Hi all! One of my New Year's resolutions was to write more personal posts on the blog, and I have to say I've failed woefully on that count! So I have decided -- under the wire, since it's already(!!!) November -- to start writing a post every Monday wherein I tell you how things are going for me -- what I'm watching, what's stressing me out, what cool (or horrible) new store/recipe/yarn I tried. So here goes!
What's on my needles:
After years of fantasizing about it, I'm finally knitting a Gyrffindor house scarf! I ordered yarn from Knit Picks but wasn't happy with the yellow color (too dark and brownish) and ended up just snagging a skein of Vanna's Choice acrylic at Hobby Lobby the other day. Since I chose to do the scarf worn in the later years, there's not a ton of yellow and I figured it didn't matter much if it wasn't wool. And it's still nice and soft!
Since the Gryffindor's colors are scarlet and gold I'm a little worried people will think it's a Washington Redskins scarf, so I'm planning to buy an iron-on Gryffindor patch to adorn it. I've learned recently that not everyone knows about Harry Potter -- as evidenced by the elderly gentleman at work who thinks I'm a Wiccan because of my Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry shirt, and the surprising number of people who thought my Hermione Halloween costume was a graduation robe. Sigh. The unenlightened.
Since the Gryffindor's colors are scarlet and gold I'm a little worried people will think it's a Washington Redskins scarf, so I'm planning to buy an iron-on Gryffindor patch to adorn it. I've learned recently that not everyone knows about Harry Potter -- as evidenced by the elderly gentleman at work who thinks I'm a Wiccan because of my Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry shirt, and the surprising number of people who thought my Hermione Halloween costume was a graduation robe. Sigh. The unenlightened.
The other day I came across a delightful free hat pattern, Floppy Fairisle by FatCatKnits, and knew right away that I would be knitting it up. It's been a while since I've done any colorwork (Gryffindor stripes don't count!) and I'm looking forward to it. The hat takes five colors of yarn and for once I have a plethora of options -- so many beautiful color combinations that I can't decide! The bottom two would match my teal winter coat the best, but they're all so wonderful. Initially I had envisioned the upper right combo -- taupe, cream, olive, navy and pink (that yarn is called Dusty and is really a lovely pink, not the coral it looks in the picture). No matter what I choose, it will be the squishiest, funnest and most colorful hat in my pile of winter accessories!
What's on my TV:
It's basically winter here in Ohio and my hibernation instinct is starting to kick in. It's dreary, it's cold, and half the time all I want to do is curl up with a blanket, a cup of coffee, the fireplace chugging away and something good on the TV in front of me. And have I ever been watching some good stuff lately!
First off, Jarrod and I FINALLY decided to watch "Sherlock," the BBC's iteration of the Sherlock Holmes tale. I already love the movies with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, the CBS show "Elementary," and the Sherlock Holmes/Mary Russell mysteries by Laurie R. King, so I just knew I would be hooked instantly. Benedict Cumberbatch (can you even think of a more wonderfully British-sounding name than that?!) plays a perfect aloof, stunningly intelligent, condescending and yet sexy Sherlock, and all the other casting is spot-on. We especially like Moriarty's creepy, kooky character. If you haven't watched "Sherlock" yet, DO IT! The only bad thing is that the three seasons only constitute 9 episodes. Sure, they're an hour and a half each, but I want more! I've held off on starting season 3 because I don't want to wait until 2016 for more episodes!
I also watched "Begin Again," the music-themed movie starring Kiera Knightley, Mark Ruffalo and Adam Levine. I felt like it would either be cheesy or awesome, and luckily it was awesome! I really enjoyed the music and even put some of the soundtrack songs on my Spotify playlist. I particularly like "Lost Stars" by Adam Levine.
And over the weekend I watched the second season of "The Bletchley Circle," a British drama about four women who were codebreakers during WWII and now, 10 years later, are languishing away as housewives and secretaries. Until, that is, they put their intellect to good use to solve crimes! Love the British post-war atmosphere and the characters! Unfortunately, there will be no season 3 as it's been canceled. :(
And over the weekend I watched the second season of "The Bletchley Circle," a British drama about four women who were codebreakers during WWII and now, 10 years later, are languishing away as housewives and secretaries. Until, that is, they put their intellect to good use to solve crimes! Love the British post-war atmosphere and the characters! Unfortunately, there will be no season 3 as it's been canceled. :(
What's on my mind:
I was a bit horrified (though not really surprised) to hear Christmas music blaring overhead when I was at the grocery store last week. A few people in the neighborhood already have Christmas trees winking at me through their windows. Christmas commercials are all over the TV. Black Friday ads are cluttering up my mailbox and my inbox.
I love Christmas -- from the peppermint mochas to the Hallmark Christmas movies to the paper snowflakes to the tree trimming -- but I just don't get it! Part of the appeal of the Christmas season is that it's only one month out of 12. That's what makes it special. Starting Christmas the day after Halloween makes the traditions, the cozy feelings, the general festive air lose some of their luster -- not to mention makes all the Scrooges out there extra-irritable! This is a public service announcement: Starting Christmas earlier and earlier every year is ruining the joy of the season! (And it makes Thanksgiving feel bad about itself because its former position of glory has become a minor pit-stop on the stampede to get to Christmas. Don't you feel bad for Thanksgiving?!)
I was a bit horrified (though not really surprised) to hear Christmas music blaring overhead when I was at the grocery store last week. A few people in the neighborhood already have Christmas trees winking at me through their windows. Christmas commercials are all over the TV. Black Friday ads are cluttering up my mailbox and my inbox.
I love Christmas -- from the peppermint mochas to the Hallmark Christmas movies to the paper snowflakes to the tree trimming -- but I just don't get it! Part of the appeal of the Christmas season is that it's only one month out of 12. That's what makes it special. Starting Christmas the day after Halloween makes the traditions, the cozy feelings, the general festive air lose some of their luster -- not to mention makes all the Scrooges out there extra-irritable! This is a public service announcement: Starting Christmas earlier and earlier every year is ruining the joy of the season! (And it makes Thanksgiving feel bad about itself because its former position of glory has become a minor pit-stop on the stampede to get to Christmas. Don't you feel bad for Thanksgiving?!)
Totally agree. Starting the Christmas season before Halloween takes a chunk out of the special quality of it, and if we at least waited until the day after Thanksgiving, then that would work. Of course, retail is in it for their livelihood, but we don't have to go along with them with our music, and early trees etc.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your colorful hat you will make out of that yarn. Totally agree on the holiday front. I actually love Thanksgiving and look forward to it every year just as much as all the festive trees, lights and music that go with Christmas....in December!
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