I love the rain and everything about the monsoons! – Disha Patani
Another day of insane rains here in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Hail, thunder, and torrential downpours greeted my morning. I am trying so hard to find the beauty in this weather – and am hopeful that if I focus on Disha’s quote today – it will help!
My things today are random and somewhat scattered, but that is my life most days!
Thing One:
I am not a fan of summer and I wanted to NOT be that person who complains every single day about how hot it is. It changes nothing, and you know bitching about the heat just makes it feel warmer. I am trying (so hard!) to find joy in the fact that we have AC that works almost too well. I see how much my gardens love these long, warm days. Especially the tomatoes which are full of growing fruit! It is an imperfect journey to find joy in heat (that is often paired with ghastly humidity) and I am finding that the inner does impact the outer. These are most certainly small steps but every journey begins with a step, right?
Thing Two:
Sometimes, there is nothing you can do but give in to an urge…and I did exactly that yesterday! I have seen so many amazing cropped sweaters and I love how they look but my inner critic tells me how those styles are not for overweight, middle-aged women. And, then this incredible Diva appeared on my radar! And, her pattern notes and images are even more amazing! Jennifer Jones, thanks to you I cast on my own Early Bloomer yesterday! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for inspiring me!
Thing Three:
Finally, is it just me – or does it seem to be much easier to figure out what to make for dinner when there is such an abundance of fresh veggies available? Also, a meal of all veggies is simply the best and that is what we are doing tonight! Why? Well, the sweet corn is in and that is what we are having for dinner tonight and I can hardly wait!
Those are my random and somewhat scattered things! Head on over to Carole’s to see what everyone else has on their list today!
Sometimes, I feel like I just need to shake my brain out – empty it of all sorts of odds and ends to free up some space! Today is definitely one of those days!
I got my second (and final) dose of the shingles vaccine this week and can I just say that I am glad that is over with! 48-ish hours of feeling meh was not what I needed this week, but I am really glad that I don’t have to worry about shingles! (now if only some other worries were as easily relieved!!)
I watched and knit my way through two nights of debates this week (this was a huge boon to knitting as I am racing through my Screen Door. I have 5 repeats to go to the DECREASES! My takeaway thoughts on the candidates… night one I was pleasantly surprised by Julián Castro. But, night two was owned by Kamala Harris! Wow! She seriously rocked it! I know there are still miles and miles to go, but this is a very promising start!
The outpouring of support for Ravelry this week has been inspiring! Or, perhaps it is better to say that I am inspired by the outpouring of support for and the inclusion of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ members! Is it perfect? No – far from it, we still have so much work to do to in making sure everyone feels welcome and like they belong, but this was a huge step in the right direction!
Also in knitting, Thea has a new pattern out this week and she is donating 50% of the pattern proceeds to RaicesTexas until Sunday!
Finally, in the colossal fail category – this weekend will find me grocery shopping. Yep, that’s right in a grocery store the weekend before a major holiday. I am entirely blaming that damned shingles shot that I will be a member of the shopping bedlam!
I will also be treating myself with a little visit to JoAnn’s as well – they have a crazy sale this weekend and sometimes you just can’t pass up a sale, right?
There you have my brain dump – what do you need to get off your mind before the weekend starts?
Summertime is always the best of what might be. — Charles Bowden
Happy Summer Solstice! After torrential overnight rains, this morning the clouds are giving way to pale blue skies. The humidity is gone, and the birds are singing! I have shut off the AC and opened wide the windows, welcoming in the cool air. After a week of rarely seeing the sunshine, this is the perfect start to summer!
Celebrating:
Our ninth “anniversary” of sorts! I use the word anniversary loosely because we are not married – but no less committed to each other (and perhaps more so!) Anyways, we had the most hilarious conversation this morning where we struggled with the date a bit – how many years now? After much conversation and checking of calendars – Happy 9 years of co-habitation! The highlight of the morning thus far was the email informing me that I have 1 year of BritBox awaiting me! Steve does know me so well – sometimes is scares me! Ha! Anyways, I have plans to celebrate tonight with our usual Happy Hour, which tonight will be a Happy Anniversary Hour! And, I think the weather is going to cooperate nicely and allow for a bit of a bonfire tonight!
Making:
Yesterday I got all the pieces cut out for Vivi’s quilt top (thanks to Middlemarch – which is the most engaging company) and this morning my plan was to start sewing squares together… But perhaps it would be a better thing to get this yarn skeined up and soaking since the weather is perfect for drying yarn! I also need give my Screen Door a quick soak and a bit of blocking. Yesterday, I pulled out this project and managed to get past the sleeve divide. And, this weekend I want to make some more of this incredible jam. It is insanely delicious – far less sweet – and much faster than this jam. I did NOT strain the jam as suggested in the recipe. As you can see, there is no shortage of “making” going on here.
Watching:
The latest season of The Handmaid’s Tale and a new series, Das Boot – both on Hulu. I also finally caught up with the latest season of Bosch on Amazon. And, best of all – the latest season of Endeavor on PBS!
Loving:
Michelle’s Summer Friday Prompts! They are a wonderful thing to contemplate and I am carrying them with me through the week in my morning meditation time. This week’s prompt was ironically timely – and I am profoundly grateful for the prompts. It is always a good reminder to look beyond the bad and think about the future – and to find something to be grateful for.
Asking:
For your valued input! I have been thinking about the future of Unraveled Wednesday – is it stale? Does it need a reboot? How many weeks can we really be excited to talk about our making and reading? I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions! (and if you don’t want to leave a comment here you are welcome to email me at kachrist37 (at) gmail (dot) com – of course you know to swap out the (at) and (dot) with an ampersand and a period.
That is what is happening in my world right now – Have an amazing weekend and I will see you back here on Monday! (And, I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions about Unraveled Wednesdays!)
I am joining Carole and friends today and I am sharing three things I am anticipating with some excitement!
First, queue the music please…
Thing One:
Summer Solstice! I have been in a summer-frame-of-mind since the “unofficial” start of summer way back on Memorial Day weekend. Summer is really not my favorite time of the year weather-wise, the dreaded uber-hot days and the humidity… really, not my favorite things. But this year I made the decision to NOT be that person and I discovered that if you change your way of thinking, you can absolutely make a difference where it counts – with yourself! I have plans for a lovely evening outside enjoying the glorious weather – even if it rains! Because is there anything more lovely than summer rain and cocktails on the porch?
Thing Two:
Vegetable Garden Anticipation has been in “Worry Mode” this year – things have been slow growing, very slow growing! So, slow growing that I worried that all our efforts in planting would result in no fruits of our labor. But this week things all started turning around! The beans have blossoms (finally!!), the peppers are showing signs of life as well! And, this morning I was greeted by a plethora of tiny tomato flowers! PLUS!! I picked my first handful of raspberries this morning and I am deliciously reminded that good things sometimes do come to those who wait!
Thing Three:
I have finally made my way through the avalanche of library books and yesterday I began Middlemarch, which is perfect timing for my longed for “Summer of Classics” to begin! I am listening and happily settling into life in in early 1800’s England. Sometimes things you anticipate do not quite measure up, but 6 chapters in and the story is most welcoming and inviting. Good thing because I have another 31 hours of listening to go! I think that Dorothea will be the most wonderful sewing companion as well which is a very good thing because today I am beginning the process of cutting out Vivi’s quilt!
And there you have my anticipations! What are you looking forward to this week?
Happy Flag Day! I think today is the first time I ever read George Washington’s words and they have special impact this year. They are a good reminder of who and what we are.
Thinking About –
Friday mornings have had a new twist this month, thanks to Michelle’s Tiny Bit of Quiet series! I am truly enjoying her thoughts. Her words provoke lots of thinking in my morning meditation time. This week it seemed the world was in step with last week’s Friday quiet thoughts when yesterday these words reminded me how important those pauses are.
Getting Ready –
I passed the halfway point in my Screen Door yesterday and I will spend some time today memorizing the decreasing rows so that I can get this knit off my needles! I am eager to start a new sweater for fall. I hope to get this sweater cast on over the weekend, that is if I can get Screen Door done! I am also very happy to not be pressured to finish this in 4-days but hope to have it done by Marie’s July 4 kick off in her FB group and I will be happily cheering along the participants.
IN Focus –
I have been thinking about my word (focus) and Macro Monday’s and I have been contemplating how challenging it is to “be in focus.” My life, just like my lens, sometimes focuses on things that are not important – this process has given me much to contemplate as I learn and grow this summer.
Fun, fun, fun –
Finally, it is Friday! Steve told me last night that he wanted Pizza and Wings for happy hour tonight – so we are doing something different and ordering them from a local restaurant. I am going to try and still my inner voice and “be okay” with whatever presentation this takes tonight. Try…. such a little word that can be so hard! Stay tuned to my IG feed to see how well I do with all of that! And, while there might be some dish and lay-out compromising happening, I am not giving in on Happy Hour Outside and there might even be a bonus tonight – I think we will be able to utilize the patio heater because today is not supposed to be warm at all.
That is all I have for this week and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you back here on Monday!
I am joining with Carole and friends today to share a few tidbits from my brain this week.
Thing One:
I loved Bridget’s paparazzi comment yesterday, but the truth is those glasses are hiding my Allergy Eyes… is it just me or does the pollen seem at an all-time high this year?
Thing Two:
The other thing that many of you commented on was the length of my hair. I had a hair appointment in May that I had to cancel due to our trip to Michigan and I have yet to reschedule that appointment. But!! I have been contemplating pulling a Vicki and not going until the fall.
Thing Three:
Reclaiming yarn from a sweater is usually not a day-long task… unless you are reclaiming yarn from a sweater that you knit with double strands. My task today is to skein the yarn up so it can have a bath to get the kinks out! Oh, and not one minute of sadness entered the equation in ripping that sweater out – it was a poor decision to knit it in the first place (sometimes jumping on that Bang Out a Sweater Bandwagon is just wrong!) The yarn is about to get new life in a new sweater!
Those are my things, pitiful as they might be! What’s rattling around your brain today?
