Ok: this is what happens when you are at home for too long...lotsa posts!
I forgot to post a little note about the yarn stuff sack--I got the small one a while ago wanting to use it as a slightly more open toiletry sack of sorts. This past trip, I ended up using it as a most happy and versatile lunch sack: it fit a nice big sandwich, drink, bag of doritos, and an apple! And it was great to have it handy on the plane....without a lot of muss and fuss!
who knew that a yarn sack would serve as a brownpaper bag?!