What a Day

Most days, if one particularly good thing happens, you say it's a good day.  Two?  A really good day.  Today, four bits of goodness happened.  Two of them came in the mail.
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First up is a new book from one of my favorite knitting authors, Annie Maloney.  This time she is delving into the world of Aran Lace.  I like serious knitting books that teach me and expand my boundaries.  Sure, I'll buy a book of patterns, but that is happening less and less. 

The first part of the book is like a workshop or textbook with chapters on techniques, project planning and garment design.  After that there is a collection of stitch patterns.  I would love to make many of them into sweaters.  Then, at the end are knitting projects.  All in all, a very good book and I can't wait to spend some quality time reading through it on the weekend.

 One particular design that really caught my eye is this one on the left.  I saw it on Annie's Ravelry group before the book came out and if the pattern were available, I'd be tempted to start casting on this evening.  I'm going to print out this picture, large and in color, as the one in the book is rather dark and it's in black and white.  I'm going to allow it to tempt me over and over.  I can definitely see this aran sweater in my future, as soon as I get some other projects finished up, that is.  Make the picture bigger and look at that detail. 

Annie has other wonderful books, too:  Mastering Lacework, Tips From a Knitter's Notebook, The Cable Knitting Handbook, Personal Knitwear Design and The Knitter's Guide to Stitch Design.  I haven't been disappointed with any of them.  I bought my books here.

So, that takes care of knitting.  Next up, I got my copy of the limited edition extended play CD, "Already Live".  Despite the fact that I'm dying to rip it open and listen now, I'm going to exercise great restraint and leave it in its plastic wrap until early August.  Now, that's willpower.  They have another CD coming out next month, a new one.  I'll save that one for August as well.  That's when I'll be driving from Denver to Kingston, Ontario (via the Kitchener Blues Festival), a trip of 1700 miles or more, each way.  It'll be nice to have some new music to listen to.
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I heard the third good thing on the sports news tonight.  Colorado Avalanche defenseman, Adam Foote, will be back for another year.  He may be turning 39 this summer, but he's not too old.

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I saved the very best for last:  all the nice emails I've received, welcoming me back to blogging.  You guys are the best.  Thank you so much.  I'm really enjoying reading the contest entries, so many different thoughts.  I'm glad that I'm choosing the winner at random as it would be impossible to choose based on what you've written.

Okay, the finale of Dancing With the Stars is on and it makes for excellent knitting time.