Repeats.

Carole's prompt today is about knitting patterns you'd knit over and over.  For this list I'm going to put my own spin on the subject.  I rarely knit the same pattern over and over, maybe I get distracted too easily with the shiny new patterns out there.  There are however many yarns or items that I could use/do over and over, so here goes-

10.  Socks-portable, useful, fun, endless patterns and yarns
  9.  Liberty wool
  8.  Berroco Vintage and Vintage DK
  7.  Janna's Tunic (would love one in black)
  6.  Flax (such an easy pattern-would like more in other colors)
  5.  Malabrigo yarns-any weight-love how it knits up
  4.  Hats- see #10-need more of these
  3.  Pullovers-(have done several of these this year)
  2.  Summer-y tanks (Gretel, Ida, Bonny)
  1.  Shibui- (anything escept Kalvo-not impressed with this yarn)

Since I don't normally give away what I knit, I haven't had a real need to knit a pattern multiple times.  Maybe it's time I changed that?

Daily Crossings

An interesting prompt from Carole this week-not something I usually give a lot of thought to-

10.  First thing in the morning I cross from bedroom to bathroom then bedroom to go downstairs.
  9.  Sophie and I go from the laundry room to the side door for our early morning potty break, and to get the newspaper.
  8.  These above is reversed, and once I'm ready for work I cross from the kitchen into the garage to my car.
  7.  When I get to work I cross from the loading dock into the building where I go through 2 more doors to get to my desk.
  6.  I cross into my boss's office to put his newspaper on his desk and check the out box, I do the same with boss #2.  I will cross these 2 thresholds many times throughout the day
  5.  Then there is the threshold in our lobby where I'll receive deliveries or guests, some days are busier than others.  Sometimes I actually go through another door and stand on the sidewalk.
  4.  Multiple trips to the ladies room [TMI?] during the day.
  3.  When it's time to heat up my lunch I cross into another office before heading outside to eat and knit.
  2.  Finally at the end of the day when I get home I plan to cross from the kitchen to the deck for a bit of relaxing.

  1.  My post dinner exercise will require me to go from the kitchen area to the basement, and then when it's bed time I'll be upstairs where #10 happens.


I wish my day was a bit more interesting with regards to which thresholds I'm crossing, like visiting with family or friends, or going somewhere special.  Now if this was a post for over the weekend, my list would be much more interesting.
 

Wordless Wednesday| so close

Weekend Lens| July

The past weekend was pretty exhausting-lots of activities and things to do.  The weekend sorta started on Thursday with Book Club, this is our fourth meeting, and I really enjoy this group of ladies.  The book we picked wasn't one I'd tell my friends to run out and get, but it did generate some great conversation.  Isn't that the point of book club anyway-aside from the munchies and wine?!

Friday was Quilt Club, we haven't gotten together as a group in a long time, and we were still missing Brenda.  It was fun hearing about Joyce's trip to China with her adopted daughter Mei-it was an interesting 3 weeks.  I didn't feel like lugging my sewing machine to Kathy's, so I did some knitting instead.  The boys and one of PJ's friends came home for the weekend.  I love having them home.

Saturday morning included an indoor bike ride [my bike was in the shop], then to oversee the HOA Board meeting.

Right afterwards it was time to take Mom to her hair appointment-I then headed to the bank, the store, went through the car wash, picked up some food for lunch, and then back to get Mom.

I ate lunch quickly and then proceeded onto my errands which included a trip to the library, Total Wine, 2nd and Charles, Barnes and Noble, Stein Mart, Performance Bikes, and then to Costco which was a ZOO!!!

 I tried Starbuck's new ginger-ale soda-pretty good and not too bad on the calories.  Definitely refreshing on a very very hot July day.

Finally home, and after all that running around a cocktail was definitely in order!  My own concoction of muddled peaches, peach-pear la croix, simple syrup, bourbon [of course], and peach bitters with a lemon garnish.

 

 Andrew had agreed to cook burgers on the grill, and they were awesome!  Better than what I had last week when I was really craving a cheeseburger before the Peachtree Road Road,  A real simple dinner of just burgers, chips, beans and ice cream sundaes.  Lots of laughs around the table.  Some reading time then off to bed for me.  Not sure how late the boys stayed up, but it was muuuuuch later than me!

Sunday up early and another indoor bike ride, church, and then home for breakfast with the boys before they headed back to school.  They packed up the Tahoe with extra things I had around they house that they'll be able to use when they move into the house they are renting at the end of the month.  I'm really liking that I can pass things along to them.

Sunday afternoon was a baby shower for my sweet niece, Katie.  It was so much fun seeing the little baby stuff, and the food was so-so good. 

 Fortunately, I had a very light dinner planned of poached cod.  It was my first time making poached fish-it was really good.  More like a soup, and I added some fresh spinach for extra vitamins!  I seem to be doing this a lot lately.

 I spent the rest of the evening doing some knitting and hanging out with Sophie, we were both pretty exhausted when bed time came around.  There were a few minutes of reading, and a quick conversation with Steve before I turned out the light.  I'm glad I got to mark a lot of things off my to do list, but would have liked to have been able to do an outdoor bike ride-that's planned for the next coming weekend.

 
As I look over my calendar for this next week, it is a very light schedule, so I hope that means a little Tour de France replay, and some serious knitting.  There are dinner plans with Steve on Saturday, not sure where we're going yet, but it's been a while since it's been just the 2 of us for a meal out.  Weekends are wonderful, just wish they didn't always end so quickly.

Favorite Summer Side dishes

Carole's prompt for today has made me hungry, and is giving me some ideas for this weekend.

10.  Caprese salad-we had it the other night with pesto instead of basil-soooo good.
  9.  Grilled veggies-anything eggplant, squash corn etc.
  8.  Potato salad-especially from Mountain Man BBQ-sadly this last Memorial weekend family gathering marks the end of this treat.
  7.  Fruit salad-nothing like summer fruits
  6.  Tomatoes-sliced up with a sprinkle of salt and pepper
  5.  Pasta salad-especially with a lemon-y vinegarette
  4.  Bean salad
  3. Cucumbers and tomatoes with a little vinegar-salt and pepper
  2.  Garden salads-the ingredients during the summer make them extra yummy
  1.  Canteloupe

I love summer time foods. 

Wordless Wednesday| Plan B

It happens.

Celebrating the Fourth of July

 Photo is from the Peachtree Road Race in 2011 Myself and Kathy M..  Not sure why I don't have one from 2012 or 2013.

My list based on Carole's prompt. We don't do a lot on the 4th, most of the time it's just too hot, and since Sophie hates loud noises we don't go outside to watch the fireworks.  I always loved to see them in person, but just never enjoyed the late evening and the crowds.

10.  Eating watermelon and/or ice cream-always refreshing.
  9.  Pull out the flag and wear red, white and blue
  8.  Eat BBQ with all the fixin's
  7.  Listen to some great patriotic music
  6.  Watch a parade-I haven't attended on in person in a long time, but love them.
  5.  Run/walk the Peachtree Road Race with 59,999 of my "closest" friends-this will be my 9th year, and I will be solo for the first time in a while :-(
  4.  Take a shower and a nap because of #5
  3.  Relax and enjoy the rest of the day-this year it is a 3 day weekend-yah!
  2.  Spend some time reading and knitting
  1.  Enjoy a cocktail (or 2)

I think it's best to keep it simple, and remember the reason why we celebrate this day.