It’s a mixed bag of things around here so you’re getting a mixed bag of a blog post. Hmmm. Let’s see . . .

• I left out this picture of the chicken wings I made over the weekend so that I could share it with you today and not have it mixed in with other weekend type things. They were delicious – sticky and slightly sweet and a little bit crispy. The recipe is from Richard’s Garlic Salt and you can find it here.
• My online drawing class is really awesome. I’m not always sure I’m making progress but Virginia Freyermuth is such an awesome teacher (and she’s married to Richard of Richard’s Garlic Salt, FYI) that even when I think I’m doing everything wrong she reminds me that it’s art and it’s mine and mine alone and there is no wrong or right.
• Did you watch Game of Thrones Sunday night? That opening scene was the bomb! I was bummed that Daenerys didn’t show up until the very end, though, since she’s my favorite. I will admit that I am often confused with who is who and which plot point is which but Dale is pretty good at keeping track and he fills me in when I’m lost.
• Speaking of TV, we are completely behind on House of Cards. Summer is in full swing and we’re spending many of our evenings outside on the deck or socializing with friends and I just can’t bring myself to go inside and watch TV. It’ll still be there when the weather turns.
• I can’t believe it’s past the middle of July and I haven’t been swimming yet this summer. It has rained every Friday we’ve had the opportunity to go to the beach like it’s a great conspiracy. I think we will rectify it this weekend, though, with a trip to the lake with Jo-Ann and Shawn.
• I finally caved and bought an Echo from Amazon. I have been waiting (and waiting!) for Sonos and Amazon to work together so that the Echo can play music on the Sonos speakers because I was worried that if I bought one now I’d need to buy a newer one for that to work. I’m pretty sure that if (when?) it does finally happen it will just be a software upgrade so I went ahead and took the plunge. And since then I’ve added an Echo dot and 5 voice controlled lightbulbs and 3 voice controlled outlets and it’s all “Alexa this” and “Alexa that” and my house all the time. It reminds me of that movie Smart House that Hannah loved so much when she was a kid and it cracks me right up.
• I got another Bingo this week. Yay!

And that’s all the random that’s fit for sharing.

It’s a good day to take stock on a few things so how about a right now post? Let’s go!

Videotaping: 1 second every day. This is what I’ve decided to do for #the100dayproject. I’ve toyed with the idea for a while and yesterday I downloaded the 1SE app and I’m off. Wish me luck!

Laughing: At the April Fool’s Day joke I pulled on Dale. It was Saturday morning and I, as usual, was up early. I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when Dale came out to check the woodstove before heading back to bed. I stood in the dining room and looked out the back door and say, “hey Dale, c’mere. There are deer in the backyard.” He didn’t have his glasses on so he went running back into the bedroom to grab them and then dashed to the door and said, “WHERE!? WHERE ARE THEY?” And said  . . . wait for it . . . April Fool.

Watching: Call the Midwife. I’m so happy it’s finally available here. And also Grace & Frankie and Homeland. Just one more week on that and I can’t even begin to predict how they will wrap this up.

Reading: The State of the Onion. It’s light and easy and just what I needed after the last (horrible) book I finished.

Knitting: Those same damn socks for Dale and that same damn Peace Cowl. Seriously.

Selling: LipSense. It’s a great product and I really enjoy sharing it with others. You can find more information here if you’re curious.

Listening to: S-Town and really enjoying it. If you haven’t started yet or haven’t gotten very far just trust me when I say, it’s not what you think. Give it a listen.

Drinking: Lots of beer. We’ve been having a great time visiting local breweries and I’ve discovered a new fondness for beer, particularly rich chocolate-y porters.

Planning: Our trip to Charleston. It’s almost here so if you’ve got last minute ideas and suggestions for us, send them please.

This post has actually posted by accident a couple of times. Might as well go on ahead and publish it before that happens again, huh?

Awright. Here we go with the random.

• The Book Club I started has met a couple of times and it’s been awesome. It’s different than a typical book club in that we don’t all read the same book. Instead, we each spend some time talking about the most recent book we have read. It’s a great way to hear about books and discuss books without any of the pressure of having to read a particular book. Also wine. And food. (as in, that’s a photo of the tart that Sean made for us last week. fantastic)
• I have this thing that happens where I sneeze about 25-30 times in a row. It happens at least a couple of times a month, sometimes a little more frequently. And it happens in all kinds of places – at work, at home, at Kiwanis meetings, at the movies, at a bar, when I’m driving. I’ll tell you, it can be damn inconvenient and sometimes a bit embarrassing.
• Dale and I are planning a trip to Charleston, SC in April. Neither of us have been there before so any recommendations on good restaurants and must sees are welcome. Of course Ft. Sumter is on his list and the beach is on mine. Magnolia Plantation is something we both want to see. We are renting through AirBnB (our first time) and we’re very excited to be going somewhere new.
• Mary and I had a little side bet on this year’s Super Bowl outcome and, as a result of that glorious Pat’s win, Mary sent me an awesome care package of Atlanta goodies and treats. It was full of yummy things to eat and I love that she assembled this for me. And she didn’t even include any sour grapes!
• I’ve now seen all of this year’s Best Picture nominees and I have to say, unlike some years, I’m really okay with any one of the nominated films winning. I think Lion is my favorite but they all have merit and all deserve the recognition.
• Speaking of the movies, the other day when Dale and I went I ordered popcorn and I said, “I’d like a medium black popcorn.” Ummm. Yeah. My name is Carole and I have a Dunkin’ Donuts problem.
• SPA is this weekend and, for the first time ever (even though we talk about it every year) Sharon and I are heading up later today. YASSSSSS.
• That means that my posts through Friday are written and will publish accordingly. And that means you probably won’t get an email from me until next week.
• Just know, and this is a sneak peek for tomorrow’s post, that I love ya more than my luggage.

Over and out.

 

 

 

I think it’s time for an all purpose and general catch up post. Let’s chat, hmmmm?

Drinking: Christmas tea from this absolutely adorable mug I got at Target.

Reading: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. It’s very reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird and I’m really enjoying it.

Watching: all the Christmas movies. Sweet, sappy, funny, silly, traditional, I love them all.

Listening: all the Christmas music. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Knitting: the Peace Cowl. There’s a story there but it will have to wait a bit.

Planting: another amaryllis and some paperwhites that were given to me. I’ve gone from having no Christmas flowers to having an abundance.

Buying: lots of Christmas presents. I’m almost there and that feels great.

Dropping: the ball on Ten on the Tenth. The tenth was Saturday and I completely forgot about it. And then Kat reminded me and I still didn’t do anything about setting up a post. I think Ten on the Whatever might just be a thing of the past. I apologize to those of you who had a post ready to go and hope you can find a time to use it anyway.

Wrapping: nothing at all yet. Must get going on this.

Anticipating: the week after Christmas. Dale and I are both off and I’m looking forward to lots of rest and relaxation together.

Baking: all the cookies. Today. With Doreen. Doesn’t get any better than a day in the kitchen with my dear sweet friend.

I’d love to hear what’s going on in your world right now. Do tell!

There comes that moment every day in the life of a blogger. The moment when you think: crap. I haven’t written my blog post yet. What am I going to write about.

You know the moment, right?

Some days, it’s easy. You’ve got knitting or a book you just finished or a fine TV show you’ve watched and you’re dying to share it with everyone.

And some days. Well. You know.

Today is a day that’s not easy and I’m at a loss. So I’m just typing away here and hoping something will inspire me.

and

and

and

Ooooh. Here’s something. Black Friday shopping. Yay or nay? For me it’s a nay. I mean, I hate the mall and I don’t really like to leave my house so I’m all online shopping all the time. Plus, this Friday is Gilmore Girls day and I will be parked on my couch with knitting and coffee and tissues. I know people who love this day, though, and you know, more power to ’em. I do draw the line at shopping on Thanksgiving, though. I think it’s reprehensible.

How about the length of the books you read.  What’s your preferred number of pages? I think I tend to like books that fall in the 300-400 page range. Right now I’m reading The Fireman and it’s loooooong. 700+ pages long. And I just don’t know. I like it but I’m only 25% in and I’m not sure I have the stamina for it right now. Plus, as usual, everything I had on hold with Overdrive all became available at once.

Oh! I have been doing this new thing where I try to get Inbox Zero by the end of the day. It’s made my work flow much better and I just love it. Also, helpful? Not checking email after 8pm.

I think that’s all I’ve got for today. I do need a picture though.

Here’s one. I took it yesterday morning.

First snow 2016. Blerggghhhh.