Gift Basket

I don't like to write about my being sick, but it's been a life lesson for about 6 months now.




Recently, I received a nice Gift Basket from my colleagues. There was yarn-ly goodness and a bunch of cash artfully tucked in the yarn and a nice message. This was very unexpected and I felt a bit overwhelmed by the receipt of this!

Now, what should I do with the yarn? And, I would like to do something pampering with the money!

Goodli-ness in the Mail

Getting a package in the mail is good . . . even if you really already know what it is.




WEBS is having a summer sale . . . so I ordered a box of grey goodli-ness!

Butternut Dye Bath

I tried some natural dye-ing at home. Allbymyself (well kinda, with e-mail support and with the kindnesses of My Husband).

I purchased some natural yarn (both skeins, top one dyed-- with butternut, one natural--bottom skein) from Hickory Hills (located in Nelson, WI) at the Eagle Coffee Shop (not it's real name, but Eagle Something) in Wabasha, MN. This yarn shopping was whilst on girls retreat in Stockholm, WI.

I dyed with butternuts (top brown-ish) we collected at our retreat rental home--amazing. When readying, My Husband helped schlep the water and the hot plate and the hose, and the tubs. He watched me checking the temperature and asked important questions like "is it getting warm?" and "is it warm-er?".


In the same dyebath, I put this grey wool (undyed on the right) and out came a nice brown-grey.



I am pretty pleased with this allbymyself dying effort.

Now, what to knit?

Oh, and did I mention I know The Mayor of Wabasha, MN? And, that they have a nice store where to purchase Swedish Fish? It's actually a chocolate store, but I like Swedish Fish.

Tallin, Estonia Visit

On a recent trip to Sweden, we took a little side-trip to Tallinn, Estonia. There was lots of knitting and yarn and books to be found. Found is the important information. We stayed at Hotel Bern on Aia street (10 minutes from the airport via speedy taxi). The hotel is within easy walking distance of everything, is small (58 rooms), clean and the staff were outstanding. This is a little picture of the b'fast fixin's. They had cereal, hot eggs/meat, cold meat and cheese, a variety of beverages and The Best Corn Flakes of the whole trip. The wait staff at breakfast was also polite and on top of the b'fast game. No empty platters or bowls here!














One evening, we climbed to the "top" of the city and viewed the city from an over-look. This was well worth the walk and lots of stops along the way to rest and enjoy the city. We stopped in a little cafe on the hill/steps up and I had THE BEST pesto-filled buttery flakey roll thing-ey of my LIVING DAYS and My Friend had THE BEST berry tart thing-ey. Ymmmmmmmmmmmmm is not even describing of these treats.

And, there were several Koosituu shops offering mittens, art goods, etc.














And, this "Wall of Sweaters". It's on the map like that--Wall of Sweaters.

That's a LOT of yarn!

This, My Dears, is a "kilo" of yarn from a small village in Chile. I will have more details on the origin when My Husband returns; however, when looking through Lonely Planet (Chile), the descriptions of yarn being available in the local markets--this is it.

It's really "spun" and quite boing-ey. And there is a LOT. I think I have a plan, tho. Think Lopi, top-down with a round neck design; short, cropped with 3/4 sleeves. I got a big gob of green from My Husband's 2007 trip to Chile. Maybe, if he goes back, I can make a 3-color sweater. Green and cream (this) and whatever color he brings me next time!

Chile

My Husband has been in Chile since the end of February . . . he sent this home:




He has been reporting of the yarn that he found, sold in kilos in Chile. And, of some raw wool. He did say that it cost a lot to send the package, but emptied his backpack! Can't wait!

More Mail

I do like to shop at home . . . don't get me wrong, retail--I still love that I can go to the store and appreciate every human being with a nametag who helps make my day easier, kinder and brighter. But, if I shop at/from home, it's all up to me. I can go into the stash and shop. Or, I can find interesting things on the knitting internet world.

When my most recent internet swipe was delivered, it came with this pre-printed "RECEIVED IN DAMAGED CONDITION" tape stucked all around the box borders. I say "stucked" because it is definitely past-tense stuck. A am a grammarian by nature and want to push those rules around when I can.


Anywho . . . the tape.

MY BMFA
MONKEYISTRAPPEDINTHERE ANDCAN'TGETOUT!!!!!

Eiyeiyeei.

Thank goodness the package packing people at BMFA are experienced knitters and would not endanger the precious life of soon-to-be-monkeys yarn.

Aaaaah. The tube.















And, the yarn. Safe and sound. I cannot say that about the taper who put all that tape on my package. Aargh.