2012 - Week One - Let's Do This2012 - Week One - Let's Do This I'm starting off 2012 with a positive surge of energy and eagerness because I know this is going to be a great year!  This year, although I don't set new year's goals or resolutions, I am looking forward...

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Week Fifty - GiftsWeek Fifty - Gifts This week's post is all about gifts.  First I'll start with the gift of an amazing husband who cares for me way more than I could ever deserve.  This past week, my laptop that I use for doing my job...

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Week Fourty Nine - Lessons LearnedWeek Fourty Nine - Lessons Learned One of the things I have learned about blogging over the past years, is that the very thing that you most want to write about generally keeps you from writing. That thing is called life. When I get busy,...

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Week Thirty - Rabbits Reborn and Sharing the Game of SoccerWeek Thirty - Rabbits Reborn and Sharing the Game of... This week has been a long one.  Scott has been in Africa all week and does not get back until Wednesday.  Although I have missed him greatly, I have been able to accomplish much with the quiet house...

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Week Twenty Nine - Missions and MittensWeek Twenty Nine - Missions and Mittens Scott left for Uganda yesterday on his first mission trip, ever.  He will be gone for 10 days and is part of an all male (testosterone rich) group of coaches and active guys.  He was excited, nervous,...

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Christmas Knitting Swap Present Revealed

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This year, I have been fortunate to make many new internet friends via my Secret of the Stole knit-a-long groups.  So, in lieu of participating in an official, organized, internet knitter’s swap this year, I chose one person that I had become friends with and asked her if she would like to be my Christmas Swap Partner this year.  She accepted and we have had a lot of fun picking out gifts for each other over the last 6 weeks, or so.

Yesterday, we hooked up via Skype video chat and opened our boxes together.  We both have dogs (children) and both enjoy lace knitting immensly.  She included a fur coat, a stylin’ sweater, and a very prissy dress for Ebby in the package as well as a dinosaur nylabone for the Blaze.  He has taken to sleeping on top of it for safekeeping.  I will spare you the photo of that…  Thanks Erin for all the really cool gifts!  Here is a photo of the contents of my totally awesome box of Christmas goodies:

Whoo Hoo, look at all the swag!!

Whoo Hoo, look at all the swag!!

Merry Christmas (or whatever else you may be celebrating) Everyone!!!  See you on the flipside…

Christmas Around the World Swap 2007

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Gifts from my swap partnerThank you so much to my swap partner, Kim.  She sent me such wonderful gifts in my secret swap package.  The dog in the photo is her hound, Albert.  My package included Malabrigo lace weight yarn in black, my favorite un-color, a wonderful washcloth with hand made soap from Lush that smells amazing and a small handbag for knitting accessories.  Probably the best part of the package was the knitted Snoopy ornament and the pretty Godiva chocolates box (I am not sure what happened to the contents….hmmm…).  Thanks Kim!

Christmas Around the World Knitters Swap Surprise

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christmaswap250I have been gifted.  I was so excited yesterday when we picked up our mail and there was a package for me.  NOBODY, ever surprises me.  So, while I could not stop giggling, I opened the package and this is what was inside.

The contents included a package of needle holder springs that will hold my needles together when I put my project down to go make a cup of cocoa.  Of course, my Santa included a huge tin full of yummy hot chocolate mix and large coffee mug to make it in.  Then Santa read my mind, or perhaps my questionnaire, and included a wonderfully pumpkin scented candle to light while I use the bubble bath called “Calm One, Calm All”.

I am overwhelmed!  Thank you Secret Santa, whoever you are.  If you all don’t hear from me for a few days you know where I’ll be.

Christmas Around the World 2007 Swap Questionnaire

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I recently joined the Christmas Around the World 2007 Swap and the questionnaire has been distributed for completion. Per swap rules I am to post the questions and answers to my blog by September 15, 2007. While I was answering these questions I realized that this information might be of interest to my readers as well. So here goes:

  1. Are you religious? No
  2. How long have you been knitting? Several Years
  3. Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? Intermediate, with advanced aspirations
  4. Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? Sailing,Writing, Sewing Historical Costumes, Reading, Learning
  5. Favorite color(s)? To wear – Black, White, Navy, Earth tones (not partial to rust, teal, pink…)
  6. Do you collect anything? Gargoyles, dragons, snoopy, yarn and lately extra pounds around the middle
  7. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? No
  8. Do you have any pets? Yes, two dogs, Aubie (cocker spaniel) and Blazer (basset hound)
  9. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? Out of the three, Hot Chocolate (I’m a coca-cola junkie)
  10. Cookies or Sweets? Is there a difference? I’m a very picky eater, and prefer milk chocolate, and very plain sweets. Everyone calls my eating habits “vanilla”.
  11. Do you knit socks? On occasion
  12. If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) I am a self taught knitter and I like to knit what many people would consider tedious patterns. This includes lace and other intricate or difficult items. The first thing I ever knit was a beaded amulet purse on #000US needles.
  13. Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do? I used to. We have lived in a motor home for the past 5+ years so I really didn’t have the space. Now that we are in a house again we have decided to use a live, potted tree, decorate it indoors and plant it in the yard after the holidays.
  14. Favorite holiday treats? Cheesecake, Milk Chocolate, Cookies
  15. Favorite holiday smells? Cinnamon, Pumpkin, Spice
  16. Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate. It varies. I am a non-traditional gypsy at heart.
  17. What are your favorite holiday traditions? I would have to say, if I could have a tradition, it would be no traditions.
  18. Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about….” – the birth of Christ, visiting with family, eating, watching others open the presents you put thought into and photographs
  19. If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? – a star or a chili pepper
  20. What was your favorite gift you’ve ever received? Or given? Received – someone’s time, Given – surprises
  21. When do you start your Christmas? Meals, gifts, etc. begin on Christmas Eve through Christmas Day
  22. Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them? I used to send them, now it is e-cards all the way.
  23. What is your favorite Christmas dish? Ham and mashed potatoes
  24. Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Hide
  25. When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning
  26. Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Family, most of our friends are long distance