I have managed to get quite a bit behind on my book reviews, so let’s do something I haven’t done for a little while: A week of books!!
2015 Finish Along Q4 Recap + 2016 Finish Along Q1 List
I really enjoyed participating in my first Finish Along in 2015 (Check out all the details for last year here). I didn't get a as much done as I would have liked last year, but it was a nice way to track my progress. I'll be happy to look back at my blog posts in years future. I can't wait to start 2016!
Although technically I missed the cut off to link up my 2015Q4 List, I still made one and completed a finish on my list! I haven't been able to post the quilt I finished bc it's still hasn't been gifted. Since I wasn't able to add to the link up, it didn't really matter. But keep your eye out for that post: coming soon!
Here's the 2015Q4 list:
1) Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
I thought about this project a lot, but I suppose that doesn't really count.
2) Finish quilting and making, stuff and use, Pillow #1 for a New Secret Project.
Moving put a hold on this one....
3) Start, piece, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt.
Some work got done on this and it'll make the new list.
4) Piece back, baste, quilt, bind, label Baby Quilt Commission #1.
Finished!
5) Finish piecing front and back, baste, quilt, bind, label, Baby Quilt Commission #2.
Work got done on this and it'll be in the new list, too!
6) Finish piecing front, piece back, baste, quilt, bind Xmas Medallion Quilt.
I'm not even sure where this quilt is...
On to 2016Q1!
In my goals for this year, I want to get a quilting finish done each month. This won't stop me from making my 2016Q1 list longer than 3 items!
1) Finish piecing, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt.
I'm gonna try and list these in order in which they need to get done, and this is the first.
2) Finish piecing the back, baste, quilt, bind, label, Baby Quilt Commission #2
I have some ideas about how I want to quilt this one, so I can't wait to get started.
3) Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
This quilt was on all 4 of my 2015 Finish Along lists. It's time it was really put to bed. I'd love to have this finished in time for Mother's Day, but I've said that before...
4) Quilt, bind, and label Geometric Gift Quilt.
This might be my biggest quilt to date and I'm eager to finish it.
5) Finish quilting, bind, and label Original Mini.
This one goes way back!
Setting deadlines is another one of my goals this year, so I feel that this is a great list to help me achieve that.
I'm so pleased to be linking up with Debbie at A Quilter's Table this year for the 2016 Finish Along. This year's FAL is spread over several blogs, but here's where you can find all the details to join. I hope some of my readers will join up and share their progress with Mad Cat Quilts!
PS Here are some stats and links to my 2015 Finish Along:
Out of 15 unique quilts that made it to my 2015 lists I finished 5. One third of my year's goal is a pretty good start, I think!!
2015 Finish Along
Stormy Friendship
Label Maker
AGAT
Q2
Scrappy Hearts
Q3
Q4
Commissioned Baby Quilt #1 - Post to follow.
2015 Goals Review
In the beginning of 2015, like many years, I set a list of goals for myself. I find that it's a good way to be mindful of some things that I want to work towards accomplishing. Some of these goals were realized, at least in part, some were thought about, mulled over, but none were completely abandoned. The list isn't made to be a worry or a task, it's really just a way for me to keep in mind things that I would like to do, ways that I would like to improve myself. Here is the original post from 2015.
Below is the list of my 2015 goals and related blog posts:
Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work - I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me.
Although this goal doesn't have any distinct posts, I did try to work on it. I hope to carry this over to 2016.
Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair.
One could say this entire blog should make it on this list.
Quilting
Holiday Sale
Take Better Care of My Health and the Health of My Family/Take Better Care of the House - In all the hustle and bustle of work and life this is something I often forget to pay close attention to. I want to always be striving to make a better house for my family and plants and keep us in good health.
I think I made good strives in this direction, especially when the time came to move and adjust to a new environment. There are some areas that are lacking (exercise!!), but hopefully there can be addressed in 2016.
House Plant Goals
Stay in Touch with My Friends - I'm fairly antisocial by nature, but I love my friends and care to make them feel appreciated.
This goal also doesn't have specific posts, but I felt I made good headway on this, even to the point of sending out holiday cards!
Use Up, Don't Buy - I need to reduce all things in my life and and make better use of the things I keep.
This goal was a great way to keep in mind a lifestyle I aim for.
Wardrobe Makeover - One thing I have far too many of are clothes. I must make my wardrobe more manageable and stop buying clothes!
Wardrobe
Some Little Things
Who Needs This Many...
Travel when Possible - Always more exploring to be done.
Sea, Sand, and Snow
3 Days in Cape May
2 Days in Alabama
2 Days in New Orleans
Read More - I can only remember reading three books last year (2014). Pitiful.
A Walk in the Woods
Saturn's Return to New York
Famous Potatoes
Ash in My Mouth...
Woman in the Dark
Move Out of the City - It's time.
I totally did this!
And the year isn't quite over yet, there's still room to add more posts here...
Some of these goals will carry over to 2016, some may not. I feel confident that I at least touched on every goal in 2015. I hope to achieve the same mindfulness in 2016.
Please, please share your 2015 goal recaps, or 2016 goal lists in the comments!! I am always grateful to be inspired by your posts!
2 Days in New Orleans
Back in September, we headed out to Alabama for my brother-in-law's wedding. We also took a few days to go to New Orleans, LA.
I'd been to NOLA once before and stayed in the Frenchman Hotel. I enjoyed it so much, we stayed there again. It's centrally located on Frenchman Street and it's got a lot of New Orleans charm (including wonky doors, buggy bathrooms, music in the air, and the sweetest little court yard pool!).
We mostly walked and took trolleys around the city and visited as many areas as we could in the short time we had. We went to Bourbon Street, of course, walked around the Merigny, the French Quarter, and East Carrolltown (where we had an amazing meal at Ba Chi Canteen). NOLA is a pretty great walking city, as long as you're accustomed to walking. The trolleys are easy to get the hang of. But remember, you buy your ticket on the trolley, there are no outside ticket machines. Being from NYC, this confused us at first.
We spent a large portion of one day at City Park. The museum was closed that day, but we were able to explore the NOMA Sculpture Garden. More on that in this post.
The Park is a little far out from our hotel for walking, but the bumpy trolley ride is perfect for seeing the city. The locals also take the trolleys so you'll see kids and commuters, as well as tourists.
The park is vast and we only scratched the surface. But we had a great time following ducks and taking in a bit of Southern nature.
I've never seen such a variety of moss!
We found a great spot in City Park for a snack. Morning Call had great beignets, a staple of any New Orleans visit.
Of course we also made a few stops at Cafe Du Monde!! Three trips for beignets in two days seem totally normal to me.
Finding vegetarian options in popular/traditional restaurants was a bit of a challenge at times. But there are so many great food options in NOLA, all sorts of varieties and ethnicities. There's something for everyone, you just need to search it out.
My first visit to the city was completely magical, and I wondered how this trip would compare. Walking around NOLA was a lot like I remembered. So bright and colorful, quiet and still in the hazy heat, but vibrant and living. I could easily just walk around for hours.
There seemed to be more people around this time, but that might be time of year. I have to say that I was surprised to see quite a few more people who seemed to be living on the streets, or in need. I think NOLA has a reputation as a hedonistic paradise, full of debauchery, but that the influx of down and out types might be a dark consequence.
Even we visited a casino, but just for a walk though. We went to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Look for a post all about that soon.
On our drive from Alabama, we drove over the Lake Pontchartain Causeway. We were excited to see it since it's the longest bridge over water in the world!! Unfortunately it was pitch black. Only one of the reasons we will definitely be going back to visit New Orleans again.
Not being one for a debaucherous lifestyle, I do absolutely believe one should indulge in life. For me, New Orleans has so much possibility for wonderful indulging, without the need to go totally crazy. Its strangely satisfying to drink on the street, but I rarely do it. I love to eat the town's powdered sugar staple, but find a great healthy option for dinner or lunch. For me, the eerie calmness that prevails in the residential areas is more enticing than the party town atmosphere on Bourbon St. New Orleans holds a mysterious balance for me, and I'm always eager to return.
Women in the Dark
One of my goals for 2015 is to read more. Check out the other books I've read this year here, here, here, & here.
The fifth book I've read so far is Woman in the Dark by Dashielll Hammett. I borrowed this one from the BPL, one more for the road, as they say!
I'm a fan of mysteries and noir stories, and Hammett is one of the greatest of the genres.
Luise Fischer is on the run in the cold dark night. When she stumbles in to the home of a taciturn and handsome stranger, her luck might be changing.
This is a quick and to the point, classic feeling, noir novella. Perfect in its sparsity. This is a great introduction to this genre if you've never read it. Woman in the Dark is also a perfect read for current fans or fans of short books.
Do any readers enjoy noir novels? Do you prefer short quick paced books, or long involved stories?
Art and Nature at New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden
While we were in New Orleans we went to the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden. The museum itself was closed as it was a Monday. But the Garden is open 7 days a week.
There were quite a few nice pieces, including a Magritte right was we walked in!
There were several other notable sculptures, as well, all nestled among winding pathways. Water features prominently in the sculpture garden, along with the large Spanish moss covered trees, this makes the garden cool and breezy to walk thru.
We encountered many lizards darting on the paths but try as we might, we couldn't catch any.
We also crossed paths with a surprisingly aggressive duck. We had a puzzle of trying to get him to let us get around him as we wound our way through the garden. We soon realized that his aggressive nature was merely a food seeking ploy and we followed him on his begging route until he landed us at a perfect spot for a cool break.
2 Days in Alabama
Over the weekend, we attended my Brother-in-Law's wedding in Andalusia, Alabama.
Having never been to Alabama, I wasn't sure what to expect. And honestly, spending only 2 days there did not give me the full picture, I don't think.
We flew into New Orleans and drove the 4 hours to Andalusia with just enough time to check into the hotel, get dressed and head back out to the wedding.
We stayed in the Best Western Andalusia where my in-laws also stayed. We chose this hotel bc it was the only one in the area with a pool. Very important, of course!!
The hotel is also very centrally located in the small city. It's in a busy, commercial area, but only minutes from the town center and square.
The wedding was held at the Sweet Gum Bottom Bed and Breakfast, which was about a 20 minute drive from the hotel. It was a very quaint and lovely spot! In addition to the B&B, it also housed a small, simple chapel, and a small reception hall. One stop shopping for your wedding local in Andalusia.
The wedding ceremony was lovely and brief with the bridal party wearing white and cream, and the groomsmen in light grey. A dear friend of the couple officiated and the groom's brother and father stood by his side. White flowers and babies breath decorated the hall.
The reception was held next door and catered with traditional Southern cooking; black eyed peas, bitter greens, and rutabagas (all drowned deliciously in butter and bacon!) as well as fall off the fork, melt in your mouth, stuffed pork chops and beef brisket both with their own gravy. Mashed potatoes, a veggie mix and fresh rolls were used to sop up every bite. There was enough sweet tea to satisfy any trip to the South.
The wedding cake was simple and super tasty and apparently procured from a cake baker who works out of a gas station. Alabama seems to love combining businesses where ever possible. We passed a shop proclaiming "New Fashions" on one side and "Used Autos" on the other.
After the reception, the party moved to the couple's home on Gantt Lake, in Gantt, Alabama. Although some partied into the night, we headed home early.
In the morning, after a quick dip at the hotel pool, we checked out and went to the town square. A tiny old town, Andalusia boasts one of the oldest existing Dairy Queens. The town must once have been a really lovely place to live, the remnants of business, commerce and industry can still be seen. But everything there now is only the leftover hollow shell. Very few small, unique businesses now exist in town centers but chains, discount shops, and big corporations abound by the highways. Alabama was very sad in this respect, depressing. We drove through many such towns, which once must have been thriving communities but we had long since missed them and were left only with their ghosts. Andalusia was at least still trying, painting murals and advertising attractions such as the gas station where Hank Williams got married (falsely married, however).
After our brief tour, we headed back to the lake. More swimming!
Like most places I have visited in America, I was interested to see how Alabamian's live, and I would love to see more. Driving thru only gave me a small glimpse of what life there must be like. I was very happy to be in a place I've never been (albeit a downtrodden, depressing one), and see things Ive never seen before (an armadillo! Albeit a dead one).
What struck me most about AL, was the changes and diversity in landscape. From the piney stretches, to wide open fields filled with hay rolls or cotton (beautiful!!!), to the cheesy chain lined highways, and near abandoned brick towns, to the shimmering lake and waterways, I was never sure what I was going to see next. And Alabama is full of butterflies!
Bc we now have a brother and sister who live there, hopefully we will be back to do more exploring of life in Alabama. Even though it was a depressed and depressing place, one that time seems to have either forgotten or sped over, Alabama seemed to be brimming with potential. Andalusia seemed to me to be just waiting for the next thing to restart it's dying culture and community.
Potential is always intriguing.
Ash in My Mouth, Sand in My Shoes
One of my goals for 2015 is to read more. Check out the other books I've read this year here, here, and here.
The fourth book I've read this year is Ashes in My Mouth, Sand in My Shoes by Per Petterson. I borrowed this book from the Brooklyn Public Library.
I found this Ashes in My Mouth... using my favorite book finding method in the library (or book stores) which is just wondering around the stacks until I see something that looks interesting. The little format and color scheme of this book cover got my attention. Per Petterson is a Norwegian novelist and this short book of ten stories that all string together was his first work.
Arvid Jansen is a boy who moved out of the city and he's not sure he likes it. He is disillusioned with his father's new job, his own nightmares, and the idea of growing old. Although only seven, he feels he knows as much as adults and should be treated as such. But death and sex are still a mystery to him.
This book reads like someone remembering what they think childhood was like. Arvid's thoughts are too complex for a seven year old, but exactly how we remember being seven was. Although these stories read as if a memoir, Petterson uses this character in several of his later novels, so it is unclear how autobiographical it is. I liked this book, it was moody and disjointed in an appealing way. I would be interested in trying some of Petterson's longer novels. I would recommend this book to people who like coming of age stories, have daddy issues, or like short books.
Have you read anything by Per Petterson?
2015 Finish Along: Q2 Finishes and Q3 Goals
I did terribly with my Q2 goals, only finishing 1 out of 6. Here's a recap:
1. Finish the Nest Black jacket
I'm never gonna finish this, I've decided and am taking it off my lists for the year.
2. Finish piecing, baste, quilt, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
I did make quilt a bit of progress with this one, so it will continue to my Q3 list.
3. Quilt, bind, and label the Scrappy Heart Quilt.
Done! The only project I finished. Find the blog entry here.
4. Finish quilting the Fat Little Cross block and make it into a pillow cover.
Another project I didn't touch. This one goes to the UFO pile possibly never to be seen again.
5. Finish piecing, baste, bind, quilt and label a quilt to trade for a tattoo.
I worked on this a tiny bit in the beginning of Q2, but not since. Too much going on for a tattoo, so it's on hold. I think I'll put it on Q3.
6. Finish piecing, baste, bind, quilt and label a Beach Blanket.
Another one I didn't even touch. This one I will put on Q3, but I'm not holding my breath.
OK. On to the Q3 List: I put six things on this list, like last list. Although that didn't work out well last quarter, I hope to do better! I rolled over three projects this quarter.
1. Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
I have this one started, but I am quilting it pretty heavily, and it is July and hot now, so it might take a little while. I plan to have this one ready to gift in Nov as that is her Bday. If not then, there's always xmas....
2. Finish quilting and making, stuff and use, PIllow #1 for a New Secret Project.
This one is a wee part of a larger project. Bits and pieces of this project might show up for a while. But for Q3, I just want to finishing the start, if you know what I mean! I have the top of the pillow pieced and basted and I started quilting. Need to finish and build the rest in order to stuff. This is a new goal for Q3.
3. Piece, baste, quilt, bind, and label Beach Blanket Quilt.
I haven't even touched this quilt since I put it on Q2, so this is pretty ambitious. But I'd be happy to just work on it a little. A more apt goal might just be to get the top done. I do hope to have this one ready for next Summer, tho. This is rolled over from Q2.
4. Finish piecing, baste, quilt, and bind and gift Tattoo Trade Quilt.
This is another project that has a Nov giveaway deadline in my mind. But there's a lot of work before we get there. I have quite a bit more fiddly piecing to do, must decide on a final size, and how I want to quilt it. Also ambitious. This goal is rolled over from Q2.
5. Piece, baste, bind, and label Bright Triangles Quilt.
This is another new goal. A fresh project that has been my go to work when I'm taking the train (which I had been doing a lot in June). The beginnings came together pretty quickly, so I hope this one moves right along. It also occurred to me who might like this quilt as I typed this, so that might be good motivation!!
6. Start, piece, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt.
This one is just an idea and a fabric pull and not due (no pun intended) to be gifted until next year, so I have some time.... But if the mood strikes me, it might happen in Q3. It would also make a really good travel project if #5 gets pieced in a timely manner.
I love lists!
It's so fun to see these goals written down each quarter! I have a lot of big projects in the next three months, but I really hope to see some of these quilting goals completed by the start of Q4. And I'm already thinking of Q5 aka Q1 2016!
Famous Potatoes
One of my goals for 2015 is to read more. Check out the first book I read this year here and the second here.
The third book I've read this year is Famous Potatoes by Joe Cottonwood. I picked this book up off a stoop, a lovely and common occurrence in Brooklyn.
I had Famous Potatoes for a while before I actually started reading it. As well as trying to read more this year, I'm also trying to read books that I already have in the house. Since I get books from stoops and book sales pretty often, I now have a large collection at home to choose from! Everyone loves a good book stash. When I saw this book on a stoop in South Slope, I was immediately drawn to it's clearly 1970s jacket design. And when I saw it had an author's recommendation from Tom Robbins, I was hooked.
Follow Willy Carusoe's (nee Middlebrook) misadventures around our sometimes glorious, sometimes sad and dangerous, sometimes downright sexy, wide open country as he mingles with the locals, gets in with gangs and gamblers, and tries to do right by the love of his life. Famous Potatoes is a love story at heart, but you're not sure if the love interest is Willy's wife, women in general, or America it's self.
This novel has a great seventies vibe, and a meandering style, part prose, part stream of consciousness. I really enjoyed being transported back in time, but also seeing the themes and issues that are still common today. Willy is s bumbling but endearing character and you find yourself wishing him the best (but not sure that's what he'll end up getting).
I'd recommend this book to fans of 70s authors, beat culture, road trip or hitch-hiking stories, and good sexy fun.
Have you read this book? Or can you recommend other 1970s novels? Found anything good on a stoop or at a Little Free Library? Leave a comment below!
Wardrobe Project: Who Needs This Many T-Shirts?
Or, My Spring Wardrobe.
When I went to change over my Winter wardrobe over to Spring, I carefully set aside all the Winter clothes I wouldn't need. It was a lot of clothes. Two full clear recycling bags full. (I put them in clear bags, to be boxed up at a later date, and to prevent them becoming cat beds). I also made a pile of giveaway/throw away items. Items that I didn't wear, didn't want, or realized I didn't like during the Winter season.
Next I went to get out my Spring and Summer clothes that were stored at the top of my closet.
But I couldn't do it.
I pulled out the first big storage bin... I couldn't bear to go thru it. SO many clothes. I felt totally overwhelmed with what was already out. Removing my Winter clothes felt like it barely made a dent.
I decided I really only needed to keep what was already out for Spring. There were some pants and jeans, a few skirts and dresses, some tanks I used for layering in the Winter, plenty of clothes for work, and so many t shirts. So. Many.
Maybe when it gets really hot, I will reassess. I realize that I will have to go thru those Spring/Summer clothes eventually. But for now, even what I have out feels impossibly large.
Is anyone else struggling with their Spring or Summer wardrobe?
Recently Researching: 2015 Goal House Plant Edition. Part One.
I wasn't sure where to put this blog topic... I could put it under 2015 goals bc taking care of my house and plants is a big goal for me this year. Or I could put it under Recently Researching bc, well, it's something I've been researching lately... So I kinda did a mash up of the two! I couldn't think of a super catchy name for it, tho.
I think every house should strive to have three things: cats, musical instruments, and plants. Luckily, I've got all three covered.
In effort to take better care of the plants I have (and therefore feel justified in getting more!), I've been researching my house plants. This is something that seems like a no brainer, but I've never actually done it before. I always claim to have no green thumb and maybe this is partly why.
Here's a rundown of some of the plants I have, as well as some facts, and care for each.
Aloe - This guy's a succulent, but I often forget that. That means that this soothing medicinal plant should be watered well, then let to dry completely before watering again. Aloe should be kept in bright light and a small pot, as it enjoys being root bound. Aloe's healing properties are well known, but I can never bring myself to break the leaves when I need to treat a burn or scrape. I keep a bottle Aloe Gel in the house for that instead. Did you know that Aloe actually refers to a whole genus, so the typical plant we see is sometimes called "true" aloe.
I've had a few different aloe plants, and I think my problem is that I over eater them. I moved my current plant to the brightest window, and am trying to make it flourish, but at the moment, it's kind of languishing.
Schefflera/Umbrella Tree - Again we have a plant that is commonly called by it's genus, but the big type we see in pots are usually the Schefflera actinophylla. This plant can grow quite large and full and flower when in the right environment. It can live in medium indirect sun, but prefers bright light. This plant should be watered well, then it's upper soil should be let to dry before watering again. If it's leaves turn yellow and fall off, it's under watered. If they turn black and fall off it's been over watered. (Mine tends to have the former problem).
When we moved to Park Slope and into a larger apartment, I searched Craigslist for some larger plant and found the schefflera I currently have. We had a harrowing but memorable drive thru the neighborhood with it propped in the back of our truck. I call it our "bedroom tree" (every bedroom should have a tree!) and it's about 7 feet tall. The family we got it from said it was about 8 - 10 years old, then, so now it must be about 12 years old or older! We repotted it once, and it's not living it's best life. Sometimes it grows the cutest little baby new leaves, but mostly it just hangs around looking droopy. I've been trying to water this guy more regularly and I think it'll benefit when we open the windows so it can get fresh air and more light.
Pothos Epipremnum Aureum - This is the most commonly seen Pothos, which has shiny light green, or variegated light and dark green leaves. The standard pothos grows well in low light, and is super easy to maintain, needing water only when it's soil is about 50% dry, or even dryer. Leave will yellow and fall if left too dry for too long. These plants prefer warm climates and will die if left to get too cold. Pothos prefer to be root bound, sending out long tendrils which can be pruned, or coiled to keep the plant bushy. These easy houseplants keep the air clean, so are good to have on hand, but can be poisonous to cats and dogs, so keep in a safe place!
I have quite a few of these guys, and most do really well. One was left by an open window, got too cold and is on it's last legs. One has some sort of white mildew which my schefflera also gets. I've found that giving it more sun after gently wiping away the white powdery substance usually solves the problem. Sometimes I forget to water them until I see the leaves start to droop. I'm trying to avoid this, but haven't had any dies like this. I've tried to propagate cuttings from some of my Pothos with mixed results. Some start growing roots right away and live long lives, but others fail completely. Growing new plants from cutting is a goal for me with these. My cats don't bother these plants much, so I don't worry about them, but I do try to keep them in higher places, if possible.
Rubber Plant - This plant (ficus elastica) used to be grown for the rubber that could be made from it's latex which is like sap, but separate. Now it's mostly a decorative plant and it's cousin the Para Rubber Tree is grown to make the rubber we use today. These two trees actually have a different genus and the house plant is more closely related to the fig tree. It likes indirect light and does well in low, medium or bright as long as it's not direct. They don't need too much water and prefer it a little dryer in cooler climates. The leaves can yellow from being over or under watered but usually fall off if overly saturated. Rubber trees can grow quite large and get nice think trunks. This plant prefers warm temperatures and will die in cold weather, but overall I've found them to be quite hardy!
My rubber trees are my longest lived plants and I always have to stop myself from getting more and more of them. They are so easy to care for and lovely to have around. I do need to tie them up better as their branched can start to get wild and out of control. And I need to dust their leaves more often (or ever) bc it's better for them to be dust free.
I've learned a lot about how to care for the house plants I currently have. And this is only the first installment. By my count, I have 9 or 10 more varieties to learn about! I feel that when I am better able to take care of my plants, I will be ready to get more. Hopefully by that time, we will be living in a more light soaked home and one where my plants can spend some summer days outside. Even house plants like a field trip!
Do you have an tricks or tips for these house plants? If so, I'd love to hear them in the comments!
Check out my pinterest page for more on these and previous Recently Researching topics.
Saturn's Return to New York
One of my goals for 2015 is to read more. Check out the first book I read this year here.
The second book I've read this year is Sara Gran's Saturn's Return to New York. I picked this one up bc I read two of her books last year and wanted to try her first novel.
I liked the other novels that I have read by Gran, both of which were mysteries from her Claire Dewitt series. And I enjoyed her first novel as well. Saturn's Return to New York was not a mystery, but a slice-of-life about a thirty something New Yorker dealing with her bubbling emotions concerning her family and friends as she navigates the drug addled and angst drenched city. Gran's writing is comfortable and quick for all her dark topics. She whisks you along like a well informed but apathetic tour guide in your favorite city. And you want to see where the tour will lead you.
Mary's an underachieving book lover writing reviews for an online seller and living comfortably, ambiguously but a little annoyedly under her mother's cold literary shadow. But when her mother falls ill, Mary must face her true feelings about their relationship, as well as the one with her long dead father. Soon all Mary's relationships come under scrutiny and it seems the planets are malaligned over her New York.
I'd recommend Saturn's Return to New York to anyone who likes books about New York City, especially mildly gritty, angry ones. Or who like female authors who write about sex and drugs and rock & roll. Gran's writing reminds me of a more cynical, less mystical, old person version of the Weetzie Bat series by Francesca Lia Block. Even dealing with serious themes of loss and death, this is a pretty light an easy read. It would make a great plane book, I'm sure! You could bring it to the beach, but all the New York talk will make you feel like you should be dressed in chic head to toe black.
Have you read this book? Leave a comment!
2015 Goal - Wardrobe
In January, I wrote down some goals I have for the year. I only marked down my general goals. I didn't want to get overwhelmed! I think it would be good to expand on each of the main topics. There are very specific things I want to accomplish within each goal section.
I'll be breaking down what I want to get done for each goal over the year and posting updates. See the first goals I tackled here and here.
The goal we are looking at today is Wardrobe Makeover.
I think people are surprised when they find out how much I love clothes and shopping. They are surprised that for much of my young life I wanted to be a fashion designer, took classes at FIT, and learned fashion illustration. My dreams of working in the industry died, but my love of clothes never did and that lead me to having way too many.
At the end of 2014 I started realizing how much of a pain my over-flowing closet had become. There were piles of clothes all over, clean and dirty, making it hard to keep them sorted. Closet, hangers, drawers were flowing out all over. But with all these clothes, I could never find anything to wear. I guess this is a common problem. I started researching, started reading blogs about minimal wardrobes, and started realizing that I really wanted to change this chaotic aspect of my life.
My first step was to read a lot! Some blogs I highly recommend are Unfancy and Reading My Tea Leaves and Rowdy Kittens. All of these ladies live very different lives and all those lifestyles are different than my own. They all have really interesting takes on the reasons and practices of minimal wardrobes.
This cheapy sweater has been one of my favorite pieces this winter. I got it at Mandees by my house for like $16!
Next, I formulated some loose goals: I want to decrease my overall wardrobe. I want it to be easy to pick out what I'm going to wear each day. I want to only have clothes that fit well and feel good. And I want to spend less money and less time shopping.
With those goals in mind, I decided to drastically reduce what was in my closet and set about sorting thru all of my clothes. But I love my clothes, I couldn't just give them all up! I knew I would have to go in baby steps. The first baby step was to get rid of anything that was emotionally easy for me to get rid of. Items I never wore, had out grown, or just didn't fit well went into a giveaway pile, a donate pile, or the trash (if they were really no good to anyone). I only got rid of things that were easy to get rid of.
For the next baby step I used some advice from the blogs I had read: I thought about "my style". People often joke that I dress as if it's still the 90s, and why not? T-shirts, jeans, vans, hoodies and flannels, layered dresses, and funky sweaters are what I like to wear and what I feel comfortable in!
Next I went thru all the clothes that remained with "my style" in mind. I kept everything that I loved, that fit the season, that fit the description of my style, and put everything else into plastic bins. I have to wear black or white to work, so I also kept (almost) all of my work clothes. I put the bins away to be reculled at the end of the season.
OK! I had drastically reduced my closet. I felt good about the progress I made and decided that it was a great start.
I knew that a very important goal for me was to cut down on shopping. But I decided that I really needed to do more than cut down. I needed to stop. So I decided that besides a few items I needed I wouldn't clothes shop at all in 2015! Scary! But I knew that there were some items I would have to buy, so I hoped that would hold off my cravings.
I started this goal for myself in January, and now 3 months later, I feel really good about what I've accomplished so far:
It's easier to find items to wear each day, I don't feel like I'm scrambling to find work clothes as much.
Almost everything I grab from my closet this season fits well and I feel comfortable in it. If I end up having something that does't feel good, it's easier for me to put it in the discard pile than it has been in the past.
I end up wearing items that I enjoy, but got little wear out of, bc it's easier to find things as my closet isn't as full.
I've only bought 2 items since Jan 1 2015.
But all these accomplishments have also made it clear that I have a long way to go:
I still have way too many clothes.
I still have items that don't fit well, or feel good.
I have huge piles of laundry, left over from years of hording clothes, that hasn't even had the first cull yet.
I have a whole new season and it's weight worth in clothes, to go thru!
My closet is still very messy and disorganized.
I have a bunch of stuff in a "maybe" pile that I haven't tried wearing yet.
I still have the urge to shop.
I haven't donated any of the items I put aside, or sent any of my giveaway bundles. So all those clothes aren't in my closet but they're still in the house.
Another Mandee find, cheap and versatile. I wear both these tops to work and for day to day! This flannel will be good for spring, too!
I have some ideas about what to do next. I want need to go thru all my clothes again, then swap out the Winter clothes for more weather appropriate ones. Going thru all my clothes will be a seasonal activity but it will happen several times during the season as well. I plan on doing this, among other things, until I have my clothes at a more manageable number. Who knows how long that will take? But this as well as other things are good steps towards my overall goal!
In upcoming months, I plan to keep working on this wardrobe project and posting about it. Just like the minimal wardrobe blogs I love reading, I hope my own trials and errors might help readers who might be struggling with the same issues.
2015 Goal - Reading
In January, I wrote down some goals I have for the year. I only marked down my general goals. I didn't want to get overwhelmed! I think it would be good to expand on each of the main topics. There are very specific things I want to accomplish within each goal section.
I'll be breaking down what I want to get done for each goal over the year and posting updates. See the first goal I tackled here.
The second goal I want to address is Reading.
Here's what I originally wrote:
Read More - I can only remember reading three books last year. Pitiful.
The three books I remember finishing are Sara Gran's Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead and Claire Dewitt and the Bohemian Highway, and Mark Mills' House of the Hunted. It's possible I read one or maaaaybe two more, but these are the only ones I remember reading.
I love to read, I should be reading more. Reading should be a priority. So that's my goal this year.
And I'm off to a good start. Or a start at least! Because I finished my first book in 2015:
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.
I started this book way back in September 2014. My mom was reading when we went on vacation to Cape May. She was almost done, but she forgot her copy at home. She decided to buy another bc she was eager to finish. I encouraged her to, so that I could have it when she was done. Two of my good friends had been recommending Bryson's books to me for a while so I was happy for the opportunity. As my mom was finishing it, reading at night or before a leisurely vacation nap, I would here her laughing to her self and I became even more interested. It's true that this book is funny, but it's also very informational, and somber in parts, too.
A Walk in the Woods tells the real life tale of Bryson's attempts to hike the Appalachian Trail from beginning to end. Through the series of his misadventures, he skillfully weaves the interesting and sometimes bizarre history of one of America's longest and oldest trails, with the relevance it still holds today. He imparts facts and knowledge about the trail and about hiking in America as seen through his own, at times pessimistic, world view and humor.
More and more as I grow older, I love books with facts. I love histories, especially about the American East Coast where I'm from. A Walk in the Woods was exactly the kind of book I've come to love. It's engaging and interesting, chock full of facts about the Appalachian Trail, it's history and geography, but moves along in an easy narrative. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, nature and hiking, or buddy stories.
Have you read this book? Leave a comment!
2015 Goal - Quilting
In January, I wrote down some goals I have for the year. I only marked down my general goals. I didn't want to get overwhelmed! I think it would be good to expand on each of the main topics. There are very specific things I want to accomplish within each goal section.
I'll be breaking down what I want to get done for each goal over the year and posting updates.
The first goal I want to address is Sewing/Blogging.
Here's what I originally wrote:
Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair.
What's pretty straight forward about this goal is that I want to sew more! All the time if I can. So that's the first big step.
Here are some ways I can do that:
+Get out all my WIPs and get things finished! Like other quilters/sewists, I love to get things started, try out new ideas, and get easily distracted by all the pretty fabrics! But I also love to put the finishing touches on my work. In a lot of ways, I like it even better bc I know that this thing that I made can now get used!
+Set up trades, join swaps, get ready for markets. Just generally get more motivated to work, work, work!
+Join in. I have already joined Adrianne's (On The Windy Side) Finish Along. And I plan to join in more with the quilting community this year, both online and IRL.
+Generally make sewing, and my artistic endeavors, more of a priority and focus in my day to day life. How this will happen, I'm not sure... But I have a whole Goal dedicated to it, so look out for updates.
Along with the above, there are some new fun quilty/sewist things that I want to do or try this year:
+Print my own fabric. I have been wanting to do stamping or screen printing on fabric for a while!
+Learn new blocks. I've been taking screen shots of so many blocks lately! I have to start a pinterest board just for them!
+Do some dying. I'm so inspired by dyers (like Folk Fibers)!
I feel like all these things and more will help me sew more.
Next up is blogging. I have been trying to make blogging a priority recently. I want to blog/update more regularly and read/comment more regularly. Join in, right! I've thought of some ways that might help me blog more:
+Set a time to to read blogs, set a time to write blogs. I usually check the computer before I go into work (unless it's one of my early days). I get my coffee, check out my favorite blogs, and pet the cats. This isn't such a bad routine. But sometimes, I'm short on time, I'm also writing work emails, I'm thinking about other things.... etc... Sometimes I write something, sometimes, I don't have time. I think it would be helpful for me to make the effort to get up a little early on "blog" days, stay focused and make an agenda of what I want to get done. Maybe plan to check blogs 4 times a week, and write blogs 2 times a week, get up early on those days, carve out that time and give it the care and consideration of work (not just lazing in front of the computer).
+Comment more. If I'm reading blogs 4 times a week, I should make sure to comment at least once a day.
+Set content. A lot of the blogs I love have set entries that they write every week. I love Reading My Tea Leaves' column My Week in Objects (Mostly), Little Green Shed's Nature in the Home, and of course Kathy's Quilts Slow Sunday Stitching. To name a few! I want to come up with a few things I would like to write up every week. I'd love to hear ideas from my readers!
And the last part of this goal for me (for now) is selling. I don't make my work to sell necessarily, I make it bc I love to make it. But I like the idea of selling my quilts, sewing, and arts. One of the things I enjoy about sewing is making things that are useful. I want people to enjoy and use the objects that I make. I love to see family and friends using items I have gifted them, but I would like to reach as many people as I can!
+Update my shop more often. This is a no brainer. I have to stock my shop, and keep people updated on what's there!
+Do giveaways and collaborations. I have a few giveaways planned for this year. I am in talks with a few artisans about some work we can do together.
+Sell at markets. I have some leads on this, too. It's hard for me, just starting out, to psych myself up for this... but I have to make this commitment!
+Expand my social media network. I'll have a post about all the places you can find me soon.
So I think that covers a lot! I have a lot of plans and goals for the year where sewing and blogging are concerned, and I'm excited.
It helped me a lot to hear other peoples goals for the year. Does anyone out there have some sewing goals for 2015? Share them in the comments!!
Goals for the New Year
Right around the beginning of the year, I was not going to write any goals for 2015. I never like to make resolutions, bc they sound like a punishment. Something you have to do, resolve to do,, not that you aspire to do. I do like to make a list of goals to keep in mind as I go thru the year. This year, I wasn't feeling it.
Until about the second week in January.
And then I started thinking of all the things I want to accomplish this coming year and how nice it would be to have a list to refer to. Not only did I end up creating a list, but I ended up with quite a long one. Bc it is so long, I will only write the broader concepts here and plan to make more detailed entries going forward.
Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work - I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me.
Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair.
Take Better Care of My Health and the Health of My Family/Take Better Care of the House - In all the hustle and bustle of work and life this is something I often forget to pay close attention to. I want to always be striving to make a better house for my family and plants and keep us in good health.
Stay in Touch with My Friends - I'm fairly antisocial by nature, but I love my friends and care to make them feel appreciated.
Use Up, Don't Buy - I need to reduce all things in my life and and make better use of the things I keep.
Wardrobe Makeover - One thing I have far too many of are clothes. I must make my wardrobe more manageable and stop buying clothes!
Travel when Possible - Always more exploring to be done.
Read More - I can only remember reading three books last year. Pitiful.
Move Out of the City - It's time.
I feel better already. Having something to read and refer to, I feel more confident I can see some of these goals come to fruition. I look forward to expanding on what I have written here in future blogs and can think of some fun ways to do so. I've enjoyed reading people's goals. Reading them helped me compose my own. If you haven't written any, I suggest doing so here in the comments.
