Currently | 3.6.18

Currently | 3.6.18

Watching Loch Ness which I borrowed from the library.

Reading A Stash of One’s Own by Clara Parkes – this one will fill a slot on my Read Harder Challenge list.

Listening to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and I am enjoying it tremendously.

Making a bunny in a bear suit, mystery socks (which still are a mystery to me!), and sleeves on my Strokkur!

Feeling eager for the arrival of spring, gardening, and spending more time out-of-doors and ennui about my current knitting projects (except that little bear which is getting all the love!)

Planning lots of things! Starting with my participation in The 100 Day Project again this year. I would like to do something a bit more creative than I did last year. I am thinking about how I can successfully accomplish this. I am also planning some “days of sewing” coming up – why days? Well, when I get out the sewing machine – I’d like to have a few things to work on while it is out! And, the garden – lots of planning is happening over what to grow this year!

Loving the longer days and these surprisingly sturdy snowdrops that survived the weekends gale-force winds!

Right Now, mid-January

Right Now, mid-January

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver

This quote is the January inspiration from The Balanced Life and it is speaking volumes to me each day. I have included it in my morning mediation and it has been a wonderful help in homing in on that which improves my one “wild and precious life”!

This year, I have not made “resolutions” nor have I set any “intentions”. I did not spend time thinking about any little words to choose for the year. But, rather this year I have decided to move forward with those things that worked well last year with hopes of improving them even more this year. Those things include healthy food and activity, inspiring creativity in myself and others, and giving more – especially my time.

So, with these things in mind, here is my “right now”:

Queueing Up: as many healthy Instant Pot recipes that I can for these cold winter days. I have started a board on Pinterest, and last night began day one of our “Instant Pot” suppers. I am always wowed by how easy the Instant Pot is, seriously. In less than 30 minutes start to finish dinner was ready! I would like to get to the point where I don’t need a “recipe” and feel comfortable using the Instant Pot for a variety of meals. Vicki shared a link yesterday, and I will be making it later this week. I will let you know what I think! Last nights supper was super easy: Boneless pork loin chops, frozen diced red peppers from last summer, 1 diced onion, a bit of salt and pepper, half a cup of water and half a jar of salsa. I served this on warm cannellini beans and topped with a diced jalapeno. It was so good, and the pork chops were so tender and moist!

Stitching: For a much longer time each day. I have already filled about half of my fabric and I am really happy with how Winter is progressing. I am using the books Margene sent to me to help me learn new stitch patterns and I have been enjoying practicing the new things I am learning over the course of several days. I have also been planning how to put together last years stitching, and I think I am ready to begin that process! Then I just need to figure out what I want to use for backing!

Procrastinating: Yes, this is still a problem in my life, but I am working on it! I want to participate in Beth’s Weave Along, but I have yet to wind my warp. I am procrastinating because the thoughts of warping the loom are more than a bit daunting. I am not sure I remember exactly how to do it. However, I have queued up a Craftsy class with hopes that it will jog my memory and spur me to get this done!

Selecting: Yarn from my stash to knit Kirsten Kapur’s mystery socks in February. I am also wondering why I can manage to finish mystery socks, but non-mystery socks remain in the unfinished category. Perhaps, non-mystery socks need to go in the procrastinating category! Ha!

Moving: Several times a week I have been doing this HIIT workout that Robin sent out; it is HARD but I feel so good when I am done! This has been super helpful in these bitterly cold days when getting outside at all is a challenge!

There you have my life currently, what are you up to?

P.S. A big thanks to Gale for her photo inspiration!

Currently, November 14

Currently, November 14

The mind moves in the direction of our current dominant thoughts. Earl Nightingale

Finishing: I am closing in on the finish of the body of my Rusty. My goal for today is to finish these last few rows and get my crochet steeks done so that I can cut it apart tonight at knitting, per request. Apparently, no one there has ever steeked before, so I will attempt to alleviate some of the fears about doing it!

Watching…very little recently. But, I do have some catch up to do from Sunday night’s PBS line up! So in order to assure that I get my finishing gets done, I will be queueing up Poldark and The Durrell’s shortly. I also have been watching The Collection which is a very interesting series from Amazon that my local PBS station is running.

Reflecting: I just spent seven days with Michelle GD immersed in gratitude – there were wonderful messages and much to think about. This year was especially wonderful with some new ways to consider gratitude in my life.

Drinking: Lots of Old Fashioned cocktails! My favorite was a pumpkin-spiced Old Fashioned and I was asked for the recipe, so here you go! This one is really thanks to Steve because he created the pumpkin spice ingredient for some beer he is brewing. He did not use all the liquid, and so a new Old Fashioned was born.

Pumpkin-Spiced Old Fashioned:

  • 4 ounces Crown Royal Black Label
  • 1-ounce simple syrup
  • 1 tsp. pumpkin spiced vodka **
  • Pour all ingredients over ice and stir well to chill. Pour over ice and garnish with a flamed zest of an orange. Enjoy!

    ** Pumpkin Spiced “syrup”: 6 ounces neutral spirit (he used Skyy Vodka) and 2 Tbsp. Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice (we got this at Whole Paycheck Foods but it was the cheapest and organic) Do no refrigerate and shake daily for at least 7 days. You can strain if you want, but it was not necessary at all.

There you have what is dominating my thoughts these days. What about you?

In This Moment

In This Moment

Planning: A vacation to Northern Michigan – hello AirBnB! There are so many choices, but I think we have narrowed it down. I am so thrilled that there are places that will allow pets…and Sherman is most happy about that as well!

Also planning: An overnight get away to somewhere nearby in the next week or two, this will make up for Steve having to work this weekend.

Enjoying: All the summer bounty! I am picking beans every other day and I am so surprised how many beans four plants are producing! The pepper plants are likewise producing an amazing bounty! I have picked a few yellow grape tomatoes, and I think that the tomato harvest this year is going to be crazy! Potatoes in containers seem to be doing phenomenally – I have mounded them with dirt to the top of the container and they are still growing! If this works, this will be the best thing we did in the garden this year!

Reading: LOTS! I cannot believe how much I have read since the start of the year – and this summer’s Book Bingo has really expanded my reading dramatically!

Watching: Big Brother… wait, what? Yes, I admit – I am a Big Brother fan. Summer and Julie Chen just seem to go together.

Anticipating: a weekend alone – this does not happen often and I am looking forward to it!

What does your currently look like?

Currently

Currently

Listening to A Playful Day and Squam Morning on the Dock podcasts – and I am loving them tremendously.

Moving with new Merrell walking shoes, which are awesome for my energized morning walks. Sometimes even with that character pictured above! Although, he is more a leisurely pace walker!

Planning out the books to read that will fill some squares for Book Bingo – I have penciled in To Kill a Mockingbird, Written in my Heart’s Own Blood, Red Bones, Blue Lightning, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and one of the Harry Hole mysteries (I have several on hold at the library – we’ll see what comes through first!) I need a bit of your help with a book that you absolutely hated. Really. This will get me my first bingo and well on my way to the second bingo (what??) I will just have to figure out what book from the Harvard Classics 5-foot shelf I want to struggle though!

Cutting out the muslin for the Merchant and Mills dress. And, yes, I am a bit nervous. Yes, I know it is just the muslin, but I am not sure how I will alter it if it does not fit right. Really.Not.Sure. Stay tuned, I promise to share all the details!

Spinning the last ounce of Shetland, seriously, the last ounce (I weighed it!!) This will give me just over 600 yards, which will be a nice cushion for the sweater!

Enjoying the stretch of sunny days that we have been having! Having to water is a happy task! After so many days without the sun, and such a cold spring – the sun and warmth are so welcome!

Watching
30 Degrees in February, and laughing and crying and loving it!

Knitting the second sock of Carole’s Picot Edge Socks, Through the Loops Mystery Shawl – clue one is done, and plugging away at my Indigo Cones. I am determined to get through my WIP basket before the Summer Knit-Along is over. However, there may be more socks cast on along the way!

Feeling really fulfilled in my work life right now – on so many levels. I am filled with inspiration and creativity; I am learning new things and stretching my boundaries in very good ways!

That is the snapshot of my life right now, but tell me what is your current favorite?!

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