my friends Robbie, Iwona and Edie

Another year, another birthday.

I'm a year older. again. My third birthday since I began blogging. My, how time flies.

Things were a little different this year. When asked, I specified (and was granted) cold, hard, cash.

And this was great! until the day rolled around with nary a present to open :(

*insert crickets chirping*

But a mere couple of days later I received the best surprise from my girlfriends in Toronto! Hmmm, what could this be, I wonder?!? 

{prairie in windowpane from Robbie}

a contender for my next project; Rock Island shawl - it feels absolutely luxurious! It's so good, I'm considering breaking my own rule of "no more shawls knit with lace weight yarn"! 

{pashmina in Cedar from Iwona}

MadelineTosh's Pashmina is one of those yarns knitfolk enthuse over, so naturally it's been on my radar as one to try. And now I've touched it, I understand. This yarn is simply decadent and is destined to be worn right up against my skin, something I can nuzzle up to.

{Valdani threads in "aged white", "gold" and "smoky teal" from Edie}

Following my recent go at hand embroidery, I've plans for these threads. They are the perfect size (12) "non-split" embroidery floss for the type of projects I have in mind and they go so well together; my sand, sea and sun.

These girls know me VERY well so it comes as no surprise that I love all their choices. We've been friends from the time we spent our Tuesday nights at the Knit Cafe. We would order-in dinner, whip out and work on our WIPs while we caught up with the goings-on in each other's lives. There's something rather comforting about such routines. We also randomly hung out while shopping (shoes, underwear, tea, make-up, fabric, apartments, thrift...), watching movies, dyeing yarn, knitting in Trinity Bellwoods, game nights, JAZZ HANDS!, high tea, walking to "our corner", laughing, crying...and in many other wonderful ways to while away a morning, afternoon or evening.

To my friends Robbie, Iwona and Edie: I send a huge, heartfelt thank you! How I wish I could hug you all in person. (and YES Edie, it made my day. Totally.) 

{a gorgeous marbled notebook for me}