by Kat | Aug 22, 2017 | General, In This Moment
There is so much going on every day and not all of it good. So, every day I try very hard to have something good to focus on, I thought I’d share a bit of that with you!
Watching: The eclipse! Even though in Pittsburgh we only got a partial eclipse – it was spectacular even with some cloud cover. The changes to the light were stunning. You will be happy to know that our household listened to the directions of not looking at the sun to prevent retinal damage. This was not the case for everyone… Perhaps this should be a test for competency? And, as for the digital watching: Game of Thrones (of course!) and Endeavor! I also watched the finale of Broadchurch and honestly, I was a little disappointed. But, I won’t say any more than that for all those who have yet to watch it.
Stitching: Every single day and I am really pleased with how August is unfolding. Really pleased! I also went and got some button craft thread and my hope is that I will soon turn this pile of tee shirts into my first AC garment.
Reading: and listening like a maniac as I chase down my cover all! I am just 2 squares away and have about 18 hours of listening to do. I am eager to get them done because Beach Music by Pat Conroy just came off hold for me at the library! I am also reading the Essays of E.B. White on my Kindle and I have both books by Laurie Colwin (Home Cooking and More Home Cooking). I am almost done with Home Cooking – I should have it completed this week. This has really been the most spectacular summer for reading. Ever.
Picking: Tomatoes…so many tomatoes. That picture above is from this morning! I know, you are all probably sick of hearing about tomatoes, but this year, the volume of large tomatoes has been really quite spectacular. In past years, I have been happy with the dozen we have picked, but this year has had a bumper crop with no signs of production slowing down! Also, raspberries… I picked enough again this morning to make a batch of jam. I know these are such awful problems to have. Spending time in my garden is really the best time, I would not trade it for anything – even with the bunnies decimating our beans! There should be a “not picking” category perhaps, because outside of the handful of zucchini we picked at the beginning of the season, it has not been a good year for them at all. We have picked a sum total of zero since then and it does not look like that will change. I am not sure why they are having such a bad year, but my neighbor is not having any success with his squash plants this year either.
Eating: Tomatoes from my garden! Every.single.day! And, for those things we aren’t growing: sweet corn, peaches, and an incredible variety of peppers! August is the month where I am quite certain I could become a vegetarian.
Looking forward to: Our trip to Michigan! We finalized the dates and have our Airbnb reservation all set. It is the one thing that is really giving me something to look forward to! Why? Because…
Dreading: The end of August. The arrival of Labor Day. The return of dark mornings. Having to turn lights on at night earlier. This summer I have really tried to not “wish ahead” but rather spend more time in the moment enjoying. This has been an eye-opening practice – I am much happier with each day and I am worrying less about tomorrow, or next month, or next year. September, you can just wait your turn – there is lots of August left!
Celebrating: Sherman’s 5th Birthday on Saturday! Every day I am so incredibly thankful for him. He is a bright spot in our day.
That is a slice of what is good in my life right now; how about you? What’s good in your life?
by Kat | Aug 21, 2017 | General, In This Moment
It was a fly by weekend here but lots got done. Unfortunately, the sweater was not one of the things on the “done” list! I am through the sleeve divide however, and the knitting is going a bit quicker now. With some quality knitting time, this should not be on my needles too much longer!
However, today my list has little room for knitting.
My list today includes the plethora of tomatoes that have taken over the house, some raspberry jam as well. As is Pilates and a walk and mixed in with those things are a few other more “mundane” tasks as well.
Oh, and I also have some eclipse viewing to do as well!
Hope your Monday is full of good things!
by Kat | Aug 14, 2017 | General, In This Moment
If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. John F. Kennedy
I would like to say I had a great weekend, however, the events that took place in Charlottesville loom like the dark grey skies that greeted my Monday morning. But, Friday’s Happy Hour was much improved by the calzones I made that were inspired by Bonny!
Saturday, we stopped to see our friend at the Farmer’s Market and he had more peaches which I will be turning into peach jam this morning. We picked volumes of tomatoes and raspberries from the garden that will soon become jams as well!
My list will keep me in the kitchen for most of the morning, which is not a bad way to spend a Monday in which you are trying to make sense out of senselessness.
And, I will leave you with this bit of goodness that Steve sent me this morning.
by Kat | Aug 8, 2017 | General, In This Moment
After a few very grey and cool days it appears that the sun is making a return today! (Which is very welcome even if it is not bringing the warm weather with it!) And, this morning the blog is decidedly lacking in subject matter so I thought about just writing in hopes that some brilliance would bubble to the surface.
But, sometimes, the brilliance is silent and I am struck by this month’s theme at The Balanced Sisterhood. It is all focused around meditation, stress relief, and rejuvenation. Meditation has been part of my life for a very long time now, but after all that time being still is not always easy.
I have this month’s print out at my desk where I meditate and write as a visual reminder that being still is okay and more than that, it is necessary. In those moments of stillness there is sometimes tension inside me as the external fights just being still. I am a “doer” – as in I must always be doing something… knitting, reading, stitching, writing, cooking, cleaning, doing. However, when I push those thoughts away and just focus on being still wonderful things can happen. I realize that being still is vital to being active – my thoughts are more ordered and less chaotic and I have less tension and stress in my body. Even just 5 or 10 minutes of stillness is enough to energize and organize my day.
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. Deepak Chopra
As in all things, this is a work in progress but, there is progress and that encourages me to keep going! What about you? Do you have a meditation practice?
by Kat | Aug 7, 2017 | General, In This Moment
The weekend had a definite autumnal feel to it with cool temps, low humidity, and overcast skies. Kind of weird weather for early August, especially since I am not ready to be reminded that summer is winding down.
The weekend weather did afford a bit more Kon-Mari-ing, which is not really my favorite way to spend a weekend but I am pleased with the results.
The weather was perfect for a bonfire on Saturday night which was the first one we have had this summer!
Today is grey and rainy and my to-do list is substantial, so I am just going to focus on my list and hope for some sunshine and warm weather this week!
Happy Monday, everyone!
by Kat | Jul 31, 2017 | General, In This Moment
This Monday morning brings the close of July is the most unexpected but beautiful way.
It was a great weekend! Friday night cocktails were accompanied by some light snacks as we wound down the week.
Saturday saw me heading out with some “yarn” friends to visit a few shops on the Pittsburgh Yarn Crawl and the weather was just perfect – not too hot at all as we enjoyed the day.
Sunday, the day started out beautifully cool but it warmed nicely and the in afternoon we spent time in the yard doing a bit of work, which feels like it is never-ending.
However, this “overnight” visitor was a most welcome sight first thing this morning!
I hope your Monday is filled with unexpected goodness, too!
