Getting Ready for Fall

What's Happening?
     

      It was my birthday, August 1st.  My family visited me in Wilmington and we had a wonderful time.  My husband took me to Thalian Hall to see Always ... Patsy Cline.  We really enjoyed the show.  My best-friend, Susan, gave me a gift package from Adagio Tea including an amazing tea kettle that quickly warms water to temperature of your choice.  If you want green tea, you set it to the "green" setting, same for black tea, etc.  It also came with a tea sampler and I have really enjoyed trying different types of tea.  I have enjoyed drinking Adagio Tea so much, I decided to join the tea of the month club. 

What's off my sticks?

    Shocker ... I knitted another monster.  She is named Lurleen, the Laundry Monster.  She was fun to knit, but I'm going to take a little break from monsters for a while.  Not for good though, because I promised to knit monsters for two friends at work who are both pregnant, one with twins!
 
What's on my sticks?

     I just started a pretty big project.  I am knitting The Alpaca Blanket from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.  So far, it is not too difficult and an enjoyable project to knit.  It will be nice to wrap up in a warm blanket in the winter while I sip tea, listen to books, and knit. 

Knitting News

     If you have not yet joined Ravelry, I highly recommend it.  Ravelry is a social networking site for knitters and is so much fun.  You can keep track of your own projects, see other knitters' projects, and find tons and tons of new patterns.  Join by going to www.ravelry.com

What am I reading?

     I just finished reading Jaycee Dugard's memoir, A Stolen Life.  This story is a little difficult to read, because of the horrible life events Jaycee was forced to endure.  But, I am still very glad that I read this book.  She is an amazing woman.  She inspires me to become a much more optimistic and appreciative person.  As sad as her story is, she remains strong and hold onto a very positive outlook throughout her time as a captive.  
     I just started reading Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden.  I have read only the first chapter so far.  This book received rave reviews on Audible and I really look forward to enjoying it.  Here is the publisher's description: "A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, a maze, an aristocratic family, a love denied, a mystery - The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric, and a compulsive [read] about the past, ghosts, family, and memories from best-selling author, Kate Morton."

Yoga, Running, Knitting, Reading ... my favorite things :-)

What's Happening?

Easter was very nice.  My mother-in-law visited from Chicago.  We dyed Easter eggs and did a little knitting.  We attended a lovely Easter service at St. Paul's in Wilmington, NC.  Afterward, I cooked a brunch: grits, an egg dish, salad, and banana pudding for dessert.

Also, I really enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding over the weekend!

What's off my sticks?
I finished knitting my mom's socks for Mother's Day just in time.  I think they turned out very well, my best socks yet :)


What's on my sticks?

I started knitting "Charlie the Ceiling Monster" out of Rebecca Danger's The Big Book of Knitted Monsters: Mischievous, Lovable Toys.  I'm going to use Charlie as my yoga monster since I have gotten back in the swing of yoga again.  My work, Wilmington Access for Teens or WHAT, is offering a free yoga class starting this Monday.  I'm very excited.   

Knitting News
The exciting part about knitting this monster is that I learned some new skills: 1) how to cast on using the long-tail cast-on, and 2) how to knit in the round using the magic loop.  I learned how to do the long-tail cast on using you-tube.  The magic loop is taught very well in Rebecca Danger's book.  She includes simple instructions along with useful pictures.  I'm enjoying the magic loop, it is pretty mindless and relaxing once you get used to it ... perfect for TV knitting.  I don't know if I would want to use it for sock knitting though.

What am I reading?

I love listening to books on Audible.  I listened to Haruki Murakami's book, What I Talk About When I Talk about Running to help inspire me to train for a 5K I completed with Fred (my Border Collie), Paws 4 People.  If you run, you would probably enjoy this book.




I also listened to Jodi Picoult's The Pact.  I could not put this book down, it was a very good read.  I highly recommend adding it to your wish list. 

I really enjoyed listening to Nora Roberts's third book of The Bridal Quartet, Savor the Moment.  Only one more to read, I will be sad to finish the series.

On my Kindle, I just finished Jessica Berger Gross's enLIGHTened: How I Lost 40 Pounds With a Yoga Mat, Fresh Pineapples, and a Beagle Pointer.  I really enjoyed this book, it is educational, but also very entertaining.  I felt like the author was an old friend by the end of the story.  

Happy New Year!

What's Happening?
I'm working on some resolutions for the new year ...
1) Focus on fitness & health using the 5, 3, 2, 1, almost none rule -
5 - Servings of fruits / veggies daily.
3 - Meals a day, not fast food.
2 - Hours or less of TV.
1 - Hour or more of exercise.
Almost none - Sodas, sweets; drink more water.

http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.org/

2) Use Thursdays to be thankful, write a note to a friend, etc.

3) Get up earlier for work and go to bed earlier, so that I'm not stressed and frazzled in the morning.

What's off my sticks!

I finished the blanket for my best-friend, Susan.  I hope she and her baby enjoy it very much.  I sewed fleece onto the back and tied each corner with yarn to make it more comfy & warm.  I changed the colors a little from the pattern to make it a more appropriate blanket for a baby girl and used yarn from Knit Picks that is washer and dryer friendly for practicality.

I also finished socks for my husband, Todd.  I think he is really enjoying them.  I enjoyed making them.  They are red per his request, and just a basic top down pattern.  I will post a pic next time.

What's on my sticks?
More socks ... this time they are for me.  They are a cabled pattern, the first cabled pattern I've ever attempted.  It's much easier than I thought it would be.  I'm about half-way done with sock number one.  I used colorful yarn, so it is a little difficult to see the cable.

Knitting News

I received a sewing machine from my Mom & Dad for Christmas this year (the Hello Kitty, Sew Pretty) and also have an antique sewing machine, the Singer Featherweight from my Mother-in-law.  So, I might start blogging a little about sewing as well.

What I'm Reading
I just finished listening to Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.  It's a very cute story and an easy quick read.  If you like southern chick lit and have read other Mary Kay Andrews books, you would enjoy this one as well.  Put it on your list for next Christmas season.


I'm currently reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult.  I literally can't put this one down!  I don't want to give it away, but it's about a teenager with Asperger's syndrome and an obsession with forensic science.  There is a murder mystery involved.  I instantly fell in love with the characters.