March 17, 2008

NEXT POST
Things Go Flying A few weeks ago I attended the launch of my friend Shari's first novel, Things Go Flying. Celebration was very much in order because Shari wrote this book, while at home with two young kids. I know I wrote my dissertation while my kids were young (we met at a new mom's group and were doing our writing things at the same time) but they were not with me during the day. I cannot phathom how she wrote in those times when the kids were at pre-school groups or napping. I was so excited when I heard she sold the book and so pleased when I got to read it. I loved it. Not only did I laugh out loud in a few places, I was completely captured by the intermingling of ordinary life with slices of the extraordinary. A fun read with smart writing. I confess that lately I haven't been reading much because I like to spend my small amount of leisure time knitting and because I find that reading all day at work wears me out a bit. I'm also not in the mood for heavy reading. Much of the literary fiction out there is mighty heavy and I want something well written but also lighter in tone--no child deaths, war, revelations of sexual abuse, horrible secrets, or even triumph over tragedy tales (because of the tragedy part). Things Go Flying has none of those things. Instead it's funny and a bit quirky which suits me fine. Right now it's only available in Canada, but that should change soon. Check out Shari's site for details. (Or see if Amazon.ca ships internationally). And, if you're in the Toronto area, she will visit your bookclub. Neat!
PREVIOUS POST
What's in Dr. Steph's knitting bag(s)? One area where my new MacBook totally delivers is on the photo side of things. My Canon Powershot S230 is five years old and on my PC I needed to download pictures using Canon's cumbersome software; without it, XP couldn't seem to find the camera. With my new 'puter, I plugged in the camera and there were my photos! So I took pictures of all my WIPs. Earth Stripe wrap is at the 112cm mark (I think it's about 150cm at finished length without fringe). I'm sooooo close. I want to wear this a few times at least before Spring, so this is high on my list. It's too big and there's too many colours to carry around so I need to be home to work on this. Not a problem this week because Craig is off to the Tim Horton's Colts Provincial Championships tomorrow so it's just me, the kids and the tv. Go Beck Rink! I finished the first Vinterblomster mitten last Tuesday night. Here it is blocked. I love it. I started the second mitt last night so that there is a chance I'll have a pair to wear this Spring (I think they'll match nicely with Claudia). Emma's socks are almost done (Oak grove mc and Sheldrige Farms soft touch cc). Her feet have appeared to stop growing (she's just turned 9 and wear's a woman's size 7, so having them slow down for a bit is good for sock knitting and shoe buying). And this is the thing that is distracting me from all of the above. My first piece of Vino--Laura's awesome sweater coat. The yarn is Dream in Colour Classy in November Muse and I love knitting this and looking at it. The colour is exactly my style and it's fast and fun. I put this into the bottom of my knitting bag and left all the rest out so I don't play with it for a bit. This also game me the chance to show off my new couch and funky ottoman. The scary ikea couch is no more and I have place to rest my feet while I knit!

Recent Comments

  • Jenna Hossack
    Jenna Hossack: Beautiful! I cant believe its been so long. I ... | more »
  • Suzanne McRae
    Suzanne McRae : Your blanket is so stunning. Thanks for shari... | more »
  • Amy C
    Amy C: And what a lovely thing it is too!... | more »