I arrived home from work today to find a foreign guest waiting on my doorstep. Why, it’s renowned explorer Leif Erikkson all the way from Iceland!

I knew as soon as I saw the postmark who my secret Yarn Aboard 2 pal was — Carola of No Sheep and the City.

Look at all the goodies she sent me (and click on photos to enlarge them):

The main purpose behind this exchange is, of course, the sock yarn. Carola did a great job picking out yarns I’d like. On the left is Regia Nation in Fun Color. On the left is Dicentra Designs yarn in Solar Energy from Crown Mountain Farms. She also included this Badcaul sock pattern from Amelia at My Fashionable Life. Carola says the pattern is supposed to be a good one for the novice cable knitter, which is perfect for me!

She also sent me a variety of candies from Iceland. Three of them are licorice-based since licorice is a traditional Icelandic flavoring. Rudi is drooling over them. Apparently European licorice is not the same as American licorice and he loves European licorice. The other candy, the Hraun Bitar are chocolate creme wafers covered with rice crispies and chocolate. I’m glad Mum lives far away because she would really like these and I would feel obliged to share. This way I can keep them all for me!

And last but not least, she sent me some great Icelandic souvenirs — a postcard of Reykjavik, a 10 krónur piece, and a puffin magnet. I had mentioned here that I’d like to see penguins in person some day. Since Iceland isn’t noted for penguins, she offered me some native, but still unique birds instead!

Carola, takk fyrir for all these goodies. You are a kick-ass Yarn Aboard pal. I am unworthy of such spoiling. And thank you, once again, Amanda, for being such a good hostess and allowing me to play along. (And please thank Mr. Clothesknit for the two of you matching me up so well.)

Leif and I will be hanging out for a couple days while I show him the sites of D.C. and while he recuperates from his long journey and refuels for his next stop.