this is the part where you never hear from me again...

...and wonder what happened, only to find out later that I died from a chocolate overdose.

Lindy, my Chocolate Swap pal, has struck again. I wish I could show you a photo of it before we tore into it. It was a vision of pink and gold beauty. Everything wrapped up so pretty and fitting Just So. But, alas, the package came just as I was leaving the house and I didn't have time to run back in for the camera. I had the purest of intentions to wait until I got home to open it. But, my evil, impatient self won out and I had to start opening it at a red light. That's right. I didn't even make it to my destination before I started in on it. In case you need this bit for future reference, when you have no scissors with you to cut through all the packing tape, a pin that says, "Puppy Love" in your glove box will suffice.

Behold the box of chocolaty goodness:

I knew it was going to be good when, as soon as the seal was broken, a wonderful aroma wafted out that turned out to be lovely little soaps and yummy lotion. And see all that Lindt chocolate? Cadbury Koalas for the kiddies? That's just the beginning.

She knows I'm a tea drinker and sent chocolate tea. You heard right. Chocolate tea. Green tea with lemon. Mmmm. Not one, but two knitting patterns--a pretty lace scarf and a gorgeous cabled hat (I'm already yarn shopping in my head). Chocolate tiles for the kids with Australian animals on the labels. Postcards from Victoria (what a gorgeous place it must be!), stickers for the kiddos, a 2007 calendar of Australian animals and (have to admit--it's a favorite) a magnet that says, "A good mother has dirty floors and happy children." When Jake saw it he said, "How does she know you?! I bet the stuff you sent her had dust on it." I forgive him. He comes from a long line of smart alecks. On both sides.

Once we've eaten ourselves sick, there is a recipe book with wonderful recipes for more chocolate desserts. The meringue and chocolate mousse cake is on my short list. You know. At the top.

Lindy, I thought I was spoiled the other day when the book arrived. That didn't even touch on it. Thank you!

Lydia realizes that I was serious when I said she's too young for chocolate. See the boy next to her? He knows he gets chocolate. He is a Very Happy Boy.

Lindy Rocks!

I really lucked out with my Chocolate Swap pal. She is way too generous, having already gifted me with a luscious skein of laceweight merino and silk in shades of strawberry from pale to deep and ripe, she has now sent me Mason Dixon Knitting, a book I have been longing to add to my collection. Ask me how many times I've picked it up at the book store, flipped through the pages and then, after patting my wallet, sadly put it back on the shelf. Thank you so much, Lindy! The kimono is going on the needles today.

Below, you can see Lydia mimicking my expression when I opened it--complete with tongue hanging out.

"Mason Dixon Knitting?! From Lindy? Lindy Rocks!"

Happy Socktober!

Lonesome Skein KAL

The perfect knit along for this time of year...


Lonesome Skein KAL

From the group info:

We all have them -- single, sometimes wildly expensive, skeins of yarn that we bought on impulse.

We all need them -- quick-to-knit gifts for the holidays and charity projects.

This knitalong helps you use the former to complete the latter!

Join us for three months of knitting and decrease your stash.
The perfect knit along for this time of year...

* Choose any pattern and yarn you want, but the items you knit must be made made from 250 yards of yarn or less.
* Tell us about your project as you knit it. Other members can offer suggestions on how to alter patterns or substitute yarns.
* After you complete the item, upload a photo to the appropriate photo album and include pattern and yarn information in the photo description.
* Share links to tried-and-true patterns

You have until October 16 to sign up and play along.

Chocolate Swap!

My pal, Lindy, ROCKS! She told me the other day that my goodies would be coming in two packages--one from her in Australia and one was being sent from So. Cal. Then she said she would give me a hint--that her favorite treat is chocolate covered strawberries.

Well, the strawberries arrived and they are more delicious and beautiful than I could have imagined! And I am, literally, laughing out loud. Oh, I love it, I love it, I love it. When I saw the return address on the package I couldn't imagine why Khris was sending me something.

Then I opened it and when I took it out of its pretty bag and tissue and saw it I gasped. Why was Khris sending this to me? I've been gazing at it on my screen since the end of August, willing it to come to me. I even almost posted about it on my blog the other day but then didn't (so I thought), afraid someone else would buy it for themselves, not realizing that it was fated to be mine. Did I order it and not even realize? I might be losing my mind.

Hang on...a card! Ok...what could Khris have to say? AAAAAAAAH! It's from LINDY! I started howling with laughter. The baby was next to me and was watching me as if to determine whether I might be dangerous. Then I stopped. How did Lindy know I wanted this?

SHE. READ. MY. MIND.

I was seriously spooked for all of three seconds then quickly went to my blog and saw that I did, in fact, post about it (ah, along with a threat. Always nice). Ok...so I am losing my mind. But I will have this beautiful merino and silk laceweight yarn clutched in my hands as they cart me off.

The yarn, I love her. And I still have the chocolate to look forward to.

A few people have asked me what the chocolate swap is. You can get the most information by clicking here. Scroll all the way to the bottom. Basically, though, it's a yarn swap with a chocolate theme. You send chocolate colored yarn/fiber and chocolate goodies to your swap pal. Unlike some swaps, you pal is not a secret, though. The whole shebang is the brainchild of Abigail (brilliant--combining chocolate and yarn. I really can't say that enough) and I happened across the information on Dave's blog (another smartypants--that Garterlac dishcloth that everyone is knitting and raving about? His.). Anyway, I'm so glad I found out about the swap before it closed! When this one is over, maybe she'll run another.