Coffee for Me?!

Never say never.  What happens when a tea, totally tea gal becomes friends with coffee-holics?  Add in multiple knit-blogging friendships and more, and anything is possible.  I still love my tea, but I’ve come to really like, almost NEED a cup (er, very large mug?) of coffee rather close to daily.

From the first day, my Winter Wonderland pal was chatty and full of questions.  Never did I imagine that it was my great friend, Michelle of Insaknitty!  I took more than a dozen photos, and while I’d love to show them all to you, I think the post would be very long, so I’ll try to hit the highlights!

(LOVE that tissue paper!  Doesn’t it just say peppermint mocha?)

 I had to show you a big shot of the stitch markers.  See the basset hound?  How appropriate is it that it arrived on the same day that Missy Sissy came to us? 

How ’bout the happy pepperminted cup and saucer?  I love it!!  I love mint, especially peppermint, but Michelle knows that.  If you look to the right, you’ll see my happy snack, chocolate candy coated sunflower seeds, which another swap pal introduced me to this summer.  (Thanks, Criquette!)

The theme runs right THROUGH the yarn, by Gyspyknits.  Michelle’s presentation made the whole package that much more of a treat.  A yarn bouquet!  Pink, red and green, all in one pair of socks.  You know those are going to be MINE! 

There were a few hand-made items in the box, but my very favorite is Michelle’s own design for an item that must remain secret for now.  I couldn’t figure out why my pal kept asking questions about Mugsy’s leash.  Michelle and I bonded in part over our love for our four-legged family members, so I wasn’t surprised that she included Mugsy (and now, Sissy!) in the package, but I am moved beyond words that she designed an excuse-buster so I can walk these dogs all winter long.  It will definitely get a workout with this almost tireless wild girl, now a part of our household!

 I’m rarely at a loss for words, but I don’t know how to thank you, Michelle!  (I can’t wait to share it with everyone…)

There were presents specifically for Mugsy (which he’ll share with Sissy), and for the Knight.  There were instructions to share things with MJ and even Pop, which I promise to honor, gladly!  Ornaments galore, including a sweet cinnamon star, which I am pretty sure was part of the family bake day Michelle blogged about, including the recipe for the same ornaments!  A huggie, complete with its own Starbucks mug, an assortment of creamers and flavored coffees, chocolates and more chocolates…  I truly can’t even begin to cover it all.

There is one more thing I simply have to mention.  Michelle even made sure that I can enjoy GOOD coffee at work, regardless of what stuff my father inlaw is brewing at the office.  She mentioned that in one of the precious cards tucked into virtually every package something about my own coffee pot, and I was confused.  I don’t know if she packed the box that way intentionally or not, but the very last thing I opened was quite a treat.  I suspect it will travel to work on Monday, and home on Friday, at least until after Christmas, when I’m pretty sure Santa (or MJ?) will leave a home-based alternative under the tree.  (Thanks, Holly!)  MJ is beginning to like GOOD coffee, so I suspect this little gem is going to get a workout!

Michelle told me she had a plan for infusing me with the holiday spirit, and I do believe she’s done just that, with just a little help from the Knight, Sissy, the always darling prince and so many of you who have surprised me with Christmas cards and such.  I’m going to get some cards out this week, not because I have to, but because I really feel like I WANT to!

I wish I could show you everything, I really do.  What a difference a week makes.  I’m still very sore, and my chiropractor says I “really did a number” on my back, but Mugsy’s fine, little Sissy found her way to us (which of you told me just a few days ago that the right dogs find us?), we found a vehicle the Knight and I both agree upon, with only a couple of hours of test drives and such, and best of all, it’s starting to feel like Christmas in my heart.  (We’re still considering NOT putting up a tree unless we can find a little 3-4 foot tree for the dining room table, because Sissy and her brother made it clear that trees are for eating.)