Happy November!! Or should I say NaKniSweMo!?! Or for those participating – NaBloPoMo?!? That’s right… I am taking the “easy” way out this month. Queue up a nice relaxed Knit a Sweater Month!
Today I am sharing things you can s-l-o-w down and do this month!
Thing One: Spend the first 15-20 minutes of your day unplugged!!
Over the summer, I rarely looked at electronics first thing. Now, the mornings are darker – and colder – so laying in bed and reading news, emails, social media, etc. is great – until you realize you have wasted an hour doing nothing productive. And, today is DAY ONE to get myself back on track.
Thing Two: Schedule time to be un-scheduled.
That’s right, I put myself on my schedule at least once a week. I use the time to do something… or nothing. My favorite way to use this time is to get outside and take a walk. I am focused on doing just that as many times as I can before the weather gets too bad!
Thing Three: Just Say No!
This has been a very good thing for me this year! My process is very similar to what Kym wrote about recently – rather than make a snap decision on something, I spend some time actually thinking about it. Thus, NaBloPoMo did not make the cut this year – because as Kym said – just because I have always done it, does not mean I always have to do it! This also helped me pass on choir this year – painful, but it was absolutely the right decision. And, we are getting to the time of year when lots of “asks” happen and all those things take time, effort, and yes sometimes even money. I am going to pick and choose with the focus being to celebrate and enjoy the season, rather than just filling my calendar with things.
There you have it… my plans for slowing down and savoring the end of 2018.
This got me thinking… lots! Because there are some things that I recently have said yes to with great joy!
Thing One:
I am saying yes to a bit of Michelle GD as this year winds down. My first YES was to Gratitude Week, which begins on November 5th…this is such a lovely way to refocus and renew (and this is a free offering – her gift to you!) Last year, I did not take part in her December Just Five Things and this year I am not going to miss out on the insight she shares. And, it is the perfect way to slow down December – focus inwardly, rather than being overtaken by the rush of the season. Registration is open, you might want to say yes to this as well!
Thing Two:
Something that feels a little outside of my “knitting” comfort zone is Kid Silk Haze. Yet, I have managed to acquire a sizeable stash of this stuff. Again, with some inspiration from Mary, I am going to participate in Ambah’s ADVENTurer KAL… yes, using KSH. Mary planted the seeds and I think this might be the perfect thing for December – some slow knitting.
Thing Three:
While I said no to the year-long commitment of choir at church… I did say yes to singing one time in December. Our director has made this a super easy thing to do… the music tracks are online, so I have started practicing already and there will just be ONE rehearsal to attend.
And, there you have my ‘yes’ things! But, what about you? What are you saying yes to right now?
Want to see more things? Head on over to Carole’s!
Houston…we have applied icord!! It was a very rocky start, but I figured it out and have been buzzing right along with it. I have about half of blanket one to do yet, but I am feeling great success!! Woo hoo!
Thinking About – The Instagram conundrum… why do I see all the posts I want to see when I open Instagram in a browser window on my pc but from the app on my phone I must search for friends’ posts? Really, this is making me so mad. Also, am I the only one getting a million “promoted” posts on the phone app? Instagram, you are making me crazy and not in a good way! I have been trying to go through and “turn on notifications” for all the people I want to see however, that is a process in itself! Yes… this is really not a problem in the scheme of things, but there you have it.
Grateful For – The spate of sunny days we have had recently! Even the chilly mornings are easier to take with bright blue skies! I only walked one day where it was a bit “misty” out, every other day was just glorious!
Inspired By – Robin’s Back to the Mat! Yes, this week has been hard (and there are still 2 more days to go!!) but I feel so accomplished when I complete my time on the mat! Note to self… be inspired by your own motivation!
Fun, fun, fun – This weekend is sure to be full of fun, especially since Steve is taking Monday off and we have plans to go and enjoy the southwestern PA sights! I will be back here on Tuesday to tell you all about it!
Things to ponder – The preliminary deets for Project Peace 2018 went up this week!! I did not knit a peace project last year and I really need some peace this year… badly! Proceeds will be donated to Seeds of Peace this year, and I am super inspired to participate. I am hoping that I will have some fellow peace-seeking knitters joining me!
And, that’s all I have for this week! Have a great weekend and I will see you all back here on Tuesday!
My things today are all NEW things we did in Michigan! (Or what not to miss when you visit Traverse City!)
Thing One:
The weather precluded us heading out to Sleeping Bear Dunes, but that might be a good thing. It forced us to discover the TART Trail and did we enjoy meandering on it! Part of it takes you along the West Bay and the day we went was wild! Crazy winds meant crazy waves on the bay! It also then intersects with downtown Traverse City and we stopped in to the Grand Traverse Pie Company to warm up. This was a first for us (I know… how is that even possible that I have NEVER stopped in here!?!) It was love at first bite let me tell you – and we went back for more bites! Ha! This little circuit also makes it convenient to then walk along the Boardman River where we saw even more surprises! The building art just made my day!
Thing Two:
We truly love all the Traverse City Microbreweries and this year our old standbys did not fail us. But, we discovered a new brewery not too far from TC in Cedar, MI – Big Cat Brewing Company – we had a beer flight with our lunch – both of which were excellent! We also spent a good bit of time at Lake Ann Brewing – this is super convenient as Heidi and Sam both live in Lake Ann. Lest you think it was just all beer, all the time (almost, but not quite!) We also hit up the Grand Traverse Distillery for some sampling. We both love their Barrel Aged Gin, but this time they also had Chocolate Vodka that was not sweet, but more dark chocolate-like! Yes, a bottle came home with us and I have some ideas for some holiday beverages percolating in my brain for it! We also discovered a new-to-us restaurant – Maddy’s Tavern and they make a killer Bloody Mary!
Thing Three:
A new and really odd thing… we did stop at Wool and Honey when we were in Cedar and I bought NOTHING. That’s right, not one skein of yarn…zero, zip, zilch, nada… Perhaps I could have used Kay’s spread sheet because my mind went blank and I could think of nothing I needed yarn to knit! I know, what on earth was wrong with me! Absolutely no stash enhancement at all on this trip, boo!
There you have our great trip to MI! Oh, and a shout out to our Airbnb host… we simply LOVED the cottage and will absolutely be back again!
I started reading The Overstory yesterday. It opens with a selection of poetry and this poem by Bill Niedjie struck me…deeply. I hope it moves you as well.
Tree…
he watching you.
You look at tree,
he listen to you.
He got no finger,
he can’t speak.
But that leaf….
he pumping, growing,
growing in the night.
Thinking About – As I am carefully assembling the blankets – I have been thinking about the two people I will send them to. One I know, one I do not but, as I have been joining each square I have been thinking about their struggle as they battle their illness. I have also been thinking about my inspiration for this – Annie has had some difficult days. She starts Round Three on Monday – so keep her in your thoughts!
Grateful For – Being back at home! While I love going away, and especially going to visit my kids – being gone makes me appreciate home much more. You know… your own bed, your own shower, and yes… I might even be looking forward to our “regularly scheduled happy hour” tonight!
Inspired by –Like Mary, I am also inspired by Robin’s Back to the Mat Challenge! I have fallen off the Pilates Wagon and this is just the thing I need to get me back on track after vacation!
Fun, fun, fun – This weekend the things on tap include visiting Janoski’s to get some apples to make an Apple Cake and getting out a few more Halloween decorations – although we are ready for Happy Hour, lol!
