by Kat | Mar 18, 2016 | General
Watching: I finished House of Cards this week, and that is all I will say about it. No spoilers here! And, Netflix added in more episodes of Happy Valley. Plus, The American’s is back on Wednesday nights!
Prepping: For Easter – this involves menu planning, and shopping. Also, I am looking for dessert ideas and I’d love it if you’d share!
Spinning: I have been working through a bit of Sheepspot Clun Forest/Babydoll Southdown roving – it is spinning up so effortlessly. I really am happy with it. I also have been carding a Shetland fleece that I washed up late last year. My plan for these lovely rolags – yarn for Rock the Lobster. They will pair up with the salvaged Briar Rose Fibers yarn from earlier this week. I have a bit more carding to do though before I am sure I will have enough.
Planning: What we will be planting this year and where it will go – crop rotation, you know! I am happy that I have herbs sprouting, and the rhubarb and raspberry plants made it through the winter! And, it appears a salvaged Lilac will have a good year as well.
Celebrating: Since Pi Day and the Ides of March both passed quietly, we did have a bit of a St. Paddy’s day feast – Lamb Stew, Guinness, and Irish Music counts as a celebration in my book!
Discovered: Duolingo and I am working on Danish right now. So. Much. Fun.
Counting: The minutes until the day is over and the welcome to the weekend can begin. There will be Manhattan’s and good eats coupled with the best companionship and conversation.
I hope your weekend starts off just as nicely! See you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Mar 8, 2016 | General, Words
It’s Tuesday and you know what that means!
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.
by Kat | Feb 23, 2016 | General, Words
In this week’s 10 on Tuesday prompt, Carole sets for us this urgent task:
List 10 of Your Favorite Things Right Now
Well, this very minute here are a few of my favorite things!
- My Bialetti Moka pot – every day this is my favorite thing, but looking back on how much money I have saved by not buying coffee because of this little pot, it deserves first place my list. Yes, it is better than Starbucks, by a LONG shot!
- Weaving – I really have my weaving groove on and I hope this continues for a good long while!
- My daily journal routine – I know I have said this before, but it really helps me focus my day and increase my productivity and creativity!
- Which sort of goes hand in hand with yoga – if I miss I day, I really can tell. I really love the quiet intensity that it brings to my life.
- Konmari, oh how I love thee! The process is slow, but steady. Thoughtful Reduction of Stuff is happening and last week, some items found a new home and were happily sent on their way!
- Garden planning – revisiting what worked well and what did not work well.
- The discovery of London Fog Tea Latte via Pinterest, me and my afternoon think they are pretty darn amazing!
- Singing in my church choir, especially with Easter coming – best music of the year, just sayin’!
- Our Sonos speakers. Best. Thing. Ever.
- And, finally – Sherman, although he is my favorite all the time, but most especially right now! From how happy he is to see me when he wakes up (which is hilarious because he sleeps in the same room!), to him moving his bed to be directly next to me when I am working. He is my comic relief – daily.
There you have it, Gentle Reader, a few of my favorite things.
by Kat | Feb 19, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Reading: A Malmö Midwinter: An Inspector Anita Sundström Novella by Torquil MacLeod – it should be a quick read. Should being the operative word. But, I have been falling asleep almost immediately upon getting into bed. This might frustrate me, however, since Insomnia has been on an apparent vacation, I will take the sleep while I can get it!
Knitting (and spinning): I cast on Hop Brook by Bonnie Sennott with some handspun Dorset Down. I am about half way through and I carded the remainder of the fiber to spin this weekend. I am also in the home stretch for Kirsten Kapur’s Mystery Socks – just the toes to go and I will be done!
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by Kat | Feb 9, 2016 | General, Words
Carole sure knows how to relieve the Winter Doldrums with this week’s 10 on Tuesday:
You’ve been kidnapped! List the 10 TV show characters you would want to help you.
Well, you know this is bound to be loads of fun!
Also, bonus in that if you are still working feverishly to #bangoutasweater queue up any of these and you will be finished in no time!
Here is my Come Save Me and Quick list:
- Harry Pearce and his MI-5 Team – I am pretty sure they can get anyone out of anything!
- Detective Inspector Alec Hardy and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller – are both excellent at solving difficult crimes, even ones that happen in their own homes!
- Kurt Wallander – and he can bring something to drink! Although I loved the BBC version also!
- Vera – because Ann Cleeves…
- Sherlock, yes please!
- Foyle would make complete sense out of everything!
- Luther, in case you need to walk the fine line between legal and not…
- Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison for her dogged determination
- DCI Banks for his stubborn tenacity
- George Gently, because sometimes old school is the best!
Anyone on this list would get the job done! Also, if you are looking for a recommendation for viewing this list is it!
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Planning: What we will be planting this year and where it will go – crop rotation, you know! I am happy that I have herbs sprouting, and the rhubarb and raspberry plants made it through the winter! And, it appears a salvaged Lilac will have a good year as well.
