or some curtains or something to wear – it’s lovely.
– Twiggy
It’s 10 on Tuesday and this week Carole wants to know:
10 Things You Do To Calm Down
Hmmmm, calm down you say? Yes, we all need a bit of that sometimes, don’t we? Some of us (me!!) more than others.
So, what things help me regain sanity when everything around me is chaos…
Knitting – absolutely every single time. Even when the knitting is not good, the pattern is not easy, or it is just a simple swatch. Knitting is number one on my list.
Shut my mouth – stress and talking are a bad combination.
Meditation. A simple activity that centers me and helps me clear away the chaos from the inside – and if I am calm, what is going on around me is not so earth shattering. Even easier if you turn on Breathe, put in your ear buds, close your eyes, and listen.
Make bread. There is something so cathartic about the process of flour, water, yeast, and salt creating something so incredibly delicious. Stress reduction on so many levels!
Take a walk. A change of scenery just does a body good.
Work in the garden. Bonus – taking out your frustration on the weeds.
Read. Nothing quite like entering the world of the novel to clear your mind of what is stressing you.
And, just like that the second quarter of the year is underway – time flies when you are having fun? Way back in January, in our very first 10 on Tuesday of 2016Carole asked us to share things we’d like to do more… and less.
I thought it would be a good thing – and to help keep me accountable – to see how I am doing with my “more or less” list. As you will see, there is some success and some failure, but I am not giving up. I am recommitting to what I want to do – where I want to go – how I want to be. Continuing is what is important and I will forge ahead on that path!
Moving more – some days I win, some days I’m sedentary. Perhaps the weather change and the garden will help kick this one back on track!
Eating healthier foods has been sustained – I think it is safe to say that this is our habit.
We were pretty good consumer’s this weekend – thanks to some amazing deals at Lowe’s, Bedner’s, and JoAnn’s!! However, these items will be put to use in making things (or growing things). I would like to get back to doing some daily stitching, however, I am not stressing about it.
Konmari continues in a room at a time and I finally got to the boxes in the garage – this is a very good thing. There was some very good sorting that happened and I am happy to report that I now have several free shelves!!
Finally, gratitude, for which I am giving myself a failed grade for the first quarter – there was some, but nowhere near enough. I am going to refocus myself on the little things, and see if my gratitude does not grow and I will start with the weekend, which was lovely from the Pineapple Cilantro Moscow Mules (pictured above) to the wandering through garden centers with Steve. I am grateful that weekends exist.
Here is to a New Beginning Monday where I will start as I plan to continue, I hope your day is good too!
The very definition of ‘beauty’ is outside. – Adam Carolla
The weather is turning nicer and, appropriately, Carole wants to know:
10 Things You Love To Do Outside
Does Carole have perfect timing, or what? Especially with the weather warming nicely here, I am itching to get outdoors and do things!
Here are my 10 Favorite things to do outdoors:
Work in my garden. There is really nothing better than watching things you planted to grow, bloom, and produce! While I do have a small flower/perennial garden – my first love is my vegetable garden and especially eating and preserving the good things we’ve grown!
Al Fresco dining – I just love it. Outdoors, fresh air, and good food. Is it just me, or does everything just taste better outdoors?
Cooking outdoors – from grilling to making pizza in the pizza oven. Perhaps this is why the food just tastes so much better – because this is not a flavor you can replicate in the house.
Enjoying sunrises, sunsets are nice too but there is just something spectacular about a sunrise.
Walking along the water’s edge – especially the shores of Lake Michigan, perhaps my favorite place on earth.
Improving my photography skills with the spectacular things in nature – nothing like a nice walk outside to give you a new perspective on photography!
Exploring – my city and places I visit.
Enjoying the wildlife in my neighborhood. There is nothing quite like sitting outside listening to the birds sing, watch the hawks, and see the deer (yes, we have lots of deer in Pittsburgh!)
Knitting and spinning!
Another of the best things of summer. Nothing quite like sitting around the fire as the day draws to a close. It is just so peaceful.
There you have it, my outside favorites, but tell me, what is your favorite thing to do outside?
I had only one superstition. I made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run.
– Babe Ruth
Carole is really stretching me today with this week’s 10 on Tuesday:
10 Superstitions You Believe In
This could be a challenge, because I am not really sure I believe in any superstitions, so I went to my friend Google and came up with this list, now let’s see just how superstitions I am, shall we!
Beginner’s Luck, I really don’t believe in good luck or bad luck but, I did have this interesting experience. If you live in Michigan, you probably know what Club Keno is. Well, way back when it started I was at a local establishment and everyone was playing this new game. Caving to peer pressure, I put $20 on some random picks (the machine picks your numbers) and won over $10,000.00 on those picks. There may be something to this one…
Find a penny, pick it up… yes, I pick up coins that I find. What is not to love about free money!
Don’t walk under ladders. Well, obviously – unless you want to risk something falling on you!
Black cats… apparently this is such a real thing that there are a number of groups for the adoption of black cats. For the record, I have happily owned one or two black cats in my life.
Rabbit’s feet… So, IMO, having one is pretty unlucky for the poor rabbit. I do not now, nor have ever had a rabbit’s foot.
Breaking mirrors. Been there, done that – with no apparent ill effects.
666 – the only biblical one on this list. Now, I am not sure I want to move to a house with the number 666, but I did find this from 5 days ago amusing… (FYI his delegate count has since changed, so a momentary blip of additional insanity to an already insane election cycle)
Knock on wood – does this fall in the category of spilling salt? Anyways, it is a phrase I have used.
Wishbone’s – one of the best things about Thanksgiving. What kid has not done this?
Cross your fingers – I have said this to many people and I have done this for some as well. Do I believe it works? Not really, but sometimes being politically correct happens.
Umbrellas inside – this is a new one for me, now I keep an umbrella inside, and I have even kept an open umbrella inside (I am sure you have too – how else do you dry out a soaking wet umbrella??) I have never put anyone’s eye out, nor had bad luck because of this.
Friday the 13th No triskaidekaphobia here! It is usually a day like any other – benefited only because it is FRIDAY!!
Yes, I am adding one more because I think this one might have some merit – it has to do with Bracket’s, March Madness, and Michigan State. I am not a Michigan State fan, having sent daughter #1 to the UofM (Go Blue!) Anyways, every year I do not pick Michigan State to do well in brackets out of my dislike of them and they always, always do well – there by busting my bracket. Well, this year I decided to not be so foolish and I picked them to go all the way. Yes, All. The. Way! They were a number 2 seed after all and came into the contest with a great record, even if it pains me to say it. And, what happens?? They are eliminated in ROUND ONE BY A NUMBER 15 SEEDED TEAM!!! Who says there is not superstition!! Well, Tom Izzo here is one for you – I will now be picking you to go ALL THE WAY EVERY YEAR and thereby forfeit my bracket for you every single year if I can get these results!
Carole has a list for us to share of 10 things and this week it is all about wood, that’s right:
10 Favorite Things You Have That Are Made Out of Wood
Well, this is kind of fun – at first I read this and thought it said 10 things I HAD made of wood. Perhaps a bit more challenging, especially since I am a knitter, not a wood worker! I was actually wondering if putting IKEA furniture together would work! LOL
But, re-reading on a Monday is always a good thing!
This list is easy and fun as I have long been a collector of antiques – especially wood and painted wood. Now, you will get a tiny view of my favorite things that grace our home!
I love beautiful wood. – Billy Mays
The tiger maple dining room table, designed by me and built by a lovely and extremely talented, but sadly – too soon gone friend Bob Hampson. I truly love this table, even though it is a trifle on the large side for this house!
The walnut table my grandpa made when he was in high school.
The blue painted step-back cupboard.
The painted armoire (that Bob made shelves for out of antique boards – many of the antiques came to my house thanks to Bob) which now is in my office. The dentil molding is particularly spectacular.
The side-board in the dining room that serves as our bar.
The antique Irish scrubbed pine dough bowl. Although it is more of a “trough” that a bowl!
The antique Irish scrubbed pine cheese board.
My Schacht Matchless spinning wheel – not an antique, yet…
The antique turned candle sticks
The antique mahogany tobacco box
There you have it, Gentle Reader, my Wooden 10 on Tuesday!
P.S. You will see some changes to the blog in the coming days in celebration of my 10 year blog-iversary this month.
