Category: Don’t you just love Tiffany’s?

With help from Blog-free Kim and her husband, along with Neal’s uncanny knowledge that the FedEx plane would not have left the airport yet (at 9:00p.m.), I managed to get my closing documents to the title company in Albuquerque by 8:59 a.m. on Friday.  After receiving them at about 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

By 4:00 p.m. on Friday, the deal was closed.  I no longer own property in New Mexico.  Bittersweet, but a relief.  At long last I can sleep through the night.

It’s over.

The lovely Romi created this custom fern shawl pin, which I wore on my wedding day.  As if her beautiful handiwork weren’t enough, she also gifted me a pretty  pair of earrings along with a note wishing me happiness as I started married life.  What a wonderful gift.  Thank you!

A few weeks ago there was another burst of unexpected generosity out of the blogsphere.  Rae and I have crossed paths several times in swaps–I was her KSKS pal, and she was mine for KMKS, and again for the swap-bot strawberry pincushion swap. She sent a lot more than an adorable pincushion, though.  Also in the package were some desk supplies, homemade treats for the girls (long gone and much enjoyed!), sheep ribbon, and a festive skein of her hand-dyed yarn.  One of my favorite things about Rae is that she is so great with her cute pup, Robin.  In addition to a bricks and mortar storefront, Rae now has an on-line shop as well.  Be sure to visit her there!

I had a spinning lesson last week with one of the Nutmeg Spinners Guild members, Ellen.  I started spinning in the fall of 2005, but I’ve never gotten in enough time with my wheel, and this is going to be the summer I do.  I figured I may as well take a few private lessons and get my skills to as high a level as I can.  I’ve joined Spun Stitches, and I want to do a good job spinning for a shawl. The spinning in the picture is the finest I’ve done to date, and it’s hand-dyed Romney I dyed last summer in the same colors as my Blue Shutter Beach dye-o-rama yarn.

I’ve ended my knitting monogomy, too.  I cast on for Adele, a hat for Dulaan out of my first handspun from back in 2005, and my travel project: Monkey Sockapalooza socks.  I’m not loving the Nashua June yarn I’m using for Adele; it’s tough on my hands.  It does have a nice drape to it, though, so the suffering (!) will be worth it.  I do love knitting with my handspun, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I’ve done so.  The Jitterbug I’m using for the Monkeys is lovely, too.

It’s time to clean the house for the dogsitter.  Neal and I are heading to New Mexico for the weekend.  I’m thrilled to see my friends out there, and I’m looking forward to getting the condo ready to go on the market.  It’s the cutest place I’ve ever lived, and I’m a little sad to let it go, but I know it will simplify my life to sell it.

Catch back up with you next week!

Just before the Big Day, I got an e-mail from Erin.  We started an on-line friendship about a year ago when she started Show Me Your Stash.   When I saw that she was dyeing yarns to match blogs, I asked if she’d do one for my new PoMo Golightly blog, and she obliged with great results.  We talked about Project Spectrum, and the idea that she do a sock yarn club tailored to PS came up, and my friend RAN with it.  She gifted me with a subscription to the club, and I loved to get the package each month; her skills and confidence as a handpainting artist grew every month.  Last October one of the highlights of Rhinebeck was meeting Erin live and in person for the first time. I felt like I was meeting a pal I’d known for ages–isn’t that one of the beauties of the blogsphere?

Anyway, back to the e-mail.  Erin wrote a little about her creative journey and beginnings, and to celebrate my new beginning with Neal, she gifted me this.  I’m flabbergasted, awed, humbled, and thankful.  She’s done amazing things with her creativity in the last year, and I’m proud of her.

Thanks, Friend.  I can’t wait to watch what you do in the next year!  Muwah. 

Doesn’t it look like a fairy land?

On Friday I ordered two dress from J Crew so that I could try them on in person and decide which will be my wedding dress.  Well, I ordered a pair of argyle socks, and Wellie socks (despite my sad lack of Wellies) as well.  I was dark about the shipping expense; MB works at a catalog-based business, and I know full well about the actual cost of shipping versus what I was paying for a few light frocks.  After whining to MB this morning about the coupon for $4.95 shipping that had just expired, another one came in my e-mail.   This afternoon, she forwarded a code for free shipping and suggested I call to see if they’d refund the $16.95.  It’s not the sort of thing I typically do; usually I whine a little and accept my bad luck.

I took MB’s advice, though, and I was told that this was not normally something they would do, but because of the crossover of the coupons, J. Crew reimbursed the entire shipping amount.  You can bet I’ll give them my business when I have clothes to purchase.  Gotta love good customer service.

My oldest sister, who also happens to be my best friend, booked a ticket to fly here tomorrow night.  She’ll be here for the whole weekend, and on Friday she’ll join me and blogless Sara for an afternoon of shopping.  Neal’s going to cook us dinner on Saturday, and I’ve got plans for an Easter breakfast before she heads back to TN.

What’s more fun than a spontaneous visit with a loved one?

If you haven’t read the entries in Scout’s Prepster Contest, hop over there now and be entertained.  I just submitted my top three favorites to her, and as soon as Pippi sends hers, we can hash out a winner.

With all due humility (I don’t want to be accused of hubris when it comes to the wedding shawl project), I’m gathering speed with each repeat.  Meg has assured me that life lines are critical, so I will be diligent about them.  I’ve got a favorite row on the pattern, too.  Does that happen to you when you knit lace?  I feel a little thrill each time I reach Row 5.  Lurv Row 5.  Wish the entire pattern were Row 5.

I’ve got to try to sleep soon.  I’m so excited about MB’s arrival in 24 hours that I’m not sure I can close my eyes!   

Is anyone else as excited as I am by the Interweave Spring issue preview?  I just glanced at it and found several patterns I’d love to make:

Eunny’s Entrelac socks (remind me of her gorgeous argyles)

Kate’s Slanted Neck pullover

And most of all…Stephanie’s Cable Down Raglan. 

Less than a month until it’s out.  I suspect I’ll be saving one of my three free Knit from your Stash passes for a Spring Interweave project.

What’s catching your eye? 

This was an impulse purchase when I stopped in to the new antique store down the street.  I had a couple of other things in my hand, was nearly checked out, when my childhood came rushing at me.  I remember a red-white-and-blue pin of similar material from the celebrations of ’76.  I’ll have to ask my mom whether that was her pin or Gram’s.  Keep your fingers crossed that it remains in a bureau drawer at my mom’s house.  I think I’ve found an item I would dearly love to collect.  There were two more at the shop, and I may have to go back for them this week.  This one will look smashing on my camel-hair winter coat. 

These two hankies also came home with me.  My auntie (after whom I’m named) was quite the traveler, and she would often bring me a hanky from exotic locations.  I still have them, along with the strawberry-dotted one I bought at RSC when I saw Othello there.  I know I’ll come up with a fabu sewing project for them–perhaps a quilt?

I couldn’t resist this little paint box.  I dabble in watercolors, and this just called out to me.  Would you like to see it opened?

Tomorrow:  A package from Germany and Christmas Arrives at Tilly’s Mew.

and I said "yes."