Annette's Acre

Just some odds and ends to share….

First, I snapped this (with my Blackberry) yesterday as I was leaving work:

I was sitting in the vanpool van, this isn’t thru my windshield.  The rainbow was so bright!  It was lovely.

Here’s my Olympic knitting progress:

Sadly, my Olympic goal is not looking good.  This is a two-skein project and I’ve yet to finish the first one (seen on the left).  We shall see.

I did manage to finish the latest in the Mirabilia RR – this is a portion of Violet.

I also finished a couple books… and have to recommend one of them to any fan of good old fashioned sword/sorcery/epic fantasy.

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

This is the first in a trilogy and by all that’s holy, do *not* read the blurb for the second book before you finish the first one.  MAJOR spoiler right there!!  It’s got magic, politics, fighting, assassins, heroes and a nice twisty plot

As my stitching friends know, the best way to beat back a dreaded Stitching Slump is with new stash, right??

I had a comment from Theresa of Shakespeare’s Peddler on my recent post expressing my love of her new Jenny Bean…. (I know, I’m still kinda shocked and awed that she’d take the time to comment, let alone follow a link that was sent to her.  Thank you to whoever did that!!!)

So this reminded me I have been remiss about adding Ms. Bean’s previous releases to my stash.  And given the major slumpiness that is threatening to o’ertake me, no time like the present.

Christmas Sampler, Halloween Sampler (including threads) are on the way directly from Shakespeare’s Peddler (via Etsy).

Also sent a query on pre-ordering the newest one (with 36-ct fabric, though).

I can feel the Slump-y fingers loosening…..

This weekend was devoted to two primary endeavors:

• Watching the Winter Olympics
• Catching up on recently released (to DVD) movies and one new theatre release

One would think that another result would be some great stitching progress, right?

Yeah.  One. Would. Think.

But let’s hold that for a minute…..

For the first time, I watched the entire opening ceremonies for the Olympics.  That’s right… first time *ever*.  I admit to fast-forwarding thru some bits (we didn’t start watching until after K got home from work, so had an hour+ on the DVR), including two long-winded speeches, but we watched until the torch was lit.  Very interesting.  Loved the tap/jazz sequence and KD Lang’s rendition of Hallelujah.

I also started my Olympic knitting project during the show.  Managed a few inches….

On Saturday and Sunday the Olympic watching continued.  Other than hockey, I’ll pretty much watch every other sport.  Love the skiing (downhill, slalom – moguls are growing on me).  Love luge/bobsled.  Figure skating is the best (men’s and ice dancing are my favorites, but will watch them all).

I didn’t watch every minute of coverage, but managed most of the primetime NBC hours.  And a few more inches of Olympic knitting.  Sock yarn and #3 needles are sloooow growing.  Love the colors

Movies

DH rented a few movies on Friday for weekend.  I had given him a wish list and was pleasantly surprised at what came home.

Julie & Julia (DVD) - watched this on Saturday afternoon.  I admit to feeling a curious desire to buy an orange Le Creuset crockpot and make beef bourguignon afterward.  Luckily, this feeling has passed.  Overall, a good movie, but with a few loose ends I wish were tied up more neatly.  Not enough for me to hunt down the book, though.

The Time Traveler’s Wife (DVD) - this was Sunday afternoon’s movie.  I admit, I *adored* the book.  I found it romantic and captivating and the movie was the same.  I shed a tear at the end of the book and had tissue in hand for the movie.  Now, it’s been years since I read the book so I cannot state it was a faithful telling or not.  Maybe that’s a good thing?

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (DVD) - late Sunday afternoon with the kids.  Entertaining.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (theatre) – Kids and I saw this at 10 this morning.  I was totally surprised at the number of other folks with the same idea!  Theatre was at least 85 – 90% capacity.  Not many empty seats to be found.

This story I read just a few months ago, so I can definitely state there were some significant changes in the plot along the way.  Of course, it would be virtually impossible for them to cram it all in.  I get that.  Totally.  And with *one* exception, I thought the movie was quite good on its own merit.

The one exception is this:  Athena at The Parthenon.  The one shown in the movie looked nothing like this.  This bugs me.  It’s a real place.  Couldn’t you use the real statue?  How many people are now going to visit the Parthenon in Nashville and say “Hey, that’s not the right statue!”

Just sayin’.

TUSAL

Here’s my jar for the month:

As you can see, unlike last month there’s really no nice clean layers for projects worked on.  Sure, you can see the pink  yarn where I finished the baby blanket.  Otherwise – a  hodgepodge. This will be the norm, I’m sure.  Especially if I continue in this haphazard-don’t-want-to-work-on-anything-in-the-queue mood I’m in right now.

• Stupid people will continue to do stupid things without any encouragement
• Three weeks is way too long between nail appointments
• At approx 2.5 weeks at least one nail will lift
• Bandaids are useful for “holding” lifted nails and make it appear that all is well
• One must remove aforementioned bandaid to use finger to pass security at work
•  If I *should* work on a project, I have no interest in doing so
• If I should *not* work on a project [cough] Olympic knitting [/cough] I really want to
• I really really really like the new Jenny Bean sampler
• But not on 40 count, maybe 36?
• My LNS owner can talk me into a lot of things (like doing the new Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow on 30-ct.  Over one)
• I really like the TV show “Bones”
• I have a number of seasons to catch up on
• I am a Mass Effect 2 widow
• But that’s ok since I can play with the new laptop, watch my favorite shows and sleep soundly with the game in the background

Pssst.. Cheryl:  This is the yarn.  This is the pattern

It’s that time again!

The Yarn Harlot has posted her plans for the Knitting Olympics.

I participated four years ago and successfully medalled so I’ve got to try for a repeat.

One of this month’s goals was to start a scarf for my friend, S.  With everything else going on, finishing will be a stretch, but one I’m willing to take up as my Olympic challenge!!

Life has been a little…. distracting.

This past week, I needed two clones to cover all the meetings on my calendar. 

As cloning has yet to come about, you can imagine how hectic this made the days.

I also got something new in the mail:

My new personal laptop.  The color is OPI’s “I’m Not Really a Waitress” which just happens to be my favorite nail polish color :D  The white lines aren’t there – just reflections.  I’ve been installing and favorite-ing and all those fun new computer things.

My stitching progress has not been much.  It has reminded me how much I dislike white-on-white (or in this case buttermilk on magnolia).

The laptop wallpaper is Nero, our youngest schnauzer.  He’s the reason I came home from Vegas early but I’m happy to report he’s had no further issues.  He’s back to his lovable dopey self.