by Kat | Nov 15, 2019 | General, In This Moment
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!
by Kat | Nov 8, 2019 | General, In This Moment
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 One: Thea’s Hard Cider caught my eye and Mary put an exclamation point on it with her plans! I love Mary’s choice of yarn and especially the color!
- 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?
by Kat | Oct 25, 2019 | General, In This Moment
By this time next week, it will be November and I am quite shocked by that. We have had such incredibly wonderful temperatures – warming beautifully during the day with only a couple nights with very light frosts. If I could order up the weather – it might just be exactly this! However, there is a part of me that knows that these days are not here for the duration and soon it will be cold with not much sunshine and yes, even snow!
Triumphant Knitting –
People… I have ONE SLEEVE DONE!!! I am so happy with sleeve one and I have begun sleeve two which will likely take all next week and maybe part of the following. But this sweater is much closer to completion today!
Gratitude Week Anticipation –
That’s right – Michelle has moved up her annual Gratitude Week offering, and I am really looking forward to it. Oh, and there is still time to sign up if you are so inclined! Michelle always brings so many “ah-ha moments” and new ways to think about life!
(IM)Patiently Waiting –
I will finish Just Mercy today and November will bring the discussion portion of Read With Us. (I think it will start on Kym’s blog on the first Tuesday.) I have so many thoughts about this book – so much I was colossally ignorant of – so much I blindly supported (Three Strikes, for instance) without having a clue. Reading, learning, and contemplating have made my white privilege obnoxiously evident. I am very eager to see what I can learn from Carole, Bonny, and Kym – and from all my fellow readers!
Full-on-Autumn –
Every year I love watching as Janelle’s maple tree transforms from summer to gloriously autumn. Yesterday she posted the Pennsylvania Fall Foliage update – and yes, I agree – the colors are full-on right now! My neighborhood practically glows with reds and yellows. Yet while the trees are glowing loudly, the cacophony of birdsong is mostly silent – save our fierce Catbirds. This week has been Cat Bird Song Wars which consists of two birds each trying to out-do the other with their song repertoire! Sometimes the songs would erupt into bouts of air battles that look less like a battle and more like an intricate dance. I truly love watching these incredible little creatures! I also love seeing all the Halloween decorations that dot my neighborhood. And, I am soaking in each magnificent detail of these glorious autumn days. Saturday will be the final Farmer’s Market for the season – a bittersweet event. And for this final weekend in October, I plan on immersing myself in these glorious autumn days.
Have a great weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!
by Kat | Oct 18, 2019 | General, In This Moment
And, just like that it is suddenly Friday yet again. I don’t know about you, but the later it gets in the year – the faster the weeks seem to go! This was absolutely one of those whirlwind weeks and I am very ready for the weekend to commence… it is absolutely a day to celebrate TGIF.
Tipping Point –
This week, in my house at least, we reached the tipping point for turning on the furnace. That point was reached on Wednesday with its cold and very rainy weather. This likely does not mean that the heat is permanently on for the season, but it was most welcome for part of this week. I am way too old to play the “how long can I be miserably cold game!”
Gearing DOWN –
Autumn is my absolute favorite season and I am purposely slowing down to appreciate each day. I am savoring each newly changed leaf. I am appreciating the glorious early fall light. I am welcoming cooler nights that have extended into cooler days and, I am relishing putting on a sweater and adding an extra blanket to the bed!
Inspired by –
This weekend is the weekend that I am generally filled with envy of all those who are fortunate to be at Rhinebeck. However, yesterday Bridget provided some incredible inspiration. So rather than wishing the weekend away, I am taking a page from her weekend planning! I will be heading out tomorrow morning to find some cider donuts (and perhaps some cider as well!) I will take a walk outside and appreciate the crisp weather, the colors, and while I won’t be walking to a yarn shop – I will spend some time wandering around my local Farmer’s Market. And, I will be sure to spend the weekend wearing a sweater and I promise to do some knitting (as you can see below, I am not lacking in things to knit!)
Falling Fast –
I finished the neckline of my Tegna – but I messed up…yes, I knit the rounds with the same sized needle I knit the body with instead of using a smaller needle. I think I will need to rip back and reknit the neck with a smaller needle. It won’t be easy, sigh. In the meantime, I have been thinking about sleeves…specifically, sleeve length! The pattern calls for short sleeves but the idea behind this piece (at least for me) is to use it to extend the use of my sleeveless tunics into the fall and perhaps even the winter. So, I have been looking at the plethora of finished Tegna’s on Ravelry trying to decide. I have more than enough yarn, so I think I am going to knit longer sleeves, trying it on as I go to get just the perfect length. I like the idea of long sleeves, but I am not sure how well a mohair/silk yarn wears and I am concerned about the elbows being in a perpetual state of “baggy-ness.” Anyways, I welcome all input!
In the interim (and really to avoid the entire ripping back debacle) I cast on my first Aisé on Wednesday night and shockingly, this seems like this will be a very quick knit!
And!!! Sometime today, I hope to wind up my Floof and begin the swatching process for my Evening Dew Cardigan. Why? Because I just love that moment when you give in to the urge and *cast*on*all*the*things*
Happy Friday everyone – have a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
P.S. The first all FEMALE space walk is happening this morning!
by Kat | Sep 27, 2019 | General, In This Moment
This last full week of September just raced by, didn’t it? It was a week of crisp mornings that gave way to warm days. Yesterday morning there were some brief rain showers and even though I did not “feel” like going for a walk I did, and it felt so good when I was done. My doctor visit reinforced that moving my body is good for so many things! My cholesterol numbers were better than last year, which makes me want to leap with joy.
Travel Planning –
This time next week, I will be well on my way to Michigan to visit my kids. The dates worked out for everyone (juggling multiple schedules can be challenging, can’t it?) and I am staying in my son’s guest room for the weekend. It will be a full weekend and I can hardly wait!
Great Cuts –
Later today I am heading back to my hairdresser after a seven-month hiatus. My plan is to cut 4-5 inches from the length, which I hope will make “doing my hair” an easier process… and I can hardly wait!
Inspired Sips –
I have been trying different combinations to come up with the quintessential autumn beverage and I think I found the perfect combination. I shared it this week on IG, and Patty asked if I would share the recipe. That caused me to go back and tweak the cocktail a bit so that I can share a recipe that you can all replicate it! Last night’s sip was a success and it is truly the perfect taste for fall! There is a hint of apple flavor, but it is not at all overwhelming or sweet!
Apple Pie Manhattan
(makes 2 generous cocktails)
- 5 oz. Crown Royal
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal Regal Apple
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal Vanilla (or if you have it, you can use the same amount of Salted Caramel Crown – although this is not available in stores in our area right now)
- 4 oz sweet vermouth
- 6-8 dashes of Wigle Bitters
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir for 45-60 seconds to chill and pour over a large ice cube. Garnish with an apple slice or a cherry.
And finally,
Fantastic Finishes –
Yes, you are reading that right. I am almost done with my Reagan! I have a bit of the bind off to finish and then I just need to pick up stitches to finish the sweater off. I am so excited for this to be done because I think it will get some use on my trip to Michigan! I might even be inspired to rip back this and reknit the body/sleeves so it fits (and I can take it to MI with me!)
That’s all I have for this week – see you all back here on Monday. Have an amazing weekend!
