Posted on December 30, 2012 in Books, Knitting & Crafting
Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a lovely holiday season.
I didn’t post last week because I really didn’t have anything to write about as I spent most of those last two weeks recovering from my sinusitis. But guess what? I got the flu!
The worse of it is over as the fever broke late Friday. I have been very lucky to not have contracted the flu since I was a toddler. I suspected it was the flu because I don’t remember having a fever that intense. There has been a big flu outbreak in my city, and since my immune system had already been recently compromised (welcome new virus!), I was susceptible. It is disappointing because I wanted to go out more this week. Also, for once, I had plans for New Year’s Eve (rare for me) which I had to cancel. Just my lucky to have a whole of 2012 relatively low on illnesses and all shoved into December.
In other news, I read some Bel-Ami on Christmas and will try to read some today when I am more alert. I really want to finish it before the New Year, but I am not sure I will given how slow I read in French.
I also cleaned up an old TV caddy which had VHS tapes (remember those?) so I could shove some of my less read books up there such as my Harry Potter series. My books are breeding at a fast rate. I ordered 4 new cookbooks and 1 knitting book on Boxing Day. This does not include the 2 actual cookbooks I intended to get myself for Christmas. After that, I will stop until next the holidays at least.
I also went Boxing Day shopping at Michaels. This is my third year in a row shopping there. I don’t really like shopping with big crowds, but a big box craft store isn’t as busy as a mall. Not only is the yarn on sale on this day, there is an additional 25% the whole sale including sale items. I stocked up on some Patons Classic Wool.
I also bought an OttLite Craft Lamp which appears to be a recently discontinued model:
I’ve read about these lamps on Ravelry, and been doing some research on them. I have a big desk so I actually have two lamps: one regular fluorescent and one halogen. To save energy, I almost never use overhead/ceiling lights. I wanted to replace the fluorescent lamp because it is rather dim and yellow. Lately, I’ve found it tiring to read long periods under fluorescent light at night. The OttLite comes with good reviews: both for knitting and reading. They are also suppose to be very energy efficient.
So far, it’s been working well. I emailed OttLite with a question and they were prompt in replying even for the holidays. While I am not crazy about choosing a white lamp, I like that mine folds in itself so it looks less cluttered when not in use.
The Michaels I went too didn’t have a big selection. The item was on for 50% off that week though. It was between this craft lamp, a very heavy black table lamp, the Tulip (which obviously had been opened and/or returned), floor lamps, and a travel pink light. I think if I like the OttLite enough, I’ll wait until another sale to get a travel version as I can see it great for travel.
Do you have an OttLite or a specific reading/crafting light? Do you like it and which brand and model do you have?
Posted on December 16, 2012 in Books
Hello everyone! Happy Sunday! How is everyone’s holiday season going?
Last week, I mentioned I was a bit sick and I actually got worse so I’ve been doing nothing this whole week. Or more than my usual amount of nothing. I am finally on the mend now.
I managed to read a book this week: More Baths Less Talking by Nick Hornby. I haven’t finished the review though. I was sick when I read it. I was a bit tired and didn’t have the best concentration. It was still good to read though and a good distraction from my congestion. After the book, even though I wanted to read more, I gave up and ended up watching movies and TV in the end. I watched Labyrinth for the first time and loved it.
I will read a bit of today and try to be a bit more productive again. Need to play some fiddle, meditate and get back to the job applications.
What is everyone doing this week?
Posted on December 9, 2012 in Books
Hello, everyone!
I read one book last Sunday and it was Habibi by Craig Thompson. I will read a bit today, but I haven’t decided on what to read.
It’s been a social week, but again, not a super productive one. I’ve been fighting getting sick for over a week so now I have a full on cold. Not good since I have a busy Monday to prepare for. Blah. It’s ok because I’ve had a good year. This is only the second time I’ve been really sick all year which is average for an adult so my health is good.
Part of the reason I’ve been fighting illness is the changing December weather. It has been a wet December. I’ve had to wear my wellies twice. Some days, it’s very mild and other days, it’s very windy and cold. It’s not that festive, but it’ll be fine by Christmas.
How is everyone’s December is going?
Posted on December 2, 2012 in Books
Hello, everyone! And hello December!
Sadly, I have had yet another bookless week, but today, I am definitely going to read now that it is December.
November was actually a good month for me personally, but not that productive especially in terms of books! Historically, December has been better for me.
Earlier in the year, I set myself the goal of reading 75 books. Before I went to grad school a few years ago, I was readning 70-80 books a year, but since then, have tapered off. I wanted to go back to my old numbers this year, but I don’t think I’ll make it. I’ve only read 62 books so far; 63 if I finish a book today. I am a fast reader and I am not working, but reading 13 books in one month is a lot of work. I don’t think I’ll make it. Oh, well.
How about you? Did you set a reading goal for the year and are you going to reach it?
Posted on November 25, 2012 in Books
Hello everyone! Happy belated Thanksgiving to those celebrating it in the US.
I really need to wake up earlier, but I was actually a bit productive yesterday as I did some job stuff (did diddly all the rest of the week), fiddled, knit and even cleaned a bit.
Today, I anticipate a little of the aforementioned and reading Craig Thompson’s Habibi. I have been in a reading block lately so I am slowly making back to it by reading graphic novels. I am not sure if it is working, but at least I am reading something.
Does anyone else get this too? My other hobbies have been in the way and I am trying to be busy with other things. I still need to read about 13 more books to make my 75 for this year. I do get very bookish during the holidays though.
Have a good end of November, everybody!
Posted on November 18, 2012 in Books
Hello everyone! I’ve been forgetful about the Salon and do them much later than in my mornings. [One hour later] See, it happened again. I become busy doing other things.
Since I stopped working, I haven’t been a particularly good reader or all that productive in my job search. I have been looking after my spiritual health a bit more and feel more content and hopeful about the future.
I did read yesterday: Soulless: The Manga and the review will be up tomorrow.
Other news of this week which made me satisfied was that I bought a rechargeable electric toothbrush: Oral-B 5000 series. I am really geeky since this has pleased me greatly. It really does make my teeth very clean after every brushing. I really can’t afford to go to the dentist as much anymore, but I try to be diligent with my dental routine with flossing, tongue cleaning, and by investing in this toothbrush. Does anyone else have an electric toothbrush too?
In other news, the weather is cool but bright. The snow hasn’t made any significant appearance so the only thing that tells me it’s the holiday season is coming is the plethora of people shopping and the decorations. I really do like the festive season even though (or because) my family and friends aren’t big on it so there isn’t much stress about gift giving or obligations.
How are you looking forward to the end of the year?
Have a happy Sunday everyone!
Posted on November 4, 2012 in Books, Food
Hello everyone!
Sadly, I did not read at all this week. Work has been hectic, but it’s my last day this Wednesday. Even though I will miss the income and don’t want to job search, I really need the break from working.
Today, I may read a bit, but I have been particularly tired from my weeks. The weather has been dark and gloomy all week. While Sandy didn’t really hit us around here, we got the tail end rain of it.
In good news, I baked brownies yesterday. They were a bit too sweet for me, but I used over 10 ounces of chocolate (I had a lot of leftover dark chocolate). Also very crumbly and buttery. Hmmm. I think I am really a blondies girl at heart.
What are you reading and eating this weekend?
Posted on October 28, 2012 in Books
Hello everyone! How is your Sunday going?
This week, I read Lost Laysen by Margaret Mitchell and continued to read Bel-Ami. I may read a bit of it today, but I also want to fiddle. I like the writing in the book, but it requires more concentration because of the French.
Last week, I made Lime Frozen Yogurt from Canning for a New Generation and I am writing up a review of the cookbook. The yogurt turned out ok, but it’s going to take me awhile to eat it!
Skipped badminton again this week, but still love yoga. I’ve been thinking I should meditate again. I use to do it once a week back in graduate school, and I really think it helped me get through that year. Does anyone else meditate?
It’s colder, and I like to stay indoors more. I am a homebody at heart.
Have a good week, everyone!
Posted on October 14, 2012 in Books, Photography
It’s been an oddly long week though I only had four day work week.
I did skim one book and read another. They were both relationship self-help book. I’m very much an analytical person and I am at that age where many of my peers are married or going to be. I’ve been wondering more about my own relationship future/lack thereof so what better way to do this than to skim a lot self-help books? They are actually helping even though they sometimes offer contrary advise to one another. I read funny one called Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr Good Enough by Lori Gottlieb. I doubt I’ll read a review for it, but I enjoyed it.
In other book news, I am reading Guy de Maupassant’s Bel-Ami in French! Ok, I am also reading it in English after every chapter to improve comprehension. It is slow going.
Got three new cookbooks this week, and one of them is Nigella’s Christmas and I don’t think I will cook from it anytime soon, but it’s a great cookbook just to browse through.
So bad news first is that I am going to be unemployed again in November. I restarted this blog as I way to cheer myself up from my employment situation so this means more time for books, blogging and my other nine million hobbies.
Good News: I decided to splurge my current dwindling income a new camera: Canon 60D! I have been waiting for a DSLR for years. This is the first new camera I’ve bought in six years. I wanted to wait out for the 70D, but to be honest, I was getting a bit impatient. I saw a great bundle from Best Buy on Thursday and decided to jump at it yesterday. I haven’t been hyping myself up for this purchase so it feels a bit surreal.
It hasn’t changed my life so far in the one day. It has great 1080p video, but I don’t really like video editing. It took a bit for me to figure out how to do an OK self-portrait since I do a lot of these for my knitting photos. My old camera was a pro at those. I got two lenses with it: a 50mm portrait and a 55-200mm telephoto. I really wanted the 50mm portrait, but I doubt I will use the 55-200mm very much since I don’t go to sports events or see wildlife often. The result is that I have very limited range since I don’t have an all purpose or wide lens. I’ll need to put more investment, time and money into this new camera. I already just ordered a remote, and plan to get a tripod when I see a sale for them.
I do miss how easy my Canon A630 Point & Shoot was to use and it was great in many ways: portraits, macros and landscapes. You can see it in the autumn shot at the top of this post. It’s been a bit weird the last two years with battery issues, but it still works. I just need to study the 60D more, but I doubt I will put the P&S in a drawer anytime soon since I think I’ll keep it for macro shots in the long term.
In any case, this should mean better photos for the blog and maybe I can get a proper banner up. Also, this means more hobbies for me.
On an average week, I enjoy the following activities: Reading/Books, Blogging, Fiddling/Violin, Knitting, TV/Movies, Badminton, Yoga, and Photography is now back on it. That’s the most minimal of activities too as I still like to eat, socialize, cook/bake, and oh, work.
It can’t be said that I don’t know how to keep myself busy. Have a good week, everyone and thanks for reading!
Posted on October 7, 2012 in Books
It’s another long weekend. Wonderful things long weekends, but I haven’t been reading much. I have been watching a lot of TV.
In any case, I finished Gone with the Wind this week, rewatched the movie, and the movie will be up on November 8th.
Books to read next include Guy de Maupassant’s Bel-Ami in the original French, The Song of Achilles, and many more. Being a reader is a lifelong job, and there is always more work to do it seems!
I am having turkey with the family, and for weekend baking, I am making a blueberry pie. I may take a photo of this one since I am using a cookie cutter top crust.
Speaking of food and books, I bought three cookbooks the other day, and now that my cookbook collection is starting to be notable, I will need to do a post about it. I really like going through recipe books. I love food and I love books so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I read about food and like to cook, but I rarely get to cook or bake nowadays.
Now, I am off for a hike in the woods. The best time of year in this part of Canada.
Have a good week everyone!
Posted on September 30, 2012 in Books
Hello! I am still reading Gone with the Wind. I am now over one third done it, but to be honest, I have been so busy these last two weeks that I haven’t really had a lot of time to read.
When I get busy with life and work obligations, I just want to zone out a bit in front of the television. I am also fiddling now so that takes time away from knitting and reading. As a result, this blog has also suffered.
This week, I worked more than I have ever in recent memory. It was a long week and I slept a long time last night. The weather is rainy so I will stay in and not go out at all (my preferred situation for Sunday), read and bake an apple crumble.
What are you doing this Sunday?
Posted on September 23, 2012 in Books
Hello, Sunday!
Just a quick entry to say that I did start Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell this week. I am at 17% on my Kindle reading of it. I am enjoying it and finding Scarlett quite tolerable for a protagonist. I think there is definitely an honesty to Mitchell’s portrayal of her characters.
Life is a bit hectic for me these days and even today, I am not going to read so much as go to fiddle and go apple picking. Work is picking up for me for the rest of the week too even less reading, but now that I am engrossed with a book, I do make time for it.
What are you reading this Sunday?