After being confined to the house in the cold weather for what seems like forever, Chris and I met with J & S on Saturday for lunch. S & I visited the local yarn shop, where there were lots of temptations. My one purchase was a pair of Brittany dpns, to make some wristwarmers. I looked for the new Rowan magazine as well -- it has a pink cardigan on the cover that I think I need to make! Unfortunately they did not have any copies available yet. S bought some amazing Rowan Kidsilk Night for a pretty wrap.
It was too cold to ride our bikes, so we compromised with a trip to a local bike shop and then the Borders. There is something about the smell of new books in the bookstore that always excites me. At the same time, I'm overwhelmed at all the books I want to read and things I want to learn! In the past, I've spent hours in front of the decorating and gardening books, but with our moving situation not settled, I've begun to drift over to the photography section. In the visit before last, I discovered a book called Beaches that captures that lovely effect of sunlight at the shore. How I wish I could take photos like that!
Of course we visited the knitting section, and I browsed through the new book Twinkle's Big City Knits by Wenlan Chia. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but none of the patterns really captured my imagination as something I must knit right away. The store did not have any of the new Interweave books like No Sheep For You (I'm curious to see this, as some wools are causing my arms to itch, for the first time in my life). Have you seen this book? I did get the new book by Carola Dunn, Fall of a Philanderer. I love these 1920s mysteries, though I'm a few behind the current one.
S and J gave me Modern Classics, Louisa Harding's book as a birthday present, along with a wonderful tin of tea (my addiction/luxury). There are so many sweaters in here that I want to knit! Perhaps later this year we'll choose something for the Project Spectrum fall colors. Rowan has a purple tweed yarn that is calling my name, but I do have some other projects I'd like to get to first. It was wonderful to get out of the usual routine and spend time with friends -- it makes spring seem that little bit closer.
Today is my birthday. I took the day off from work, but haven't yet decided what to do. I'd love to spend the day reading or knitting at the beach, but as we had a snowstorm yesterday (it is not officially my birthday unless we have a snow or ice storm!), even lunch at an outdoor cafe is not an option. I envy you summer birthday people so much! :)
Happy Birthday!!!!!!
For some it's never too cold: http://www.geronimok.blogspot.com/
(freaks)
Posted by: Cindy P | February 27, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Happy Birthday Debbie!
Posted by: Valerie | February 27, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!
Sounds like you had a lovely visit with friends.
Posted by: Julie | February 27, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Happy Birthday Debby! Enjoy your day!!!
Posted by: tiennie | February 27, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Happy Birthday Debby! How ironic that a beach loving girl like you has a birthday in the dead of winter. ;-)
Posted by: Kristen | February 27, 2007 at 01:41 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope some of your birthday gifts are "summer" ones.
Posted by: Pam | February 27, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a great weekend shopping spree. :) Don't worry, Spring will be here before you know it!
Posted by: Kellie | February 27, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Happy Birthday! That Beaches book looks lovely.
Posted by: Erika | February 27, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Happy Birthday!
May the day bring you lots of knitting time, yummy treats, and a whiff of sea air.
Posted by: sprite | February 27, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Happy Birthday! Go to the yarn store and buy yourself a bunch of warm fuzzy yarn.
BTW, I bought Rowan 41 for the cover sweater as well. I was highly disappointed to learn that it's made from Handknit Cotton DK (which I don't like) and there is no "pattern" for the embroidery around the neckline. I guess you're just supposed to "wing it" using the photo as a guide.
Posted by: Laura | February 27, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Happy Birthday! But you're lucky you can take the day off - when your birthday is the first or second day of school you never get it off!
Posted by: Jenn | February 27, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope it's a wonderful day for you. I love bookstores and spend way too much of my money in them.
Posted by: Sydney | February 27, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Happy Birthday! I always try to take the day off for my birthday.
Posted by: Greeley | February 27, 2007 at 05:00 PM
I hope you had a glorious birthday! Sounds like you had a nice day. I’m glad. :-)
Posted by: Sue | February 27, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Happy Birthday!!! Even with all the snow, it sounds like you celebrated in style. Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | February 27, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Happy, happy birthday!!
Posted by: --Deb | February 27, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Happy Birthday! I'm sending all sorts of warm thoughts your way!
Posted by: jen | February 27, 2007 at 07:12 PM
Happy Birthday! I ordered Rowan 41 online - it is a beauty!
Posted by: Kim | February 27, 2007 at 08:30 PM
Happy Birthday!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Dana | February 27, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope you had a fun day. I like that Modern Classics book too.
Posted by: Sonya | February 27, 2007 at 09:25 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day.
Posted by: wendy g | February 27, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Happy birthday, Debby! I hope you had a wonderful day!
Posted by: Beth | February 27, 2007 at 11:22 PM
Happy Birthday, I hope you have a fantastic day!
If you were in the Southern Hemisphere you'd have a Summer Birthday, with almost guaranteed sunny weather at this time of year :o)
Posted by: Katie | February 28, 2007 at 04:26 AM
Happy birthday - from one Pisces to another :-)
I hope you bought yourself that cool looking book on the Beaches. Sometimes food for the soul (like that) is most important.
Posted by: Teyani | February 28, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Happy Birthday! I floated over here from Holly at Hollyarn - I'm impressed you already made a blanket, I'm thankful she extended the deadline. :)
I donated to your bike ride - I wish there was a comment section on there so I could list "from a knitter!" I want to do the Team-In-Training Triathalon once I get out of school.
Posted by: Kate | February 28, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Happy Birthday! When I lived in Atlanta, my birthday always fell at the time when all the dogwoods were in bloom (first week in April). Sigh! :) Well, sounds like you had a great day anyway, what could be better than going to Borders?! That reminds me, it's been several days since I have been!
Posted by: hege | February 28, 2007 at 11:30 AM
I love going to the bookstore too, I could spend hours there, but when I go I'm always with the husband who doesn't like to dawdle so much. Hopefully they'll build a bookstore in the new shopping complex in my town so I can go on my own and dawdle.
That is a really cute sweater on the Rowan cover. I agree you definitely need to make it.
Your square for the Blnaket of HOpe looks great! (from previous post)
Posted by: Rebekah | February 28, 2007 at 03:09 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a perfect day.
Posted by: Kendra | February 28, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Belated happy birthday!! A friend has "No Sheep for You" and I looked through it - I don't remember anything that was in it. Says something, although whether about the book or my memory, I'm not sure...
Posted by: Chris | February 28, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Happy day after your Birthday to you!
Happy day after your Birthday to you!
Happy day after your Birthday dear Deb-bbyyyy!
Happy day after your Birthday to you!
Posted by: Nancy | February 28, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Just catching up on my bloglines and I see I am late to the party! But happy day-after-your-birthday !!!
Posted by: Meg | March 01, 2007 at 04:06 AM
Happy (belated) birthday from one February baby to another! I agree with you about the general suckiness of the winter birthday. For a few years I insisted that my birthday be celebrated on my half-birthday (in August), but it never really caught on.
It sounds like you had a nice one anyway! May this be a wonderful year for you.
Posted by: Rachel | March 01, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Belated happy birthday wishes! Your special day sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Katrina | March 01, 2007 at 08:31 PM
I'm just now catching up on blogs so I'm a few days late but I hope you had a wonderful birthday!!!!!!!!!!! It sounds like you have some good reads (and knits)! I refused to celebrate my winter birthday one yr when I was a kid because I wanted a beach party like my bro had every July. Boy, was that the most anticlimactic birthday party ever. At least there was watermelon...
Posted by: Elinor | March 01, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Happy Belated Birthday! I wish I could send some sunshine your way, but alas no sunshine here in my part of California!
Posted by: Holly of HollYarns | March 02, 2007 at 02:35 AM