by Kat | Mar 31, 2017 | General
Steve and I are, apparently, creatures of habit. On Tuesday, we began talking about Friday Happy Hour, which continued into Wednesday and Thursday with confessions of how much we were looking forward to it.
I am not sure we need an AA intervention, but one thing is certain – Friday night is one thing we both look forward tremendously. Meal planning (or rather un-meal planning?) discussion has been our dinner conversation all week.
I promise you there will be icy cold martini’s – and I think I might be able to convince Steve to use the Barrel Aged Gin from the Grand Traverse Distillery… (although he is messaging me asking if I think Margaritas sound good…lol)
On the knitting front – I have a special project that I will share with you all next week. Something different for me – but I am surprisingly happy with how it turned out. Stay tuned on Tuesday for all the details! All other knitting has been ignored. I know. It is a sad state of affairs!
I have been working on some spinning at night – which is very slow going. Why? It is a beautiful Rambouillet from Sheepspot Fiber Club and I am working on consistency and spinning fine. Yes… I am trying to channel Beth Smith for this one – I want a nice 2-ply actual lace weight yarn! I have a long way to go yet!
Now, how a few links to close out the week?
That is all I have for this week! See you back here on Monday!!
by Kat | Mar 30, 2017 | General, Words
This week’s Think Write Thursday is to write a post called, “Hello, April.”
Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever. – Charles Lamb
Thank you, Charles Lamb, for providing me with the most appropriate quote ever to welcome April.
So, April starts with the Day for Fools, on which I, appropriately, am going to get my mammogram done.
Steve’s birthday is the second – and of course I am still frantically trying to finish socks for him. Thankfully, he loves me whether I finish the socks or not.
April 2 is also World Autism Awareness Day.
April 6 is National Tartan Day! Who knew!!
My sister has a birthday on the 11th.
Easter is in the middle of the month, so you still have some time to get your bonnet ready!
The 16th is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia and the 17th is Patriot’s Day in Maine and Massachusetts!
April 17 is also the day I get my colonoscopy….
Tax Day is April 18 this year and in case you have not started yours yet – this is your warning to get started!!
And, April 27 is Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day!
So much April joy, I can barely contain myself!
If you would like to see what others had to say to April, you will find them here. And, if you would like to join Carole and me in this Think Write Thursday journey, you can sign up here.
by Kat | Mar 29, 2017 | General, Unraveled Wednesday
I have been a faithful participant in Ginny’s Yarn Along, but all good things much come to an end. And, so it is with Yarn Along. So, what do you do when reading and knitting are major a major theme for your blog (and, quite frankly, your life?) Maybe you think creatively and determine to make a new spot for those who have the same theme in their life?
And, that is exactly what I did; Welcome to Unraveled Wednesday’s!
I think this is something we all do rather well – in both knitting and reading. And, while unraveling a book might be less painless than unraveling your knitting – it is necessary occasionally.
I hope you will join me on Wednesdays and unravel the stories you are reading and share your crafting inspiration – knitting, crochet, spinning, sewing, quilting, weaving, drawing, etc.
This week my reading was stellar – I finished A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. This is the fourth Inspector Gamache novel I have read, and like others have said before me, this book did not disappoint at all. My love for Armande Gamache grows with each book. I gave it 5 stars and cannot wait to read book five. What’s next? Last year I read and loved Derek Miller’s Norwegian by Night and am looking forward to his new book – The Girl in Green. It is up next in my reading queue.
Knitting is progressing, albeit slowly. However, today I am sharing my stitching pieces from January and February, and March to date – they have yet to be washed or blocked (I don’t know if this is something I am supposed to do or not, research is in process…) I have just a few more days of stitching in March and I am pleased with how this turned out. I have some wonderful ideas for April as well as some lovely fabric swatches that I am going to incorporate. And, I am so excited to begin using lighter colors in my stitching!
January 2017 Stitching
February 2017 Stitching
March 2017 Stitching, thus far…
I am really pleased with how January and February have turned out. If you are interested in learning more about my stitching process, I post my daily stitching on Instagram, please feel free to follow me there! And, if you want to get started on your own stitching journey – I would be happy to share with you the process I am using, and I would encourage you to get a copy of Claire Wellesley-Smith’s Slow Stitch book. It is the best starting point and gives great ideas and inspiration!
That is all I have for today – if you would like to join me, please add your blog link below:
[inlinkz_linkup id=706219 mode=1]
by Kat | Mar 28, 2017 | General, Words
The Joy Journey in March had some bumps in the road. The warm weather that caused things to bloom early was followed by some crazy bitter cold weather the following week which killed many of the buds and blooms. However, it did not get them all! And, while they look forlorn and bedraggled and the blooms have been greatly diminished, those that persevered are amazing! This is an excellent reminder to me that despite adversity, persistence is a worthy attribute to have.
There was also much joy in the Tom and Dara’s wedding weekend. It was truly a blessing to be included in their gathering. And, even though I only managed to drag Steve out to the dance floor one time, I did not let his lack of dance desire dampen mine!
There is joy in my weight loss journey as well – that scale that was in a holding pattern is not any longer. I am happy that it is moving in a downward direction again!
Joy in my daily stitching continues to grow as does my creativity. This is perhaps the best thing I added into my life thus far this year. I am learning how to be okay with things I do not like and rather than being halted by this, I am learning to turn what I do not like into something I do. I am learning that sometimes, creativity is a process and if I allow it to happen, amazing things occur in me!
by Kat | Mar 27, 2017 | General, In This Moment
It was a jam-packed weekend here at Casa del KatKnits…really, jam-packed, non-stop. Steve’s best friend from college got married on Saturday and Steve was the best man.
Despite the hectic feeling of the weekend, there were some great points of interest starting with Old St. Luke’s Church where the ceremony was held. We drive past this church frequently, but I had never been inside. It was nice to be able to do that. I love history and it is kind of exciting to be inside a building that has been here for over 250 years. The docent’s that were there to assist were veritable fonts of information and I enjoyed listening to them share the rich history of this little church.
Rehearsal dinner was at Fiori’s Pizza, which we had not been to in a year, the pizza was still good and so filling!
Saturday could not have been busier – really, it could not. I had a resistance huddle and a hair appointment; Steve had chauffeur Tom around before photos at the church. It was a LONG day! The reception was so much fun and while Steve was diet-conscious and did not drink much – sadly, the same cannot be said for me!
We clean up well, don’t you think?
Sunday, we headed out for a nice brisk walk out at Boyce Mayview Park – the birds were singing, squirrels were chattering away, and we even watched some hawks hunting. Best part…the brisk walk included some running!! Yes… actual running for several minutes, several times during the walk. I know… I am in shock too!
But, with all that busyness, I am feeling like I need a weekend from my weekend! Or maybe an additional cuppa to get Monday started off right! I hope your weekend was great and that your Monday will be too!
by Kat | Mar 24, 2017 | General
Today starts the weekend that isn’t.
It is a weekend, but there isn’t much us time. A good friend of Steve’s is getting married tomorrow and Steve is standing up with him.
So, happy hour isn’t happening tonight.
There will be some brief moments of resistance for me on Saturday morning, but the remainder of the day isn’t what I normally do.
Perhaps we can squeeze a weekend into Sunday… we shall have to see. But, reality tells me that isn’t likely.
But of course, I have some links for you:
It was a quiet week on Ravelry but I recently knit a hat pattern by Mary Lou Egan and she released Swales DK in January which I somehow missed. However, she writes a great pattern and I love the simple pattern.
Virginia Sattler-Reimer has a new sock pattern
This one is for Mary who loves Lori Versaci patterns (And, Mary… Shibui Linen + Pebble!) Interesting construction as well!
This is lovely…
Churchmouse Teas and Yarns has a new Sleeveless Slipover pattern! Oh, man! I love all the options – Dress length, tunic, short… I love them all!
And, finally today begins Round 3 of the MDK March Mayhem… I am amazed how well I am doing!! How about you? Are your favorites still in?
