First off, thank you Heather! Heather was kind enough to make me a list of fun/interesting/challenging things to do...and on that list was "7. Learn to knit, if you haven't already." I had taught myself to knit (just the basics) a few years back, but hadn't done any knitting since. Which of course meant that I didn't remember a darn thing. :P So I adapted this to "relearn to knit." And what project would be more appropriate than to make something for my dear friend Heather, right? Sooooo...
...my chubby little fingers set awkwardly to work. I had such fun relearning, and honestly, without Heather's prompt who the heck knows when I might ever have picked up the needles again. And you know what, maybe the stitches aren't all so perfect, but I'm pretty darn happy with how it came out.
But then, darling Ms. Heather could make anything look wonderful. :D
(Project progress: Happiness Project, Heather's list of fun/interesting/challenging projects, Item 7-Learn/relearn to knit)
*****
Next up. Thank you Chris! Chris made me a list of scrumptious sounding books, all of which I'm dying to read. Well, okay, a few of them scare me...but that just makes it all the more fun. Anyway. As the days of 2011 were coming to an end, I managed to squeeze in my first read from Chris's list. And what an incredible little read it was!
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. This little book was an out-of-the blue surprise from none other than Chris himself. It includes not only "A Christmas Memory," but also two other wonderful stories titled "One Christmas" and "The Thanksgiving Visitor." I really loved all three stories, but "A Christmas Memory" is by far my favorite.
Oh my goodness. If you haven't read this before, please please please treat yourself to it next Christmas season. Not that you have to wait until then, of course. It's a sweet (but not of the saccharine variety), beautiful, touching story of a unique friendship. Seriously...it dug itself a cozy little spot right in the depths of my heart.
And as I'd hoped with the whole concept of my happiness project, the joy came from more than just the story itself. It came from knowing as I read every page that this was a treasure I was sharing with Chris because he picked it out for me to read. This particular story came with a bonus bit of joy...because it wasn't just Chris, but Ana as well, that stayed in my thoughts as I read. While this wasn't one of the books she'd picked for me, I know it's a story she loves as well, and it was because of her that Chris read this story in the first place.
Sheesh. I'm feeling mighty sentimental, aren't I? I'd apologize, except for the fact that I'm not really sorry. :P
(Project progress: Happiness Project, Chris's list of books, Item 32-A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
AND Misc. Projects--Read Ana's List of Midwinter Reads, Item 5-A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote)
*****
And that's it for now. I have a few more Happiness Project items started...some of which should be finished soon, some of which will take a bit longer. But all of which I'm having great fun with.
7 comments:
What a wonderful way to start a new year! I've been doodling in the huge Moleskine book Don gave me for Christmas. Coloring is scribble drawings is actually quite meditative. I can't wait to hear about the other things you're working on!
wow, the scarf looks fantastic! I'd ask for one but.. well.. you know.. florida and all that (even though we get a touch of cold weather then there's the 10 months of "where to store it" in this tiny apartment..heh..) I started a little crocheting the other day too! and began my second book of the year!.. woohoo for us! lol
What a gorgeous scarf! Knitting is so fun, isn't it? :D And that Capote story is so lovely: I read it thanks to Ana too.
I really need to send you more nonfic and documentaries! Eek! Sorry I forgot. Will fix that soon.
And my scarf is so gorgeous and warm and wonderful because my dear friend Debi made it. Did I mention I love it? :P
And that Capote story is so wonderful. I read it a few years ago and adored it. I wish I had thought to read it last month! I'm so glad you liked it!
Oh, see, I would LOVE to know how to knit, but I tried to learn it was just terrible! Also, if I knew I would have about a millions scarves because I am obsessed with scarves and Lorrie thinks I have too many, but yet I walked home with yet another one the other day... (My mother can in fact knit/crochet and it is really cool!)
I was trying to listen to more music from Ana's list, but I have no sound. I might have to skip my post tomorrow. :(
Jean,
Ooooh, I want to see some of your doodling. :D I agree, I think doodling is soooo relaxing and meditative.
Pat,
You know I actually thought about making you a scarf--and then of course thought, "Yeah Debi, like Pat has a lot of use for a scarf in Florida." :P
Eva,
Thank you! And yes, I do love knitting, though I've yet to move past the basics. One of these days...
And YAY for more Eva books! YAY for Eva documentaries! :D
Heather,
I so so so so so so so so happy that you like it!!! I had such fun thinking about you while I made it. :D
Kelly,
I think crocheting is much easier than knitting. Maybe that's because I learned to crochet as a kid, I don't know. But believe me, knitting did *not* come easy to me either!
I can't knit anymore because of silly Sjogren's, so I never moved far past the basics either. But even the basics are very soothing! I was taught by a lovely Norwegian woman, which gives me fond memories. :D
Post a Comment