Stepping Away from the Edge

Fun for a Friday

When I was walking through the vendor booths last month at the Chicago Garden Show, something a bit . . . unusual. . . caught my eye.

Water Marbles.  $4 a package.  I decided to try one.

You add some of the tiny marbles to a vase

filled with distilled water

and then you wait.

Over the course of a day, those little marbles absorb every drop of the water in the vase

and you end up with a vase full of water marbles!

Supposedly, you can place cut flowers or a bamboo plant in the vase filled with water marbles . . . and never have to water it.  The water from the marbles is apparently enough to keep the the flowers or plants adequately hydrated.  Evenutally, the water desorbs (it's a real term; I checked with the resident chemist) and the marbles return to their original tiny size.

And you can use them again and again.

Haven't actually tried putting flowers in the marbles yet, but I will.

For now, I just think they're kind of fun.  They look pretty, just sitting there in the vase.  And they're really fun to hold -- surprisinly hydrated and slightly slimy in a Ooooooo-Coooooool! kind of way.

You can order some for yourself . . .at this really cheesy website.  (This is the company that was selling them at the Chicago Garden Show; I found the website in the instruction materials packed with my Water Marbles.)  They are also available in larger quantities (with a more scientific explanation of what happens) here.

 

It is Friday

It is Friday.  Capping a busy week.  Heading into a busy weekend.  Leading to an even-busier next week.  More snow.  Muffler repair (Tom's).  And a party to throw.

This is when I turn to . . .

poetry.

Join me.

The Storm

Now through the white orchard my little dog
     romps, breaking the new snow
     with wild feet.

Running here running there, excited,
     hardly able to stop, he leaps, he spins
until the white snow is written upon
     in large, exuberant letters,
a long sentence, expressing
     the pleasures of the body in this world.

Oh, I could not have said it better
     myself.

--- Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems, Volume Two

Ahhhhh.  I feel better already.

Enjoy the weekend . . . whatever it may hold.

Monday Miscellany*

It's one of those Very Busy Weeks -- especially through Wednesday.  If I can get through these next couple of days, it'll be smooth sailing right through the end of the year.  (I think.)  So today, here's a little . . . this and that!

First.  The door story.

When we moved into our house (eight years ago now!), our realtor gave us a beautiful brass door knocker, engraved with our name.  (That's it, in the photo above.)  There was already a brass door knocker on the door, however.  It was a bit tarnished, but functional.  And we just never got around to replacing it with our nice, new one.  Until this summer.  We had our house - including the doors - painted.  Since all the hardware was off, we decided to (finally) install our new door knocker. 

To make this long story short:  Lost original hardware.  Couldn't find replacement hardware.  Old knocker hardware different from new knocker hardware.  Tom substituted as best he could.    Outside knocker looks great; inside hardware glaringly ugly (and doesn't line up quite properly).  My solution: cover inside hardware.  (Lazy but effective.)

Second.  Is this A Thing where you live?

Yes.  Someone has put antlers on their car for the holidays.  This must be A Thing here in my area.  Because I've seen several cars with antlers.  Have you?  Is this just a weird Southwest Michigan Thing?  Or is it some national trend I've missed? 

Third.  Here's a little fun for a busy December day!

 

Enjoy!

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*Kind of like a Friday Round-Up . . . on Monday!

Friday Round Up: A Blast of Color

The last few days have been A Sign Of What's To Come:  grey skies, blustery winds, rain.  The leaves are past their prime.  The gardens have stopped their blooming.  The bleak months are on their way.

Time to add some color!

A couple of weeks ago, Margene showed us her new Keens.  Bright, colorful, happy feet! 

I have the same shoes. . . only mine are in a different color scheme.

It's such fun to look down at your feet and smile at the riot of pattern!

Personally, I'm a fool for navy and white ticking stripe.  That's what sold me on these shoes!

Even on a gloomy, dark day . . . you can get a blast of color from your feet.

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In mid-September, Target launched its Missoni for Target line.  Cool Missoni stuff . . . at Target prices.  I didn't get there in time.  By the time I arrived (the day after The Launch), nothing was left.  So.  Imagine my surprise when I stopped by Target last week for some essentials. . .

and found this. . .

A full month after The Launch, there was a lonely rack of Missoni merchandise.  Not on clearance.  But there all the same!

I bought a blouse (that is surprisingly well-made, although the buttons are really cheap-looking and need to be replaced) and this cute little knit bag.

There is nothing like Missoni to bring in a blast of color!

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And then, there is this. . .

a cute little baby set I finished up as a gift for a former co-worker who is having her first baby (a girl) next month.

Colorful.

Happy.

Bright.

A perfect blast of color for a gloomy day.  (Ravelry details here.)

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Enjoy the weekend!  Add some color ... whatever you're doing.

 

 

Friday Round Up: Turkey-and-Cranberry Edition

Time for a little Friday Round Up! 

I don't know about you, but it's starting to look like Thanksgiving is coming around my house!

I'm gearing up to prepare all my favorite Thanksgiving foods.  Tom has ordered the turkey.  Erin (with  boyfriend in tow) makes her way home tomorrow; Brian not until later in the week.  I love Thanksgiving!  Food, family, friends. . . and not so much of the pressure and expectation that comes with Christmas.

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Have you seen this little video clip yet?  So clever!  I know it's been making the blog-rounds, but I'm going to stick it in here today anyway. . . just in case you've missed it!

 

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I've been knitting.  Quite a lot, actually.  But.  As you can see. . . no photos.  No details.  I have completed ChicKnits' Mondo Cable Vest, and I really love it.  Problem is. . . it's so dark so early now, that I haven't been able to have Tom help me with a photo-shoot.  Maybe this weekend.

I've also been doing some gift knitting, and can't share here on the blog quite yet.  If you're on Ravelry, you can check out one of my recent gift knits here.  (The recipient is not a Raveler.)

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I read yesterday that Norma is teaching Mr. Jefferies to "pee and poop on command."  I'm here to tell Norma. . . It Can Be Done!  Jenny pees on command!  I taught her when she was a puppy, and it's the best "trick" she knows!  It is really great - when you're in a hurry and you need your pup to Go. NOW.  And Jenny does!  (She doesn't poop on demand, though.)

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Have a great weekend!

Friday Round Up: Weekend Edition

I'll just start off today's post with this little guy I found in my garden today. . .

He's working so hard, despite the season!

Me, too.  Working hard, that is.  I'm adjusting pretty well to working full time.  It helps that I enjoy my job and like the people I work with.  I'm still finding time to do most of the things I like to do . . . knitting, reading, cooking, walking Jenny, blogging.  I'm having a hard time, though, finding a way to fit my workouts into my life!  I used to swim a couple of times a week, take a dance class, and do pilates -- all in the mornings.  I tried to swim earlier in the morning.  Ugh.  It's just so hard to drag yourself to a pool. . . with all of your gear and clothes. . . at 6:00 am.  I'm having a problem getting motivated for that!  And I tried the treadmill and eliptical routines.  Ugh.  I'm having a problem with the boredom factor, even WITH my iPod.  I'm going to try Zumba next week -- it meets in the evenings.  It might be a good substitute for my dance class.  I'll figure this out, eventually!  (Just going to have to cut down on the Ben & Jerry's in the meantime. . .)

I'm also re-thinking the way I blog.  I usually try to . . . say something. . . each day of the work week.  I think I'm just going to go into a more free-flowing routine.  Maybe my Friday Round Ups will become. . . Weekend Round Ups.  Maybe Ten on Tuesday will be . . . Ten on SOME Tuesdays.  I'm not so sure what will happen.  But I don't want to give up the blog.  (I also don't want to be trapped by the blog!)

I just finished reading Nicole Krauss' new book, Great House.

Oh, man.  It's another five-star book!  I adored her last book, History of Love.  This one is just as good -- although I don't think it's quite as moving.  While I had to stop reading - frequently - just to gasp, or think, or re-read - I didn't cry (or even feel like it).  The book is about loss, and loneliness, memories and family connections, dealing with being . . . left.  (In hindsight, it may not have been a good choice for me to read just now -- when Erin has decided to move even farther away after she graduates in May; when I've had enough time away from him to discover I actually DO miss having Brian around; when Tom is away in Mumbai.  Just sayin'.)  Anyway.  It's an excellent book. 

I've been doing some knitting. . .

It's Bonne Marie Burns' Mondo Cable Vest.  I'm making it in honor of my fav Project Runway designer, Mondo!  (That's really not true; it's been in my queue for a long time.  But I am in the Mondo-corner for this week's PR season finale!)  The knitting is easy and quite relaxing.

I'm ready to be inspired. . .

My favorite issue of the year arrived in my mailbox yesterday.  I plan to sit down with a cup of tea and. . .well, drool. . . later this afternoon.

And check this out. . .

Last week when I was dropping Brian back on campus (after his fall break), I stopped in at one of my favorite Holland downtown shops, The Bridge.  This is such a cool store -- it's a 100% Fair Trade shop, featuring jewelry, scarves, baskets, art objects, and unique handmade gifts from over 35 developing countries.  I love the interesting things they carry.  I visit often -- and this time, I came home with this wonderful necklace and earrings.  Fun!  (If you're ever in Holland, be sure to drop in!)

Have a great weekend!

Friday Round Up: Project Edition

Everywhere I look . . .

I see a project. . .

waiting for my attention.

So many to choose from.

So little time.

Looks like my weekend. . .

will be a busy one!  Hope you enjoy yours . . . whatever project you're working on!

Friday Round Up: Gorgeous Edition

It's Friday, and I'm surrounded by gorgeous!

It's fall.  But warm.  And everything is bathed in a golden light!

My roses are truly going to town!

They are exploding with blooms.  It's such a delight at this time of year. . .

to see so many blooms!

And the leaves are starting to do some really interesting things.

Even my knitting is gorgeous right now.  A big fluff pile of kid silk haze.

My next step on this project is . . . grafting the two ends (80 stitches each side).  Mohair.  Grafting.  Not something I'm really looking forward to.  But gorgeous all the same!

And look at this gorgeous pup!

Ready for a walk . . . or a romp in the yard.

The only thing that's not so gorgeous right now . . . is this.

Yes, this, my friends, is a rare sight in my house.  An empty wine rack!  Not to worry, though.  My gorgeous husband will see that it's filled tonight!

Enjoy a gorgeous weekend!

Friday Round Up: Catch-as-Catch-Can Edition

Well.  It's been a busy week.  Time for a Friday Round Up. . . catch-as-catch can!

My garden is winding down for the season.  I think it's lovely at this time of year -- although quite hit-and-miss.  My roses are blooming their little hearts out right now.  I think they know it's their last blast!

We may even get a frost this weekend.  Kind of early. . . but, then, the weather has been a bit crazy all season!

I really love the structure . . .

of a garden winding down . . .

for the season!

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I haven't done a "purchase of the week" post in a long time.  But, clearly, I've been busy "purchasing."  I got this in the mail this week. . .

Oh, brother!  I've got "gold member status" at Eddie Bauer.  What does that mean, exactly?  Well.  It means I've spent way too much time and money shopping there.  (It's not a credit card; just a frequent buyer card.)  This makes me feel a little silly, actually.  And sort of . . . creeped out. . . by the fact that they track my shopping.  (I'm not naive . . . I just would prefer to live in the illusion that my life is my own!)

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I know that patterned rubber boots are popular these days . . . but I had No Idea what an absolute RAGE they are on the college fashion scene until last weekend at The Pull.  There were so many (so VERY many) girls running around in boots . . .

that even Tom (who is, trust me, typically blind to fashion!) noticed!  They were EVERYwhere!

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And speaking of fashion . . . how about that Mondo?

Way to work a color combo . . . not to mention stepping away from your own edge!

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Tomorrow - October 2 - is Livestrong Day.

Check the Livestrong website for information, resources, and support.  If you - or someone you know - is dealing with cancer, be sure to check out the Livestrong Guidebook.  You can order this great tool for FREE.  The guidebook (two volumes) provides solid, pertinent information designed to help cancer patients and their families navigate the health care system and understand what's going on at every phase of the journey -- from diagnosis to survivorship.  Also included -- organizational tools and journaling guides.  Live. Strong.

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In knitting news. . . well, there really isn't any.  I've been knitting on a secret project -- a Christmas gift for someone who reads this blog regularly, so. . . Do Not Open 'til Christmas. . . totally applies!

But. . . you might be interested in learning that . . . Twist Collective patterns are NOT test knit . . . and tend to be fraught with errata.  Hmmmmmm.  I'm feeling a rant coming on.  But not today.  Because . . .

it's the weekend!  Have a good one!

Friday Round Up: Hurried Edition

Where does the time go?  Friday afternoon already.  How can that be? 

Lots going on . . .

Brian is involved in The Pull this weekend at Hope College.

Saturday is Light the Night (it's not too late to make a donation if you're so inclined!).

Next week is Banned Books Week.

The new season of Dexter begins Sunday night.

And Jenny wants to play.

Looks like a busy weekend!  Have a good one. . .