Lately I've wanted to create one of those really witty posts that tie everything I want to write about together into some super intelligent, humorous theme, complete with to-die-for photos. You know, the kind of photos that people ask you to put on blank greeting cards and sell to them. The caliber of humor that makes you chuckle at your own joke while sitting at a traffic light, instead of absentmindedly picking your nose.
Well, fuck that.
Sometimes you just gotta say what you want to say, and know that it's good enough. And when it comes to this blog, the standard from the beginning was whether it was good enough for me. Then, somewhere along the line, that changed. The parents and other family members discovered this space (hey Mom, hey Dad), and lately, with the advent of Facebook and "friending" more and more of my colleagues, people I work with are now reading (hello work peeps), and of course there have always been the knitters. This isn't anonymous anymore. But, was it ever? Was it ever, really? Um. No. Probably, not really.
So, no bells, no whistles, no more thinking and rethinking this or that idea...from now on this is a narrative on how good it feels to let it all out there. Like a breath of fresh air, this is my time, my space to be ME. That's how it was in the beginning, and that's how it'll be from here on out.
It has to be. That's the whole POINT.
*Breathes deeply*
I needed to say that. Thanks. And now, on to the good shtuff.
Today I came home to this:

I purchased some Madelinetosh Worsted from Webs last week. They took forever to ship it. I was about to call them today to check on the order, but was thrilled when it came in the mail. Their discounts are MUHNEY. These skeins are normally $18.00 (sometimes more, depending on the vendor), but with the discount they offer, they were $15 each. Not bad at all.
I love Madelinetosh. It's friggin' gorgeous. And lusciously soft. The only thing is that each skein is hand painted with some sort of "glazed" technique (why does that always make me think of donuts? And not JUST donuts, but Homer Simpson drooling and saying the WORD, "Dohnuuuuts"), so each skein is pretty different, even in the same color. They recommend that you alternate skeins every other row, which makes sense. However, I'm going to knit this yarn into the
Treeline Cardigan, so I'm not really sure how that's going to happen. The only skein that gives me concern is the rightmost blue one. It's more blackish than the other two, and I don't want it to be obvious. We'll see how it works out. What I DO know is that I will NOT be weaving in every other blue stripe. Hello, Greek depiction of Hell. Hello, Reality. Goodbye, Greek depiction of Hell.
I'm also gauging up for a KAL on the Garter Yoke Cardigan (two sweaters at one time, Laura?!?!? Are you KUHRACY????) that will commence next week. I'm super pumped about it, as I'm doing it with my two best
blog friends, who are awesome people and knitters. Bring on the autumn weather!
We bought curtains for our bedroom, which has been bangin' awesome. No more waking up to glaring sunlight infiltrating the blinds that never closed QUITE tightly enough...no more waking up naturally on weekdays, either (the NOT so awesome consequence). I'm glad we did it. What's life without a little rushing? Soap in my eyes, Run in my panythose--PAH! I OWN you.
We found a Thai restaurant that is less than 10 minutes from our front door. And it's good. Really, really good. We went there for the second time this evening, and already feel like regulars. I love how it feels to be treated like a regular. I also love green curry and thai eggplant.
I baked the Barefoot Contessa's Peach/Blueberry crumble dessert this weekend. It was like my culinary adios to summer. We ate some, and froze most of it. It was delicious.
Salmaan also stood on his feet for almost 3 hours that same day and used up all of our harvested basil (and, believe me, that was a LOT of basil) to make pesto for the winter. He made enough for 26 dinners. I think we're good to go, even if the White Witch decides to pay Virginia a visit. I mean, that's enough basil to dig in until Aslan shows up. Yep. That's right. I'm a Narnia nerd.
Wednesday, Salmaan bought a whole case of our f
avorite white wine, and the proprietor of the wine shop was so jazzed by Salmaan's enthusiasm over it, he gave him 25% off. That's when I realized, there really is a God.
Adele is singing live on Palladia this evening, and her acoustic stuff is so much better than that popular crap song, Chasing Pavements. Before I looked up the lyrics, I thought she was a baby mama going after baby daddy for child support. "Should I give up, or should I just keep chasin' payments..." I want to understand the WORDS, SINGER PEOPLE! ENUNCIATE! Her other stuff is really nice, though. She's a talented vocalist.
While we were at the Thai restaurant, River absolutely annihilated the wool looped rug that I got for free from L.L.Bean with my coupon dollars. I don't understand, as she doesn't tear anything up anymore, with the exception of magazines that I leave on the floor. Even though I got it for free, I'm still pissed and bummed. Just a little.
My Ishbel that I started last week is coming along incredibly well. The color is so bright, it almost makes my eyes water. I hope I like it when it's finished. Salmaan is convinced that I will.

I found a new
blog that I've really enjoyed reading.
I'm starting to really, very seriously, consider the idea of writing a novel. A work of fiction. I've actually been choked up at how enthusiastically supportive Salmaan has been about that, in particular. I'm an incredibly lucky woman. One that has been outlining, feverishly.
And that's what's been going on lately. Feel that? No...THAT, just there. It's a breath of fresh air. Feels GOOD.