Cough, hack, read, knit

This sums up our weekend.



I spent a great deal of Friday and Saturday camped out on the couch. Three of the 4 books you see in the pile under my soup bowl were checked out from the library on Thursday and finished by Saturday. I knitted, I snacked, I blew my nose constantly and drank glass after glass of delicious juice. Rob is also suffering, but I've chosen not to photograph his little germ-laden portion of our world because, well, it's not as messy as mine.

I did, however, finish Rob's hat:



It's knit with 1 skein of Manos in Color #104 on size 6 needles. I picked up stitches along the bottom and did about 3" of stockinette that I tacked to the inside as I bound off. It's sure to keep his ears warm.

So what have I read in the last few days?

Lori Wick's book, Where the Wild Rose Blooms, the first in her Rocky Mountain Memories series. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it coming off of the other Christian romance I'd just finished reading. But this is a well written historical that does a good job creating likable characters. I've found myself wishing I hadn't imposed my book buying moratorium, but the other books in the series will go on my to-read list.

I've read three Jane Churchill's as well from her Jane Jeffry series. War and Peas, Fear of Frying and The Merchant of Menace. These aren't psychological thrillers, highly forensic tales or serial killer novels. These are fun, cosy mysteries that I've highly enjoyed. I try to purchase these when I can, but I've borrowed from the library in keeping with no-buy dictate I've made.

I've moved on to this:


I'm knitting on fingerless gloves for Rob out of some Galway wool I had on #5 needles. Pattern is the Cigar gloves from Knitty. I'm currently reading Wil Wheaton's book reading Just a Geek. I've been reading his blog since Allison posted about it and have enjoyed it very much since then.

I've been knitting and reading. Rather boring on the surface, yes?

I'm wrapping up a hat in Manos for Rob; he picked a beautiful autumnal colorway I never would have selected for him myself. I had thought of the Manos as a bulky yarn, but it's more of a thick/thin. While it's lovely to handle, I could do without the constantly changing thickness.

I need to get knitting on some items for my talk to my Bible Study group. We're doing Cynthia Heald's Becoming a Woman of Freedom study and I've got the chapter on busyness. Can't imagine what I'd talk about having *never* suffered from busyness ::wink::

It's going to be a good one for me to study up on and find verses to encourage a more peaceful way to live, even if it's continuing to live in a busy world. I've lots of ideas and verses floating through I just need to get on to paper.

I finished Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City this weekend. Wonderful book - I loved the juxtaposition of the Chicago World's Fair (The White City) with the horrible things going on with H.H. Holmes (The Devil). It was a well-written account of a period I hadn't given much thought to regardless of knowing historical figures of the time. I found myself reading little bits out loud to Rob.

I also read Logan's Child by Lenora Worth. Not a book I bought for myself, it was a book passed on by my MIL who likely didn't read it herself. I originally thought it had been written in the 80's - Trixie, the female character, was innocent, unaware of things going on around her and that innocence used to keep her in the dark. I caught on quite early to the source of Logan's (the male character) anger - Trixie, though, remained in the dark until the last 50 pages or so. Blech. The book was actually published in 1998 so I expected a little more than I got. But the blatant emotionalism at the end *did* get to me and I shed a few tears. Still not a satifactory read overall, especially coming off the Larson book.

Finally, some winter!

Last Wednesday, Vancouver was on the receiving end of some winter weather. We had about 2-3" of snow in our neighborhood, but other areas had considerably more. I had the day off so I took the above picture.

The forecast for this week includes possible precipitation tomorrow night, but we're unlikely to repeat the amount we had last week.

I've babysat the past couple of weeks for Art - had Kruz one weekend and both Kruz and Khylee this past weekend.

Hard to believe Kruz will be 2 in March. He's grown so much and understands a lot now. And he knows how to say "football" which makes Rob happy. He and Khylee get along well and play together too.

I've been doing some knitting - I finished the lilac baby sweater and I'm working on a hat to go with it. Not much to say, so I'll leave you with this:

Tired of being Physically Phffft

I'm getting back on the WW wagon. I'm tracking again on my PDA, trying to watch my portions, choosing broth based soups over creamier options. I need to add more veggies and do better on my water, but I am making progress!

I started the year at 199. Not my all-time high, but too close for comfort. Or comfortable clothes.

I've managed to drop 3 lbs and I'm contemplating a yoga class at the Y with a friend. She's making it easy by offering her free passes to try it out. I know I need to say yes.

After reading about http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ at Rachael's blog, I've found some walking routes around my house that keep me on sidewalks or wide sidestreets for 1.5 to 3 miles. That will be easier to do once spring and summer roll around. It's tough to get out when it's dark when you get up and when you come home.

I'm knitting again, too. Took a few days break and have only completed some Natalya gauntlets for Erin. I've picked through my stash and I'm knitting the 5-hr Baby Sweater again for one of 4 babies that are due in the next 3 months. I'm using some leftover lilac Red Heart for this one for a little girl due in just 3 weeks. I'll probably do the Baby Kimono from MDK's book, too.

On the reading front, I'm reading The Devil in the White City. It's caught my interest and kept it with the descriptions of Chicago and the people during the time frame of the 1893 World's Fair. I hadn't known of the serial killer using the fair as a hunting ground (don't think they mentioned that aspect in history class), and I'm finding it fascinating.

2006 Knitting re-cap

I'm not going to bore you with pictures and comments. Here's the list. Pictures may be had by clicking the 2006 Knitting label in the sidebar. Not all items have pictures due to the inability of the knitter to remember to take pictures.

1. Beanie o' Flames for Kruz, Red Schachenmayr (??) & Black Silja
   
2. Miss KJ's Pink Odessa, DB Merino DK
   
3. Miss S's Purple Odessa, DB Merino DK
   
4. Miss K's Purple Sweater, RH SoftYarn
   
5. Zach's Trellis sweater, Bernat CottonTots
   
6. Rebecca's socks, KnitPicks Sock Landscape
   
7. Lap Blanket, Bernat Berella4
   
8. Erin's Clogs, KnitPicks Wool of the Andes
   
9. Rob's Clogs, KnitPicks Wool of the Andes
   
10. Acacia's Bonnet, Tahki Cotton Classic
    
11. Acacia's Bonnet, LB Microspun
    
12. Katie's rainbow sweater, Patons Melody
    
13. Kruz's Raglan sweater, Reynolds Utopia
    
14. Ruffled Blanket #2, KnitPicks Crayon
    
15. Wide Wale Socks, Knitpicks Dancing
    
16. Samantha's Sweater, Plymouth Encore
    
17. Samantha's Tank, Sirdar Snuggly DK
    
18. Baby Schaak's socks, KnitPicks Dancing
    
19. Charity scarf, Encore/Wool-Ease mix
    
20. Mom's Quick Wrap, Maggi's Mist Slub
    
21. Karen's Paws To Remember scarf, FrogTree Alpaca
    
22. Erin's Pirate Hat, LB Wool-Ease
    
23. Khylee's Bitty Baby Sweater, Red Heart Soft Yarn
    
24. Rebecca's Icarus Shawl, Rowan KSH Night

2006 Book wrap-up

Just a final list of what I read - and to be honest, I'm not sure it's entirely accurate. I realized yesterday I'd forgotten A Girl Named Zippy and just added it.

The goals for 2007? To read one book more than 2006, to borrow from the library, to not buy books for the first 3 months of 2007 and re-evaluate this book diet each quarter.

Here's the list:

1. A Girl Named Zippy, Haven Kimmel
2. Mrs. Hudson and the Spirit's Curse, Martin Davies
   
3. A Midsummer Night's Scream, Jill Churchill
   
4. Lie by Moonlight, Amanda Quick
   
5. All Night Long, Jayne Ann Krentz
   
6. The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
   
7. Now You See Her, Linda Howard
   
8. Falling Awake, Jayne Ann Krentz
   
9. To Say Nothing of the Dog, Connie Willis
   
10. Bare Bones, Kathy Reichs
    
11. The Etruscan Chimera, Lyn Hamilton
    
12. A Farewell to Yarns, Jill Churchill
    
13. It's Not About the Bike, Lance Armstrong
    
14. Storage & Display, Pottery Barn
    
15. Stylish Storage, Paige Gilchrist
    
16. Murder with Peacocks, Donna Andrews
    
17. Key of Valor, Nora Roberts
    
18. Honor's Splendor, Julie Garwood
    
19. Charmed (anthology), Jayne Castle
    
20. After Glow, Jayne Castle
    
21. After Dark, Jayne Castle
    
22. Fast Women, Jennifer Crusie
    
23. Survivor in Death, JD Robb
    
24. Knitting Rules, Yarn Harlot
    
25. Mason-Dixon Knitting, Ann & Kay
    
26. Origin in Death, JD Robb
    
27. Memory in Death, JD Robb
    
28. Carolina Moon, Nora Roberts
    
29. Susannah's Garden, Debbie Macomber
    
30. Second Sight, Amanda Quick
    
31. Deadly Decisions, Kathy Reichs
    
32. Class Menagerie, Jill Churchill
    
33. Silence of the Hams, Jill Churchill
    
34. We'll Always Have Parrots, Donna Andrews
    
35. Rebellious Desire, Julie Garwood
    
36. Unhinged, Sarah Graves
    
37. A Case of Bad Taste, Lori Copeland
    
38. To Die For, Linda Howard
    
39. A Groom With A View, Jill Churchill
    
40. Wendy Knits!, Wendy Johnson
    
41. Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, Haywood Smith
    
42. Happily Ever After, Susan May Warren
    
43. Morrigan's Cross, Nora Roberts
    
44. A Deadly Yarn, Maggie Sefton
    
45. Embroidered Truths, Monica Ferris
    
46. Million Dollar Dilemma, Judy Baer
    
47. Angels Fall, Nora Roberts
    
48. Fatal Voyage, Kathy Reichs
    
49. 6 Rainier Drive, Debbie Macomber
    
50. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
    
51. May the Best Man Die, Deborah Donnelly
    
52. Knit Lit
    
53. Knit Lit (too)
    
54. Knit Lit the Third
    
55. Dance of the Gods, Nora Roberts
    
56. Valley of Silence, Nora Roberts
    
57. Midnight in Ruby Bayou, Elizabeth Lowell
    
58. Crime of Passion, Kay Hooper
    
59. House of Cards, Kay Hooper
    
60. Match Me if You Can, Susan Elizabeth Philips
    
61. A Stitch In Time, various
    
62. Flabbergasted, Ray Blackston
    
63. Family Man, Jayne Ann Krentz
    
64. Sweet Fortune, Jayne Ann Krentz