Sunday, July 24, 2016

Like a Hobbit

 July is almost over and if I was still teaching I would be mourning the end of summer.  This year the district I taught for starts back to school Aug. 11.  Even now after two years away, it's not my first inclination to think of August as a nice long summer month.  New territory.  I'd like to think of a few ways to make August more August-y.  Any ideas?
 I've been knitting my little honey bear AND this purple vest.  I tend to lose sight of the way knitting a lot makes me a faster and more enthusiastic knitter.  I think my knitting verve has grown because I've been watching knitting videos.  If I record some podcasts/videos and put them up on Youtube, they won't be about fibers and knitting because I am not knitty enough for that.  My idea is something else.  More details forthcoming.  
 There is a door in our family room that opens to the cement stairs.  The former owner said that she liked kids to come in on this lower level because it was easier to vacuum carpet than to mop the kitchen floor.  We've never used the door for going in and out.  I open it to catch breezes.  As you can see we use the "bottom of the steps" area to stash the paddling pool, beach balls, inflatable things the kids use to make the slip and slide more fun.  If I get a kitty, I think he'd like to look out this particular door, listening to the birds and sniffing the fresh air.  Yes, I'm working on convincing Bill that a fluffy orange (long-haired) tabby boy would be an excellent addition to our home.  
Don't you love the hues of the sidewalk chalk?  I think they would all make lovely yarn colors.  
 Colorado is a gorgeous place.  The temperatures of late have been VERY hot and I don't like sweltering in the heat.  In the mountains it is much cooler but we don't go to the mountains to cool off very often.  I'm not sure why.  Even though Bill travels so much, we're kind of hobbit-ish.  We stay in the shire. 

 I am going up to Washington to my niece's wedding. I'll be there a few days and then my mom is going to fly back here with me and stay a week.  Woot!  
I am rearranging things in my little office/work room/library because it has become very cluttered and full of fun stuff.  My goal today is to clear an inspiring work space and tidy up the books.  

I found a recipe that my granny wrote on a card.  It's a recipe for sponge cake.  I've been meaning to try it and today might be the day.
Yeah, the gluten free endeavor was not fun and I didn't feel any different.  The gluten free flour and the bread made my stomach hurt.  So, I hope I remember this when I think about trying again.  Sponge cake is a staple, isn't it?

I'm going to go upstairs and iron now.  When I have a lot of things I COULD do but don't know what to do first, I iron.  What do you do when you don't know what to do first?

Take care, kind reader.  Thank you or stopping in and partaking of my random rambles.  
Oh!  My friend Marcie posted a list of very August-y things!  Take a look! 

26 comments:

Terra said...

August 11 sounds so early for school to start and summer to end. It sounds like you are finding plenty that keeps you busy, knitting, plotting to get a cat, tidying your work area, visiting Washington. Have a great summer.

TexWisGirl said...

an outdoor breeze would be a welcome thing. too hot here. :) love your coffee and cookie break!

Henny Penny said...

Yes, I can see a big orange cat enjoying that spot by the door. It looks really cool there. Funny, lots of times I iron too, when I don't much want to start on some other job. Your posts are always sweet.

Anonymous said...

So you are headed my way again. What fun to have your dear mom return with you. I thank the Lord that my body tolerates gluten. I love bread!
I like being home if there's plenty of good food to eat. :)
Have a great Sunday!

Melanie said...

I agree that the sidewalk chalk colors are very pretty. I seem to go for the pastels in yarn so those would be right up my alley. Have a great day.

Danette Bartelmay said...

When I don't know what to do first I oftentimes iron also! I love to iron! But probably I wash dishes because I actually really like to put my gloves on and do that best. It's hot and humid as all get out here too and no mountains to escape to... just cornfields! So happy you will have a lovely visit from your Mom after a fun family wedding :-)))
August is just too hot and too soon for school to start back up!!!
What is the lovely furry thing in your seat in the very first photo?

Between Me and You said...

How exciting to have your podcasts to look forward to. I'm on holiday now from work and have made endless lists of what needs done around the house when all I would really love to do is get on a jetplane to somewhere exotic!I'm always complaining, aren't I? Enjoy the wedding and your Mum's company. I stayed with my Mum last week while my NZ visitors were here. It was nice.Have a good week, my friend.xxx

happyone said...

Wow that sounds awfully early for school to start!!
I think tea always tastes better in a pretty tea cup.
Great chalk colors.
Have fun at the wedding and how nice that you get to spend a week with your mom. : )
My days are always like that!! Sometimes I pick the one I least want to do to get it over with. Other times I don't do anything I have to and just sit and read! : )

Granny Marigold said...

I'm so glad for you that you no longer are teaching and now can enjoy each day, each season... Glad for you also because you still have your mom and she's coming for a visit!!! Yay!
When I'm not sure what to do next I go sit on the porch and look over my little domain. Doesn't take long and I see what I need to do and being somewhat OCD I have to jump up and do it.

Pom Pom said...

Hi friends! I'm messing around with my template and such so I hope it's not too confusing! Every now and then I like to experiment with Blogger's possibilities. It's tricky.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Danette! The lovely furry thing is a sheepskin. I think it's fake because I ordered one for Bill and it's much more lamb-ish! I like it because it's cozy. I can't get enough cozy!

Pom Pom said...

Hello sweet Nana! I know what you mean about lists. My lists are downright hilarious! I can't stop once I get started and I rarely follow them.
About the podcasts, I'm not ready quite yet because I must tidy my study first. Just today our Jenny went in there to find something and made a comment about the rat's nest decor!

Marcie said...

I am writing a post to respond to your making August more "August-y" comment. Watch for it on or before August 1st! :D

Marcie said...

Actually, here it is already! http://quietcountryhouse.blogspot.com/2016/07/savoring-summer.html You really got the wheels in my mind turning with that comment! It is a good reminder for myself, so thank you! You are wonderful and I'm beyond excited for your podcasts!

GretchenJoanna said...

It's time for a We're-Not-Going-Back-to-School Party! I'm so glad you are retired and can knit all through August. Even in the heat.

Lisa Richards said...

I noticed the new look of your blog! I'm not very experimental, lol. I'm so glad you no longer have to mourn the end of summer. What a blessing! You sure are being mysterious about the content of your pod casts. I'm getting very curious!
I went gluten free for a couple of weeks and then gave up. My daughter said I needed to do it a lot longer before I could see results. Sorry, I missed good tasting food!!
I remember when we lived in Colorado, we were only a few miles from the mountains, but we seldom went there. I guess you feel like you can visit them any time, so it doesn't seem urgent? :) It was lovely to drive through them.
Keep enjoying your knitting. Hope you can get a kitty!

Elderberry-Rob said...

August things: visit a rescue home and meet ginger cats - give one a home!
selling points: they are great for catching spiders/mice and scary things. They stop other cats doing smelly things in your garden, they make a home feel homey, they love you back.... other Augusty things are: go out for the day not knowing where you will end up, take a picnic. Go swimming, sleep in the garden in the afternoon, get childrens from the library and read them to yourself (and cat), cook outdoors... hope you do all of these (I will be!)

Susie said...

Any time you can have a breeze blow thru your house and not use AC, I am all for that. Pretty purple knitting. I do not knit, so I can have no input other a comment on the color. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

elizabeth said...

always wonderful to read your ponderings! :) so many nice things! GF is not for everyone! Including me :) it is so hard to believe it is almost August already, the time just goes so fast! Have a wonderful day!

Farm Girl said...

I am so sorry that its been hot. I wish you could go visit mountains to get out of the heat. Its going to be really, really hot here too.
I need to do the same thing for my office too.
I like your little back door and I like the idea of you getting a kitty.
There is something about having furry friends in your house. I always enjoy my visits with you.

Gumbo Lily said...

Hi Hobbit-Honey!
I'm feeling more indoorsy as the temperatures go up to 100*. I try to get my outdoor chores done before the hot stuff comes on. When I don't know what to do first, I like to clean up the kitchen and/or sweep. Or throw in a load of laundry.

August: I usually preserve jelly/jam, peaches, and things from the garden. Not sure how much of that I will get this summer. I like to make a fresh peach pie or two with Colorado Peaches in August. I know, it's hot baking in August, but I need that peach pie (no GF for me). I like to eat fresh Colorado peaches and cream. In August I like to keep doing my watering and yard fiddling in the early morning. I also like to take my walk early. I hope to go swimming with my grandkids in August.

I hope you get a yellow kitty. JJo gave all the kittens away but a couple and now we aren't seeing them at all. I'm thinking their mother has taken them out hunting. At least I hope so. I also like that blue back door. It looks like a charming entry spot.

Happy Knitting! ~J

Debbie Harris said...

Hi Karen! Love reading about your days and all the things you keep busy with, and you certainly do keep busy. :-)
Can't wait to see your honey bear.
How wonderful to have your mother come for a visit, enjoy your time together.
I'm like you,I love to iron and it's a great thing to do when you're not sure what to do. A great fill in.

Love and blessings~~

Bonnie said...

So fun to hear how you fill your days. Keep cool and carry on.

Boyett-Brinkley said...

Beanie goes back to school Aug. 10 so we are back on "school schedule" then -- August doesn't feel summery to me anymore -- well, except for th extreme heat.

Kit said...

I go back to school August 29th. This has felt like a nice long summer so far. I won't mind when it is time. It amazes me that when the time arrives I am ready for something new. And I love seeing all my kids. :) Have a great trip! Kit

M.K. said...

Good question. When I don't know what else to do with myself (and esp. if I'm alone in the house), I sit down at the piano and start to play old songs I learned long ago. Often I will open my computer too, but that's less rewarding. Recently, I've become more of a napper, esp. around 2:30 in the afternoon :) It's horribly hot here too, Pom. We are hibernating inside quite a bit. It's the summer thing to do. I hope you have a sweet trip to see the fam!

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