Holy Secret Pal, Batman!

I've been anxiously awaiting two packages from two different secret pals. One knitting, the other scrapbooking. I was trying not to think that they had been delivered while I was on vacation and stolen off the front porch. We live in a very un "stealing things off the porch" neighborhood, but then again, we have all these people constantly walking around leaving flyers on our doors, so I wondered if someone had walked off with what I was sure were wonderful packages.


My first package was sent from The Netherlands. My upstream pal from Secret Pal 11 lives there. I am tickled pink (and orange, and green, and yellow) by what she sent. Everything was wrapped in orange tissue paper, which I should have photographed, but I was too excited and didn't think of it.



Let's see what we've got here: A very pretty postcard with tulips on it that reads "Dear Sherilyn, This time the theme is orange, yellow, and green. The colours of tulips on the Keukenhof! In Spring. Winter is coming -- we have to find a way to treasure the sun. Hope you enjoy your first parcel. SP11



She sent some napkins that are way too gorgeous to use, with tulips and flowers on them, a pad of Van Gogh Museum sticky notes that feature one of his "sunflowers" paintings, very cool pencil from the museum that has a multi-colored writing tip. It's hard to explain...here, let me show you....


She also included a pretty bag from the museum. How did she know that Van Gogh is my favorite artist from way back in my art-major days? I didn't mention that in my questionnaire.


I did mention my love of zoethout tea. And she sent me a box. Yum, just in time for fall. Zoethout (pronounced "zoot'hout") essentially means "sweet root", and it is licorice flavored. But not a strong licorice taste. It is quite sweet. I've never tasted anything like it outside of Holland. Forget chocolate. The Dutch have a real love affair with licorice, and I now associate licorice-flavored anything very strongly with Holland.


Okay, what else? She sent yummy papaya scented body butter and bath gel. From the Etos store. I spent some time in Etos. It's a drug store like CVS here in the States. I'm always looking for small lotion/moisturizers to keep with my knitting or in my purse, especially in the winter, and this stuff smells great without being overpowering.


She sent me a silk tulip in a pot, which will brighten the windowsill of my scrapping desk. And she sent me some real tulips. A package of bulbs of the Tubergen's Gem variety. I have the perfect sunny spot for these in a prominent corner in my back yard, visible from the living room. I'm no green thumb, but bulbs are supposed to be pretty easy to plant.

Now on to the knitting goodies. First off, a cute little stuffed sheep holding a flower. Another addition to my scrapping windowsill. And a small project bag. I love pretty project bags. They make my tribbles look more decorative when they are spread out around the living room. And they make knitting on the run easier...I can just grab a project bag and go. This little bag is perfect for socks or gloves or a hat.



Speaking of hats, she sent a pattern for a pretty beret and some gorgeous, soft yarn in those muted greens I love so much. The colors are a bit deeper than the photo. It's so soft you can't help but fondle it indecently. It is Lana Grossa Soffice. 62% merino, 10% cashmere, 28% acrylic.




And last, but not least, she sent two pretty stitch markers. I love them. I don't have much in the way of pretty markers. In the yarn photo, you can see what I pretty much use all the time. The little rubber rings. But sometimes you want pretty things to look at while knitting, especially when you are knitting miles of the same stitch over and over. It's also nice to have a different marker when using multiple markers on a project. These are a tulip and a ladybug. Absolutely perfect and I love them! I wish the picture was clearer, but try as I might, I couldn't get a clear shot, even with the macro setting on my camera.


So, I think that covers my knitting secret pal package. This is a double header, though. My scrapbooking secret pal package also arrived. This summer we signed up for secret pals on my scrapbooking board and then the mail date landed right during my two trips, so my pal waited to send mine until I got home, which alleviated my stolen worries a bit, but I am still relieved to see the package!

Photoalbumlady sent me a lot of stuff! But that will have to wait because my brother just called to say he is on his way (he is staying with me for a couple of nights while he does attends some meetings) and I need to get the sheets out of the dryer and onto his bed!