Momofuku Me

Met DH in our old 'hood, around the corner from our previous apartment, the love nest, to have dinner at Momofuku. It took him a little while to order.

While perusing the menu, we settled quickly on a carafe of unfiltered sake.

Had to get the pork buns. Primo. So succulent.

Had to get the chicken wings. They used to be perfect, not so, but still good.
DH got the usual No. 1 Pork Ramen.

I got the usual spicy kimchee stew.

Dessert was a quince and maple soft serve twist with crushed pecans. Ahhh.

Solar Return 2009: Neptune 1st Natal Planet to Rise

My natal neptune at 21 Scorpio 35 is the first natal planet to rise in my 2009 Solar Return Chart which shows Scorpio on the Ascendant.

According to Celeste Teal:
The angles of the return chart show points of energy manifestation, so planets on the angles of the return chart are quite dynamic, whether a natal or return planet. The return period will see a release of the planetary energy as it accurately reflects the nature of events taking place. The subsequent transit of the return planet or luminary across the angles tends to trigger events, especially dynamic if also contacting one or more angular planets at the same time.

The first natal planet to rise to the return Ascendant is nearly always quite explanatory of the trend relating to the issues and events signified by the return planet. This is similar to the indicators shown by the Horary Ascendant and the first natal planet to rise to the transiting configurations in the progressed chart. This natal planet testifies to the type of activity coming due.

Neptune suggests the dissolving of old connections and the forming of new ones. On one hand, it may show intrigue, clouds of confusion, misrepresentation, or deceit, and, on the other hand, the ultimate realization of dreams. It is a neutral planet and overall configurations will indicate whether to anticipate its bright or dark side.

Natal Neptune is in a 2 degree applying trine to SR Uranus, a 3 degree applying conjunction to SR Asc, a 58 minute separating semisquare to Mars and a 1 degree separating square to SR Neptune.

Neptune/Uranus Trine
Insights into your deeper, more spiritual nature are available to you during this period of time. You may be able to discover whole new areas of your psyche or mind that have been closed up to now. Insights into dreams and ideals.

Neptune/Asc Conjunction
You will find easier expression and communication of your inner dreams and ideals to others. A sense of imagination and unity occuring solely in thought now becomes manifest in reality and is carried through to your person.

Neptune/Mars Semisquare
The semisquare is teaching persistance and patience in the face of obstacles that prevent you from changing and adapting in the manner your prefer. Your current crop of dreams and ideals may not feel right to you or may seem to go against all that normally motivates you. It may be easy to be misled and to find yourself pouring energy and effort into directions that will bring no return. Find another approach to circumvent the roadblock. There is always another way.

Neptune/Neptune Square
A time when dreams, fantasies, and the urge to be free of this hard world could themselves be a fantasy that deceives and misleads you. Your own goals and ideals may be stressed and challenged.

Jets End the '08 Season

We got the AFC Championship tickets!

Not that they are of any use at this stage. The Jets ended their season today with a lose to Miami.
We took Jake and Scott to the game, which was alternately fun and exasperating.






Although the home team lost, Jake had a great time and said he would remember attending with us all forever. So cute.

After the game we went to Steve's Sizzling Steaks in Carlstadt. So very NJ in it's dining ambiance. Jake got a steak the size of his head!

Hannukah '08

Me and MIL make Latkes

DH squishes grated potato and onion dry

Frying up the latkes


Hannukah dinner

MIL likes her camera

FIL like his cashmere sweaters

Figuring out the camera

Lighting the last night's candles

Christmas '08

At the tree

DH, Dad and all 10 Uncles pic

DH's gifts get Hanukkah paper

Dad's fleece

Mom's bracelet

Bye-Bye! Merry Xmas!

Mt. Snow '08

Breakfast at Dot's

Handground wheatbread and Award winning Berry Berry pancakes



Old Mill Inn

Mt. Snow '08

Gearing up to Snowboard
I did five runs, conditions were okay, some areas like the Exhibiton run where amazing. DH skiied like the devil was after him like he always does. We went until 1:30pm and broke for lunch. It got dark early and we decided to check out the town some more.
HandKnits Yarn Shop

In a good spot, but the shop is in disarray, things everywhere like a bomb went off. Made it difficult to shop. Now I am a shopper, and if I had a hard time, you know this was really disorganized. Too bad as there seemed to be some nice items there.
River and Old Mill Inn
The river that runs past the mill had frozen chunks that floated past. Very pretty in a wintery way.

Mt. Snow '08

Welcome to Mt. Snow

Mt. Snow Bear


Mt. Snow Bar

Seared tuna salad

West Dover General Store

Winter Sunset

Christmas Tree View from Room

Wilmington town

Dinner at the Anchor

December Holiday 08: Willmington Village, VT

We decided last weekend on where to spend the Christmas Holiday: Willmington Village, VT. Wilmington is in the Deerfield Valley of the Green Mountains of southern Vermont. The village is in the midst of a picturesque mountainous countryside. We'll be staying at a quaint local mill inn for a lovely extended four day holiday and hitting Mt. Snow to do some snowboarding and skiing.

The inn is a wayside tavern offering good food, drink, comfy hospitality in New England tradition. We chose the inn because of it's proximity to the mountain and location in the historic district of Wilmington Village, known for its blend of shops galleries, restaurants and pubs. The inn has kept its unique old sawmill character; the belts, pulleys, circular saws, shafts and sheaves are still in place. The Deerfield River meanders past the inn, sparkling in the changing winter landscape.

Sweater for My Mister: Swatching

I started swatching for the Chad Pullover I am knitting up for DH. It should be completed in time for Valentine's Day. I have a stash of Siberian Midnight Peace Fleece worsted for this project. This indigo blue is my favorite shade!
The pattern directions call for use of size 5 needles for the ribbing and size 7 for the main pattern. I like to use bamboo needles which makes for a looser knit, and since I'm already a loose knitter, planned to try the size 7 needle and work my way down to get proper gauge. The 7s were too loose and I went down to a size 5 needle before the exact 16.5 stitches per 4 inches matched the required gauge requirement.
I'll go down to size 3 needles for the ribbing and start to knit that portion this evening.

Sorel Boots

Standing in ankle high snow in my dress boots during the last snow storm, I remembered that my Rocket Dog snowshoeing boots are somewhere in storage. The Lands End boots I got last year aren't supportive in the ankles or arches and my dogs ache after wearing them in bad weather. I need to pack for the Vermont trip and no doubt I'm going to need serious snow boots this season. I opted for Sorel boots and chose the Waterfall Snow Boot. I need them to arrive before Wednesday evening, so I went for the quick ship.

It's made of suede leather, soft while also being supportive and with a fleece collar. The seam-sealed construction is waterproof to keep feet dry and warm, down to -40ºF and lined with a soft layer of fast-drying Thinsulate™ Ultra insulation and shock-absorbing EVA midsole. The rubber cupsole tread helps keep balance on a variety of frozen surfaces and is completely non-marking. Nice toasty toes.

Yule '08

Polyhymnia Coven's Disco Ganesha


Entelehy Coven's Yule Altar

Yulies!

Entelechy Consorts Patrick and Tim

Katie and Jasper

Elevator to dinner out

Today's Tarot: 9 of Disks

I've been feeling a little aprehensive about taking action on a decision I've made. I don't know how a particular request of mine will be received. DH and I are attending the Yule celebration at Polyhymnia this evening. This is my card for the day.

The Nine of Disks

The Lord of Gain is one of the cards which usually receives a hearty welcome when it comes up in a reading. At the mundane level it indicates the financial rewards which come from working diligently and dedicatedly on an important project, so it will often mark a stage of completion. In the workplace it will show that hard work is rewarded both by appreciation and an increase of salary. Sometimes it can indicate promotion (though rarely a total change of workplace) earned as a result of loyalty and attention to detail.

As you'll remember, Disks not only deal with our financial area, but also with day-to-day security in the family environment. So sometimes the Lord of Gain can come up to indicate consolidation and achievement at home. Perhaps an emotional conflict has finally been resolved, or a long-standing problem finally dealt with.

At the spiritual level, this card talks a lot about the principle that what we give to life is what we get back. And here we have confirmation that we have lived as much as we are able in the moment, appreciating the things that come our way, and celebrating the bounty we have. As a result, more abundance flows in.

The card rarely indicates windfalls, or unexpected sources of income. Here we have worked hard to create something rewarding, and the Lord of Gain indicates the results of our efforts.

That phrase 'what goes around comes around' is very relevant to this card. The Lord of Gain is a card that indicates that we have set in motion some plan or project, and we are now reaching a point of completion with it.

So on the day ruled by the 9 of Disks, we need to be open to opportunities which allow us to conclude work that has been outstanding; remain alert to new chances opening up before us; and ready to seize the moment when it appears.

This card accords with the ancient wisdom that we give what we get in life - so this is also a day to look for opportunities to offer our help and resources with no immediate expectation of return.

Take up chances to serve - whether in a mundane fashion, or to a higher source, in the sure knowledge that the things you give with love are the ones which build a bright new world.

It is the help we give to others with a happy heart, the sympathy we offer without judgement, the gentleness with which we treat ourselves and others that will change things.

When we do this, we set in motion a stream of positive, caring energy, which will travel around the world and return to us - vastly changed, and yet almost the same. What we gave to somebody else with no thought of reward or gain, is what we truly gain when it comes our way again.

Affirmation: I open myself to life's bounty with gratitude

Clear objectives
Atrologically, this is a good day for carrying out plans that you have been making, for making decisions and for communicating with others about important matters. However, there is one danger with this influence. Although you will hear other people's ideas, you may not heed them adequately. It is not enough to play around in your mind with new ideas; you must also allow them to affect your own thinking. Do not be so caught up in your own cleverness that you cannot see it in others. But if you keep the dangers in mind, you can do extremely good work under this influence and make it come out well. As long as your frame of reference is objective and you see the needs of others as clearly as your own, your thinking will be very effective.

The interpretation above is for your transit selected for today:
Mercury Square Med.Coeli, exact at 06:18

Dinner with the GFs

We planned a December get together with the girlfriends a month and a half early, just to be sure we would find the time and because that particular Friday night we all had free.
Back in the day, in the 90's, we were living in each others pockets. Now that life has shifted - new jobs, live in lovers, engagements, marriage, children- that's not possible but we've kept in touch over the years.
Last night we braved the crazy cold rain and snow to get to Schillers Liquour Bar, we camped out at a corner table, ate, drank and caught up for four hours. It took me two hours to get there, one hour spent standing in ankle deep snow waiting for buses that never came. This in my favorite $300 Charles Davids. Not one of us had snow boots on. It was girls night and Friday in the city. We were all rocking killer shoes.
I was wearing business cas, what I had put on for work that day. If I had worn a more Friday cas work outfit, I would have gone along with Sarah to club at Love. Probably a good thing, since I need to get up early tomorrow and dig out my car.
You'd think the waitress would be annoyed that we were there so long, the table next to us turned over three times while we were there. We didn't feel badly about it since we did the whole shebang from appetizers to entrees to dessert, cocktails before, during and after.
Schillers is the place to go when you're with your gfs that like a serious cocktail. I was drinking Manhattan's all night until we got a bottle of Prosecco to go along with dessert. Bec was drinking Pimms Cups which were amazing. Sarah was drinking a Mango fizz, very girly. Steph her standard brewski. Surprisingly, we were not drunk. We'd been eating, sharing each others meals, through the evening. Do get the toffee cake with a side of ice cream, it's the best thing on the menu.

OTN: Mermaid Socks STR Fire on the Mountain

I've been saving up my favorite Socks That Rock colorway, Fire on the Mountain, for just the right pattern. That pattern is Lucy Neatby's Mermaid Socks.
Aren't they fab?
I like the wave rick rack edge and the spiral pattern. The color pooling is making lightning bolts of color.

Monthly & Daily Numerology Horoscope for December 2008

Your December 2008 Numerology Forecast.
December is a 3 Personal Month in a 9 Personal Year. It's time to lighten up. Be playful, enjoy yourself. Don't take things too serious. It is time to recharge your batteries. There will be ample opportunity for social events and you should take advantage of that. Your creativity is enhanced, and so is your sense of humor. This is not a time to force any issues. Let things happen at their own pace. You are approaching a time of more energy, more opportunities, and progress, but before that happens, take this month to rest and relax. You are entering a 1 Personal Year which brings much progress and a new beginning. This 9 Personal Year has been a year of letting go, next year is a time of renewal, almost rebirth.
DECEMBER 1)
You're capable, realistic, and especially good at planning today. An important opportunity may present itself; however, it's best to exercise skepticism. Review all facts attached to an offer or proposal. It's quite possible that someone may be exaggerating or lying. If this is indeed the case, avoid emotional confrontations.

DECEMBER 2)
You're so quick witted and restless today that you may consider taking a trip or being more social than is usually your nature. You're also prone to boredom, so look for new ways to tackle old problems. Today is wonderful for self promotion, retail, or selling anything.

DECEMBER 3)
A financial opportunity may surface today. It's a great day to fearlessly exercise your negotiation skills. On the personal front, a relationship may become more serious as commitment issues are placed on the table.

DECEMBER 4)
You may feel a strong need for answers and knowledge. This could very well be a time of soul searching for you, and you might feel a bit lonely. Your head may be in the proverbial clouds, so exercise caution when dealing with mechanical items.

DECEMBER 5)
Your personal power is on the rise, and you may find yourself feeling more uninhibited and generous. Today is a day of blessings and rewards; old friends will provide comfort and inspiration.

DECEMBER 6)
Today is about letting go, and there may be a restructuring or release of a friendship. Your priorities are changing, and today is about forgiveness, tolerance, and exercising compassion.

DECEMBER 7)
Your independence is highlighted today. It's time to stand on your own two feet and forge forward, despite a perceived lack of support. You may find yourself starting a new project today, and the possibility of meeting someone new is strong. Guard against forgetfulness.

DECEMBER 8)
A heart to heart talk will help solve a personality conflict once and for all. You may be feeling a little out of place today, but you will have an opportunity to be of service to others. Romance touches your day.

DECEMBER 9)
Today is an upbeat, optimistic day. A problem that has vexed you for some time may finally have a solution. You may be the recipient of information that brings you closer to others.

DECEMBER 10)
Strong, clear energy and the possibility for major opportunity exist today. Focus on work and planning, and avoid the emotional cobwebs of others. Your intuition is strong, so rely on what you know and don't take someone else's word for it.

DECEMBER 11)
You may find yourself discussing or embarking on a trip today. Not a great day for details; it's better to take advantage of today's self-promoting energy to get off the beaten path and be social.

DECEMBER 12)
Family matters require your time and attention today. A younger person may look to you for support and guidance, or you may feel duty bound by someone close to you. It's also a great day for finances, but hold off on any negotiations until tomorrow.

DECEMBER 13)
You may find yourself changing your priorities today and engaging in self-criticism. A confrontation with a loved one is possible, so keep your cool. Today is about your own spiritual realizations, wisdom, and hope. You're comfortable being alone today and will probably be in a somewhat self-reflective frame of mind.

DECEMBER 14)
You're ambitious today, and this is good for business. You may engage in work planning, and be looked upon as a source of authority. On the personal front, healing in relationships is possible. You're a person of influence today, and you may be the recipient of promising news. A lack of care for detail is something of which to be aware.

DECEMBER 15)
Success is yours today, and your feelings of accomplishment touch everything you do. Don't miss this chance to pamper yourself and engage in some mind-body healing. It'll do you good.

DECEMBER 16)
Exercise leadership today, and don't hesitate to push your ideas and agenda forward. Others will look to you for direction. You're also likely to meet someone new. Today is a day of progress if you don't let fear get in the way.

DECEMBER 17)
You're more sensitive and intuitive than usual. You may find yourself having vivid dreams or even premonitions. Today you may wear the hat of mediator in a dispute, and you'll do so with great success. Love and romance are also likely to have an effect on you today.

DECEMBER 18)
Your creativity continues to manifest in every area of your life today. A sense of excitement permeates your daily routine, and at times you may lack focus. Clear communication is important today.

DECEMBER 19)
Today is hectic and demanding, and may require some degree of self sacrifice. Forgotten duties and deadlines pile up. Maintain an even pace and keep your eye on the prize.

DECEMBER 20)
Passion, romance, and unexpected changes color your world today. An unforeseen trip may be necessary, or a last minute invitation could be extended. You're longing for excitement, which is fine, as long as you exercise a bit of discipline and don't let self-indulgent tendencies get the better of you.

DECEMBER 21)
Changes affecting family and friends are possible today. A move or other change of home or work environment are also on the horizon. You'll experience an increased workload and responsibility. Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today...

DECEMBER 22)
You may find yourself wanting to withdraw from the world today to engage in some self-reflection. You're curious about the world and feel a heightened sense of your own purpose. Trust your instincts today, and deal with bottled up feelings.

DECEMBER 23)
It's a good day for taking care of any sort of business, as long as you remain flexible. Changes are on order for the day. Be careful to exercise sensitivity in romantic relationships; you may miss a tempting opportunity if you're emotionally unaware.

DECEMBER 24)
Love and Romance rule the day, and you're at your creative best. You may suffer a minor disappointment due to the disloyalty of a friend or family member, but worry not. This too shall pass. Good news may arrive for you in the evening hours.

DECEMBER 25)
Your personal power is strong today. You may find yourself starting a new endeavor, or engaging n a new pursuit that is based in self-expression or spirituality. You're connected with the world today, and it may be a good idea to jot it all down on paper.

DECEMBER 26)
You're fine tuned and sensitive today, reading other people easily and clearly. You may play the part of the peacemaker today, and others may perceive you as being a bit self-righteous. Try not to annoy others with the force of your convictions.

DECEMBER 27)
You may feel as if an important change is taking place within, but are not yet clear about its true nature. You are going through a transforming growth spurt, and may not have much patience with yourself. Don't try to analyze what's going on; just roll with it. Romance is highly favored today.

DECEMBER 28)
You'll find accomplishment through work, and with it, added respect. Dependability may be an issue today, and routine matters must be handled. It's possible that a moral issue may surface for you or someone close to you.

DECEMBER 29)
You may find your interests expanding today, and you're probably going to be feeling more liberated than you have in a long time. New people, social gatherings, and possibly romance may broaden your horizon. Be careful not to over-indulge or become careless in the midst of so much activity.

DECEMBER 30)
Today is a lucky day for you, in which you're likely to experience progress in your career and/or finances. You feel a sense of closeness with relatives and friends, and an overall healing of the heart. Few things could be better.

DECEMBER 31)
You may be feeling more serious and less playful today. You're in a more contemplative mood than usual, and this is a great time to exercise patience and spend some quiet time with people who inspire you.

Numerology

Your Life Path is 3

Your Life Path (sometimes called Destiny) is derived from your birth date. Your Life path is the road you are traveling. It reveals the opportunities and challenges you will face in life. Your Life Path number is the single most important information available in your Personality Chart!

You possess a great talent for creativity and self expression. Many writers, poets, actors and musicians are born under the 3 Life Path. You are witty, possess a gift for gab, and savor the limelight. Your talent for the expressive arts is so abundant that you may well have felt drawn to becoming an artist while still very young. Your artistic abilities can only be developed, however, through discipline and commitment to the true development of your talent. Commitment, concentration and hard work are the only means of bringing forth your talent. Thanks to your gift for self expression, you can be the life of the party, and the center of attention. However, you could easily squander your talent by becoming a social butterfly.

Your creativity is the gift that can give you the comfort and luxury you desire, but not without continual focus and discipline. You are optimistic and possess the resilience to overcome many setbacks. You are socially active, popular, and inspire people with your sunny "happy go lucky" attitude. You can be generous to a fault. Many people born under the 3 Life Path have difficulty handling money because they can be disorganized and not particularly serious about their responsibilities. You are emotional and vulnerable. When hurt, you withdraw into a cloud of silence, eventually emerging from your reticence with jokes and laughter that cover up your true feelings. You can become moody and cynical when depressed. You can succumb to sarcastic remarks, which can be painful to those around you. When used positively, your talent for self expression can be a great inspiration force in the world, uplifting others, and bringing much success and happiness to you.

Your Birth Day number is 7
You possess a highly-developed mind. It is your instrument for investigating the world and all its subjects. You are philosophically and spiritually oriented. You can and should specialize in one given field in order to make full use of your abilities and your natural intellectual gifts. You tend to be analytical and rational in your approach to relationships. Emotions are a cloudy and uncertain realm for you, which, very often, you do not trust. Emotional people are sometimes viewed by you as a bit immature or unpredictable.

You have excellent intuition. You should meditate and do some type of spiritual exercise in order to develop your intuitive talents. Once you have begun to trust your intuition, you will develop a sound faith. You should avoid taking anything at face value. Nor should you take excessive chances or gamble. You are not the type that should be given to reckless living. It tends to backfire quickly for you. You prefer to work alone and set your own pace. You tend to finish projects once started. Your interest leans to the scientific, technical, and metaphysical.

You are very sensitive and feel deeply, but you don't share your feelings easily and do not communicate them well. You like to spend time alone but have to be careful not to become too withdrawn. You can be opinionated and stubborn. You must guard against becoming too analytical, cold-hearted, and cynical. You can be highly critical and self-centered - traits that can lead to much unhappiness, especially in marriage, if you are not careful. Once married, you tend to be loyal and faithful.

Make the most of your gifts of mind without losing your heart in the process. Share your emotions with those you trust, and maintain long-lasting close relationships. This will balance your mental life and will be a source of great comfort.

Period Cycles
The hidden power of the Period Cycles:
There are two important long-term cycles in numerology. Pinnacle Cycles and Period Cycles.

Period Cycles last 27 years or more. The minimum time-span is always at least 3 full epi-cycles of 9 years, but they can be even longer.
The Period Cycles are usually not as strongly felt as the Pinnacle Cycles. Therefore, we only devote two or three paragraphs to each Period Cycle. You will find that we pay a lot more attention to the Pinnacle Cycles found later in this exercise.
It is, however, interesting to note that the Period Cycles form the base structure of all the cycles found in your chart, including the Life Path, the Pinnacles, the Challenges, and the medium-term and short-term cycles we will discuss later.

About your Period Cycles:
Like most stories, there are three great divisions of our lives: the First, or opening period, finds us groping to find our true nature; at the same time, we are trying to cope with the powerful forces that are present in our environment, our parents and the socio-economic conditions of our family, for example. The Second Cycle, or middle period of our lives, brings about the slow emergence of our individual and creative talents. The initial part of this cycle - the early and mid 30s - represents a struggle to find our place in the world, while the late 30s, 40s, and early 50s, sees us with a greater degree of self-mastery and influence over the environment. The Third, or final Cycle, can represent a flowering of our inner being, such that our true nature has finally come to fruition. It is during this period that one has the greatest degree of self-expression and power.

It is possible to repeat a Period Cycle.

The ages that Period Cycles influence you vary from person to person based on the Life Path number. Remember you made a note of your Life Path number! If you didn't, and you forgot, you can go back to Life Path to refresh your memory.

The table below gives you the duration of your First Period Cycle based on your Life Path.


Your Life Path is 3
Your First Period Cycle runs from: age 0 - 33
Your Second Period Cycle runs from: age 33 - 60
Your Third Period Cycle runs from: age 60 >

Your First Period Cycle is 1:
You were born in January.
This a period of much intensity. It requires fortitude, courage, and flexibility. You will be forced to use every one of your talents in order to achieve your own personal individuality and independence. This is a period of integration and a focusing on your life's dream. Your grip on your direction will be tested, but somehow the resources are available to overcome any obstacle and emerge from this time all the stronger. It is a time requiring independence, resilience, and strength, but these characteristics become integral part of your personality. This cycle marks a time of progress

Your Second Period Cycle is 7:
You were born on the 7th day of the month.
A time to specialize, think deeply, and contemplate the deeper questions of life. Study a subject you enjoy in depth. You are attracted to the fields of science, technology, philosophy, and metaphysics. Become an expert in a specific area. You have excellent intuition and a mind that can penetrate beneath the surface of any subject you commit to. Focus your energies and thoughts. This is a period of inner development. Meditation, contemplation, and self-reflection are means of inner enrichment. Develop wisdom. Relationship may seem burdensome at times because of the desire to spend time alone. There is some resistance to sharing your deeper feelings with others. The inner life is so compelling that you will want to immerse yourself in it. Share the knowledge you accumulate by teaching, counseling, or simply talking to others.

Your Third Period Cycle is 22

A time of enormous potential for establishing some lasting institution or teaching that will greatly benefit others. You have the ability to perceive something in the archetypal world and make it manifest in the earth. Your abilities as a builder, organizer, and visionary are at a peak. You are able to perceive a deep need in people and to create a constructive and practical plan to fulfill that need. You will be forced to commit yourself entirely to the work at hand. For many, this dream will last a lifetime and require every ounce of energy and every bit of talent. It is an all-consuming role that beckons, but one that will provide the greatest sense of personal accomplishment and reward. You are able to make a lasting contribution to the well-being of humanity.


Pinnacle Cycles
The Pinnacles are four long-term cycles, or periods, on our Life Path. Each Pinnacle represents a particular lesson we are working on. The first Pinnacle usually lasts from birth to between the ages of 30 and 35 (your specific Pinnacle periods are provided below - as with the Period Cycles, the duration depends on your Life Path number). The middle two Pinnacles each last nine years. The last Pinnacle will stay with you for the remainder of your life.
The Pinnacles are very important. The transition from one Pinnacle to the next is always strongly felt. Your Pinnacles reveal the general conditions and events you will experience during the period. The Pinnacle describes the atmosphere, or the essential challenge you will be faced with.
You can prepare yourself for the times ahead by knowing your approaching Pinnacle number.
The transition from one Pinnacle to the next is usually prepared for approximately 2 years in advance. The latter part of that two year period is particularly strong. You will likely make some life-altering decisions - marriage, job or career change, or any number of major changes in your character.
Perhaps the most strongly felt change - internally as well as externally
- is the transition from the first to the second Pinnacle. This change usually takes place in your late 20s or early 30s - the exact date depends on your Life Path number and is provided below. You begin to feel the impact of this coming change approximately two years prior. This is usually a difficult transition, but once crossed usually provides a clear sense of direction in one's life. It also gives you a much firmer sense of your identity. It is a gateway to maturity.

Your 1st Pinnacle Cycle runs from: age 0 - 33
Your 2nd Pinnacle Cycle runs from: age 33 - 42
Your 3rd Pinnacle Cycle runs from: age 42 - 51
Your 4th Pinnacle Cycle runs from: age 51 >

Your First Pinnacle Cycle is 8: Month and Day of Birth combined
Under the influences of this Pinnacle, you will have greatly enhanced talent for dealing successfully with business and finances. This is a time of material growth, a time of expansion and reward. It is the cycle of harvest.
The 8 Pinnacle also increases your personal power. You have sound judgment and vision. In fact, this is the basis of your financial success.
People sense your power and effectiveness. They defer to you much more easily, and look to you for answers. This makes it easier for you to use power without having to be a bully or force your way through situations. They perceive your ableness and want to join you in your vision. Others have faith in you.
You will be able to organize large enterprises. Problems do not threaten you so much as provide a challenge. You yourself sense your enhanced personal powers and feel a growing sense of stability and centeredness. You will be capable of influencing matter in an almost magical way. As a result, you are extremely goal oriented, moving toward the realization of your dreams with confidence and clarity.
Your challenge during this period is to maintain a hold on your human and spiritual values. You must remain balanced between heaven and earth. There will be enormous temptations to make money and status your only priorities, excluding the more human or immaterial matters entirely. This will undoubtedly lead to losses. You are being tested and instructed in the real value of money - it's natural place in life. If money is placed on a high altar, overshadowing all other facets of life, you will become its slave.
If you are balanced in your approach to money, and have proper perspective, this can be a truly rewarding period, both materially and spiritually. That is the true promise of the 8.
The number 8 symbolizes the balance between the finite and infinite, matter and spirit. It offers a great opportunity to grow.


Your Second Pinnacle Cycle is 11: Day and Year of Birth numbers combined
This is a challenging period in which you are at a high point of sensitivity and intuition. There is so much going on in your psyche that you can suffer much confusion over direction and identity. On the other hand, there is a wide open channel between the personal consciousness and the higher realms of the unconscious. You are constantly being inspired and even assaulted by information and insight.
Because of the intensity of these revelations, you must learn to ground your life in faith and a practical vocation that keeps your feet on the ground everyday.
This is a period of enormous spiritual and personal growth. You will come out of it with a highly uncommon clarity and understanding of life. At the same time, it is a period of enormous demands, emotionally and spiritually. Any attachment you might have to specific identity traits - who you think you are and why you are here, for example - is constantly challenged.
There is a desire to settle into some field or way of life to attain stability, but the energy of this Pinnacle is not allowing it. It is as if there is a destination, or destiny, to which you are being driven. You do not feel in control of this process. Instead, you are acutely aware of the forces that are shaping your life. You must surrender to them.
Meanwhile, you experience the emotional turmoil that can come with this highly charged period.
There is a definite, even compelling, sense of being different. You are aware of a feeling of receiving special attention from spiritual forces. Your perception of life is somehow more acute than others; you see more clearly and more spiritually due to your high degree of sensitivity. It is as if you have a perfectly accurate peripheral vision, in which everything stands out in sharp relief. At times you may feel that you can see into the souls of things.
At the same time, you may feel like a foreigner to the earth. You are completely impractical. Sometimes you may feel that you do not understand the workings of the physical world. Practical things escape you. You feel awkward and clumsy at times, and are aware perhaps how fluidly other lives are going. This increases your sense of being an outsider.
More important than all the awkwardness and feelings of being different is the overwhelming sense of having a purpose or a message to reveal that will make other people's lives happier, healthier, and more at peace. You want desperately to bring this out.
The challenge of the 11 Pinnacle is to remain grounded and attached to this dream. You must find practical and useful ways to be of service to others, at the same time developing yourself so that one day you may be able to bring forth that which is within you.
The influences of this period make you highly creative, innovative, and inventive. You have a completely unconventional approach to problems. Trust your intuition, seek harmonious settings to restore your sense of inner peace, and work hard to keep your feet on the ground. This period will bring great rewards on all levels, and with perseverance you will find your rightful place.

Your Third Pinnacle Cycle is 1: 1st and 2nd Pinnacle numbers combined
This is a period requiring much independence, courage, resiliency, and initiative. You must bounce back after many difficult experiences. The challenge of this Pinnacle is to gain will power.
There is not a lot of support from others or from family. You must draw from your own strength. You will have to guard against self pity or surrender. Keep focused on your dreams. This Pinnacle will require an iron will to keep hold of your goals, and also the flexibility to maneuver around difficulties, and bend with the winds of adversity.
This is a period of rapid self-improvement and growth. You will be forced to use every talent and capability you possess. You will need to be resourceful.
You must continually put out effort, but with it comes great reward. Without it, there is no accomplishment nor satisfaction, only a negative attitude toward life.
Be careful not to become too self centered, headstrong or self important. Be strong but flexible. Be open to the counsel of others, but make up your own mind.
The benefit of this Pinnacle number is a strong sense of your individuality and strength. You will know what you are made of. There are many hidden gifts in this period, perhaps the greatest of which is faith.
Your Pinnacle provides you with the characteristics of leadership, boldness, and daring. You will have many unconventional ideas and the skill and courage to make them a reality. Your abilities to manage and organize people and institutions are greatly enhanced. You have vision and confidence in the worth of your dreams.
These characteristics provide great opportunity for success and major accomplishments.

Your Fourth Pinnacle Cycle is 5: Month and Birth Year numbers combined
This is a period that will teach the realities of freedom and expansion. You will travel great distances, meet many new and interesting people, experience many adventures, and essentially come to know the world. You are in a period of accelerated experimentation and learning. Experience is your teacher.
Your ability with words is greatly increased. You can write and speak with ease. You are also able to successfully promote yourself. In fact, this is the source of much adventure; new opportunities for work, travel, and exotic experiences present themselves with regularity.
Your challenge is to prevent yourself from becoming a rolling stone. You need to ground yourself in a particular discipline, career, or relationship. This will not limit your freedoms so much as give you a base for operation. Otherwise, you may find yourself skipping from one meaningless job to the next, one superficial relationship after another. You can also fall victim to the abuse of food, alcohol, sex, or drugs.
You may fear being anchored or tied down, which can cause you to skim the surface of a pursuit you enjoy, or important relationships.
You must come to know the true meaning of freedom, which is unconditional love. You give your love and energy without the condition of holding on to a place, a person, or an occupation; and you expect the same in return - to be loved for what you are, rather than someone who belongs to another. There is a highly spiritual path offering itself that requires detachment without loss of love.
Many turn away from this and instead choose to maintain a superficial relationship with the world, or with other people.
You must cultivate your talents, especially your verbal and writing abilities. You are likely a gifted salesperson, or promoter.
You must accept limitations as a necessary base for your freedom. Freedom cannot exist without limitations, otherwise you would be without identity, and without existence.

Challenges
Each of us is born with both strengths and weaknesses. Numerology looks at life as if it were an educational process that is meant to bring out and enhance our talents, and turn our weaknesses into strengths. This serves to complete our being.
The job of becoming whole is one in which we must face our weaknesses and consciously work to improve ourselves. There are four Challenges to be faced during our lives. For many of us, the same challenge is repeated, while others have four distinctly different lessons to learn.

The Challenges on your life's path provide specific lessons that you must attend to, and, in order to inspire and help you, life will place you in situations that require the specific characteristics of your Challenge numbers.
The four Challenges you are required to overcome during the course of this lifetime will influence you during different periods of your life, except for the Third or Main Challenge, which lasts from birth until death.

The Challenges are fluid periods of your life, not confined to specific years so much as general periods. All of your Challenges are present at birth, like actors standing in the wings. Most of us overcome our Challenges at least to some extend, if not entirely.
The duration of the First Challenge usually lasts from birth until approximately the age of 30 to 35. The Second Challenge most strongly influences your during the middle part of your life until about age 55 to 60. The Third Challenge is also called your Main Challenge and is felt throughout life. The Fourth and Final Challenge starts around age 60 to 65.

Your First Challenge is 8: Month and Day of Birth numbers combined
About your First Challenge:
The duration of the First Challenge usually lasts from birth until approximately the age of 30 to 35.

You risk making money and power the main priority in your life. Your desire for financial wealth threatens to obscure your other human characteristics and spiritual well being.
This Challenge causes financial concerns to overwhelm all other needs, and influences everything you do. You risk the fate of Midas, turning everything into gold, yet isolating yourself from other parts of life.
For many with this challenge, there is a danger of becoming so obsessed with materialism that they may be tempted to ruthless and unscrupulous business practices, possibly crossing the borders of the law and causing themselves and others much misery.
You are facing a very real spiritual test in which you must realize that
"Man does not live by bread alone." If you overcome this hurdle, you will achieve real spiritual and material balance, and can make yourself a powerful river, bringing an inexhaustible supply of nourishment to all, rather than a lake, whose nature is limited and can easily grow stagnant and can no longer support life.

Your Second Challenge is 2: Day and Year of Birth combined
About your Second Challenge:
The duration of the Second Challenge usually lasts from age 30/35 to age 55/60.

You are overly sensitive and too aware of other peoples' expectations. You suppress yourself to avoid feeling conspicuous. You can be overwhelmed by self-consciousness. You fear gossip about you. As a result, you become inhibited. All of this results in a suppression of your own individuality and uniqueness. You yearn to blend into the crowd.
You let your own feelings and emotions play too big a role. Your hypersensitivity causes fear, timidity and lack of self-confidence. And you experience unnecessary fear and emotional turmoil.
Little things seem disproportionately difficult to overcome and sometimes have a paralyzing effect. Jealousy can cause much pain and misunderstanding.
These negative aspects of the challenge actually spring in part from positive characteristics you possess, especially your acute awareness and intuition. You are an antennae for other peoples feelings; you know before a word is spoken how they feel.
You lack the inner strength to maintain your own center, and try to conform to the prevailing emotional atmosphere.
This challenge makes you understanding and compassionate; you have an enormous empathy for the inner turmoil of others and can do much good for people with emotional problems.

Your Third Challenge is found by subtracting your First Challenge from your Second Challenge or vice versa. If you wrote down your First and Second Challenge numbers, refer to your notes to subtract one from the other.
Your Third Challenge is 6:
About your Third Challenge:
The duration of the Third Challenge is felt throughout your life.

Your challenge deals with distorted idealism. Your ideals are unrealistically high, making life difficult for you and others. You have a hard time being satisfied with anything you do, or with what others do for you. You lack gratitude. This prevents you from seeing the beauty in your life. You may also suffer from rigid thinking, which keeps you from having a clear perspective that would otherwise awaken you to the many good things you have received.
At bottom, this challenge is about having blinders on. You are unable to see a broader view, which makes you think you have all the answers. This keeps away information and perspectives that would be helpful to you.
Your desire to be of service to others is sincere. However, it may be blocking you from seeing the necessity of working on your own inner development.
You can be domineering and righteous, often telling others what is right and what is wrong. You often feel a lack of appreciation from others.
There is an opportunity to be of service, to teach and heal, but you will have to achieve a balanced perspective between your idealism and your resistance to personal transformation.

Your Fourth Challenge is 5: Month and Year of Birth combined
About your Fourth Challenge:
Your Fourth Challenge is also your final Challenge and starts at age 60/65.

You are in danger of becoming a rolling stone. Your desire to experience and enjoy life can overwhelm every other priority you have. Your need for freedom dominates you. You want to try everything and go everywhere.
You must guard against overindulgence - and even dependence upon - alcohol, food, drugs, and sex.
You must work at establishing and maintaining long- lasting relationships. Be tolerant and understanding. This will enable you to have people in your life who are more than mere company.
You need to discipline your urge to change every situation that does not immediately suit you. Stick with projects, maintain your friendships, don't abandon people or situations the minute they become the slightest bit difficult.
If few fives are in the chart you have a fear of change and can not let go of people and situations. This holds you in the past, restricting your growth. Learn to take prudent risks and be more adventurous.

Your Personal Year Cycle for 2008 is 9:
This is your year to finish up all unfinished business, to clean house and make room for new things. On a material level this is a good time to get rid of unnecessary weight, to give away or sell what you do not need anymore and to pay off old debts. On a spiritual level you will experience a different mode altogether. Your attention should turn to others and their needs, find ways to be of help and give time and energy to worthwhile causes. You must lighten your burden of questions and doubts and the best way to do so is by directing your attention to another direction, away from yourself and you will find yourself becoming lighter and more in touch with your self. This is a time of completion, problems can be solved and over with, strained relationships relax or disappear, the sources of stress in work or business can be better understood and dealt with. Be social and communicative, enjoy music and other arts. Your creativity is higher than usual. There can be some difficulties this year due to your desire to face obstacles and overcome them, decisions have to be taken and your courage and strength may be severely tested several times, this is not going to be an easy year all the time but you will feel relieved and on the brink of a positive breakthrough by the end of this year. This is the end of a nine year epicycle and will you will feel many times the excitement of a new and promising era when optimism is your friend but you will also experience the fear of letting go, however the more you let go the more room there is to be filled during the next epicycle

Your Personal Year Cycle for 2009 is 1:
Be ready for major changes. You will be inspired to start new projects or enterprises. You will feel a strong forward push toward new goals.
This is a time for vision and planning. Share your dream with others; make plans, get the necessary support, but, above all, rely on yourself as the driving force. Be decisive!
You are starting a new nine year Epicycle. Everything you do now will affect your future. Do not hold back the inner force of creation. Be direct, daring, bold.
You will have more confidence and determination this year, particularly in comparison with last year, which was a time of letting go. This year represents a time of birth. It's a time to take charge and to apply yourself to your dream.
This is also a good time to make the personal changes you have long wanted to make: start a diet, an exercise program, begin a new course of study.
There may be some emotional turmoil, especially in the first two or three months. It takes a while to get the ball rolling. There are many changes you must make and much work to be done.
Be open-minded, organized, and focused. Avoid distractions and procrastination.
You are at a crossroads. You will need courage and a clear head to stay on the right track.
This is a year of opportunities.
The key months in your year ahead are March, in which you are able to lay the foundation to your plans; April, in which changes take place such as a change of residence or career; July and August mark a time in which you will see the fruits of your labors begin to take place; October represents a major turn in events, often fraught with emotional turmoil; the fall marks a coalescing of your plans into more concrete form.

Personal Month cycles.
Personal Month cycles are calculated by adding the current month to your Personal Year cycle. And, just like Personal Year cycles, there is a cusp period on each end. This time, however, the cusp period is not controlled by your month of birth, but by your day of birth - in a similar fashion but on a smaller scale, as the yearly cycles.

Personal Day cycles.
Personal Day cycles also have cusp periods. In Personal Day cycles they are based on the time of your birth. In addition, daylight savings time and location/time zones often push these cycles forward or backward several hours. You can see why some people feel that the Personal Day cycles are more accurate if shifted one day forward or backward, whichever the case may be.

Timing of Events

Astrology group met at Kirk's office for an afternoon discussing the Timing of Events. We spent the afternoon looking at quite a few personal charts, Steve's, Jonathan's and Donna's. Kirk brought his projector so we looked at graphical ephemerides and animated biwheels of natals to transits and progressions. I brought the pair of socks I have been knitting and worked some more on those while giving occasional commentary on the charts.
Donna, a numerologist got into a interesting discussion with Ivana on her life numbers while Kirk, Brendan and I got into another interesting discussion, this on on Palmistry and Tarot. We talked about the local Palmistry class that began this November with a small group as well as a new Tarot meetup with Demetrius and Chea and a Medieval Astrology conference in February in Austin. I need to check flight costs for that trip!
Am tempted to head home and look at chart with Solar Fire 7 but will likely meet DH and Joe up in Nyack for Mexican food, sangria and chilled Don Julio tequila.

Quicken Online is Free!

Get organized with your money!
I found out today that Quicken, the money management software, recently made their online product free of cost. Fantastic. I have been looking for software I can utilize through Blackberry to keep my accounts organized and managed. When I had accounts with the Bank of New York, I was able work soley through telephone banking, but that was long ago. Bank of New York is now Citibank. Yuk. So we switched to Chase.
Anyway. Go get some free Quicken Online for yourself. It brings together all of your financial information online, so you can easily manage your simple personal finances with simple help on living within your means, reminders to pay bills on time and places all checking, savings and credit card accounts together in one easily obtained view.

Quicken Online automatically updates account transactions nightly, and you can add transactions manually the day the expenses occur to get the RealBalance real-time view of account balances.
Quicken Online automatically categorizes transactions and chooses payee names for transactions. Edit categories or payees in transactions and Quicken Online will remember your preferences from then-on.
Quicken Online is also iPhone compatible, and sends bill payment reminders to a cell phone or email.
View bills, spending details, account balances and transactions on any computer or device that can use the Web where ever there is an Internet connection.
View a simple analysis of your spending habits with pie chart graphs that represent spending categories, and drill down to transactions from graphs.
Transactions for accounts in Quicken Online automatically download each night, with transactions being automatically.

In addition to a complete redesign of the Quicken Online product, Intuit has introduced a number of new features as above that allow users to see into the future of their bank accounts and stay better informed about spending in specific categories. Nifty!

Spinning Yak Fiber

I began spinning 8 ounces of some lovely dehaired yak undercoat fiber I had on hand. It's downy soft with a short staple length, almost an inch in length. Someone asked me if the fiber was like Alpaca. Nope, unlike alpaca, yak has crimp. Alpaca's are camilid, Yak's are bovine. So while yak is short in staple, it's not overly challenging or slippery to spin. I'm spinning it long draw and it looks like it will make some time lofty, woolen spun. I'm working with compressed clouds, which isn't ideal. The processer really packed the fiber in. I'd much prefer to spin loose cloud, since once compacted, it's difficult to add air to fluff.
I have a half lb. of yak. Once spun, if I have enough, I'm going to knit an basic sweater, with a large needle in a 4x4 rib, so that the knit is open and loose. Since yak is warmer than wool, I don't want to make the fabric overly dense. Yak is as soft as cashmere, so I expect the finished garment to feel luxurious. Yak, like wool, keeps heat preserved even when wet, while also being breathable, which makes for comfortable wear. Yak is very durable, non allergenic and holds not animal oils. Handwahed with a mild detergent, a garment of yak can be a kept as an heirloom.

Cafe Fleur De Lis: New Orleans

I had the porkchop, 2 egg and toast breakfast with hashbrowns and it was one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten in my life. The bloody mary was strong and spicy.

Sadly the wait on the food was lengthy and my gut was empty except for the built up bile and acid from last nights foray into debauchery. The bloody mary came up while I was waiting for the food. Yuk. Fortunately the facilities were sparkling clean, spacious and had a wide flat screen tv with the game on to keep my thoughts off of my regurg.

My food was on the table by the time I could make my way back. Man it was good. The porkchop was just a little on the dry side, but it had sat waiting for me, so I couldn't fault it. The flavor was spot on. So good. I get the feeling that some things on the menu are not as good as others, so you have to be discerning and lucky to catch a superlative but otherwise the remainder of the choices seemed quite solid. The place was packed with happy eaters.

Wedding NOLA Style

The groom Andy standing and holding on to the railing aboard the trolley heading from the Garden District to the French Quart. His radiant bride, Laura Kaye, seen here looking backward.
The trolley car was packed with reveller raising their voices and glasses of champagne, some dancing to the brass band also on board. Once at our destination we lined up for the Second Line walk.

Second Line is an old New Orleans tradition at weddings and funerals. The first line is made of the celebrants and family along with a brass band. The second line is made of friends who walk behind waving white hankerchiefs and is often accompanied by other passerby's who latch on to the crowd to tag along for the music and dancing in the streets.
It was difficult to get a clear picture of all of us second line dancing in the streets while in a floor length gown, 3 inch heels and with seven glasses of champagne sloshing inside. It was quite a spectacle and a highlight of the evening.

Old Absinthe House: New Orleans

A visit to New Orleans is not complete without a stop in at the Old Absinthe House.
Danger Danger. The last time I had absinthe, I said things I totally did not mean, left my passport behind in a hotel in Barcelona on the way to the airport. We had to pay a cab driver to go back and collect it and he arrived just in time for me to board my plane.

Early morning flights after absinthe until the early morning do not mix.
We did our own experiment here to see how Hurricanes and Absinthe mix.

We each ordered the Absinthe Frappe, which is something of a large anisette slushy with ass kicking ju ju. That may also have been the combo of everything else we'd already had for the afternoon. Either way, the green fairy was in the house and dancing.
Catch a seat by the fireplace. It's the 1st first weekend of December. Yeah, it's the South. But it get's cold here and you'll welcome respite from the wind with a festive drink.

Pat O'Brians: New Orleans

We took seats in the back ourdoor garden and had the requisite huge 26 ouncer Hurricane. Much too sweet for our tastes, but a good way to start a day of serious drinking.
Our next move was going to be the Rainstorm, a vodka, melon liquor, coconut rum, pineapple juice concoction with blue curacao.
The blue is the tip off.
Drinks should not
be blue. Anything blue will make you yak our your innards. We decided against the Rainstorm and kept on with the red drinks. After a couple of Hurricanes, you get a little silly.
DH here stalking me through the straw grass, in his New Orleans bar habitat.

Quarterstitch: New Orleans

Quarterstitch (504) 522-4451 360 Cartres Street in the heart of New Orleans, is a must stop for any crafty type. It's a block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

The ladies that run the shop are knowledgable and happy to answer questions, show off their considerable wares and even teach a stitch or two.
There were people perusing the aisles throughout the store and some perched by the wrap desk, diligently knitting away at their projects while chatting with each other.
The ambiance is cosy and comfortable and I know I could easily while away a few hours in the shop. DH was with me, patiently amused.

The store is a riot of color, in a good way. The shades are arranged pleasingly so that the visual sensation is one of wonder rather than overload. You almost can't help but touching everything that comes in your path.
I kept an arms length away from the Wall of Koigu that called to me. I have about 20 skeins of koigu at home yet to become something. Although the was was filled with the newest shades, I resisted but did take a picture to look at longingly later. See pretty wall of koigu. The kids koigu sweater featured on the wall is from an adorable simple pattern sold at the store.
The next thing that caught my eye was a brightly colored wrap hastily folded into a pile on top of a shelf. The proprietress unfolded it to show me and I realized it was constructed as one massive mitered square. Now that's some patient knitting. Nice idea.
She called it her Jerry Garcia shawl. As a huge fan of Jerry myself, I was immediately taken with this lady. She explained that all the colors together reminded her of Jerry and what he might wear. I had to correct her by mentioning that Jerry was well known for wearing sombre colors, other than the very early years in the Warlocks. She ammended her comment and said that the colors reminded her of the ties he designed later in life and what he might otherwise have decorated his house with. It made me think of an acid trip, something ole Captain Trips might have seen in his minds eye while jamming on Space. Great shawl.
I almost walked into these 4x4 rib open knit sweaters were displayed suspended from the ceiling. I like the lace like hand of the fabric very much. The pattern was out of stock and the shop does not have an active website, so I'll be calling them later in the month to see if the pattern has come in again.
I have to remember to see if the pattern has a particular name or if it is one written specifically for their shop.
I have some downy soft yak fiber that may want to be knit into such a sweater soon.
I ended up buying 5 skeins of Malabrigo, a crosstitch pouch pattern with matching wools and a hat pattern to knit up for DH. The color he chose is a deep russet brown with acid green touches. Looks awesome. He loved the feel of the yarn and the hat will be a fun knit.
I chose two skeins of blue green colorway, because I lurv those shades. I probably already have those colors at home in the Fiber Vault. Somewhere in there is 5 skeins of Aquarella Maldonado and 5 skeins of Gruesa Midnight Blue, and a Star caplet pattern. Didn't see it the last time I organized so I'll just have to look again.
On the way out of the shop, were a bevy of witchy ladies, made of okra. Too cute!

The other doorway was ceiling to floor with Dios de los Muertos skeleltons. Awesome. I wanted to bring every single one of them home. One of these days, when we finally buy a house, we'll have a skeleton section.
What a fab shop. Do stop in if you're ever in New Orleans.

Textile Design: Tying in a New Warp