Where Do I Start?

Let's start here---
Yup, you guessed it. That's my engagement ring! I woke up to this sitting beside the phone (the table that the phone's on is beside the kitchen). I walked by it, and it didn't really register. I went and flipped the coffee machine on, then it sunk in. Oh my God, that's my ring! Talk about shock.

He did it this way, because he remembered that about a 6 or so months ago, I told him about a dream I had where he left my ring in that spot, beside my keys. He even pulled out my keys and put them beside it for this morning.

There's a story behind this.

A few years ago we decided to get engaged (3 years ago maybe), which we did, then about 2 years ago we went through a really rough patch, called it off, and weren't even sure that we would continue to be together.

We worked through it, and things have been great for quite a while now. We've both grown a lot, and we know that we want to be together forever, because that's what we want, not because of outside pressure.

So, I haven't seen that ring for over 2 years. It turns out that he's been keeping it in his parents' safety deposit box, and he'd been trying to get it from them for a few weeks.

Oh yeah, and he's had it back in his possession for about a week, which explains his Dad's glimpse at my ring finger last Thursday. I thought that was odd. The only reason I even noticed was that I've been really self conscious of anyone looking at my ring finger since I stopped wearing my engagement ring.
So there's the story in a nutshell.

We're starting off our lives together "for the right reasons".

(Just in case you're curious, it's a little over a carat)

Meet My New Hat...

A great yarn and a funky pattern really can turn a "non hat person" into someone who's excited about her pretty new hat!

While on our shopping trip to Washington, I remembered that I had seen a hat pattern that was a bit intriguing. I couldn't remember where I'd seen it. I only knew that I had the magazine the pattern was in at home. I knew it called for Lamb's Pride, but was it worsted or bulky? I gambled with the worsted, and thankfully I was right.

It may be hard to believe, but this is the first time I've ever used Lamb's Pride. I am in love! I'm already plotting my next trip down to the States to acquire more.


I guess you'd like to know about the hat?

The Pattern: The Spiral Hat from the Holiday Special 2006 Interweave Knits (but it didn't turn out dorky like theirs did).

The Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in Pine Tree ( PS. Pine Tree is so my color). Less than one ball.

The Needles: 5mm throughout.

The Changes: I didn't use the contrasting color of yarn (sock yarn), and I didn't go up a needle size at any time.

The Time: I started fairly late Saturday night, and only spent about 30-45 minutes on it. Sunday, I spent most of the day on it, but was done before bedtime. It would have taken me significantly less time if I was using non-torturous needles. I have a set of 5mm Addi dpns, and they are 10 inches long, and weigh a ton. Must replace with Crystal Palace!!

The Outcome: I love it! It didn't turn out Beret like at all, but I think it looks great. It's much more like board gear. Love love love!!!

Maybe I am a hat person after all...

Just A Few Of The Reasons I'm Lucky...

I've received two amazing packages in the last couple days.

The first one I received was a package from my Knitter's Tea Swap pal. It still blows me away that someone I've never met can pick out so many things that I love.

My swapper's name is Julie and here blog is called Jewel Tomes. She is awesome!

Look what she sent me!!Clockwise from the far left --- 2 boxes of chocolate mint cookies (guess why one isn't pictured), these are super yummy!, a box of Darjeeling tea, a cinnamon black tea, a tin of tea called Paris (black tea, vanilla, citrus), this is perfect!, Arbor Hill Rose Wine Jelly (I can't wait to have this with bree & crackers!), a super cute teapot shaped spoon rest, Valentine's blend tea (chocolate & rose hips), this is the cutest tin ever! Cherry cordial soap (yummy!), Crabtree & Evelyn goatmillk hand cream (this stuff is awesome!). Last but not least, we have the beautiful Koigu. The colors are so pretty! I can't wait to knit some socks for me!

Thank you Julie!!

Package two isn't from a swap or anything, it's a show of how generous bloggers can be. This package is from Abigail at 1870 Pearl. She heard the Milk Duds and good dishcloth yarn are hard to come by in Vancouver, so she sent me some. Actually, "some" is an understatement! I have a ton! It's all in beautiful colors. The Milk Duds didn't make it into the pic. Mmmmm.....


Thank you, Abigail, for your generosity.

I'll be sending out a little thank you package to Abigail, but I haven't gotten my butt in gear.

Last but not least, I've got knitting progress---


I'm making socks for my brother's size 11 feet. Yes, that's 80 stitches around, on 2.25mm needles. I'm using Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock (I can't remember the color). Surprisingly, it's going pretty quickly, but every once in a while, I have a moment where I think I'm insane for knitting men's socks on 2.25mm needles.

I've actually got another inch done since this pic was taken.

Today, we are going down to Bellingham again. I just can't stay away from the U.S. yarn stores. I'll be sure to show you what I got when we get back.