A Blessed Birthday

Wow! do I have a lot to talk about!  I don't know where to start.  I have all kinds of news to share with you, including  what I would call Winning the Knitting Lottery for my birthday!  (No gambling was involved!) 


My Birthday
My birthday came around the other day, and got all kinds of wonderful knitting-related and non-knitting related gifts!  It was great. 

From my Mom (my knitting pusher)  ;)
I had told my Mom about the Knit Picks 40% off book sale (or maybe she told me), and that there were several things that I would love to have that I put on my wish list.  She remembered that and gave me a gift certificate a little early so that I could take advantage of the sale.  You will never believe what I was able to get for $50!  I got three books (Amigurumi Knits, Color Sense, and Knitting Lingerie Style), two skeins of beautiful sock yarn (Imagination:  Damsel), a stitch holder, two cable needles, and a packet of Knit Picks stitch markers (plus free shipping).  So exciting!  Thanks Mom!

This was my first Knit Picks order, and it was so fun to order and receive such wonderful knitting goodies.  I have heard that it takes a long time to get a Knit Picks order, but this one didn't take too long.  I highly recommend checking them out.  My Mom says that they have sales pretty often, and actually their prices are already so great.  You can check them out here:  www.knitpicks.com.

Mom's Visit
Alright, while the Knit Picks order was extremely awesome, it doesn't end there.  When my actual birthday weekend came around, my Mom came to see me.  We had a lot of fun!  We hung out, went to the salon (I had a hair appointment), and went to an auction with my husband's parents.  Well, my Mom also brought me some more wonderful gifts from her personal knitting stash.  Okay, this is what I mean by winning the knitting lottery.  My Mom didn't just bring me a few skeins of yarn that she didn't want anymore, she brought me bags of luxury yarn that she didn't want anymore!  She also brought me several books and patterns, including all of her Jean Greenhowe books (more about that in an other post)!!!  Shock, awe, speechlessness... 

This is the yarn that she gave me:

9 skeins of Cascade Pastaza (50% llama, 50% wool) in a beautiful teal color.  (She had seen me drooling over it when I visited her and remembered.);

9 skeins of Classic Yarns Cashsoft DK in red (It looks kind of orangy in this picture, but it isn't.)
(57% extra fine merino wool, 33% microfibre, and 10% cshmere).  Wow!  Cashmere?  Need I say more?;

10 skeins of the same Classic Yarns Cashsoft DK, but in ecru (more cashmere and merino!);

9 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK (50% acrylic, 50% nylon) in a pretty, light yellow shade (perfect for charity knitting, gifts, or future babies!);

and 5 skeins of Classic Yarns Silk Wool DK (50% merino wool, 50% silk) in a pretty muted seafoam green/mint green color (I am loving vintage colors lately!).

It is so exciting to be such a new knitter, and to have so much wonderful yarn in my stash.  My Mom knows that I have little money, and she sees how much I love knitting and blesses me so!  Now my mind is trying to figure out what things to knit with this beautiful yarn, in addition to the other beautiful yarn my Mom has given me in the past.  I can't knit quick enough!  This was such an amazing birthday present!

Birthday Present from my Husband
My husband is so great, and he really pays attention to "those little nuggets about me" (comedian Kevin James quote).  :)  He remembers what I like, and usually gets me very thoughtful gifts.  Well, this year money is really tight, so he made me a gift certificate that I can cash in a few weeks from now.  It is for $20 of Knit Picks merchandise!  Yay!  More Knit Picks!  I already know what I want to get:  the "Andrea Shawl" pattern and the suggested yarn.  When I saw the shawl, I instantly wanted it.  [I am really starting to think that I may be a product knitter.  I have to really love the item or it has to be something that the recipient would really love for me to have the desire to make it.  Practicality works, too (as in dishcloths for example).  Of course, I love the process too...]  Anyway, "I want that!"  :D  (I must watch "Napolean Dynamite" again really soon!)

Not Knitting Related, but Really Cool
Well, I got another amazing gift for my birthday and I love it!  My mother-in-law has been letting me use her antique vanity for a while.  I think it is so neat, and it is so practical too.  Well, the other day she told me it is my birthday present!  :D  I love antiques and vintage things, and this vanity matches our antique bedroom suite very well and is so neat.  What an amazing birthday gift!  Unconventionality is grand!  :)  I love it!

I got other presents, cards, meals, and cakes from my family and friends, too.  It has been so great getting these gifts, but it is the feeling of love that was given to me that was truly wonderful.  The thought and sentiment behind every card, gift, greeting and hug meant so much to me.  It is nice to feel like people really notice you, notice things about you, and want to show you love and make you happy.  It is not the nice gifts that make the difference, it is the people in your life that make you truly rich.  I hope all of you can experience that kind of true wealth.

Be blessed!
Faith


PS  I have much more exciting news to share with you soon...:)