by Kat | Nov 8, 2018 | General, Words
I feel a bit like this week of Gratitude Week got off to a bit of a rocky start – I found Monday’s prompt to be so comfortable – like slipping on my favorite pair of well-work and super comfortable jeans. Easy, happy, feel good gratitude!
Breathe in, breathe out…
Tuesday, I did not even think about gratitude – not how it sounds, or how it feels, or tastes, or even what it looks like. MIA Gratitude? Or does gratitude surround us when we are busy and overwhelmed?
Breathe in, breathe out…
And, then Wednesday’s post arrived like a shot through my heart. When disappointment strikes, can you find gratitude? Is there gratitude in pain? In failure? In setbacks? Tough questions, yet perfectly timed – Michelle has an uncanny knack to send impactful prompts that are not always comfortable. I especially loved her quote: “Some days you might be grateful for ten things. Some days it might be one.” Oh, my. How true is that? Maybe even more true for me to ask are there days where there is not even one? Perhaps. And, then I realized that even on the not one day, I still have my voice…I can be kind, I can speak out, I can speak up. Perhaps the true gratitude is in discerning which voice to use.
Breathe in, breathe out…
Thank you, Michelle, for yesterday… for the tears, and the frustration, and yes… the not one thing but my voice. (and imagine my surprise when I looked at today’s prompt about breathing!)
Oh, and please make sure you stop by Carole’s to see what everyone else has to say today!
by Kat | Nov 1, 2018 | General, Words
Happy November!! Or should I say NaKniSweMo!?! Or for those participating – NaBloPoMo?!? That’s right… I am taking the “easy” way out this month. Queue up a nice relaxed Knit a Sweater Month!
Today I am sharing things you can s-l-o-w down and do this month!
Thing One: Spend the first 15-20 minutes of your day unplugged!!
Over the summer, I rarely looked at electronics first thing. Now, the mornings are darker – and colder – so laying in bed and reading news, emails, social media, etc. is great – until you realize you have wasted an hour doing nothing productive. And, today is DAY ONE to get myself back on track.
Thing Two: Schedule time to be un-scheduled.
That’s right, I put myself on my schedule at least once a week. I use the time to do something… or nothing. My favorite way to use this time is to get outside and take a walk. I am focused on doing just that as many times as I can before the weather gets too bad!
Thing Three: Just Say No!
This has been a very good thing for me this year! My process is very similar to what Kym wrote about recently – rather than make a snap decision on something, I spend some time actually thinking about it. Thus, NaBloPoMo did not make the cut this year – because as Kym said – just because I have always done it, does not mean I always have to do it! This also helped me pass on choir this year – painful, but it was absolutely the right decision. And, we are getting to the time of year when lots of “asks” happen and all those things take time, effort, and yes sometimes even money. I am going to pick and choose with the focus being to celebrate and enjoy the season, rather than just filling my calendar with things.
There you have it… my plans for slowing down and savoring the end of 2018.
And finally, Honoré is back! Go say hello at her new blog home!
Want to see more lists? Head on over to Carole’s!!
by Kat | Oct 25, 2018 | General, Words
Last week, Mary asked the best question: “What surprising things are you Saying Yes to right now?”
This got me thinking… lots! Because there are some things that I recently have said yes to with great joy!
Thing One:
I am saying yes to a bit of Michelle GD as this year winds down. My first YES was to Gratitude Week, which begins on November 5th…this is such a lovely way to refocus and renew (and this is a free offering – her gift to you!) Last year, I did not take part in her December Just Five Things and this year I am not going to miss out on the insight she shares. And, it is the perfect way to slow down December – focus inwardly, rather than being overtaken by the rush of the season. Registration is open, you might want to say yes to this as well!
Thing Two:
Something that feels a little outside of my “knitting” comfort zone is Kid Silk Haze. Yet, I have managed to acquire a sizeable stash of this stuff. Again, with some inspiration from Mary, I am going to participate in Ambah’s ADVENTurer KAL… yes, using KSH. Mary planted the seeds and I think this might be the perfect thing for December – some slow knitting.
Thing Three:
While I said no to the year-long commitment of choir at church… I did say yes to singing one time in December. Our director has made this a super easy thing to do… the music tracks are online, so I have started practicing already and there will just be ONE rehearsal to attend.
And, there you have my ‘yes’ things! But, what about you? What are you saying yes to right now?
Want to see more things? Head on over to Carole’s!
by Kat | Oct 18, 2018 | General, Words
My things today are all NEW things we did in Michigan! (Or what not to miss when you visit Traverse City!)
Thing One:
The weather precluded us heading out to Sleeping Bear Dunes, but that might be a good thing. It forced us to discover the TART Trail and did we enjoy meandering on it! Part of it takes you along the West Bay and the day we went was wild! Crazy winds meant crazy waves on the bay! It also then intersects with downtown Traverse City and we stopped in to the Grand Traverse Pie Company to warm up. This was a first for us (I know… how is that even possible that I have NEVER stopped in here!?!) It was love at first bite let me tell you – and we went back for more bites! Ha! This little circuit also makes it convenient to then walk along the Boardman River where we saw even more surprises! The building art just made my day!
Thing Two:
We truly love all the Traverse City Microbreweries and this year our old standbys did not fail us. But, we discovered a new brewery not too far from TC in Cedar, MI – Big Cat Brewing Company – we had a beer flight with our lunch – both of which were excellent! We also spent a good bit of time at Lake Ann Brewing – this is super convenient as Heidi and Sam both live in Lake Ann. Lest you think it was just all beer, all the time (almost, but not quite!) We also hit up the Grand Traverse Distillery for some sampling. We both love their Barrel Aged Gin, but this time they also had Chocolate Vodka that was not sweet, but more dark chocolate-like! Yes, a bottle came home with us and I have some ideas for some holiday beverages percolating in my brain for it! We also discovered a new-to-us restaurant – Maddy’s Tavern and they make a killer Bloody Mary!
Thing Three:
A new and really odd thing… we did stop at Wool and Honey when we were in Cedar and I bought NOTHING. That’s right, not one skein of yarn…zero, zip, zilch, nada… Perhaps I could have used Kay’s spread sheet because my mind went blank and I could think of nothing I needed yarn to knit! I know, what on earth was wrong with me! Absolutely no stash enhancement at all on this trip, boo!
There you have our great trip to MI! Oh, and a shout out to our Airbnb host… we simply LOVED the cottage and will absolutely be back again!
Want to see more lists? Head on over to Carole’s!
P.S. Don’t you love my “dream homes”?? I would be happy with either one!
by Kat | Oct 11, 2018 | General, Words
Is it just me or does it seem like this week is moving a warp speed? My list is not long but it does not seem like I am making any dents at all!
I have no cohesive things this week, like my list – random, rambling, and disjointed!
Thing One:
I think I “caught” Genevieve’s cough and brought it home with me and cold and cough is just the worst kind of fog, amirite?
Thing Two:
Steve tells me this morning he is having a hard time “getting back to work” which I find hilarious because we have been back since Monday night and he has yet to work a full day (and I think he is leaving early again today…)
Thing Three:
Yesterday, Steve derailed my plan for the day (perhaps to get me back knitting his sock?? Ha) He left work early and dragged me with him to do so car shopping. Successful car shopping, as we are now the owners of a brand new 2018 Nissan Murano! The things I do for love… Ha!
That is my ‘brain dump’ for the day! Want to see more lists? Head on over to Carole’s where you will find much better lists than mine!
