Hold that thought! 
MrsPao is having a contest for her first blogiversary! Come up with a mnemonic for her cats’ names (Jasper, Ariel, Merlin, Perdita, Ophelia, Phoebe) by 9 pm GMT on Tuesday, September 12.
Jeanne is having a contest – guess the number of socks in her sock pile before midnight, September 15, CDT.
Ok, so where were we? Oh yeah… S is for Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
Yesterday, Deb, Jeanne, and I (along with many other Twin Cities knitters) journeyed east to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to see Yarn Harlot Stephanie.
First, we met a lot of great knitters and knitbloggers – more on that later this week. Then we walked to the Temple of Free Masonry to hear Stephanie speak.
She was, of course, terrifically funny. She showed off her Olympic sweater (the heap by her feet in this picture, as I was too slow with the camera) and her Icarus shawl:
Then Stephanie signed copies of her books at Yellow Dog Knitting (we provided the Leinenkugel Honey Weiss – thanks for the tip, Louise!):
And graciously posed for a picture with us (pretend I’m not in this picture, because it is a horrific picture of me! What the hell am I doing back there?! My simple photoediting program didn’t have a red X or dot to put over me – drat.):
Curious about Chaos and Mayhem? Chaos likes to keep a close eye on May, whatever she might be doing…
Um, yeah, two guesses, Chaos…
I’d like to say that May is unconcerned about Chaos, but she keeps a wary eye out, since he’s been trying to beat the crap out of her. She is safely shut in the bathroom when I’m not around to supervise! (It’s funny how sleek she looks in pictures, because she’s still got some kitten fluff and is amazingly gangly.)
Chaos, a lady needs some privacy, you know.
I’m loving these updates! Heh, it’s like looking at Gandalf…cute little black kittens.
How old is she?
Chaos was just checking that May was OK in the litter box,
he’s being a caring big brother!
I’m sure they will be used to each other in no time. We have five cats and have brought them in one by one (okay the last two came together…) and after a little time, everyone is okay with everyone else.
Yes, what the heck are you doing back there in that picture? LOL! That’s exactly how it would turn out if it were me in the picture. I take HORRIBLE pictures.
Sounds like a pretty decent weekend!
I have a feeling that May is going to give Chaos a good run for the power position in the household. It’s great that she has the “Eh, whatever” personality.
Chaos has a mini-me. She is going to enrich both of your lives so much
) Congratulations on the new addition!
I think its a toss up on which one of us takes worse pictures.. I’m always doing SOMETHING stupid in mine it seems. We need to take a picture together and see if our power of crappy pictures equal each other out and we get something awesome.. lol
You brought Harlot a beer? Very Cool.. I’m sure she appreciated it. Congrats on meeting her!
Yes, what were you doing?? Poor Chaos! Does he have to share everything with May?
Oh dear, I knew Chaos would not take his position as only cat changing too well! Funny how its always the youngers ones that are ‘yeah right, whatever’. The older ones, wow is that a different story.
When we first introduced Snowflake (baby girl chinchilla) to Chilli (lone male) he absolute flew at her. And what did my girl do. Stood straight up and peed in his eyes!! After that it was love at first sight and he followed her round absolutely lovestruck. She however, would have nothing to do with him for a long time and used to box his ears if he got too close. She was so cool
It’s amazing to me how well rested Stephanie Pearl-McPhee looks. I’ve been seeing her on a many blogs spanning Oregon, Washington, California, Utah, and now Wisconsin, and she always looks great!
Glad you had a great trip! Wow – Looks just like me in a school yearbook photo
no kidding. You can say it was the excitement of seeing the Yarn Harlot overtaking you. yea.. that’s it.
Chaos, sometimes you need to mind your own business, while May does hers!
I wish you could bring them here! (we’re allergic though)
And fun with Stephanie!
That’s the kind of pictures I usually have. I’m glad to hear that the “Stephanie trip” went well.
Chaos and May will get used to each other. Even Katie had to spend a lot of time in the bathroom as a kitten to keep the ferrets from hiding her while we were gone.
Such cute kitties together now!
They’ll be fast buddies eventually I’m sure. It always takes a bit of time.
Mayhem is adorable, I the mirror pictures.
At least my mostly asleep and in rollers picture is worse…
How cool you got to meet her!
Steph is the best!! So much fun in person!
I love your cats! If I hadn’t already drawn the line at 4, I’d get another one!
Curious Chaos.. Mischievious May..
Wow – you got to meet the Yarn Harlot – I’m envious!
The fur will fly but they’ll settle soon. All 3 of my cats HATE each other but they tend to just stay out of each other’s way. Every once in a while one will lay down near another one but they’ve never become friends. Oh well.
My cat Charlie has been trying to get at the cat in the mirror for the last 2 yrs. He’s almost gotten the cat a couple times but the mirror cat is tricky.
Sounds like you had a great time with the Yarn Harlot, and met so many other knitting bloggers in person. Pictures of me always come out like that too, I never can see to take a decent picture. I’m enjoying reading and looking at the pictures of Chaos and Mayhem, you should write a book about their adventures.
You make me laugh Chris–you always hate the pictures of you, and we think you are just as cute as Chaos. Separating the kitties is good because they get used to the scent and it piques their curiousity. I’m still preaching the gospel of Feliway diffusers. They permeate the house with happy kitty hormones. And you may have alcohol.
Wow, you weren’t kidding………..Chaos has a little sister!!!!
She’s adorable!
from Bella: “I need to come and meet her……” (evil grin)
Chaos -
WTF??? I spend the weekend sleeping on various knitting projects instead of checking in with you, only to discover that you let another black cat into your life?
Wait a minute – I’m beginning to see the strategic possibilities here. That pile of black fur on the human’s nice white knitting? It was the kitten! The tragically chewed knitting needle? It was the kitten!
Well played, Mr. Chaos, well played.
Lick Lick Purr Purr,
Cricket
P.S. – I use the dog to create diversions when I want to destroy something… perhaps the mini-kitty could serve a similar function?
I’m sitting here giggling myself silly… those pics are just too great. Poor kitty can’t even do her business without Chaos sticking his nose in. What did she have to do to get out of the litter box?
Cheers Eva
Geez, I’m away for a couple of days and the cats start mulitplying! May is really a darling.
Stephanie is really a great speaker. I’m so glad you had a chance to see her.
I always love watching cats meet, you learn so much about the personality
umm… maybe he wants to make sure she’s covering up her stuff…
if she’s comfy enough to relieve herself in his presence though, that’s a good sign, yes?
Mayhem is a darling! But, my mom is wondering if you’ve heard of self-fullfilling prophecy… LOL!
Oh what a sweetheart may is, so cute. I am so glad you got another black kitty, what a great match. When I got our second kitty (Scab), bacon was angry for weeks. I actually don’t think she is over it yet. Sounds like you have fun with the yarn harlot, I just got to work at the second job.
Wait a second… Did you get a new kitten? YAY!
But, it’s BLACK? Don’t you already have one of those? He he.
lol awww poor May getting beat up by the big boss
Seperate her from Chaos??? Whatever would make you think he’d cause any trouble?;-)
It was fun seeing you last night! At least you weren’t too nervous to ask for a picture like, um…. some bloggers we know!
Looks like a fun trip and meetup with Stephanie! Love the Chaos/May pictures! : )
It really is just mean to tell me that her little sister is available. Mean I tell you.
It was so great to meet you!! That’s a pretty great “S” you stumbled over (ahem).
; )
Ugh, I am so jealous that you guys went to see the Harlot:) Looks like it was a blast!
welcome to the ranks of the two black cat families!! woot woot! She’s LOVELY!
You lucky thing! Getting to see the Harlot, and getting a sweet little black kitten!
It was great to meet you. Of course, I screwed up the feed link to livejournal where I live. Grr….
getting together with other knitters & bloggers … i’m envious!
and i’m lovin the pics of may & chaos. jeez, a girl can’t get any privacy in this house either. (in fact, the 2 kittens like jumping into the laps of humans sitting on the 2-leggers’ toilet as well…errggh!)
Even after several months Emma is still slapping the kittens around on occasion. Guess she’s still teaching them manners. Or they get in her personal space. Or, they break some sort of unwritten cat rules we mere humans can’t begin to comprehend.
Then again, maybe big cats just like to smack little cats now and again, just for the heck of it.
And you SO made May(A-hem!) out of cast-off Chaos fur. (And mayhaps one of his ribs? HAW!)
Mmmmm, Leinie’s. Care to send me some?
Stephanie with a beer! You think you could have beer if she came to a yarn shop?
Tell Chaos Felix said to leave Mayhem alone, and get along with her, or she can come and live with him and Della.