Treasures from another land!

Today the mailman brought me a package from my Secret Pal across the sea! And, oh, the wonders it contained!

My Secret Pal is absolutely wonderful! SP knitted a beautiful lavender face cloth (upper left) in an intricate pattern (nicely done!) and a lovely weight yarn and included a handmade coconut soap. She also sent a British flag pin, pictured here at the top center but which has since been affixed to my coat lapel; several people have asked about it and I take every opportunity to tell them about my wonderful angel SP!

A beautiful book of Favourite Cake Recipes was in the package, too, and I plan to bake the Coffee Butterscotch Cake as soon as possible; maybe for Sunday coffee. The recipe book is illustrated with scenes of cottage life (my favorite is the image of a woman at a spinning wheel).

My Secret Pal must be very wise and good; she also generously sent a counted cross-stitch of an English hare. My SP must be very intuitive, otherwise how could she have known how much I enjoy counted cross-stitch, or how much I enjoy bunnies and their relations? (Last spring, I had baby bunnies in my backyard. They've grown up and out, but we see the mum every day. I'm hoping for Bunny Watch 2006 this year!)

I have a counted cross-stitch project going at all times. I think it's fun to switch between quilting, cross-stitch, and knitting, to keep one's mind happy and engaged, and to see something different in order to keep liking the long-term projects.

Also in my package was a fortune-telling fish, a postcard of the Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral, and a pamphlet describing the cathedral!

But the most wonderful item is a hand-beaded, wide, silver clasp bracelet! I gasped audibly when I opened it, Secret Pal! I'm so touched, and honored, and thankful for such a gift. I very much appreciate all the work and care you took with it; it's beaded exquisitely, and I love the colors! It fits perfectly; I've worn it all day, and I'll wear it tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. Thank you, thank you, so much.

I am honored, SP. I think of you touching these things, creating them, selecting colors (especially the heathers!); I place you in my mind in that wonderful English countryside, and in the cities. I remember fondly visiting cathedrals there, St. Paul's, Westminster, and I place myself in my mind with you in Salisbury. You've touched my heart, SP!

How generous is my Secret Pal! How astute! How gifted she is!

I think the only thing to do is to nominate her for Best Secret Pal Ever.

JP for the House cookies

By day, I'm a candidate for the Montana State legislature. By night, I'm a knitter. (Well, I'm a knitter whenever I can be!) I just had to share today's campaign effort with you!

My friend Karen has baked JP for the House cookies for a Democratic function tonight! Aren't they GREAT?

I and my campaign committee have been thinking up campaign-related stuff, like slogans, give-aways, etc. and Karen thought of house-shaped cookies for campaign events. This is the inaugural batch!

They'll debut tonight. I'm so proud! The JP for the House cookies will surely trump chips 'n' dip.

I love that they're so creative and clever! (So is my friend Karen. What's more, Karen's the one who oh-so-patiently TAUGHT ME TO KNIT!

Yay, Karen!

I'm sorry, fellow knitters/bloggers, that I didn't have a knitting project to post today, but I am knitting! The purple celtic braid sweater is coming along, and so is the heather sage cardigan back. That one's taking longer than I expected, but I have to campaign, and that takes precious knitting time away!

Thanks for the messages, Secret Pal! I think of you all the time. I have your wonderful postcard on my desk, right by my computer monitor. I see it many times a day. Thanks for spoiling me!

Antibodies, and new yarn

Whatever flu-like sickness I contracted has knocked me flat and worked me over, but I'm on the mend. Today I woke up and felt almost human again! So much so, that I could enjoy some of the new yarn from the Tacoma trip this past weekend. It's cotton, and lovely; soft, but not too limp, which should knit up into a nicely-bodied scarf or Mrs. Beetons (although I haven't finished the first set yet. Did I tell you I reversed the right/wrong side when I joined the piece, so that the cuff is formed, but with the purl side out (not what I intended) and the knit side in? aargh)

Thanks to my Secret Pal for the very nice comments on this site; it's so nice to hear from you! I think of you often, knitting in the U.K.

Stay healthy, everyone. I resumed knitting on my purple sweater last night, and how nice it was to get back to it!