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!
Late November unraveling feels a bit frantic; do you agree?
I have a pair of socks I’d like to finish for a Christmas gift… this from the person who might just be the slowest sock knitter in the Northern Hemisphere. I don’t even have a HO (and that damned clock is ticking!) And these socks are knit on a bigger than usual needle and it is still slow going!
However, the Gnome has been started and I think the fiddliest bits are done (that three-pointed cap was a bitch, just sayin’) I am almost to the body decreases so the speed of knitting has picked up dramatically!
(And, my poor Evening Dew Cardigan has not seen much knitting time at all this week!)
But I do have a finished object!! Yes… it took a long time (I really can’t even remember when I started this hat – but it was a while ago) It has been languishing and fell into the out of sight, out of mind black hole. However, a bit of cleaning on Saturday and it resurfaced – and some attention on Saturday night, and a wee bit on Sunday and by Monday morning I was doing the decreases and now I have a blocked finished Sockhead Slouch Hat to keep Steve’s head warm!
His exuberance is overwhelming, no?
Books this week included Ann Cleeve’s sixth book in her Shetland series; Thin Air. I struggled to get into this series, but perseverance has paid off because this was my favorite one yet! 4-stars and I truly recommend this series!
I also finished Eventide, the second in Kent Haruf’s Plaintide trilogy. I loved it more than the first. I especially love how he has woven the stories of the people from Holt, CO together. If you are looking for a series that is the perfect thing for a “holiday read” look no further! I highly recommend (and Eventide got 5-stars!)
That is all I have for this week and if you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below!
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!
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!
I finished my Baby Velvet knitting binge with a bang – one final pint-sized cowl so Vivi can match her mom! (I think it might be a little big, but it will absolutely work!) Details for my modifications are here.
I got to the next part of the Evening Dew Cardigan! Yes, I have picked out the provisional cast on (which can I just say is not for the faint of heart when using mohair/silk laceweight yarn!) and have begun the front shoulder portion of the sweater! Woooo! Yes, it is minute progress… but progress!
I also am tossing the stash to cast on an Oh Gnome, You Didn’t and I am hoping I have some orange yarn somewhere…
Now, how about a wee reading update:
Finish Number One… Plainsong by Kent Haruf. Oh my, this is a lovely book. The writing is wonderful and the stories of the people living in Holt, Colorado draw you in. I listened to the audio version and I so enjoyed it. The narrator was very good, and I loved this book almost as much as Our Souls at Night. I recommend this 4-star book!
Next, I finished How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Another audio book, this one read by Kendi, was the perfect follow up to Just Mercy. Kendi invites you gently in and helps you unpack your thoughts, beliefs, and ideas – gently, directly – beautifully! He does not condemn the listener, he inspires you to be better, to change in positive ways, and to be a more active antiracist. 5-stars for this must-read book!
That is all I have for this week. What about you? Have you had any making successes this week?
As always, if you wrote a post to share, please leave you link below and thank you!
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 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?
October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again. — Hal Borland
My October images had a clear pattern of almost daily changes – I watched the trees go from green to glorious in slow motion – the color beginning at the top and gradually flowing down the course of the leaves. We had our first frost. We also had such amazing skies and, happily, very little rain! It also included a quick Michigan trip to visit some of my favorite people. And, movement… lots of movement.
The video last month has to be one of my favorites. There were so many butterflies all month long! Our butterfly bush just seemed to be hanging on just for this purpose and it was magical to head outside each afternoon and find dozens of them covering the blooming panicles.
Thanks for looking back at October with me! How about you? What did your October hold?
My “regularly scheduled knitting” has been preempted by some fast and furious gift knitting. That’s right, I have been doing some very “not me” knitting for my girls who love to get knitted gifts, yet often complain about woolen scratchiness. Nothing scratchy about these cowls – no sir! They are soft and cozy (although I am not sure how warm they will be….) Anyways, this is one super-fast knit! One done, and the second well underway! I had hoped to get more done yesterday, but we were pleasantly busy at the polls! My plans for today include an afternoon curled up on the sofa knitting! And, I expect to be back to the Morning Dew Cardigan later this week!
My reading was supercharged this week:
I finished Inland and while this was slow going to start, it finished wonderfully! The characters are well developed, the story full of just the right amount of whimsy, and the ending… oh my. It was really wonderful. 4-stars – this is a “western” that does not feel entirely like a western.
I also finished I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a White Made for Whiteness – this was a short but powerful novel. “This is partly what makes the fragility of whiteness so damned dangerous. It ignores the personhood of people of color, and instead makes the feelings of whiteness the most important thing.” In a year of trying to read books that open my eyes, change my viewpoint, and disassemble my white fragility – this book was like a Psalm – well-written, powerful, and so thought-provoking. 4-stars and I highly recommend.
Finally, I finished Book 6 in the Sandhamn Murders – In Harm’s Way. These are truly the most enjoyable little mysteries – and Sten leaves the door open for some new interesting character lines. 4-stars.
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below and thank you!
Who besides me feels a bit off kilter on this post-time change Monday?
My list is not off kilter at all though and here is what I have percolating this week:
I don’t know how this crossed my path on Friday, but it did and Saturday morning I headed to JoAnn’s to procure some Baby Velvet! Sometimes the impromptu gift knitting bug strikes and there is no way to ignore it! I forgot how fast things go on size 11 needles! I am almost done with one cowl and my plan is to make one more!
Tomorrow is an election day and even though this is an “off year,” it is still imperative that you all go out and vote! So, please… put that on the top of your list this for tomorrow.
I have some mending to do that I really can’t ignore any longer. My plan is to sit down, sew on buttons and fix hems while I listen to the two new episodes that dropped in the 1619 podcast!
And then there is the raking…sigh. Yep, all that rain and wind from late last week means that there are a plethora of leaves that need to be removed and bagged before pick-up next Monday.
Plus, all the “regular weekly to-do list” – it is a full week!
I hope your Monday is full of at least one or two things that you enjoy doing! See you back here on Wednesday, albeit a wee bit later than usual!
