The Christmas/New Year package from Maureen

 I want to post the pics from my wonderful package that I received from Maureen.  The box was packed with goodies (I am really impressed with all that she managed to get in there!).

The big reveal

Maureen added great notes to the packaging . . . "fun with socks, shawls and ?????."  

Two books, which I have not yet read (The Scull Beneath the Skin by PD James and Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George).  I am looking forward to reading both.

A bag of walnut brittle.  A box of peanut brittle.  A box of mixed candies (the white box in the front on the pic below . . . ummmm, I would show you what was inside but what was there isn't anymore . . . ).  A Sacramento coffee cup.  A skein of On Your Toes bamboo yarn.  A "sock purse" with stitch markers . . . very clever ones that are supposed to remind you that this is a decrease or increase row.  A packet of 10 Bamboo Marking Pins that might just work in my hair.  A book of Knitting Flowers.  

and the goodies revealed . . . and enjoyed

And the timing was perfect.  We have had a very very mild winter so far.  A remarkable thing for Cleveland, Ohio.  I've only worn my winter coat a handful of times.  Usually, we are knee deep in snow by this time.  Yesterday morning, when I left the house it was 40.  When I got home, it was 42.  I went to deep water aerobics at 7:30 and it was 35.  When I got home at 9:15, it was 27.  This morning, it was 17, with a wind-chill that brought the temp to -2.  Oh, and it was snowing.

From my office, I look over a park, Cleveland City Hall, the Amtrak station and the Browns' Stadium.  This is what I could see this morning.

Cleveland, in winter

Okay, so the trees block some of it, but really and truly, the Browns have bright orange seats which just yesterday, I could see from my window.  Today, it is just that grayish/white blob to the right (I have to tell you though that those same trees and the park are just loverly in the summer.)

In any event, Maureen's package arrived just in the nick of time.  I will have a wonderful time, snuggled up either knitting or reading, munching away on my peanut brittle.  Thanks so much and Happy New Year!!!

12 Days of Christmas Swap Package

Well I am finally getting around to posting photos of a most wonderful package I received from Mindy in the 12 Days of Christmas Swap.

I will start with a photo of all my goodies together.

Since I am having a terrible time trying to get these photos on here.  I can find them and get them but can't get them on the blog or actually can't close the box after I find them and load them so I am going to have to post this on the group site.  Sorry folks.

Thank you Jennifer!

Oh my gosh - I should have taken a photo of the box....the more packages I opened, the more there were to open! Wonderful wonderful gifts! As cold as it has been lately, the "Anything Goes Scarf" is going to be well used! A whole series of books - I am not sure how she knew that I really liked this author and the books!!!! Note papers, cards, a hot cup, candles....I cant even remember it all I am so overwhelmed! Thank you so much Jennifer - you are awesome!

Christmas Swap 2011

I havent decided when to open my swap presents - I am very willing to wait until Christmas. But there were 2 items that were not wrapped - and one interesting one that was sorta wrapped. So I hung the angel on the tree (havent taken a photo yet) and have been using the candy cane pen......and getting lots and lots of compliments on my pointsettia pin!!

Thank you Jennifer!

Happy Holidays 2011

Hope everyone is getting ready for the Holidays . . . whichever ones you celebrate.  Those who are participating in the Holiday Swap should be getting ready to or may have already sent along their swap packages.  I know that the Wall Street Journal reported in this morning's newspaper that today, Monday, December 12, is supposed to be the busiest day for delivery services (UPS/Federal Express) and the post office.

Start thinking about what books you want to read for January, February and March.  I will also send out an email reminding you about it and the deadlines.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Halloween Swap

I cannot wait to show you what Mindy sent me.....for for some reason I am having problems getting my photos....I can tell you she sent me some of my very very favorite edibles - PEEPS! Ghostly peeps that is.....and CANDY CORN - mixed in a trail mix so that there is no guilt!

Of course, you may not like seeing what was crawling out of one of the many skeins of ovely yarn she sent.........

There were goblins and ghosties and things that go bump in the night (erasers and pencils and ring pops).....

And a GORGEOUS decoration for my neck....

And THREE...count them...THREE wonderful books (one of which I have already started!)

What a wonderful swap partner....and BTW Mindy....I havent sneezed/wheezed/or itched yet!

(Well, I am going to post this thank you - dont know why the photos wont transfer - but if and when they do, I will post them!)

Thank you!

Karen - what a wonderful surprise - got home from my trip to the PO mailing off my package - to find that I had recieved a WONDERFUL swap package!

Dont know if you can see it all - lovely lovely shawlette and some of the same yarn PANDA SILK! Yummy!!!! And the sock yarn, with which she knit my keychain, is lovely too! A book that looks very interesting- and no Karen, I have not read it! - maple candy AND maple syrup! - markers - and something that is very tantalizing - altho we have Tader Joe's, I have never noticed it before - sugar/chocolate/coffee beans in a grinder - they suggest grinding it over cakes, cupcakes, ice cream....wow!

Karen, thank you for a most wonderful package!

And I love that you used the bags to pad everything - they will go with when he works at the food pantrynext - they can always use plastic bags!