Scared the be-jay-birds out of that thing

Saw a bluejay chasing a squirrel down the fenceline so fast I didn’t know that little bushytail could do it.  Just to let me know who was ruling the roost around here, Little Bird Blue came over to pose triumphantly for me.

Now look at that thing. I grew up with Eastern jays, frumpily plump. This one’s ready for a bikini and the beach. 

Meantime, I’m not quite done with the first 430 yard skein of the seacell/silk fingering weight I bought from Dianne at Stitches, and this shawl already stretches to 18″ at a guess, pre-blocking, across 397 stitches.  Nice!  I want it short and tied in front, a style I like with a lightweight yarn like this one is. I’m going to take a second ball and add an edging, though, so I’m not done yet. Then just add water, and the lace stretches out on its towel and shows off its stitches.

And then.  I got a package in the mail today, a delightful gift from Karin.  This is my favorite silk jacket and her Wine colorway in an 80/20 merino/nylon blend, an on-the-heavy-side sock yarn.  What a match!  And unlike most such blends, it feels so soft that I was sure at first it must have been mislabeled and pure merino in real life.  It is seriously lovely stuff. Thank you, Karin.

(Okay, now, hold still Miss Jay while I measure you for your suit. I’ll make sure to have enough yarn left over for you. How about a little ribbon tied at the back–you know, bow-‘tocks goes so well with that look.  Can’t have you being, you know, nekkid as a jaybird over there.)