May Picks

I decided that since this month is my birthday, that I would indulge in two book and music picks. Here’s what I decided on:

While I would love to know who actually writes these, it’s fun to pretend that Richard Castle actually does! Reading these is rather like reading an episode of Castle, and they rather closely follow what is happening in the show at the time. Despite the hype made on the show about ‘scenes-with-a-rather-adult-nature,’ they aren’t quite as steamy as advertized, and fairly easily skipped over. So if you like the show Castle, you will most likely enjoy these books. A fun, ‘fluff’ read.

I can’t remember if I saw this book on Goodreads or via Bookbub or Fussy Librarian, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this take on Rumplestiltskin. I enjoyed all the details about the mill, I enjoyed that this is a story about restoration, and I enjoyed that fact that her prince was actually a banker. Disclaimer—there is magic involved in a real world setting, but it is a reworking of a fairy tale. Now I want to go weave something…

The Wind that Shakes the Barley I’ve enjoyed Lorna McKinnet ever since I first heard her rendition of “The Highwayman” and “The Lady of Shallot,” and this album is one that was lurking at the bottom of my wishlist for a few years till I had forgotten what was actually on it. This is an album of McKinnet’s new agey takes on several classic Irish and English folk songs. Some of them I prefer a little more lively, but it was a good listen nonetheless. Less of an Eastern sound, and more folkey.

The Civil Wars My sister introduced me to the Civil Wars with their album Barton Hollow about two years ago, and I just got around to buying this one. I really enjoyed it—the beautiful harmonies, the instrumentation, the hipster-folk feel of the whole thing. I just regret that like with most contemporary groups I start listening to, they break up just about when I start getting into them. I will be collecting the EP’s they released so as to enjoy the maximum of their music, and wistfully hoping that they might get back together so I can go visit my sister in Nashville and get to hear them.

Folk Songs of our Time As an extra, I’m going to say a word or two about this cassette. I grew up listening to oldies and folk music in the woodshop with my dad, and folk and classical in the house with my mom. My dad had this one Roger Whittaker cassette that I loved. It was my first introduction to many of my favorite folk songs, and housed the best (and only true!) tune to Burn’s “O my luve is like a red, red rose.” When I graduated university I was diving a suburban that had a tape deck, and I got the bright idea of tracking down a copy of this tape as the original had mysteriously vanished a few years previously. I found a copy on eBay, and it got me through some of the darkest days of working at Michael’s. When I went to Zambia, the tape disappeared, and though I looked diligently through the tape cupboard (yes, we still have one!) last Christmas, it was no where to be found. So, I tracked down another copy, from Amazon this time, and some returning missionaries brought it out for me. What a trip down memory lane! I turned the tracks into MP3 so I can listen to them on my iPod; they need to be cleaned up a little, but I am just so thrilled to have this album again. It’s amazing what memories music can stir up…

A Little Knitting and a Non-Raven Writing Desk

Oddly enough I have been rather busy with a little thing called SCHOOL, but I have managed to squeeze in a little bit of knitting around the edges of marking and preparing for classes. As I work through some professional development and some reading, I’ve managed to finish a few more dishcloths.

I’ve also made some good progress on the bonnet I’m making to go with my Regency outfit. This picture was taken shortly before I ripped out the whole blue band and redid it a size smaller, but it now looks just about the same. I just hope that the brim being one size and the band the next down won’t cause too many problems. I couldn’t face doing that bring again…

I’ve also been greatly enjoying the Cannon Hand Dyes yarn I won on the Stitch Sisters Podcast in the pattern A Second Chance For Mr. Rushworth from my 2014 Jane Austin Knits. I am a sucker for cables, and I’ve been enjoying the details in this sock pattern. What perfect timing—dry season is just starting, and my poor toes get mighty cold on the cement floors!

The other big news this week was my ‘stealing’ a lovely, old-fashioned writing desk from a guest house on station, and installing it in my room where it has already been used quite a bit this week. I love the concept of a writing desk--there is something so elegant about it!

What a pleasure to have a place devoted to keeping my letter writing supplies and my dip pens and ink! I look forward to many hours of elegant letter writing at my new work station.

Parting shot:

Who wouldn't want a Regency gown?

As you might have figured out, I have a thing for history, sewing, literature, and dressing up. I am a Ren Faire junkie, and I love watching Jane Austin movies. This holiday I decided to take another whack at the ‘Sense and Sensibility’ pattern since my first attempt was a) rather less than skillfully executed in more respects that I care to name, and b) I have lost a bit of weight since then, and now it REALLY didn’t fit me well. So, Beth gave me some cloth that would work (finding a SMALL print fabric in Zambia is rather an accomplishment), and I set to work.

The hardest part about this pattern is getting the bodice adjusted to your personal size. One of the things I love about it is that not only is the pattern well thought out, but there are some great ideas on the website to guide you through the process. Once I got that sorted out I was able to easily modify the rest of the gown and get it cut out. This time I did a much better job of sewing things together, and I even messed with the button on undersleeves. While the result is not perfect, I was delighted with what I had created. Here are a few pictures of me modeling my gown on a sweltering afternoon.

One of the features I love about this gown is the gathered back. I suppose this got out of hand and lead to the bustle, but I love the way this disguises some figure flaws.

With the fiddly button on undersleeves-

Without the sleeves!

Where do you plan to wear this outfit you might ask? Perhaps I’ll sip tea out of a tea cup while I write letters at my writing desk with a dip pen by candle light and channel my inner Jane. Perhaps I’ll be able to work it into a birthday party theme one of these days. Perhaps I’ll wear it some day next holiday. The point is not how much I’ll use it; the point was the journey of creation and knowing that I now have a Regency gown should I ever want one!

April Holiday

So, before the hoards arrive tomorrow I thought I’d do an update of what I’ve been up to this holiday. It’s been an odd holiday; it felt like it went really fast and I’ve been dealing with *stuff.* That being said, I did get some good knitting in!

A little ‘fluff’ piece of work—I love roses, and the cheap finishing high was totally irresistible.

I also tied out the crochet version of the towel topper. The verdict—kitch. I’m sticking with the knit one from now on.

I made a fun spiral hat while getting my geek-cred updated by watching all three Back to the Future movies. (charming circuitous timeline, and I loved the steam punk train!)

Some dishcloths while ‘in-servicing’ myself (plus my gift stash was low and my personal ones getting grungy…)

A hat in a pattern I like very much in a yarn I dislike very much (long story…)

And a baby blanket for a sweet little girl who has had more than her share of challenges since she was born about two months ago.

I also did a sewing project that deserves a post of its own, read some great books, enjoyed my Audible account immensely, chain watched most of the Marvel movies, and had some fun puttering about the kitchen. It still cracks me up that I’m considered grown up enough to have my own kitchen! Oh, and I finished the Firedrake socks; maybe a picture later. I have some socks lined up for knitting during the term, a shawl I can pick back up again, and a few other odds and ends I’d like to get done. Many of them from my Jane Austin Knits magazines… We shall see how much I get accomplished around my day job!

In closing, since today is Star Wars day,