This past week was full of lovely goodness. I managed to file for unemployment, sort out some financial items, and get packages in the mail. The snow has melted substantially; enough that I could open the windows to release the stale house smells and to draw in fresh air. Adding the couple of WIPs (works in progress) turned into FOs (finished objects), and there appeared a hoppy bunny dancing away. My little warren however did not share the same enthusiasm and protested my loud steppings with obviously disapproving looks.
Introducing the packages, I begin with the much anticipated one from Jessica, aka BunnySquirrel on Ravelry. Hers was actually a replacement to the lost one she had sent in the mail early January. After three weeks, we realized the package became a no-show and she promptly pulled another set of goodies for me. This time, she added sugarless treats that would appeal to me and appease my doctor. Does Jess rock or what? 
Two more packages in the mail arrived to cheer me up. A while ago, I destashed some yarn to a delighted somebunny in Sweden. Recently Ulrika was out shopping and spied some bunny stickers and matching fabric. She promptly purchased and mailed them to me. I love how the blue stickers are identical to the red fabric. If looking closely, two different rabbits are hidden. (See them yet?) The other package contained another square of soft fabric — white rabbits playing with beach balls in the green grass. The Japanese print has a beautiful shine and I am going to need help on translating the label. Yumi or Hiroshi, help?
If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is refusing to settle and be content with whatever is handed to me if I want something better. I love applying one of my favorite quotes towards everything I desire: “A thought came to you for a reason. PURSUE it!” The energy required for that gusto can be taxing. For the past few months I relied on caffeine and unhealthy food as my fuel. Now I am paying for it after being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and outrageously high amounts of cholesterol. After being told to cut eggs, butter, and starch in my diet, I decided to create dishes without denying myself flavor. So here is the first of my spontaneous recipes that are more health-conscious and are guaranteed to delight one’s taste buds. Please note that the measurements are estimates. I like to toss items together until they “look right” to me. Bon appetit!
Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients
1/2 cup flake coconut (optional)
2-4 tablespoons olive or canola oil (or 1-3 tablespoons sesame oil)
1/2 – 3/4 cup minced onion
2 tablespoons garlic
2 tablespoons parsley
1/2 teaspoon red/cayenne pepper
1/2 -3/4 cup coconut rum
1 pound of 31-40 peeled and deveined shrimp
pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
Toast the coconut by spreading it on a non-stick cookie sheet and baking in the oven according to package instructions. Set aside. Heat a 12-inch or larger skillet, tossing the oil, onion, garlic, and parsley. Adding cayenne, rum and shrimp, begin simmering on medium heat. When the liquid has reduced to half, add red pepper flakes and toasted coconut. Start watching the skillet contents because the shrimp will begin to caramelize due to the rum. When that happens, serve immediately with a favorite salad or side dish. =:8
With all of the immense activity in my oh-about-200 groups on Ravelry, it is a wonder that I was able to co-hostess the swaps for the “Bunny Lovers” group. We have had two swaps in Fall 2008 and Winter 2008. Both have been quite successful because no angels had to fly in and send rescue packages for any non-showing flakers. However, as a few Ravelry pals have pointed out, the lack of flakers might have something to do with my running the “In Search Of and Destashing” group (a topic worthy of its own post). I digress, and continue with the package I received on January 31st from the talented Kelly of the “Thumpyfuzz Fiber Arts” blog.
When I spotted the postman walking by the window, I thought to myself, “Cool! Maybe my bunny package has arrived.” To describe my reaction after opening the door, I had to double check the address on the 9x12x15-inch box. Its weight had me thinking Rich ordered something because there is NO way that yarn and bunny treats could be THAT heavy! Realizing that the address was Kelly’s, I carefully grabbed my camera and brought the box to the couch. I slowly measured and rotated the box to begin photographing every bit of this reveal. I always delight in slow openings for swap packages and savor the memories of each one.
Carefully I slit the tape and peered inside. Seeing the crumpled newspaper pages as filler, I quickly grabbed the crumpled pages and pulled them out. Immediately the boxes of tea appeared. Squealing, I saw that both were delicious dessert teas that would appeal to my sweet tooth. I grabbed the teas and photographed them accordingly. Looking back in the box, I saw that handspun yarn and candy had spilled into the space where the tea was. The richness of the red and brown colors combined with the luxurious feel of the yarns made me pause. Fondling the yarn was a delight. Photographing the yarn was another story because red is so difficult to catch! Saving the red-papered item for last, I moved it aside and reached to clear out more of the newspaper. But when I grabbed a tubular-shaped newspaper, it was solid — and heavy. Gingerly I lifted the item and unwrapped it. It was homemade pepper jelly! Already excited from curiosity, I opened another tube of newspaper and that was homemade pineapple salsa. Spotting the third and last tube, I opened that and was treated to homemade grape jelly. All I could repeat over and over was “OMGOMGOMG!!” The cake of chai tea soap with the soft washcloth (I love how it wraps around the hand!) appeared along with the bunnies’ treat bags individually labeled with their names.
Turning my attention to the last item, a red-papered treat, I wondered what it was. Not willing to take my time, I ripped open the paper and gasped. A felted fair isle bag fell out into my lap. To explain, felting is when an item made out of wool is washed and shrunk on purpose. Most folks are familiar with felting when purchasing the fabric for arts and crafts or when they accidentally toss a wool sweater into the washing machine and dryer. This bag was knitted with meticulous colorwork in what is called the “fair isle” technique of using two or more colors per knitted row. Kelly not only knitted and felted this bag, but she also embroidered and spot-felted details to it!! I mean check out the clasp, the shooting star and the moon!! I actually started crying because I knew how much work it took for her to make this bag for me.
I have met many folks like Kelly who inspire me to learn all I can about using my hands along with my brain. These friends have demonstrated that putting complete thought into little packages can have a lifetime’s worth of meaning. Thank you, Kelly, Blizzard, and Willow. The bunnies and I love everything!! =:8
Kimberly | 10th September 2008 | 11:38 PM
As Secret Pal 12 starts to wind down, I looked upon my pal’s neglected socks and realized that I need to crack the whip and finish them. Meanwhile, I have been working on Eric’s cabled pullover in snips but what really has had my attention is this blanket.
I am incredibly pleased with this finished object, especially with the bound-off edge. The scary part of that edge? It took 5 1/2 hours to do. Seriously, I timed how long it took me to bind off each section and the average was 33 minutes — a total of 330 minutes. Here are the stats from my Ravelry project page:
Pattern — Round or Pinwheel Baby Blanket by Genia Planck
Made for — Scott’s daughter born early July
Size — blocked to 48 inches in diameter
Needle — US 6 / 4.0 mm, Addi Lace 47-inch and Addi Turbo 60-inch
Yarn: 2 kinds used
4 skeins = 900.0 yards (823.0m) of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi in 201 Yellowstone purchased at Ewe Knit Kits & Yarn in Virginia Beach, Virginia
1 skein = 85.0 yards (77.7m) of Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Pistachio
Meanwhile, to prevent SP withdrawal when it ends, I have joined a couple of other swaps and started one on my own.
1.) The Red Sox Good Juju Swap is a secret one-time swap with packages due at the end of September.
2.) The Amazing Lace Swap has each person knowing who their upstream and downstream partner. It is similar to the Ravelry Scarf Exchange that I participated in last year.
3.) The Bunny Swap does not have us trading our rabbits, but requires folks to send 2 items to the other’s furry-loves, something yarny to the parent, and another treat in that package.
I think I may be addicted to swapping! =:8
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot help but repeat those words over and over to everyone for all the wonderful messages sent this past week. Daddy is walking, talking, and moving like his old self except that he tires more easily now. He still has no problem voicing his opinion, so at least his wits are about him. Mother thinks he will outlive us all.
While I was away, I received a number of packages again. Note the boxes at the bottom… One of them is a very special one. Especially when I recognized the sender’s address from Charlotte, NC. The talented Aimee from “Fairie Knits” was my Ravelry Helpers Birthday Fairie! Not sure if anybunny remembers, but Aimee and I share the same birthday of November 25th. Last year, we found out that info just before our special day and did our own swap of goodies. This past May, we crashed with the other Helpers at Suzanne‘s (of “Knitting Obsession“) during Maryland Sheep and Wool weekend. With excitement I opened the box, and here is what I saw.
Hmmm. Which one to start unwrapping first? I decided to start from my top right, go to the bottom, come back up to the opening of the box, go to the bottom, repeat. The entire time I cooed, squealed, awed, and giggled when I unwrapped these beauties.
Those stitchmarkers? She made them! See the crocheted headband? Aimee made that with her first handspun. The cuddly soft bunny? Aimee learned how to crochet so she could make him for me! Those bunny print sachets? She filled them with a secret lavender blend. I was ready to open the item that she said was going make me giggle at her expense.
I opened the black paper and became confused. Why would I giggle at this project basket made out of the same cute bunny fabric? The sack is adorable and the inside only needs a little tweaking. Aimee even included a little pocket. In my head, I pictured various contrasting colors to use as the lining bottom and straps. Giddy from the potential FO, I unwrapped the last item. The soft merino has subtle variations of color changes. Gorgeous! Thank you Aimee for the lovely goodies.
The other day, I received another box in the mail with no name in the return address. “Wisconsin? I do not think I bought anything from there recently.” The only folks I know from that state live in Rhode Island, and I have yet to order directly from Blackberry Ridge. I then looked closely again and shrieked. My SP!! My SP sent me a goody package. I quickly ripped into the box, and opened the card and each individual item. All I will say is that my SP just ROCKS!
Here I am in the first layer of goodies, and am loving them. I first unwrapped the tin of Sweetriot and squealed. I remember when I first read about the Sweetriot team members and how they toured all over the place to promote their chocolate-covered cacao nibs. I followed their blog and even commented a few times in the hopes of getting to meet them. Now I had a tin of the deliciousness of my own.
The next two items in this layer were delicious skeins of yarn. The softness of the Lisa Souza Sock Merino! yarn is incredibly matched with the glossy “Wild Things” colorway (my favorite one of hers). In contrast by tweedy color and rich texture, the Blackberry Ridge laceweight’s silk/wool blend begs to be made into a delicate shawl. I kept putting that skein against my cheek and neck hoping it would tell me which pattern it wanted to be. I think I have one in mind, but it will be a secret surprise.
Going deeper into the package, I started with the black organza pouch on the right. It was holding a numbered row counter for me. Total coolness!! Next, I unwrapped the blue paper’s hidden gem, and it was a bar of Vosges. I have always loved combining flavors and the unusual mixtures in these confections make my tongue dance. Lastly I opened the black paper, and giggled again. I was hoping to get more of these awesome Tetris-shaped magnets after getting some. I want to have them in my cubicle for work. Playing with the shapes as a stress relief is quite relaxing. Big thanks to my Secret Pal with lots of hugs!
Ah, and it is now Secret Pal 12 Question time. Here is Shelby‘s latest for us to answer.
Boy, time flies. Summer is when many of us head out on vacation/holiday. So, this week’s question/s has us wondering:
1) Where is your favorite place to go for vacation/holiday?
2) Where is one place you’d like to go?
Now that I have Daddy’s situation, I think anywhere I can be with my family would be a favorite place. Currently my parents plan on going to the Bahamas this October, but the holiday overlaps Rhinebeck and I already have paid reservations in place. This Christmas, I might splurge and rent a beach house like I did years ago when I was making “serious money” at my job. It all depends on what happens in the next few months. As for where I would like to go, can I say EVERYWHERE? I would love to go back to Denmark and attend their Sheep and Wool festival in September, run over the dunes of Capetown to surf the waves on a noserider, swim in the Azores, shop in Milan, walk the streets of Cologne, and hike in the Alaskan wilderness. And if I can pop into Japan for sashimi, count me in!! =:8
