Recently in trips ahoy Category

Until someone obliges me with a appropriate sized head model (waiting for some babies), I'll just have to make do with this rather shabby photo of my latest finished knit: Vine Lace Baby Hat [pdf] (Design by Sandi Wiseheart)

Knit in some leftover Koigu on #3 dpns (my dog ate one) and a some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino to finish off the top when I ran out of yarn.

And hey, Sheep Pez! Before you ask, I got this a while back at Cost Plus/World Market.

My very cute dog is not yarn safe. He ate a Crystal Palace bamboo dpn and regularly treats my yarn/works in progress as his foe, chewing on them and tangling the skeins. He barks at projects, too. I'd show you a picture, but he's cute, and cuteness shouldn't forgive his bad yarn manners.

I ate more food than most people would believe I could consume in a week, never mind a weekend. There was laughter, Ocean's Eleven after we wandered through the Bellagio, and yes, I sacrificed $30 to slot machine/hotel offer powers-that-be.
It was muy fantastico to see my best friend Melissa and enjoy the hot Vegas weather.

(Click to Enlarge)

After an energetic day in Monterey, CA watching birds and eating yummy food, we quietly head home. Time slowed as the sunset slipped into twilight, bidding us farewell. Friends seldom together once again gently flutter apart to continue with everyday life.

According to the TSA, we can now take travel size toiletries (3 oz or less) in a carry-on, if you can fit them all into a quart size bag. There's 32 flouid ounces in a quart. Yay! REI sells a set of nalgene bottles that are square would probably fit in a quart zip bag.

Yay for allowing a small amount of Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols! You can also bring on beverages purchased after the security checkpoint.

There is a dessert known as Baked Alaska and some cruisers consider the flaming dessert to be a cruise standard. To be honest, I can't see waiters around here being up for carrying around a flaming cake near their head. The strobing effect of camera flashes during the movie tells me that flaming cake is special for many people.

Go figure. It was a decent dessert but it is a production food, not a favorite based on flavor. Well, after a few (or more than a few) slightly chewy lobster tails (the crab legs served before the second formal night on the Sun Princess/Princess Cruise Line was absolutely the best frozen crab I've ever had and much better than the lobster) who really cares about dessert? They've shoved you full of an expensive food and given you a flaming dessert. At this point, you're only wondering if you can waddle your way over to the theater in time for tonight's musical show.

Carry-on rules for USA domestic flights have gotten tighter.

What to Know Before You Go

Due to enhanced security measures liquids, gels, lotions and other items of similar consistency will not be permitted in carry-on baggage. These types of items must be packed in your checked baggage.

Additionally, liquids, gels and lotions purchased beyond the checkpoint but must be disposed of before boarding the aircraft.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers the following items are permitted.

* Small amounts of Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling
* Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket
* Up to 8 oz. of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment
* Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol.

As I am one of those people who tries to travel with just a carry-on, here are a few suggestions for products which may be allowed onboard.
Lush Shampoo Bars
Lush Solid Conditioner
Soap Sheets
Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Chapstick form [also at Border's Bookstores]

I haven't found a powdered tooth paste (tooth powder?) but these items might cover a few of the gender neutral basics. Anyone find a solid lotion yet? Also, they don't cost much so you can toss a product into the trash if the TSA agent decides that solid hair care products (like a soap, not vaseline) is a threat to security.

Remaining tip: slice up your solid soaps with a bread knife. No need to bring an entire bar of anything for a quick trip.

++ The capable flyertalk members contribute suggestions for non-liquid and non-gel toiletries

I'm back from Alaska now and still swaying around a bit, dizzy, with my land legs. Melissa is on her way to St. Louis for grad school so let's all give her a big "Welcome to St. Louis!" and send good thoughts her way. It was a sad moment for me on Sunday night and yesterday afternoon when just hugged each other really tight. It isn't bidding my best friend goodbye but rather saying hello to a new time zone, city, and more air travel.

I wish you well my friend. Best of luck! May your journey be smooth and your opportunities endless. And remember to keep an eye out for those yarn stores in St. Louis. If anyone gives you lip, poke them for me.

[Pic: Freecia in Seattle]

Howdy there. I just spent a ton of money on yarn made from Alaskan Musk-ox. I'm not yet convinced that it is better than cashmere, but it will be the souvenier of a lifetime!

It rained in Ketchikan almost all morning as we walked about town, admiring the gorgeous views. So far vacation has been the typical cruise- eat, sleep, eat, and eat.

Update: Comments have been closed due to spammers. If you're interested in swapping, please leave a comment in the most recent blog entry and I'll be sure to read it.

Gimmie Your Stuff from this North Californian near San Francisco.

I can offer:
See's Candy. Californian expats, yes, See's Candy.
Ghiradelli Chocolate
Scharffenberger Chocolate
Peet's Coffee
Starbucks
Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Goods
Mexican Hot Cocoa

Yarn and Knitting/Crochet Accessories (6 yarn stores in a 1 hour radius and I work in one of them. Need I really say more?)
Fabric
English Books & CDs from Amazon.com
Used Books
Beads
Computer Magazines & Books (including Make Magazine)
Pens (including inexpensive Fountain Pens)
Thrift store finds.

What I'd like:
Unique snack goods
Yarn (non-Acrylic)
Knitting Goodies
Fabric
Local Magazines
British Chick Lit
Pens, Mechanical Pencils (esp. Fountain Pens)
Local "Top Singles" on the radio.
Craft Books
(In no particular order)

Open for Swapping. Post a comment to make me an offer.

Disneyland Photos are up on Flickr. They'll get to the gallery at some point, too.
See the entire Disneyland Set