by Kat | Nov 25, 2019 | General, In This Moment
It was a quiet weekend trying to cure my cough/cold and my only trek out was to the post office bright and early on Saturday to mail Genevieve an advent calendar.
Friday, the monumental task of cleaning out the refrigerator was gleefully crossed off my list! All shelves and drawers removed, washed out, dried, and replaced. Food replaced in a more organized fashion. I even gave Steve a quick “tour” to try and eliminate the “I don’t know where X is” discussions! It worked, sort of… lol
Friday night I settled in to cast on Tsé Biníi doo Headband. I had an issue with “color dominance” that made me rip back the first few rows of color work, but I got back on track quickly – and with the white stitches popping nicely. I loved it so much that on Sunday afternoon I started a second in more muted shades. I am hopeful that I will get this done today as I will have time to knit in between working on the daunting (and overflowing) laundry pile.
After my outing, I spent much of the remainder of the day camped out on the sofa watching a bit of The Man in the High Castle and then some winning Michigan football.
Sunday brought another helping of the previous day, sans Michigan football, but with a surprise photo from my daughter. I love this picture so much – and I could see her mother doing that very same thing so many years ago in my minds eye.
And that after that quiet weekend, I am feeling much better and ready to get things organized for Thanksgiving!
I will be back tomorrow to join Julianne in sharing my word update! Happy Monday all!
by Kat | Nov 22, 2019 | General, In This Moment
The last Friday before Thanksgiving looms large in my house. While I did pretty good at checking off most of my list, I did not quite get everything crossed off…Refrigerator, I am looking at you! But a rainy Friday and an engaging audio book will help me get it cleaned out this morning! (Proof on Monday, I promise!)
(sort of) Tiny Gnomes –
My Gnome knitting is completed and delivered! The hat was absolutely the fussiest part of the entire thing. But he is so cute, and Steve’s mom loved this new addition to her collection!
Gaining –
Yes, I am making progress in my other knitting project(s)! I have finally reached the point of joining the fronts and back of Evening Dew!! AND, I have the heel flap *almost* done on sock one of those Gift Socks!
IN love –
I had been thinking that this “half-hat” would be perfect, but then I saw this in the first Making Winter! I have yarn that will work, and my subscription has been renewed (just this morning!) Entrelac vs Colorwork… it seemed an easy choice! PLUS!! Making Winter is full of more lovely little things that could keep me busy the entire winter season and beyond!
Fiona and the Women –
I have been watching the impeachment hearings faithfully, and while I have been so impressed and comforted at the steady, hard-working, doing the right thing career government employees, Dr. Fiona Hill really was something to behold. I have a bit of a fan-girl crush on her – she is incredibly well-spoken, smarter than everyone in the hearing room, and with incredible recall. She has attained Superhero status in my book!
And adding to all my joy over Dr. Hill – did you catch the debate on Wednesday night? There were more women than men on the stage! Of the 14 on stage, there were 8 women including the 4 moderators. IMO, it was the best debate thus far. And, I am thinking this morning how much better everything would be if smart women were in charge.
And, that is all I have for this week! I hope you all have a great weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!
by Kat | Nov 18, 2019 | General, In This Moment
Includes some “carry-over” items from last week’s list.
I had hoped to get a Gnome stared and Thanksgiving is now looming large! But, my yarn is all set and I’ve moved it up on the list, so it gets started AND completed!
I had hoped to get Christmas lights out… however, looking at the forecast, Thursday might be our warmest day – perfect for doing this undone task!
I had hoped to get the refrigerator cleaned out (and I am truly wondering why this task is so easily ignored??)
Plus, I found a thing or two to add to my list – I need a “half-hat” (otherwise known as a headband) for outside walking. You know… for those days when you need something for your ears, but a hat is just too warm. I hope to find the time to cast one on tonight!
And, so with my exceedingly long list in hand, I had better get started on this week! Happy Monday all!
by Kat | Nov 15, 2019 | General, In This Moment
You can’t promote principled anti-corruption action without pissing off corrupt people. – George P. Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
In my opinion, this was the best quote of the week. Bravo to Mr. Kent for saying it and it is certainly true!
Now, how about a quick TGIF and then… let the weekend begin!
Tenacious Knitting –
I thought I was fairly focused in my knitting this week…so focused that I feel like I should have both shoulders done! BUT!! I had a brief set back in which I had to rip out the left shoulder of my Evening Dew cardigan because I should have been knitting the right shoulder!! One would think that at my age I would know right from left, but apparently not… Anyways, the right shoulder is now finished (with the right chart!!) and the left shoulder was begun last night – with the left chart!
Gratitude –
I had hoped to maintain a gratitude list on IG which lasted for all of one day. It has been a tough week here and I am thankful for blogging friends, especially Carole, who brought gratitude reminders back into focus for me. I also realized that posting an image does not mean there was nothing to be grateful about. And, in a tough week I revisited Michelle’s prompt for seeking gratitude when sidetracked and specifically this Gilbert K. Chesterton quote: When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. I am working hard on taking them with gratitude, but it is a work in progress – truly.
Ignoring the Impulse –
I have had some yarns sitting in a cart all week as I think about those sweaters from last week! I have been very good at ignoring the impulse to purchase said yarn. Part of my success is that while I would love a red sweater for Christmas – the voice of reason tells me that will not happen this year. And purchasing yarn for a sweater for next Christmas does not have the same feelings of urgency.
Festive Prep Plans –
I have been listening to bursts of holiday music (except when Steve has been home, because he is the Penultimate Grinch about all things Christmas – especially music!) I also heard Mother Nature loud and clear this week with her Winter Weather Warning! This weekend my plans are to get out those holiday lights and have them festively adorning our bushes, ready and waiting for the time when Steve deems it okay to turn them on!
And that is all I have for the week! I hope your weekend is full of all good things and that Monday takes her sweet time in getting here!
by Kat | Nov 11, 2019 | General, In This Moment
…is for remembering.
It is a long weekend in my house and usually long weekends are all about, well… the weekend and extending it one more day.
Today, however, I will spend some time contemplating all those have served (and are serving) so that I can enjoy a long weekend in November.
I hope you are having a good weekend – and are doing some remembering as well!
See you all back here on Wednesday!
by Kat | Nov 8, 2019 | General, In This Moment
I am really trying to ignore how rapidly the days are racing past. However, doing that with any success has been an abject failure. I did, however, finish Rachel’s Velvet-y Cowl last night. I have more than enough yarn left to make a “Mini-Velvet-y Cowl” for Vivi, so this obsession with velvet yarn is not over yet…
Tempted By –
Is it just me, or has Ravelry been an instrument of incredible temptation recently?
- Temptation Number One: Thea’s Hard Cider caught my eye and Mary put an exclamation point on it with her plans! I love Mary’s choice of yarn and especially the color!
- Temptation Number Two: A Rav ad for Delicious Toast also caught my eye… the details are so lovely!
- Temptation Number Three: (which I am about to give in to!) Oh, Gnome, You Didn’t Steve’s mom loves gnomes and has quite a collection of them and this little fellow would be a cute addition! Plus, she watched Sherman for us on Tuesday, so I will be casting this on shortly as a tiny little thank you to her!
- Temptation Number Four: Cellophane Flowers makes me want to drop everything, buy some speckled yarn, and CAST ON!!
- Temptation Number Five: ADVENTuresome Wrap – yes, this pattern from Ambah O’Brien has been rattling around my brain – I have a good amount of Koigu that I think will work, I’d just need to get a skein of something to use for the main color!
Grateful Gratitude –
I have spent the week immersed in gratitude thanks to Michelle. I have thought about opening my eyes to notice gratitude. I have reveled in the wonder of gratitude. I have taken note of the things I take for granted. I have celebrated those slivers of joy that are a steady thread though my days. And finally, today I will think about gratitude that exists inside those difficult times. This week was very much needed in my life, and I plan to continue to seek out gratitude as the month continues. It is amazing how seeking out gratitude alters your entire outlook for everything!
It’s Old Fashioned Week –
Yes, indeed! And, this is the perfect day to celebrate that! I will be mixing up a special simple syrup to make an autumn-inspired Old Fashioned for tonight’s happy hour!
Finally, let the weekend begin –
Tomorrow is the fall Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer! It is on the North Shore versus in Lawrenceville and I have my fingers crossed that we will be heading off to wander and look at all the treasures! PLUS, a North Shore visit on a weekend that there is no Pitt game means that I might even be able to convince Steve that lunch at Southern Tier Brewing is in order!
That is all I have for this week, what are your TGIF thoughts for today?
