tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46316361399363090362024-02-01T22:19:06.348-08:00BethanthemumBethanthemum (think Chrysanthemum) is a middle school science teacher who enjoys sewing and knitting in her spare time.Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-60467919051217107352017-07-10T16:12:00.001-07:002017-07-10T16:12:47.014-07:00summer knitting update<h3>
Goal: finish 6 in-progress knits before school starts</h3>
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<b>Here's what I found in my project bags:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/folded">folded sweater</a> top<br />
Looks like I started the sleeves, but didn't get very far. After the sleeves are knit, they are joined with the body (this is a bottom-up project).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8NHdaZnv-Q/WWQGBlfV_II/AAAAAAAAWFs/-inspWRMUoskY4Zi3Abi7jVu_clpBaLnACKgBGAs/s1600/20170710_154519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8NHdaZnv-Q/WWQGBlfV_II/AAAAAAAAWFs/-inspWRMUoskY4Zi3Abi7jVu_clpBaLnACKgBGAs/s400/20170710_154519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/bonny">bonney</a> top<br />
I think I just need to bind off and seam shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TkQhIZVgCN6dKPYCbPQwGT5YOVpN6ps5egq0Yiwro-3ZyBXQBEB9XPRsOAKOUfF92UFX7oLqL_nAX3wl1FbEXb9dNqehCzxB3TN5k-WkfzHaOB-xiNiXvDy_3pAkr0EqgMlFzHCSdWa1/s1600/20170710_154206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TkQhIZVgCN6dKPYCbPQwGT5YOVpN6ps5egq0Yiwro-3ZyBXQBEB9XPRsOAKOUfF92UFX7oLqL_nAX3wl1FbEXb9dNqehCzxB3TN5k-WkfzHaOB-xiNiXvDy_3pAkr0EqgMlFzHCSdWa1/s400/20170710_154206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/entangled-vines">entangled vines</a> cardigan<br />
This one is washed and blocked, just needs buttons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEGog_IFAFUFzjSazI6EgkNzKaYgCmdqcY5DxOAaFDg3I9kaaaRgr-lBDxijZ64qOHvZh_dt1Sd_YWrkSvQroG3nEwaPVVc16-8CLTJ6p2fKbLzf3bLW_PDjlC_k4Is3IAdQpS_9F34Oc/s1600/20170710_153649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEGog_IFAFUFzjSazI6EgkNzKaYgCmdqcY5DxOAaFDg3I9kaaaRgr-lBDxijZ64qOHvZh_dt1Sd_YWrkSvQroG3nEwaPVVc16-8CLTJ6p2fKbLzf3bLW_PDjlC_k4Is3IAdQpS_9F34Oc/s400/20170710_153649.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/twigs-and-willows">twigs & willows</a> cardigan<br />
I decided that I need to restart sleeves with correct measurements. I'm worried that they are going to be too tight, as is. It's kind of hard to tell, since they will be seamed. But my gut says to reassess, so I'm going to reassess. I would hate to finish this and not be able to wear it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh5NnvTjGXvz3dWILJ9741clpwdu-1Mmv8m7JryhnjiltbHRjIHUuVv6aB9eb-xHczAa9w2LEwXyJl8J_XuQxIsIlFuAn4o4gydzM5cXdAHFvxzcSbGDI_0deSX698qTIlQiqC3YK8nRt/s1600/20170710_154628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh5NnvTjGXvz3dWILJ9741clpwdu-1Mmv8m7JryhnjiltbHRjIHUuVv6aB9eb-xHczAa9w2LEwXyJl8J_XuQxIsIlFuAn4o4gydzM5cXdAHFvxzcSbGDI_0deSX698qTIlQiqC3YK8nRt/s400/20170710_154628.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rosencrantz-2">rosencrantz</a><br />
This was a quick knit. I have the front & back complete, just need to seam it, and do a little neck and sleeve edging.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoYGxKyz9oZ0diJACWB5_E6e79cSDgpL3SLzIaYTMR-tJUjKpgYlpzmVPhPl-MRATtqkRd5YAxwCy8uRs5rZK2qO0B4_h9jMOMbMIiqfxq0wKepNJtbmJz_-jJ5McOYyzEfmtKyJw5XsV/s1600/20170710_153207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoYGxKyz9oZ0diJACWB5_E6e79cSDgpL3SLzIaYTMR-tJUjKpgYlpzmVPhPl-MRATtqkRd5YAxwCy8uRs5rZK2qO0B4_h9jMOMbMIiqfxq0wKepNJtbmJz_-jJ5McOYyzEfmtKyJw5XsV/s400/20170710_153207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-force-awakens-hat">force awakens hat</a> </div>
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I got stuck when I needed to transfer from circulars to double-points, since I didn't have the correct size on hand. I've since purchased the correct needles. And now it's summer, so this has been on the back burner. I'd love to finish in time for fall gifting (this is going to my dear cousin Valerie who lives overseas now).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbceq5ehsck/WWQGSvWD8iI/AAAAAAAAWGA/-tmcc1RGQlIIUM_q_047J_qcc6FDRTL7QCKgBGAs/s1600/20170710_153942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbceq5ehsck/WWQGSvWD8iI/AAAAAAAAWGA/-tmcc1RGQlIIUM_q_047J_qcc6FDRTL7QCKgBGAs/s400/20170710_153942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/color-affection">color affection</a> shawl<br />
This one is off the needles but needs to be blocked.</div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/2016---cypress-top">cypress</a> top - frogged</div>
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I gave up. I know this is a gorgeous knit, as I've seen a sample, but I just don't have the patience. I'll find something else to do with the pretty yarn.
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<b>Some socks that are almost finished:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUA3ZEhFamk/WWQIRN3JO3I/AAAAAAAAWGE/xakFs3SBQ7w2P4F9J4J9qGhfPSvDsgK2QCKgBGAs/s1600/20170710_154050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUA3ZEhFamk/WWQIRN3JO3I/AAAAAAAAWGE/xakFs3SBQ7w2P4F9J4J9qGhfPSvDsgK2QCKgBGAs/s400/20170710_154050.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, these are my very first socks. This is why I now knit two-at-a-time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWOTXO4pg7E/WWQITwp12qI/AAAAAAAAWGI/MZmmiZ170ckYEAPle-GN0fUdbHMI1eFuwCKgBGAs/s1600/20170710_154747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWOTXO4pg7E/WWQITwp12qI/AAAAAAAAWGI/MZmmiZ170ckYEAPle-GN0fUdbHMI1eFuwCKgBGAs/s400/20170710_154747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-to-R: So Long 2016, Monuments & Blossoms, Dark Side stripes</td></tr>
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<b>Still in the queue:</b><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baa-ble-hat">baable hat</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wethersfield">wethersfield cardigan</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lambing-mitts">lambing mitts</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/very-close-talking-hat">very close talking hat</a></li>
<li>and many more from the Spring 2017 Puget Sound LYS Tour!</li>
</ul>
Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-30232447426520702422017-01-15T17:00:00.001-08:002017-01-15T17:00:09.080-08:00Knit Goals for 2017<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-WsUsvTcHIdVQu59_mTq0gaCsfSdaMlfcsAW88N9KeBfQwxP_OZx36hQn80tX2GuvGWqfP8lbJogdo8UbjHkKg1DenjQvjq09t1P3oN-1p2ouXjy7H3-EjzrHRiJu_ctTbSklXD0KFsU/s1600/20170102_102003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-WsUsvTcHIdVQu59_mTq0gaCsfSdaMlfcsAW88N9KeBfQwxP_OZx36hQn80tX2GuvGWqfP8lbJogdo8UbjHkKg1DenjQvjq09t1P3oN-1p2ouXjy7H3-EjzrHRiJu_ctTbSklXD0KFsU/s640/20170102_102003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm going to take my friend Laura's advice about knitting, which is: knit whatever I want during the school year (includes starting as many projects as I'd like) and use the summer to focus on finishing knits. I think it's great advice, so that's what I'm going to do. I have enough sock yarn stashed that I can attempt to knit a pair each month. I've been thinking of alternating my variegated with solid yarn, so that I can do a simple vanilla pair one month, and a pattern the next. But I'm not going to hold myself to that. If I want to knit vanilla socks for the rest of this school year, that's fine too.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtLFoEGVqcc/WHwaQUGw24I/AAAAAAAAUl8/gFz-h1Ugn3UXOyEirvDXikGjDLOVzaSHwCKgB/s1600/20170114_110005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WtLFoEGVqcc/WHwaQUGw24I/AAAAAAAAUl8/gFz-h1Ugn3UXOyEirvDXikGjDLOVzaSHwCKgB/s640/20170114_110005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are the knits that are either currently on the needles, or close to starting soon:</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/folded">folded sweater</a> top</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/bonny">bonney</a> top (need to bind off and seam shoulders)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/color-affection">color affection</a> shawl</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/2016---cypress-top">cypress</a> top</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/entangled-vines">entangled vines</a> cardigan (washed and blocked - needs buttons)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bethanthemum/twigs-and-willows">twigs & willows</a> cardigan (need to restart sleeves with correct measurements)</li>
<li>lambing mitts - have yarn, not started</li>
<li>very close talking hat - ordered yarn, not started </li>
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<li>force awakens hat - have yarn, not started</li>
<li>baable hat - have yarn, not started</li>
</ul>
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By the end of the summer break, I hope to have at least 6 of those knits finished.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, to sum up, my goals are:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">knit 12 pairs of socks in 2017</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">finish at least 6 in-progress knits during the summer break</span></li>
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Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-42277988905550411762017-01-07T17:16:00.000-08:002017-01-07T17:16:58.043-08:00Book Goals for 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NG9pOuh5LqM/WHGSpnWA92I/AAAAAAAAUgI/h6bsAYXtgeICfI4q58w_N3nVsUM_9QHRACKgB/s1600/20170107_122624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NG9pOuh5LqM/WHGSpnWA92I/AAAAAAAAUgI/h6bsAYXtgeICfI4q58w_N3nVsUM_9QHRACKgB/s640/20170107_122624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the spirit of <a href="http://www.immersive-escapism.com/post/unpresidented-reading-challenge-2017">this post</a>, I'd like to be more thoughtful as I plan my reading year. Here's what I have so far:<script type="text/javascript">
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<span style="font-size: large;">January</span> (a book about immigration)</div>
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<li><u>In The Country We Love: My Family Divided</u> by Diane Guerrero</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">February </span>(a book about Jewish people)</div>
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<li><u>The Two Family House: A Novel</u> by Lynda Cohen Loigman</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">March</span> (speculative fiction by a writer of color)</div>
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<li><u>1Q84</u> by Haruki Murakami</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">April</span> (a book by a trans author)</div>
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<li><u>A Queer and Pleasant Danger</u> by Kate Bornstein</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May</span> (a book translated to English)</div>
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<li><u>Things Fall Apart</u> by Chinua Achebe</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">June</span> (a feminist book by a woman of color)</div>
<ul>
<li><u>Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution</u> by Mona Eltahawy</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">July</span> (a narrative around #BlackLivesMatter by a black author)</div>
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<li><u>They Can't Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America's Racial Justice Movement</u> by Wesley Lowery</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">August</span> (a book about Islam)</div>
<ul>
<li><u>Does My Head Look Big In This?</u> by Randa Abdel-Fattah</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September </span>(a book about Latinx people)</div>
<ul>
<li><u>Oye What I'm Gonna Tell You</u> by Cecilia RodrÃguez Milanés</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">October </span>(American history from the perspective of a marginalized group)</div>
<ul>
<li><u>Homegoing: A Novel</u> by Yaa Gyasi</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">November</span> (policing and incarceration)</div>
<ul>
<li><u>Incarceration Nations: A Journey to Justice in Prisons Around the World</u> by Baz Dreisinger</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">December </span>(a book set in the Middle East)</div>
<ul>
<li><u>Alif the Unseen</u> by G Willow Wilson</li>
</ul>
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I'm also planning on finishing as many of my school's "Bulldogs Read" books as I can. I read two over winter break, bringing my total to nine so far this school year. I love being able to talk to kids about books, and since many kids at my school read at least one Bulldogs Read book, it opens up conversations.</div>
Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-79208005397720848842015-12-31T09:00:00.000-08:002015-12-31T09:00:04.621-08:00best books of 2015<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iano1dNFiEQ/VL0v95P1mFI/AAAAAAAAMIE/DSPQsGBGh0s/s1600/20150106_155158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iano1dNFiEQ/VL0v95P1mFI/AAAAAAAAMIE/DSPQsGBGh0s/s1600/20150106_155158.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January</td></tr>
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Isn't it funny how intentions go by the wayside every time, and yet we still manage to be surprised when they do? I started this year full of optimism and goals. One of those goals was to read 52 books - a feat I managed in 2013 but not 2014. And if I didn't make it to 52 books, surely I would surpass 2014's book count of 32. And yet, here I am having read 31 books this year. In all fairness, this has been a very tough year for me full of excessive amounts of mostly work-related stress. But even amid all of that, I have some very fond book-related memories. Mainly reading books aloud in the car with Joe on our summer roadtrip. We read <u style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;">The Circle</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;">by Dave Eggers, <u>The Shade of the Moon</u> by Susan Beth Pfeffer, and most of <u>Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls</u> by David Sedaris. Below is a list of some of my favorites from 2015.</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Recipes & Cooking</b><br />
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<ul>
<li><u>An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace</u> by Tamar Alder</li>
<li><u>Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen</u> by Heidi Swanson</li>
<li><u>Wintersweet: Seasonal Desserts to Warm the Home</u> by Tammy Donroe Inman - <i>This book was beautiful to look at and perfectly organized by main ingredient (apples, pears, etc).</i></li>
</ul>
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<b>Fiction</b><br />
<ul>
<li><u>The Winter </u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Pony</u> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">by Iain Lawrence - <i>This book was so sad! Told from a pony's point of view, this book chronicles the Scott expedition to the South Pole.</i></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><u>Ready Player One</u> by Ernest Cline</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><u>The Signature of All Things</u> by Elizabeth Gilbert</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><u>The Bone Clocks</u> by David Mitchell</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><u>The Circle</u> by Dave Eggers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><u>The Martian</u> by Andy Weir</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<div>
<b>YA Fiction</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><u style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;">Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe</u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;"> by Benjamin Alire Saenz</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><u>Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel</u> by Megan Morrison</span></li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Non-Fiction</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><u>The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up</u> by Marie Kondo</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><u>Nature Anatomy</u> by Julia Rothman - <i>I intended to buy this beautiful book for my niece and nephew this Christmas, but ended up going with a couple other books as it wasn't available at my local book store. Next year, though...</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><u>Never Cry Wolf</u> by Farley Mowat <i>- A funny/sad story about an ecologist turned environmentalist who lives for a time among the wolves of northern Canada.</i></li>
</ul>
</div>
Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-47197603949062260672015-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:002015-11-07T09:00:01.693-08:00keep on keeping on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_h5JFY5lAws/Vj4dlhVm9AI/AAAAAAAAN_0/-z2NKKfmx64/s1600/20151101_153838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_h5JFY5lAws/Vj4dlhVm9AI/AAAAAAAAN_0/-z2NKKfmx64/s640/20151101_153838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlh3al038G7bQXtiZReWmk_R1se-SFVko1LzBp1QFQiNFav4w4w6VHL60TovHNAou0uaEacXG2TUIOdqcU862cuXi1y_Jvg1cA_KmsT5N-hqilLijDCe0_hEhIfbtP9Ze6f-mhsz8cFzz/s1600/20151101_163406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlh3al038G7bQXtiZReWmk_R1se-SFVko1LzBp1QFQiNFav4w4w6VHL60TovHNAou0uaEacXG2TUIOdqcU862cuXi1y_Jvg1cA_KmsT5N-hqilLijDCe0_hEhIfbtP9Ze6f-mhsz8cFzz/s640/20151101_163406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp6JAc_90hK30Ecg_VmWacRV26uAEOzIekKIiYRJKtUrBOO4_TYn1fJk-ckf-MwDSg0wdTKx-HHxpbrmXoYal3xSn_O2tw2wSjLcHvrgH7I-j4YpcaYdWrDHJdFAs10dh9fGFr0rKi1Fm/s1600/20151101_173447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp6JAc_90hK30Ecg_VmWacRV26uAEOzIekKIiYRJKtUrBOO4_TYn1fJk-ckf-MwDSg0wdTKx-HHxpbrmXoYal3xSn_O2tw2wSjLcHvrgH7I-j4YpcaYdWrDHJdFAs10dh9fGFr0rKi1Fm/s640/20151101_173447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
<b>What's New?</b></div>
<div>
We took new kitty back to the no-kill shelter that we adopted him from. It was a very hard thing to do, but it was the right thing to do. While sweet and loving towards us, he was totally uninterested in our other cat Athena. She tried to play with him, snuggle with him, and groom him... but he wasn't interested. The whole reason we adopted him was to provide a kitty friend for Athena. On top of that he also had food issues. Not <i>needs special food</i> issues. We can do that. But <i>I've starved before so now I think food will always be scarce no matter how often or how much my people feed me</i> issues. It was too much.<br /><script type="text/javascript">
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<div>
In garden news, I finally cleaned up my raised beds for winter, planted two types of garlic, and scattered some nitrogen-fixing seeds on top. I'm hoping the cover crop seeds grow, but I realized I started them very late in the growing season. I know there are rules and guidelines for gardening that, if followed, would make my gardening experience more successful. But the realities of life often get in the way of following those rules and guidelines.</div>
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<div>
In kitchen news, I've started cleaning out and reorganizing my pantry cabinet. I had tried to use some plastic bulk food containers for rice and grains but they just didn't work. They didn't stack well, and they always just seemed awkward. So I've decided to donate them and use what I have: glass canning jars. They are plentiful, inexpensive (I buy most of mine at Goodwill), easy to clean and I just like the way they look. I added simple labels and grouped foods by type. Now all my dried fruit are on the same shelf, all the grains are on the same shelf, etc. I still have more to clean out and organize. Seeing progress so far helps to motivate me to keep it clean.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Currently Reading</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><u>The Martian</u> by Andy Weir</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>On the Needles</b></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;">I've started seaming my </span><a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2010/01/wood-hollow-vest.html" style="background-color: white; color: #213bbb; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px; text-decoration: none;">Wood Hollow Vest</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8px;">. It's a slow process for me, since I don't have a ton of seaming experience and I want to get it right.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;">I've worked a bit on my </span><a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-HUK-bonny.html" style="background-color: white; color: #213bbb; line-height: 16.8px; text-decoration: none;">Bonny top</a><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"> while on the bus. It's a great bus knit - simple and easy to pick up and put down.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;">I started knitting </span><a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-9M-gramps.html" style="background-color: white; color: #213bbb; line-height: 16.8px; text-decoration: none;">Gramps </a>for my nephew Xander<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.8px;">. It's going to be tight, since I'm a little short on yarn, but with some creativity I think I can make it work. I've already divided for the sleeves, so now it looks like a sweater instead of a blob.</span></span><br />
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<div>
<b>Looking Forward To</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>getting together with friends for food & games</li>
</ol>
</div>
Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-735592820857706822015-10-18T15:00:00.000-07:002015-10-18T15:00:01.524-07:00a calm and stormy weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FwlSiqpP7vU/ViO1GSOauNI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/HuGQBednjEE/s1600/20151017_141714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FwlSiqpP7vU/ViO1GSOauNI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/HuGQBednjEE/s640/20151017_141714.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DCNGt_DMg5ahnTZCIHu7isiKNK8FFXjPQLMEtqxvXU8tka6HCyt7SONyExyMeXvN0c9Kap9kAcx61b14-aPruOM_3WJHopnCrH071nZwcyjL34dewOQbP5UEnUQz81UO9H_bJQmy_55f/s1600/20151017_141739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DCNGt_DMg5ahnTZCIHu7isiKNK8FFXjPQLMEtqxvXU8tka6HCyt7SONyExyMeXvN0c9Kap9kAcx61b14-aPruOM_3WJHopnCrH071nZwcyjL34dewOQbP5UEnUQz81UO9H_bJQmy_55f/s640/20151017_141739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The calm...</b><br />
Walked around Alki Saturday with Kristi and took these pictures. It had been weeks since we'd last seen each other, and we were terribly overdue for our weekend walks. After spending time with Kristi I Skyped with my parents (also terribly overdue). I find it's very refreshing and comforting getting advice from my parents. They are so far removed geographically that they don't get pulled into any drama. At the same time, they allow me to hear my inner voice as they advocate for what's best for me, all without any pressure to take their advice. I have amazing parents.<br />
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<b>The stormy...</b><br />
I ran a bunch of errands early Sunday. Arriving home with arms full of groceries, new kitty slipped out the front door and took off! Athena and Boomer only made it outside a couple times, and they promptly turned right back around and came back inside. Not so with new kitty, who is still without a name (although we're getting closer).<br />
<br />
I spent an hour chasing him around the houses on my street, trying to scoop him up. At one point he crawled up inside the hood of a neighbor's car. They were on their way out, new baby in tow, and graciously popped their hood so I could retrieve my cat. But he escaped from under the car and took off again! Then he ended up inside the hood of another neighbor's car!<br />
<br />
My upstairs neighbor (who has her own cats and had been helping me chase him this whole time) helped me barricade around the car so he couldn't slip out again. Once the barricade was in place, I knocked on yet another neighbor's door and asked him to pop the hood of his car. Sure enough, new kitty was crouched inside and my neighbor reached in and grabbed him!<br />
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I thought I'd never catch him, and he'd either disappear entirely or I would be forced to watch him get run over on the nearby busy street. I now fully understand the silly name he came with: Zoom.<br />
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} catch(err) {}</script>Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-19083268329005143602015-10-11T18:09:00.000-07:002015-10-11T18:09:06.184-07:00lately...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcGI_nyQiaY/VhlEHSPGfeI/AAAAAAAAN9M/BZgtJ4ef0YE/s640/20151006_070612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on my way to work (safely stopped at a stop-sign).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcGI_nyQiaY/VhlEHSPGfeI/AAAAAAAAN9M/BZgtJ4ef0YE/s1600/20151006_070612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Wood Hollow Vest washed and blocked.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fTgv7DNLfs/VhlERMMD28I/AAAAAAAAN9c/eWx23jVvtig/s1600/20150927_115312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sunrise, although a different day. The sky has been amazing this week.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARfJAtBgz1U/VhlERpNtAxI/AAAAAAAAN9g/n6_fnXD5I8s/s1600/20151009_070725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<b>What's New?</b><br />
We adopted a cat this weekend! He's long and lanky and sweet. Athena does not know what to think about him yet. We've installed 3 baby gates, one on top of the other, in order to create a see-through barrier. That way they (and by "they" I really mean Athena) can stare at each other without fear of touching. I think he is completely ready to bond with her, but she is definitely not too sure about the whole situation.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
So many library books checked out to me right now, but so little time to read!<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Never Cry Wolf</u> by Farley Mowat - <i>I am sharing bits and pieces of this story with my Advisory class. Our school mascot is the wolf, and they have enjoyed hearing about the wolves.</i></li>
<li><u>Nature Anatomy</u> by Julia Rothman - <i>This book is beautiful! I've put it on a possible present list for my niece and nephews.</i></li>
<li><u>Corvus: a Life with Birds</u> by Esther Woolfson - <i>This is currently my before bed book. This author often quotes and references the next book on my list, to no one's surprise.</i></li>
<li><u>Mind of the Raven</u> by Bernd Heinrich - <i>I've put this down for now in favor of <u>Corvus</u>.</i></li>
<li><u>Confession of a Buddhist Atheist</u> by Stephen Batchelor - <i>I haven't started this one yet, but I intended it to be a bus read.</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>On (& off) the Needles</b><br />
You can see the current state of my <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2010/01/wood-hollow-vest.html">Wood Hollow Vest</a> in the picture above. It's been washed and blocked, ready for seaming. After seaming, it'll get a neck band and arm bands. Almost there...<br />
<br />
My bus knit is the <a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-HUK-bonny.html">Bonny top from Tin Can Knits</a>. It's 11 inches of stockinette stitch before the top pattern gets interesting. I'm about 3 inches in right now.<br />
<br />
I've also started <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zuzus-petals">Zuzu's Petals</a>, which is a cowl, using a beautiful fall-inspired Malabrigo.<br />
<br />
And last but not least... I started a sweater pattern for my youngest nephew Xander awhile back, but I found I wasn't loving the way it was turning out. After visiting the Tin Can Knits booth at <a href="http://knitsocial.ca/">Knit City</a> this past weekend, I decided to frog the sweater and knit the <a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-9M-gramps.html">Gramps pattern</a> instead.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>giving new kitty a name</li>
</ol>
Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-44245974895086320282015-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:002015-09-26T09:00:07.222-07:00hello Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i>I started this post three weeks ago. And then we went on strike. This has been one of the strangest Septembers I've ever experienced. Here it is, the last full week of September, and it's barely the first full week of school. My brain has had a hard time with that dissonance. So mostly to help myself, here's a photo update.</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljmBdKyI-KY/VfLnHIsZGVI/AAAAAAAAN60/SQo2IYE5F5M/s1600/20150825_172746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljmBdKyI-KY/VfLnHIsZGVI/AAAAAAAAN60/SQo2IYE5F5M/s640/20150825_172746.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">My CSA box continues to arrive weekly, filled to the brim with more vegetables than I know what to do with. I enjoy the challenge, and enjoy learning about new veggies. Last week was "what do I do with a huge head of cabbage?"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBhJz7mk0F7mZlGtyWovYO3DLRl1Y1eOkfCMt4Tl0Rbc3vXXFEZr1ualDJGfCGozEZqVPEbgxlQsGt8KoLHHKf1v5EzeoLF5RsV-J26UZTPLCn67nc4AR6E1WZ0MFP-P_4xntGwu4HMVH/s1600/20150904_133635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBhJz7mk0F7mZlGtyWovYO3DLRl1Y1eOkfCMt4Tl0Rbc3vXXFEZr1ualDJGfCGozEZqVPEbgxlQsGt8KoLHHKf1v5EzeoLF5RsV-J26UZTPLCn67nc4AR6E1WZ0MFP-P_4xntGwu4HMVH/s640/20150904_133635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Our new school under construction. September marks the beginning of our last year in our temporary building. This time next year we'll be teaching in a brand new facility!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amRCuvqtPYA/VfLnPvYOD0I/AAAAAAAAN7A/ax8IhVnWMqQ/s1600/20150907_145104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amRCuvqtPYA/VfLnPvYOD0I/AAAAAAAAN7A/ax8IhVnWMqQ/s640/20150907_145104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This huge shawl is finally washed and blocked, just in time for the change in the weather.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, instead of starting school on time we found ourselves picketing. My district, by far the largest in the state, went on strike for the first time in 30 years. Our school community is incredibly supportive, which makes all the difference as we pace back-and-forth, often clocking over 10 miles worth of steps each day.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This year I've committed myself to riding the bus to work more often, so that when I find myself sitting in traffic I can read, or knit, or daydream instead of grit my teeth. So far I've met my goal of taking the bus three times a week.</span></div>
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Kristi and I made it out to our favorite sunset spot a couple weeks ago just in time to see this gorgeous view. I can't imagine living away from the coast (this is technically the Sound).</div>
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In the midst of our strike, some of our parents and students installed this banner in the middle of the night. It lifted all of our spirits to be reminded that we have such a supportive community. So supportive, that when they realized other school communities in poorer neighborhoods were not able to give as much, they decided to partner up with one of those schools and help out.</div>
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I volunteered as a picket captain during the strike, and my amazing coworkers gave me these beautiful flowers as a thank-you gift.<br />
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I planned on splitting one 20# box with a friend. Circumstances & misunderstandings left me with one and a half 20# boxes.<br />
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Starting early in the morning, I dutifully blanched 20#s in one day. It took hours just for that step.<br />
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Blanching is supposed to make the skins easier to remove. Ha! I'd say 25% of them were easy to remove. Maybe I need to work on my blanching skills. In any event, blanching 20#s of peaches in my tiny kitchen was quite the feat!<br />
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First up was <a href="http://sweetpreservation.com/recipes/cardamom-peach-pie-filling">cardamom peach pie filling</a>. Then I went to my two favorite peach jams: <a href="http://sweetpreservation.com/recipes/peach-cardamom-jam">peach cardamom jam</a>, and <a href="http://sweetpreservation.com/recipes/peach-jam-brown-sugar-and-rum">peach jam with brown sugar and rum</a>.<br />
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But I still had so many more blanched peaches leftover! So I dug into my fridge and found about 2 cups of raspberries that had been macerating in sugar for awhile. I used those to make a peach jam with raspberries. So much jam was made that day! Everyone is getting jam for presents. Maybe I'll take some jars to school and put them on the staff table with a "free to a good home" sign. I still have about 5#s left (I sent a few peaches home with anyone who would take them).</div>
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Let this be a reminder to me for next summer: small batch canning. Small batch. No one needs 30#s of fruit all at once.</div>
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This summer Joe and I headed out for a two-week adventure: <a href="https://www.museumoftherockies.org/">Museum of the Rockies</a>, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm">Yellowstone National Park</a>, the <a href="http://digfieldschool.org/">DIG Field School</a> near <a href="http://stateparks.mt.gov/hell-creek/">Hell Creek State Park</a>, and finally <a href="http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm">Glacier National Park</a>. We camped along the way, read books to each other as we drove, ate a ton of ice cream, saw wildlife up close, learned about the local geology, and dug up dinosaurs. It was also the perfect way to celebrate seven years of marriage and twelve years as a couple. I can't wait for next summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7vg0iwwOdRrecewINNhYFzlrG1gQJDGyUZf77hBSfxN_avxQwrJLrD05MYTjt3S_09o7e84yRaXS_4h_LFcCuYNKqTrmGa11Pa0K6_PVW6ewe6qnjGZQ_AoPgvgOY6pYcfd-XR1cEWEX/s1600/20140215_184325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7vg0iwwOdRrecewINNhYFzlrG1gQJDGyUZf77hBSfxN_avxQwrJLrD05MYTjt3S_09o7e84yRaXS_4h_LFcCuYNKqTrmGa11Pa0K6_PVW6ewe6qnjGZQ_AoPgvgOY6pYcfd-XR1cEWEX/s640/20140215_184325.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer (L), Athena (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppsOLnUvrRR0QpWrC6J2V2_IgLP-2hAblePbx8btI1xaR33Udp02M9c42KhqMp08WjjUsdMaQtjfs7S7hijoGBbt_e-wnNMCdcM9of6MJhJRUVaXbMoC69kFSDVWjSuEHObjyqrRVWCr6/s1600/2014-01-07+21.42.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppsOLnUvrRR0QpWrC6J2V2_IgLP-2hAblePbx8btI1xaR33Udp02M9c42KhqMp08WjjUsdMaQtjfs7S7hijoGBbt_e-wnNMCdcM9of6MJhJRUVaXbMoC69kFSDVWjSuEHObjyqrRVWCr6/s640/2014-01-07+21.42.48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer (L), Athena (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqwA9cmL3U0/VDlwc8c3rcI/AAAAAAAAK4k/cijGOlHXiNU/s1600/sunshine%2B%2526%2Bkitties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqwA9cmL3U0/VDlwc8c3rcI/AAAAAAAAK4k/cijGOlHXiNU/s640/sunshine%2B%2526%2Bkitties.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Athena (L), Boomer (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65NzrYfMIIU/VEvfFi3UndI/AAAAAAAALLg/fZ3hW4jdsiM/s1600/20141024_063421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65NzrYfMIIU/VEvfFi3UndI/AAAAAAAALLg/fZ3hW4jdsiM/s640/20141024_063421.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer (L), Athena (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnpjDYms0yo/VUTiPc95OvI/AAAAAAAANCE/sMSoYB67Gpg/s1600/20150426_114118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnpjDYms0yo/VUTiPc95OvI/AAAAAAAANCE/sMSoYB67Gpg/s640/20150426_114118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer (L), Athena (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEskLMaX6Dg/VTuuqFl8ktI/AAAAAAAAM_k/nl7CGg2Da40/s1600/20150420_210722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEskLMaX6Dg/VTuuqFl8ktI/AAAAAAAAM_k/nl7CGg2Da40/s640/20150420_210722.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cg9QFOML-P2Zo5eDht9WH25lPpCBJrjfUaaaDeZ-qJQ6f51izgeV-2vo3Zl_PMxJi2MNbgPqBzhaZ5pbJGjodm6mtOL4-_e6YsCgKpjLbUBwBO4Drc2FKEBudsd5h42Favzs4DZlMqSf/s1600/20150713_222259%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cg9QFOML-P2Zo5eDht9WH25lPpCBJrjfUaaaDeZ-qJQ6f51izgeV-2vo3Zl_PMxJi2MNbgPqBzhaZ5pbJGjodm6mtOL4-_e6YsCgKpjLbUBwBO4Drc2FKEBudsd5h42Favzs4DZlMqSf/s640/20150713_222259%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomer - the night before her biopsy appointment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Friday was the worst day ever. It was preceded by a couple of pretty hard weeks full of various vet appointments, diagnostic tests, and medications. Cancer took one of our amazing kitty-sisters, Boomer, and much too soon. And now, for the first time in her whole life, Athena is alone. We adopted these sisters four years ago when they were barely a year old, thinking that we'd get to spend ten or more years with them. I wish I hadn't taken their presence for granted. I wish I had taken more pictures of their cute antics. I wish...<br />
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And now today we head out for our epic road-trip, leaving Athena's care to two of our wonderful friends. I know she'll be okay but my heart worries. I can't help it.<br />
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<b>What's New?</b><br />
This week was filled with kitty-related stress, and yarn. We took that adorable cat to get a lump biopsied only to discover that it's cancerous. So now we are faced with figuring out next steps. Our kitties are only 5 years old so we never imagined dealing with cancer so soon. The bright side is that right now the tumor is not affecting her overall health at all. She's happy and (relatively) healthy.<br />
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The yarn part of my week involved a long-overdue trip to <a href="http://www.toltyarnandwool.com/">Tolt Yarn and Wool</a> in Carnation, WA and <a href="http://www.quintessentialknits.com/">Quintessential Knits</a> in Duvall, WA. I've heard such good things about Tolt, specifically, but hadn't made it out there to check it out. I came away with yarn for two projects: Tin Can Knits' <a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-HUK-bonny.html">Bonny top</a> in Quince & Co <a href="http://quinceandco.com/collections/yarn/products/piper-yarn-merino-mohair">Piper</a> yarn, and <a href="http://carinaspencer.com/shop/zuzus-petals/">Zuzu's Petals</a> in Malabrigo Sock.<br />
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<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><u style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">The Bone Clocks</u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> by David Mitchell - <i>This book is long! I'm reading it on my Kindle so I didn't realize just how long it is. Plus, it's weird, which makes reading a little slower. There are many times I have to slow done so that I can process what the heck I just read. Body-jumping, immortality, and strange interconnections... all of that </i></span></span><i><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">amidst</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> a story that jumps through time and narrators sometimes jarringly. But overall I enjoy the read.</span></span></i></li>
</ul>
<b><br /></b>
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
Still plugging away at my Earth & Sky shawl. I've put the Wood Hollow Vest aside for a bit, but I imagine I'll pick it up again before our road trip so that I can at least finish the front.<br />
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<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Our road trip!</li>
<li>Another CSA box</li>
<li>Getting my hands dirty with gardening</li>
</ol>
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:: So far I've really enjoyed my weekly CSA box. The CSA season runs through October, so I have many more to come. This week, while looking at the contents, I think I see a plan: bruschetta! There are other things in the box that I'll need to plan for: carrots, potatoes, kale, and something completely new to me... fennel.<br />
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:: This year I've only made two small batches of jam. The first one was <a href="http://foodinjars.com/2015/05/small-batch-strawberry-balsamic-jam/">strawberry balsamic</a>, and the second one was blackberry apricot. My blackberry apricot recipe is adjusted <a href="http://foodinjars.com/2010/08/blackberry-apricot-jam/">from here</a> to be a small batch. I have a bunch of raspberries in the fridge that need to be processed today, but I haven't decided just what to do with them yet.<br />
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<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Blackberry Apricot Small Batch Jam with Cinnamon</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>4 cups fruit pureed (roughly 2 cups blackberries, 2 cups apricots)</li>
<li>2 cups sugar</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tsp lemon juice</li>
<li>10 minutes in the boiling water</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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4. Those tomatoes have really taken off. They are now taller than the tomato cages and don't show any signs of slowing down. There are countless blossoms, and many baby tomatoes, growing on each plant. There are three plants, in three colors: red, orange, and yellow. I can't wait for ripe tomatoes fresh from the garden.<br />
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Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-26299813120373756342015-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:002015-07-13T09:00:06.522-07:00on the needles<h3>
<b>Earth & Sky</b></h3>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/earth--sky">Earth & Sky by Stephen West</a><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Madeline Tosh Pashmina in worn denim, victorian gothic, astrid grey<br />
<b>Notes:</b> This is my summer splurge knit. I seem to average three skeins of Tosh each year. Last year they ended up as three separate mini shawls. This year, I'm going big.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1FE9zJpBnI/VaEnNWb_RHI/AAAAAAAANyc/jZ2ollDoxZo/s1600/20150710_131007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1FE9zJpBnI/VaEnNWb_RHI/AAAAAAAANyc/jZ2ollDoxZo/s640/20150710_131007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<b>Wood Hollow Vest</b></h3>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wood-hollow-vest">Wood Hollow Vest by Kirsten Kapur</a><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Cascade 220 Superwash in celery heather<br />
<b>Notes:</b> I frogged my tea leaves sweater, since it never really fit well, and am using the yarn to make this vest. I've started this project three times. Once as written, the second time attempting to knit it in the round, and this third time (third time's the charm?) again as written. I <i>really</i> want to be able to wear this vest this autumn, which is my motivation to knit it up so quickly.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMVnxMGMPDY/VaEnwtiRQjI/AAAAAAAANzE/FB-MBcXOUZc/s1600/20150710_131222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMVnxMGMPDY/VaEnwtiRQjI/AAAAAAAANzE/FB-MBcXOUZc/s640/20150710_131222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<b>Hue Shift Afghan</b></h3>
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hue-shift-afghan">Hue Shift Afghan by <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kerin Dimeler-Laurence</span></span></a><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Knit Picks Brava Sport (purchased as a kit)<br />
<b>Notes: </b>I started this afghan in 2013 (yikes!) and am finally started the third block. Once all four blocks are complete, they are sewn together and the edge stitches are picked up in order to knit a border. This is a really good TV knit, since it's all knit stitches, the center decrease is easy, and the pattern is repetitive.</div>
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Bethanthemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17838339518782540162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4631636139936309036.post-77002233234675253692015-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:002015-07-11T09:00:06.378-07:00project 52: week 44What is Project 52? It's a little like <a href="http://365project.org/">Project 365</a>, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something <i>shiny</i> to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP986FDE_LQB2d-GbKG5jxi-IjyqS7yOICNdSfrovOXXtRwgVA-wPXQPJmLSBv7Mor-aCj2LHJ6kcQAMVQUQ9EaWvvb2daRltx9bfHx-rPxq0OgPZyR-8XYWfEXagfXelIu12kznk1nJwO/s1600/20150710_135038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP986FDE_LQB2d-GbKG5jxi-IjyqS7yOICNdSfrovOXXtRwgVA-wPXQPJmLSBv7Mor-aCj2LHJ6kcQAMVQUQ9EaWvvb2daRltx9bfHx-rPxq0OgPZyR-8XYWfEXagfXelIu12kznk1nJwO/s640/20150710_135038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>What's New?</b><br />
I dragged my dining table and chairs outside in order to get a few pictures. That same day, a nice young man came by to pick them up. That's it - they now belong to someone else. Part of me is sad. I have fond memories involving that table, but the truth is that we haven't had space for it since we moved into this apartment <i>four years ago</i>. Yikes. A small kitchen island is getting picked up today by another stranger, and next week I'm going to list our small loveseat. After reading Marie Kondo's book, <u>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</u>, I've been itching to get rid of superfluous things in my life. It's hard, each time I watch something that's been a fixture in my life go away. But afterwards I feel a weight off my shoulders. It's a good thing.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>The Bone Clocks</u> by David Mitchell</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Grounded</u> by Megan Morrison</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
So much is on the needles right now that I'm going to share pictures in a separate post. I'm mostly working on my Earth & Sky shawl and my Wood Hollow Vest, but there are a few other projects sitting on the needles that I pick up now and again, like my Hue Shift Afghan.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>berries from the farmer's market</li>
<li>bouldering</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tfaydhPIaA/VZgP2s4Zf0I/AAAAAAAANxo/grqc8_OdJUA/s1600/20150701_103903%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tfaydhPIaA/VZgP2s4Zf0I/AAAAAAAANxo/grqc8_OdJUA/s640/20150701_103903%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkYKu3UNbYk/VZgPx6o7gTI/AAAAAAAANxg/RnOnzmEvZ-o/s1600/20150701_105351%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkYKu3UNbYk/VZgPx6o7gTI/AAAAAAAANxg/RnOnzmEvZ-o/s640/20150701_105351%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZh-4kduRqlrHiBOkB6KLw440E80Y5hb3IBL1s1EQS_xBTxJnjd6uE8EO8CGmvihr4ubE7OB9ueV1diucAdF0A0TJ4zI6rRCfsQ8tYDCbsC5aa4_dlhygy5TMFBUhmZk2_QuPHl-qzufN_/s1600/20150701_110558%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZh-4kduRqlrHiBOkB6KLw440E80Y5hb3IBL1s1EQS_xBTxJnjd6uE8EO8CGmvihr4ubE7OB9ueV1diucAdF0A0TJ4zI6rRCfsQ8tYDCbsC5aa4_dlhygy5TMFBUhmZk2_QuPHl-qzufN_/s640/20150701_110558%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BB1idfO91aA/VZgQVhR0MKI/AAAAAAAANx0/yGxAFrF3F1s/s1600/20150701_112851%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BB1idfO91aA/VZgQVhR0MKI/AAAAAAAANx0/yGxAFrF3F1s/s640/20150701_112851%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnEkwO6pPUM/VZgQYCBO0cI/AAAAAAAANyA/YeBLxwr8hwQ/s1600/20150701_113022%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnEkwO6pPUM/VZgQYCBO0cI/AAAAAAAANyA/YeBLxwr8hwQ/s640/20150701_113022%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>What's New?</b><br />
It's been hot in Seattle. Very hot. And the forecast calls for more hot for as far as the eye can see. Maybe by this coming Friday it'll cool down to 80 degrees. It's been in the 90's during the days and barely getting down to the low 60's at night. It's hard to keep my apartment cool. My cats are melting. Forget about cooking, baking, or canning. Pass the sushi, please.<br />
<br />
We spent the middle of this week camping at Penrose State Park, where we were able to enjoy a low-low tide. I've never been camping in such heat before, with a burn-ban, no less. Although cooking everything on the camp stove was interesting (<i>did we attempt s'mores on the stove? oh yes, of course we did!</i>), I honestly can't say I missed the fire. Sure, I miss the ritual of a fire, but I don't imagine we would have been sitting very close. It was just too darn hot.<br />
<br />
In response to all this heat plus <u>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</u> by Marie Kondo I spent yesterday cleaning up and organizing our storage room. The storage is in the basement of our apartment building, so it's the coolest place to be. I've made piles to donate, recycled tons of unnecessary cardboard, and moved things around so that we can actually see what's in there. It used to be a jungle of boxes and things stacked willy-nilly on awkwardly placed shelves and often on the floor. Now the shelves line one wall, the floor area is clean and open, and we are on our way to owning less stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>The Bone Clocks</u> by David Mitchell</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Grounded</u> by Megan Morrison</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
My Wood Hollow Vest is ready for armhole shaping and neck shaping. Which means that now I need to really pay attention to the pattern so I don't mess it up.<br />
<br />
My Earth & Sky shawl hasn't really started yet. I need to pick up another needle sizing gauge from my LYS since I can't seem to find mine. I have a bunch of inherited metal circular needles that are probably the right size, but they are not labeled like my wood circular needles are.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>the next CSA box</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHFQWjrcm7Y/VY4YUv0_uKI/AAAAAAAANw4/t3O7lAuMslg/s1600/20150623_175200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHFQWjrcm7Y/VY4YUv0_uKI/AAAAAAAANw4/t3O7lAuMslg/s640/20150623_175200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>What's New?</b><br />
It's hot in Seattle. Really, really hot. Well, not as hot as it gets in the mid-west or the east coast, but out here we don't really believe in air conditioners. Instead, our local libraries and community centers (and movie theaters and malls) operate as cooling centers. My basically-basement apartment has been hovering at 70 degrees no matter what I do (it's been 80-90 degrees outside). And that's without any baking and pretty much minimal cooking. Do you know how hard it is for me to give up baking and cooking? Pretty darn hard. But I just can't justify all the extra heat it produces in my tiny apartment. I have kale from my CSA share that is begging to be turned into kale chips, but sadly I cannot do it.<br />
<br />
Instead, I made refrigerator kohlrabi pickles, sun tea that was promptly mixed with lemonade concentrate (from a canning adventure I had back in cold April), and one small batch of strawberry balsamic jam.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>The Bone Clocks</u> by David Mitchell</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Grounded</u> by Megan Morrison</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
This week I started my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wood-hollow-vest">Wood Hollow Vest</a> again, for the third time. I initially started it last August, exactly as the pattern was written. I got into a groove and enjoyed all the cables, but I found some mistakes I made early on. I knit up about 6 inches before deciding to start over. The second start was last September. I restarted in order to knit it in the round. Big mistake. See, the cable pattern was easy to memorize knit flat, but in the round my brain just couldn't get a handle on it. So I made even more mistakes than I had the first time. And I wasn't happy with it at all. So I set it aside and knit other things. Fast forward to almost a year later, and I've ripped it out again in order to start over. This time I'm knitting it flat again like the pattern calls for, and I'm going slower knowing where I'll likely make mistakes.<br />
<br />
I've made it through three full pattern repeats and I love these cables!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIVs_DF9Dkk/VY4YiqNpufI/AAAAAAAANxA/HP7rWj2ucv8/s1600/20150626_181659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIVs_DF9Dkk/VY4YiqNpufI/AAAAAAAANxA/HP7rWj2ucv8/s640/20150626_181659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>helping dear friends move into their first house</li>
<li>stitch & bitch</li>
<li>happy hour with my old teaching buddy</li>
<li>camping at Penrose with friends</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViwOMqYbs_c/VYcK1MSo1NI/AAAAAAAANqA/2g8eNPV0sVA/s1600/20150618_173546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViwOMqYbs_c/VYcK1MSo1NI/AAAAAAAANqA/2g8eNPV0sVA/s640/20150618_173546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5rRbGH0QcY/VYcK1ABFf2I/AAAAAAAANqA/fmi00fD5mU8/s1600/20150618_173533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5rRbGH0QcY/VYcK1ABFf2I/AAAAAAAANqA/fmi00fD5mU8/s640/20150618_173533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Go Outside</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: pick berries & make jam</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: road trip to Yellowstone, Glacier, and DIG</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: garden</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: hike at Mt Rainier</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Simplify Inside</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: organize storage room</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: sell or donate kitchen table, old desk, & loveseat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: shampoo carpet (again)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Finish Projects</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: re-start Wood Hollow Vest</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: knit for new nephew Xander</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: turn fabric into shirts</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Write</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: send Mom's journal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: postcards to Daniel</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Take Care of Self</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: make dentist appt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: get yearly eye exam</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
:: walk with Kristi</div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8tmSArBGa9VC9XK5vdsPlvHKjqh8aOHRfDwDf45Ym8SYot1S_mFruvVZRMOGWKML1VyzZae8gyc3z6d1mUZ6SVHn1w4Gh9kqW5ZiH87Y14b7lpsfOGnyyNZy3_Xglic46A3qAnb8gG45/s1600/20150607_091505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8tmSArBGa9VC9XK5vdsPlvHKjqh8aOHRfDwDf45Ym8SYot1S_mFruvVZRMOGWKML1VyzZae8gyc3z6d1mUZ6SVHn1w4Gh9kqW5ZiH87Y14b7lpsfOGnyyNZy3_Xglic46A3qAnb8gG45/s640/20150607_091505.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made my cats a sun-tent so they could enjoy the light and I could keep the house cool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>What's New?</b><br />
School's out for the summer! Of course I still need to go in next week for a training and to finish cleaning up my room... but I can start settling in to a different pace. Yesterday I helped Kristi pack up and move her classroom upstairs as part of a large reorganization process at her school. It was surprisingly refreshing to help someone else pack up after I have packed and moved my own classroom three years in a row. Next year I'll pack up and move again, as we transition into our new-new building.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
<ul>
<li><u>The Bone Clocks</u> by David Mitchell</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
I started winding yarn for my Earth & Sky shawl. I bought three skeins of Madeline Tosh Pashmina for this shawl back in May, but I decided to wait until school was out to begin. Since I don't have a yarn swift/ball winder yet, and I bought this yarn online, I am winding it up myself. Winding yarn by hand without the aid of a swift definitely takes awhile, but I think it's a great anticipatory step in the process.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>sleeping in</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ5HWwIm6vGC9Na5uwk3jwMbpuLd5bAtv_7wg3BZzExyQ22oqjOTcetwfXY4beIaH5ZMhcy_kuG1PSxIMCBwBWif3k7x6fLs_pgxDGU3j6I1IT4R4O6hAI3IzHIQFyQ-YUu-JFaEQBNnL/s1600/20150606_130618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ5HWwIm6vGC9Na5uwk3jwMbpuLd5bAtv_7wg3BZzExyQ22oqjOTcetwfXY4beIaH5ZMhcy_kuG1PSxIMCBwBWif3k7x6fLs_pgxDGU3j6I1IT4R4O6hAI3IzHIQFyQ-YUu-JFaEQBNnL/s640/20150606_130618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>What's New?</b><br />
Last Saturday I went strawberry-picking with the intent to make jam the next day. And then it was <strike>a million degrees</strike> very hot in Seattle all week. And the cat had to go to the vet. Three days in a row. And now she's fine, of course. So today I get to venture into my fridge and assess the state of the berries. Maybe I'll make jam today? Or maybe I'll have a ton of rotting fruit to add to the compost? I certainly hope for the former. I want to make more <a href="http://foodinjars.com/2015/05/small-batch-strawberry-balsamic-jam/">strawberry balsamic jam </a>this year since I did not make enough last year. Plus I kept giving those jars away. Silly me - I need to remember to save some for us.<br />
<br />
In other news, due to the <strike>raging heat wave</strike> very hot weather I wore my four Wiksten tanks again this week. I realize that I have four handmade tops now, and not an entire handmade wardrobe, but those four tanks make me feel like a super-sewer. Especially since I love their fit, which I was able to customize, as well as the fabric. I have more fabric washed and waiting to be turned into another top. Maybe I'll try a <a href="http://grainlinestudio.com/2013/06/25/scout-knit-tee/">Grainline scout tee</a>? Or a <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tova-shirt-sewing-pattern">Wiksten tova</a>?<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
I finis<span style="font-family: inherit;">hed <u style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">The Signature of All Things</u><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I gave four stars on Goodreads. Last night I started <u>The Bone Clocks</u> by David Mitchell.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>finishing up the school year</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRvYFl-ywjPYEERpjx3zpA3VhD86RgVCDeuTWU17Pt4vsDIZ_vPeS7USE7r_tb3zRwmoY9nF7MoO5VtuBYKsX761NlDVtl11jXZnMRoa7Ut5j4lO3tPbL0c9iF1p8JssLtGX5gt65CzPZ/s1600/20150531_153348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRvYFl-ywjPYEERpjx3zpA3VhD86RgVCDeuTWU17Pt4vsDIZ_vPeS7USE7r_tb3zRwmoY9nF7MoO5VtuBYKsX761NlDVtl11jXZnMRoa7Ut5j4lO3tPbL0c9iF1p8JssLtGX5gt65CzPZ/s640/20150531_153348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>What's New?</b><br />
On our walk last week Kristi and I came across this lovely patch of flowers. It used to be a stretch of grass, but now it buzzes with bees and butterflies. What a great way to change up a parking strip! Today I stumbled upon <a href="http://kuow.org/post/beyond-bees-paving-paths-native-pollinators-through-seattle?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social_Media&utm_campaign=060515_environment">this article</a> about a concerted effort to do more of this work - <a href="http://www.pollinatorpathway.com/">converting parking strips into pollinator gardens</a>. I'm going to do some more research into this idea and plant some flowers in my garden to attract pollinators. Then I'll talk to my landlord about doing something similar to the parking strip in front of my apartment.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
I've been steadily working my way throug<span style="font-family: inherit;">h <u style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">The Signature of All Things</u><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I am almost finished. With just one more week of school left, I am eagerly looking at my Goodreads lists with the intention of putting together a summer reading list.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
I stopped by Pacific Fabrics yesterday on a whim. I was heading to another store for some staples and realized I would pass by the fabric store on the way. I am so glad I decided to stop because I found a lovely collection of summer fabrics (double gauze, cotton lawn, etc) and ended up buying a couple yards for yet another Wiksten Tank. I've been wearing my tanks as much as I can, all the while thinking critically about their fit, making alterations in my head. I really love how I am able to make small changes to the pattern to make it fit my body better.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>picking strawberries</li>
<li>planting my garden</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMZbs7smMN8/VWoLAxb3sMI/AAAAAAAANPs/HBaJdWJ7-2M/s1600/20150524_125852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMZbs7smMN8/VWoLAxb3sMI/AAAAAAAANPs/HBaJdWJ7-2M/s640/20150524_125852.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two more Wiksten Tanks, this time in linen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80nGvh5fjMA/VWoLA2ha16I/AAAAAAAANPs/CnVO9xe657w/s1600/20150523_124132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80nGvh5fjMA/VWoLA2ha16I/AAAAAAAANPs/CnVO9xe657w/s640/20150523_124132.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden beds ready for planting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>What's New?</b><br />
I finished two more Wiksten Tanks, bringing my total to 4: the two newest are neutral colors, while the other two are bold colors. I'm very excited about these handmade pieces and I've worn them a few times already. One thing I noticed after finishing the last two is that the back of the tank is low enough that I can wear them to the DIG School without getting sunburned. We spend so much time at the DIG School bent over on our hands and knees looking for fossils on the ground. Last year I noticed that all of my shirts, while seeming long when standing straight up, rode up just enough to expose a thin sliver of skin to the beating sun creating a thin and awkward sunburn.<br />
<br />
Last weekend I bought some plants for my garden, but I didn't have enough time to get them in the ground. This week was far too busy to accomplish that in my evening hours, but I hope to do some gardening this weekend. I started my garden plans way too late for seeds this year, so I went with what was available at the nursery. I came home with snap peas, tomatoes, rosemary, lavender, and a few other small herbs.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
I'm in the middle of <u>The Signature of All Things</u> by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I am enjoying greatly.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>picking strawberries?</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1PULpS3llo/VWCox05zgPI/AAAAAAAANLM/z6tOScNZMRw/s1600/20150519_111750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1PULpS3llo/VWCox05zgPI/AAAAAAAANLM/z6tOScNZMRw/s640/20150519_111750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>What's New?</b><br />
I attended a <a href="http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/teachers-march-rally-seattle/nmJtt/">walk-out with my colleagues across the city</a> in protest of our state's lack of funding for basic education and follow-through on voter-backed legislation (smaller class-sizes & a COLA).<br />
<br />
With a long three-day weekend ahead of me, I've made a list of things I hope to do in order to fill my bucket. This time of year is extremely stressful for educators, and anything I can do to keep myself centered is definitely worth the effort. With that in mind, this weekend I hope to...<br />
<br />
:: plant something (anything) in my long-neglected raised beds<br />
:: sew one or more Wiksten tanks to add to my collection (I have two fabrics ready to go)<br />
:: walk with Kristi<br />
:: knit at the coffee house<br />
:: visit EMP's Star Wars exhibit<br />
<br />
Of course there are plenty more things that I need to do that will fill my time this weekend, but I find it helps me to focus on the things that bring me joy. There are now only sixteen more days of school. While that number seems quite small (and it is) it nevertheless feels very long. There are just so many things that need to fit into those sixteen days!<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
I finished<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <u style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Ready Player One</u><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> by Ernest Cline, and am now on to <u>The Signature of All Things</u> by Elizabeth Gilbert</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
Once school is out, I'm planning on starting another shawl. This one will be <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/earth--sky">Earth and Sky</a> by Stephen West made from my newly acquired Madeline Tosh pashmina yarn in warm denim, astrid grey, and victorian gothic.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>time to re-charge</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PQbTLUnz-ZI2F9GGN79IePeOvF-X2pOSFpebeBLdz10DZy9Ou2Um09zDOoTJ8UYb5NzPxQRVrOBFWH2ppkDsEqZn5do0kFoAVs1FlV_WryANZ9uf5E1M2NeMpgpyrGRaZ60QtwVxyRr4/s1600/20150510_143732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PQbTLUnz-ZI2F9GGN79IePeOvF-X2pOSFpebeBLdz10DZy9Ou2Um09zDOoTJ8UYb5NzPxQRVrOBFWH2ppkDsEqZn5do0kFoAVs1FlV_WryANZ9uf5E1M2NeMpgpyrGRaZ60QtwVxyRr4/s640/20150510_143732.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second Wiksten Tank in a magenta chambray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>What's New?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">I finished my second </span><a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tank-top-sewing-pattern-downloadable-pdf" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; text-decoration: none;">Wiksten Tanks</a> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">in a magenta chambray fabric. I wore the blue linen/cotton tank on my walk last week, but I haven't had a chance to wear the magenta one yet. I have plans to make a couple more, but first I have to pick out fabric. These tanks have really motivated me to work on my sewing skills, and inspired me to create a handmade wardrobe (something I've dreamed of for some time now, but never thought was realistic).</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
I'm almost finished with<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <u style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Ready Player One</u><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> by Ernest Cline.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
I've completed probably two rows on my honey cowl this week.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Memorial Day</li>
<li>planning summer camping trips</li>
</ol>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCevKjgrk9dK1Ar54_Ng8fwzXWfMwJv-dBYziwGB0j2V5V1nbVXUoK3a3Jv5x-q2_AUni-lJuGJeTJFRy5AtcIjooEqA9RiJTHKSeehFU0LwFzYqZkBGLS0K078bTa6iXvO85hcr5HHWJ/s1600/20150503_130043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCevKjgrk9dK1Ar54_Ng8fwzXWfMwJv-dBYziwGB0j2V5V1nbVXUoK3a3Jv5x-q2_AUni-lJuGJeTJFRy5AtcIjooEqA9RiJTHKSeehFU0LwFzYqZkBGLS0K078bTa6iXvO85hcr5HHWJ/s640/20150503_130043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>What's New?</b><br />
I've been sorting sediment at the university with the DIG team. The photo above is from last week's sort. Basically the team collects bags of sediment from sites out in Montana and brings them back to be sifted and sorted during the year when fieldwork is not possible. Usually undergrads work on it as part of their laboratory experience. Former DIG School participants have also been recruited to help with the task. When I first heard about the opportunity, I was a bit skeptical. Spend 3 hours staring into a microscope, painstakingly sorting rocks from fossils? In truth those 3 hours go by in a flash, and looking under the scope at fossils is very interesting.<br />
<br />
The other interesting thing in my life lately involves sewing. I've been admiring many blogger's <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tank-top-sewing-pattern-downloadable-pdf">Wiksten Tanks</a> lately, and two weeks ago I decided to take the plunge. I bought the pattern PDF, printed it out, and tried it out using some quilting cotton I had in my stash. I had to tweak the pattern a bit to get the perfect fit for my body, but once I'd done that I headed to the fabric store to buy some chambray and linen. I'm proud to say that I completed my first "real" Wiksten Tank in a blue linen/cotton fabric and I love it! I have a magenta chambray fabric waiting for another tank as soon as I have time. I think these tanks will make a great layering piece in my wardrobe, and I might even do some embroidery on them.<br />
<br />
<b>Currently Reading</b><br />
I'm on Part 2 of <u style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Ready Player One</u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> by Ernest Cline and so far I love this book!</span><br />
<br />
<b>On the Needles</b><br />
I've worked on my current Honey Cowl a bit here and there, but most of my crafting time has been spent sewing.<br />
<br />
<b>Looking Forward To</b><br />
<ol>
<li>my weekly walk with Kristi</li>
<li>going out to the movies!</li>
</ol>
<br />
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