Just in Time...

New season. New haircut. New hat?

Knitting sure has taken over my life. When I'm not working or exercising, I'm pretty much knitting. Housework is neglected (sorry mom). And I don't do things I used to do ALL the time. I haven't finished a book yet this year. So sad. Up until this year, I would read at least 2 books a month. Fiction, nonfiction. Classics, chick-lit, legal mysteries, biographies. Anything. And now, I can barely pick up a book, let alone read and finished one.

Despite losing my ability to complete even the shortest book, I at least have a small bounty of things to show for it. Loads of dishcloths (ok, not loads, but maybe 6 or so), some mittens that live a state away, slippers, and now a new hat to go with my Gay Paree City Scarf.

And hopefully soon, I will be starting on my first full sweater! The yarn has been bought (thanks to a special car trip to a yarn store into a neighboring town), I'm just waiting to finish up a couple small works-in-progress and then it's time cast-on. So it may just turn out that I don't end up finishing a single book this year.

Perhaps you could suggest some that I just won't be able to resist?

Fresh Bread Daily

This weekend I embarked on a journey. A journey to quick and easy homemade bread without using a bread machine, daily if I really wanted.

I whipped up approximately 5 quarts of dough per the instructions in the "magic" bread book that's been talked about in blog-land the past few months, and tonight I baked my first loaves. Two mini balls for Mike and I to enjoy bread bowls of broccoli soup tomorrow.

They are so right. It's easy, too easy.

Ask me tomorrow how it tastes. That's the true test.

It looks good, though, doesn't it?

L is for Library

One of my favorite places to be is in a library. So many possibilities. So much entertainment. So much to learn. All for free.

I have a tendency to leave with way more books than I could possibly read in the allotted time. More so now, I just can't get used to only getting books for 2 weeks.

I'm still not sure about the new library all together. We started off on the total wrong foot. When the librarians refused to give me a library card, saying I lived outside the city and needed to pay $75 dollars. I clearly live in the city, and I stormed out. It was my worst nightmare having all that free time and no free books to read. Luckily I have a husband who takes care of me and Mike contacted the director of the library and got everything settled. The new library is also really big, and I don't know where things are. I knew our old library so well. It's been a tough transition. I've resorted to placing holds on every book online, so it's waiting for me at the front desk. I couldn't find contemporary fiction that was new in the last couple years! It was very frustrating. My new system works much better.

I'm very much one who chooses a book by its cover. Interesting cover design makes me pick the book up, and most likely get it (in the case of fiction). But another favorite activity involves going up to the 2nd floor New Non-Fiction bookshelves. I actually have to limit my trips to those shelves because without a doubt I will leave with at least 5 books. Big, heavy non-fiction books.

I have many happy memories of going to the library as a child. It was such a treat to head to tiny library with my dad, and being allowed to pick out books while Dad combed the sci-fi section. There were books I checked out repeatedly, but as I got older I was so disappointed by the library's lack of Babysitters Club books. I remember losing my library card so I could get a new one…not the flimsy white one I had initially been issued but a strong, thick beige one. Or researching things like the city's landfill history in order to do my 7th grade science project, which included me creating a landfill representation in a fish tank with aquarium rocks (gosh that was incredibly heavy). Riding to an old grocery store off the Square, that temporarily housed the public library, while the library building was being renovated (into the above photo) and I was really into John Grisham. And more recently walking Braydon in his stroller from my parent's house to the library in the summer, and all the librarians commenting on what a good baby he was for not crying, then loading up on knitting books and Martha Stewart magazines.

Now my library trip are more planned and quicker. Either on my lunch break or after work, just going to pick up something on hold. Perhaps one day I'll feel more at ease in the new library, where I can stroll or bike downtown and spend an hour or so just browsing, finding hidden gems.

And for those of you that are interested, here's the haul I came home with on Friday:
• Classic Knits: 15 timeless designs to knit and keep forever; by Erica Knight
• Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life; by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Read by Jim Dale
• Knitting with Balls: Hands-on guide to knitting for the modern men; by Michael Del Vecchio
• Men Who Knit and the Dogs that Love Them: 30 great-looking designs for man and his best friend; by Annie Modesitt
• Mr Darcy's Diary; by Amanda Grange
• Speed Knitting: 24 quick and easy projects; by Kris Percival

The knitting books have some cute patterns, haven't cracked the novels, so I can't recommend them yet. Though if you are looking for a tried and true recommendation check out Jasper Fforde and the Thursday Next series (the newest has just been released), but I would start with The Eyre Affair and work your way through…and then onto the Nursery Crimes series.

b is for bookworm

I've always been a bookworm. Finding great solace in the world's I enter with each cover opened, spine cracked and page turned. At times the characters within the pages acted as friends when I was feeling lonely. Other times, even today, the world's brought to life by an author's words and my vivid imagination take me away from whatever may be bothering me in the real world.

I began reading at a young age. Before kindergarten. I still remember a story time in kindergarten, anxiously wanting the teacher to pick me to try and help with words because I knew I knew them and could blow the class away. Alas, Mrs Hartleib picked the other Sara, and I could not shine…or boast, whatever.

I was lucky to have parents who read to me, as well as an older sister who was well into reading by the time I came along. My mom's still not sure when i actually learned to read…I guess from an early age I was memorizing favorites like "The Foot Book" and "Red Fish Blue One Fish Two Fish."

You would be hard-pressed to find me without some sort of reading material on hand. I almost always have a book in my bag, and if I'm in between things, a magazine at least. I even tote books to work for that glorious hour (it used to only be 30 minutes) of free time in the middle of the day where I can unwind a bit. I look forward to going to the YMCA for at least 30 uninterrupted minutes of reading time on the eliptical machine. If only they would turn off the crappy radio station, so I could concentrate even more. Can you believe the machine trainer guy at the Y scoffed at me for reading on the machines?! I told him, "I either read on the machine or I'll read on the couch in my apartment with some snacks, which do you think is better?" That got him to shut up pretty quick.

I'm used to people making a point to bring attention to my reading. Growing up, not a single family gathering went by (after let's say the age of 8 or 9 - when I same-age cousin started to grow apart playing-wise) where I did not have my nose in a book. There was a 6 year difference between me and my nearest girl cousin, I needed something to occupy my time while all the older girls did their older girl cousin things. No one ever seemed to have a problem with it until boyfriends were introduced into family gatherings. My cousin's boyfriend-now-husband would be floored at every party because I had a book. He would always say something. And it wasn't like these were once a year get-togethers, we had some sort of party at least once a month. That's weird, isn't it?

Sadly I don't get to read as much anymore as I would like to. Having a job/career/whatever really eats up a lot of time. But I do as much as I can, setting yearly goals for myself. I read at least as many books as I am old. At some point I won't be able to do that anymore, but until then I relish in reading over that amount. I even have a log of every book I have read for enjoyment/recreation since 1999. Minus two titles that disappeared in the horrific saving debacle of 2005. Long story short. I used to keep these list on computer in a formatted file, using the previous year as a template for the next. Until in January of 2005, when I was starting the new year's list and "open apple + s"ed, instead of "shift+ open apple + s"ing. 2004 was my best book year with almost 50 books read, and I lost them all. I managed to recover all but 2 titles through memory, library receipts and accidental rereading. I even desperately pleaded my case with 3 libraries (hometown, college town and university) trying to access records of which books I checked out with no luck. I still hope to run across these titles one day while beginning a story…one day, one day.



I feel lucky to have such a passion for reading.

But I often worry that when I have kids of my own one day, they won't like reading. I used to talk about this a fear frequently with my GD (graphic design) Buddy, Stacey. She too is an avid reader (who has turned me onto a few favorite reads - thanks again Stacey for getting me hooked on Jasper Fforde!) and it was nice to know I wasn't the only one to have thoughts like that.

But until that problem arises…I'll just keep reading.

Until next time, you can find me in a book (or two).

And I'm Back…

Don't worry, it didn't take me all that time to finish Deathly Hallows. I was done by Sunday afternoon, having possessed the book for only 23 hours. A new record for myself, I believe.

It was great, and I'm just starting to come off of the Harry Potter high. Where I found myself thinking about the story throughout the day. What can I say…it was powerful.

I took a bit of an extended blog break, read a different book I had out from the library (Second Chance by Jane Green, good, especially if you like a lighter read), as well as doing some knitting and then getting slowed down by some sort of stomach thing that left me with a sour tummy for half the week.

I've been working hard on the first of the Studio Knits Garter Stitch Fairy: Rose dresses, but still not even half way done. Working the sleeves now, and then onto the cute petals. Once there's something worth showing, I definitely will. I'd really like to get the first dress down within the next two weeks, and then onto the two scalloped baby blankets. I'm really anxious to use THE fabric, but I'm trying hard to complete projects and stay on task. Plus I don't want to get distracted by the extra yardage until I have some room on the "Crafty To Do" to actually play with it for myself.

And though I am hard at work, do not fear! I scrounged up some projects I have yet to show. These are from the package I sent Darcy for her birthday at the beginning of the month. I sat on them for awhile because she didn't get the package yet, but then I kind forgot…something about The Month O' Harry Potter and all.

I had been planning on making her one bigger gift, but got a late start and became really overwhelmed. Luckily she saw the other checkbook cover I made up for a swap, and requested one. I was able to take the easy way out, plus go shopping for silly gifts at some of the fun stores we have downtown.

I wish I had been able to find yardage of the fishy fabric at the fabric store…but no, only fat quarters. I grabbed all that I could and have been rationing it out to only those I feel are fun enough to deserve it. So far only Darcy and Bray have made the cut. Hmmm…not even myself, interesting.

And I made my own bias tape for the project. Incorrectly, granted. I didn't actually cut it on the bias, and I had to maneuver my fingers mighty close to a very hot iron (I've been thinking about investing in a bias tape maker thing because it sure is fun to be able to use whatever fabric you want as binding. I'm just not sure if I'll use it enough to warrant the expense yet.), but it turned out A-OK.

The brown and robin's egg blue fabric has been sitting in my fabric drawer for at least a year as well. Once again, only fat quarters, this time only 2, not an armful. So I've been waiting for the perfect application, and wanting something easy and hand-crafted, but useful to add to the birthday package gave me exactly that application. Heather Bailey's Hooray for Headbands! I even made one for myself (which is what I'm wearing! Not someone else's gift!), and I wore nearly every other day for a week. As laundry has piled up it's been put in a holding pattern, but I will break it out again…no worries. I have plans to make some more as well. But, again, need to wait for the Crafty To Do to clear out a bit.

In other news, I've been working away at my 101 Things.

Some things are much harder to do than I expected. I have a feeling that is because I took on a lot of daily/weekly things at once, so it's a bit overwhelming. Plus a few things involve Mike…and taking Mike away from media for an evening. He's been reluctant, but I'll keep trying to make it more routine. I'm not going to beat myself up over not having items done for the complete 134 weeks, just as long as I don't wait until the last 30 days, I'll feel like I gave it my all. So far the thing I've excelled most at is watching movies. In a month I've watched 7 of the top 100 AFI films, on a good pace so that it won't take me the entire 1001 days to finish. Thank goodness. I haven't tackled anything terribly exciting, so there's not much to talk about besides what I've already mentioned…unless you think implementing a family cleaning schedule sounds like a rockin' time. I came up with one during the first week or so of the month, but look forward to the beginning of a brand new full month to actually get started on it.

So until next time…ta ta!

The Day Is Here…

Image courtesy of BookSavvy via ?

See ya when I find out how it ends!

Please don't let Ginny die, please don't let Ginny die, please don't let Ginny die…
Or Harry…or Hermoine…or Ron.

The Month O' Potter

Is anyone else pumped for this month?

Order of the Phoenix in theaters Wednesday.

Deathly Hallows hits the shelves on the 21st, and after a short road trip to my mother-in-law's I shall be holed up all weekend, immersed in my favorite alternate world. Mike will have to bring me food and water until I leave for work on Monday morning. And then every night until I finish, which hopefully won't take too long.

Let the Potter dreams begin.

In celebration of the Month of Potter, starting tomorrow I will be toting this baby around town. Mike got this messenger bag from one of those credit card solicitors that stake out on college campuses. Mike immediately covered the logo with duct tape and that's how it has stayed for the past 5 years. Not being used, but being toted from dorm to 2 college apartments, up to our first apartment, then to our condo, and finally down to the Land of Lincoln. I was always tempted to toss it in the Purple Heart pile, but I've felt that it would come in handy. Now adorned with that patch I received in the End of Harry Potter swap (yes, I totally deconstructed that apron), I have a subtle, yet oh-so-Potter bag to tote around every day.

How's that for recycling?

The Stash

Knitters have their Stash of yarn.

Sewers (is that right? it doesn't look right) have their Stash of fabric.

And I… have my Stash of craft books.

This is it…minus one or two that may be in my car in my craft group emergency knitting bag. There's at least 30. Of all different genres… knitting, crochet, paper crafts, sewing, embroidery. It's difficult to believe that one person could really use all these books.

Mostly they are for inspiration. I like the pretty pictures. Simple as that.

Kinda like how a knitter is drawn to the feel of yarn or a sewer to the pattern of fabric.

I may even like craft books more than I actually like crafting. I enjoy the feeling I get. The feeling that I could make these things. That I'm capable. Or the push to become capable enough to accomplish a tougher project that may be out of my league. They become a motivator.

…and now I must go reshelve all of them. In their proper place in our "dewey decimal"* system of organizing our bookcases.



*Though we don't employ the actual Dewey Decimal system, we use the same theories. Just minus the pesky numbers.

New Love Affair

My husband is gone, hundreds of miles away, and I've got a new love.

Borders.

Please note, this advertising is not paid for, but hey Borders! If you wanna kick a few bucks my way, I won't refuse.

If you buy books and you haven't joined the Borders Rewards program yet… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Above is $75+ worth of books, I paid $6.93. Now I did have gift cards, but which made this saving almost unbelievably exceptional, but I saved $41.41 (my receipt reminded me of this, but I did the math as well). Between using a coupon (buy 2 books, get the 3rd free - in my case a $20-ish value), using my personal shopping day (obtained by spending $50 in a month - saved me $5.60) and my holiday rewards savings (accumulated with a percentage of each purchase - $15.86 for me), I managed to get 3 books and a sketchbook for basically the price of the sketchbook.

These books are being put away sadly. It's taking all my willpower to do so, but I'm not looking at them. I'm saving them for the move, when I'm out of a job and bored, bored, bored. Wish me luck.

I have my eye on a couple other books, but those will wait. Please don't tell Borders, but I'll be getting them at Barnes & Noble. I got some B&N gift cards for Christmas, and it just so happens that the new metropolis we're moving to doesn't have a real Borders (just a Borders Express). Those cards, though, are being horded until I'm itching to spend money with no job or income. Hopefully I don't blow them in the first week!

Jump into a good book

My foray into the world of Harry Potter has ended…again.

At least until the final book is released. For children's book, they are incredibly powerful. I'm often curious why people refuse to even try reading one, people like my husband.

Skeptical that a children's book about make-believe wizards can actually match the reading most people do. Scared to actually let themselves get immersed in a book of "that sort". Afraid to actually let their imagination run wild. To see that growing older doesn't mean that part of your mind has to go away.

That's the best thing about being child. What makes children some of the best people in the world. Their innocence. Their trust in good. Their imagination.

I mean, wasn't life better when you could occupy yourself for hours with a cardboard box and some crayons, or a box of mismatched Legos, or a book and a comfy chair.

It's hard growing older and losing that which I depended on so much during the first decade(s) of my life. Is it wrong to grasp at it? To not want to let it go? Does it mean I'm reluctant to grow up? Yes, but only in fear of losing those great qualities. Does it mean I'm afraid to grow up…that I won't let it happen? No, I know its inevitable. And I very clearly don't want to become one of those people who acts irresponsibly well into my adult life, thinking that stupid mistakes (like those all kids make) are inevitable (because at 30, 40 and 50 its not). But is it wrong to want to grasp and hold on to a few things that will forever keep me in touch with those qualities that make kids so, for lack of a better term, great, so that I may still be able to keep some?

Is it weird that finishing off the current selection of Harry Potter drove me to such deep reflection of myself…

It isn't all about Harry Potter, of course. There's American Girl and PEZ, too. But it all comes down to the same thing, I guess.

Call me crazy, or not, but maybe I'm on to something.