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!
by Kat | Sep 20, 2019 | General, In This Moment
Looking at the calendar, I am filled with the deepest sadness that September is almost over. How the heck did that happen??? I have been savoring these days, but I can’t ignore the changes am seeing more and more of every day!
Things like it is now dark when my alarm goes off – no hint of light at all…sigh. Those darker mornings coupled with much cooler temperatures have me wanting to linger in bed and I need to nip that in the bud before it becomes a habit!
Light wasn’t the only thing changing this week! I noticed that the morning sounds have changed dramatically – the clink of ice falling into a glass for iced coffee has been replaced by the comforting whir from the milk frother heating milk for my morning coffee. The birdsong has dwindled and has been replaced by the sounds of kids leaving for school and their buses driving through the neighborhood. And, an extra layer was needed to take Sherman out several mornings and my Morrine Short and Sweet is the perfect layer!
Yes, signs of autumn are steadily creeping in! But these signs did not stop me from my “move my body goals” this week! I completed the 10-day Pilate’s challenge and plan to continue my “back to the mat” consistency! I also walked every day this week. It feels good to get back to this very important routine!
I finished up the of leggings for Vivi – well the knitting portion is done, and I blocked them yesterday and this morning they aren’t quite dry yet, but all that is left to do is a wee bit of a seam to finish them. While I am waiting, I will stitch up some Reindeer Ears and then I just need to find a wee bit of pink fabric to make a bow and I can ship it all off to my daughter! And that means I am back to my Black Hole Knitting with renewed vigor – these cold mornings were just the thing I needed…that and the fact that I really want to start my next Morrine Short and Sweet!
I stopped in IKEA yesterday looking for some muslin fabric yesterday and struck gold! I found some lovely mid-weight cotton on sale for 99 cents per yard. That’s right for less than $5.00 I have my muslin fabric! I also found some lovely grey-blue light weight cotton as well. It was not on sale, but at $2.99 per yard, it was still an incredible bargain! All this fabric is in the washer and will be hanging to dry shortly. I doubt I will get the muslin cut out this weekend, but maybe!
The *last* issue of Laine magazine is out today, and it has some really wonderful patterns in it!
After a long hiatus, Lene popped in to say hello and wow. I don’t crochet… but perhaps I should learn! That sweater over a dress is just awesome looking!
Isabel Kraemer’s latest creation is so lovely!
And, finally, Romi’s pattern I talked about last week is available on Ravelry! And, Kim has pre-orders for yarn up on her website as well… just saying!
That is all I have for this week! I hope your Friday is the perfect thing to ease you into the weekend! See you all back here on Monday!
by Kat | Sep 13, 2019 | General, In This Moment
Nine months into 2019 and we have our first Friday the 13th of the year…(and there is only one more in December). We have rain in the forecast for tomorrow but I am hoping that the skies will allow for some Harvest Moon viewing! The moon was spectacular last night! I took a small break from debate watching/knitting to head outside to watch it rise!
Friday has arrived and my list is not complete. But, there were some very good accomplishments and an unexpected outing with a friend!
I also put my Reagan on two needles so you can see the progress I made this week! I have 8-ish more inches of lace to knit before the bottom band. I think it is moving along nicely. And, though I have not memorized the 12-row lace chart, I have worked out 4-row sections so I think the lace knitting will go a bit quicker now.
Things completed:
- 5-days of Pilates – it felt so good to be back to my mat, but it was so hard! Gah, no more skipping this routine because starting again is not easy!
- 3-days where I managed to squeeze in a walk – I would like to be walking every single day, but my gradual easing in is not creating any residual pain in my ankle at all! Next week my plan is to walk 3 days again but begin to walk longer distances!
- Rose pants, completed! (and yes, I found the missing elastic after I purchased more elastic!)
Things uncompleted:
- Zadie Jumpsuit – after a long discussion with a “sewing” knitter on Tuesday night – I am going to hold off sewing the more expensive fabric until I have made a much less expensive muslin to work out the pattern kinks. My weekend list includes finding some fabric to make the muslin.
- Genevieve’s reindeer costume parts – although I did pull out fabric for the ears, I need to find some yarn (preferably in my stash) that might work for “leggings” so stay tuned!
Unexpected things:
- I went to Sewickley with a girlfriend on Wednesday! We had lunch and wandered around the town, including a stop at Sewickley Yarns! I was good and did not buy any yarn! Although, I did get some fiber wash and put my name on the list for the final issue of Laine Magazine, which will be in sometime in mid-October. This will facilitate another trip to Sewickley, which is a very good thing!
Things that crossed my radar this week:
- This sweater popped up on Ravelry this week and oh my… lovely! I am not a fan of knitting cables, but this sweater just might change my mind about that!
- Romi also posted that this beauty is coming next week. I just LOVE the colors of the yarns and the stitch pattern:
That is all I have for this week. We have a few things we want to get done this weekend, but the list is not overwhelming! I hope you all have a good weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
