Three on Thursday, November 16

Three on Thursday, November 16

It seems like there is a lot of hectic going around lately! Must be the season, amirtie?

Thing 1:

Peeling 12 lbs of apples is a heck of a task, just sayin’. Oh, and there were 6, but we had one for dinner. It was delicious.

Thing 2:

This one is for Bonny! The easy button band is almost done, I think 2 more rows and then the bind off and I am about to start my third wheel.

Thing 3:

I can’t wait. And, bonus points for adding in my favorite non-colors!

Sometimes, simplicity wins.

Want to see what things everyone is talking about today? Head on over to Carole’s to see!

Unraveled Wednesday, November 15

Unraveled Wednesday, November 15

Hello Unravelers!

I am sorry this post is so late today, but I have been working on a new project which has been consuming lots of my “brain time” as well as available hours in the day time. Now, this is not at all a bad thing and I feel very blessed and so excited to be working on this new venture. But, I found myself entirely exhausted and my post today is a bit of a reflection of that.

Knitting continues to be the best balm of all every day (however, I confess I am a day or two behind on my daily stitching and my plan is to remedy that today!) But, as you can see – there was steeking last night! That’s right, at Knit Night at my local library, I shared how entirely not scary steeking is. I need to graft the underarms and then steam the fronts to prep them for button band pick up but, I am entirely THRILLED with this sweater! I was worried it was going to be way too small, but it fits beautifully!

The next sweater’s yarn is waiting in the wings, I have my swatching yarn out and ready to begin. It is the Autumn of Lopi for sure around here!

My reading has slowed a bit, which is also in direct correlation to my new project. However, I must finish up A Gentleman in Moscow today. It is due back tomorrow and I only have about 4 hours of listening time left so, thankfully, this in an entirely do-able task.

I put a Net Galley book aside when I got Ali Smith’s Autumn: A Novel from the library. This was not a difficult decision as I am not liking the Net Galley book at all and discussed with Bonny what to do when you could not did not want to finish a book. I have been debating this in my head and think that I will just “pound it out” on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to get it done.

But, look at this stack of books that I have recently gotten from the library!! Oh.My.Gosh. So much goodness here.

What are you reading or making this week?

P.S. Are you a spinner? Do you want to weave? Go check out Beth’s Blog today because she is having a giveaway for her first Spin & Weave Along!

Currently, November 14

Currently, November 14

The mind moves in the direction of our current dominant thoughts. Earl Nightingale

Finishing: I am closing in on the finish of the body of my Rusty. My goal for today is to finish these last few rows and get my crochet steeks done so that I can cut it apart tonight at knitting, per request. Apparently, no one there has ever steeked before, so I will attempt to alleviate some of the fears about doing it!

Watching…very little recently. But, I do have some catch up to do from Sunday night’s PBS line up! So in order to assure that I get my finishing gets done, I will be queueing up Poldark and The Durrell’s shortly. I also have been watching The Collection which is a very interesting series from Amazon that my local PBS station is running.

Reflecting: I just spent seven days with Michelle GD immersed in gratitude – there were wonderful messages and much to think about. This year was especially wonderful with some new ways to consider gratitude in my life.

Drinking: Lots of Old Fashioned cocktails! My favorite was a pumpkin-spiced Old Fashioned and I was asked for the recipe, so here you go! This one is really thanks to Steve because he created the pumpkin spice ingredient for some beer he is brewing. He did not use all the liquid, and so a new Old Fashioned was born.

Pumpkin-Spiced Old Fashioned:

  • 4 ounces Crown Royal Black Label
  • 1-ounce simple syrup
  • 1 tsp. pumpkin spiced vodka **
  • Pour all ingredients over ice and stir well to chill. Pour over ice and garnish with a flamed zest of an orange. Enjoy!

    ** Pumpkin Spiced “syrup”: 6 ounces neutral spirit (he used Skyy Vodka) and 2 Tbsp. Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice (we got this at Whole Paycheck Foods but it was the cheapest and organic) Do no refrigerate and shake daily for at least 7 days. You can strain if you want, but it was not necessary at all.

There you have what is dominating my thoughts these days. What about you?

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas!

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas!

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!

Sunday Reflection, November 12

Sunday Reflection, November 12

Today’s reflection is all about yesterday. It was a most wonderful day.

First, we walked where we rarely walk. We visited Indie Knit and Spin where I met Knit/Wit and Rainbow. We walked more along the North Shore and stopped to appreciate memorials and remember those who served. Then we had lunch and a beer or three at Southern Tier Brewery and then headed to the top of Mount Washington to enjoy the view and walk a bit more. The day ended with Wonder Woman (which was really excellent!)

It might have been chilly outside, but the day was one that warmed you on the inside.

I hope your weekend is equally warm!

Save

Save

Fiber Friday, November 10

Fiber Friday, November 10

If you recall, I had a good long discussion of this sweater with Mary in which we spent a bit of time doing some knitty maths to determine how to place the pattern on the sweater (since the stitch count did not match the stranded knitting chart). And, so I counted back from my “center back stitch” and began, only to discover I cannot read a chart! So, I carefully un-knit the stitches and recounted and started again. Apparently, twice was not enough so I had to unknitting a second time and start again. Hopefully the solution for wonky math skills + number of sweater stitches + chart stitch count is adding in 3 stitches to make the pattern and my button band pick up work. Sometimes, I really think that overthinking is my major problem in life. Add to that, my ethereal Plutolopi yarn did not stand up to the challenge of being un-knit twice! But, I think I am back on track and forging ahead with the yoke! Hopefully, this solution will be much better!

Now, how about some links?

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, tomorrow is Indie Knit and Spin

This week’s controversy seems to be revolving around the images of this sweater. Personally, I love the images – and the sweater is not bad either.

I am not sure whether this is insane knitting or knitting for the insane.

The texture of this wrap is so appealing!

More Advent Knitting!

Join Hands supports a very worthy cause!

Renovations by Amy King is lovely, as is her dye sense. Want to test knit something for Amy… she has a test knit going with Let’s Do This!

Andrea Mowry has a special that ends tonight with Hoarfrost, The Weekender, and Tincture.

For the directionally challenged…. (like me, lol)

Fox Isle Socks

Palmistry now in fingering, dk, and worsted weight!

There are rumors that Beth Smith will be hosting a Spin/Weave Along in January! You can sign up for more information here!

That is all I have for you this week, but…it’s NaBloPoMo so I will see you all back here tomorrow!

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