Ah, manilla...

It was a day of packages...

...lots of excitement.



Wendy's pattern arrived today, and is complete with a page protector--all set to toss right into your patterns binder (if you win). Wow, I am going to have to pick up this pattern when it is released, because these socks looks great. I tried my best not to show any of the writing, really, because I'm guessing that's what Wendy would want. (Sorry to all you folks who can barely contain your excitement, and wanted to try zooming in to get the pattern for yourselves; it's not going to work.)



My yarn from Hazel Knits arrived as well! It is just so yummy and wonderful. I don't think I captured the colors quite right, but this is my closest:



And Wendee (that's "Hazel Knits" Wendee, not "Wendy Knits" Wendy--confusing, I know) threw in this lovely stitch marker. I'm so excited about it--this is my first non-plastic-ring stitch marker! So pretty...



I know that one is hard to see, but I just couldn't get it right. I'm a little tired tonight.

Other good news--I finished the Irish Hiking Scarf for my MIL, and I think it turned out SO well:



On the Making Strides walk front, I am more than halfway to my goal, with two weeks to go! I am at 53%, and I thank you all. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive. Oh, I almost forgot! Hanna from Evergreen Knits has just set up a new blog called WiKnit (Like "win it") that people can check to see what's out there for contests. I think it's a great idea, and a nice way to get the word out about your contests. Check it out...it's brand new, but if you know of any other contests out there, you can fill Hanna in and she'll add it. Cool, huh?

And finally, my compliments to the rechargeable battery. I just love the darned things. We have some for our digital camera and I really need some more. I wish I'd invested years ago! With all the kids' toys that eat up batteries?! What was I thinking? Actually, what I was thinking was, "There's no way I'm replacing those darned batteries again"! What I said was, "Sorry, Momma's out of batteries right now--I'll get some next time I go to the store--remind me." When I "forgot" to get some, I would tell the kids they didn't remind me! Evil, huh? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm very ashamed.