I know what you’re thinking: Pink tulips, again? But these are very special pink tulips. You see, they were a gift from my father-in-law to thank me for making the cream puffs on Valentine’s Day. This gesture just about melted my heart, I tell you.

And now you know why Dale is so thoughtful. He learned it from his dad.

Back in the days when I did counted cross stitch I would wake up early in the morning and immediately think about cross stitching. Often I would be so excited about stitching that I would hop out of bed, grab a cup of coffee, and curl up on the couch with my current project. It was my quiet time before the routine of the day kicked in.

I’m finding myself feeling the same way now and it’s the Aspen Grove Shawl project that’s making me feel this way. I started last week and thanks to Margene I mostly didn’t have any trouble. I got stuck on row 5 (pathetic, yes?) but it was because I failed to follow Margene’s advice and check the errata. Then I got stuck on row 30 for over an hour – again because I failed to check the errata. By the time I got to the error on row 79 I was ready. Slow learner’s school? Me?

Miriam’s pattern is wonderful as always. The few errors in the pattern were from the very early releases of the kit and all is fixed now. The design is brilliant – 4 wedge shapes that make up a half circle shawl – and it’s a different shape than I’ve knit before.

I’m on chart 2 now and feel like I’m cruising along. There are rest rows on the backside of this chart and that certainly helps to make things go faster.

Not that it’s a race. Right, Margene?

The observant among you may have noticed that in yesterday’s SPA photo of Blogless Sharon, she is wearing a lace shawl. This does not make her unique at SPA. After all, SPA is a showcase of hand knit shawls, sweaters, scarves, mittens, hats and other wooly things. What makes this photo of Sharon unique, however, is that the shawl she is wearing is her first ever lace shawl. And, while I had nothing to do with her succesful execution of the pattern, I did block it for her.

Now, blocking is not one of my favorite things to do. I think it’s a royal pain in the ass, frankly. However, when Sharon – who took spinning lessons with me, who drives me to every fiber event we attend, who hosted Winebeck and Rumbeck with me, who is basically always there for me – asked me to block her shawl, well, I was not about to say no.

And while it was in my possession, I did happen to snap a few photos of it.

The pattern is Susan’s Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl and I think Sharon did a marvelous job, don’t you?

I can sum up SPA 2008 in one word: perfect. See, the great thing about SPA is that it’s all about doing whatever I want. And last weekend I wanted to hang out with my friends, spin, eat, and drink.

I did ‘em all last weekend – some of them simultaneously! And I have photographic proof.

Cheryl and Diane spinning on their Rick Reeves’ wheels. I think Diane’s wheel is the cutest wheel I’ve ever seen.

I just love this picture of Julia. I took it at The Jameson Tavern on Saturday night. Twenty of us had dinner there and it was terrific. I’m not doing a link fest but I can tell you that it was a case of rounding up the usual suspects. I’m grateful for every person that was part of this dinner.

I brought my Reeves wheel, too, and spun up a Crosspatch Creations Paint Pot and this “kaleidoscope” roving from Dave. I love how colorful it is. Don’t get all excited – Dave wasn’t there – but spinning his roving made it seem like he was. You know?

It was Lucia’s birthday. We got her a slice of blueberry pie with a candle and we sang. More good times.

It wouldn’t be any fun for me without Blogless Sharon. That’s her on the right, spinning with Martha.

There were wheels everywhere. It’s so great to be among my people.

Does that give you an idea of how perfect it was? I may not have a lot of pictures but they are certainly representative of the good times I had. Next year seems like a long time away!

I promise a proper post tomorrow but today I am recovering from

1) SPA

2) The Oscars

3) Possibly bronchitis. Last week Dale and I shared a scarf. This week we’re sharing bronchitis. Ahhh, the joys of a close marriage. Ahem.

I will talk to you all tomorrow. Mwah.

I have always said that if I ever won the lottery – and that would be a true miracle since I don’t actually play the lottery – that one of the first things I would do would be to set up weekly flower deliveries. I adore fresh flowers, they make my world a better place. The roses are from the bouquet Dale gave me for Valentine’s Day. He makes my world a better place, too.

What makes your world a better place?

I finished a pair of “man socks” last week and you all know what an accomplishment that is. They were worth it, though, because Dale is absolutely in love with these socks.

He says they fit better than any socks I’ve knit for him before. I attribute it to two things: 1) my knitting skillz and 2) the yarn.

Dream in Color Smooshy Sock. This is good stuff, people. Really good stuff.

I was worried that I wouldn’t get both socks out of a full skein so I did a contrasting toe with some Louet Gems I had lying around. But honestly, I didn’t need to do that. Got that? You can get a pair of man socks out of one skein of this yarn.

I call them Dale’s Dreamy Socks. A play on the yarn name and a tribute to how Dale looks at me whenever I knit something for him.

Man Socks. They might just enhance your relationship.

I spent some time last week knitting up a couple of baby gifts. I don’t think the recipient reads this blog but, just in case, I’m not going to tell you who they are for. I will, however, show them to you. They’re just too adorable!

First up, socks:

The yarn is Socks That Rock lightweight, colorway Titania from the 2007 Rockin’ Sock Club. The pattern is Baby Cable Rib from Charlene Schurch’s Sensational Knitted Socks. I cast on 32 stitches on size 1 needles and they make a very nice baby sized sock.

Second up, a hat:

I just adore this little hat and it was as simple as can be. I cast on 80 stitches and just knit around and around and around until it was 3 inches. Then I decreased evenly and called it a day. I think it took less than 2 hours to knit. Talk about instant gratification!

I hope the mom-to-be is as happy with them as I am.

Our long weekend concludes today and we are going to make the most of it. So far our only plan is to go out to breakfast but I’m sure we’ll find fun things to do afterwards – even if it’s just loafing off at home.

In the meantime, I’ve finished the Noro Silk Garden Striped Scarf. Say that 10 times fast, will you? And even if you get tongue tied it will still be faster than knitting one of these scarves! Don’t get me wrong – I loved it – but boy was I ready to be done with it last week.

And I am. Done, that is. I even have proof.

Honestly, the colors are so beautiful and the combinations all so different that I couldn’t stop taking photos. Either that or I was just so happy to be outside in the sunshine that I lost track of time.

Suffice to say, it’s gorgeous. I wasn’t sure who would be the recipient but Dale and I both really love it so I think we will be sharing the wearing of this scarf.

It’s day 3 of a 4 day weekend here at Carole Knits. Yesterday we drove Hannah, Jessica and Patrick to the airport in New Hampshire so that they could fly to Florida to be with Brant, Heather and Ambrynn. All reports are that they are having a great time. Hannah in particular is loving the warm weather. She must get that from me.

After leaving the airport we headed into downtown Portsmouth to meet up with Cheryl for lunch. I had the world’s largest Bloody Mary.

Yes, that is a sawed off Grey Goose Vodka bottle. Please note the inclusion of the beer glass for scale. Let me just say: yummmm. My sandwich was good too but really, the Monster Mary was the star of my lunch.

Dale and I will be enjoying having the house to ourselves for the next few days. I’ll check in again tomorrow but in the meantime, be well.