Sometimes you need to update and reboot. musings and ramblings about life-knitting and whatever else comes to mind.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Tiny Moments Tuesday-a little pampering
I spent my lunch hour today getting ready for our family lake vacation. I also treated myself to a non-polish manicure too! I got a kick out of seeing 2 gentlemen next to me also getting pedicures [and 1 manicure!] Happy Tuesday- one more work day before it's vacation time!
Monday, August 20, 2018
Sometimes Monday
Finds you getting closer to being organized and ready to get back to crafting. The to do list for the weekend was long, but luckily it was pretty flexible on deadlines. I didn't have to leave the house or return by a specific time and could take the time needed and not feel any pressure. Saturday morning was a bit cloudy, but a great place to enjoy my morning coffee and fold towels- cause that's where everyone folds their towels right?! Sophie heard our neighbors chickens for the first time, and I'm teaching her to get used to the sound so she doesn't disrupt their laying. We headed out for our exploring walk and I chose a route that would put us at the Roswell Farmers Market at the end which is closer to our house. I got some wonderful tomatoes, a cucumber and peaches. I am planning more trips before it shuts down for the fall.
We walked by/through the Smith Plantation-on our way home. I used to cut through this property on my way home from school. It was still a private residence at the time like Barrington Hall [which was close to where my grandparents lived] so I have never been inside. I'm really looking forward to touring these properties soon.
Saturday included far too many hours shopping for rugs and towels. I am a bit traumatized by trying to shop with other shoppers in isles that are not big enough for this activity! I manged to survive and I had a nice glass of wine before I tackled my other chores.
Sunday was my day to get started on unpacking my office/craft room. Sophie and I went on another long walk, and I think she regretted the route she "decided" to take. Steve had to attach the hutch before it could be moved into place, and he also took care of the one in the guest room, so I was able to unpack some books and get that space looking more guest welcoming.
Here's are the before shots. Everything was mostly in piles, but I've been without a dedicated desk for at least 2 years, so I'm trying to maximize the layout so I can work at my desk and sewing table.
While I was unpacking one of the crates with fabric I came across this lovely fabric which I had purchased 3+ years ago, and I'm hoping to find the coordinating fabric so I can make a quilt. I may do this to go on our bed as we are in desperate need of a new duvet cover and these colors would look great with the wall color. Whatever I do it'll be something simple so that a) I'll actually finish it and b) it'll be finished sooner rather than later!
After shots-still some organizing to do, but I need to some organizing items in order to completely empty the crates. I am sure Ikea and the Container Store will be able to help with this phase of the project. I significantly paired down my fabric stash after we moved to Dunwoody as I had collected fabrics that were what I liked and would perhaps use sometime down the road. The top shelf are the Christmas fabrics I've collected that I didn't want to part with and hopefully I can complete a couple small quilts to use during the holidays. The middle shelf are fabrics that have I intended to make project/tote bags, or is enough to make a small project. I'll have to get my friend, Brenda, to help me with these. She's been doing a ton of designing lately. The bottom shelf for now is holding loose patterns. I had to put my knitting/quilting books in the bedroom for now, but the goal is to have everything in this space. In the drawer are kits that I had purchased and just never got to, or just forgot about! My lofty goal is to empty this hutch so that I can have fabrics for garment and small quilt projects. I'm hoping Mary will help with the garment making and that we'll have a chance to visit this new store in Midtown this fall. In the closet are my project/tote bags and my quilting/sewing supplies and WIPs. I'm going to go through this box before I start any quilting projects and decide what I want to finish and what I'm not ever gonna finish.
What remains to organize is the yarn stash which I think is not too out of control. The WIPs are only project recently started, so no long languishing projects. The crate at the far left is actually empty and has my embroidery stuff inside. I plan to use the cubby that was in my closet and put my stash in that until I figure out my storage/work space needs. There are 2 boxes of desk/sewing stuff that I need to go through, but I'm going to need another table or drawers before I can call this totally finished.
I also emptied the last few boxes of photo albums that are on the book case in the basement guest room. It felt great getting so many boxes out of the house, I still have a few that are kitchen/china cabinet type items, so I need to put some thought into what will stay and what will go. I think this we a weekend well spent!
We walked by/through the Smith Plantation-on our way home. I used to cut through this property on my way home from school. It was still a private residence at the time like Barrington Hall [which was close to where my grandparents lived] so I have never been inside. I'm really looking forward to touring these properties soon.
Saturday included far too many hours shopping for rugs and towels. I am a bit traumatized by trying to shop with other shoppers in isles that are not big enough for this activity! I manged to survive and I had a nice glass of wine before I tackled my other chores.
Sunday was my day to get started on unpacking my office/craft room. Sophie and I went on another long walk, and I think she regretted the route she "decided" to take. Steve had to attach the hutch before it could be moved into place, and he also took care of the one in the guest room, so I was able to unpack some books and get that space looking more guest welcoming.
Here's are the before shots. Everything was mostly in piles, but I've been without a dedicated desk for at least 2 years, so I'm trying to maximize the layout so I can work at my desk and sewing table.
While I was unpacking one of the crates with fabric I came across this lovely fabric which I had purchased 3+ years ago, and I'm hoping to find the coordinating fabric so I can make a quilt. I may do this to go on our bed as we are in desperate need of a new duvet cover and these colors would look great with the wall color. Whatever I do it'll be something simple so that a) I'll actually finish it and b) it'll be finished sooner rather than later!
After shots-still some organizing to do, but I need to some organizing items in order to completely empty the crates. I am sure Ikea and the Container Store will be able to help with this phase of the project. I significantly paired down my fabric stash after we moved to Dunwoody as I had collected fabrics that were what I liked and would perhaps use sometime down the road. The top shelf are the Christmas fabrics I've collected that I didn't want to part with and hopefully I can complete a couple small quilts to use during the holidays. The middle shelf are fabrics that have I intended to make project/tote bags, or is enough to make a small project. I'll have to get my friend, Brenda, to help me with these. She's been doing a ton of designing lately. The bottom shelf for now is holding loose patterns. I had to put my knitting/quilting books in the bedroom for now, but the goal is to have everything in this space. In the drawer are kits that I had purchased and just never got to, or just forgot about! My lofty goal is to empty this hutch so that I can have fabrics for garment and small quilt projects. I'm hoping Mary will help with the garment making and that we'll have a chance to visit this new store in Midtown this fall. In the closet are my project/tote bags and my quilting/sewing supplies and WIPs. I'm going to go through this box before I start any quilting projects and decide what I want to finish and what I'm not ever gonna finish.
What remains to organize is the yarn stash which I think is not too out of control. The WIPs are only project recently started, so no long languishing projects. The crate at the far left is actually empty and has my embroidery stuff inside. I plan to use the cubby that was in my closet and put my stash in that until I figure out my storage/work space needs. There are 2 boxes of desk/sewing stuff that I need to go through, but I'm going to need another table or drawers before I can call this totally finished.
I also emptied the last few boxes of photo albums that are on the book case in the basement guest room. It felt great getting so many boxes out of the house, I still have a few that are kitchen/china cabinet type items, so I need to put some thought into what will stay and what will go. I think this we a weekend well spent!
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Three on Thursday-Currently . . .
Joining in with Carole for 3 on Thursday and including an update on what's been happening at Maison Sheffield since the last post.
2-Such optimistic words form Winnie the Pooh. I took my Mom to the High Museum to see the Winnie the Pooh exhibit which included several illustrations from E H Shepard on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was such an excellent exhibit although it was a bit harrowing getting there.
Sunday we celebrated my BIG birthday. Such a great time and great food thanks to the excellent planning by my wonderful family and Mary posted photos which also included a few of me! It was truly a fantastic weekend and I'm glad it wasn't just about getting the house arranged and organized. Sophie and I even managed 2 "exploring" walks around the area. I have to say I think we're settling nicely!
Monday, August 6, 2018
A month to the Day-Sometimes Monday . . .
Finds you amongst a gazillion boxes and unassembled furniture waiting for the movers. Looking forward to officially beginning House 3.0 this week. Yes, the time frame was between 8 and 10 am and it's no 9:23. The dog is fretful and the hubby is fidgeting-I think I'll break out the knitting-guaranteed to have the movers show up to interrupt!
Friday, July 6, 2018
Friday-flyby
While I keep up with the quarterfinals of the World Cup- here's an update on Summer Book Bingo. I feel like I'm making pretty good progress as it's really hard for me to find time to read-read books.
What I've finished:
The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared- I listened to this one and LOVED it!
Eleanor and Hick- read this for book club and was not overly impressed. It seemed like a mish-mash of letters attempting to put a story together. I am curious to learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt and the work she did as First Lady.
The Novel Habits of Happiness of Happiness-this is a Isabell Dalhousie-Alexander McCall Smith novel. I enjoyed it and these books are always a quick read.
The Great Santini-Conroy's books can be quite a challenge, but am glad I've added another one of his books to my finished list.
Mrs. Dalloway-my first Virginia Woolf-not sure what I was supposed to get out of this, but will probably try to go back and read it sometime. I listened to it for Book Bingo
I'm currently reading
The Trespassor- by Tana French. I started with the ebook and didn't get finished with it, so now I'm onto the audio book. This seems to be taking a different turn than the previous French books. We'll see, I do think the Irish accent of the narrator helps to bring life to the characters.
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny- book #11. So far these books have not disappointed.
The Eyre Affair-Not sure if I'm going to like this one- seems very Doctor Who-ish. I'm listening to this one too.
Books I'm planning to read:
Me Before You, Before the Fall (Book Club), The Drunken Botanist, The Remains of the Day, Love and Ruin, Gorky Park, Til We Have Faces, The Knot, American Pharaoh. That's about as far as I've gotten.
Hope your summer reading is both challenging and interesting.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
3 on Thursday-Very Random
1. I met another Atlanta United player this afternoon, midfielder Julien Gressel. The place was mobbed with people and I'm glad I got there early. These players are so much fun to watch and I hope to meet more of them this year. Why are soccer players so cute and they have such great hair!!!
2. I am finally on track with Puntilla. First I didn't pick up the front stitches in the right place; then I joined the fronts in the wrong way. It took me forever to figure out why I couldn't join the body, so this project was frogged twice. Very frustrating, but now it looks like a sweater!
3. Am getting excited about our new home-things are on pace for closing in 2 weeks!
Guess I need to start packing soon-
Monday, June 25, 2018
Weekending
My weekend got started a little earlier than normal and by 1:00 on Thursday afternoon the weekend was on! I stopped by the Buford Highway Farmer's Market to pick up some fresh veggies for the weekend, and I had extra time to peruse the isles. Friday was a full day off, and we had the home inspection scheduled for the house we're hoping to purchase and it took the inspector 3 hours to finish! The house we're buying is old, and I appreciate the inspector's thoroughness, and now the process begins with negotiating repairs.
We took lots of measurements while we were here so we could decide furniture placement. By the time the inspection was done we were starving so we had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant before we went to visit my mother in law. We were able to stay on one road the entire way. The location of this house is another reason why we chose because it is close to our family and it doesn't require anyone having to get on the interstate. Very important as we're not getting any younger! When we got home I immediately headed out to a local Chick-fil-A and got to meet Alec Kann player for the Atlanta United, and you can tell he's just a "little" bit taller than me [my 5'1" to his 6'4"!]. Such a nice guy, and I hope to be able to meet more of the team at some point; they have been so much fun to watch. The rest of my weekend was spent cleaning, doing laundry and cooking.
I did manage to finish an embroidery piece I started earlier this year. I'll probably make this into a pillow, but for now it'll go in the WIP pile.
Saturday and Sunday also included an outdoor bike ride which were very invigorating.
I thought I was making progress on my Puntilla, but Sunday afternoon would reveal I clearly don't know where the shoulders are on a sweater! Luckily I frogged the sweater before I did more knitting.
I took Monday off as I just needed some time to just "be". There was coffee, reading and knitting on the balcony before it got to warm. This is Arabella which is my lace-antisocial knitting. When it was too warm to be outside there was more knitting and mindless TV.
Here's what I hope will be my new kitchen.
I did manage to finish an embroidery piece I started earlier this year. I'll probably make this into a pillow, but for now it'll go in the WIP pile.
Saturday and Sunday also included an outdoor bike ride which were very invigorating.
I thought I was making progress on my Puntilla, but Sunday afternoon would reveal I clearly don't know where the shoulders are on a sweater! Luckily I frogged the sweater before I did more knitting.
I took Monday off as I just needed some time to just "be". There was coffee, reading and knitting on the balcony before it got to warm. This is Arabella which is my lace-antisocial knitting. When it was too warm to be outside there was more knitting and mindless TV.
Sophie and I took a ride to the library to return a book- we actually took the long way-just because- Monday afternoon found me back on track with Puntilla. I think Sophie really enjoyed having someone at home all day especially when the afternoon thunder storms appeared. I hope to make significant progress on the knitting this project as once we are officially on "go" with the house the next few weeks are going to be super busy. I'm thankful for this downtime and tomorrow it's back to the old grind!
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