Saturday Snapshot

I thought it was Pedestrian Crossing...

...but it turned out to be Peacock Crossing!

Riverbend Park in Jupiter, Florida

Friday Favorites - Daffodils

 

I love daffodils. Whenever I see them I think happy thoughts of spring, and Easter, and family. Years ago, when I lived in Kentucky, I planted ever-so-many daffodil and tulip bulbs in my yard. I loved the bright, cheerful colors signalling the end of winter. I wasn't much for doing any other gardening, but I had my daffodils and tulips in the spring. 

Now that I've lived in Florida for many years, daffodils don't have the same affect. I think it's because we have flowers year-round. Daffodils are actually a hot-house flower because you have to manipulate the bulbs to grow since we don't have the cold season to allow the bulbs their dormant stage.

While I was in Brooklyn visiting my daughter, I spotted daffodils in the wild. It amused me to find flowers growing in the city -- I always picture the city as being a stark, steel and cement landscape. I find the city beautiful for it's diverse architecture; I just don't picture gardened yards as part of that. And it thrilled me to learn that daffodils are still capable of bringing happy thoughts of family to my mind. (Even more so now, since they're now associated with happy memories of visiting my daughter!)

Smoothies!

My latest obsession is smoothies. I blame my oldest daughter, since she's the one that introduced me to these wonderful fruity concoctions. There isn't a lot that I can eat right now. so I've been using smoothies as both my go-to breakfast in the morning and my dessert-treat in the evenings.

There isn't anything to making one. Just combine a couple of pieces of fruit (I'm partial to bananas and mangos mixed with either an apple, an orange, or some strawberries) in the Magic Bullet, throw in some ice cubes, and add a little almond milk or coconut milk (since I can't have dairy) and whip it up. It couldn't be any easier, or any tastier!

Crossing my Fingers and Toes

If asked, I usually describe myself as a Sock Knitter. Lately, however, that's changed. The last couple of pairs of socks I've knitted have really kicked my butt. I did a Cookie A pattern, Cusp, that had me knitting the same sock three times in order to get it right. I'm still not sure why I didn't just give up and start a different - easier - pattern, except that the socks did turn out to be well-worth the trouble they gave me. They were gorgeous! Unfortunately, I gave them to my daughter without getting a photo of the finished pair. Hopefully I can get her to send me a picture of them on her feet because the way the lace curved around from the back to the front was simply wonderful.

A normal person would have taken a break and knit something simple after struggling with the Cusp socks. Nobody has ever accused me of being normal.Which is why I cast on Mince Pie Mayhem, a sock pattern by Alice Yu. I've only recently discovered Alice Yu and her amazing designs. I have a list of her socks that I want to knit! (If only I could get the pattern for Deuce...unfortunately my laptop won't support Sockupied.) I only had to start over twice on these socks before I managed to get into the swing of the cables. Every other row has cables almost every other stitch, which means that I'm okay as long as I'm concentrating. As soon as I get over-confident, though, and start to think that I have the pattern memorized...sigh, it's tink*-time.

One of the things I really like about this pattern is the way the gusset and heel flap are done together. The gusset comes up along the ankle, rather than running along the length of the foot. You knit the heel flap, the gusset increases, and continuing to knit the instep all at the same time. My normal sock construction is to knit only the heel flap (ignoring the instep), then going back to pick up for the gusset and instep stitches. I can't wait to compare the way the construction of this sock fits with my normal construction.

Just in case you think that I spent all my time in April agonizing over socks, I did cast on - and finish! - a shawlette. Carolyn, in my Thursday knitting group, was working on a beautiful Wingspan in Noro Kureyon yarn. I love Noro Kureyon, and I just happened to have the exact same colorway in my stash that she was using. Now I could claim, in fact I have claimed, that I spur-of-the-moment cast on a Wingspan while I was up in New York after discovering that cabling the Mince on the subway was too difficult. The truth is, I packed my skein of Noro Kureyon in my suitcase because deep in my heart, I lusted after Carolyn's Wingspan. As it turned out, I'm not the only one to have stalked her project. Noro Wingspan has become unintentional KAL with at least one other knitter working on the same project (Pattern and Colorway!)

I've already worn my Wingspan to work, and there were a lot of compliments. You really can't beat Noro for the beautiful colors. And this was such a great carry-along pattern to knit, I'm tempted to cast on another one using the black/gray self-striping sock yarn in my stash.

First, though, I'll be casting on Hecate.  This is a For-Real KAL that we're doing (and not just another Oh-I-like-your-project-so-I'm-going-to-copy-you KAL). I found some of my hand-spun that will work nicely for this pattern, so I'm looking forward to getting started. I've also got a sweater pattern picked out that I promised to knit for my daughter, so I better get back to the needles!




*Tink - to knit backwards, undoing all the work you've just finished

April Reading List

Books Read in April

049 - 01  Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (4/8)

Wow. I read this on a friend's recommendation. I had been on the waiting list for it over six weeks. (I started as #198, with 7 copies at the library.) This was such a great book, with lots of unexpected plot twists and a disturbing ending.

050 - 02  Living Gluten-Free for Dummies, by Danna Korn (4/9)
051 - 03  Fluke, by Christopher Moore (4/15)
052 - 04  State Secrets, by Linda Lael Miller (4/17)
053 - 05  Divergent, by Veronica Roth (4/19)
054 - 06  Captive Star, by Nora Roberts (4/22)
055 - 07  The Ideal Wife, by Mary Balogh (4/23)
056 - 08  Lord Gray's List, by Maggie Robinson (4/27)
057 - 09  Almost Amish, by Kathryn Cushman (4/28)
058 - 10  Child of Grace, by Irene Hannon (4/29)
059 - 11  Courting Cate, by Leslie Gould (4/29)
060 - 12  The Lady Confesses, by Carole Mortimer (4/30)

March Reading List

Books Read in March

032 - 01  Dream Eyes,  by Jayne Ann Krentz (3/1)
033 - 02  The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side, by CJ Hawk (3/3)
034 - 03  Rumors: The McCaffertys, by Lisa Jackson (3/6)
035 - 04  Beach Season, by Lisa Jackson (3/10)
036 - 05  A Creed in Stone Creek, by Linda Lael Miller (3/12)
037 - 06  Love Will Find a Way, by Barbara Freethly (3/13)
038 - 07  Smitten, by C. Coble, K. Billerbeck, D. Hunter, and D. Hunt (3/14) AUDIOBOOK
039 - 08  Bossypants, by Tina Fey (3/15)
040 - 09  A Walk in the Park, by Jill Mansell (3/16)
041 - 10  Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health by Dr. Caldwell Esselsty et al (3/17)
042 - 11  Eat to Live, by Joel Furman, MD (3/17)
043 - 12  Priced to Move, by Ginny Aiken (3/17)
044 - 13  It's All Relative, by Wade Rouse (3/18)
045 - 14  Minding Frankie, by Maeve Binchy (3/21)

I thought this was going to be a light read. Instead, it was a wonderfully worthwhile read. There was a huge cast of characters with many different plots running tangled together - just like life. I hate to admit it, but I cried when one of the characters (not even a "main" one) died.

046 - 15  The Fall of Shane McKade, by Nora Roberts (3/23)

I'm the one who fell, from reading a really great book, and true literature, to reading this. Sigh.

047 - 16  Mr. Churchill's Secretary, by Susan Ella MacNeal (3/29)

Great book! It was recommended to me by a friend and I want to pass the recommendation along. Very loosely based on historical fact (ie Mr. Churchill was prime minister of England; England was bombed during the war), this was a fun story of mystery and romance without going overboard.

048 - 17  Meatless, by Martha Stewart (3/29)

This is a cookbook, so I didn't really read the entire thing. I sort of skimmed through each recipe. I did, howeer, look at each recipe and evaluate it based on y dietary restrictions vs my tastes. And I did read all the descriptions, notes, and other material. Surprisingly, I really like this cookbook. I hadn't expected Martha Stewart to be "doable." But I've already made use of her "how to cook the perfect post of beans" and her lentil curry is on this week's menu.

Two closets -- and they're both mine!

My youngest child moved into her own apartment Sunday. It's the first time I've ever had to live alone. (I've stayed alone quite a lot, but it's never been on a "forever" or even "a-really-long-time" basis before.) It's going to take some getting used to. I'm going to enjoy cleaning up after myself, and getting home from work to find that no one has messed anything up. I'm going to enjoy having the bathroom to myself again, without anyone else's towels or makeup or hair in the tub. I don't have to take anyone else into consideration; it's just my fleeting desires that matter in my own apartment. On the other hand, there's no one to share the silliness of the day, or to complain to when I come home from work. (The cat just doesn't care, and doesn't even pretend to listen like my teenager does.) There's no excuse to cook, since it's just me. There's no one to watch Glee with, or to take a walk with. And there's no one to blame when the dishes aren't washed. (I considered the cat, but even as smart as she is there is no way she's taken anything out of the cupboards.)

I am proud of my daughter. She's been wanting to get her own apartment for a while now, but she was smart enough to wait until she knew she could afford to live on her own. I'm also very proud of her organizational skills, which she obviously gets from me. The child packed her boxes by room, and clearly labeled each one with its contents. Of course, the wording of each label made it clear that even with my orderly influence, she is her own person:

• Bedroom: clothing - time to dress up and look pretty!
• Kitchen: plates - to be civilized for mommy
• Kitchen: paper stuff - everyday use

I've been promised an invitation to dinner as soon as she gets settled in. And I'm thinking of making Sunday dinners at my place mandatory for ALL my children. Because while I plan on enjoying my clean house, I'd rather have the kids around.

Really? You need a rule about that?

Today I had to chase a group of teenagers off the roof, where they were skateboarding. Of course they didn't understand why I wouldn't allow them to do that. As one young man told me, "Then the church should change the roof so that that we're not tempted to skateboard it!"

I think that "No skateboarding on the roof" is going on my list of Stupid Things I Never Thought I'd Have to Say. (Other favorites on that list include: "You're not supposed to date other women when you have a wife at home" and "I don't know why God put buggers up your nose, but until we figure it out don't pick your nose.")

February Book List

Books Read in February

015 - 01  Mr. Punumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, by Robin Sloan (2/3)

I want to be one of the Bound! This book was a recommendation from my daughter, and it is definitely worth passing the recommendation on. It's centered around the blending of paperbound books and modern technology, with a wonderfully cult-ish twist. To be truthful, I had a little trouble in the beginning and I really wondered if my daughter's and my taste had finally parted ways. But as usual, she was right on the mark because I did end up getting caught in the tale, reluctant to do anything but read the next page.

016 - 02  The Inn at Rose Harbor, by Debbie Macomber (2/7)
017 - 03  No Defense, by Kate Wilhelm (2/7) AUDIOBOOK
018 - 04  Just Breathe, by Susan Wiggs (2/8)
019 - 05  Boomerang Bride, by Fiona Lowe (2/10)
020 - 06  At Home in Stone Creek, by Linda Lael Miller (2/10)
021 - 07  Objects of My Affection, by Jill Smolinski (2/14) AUDIOBOOK

I really liked this book. Which is amazing, since I didn't like any of the characters. The characters were well-written, and their actions and dialogues were very well suited to each character; it's just that I would never consider socializing with any of them. (Is it weird that I judge a book's character by how I would interact with that character in real life?) I listened to the first chapter on my morning commute, and decided that I would have to download something else when I got home that night. But I put the book back on for the drive home, and got sucked into the story. There were even a few days that I sat in the parking lot, just so I could listen to one more chapter!

022 - 08  Elemental Magic: All New Tales of the Elemental Masters, edited by Mercedes Lackey (2/15)
023 - 09  Reached, by Ally Condie (2/17)
024 - 10  A Fool's Gold Christmas, by Susan Mallery (2/17)
025 - 11  Starters, by Lissa Price (2/20)

This was a young adult fantasy/fiction. I was disappointed. It was a pretty good story, but the ending wasn't as developed as the start of the book. 

026 - 12  The McCafferty: Randi, by Lisa Jackson (2/21)
027 - 13  Code Triage, by Candance Calvert (2/22)
028 - 14  A Lawman's Christmas: A McKettricks of Texas Novel, by Linda Lael Miller (2/22)
029 - 15  McKettricks of Texas: Tate,  by Linda Lael Miller (2/22)
030 - 16  McKettricks of Texas: Garrett,  by Linda Lael Miller (2/23)
031 - 17  Runaway Heart,  by Claudy Conn (2/25)

Sometimes you just have to step away from the madness

It's been one of those days. Actually, it's been one of those weeks. So I told my boss that I was taking a long lunch, and I went over to the park to knit. Which turned out to be exactly what I needed!

And if knitting socks in the park wasn't enough, I'm on my way over to meet my knitting group for an evening of dedicated fiber and friendship.

Yep. It's one of those days. (She says with a grin and a happy dance.)

January Book List

Books Read in January

001 - 01  Calamity Jayne, by Kathleen Bacus (1/2) 
002 - 02  The Homemade Pantry, by Alana Chirnila (1/3)

I love this cookbook! I borrowed it from the library, and I've read it straight through cover to cover. I love the way she ties each recipe into her family's life, and invites the reader to make similar ties and memories. The recipes are (almost all) do-able, with very little "specialty" ingredients or equipment. This is a book that I will be buying for myself. (Unless, of course, someone else buys it for me first!)

003 - 03  Down by the River, by Robyn Carr (1/4)
004 - 04  Big Sky Country, by Linda Lael Miller (1/4)
005 - 05  Unenchanted, by Chanda Hahn (1/6)

This is the first of a Young Adult series. I'm not sure whether or not I liked it. There were some parts that I couldn't wait to finish, and there were some parts that I wondered why I was bothering to finish. I do adore books that retell classic fairy tales in a modern setting, and this one even managed to throw in a completely new twist.

006 - 06  Waking Up Married, by Mira Lyn Kelly (1/6)
007 - 07  Angel's Peak, by Robyn Carr (1/12) 

This one was a re-read. I just needed something sweet and easy to read that would cheer me up. When I don't feel well, there's nothing as good as a little comfort reading. Except, maybe, some chocolate ice cream or a cup of hot tea.

008 - 08  Temptation Ridge, by Robyn Carr (1/14) 
009 - 09  Somebody to Love, by Kristan Higgins (1/24)
010 - 10  Montana Creeds: Logan, by Linda Lael Miller (1/26)
011 - 11  Just One of the Guys, by Kristan Higgins (1/27)
012 - 12  Sugar Daddy, by Lisa Kleypas (1/28)  AUDIOBOOK
013 - 13  Bridesmaid Lotto, by Rachel Astor  (1/28)
014 - 14  Lord Stillwell's Excellent Engagements, by Victoria Alexander (1/31)

If only I had a yard!

It's a garden gnome and a frog just chillin' out in the Florida sun. This has got to be the greatest, tackiest, yard ornament ever. I really want it.

My neighbors must be so glad that we don't have any personal yard areas. With the way I love anything   terribly kitschy, they'd have to form an HOA for sure!

Me, and the dead spider?

 

Congratulate me. This afternoon I finally mastered the split ring. (And shortly after that I mastered the skill of taking a photo one-handed while the other hand is tied up like a dead spider.) 

 In tatting, using a split ring lets you move the threads from one side of the ring to the other. For instance, in the daisy pattern I'm working on, the first seven rings are worked from inside the circle.The threads have to be moved to the outside of the circle on the last ring in order to attach the next daisy motif. For an experienced tatter, making a split ring is probably no big deal. But mastering this skill moves a beginner like myself  up to a whole new level. It's like a new knitter mastering cables or learning to follow a lace chart.

Recently I've finished a couple of tatted bracelets. The first one was very simple and delicate. The second bracelet was adapted from a bookmark pattern. 

                                            

Bible Challenge

My church is taking part in the Bible Challenge. The goal is to read the entire Bible in one year. This means reading three chapters of the old testament, one psalm, and one chapter of the new testament every day. (There isn't any assigned reading on Sunday, since you get to hear the Word in church.)

As a child, I attended a Baptist church. I remember doing a lot of "Bible drills," where we would have races to see who could be the first to find a given Bible verse. I was pretty good - I won two Bibles! I also memorized a lot of verses.

In high school, my English class read the book of Job one year. (I've always wondered - was Job required reading back then, or was it particular to my advanced English class?)

As an adult, every once in a while I would make noises about wanting to read the Bible. But I've always read only what was necessary for church, or to teach my Sunday School lesson. So I've taken up the challenge. Actually, I started October 17th. I'm using the New International Version, rather than King James, because it's so much easier to read.

I've been surprised at how much reading the Bible has given me to think about. The old testament, at least Genesis, is filled with a lot of polygamy and slavery and sex. How did I miss that before? Abraham lies and says that his wife is his sister, so she is given to the king as his harem slave. Later, he has a child by her slave -- it's a regular soap opera! The more I read, though, the more layers I'm finding. I'm questioning things I was sure about, but I'm becoming surer in my faith.

BIBLE BOOKS READ:

• Genesis (OT) - lots of geneology, that I tended to skip over quickly. Noah's story surprised me, so did the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Parts of this book left me questioning my view of God (Tower of Babel, for instance). But by the time I got to Jacob's story, I found myself reading ahead!