Just
this past Friday, February 14, Saint John Cricket Cove held it's first
"Yarn Tasting" with Estelle Yarns.
I
was a little concerned how the day would progress due to the storm, but it
unfolded with moments I'll cherish and many smiles and laughs. So sit
back with a tea or coffee and let me turn the pages in this Valentine Story.
The
windows and blackboard declared an event was to be held... the previous week
one could hear the remarks: 'Yarn Tasting'....really?? I'll be dropping
by for that, loot bags -- be sure I'll be here, ....... I ensured customers and
other merchants, they would not want to miss out and I'd have delights to embrace
all their senses.
So
early Friday morning I arrived to set the stage for the day.
The
Estelle yarns with their new colors and fibers were arrayed like the sun on the
round, glass table.
The
treats arrayed in fine fashion. A homemade dip for crackers, mini
'Olympic' cookies, hugs and kisses that melted in one's mouth.
Our
first guests arrived and stayed to knit.
Hmm....
was heard throughout the shop all day long; as people requested yarns in
various colors for projects their minds could dream creating. Ohhh, Ahhh
as they stroked, smelled, and viewed the display of treasures.
Let
me zoom you in to hear some of the day's conversations......
- I beckoned male spouses to enter the draw, so doubling
the chances to take a loot bag home.
- One male even declared to a faithful customer, how he
appreciated her supporting him in his candidacy for the championship on
hand -- Olympics were in the air as knitters and non-knitters filled out
ballets hoping to win.
- Part of the Roy family posed with a Loot Bag winner --
Matt became my day's assistant, welcoming all who entered to be sure to
write their name and phone number on the paper and have a good treat to
eat.
- Children ate a cookie and colored on paper while Mom or
Dad shopped.
- Merchants were heard saying, (about me) she's having
too much fun!
- Laughter rang across the phone wires as I made the
calls to winners --- especially when the husbands names were drawn, Roger
for Tracey, and Pat for Rose just to mention two. (The following
morning I presented Pat with his loot bag and told him any Saturday he
could join our class, he insisted to Rose she'd be the one knitting the
surprise.)
- The whole Roy family returned Friday evening to see if
Mom's name had been drawn. I invited each child to make a draw and
Matt drew Mom. What a delight! He then won a special place in
my heart when he drew on the flip side of a blank empty slip a row of
hearts for me then wrapped his arms around me in a big hug.
At 8
PM the day drew to a close with Debbie Smith being the winner of the gift bag.
The
blackboard in the window sums the day up well,
Life is a gift
so fill it with
Love 
... every moment you knit,
stitch it with Love
Congratulations
to all the winners and Thanks to Estelle Yarns for giving us all a terrific,
fun day!
A
Valentine's Day not to be forgotten.
Saint
John Staff, Cindy
