1. I up and joined a gym yesterday. I'm really not fired up to work out or anything, but I need to put a halt to the weight gain and resultant squishiness that is slowly creeping up on me. Anyway, the humongous gentleman who signed me up strongly suggested I try a BOOT CAMP class (yes; it really is spelled with all caps) right away and so I'm signed up for 8 am Saturday. I think I may be able to walk again on Tuesday.
2. Eastlake is coming along swimmingly so far.
I started with the back but decided to rip out the couple of inches I'd done and begin again with the front. Since the row gauge is off I wanted to be sure the leaves wouldn't end in some awkward way; I've never quite tried to crowbar a pattern and a yarn together like this before and I think I'll have to work through the neck line with a calculator. But it will be a good exercise in altering patterns, I think. In the meantime, I'm really loving the pattern and the yarn (very camo-ish, no?).
3. Apparently Olivia has decided that rolling her eyes back into her head isn't quite expressive enough. Here she is not hiding her disgust at my desire to take a picture of her in her new Spring jacket.
And I do know it's too early for Spring jackets (although we did get away with them today). But last year we went to buy them in - get this - Spring and there were no jackets to be found anywhere. We had to get them in the Scotia, where a good jacket is always available.
4. Now that I'm thinking of sweaters (for me me me!), I'm seeing some really beautiful ones that I want. Like the Minimalist cardigan that has been burning in the back of my mind since it came out (despite the torturous stitch it requires). And look at this Hourglass sweater - it's made of Noro Cash Iroha with a Silk Garden Lite yoke. I'm also loving the idea of knitting an aran sweater, and this one has waist shaping, which I think makes it more wearable. Just some ideas at this point though, since I'd like to work through some of the stash first.
5. Our little seeds are growing like crazy and I'm going to have to figure out what to do with them sooner rather than later. We've discovered that pumpkin plants are huge even when they're babies. Just how much would 100 clay pots cost, do you think? And where would I put them?
6. So far so good on the reading. I've read three totally different books so far this year and enjoyed them all. Affiction by Russel Banks, a mystery/thriller in a small town with some heavy duty alcoholism and abuse mixed in. I spent the entire last half of the book with my heart racing. The End of the Alphabet by C.S. Richardson, which might not be for everyone, but I adored it and it had me sobbing at the end. It's very short and it feels like every word was carefully chosen, like a poem. And Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin, a very-readable look at human evolution, especially from fish. Love it.
7. Now I feel like a cookie. : )
Phew! I have caught up on your blog. So much is happening!
Good luck at the gym on Saturday - have fun. YOu will feel good. Sore but good.
I am going to follow up on the latest book suggestions.
I made the same resolution - to make more if not all of my 2010 Christmas gifts. I need to find a place to by cashmere wool at a reasonable price. Any suggestions?
Love,
Judy
Posted by: Judy Brown | January 15, 2009 at 05:06 PM
I loooove the minimalist cardigan. But yeah, that much seed stitch? I'm just not sure I could do it.
Wow, a gym membership. That's like, such a commitment. Good luck! (Let me know how the boot camp--excuse me, BOOT CAMP--goes. Although I think I'd rather be fat.)
Posted by: Jody | January 15, 2009 at 07:00 PM
You will love the gym thing. I always do each and every time I start.....I gave the End OF THe Alphabet to Barry for Christmas, and we have the Inner Fish. (Must read what we have !!!) I just finished Loving Frank (of Frank Loyd Wright and his scandalous 5 year affaire )in prep. for our book club. I liked it on many levels.
It is FREEZING here. Spring coats are a very distant memory. I can't wait until PEI. But the light is changing....the era of hope and change is upon us.
What are you doing on Tues?
Love Sue
Posted by: sue | January 15, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Confession. I hate my minimalist cardigan. I NEVER wear it. Just one knitter's opinion, but I would follow up on some of the minimalist cardigans you love and see if they wear them. Of course, Tweedy Aran is gorgeous. Which do you have stash for?
Have FUN with BOOT CAMP. I've always wanted to do one of those.
Posted by: Holly Jo | January 16, 2009 at 09:10 AM
That Hourglass with the Silk Garden in the yoke is stunning! I plan on making one someday, and when I do I think I will do the same.
I must read The End of the Alphabet - I love books that make me cry.
It's 30 below today up here in SW Ontario. I might wear a spring jacket to bed. :)
Posted by: Nadine | January 16, 2009 at 11:35 AM
I really like that Minimalist cardigan and Hourglass sweater, too! Eastlake is looking really nice :)
Good luck with BOOT CAMP on Saturday!
Posted by: Terrie | January 16, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Oh, man, Olivia's face is priceless!
I love that Hourglass sweater, too. One of these days I'll get around to making one.
Posted by: KimK | January 17, 2009 at 05:43 AM