What a Suprise!

Kathleen-
What a fantastic surprise!

Like Kathleen said, we went to the zoo, where I snapped this picture of Kathleen and Mike:


As well as this picture of Kathleen's favorite animal (that's a moose, for those who aren't up on their ungulates)


And of Kathleen with a statue of her favorite animal:

I ended up buying the yarn we picked out for 2 pairs of stranded mittens, and started the first:

(I can't resist the cute picture of our friend Sue's cat playing with my yarn:
And we threw a successful baby shower at knitting, where I gifted the mom to be with the TINY baby booties I made while you were here:
Apparently Minnesota decided it's not spring yet, as we're supposed to get a rain/sleet/snow mix, so I leave you with this sunny picture of a leopard from our trip to the zoo.

Surprise!

Hey Flan,

As you now know, your big birthday surprise this year was... ME! M and I had a delightful time planning my cross country weekend jaunt and, for the record, I had an utterly delightful time. Here you both are looking happy to see me even though I arrived at a truly ungodly hour.
For anyone who doesn't know (and before this weekend, that included me), Flan really likes to go to the zoo. The weather was nice and Sunday off we went.

This tiger is amazingly gigantic. Ergo, not all of him/ her would fit into the frame. Well, he/ she might have if I'd been a better photographer, but I'm choosing to over look that possibility. Really freakin' big animal.The zoo has three bears in this particular habitat. I think this one is a golden bear, but I very well could be making that up.I love raptors. Birding seems so passive and calm, until you remember these bad asses. Here we are at Flan's most favorite animal, the otter. She likes them so much we went back twice. The second time we were in time to watch the keepers handing them frozen fish patties in the shape of stars. Total replica of a natural habitat if you ask me.
The rest of the weekend was just as delightful as the zoo. There was some crazy good food, awesome people and a whole lotta yarn. So sad that I had to come home again.

Birthday Month!

Hey Flan (who is probably knee deep in committee),

Happy Birthday to The Sister!!! My one and only darling sister is celebrating her birthday today. Well, we're all celebrating, just not all together. Her plans for the day, 1: do not go to work, 2: go to the spa, 3: buy shoes. I've taught her well.

Here's a picture of my lovely sister. (If my future BIL is reading- this is NOT her W dress, which is, as we have explained ad nauseum, bright purple with feathers)It's been awhile since I regaled you with any mention or photo of my utterly delightful niece, LittleBabyGirl. So neglectful of me as her doting auntie, but on the other hand, I'm not entirely sure that The Brother really wants that many pictures of his darling daughter all over the internet, so I'll try to be selective.Isn't she adorable?!?!?! Of course she is. Happy sigh.

Knitting update. Gracie chose either option 1 or 3. I had both patterns and yarns all ready to go so not a moment would be lost when the decision was rendered. I chose the third option, pulled out the Jaeger Siena and was off. Actually, I turned out to be off pattern and not off to the races. The deceptively simple 4 row repeat soundly kicked my arse and after three separate start-overs, I declared it "not meant to be". Three strikes and you're on permanent time out.

I pulled out the yarn for Option 1 (which turns out to be "Lyndon Hill" and not "Bristol". Memory, it seems, really is the first thing to go). I was delighted by the discovery as I think the Pima Cotton/ Silk blend will be much better suited for a late July baby than one of alpaca/ silk. The pattern is as heavenly as the yarn and, by repeat count I am 1/3 of the way through!