Ten on Tuesday

Today's Ten on Tuesday is 10 Ways to Lighten Your Mood. Sometimes this comes in very handy especially when you're around grumps or when you, yourself, feel grumpy.

1. Go Outside. Look what I found on my deck Sunday night. I haven't seen a Praying Mantis since moving to VA. Walking Cleo also helps. You can't stay mad when there's a dog or other animal involved.

2. Knit for a while. My current project is the Shetland Pi Shawl KAL. I really like how it is turning out and I hope it will be well loved.

3. Spin for a while. ES knows by the sound of the wheel what kind of day I've had and whether it's safe to talk to me or to give me a little more time before asking how the day's gone.


4. Call a friend or family member especially if they make you laugh. I have a sister who makes me laugh each time I talk with her.

5. Have a good cry. I'm always amazed at how good I feel after having a crying session. It seems like I can handle anything after a crying session.

6. Go for a massage. Yes, I need one soon!!

7. Help someone else. There's always someone worse off than yourself. You just have to go find them.

8. Watch a sunrise or sunset. There is beauty in the sun as it rises and sets which sets the tone for my day or night. One of the best things for me lately is watching the sun set as I drive home from work.

9. Read your scriptures. You can't stay mad or "blue" when reading the words of God.

10. Listen to some good music. We went Saturday night and listened to some Beatles songs. It was fun, got us singing along and feeling upbeat for the rest of the night.

That's a partial list for me. Some days one thing works better than another, but there's always something to help lighten my mood. How do you lighten your mood?

Happy knitting and spinning.

Spinning Update

I have been spinning, but definitely not dusting. My self imposed spinning for ten minutes on a couple of wheels a day is going fairly well. The first picture is the second two ounces of Yarn Pirates Heart of Gold fiber. This fiber has been my main focus when sitting down to spin each day. It is being spun on the Traditional and shouldn't be too much longer until I will be plying it. I am pretty sure it will be a two-ply for a shawl. Shawls are becoming addictive and I don't have to worry too much about gauge if I start top down.

The Scholar is being used to spin the Crosspatch Fibers which I bought in Logan. I really like how it is turning out. I like the nubbies of the silk noil and all the sheen of the silk that is carded in with the wool. I don't know for sure what I will make with this yarn, but I am sure it will be pretty.

Not much else is going on around here, although ES and I celebrated our anniversary last Friday with a special meal out. It was very good, but I don't think we will do it again anytime soon. There was so much food. Neither one of us slept really well that night.

Well, off to get ready for work. Enjoy your weekend. Happy knitting and spinning.

My Spinning Circle

Yesterday I got to leave work early, because the power was out again, so I came home and spent some time at the spinning wheels. I set up my spinning circle. I really like how it is set up and that I can spend some time at each wheel with different fibers.

The first picture is of the Crosspatch Creations fiber which I picked up in Logan when I was there in July. It is being spun on the Scholar.

This fiber, the vibrant reds, greens, and golds, is silk which I am spinning on the Lendrum. There are two ounces which I am hoping to get balanced bobbins and ply two ply. I am thinking a scarf or shawl with it, but am leaving myself open to ideas. There isn't much on the bobbin yet, but it is the fifth bag in my own personal fiber club. This means there are only two bags left and I should have them done before the fiber fair in Montpelier. At least I would like to have them done before I bring in too much more fiber.

This is my spinning circle. Clockwise from the back right to the front left: the Lendrum (silk), the Kiwi (Polworth), the Scholar (Crosspatch Creations), the Hitchiker (my own batt preparation), and the Traditional (Yarn Pirate, Heart of Gold from her last Booty Club). The circle has worked really well. I just turn my chair when I want to change to a different wheel. I am trying to spin at least ten minutes each day on each wheel. I'll see how long that lasts, but I've been having fun with it so far.

Happy knitting and spinning.

New to Me

Today was a good day. I knew there was a reason why I would remember 8-9-10. I have missed having a piano in my home and have haphazardly been looking for a keyboard/piano since we moved to Virginia. Last night while browsing Craig's List, I saw a keyboard which had just been listed at a price I could afford and it looked like it would serve my purpose. I called and we arrange to meet today. I got to bring her home and have had the chance to sit down and play with her for a little bit. I don't play very often and very seldom in public, but now my desire to play sometimes can be met. She doesn't have the weighted keys, but for me to relearn hymns it will be just right. Besides there is a whole slew of songs on there, I can use it when I want music to spin by and don't want to use the MP3 player.


I also had the opportunity to purchase a used Kiwi, about two weeks ago. I really like how she is spinning. The Kiwi is a little harder to cart around than the Lendrum or the Scholar, but she fits really well in my spinning wheel circle. I am working on my second four ounces of fiber on her. The first fiber I spun on her was a bump of fiber from Notlwonk Springs (second section down on that page). I think it was the last bump of prepared fiber I have from them. The second four ounces is some Polworth I purchased from Misty Mountain when I went up there with Sue three weeks ago. The Polworth is spinning up very nicely. It's that pretty blue on the bobbin right now. It's called Water's Edge and I'm pretty sure I know what I want to make with it.

I have been pretty consistent at sitting at one of the wheels each day and getting some spinning time in. It has helped relax the tension in my shoulders to spend that time at a wheel and on top of that I am getting a lot of spinning done. Before I know it I will have spun up all I had set out to accomplish in my own personal fiber club. There are only three bags left.

Happy knitting and spinning.

8-9-10

I have been looking forward to this day for a few days. There isn't anything really special planned, but who can pass up a day that will never come again. It's 8-9-10!! Have some fun today!

This plant was hanging right above me the last time I went to the Botanical Gardens. I love that place and is a must see each time I go downtown.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Missed Ten on Tuesday

Yesterday's Ten on Tuesday topic was 10 Things to Bring on Vacation. These are the things I just took on my vacation:

1. Knitting project.
2. A book to read.
3. Back-up knitting project. The first one could be finished, you know.
   
4. Camera. You never know when you'll see the Blue Angels flying overhead and need to get a picture or two or three.
5. A Sudoku book.
6. The GPS.
7. A back-up, back-up knitting project. You'll never know when you'll be stuck in an airport.
8. Water bottle with my favorite drink packets.
9. Gifts for the grand-babies.
10. Patience and a happy attitude.

Why yes, all three knitting projects came into play during my last trip. It did help that I had layovers and flight delays on both legs of my flights. I just relaxed, knit, played sudoku, and watched people for the ten hours I was at different airports. I was ready to come home though and sleep in my own bed.

Knitting content coming soon. There are some finished projects that need to be blocked and photographed.

In the meantime, Happy knitting and spinning.