Thursday, January 18, 2018

Three on Thursday- "Snowed" In


This week included a holiday and 2 snow days-this week's Three on Thursdays include some of how I kept myself busy:

I baked some whole wheat rolls-these were actually pretty easy and I'm looking forward to enjoying these with dinner this next week.
 There was lots of knitting-I am almost done with Taproot.  This project was perfectly timed with my trip to Las Vegas and then being home for 2 days.
I had lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a couple years at a new to me restaurant Muss and Turners. The Caesar salad was great the falafel not so much.  It was nice catching up, and hopefully it won't be so long before we can get together again.  I was also able to include a meet up with Mary and her knitting group at a local coffee shop.  I really miss social knitting.

There were walks outside-Sophie definitely didn't mind the snow or very low temperatures.  I was glad that today's afternoon walk was 40 degrees as opposed to the 17 degrees when we went out the first time.

I finished this hat for Andrew- Tin Can Knits Gather.  Steve will be heading to DC on Saturday and will be delivering 3 hats [one is a hand-me-down hat is now too big for me] and a cowl.  Hopefully he won't think the cowl is "not him".  The colors are masculine and I think it will look great on him; he claims he's just not a scarf guy, but I think the DC/Maryland weather may change that!

Also, there's been significant progress with the amaryllis-I didn't realize how much fun this was going to be. 



Sunday, January 14, 2018

Pass the popcorn



I don't get to the movie theatre often, but between recent my cross county flight and a 90 minute bike ride [indoors] yesterday I managed to watch 3, new to me films, and part of another one.  They were all very good, so I thought I'd share them here.

Goodbye Christopher Robin-I scrolled past this and didn't pay much attention until someone sitting diagonal in front of me was watching something that looked very WWI-ish and British.  I figured out that they were watching a movie about Christopher Robin of Winnie the Pooh fame.  What a great movie for anyone who is a fan of the story.  It was sad in parts, but well worth watching.  It's not on Netflix so I'm not sure if it can be streamed another way.  I love any movie that motivates me to either think or look up information to learn more.

The Mountain Between Us-this was recommended to me by someone who was in my training class who said the lead actor, Idris Elba, from Luther [a very good BBC crime drama] and Kate Winslet.  While the critics don't seem to like the movie much, but I enjoyed it as a change of pace from the more recent CGI films and there's a dog.

Battle of the Sexes- the story of Bill Jean King's career and her tennis match against Bobby Riggs.  I didn't get to finish this one, but what I watched I enjoyed so I need to find a way to finish it.  It seemed to do a good job of combining aspects of her personal life and her professional career and the issues professional female athletes faced during the 70s.

The Woman in Gold- I watched this while I was cycling.  I had previously read the book The Lady in Gold by Anne-Marie O'Connor and I had heard there was a movie, so I figured I had nothing to lose.  The movie's focus is the story after the painting was taken by the Nazis and the subject's niece [played by Helen Mirren's] desire to recover the painting.  I enjoyed the movie as much as I did the book.  If you like reading about art [and watching movies about art] I highly recommend both.

Now onto my amaryllis watch.  I took this photo last weekend before I left for Las Vegas.

Here is yesterday morning's photo shot and since there has been more opening of the center flower and more red is peeking out of the one on the right.  This plant must really like where it's been placed as it is really thriving.  The tallest plant is almost hip high on me [I'm 5'1" BTW].  I may have to do a mid-week update if this speedy growth continues.

I'm glad that I have a 3 day weekend to recover from my trip to LV-adjusting to the time difference was tough!  While the temperatures continue to dip into the teens overnight at least the sun is shining and there is a blue sky.  Hope this weekend finds you seeing the sunshine as well.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Three on Thursday-While in Vegas

I'm wrapping up a few days training in Las Vegas, which is probably one of my least favorite places to visit.  Here are 3 things While in Vegas:

Figuring out Uber.  Prior to this trip I've only used Uber a couple times.  What I've learned is that at an airport or very very large hotel [or casino] you need to ask an employee  where the designated place to pick up Uber.  I had at least one cancelled ride because the driver couldn't find us, and I couldn't tell them where I was-live and learn right!  I have to say that all of our drivers on this trip have been super friendly and we learned some interesting facts and anecdotes about Las Vegas.


There are still cigarette vending machines!  Granted they are $11 per pack- holy cow; who can afford that habit?!  What I really dislike about the casinos is that there is so much stale smoke and it really clings to you.  Unfortunately, there is very little you can go to avoid it.

The mega casinos like the Bellagio, Caeser's Palace and the like are not the only architectural phenomenons in Vegas-check out this building-Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

I have have enjoyed some very cool cocktails like this Maple Manhattan I had at Alder and Birch.  So tasty!
That's my Three on Thursday-see what others are "saying" today on Carole's blog.


Thursday, January 4, 2018

Three on Thursday-

1. Amaryllis watch-wow.  I need to get a photo of these when there is some better light.  I can't believe how fast these are growing.

2.  I finally got the Lily Rose dress finished.  I didn't have enough of the purple to finish and I was going to frog a different baby sweater that came out a bigger size than I wanted for a newborn.  Brenda and Joyce suggested that I use another color to create a petticoat look and I'm so glad they did.  I like the effect and I was able to pass along the other sweater to someone at work.  The intended recipient was born yesterday and she is adorable and what a name- Wynter Anastasia, her sister is Brooklyn Alexandria.  Their last name begins with an "M" so their initials are WAM and BAM-I can only picture super hero costumes for these 2!
3.  Right now I'm kinda wondering if I'll actually fly out Monday morning.  There is supposed to be yucky weather, a gazillion people coming into Atlanta for the National College Championship along with the POTUS.  It's just going to be a hot mess-fingers crossed I have an on-time and uneventful flight out west. 




Monday, January 1, 2018

Hello 2018



I saw this on my walk with Sophie yesterday, and I think I will have this printed where I can have it on my desk at work as a daily reminder for 2018.

We had a "little" snow fall on this morning's very very cold walk

One of my goals for this year is to change some of my eating habits more veggies and non-animal proteins and limited sugars.  I'm a pretty healthy eater, but there is always room for improvement-right?!  Also, I'd like to have significantly improve my muscle tone.  I know a combination of the right exercises and eating is what I need to be successful.  I started the year off right by hitting the elliptical first thing this morning; I had the entire fitness center to myself.  It was kinda nice too.
Something I really want to focus on is knitting from my stash of yarn AND patterns.  I've got a trip to Las Vegas coming up next week, so I need to sort out my travel knitting soon!  I plan to finish my Sitka Spruce Mitts, a cowl with the same pattern, a pair of socks that have been lingering for a while, and maybe a hat or two for Andrew.

An on going goal is to maintain a healthy balance of work, place, time with others and time for myself. 

I'd like to challenge myself more with my reading.  I haven't counted how many books I've read or listened to in 2017, but I think it's a fair amount.  I'd like to expand into other genres and authors.

I'm sure this list will change throughout the year, but I'm hoping that this blog will serve as a way to document my journey.

Am hoping the very best for everyone in 2018-here's to making sure we all stay on track.