Tell me something ~ a contest
By Sarah | January 2, 2009
I’m in a tizzy. An organizing tizzy. Not sure if it’s the beginning of a new year, the end of an old one, the season or just the fact that I’ve been all work and travel and not enough time at home – could that be what is making me obsessed with getting things “just so” in the house? Next week it’s back to the dye pots in a huge way, so this weekend I’m scurrying about the house getting things just the way I like them. Isn’t it such a great feeling to have put your house (or even just a room or a bookcase, for that matter) together and know that everything is in its place? Well, that’s what I’m going for this weekend.
But, it’s been so long and there is so much to catch-up on. We’ll just have to take it one post at a time, ok? There was a trip to the other side of the lake (again, it’s an annual thing!) a stop in Chicago on the way home, weather (don’t even get me started on the weather), some knitting, food, lot’s of food.
What have you all been up to? What are you knitting now? What are you cooking/baking? Dreaming of Spring? Tell me, I’m dying to know. And, because I’ve missed you all so much I think it’s time for a contest. All you need do is tell me what you are up to and/or have been up to, really, anything. I’ll pick an entry (randomly, of course!) and you will get a skein of sock yarn. Comments will be open until Tuesday, January 6th at Midnight, Eastern.
Spent some time organizing my bookshelf…… here is my 1938 edition of Gone With The Wind – I love that book, though I only ever look at the spine, as I’m too afraid to touch it for fear of it falling apart.
These books just make me smile. What books make you smile?
134 Comments
Jessica on January 5, 2009 at 9:52 am.
I’m knitting lots of cowls for January birthday’s and I too am in the organizing mood!
travelita on January 5, 2009 at 10:36 am.
Nice blog design.
Close to casting on Bed Sock in Lemon Pattern using Jitterbug. Making up a packaged Shiro (white) Miso soup mix and adding pieces of Aloha Baked SprouTofu to kick it up for breakfast. Finished up with a clean sweep by scanning all my photos and docs (paperless!) and cleared closets and cupboards (donations!). Happy New Year 2009!
jen on January 5, 2009 at 10:56 am.
knitting, organizing, baking, just getting everything started for the year!
Becky on January 5, 2009 at 11:13 am.
Hey, I have that same edition of Gone With the Wind. And I spent some time over winter break watching the movie version of it. I forgot how long that movie is!
Alicia P on January 5, 2009 at 11:37 am.
I’ve been recovering from the holidays and trying to carve out time for myself.
Jean on January 5, 2009 at 11:46 am.
Made brown bread, almost done with fingerless mittens (the last Christmas present), dreaming about what to knit next.
Krista on January 5, 2009 at 12:49 pm.
I went home to California for Christmas, and after a whirlwind of a week, came back to Virginia (my new home since June) 2 days before New Years. Since then I’ve done some major nesting… I bought a bookcase and coffee table at IKEA, fell asleep at 11 on New Years Eve, and have started on my first ’09 project… gloves for my boyfriend’s mother!
knitography on January 5, 2009 at 12:49 pm.
I’m currently knitting Little Birds and have been for approximately forever, so I’m dreaming of casting on new things! With my post holiday shopping spree yarn!
Jennifer on January 5, 2009 at 1:29 pm.
I knitted (twice actually as I messed up the first time) brooklyntweed’s Porom. I love it! Since then, I have had trouble starting something new…I’m to worst project starter.
Brenda on January 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm.
Like you, I’m feeling the need to get things in order. It’s been catch as catch can while I’ve spent the last week in frenzied activity with the Rose Parade. I volunteered at Bandfest, a pre-parade band exhibition, managed the media photographers at the parade itself, then hosted guests at the post-parade float viewing. I was so weary I couldn’t make it to the football game to see my team play. I’m re-energized though, and ready to be Mrs. Clean.
Rachel on January 5, 2009 at 5:02 pm.
January is a month for knitting for myself. I am the only one in my family without a hand knit hat. I have also want to start a shawl – I have yarns matched to patterns for at least 3. My knitting moments are about to become very brief, starting tomorrow we are pulling up ALL the carpet in our house.
Katie on January 5, 2009 at 8:08 pm.
I’m trying to finish a pair of socks for my niece. (Her birthday was in October!)
Kitten With A Whiplash on January 6, 2009 at 2:02 am.
I designed and knit a fair isle hat and now I want to start another version with a lot of modifications. Just trying to decide on the perfect yarns.
One Sheep on January 6, 2009 at 2:04 am.
I haven’t knit yet this year. My first resolution this year is to catalog the stash. It may be next year before I’m fininshed. Not that there’s that much, just that I’m that slow
Diane in Northern CA on January 6, 2009 at 3:08 am.
I am working on Valentine’s Day gifts……unfinished Christmas gifts that will magically become another gift. The list includes a couple of pair of socks (DH is still waiting for his first pair), some cowls for family and friends who live in colder climates, and a new pair of fingerless gloves to replace a missing set.
Your final photograph of books also made me smile. Ina Garten is one of my FAVORITE cookbook authors and I regularly reach for one of her cookbooks when I need “just the right dish”. If you haven’t already tried her, you may also want to check out Caprial Pence’s cookbooks. Like Ina, she creates flavorful dishes using wonderful ingredients. “Caprial’s Cafe Favorites” is my personal favorite.
Diane
Joni on January 6, 2009 at 4:21 am.
I’ve been snowed in more than we usually are in Seattle – but it has resulted in lots of knitting: handwarmers, scarves, hats and the start of another Feb Lady sweater!
jane on January 6, 2009 at 5:49 am.
Yep! I’m cleaning and organizing too!
Cazj on January 6, 2009 at 6:38 am.
Happy New Year!!!
Haven’t done any knitting since before Christmas – I think I have shell shock from all the Christmas cooking I did.Have just read Yarn Harlots blog with tales of plumbing woe – I checked my water this morning to make sure it was running in from well – it isn’t – and found I had half a tank of hot water in my cold tank. Perhaps I will go back to the knitting and de-stress before looking for a plumber.
Paula on January 6, 2009 at 7:48 am.
I spent a lovely morning in my kitchen on Sunday, making a “semi-homemade” oven-baked chicken chow mein from a recipe shared by one of my co-workers. Shall I admit to my love of anything with cream of mushroom soup?
Your colorful stack of cookbooks made me smile! The colors are so pretty. My favorites from my personal collection are the 7 books in a series written in the 1950′s by Elswyth Thane. I’ve collected the People’s Book Club editions and they have the most wonderful illustrated endpapers. She takes several families from the birth of America up through the WWII and has this lovely thread of love that lives through time.
My knitting is somewhat stalled. Two sweaters that need to be finished and I’ve not had the mindset I need to do so. Hopefully, there’s a weekend on the horizon when this will happen.
Krista on January 6, 2009 at 8:38 am.
I worked like crazy right up until Christmas night, trying to get all of my presents finished. Next up will be a pair of gloves for my boyfriends mother…eek!!! Throw in a new years resolution of working out everyday, and buying my first house….I’m exhausted!!
Andrea on January 6, 2009 at 10:24 am.
Just trying to get everything organized. Working on a little hoodie for my son. A few fingerless mitts and a blanket for my daughter. Happy New Year!
kim on January 6, 2009 at 11:20 am.
I am trying desperately to get my toddler twins back on a schedule that will work in combination with the drop off and pick up of my eldest to school. Everything is skewed by at least an hour right now and it’s driving me mad.
Erin on January 6, 2009 at 12:05 pm.
Visiting with my sister and sock knitting!
Linda on January 6, 2009 at 12:20 pm.
I am finishing a sweater called Cassidy – it has cables – I am NUTS for cables lately! I will be watching my 19 mo. old grandson a few days a week during Jan.–he’s so busy, I won’t get much knitting done. Next on my list is to clean out the laundry room – yuck!
missyjoon on January 6, 2009 at 12:44 pm.
reading . . . knitting . . . chauffering my kids . . . repeat . . .
Darcy on January 6, 2009 at 12:56 pm.
I just knit the urchin and dyed it and dyed the left over yarn from it with wiltons it turned out nice.Iam going to knit a toy for a cocoa swap Iam in then knit some hats and add 2 more skeins to my lizard ridge blanket.Iam wanting to knit shreiking toast I have never knit with cashmere and it sounds yummy.I just bought Boutique Knits love this book:)Hugs Darcy
Brenda on January 6, 2009 at 1:21 pm.
I finished all my WIP by December 31st! And, just keep visiting The Frog Pond ever since. Yes, I too get the ‘organizing bug’ every year about this time. I’ve learned – start small and REWARD ALL accomplishments! Best advice I ever got on jobs that no one wants to do – ‘Just 15 minutes a day’ – anyone can do that – and it’s amazing how things really do get done – cause we can all stand to do something/anything for 15 minutes!
Jenn on January 6, 2009 at 1:51 pm.
Happy New Year Sarah! I’ve been reading a lot! Started the Twilight series and can’t put them down… Also, a lot of kickboxing:) I have the same neediness to get everything in order around the house! lol It’s been driving me a little mad the past couple days:P
I hope all is well with you, Bob & Shelby. Miss you & Love you
Heather Outside Boston on January 6, 2009 at 2:29 pm.
I finished the back of my husband’s first sweater (John’s sweater, my first cables), and am cruising up the front. We had a good big clean up after the daughters went back home.
It’s definitely a common urge. I’m already dreaming about what my next project will be.
dani on January 6, 2009 at 3:14 pm.
I have been knitting (after a 9 month hiatus) and reading– trying to take it easy in the last few days of my pregnancy. I am due 1/9!
Chrissy on January 6, 2009 at 5:06 pm.
I’ve been knitting more sweaters than socks, which is unusual for me. I’m also working on my goal of not adding clutter to the house, regardless of how cheap an item may be.
Susan V. on January 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm.
Well, I, too, should be organizing, and I will, but it’s so much more fun to knit and read, so that’s what I’ve been up to. By the way, I loved this month’s yarn–my favorite so far, I think.
Shameka on January 6, 2009 at 7:31 pm.
I am currently knitting a pair of socks two at a time, toe up.. with the short row heel from the Nutkins pattern. I went to the Kate Jacobs book signing event at the Lion Brand Store in NYC last night. I am ready to snuggle up witt “Knit Two” and couldn’t be any happier. For food, I made quickie spaghetti with sauce and ground turkey. Mmmmm….
Marla on January 6, 2009 at 11:30 pm.
Don’t hate me but we returned January 1 from 3 weeks in Kauai. I knit a Wisp in Plucky fingering with the Xavier color and it is gorgeous. Thankfully my family is all healthy and we are happy to be home.