Lately.

It's funny how many posts in my "draft queu" are entitled "Lately." After not writing for a while, I think "Lately" is my attempt to sum up all of the changes/revelations and events that have colored my life since I last visited this space. There are too many to mention, so I'll share the ones that make me smile the most.

This little guy was hanging out (upside down) in our basil patch, tucked just like this under a leaf a few weeks ago when we did our annual pesto marathon. I actually consister the basil harvest quite a tiresome chore, so seeing him brightened my day quite a bit.

I have a new baby nephew! Cameron David was born just a few weeks ago, and with the help of a good work friend, I was able to go up and visit him when he was just a few days old.

Being held by his Grandpa, after whom he is named.

Salmaan is moving on to a a new job on Monday. Friday marked his last day in a work situation that was no longer happy or healthy, and I couldn't be more thrilled or proud of him. He has worked hard for this change, and deserves every bit of it!

We're going on vacation next week, and I am very ready. It puts him in a weird situation to only work at the new job for a week, and then go on vacation for a week, but this was planned five months ago, so it just worked out that way. We are going to the beach, and the house has a hot tub. This type of time off is exactly what I've been needing for about the last month. Just a relaxed time away, with good food and drink, good friends popping in to say hello, and space for quiet reflection. And knitting. Oh, you say? Yes. I'm still knitting. If only very recently.

Throw in some sock yarn, a Steven West shawl pattern, and some scenic knitting locations away from home, and BAM! I got my mojo back. Daybreak has been a mental respite for me, and once I hit the stripes section, was really easy to get along with. Of course, Cedar Spring Inn and the surrounding countryside certainly didn't hurt.

We've begun juicing!

I started to get interested in juicing a few months ago, after reading some blogs about it. Then, bought some books about it. Salmaan does the shopping/errands, and a few weeks ago he came home with a juicer as a surprise. I was SO EXCITED, and we promptly went out and bought a ton of fruit and veg to begin experimenting! It has been a lot of fun, and I've certainly noticed a difference in my skin. I will say, juicing takes more time than you'd think it would. There's prepping the fruit/veg, and the actual juicing itself takes a while, then you have to clean the machine pretty much immediately after you're done. I was hoping to make it a breakfast thing, but there's not much time between gym routine and getting ready for work to make it happen, so we've been having them in the evenings, which is fine by me. It's a neat way to get your vitamins/minerals naturally, and in an easy to consume form. The one pictured above involved lots of carrots (probably my favorite juice, and certainly one of the most palatable veggie juices) and a red bell pepper. Yum.

So, there will be more knitting content to come, and hopefully some relaxing vacation photos to share, and I've certainly tried a few new recipes worth mentioning, but those are for another time. 

Happy Autumn, everyone!

Comments

[barefoot rooster]

i like all of this. your photos are LOVELY -- and i'm looking forward to hearing more about the juicing. (And the daybreak shawl.) My mom did a lot of juicing when I was in high school -- I was lucky enough to be handed a frothy glass of pineapple juice every morning for a few years. So good.

[April]

That tiny little frog is adorable. Such a fun find too.