I've just received a fresh order of Blessed Juno soaps. My goodness, Laurie has a way with scents. I'm not fond of perfumes and colognes, as they often give me a headache, but essential oils and naturally-scented soaps, if done right ... whoa, yeah, baby. Sensual and brain-awakening.
This order includes a bar each of Lavender Grey, Lavender Oatmeal, Sunshine, Gentle, and Sachet. The package, when it arrived, included a sample bar of Aweigh. Aweigh is, to my surprise, anise-scented. Holy cow. I probably wouldn't have ordered it without smelling it, but now I want an entire order of that one alone. These lovely herbal scents make my brain sparkle. I'm asking myself how fast I can use up this soap so I can order more. Nice.
Vermonter Home Girl Pippi (didja know she has a book deal?) sent me a gift of a cheerful skein of exquisite softness over the weekend (colorway: "Mermaids"). 
She is unabashedly working on tempting me to knit more socks, and when I said, "Don't forget, the socks I've been knitting are small and in worsted weight," she said I didn't scare her; and not to forget that she had some worsted weight hand-dyed yarns too! Well, when I received this, I immediately thought "Abigail." The shade of royal blue that dominates this skein is one of Abigail's favorites. I'm thinking a hat, not socks, and not Dulaan. I'll work on finding a pattern that I feel is right for Abigail. Thank you, Pippi! Your aesthetic is beautiful, bold and bright, and makes me so happy. I can't wait to see the book.
Speaking of socks (or not, heh), a few weeks ago, I purchased one of the last skeins of the original Real Vermonter sock yarn from Jessie. (she has a new version now) 
She named the color, "Girls' Night Out." I might call it "Cape Codder." It is the color of the cocktail, sans the lime garnish. Come to think of it, maybe that's what Girls' Night Out refers to. This will make a beautiful pair of warm socks something (maybe not socks) for me. The soft all-Vermont 70% mohair/30% Romney/Corriedale wool content will make it extra-warm, and the color will be a joy to look at.
We are lucky to have so many talented folks among us, with such lovely products on offer.
In other news, I'm busy warming up my boxing gloves. I'd like to punch a few people's lights out.
seriously, it takes TEMPTING to get you to knit socks? my goodness. if anyone wants to send ME free yarn, i'm an easy girl... total slut.
Posted by: alice | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 12:54 AM
Whose lights?!? Do tell!
Posted by: Anne | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 01:19 AM
Pippi and Jessie are two of my favorite fiber pushers. Sweet, sweet, talented women.
Who was foolish enough to cross you?
Posted by: Maia | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 01:55 AM
Hang in there, my dear, keep sniffing those lavender bars!
Posted by: Kristen | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 02:35 AM
I have to say, my heart broke a little yesterday when you said you were done knitting socks, possibly forevah. hahah.
And it must be wrong that now, I'm craving a Cape Codder. I haven't even had coffee yet.
Who's gonna get their lights punched out??? That sounds scary!
If ya need a quick getaway, I'll park my car in the alley.
Posted by: pippi | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:00 AM
gosh danngit! I forgot to end my italics..
see:COFFEE! Not booze first thing in the am! Sheesh.
Posted by: pippi | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:01 AM
Ooh la la, soaps! I'm a recovering handmadesoapaholic. I still have a mongo loaf of eggnog(!) soap in the linen closet from 2 Christmases ago. I live really close to the [url=http://www.sunfeather.com/]Sunfeather soap factory[/url], and they have a dollar bin, and... Ahem.
Also, that mermaid colorway is amazing!
Posted by: Renee | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Please don't punch me. I'm a wimp.
:@)
Love your soap and your PIPPI YARN? SCRUMPTIOUS! Lucky you! (Except for the punching part)
xo
Posted by: sandy | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Well crap on me for trying to be all fancy with a link.
Posted by: Renee | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:24 AM
Laurie's soap is THE best. My favorite is New Day but I've got Sunshine in the tub right now. Mmmm. Wakes me right up! So, who pissed you off now?
Posted by: Carole | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:54 AM
Resistance is futile. You will be assockilated. (See? Your boxing gloves don't scare me.)
Posted by: Lucia | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 07:42 AM
Oh, oh...now what? I'm sure you'll be telling us soon enough. I too love Laurie's soap!
Posted by: margene | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Okay, Norma, you can't leave us hanging like that. Who's lights are getting punched?
Posted by: Kirsten | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 08:27 AM
You know, I've been watching Laila Ali on Dancing With The Stars... I think boxing would be a great way to get in shape. ; )
Posted by: Vicki | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 08:27 AM
Sweetie, don't take a risk on injuring your hands. Kick 'em in the shins!
Luv that blues yarn!!Lucky you. Lucky Abigail.
Posted by: Roxie | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Sweetie, don't take a risk on injuring your hands. Kick 'em in the shins!
Luv that blues yarn!!Lucky you. Lucky Abigail.
Posted by: Roxie | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Norma, are you kickboxing or what?
I ordered some soaps from Laurie as a gift for my MIL, and sent them with some handmade cotton washcloths. I don't think she's used either the soap or the cloths. I'm gonna take 'em back if she doesn't use them by her next birthday! Laurie's soaps are not something you waste.
Posted by: Carrie | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Aweigh is one of my favorites, too. I keep a little bar next to the kitchen sink.
Posted by: susan | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I'm guessing it's the deposition job and not the uni job.
The Mermaid color is unbelievable!
And it may have been a six-sox weekend, but it's a Red Sox day!
Posted by: Barb Outside Boston | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 11:07 AM
My favorite Blessed Juno soap is Memory - the very scent puts a smile on my face! I also liked Aweigh. I didn't expect to but it really grows on you.
Posted by: Beth | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Ruh roh. Norma's gettin' into violins agin...
Posted by: Lee Ann | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Wow you're sounding very pampered there! Way to go...I think everyone wants to know who will get their lights punched out (?)
Posted by: Carol | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Could the boxing have anything to do with your student skippin' classes? ;) Comments are a wonderful insight into other peoples blogs!
Posted by: Meghan | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Please tell Pippi about Irish Coffee. Loving that Jessie yarn. I hope today is going better for you, sweetie. Remember I'll take care of whoever it is for you. Just need a name. *hugs*
Posted by: Cookie | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 04:10 PM
who you punching? I shall hide...
Posted by: isela | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Hi, is it safe to come in?? lol Seriously, I know what you mean about wanting to punch some peoples lights out, I get that way at times.
The yarns are scrummy looking and I can't wait to see what you knit.
Hid the soaps in lingerie draws etc so you have the excuse you need to go back and order some more "Aweigh". Your knickers will smell nice then too. :-)
Posted by: Sue | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 05:18 PM
I love my Blessed Juno!!!
And Pippi!
Posted by: scout | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Damn girl, boxing! I'm kinda impressed...and slightly scared of you.
Posted by: Silvia | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 07:08 PM
Uh, what'd I say/do/not say/not do now????
Posted by: Dave Daniels | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Gosh, I could so mug a person for that Mermaids yarn. Time to save up my pennies and see if I can procure some (because it's not friendly to mug a person even if it is for yarn).
Posted by: Seanna Lea | Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 02:42 PM