Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Words and Wool

It's our latest winter storm!!! The kids are really enjoying the snow because the temperatures are not too cold! And, they got up early to get their schoolwork done before I was up so that they could spend the day outside!


Which was very providential because I am behind on getting ready for my craft class that begins tomorrow. Homeschool Group starts up again and I am teaching a class to Jr. High and Highschool girls -- six weeks, six crafts. I do love this age group so much and hope that we will have six very fun weeks together!


Working on the next order of flowers. Lots of deadlines this week.......


And when I can, I weave the ends into another square or two. Believe me, my mind is going absolutely crazy with things I could be knitting or sewing. The possibilities are endless and it is frustrating to only work on one thing at a time. :) But, must not let myself go crazy so I will stick with this for now.


I have the same problem with reading that I have with needle arts: far too many options float through my mind and onto my bookshelf and bed stand. And, it's one of those weeks where I haven't had much time to read (hmmmm....maybe those deadlines are to blame).

One evening a week is currently devoted to Downton Abbey and Sherlock.

Sherlock: Season Three was good! Certainly impressed that they managed to keep the story going and by the end of the final episode I was quite pleased with how the writers had made everything work out. I also find it very fun that they got "Watson's" wife in real life to play his wife in the series!!! (And, apparently, "Sherlock's" parents in real life play his parents in the show too!)

Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey by Emma Rowley -- making little tiny steps of progress in this if I can get a minute to sit down during various stages of dinner prep. Not really happening...... but really looking forward to spending more time with this!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays: 140 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations by Ree Drummond. The Pioneer Woman is always a fun read. She's a bit like an American version of Nigella Lawson -- if you don't push the comparison too far. I love books centered around holidays although I feel like Ree decided on her outline and went and found a bunch of recipes to fit rather than sharing her own traditions (although she does that too!). Hoping to find a few recipes to try out this month.....


Longbourn by Jo Baker. Still working on this. I think it would be more enjoyable if I had bigger chunks of reading time (this seems to be a theme...). Still, I think it is well written though Jane Austen was more delicate in the way she describes some things.


A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L'Engle -- I finally opened this up again. I was stuck in the middle after our trip last fall. I enjoy L'Engle, even though she is "out-of-the-box". She makes me think and I like that. And she often has very good observations on life and helpful quotes.

Well, time for me to go back to working on my craft class. For more ideas on knitting and reading, visit Ginny's yarn a long.

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10 comments:

Donna said...

That's one good thing about this snowfall - it's not horrible cold. Looks like a lot of creative things going on in your home. That's awesome!

elizabeth said...

always love seeing what you are doing; wow; you live in a beautiful areas; those houses! your work is very beautiful; it can be hard to be patient, can't it? God bless and keep you!

PS: I love L'Engle too; yep, she gets it perhaps a bit wrongly at times, if one is to say it that way, but she has a lot of wisdom and has been a real blessing in my life via her books for many years.... I love Elizabeth Goudge even more... have you read Kathleen Norris? I just finished this one and just LOVED it... http://www.amazon.com/The-Quotidian-Mysteries-22Womens-Spirituality/dp/0809138018

have a wonderful day!

elizabeth said...

Oh, do let me know about the C. Cookson... sounds good... I have not read DE Stevenston either... hmmmm... so much to do and well, we know how much time! :) tell me if you get the K. Norris book ... hope you liked it as I did! :) I found it to be very encouraging...

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I bought the new PW cookbook for Elisabeth's birthday, she absolutely loved it. I've now given her all three for various birthdays. Cookbooks are what she asks for.

I looked through it before sending and while it looked like it had some good recipes, I still like her original cookbook most of all. I think that's where she put a lot of her family recipes she uses a lot.

I will send the two books to you when I can actually get into town and run errands. Living in the country has disadvantages when it snows so much.

Love L'Engle, I was just perusing that book last week after having read it a couple of times.

harmony and rosie said...

Your photo of the children playing in the snow is lovely. Tell me about having lots of things to check off the list and going nowhere fast .. do you remember Bewitched? I wish I could wiggle my nose and have all the boring chores done so I could have more me time!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment about my cardi, Heather.
Happy crafting x

willow said...

Lots of snow. We haven't seen any this winter so far but then the country is struggling with so much storm and flood damage, I don't think we would have the resources to cope with snow as well. I am waiting for spring and hoping everywhere will dry out again.

HeatherMavis said...

Hi Heather Friend,
I know exactly what you mean about all those projects you dream up while working another. It is frustrating to think I may actually forget the ideas. Sometimes I feel like I'll never get around to them.
I love it that your kids got out to play in the snow but most of all that they got their school work done FIRST.
I sooo LIKE - okay - LOVE the colors of your afghan - as well as the design. It's going to be gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

The photo of the kids outside in the snow made me think at first that they were all working hard at clearing the driveway, like a little band of snowsuited Oompa Loompas.

I read through the four Madeleine L'Engle books in that autobiographical series and found so much in them that is challenging and inspirational.

Keep warm!

Unknown said...

I too have trouble focusing on just one project at a time. I watched Sherlock season 3 and want to see season 4 NOW. :)

Stephanie said...

Looking forward to seeing this FO! And craft class with the girls sounds fun.