Work in Progress, Month End Exercise Up and Down

 

Two asymmetrical scarves on the needles.  The smallest one is sock yarn and small needles so it goes much slower, and remains smaller despite it being started first.  The 2nd scarf is worsted weight yarn and larger needles and as you can see is much larger even though I've not worked as much on it.  The two have almost the same number of stitches on the needle, only about 15 more stitches on the larger one (the tri-color) scarf.  This is the same pattern, so it's fun to see how different they look.  Not the best background to see the colors, will photograph on a plain background next time.

 

Well another month has come and gone.  I have some improvements and some backslides:

PLANKS, backslide, went from 9 x in April to only 6 x in May (was surprised to see that when I checked my calendar)  Boo me

YOGA  Improved from 8 x to 11 (yeah me)

WALKS Status quo sorta?  I walked 12 x in May which is the same number as April....but, my miles are down booo.  Dropped from 128.34 miles to 119.62 miles.

I did do some circuit work outs, only twice which was new.  I'm doing lots of yard work, which is probably why my miles are lower.  When working in the yard, I'm not going for walks.  But, the yard work is hard work.

I was out of town a week during the month, and will be out of town a week in June as well, so not sure if that helps or hurts with regard to exercise.

Loved this book by Janet Skeslien Charles.  This book is based on a true story about The American Library in Paris, and how it was a beacon of Hope during the dark days of The War.  What do Odile Souchet in Paris in 1939 and Lily in Montana in  1983 have in common?  Quite an interesting mystery.  Consequences of ones personal choices can alter whom you become.    Add this to your list of books to read folks.  You learn about World War II, and how even a library can join the resistance.  

I have tried to identify this bush growing in my back yard.  Using Google search it seems to be Ligustrum obtusifolium (Border Privet), which originally comes from Japan, China, and or Korea.  It's also called Amur Privet, but....this bush smells heavenly, which doesn't match the description.  The description says it smells bad, and has berries.  This bush doesn't get berries and smells wonderful.  Additionally it says it's quite invasive.  This bush was here when we moved into the house close to 40 years ago and has NOT spread, therefore not invasive.  Several friends have indicated this is indeed a Border Privet, while others have said it's a Honeysuckle.  It doesn't look like pictures of a Honeysuckle.  Someone suggested it could be a White Potted Jasmine.  Well Jasmine smell nice, but all the info I found related to those plants aren't bushes.  Perhaps it's a Star Jasmine- Trachelospermum?  But, it seems they are often vines?  I'm at a loss.  Anyone out there know what this is.  I would love to plant another one.  Easy care and I love the aroma.  It fills the yard for several weeks; but is about done now.

Starts, Finishes, and Next Project

 

Finished!  As we speak this is in the washer and will soon be laid out block/dry.  Then it can be gifted. to my great niece.  I decided this was softer and more appropriate then the multi-colored blanket.

More fun cocktail napkins!

Not a cocktail napkin, but should be.  Got a kick out of this meme, and thought you might as well.

Code Girls, a New York Bestseller, award winning book tells the riveting secret story of over 10,000 women who were recruited from all over America and taught how to break codes.  They lived in difficult situations and worked long hard hours under much stress.  The vow of secrecy kept their life saving efforts out of the history books.  With much detailed research, their stories are now being told.  A movie was also made from this book.  Highly recommend this book.  Once again the accomplishments of women in The Second World War have been brushed aside and need to be told. 

A photo from my back yard of the purple iris.  I have a large back yard and these beauties line all 3 fence rows.

Am continuing to work on this, but having added about 10 rows, it doesn't look any larger.

Will be casting this project on shortly.  Not the best picture, but I love the teal, gray, and purple mix.  This will be a tri-colored asymmetrical scarf.  I will cast on before finishing the above scarf, lol.

Exercise continues, will see how the monthly stats are for May.

Knitting, Exercising, Audio Books

 

Lots of growth on the blue corner to corner blanket.  In the last picture I had just barely started the decrease and the 3rd blue section.  Since then that blue section has been completed and another white section and now I'm back to another blue section, the 4th.  May Gift Link Up

I believe I decided this will make a better baby blanket then my previous corner to corner with so many colors.

From time to time I've shared some of my fun cocktail napkins.  I'm always on the search for some I've not had before.  My favorite in this group of 4 is the lower left, "A day without wine is like...just kidding I have no idea..

We tend to eat lighter in warmer months.  Less meat and potatoes and more veggies!  These veggies were yummy and surely healthy.  Mushrooms, onions, lots of different colored peppers salt, pepper, olive oil, and garlic.  The left side of the cookie sheet is cut up butternut squash, salt, pepper, olive oil and cinnamon.   I don't remember whether we had pork tenderloin or chicken with this the night I took the picture.  Bake on 400 for about 20 minutes stir and another 5 or 10 based on how soft the squash is and how caramelized you like your veggies.  Enjoy!

Pulitzer winning book, "All The Light We Cannot See", by Anothony Doerr.  I understand there are plans for this to be a mini series on Netflix; but I don't know when that's suppose to happen...or if it already has.  The book is another WWII book.  Initially in Paris you're introduced to Marie-Laure a fascinating blind girl who lives with her father.  He does a wonderful job helping her see.  They escape to the walled citadel, Saint-Malo in a tall house by the sea.  I don't want to give more away, please add this to your book list and see how a blind girl meets up with a Nazi Boy.

Am continuing with walking, yoga and planks, though in the last handful of days have opted for mowing and lots of yard work over planks.  So, we'll see how the month shapes out.  We're about half way through.  Thought you might get a kick out of the meme.