I knew there was a reason why I was
saving those Brie boxes,
collecting glitter,
hoarding tiny trees and mushrooms,
and believing that if I hold on to something long enough,
I'll find a use for it.

Sigh, just another fun crafternoon at Knitionary.

Rowan Pure Wool Superwash DK can be purchased at your local Rowan stockist or online at

Black Sheep

Jannette's Rare Yarns

Jimmy Beans

Webs
FiberWild

Knitionary

We hosted our "2nd Friday Night Party Group's" potluck gathering last night, and since my assigned month fell just two days before Valentine's Day, I considered making that my theme.  Where I live in California, there is no shortage of late winter/early spring flowers and buds in every shade, perhaps even 50 shades of pink.  In fact, as I wandered around my garden to see what would be blooming on party day, I saw nothing but pink.  So I had my theme--this gathering would be all about pink: pink flowers, pink buds, pink linens, pink champagne and pink Valentines.  Two days before the party I  ironed my linens, set up the bar and did the shopping.  The day before the party, I baked the cookies and made the cassoulet. (There are debates raging over the food blogs arguing whose cassoulet recipe is the best, and Julia Child always wins.  It's a time consuming recipe, but I took the few shortcuts she allows, thus making it totally doable.  And it makes a magnificent dinner.)

The morning of the party I took my clippers, walked around the garden and came back in with a huge basket of blossoms.  I spent an hour or two arranging them, then got dressed to run some errands (nothing would make me miss the sale at my local yarn shop!) Now fast forward to a half hour before party time; I put the cassoulet in the oven and lit the candles while my mister lit the fire and filled the ice buckets.  Then he poured us each a glass of champagne and we sat by the fire and waited for the doorbell to ring.

Ahhh, no, not like that at all.

The reality: we were both racing around until the first guests arrived.  "Where are the matches?" "Wait, where are the candles?"  "Ice?  I thought you were getting the ice!"  I was regretting the afternoon I spent running needless errands; the precious hour spent on a pedicure and the wasted time waiting in line to get my husband's watch repaired. Seriously, on party day?  But the key here is: don't panic!  Take a deep breath, do as much as you comfortably can and then enjoy the party as it unfolds before you.  Your guests certainly plan to do just that, so you may as well join in on the fun! And drink that glass of pink champagne, your party is going to be great.

Flowering and budding branches are here for such a short time.  Enjoy them even more by bringing them into the home. Just a few thinnings in vases, supplemented with an evergreen or store-bought flowers if necessary, make a big statement.