Beauty Abounds
May is so beautiful. Most of the trees have leafed and many are in the process of blooming. 
Spring flowers are still showing off and the lawns are as green as they will be for the rest of the year. This pink tree is on the grounds of our condo and it takes my breath away every time I walk or drive by it. The blossoms are huge and very pink but, sadly lack any fragrance. The lilacs are blossoming beautifully and their scent fills the air near my back door.
The best surprise was on the doorstep when I arrived home...three packages! One was very small and contained the beautiful Suri Alpaca (Indian Summer) lace weight, by Cherry Tree Hill that I purchased from Red Bird Knits. While Dave's lovely yarn didn't show (it should arrive today), the second package was two pair of white jeans! White jeans are the first sign of summer! Time to paint the toe nails.
The last package was the best of all!! My SockapalOOOza socks arrived!! Tawana Carmelle of Rooted in Knit-reality was my pal and the socks were wrapped up in lavender paper inside a pretty yellow box. Also, enclosed were postcards from NYC, a nice smelling sachet for the sock drawer and a little bow with my favorite style of stitch markers attached. The socks must have their day in the sun so, a photo shoot has been planned this weekend in the canyon (where else?). All you get today is a little peak. I adore the socks, the color, yarn and the perfect fit. Thank you Tawana!
Because a little self control was impossed, a little more knitting happened last night (and the night before). MS has grown by a few rows and Eleanora is nearing the toe! This sock fits so well and it's very interesting to knit. A very nice job of designing on this one, Mim! (Please say a prayer to the yarn goddess that I won't run out of yarn.) Plus, the warshrag is on the needles and has been a hoot to knit. You can predict there will be knitting going on this weekend.
Post 600...have I really blogged 600 times!?
How glad I am that you've blogged 600 times. Wishing for 600 more. :-) Always enjoyable to come here for some enthusiasm, beautiful pictures, inspiration, and a drop of joy.
Posted by: DebbieB | May 05, 2006 at 04:40 AM
That first photo is just BREATHTAKING! I literally gasped when the page loaded.
(Your new adoptee is on the way, stay tuned.)
Posted by: Dave Daniels | May 05, 2006 at 04:49 AM
What a gorgeous tree. Spring has really sprung hasn't it?
Congrats on your 600th post.
Posted by: Vera | May 05, 2006 at 04:52 AM
Can't wait to see the socks, Margene. And 600 posts! Congrats on your milestone. May is indeed beautiful!
Posted by: Ann | May 05, 2006 at 05:23 AM
The office park where I work is awash in pink and purple, white and yellow. Ah, the lusty month of May.
You're such a tease. We want socks!
Posted by: Lucia | May 05, 2006 at 05:27 AM
I love May. We have those pink-flowering trees (no idea what they are) all over and it just changes the entire city. Congrats on #600.
Posted by: Theresa | May 05, 2006 at 05:47 AM
That tree is gorgeous, Margene. The limb looks like it's adorned with pompoms!
Posted by: Jan | May 05, 2006 at 06:01 AM
GORGEOUS TREE! Can't wait to see your socks! Oh and anything I can get for you this weekend?
Posted by: Cara | May 05, 2006 at 06:18 AM
All the buds on the flowering trees and lilacs in my neck of the woods are this >< close to bursting! It's so exciting. There is nothing like catching the scent of lilacs wafting on the air...
Oh, I'm going to have to add Eleanora to my to-do list, aren't I?
Posted by: Vicki | May 05, 2006 at 06:27 AM
LOL! I stumbled upon Tawana's site a week or so ago in a non-sockapaloooza persuit, and saw her socks and fell instantly in lust. Glad to know they have found a good home.
Posted by: erin | May 05, 2006 at 06:30 AM
Thanks Margene! I'm so glad you like knitting it! Honestly, the toe is my very favorite part of the whole sock. The shaping is tapered so it fits AMAZINGLY well. and I just finished the toe on my next sock design, I think you'll like it :)
Congrats on 600 posts too! YAY!
Posted by: Miriam | May 05, 2006 at 06:31 AM
isn't spring wonderful? every year i forget just how glorious it is, and every year i'm surprised again. here's to 600 more - congratulations.
Posted by: anna | May 05, 2006 at 06:53 AM
Congratulations on post 600. This is one of the aspects of blogging that I most enjoy - how it is a very zen, in the moment thing, but how, over time, that creates a history, a thread stretching back that narrates a piece of our lives and thinking.
And the Eleanora sock is beautiful, just beautiful.
Posted by: Francesca | May 05, 2006 at 06:55 AM
Woo-hoo on 600! I just hit 200 the other day. :)
Posted by: Stitch-n-Snitch | May 05, 2006 at 06:58 AM
isn't spring wonderful? every year i forget just how glorious it is, and every year i'm surprised again. here's to 600 more - congratulations.
Posted by: anna | May 05, 2006 at 06:58 AM
Your sockapaloooza socks are lovely (I went over to Tawana's site for a sneak peak). And congrats on your 600th post!
Posted by: Ruth | May 05, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Wow, 600 blog postings! You are pretty reliable, on a daily basis, so that has to add up.
Those sockapalooza socks are sure pretty!
Love the picture of the pink flowered tree! Thank goodness winter is over...........
Posted by: christine | May 05, 2006 at 07:29 AM
What a beautiful tree! No lilacs here yet but they're coming. I love them so long as they're outside. Inside they give me a wicked headache. Have a fabulous weekend!
Posted by: Carole | May 05, 2006 at 07:47 AM
Nice pics. Only two days ago I hauled the very same colourway of CTH suri alpaca out of the stash, purchased from the same source. What are our plans for this yarn?
Posted by: Gale | May 05, 2006 at 07:56 AM
*gasp!* That tree is amazing! Don't you just LOVE Spring?? Eleanora is looking gorgeous!
Posted by: Nonnahs | May 05, 2006 at 08:22 AM
Happy Spring! Happy 600th Post! Happy SockapalOOOza!! See, it wasn't me. :)
Now that my sockpal's socks are finished I'm getting back to MS myself! Your alpaca MS looks a lot better than mine.
Posted by: Laura | May 05, 2006 at 09:14 AM
Oooh, I love that Suri Alpaca. Have you decided what to do with it yet?
Posted by: Snow | May 05, 2006 at 09:40 AM
Beautiful tree! And that Suri Alpaca! (Cherry Tree Hill's booth will be one of my first stops at the MD S I hope they have some of that gorgeous stuff there!)
Posted by: Alison | May 05, 2006 at 09:40 AM
That tree is gorgeous. It's no wonder that you find it irresistable. Congrats on your 600th post too. Even 100 seems very far away right now.
Posted by: hillary | May 05, 2006 at 09:46 AM
Happy 600th, Margene! The blooms are simply marvelous. My lilacs are going crazy right now as well and they smell so heady and wonderamous. :) Have a good weekend and Happy Knitting!
Posted by: Liz | May 05, 2006 at 09:51 AM
What a tease! You get what appear to be *gorgeous* socks from your pal, and yet you hold out on us. Harrumph! ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. | May 05, 2006 at 09:52 AM
I've been led astray again! I just joined the Sock of the Month Club after seeing your link to Red Robin, Margene! I'm so easily led! Thanks for the link! Await the day in the sun of your new socks! I am also enjoying Eleanora, but I think I might need to purchase one more ball - they do eat up the yarn!
Posted by: Peg | May 05, 2006 at 10:09 AM
I loved the "white jeans" comment -- very funny, and right on the money! May is an amazing month, isn't it? it always feel so full of promise.
Posted by: regina | May 05, 2006 at 10:29 AM
We are all glad that you've blogged 600 times! What an amazing tree that is. I love pink trees. I can't help but smile and feel happy when I see them. Are you up for 600 more? Hope so.
Posted by: Julia | May 05, 2006 at 10:33 AM
Oooh...even with only a peek, those socks are gorgeous!
Posted by: Imbrium | May 05, 2006 at 11:06 AM
I love May, too! I love the spring flowers peaking out. I also love it because my baby's birthday is next Saturday and we're celebrating our 21st anniversary this month.
Posted by: Susan | May 05, 2006 at 11:24 AM
The tree is soooo lovely, how fun to get to see it everyday.
600....you go grrl!
Posted by: lisa Co. Springs | May 05, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Thank you for such a beautiful picture, it brought some peace to a hectic day.
Happy 600th and here's to 6000 more!
Posted by: Nancy | May 05, 2006 at 12:36 PM
Show the socks! Please blog at least 600 more!
Posted by: Celia | May 05, 2006 at 01:10 PM
What a beautifully springy post! It makes me smile :-)
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | May 05, 2006 at 02:10 PM
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful photos! We have two of these amazing pink trees around our house, and each and every year I'm absolutely stunned when they start blooming, they're so gorgeous!
And such a great package you received - you're one lucky girl!
Posted by: Dipsy D. | May 05, 2006 at 02:53 PM
Wow! 600. Very impressive. And still interesting. :) And entertaining.
Posted by: Kathleen | May 05, 2006 at 03:47 PM
Congratulations on #600. And what a beautiful tree!
Posted by: Pat K | May 05, 2006 at 07:43 PM
Wow - 600 posts! Very impressive :o)
Posted by: JessaLu | May 05, 2006 at 08:13 PM
woohooo, Post 600 :)!! Eleonora socks look great in red.
Posted by: Isela | May 06, 2006 at 03:23 PM
600 is a truly monumental number of posts... I recall fondly the great FOs you have shared with us and the awesome mountain scenery such as the tree in bloom today. I am glad you got such great booty in the mail to help you celebrate, and that your inspiration and drive are going full tilt once again. Happy Spring!
Posted by: | May 06, 2006 at 06:42 PM
That Suri Alpaca is devastatingly beautiful. And your Eleanora socks are coming along so wonderfully too. Hopefully I'll have some to match soon.
Posted by: Katherine Allred | May 06, 2006 at 10:29 PM
I am delighted this spring to wrap myself in the budding wonderfulness of all of the TREES bursting in their glorious frocks!
YOU have some beauties close by - I am glad! :)
Posted by: Bonne Marie | May 07, 2006 at 06:22 AM
Congrats on 600 posts!! Woo-hoo!
Lovely sock pal package - looking forward to the official photo shoot.
And that tree - ahhhhh....
Posted by: Chris | May 07, 2006 at 09:57 AM
oohhh, pretty pink and mauve spring blooms! It really springs when it starts, doesn't it? I love lilac :-)
Congrat on your 600th post!
Posted by: lynne s of oz | May 08, 2006 at 12:40 AM