It's Good to be a Birthday Girl

Yes, this birthday hasn't even happened yet (for another 57 minutes) and it's already good.  Now if only Ed McMahon would show up so I can buy myself that Wii for Christmas...

Last night Chris and I went to knitting, as we are wont to do on Wednesdays.  This Wednesday the whole group was in Chester, at a Knitter's Garden.  I love this place.  Joanne has got the neatest little shop going.  And she's got sheep now. Yeah.  Two.  Well, she had two, I don't know the up-to-date report.  They're fence jumpers, you know.  Did you know sheep could jump that high?  Joanne does, now.

As we walked in the door we were assaulted with birthday greetings.  It was very unexpected, and very pleasant.  And if you thought the greetings were unexpected, you should stay tuned.  Gina got us a cake (I forgot to take a picture until it was half eaten, but if you use your imagination you can read the rest.  We ate a little more and then gave it to some poor, starving wait staff who were getting liqueured up in preparation for their after hours decorating party at Famous Dave's.  If only I didn't have to work the next day...)  Yes, a cake, and Jackie made home made cupcakes that were very yummy, and then dear Gina gave us the sweetest thing.  She had spun Chris and I each some yarn. See the orange?  That's a special Moose color way for Chris. And the white?  There's a story behind the white.

The first year Chris and I went to the sheep and wool in NH I was wandering around, thanking myself that I didn't throw myself into knitting the way the spinners threw themselves into spinning (I was a very new knitter.  This S&W was a turning point for me, I assure you).  But all these fluffy, colorful bags of roving... they were interacting with something deep within me, something primitive and convincing.  We stopped and spoke to a spinner finally.  Not just any spinner.  This was one of those colonial reenactment gals with a big, old fashioned wheel.  She broke character long enough to tell us that we could start with a drop spindle, and we could make it out of an aol cd and a dowel.  Ok, seriously, she was never in character.  It was too cold to dress up, but she could have fooled me with the wheel.  She intrigued me.

The next barn over was a vendor called Polliwog knits or something (I probably still have the card.  In fact, I know I do.  I can't throw stuff like that away.  I save it forever.  And I know I wrote on it, because that's what I do.  It probably has a full account of just what I bought and what else she had.  Anyway.) She had wonderful roving, but she had something that stopped me cold. It was a 50/50 silk/merino blend, and it felt like sex.  I bought it.  My first roving purchase ever.  That roving was going to make me a spinner.

So I started spinning.  I used cheaper stuff, I wasn't going to defile the super blend with my armature spinning.  I bought a lovely tulip wood spindle from the people at Journey Wheel when we went to the VT sheep and wool.  And... it never took off.  I just couldn't get it to do anything, so I stopped. 

I wanted the roving that I loved so much to go to someone who would appreciate it and give it the attention it deserved.  I swapped it to Gina (who had just started spinning but was having a much more fruitful experience with it) for something I could knit with (I honestly don't remember what.  I've swapped a lot of yarn with Gina ;) )  We're due for a swap.

That, right there in the white, named "Wedding Gown" is the hand spun that Gina gave me last night, and that same roving I gave her probably close to, if not over, a year ago.  Both I and the roving/yarn feel absolutely loved.  I want to use it to make something that I'll wear/have about me in my wedding, so I'm looking for good ideas.  Chris suggested a garter, and ooh boy, would that be a great feeling garter ;)  Thank you so much, Gina :)

After that, Chris gave me his present. 

Am I a lucky girl, or what?  And what's that being balled up?  Why, it's Heather's Gothic Rose!

I love this color way.  Pinks and grays, and the new yarn she's using is the perfect weight, the perfect hand, and it just twists so nice, gives it a little sheen.  This is yarn I was lucky enough to win in the drawing that she had after collecting submissions for her bunny's name.  Gaye got the winning name with Lilah (it is a winner, the bunny just looks like a Lilah) and my name was drawn from the hat.  I suggested Tobu-chan.  Tobu is Japanese for hop.  If I ever have a bunny, it'll be Tobu.  (So yes. Heather, your yarn popped this ball-winder and swift's... well, you know.  And then my sister came over and I was so geeked that I had to demonstrate the swift for her.  I broke out a skein of that 220 I have set aside for Rouge.  She was impressed, I could tell.  Maybe not, I care not.  I was impressed)

And with all the fiber intensity, you wouldn't think that I'd feel any pull in the way of the yarn shop.  Yeah.  Shut up.

Roving, for which to spin (I picked up the bug again after "killing" the gal whose husband makes these lovely Turkish spindles in Sock Wars) and a calendar for my cube.  Yeah, all fiber animals, all the time.

But in my heart, it will always be February.

So, now it is 32 minutes to my birthday, and I have to go back through and add pictures and links.  Let me leave you with mirth.  I give you:

The baby, "talking" on the phone.

5 minutes. Time for spell check.  4 minutes. I promised Amanda I'd stay online long enough for her to wish me a happy birthday :)  Yup, she's still alive and well.

Go check out Lora's meme.  I'll post it tomorrow.

And one last thing: the drink for Gina's next podcast.  This drink is yummy.  Trust me.

Girl Scout Cookie

1.5 oz cream
1 oz creme de cacao, brown
.5 oz creme de menthe

Fill 6 oz. highball glass with ice, add creme de cacao and creme de menthe, then cream.  Shake Happy Birthday to me!  26, if anyone's asking :D

Comments

[Lora]

Happy Birthday Girlie!

[Marion]

Hope you have a very happy birthday. I loved the story of the white yarn.

[Jackie]

*Tear* on the Wedding Gown story. I love mushy crap!

Happy Birthday Baby!

[Julie]

Happy, Happy Birthday!

I used to have Girl Scout Cookie drinks many, many, many years ago. But mine had no cream. They were yummy, but I bet the cream really adds just the right touch :)

[Nichole]

That yarn Gina spun sure was gorgeous - thanks for sharing the story behind the white! :) Hope you both had a great birthday!!!

[Gigi]

Happy birthday and thanks for sharing the story of the white yarn! I look forward to seeing what you make from it!

[Gina House]

So happy that you liked the cake and, more importantly, the yarn. I love the story behind the roving and I enjoyed every minute of spinning it. I still owe you one more skein! Lucky Duck for getting that swift adn ball winder, too! And, yes, you are LOVED : )

Oh, nice recipe, too...yummmmm!

[Yarnophiliac]

damn, do I need that drink!!! lol Gotta get me some liquer b4 I download the podcast. I have to say, I LOVE your posts -- you have such a wonderful writing style. So enjoyable to read! I had a great time celebrating your b-day w/ you and was so glad to be part of it. (And that alpaca! Oh my!) love ya!

[Arleta]

Happy Birthday!! I'm late, as usual. Hope it was super great!