Purple Passion Voodoo

As mentioned yesterday, I received my Spring Coffee Swap package from the wonderful Criquette - check it out!

These lovely wrapped packages...

Turned in to all this...

It is always cool to have someone you know spoil you (but don't get me wrong, making new friends is cool too) and Katie definitely shows how well she knows me... she put together this vibrant "Purple Passion" themed package after all! Inside the box I found goodies, goodies and... more goodies!

There were yummy treats ~ Voodoo Blend coffee (love the name - can't wait to try!), a Starbucks mocha dark chocolate bar and Starbucks caffee mocha truffles. mmmm

There were even yum-yums for my kids from one of their most favorite places, Three Dog Bakery ~ Lick 'n Crunch cookies and their most favorite Beagle Bagles! Teutul and Zeus were quite excited that the nice lady thought of them... as were my girls, but they were inside drooling through the door during the photo shoot.

There were cute accessories ~ coffee theme napkins, the cutest "My Name is No-No, Bad Dog... What's Yours?" post-it notes and 2 unique mix CDs that Katie made for the drive to work (so cool!)....

There was yarn.... not one, not two, but three skiens.... Dream in Color Classy (oooh... how I heart this squishy, yummy yarn), Cotton Classic and Four Seasons Cotton.

There was the handmade part of the swap... Kate had stalked me on Ravelry looked into my Ravelry queue and saw that I had Calorimetry listed... then, on & off her needles - in a most gorgeous handpainted yarn - it went! I absolutely adore it, however if you read my post yesterday, you know that I'm sad to report that it is too big (I'll spare you from my ranting about a pattern revision again). humpf I will experiment with it and see if I can use it for a neckscarf or maybe fold it somehow (right now it fits my entire head - I can even button it under my chin and do my best grandma impression). Any suggestions?

Isn't it gorgeous? And as I said, Katie knows me well... check out the awesome button (I had trouble getting the camera to focus but its a shiny silver with a rhinestone in the middle and oh so awesome!)...

Thank you Katie aka Criquette! The package was truly awesome and I adore the "purple passion" theme!

When I was photoing last night, I noticed some more purple passion...

Now hold on to your ooohhs and aaahhhs and pretty tulips.... remember how I told you that I DO. NOT. WEED.? Here's the un-zoomed in proof...

Sheep and Yarn and Alpaca and SNOW?

I spent Mother's Day at the NH Sheep & Wool fesitval with Joanne and a couple of blogless girls, Cheryl & Marlene. What an excellent day for fiber frolicing - the weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold!

While none of us were looking for spinning related items, we did happen upon some beautiful wheels, including this beauty (click for a 2nd view)...

Look at that wood work... and the matching chair too boot! The pictures hardly do it justice.

Of course there was a lot of other stuff to buy... including yarn! I had gone with the attitude that if it wasn't something I really loved or unusual, I wasn't going to buy it... I'm at the point where my credit card company could see a $1000 yarn store purchase in Hong Kong and never question if the charge was legit or not in my stash where I don't need to just buy yarn for the sake of buying yarn. So I ended up walking away with just 3 skeins...

From left to right, that is a 3.5 ounce skein of hand painted alapca from Sallie's Fen Alpacas... a skein of Seacoast Handpainted Llama/Wool in the colorway Colorado and... a skein of Seacoast Handpainted Mohair/Wool in the colorway Pink Patch. Both of the Seacoast yarns were marked down to a steal and the alpaca was just one of those that I couldn't leave behind! I'm not totally sure what they are destined for just yet... possibly mitts for me, maybe a baby something with the pink patch... maybe a Calorimetry, although I just received my Spring Coffee Swap package and my awesome pal Criquette made one for me .... its gorgeous, but after a quick try on in the office bathroom, sadly its too large... BUT, that got me to searching on Ravelry for input on the sizing (seems its too wide for most everyone - you'd think by now they'd have publised a revision!) and it looks like less stitches, less repeats and maybe even smaller needles are the way to go...

My only other purchases for the day were a delicious buffalo cheese steak and some apple crisp... and this sweater pattern...

Both Joanne & I were ooohing and ahhing over the sample and then realized the vendor was wearing another version. Its gorgeous... and the only sewing in the entire thing are the buttons!

Now I'll leave you with a montage of cutesy animal photos because you know there were plenty...

This is the sheep impression of my Lola & Sophie...

There were lots of cute sheep...

There were sleeping sheep... and smiling sheep...

There were fluffy alpaca...

And alpaca with cute hair cuts...

Curious alpaca...

and the cutest little angora goats!

There was even this...

Yes, you non-New Englanders... that is left over snow!!!!!!!!

Oh and as for the coffee swap package, I picked it up on my way to work and did bring it inside for fear of meltable goodies inside (I was right!) and snapped a quick camera phone pick before tearing in to the beautifully wrapped goodies... I'll post more about the package & real pics tomorrow!

I Scream, You Scream...

... we all scream for ice cream!

While we had some unseasonably warm, summer-like temps last week (until the rain & cold came), I decided to treat the kids to some doggy ice cream. Sophie {more new pics if you click their linked names} enjoyed her first taste. And no, she shouldn't have it on the couch, but well...

Lola did one of her best "can I have a treat please?" poses for Mommy...

Zeus found the coveted sun spot in the living room... then later decided that the "baby size" (Sophie's) Double Action chew bone was much more fun to chomp on then his jumbo size...

Teutul was waiting for his treat before Mommy abandons him for the day to go to that wretched place leaves for work...

Yappy Doggy Thursday... with not much to say, I left the photos do the talking today...

Spring Flingin ~ Week 6

Well, would you look at that... I just noticed that I won the Week 3-4 prize for the Spring Fling Coffee Swap, which was one of Mary's awesome rice pack! Woo hoo! I just might even let my honey use one (he's only had 1 practice race day so far and he's already been whining complaining about a sore neck), since I just got a cute doggy set from Mary... hmmm, I'll have to think more about that. Its a little ironic that I won Mary's prize, as guess who I had the pleasure of spoiling in this swap?!?! If you guessed Mary, you're right! Visit her blog to see just how much fun I had spoiling her! I had a great time putting together her package, especially given the circumstances with pets in her life lately (I think I was meant to spoil her in this swap for that very reason alone)... and I just had to make sure to pack the handpainted mug extra, extra well given that she had a mug-mishap with her last coffee swap package...

Okay, I've containted my excitement (no, I'm not jumping up and down in my office screaming "I won, I won..." but I might've squealed a little and got some strange looks) and now on to this week's topic...

We'll go free form this week - Post about your WIPs, post about your package, post about the weather where you are - just be sure to include that the post is for the Spring Fling Weekly Topic somewhere inside it when you tell us it's there! I'd love to hear how folks are enjoying the goodies they received, if they have, or how much fun you had shopping for your pal!

Since I posted about some WIP's yesterday and I just mentioned the package I sent to Mary above, why don't I show you what arrived in my mailbox today? Its the latest book from Vickie Howell, cutely titled Knit Aid... and its autographed! Yup, I preordered mine thru Vickie direct and it came signed "Happy Knitting on the go! xo, Vickie" I haven't had a chance to really poke through it yet, but I can tell you its the perfect size to toss in your knitting bag and it is spiral bound, making for easy usage. In flipping thru quickly, I see lots of great illustrations. Find yourself out knitting somewhere thinking "man, how exactly do I do that duplicate stitch?" ... this would be the book to have in your bag!

As for the weather, its been a much nicer start to the week than our cold and rainy weekend. High 70's and sunny yesterday & today... rain coming in for Friday, but they say our weekend will be nice... it better be, as I'm heading off to the NH Sheep & Wool with Joanne, blogless Cheryl and blogless Marlene!

Weekend Wrap Up...

Once again, congratulations to all of my contest winners! Prizes went out this morning and I hope you will enjoy them!

It was a cold & rainy weekend around New England. I spent Saturday night at Fenway (first time back to a game in about 4 years now) and it felt more like fall football weather! (excuse the "little people" photos... I didn't bring the camera due to the weather, these are cell phone pics)

I soon remembered why I'm much more of an action packed sports girl (translation: NASCAR, football and hockey)... baseball is pretty slow & boring to me! Don't get me wrong, this Boston girl will always root for her Red Sox (and I do enjoy catching a game in person every now and then), but if given the choice (especially with the need to sell your first born to get a ticket enormous ticket prices), I'd rather quinch my need for speed, see some good checks (fight, fight, fight!) or see the Brady bunch....

I don't want to get too much in to the weekend tragedy,and I don't know much about horses, but I do know that no animal should be run so hard they break both of their front ankles!!!! I've heard several takes on the story and understand Eight Belles was just 2 years old. Apparently, horses should not be raced until at least 4 years of age. There's also been lots of genetic crapola going on to produce the "fastest and strongest" horses... all in the name of greed for the all mighty dollar - ugh!!! Personally, I think if you want to run a race, then use your own 2 feet or an inanimate object, such as a car, boat or motorcycle. Rest in Peace Eight Belles...

On that note, did you know that it is Be Kind to Animals Week? Please click on over and learn what you can do, including teaching children....

Reminder... sign ups are now open for the Multitasking 9-5 group swap over on Ravlery!

Now I even have some actual knitting content to leave you with today! I'm working away on the Criss-Cross scarf for my ISE6 pal. I'm loving the way the Patons SWS is working up in this pattern...

After realizing that there was no way the pokey, always wanting to cast on something new, 'ole me I'd ever finish the Oriel Lace scarf for my pal in time for the deadline, I switched to this pattern and am glad I did. My pal loves winter colors and she lives in a cold winter climate, so I'm hoping this will be a perfect fit for her. I'm starting to think these scarves will also be in a few Christmas presents this year as well...

I'm still Clapping away, but am thisclosetobeingfinished!!! No updated pics, but it will be done in time to wear to the NH Sheep and Wool festival this weekend (so long as weather is appropriate for wearing) and I will get finished photos then! I spent yesterday working on the decrease rounds...

I'm about half way done with my first teddy bear sweater for the Granite State Knit-In donations. They collect "dressed" stuffed aniamls of all sorts, which are then donated to the NH State Troopers for their program (all troopers have a couple in their trunks to provide as needed to children). I plan to get at least a couple made...

Well, that's all folks... enjoy the rest of your Cinco de Mayo!

And The Doggy Goes To...

Thank you to everyone who entered my contest in honor of ASPCA and for all the wonderful things you did to help animals in need and to spread the awareness! Thank you also to my wonderful crafty circle of friends who donated some fantastic prizes to the cause as well! Please be sure to click through to their Etsy shops where you'll find some wonderful products!

The bag of entries looked like this (great use of a knitting bag without current project!)...

And the winners were drawn..., so now... the moment you've all been waiting for! Please note these prize groupings are in no particular order and I was able to put together 8 different prize groupings. Included with each prize pack is an orange ASPCA wrist band.

Neck Rice Roll & Ice Pack from Blume's Accessories
goes to blogless Marlene!

Handknit Paw Print Scarf by Chan &

Purple Paw Awareness Pin goes to Mary!

Go Green Shopper Tote from Seacost Baby &
Stitch Marker Holder from Blume's Accessories
goes to Dianne!

Oversided Wallet (notions bag) from

Seacoast Baby & Doggy Tape Measure

from Yarndemon Designs goes to Paula!

Doggy Sock It Bag from Gypsy Knits, Doggy
Bandana from Seacoast Baby & Trekking
Sock Yarn from Criquette (not pictured) goes to Natalie!

Oversided Wallet (notions bag) from

Seacoast Baby, ASPCA t-shirt & Animal

Rescue Candle goes to Jessi!

Oversided Wallet (notions bag) & Doggy
Bandana from Seacoast Baby goes to Kenyetta!

Oversided Wallet (notions bag) from

Seacoast Baby & Kitchener Dog Tag goes to Anita!

Congratulations to all of the winners! I really hope everyone enjoys their prizes!

5 Years Ago Today...

... a dream came to an abrupt and unexpected end... a friend fought for his live.... lives were forever changed.

Former NASCAR driver's painful recovery
Five years after a harrowing crash at Richmond International Raceway, former NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau is still trying to pick up the pieces.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Pictures, posters and other keepsakes adorn a wall in Jerry Nadeau's office. Helmets, diecast cars and T-shirts sit on shelves, untouched except by dust.

Among this montage of memories, two framed items stand out. One is a photo of Nadeau's car beside runner-up Dale Earnhardt's black No. 3 moments after Nadeau had won the 2000 season finale at Atlanta. Earnhardt's left hand juts out of his car, his index finger saluting Nadeau on his first and only NASCAR Winston Cup victory.

"That is the ultimate picture," Nadeau says with a widening grin.

Below that photo is a newspaper clipping from the race. A large picture captures him in Victory Lane, cheeks rosy and bulging smile toothy.

His right hand and that of teammate Jeff Gordon are clasped in celebration.
The headline proclaims: "Happily ever after."

If only it was true.

A head injury suffered five years ago today in a crash at Richmond International Raceway turned Nadeau's ultra-focused life into tumult.

Racing defined Nadeau, and even today, he still struggles to accept that he'll never compete in NASCAR's top series again.

To continue on, you can find the full article here.

Some people know that I was a huge supporter of Jerry and I ran the "Get Jerry Noticed" program and then later, Team Nadeau. I've met a couple of my bestest friends because of the Jerry work I did....

I usually get to see him about once a year now and hope to be able to catch up with him later this month. Here's the only photo I can find at the moment (or rather, the only one I remembered to upload to Flickr)...

One thing the above article failed to note was Jerry has a beautiful 5 year old daughter... she was born in February, just a few months before her Dad's accident.

Jerry is a constant reminder to me that Life is Too Short... never put off tomorrow what you can do today! And to Jerry... I know you'll find that spark and get motivated again.