I am "older" than I thought I was yesterday

Back when David was still taking his EMT course, before he graduated, I told him that, as a treat for graduating and being hired as an EMT, he could upgrade to a smart phone.  (This was sort of a treat for me as well, since we would stop using my parents' family plan and I would upgrade myself -- in my defense I got a smaller, less expensive smart phone with fewer bells and whistles, but more about that later)  We waited until after Christmas and bided our time until we had enough in the budget to spend, and then went to Verizon.  Eight days, one order form, and one crazy trip to a FedEx facility (because I had to sign for the package, and I wasn't home when they came to get it), David now owns a Droid Bionic, and I own a Samsung Stratosphere.

This phone is not mine.

(I got this phone solely for the sliding typepad -- I am going over to the digital keypad kicking and screaming.)

I've had this phone for about 12 hours, and in that time I have realized that I am old.  The concept of a "smart phone" is awesome -- I love the idea that I can check email and Facebook, have a GPS (finally), read Kindle books -- everything! -- on my phone.  But I am having a bitch of a time figuring it all out!  I set the alarm on my phone last night for 6:45 AM, and set the phone to vibrate.  At 6:45 this morning, David and I were awoken to an ear-pitching screech from the phone, and I could NOT figure out how to turn it off.  I think I've figured it out now.  I hope so at least.

ANYWAY, one of the reasons why I'm bringing up the phone is the reason why I don't have a picture for you of what I'm reading and knitting for today's Yarn Along!  I unfortunately don't have an SD card yet (I'm going to pick one up today after work) and I can't take photos with this phone.  SO.  You'll have to imagine that this Jaywalker sock:

...has a completed cuff, leg, and part of the heel flap done.  I really disliked the Noro Kureyon Sock at first -- the colors are beautiful, but the yarn felt rough between my fingers -- but now that I'm knitting back and forth on just the heel flap, I feel like I'm getting more used to it.  I have a feeling that the yarn is going to "bloom" and become beautiful when these are washed and blocked for the first time, at least I have hopes.  I also love that I'm finally knitting with the blue section (seen above) -- it's the major reason why I bought this colorway in the first place.

As for the book, I'm still plugging away on Tatiana and Alexander, by Paullina Simons.  I'm more than halfway through it, and I have to admit that as much as I liked The Bronze Horseman (click for my review), I am LOVING Tatiana and Alexander that much more.  There is much more backstory -- I felt that TBH left in a lot of loopholes about Alexander's background and how he came to be where he was in the Soviet Union, and this book definitely fills in those gaps.  I'm loving it.

Four more days until we leave for the cruise!  I still need to buy all of my school books, obtain a new university ID card (with my new last name on it), find my camera charger, buy an SD card, do two loads of laundry, clean the apartment, get my guinea pig to my parents' house, and pack all of our things.  David is working 5 AM - 1 PM tomorrow, so most of the errands will be done then, but all of the laundry and packing will be done on Friday - Saturday, when he's working two double-shifts both days.  Argh.  So much left to do!

But after walking to work this morning in 11 degree weather, I'm looking more forward to sunny Florida and Mexico than I ever imagined.

Yarn Along! (Last of 2011)

It's Wednesday again, and I'm participating in the weekly Yarn Along over with Ginny at Small Things.  It's getting close to the end of the year, and I'm pouring on the burn with my last book.

Nicholas and Alexandra is an amazing book; I've read it before but not this year.  Continuing with my "Russian winter", I'm reading the biography of the last Tsar of Russia and his wife, who were deposed when the country moved over to communism and became the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  I started reading it on Sunday and I am on page 310 right now, of 532.  Two hundred and twenty-two pages to go, and three days.  I can do it.

The socks are Jaywalkers by Grumperina, a sock that pretty much everyone in the knitting community tries.  It is a quicker work than I am giving it credit for; I knit much slower when I knit in pattern.  It's one round of pattern, then one round of plain stockinette, and I'm sure a speedier knitter would be a lot further along than I.  I'm also really not as crazy about the yarn as I thought I was when I bought it -- it's Noro Kureyon Sock, and it's thinner and coarser than Silk Garden Sock.  Beautiful colors though.

What are you reading or knitting?

Yarn Along! November 30, 2011 edition

I hope that you all had very happy Thanksgivings (at least all of you Americans -- if you live in Canada, I hope your October Thanksgiving was equally as merry), and that you're all avoiding the holiday stress!  David and I are banging out our shopping, a little each night (I love Amazon.com and Shutterfly, just have to say).  And the Christmas knitting, of course, continues...I really need to get a better grip on it.  Each day I look at the stash and think "I could totally pull that off in the remaining few days..."

My friend Jess holds an annual Yule party (since we are all of different religions, and not all of our friends necessarily celebrate the traditional "Christmas"), and this year, it's on December 10th, which means that I have much less time than usual for knitting.  I'm working on each gift a little at a time, to avoid burnout.  Although I can hardly feel burned out when I'm working with such gorgeous yarns as these!

On the left is the first of a pair of fingerless mitts (my own "pattern", if you can call it that -- I work it over 40 stitches, 1x1 ribbing for the wrists and then simple stockinette, with an afterthought thumb and probably 1x1 ribbing for the top -- thrilling, I know).  The yarn is gorgeous Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in "dove" -- I used it for a hat earlier this year, if it looks familiar.  The needles (for those who care) are US 4 dpns.

On the right is my favorite yarn probably of all time -- Trabajos del Peru in "9" (thrilling name).  I'm making it into a winter hat for a very dear male friend of mine and David's who helped me through a tough spot this past year and deserves a soft winter hat.  I hope he likes it (and that he isn't peeking at this page).  Again, simple pattern -- US 8 circular, 2x2 rib, stockinette to the decreases.  

This will be part of Ginny's Yarn Along, and it wouldn't be without reference to the book I'm reading (sadly, not included in the picture).  I'm in the middle of Janet Fitch's White Oleander (reread) and enjoying it as much now as I did the first time I read it.

Happy knitting!

Yarn Along! (11/16/2011)

It's been a really long time since I've participated in a Yarn Along over on Ginny's blog.  But today I'm going to!  I've been rolling out the Christmas/Yule knitting, and I have some WIPs today that I'm photographing.

To the left, you see the ETERNAL socks that I've been working on for-freakin'-ever...but they are mere rows away from slapping a toe on them and being done done DONE.  The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in "Cattywhompus".  Knit on US 2 dpns, they are coming out far too small for my own size 9.5 feet...but they will be a Yule gift for a dear friend of mine who has tiny feet that they will fit.  I think she'll love the color scheme as well.

To the right is the humble beginnings of The Giant Sock Yarn Blankie.  There are five squares knit together, but I have two more in my bag that I've put on hold for now, since I'm doing the Christmas knitting.  I have several other gifts I have to do, so I'm doing pretty much a square a day or less for now.  But I discovered a whole bunch more of sock yarn in my stash, so I'm going to be knitting on this quite a lot, I think, over the next few months.  It never seems to get old.

As for my book, I'm reading A Man For All Seasons, by Robert Bolt.  It is a play about Saint Thomas More, the chancellor and statesman under Henry VIII, during the last few years of his life.  It's very good so far -- I'm almost halfway through -- and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Happy Hump Day!

Yarn Along -- September 14, 2011

I haven't participated in a Yarn Along in several months.  And this is why:

Yeah.  Same damn socks.  Although this is a change, since for the past month or so I've been churning out baby hats.  But I'm done with the baby hats (for now) so we're back to the socks.  Which will be finished.  Eventually.

They are still made from STR Socks that Rock Lightweight in "Cattywhompus".  

For my book, I am reading Shogun by James Clavell -- actually a re-read (I read it for the first time when I was 20 or so).  This book is fantastic.  If you like historical fiction and Japanese culture, this is the book for you.  It's long -- 1200+ pages -- and some parts of it can be a little dry, but really, it's fantastic.  The miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain is all kinds of wonderful as well.  I admit that even though he's gay, I still have a little crush on Richard Chamberlain.

From yourtrailer.net

 In other news, I turned 28 on Monday, and it was more or less a good day.  Granted, I had work in the morning (boo) but other than that, it was very laid-back and relaxed.  I'm not really a "birthday-party" sort of person, and spending the day with my husband, picking apples at the local orchard and eating fantastic Thai food was pretty much exactly how I wanted to spend my first day being 28.

If you live in CT and you like inexpensive, delicious Thai food, this is a great place to go for it:

From Patch.com

I'm trying to figure out the best way to spend the multiple gift cards I received from my parents and Christina for my birthday.  I need to buy a bathing suit before we go on the cruise in January, so I'm thinking that's where some of the money is going to go.  Three months, three weeks, and a few days to go!  I can't wait.

Yarn Along! June 15, 2011

Every week, I participate in the Yarn Along over at Ginny's blog, small things.  This week, I'm still waiting on a shipment of books that I ordered from Amazon, but I'm still keeping busy!

Look, it's an almost-finished sock!  I am LOVING Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight.  I bought this skein from WEBS in Northampton, MA, back before Christmas, and it is seriously a treat to knit up.  It's going super fast, and I'm hoping to start the other one today.  

While I'm waiting for my books to come, I'm treating myself to one of my favorite books, and my favorite biography of all time, The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir.  For the Tudor fanatic, this book is PHENOMENAL.  It reads, in parts, like a novel instead of a biography, and the detailing in research is fantastic.  This was my first Alison Weir read, and it is by far my favorite.

Tonight: Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  David and I are cheering on Boston (of course).  Hoping for a win!

Yarn Along! June 8th, '11 edition

Ginny over at Small Things is hosting her weekly Yarn Along, celebrating reading and knitting (her two favorite things -- as well as mine!).  This week, I'm finally showing something new.

And it's NOT a baby item!

With all the baby knitting finally off the needles, I'm knitting something grown-up (well, sort of; don't let the color fool you).  This is a sock (56 stitches on US 2 needles) made of Socks that Rock Lightweight in Cattywhompus.  This is my first time using STR lightweight, and I LOVE IT.  I'm definitely going to be buying more of this yarn in the future.  Best of all, it's not splitty.  I hate splitty yarn when I'm knitting socks.

I'm reading Shine by Lauren Myracle, the story of a small town's reaction to the brutal assault of a teenager.  It's good.  Not grabbing me in like Divergent did, unfortunately...but you can't win 'em all.  It's still good.

Yarn Along! June 1st Edition

Happy June!  Memorial Day weekend is throwing off my whole schedule -- in a good way!  I keep thinking that it's earlier in the week than it is (I will totally accept that).  I even forgot that today was Yarn Along day!

The parade of baby hats continues!  This is five of five -- the last baby hat (at least for awhile, thankfully -- I almost wrote "baby hate" and that pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about baby garments right now).  At least hats go quickly.  The yarn is some Manos del Uraguay Silk Blend (70% merino, 30% silk) in 3019 Dove colorway.  I love it, it's so soft and squishy!  Perfect for a baby.

I'm waiting on one of my book clubs to come to a decision about what the June pick is going to be, so after finishing a book last night, I picked up one that I've read quite a few times, but that I love -- Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.  I read this for the first time in the summer of '04, between my junior and senior years of college, and I fell in love with it.  It's a great piece of historical fiction that I highly recommend.

This is going to be a rare two-post day, since I just finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter and want to give it justice with a full review.  Look for another post later!

Yarn Along! May 25, 2011 edition

It's been FOREVER since I participated in a Wednesday Yarn Along!  This was mainly due to my complete lack of inspiration (and being stuck on the same pair of socks forever).  But the socks are finished, and I figured it was time to get back into the game (seeing as my blog is called "Read, Knit, Blog" and I haven't knit in forever).

I started the Lady Bertram Shawlette last night (against my better judgment), but I didn't get far before I decided it was getting late and I should really be getting to bed.  For the record -- learning a garter-tab cast on?  Sucks.  I recommend Youtube.  Suffice to say, I managed the cast on after two attempts, and am ready to start the actual knitting later today.  

Several months ago (yes, before David and I were married), I started knitting him Elizabeth Zimmerman's Seamless Sweater (yes, I am aware of the sweater curse, but considering how slowly I knit, I figured we'd be married long before it was done, and I was right).  I got cold feet and put it aside sometime in August (also, I was bogged down with wedding planning).  Picked it up this morning and realized that it is right around the mid-chest area, and I am about six inches away from needing to put it aside to do the sleeves.  I'm making it out of (what else?) Cascade 220 in the "irelande" shade (appropriate considering that David is very Irish, as is our last name).

As for my book, I'm reading The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, which I picked up at Borders the other day (oh shush, I had a 40% off coupon).  I'm about halfway through; so far, so good.  It's a little difficult to get into (like Frank McCourt, Aimee Bender doesn't use quotation marks, so that's fun) but the premise -- a story about a girl who can taste the emotions of the people who prepare the food she eats -- is an interesting one.  I will probably be done with it within a day or two.  Depending on how the hockey playoffs go (go Bruins!) and how much time I'm willing to put aside my knitting.

Happy Wednesday!

Yarn Along Wednesday! (3/2)

It's Yarn Along time!  Every Wednesday, I (try, at least) to join in on the Yarn Along happening over at Ginny's blog, small things.  The objective is to take a picture of what you are currently reading and knitting, together, and then post it to your blog.  Then link your post to the Yarn Along, and everyone can see what everyone else is reading and knitting.

Yeah, I feel like a complete follower here...but I'm knitting Ginny's newborn hat with a hint of lace for one of the many babies to be born in the next few months.  Knitting it out of (what else?) Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (too lazy to look up the link today).

I joined the Jane Eyre "Read the Book, See the Movie" challenge on Goodreads, so that's what I am reading at present.  Somehow I managed to avoid reading Jane Eyre in high school and college, and even though some people (like my sister) tell me it's  horrific, I really wanted to read it for myself.  I downloaded it for free on my Kindle, and I'm about 25% through with it, with a goal to finish by March 11, the date of the film's release.  I do look forward to seeing the film, I like Mia Wasinowski (she of Alice in Wonderland fame) and I think she'll do a wonderful job as Jane in the new movie.

Other than that, today is...going to be insane.  David came home last night in searing pain from a wisdom tooth, so we're waiting until the dentist opens at 8 AM to see if they can get him in right away to pull that thing out.  *sigh*  Never a dull moment, right?

Yarn Along Wednesday!

My God, has it really been a week since I posted?  My apologies, guys.  I'll explain more after the obligatory yarn post!

It's Yarn Along time!  Every Wednesday, I (try, at least) to join in on the Yarn Along happening over at Ginny's blog, small things.  The objective is to take a picture of what you are currently reading and knitting, together, and then post it to your blog.  Then link your post to the Yarn Along, and everyone can see what everyone else is reading and knitting.

This is a picture of why the blog has been silent for a straight week.  There hasn't been much going on.  But I did finish one of the Noro socks that I was working on the last time we met.

The book is still the same too -- Churchill's History of the English-Speaking People, Vol. 1, The Birth of Britain.  BUT BUT BUT.  I AM ALMOST DONE (with Vol. 1, that is).  I am currently on page 392 of 500, and I am determined -- DETERMINED, I SAY -- to finish this book tonight.  I have barely any books completed for February, and this is part of the reason why.

I also confess that I jumped the gun and started a new book, on my Kindle, that I have had trouble putting down, so I have had to go on temporary hiatus from the Kindle in order to finish Churchill (which I am still loving, BTW).  More on that, when I finish Churchill.  With any luck, I will have a review for you tomorrow.  If you are still reading me, that is!

The other reason my blog has been temporarily silent is that I have been busy on my OTHER blog, which is my "married" blog about David and I planning our move (five weeks from Friday!) and our plans to renovate said apartment into a real home.  We signed and mailed the lease this morning (!) so plans are underway!  If you would like to follow up with me in my "real life" blog, Between the Bay State and the Big Apple, feel free!

More tomorrow, I promise!

Yarn Along Wednesday!

It's Yarn Along time!  Every Wednesday, I (try, at least) to join in on the Yarn Along happening over at Ginny's blog, small things.  The objective is to take a picture of what you are currently reading and knitting, together, and then post it to your blog.  Then link your post to the Yarn Along, and everyone can see what everyone else is reading and knitting.

 

I'm working on a plain, standard sock, of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn, which is by far my favorite sock yarn. This is my second pair of socks made with Noro, and I love how they knit up really thick and bulky -- the way I feel a knitted winter sock should feel!  It knits up thick and thin, in some places more like a sport weight than a sock weight, but I love it.  I'm knitting on US 2's.  This is the first of two socks, and it's taking me awhile to finish them because it is a standard sock pattern and can get a little boring at times.

The book is my "white whale", A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, Volume I, "The Birth of Britain" by Winston Churchill.  I'm over halfway through, reading about the reign of King Edward I (the guy who was the king of England in the movie "Braveheart", which sort of (well, more like completely) bastardized his reign.  It's very good so far.  I'm hoping to be done with Volume I by this weekend.

Happy knitting and reading!

Yarn Along!

It's Wednesday, and we're halfway to the weekend!  That's enough reason for excitement.  We're in the midst of another cold snap in CT (brrr) but fortunately, the sun is shining and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day, even if it doesn't melt any more of the snow.  Even better, it looks as if the snowstorm predicted for tomorrow is going to go right past us, without hitting us.  I'm so happy.  We might get through one whole week without a snow day!

Today, I'm participating in the Yarn Along over at Ginny's blog.  Participants take a picture of what they're knitting and reading, and upload it to their blog.  Then Ginny posts the links on her blog, so we reading knitters can all see what other people are reading and knitting.  Get that?  Good.

I'm knitting (what else?) a baby hat for one of the many babies that are coming into the world this year in my extended family.  It's not one of the hats in that entry; this one's going to be a little more subdued.  I'm knitting it out of a skein of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% merino wool, 33% microfibre, 12% cashmere), in what I think is color 002 (as the Yarn Harlot would say, bewitching name) -- I lost the ball band a while ago.  I love this yarn for baby garments; it's super-soft and bouncy.  Plus it's easy on the fingers.

As for reading?  I know you can't get a good idea from just looking at the attractive apple green cover of my Kindle, Annabelle Lee.

After finishing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and enjoying it very much, I downloaded its sequel, Through The Looking Glass and started it last night.  I'm more than halfway done with it.  I like it, although not as much as I liked Alice.  There are more characters (many who don't last more than a page or two) and the settings change quite often, which isn't surprising, as she's now in Looking Glass World (where everything is backwards), so it can be a bit more confusing than the first.  But I'm really enjoying it.

Also, I finally saw the Tim Burton version of Through The Looking Glass last night -- more about that when I finish the book!