Right Now . . . January 2017
01/30/2017
Oh, January. What a crazy month you have been!
Gloomy pretty much every day, but not very winter-y.
Filled with politics and protests and painting and packing.
Heartache and hope.
Memories and moving forward.
Can't say that I'm sad you're nearly over. (But, really, I say that every January.) (Sorry. But you are not my favorite month.)
Here's what's happening in my world . . . Right Now:
Watching . . . Movies. Lots and lots of movies. Each year (as I've blogged about before), Tom and I try to see as many Oscar-nominated movies as possible before Oscar night. This year, we have really outdone ourselves. Let's just say that by the time the Oscar nominations were announced last week, we had already seen all but one of the Best Picture nominated movies! And, after this weekend, we only need to see 4 movies (and all will be available to "rent" before the Oscars) to have Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress covered. This is a first - it's kind of like getting a black-out in Bingo! (Our favorites? Moonlight, Manchester by the Sea, and Lion.)
Reading . . . Well, lots of articles from the New York Times, the Washington Post, Atlantic, and the New Yorker, that's for sure! When it comes to books, though? I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Delightful, and . . . I must say -- this one will be hard to beat for my favorite of the year. I also recently finished Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. Right now, I'm reading Swing Time by Zadie Smith (in the ears) and The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (in print).
Knitting . . . Well. Not a thing. I have Not One project on the needles at this moment. I finally finished my Peace Project cowl (maybe I'll show you later this week), but I haven't cast on a new project quite yet. (Thinking maybe these . . . or this.) (Or maybe both.) In the meantime, I got out my latest Alabama Chanin project, and I've been stitching away on that.
Humming . . . I saw La La Land on Christmas Day. Since then, I have had this song just hanging there . . . on the edge of my consciousness. All the time. I can bring it up anytime I want. (It's catchy, that's for sure.)
Practicing . . . I'm back in my watercolor class for the semester. It's amazing to me . . . just how much paper I waste when it comes to watercolor! But. I like it! And I'm just going to keep at it. So, there. (See little painting, above.)
Drinking . . . I have been trying really hard to drink more water these days. Just plain, old, water. I bought myself a 32 oz. glass water bottle, and I cart it around all day. So far, just having that bottle with me . . . is working! I'm drinking more water than usual. (And, thanks to the new administration, I'm also drinking more wine than usual.)
Planning . . . A little summer getaway with Tom. Can't wait. (There's nothing more soothing than planning a vacation, y'know?)
Celebrating . . . New digs for my dad! By the time you read this post, we'll be loading up the moving van and transporting him to a new adventure -- right down the road. It's been a lot of work -- but so worth it. We're all ready for some settling-in -- and happy to have him near by.
And that's pretty much how things look for me here at the end of January. What's going on for YOU . . . right now?
Hmmm..let's see we are now in FL until April. A new adventure for us. Watching movies but not at your pace! Also liked. Manchester by the Sea, but lukewarm about LaLa Land. Knitting a cozy new baby blanket for the newest grandchild's arrival in June. Finishing a linen tee I hope to wear down here. Reading the Lilac Girls and finding it hard because the setting is WWII and some parallels are unsettling.
Hope your Dad settles in nicely!
Posted by: Geri | 01/30/2017 at 08:04 AM
I love your winter watercolor! Congratulations to you and your dad on his new home! I really admire his gumption to move forward (and all the hard work I know was involved) and hope he'll be very happy in his new place. Stargazing on Beaver Island sounds awesome!
Posted by: Bonny | 01/30/2017 at 08:12 AM
I am so happy that you will have your dad closer! And your list has me thinking - I just love listmaking.
Posted by: Juliann | 01/30/2017 at 08:13 AM
Your painting is beautiful.
Posted by: kayT | 01/30/2017 at 08:18 AM
I love your watercolor painting! Best wishes to your dad on moving to his new place!
Posted by: Debbie | 01/30/2017 at 09:21 AM
How lovely to have your dad closer! I am sure both you and he will love that! And, Beaver Island! Oooh!! And, the stitching and painting - so inspiring!
Posted by: AsKatKnits | 01/30/2017 at 09:33 AM
I am super impressed by the Oscar-nom movie watching!! And your organization of such. I've signed on for the Best Picture Festival at our local theater. I might try to see one or two before so those days aren't quite so long. ;)
I *LOVE* vacation planning -- I'd never heard of Beaver Island before today. Looks cute & charming.
What is the AC project?
All the best to your dad in his new digs!!
Posted by: Vicki | 01/30/2017 at 09:39 AM
So happy for you and your Dad! Tough transition but so important. I am so impressed with your movie watching too. Actually, quite envious! Good news on the vaca...we just planned one for March to Sanibel. Counting the days.
Posted by: Patty | 01/30/2017 at 10:14 AM
January has been quite a month, hasn't it? So much turmoil outside while trying to be hygge-ly inside. We should have gone to see Fences this weekend but didn't so now we'll be scrambling to find it in a local theater in time. I'm glad about your dad's move, can't wait to hear more details. I also want more details on that summer vacation, it looks lovely. We planned ours for this spring and early summer, too. A week in Charleston in April and a week in Maine in June. Yay!
Posted by: Carole | 01/30/2017 at 11:33 AM
Hopefully, things will slow down for you once your dad is settled and living nearer to you.
I adore your watercolor. You have a style that really speaks to me. You may not see it, but you're coming into your own. My AC project came out Friday night for the first time in months and I finished a pair of socks, which means my needles are empty. I am reassessing direction at the moment, but mostly, I'm reading. It's my solace.
Posted by: margene | 01/30/2017 at 01:04 PM
Drinking enough water is a challenge--putting together a string of drinking days is tough!,
Posted by: Jo | 01/30/2017 at 05:07 PM
I love the watercolor and I'm pretty sure a pile of pages filled with color cannot possibly be wasted. and I'm right there with you on the water (and the wine). Hope all goes smoothly with your dad's move and getting settled. Can we hope February will be a ...calmer?...month?
Posted by: Mary | 01/30/2017 at 07:36 PM