Swappy Goodness!

I'm back - briefly, as I head off to beautiful downtown Des Moines tomorrow. I feel so jetset. Not.

Before I get into the weekend in Savannah - which I wish I could have remote blogged, but my remote blogging ability is still mysteriously down (I blame Mike), so I just texted Stacey constantly with updates - let me expound on the gloriousness of the latest swap I was involved with, the Spring Fling Coffee Swap. I just got my package out in the mail before I left for Savannah, so I really, really hope my swap partner likes everything as much as I love what Dandy sent me!


Behold - Canadian yarn! Nice, thick, bright and wooly! She says it's very warm - since she lives in Saskatchewan, Canada, I'm inclined to believe her. I see some lovely cabling happening in my near future. Ahhhh...

And she sent me some of her own yarn. No, not from her stash - she spun this herself! And dyed it! With Kool-Aid! Will even sniffed it and claimed he could smell the flavors. I was too busy smooshing it all over my face to try and discern the flavor scents, because this stuff is SO SOFT. I was so blown away that Dandy spun this and dyed this for me; it's just so cool. I'll just stare at these beauties and pet them for a little while; I want to wait and figure out just what to make them.

Here's a shot of the entire package - as you can see, she spoiled me rotten. And in the left down there? Oh yes. Those are Hello Kitty sparkly stickers. How much do you want to be me right now? She also sent over some rocking Vanilla Nut ground roast, which I immediately ran to the kitchen to brew (nectar of the gods, my friends; nectar of the gods); some Starbuck's Breakfast Blend - she must know I can't get out of bed in the morning without some coffee, so she took pity on my poor soul.

I also got beautiful handmade soap, in a funky handmade drawstring bag. I think I need to bring this along to Des Moines with me so I can luxuriate whilst in the sticks. Coffee-scented candle - hello! She sent the cutest little magnet of a knitted swatch with tiny knitting needles, and a tin with the cutest stitch markers and a handy-dandy pair of little scissors. In a needlepoint carrying case, no less. I also got an adorable little knitting journal (with a coffee cup on it!) and a pen, and the coolest red mug that says, "coffee coffee coffee coffee" on it - again, my morning refrain.

She even sent me Canadian candy!! I am particularly looking forward to the CoffeeCrisp bar. Yum.

I know I'm leaving a bunch of stuff out, but I'm just so blown away by this fantastic package that words escape me. Dandy, thank you SO much for everything. I'm loving how these swaps are introducing me to so many great people all over the world. You rock!!

Updates. I Haz Them.


I've been trying to bang out several reader reports and finish some work before I get on a plane to Savannah tomorrow morning (ahh... I can hear Paula Deen welcoming me already), but I do have some updates that I'll post about later, most notably, the arrival of my super-fantabulous Coffee 'N Yarn Swap package from the awesome Buzz Knitter. Who gave me sparkly Hello Kitty stickers. Jealous much?

Until I get home and download the pictures from my camera, enjoy the LOLcat. I think it's apropros.

Coffee N Yarn Swap Update

I've missed a couple of these - bad blogger! - so I'll just jump in with the latest blog challenge:

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!

First off, it is BEAUTIFUL this week. Will had a game on Sunday which we initially heard was going to be a washout, but it ended up being a beautiful day and it's just continued so far. It's really Spring! Yay!!!

WIPs (works in progress)... I've got a pair of cabled socks for my mom on the needles using Sock it to Me yarn. She likes 'em longer than anklets, so I'm hoping I have enough... I also have another surprise for Baby Benevides that started on the needles, but ended up frogged when the pattern irritated me. I still consider it a WIP because it is in my mind. I mean, I have the yarn, I have the needles, I just have to actually combine the two now. So that's half the battle, right?

My fantabulous swap partner e-mailed me to let me know my package is on its way, so I'm so excited!!! I can't wait to find out who it is! As for my package, I got a little derailed by life in general (see the post below) but I'm making good progress. I have to lay everything out tonight and see what else I need to fill up the box. I want to get it out in the next few days so my partner gets it on time. I hope she likes everything! I have really enjoyed shopping (because, you know, that's a surprise) for this swap. It's coffee! And yarn! What's not to love, right? I'm also working on a little handmade bit to put into the box, so that should be done shortly.

Okay, I guess my boss expects me to be productive today, so let me sign off for now. TTFN!

Spring Fling Coffee Swap Topic #3!

Ooh, it's a good one this week, right in line with my blog title...

Tell us how you started drinking coffee. Were you in high school or college and making it through all nighters? Did you get it from a family member? What drives your love of the bean?

My dad loves himself some Manhattan Special - espresso coffee soda, essentially, to the uninitiated. I remember him giving me a sip when I was a kid, and thinking it was WAY too strong. But something had to intrigue me, because I'd say when I was about 14 or so, I had a sip of iced coffee - and if you have never had a sip of iced coffee on a hot, summer's day, my friend, you are missing out. By the time I was 16, I was nursing an iced coffee habit that may have rivaled my book habit (the yarn habit developed much later).

I remember the office where I worked that summer. There was a delicious little pastry place up the block that I'd pass on the way in every morning. I'd run in, get a croissant and a large iced coffee, and settle in, relishing every buttery bite of the croissant and the delicious rush of the coffee while getting ready to face the onslaught of the day.

By the time I was in college, I was a coffee junkie, graduating to hot as well as iced coffee. Now, I still love my iced coffee, but I do need a hot cup to get a jump start to my morning. I remember cramming for midterms and swallowing handfuls of instant coffee and washing it down with Kool-Aid to stay awake - and by the way, folks, I REALLY don't recommend that to anyone.

My dad and mom had split when I was in college, but I remember going to visit him in the Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn he was living in; I'd get off of the subway, head right into the deli at the foot of the subway station, and pick up two bottles of Manhattan Special. I remember the two of us, laughing and cracking the bottles open as we sat across each other at his dining room table. I remember sitting with Dad at Au Bon Pain during our weekend outings, him shaking his head and saying, "Roe... I'm gonna kill you for doing this to me!" as we finished our second rounds of their Iced Mocha Blasts. I remember him coming to visit me after Alex was born; the two of us, this time across from each other at my dining room table, me cradling my new baby, him having just played with Will, and settling down to share a nice, hot cup of coffee together.

I'll be heading off to Florida in a few months to visit him again, and I think I need to pack some Manhattan Special into my carry-on (or, since it comes in glass bottles, maybe I have to pack it. I'll figure it out.).

So I guess I never really thought about it before, but aside from the need for general adrenaline, my love of the bean is driven by the good memories it always seems to deliver of time spent with my Dad.

Next Spring Topic!

The Spring Fling Coffee Swap topic of the week:

Since some of us are beginning to see glimpses of Spring, while others are still getting snow, have you changed what projects you are working on? Have you put away the hats, scarves and mittens and brought out the cute tank top sweater projects and lacy wraps? Have you changed yarns to something more lighter and cooler, not so heavy and bulky?

I'm dogearing Spring patterns, if that's what you mean. I have marked up last year's and this year's Spring copies of Interweave Knits, and actually considering making them rather than just sighing and casting on another scarf. But right now, I'm finishing up a pair of fingerless gloves (does that count as Spring, if there are no fingers on them?) in this delicious Noro yarn I got from that insane yarn sale a month ago at Skein Attraction. I have a couple of baby projects on the backburner, but they'll be Summer and Fall stuff because one baby is due in the Summer (super secret projects!) and the other is here, but I saw something adorable that he must wear come the Fall.

That said, I do intend to knit myself at least ONE nice Spring thing to take to Savannah next month when Mike and I go for our big 10-year wedding anniversary trip.

Coffee N Yarn Swap Topic o'the Week

So my coffee 'n' yarn swap topic this week was to browse some of the other participants' blogs, find one person who enjoys a similar roast coffee to me, and share something interesting about them that I find on THEIR blog. Oh, and talk about what I've been working on knitting or crochet-wise this week!

I wandered over to Becky's blog and she's a caffeine lover like I am; and I love the fact that although she lives in Starbuck's Country (Seattle), she loves herself some Dunkin'. As I've said many times, America and Roe run on Dunkin', so anyone else who shares the love is aces in my book. Also like me, she's recently started knitting intarsia patterns and hates the weaving in ends business. I hear you, girlfriend.

What am I working on this week? Well, I finally finished the snowflake lace socks, which look very nice if I say so myself. I've let the Princess Pram Cover and the second Horcrux sock languish for this week, but instead cast on the Evangeline gauntlets because I've been aching to try out that Noro yarn I got a few weeks ago. The yarn and I had a few disagreements initially, because it didn't want to be the first couple of patterns I wanted it to be, but it seems to be enjoying the Evangeline process nicely.

Coffee Swap Questionnaire

Mmmmm... yup, it's another swap - you know my addictive personality - and this one involves yarn AND coffee. Can you get a more perfect swap? Anyhoo, here's the questionnaire.

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
I've been gravitating toward ground lately, because I'm too impatient to ground the beans. ;)

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Absolutely leaded - I'd be sleepwalking otherwise. I like a light, fresh roast now that we're in Spring. It picks me up.

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
I'd probably run down to Dunkin' and get a pound for the house. Dunkin' rocks.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
Both, for sure. I love caffeine, but I just like the taste of coffee, the curling up on the couch when I have a mug, the whole experience.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
Ooh, yes and yes! Love flavored coffees, especially any kind of vanillas or caramels. Ditto for the flavored creamers. The only flavors I really don't like are amaretto or chocolate raspeberry-flavored ones.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
A big ole mug.

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
Nice and hot, just poured from my French press, with just enough flavored creamer to wake it up. I'd curl up on my couch, knitting bag next to me, and drink it slowly.

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
Chocolate and coffee are made for each other. Brownies sound good (with nuts, naturally), or a nice hot bagel. Or a muffin. Some starchy product.

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?
I do some crochet, but I'm a far better knitter.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
I love wools and cottons. Not so good with the mohairs or eyelashes, but a nice wool or cotton, in any weight from aran all the way down to fingering (I recently started knitting socks) is wonderful. I don't mind if there is a man-made fiber in the blend, but if it squeaks on my needles, it's outta there. ;)

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
I've got a Snowflake Lace Sock on one set ; I'm also working on a princess pram cover for my son's former teacher's baby. I've got a ridiculous Ravelry queue.

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns?
Bright, spring-like colors are what I'm gravitating toward now. I love primary colors over pastels.

What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I'm over the gray thing. I had a lot of gray and it just got depressing. Ditto for brown, if it's on its own (I like it with greens and blues, and pinks). Purples have left me a little cold lately, too.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I've tried the plain plastic needles and my yarn sticks to 'em - do NOT like that. I love, love, LOVE bamboo needles, though. Aluminum and stainless steel are just fine, too. I don't mind the plastic crochet hooks so much, but that's probably because I'm not as good on crochet.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
Can you actually have enough tape measures? I know I always misplace mine. Ditto for stitch markers. I've only swapped once before, so I guess I'm not on notion overload just yet.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
I think I'd try the bamboo blend, because I've been wanting to try bamboo yarns out. The malabrigo would probably be my backup.

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
Spring seems to come in waves in NYC lately, so today, yes, it's Spring-like. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
I love gerbera daisies.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
The longer days - it's like nature's prozac. And the cool weather, not too hot, not too cold, just right. Ahhh...

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I don't have to go to work? Then, I get the kids, the husband, and head for the park or something outdoors to do, like a zoo.

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
Oh god, yes. I get very mopey and absolutely stir crazy when I'm stuck indoors in lousy weather. I'd try to get to a movie with the kids (and bring an easy knitting project) or let them keep busy and I'd work on a knitting project.

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
Books. Lots of books. And Hello Kitty stuff.

2. Are you allergic to anything?
Just penicillin.

3. Do you have pets?
Two cats!

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro?
I've only done one swap before, and I'm in another one at the same time as this. So I'm getting there.

What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I was in the Longing for Spring Swap and loved it! I'm currently also in the Saucy Knitters Hot Sauce Swap.

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
Aside from my friends' blogs, my three fave blogs are PopCandy, Whitney Matheson's pop culture blog from USA Today; You Knit What (Two) is always good for a giggle, and yes, I'll admit it... I read Perez Hilton every day. But I'll also mention that I have Lime & Violet's Daily Chum in my Bloglines, too...

Swaptime!

Since my first swap went so well, I've ended up getting involved with two more. A new friend that I've met through the Longing for Spring Swap has asked me and one more knitter to co-host a Hot Sauce Swap with her - most awesome. I've also just signed on for a Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap - ooooga.

First up, the Saucy Knitters Hot Sauce Swap Questionnaire.

Hot Sauce

What kinds of sauces do you like? Do you like ‘em hot and spicy or more toward the sweet? Do you like four alarms going off at once, or a heat that builds?

I love a good, sweet hot sauce, that builds rather than assaults my taste buds from the get-go.

Do you have any sauces that you do not like at all?

I haven't found one yet, but I do try not to try sauces that talk about how hot they are for the sake of being hot rather than adding to a dish.

What do you like your hot sauce on?

All sorts of stuff; I particularly like it on chicken or beef, though.

What kinds of recipes do you like to work your hot sauce magic with? Do you BBQ? Throw it in take-out? Put a dash into your eggs in the morning? Do you like to cook, or do you prefer to just dress up a good take-out dish?

I like hot sauce in chili, or tossed in with some chicken when I'm grilling it up. I like it thrown in with Chinese noodles, like lo mein, too. And I LOVE salsa with a nice kick, so hot sauce in salsa is aces with me.

Do you have any particular food allergies that should be avoided when picking out a hot sauce? None that I know of!

Recipe you would like to share?

It's simple but tastes great - Lightly coat a wok with oil (I use canola oil or peanut oil); toss some chicken cutlet strips into a wok with some broccoli; apply teriyaki sauce to your taste. Boil up some soba noodles (or whatever noodles you like) separately. Toss the chicken, broccoli, and noodles together when all cooked. Then give a couple of shots of hot sauce to the whole business, mix it up, and enjoy.

Yarn

Do you knit or crochet?

Primarily, I knit; trying to get better at crochet.

What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

I love wools and cottons the most; usually a good sport or worsted weight is great for me because they're so versatile. I've just started knitting socks, which has been fun, so I've begun exploring fingering weights.

I have also seen a few wool blends that knit up nicely, but primarily, I love the wools and cottons.

What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

Just when I had worked through my UFO pile, I started knitting socks! I have the second sock for both the Snowflake Lace Socks and the Horcrux socks (for my 4-year old) on needles, plus a Princess Pram blanket for my son's former teacher. My Ravelry queue is insane!

What are your favorite colors to work with? Are there any colors you wouldn’t want caught dead in your stash?

Since it's Spring and I've had enough of winter, I'm all about bright, happy colors. Pastels are okay, but I have been drawn to bright stuff lately, like teals and yellows. There are some beautiful shades of green out lately, too. I'm digging the whole pink/brown and blue/brown/green combos I've seen lately.

I think since I'm deep into Spring mode, dingy or drab colors, like olive greens, brown on its own, and navy blue are colors I'm going to steer away from.

Any preference in your hooks/needles? Prefer bamboo over plastic or aluminum? You’re good with whatever you’ve got to work with? Let us know.

I've been using my bamboo needles a lot lately and enjoying them more and more. Aluminum needles are great, but I love the way that yarn slides on the bamboo and makes working a project so enjoyable. Plastic tends to frustrate me because the yarn sticks.

Notions. C’mon, let us know – if you get one more measuring tape, will you run screaming from the room? Or are you the type that loses stitch markers constantly? What notions do you love and loathe?

I am constantly losing stitch markers! I haven't received any notions yet, so nothing to scream about here.

Any fiber allergies we should know about?

Thankfully, none!

Stuff

Are you a snacky type of person? Do you like candy? Chocolate? In between hot sauce applications, what would we find you snacking on?

Oh man, I have been SOOO snacky lately. I love Payday bars, Peanut M&Ms, and Lindt truffles. But I'm a chips girl, too; I've been hooked on Veggie Crisps lately after a while of not having them. My kids have gotten me hooked on Pringles, and I've always loved Nacho Cheese Doritos.

Are you into recipe magazines? Knitting mags? What kinds of quick, stash-it-in-your-knitting-bag reading do you like to have on hand?

I love magazines! I subscribe to Everyday Rachael Ray and a few other chick mags (Health, Glamour, Marie Claire, et al). I buy knitting magazines periodically, and usually get either Vogue Knitting or Interweave Knits. I share a Paula Deen magazine Everyday Food subscription with my mom (buttah!) and we used to get Everyday Food, which I still like to check out and have gotten many good recipes from.

What cheers you up?

A bright day, nice weather, a good book, '80s music, soft yarn, a day with nothing to rush around to, and snuggling on the couch with my husband and kids.

Do you collect anything other than yarn?

Books. LOVE books. Recipes and knitting patterns. Hello Kitty stuff.

Do you have pets?

2 cats!

Any other allergies?

Aside from hayfever and ragweed-y stuff, none that I know of.

Are you a swap newbie, or have you done this before? Any good advice for newbies you’d like to share?

I've only been in one another swap before, and it was so much fun! My partner spoiled me to bits and I loved it! (Hi, Kristen!) My best advice to newbies - treat your partner in a way you wouldn't treat yourself. Really get to know, as best you can, who they are and make it fun for them. You'll be even more thrilled when your goodies show up because you won't feel guilty!