raindrops keep falling

Here's a little taste of what this week has been like in these parts.

It's been all wet feet and grey skies, relentless rain and soggy ground.  I've had time to slow down after the past few weeks of excitement and travel.  Even Beulah seems tired and has been extra-cuddly, perhaps because she has no intention whatsoever of stepping foot out into the downpour unless absolutely necessary!  Fires may be raging in other parts of the country, but there is little chance of that here any time soon.  I feel a settling inside, an appreciation for everything that happened over the summer and an emerging readiness for autumn.  Unfortunately, I doubt we will get much fall weather for at least another month or so.  It's these transition periods that are so hard for me.  Apparently I'm really impatient with change; for me it's all or nothing right now.  Perhaps this is a lesson I'm supposed to learn ~ to be gracious about change and to let it happen in its own time.  I'm trying to remember that nothing happens overnight, but it's hard for me to accept that I cannot force change and that it's ok.  As September kicks off with a sense of remembrance and reflection over 9/11 and the holiday season fast approaches, I plan to take this month to recoup and redirect yet again.  Like the seasons, I feel it's necessary to stop at times and think about plans, dreams, aspirations and changes which need to be made.  As the rain falls outside my windows I contemplate life indoors and recharge for all the good awaiting me.

run for it

I've been running quite a bit lately, trying to whip myself back in shape after my post-Army slump.  My goal for the last two weeks was 10 miles a week and this week it's been upped to 15.  Not really all that much, considering I used to log in about 20-30.  It's always, always hard to get started, but as soon as I get myself out the door and hit the road I feel better.  The goal is to be consistent, and to continue to increase my mileage (and hopefully speed which has been downright embarrassing) until I'm in shape to run a 10-miler, to be followed with a half-marathon and maybe even a full one of these days.  There are a few races I'm keeping in mind for next year, but for now I'm completely content to just make the running and mileage goals a habit again. 

And it might be just about time for a new pair of shoes.  Hmph, too bad they're so expensive!

endpaper mitts

Time for a knitting update!  I'm so proud!  My first color work project COMPLETE and not too shabby looking!

These here are the Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang and I looovvvee them!  This being my first project of the kind, the color is a little wonky here and there, but I'm pretty sure I'll be the only one to notice.  I took these photos on the patio yesterday evening after they were blocked and dried and couldn't wait to get them off again, they were so warm.  Another project added to my winter stash of "things I made."

weekend plans

As the weekend draws closer, my list of things to do gets longer and longer. Simplifying, streamlining and re-configuring all the moving parts of my life certainly can be hard work! However, it's worth it. I feel it's healthy to take a close look at yourself from time to time and re-evaluate what is working and what isn't. As I continue to tweak myself and my life closer and closer to my goals there is one constant theme ~ a need for positive changes and frequent evaluations of where I am and what I am doing. Exciting stuff, really. For me anyhow.

So, I'm off to enjoy Friday evening and look forward to a weekend of clearing out spaces both internally and externally. Have a great weekend!

garter yoke cardigan

Remember when I said I wanted to knit a sweater in 2011? Well, not only have I done it, but I have surpassed my greatest expectations and done it twice! This weekend marked the completion of my Garter Yoke Cardigan. You know, that project I've been working on forever?


I would have finished it earlier, but I mean, it's 100 percent heavy-duty wool! And it's hot outside.


However, I'm pleased with the outcome. It fits nicely (a little snug, but I think that it will stretch out a bit as worn) and it will certainly be warm! (I promise to check and move the tp out of the way of the shot next time...)


Choosing the buttons turned out to be the best part of this project. These aren't the most fun ones ever, but I like that they look kind of Celtic-y.


Anyhow, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! And I'm already planning the next one! One thing is for sure, I'm not going to be cold this winter.

time to get moving

My holiday weekend can be summed up in one photo:


Not a whole lot of activity, one might say. It was nice, real nice, but after three days of lounging (interspersed with occasional jaunts to the park to wear the pup out) last night I decided it was high time to get myself back into gear.

And so I give you:


This. I like to call it, "A Glimpse of Dorian Gray, Post Destruction of Said Painting." Things aren't too pretty in Chez Emily at 0545.

But, it worked out well. Beulah and I went for a long walk (with coffee in hand) around the neighborhood. I went for a post-walk run, ate breakfast, packed lunch, chased the dog around the house and headed to work, a little muscle soreness paying me back for being lazy for over a week.


So, no more lounging around the house. No more pizza. No more beer. No more not paying attention to the money I spend on crap.

Time to get moving, accomplish some more of this year's goals, keep the momentum up. Even a 0545 wakeup is cool, as long as it gets me closer to where I want to be.

I'll be buying more coffee later today.

tinkering around

Lately I've been spending a bit of time tinkering around my little garden of pots. It's so exciting to see all the little plant hopefuls begin to flourish and grow.

There have been some failures, like the original pot of petunias. Note to self, don't even think about using a pot with no drainage. It never works. Never. I've replaced the first batch with these lovelies:


My tomatoes, you ask? They are humming right along. As the summer gears up I am seeing little fruits pop up almost every week. Now, I have no idea when any of them will actually be ready to harvest (I like that term, harvest. Just saying it makes me feel like a "real gardener.") I'm keeping a close eye on them, though and the moment they are ready ~ they will be chopped up with some olive oil and basil before those tomatoes know what happened!


With basil from my herb garden, of course. The basil, rosemary, parsley and mint (not pictured here) are thriving in their multi-colored pots. The cilantro was another fail. The first plant grew, no problem, but when I cut it to use some I must have cut it wrong. Cilantro plant, the elder, was exchanged for a younger model. Which I shall be more careful with the next time I need some in a recipe.


My first experiment with actually growing something from seed is turning out well! I'm pleased to introduce you to my fair nasturniums-in-training. This is the only patch of dirt inside my little patio space and has been enhanced with some potting soil as topsoil. I did exactly what the package said to do; soaked the seeds for 24 hours, planted them into the soil so they had enough darkness... and here they are! Hopefully they will continue to grow and will produce pretty (and edible) flowers.


I find myself sitting outside of an evening, Beulah chewing on a bone at my feet, enjoying the growth around me and dreaming up idea for the rest of the season. What comes next? Any ideas?


The plan is to continue to grow something or another outside my door throughout the year. As the seasons pass I want to swap out the plants that die for seasonal ones. Mums in the fall, maybe evergreens in the winter, bulbs for the spring. An ever-changing garden to watch and enjoy.

12 months, 12 goals

As the last few goals I have for this new year are all sort of intertwined, I think I'll just list them here with a teensy bit of elaboration....

Stop to smell the roses - live in the moment, try to enjoy the now and not spend all my time planning the future

Learn to love my life - Sometimes I feel as thought I don't put enough energy into loving myself and the life that I lead. This year I want to be more aware of this negativity concerning myself and take decisive steps to stop it already!

Make my home my sanctuary - I'm looking for a new place right now, for a longer term lease. This next year I'm going to settle in a bit and maybe stay in one place for a year!

Stay more connected with friends and family - email, phone calls, facebook, whatever. I want to be better about keeping track of the important people.

12 months, 12 goals

(That's me in front; number 125. Right before the Ft. Bragg Army 10-miler...)

I bet you can guess these next two goals. They're the same ones we all make. Every year. But this time I'm serious! So, my health goals for this year:

Exercise every day (or, at least most days)
and
Eat less processed foods

That's easy enough, right?? I'm already making soups and have joined a new (and very cheap) gym and I'm tracking my progress with a little check-off chart ;)

12 months, 12 goals

Time for a combo post! Seeing as how several of my goals are knitting-based, I think I'll knock out two today.

First, I will knit a sweater! This is the year, I can feel it. I will not only knit a sweater, but I will knit one that fits. Specifically I will knit this sweater.


It's the Oatmeal Pullover, by Jane Richmond. The class starts this evening! I'm pretty durn excited.

Next up, fair isle. I want to learn to knit beautiful things like this:


I mean, how amazing are these? Sooo beautiful! It might kill me, but I will learn.

12 months, 12 goals

This next goal is one that has been brewing in my head and heart for a while now.

Goal 4 - contribute to a cause.

Forgive me for this, but I'm going to take a moment to share why this is important to me this year. During the year I spent in the Middle East I met a lot of Iraqis who were good people. I tried to make an effort to be the kind of American who left a good impression, rather than a negative one (I was in the position to do so) and so was lucky enough to get to know a few of these folks on a slightly more personal level. I shocked me to see first-hand the devastation of the country and the life of a people. Especially the women and children.

I feel that in many countries where large amounts of the population are suffering, it is the women and children who bear the brunt of the pain. I won't go into my personal thought on religion and patriarchy, but I feel an intense need to help others who are less fortunate than I and to focus my attentions especially on women and little girls. The other day my father sent me this story and it finally solidified the necessity of doing something to help.

So, this year I plan to find a way to help these sisters of mine. I plant to start with contributing handmade blankets to Afghans for Afghans. I'm just going to do small ones, as they have to be made of wool and let's face it... wool ain't cheap! But, my goal is to knit or crochet one each month for the year. Twelve total.

I'm starting with this pattern by Alicia Paulson, the Tiramisu Blanket. (photo from tamsi on Ravelry)


I've added a tab on the sidebar to Afghans for Afghans if anyone reading this would like to read about them. I will also start a flickr slideshow thingie to keep me honest on this. As I go through this year I have another organization planned to contribute to financially, but will speak more on that later; once I am able to actually start getting involved.

12 months, 12 goals

2011 goal number three: spend more time outdoors. There's something about spending time outside hiking, camping, or just sitting that is so relaxing and calming. I know for a fact that the more time I spend "communing with nature," if you will, the happier I am overall. And really, it's not like it's hard to do. Or expensive.


So, in 2011 (as soon as the weather gets a little warmer!!) I'm going to make it a point to take the dog and head out into Mother Nature. Resume the weekly hikes I was planning on last year. Really, truly go to all these nice parks around the area. Explore Virginia a bit more.


After all, if you know something makes you happier why the heck wouldn't you do it? I have no idea, but this year I'm changing my old patterns and consciously choosing the activities that I love.

12 months, 12 goals

You know, there was once a time when this next goal of mine wasn't even something I would think of. The Greene family are readers, and I am no exception. However, now-a-days life gets in the way and instead of reading for a few hours on the couch I find myself doing other things that are not as satisfying.


So, goal #2: read more. I'm aiming for at least one book a month (totally do-able right?) More is good, more is always good when it comes to reading, but one a month is the minimum.


As you can see, I have a smallish stack of books I'm browsing through. Out of this stack I'm going to start out the year right with "Three Cups of Tea," by Greg Mortenson. Maybe I'll even schedule in time, like Sunday mornings = reading time. Yeah, that's the ticket!

12 months, 12 goals

In the spirit of the New Year, and all it entails I think I'll spend the next few days sharing a few goals with you. 2011 is hereby the year of goals, not resolutions. Goals seem so much more do-able than resolutions, don't you think? This year I've decided to make (and meet) 12 goals, one for each month of the year.

Goal 1: knit pretty and practical things. I want to make things I can and will use, or can send to others to use. This is part-and-parcel of my overall life goal of building a life that is more meaningful.

So far so good. I present to you the first knitted object of 2011!! It's a small shawl for Oma, thanks to Mother's suggestion.

I had this gorgeous yarn laying around in my little stash and it was just enough to make this little shawlette. I'll be sending it off with love to Oma and maybe a little color will make her smile.