Musing Mondays and a Blog within a Blog

Jenn at Books and a Beat hosts our Musing Mondays:

 "Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Have you ever read a book after watching the movie/television version only to find that you don’t like the book as much as the adaptation?

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your answer in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

In answer to the second question-

• Up next I think I’ll read…"I'm currently reading the same book- "The Scam" by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg and I'm enjoying it, but I'm ready to go on to something new. Catherine Anderson has a lovely new book out for Spring called "New Leaf" and she's usually puts out great books, I've read all her older books. So I'm looking forward to her new tale- New Leaf.

My answer to the last question is - No. I generally like the books the best and a lot of times I'm  disappointed with a movie just because I imagined it a certain way that the movie didn't capture. If I liked it I probably just thought it did the book justice. Once in a blue moon I will think the movie and or TV series surpasses the book.  Lately I've been watching the Outlander TV series and it is amazing and it is as good as the books.

 But that's my favorite book series and it does do it tremendous justice. It's lovely and you can see Diana Gabaldon's hand in it's creation. Nothing beats the books- but this can sidle up next to them and be worthy and in some ways flesh out the vision one sees when imagining what Gabaldon wrote. I do love the books.  A treat- the next few weeks till April 9th the first season is on free for viewing on the Starz site- Outlander Season # 1. Enjoy! I will.

Enjoy posting on her blog your comments or links to your blog and I've got a bit of a new twist- read on and enjoy an amazing Cinnamon Roll recipe I blogged on my Baking blog called Sweet To Be.

When I was a young child I was fascinated by a painting of a horse in my Grandfather's house. In the painting the painter of the painting is standing in front of the horse while the painting that you are looking at is at the artist's feet. So in effect, you have a painting within a painting that goes back into infinity visually. So I am reading the same book and I am knitting the same cardigan (because of rip outs!), so I did a blog on how to make some awesome Cinnamon Rolls on my Baking blog named Sweet To Be. So in effect I am giving you a blog within a blog and this will be posted also on the Books and a Beat Blog- a blog within a blog. 

 I've assisted Cooking Classes for many years and helped an awesome Chef make Cinnamon Rolls, but I could never quite get it right. So here are my perfect cinnamon rolls and they're great for eating while reading (and knitting); which I am going to do in a moment. 

Amazing Cinnamon Rolls 

My blog on my current knitting project in the photos- Wool & The Gangs fearless Cardigan

Wool & The Gang's Fearless Cardigan

This is a continuation of a previous post on this sweater- Lovely Yarn Escapes- The Sumptuous Sexy Fearless Cardigan. Due to rip outs and just life in general I seemed to have dragged a day project out for weeks. But I love doing it and for me learning to knit is a process (I've knitted since college days but I'm always learning!) and frogging it sometimes is a part of that- especially for a perfectionist like me. So I'm learning a lot with this project and my husband made me large #50 Maple circular needles for it and I've finally gotten used to using them, (A tutorial on how to make them will follow).

      The Fearless Cardigan by Wool & The Gang is described in  Ravelry- Fearless Cardigan as-

"... a cardigan with a twist: the Fearless Cardigan is knitted entirely sideways, from sleeve to sleeve in one piece! Knitted in our luscious Crazy Sexy Wool on large needles, the resulting fabric is soft, drapey, and warm enough even for the chilliest of days. The unique construction makes this an extra fun project."

 I've been enjoying the actual knitting of this project, but I got carried away with adjustments. (Previous post: Lovely Yarn Escapes- The Sumptuous Sexy Fearless Cardigan). I was trying to make it more like these photos and many Ravelry knitters mention how it's not as long when they make it and the sleeves are 3/4's and it doesn't meet in the middle (which is part of the design). I'd like it to meet in front to keep me warm, and I love long sleeves at least to the wrist and maybe a tad longer; it certainly can get cold here in Colorado. 

So I over adjusted and found when it resulted in a gorilla size that frogging was in order. So it has been torn down to the 17in. sleeve at 22 stitches (instead of 15" and about 17 rows) and here I go again. I want to have sleeves to the wrist and add enough to the back for an overall bigger fit. Ravelry- GGMadeIt makes the best adjustments and I'm using her as a guide. She adds 3 rows to the body- front and back for 13 rows.
Update- I ended up adding 15 rows to the body because my stitches are still a bit under gauge and I'd rather have it extra large to wrap myself in. The sleeves I worked 23 stitches.

  It's good I just love working with this wool,  it feels great in my hands and I'm determined the end result will be as perfect as this Crazy Sexy Wool deserves.

Friday, March 25- Finally finished with one side that I believe will be the right size. I love this yarn! And working with my handmade #50 circular needles is becoming a pleasure- they've darkened with use from the wool's natural oil. 

 

Friday Fantasy on a Cold Colorado Day: I Dream of Cardigans

     It's a cold snowy day in Colorado so bear with me, I want to post my dreams of cardigans I'd like to do this year. I have a long list of possible projects queued up in Pinterest or in Ravelry under my Favorites; and I am quite aware that it would be humanly impossible to do all of them. But it's beautiful to look at them and dream. So here's some "Dreamscapes" that I hope to accomplish. Feel free to share your dreams of knitting or share your knitting blog of Knitting Adventures below with your "Friday Fantasys".

                           Hamlin Peak- Original Pattern w/Quince & Company Kestrel Linen

  

                                           Hamlin Peak in Rowan Pure Linen Sz 9 needle

                                                   Rachaellaves Pebble Hamlin Peak

                          Hamlin peak- Longer Version in Pebble Quince & Co Kestrel Linen

Ravelry- Pole Pattern

Free Pattern from Wool & The Gang

Summer Lace Wrap Cardigan

Enjoy your knitting dreams & may they all come true.

     Check out last week's Friday Fantasy Knits: Lovely Yarn Escapes- Friday Fantasy Knits

Happy St. Paddy's Day and Learn How to Knit (Part 2)

     Happy St. Paddy's Day- I've got to say that I have lots of Irish in me- Scots-Irish, Protestant Irish and from my Dad's side Catholic Irish. I'm so glad they have peace now. In my childhood and not so long ago we grew up with stories of bombings in Ireland and it was so commonplace it was like you were listening to what we hear out of the Mid-East today. At least that was my impression as a child. Who then could of ever thought there could be peace! It's so good. So Blessings today!

             

     This is Technique Thursday and I want to continue working on our Simple Scarf today. Last week we learned how to choose a knitting needle for your yarn (with the help of it's handy wrapper) and how to cast on. I kind of left you hanging there (unless you delved into the tutorial list I gave). So today we want to simply go over the Garter Stitch- which is Knit on one side and Knit on the other. Real simple.

                                                   Ravelry- Garter Stitch Eternity Scarf

     We started with a cast on. Have the number of stitches you think would make a good width for your scarf. You can estimate that by looking at the gauge on the yarn wrapper. From experience worsted weight can need about 18 to 20 stitches. This might be too wide. We all have different preferences. Remember if you don't like it- you can "Frog" it. Which means in knit speak- rip it out! And start over. I find I always console myself that I have learned something from the experience and I do like my results as perfect as possible (but that's me). Imperfect can have it's charm- now a days not looking like a factory piece and hand made is good. A bulky or super bulky yarn is going to take less stitches. Again consult the wrapper. How many stitches per inch for the needle you got (hopefully you picked out the recommended needle or one size up for a looser drapey knit). So remember it's OK to guess- this is not rocket science and it's only the beginning. You need to make mistakes to learn and a scarf, well there's a lot of leeway room in what you do- if it's not perfect- no big deal. We're just starting.
                                             
                                             Well-Knitting Project 2 – a Garter Stitch Scarf

So here's my video on cast-on with super bulky-
 Cast on

And my how to video on the Garter Stitch- 
Garter Stitch

     If you decided to do the Ravelry- patterns Garter Stitch Scarf  cast on 20 stitches with Bulky yarn and knit away. If you run out of yarn- simply tie the ends together with a new skein at the end of a row; later we'll weave the ends in.
Enjoy the Journey!

Yarn Along, Reading on a Tablet and My Surprise

                 

                 

Join us for Yarn Along Wednesdays hosted by Small Things. Ginny says: "~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading and I love sharing my projects and current reads here. I would love for you to join me every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting (or crocheting) and reading too! Share your photo on your blog, on Instagram (#yarnalong), or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us!~" So mosey over to her site if you want to post anything.

     When I knit I read and drink tea. It's a place of rest and serenity. I place of Home. I recently got a Fire Tablet from Amazon and I've never used one before or owned a reader like a Kindle. I'm kind of old fashioned and a bit stubborn when it comes to new technology. OK, don't laugh. I'm 55 and was born in 1960. Kennedy was President and the 6o's hadn't happened yet. TV's were black and white and when I was  9 yrs. old a man walked on the moon. I remember sitting on the blue rug in front of the TV with the family and seeing the guy bounce (in black & white) and hearing those now famous words- "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". Even then they sounded so significant and as if they echoed through time. You just knew it was pivotal.

                             Telegraph- Neil Armstrong and a TV drama none of us will ever forget


     So for me yes these devices are new and I do love books. I love holding them and flipping and ear-marking the paper. So for me this is one small step towards technology; but I am firmly bonded to my books. The ability to read a book on such a thin and light device is very nice though for my hands (I have carpel tunnel so I thought it a wise choice for me) and I like that it glows at night; so I can keep reading and turn out the lights for my husband who goes to bed very early. Sometimes I've gotten growled at with my light on! No more! So while I have my hardback books I'm still reading (Lovely Yarn Escapes- Books, Knitting and Reading History) I did download a Jill Shalvis book to be on my Kindle App when I got the Fire Tablet. She's a favorite author of mine of contemporary romance and she always has a great sense of humor. Her books always sparkle. This book is called "My Kind of Wonderful".

     So far it's been a fun read and grabs your attention at a top of a mountaintop in Colorado. Since it snowed last night and I woke up to a snow dusted Colorado it seems appropriate- Colorado and my soul are not ready to be rid of winter and the snow. While everyone was grumbling this morning that it looked like Maine I secretly rejoiced. Just give me a bit more cold and snow, but I get to stay home and snuggle up and make potato soup later and maybe Whole Wheat Bread in my bread machine. Knit and blog and read. Perhaps that's why I'm happy when it's cold outside.

     Another reason to rejoice is my son who I haven't seen since last year's Christmas over a year ago surprised me by walking in the door with his girlfriend Emily. I get to meet her in tears & my flannel nightgown. And hold my son since it seems forever. Yup- I cried- lots. They surprised me by dropping by on Sunday. He called me that morning and I thought he was still in Maine starting his Spring break at College of The Atlantic, he says goodbye and little did I know he was just down the road trying to get his Mom off the phone so he could knock on my door. I'm crying in the bathroom because I hadn't seen him for so long- but he's happy I tell myself. He loves it in Maine and his college. But, still I miss him- so much that I can hear his voice in the living room! I have him for 2 weeks and I got to meet Emily his lovely girlfriend. I'm so thankful to hold him again.)

Teaser Tuesday

   

     I am still in my Fox & O'Hare series and reading The Scam. I'm so glad their new one is coming out June 21st- The Pursuit. So if you want to do Teaser Tuesdays- just mosey on over to Books and a Beat for directions and inspiration.
Here's an overview of the directions from Books and a Beat:

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 Today I know is a bit late- I live in Colorado so I'm on Mountain Time and I have 2 more hours than most of you. I just had a full day out of the house. But I still want to post. So here I go diving into my book at a random page...

From page 55 of the Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg:
   
     "Kate was pretty sure she knew who blew up Alika's truck.  It was justice, Jake style. Jake was fiercely loyal to his friends and had taken on brutal dictators, revolutionary generals, and international terrorists in his career. He wouldn't let some island mobster intimidate him."

Happy reading this week and knit on if you do. If you want to learn how to knit- come join me at my knitting blog on Thursdays where I will introduce some basic knitting skills and beginning projects to get you going. Lovely Yarn Escapes- Technique Thursday- Put Your Knit On! How to Knit

Books, Knitting and Reading History

This week's Musing Mondays which is hosted by Books and a Beat, asks you to answer one of these questions and the random question. Post your answer on the Books and Beat blog leaving an answer in her comments and or giving a link to your blog. Happy Reading this week.

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Approximately how many books do you usually read per week? Per month?

I'm currently reading The Scam by Janet Evanovich The Scam- a Fox & O'Hare- novel by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg which I started last week and I'm loving it. All the books in this series are witty and faced paced reads of intricate scams done by a handsome thief named Nicholas Fox and the FBI agent Kate O'Hare who's trying (unsuccessfully) to rein him in. Their goal is to catch top multi-millionaire thieves and very bad guys. Always fun. Her newest book in this series is out June 21st is The Pursuit.  Not one book is a disappointment- they all deliver.  

These days with knitting and blogging in between I get lots less reading done. To see my latest knitting project check out Lovelyyarnescapes-The Sumptuous Sexy Fearless Cardigan. My book sitting by my side keeping me company, but not opened as much. So I'm typically reading a book a week, not such intellectually challenging ones either- just fun. I also have a History Blog that I started last month, and I challenged myself to start reading some history books again. Long long time ago I was a History Major and teacher for awhile. I miss history. I have a passion for it and while I studied it throughout my school years I always felt like there was so much more to learn. I always had this secret goal to start "at the Beginning" of history and then read up till the present to get a better overall picture of world history. 



So I'm starting at 0 or the birth of Christ even though there is lots of history prior to then, but my interests lie more from the Crusades to the previous turn-of-the-century and starting there will give me lots of background to favorite historical periods of mine. I found several books of interest to get me started-the "Desire of the Everlasting Hills: The World Before and After Jesus" (Hinges of History Book 3) which is apart of "The Hinges of History" series by Thomas Cahill with other books like: "How the Irish Saved Civilization" (Hinges of History Book 1). This book starts at the pivotal point of Rome and the life of Jesus. Also I want to read "The Lessons of History" by Will & Ariel Durant because they give their overview of history and themes after they wrote 11 books in their series on "The Story Of Civilization, The lessons of History". This is a comprehensive history which was never completed, and I've got Volume 4 downloaded and ready to read. It starts at the Roman empire and Jesus.  I blogged on that in my History Blog- History Takes Perspective- An Overview of History Embarked Upon.

 Youtube- Will Durant---The Lessons of History