OK, so I probably could have waited and posted this tomorrow, but I’m certainly not the first to post twice in one day. =)

So, I had put a couple of things out for the mailman today, and I wanted to check to see if they had been picked up yet. When I opened the front door, there were two (!) packages waiting for me. The first was from Jimmy Beans Wool. (And no, this doesn’t violate the once-a-month rule on the YFC - I ordered this ages ago and it was backordered.) Lorna’s Laces Shephers Sock in “Black Purl”. I am planning to use this for socks for Kris, mostly because I think he’ll be amused by the color name. He LOVES “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and the ship is called, of course, the “Black Pearl.” Not sure what pattern I’ll use yet - I may ask for his input on that. I’ll probably start these next once the Jaywalkers are done, so that hopefully he’ll be able to wear them when we go see POTC2. Because we’re dorks like that.

The second package was a box that winged its way to me from Canada. Specifically, from my incredibly fabulous SP, bylt. And what treasures did it hold? On the left are 2 balls of Fantasia “Calliope” in a gorgeous red/pink/orange/yellow combination. She picked this up on her trip to Hong Kong, and according to her blog, got some for herself, too. It’s quite soft, and I think it will be really pretty worked up. OK, next to that is a box of chocolates from Purdy’s, a chocolatier that is local to her. Do I even have to say that the box has somewhat less in it that when it arrived? In the back is a Pink Martini cd called “Hang on Little Tomato”, which is playing as I type this. They are just too cool. Next to that is a 100g ball of spectacular merino wool roving - gorgeous and soft as silk. The picture doesn’t do it justice, but the colors are amazing. Greens and gold and blues and purples… I can’t imagine what this is going to look like spun! I just hope I can do it justice. Finally, on the right are 2 balls of Filaro 12 ply Mohair that she sent from her stash - one in Royal Blue, and one in Hyacinth. And you might notice - they are sparkly! I think I can find something fun to make out of them.

I feel so lucky to have gotten bylt as my sp. She’s done an amazing job of spoiling me, and seh’s a very sweet person who I am thrilled to now count as a friend.

Yes, that’s right - Bolero #3 is done! I really do love this pattern, but I am definitely taking a break before doing the last one. (And damn, do I need to clean my windows!)

I am trying to decide what I can make for myself out of this yarn - it’s so soft and yummy.

I’ve gotten a bit further on my Serena and my Jaywalkers. I really love both of the patterns, and I’m going to try to get the Serena done before I start bolero #4.

Post Stash Flash, I’ve been trying to be better about buying yarn based solely on the “Ooh! Pretty!” factor. I have a number of things in my stash that I’m just not sure I’ll ever be able to use, simply because I didn’t buy enough to make anything other than a scarf. I’d really rather not continue adding to that pile. (I’m also considering going through the RAK thread on the Knitty Coffeeshop to find some of them new homes).

Anyway, when Roxy posted a link to the Yarn Focus Challenge, which I had also seen on Stariel’s, Criosa’s and Nimrodel’s blogs, I took it as a sign that maybe I was meant to get in on this. Basically, the challenge runs from April 1 through June 30. Participants are to refrain from buying yarn during that time. The nice thing about this one, though, is that you get one “freebie” day per month when you ARE allowed to buy yarn. So, I’m still all set to go to Maryland Sheep and Wool! (Because, seriously, does anyone think that I would make it through my first MS&W without buying anything? Pfah!) I did order some yarn from WEBS last week (the cotton for Hush Hush and the Cascade for Kris’s sweater), so I’m counting that as my free day for April, even though it happened before I technically signed up. I’ve certainly got plenty of stash to keep me going, so I’m not really concerned that I’m going to run out of yarn.

On the blog format issue - the amazingly fabulous chacha found the stray tag that was fouling up my sidebar, so everything is back where it belongs. Yay!

And for those interested, Kris has now added fishies to his aquarium. 2 Zebra Danios and 3 Flame Tetras. All are swimming about happily. He’s going to add another few fish next weekend - not sure what he’s getting just yet.