Bad Blogger, No Cookie!

I finally have a spare moment to sit and reflect on the ultimate goodness that was my Sockapalooza package (among other things). I never imagined such wonders when I first signed up!

Firstly, I was amazed to discover that I now have one degree of separation with Miss V over at the podcast. Anyone who knows of my knitting obsession also knows of my blog and podcast stalking of Miss Lime and Miss Violet. Imagine my surprise when I opened my package and realized that my partner is none other than Adminnie. I was completely starstruck like I never have been in my life. I'm such a knitting dork!

Minnie was a great partner to have! She sent me some fabulous socks for which I simply must find the pattern, some lovely matching stitch markers, a skein of dharmafey's Rob Zombie sock yarn, and some delicious chocolate. I will try to get pictures up later today of everything (except the chocolate--it's long gone). Minnie was so kind to delay mailing my package until we got home from vacation, and everything was well worth the wait!

I was being fabulously good for a while about what's on my needles. I promised myself I would only work on UFOs (as if it were really possible). I'm now in total UFO rebellion--I'm working on a pair of socks in Perchance to Knit's Dianthus Pinks colorway, an entrelac scarf in some yarn a student gave me, the Invisibility Shawl from Charmed Knits (the latest version of the pink mohair shawl that was supposed to be a variation of Branching Out), and the DCA's Aran squares blanket.

I'm also trying really hard to resist the Point Five Cardigan in Knitter's Stash, because I have some yarn on hand that would be just perfect for it. I'm really just itching to start a sweater because it's gotten so chilly so early in SoCal this year and to top it off it rained this morning.

Then there's also the Secret of the Stole that starts in a mere two weeks. I already have yarn and beads for it, so everything else is going to get tossed aside in its favor when the first pattern section is released. The yarn may change though, because I managed to score some of Perchance to Knit's Harlot's Peacock boo-boo skeins earlier this week. It's what I really wanted to use from the beginning but I couldn't find any at the etsy shop or at the Loopy Ewe. I'll have to make up my mind when it gets here.

I also fell off the sock yarn wagon and picked up some Lorna's Laces in the Sand Ridge colorway from Amy's destash and 3 hanks of Socks That Rock when the resting colorways were announced. I've just been back to the site to see the new colors that went up this week, and I'm itching for Atomic 6, Grinchy, and Hard Rock.

I think it's time to start making a Christmas list and those new Harmony tips for the Options set are right at the top...

One for the DCA

I found this quiz at another blog, and I had to check it out. Apparently, I'm a descriptive word!

HoyaGirl -- [adjective]: Like in nature to a kangaroo 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Back to School

It's been quiet around here, because we're back in school. We finished our prep week, we had our back to school picnic, and we had our first week of school. I survived the open house last night, but I'm so tired I just want to sit around and knit. I can't wait to get used to being back at work so I'm not so exhausted by the early, long days in the classroom. I really am blessed to have finished so much work this summer, or I don't know what I would be doing!

Thankfully, I've had a bit of time to work on my knitting. I have the first sock for the other Morgana finished, I'm about 1/3 done with the foot on the second cuff-down sock, I made a little something special to add to the box, her stitch markers have arrived, and I'm waiting for the needles to come. Everything is coming together so nicely! Since I'm in Hogwarts mode, here are the answers to the latest questionnaire:

What type of pet do you choose as your companion at Hogwarts?
I have brought my cats to Hogwarts because they make great companions. My muggle family doesn't have an owl because they prefer to use something called electronic mail. Please don't tell Professor Flitwick that I have more than one cat here in the dormitory. I'm afraid he would have Mr. Filch take them away!

While shopping in Hogsmeade you stop by Honeydukes for some sweets. What treats do you purchase for yourself?
I would definitely buy chocolate frogs, and I am very partial to chocoballs for their resemblance to the muggle chocolate truffles I get at home.

A potion you are preparing needs an ingredient available only at muggle shops. You don't want to stand out in your wizards robes, so you resort to traditional muggle clothing. Describe your outfit in detail.
Because I was raised by muggles, I am an expert at blending in with them. Since it is still summer and warm where I live, I would most likely be wearing a pair of blue jeans shorts, a t-shirt (so named because of its shape and I usually choose purple, pink, or another pastel color), and some sandals. During the winter, I like to wear relaxed-fit blue jeans and jewel-toned sweaters. I do dress more formally to attend my classes at school.

What is your favorite subject to study at Hogwarts and why?
I do enjoy Potions class the most because it is so mathematical and scientific. I like classes that demand precision!

Likewise, what subject is your least favorite and why?
I have no use for Muggle Studies. I don't see the point of taking a class about muggles when I was raised by them and live in their world during all my school holidays.

Back to the potion you were shopping for ingredients for, what type of potion are you making, what color is it, what are the ingredients, and precisely what does the potion do?
My potion ingredient is a light caramel-colored toffee nut flavoring syrup, and it is unfortunately not yet available at Honeydukes or in Diagon Alley. I am able to buy it at the famous muggle coffee shop Starbucks and at some other common locations. The syrup is a last-minute addition to another muggle potion known as an americano. After brewing deep, dark brown espresso coffee and adding hot
water, I add one ounce, no more and no less, to the hot drink along with one half cup of hot milk. It makes a delightfully flavored, light pastel brown potion that cheers me and enlivens me. On occasion, I will splurge and also add whipped cream.

In other knitting areas, I have ripped back the meadow flowers shawl to make a variation of the Branching Out stole pattern over at knitty.com. I wasn't into the triangle shape anymore, and I really want to use up all the bright pink yarn I have laying around. I also picked up some laceweight over laughingratstudio on Etsy and some beads at Michael's to do the Secret of the Stole KAL at yahoo groups that starts next month. While I was in Michael's, I also grabbed some clear beads that I need for the Hanami stole. I keep promising myself I can start Hanami as soon as the other UFOs are out of the way. Who knows when that will be!

Time to head back to work on Morgana's sock. I really think she's going to like it!