I love a good long fall and this year’s has been beautiful. Unseasonably warm and sunny well into October, I have no complaints. But that doesn’t mean I’m not ready for the dip in temperatures and the rain that is headed our way, I’ve been feeling snuggly and cozy (and a bit hermit-y too). I love when the weather catches up to my mood.
Knitting: October socks. Started off strong, got the cuff and half of the leg done on the second one and just puttered out. I’m two games behind on my scoreboard scarf. It’s fall and I should feel like knitting, but I don’t.
Watching: Chuck. I absolutely loved it (I laughed aloud almost every episode because it truly speaks to the nerd in me – especially when I was “smart” enough to catch whatever reference they were making) but I watched all the seasons in a record pace (Netflix is threatening to take it off in November) and now I’m sick of television. Hello, run on sentence. Anyway, I haven’t been watching anything (this could explain the knitting, thing) but have been listening to podcasts. Do you have any you recommend? Nothing heavy.
Reading: I just finished reading “Clan of the Cave Bear” based on my TV guru’s recommendation. She’s good with book recommendations too. I don’t know that I’m interested in the series (I skimmed the preview chapter at the end of the book) but I did enjoy the first one. I’m currently reading “The Orchardist” on Rita‘s recommendation. I started it, then set it down, and then started it over and it’s caught my attention. I don’t feel the need to power through it but it is beautifully written and I would recommend it. I also read “Today Will Be Different” by Maria Semple (the author of “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?”). I liked it, didn’t love it. Quick read. (The reading could also explain the knitting. Someday, I will have to learn how to do both at the same time!!)
Cooking: It is officially fall and I want the comfort food that comes with it! Tonight is chicken noodle soup. Earlier this week it was chili. Later this week, I’m combining and tweaking a couple of recipes for an apple cider, chicken, pecan rice dish that I think sounds wonderful. I’ll share if it turns out as good as I hope.
What are you making, reading, watching, cooking? Anything exciting and new with you?
This post has me thinking you must be on the mend, Kate? I hope so!
I haven’t been watching any TV at all lately. (My husband’s been watching Narcos and I can barely stand to even hear it from the opposite couch!) Chuck looks like something I might have enjoyed; I’ll have to see if it’s on Canadian Netflix. Most of the podcasts I listen to are from CBC radio. I like “As It Happens”, which is a daily news show, but they cover some really unusual things in depth (sometimes they’re funny, other times they’re tough to listen to). It’s obviously a lot of Canadian content, but they also go around the world to find their stories. CBC has some other great programming too, which I love catching real-time on the radio (Under The Influence, Tapestry, The 180, Vinyl Cafe Stories) which I think even non-Canadians would enjoy via podcast. (I’ve always thought I should branch out and listen to some BBC sometime as well … which I suppose is my way of saying Hey, if you’re tired of NPR, come on over to the dark side and check out some Canadian radio 😉 ).
I read Clan of the Cave Bear quite a long time ago. (Like, gulp, 25 years ago?) I read the entire series (which was four books at the time, I think) and I did enjoy it quite a bit. I’m (finally) reading Atonement. And LOVING it! Also reading the YA Airborn/Skybreaker/Starclimber trilogy by Kenneth Oppel (aloud to my 11 year old). This is a REALLY good adventure story (with just a bit of romance which he doesn’t seem to mind too much 🙂 ).
I’m about to do the unthinkable (for me) and finish up the first sock of a pair (using my usual Alegria yarn) and cast on another first sock using a ball of Regia. My knitting has been really slow this month too (because of the reading, I guess) and I only have one week left of “Socktober” and really want to know if the Regia yarn is going to be too itchy for me, or if it’s going to be ok, and if so, I can get another ball or two while my yarn store still has their Socktober discount.
Have you made any progress on your quilt, Kate, or have you had to leave that while you recover from surgery etc?
I AM on the mend and extremely grateful for it too! Now my poor family is having to put up with me as I go about revamping our diet, cleaning like a crazy person, and trying to get regular outdoor exercise because I am going to start taking better care of myself and getting my immune system in check!
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the Regia! I have some sitting in my sock yarn stash and I think they’ll make for great winter time socks. They are a little scratchier in the hand, but I had a yarn I thought I would hate that actually seemed so much softer at I knit it up and they’re a favorite pair of socks (of course I can’t think of who makes the yarn!!) I love that you have a local yarn store to do a Socktober and I’m a little jealous. I hate that our closest yarn store is over an hour away.
As for the quilt, I’m still stuck at piecing together those eight rows. It’s sitting out in our home office and making me feel guilty every time I walk by it. I know I’ll get around to it, but just not right now. AND I’m tackling a little embroidery project for a Christmas present so it’ll probably have to wait until that is over.
I haven’t heard of the Airborn trilogy. I think I’ll have to look that up! As well as the CBC. I’ve done some BBC listening, but never CBC. Will have to give it a try!
I am watching This is Us–broke down and got Hulu so I could. And just started some Netflix series about dead people coming back to life in Australia, which sounds really stupid but it’s not. Although I haven’t watched much. Also started American Crime Story. Have only seen one episode, but it looks really good. I’ve also started Parenthood, which is one of those series I really don’t like but seem to keep watching anyway. I don’t like any of the characters very much. It is watch and stitch season. I love this season. I loves fires in the fireplace and soup on the stove and wind howling outside and a puzzle on the table and permission to be inside with all of it. I just finished Pax, a children’s book that is so, so wonderful. About a boy and a fox and war and grief. I checked out a book with squares I can knit together to make a blanket. I’m thinking of that, though I’m still embroidering as I watch. I’m glad you’re liking The Orchardist. I think it was the writing that got to me. I’m glad you’re enjoying this season. I’ll think of you next time I’m in front of Netflix with needlework on my lap. 🙂
You are the third person to talk about This is Us but I’m terrified that it will make me all emotional (much like Parenthood did). Pax sounds familiar to me. I’m wondering if my mom (she’s both a teacher and works in a library) mentioned it to me or if I read about it somewhere? Hmmmm. Both times it’s caught my interest. We might reverse roles if you start knitting together a blanket. As I mentioned to Marian above, I have to set my knitting down and start working on an embroidery project for a Christmas present. I’m excited to start working on it, but I have to finish up a little prep work first. Hopefully, I can start stitching at it next week!