Margaret presented me with this gift on Sunday and my head exploded. Lack of words and jaw on the ground described my general response. This is the most amazing yarn gift. ever. Inside the basket (and there is another matching basket) are:

• nine skeins of Malabrigo in orchid
• Cables Untangled book
• Rowan Cash Soft
• Package of Beads
• Printed copy of Odessa pattern
• Balducci chocolate bars (some have already been consumed)
• Cat and Dog bookmarks
• Lantern Moon sweater keychain
• Cat calendar
• And I am sure I am forgetting something

Yup, it is an awesome gift. Well, the package has been sitting on the chair untouched since I received it. Primarily, because we are moving more and more stuff into the house each day and I think my recent stash enhancements will be going tomorrow.

As DH and I have bought a house literally the week before Christmas, I don't think buying each other a gift is necessary. Why the very first thing we did was buy new locks and keys for the house so that could technically count as our holiday gift giving to each other. Although, I did treat myself to this lovely screen print bag from Limescreen. The tote comes in several colors and they were super fast with shipping. It is currently carrying my Central Park Hoodie which I progressed on the sleeves during Thursday night's SNB.

Kitty gifts from Auntie Annie and Uncle Ulli. That is too funny AA and UU. I forgot to take a picture of their new cat condo.

We placed the new cat scratching post on the balcony for the cats to rub up against and put their scent. It is nothing over the top but I think will be nice for them in the new home. The height is perfect for them to lie down and look out the window while the bottom part if lovely for scratching.

We took Izzy to the vet this morning for some routine shots and we had him microchipped. The vet recommended the Feliway products which is a plug in that distributes cat pheromones which help calm them. So she recommends putting them in our current home and then relocating to the new house when we move.

I had packed some of their cat beds with lots of fur and relocated to the new house. The previous owners had two beautiful cats and so we need to make sure the house smells like our furbabies for them to acclimate.

Picked up yummies from last weekend. Here's the thing, I did pick up some yarn for a baby blanket for my friend however she has not seen it and therefore it can be a surprise. Yeah, I am working on two blankets, two sweaters, and a baby hat with the yarn pictured here. I picked up some Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton for the tie hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The Vogue Knitting and pink Blue Sky is from Sticks and Strings.

Cashmere.

Yeah! My Knitter's Coffee Swap package has arrived and what perfect timing the last day of mail before the holiday and we have the perfect coffee for this weekend. Even more perfect we are moving the coffee machine into the new house tomorrow as we move the small furniture we moved around. I don't know if DH or I am more excited about the coffee.

The package included creme brulee cookies, Brooks Farm yarn in earth tone colors (which I love and am debating what to knit), 1/2 pound of coffee of Gingerbread and Jamaica Blue Mountain, as well as a Christmas tin with Girardelli chocolate squares. Thank you so much Kim! The box is being relocated to the house tomorrow.

Well, Cyn is right I promised to post about last weekend's knitting extravaganza. I visited my close (and pregnant) friend Anna and her DH Ulli. I actually only arrived a half hour late to City Island. Ulli was not too pleased as it seemed that Anna had informed him I was going to be there two hours earlier so he was cleaning for longer than originally anticipated. I was brought to Scarsdale, NY, which I commented as being "cute". One house in Scarsdale probably exceeds the amount of money my whole family makes combined in their entire lifetime. The center of town is like out of a movie with tudor style appearance. While Ulli disappeared in the wine store we were absorbed, overwhelmed, and enthralled with Sticks and Strings.

They had Koigu. I have heard so much about Koigu from Stacey's blog. It was my first time seeing the Koigu. Margaret is under the impression we were introduced to Koigu at Rhinebeck, however I refreshed her memory that we were in a booth when someone yelled "Koigu" and thirty hands piled over the small bookcase. Nope, never saw Koigu. So, I marvelled at the wall. I also fell in love with a skull and crossbones t-shirt but was not able to convince myself it was within my budget (damn, it was cute though).

I saw new yarns and saw new things as Anna inquired about cashmere. She was being helped by Laura Z. who is the designer of Rambling Rose in the Winter Interweave Knits. I was oblivious to the conversation until she looks at me and says, "So, I am going to give you the pattern and will you knit the baby blanket for me?" I love Anna, she is like a sister, so at first I admit I pouted primarily because I had a cable knit pattern picked out for her child, but she really wants something special for her child so I obliged. As Laura pointed out, "How can you say no, it is cashmere." She was right as well. I have a bag of extremely expensive yarn and my largest concern is that the kitties do not develop a deep loving affection to chew it.

Afterwards, we hit Cheesecake Factory. Yummy. I had a chicken artichoke soup and the New Orleans pasta. Then, we stopped off at the mystery of mysteries. We stop off at the kitsch of all that is kitschy. The house is visible from across the highway (very Griswald Christmas) and the music can be heard down the block, the lines of people rival those of any NY department store, and the glitz was dripping like a Liberace jacket. The mechanical mannequins dressed in gowns included Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Beauty and Beast, Santa Claus, the Rockettes, and yes Liberace himself with a rotating chandelier. The nativity scene was decked in rhinestones as the camel glittered with sparklies. Finally after some finessing it is called the Garabedian House (check out the link although the photos include some other homes look for mannequins). My friends have promised to bring me and DH on New Years.

After this, we relaxed at their home. Relax is an interesting word as Anna presented me with a baby sweater in Koigu (yummy) with some dropped stitches. After frogging it and re-knitting it, she then presented me with several sweaters. She has been knitting up a storm and even made serious progress on some cashmere booties.

The next day I headed back to the Garden State and was at stix for the day. I was sporting my Knitting is Knotty t-shirt from Olympia. No, I have not started knitting the blanket as the closing was Monday.

Ah, the closing. All went well except they left us with one key which was peculiar considering they had two doors with two different locks. Then, we discovered the upstairs floor needed work so we coordinated someone to refinish. Quick and well done. DH scheduled the van and moved furniture and boxes Friday. Tuesday we have the professional movers for the large pieces. We are thinking of bringing one of the more brave cats to the house on Sunday to investigate. We put some of their stuff in the house so that it does have their odor.

Anyways, I still need to post about Margaret's Christmas gift which blew me away but that requires photos and that means the post will come later.

Well, I have had a fascinating week, tumultous and fun, and well, there is so much to post. Unfortunately, the post will have to wait until later. I have something fun to share involving a bag full of cashmere and a trip to NY. Tonight, DH arrives home. Tomorrow, is the closing. Agh, so much activity. Secretly, everyone just wants to hear about the cashmere. Hmmm.......

In three weeks we will be in our new home and here I am occupied with the fashion.

Ok, this is in the wrong direction but this was my creative use of the recycle leaves bags which were given to me to pack our sheets and towels. They do work pretty good. And... make a very nifty Halloween costume.

Notice the happy DH wearing the HP scarf finally completed. I received the last yarn I needed to complete this scarf from Knitpicks a couple weeks ago but never felt compelled to add the fringe. Last night, I pulled out the scarf and started making the fringe. I believe we were watching Dr. Who or Battlestar, and afterwards we turned the channel and The Sorcerer's Stone was ending. At 11pm, I gave up with one side down. Tonight, I decided to finish the other side and The Chamber of Secrets was on the telly. We are catching little reveals about the Order of the Phoenix. Tomorrow, Prisoner of Azkaban is on but no Goblet of Fire (yet).

Did I thank everyone? I don't think so. Thank you all for your well wishes. DH has found a new job (temporary contract). Some bad mojo happened at this place and he had to move quickly and so he did. Sadly, he will be leaving me tomorrow at 6am off for two weeks to San Diego and Las Vegas. I will be finishing packing all by myself but I should be alright. ;)

Harry Potter scarf is done!

I 96% done with the Debbie Bliss Poppy Bolero sweater for Miss Gracie. The teal sweater should look really nice with her red blonde hair. I just need to sew the sleeves together everything else is done. I should have this in the post this week as it will be making the trip to the UK. I made the bolero for a 1 year old even though she is only a few months because she can grow into it. I am paranoid it will be too small. I think it will be a nice holiday gift. I do have to say it was not a fun fun pattern, but one of the regulars at stix gave me a pattern for a poncho for Hannah. I can't wait!

Well, just last week I received a picture of Miss Gracie wearing the last sweater I knit her, see below. She is sooo cute! I am so excited to knit baby stuff! And, my bestest friend is pregnants so tons of knitting will be happening in the new household. In fact, I ordered yarn for something special, lalalal, but I am not posting because she reads this blog.

Before I had mentioned stix-n-stitches and I had picked up some yummy stuff for my coffee knitter swap partner. I am so excited about the package I will bring it with me tomorrow to show the women.

It seems me two greatest challenges this week will be:

-getting to the post office

-packing

-more school work

Time for sleep, I am getting at 5am tomorrow. Ugh.