Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography

Around Here

February 9, 2021 By Carole

How about a random gathering of thoughts and things that are happening around here?

Reading: Memorial by Bryan Washington

Knitting: Pink Socks. And The Shift.

Watching: Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. And reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond when I need to just veg.

Playing: Tetris. Way too much Tetris.

Missing: My blogversary. Yep, it was January 31 and I forgot to post about it. 16 years of Carole Knits, can you believe it?

Considering: What do to about our current heat situation. We need to replace our furnace but aren’t sure whether to stick with oil or change to natural gas. At the same time we are thinking it might be time to remove our beloved wood stove and convert to a gas log fireplace. Doing that opens up a whole lot of options for our living room . . . demolishing the big brick hearth, determining if we can open up a closed fireplace front and chimney for a gas insert, or even just converting that to a traditional wood burning fireplace and putting baseboard heat in this room. And all of that means new flooring and sheet rock. It’s a lot, and every component comes from a different sort of expert or vendor. Decision fatigue is keeping me from moving forward on this.

Taking: iPhone photos ever day. The 100 Day Project has been a good catalyst for getting me back in the habit of taking photos and I’m getting to know the iPhone 12 in the process. I’ve interspersed a few of my favorites throughout this post.

Growing: Herbs in an Aerogarden. Kym posted about getting one and I contemplated it for about half a second before I ordered one myself. The basil and dill are sprouting already!

Appreciating: The lack of drama that has taken hold when it comes to politics. I realize this may change with the start of the impeachment trial but seriously, I love getting up in the morning and not finding half a dozen upsetting updates from the NY Times on my phone.

Baking: with Jackie on Friday afternoons. So far we have made banana bread (his favorite, I think), brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. I think this week we may try muffins. He loves to help in the kitchen, adding ingredients, and he puts his little hand on my arm to “help” me when I do everything from stirring to measuring. It’s adorbs.

Filed Under: Random, That's Life

Random Wednesday

December 23, 2020 By Carole

Loving: Our Christmas bedroom. This is year 2 with the gray walls and I adore how that neutral background allows for all kinds of Christmas decor.

Reading: The Boy in the Field by Margot Livesey. It’s very good and I’m just about done, thank goodness, since it will be swept away from my kindle by Ms. Libby any day now.

Knitting: Dissent Cowl by Carissa Browning. I’m a little late to the party on this one, I think. I’m using Rowan Felted Tweed in Bilberry for the dark and Clay for the light. It’s great knitting for TV watching. I have a few hand knits that I haven’t been able to show you yet but Christmas is just about here so you can expect them over the next few weeks.

Baking: Swedish rye bread and cardamom braid. Because Christmas.

Watching: cheesy Hallmark movies and kids Christmas specials like Rudolph and Year Without a Santa Claus.

Considering: Dropping Project 365 from my daily routine. I’ve taken a photo a day, every day, since 2009! I originally started it to learn to use my new camera and improve my photography skills. Now, all these years later, it feels forced. I’m still committed to taking photos of things that inspire me, moments I want to capture, memories I want to keep, but I think I’m ready to let go of the task of taking a photo and just let myself be inspired by it instead.

Trying: a gravity blanket. I fall asleep just fine but wake in the night and have trying getting back to sleep. I know it’s related to hormones (thanks menopause) but add in some other stresses and pandemic anxiety and . . . it’s annoying. I’ve read that a gravity blanket can help and I’ve had one for 2 nights now. I will say I’m less restless, probably because turning over in bed now feels like strength training! Seriously, Dale came in the other night and said, how’s the new blanket? And I said, more weight.

Taking: vacation, not just from work but from blogging, too. I love having the week after Christmas off. It’s a great time to read and knit, play games, and do some things around the house. I’ll be popping in at some point, and I’ll definitely be blogging on Thursday the 31st but otherwise you won’t see me here much.

Wishing: you all a happy holiday season! It may look and feel different this year but I’m hoping you’ll find joy.

Filed Under: Random, That's Life

Random Things I’m Discovering

March 24, 2020 By Carole

I don’t want this blog to be all-corona-all-the-time but also, it’s sort of in my thoughts all-the-time and since my blog is mostly about my thoughts, well, here we are. So. Here are some things I am learning about myself and my routine now that I’m home a lot.

  • When left to my natural inclinations my preferred time to sleep is 11pm until 7am. I always thought I was a 10pm until 6am sleeper. Nope.
  • The days pass relatively quickly.
  • I feel happier when I don’t watch the news much. The same applies to social media.
  • Rumors are everywhere. I have to keep reminding myself (and others) to stick to the facts and not jump to conclusions.
  • I always assumed that I would exercise more if I had more time at home. Nope. I’m just as bad about making time for it as ever. I’m trying, though, because when I do make time for yoga I feel better for the whole day.
  • Dale and I use 2 rolls of toilet paper/week. This is a statistic I never considered important before.
  • I should have gotten a haircut over a month ago and I regret that I didn’t make the time. I’m happier than ever about not dyeing my hair, though.
  • Seeing daffodils from my kitchen window brings a smile to my face.
  • I’m not reading as much as I thought I might. Knitting and television are proving to be better distractions.
  • Zoom is a life saver, not just for work meetings but also for socialization. FaceTime is great, too.
  • I don’t deal well with uncertainty. I’m pretty sure I already knew this, though!

And those are my thoughts today. Tomorrow I have knitting to show you.

Filed Under: Random

Right Now: December 2019

December 10, 2019 By Carole

I always love reading Right Now posts when you all write them and I haven’t shared one since October. It’s high time to talk about what’s going on Right Now.

Planning: cookie baking! One week from today I will pack up my Kitchen Aid, lots of sugar, butter, eggs and chocolate, and I will head to Doreen’s for our annual cookie baking extravaganza. It’s a tradition we started a few years ago and I look forward to it in a really big way.

Watching: Lots of Christmas movies! There are the corny ones on Hallmark but then there are our favorites like Love Actually, Christmas with the Kranks, Christmas Vacation, White Christmas and more. There’s always something good to watch right now, it’s an embarrassment of riches!

Reading: The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

Listening to: Christmas music. Of course. (More about this on Thursday, I think.)

Adoring: all the Christmas lights. We’ve got twinkle lights year round at our house but now we’ve also got our big Christmas tree, our bedroom Christmas tree, a few miniature trees scattered throughout our rooms, plus greens with garland on the mantle, over the bay window in the kitchen, and around the doorway between our dining room and living room, and lots of battery operated candles, too. It’s cozy and charming and I feel so peaceful when our home is all aglow.

Knitting: a hat for Dale. For the 2nd time because once again I knit a hat that was too big. I don’t get it, I even checked gauge this time!

Shopping: for Jackie. It’s so fun to pick out toys that I think he will love. Everyone else these days gets money. Oh, and the privilege (hahaha) of a family vacation to New Hampshire in February.

Learning: about bullet journaling. I’ve been journaling regularly for the past 3 years and I’ve always used a lined Studio Oh journal. But Passion Planner recently did a kickstarter campaign for a new Passion Planner Daily and I ordered 4. I also signed up for an online class on bullet journaling so I’m excited about starting 2020 with this new way of documenting my days.

Remembering: my parents on their wedding anniversary. My mom married my stepdad 48 years ago today. I was 6 and insisted that I was a bridesmaid and not a flower girl. My nana made my dress and it was tiffany blue and I was so excited about being in a wedding.

Loving: this magical time of year. Even with the hustle and bustle, the commitments and shopping and tasks, it’s still a glorious time and I’m doing my best to slow down and enjoy each moment.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Random

Right Now

October 22, 2019 By Carole

How about a random right now post for today? Yes? Good. Here we go.

Adjusting to: life inside. Even though our days are still comfortable the evenings are cool and firewood is coming so the deck is about to be finished for the season. Good thing I like our cozy fall decor.

Watching: all the returned fall TV shows. I’m loving This Is Us and Grey’s, I feel like Modern Family has run it’s course, and we haven’t watched any Madame Secretary yet but I’m sure we will soon.

Reading: The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Still. I hope to finish today.

Listening to: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. It’s so very good and I’m going to be sad to finish it.

Loving: All of your comments and birthday wishes for my brother yesterday. As I said to some of you, it’s amazing to me that people from all over the world (because yes, I have readers in other countries) thought of Donald yesterday. It’s another one of those unexpected gifts of writing a blog and I’m grateful for it.

Crying: Over flowers that my friend Rose left at my house yesterday with a simple note on the that said “For Donald.” Yep. She got me all verklempt.

Knitting: A folded edge/hem for the brim of my Chevron Love Slouch Hat. Yes, once again I have knit a hat that is too big. I’m hoping that picking up from the cast on edge and knitting a hem will make this fit. I’m also hoping that I’ll get my hat issues under control before I attempt another one.

Crafting: Cricut stuff. I’ve made some onesies that I have sold and I’ve got a big order for t-shirts for a family Christmas gift. I’m also designing some stuff, including a shirt for myself for Hallmark Christmas movie season.

Learning: More about Reiki. I got my Reiki II certification last weekend and, while there’s a lot of information and it’s somewhat overwhelming, it’s also incredibly powerful and I feel like it came into my life at just the right time.

Buying: Christmas bedding. One of the big reasons I wanted a neutral bedroom was so that I could add touches of other colors as the seasons change. So far I’ve gotten a red throw blanket for the end of our bed along with red ticking striped pillow shams for our big square European pillows. I still need shams for our regular pillows, I’d love to find a red plaid. The biggest challenge has been finding Christmas sheets that aren’t flannel because flannel is just too hot for me to sleep comfortably. I did find some on Wayfair that I think will work, though.

Diffusing: All the fall scents! Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Orange . . . I’ve been putting them all in my diffusers and loving the way they make the house smell. If you ever want to know more about essential oils and how they can make your life better just let me know.

Reminding: You all to read Just Mercy. You’ve still got plenty of time to Read With Us, our first discussion will take place on Tuesday, November 5th.

Wishing: YOU a happy day!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Random

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 8
  • Next Page »

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2021 Reading Challenge

2021 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 15 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
15 of 75 (20%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

Today I took a drive to pick up these hothouse ane Today I took a drive to pick up these hothouse anemones and tulips from my favorite local flower farm @crossstreetflowerfarm and they have me jonesing for spring! #crossstreetflowerfarm #hothouseflowers #anemones #springbouquet #springflowers #treatyoself
Aerogarden is doing it’s thing, I’m hoping for Aerogarden is doing it’s thing, I’m hoping for an herb harvest soon! #the100dayproject #100daysofiphonephotos #aerogarden #growingherbsindoors #dill #parsley
I didn’t order groceries today so our snacks are I didn’t order groceries today so our snacks are from the larder, summer sausage, Swiss cheese, some crackers and hardboiled eggs. Even without the fancy snacks I’m still celebrating that the weekend is here! Happy FriYay! #fridaynightsnacks #happyfriyay #martinitime #cocktailhourathome #cheeseandcrackers
Ms. Pajama Party amaryllis is definitely having he Ms. Pajama Party amaryllis is definitely having her moment. #amaryllis #pajamapartyamaryllis #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject
Has it really been a week since I posted here? Who Has it really been a week since I posted here? Whoops! Let’s catch up! I’ll start by sharing this photo of my Pajama Party amaryllis, she’s in bloom right now and she’s a stunner. #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #pajamapartyamaryllis #amaryllis #winterblooms #whiteflowerfarm
Pictured here: 8 of the 48 cream puffs I made for Pictured here: 8 of the 48 cream puffs I made for Valentine’s Day for my family. One batch was a bust, pretty sure that was my mother-in-law saying hello from heaven (she always said one batch always fails) but the others were some of the best I’ve ever made. You may say Happy Valentine’s Day but around here it’s Cream Puff Day! #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #creampuffs #creampuffday #familytradition #homemadeisbest #whippedcreamfordays #thanksruthie
Sushi for Valentine’s Day! #100daysofiphonephot Sushi for Valentine’s Day!  #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #sushidinner #tatamieastbridgewaterma #welovesushi #takeoutforthewin #supportyourlocalrestaurants #eastbridgewaterma #valentinesdaydinnerathome
I love this little face! #100daysofiphonephotos #t I love this little face! #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #attaboyjack #nanalife #fridayswithjackie #lookslikehismama
Jackie teaching his Grampa how to use the iPad! #1 Jackie teaching his Grampa how to use the iPad! #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #attaboyjack #nanalife #grampalife #whosteachingwho
Sunrise and snowy trees. #100daysofiphonephotos #t Sunrise and snowy trees. #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #snowysunrise #inmybackyard #winterinnewengland
Cold and snowy outside, warm and cozy inside, make Cold and snowy outside, warm and cozy inside, makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon. #snowdaysunday #warmandcozy #wintertrees #twinklelights #mycozyhome #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #rustyandingrid
Favorite spot to spend an afternoon reading. #the1 Favorite spot to spend an afternoon reading. #the100dayproject #100daysofiphonephotos #readingspot #mycozyhome
An old favorite this Friday, triscuits with melted An old favorite this Friday, triscuits with melted cheese and green pepper. It’s the first snack Dale ever made for me, almost 25 years ago now. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime🍸 #helloweekend #triscuitsandcheese #thosenapkinsthough #cocktailhourathome
Sailors, take warning. #the100dayproject #100dayso Sailors, take warning. #the100dayproject #100daysofiphonephotos #februarysunrise #sailorstakewarning #redskyatmorning #outmybackdoor
Silly faces are all Nana gets these days! #100days Silly faces are all Nana gets these days! #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #attaboyjack #nanalife
It makes my heart happy to know that my father-in- It makes my heart happy to know that my father-in-law got his second COVID vaccine at the VA today! I guess from his reading material he’s now making plans to cruise America! #covidvacccinedone☑️
This Velvet Nymph amaryllis was definitely worth w This Velvet Nymph amaryllis was definitely worth waiting for, she’s stunning. #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #amaryllis #velvetnymph #whiteflowerfarm
A snowy day calls for my favorite boots, I’ve ha A snowy day calls for my favorite boots, I’ve had these since 1988 and they are still going strong. #100daysofiphonephotos #the100dayproject #snowday #llbeanboots #llbeanhuntingshoes
I’ve been baking sourdough bread for 10 months n I’ve been baking sourdough bread for 10 months now and I think I’m finally getting close to how I want the scoring to look. This loaf took about 24 hours from start to finish, it was sluggish at first so I waited patiently and adjusted my timeline. It rested in the banneton on the kitchen windowsill overnight and I baked it when I got up this morning. Oven spring was impressive, it’s got a good ear and a nice open crumb. It tastes good, too! #sourdoughbread #sourdoughbaking #lookatthatear #nicecrumb #ovenspring #homemadeisbest #breadforbreakfast #morningbaking #the100dayproject #100daysofiphonephotos
I’m so very grateful for @iamicaniwillido and he I’m so very grateful for @iamicaniwillido and her rides. She empowers me and pushes me and inspires me to work harder than I think I can every damn time. I am. I can. I will. I do. #iamicaniwillido #pelotoncycling #iamanathlete #findthejoy #opentochange #icompeteagainstmyself #strongereveryride
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Movies One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in