Knitty Gritty Thoughts

Whoa! It's been awhile

Whoa!  It's been awhile hasn't it?  Typepad has completely changed their format and I feel like I'm all thumbs trying to put together this post.  Everything looks so strange and new, I hope it comes out ok! ;)  I have a lot to say so pull up a chair and make yourself cozy!

Thank you so, so, much for all your support in the last post.  I am a complete introvert so when given the option to say something or nothing at all I will normally choose the latter.  One of the things I'm challenging myself on this year is to make a greater effort to communicate openly and honestly and when I mean honestly I don't mean telling the truth honest.  I mean being honest with myself and others on what I'm thinking or feeling.  I hope you mean what I'm saying.

I really enjoyed my time away from blogs and blogging in general.  It's funny how much time you end up with when you sort of strip away all the preconceived notions of what you "have to do" and start adding in the things you want to do.  I've been enjoying creating new rhythms and new habits of tasks that are important to me.

One of the things I've finally found a rhythm for is weekly baking.  I've been baking a minimum of two loaves of sandwich bread a week and finally weaned myself off store bought bread completely (knock on wood!)

This was a real challenge for me, one of the things holding me back before was not having enough time to make the bread, or I guess I should say, having other priorities with my time.  I'm using Katie's uber-fabulous wheaty/whitey bread recipe she sent me.  You can get it here.  Katie's been baking 4 loaves a week for her family and my hat goes off to her (I wanna be like her when I grow up! ;)). 

She's taught me so much about the ins and outs of bread storing, something which I had no idea how to do... (They don't teach this type of thing in school anymore! ;))

1)  If you want nice, even slices (and are slightly OCD when it comes to the evenness of the slices!) use a electric bread knife.  I found mine at walmart for 9.98 and it works great.  Make sure the bread is cooled all the way through so you don't squish it and the flavor has fully developed!

2)  Find some bread and food bags at your local grocery store (I did not find them sold at target) and bag your bread after it's fully cooled so no moisture gets inside.  Consider double-bagging for extra frost prevention

3)  That's it!  They go stale fast so make sure to freeze same day.  They last forever, although they probaby won't make it that long.  Throw the loaves in your freezer and pull them off slice by slice.  You can use them as-is if you're making a grilled sandwich or defrost on low (20% or reheat mode) for 1min 20 sec for 2 slices.  Your mileage may vary.

Easy peasy, right?? ;)

In the spirit of getting as much of my food as possible locally, grown mindfully and without unnecessary "extras"  I spent my weekends visiting every farmers market in the area.  I went on farm tours and met my meat and veggies.  It was so much fun!  My favorite local farmers market is the Durham (NC) Farmers Market.  Hands down in my opinion the best market in the Triangle.  I used to hate getting up early on the weekends, now I rise with the sun to get down to the market and pick up fresh food.  I've found sources for local meats and poultry, fresh eggs and honey, cheese (this was a tough one to find!), fruits and veggies, beeswax candles, plants, etc.  I've been challenging myself to produce mostly local meals on a regular basis and it's been a real treat to get better at it week to week. 

On that same topic I've been devouring a wonderful book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  If you have any interest at all in learning more about where your food comes from, how it is produced and just general motivation to rediscover your food you must read this book!  I can't recommend it any more highly.

I've also been making my own jam for the first time.  Something I've always wanted to do.  It's pretty easy and fun!  The strawberries are local of course, they are well in season here in NC and it's fun to admire my pretty jars on the pantry shelf.  I have plans to make more as gifts for Christmas.

Hmm let's see what else have I been doing?  I don't want to make it too long!  My mom came to visit from CA again and we went to Duke gardens.  I have some gorgeous photos of the gardens but I haven't uploaded them yet. 

I've been organizing my knitting books and magazines and I have a ton for sale!  You can see my ravelry destash post here.  Please take a look and I hope you find something you like!  I'm happy to offer free shipping of whatever you want to all of my blog friends, just put blog friends as a code when you PM me and I'll ship for free.  Free! =)

 

I've also been spinning, I wanted to take a turn with something a little thicker than my ubiquitous sock yarn and ended up with a DK/Worsted.  This is one my favorite yarns of all time.  The fiber is from Hello Yarn's Fiber Club, Insect Wings, 10 oz total for about 560 yards.

I immediately cast-on for a BSJ, garter stitch was just what I needed.  I've been wanting to teach myself continental and this was the perfect excuse, all garter!  What was holding me back before was tension issues.  I would switch back in forth in a current project from English to Continental and my stitches would be all wonky.  What I learned with this great video is that it's typical for Continental to be looser than the other way, and you frequently have to go down two needle sizes to get the same tension.  Oy!  What an epiphany!  I knew I had to start a continental only project and the BSJ won!

OH!  And I almost forgot to tell you I've been taking a quilting class too - something on my must-do list for awhile.  Here's my first quilt, just pieced and quilt-sandwiched together.  I'll quilt it next week in class and show you when it's done.  I love the colors!  Blue and Brown and Cream are so pretty together!  Quilting is addicting, I'm already planning my second quilt, plus I get to use the shops machine, a Bernina Aurora.  *Drool*  So, so yummy to sew on!

Oh and last but certainly NOT least as you all know I was a member of the May Day Sock Swap.  Lynne was the one knitting for me, she is one of my favorite people and also favorite people to swap with, such a sweetheart.  She sent me a lovely pair of socks and yummy yummy treats.  A beautiful tray and candles, matching soap and washcloths and yummy candy and as usual got me to a T.  Thanks so much Lynne I love everything! =)

So, haven't been up to much have I???  What have you all been up to?? Can't wait to catch up! =)

Keep on keepin' on

I know I've been a bit quiet lately, not only on my own blog but on commenting, responding to comments and general email chitchat.  I'm going through a quiet, reflective period in my life. 

As many of you already know, my hubby is currently deployed to Iraq.  I certainly am familiar with deployments and separations.  We've been through multiple deployments and even when he's "home" he's never really "home" (fellow military wives know what I mean.)  My husband has been gone almost 3 and a half of the last 5 years.  Yes 5, that is not a typo.  It can be tough, but you get used to it quickly.

We recently hit the 12 month mark time frame that he's been gone, this is the time when normally he would be home.  For me, the 12 month mark was like running full speed into a brick-wall you never saw coming.  It was painful, I never expected it to throw me off balance as it did.  I've had other friends in the same situation who went through the same thing also say that the 12 month mark was hard for them.  The good news however is that when he comes home this time, after out-processing and all that by the end of summer, he'll be home for good.  That sounds so nice I'm going to say it again, for good. 

I come from a long line of procrastinators which may seem funny when I say I'm not a patient person.  When there is a decision to be made I like to review my options and make it quickly.  When he returns it means he's going to get a regular job, that we'll most likely move again even though I just moved less than a year ago to NC, but this time it should be permanent.  It means that we'll be settled down, that we'll be getting on with the rest of our life.  And I'm anxious.  I'm anxious to start making those decisions, to make plans and I'm having a very hard time standing still, being patient for that time to come.

Decluttering in it's own way has been cathartic for me, I've moved so many times that I know that I don't love much of this stuff enough to drag it around again.  I'm working hard to simplify and refocus my life so I can enjoy the big things without sweating the small stuff.

I've also been reflecting on what is important to me in my own life and rethinking what I want to spend my time and energy on.  Instead of doing things just because I've always done them I want to reassess -

• are they making me happy?
• do I enjoy doing them?
• if not - then why do them?

Obviously some things you "have" to do even if you don't enjoy them but I've found that you can keep those to a minimum.  Even cleaning is simpler now with decluttering.  There is quite simply, less things to keep clean, less things to put away and a place for everything.  I recently finished up my closet and bathroom cabinets and it feels so good!  I'd be happy to share tips if anyone is interested.

I'm trying to slow down, to find happiness in the little things - getting up early to sit outside and watch the sun come up with my dogs.  Curled up in a chair reading a book.  I'm even rethinking my knitting projects, trying to focus on those that bring me enjoyment.  Anything I feel like I have to slog on is out the door and I'm having fun casting on, on a whim, just because.  Try it, you'll enjoy it. =)

Anyhow - so you'll have to forgive my silence for a bit longer as I begin to refocus, to re-find my voice and discover anew who I am and who I want to be. 

I finished Tiramisu - it was a lovely, easy crochet project that I would highly recommend for a beginning crocheter' (is that even a word? ;)  It took me a long time to find the perfect, coordinating ribbon, in a lovely slate grey.  I don't have a recipient in mind so for now it goes into my gift cabinet until the perfect opportunity comes along.  Ravelry details here.

I also cast-on for a lovely little scarf.  It's a kit and the yarn is hand-dyed by Kim (woolen rabbit) and the pattern is from Ann. I love, love, love this beautiful, cheery green colorway.  And for knitted lace (patterning every row instead of a rest row) this is a fast knit.  (Ravelry details here)

I must say I miss chatting with you all - I hope all is well with all of you! =)  Happy Thursday!

 

Mindfulness in the Craft Room

Thanks everyone so much for all the lovely, mindful comments!  I'm afraid life has gotten away from me again from responding to them as I would have liked, I'm a little (lot) busy at work, and with another work trip coming up, MIL visiting for 3 weeks and a variety of other stuff I don't want to discuss here things are not slowing down anytime soon! =)  Every one of your items is a inspiration to me, and I'm filled with all sorts of lovely, mindful ideas that I can't wait to try out!

In the meantime I've been "decluttering" my craft room *sigh*.  It's exhausting.  What I did was pull everything out, everything from the closet went on the floor.  All my yarn and fiber went on the guest bed.  I cleaned everything and scrubbed all the cabinets, shelves and desks and then only allowed items back in the room that I really enjoy or had a plan for using.  Yarn, fabric and fiber went back in pretty fast.  I did have about 3 boxes of yarn that I didn't have plans for and wasn't speaking to me so I'm going to pass them on to new owners.(Angelika, check your mailbox!) =) ;)

When I was done I was still left with that giant pile in the middle of the room.  Everything in the closet was mostly "misc" crafts.  You know, the other crafts that you've tried and then abandoned?  Beads, calligraphy, 15 pillow forms, 3 bags of polyfill, extra, old fabric in patterns I would never wear.  Rubber stamps, embossing powder, glitter glue, markers and paper (I can't draw to save my life), 3 boxes of ink pens, tracing paper, coloring books, half-done projects stuffed in a drawer, etc, etc, etc. 

Plus the magazines, oh the magazines!  I like to tear out pages to save ideas for later and then I stuff them in a drawer if I don't get around to cutting them out and gluing them in my inspiration book.  Needless to say they pile up quickly.

Cleaning out my craft room is hard.  I have a hard time letting it go.  Every little bit of it is a part of my craft history which was changed and evolved to bring me to the type of crafter I am today.  I know now I love fiber and yarn, I adore knitting and can't picture my life without it.  I love spinning.  I love dyeing fiber and carding fiber and making battlets. I love sewing.  It's important to me to be able to sew with a machine and by hand.  I enjoy embroidery, even though I'm not very good at it yet.

But when I started, I didn't know any of those things.  My mom got me started early, ever since I can remember we crafted together but we didn't do any of the things I do now.  We painted, traced, beaded, rubber stamped (a lot!), glued, and paper mache'd our way to fun stuff.  I baby sat other children as soon as I was old enough and I always brought a backpack full of crafty fun from my craft room to play with them and they loved it!  I was always a favorite babysitter. 

I've been moving and carrying this stuff around for so long and I realized it's time to just let it go. 

Declutter.

It's time to give it to a new generation of crafters so they can find something they enjoy doing.  What I did was pile up boxes and boxes of stuff and let my nieces pick through. 

Those bags and bags of stamps?  On to a happy new home!  The bead loom, beading kits, markers, pens and misc stuff that helped me find my inner crafter?  Gone!  I hope it will help them find their own creative muses and find the right crafts for them.  And hey - if it's knitting I'll be there in a heartbeat to teach them! ;)

My craft room is almost finished and it feels so light and airy in there now, stepping in there makes me happy.  I'm so happy I cleaned it out.

Aside from decluttering I've been busy.  I spun up some beautiful (if I do say so myself!) yarn from my Deep End of the Ocean battlets.  This is a dk/sportweight, 260 yards, 3.7 oz and very, very soft and oh so pretty! I love this colorway!  If you are interested in this colorway I have just enough on my worktable to make another set and I'm happy to custom card it for you.

I also am part of the May Day sock swap.  I haven't talked much about my sock here,  I ran into some issues when I ordered yarn (3 colors of dream in color smooshy).  The colors that arrived were NOT what I was expecting so I had to let it marinate for awhile until I could decide what it wanted to be.  Happily I'm making progress.  This is the embossed leaves socks.  I love knitting this - it's beautiful, fun and best of all knits up quickly!  These are going to be some cushy socks!

Happy Monday!

Being Mindful

I got back on the horse literally and figuratively speaking this week, I had another lesson on Tuesday and that went well.  I felt pretty good and did some jumping and even though my legs were burning by the end it was good, a good kind of working my muscles kind of burning.  I really appreciate all the well wishes, thank you so much!  I was lucky, no major bruises and although I tweaked my neck a bit and it's been hurting and aggravated a bit when I sit at a computer, no major injuries to speak of. =)

Anyhow - so as I'm getting back to speed I haven't been doing much knitting but I did want to talk to you a bit about being "mindful."  Something that's been bouncing around in my brain for a long time.

I hear people talk a lot about their resolutions at the beginning of every year as if January 1 is going to wipe their slate clean and all the things they've ever wanted to accomplish will be possible right in that instant of the clock striking 12.

Rather than resolutions, every year I try to choose a word or thought that kind of epitomizes what I hope to accomplish or what's on my mind at a particular time.  The word kind of chooses itself, I let things marinate in the back of my skull until the same word keeps jumping out and out at me and that becomes my "mantra" for the year.  Now you may be thinking that a mantra sounds like a serious word, but the intent of it is not really so serious.  I like having a word, thought or idea that expresses to me, in a single instance what I hope to accomplish.  I can keep it on my brain and it will spur me to action.

As you may have noticed by the title, my thought, my mantra, this year is "being mindful."

Being mindful means different things to different people.  To me it means that I'm aware of the things that I do and the choices I make.  I suppose I should back up for a second, and start at the beginning.  That's the best place to start isn't it?

Gradually last year I began to notice that I started to feel a bit out of balance.  Work-life balance, home-cleaning balance, family-time balance, health-life balance, financial-personal balance, there are so many things that we're balancing day to day aren't we? 

They're all intertwined- our small, day to day choices can affect our health balance, our financial balance and even the environment which I'll call our earth-life balance.  As an example- an item that we chose to buy costs us money right?  It affects our financial balance?  However it also affects the earth as well, say for instance if it's a coffee, it can be the disposable cup that we throwaway or even the source of the global resources put into the cup, the coffee, the milk, the sugar, etc.  Even if we buy things that we take home and use, these items can even affect our personal balance as well as our financial and earth balance.

"Stuff" costs us, more than we're aware.  Once we lay out money to spend to purchase an item we're tied up in the emotional clutter of taking care of it, insuring it, making sure it's not broken and we're even emotionally tied up in getting rid of the item, or not, after it's come to the end of it's usefulness.  I know I've mentioned I've been spring cleaning lately but it's really deeper than that, it's figuring out what's valuable to you, and being aware of the cost of your financial clutter.  Both of those links are life-changing articles - I highly recommend a read. =)

I suppose this is a complicated way of saying that I'm choosing - I'm making a decision to be more mindful on what I buy, using what I have and the balance my choices impact not only personally, financially, but also on an environmental level.

I'm choosing to re-balance and reconnect my life to the world around me and I'm choosing to tread lightly upon the earth.

Some of the ways I've started choosing include -

• Purchasing quality over quantity
• Using what I have
• Decluttering my home and putting items I no longer use into reuse in other functions (towels, clothes, etc) or choosing to donate or sell extra items rather than throwing them away to reduce my impact on the earth
• After decluttering being mindful of the items I invite into my home
  
  • Do they bring me joy or happiness when I look at them?
  • Are they useful, functional items
  • How are the items made, what materials were used and who made them?
    • Was the labor fair?
    • How was the environment affected by the creation of this item?
• No more plastic bottles - I have 1 sigg bottle which I just love and I haven't purchased plastic bottles in over a year.  If you must purchase, please recycle
• Being mindful in the car that I choose and its gas usage
• Choose to replace old appliances with more energy/water efficient ones
  
  • I got the chance when our old washer and dryer bit the dust at Christmas.  It really does use less water!
• Being mindful of using towels more in the kitchen than paper towels
• Replacing all my fixtures, not just shower heads with low water use ones, including aerators on all my sink fixtures and kitchen. 
  
  • In 1 month my water usage dropped in half by this change alone
• I want to know where my food comes from and eat less processed food
  • I've joined a CSA for fruit and veggies
  • I recently started buying all my meat and poultry local including eggs
  • It's important to me to know how my food is treated and what I'm putting into my mouth
  • This ties into eating seasonally and locally, both important items that I'm being mindful of
  • This ties into my making my own bread and pasta now, from scratch
  • Funny point - hubby was so worried about only bringing whole foods into our home, nothing processed (something I often refer to as clean eating) that he bought me a book on how to make icecream!  =)  Yep the first thing on his mind was, icecream! =)
• Recycling as much as I possibly can
• Purchasing a rain barrel to remove my impact on local water for my plants outdoors (NC is currently in a big drought)
• Using more natural cleaning products (as old ones run out I've been buying Seventh Generation, I like their motto and they clean good!
• I stopped using body wash (and I used to love body wash) because of the excessive packaging.  Don't worry, I switched to soap. ;)  Same goes for body pouf's, it finally occurred to me that those little things are made of plastic, out of oil!  Who wants to be rubbing ourselves with that when we're knitters and crafters?  I'm making my own! =)  I'll share some patterns for this soon.
• And many, many more things that I can't think of right now...

Ways I would like to become more mindful-

• Starting a compost pile and reducing more waste
• Make the switch to reusable bags away from plastic or paper! (this is so tough, but very important to me!) =)

It's not about being "perfect" what ever that is, it's about being mindful of the choices that you make and their impact on you and the earth itself.  I have many many times that I've fallen down or haven't made the best choice, but I make the choice that is right for me at the time and that's important.

I would love some inspiration, crafty folks are so wonderful I know many of you are doing many of these things and more.  How are you choosing to be mindful in your own life?  Will you join me in choosing?

In the meantime I'm enjoying a stack of knitting books as I mull over choices and opportunities for next knits and a little bit of mindful/mindless crochet as well.  It's fun to mull. =)