Oh So Soft

Shawn and I had a date night last night and it was wonderful. I swear that I forgot what it was like to have someone else make, and serve, me a delicious dinner. (Not that I don't appreciate Shawn's attempts with grilled cheese sandwiches/soup or spaghetti, but it's nice to have something that you don't normally have on a daily basis, ya know?) We went to Buca di Beppo in Valencia and had a very yummy dinner. Shawn ordered spaghetti and (1/2 lb. each) meatballs, (there were 2!!!), and brought home about 3/4 of it. (Their portions are HUGE.) I ordered the baked shells with spicy sausage. Yum. We also ordered a tiramisu, (again, HUGE), but I have to say, I ♥, (so does Shawn), the sweet type of tiramisu. This one tasted 100% like rum. Not like the cream pudding or the chocolate. But rum. Either way, it was worth the night out and we will definitely be returning, (after having gone over the menu after dinner thinking about what we might order next time).

Afterwards, we went to Borders books and I picked up my copy of Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowen-Michael, who was featured in the Interweave Knits Spring 2007 Issue. Don't worry, I'm not turning my sock knitting addiction into a thong knitting addiction. But there are some lovely items in the book and definitely worth the $29.95. Go. Buy. It.

When we came home I worked on my Hogwarts Socks. I got the heel done and then I didn't like it, so I ripped it out today and restarted it. I'm hoping it will knit up better. I like Lorna's Laces but I have to say after working with Koigu and STR yarns, it just doesn't knit the same. I'll have some weaving to do too, after I finishing with the striping. What was I thinking with stripes? All the same they are looking nice and I hope my pal will like them. I already have her stitch markers, (which I will eventually show you guys, after I send them off), and today I got her some DPN's.

Today we drove down to Santa Monica and visited Wildfiber and, (for the first time), A Mano Yarn. Wildfiber used to be a fave of mine, but the past few times I've been there I've been a little put off. They have a phenomenal array of yarns. I bought a skein of Koigu to finish my Charlotte's Web, (not seen below because it's in the knitting bag in the car), and a skein of 2 ply Mongolian Cashmere by Jade Sapphire (which is the caked greyish/green yarn on the right). Both gorgeous yarns. What was I put off by? Customer Service! When I asked the lady to cake my yarn, (which she had just done for the customer who spent $30 more than I did before I got to the register), she rolled her eyes and said, "We'll see." I explained that I did not want to go home to wind 400 yards of 2 ply 100% cashmere by hand. She did cake it for me. After complaining about how thin it was and how she didn't think it would work. Needless to say I will return. But only for the yarn. It really makes me mad that someone who shares the craft can be such a * * * * *, (choose your choice expletive).

A Mano Yarn was totally different. Small shop. GREAT yarns. And the woman who was working there was the nice woman who used to work at Wildfiber a few years back that I really liked. She was willing to help you out. Very nice. I bought the Malabrigo Baby Merino Wool Lace yarn for my Secret Pal. I hope she likes it. It's incredibly soft. And she likes green! The middle yarn is for me! It is Rio De La Plata 100% Pure New Wool in a blue/brown/green/grey colorway. Yummy!

So that was my yarn pron for the weekend!

Today we went swimming, since it was way hotter here than down by the beach. Scout tried out her new bathing suit and little canopy boat. She's a little fish. She liked sucking on the water that got the front of the boat wet.

And don't tell Grandma that I put this on here, she'll kick my butt! Scout and her grammy.

Happy Weekend.