Cricket in a Biscuit

Startitis, like the cold, must have been going around this week! I cast on three new projects, all cowls, but all very different. The first was, Fear of Commitment , a chunky knit which can be styled in a variety of ways. Taking a "Selfish Saturday," I added stops at Caribou Coffee and JoAnn Fabrics to my usual errand run. I got the yarn, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Tweed in Oatmeal, and buttons for the Fear of Commitment Cowl. Two buttons, one large art button and one toggle, tied together with stretchy cord act a shawl pin used to style the cowl. I started the cowl the same afternoon, and finished it late Saturday night. While I knit, Darren and I watched the new, Magnificent 7 — another selfish Saturday splurge. A fan of the classic, I had misgivings about a remake, but it was great! We enjoyed it very much. Darren said I have redeemed myself. The last movie I bought, Bone Tomahawk, was awful. Sadly so, because it had definite potential. The dialog was ...

January is well underway, and it is cold! When the temperature gets this low, our poor furnace struggles to keep up, which can make finding motivation to do more than cuddle under a blanket on the couch difficult. It is really hard some mornings to slip into those workout clothes and get started, but I'm keeping up with Hammer and Chisel * despite the chill. Into the third week now, I'm starting to see the progress and can feel it when I strap on my belt. Even better, I'm getting stronger! This week, I set a new personal best for both pull-ups (overhand) and chin-ups (underhand) with eleven each. I do use an assist band, but it is still a huge improvement. The quick and measurable increases in strength, balance and flexibility with Hammer and Chisel are quite empowering and why I love the program so much. Darren had to spend a couple nights away from home due to road conditions, and he noticed a difference in just the three days he was gone. Also seeing a lot of pr...

Usually, I am very conscious of the background. I try not to embarrass myself by posting pictures with lurking piles of laundry or dishes. The camera angle is calculated to avoid dirty windows and crumbs on the floor. Watching today's playback, I was mortified to see, not only is the over-filled garbage can visible, so are the dishes. Most of them are clean, but still. Also, my complexion is a mess, there's an inexplicable amount of sweat given how cold it is in here, and I'm interrupted several times. My first instinct was to redo the whole thing. But, you know what? This is the Dahlhouse. This is my reality. There are always dirty dishes waiting. Sometime today, I will get the clean ones put away and the dirty ones washed, probably just in time to start supper. Laundry is ongoing, and will never be finished. We are almost to the point where the kids can be left unattended long enough for me to fold it somewhere other than the living room, but we're not there ye...