I don’t remember when the last time I have done a “currents” post (I looked, and it was May) and with Carole away on vacation it seemed the perfect day to do one! Waning August is heavy on my mind. Things look tired in my yard… spent…done, perhaps even overdone! It is sad to spend time in the vegetable garden because things there are almost done. I don’t know how many more big tomatoes we will get, but I am still harvesting a few cherry tomatoes every day, but I don’t think that will be the case much longer! The beans seem to be the one thing that has been entirely unaffected by all this wretched heat… I am picking a healthy handful every day. But, this was not a good year for peppers at all. But, am I really ready for a new month and a new season? Yes, I confess I absolutely am! And, here is what else is filling my days and will carry me into September!
Watched/Watching: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is a lovely movie! It was most excellent company for Cretan stitching! It’s on Netflix if you are interested! I am also eagerly waiting each week for a new episode of Castle Rock on Hulu… it is also so good!
Listening: My new favorite channel on Spotify is Your Favorite Coffeehouse…it is my favorite Friday Happy Hour mix and we are listening to it regularly! Also, I am anticipating the new Tony Bennett and Diana Krall music!
Making: Every day! Right? But, I am caught between two seasons – trying to finish things up to wear them while there is still summer, and getting things done to be ready when the inevitable change in the weather happens. And, sewing is really consuming my mind…I have a vision for a slim, straight black knit skirt to go with my new AC-esque shirt! A blog friend asked yesterday if this sewing theme will continue into the fall, and yes… I believe it will – for the foreseeable future!
Feeling: Cooped up! It has been such a hot summer, I am really feeling a good bit of excitement for cooler nights (and yes… days too!) A house with wide open windows and with no AC running is my latest obsession! Also, I am feeling a perverse sense of joy at school being back in session! Really… the days are so incredibly quiet now and it is the loveliest thing!
Planning: Our trip to Michigan to visit the kids and my granddaughter and I really can’t wait. We are staying in a new place, much closer to them and with much more room. This means more cooking for me and “forced family fun” (as my kids loved to call it) but, I am eagerly anticipating it!
Loving: And feeling rather proud about some rather difficult decisions I have recently made! But, the realization that the decision to NOT be in choir this year was just what I needed…the feeling of a weight being lifted, the sense of dread gone, the anxiousness removed! Just because you have always done something, does not mean you always have to… trust me when I tell you that changing things up gives the most amazing new perspective!
Reading: voraciously! Yes, this has been one heck of a summer for books for me! I have read 45 books since Memorial Day weekend. So many good books! I also blew past my Goodreads goal this month, and have exceeded 100 books read this year! The key to my voluminous reading success is the number of audio books I have listened to this year. And, a huge thanks to Carnegie Library for their amazing selection of audiobooks to choose from!
There you have what my Waning August looks like. What about you? What does your current look like?
My list today includes more Cherry Tomato Jam, some Peach Jam, and a Plum tart.
Also, that Basil infused cocktail from Friday got very high marks! I based it on this recipe. It was bright and refreshing. Changes I made: I used regular vodka (not citrus flavored) and no tonic water. Served with a twist, it was the perfect start to the weekend!
Oh, and this will be done today! Well, at least the knitting will be done! Up next, steeks and a zipper!
There is a part of me that is entirely ready for the neighborhood kids to all be back in school… really.badly. However, that will mean that summer is ending. Yeah, the inner debate is most interesting, let me tell you! Ha!
BUT!!! I am so excited to do a little test run of the Endless Summer Tunic! I have a MUCH too large Dress No. 3 that will work perfectly, and this brings me to the bottom of my re-purpose stack! I traced the pattern out yesterday and plan to do some cutting this morning! All this sewing has really made clear that I need to do some re-ordering of my “craft office” … I need a space for the sewing machine to live where it is easy to access, but not in the way. I have been mulling this over in my mind all week so if there is any rain at all this weekend, operation craft room reorganization will be underway!
I also have this insane urge to cast on all the things… really, every day there is something new on Ravelry that catches my eye. AND, Kym taunted me yesterday with her start of Tegna…But, I am determined to ignore this urge and knit faster on Rock the Lobster! I now have about 3 inches to go before the ribbing and then the STEEK!! And, I want to thank you all for the GREAT zipper tutorials!
So, how about you? Are you craving a new knit? Here are some links to tempt you!
Sweater season is fast approaching: St Catherines and Lambert both caught my eye!
And, finally… a new take on a knitted beverage accessory: Dreieck (and it is free!)
And, that’s a wrap for this week…my list today also includes the utilization of some of the Basil from the Basil Jungle in a libation for Happy Hour tonight. I will let you know how it turns out on Monday! Have an awesome weekend!
The luxury of having an indulgent morning is really quite lovely. It almost outweighs the condition of my hands and nails when August arrives each year. Yes, all the weeding, digging, cultivating, and watering are taking their toll on my hands and nails.
Sitting still while waiting for your nails to dry is saved from sheer boredom by the company of a wonderful book.
Except, I am not at all wishing it was Sunday again! Yes, it’s that time of the year when it seems the weekend is almost all work! Take this weekend for example:
After picking 5 lbs. of cherry tomatoes over 2 days, I knew Tomato Jam time had arrived. And, yes, that meant a good chunk of Sunday was spent in the kitchen cooking… but I do have some jam to show for it!
I also made another plum crostata – this time with more tart plums. It was delicious, but we thought the earlier plums were better. But, alas… they are done for the year.
Sunday afternoon we had these crazy pop-up storms complete with several large cracks of thunder that sounded ominously close! And, close it was! Our neighbor’s tree was struck by lightning and we had a bit of a fire show until the fire department arrived to take control of the situation. Nothing says neighborhood bonding like something on fire, amirite? Yes, we all stood in the rain watching the firemen do what they do best – spray water on things. I wonder if they do gardens?
There was lots of laundry because why not right?
We watched Ready Player One, which caused me to change my review of the book. All in all, even though the effects were incredible, I was very disappointed in the movie. Special effects do not trump reading…ever. Pro-tip: read the book and skip the movie!
I also finished the mystery shawl! OH.MY.GOSH!! It still needs a good soak and the tiniest bit of blocking but stay tuned for the big reveal later this week!
I have a bad case of “I want to cast on all the things” but I am trying hard to ignore it. I pulled out this and knit sleeve two while watching Ready Player One and I made good progress (read, I have said sleeve done!) It is going to stay out until I have it finished. This should tell you that I am losing steam with my Vodka Lemonade, but I only have about 14 rows to the sleeve divide when I know things go faster. My focus word for the week is persevere! Ha!
And, with that… let’s get this Monday started! How was your weekend?
