New Blanket, Sweet Susan and New Yarn

Hello my friends!  Since finishing up 10 baby hats for Brazil, I shopped around in my home "LYS - Little Yarn Shop" and found a project I started that was sidelined when I made the "little boy blanket" for Caleb.  I am using KnitPicks 100% cotton "Billow" yarn and Lucy from Attic24 blog's neat ripple pattern with the interlocking colors she created.  Thanks, Lucy, for inspiring me once again!  Her free patterns are on her sidebar.

This yarn is unique, feels like handspun, is soft and thick and thin.  Making a very rustic blanket.  

I wish you could feel this.. just yummy!

Now.. the postman brought me the prettiest package the other day.. imagine my delight when I saw this pink polka dotted package from across the pond in jolly old England!  Dear Susan - from Mary Jane's Tea Room blog sent me this amazingly generous gift.  I had sent Susan one of my Valentines and crocheted heart and she sent this to me.  Please do visit Susan's blog - she makes the most amazing knitted creatures and sells kits and patterns.  I am not sure I have the skills to make one of her delightful dolls, but I am going to order a kit and give it a go.  Thank you SO much, Susan!!

The yarn she sent are all cotton blends and sumptuous Rowan yarns.  Perfect for one of her little creatures!

A Cath Kidston travel sewing kit and a card of fabric covered buttons all tied up in a pretty pink cotton lace ribbon.  JOY!

I am going to treasure this forever!  And of course, will use it a lot!  I don't have a measuring tape, now I do! :-)

A handwritten note... I love seeing Susan's handwriting.. so pretty.  Blogging has certainly enriched my life, the new friends around the world just thrills me.

I can't wait to use some of these on a project.  Thanks again, Susan, you are just a darling!

In other news.. I kind of went overboard when I put in an order for some new cotton yarn.  A rather large box arrived.. seems I had to spend a certain amount to get free shipping.. seems as if that might have been kind of folly.. next time I might buy less and pay the shipping.  LOL!  But.. this will not go to waste, as you know.  I think I got a dozen each of the 2 natural colors to make classy wash cloths as gifts.. yeh, that's the ticket.. for gifts!  How nice of me!  :-)  Just to show you how thrifty I am, these skeins only cost $1.49 each.  ::grin::

And I had to show you the adorable Valentine's card that my daughter and 2 granddaughters sent to me.  Isn't this cute?  Do you see the Teddy Bear face made of flowers?  LOVE!  Oh, and I found this Jadeite salt shaker at the antique mall in Troutdale last week.  

Dayle and I went out to Red Lobster for lunch yesterday and then headed to Costco to pick up some new glasses I'd ordered there plus some groceries.. and on the drive home up the Sandy River I saw a wild cherry tree in bloom along the banks of the rushing cold river.  

I told Dayle.. I'm turning around and going back.. and he goes.. you're not.. and I go.. yes I am!  :-D  I'd taken my LUMIX camera with me and so I was able to get these images.  I've never in my long life seen Spring come this early.  And the happy news is although we had a few cloudy days and some rain yesterday, the sunny warm weather is expected to return tomorrow!

I just walked out to the end of our driveway to capture these images of my Star Magnolia which is covered with buds and opening flowers.  Isn't it pretty?

I adore the big fuzzy pods from which the blooms emerge.  

Even the koi and pond fish are enjoying the fair weather.

Buddy asked me to tell you all hello.  :-)

My darling younger sister Denise is on vacation in New Zealand with her husband and a travel buddy of theirs.  She sent this cute selfie of her in front of a big bay (which I can't remember the name of).  

I will be off on an adventure next week.  I will tell you more about it soon.  Do you have any fun weekend plans?  We don't really, but that doesn't mean that we won't find some mischief to get into.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)