As some of you know, we’ve recently moved to a new apartment. It is slightly smaller than the old one, but has several advantages nonetheless, one of them being that the mail is delivered considerably earlier. At our old place, we would get it anytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now, we usually get it at 10 or 11 a.m.

However, whereas our old mailman would usually bring us even the larger letters/packages and ring the bell for us to come and get them, the new one just leaves a notice for us to pick them up at the local GAS STATION. (Yes, we do have a weird postal system here. There are hardly any post offices anymore.)

Anyway… as I mentioned in my last post, I got one of those notices on Wednesday. I had completely forgotten that my Pal had sent off a package recently, so I was convinced it would be some books I ordered last weekend. It wasn’t.

When I got home, I tried to open the package. I say ‘tried,’ because there was so much tape around the place where I assumed the opening was. Masses of tape. And, of course, the Customs Declaration from which my boyfriend read me the contents before I’d even started with the tape. Argh.

(I know I’m not getting anywhere with this post yet, but have patience!)

I got most of the tape off, not wanting to cut into the envelope for fear of destroying some of its precious content. Here’s what was waiting for me inside (and probably screaming out my name in terror during the horrible PAR AVION ride):

Tissue paper. Lots of tissue paper.

Yarn! Five balls Peruvian Collection Baby Silk in a light green color called (very appropriately) “Peridot”.

More yarn! Two balls Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud in the loveliest of warm browns (”Autumn”). But that wasn’t it:

Two knitting books from 1951 and 1952 (I was practically jumping on the couch when I found these), a tapestry needle set (which I sorely needed), and finally, a 4.5mm circular needle (bamboo!) which I’ve been using to swatch for Forecast. Which is why it isn’t pictured.

I’m so happy! Secret Pal, you made my day. And thank you so much for winding the laceweight into balls! Winding thicker yarn by hand is no problem, but laceweight can be a real pain. And I refuse to spend money on a yarn winder right now.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Pal!