Tuesday, February 9, 2010

I Dig This...

Just a few of the things currently floating my boat...

*Bamboo crochet hooks.

They are so light and smooth to the touch. Wielding a hook is a dream.

*My yarn basket.

Filled with my current projects and favorite yarns, it sits by my rocker. Everything at arm's reach, ready for a stolen moment of stitching.


And while we are on the topic of crochet...


*Crochet Today magazine.

I like its non-snooty nature.

The projects shown are very doable...even those that are more difficult have very clear instructions. The yarns used aren't insanely expensive or hard to find. And there are many items that have a high "instant gratification factor" and can be worked up in a matter of hours.


*Daytrotter.

If you are into music, especially music with a raw edge, then you must...must...check it out.

Amazing bands that you know, and a lot that you don't, are featured in a pure, unadulterated fashion.

"These fine people – as they’re traveling through America’s heartland – take two hours out of their travels between shows to stop in for a Daytrotter Session at The Horseshack in downtown Rock Island, Ill. The name of the city is not ironic. They use borrowed instruments, play with their touring mates, utilize an often unkempt toilet, eat some food and then cram back into their vans for the last half of the drive. What they leave behind is a pile of ashes, sometimes a forgotten stocking hat and four absolutely collectible songs that often impart on whomever listens to them the true intensity that these musicians put into their art, sometimes with more clarity than they do when they have months to tinker with overdubs and experiments. These songs are them as they are on that particular day, on that particular tour – dirty and alive. We want you to make this your new home as it is ours. We promise that you will love it here."

Love. It. A. Lot.

There is even a Daytrotter app for those of you with an iPhone. And it's free.


*Drinking wine on Tuesday nights.

Guess what? It's Tuesday night.

Go figure.


*New Year's Soup.

I've made it twice in less than three weeks. And if the Houston weather stays chilly, I'll be making it again...soon.


*The Shins.

Listen. A smile will cross your face.


*Band of Horses.

Listen. A smile will cross your face, again.


*The Avett Brothers.

Yes. I know I have listed these guys before.

But I am a giddy little school girl when they sing.

I must be listening to them a lot: The Offspring know the words to their songs as well as I do, The Boy wants to learn to play the banjo, and The Girl's Teddy can sing some pretty good harmony.

I give a thumbs up to anything that can get us to school in the morning with a smile on our face. The Avett Brothers do just that.

Double posting is deserved.

*Outdoor play.

Thank goodness. I was about to kick a couple of young 'uns to the curb. Which is basically what I did. The sun came out so I didn't even feel guilty.

*Sleepovers.

You might think I'm nuts, but The Boy had his best buddy over and it was such a great time.

There were hot dogs, tater tots, Wii, Star Wars, slot cars, popcorn, mini M&M's, sleeping on the top bunk, and vast amounts of potty humor.

A blast.

*Crushes.

I will put this on the "don't like" list soon enough...but for now, I think it's quite entertaining.

The Girl has a MAJOR crush on The Boy's best buddy. Major crush.

Look at that picture. She is letting him hold Teddy. That's serious business folks.

Her daddy is not as amused as I seem to be.

*This picture.

I took it on my iPhone before the Canon was repaired.

My heart swells.

*Notes.

Just beautiful.

My heart swells, again.