.

Santa also brought me this:


I finally got a scale for my yarn (that's Dream in Color Smooshy in Gothic Rose - see how generous they are with their yardage?). I've been wanting one for a long, long time. I got Franklin's book (which the girls have taken and I've yet to enjoy). (What I didn't get a picture of was the cool Magnet Chart Keeper and Harmony DPN's in size 7 that I got also). This was from The Big Guy & The Girls.

He also got me some Black Bunny Fibers Superwash Sock Yarn (oh well, it says "approximately 4 oz" so they're covered - it's a LOT less dense than the DIC as the scale shows). It's a very pretty colorway though, it's called "Chocolate Covered Cherries". I may have to use that for my Mom, she just loves those candies! (this scale is so much fun, I can't stop weighing stuff!)

With the Christmas money from my Mom & In-Laws, I stopped by The Yarn Patch in Crossville and picked up some more sock yarn and a few other goodies.

I always seem to go for sock yarns for my Mom so there are two yarns to use for her next year. I got Berroco Comfort Sock in color 1813, and a new one I've never tried before "Pagewood Farms Yukon" handdyed sock yarn in "Bird of Paradise" colorway, and some black Universal wool to attempt to make my nephew (who is now serving in Afghanistan) a Helmet Liner. I couldn't pass up the tiny 4" size 5 DPN's, and I also got some DPN tubes and a pair of Bryspun size 4 straights. I don't knit with straights too often anymore, but I like the Bryspun because they're light.

My Darling Husband also took time off of work to take me across town to get this:

When I get in the mood for PINK, there's no help for me. I had seen this Blue Ridge Kaleidoscope Superwash Merino Sock yarn in Mossy Hollow before at my LYS and I couldn't get it out of my mind, it practically threw itself at me and begged me to take it home. The Noro Silk Garden (#205) was just for pure fun.

That's about it for now. The projects that I have lined up aren't even using these yarns so I hope my pain issues resolve soon so I can get busy. I'm halfway done with the first bed sock for my Mom, I promised my cousin some black fingerless mitts, and I have that helmet liner in my "mind's queue" too. THEN I'll play with my other yarns. And. Stop. Buying. More.

This year was rough, next year may hold even more challenges, but I'm grateful for all my friends and family and all I've been blessed with. I won't make any resolutions this year, my main issues will be family, better health, and to remember to be thankful no matter what.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year Everybody!

Another Big THANK YOU! :O)

After having a day that I'd rather forget (and how!) I got a doorbell ring that brought me this:

My BF in California sent me a Christmas package that I received today. Oh I just love everything! We got a kick out of Chloe (her puppy) all dressed up for the Holidays!! She's such a cutie!

There's a beautiful friendship bracelet, a Friendship votive candle holder and one of my favorite things - The Willow Tree "Heart and Soul" figurine. I adore the Willow Tree items. I've given and received quite a few. They're simple but convey so much feeling and meaning. This one reminds me of all the times Julie and I sat talking (and talking and talking). It's such a relief to know she's there for me when I need her. To have someone like that is such a blessing.

Thank You Julie!! I love and appreciate it so much.

Luv, YBFF