Alice Jean

The wonderful package from my friend Darcy arrived last week, filled with some precious gifts again. Meet our new family member Batty. Isn't he cute? And here are some goodies. Starbucks Christmas blend - that will make a good pot of coffee - delicious biscuits and a special pen. And here it is... drum roll... Darcy, we are so happy with your thougthfulness! Many thanks from all of us!

Look what an amazing parcel I got from my friend Darcy ! The green stuff is a batt of a blend of Merino, Bamboo, Cormo and bits of Yak and Camel. And yes, you are looking at more of that beautiful soft Malabrigo. Close up? Here you go... I love love love that colour! Now I have 4 skeins of Malabrigo in total, I just don't know yet what to make of it and I want it to be something especially for me And then... the book. Signed by Kate Jcobs herself, isn't that a special gift! Little Dory is also very happy whith all the sweets! Darcy, thanks so much for these thoughtful presents!

Ever heard of Sokssawat! ? You should have. Greetje makes such wonderful products and she also has a good sense of humor. What to think when one receives a box like this... Some people asked me what was in the box. Well, no secrets hidden here. ;-)Just a few nice thingies, like beautiful soft BFL Aran and BFL sock yarn, some skin care products and Scottish fibre Yes, I like it when my yarn stash grows... and grows... and grows...

Yesterday there was something special for Dory in the mail. Because she has been ill last week, Morgan sent her a little something to help her to get well soon. The letter took a while, so Dory was actually doing fine when it came in. Yet she is very happy with the stickers and the cute kitten on the postcard. Morgan and Sarah, thanks so much for this thoughtful gift, you made a little girls day!

First of all the Jayne Hat for Dorrit. Just beautiful! Dory loves the pompom. My friend Darcy spoiled us again! Her parcel arrived days ago, my sincere apologies for posting about these wonderful gifts this late. Needless to say how happy Dory was with all the sweets. :-) The sheepy dish cloths are so cute! There was another Jayne Hat in the parcel, knitted by Tom for me. I think he did a brilliant job! And there was more. Knitting magazines, buttons and pins and a book of the Yarn Harlot. Kool Aid, a crocheted dish cloth, delicious coffee and Malabrigo Stonechat, so soft and beautiful! Darcy, thanks so much for these thoughtful gifts!

First of all: my sincere apologies to Darcy , Tessa and Olga for the delay in posting about your thoughtful gifts. Because of moving home, Darcy sent me this beautiful cable needle, including necklace (well thinking Darcy!) and a cute yellow pouch to hold it And also because of the move, Tessa sent a complete parcel. Hand dyed cotton in the back, shower gel and shampoo, chocolate biscuits, a yarn guage and tea. This photo shows the cotton more clear: knitting it up to dish cloths. The colouring is just amazing! All the gifts were packed in this colourful bag Very much to my surprise I also found a gift from Olga in the post. Meant as a 'thank you' to my hubby for buying loads of Kool Aid when he was in Orlando and to me for distributing it. A set of very Dutch recipe note cards. The harmonica is obviously for Dory Thank you ladies for these special gifts!

A very good combination. So guess what was in the mail today? Correct, coffee and chocolate. Zinzia spoiled me today with this package. I have to say I did not expect the parcel at all, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found it at the doorstep. The chocolate and coffee are in the kitchen now, I want to save this specialty for the weekend. The crayons are in my bag, together with a small notepad. Ideal for a little girl on the road. :-) Actually there were two parcels awaiting my homecoming. The second was not a surprise - well maybe a bit because I only ordered it only this Monday and I did not expect it here this quick. Want to know what was in it? Well, coffee and chocolate goes perfectly well with a good yarn. Three skeins of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn, from SandraSingh . Beautiful, just beautiful.

... and more. Yesterday the postman delivered a surprise package from Morgan . Dory was exited when she opened it and found all the treats. Look at this Well, sweet are definitely always very welcome with D. She adores that crocheted tiny mouse. It is very cute indeed. And what to think of that colouring- and sticker book. Just the perfect presents for a 4 year old. This is so very pretty, a crocheted pot holder. Look at the four-leaf clover, isn't that special. Representing Love, Luck, Hope and Faith. Morgan, thanks so much!

Almost a week ago the Spring Fling package arrived. I'm so sorry for the delay in posting about this. But better late then never, here it is. A neat coffee mug, Surfers Blend coffee beans (in use, delicious!), toffee-chocolate sweets, Body Coffee :-) and 2 skeins of gorgeous Pistachio Nature's Choice Organic Cotton. Chrystal , thanks so much for this lovely package!

When I saw the postman near the village hall today (well, actually yesterday since it is past midnight right now) and he told me he'd left a parcel at the front door, I hurried home. Not easy when having a daughter with a head full of other plans like 'I want to go to the playground, I want to buy some sweets at the Coop, let's go to Chester...' Anyway, the parcel was from Darcy . Filled with yummy yarn, a ribbon pin and some delicious tea. The postcard is just gorgeous! For Dorrit there were tiger stickers and, oh lucky day, she got herself also a sweet! You are looking at Noro, Noro silk garden, Malabrigo Melilla and Silky Malabrigo party pink. And of course the Starbucks tea, the ribbon pin and the cute postcard. Can you spot the three differences? :-) Darcy, I had to take this photo especially for you. The young lady was convinced you'd like that very much, LOL! Thanks so much! I feel truly spoiled!

My BFF Darcy is a sweetheart. She was feeling so sorry for me I had to wait that long for my parcel in the UK swap and decided to step in as an Angel. Of course there was no need to do so, I'd had been contacted by my upstream partner again, she was dealing with some health problems. The angel package was delivered today. The delivery itself was kind of a miracle, a Royal Mail van stopped by when I was walking along the main road in the neighbourhood. The driver asked me if my address was ... and handled me the parcel over. He had been at the door, but as I was out, he took the parcel back again. The alpaca and malabrigo are amazing soft. And the 3 balls of cotton are lovely. A handfelted soap, cedarwood and eucalyptus. Can't wait to take a shower! A sheep with chocolates. That is definitely not mine. :-) Celestial Seasonings, Vanilla Strawberry Rose. Yummy! Will try it this afternoon. Acid dyes. They always come in handy. Okay. This is meant to sew into a knitting bag and sen...

A few things in life I love are coffee, yarn and swaps. So the Caffeine Swap is my thing for sure! This morning I received my parcel from Vicky and she outdid herself! I love everything in it. The presentation was perfect The colours are just lovely and the yarn - Handmaiden Silk Cashmere Amethyst - is so soft, I keep petting it. Helping hands... More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I've already seen some amazing patterns. The 'Silvestri' mug is gorgeous, I love that bird! You're also looking at Counter Culture Dolok Sanggul Sumatra coffee, Choice Earl Grey with lavender blossoms and Trader Joe's Espresso chocolates. And here the whole thing together. I feel truly spoiled. Vicky, thanks so much!

Today a mix of sunshine and showers. When we were walking back from pre-school, it was raining, so we were pretty soaked when we came home. A package was waiting for us though. We did not expect it at all, so it was a very welcome surprise! And look what my little princess got Look at the lovely flowers and ribbons, so very princesslike. And there was also something for me. Maia knows from my blog I use hand knitted dish cloths and she gave me a Chinese Waves one. Right now we are enjoying the 'Winter Cure' tea she included. The sweets did not make it to the picture ;-) Thanks so much Maia! You are the best!