by Kat | Jan 15, 2018 | General, In This Moment
Or Hello from Pittsburgh in January!
In less than 24 hours we went from temps in the 70’s. Seriously, it was 72 here on Friday and we got over two inches of rain which then changed over to snow with temps in the teens on Saturday. My back yard is now a snow-covered ice rink! All that standing water from all that rain froze solid overnight.
Weekend bonus? All that cold weather meant that Treysta got lots of wear time! And, while I did not make my “goal” and start on sleeves on my Stopover, the body is almost done. And with this cold weather hanging around here for much of the week I have plenty of incentive to keep knitting and get those sleeves done pronto!
I spent some time this weekend playing with the Ravelry Project Challenge, which I think pairs well with my #MakeNine2018 goals. I have set a goal of 18 projects which is very wishful thinking! But, as in all things: if you don’t set goals – you achieve nothing! Like my Goodreads challenges, I never imagined I could do it until I did!
I also did some reading this weekend in a Net Galley book, but I keep having to go back to re-read parts because I feel like I am missing something. I am not too far in, so I hope this will sort itself out shortly!
On tap for today? Line up a bunch of Instant Pot recipes to make meal planning easier this week. (and to perhaps avoid that dreaded question of “what’s for dinner”)
I hope your Monday is warm and easy!
by Kat | Dec 18, 2017 | General, In This Moment
“Perhaps a lunatic was simply a minority of one.” – George Orwell, 1984
When the weekend began, I had no idea that before it was over we would be living in Orwell’s dystopian 1984 2017. It began on Friday night with a couple of Perfect Manhattan’s. And, I am not just saying that…nope, it is an evidence-based conclusion, rooted in fact! And, they were the ideal way start to the weekend! We had discussed during the week that we really were feeling in a rut with our Friday night eats, so we changed it up a bit. Meatballs instead of Salami, Lobster Dip instead of Hummus…why we even added in some onion rings! Three cheers for diversity!
Saturday, we still had snow on the ground but with quickly rising temperatures, I knew it would not last for long. After all, science-based evidence is clear that warming temperatures make the snow melt. There is no changing that, no matter how much I want the snow to stay, wish cannot make it so!
I also, sadly, did not get my super-secret knitting done on Friday and I feared being vulnerable to criticism on Christmas morning if I delivered an empty box filled only with an IOU, so I managed to do some covert knitting in the light of day! I am quite certain My recipient feels no sense of entitlement, but they still are deserving of this gift – so I feverishly knit on, grabbing a row or two here and there while no one was paying attention! And, with some sneaky persistence the knitting was done and now begins the seaming. It’s a good Monday task!
We got our annual visit from Santa and the Scott Township Fire Department rolled out the red carpet firetrucks for him! It is a high point of the season and feels so “small town”. I really love this little tradition!
Sunday, it rained most of the day. Hard. The melting of the snow kind of rain. AND, Sunday was a HUGE football day! There was a game for the ages: The Steelers vs The Patriots IN PITTSBURGH, and wonder of wonders – I actually rooted for those crazy Steelers! Perhaps I am finally becoming a Yinzer, n’at! Steve wanted “football foods” for the game. You’d think it was the Super Bowl or some such thing! Ha! So there was a mini-feast with more good eats and even a beer or two! It was an incredible game, even though we lost, thanks to that incredibly bad call in that last 28 seconds (because in any other football game the ball crossing the plane of the goal would be a touchdown, but apparently not in Pittsburgh)!
Finally, we come to the last two banned words: transgender and fetus… I cannot imagine that they actually think that by not saying these words it will change how people feel about themselves, their identity, or a choice that is intensely personal.
I am reminded that every single day I must embrace all that is different. I must support those who are defenseless with words and actions, and if I don’t understand something, I need to be open to new thoughts and ideas. John Lynch said it best, “We will not agree on every issue. But let us respect those differences and respect one another…”
Make it a good Monday!
P.S. I saw this late last night The CDC Poetry Project if any of you want to try your hand at a submission!
by Kat | Nov 20, 2017 | General, In This Moment
By the time you read this, the ribbon facing will be stitched on and the buttons all sewn in place! Glamor shots coming shortly!
However, the good news is that my Nana’s button collection had oodles of choices. I went with 10 matching buttons (and there are still 5 left for replacements!). This little box is just jam-packed full of buttons of all shapes and sizes!
Some of my favorite are these old shank buttons. Believe it or not, there is an entire bag filled with shanks buttons, with enough for more than a dozen sweaters in need of buttons!
I don’t think that The Button Treasury is still in existence, but don’t you just love the hand typed label? Now my next question is this, why did she order buttons from NYC?
Happy Monday, everyone!
by Kat | Nov 13, 2017 | General, In This Moment
Last week I “pulled the trigger” and started listening to Christmas music on the Sonos. I know, what was I thinking? Except, it was a super grey, super depressing week and I needed a pick me up and the best pick me up I know is Christmas music.
And, even though it is early, it was a much-needed balm for my week. I am not your typical Christmas music listener either. Give me choirs singing so I can pick my part (sometimes Alto, sometimes Tenor) and sing along for all I am worth! That’s right, I am one of those “sing along with every song” kind of people.
I also love just pure instrumental music, that way if the words I know are not the words that they are singing, I have no clash of the lyrics! These things are important, you know! Haha!
Today I am sharing some of my most loved “never too early to sing the blues away” music picks for pre-Thanksgiving Christmas listening:
First up, A Scottish Christmas with Bonnie Rideout. This is truly a beautiful album? CD? MP3? All instrumental and all incredibly beautiful. Bonus in that these are all old carols, which I just love.
Next in my Christmas queue is Welcome Yule! Which features Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols… I mean, if you like to sing, this is a must have!
Finally, The Chieftains, The Bells of Dublin which has an incredibly diverse group of musicians!
There is one dear friend who loves Christmas maybe even more than I do, and she is sharing her Christmas music favorites on her blog today! So, go stop by Beth’s to see what’s on her list! AND, the singing might be a little better in her house!
by Kat | Nov 6, 2017 | General, In This Moment
…are full of gratitude!
The weekend was so full of so many good things. Thankfully the rain held off until late in the day so there was lots of out-door time. The gardens were put to bed. And, the extra hour was used for reading!
Sunday’s torrential downpours did not put a damper on the day at all; Steve watched football and I read some more. I even managed to knit a bit, but more on that later this week!
Over the weekend I also got myself “caught up” with 30 Days of Gratitude and Michelle GD’s Gratitude week kicks off today! I am feeling very ready to immerse myself in gratitude and have the makings for a most grateful month! This is much-needed because I was not feeling the November love at all!
So, Hello Monday! I am feeling recharged, extremely grateful, and ready to begin a new week!
What about you?
