Putting it off.

I don't typically procrastinate.  I like to get things done, and delight in having a "to do" list that has everything ticked off.  I missed Carole's last 2 prompts even though I did have stuff to contribute.  I'll blame Instagram!

10.  Blogging-there's been traveling, boot buying, good food, and lots of knitting.
  9.  Packing up stuff in our house that we won't need for a while
  8.  Tagging items throughout the house that either will be moved, stored, or left until the house sells.
  7.  Washing and storing all my winter-y hand knits-I see the pile and think "next year"!
  6.  Game plan for the Books on the Nightstand Read Harder Challenge.  I'm making great headway with the reading, just not on the final list of books.
  5.  Cleaning off the back deck
  4.  Cleaning out the planters that will either be tossed or planted with flowers for curb appeal
  3.  Bike tune ups-can't go for a ride til this is done.
  2.  Car emissions-can't wait much longer for that though!
  1.  Finishing some sewing projects-I hate being inside when the weather is nice-I'd rather been on the desk with wine, tunes and knitting.

We can get in the habit of rushing to get things done, and we might miss out on the small moments that make big memories.  I try to have a balance, and just have a steady flow of things that are getting done-how do you approach those "to do" lists?

From the bookshelf

This week's prompt about the last 10 books we've read shows me that I haven't read much since September.  Most of these are either for book club or part of my Books on the Night Stand read harder challenge.  My list includes some winners and losers.  I always check Good Reads after I've read a book to see if my final thoughts are similar to others, and most often if I liked/disliked a book the majority of other reads felt the same way.

 So here you go with the most recently completed at #10

10.  The Girl on the Train-LOVED it.
  9.  Daughter of Fortune-another good one.
  8.  The Widow Clicquot-I decided to read this micro-history because I'm a HUGE fan of champagne/sparkling wine.
  7.  The Mysteries of Pitttsburg-part of the read harder challenge-I didn't get much out of this one.
  6.  Olive Kitteridge-same as #7, but after watching the HBO miniseries the book probably deserves another star.
  5.  The Light Between the Oceans-LOVED this one too.
  4.  Saving Grace- way to predictable and pretty boring characters.  Sorta reminded me of the Shelley Long, Ryan O'Neal and Drew Barrymore movie Irreconcilable Differences. 
  3.  Dear Life Stories-a book club read-just felt kinda -meh about this one.
  2.  The Storied Life of AJ Filby-I liked the story well enough, I listened to this on my way to Florida in October, so don't know if I read the book-book I'd feel differently about it.
  1.  Language of Flowers-LOVED!  This was my book club recommendation, and I enjoyed reading it the second time around and having someone to talk to about it.

What's left your book shelf recently? 

A tisket a tasket guess what's in my knitting basket---

On Sunday afternoon I completed my Easy Folded Poncho and my Sommer Sleevless Top which meant I officially had empty needles! I'm not counting the Kaffe Fassett Alghan squares cause I'm not even finished with 1/2 of the 54 squares. That will be an ongoing project that I hope will be finished by the fall, but I'm not giving myself any deadlines at this point.  So after a visit to Cast on Cottage I got the yarn for 2 of the 3 Shibui spring/summer patterns that I'm planning to knit.  I had yarn leftover from another project that I'll use for one of the patterns.  I figured now is a good time to do my initial documentation.  I still need to set up the tripod so that I can get photos of my FOs, of which there are several-that'll be another blog post soon I hope!

After tiding my craft area I wound some yarn, gathered together project bags, patterns and needles and headed back out to the deck-where I pretty much spent the ENTIRE day after church-to begin the swatching process.

First up, Hayward shawlette which will be knit with Infinite Twist Helix- this is part of the prize pack from the 2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast.  Everything I needed for this project was included even the 3 circular needles!  No plans to swatch unless I'm not happy with the fabric, but think it'll just be fine.

Next, Apex, a super cute tunic and I'll use Elsbeth Lavolds Hempathy that had previously been the aran necklace tunic.  I really liked that pattern, but for some reason the finished product was not up to snuff.  I'll definitely re-knit it at some point.  Swatching still to be completed .

Here is Lithos, yarn is Debbie Bliss donegal tweed-gifted to me by Mary yea free yarn! the photo does not show off the color very well-brown with bits of tan and blue-very pretty.  This is a heavy sweater that might not get much knitting once it starts getting really hot, but I wanted to at least get it going.  Have already done the swatch, and the gauge is spot on-whoot!

Square-another Shibui, I'm using pebble and linen in tar.  I had 2 skeins of linen leftover from Aperture I have NO idea how that happened!  I've done the swatch, just need to wash and block before starting the project.  So far needle size and fabric seem to be dead on with gauge.

A hat, so that I can stay on pace with the Stash and Burn 15 hats in 2015 challenge.  Yarn is Berroco Vintage DK and pattern is Beret de Printemps-sort of appropriate for spring knitting right? 

Last but not least Axis by Shibui, will be doing this in pebble and kavo- in the caffeine colorway.  I had 3 skeins of Kavo that I had tried to use in 2 other projects that just didn't work out.  I think it works much better being held with another yarn.  I've done the swatch-just need to wash and block.

I think these projects will keep me busy for a few months which is why I'm getting everything organized now.  This means I'll be on a bit of a yarn diet for a while, and I'm going to do my best to not get distracted until I have a couple of these items off the needles.  I feel like I'm in a good knitting place right now which is great since it's nice enough to enjoy the outdoors for a while when I get home from work.

So what's in your basket?

Spring cleaning

Friday's are for spring cleaning around my work space.  I should blog about our weekend to Savannah and Statesboro, but most of the photos are on my DSL camera, and I didn't take near as many photos as I'd have liked.  I might still do that blog post.  Since I knew today would be pretty laid back it seemed like the perfect day to dust-disenfect-purge.  I not only did the physical cleaning which I try to do frequently anyway, I purged lots of files on my desk top.  I have 2 systems that I work between, and the lesser used one had documents going back to 2008!  Yep, those can go for sure.  Lots of deleted emails and an empty recycle bin are sure to make the hard drive zip-zip along now that all the stuff is gone.  I have some purging and organizing at home that I'd still like to complete, and my knitting bag well that has certainly been purged with FOs-yea!

Now there's something to blog about-right?  Well in just a few I'll be taking my lunchtime walk around midtown-it's a gorgeous day out.  Then heading to Cast on Cottage where I hope they haven't already boxed up their Shibui trunk show.  I'm getting pretty excited about warm weather knits.  I love the fresh and re-freshing of spring, and how appropriate for this Good Friday!

Happy Friday-hope spring weather is shining down on you.

Yes, please!

How convenient that I had a photo ready to go for this week's prompt which is about one of my absolute favorite foods CHEESE!!!

10. Featured on this plate from last night when my friend Brenda came over for knitting.  Typsy Goat, Manchego, and Imberico-thank you Costco for the handy packaging, along with some Sharp Cheddar and Swiss.

9.  Brie-especially with some crusty bread.
8.  Blue Cheese-with bread and a glass of red wine, or on a salad.
7.  Fresh Mozzarella- caprese salad anyone?!
6.  Parmigiano Reggiano- especially if it's grated or shaved.
5.  Queso dip-you just can't go wrong with melted cheese!
4.  Goat cheese-any way you serve it, you just can't go wrong.
3.  Feta cheese-see #4
2.  Comte-see #8 & 9
1.  American cheese for those times I'm craving an oohy-goooy grilled cheese and I don't have #'s 2-10!

I may have to make a trip to Trader Joe's of Whole Foods for some fun cheese now!

If I could catch a leprechaun and acquire a pot of gold I'd . . .

10. Buy a newer car-by the time I get home today Veronica will turn over 169,000 miles.  Not bad for a 9 year old car that still purrs like a kitten!  This would definitely be a priority purchase.

9.  Buy a chateau in France that has a small and successful vineyard-not sure if the amount I'd receive from the gold would be enough, but you never know.

8.  Pay off my mortgage

7.  Travel to Italy, and hopefully add on France and Scotland

6.  Complete all remaining things left on our "to do" list to make it ready for selling.

5.  Enhance my stash-this would probably include a significant amount of Shibui

4.  Add a few more pairs of cowboy boots to my wardrobe

3.  Give some to charity

2.  Put some money in my "piggy" bank

1.  Buy my brother a car

A fun topic from Carole for St. Patrick's Day.

Pass the bread please

I had to think a little bit about Carole's prompt for this week.  Making sure I didn't include movie characters was tricky when you have so many books that have been made into movies/shows.  The 10 characters I'd invite to a dinner party would definitely get a hand written invitation; however, what would be on the menu-not sure, but champagne would definitely be drunk!

10. Mr. [Fitzwilliam] Darcy- I just know he'd be just as dreamy as Colin Firth!
  9. Kathy Mallory The Mallory Series [Carol O'Connell]-Don't call me Kathy!
  8. Sherlock Holmes
  7.  Miss Marple
  6.  Barbara Havers The Detective Lynley Series [Elizabeth George]
  5.  Mary Poppins-she'd be lots of fun.
  4.  Bertie-44 Scotland Street [Alexander McCall Smith]-so mature beyond his 6 years.
  3.  Maisie Dobbs
  2.  Lincoln Rhyme [Jeffrey Deavers]
  1.  Jamie Frazier-I'd probably just look at him the whole time!

Darcy, Jamie and Bertie would definitely be the outliers amongst the great detectives, but I'm sure Mary Poppins would work her magic and make it a splendid evening.  With so many books I've read, that are filled with wonderful characters it was really hard to keep it at 10.  A very fun prompt.