Top Ten

Every now and again, I get inspired to a Tuesday Ten or Top Ten list. I think The Painted Sheep inspired one in the past and has done so again.

Todays Topic:

SPRING!

1. Flowers - well, not so much for the pollen, but for things being green again. Being able to sit out on the grass, yadda yadda yadda.
2. Sunshine - I love the feel of the sun on my skin - with sunscreen on!
3. Flip flops - I will wear these if I think I can get away with them
4. Knitting - I will knit year round, knit while walking, knit in the movie theaters....ya you get the picture, like flip flops, I'll do it when ever I can.
5. St. Patrick's Day - favorite holiday.......ever!
6. Iced Drinks - taste so much nummier when it's warmer out
7. Farmers Markets - they make their appearance! Love them! Fresh food! Yum!
8. Picnics - haven't been on one in ages but are fun! Spring time does herald the grass sitting actives of stuffing your face and thwarting ants.
9. Flying kites - I remember flying kites as a kid and loved it. It'll be good weather to fly kites again. (Heck I remember even making a couple kites with my grandfather!)
10. Last but not least, people watching. Oh it's fun to watch people. Being in place that draws people from all over the country, let alone the world, it's fun to kick back and watch.

Tuesday Ten

This week, I think I'll talk about some places I'd like to visit!

1. Ireland - always wanted to go, never been. I like the accents of the people. Also, the country almost calls to me to visit. Funny, I know.
   
2. England - visited once. London. But I want to see the rest of the country, something other than immediately around the airport or where you can go in a day.
   
3. The rest of the US I havent been to - I've been to 27 states and want to visit the remaining 23. It's been a goal to visit as many of the states as possible
   
4. Canada - Like England, I want to see more than Niagara Falls. I also know quite a few people from there and they've inspired me to visit the country
   
5. Greece - was there once for a month, and fell in love with the country and people and would love to go back and visit.
   
6. Scotland - when in England, I'll pop over to Scotland and visit. Beautiful country, bla, bla bla...
   
7. Iceland - seems like an out of way place to relax and recenter oneself
   
8. The Beach - only b/c i havent been in AGES! and i miss it *sad face*
   
9. Iowa. Went to college there and have good friends there. Another out of the way place to recenter. But b/c it's a small town and i sort of know alot of people there, i dont know how centered i can get....
10. As many yarn shops as possible - this is a secret addiction of mine, yarn....mmmmmm
    

~List of Ten~

It's another fine Tuesday for making lists of things. This one is about spring.

1. Warmer weather - no more snow baby! After having 50" of snow this winter, I am SO ready for spring. I dont mind the snow, but for the area I live in, 50" is unheard of. Maybe 20 - 30", but definately not 50 (and virtually all at once).
2. Flowers - they're starting to bloom! It kind of goes with the "SO MUCH SNOW!" we had this winter, I am so ready for the color.
3. Flip flops - I can wear them with out getting funny looks from people. I don't like to keep my feet in enclosed things (socks, shoes, boots, what ever....). They're kind of like my hands, they tend to be on the warm side and anything covering them makes them a little TOO warm (and makes my feet and hands feel weird)
4. Skirts - I can wear skirts again with out freezing my legs off. Granted, this means shaving, but I'm willing to shave.
5. Sunglasses - warmer weather brings sunnier days (for the most part) and I like wearing funky sunglasses. The funkier, the better.
6. Sunbathing - I know too much sun is bad for you, but it can be so relaxing laying out in the sun.
7. Knitting - though I do do this year round, but this inspires me to knit small or lighter ware items. (Light ware = shawls)
8. Sun Tea - I really like sun tea. Light, refreshing, and easy to make. SOOOOO good! :)
9. The Beach - 'Nuf said! I like the beach. For the most part. I like relaxing under the umbrella, reading a good book, swimming in the ocean (some how, mysteriously avoiding getting sand into my swim suit), drying in the sun....you get the idea.
10. It would have been robins, but it kind of defeats the purpose if you see about a dozen of them on Christmas Day. Yes, I said it correctly. I saw about 10 - 12 robins in a tree, ON Christmas Day.

Yeah for blogs, right?

Tuesday's Ten

So, inspired by The Painted Sheep, I decided to do a Tuesday 10 about some of my fav. places to knit. Scandalous, I know, almost selacious. But here we go!

1. On my couch, watching TV - usually "bad" shows that I enjoy.
2. In front of my computer - watching more "bad" shows on Hulu.com
3. During my commute into and out of work - come on, how else am I suppose to kill 30 - 45 min of travel time? Read? ;)
4. A local knitting group - yeah for national chain book stores!
5. Local bar - some days after work, you *REALLY* need a cold one
6. In my bed - while listening to book on tape, my hands need something to do
7. Passenger seat of a car - I love the luxury of sitting in a passenger seat and knitting to my hearts content
8. On the loo - yes, i am guilty knitting on the toilet, but sometimes......SOMETIMES.....you've just gotta do it
9. On my back porch - when the family sits down for a rare family meal, we tend to talk a lot - a lot of talking = time to whip out knitting.
   
10. Last but not least, while walking - granted this isn't a specific place per se, but I can get a lot done that way

Anyway, that's it for today.....

Tuesday Ten

Ok. So, I'm trying to get in the habbit of blogging more. Even if it's a list of something. :)



For today's ten list, I thought I'd share some stuff about knitting. YEAH! Mostly it's going to be about projects that I have knitted and places I like to knit.

1. An unusual capstick cozy. I would say, this is a fav of mine to knit. Granted, I haven't done many of these lately (and I need to) but it always gives me the giggles when I knit this.
2. Hats! Oh my gosh, I love knitting hats. One of my favorite is one called Dependence. Unfortunately, the blog that USE to have it posted, is no longer available. BUT! You can see pics of it here and here. So far I have 3 of them in different colors and plan on making myself some more!
3. Another favorite hat I like to knit is called Tychus. It's a short row hat, making super easy to do (and I think a good beginning project for a beginner to intermediate beginner).
4. Oh, how could I forget my Glove Hat (aka Knitted Motorway Moses Hat). I've done this pattern about 5 times already in different colors and yarn weight. I am planning on doing more! *insert evil laugh*
5. I've done some fingerless gloves/mittens a fair number of times (I would say in the ball park of 8.......so far).
6. I have a chunk of time to kill when I commute to and from work (about an hour each way), and I end up knitting on the public transit (yeah metro)
7. I've been known to knit in Bars, Movie theatres, and watching TV.
8. I've also been known to knit while walking. I have yet to be documented while doing so. Eluding the camera isn't a set skill for this phenomenon apparently.
9. I've knitted durring an ice hockey game.....probably the only time I'll ever do that.
10. Last but not least, I have been know to sneak in a stitch or two at some EXTREAMLY LONG lights in the area. NOTE: I DO NOT KNIT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN I AM BEHIND THE WHEEL, NOR DO I ENDORSE SUCH ACTIVITIES.

Tuesday Ten

It's Tuesday. And b/c Ten sounds better with Tuesday (as opposed to Thursday), here's another 10 list for today.

Topic is: Fibre.

Specifically, what I enjoy about it.

1. Wool yarn - the way it slides so easily over my needles and into a finished object.
2. Spinning - I *love* spinning my own yarn. I have what is called a low-whorl spindle, making it easier to make thicker yarn - as opposed to thin or lace weight yarns. I am planning to make myself another drop spindle, probably a high-whorl one.
3. Portable - Alot of my projects are easily portable, making my commute to and from work bearable, watching TV shows more interesting, killing downtime without killing other people. And the upside is I get stuff to wear/use!
4. Look Ma No Hands - well, more like "Look Ma, Not Looking!". I really enjoy projects that I dont have to look at it to knit it. And some how this amazes people. To me, it's like, do you need to look at the car's gas pedal to use it?
5. Possibilities - how much stuff one can make from fibre: sweaters, mittens, hats, willie warmers to name a few
6. Relaxing - wheather I'm spinning or knitting it, it's relaxing
7. Conversation - well, I havent really experienced this much, but apparently others have started conversations over their knitting
8. Socializing - I found some good friends, online and in person, from my knitting/spinning adventures
9. Gifts - making stuff out of fibre makes getting gifts easier, esp if you start off early enough
10. Selfish - I love making stuff for myself. I know exactly what I want, in what color and what style :P

Tuesday Ten - Bring it!

Ok, I'm getting into the idea of doing something like a 10-list every Tuesday. Gets me on here and writing.

Speaking of which, with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) ending not TOO long ago, I thought of listing a few novels/books I've enjoyed reading (and continue to enjoy rereading for some!):

1. The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan.

This series is a love/hate relationship. I enjoy reading it, but the copious amount of details in the series can be a little mind-numbing at times (but in the same hand, when there is a "lack" of detail....). It's a sci-fi fantasy that deals with the everlasting battle of "good" vs "evil" with some romance thrown in. Over all I like the series.

2. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Even though this is a "kid" or young adult series, I found it to be a good read. What I thought was nifty, was the the way the series was written. Something along the lines of age appropriateness? As in, starting of "easy" and (when they were being published) aged with the audience, (more details/etc). I've always been interested in reading about wizardry, sorcery, and other similar sci-fi books.

3. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I read this book recently and couldn't put it down! Its a historical fiction book, about Dinah (one of Joseph's children). It deals with a switch from a matriarchal to patriarchal society, and touches briefly on the role of women have changed. But beyond that deep and philosophical whatever. I really enjoyed this book.

4. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

A light romance novel. Has some fantasy thrown in as well. I would definitely recommend this one. The whole axis of the novel revolves around a family's apple tree.


5. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede (Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, Talking to Dragons)

Granted, this too is a young adult/kids book, but I really do like the fantasy genre and this is written well. I was surprised to find out that the supposed 4th book in the series was written first and the other 3 books were written as prequels. Who knew?


6. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (the No Fear Shakespeare version)

This is my FAVORITE play to watch and also, I really enjoy reading it! (no surprise there) What's nice about the No Fear Shakespeare versions of the plays and the sonnets is that you can get the "orig." text and modern English of the same text on opposing pages. Very nice!


7. Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd

Granted, with the self-help/diy books one can become too over enthused about things. But I like this book b/c it allows you to make an informed decision and have access to alternatives of daily life (from household cleaners to laundry detergent, etc). Definitely a good resource/starting point.


8. Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

Oh another romance novel! I particularly liked this one b/c not only was it a romance novel, it involved knitting! Enough said.


9. The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan (The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth)

A young adult series, who's premise revolves around the Greek gods and their demigod/mortal kids. Enjoyable if you like your Greek lore and enjoy a light adventure story.


10. Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

What is it with the romance novels, eh? Well, they're can be addictive and highly enjoyable. A nice book about how someone later in life can find romance and have a love life.

Tuesday Ten

I saw this on another blog and thought it was kind of nifty. Basically have like a top 10 list of something once a week (or maybe once or twice a month???). Anyway. I want to try it out. I am thinking of Tuesday Ten themed style.

For today's ten, I was thinking about Fall today and why I like it.

1. The cooler weather - I love the cooler weather. This means I'm not sweating as soon as I step outside. DC is notorious with its uggy muggy weather. Also, it's allot easier to ADD layers when it gets chillier than it is to remove layers
2. There is something about the cooler weather that makes me want to knit more stuff. Maybe it's the hibernating gene?
3. The changing of colors in the tree's leaves - always inspiring.
4. I can bust out my hats and scarves I made (as well as my jackets I bought from a store) - somehow I enjoy wearing scarves and hats)
5. Tourist season essentially ends - also, at work this means selling tickets for performances vs just passing out timed tickets and repeating the same 4 words a good 1,000 times a day
6. Getting ready for Halloween (granted that's only 1/2 way through fall, but still, a great reason to like Fall)
7. Fall some how makes me feel more independent
   
8. I like how fall is a great time to be outside w/o worry of getting over heated (too easily)
9. Also, soups/stews are more appealing to eat (my mom makes soups year round it seems and during the summer, it's not they're not tasty, just it's too hot to eat)
   
10. Fall is a romantic time time of year. A time to get snugly. Here's for the best