My Ramblings

Coffee Craze Swap

Today I received a wonderful package from my swap partner in Hawaii.  Gailey (Panda) sent me 3 49gram packs of Royal Kona coffee; Mountain Roast, Vanilla & Macadamia  & Roy's.  Along with the coffee were two packs of Aloha Gourmet coffee sweets, Gourmet and Dark Kona, and a pack of Asia Trans chocolate covered coffee beans.  Then, just to show there is no enjoying these things without some work involved, ie washing the coffee maker/cups etc. she included a coffee themed tea towel.  All really great and very appreciated.  Infact, I'm sipping the vanilla/macadamia coffee as I type, and my oh my! it's REALLY GOOOOOD.

Unfortunately I still can't find my camera; it's got to be here somewhere, but it's got me beat.......unless my son threw it in one of his tempers when his computer game "cheats".  He says the last time he saw it, it was near the computer, and that's what I'm afraid of.  I know he won't admit it if he has thrown it and broken it, so it could be that I'll eventually have to buy a new one. 

On the knitting front, not too much has been happening lately.  I started a sock for my father, in greys and burgundy.  I will finish the other one and also the second of the light blue/grey pair, then he can choose for himself which ones he likes.  I'm still plodding on with the scarf for my friend, but can't do too much at a time as it's fluffy alpaca and makes me sneeze.............good for the sinuses, but not for the bladder.  I'm also doing a scarf for KOGO and want to make a Le Slouch for moi.

Due to my gorgeous daughter, I am getting to see lots more of our beautiful country.  First of all was Brisbane in Queensland, her first posting with the army.  Then was Darwin which I absolutely fell in love with, though I couldn't live there permanently due to only the two seasons, wet and dry, and both hot.  Currently she and her family are in Perth.  I've been there before, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy visiting there again to see them, and the MOTH's nephew and his family too.  Next posting will be to Townsville in north Queensland, and I'm looking forward to going up there for a visit.  I've been to Cairns in far north Queensland, but not to Townsville, so I'm looking forward to visiting them there too.  Whilst I have loved going to different places, hopefully their next posting, in 2010, will be a bit closer to (my) home, and also to a place where Natalie can get to watch her beloved Doggies play, even if it is just on TV.  If it's close enough, we'll no doubt go to the footy together again.

Back to swaps; the next one I'm involved in is the Yarn Junkies "yelloe" swap.  I didn't take part in the pink and orange swaps as I'm not at all into those colours, but the others are all ok.  I find I really enjoy swaps, and it gets me motivated to knit and complete items............not that I don't complete them other times, but I am just a lot slower if I don't have a time limit.  I'm a procrastinator who does best under pressure, so a time limit gives me that.  I've been doing more reading lately, as I had been neglecting that part of me for some time due to all the swaps I've been in, and of course, the last Harry Potter will be out soon and there is no way I'm NOT going to read that.............even if I'm late for a swap I'll read the book first hehe.  So, if I have you in a swap at that time, be warned please.  Then again, I'll probably have to beat my son to the book, which I will do if I buy it, but it's really HIS turn to buy this time, so he'll no doubt read it first.  Thank goodness he's a fast reader or I might have to kill him to get my hands on it......only joking of course; then again.......

Happy knitting everyone.

Surprise Package

Yesterday I found another package at my door.  This one was most definitely unexpected, so was a huge surprise.  Some time ago, just after I had shown Tim Tams on my blog, I sent a few assorted packs to another blogger.  I did it only because she had commented that having seen them she would love to try them.  I couldn't let that pass, could I, so of course off they went.  I certainly wasn't expecting anything in return, so when a parcel arrived from Shan it was certainly a surprise.  I can't find my camera, so used my camera phone to take photo's.  The only trouble is...........I can't get the photo's from there to the computer. So, I'll just have to tell you what I got.  First of all were some Maple Cream biscuits, which I tried straight away with a coffee.  Then there was a block of dark chocolate, very yummy and not as bitter as the Aussie dark chocolate; more like the milk/dark blend that we have here.  I love all chocolate, so that was wonderful.  I was very good, I only had 1 row and then put it away where I wouldn't see it and therefore continue eating it.  Next, some Lipton Red Rose tea.  I tried that last night after I had come home from a Lions meeting..........I even let the MOTH have some too, aren't I just the best?  lol.  He also tried the biscuits and agreed, they are absolutely delightful.  I haven't given him any chocolate yet though as the night before (at another Lions meeting) he got us both a cuppa and brought back only one chocolate for himself.  As the outgoing President, I was busy and said I was disappointed that he hadn't got me a chocolate.  He went and brought back FOUR chocolates, one for me, and 3 for himself. lol  That's very unusual as he's not normally a big chocolate eater, and usually looks after me much better than that.  But, I am digressing.  The final goodie in the box was some Fleece Artists Basic Socks yarn in blues and greens; absolutely gorgeous.  I'm debating on whether to knit socks or gloves/mittens or something else entirely.  The ball band actually has a sock pattern printed on it, so if all else fails, I can go with that, hehe.

For any Aussie readers who are looking for Sugar 'n' Cream dishcloth yarn, it is now available here in Oz.  Just go to my gorgeous daughter's shop.  She has a good stock, with both solid and variegated colourways available.

Happy knitting. 

Dish Rag Tag

Hi All, I just read of a relay competition happening in the US. The idea is that there will be teams of 6 to 10 people who will send a package between themselves. The package will contain a knitted dishcloth, two balls of dishcloth yarn & a sweet treat. It will then be sent via priority mail to the next person who will use one of the balls of yarn to knit a dishcloth, keep the other ball of yarn and put two more into the box, add a sweet treat and then forward to the next person and so on. The team who gets it all done first wins. The organiser is making teams in Canada, and has said that if we have enough people here who would like to take part then we can have a team here. Here is the e-mail I got from her.

Do y'all have an equivalent 2-3 days anywhere in the country postal option that won't make you all go broke? Do you think there are 10 other willing knitters that might want to form Dish Rag Tag Team Australia? I am working out something similar for the Canadians, so if you think you can field a team (and the shipping situation is similar) I would love to have you join the insanity! -- Emily Ivey http://yarnmiracle.com

The details are all there on her site.  If we can field a team of at least 6 people and up to 10 people it might be fun to give it a go. Normal mail here is supposed to be 3 day delivery, but if you want to be sure you could always post it priority.

Sue H.

P.S.  When you go to the site you will notice that registration have closed as she got the numbers far quicker than she anticipated, obviously there are a lot of people wanting to take part.  That is ok though, as registration for Team Australia have NOT closed and she will have special sign-ups for us very soon.  She's really excited at having a team from Down Under happening.

2nd post for the day:

As I was writing the last post, the MOTH arrived home and brought in a parcel that had been left by the postie.  For some reason he's not ringing the doorbell now, just leaving the packages.  I think it's because he's concerned that I might be sleeping as he knows I usually work nights.  Anyway, the package was from my Spring Into Summer Dishcloth Swap partner.  As the MOTH was taking me to post some of my packages, I had to finish off my last post before I had time to put in this information.  Before I show you what I got; I posted off my package to my SP and the package to my Green Yarn pal.  I somehow lost the address for my dishcloth swap partner so have e-mailed her asking for it, but the package is ready to go; and I bought the socks for my Funky Swap partners.  I would normally have knit the socks, but as this is a quick swap, and I didn't time to knit one let alone four pairs of socks, I had to go with bought ones.  I got myself a pair too, with toes (like gloves).  Rather cute.  So now I just need to get some treats to go with the socks and they and the dishcloths can be posted off.
So now to what I got.........

A lovely dishcloth in green (of course, my partner ready my profile), two "new super size" balls of Sugar'n'Cream, (probably enough to make 2 dishcloths in each), a cake of Dunlaoghaire Almond Oatmeal soap (I can't wait to use it), a tin of Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme (how did she kow I need that right now?), a pattern for a dragon fly dishcloth and finally, some College Farm organic vanilla caramel hard candy, and I'm just about to pop some into my watering mouth...........mmmmm, now they are NIIIIIIIICE! Yumm.  It's nice to know that something so yummy is also free of artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and pesticides, and that the company uses only renewable  materials which are compostable too.  Now these are sweets I'd be happy to give to the kiddies........provided I see them before I eat them all. hehe.

I'm slowly coming out from under this terrible bug.  Well over a week, and there I was last weekend thinking I was already over the worst.  Went to #4 son's house on Sunday for the MOTH's birthday party, and felt pretty good.  Not so good the following day, and hit the deck hard again by Monday night.  I've been cooped up all this week again with a very bad cough.  Think I'm finally coming to the end now though, but still getting a lot of phlegm. 
One of the main problems this bug has caused is that I'm now far behind in sending off parcels for various swaps.  Of course, being ill, I've not worked, so no money for postage either.  Will have to beg some of the MOTH, lol.  I have my final package for SP10, the package for the dishcloth swap, the package for the Swap Bot green yarn swap and I need to buy 4 pairs of "funky" socks to send to 2 swap partners for the Swap Bot Funky Socks swap.   I have everything ready for the first 3, just need to put them into packages and post.  Hopefully tomorrow unless the MOTH comes home early enough today for us to go to the post office. 
On Tuesday afternoon, the MOTH came home around 5pm saying that he too wasn't feeling too good, and went off to bed.  He eventually got up around 11pm as he couldn't sleep any longer.  He let our dog out (toilet time) and noticed a package on the front porch that wasn't there when he came home.  What is strange is that it must have arrived after 5 pm and I've never known the postie to be that late before, especially mid-week.  Anyway, the package was from my green yarn partner..........wow, so quick.

This is the package,

and here is what was inside.............

Two balls of Karabella Aurora 8 in moss and one in dark green, 100% merino, 8 ply/worsted, and super soft.  One ball of Tahki Yarns Shannon variegated green, also 100% wool and 8 ply.  Not so soft, but still very nice.  And last but not least, a packet of large stitch markers, which is just what I needed as the ones I have so far only fit smaller needles.
For my green yarn package I have a 200 gram ball of Bendigo Woollen Mills 5 ply/fingering 100% merino, 2 balls of heirloom merino and a 100 gram ball of opal sock yarn along with some fragrant candle melts. Sure hope my partner will be happy with them.
On the knitting front, not much done at all this week, due to not being well but also due to my pesky kitten wanting to play with the yarn as I'm knitting it.  I'm going to have to start putting her out of the room when I want to knit, but it's getting so cold now and I only have heating in my living room.  If it was a puppy I could put it in a play pen, but a cat would be able to jump out, so anyone have any ideas?
Well, that's all folks.  Till next time, happy knitting.

Yesterday, as I was leaving the house, I found a package leaning up against my front door, obviously just delivered by the postie.  I was wondering why he hadn't knocked at the door, then I realised that I still had the "Don't knock, night shift worker sleeping" sign out.............and I didn't work the night before.  Ah well, no harm done.  I popped the parcel inside and off I went to do some errands with the MOTH.  When I got back, I very impatiently snipped open the large post bag, without first stopping to take a photo, and eagerly looked through the goodies my ISE4 sent me.

So, this is what came out of the package................

Not one, but TWO gorgeous scarves.  The one on the right is a lighter weight lacy scarf, could easily be worn in winter for warmth, and in summer for effect.  The one on the left is thicker, and very long; great for doubling and putting the ends through the loop.............I've wanted to be able to do that for a long time.  Both are lovely and soft and will be an asset to my scarf wardrobe; I don't have many yet.

Some Patons Kroy sock yarn which I'm looking forward to knitting up.

Some Cedar rings which I will put among my stash and in my drawers; such a wonderful smell, much better than camphor.

And last but not least....

a bumper sticker for my car.

Thankyou so much Marilyn G.  It was well worth waiting for.

As for my own knitting, sadly I haven't done too much over the past week as last Wednesday I had been home from work for only a few minutes when the phone rang.  Usually if I get a phone call at that time it is a particular member of my Lions club (I have been president this year) ringing about something "urgent".  Everything is always urgent for Ken, who is a retiree who is passionate about whatever he does.   It wasn't Ken: instead it was another member who had just called Ken about a project that he and Ken were involved in only to be told by Ken's wife Bette that he had just died.  He had (unknown to us) gone into hospital the evening before, and had been unable to be revived following a heart attack that morning.  Bette herself had only just got the news as she wasn't at the hospital.  Thinking that he was going to be ok, she had gone home after visiting hours the previous evening.  It was such a huge shock as Ken had seemed ok just days before; although in hindsight, people who had been with him at a Lions convention the previous week were able to see little signs that he wasn't as good as we had all believed.  It's amazing how we can see these signs later, but miss them at the time.  Ken's funeral was yesterday and as funerals go, it was a good one; a celebration of his life with many a comment about his "pecadillo's"; and he had many.  A man who could annoy the hell out of you one minute, and who would buy you a beer the next.  As president, I had many "run-in's" with Ken, especially when he was trying to tell me how I should do things, or when he went ahead and did things (sometimes in my name), but I know he always did what he thought was right for the club, and he always had good intentions.  Like me though, Ken NEVER holds a grudge.   He was a great friend and will be greatly missed.

                                 

         Kenneth Oliver Leemon.
        11th January 1928 - 30th May 2007
                      R.I.P.

I've finally got new batteries for my camera

and I promised a photo of the sock I am knitting.  Still undecided on whether it will be suitable for my dad, or whether I should go with the other yarn I recently bought in greys and burgundy.
Cupcake was investigating this funny thing lying where she wanted to sit, but when I tried to take the photo she was obviously aware and became camera shy.  You can get a good idea of the size of her though, still very tiny and so cute.  She is so friendly, and has decided that she likes to sleep in my bed when I'm there.  She likes to be where I am, but I think that's more because Latte is always close by me too.  Anyway, this is the sock.  What do you think of the colours?  Too feminine for a nearly 81 year old male?  I'm thinking maybe a bit too light in colour, and maybe a darker colourway would be better, but I'll certainly listen to readers opinions.  I have plenty of time as his birthday isn't until the 11th July.  Good job I decided to start early.

In other knitting news.  The parcel for my SP10 partner is almost ready to go.  I have most of the stuff I want to send, I just want to find a good yarn magazine for her now, and some nice tasty treats.  It should be ready to post by next Friday.

I have had news from my SP10 pal that she is almost ready to send my parcel to me too, so that's exciting.  I've also had news from my ISE4 pal that my parcel from her is on its way and should possibly be here by Monday or Tuesday next week, how good is that?  I'm so looking forward to being able to wear the scarves I have received from her and from Margaret , my beautiful SP9 Angel, who I'm sure doesn't really realise just how appreciated she is.  I also received some gorgeous fingerless mittens from a one skein swap with Aussie Knitters last spring, so haven't really had the opportunity to wear those either.  As it's definitely getting cooler now, I'm sure I'll be able to remedy this very soon.

I am also taking part in the Spring into Summer dishcloth swap.  I knitted a few dishcloths immediately after I signed up for that, so that I could decide which ones I preferred to send to my pal.  Having done that, I then sent away for some lovely handmade soap from Nature's Treasure, an Australian site.  Not only soaps, but creams, lotions, balms etc.  Such a great site, and not really expensive either.  The products have arrived, and along with the dishcloths, a pattern and some tasty treats, all is ready to send off on Monday.  My ISE4 parcel was sent (and received) a few weeks ago, so the only thing I'm still to take care of is to organise some green yarns for the month of June Swap-Bot.  Green is my favourite colour, so it will be great to see what arrives for me.  I've already worked out some of the yarn I'll be sending, Bendigo Woollen Mills is getting quite a bit of custom from me of late, but as it's definitely an Aussie product, I feel it's perfect for overseas swaps.  I'm also looking at some luxury yarn too, as it's always nice to get a bit of luxury.  Then perhaps a nice shawl clip, also in green, to compliment, and maybe the usual tasty sensations. hehe.
On a few other blogs I've noticed that people are mentioning their aspirations to finish their UFO's.  So, what do I aspire to finish?
1)  The scarf for me knitted in Hand Maiden Lady Godiva that I got from my daughter.
2)  The scarf for my friend that I am knitting in cream alpaca.
3)  A Kippah (prayer cap) for a friend of mine, in his footy clubs colours of blue and red.
4)  A baby jacket for my newest grandchild, due in early August.
5)  A lace scarf that I started, but not sure who it will be for.                                                                6)  The scarf for KOGO.

Everything else I've started I've finished as they have mostly been for swaps etc.  I'm surprised that I've actually got so many projects that I need to get done.  #3 and 4 I haven't even started yet, so I'd better get cracking.

Happy knitting everyone.