Yarn Along

I have so many DIY and handmade projects to do this year that I figured I'd better get a jump on some of them. If you saw my living room style board post yesterday, you know that I am crocheting my own area rug. This is a HUGE task, but I think I am up for the challenge.

Instead of doing a chevron rug, since my throw is grey and white chevron, I have decided to make yellow and white stripes. I found this rug somewhere on Pinterest and am using it as my inspiration.

The good news is I have a ton of yellow/mustard/gold yarn that I got several years ago from a family friend. 

I am so glad I can destash some of it. Yes, I have more than in this picture!

The white is actually more of a snow white than a bright white. Since I have a canvas couch, I thought the bright white would be too white.

I did a swatch last night to see how I liked the stripes.

At the time I did, but now I think I'm going to make the gold stripes a little larger and the white stripe smaller. I'm thinking 10-12 rows of yellow to 6 rows of white. Or maybe 8 rows of each. I'm still not sure, so I'll be doing another swatch tonight to see which works better.

As far as my reading, I picked up Writing the Fiction Series book at B&N. I've decided to make my book into a series, so I thought this book would really help me. While it offered some useful advice, it really wasn't that great. I am glad I used my B&N gift card on it and didn't waste my money.

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Yarn Along

It has been a wild few weeks here in the South. We've had snow, wind, and ice! You'd think with me being stuck in my house for days I would have gotten a bunch of crocheting done. Nope! I am really struggling with getting my crafty mojo back. I just haven't been in the mood to craft lately. I am hoping spring will bring some life back into my craft projects.

I did whip up a little crocheted cookie. I used the super cute amigurumi cookie pattern from amigurumifood.blogspot.com. Super simple pattern and really cute. I love making play food!

I really haven't been reading too much either, except for cookbooks and reference books. Not too exciting, but very useful.

On January 1 of this year, I decided (along with the advice from my doctor) to start a clean eating diet. I use the term "diet" even though it is more of a healthy eating lifestyle change. The Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker cookbook is the first clean eating cookbook I got, or actually won. It has really been a lifesaver for me. I really do not enjoy cooking, so being able to throw a few ingredients into a crockpot and letting it do the work is awesome!

I have been on the "diet" now for almost 2 months. I have learned plenty of things to do and things not to do, but I am still learning. I've had a lot of my friends ask me about clean eating. So, I thought I would post a little about what clean eating is all about, what is working for me and what is not, and some recipes that I have tried. I'm going to designate Mondays as "Clean Eating Mondays". I usually only cook on the weekends, so Mondays will be perfect to let you know what I cooked over the weekend and how it turned out. This Monday's post will explain clean eating and offer up a really quick and yummy recipe.

I have been using a lot of the recipes from the above book, so while I will tell you what I cooked I will not be able to give the entire recipe. If you are interested in clean eating and crockpot cooking, I definitely recommend picking up this book. It is really great!

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Yarn Along

I finished the first of many destashing projects for 2014. I had originally bought 5 skeins of Hometown USA yarn in Billings Brown to make a floor pouf, but ended up buying one instead. Now I have all of this leftover yarn and I have no idea what to do with it. Usually, when I have no idea what to make I crochet a scarf. So, that is what I did.

I actually made my first infinity scarf. I am really not great at crocheting in the round, so I crocheted one big, long strip and then whipstitched the ends together. It really turned out pretty nice, and it is super warm!

Unfortunately, I still have a little of the yarn left, so I can't add it to my destashing challenge. I need to find a small project to finish up the yarn, like a flower. 

I am still reading Coriolanus, although I am pretty close to the end. I got sidetracked watching The Hollow Crown, which was really, really good! Hopefully I can finish it this weekend. I have another book I want to start next week. 

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

2014 Reading Challenge - "Mickey" Challenge

As a HUGE 80s fan, this challenge was just too fun not to join.

The challenge runs for 6 months from sign-up date (Jan 1– July 1, 2014). You can sign up on Goodreads.

The rules are simple. You may choose as many (or as few) categories as you like, but only folks who read all 14 books are worthy of the jelly bracelets and leg warmers. The books may be from any genre, unless specified otherwise in a category. Re-reads are allowed as are books used for other challenges.

Read a book with a title that begins with each letter (omitting 'The', 'A', 'An') -or- author’s FIRST or LAST name that begins with each letter: M-I-C-K-E-Y

Toni Basil was born Antonia Christina Basilotta. Read a book in which a character -OR- the author is named Antonia or Christina or some variation of the name (Ex.: Anthony, Tony, Christine, Chris, etc)

The song was originally written as “Kitty”. Read a book featuring a cat shifter, or a character with a pet cat, or any book in which a cat plays a role.

Toni Basil changed the name to “Mickey” because of her fondness for Mickey Dolenz of ‘The Monkees’. Read any book from a series of which you are fond. (Note: This should be a series you’ve already started so no Book #1s, please, unless it’s a re-read.) Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

The music video for the song was inspired by cheerleader routines. Read any Young Adult book. 

In the video, Toni Basil wore her head cheerleader uniform from Las Vegas High School. Read a book set in Nevada or whose author is from Nevada -OR- read a book with a cover showing a desert scene or any item used for gambling (playing cards, dice, cash, etc)

Mickey is considered by some to be a “new wave” song. Read a book in which a character visits the beach -OR- with a cover showing a beach or ocean scene -OR- a predominantly blue cover.

“Weird Al” Yankovic parodied the song on his debut album. Read any book you find funny or amusing or just plain weird.

“Oh Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind!” Read a book featuring a fine looking man on the cover.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I'll be attempting all 14 parts of the challenge.

I have chosen a few of the books already and actually finished one yesterday!

2014 Reading Challenge - Back to the Classics Challenge

I have been looking for a classics challenge to push me to read more classics this year, so when I found this challenge hosted by Books and Chocolate I knew I had to sign up.

As an English major, I have read quite a bit of British literature, but not much American literature. I am going to try to focus on American writers, for the most part.

Here are the categories and possibly the books I will read:

Required Categories
A 20th Century Classic - A Room with a View (1908) by E.M. Forster
A 19th Century Classic - Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) by Oscar Wilde
A Classic by a Woman Author - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - I have put off reading this book for so long, but so many of my friends say it is the greatest book. I'm interested to see if I agree with them.
A Classic in Translation - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A Classic About War - ??? - I am not a fan of war books, so this will require some thought.
A Classic by an Author Who Is New To You - The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Optional Categories
An American Classic - The Crucible by Arthur Miller
A Classic Mystery, Suspense or Thriller - Turn of the Screw by Henry James
A Historical Fiction Classic - The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
A Classic That's Been Adapted Into a Movie or TV Series - Henry IV Part I by William Shakespeare
Write a Review of the Movie or TV Series adapted from Optional Category #4. The Hollow Crown Henry IV Part I

I am going to try to attempt all 11 categories. I might change a title or two, but this is what I am leaning towards now.

2014 Reading Challenge - Shakespeare Reading Challenge

This reading challenge runs from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014. You can join at any time. It is being hosted by caffeinatedlife.net.

Any of William Shakespeare’s works are acceptable–his plays and his sonnets–so long as it is a text. No movie or television adaptations or theatre performances (unless you read the text first and then watched an adaptation…that’s okay).

I am choosing:
1-4 plays: Occasional theatre-goer 

1. Coriolanus
2.
3.
4.

I'm about halfway done with Coriolanus. I am reading it before I go and see the National Theatre's live performance starring Tom Hiddleston. I have read rave reviews about the performance, so I am really excited that I got a ticket.

Yarn Along

Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

One of my goals in 2014 is to get back to reading the classics. I decided to get a jump on it a few weeks early, and who better to start with than William Shakespeare. 

I had read plenty of Shakespeare in college, but had never heard of this play until I read that Tom Hiddleston is starring as the lead in the London production. I was curious to see what it was about, so I headed to my local library and checked out The Pelican Shakespeare edition. I am enjoying it, so far, as it reminds me a lot of Julius Caesar, but I keep getting a little confused with some of the characters. This edition makes it easy to switch back and forth from the text to the cast of characters, which is really helpful. 

I am glad I started reading it now, so it will get me prepared for the National Theatre Live broadcast of Coriolanus. I treated myself to an early Christmas present by buying a ticket to the closest show. Many local theatres are simulcasting the live performance from London early next year. I think it is wonderful that those of us who are not local will now get the opportunity to see the performance. I was also happy to see the another live broadcast last week. While I wasn't fond of the choices for the lead characters in The Sound of Music, I really enjoyed the premise of a live musical. I hope this is the start of many more live Broadway and theatre shows on TV and in local venues!

I'm really excited and can't wait to start the new year off with a little Shakespeare and Tom Hiddleston. :) If you are interested in seeing if your local theatre is broadcasting the performance, click here.  

As far as crafting goes, it has been a quiet few months. I lost my crafting mojo for awhile, but it is slowly coming back. I figured it be best to start off with a few small projects, so I whipped up this little crocheted bow brooch.

It was a super simple project that took me about a half an hour to complete. I used Craftiness is not Optional's free pattern, Sugar 'n Cream yarn in country yellow, a little DMC thread, and a pin back.

It is going to make a very nice Christmas gift for somebody's winter coat. :)

Linking to Yarn Along.

 

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen

link

Happy birthday, Jane Austen!

2014 Reading Challenge - Fairy Tales Retold

I'm really excited about this challenge. I love retellings of classic fairy tales. It all started with the Gregory Maguire books, and now Marissa Meyer. I just love twists on fairy tales. They are so clever!

The challenge starts on January 1st 2014 and ends December 31st 2014 and is hosted by Debz Bookshelf.

Challenge Guidelines

The goal of the read-a-thon is to read as many fairy tale retellings as possible.

There will be six different levels to aim for in this challenge:
Poor Cobbler: 1-3 books
Devilish Wolf: 4-6 books
Lady in Waiting: 7-9 books
Mountain Troll: 10-12 books
Evil Enchantress: 13-15 books
Monstrous Dragon: 16+ books

This challenge is only for Young Adult and Middle Grade retellings. No adult or children’s books count towards this challenge.

Because of confusion in the past, this year only straight retellings of fairy tales will count. No fairy tale-ish books, and no mythological or classic retellings.

Single novellas do not count towards this challenge, however a compilation of novellas or short stories can count towards this challenge.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am choosing:
Lady in Waiting: 7-9 books 

I haven't chosen my books yet, but I know that Scarlet and Cress will be on the list. I might re-read Cinder too.

2014 Reading Challenge - Operation Deeper Faith

This challenge has multiple parts. (You wouldn't have to sign up for each part. But, ideally participants would be interested in doing more than just one.) The challenge runs from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and is hosted by Operation Actually Read Bible.

I. Wonderful Words of Life
Read the Bible using a Bible Plan. Note: I did not say the Bible plan had to take you through the whole Bible in a year. You might want to try the MacArthur method of reading the NT. His method has you reading one short book (an epistle, for example, like 1 John or Colossians) thirty days in a row! You might want to try Woodrow Kroll's method of reading the Bible. His plan strongly encourages you to read whole books at a time. There are plenty of books that take under thirty minutes to read. You might just be surprised at how many! You might try Professor Horner's Bible Reading Plan. His plan has you reading ten chapters a day in ten different Bible books. Sound complicated? Well, there are bookmarks to keep you going in the right direction. Here is the pdf for his system. Or there is the M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan (pdf for this plan). Many (but not all) Bibles include reading plans. Some are plans for reading every chapter of the Bible, other plans are more highlights and overviews. The challenge isn't to get you to commit to strictly following a plan for twelve months no matter what. The challenge is to get you in the habit of reading the Bible daily--no matter what "plan" works bests for you.

II. How Firm A Foundation
STUDY one book of the Bible throughout the year. Read it at least four times. (You might even challenge yourself to read it twelve times--once each month.) If possible, read the notes in a study Bible. Or read a commentary book about it. Read or listen to sermons on it. Consider reading it in different translations. Get to know that one book well. Let God speak to you through it. Online commentaries are available. Classic Bible Commentaries. Bible Gateway offers several as well: IVP New Testament Commentary Series; Reformation Study Bible; Asbury Bible Commentary.

III. Deep and Wide
Read multiple books of the bible in multiple translations. For example that might mean reading four to six books of the Bible (OT or NT, whatever you prefer) in four to six different translations. The books wouldn't have to be long books. You might choose Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, etc. Or you might choose John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation. Or Luke, Acts, Romans, Hebrews. You can choose a group of books that makes sense to you. Books that you want to explore further. You choose the books, you choose the translations. You choose the pace.

IV. Meditate or Memorize
Not everyone is comfortable committing to memorize Scripture. (I'm one of them!) Choose about a verse a week--or a verse every other week--to reflect and meditate on. It might mean memorizing it. It might mean writing or journaling about it. (Or blogging about it if you like.) It might mean praying it. Or studying it. It's taking the reading of Scripture into something a little more--worship. These verses would not be chosen ahead of time. I'm not asking for a list. This is all about choosing-as-you-go, choosing as you read, let Scripture speak to you.

V. Taste and See
Perhaps you're new to reading the Bible, not quite sure where to start, a bit intimidated... Read one gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), read one NT epistle (Romans-Revelation). And consider reading one book from the Old Testament, I suggest Genesis OR Psalms. Of course, you could choose any OT book.

VI. Christian Nonfiction
Don't be afraid to give it a try. Read some theology. You choose the number of books to aim for. A beginner might not feel comfortable committing to more than one book. And that's fine. I want to challenge you to start somewhere. This challenge is for everyone. Not just for people who want to commit to reading twenty!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am choosing:

II. How Firm A Foundation. (Book of Revelation)

V. Taste and See (Luke, I Corinthians, Isaiah)

Looking forward to diving into the Word in 2014!

2014 Reading Challenge - TBR Pile Challenge

Every year I make a goal to read more books. I haven't succeeded in the past, but in 2014 reading more books is on the top of my to do list. Not only do I want to get back into the habit of reading, I also know that reading will help me be a better writer.

The first challenge that I am attempting is the 2014 TBR Pile Challenge.

It is hosted by Bookish and runs from January 1 - December 31, 2014. The goal is to read books that you've had on your bookshelf for awhile.

Challenge Guidelines

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014.

2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon, Random Buzzers or Goodreads/Shelfari!)

3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Short stories and novellas are OK, too! Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO 2014 ARCs and 2014 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed! 

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBRPILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)

6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.

7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

8. On the 20th of each month we will post a wrap-up post, here, on BOOKISH. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)

9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)

10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a GRAND PRIZE giveaway.

11. You don't have to follow Bookish Blog to join the challenge, but you do have to follow us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels
(how many books you're planning to read for this challenge in 2014)

1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - First Kiss
31-40 - Sweet Summer Fling
41-50 - Could this be love?
50+ - Married With Children

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am choosing:
1-10 A Firm Handshake:

1. Not a Girl Detective by Susan Kandel

2. Primetime Propaganda by Ben Shapiro

3. Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

4. Out of the Shadows by Joanne Rendell

5. Boo by Rene Gutteridge

6. Dark Star by Creston Mapes

The 6 books that I have chosen have been on my bookshelf for at least a year, some several years. I am looking forward to finally setting some time next year to read each of them.