Where has the time Gone?

Well it maybe a bit late for this New Years Follow up (see my last post), but I had this cute graphic and still wanted to share with you all.  How perfect is this yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks and a Martini Glass!  In my last post I talked about getting back on the wagon with walking more, recording my food again, and being a virtual walking buddy to anyone wanting or needing friendship and encouragement.  I have walked more (being out of town 2 different times in warmer weather helps), I only managed to record my food for a couple of days and fell back off the wagon, and no one contacted me here to connect on facebook and or fitbit.  I've added lots of new friends through friend requests on fitbit and will be following up with Karen and Barbara who left comments on my previous post.

This is most recently completed work in progress.  I love the color green and enjoyed working with this yarn, Uptown DK, but did have some issues with getting this finished, thanks to the hungry vacuum, posted story HERE   The shawl was for a friend of my Daughter's who's going through chemo.

Recently started this shawl/scarf.  I say either or, as it might not be large enough for a shawl?  We'll see when completed.  The pattern calls it a shawl.  I started this long ago and frogged it.  The handspun just wasn't showing up very well in the original pattern, and it's better here .......though still not great.  Plus the color is off a bit, it's really more gold then the picture shows.  Strange how that happens sometimes.

Started this knitted stripped ghan for Bridge and Beyond, but had to frog about half of what you see here in the picture.  Kept having issues........pathetic since it's just garter stitch, but somehow my fingers and brain weren't playing nice together....typically in the evening after a Martini....hum...So, haven't taken an updated photo, but it's currently about twice this large with the colors stripes slightly different.  I do like the color combination.

 Another case of colors not being right.  This ghan is called Pink Persuasion.  It's not this pink, nor is it as muted as the picture belong.  The real color is somewhere in between.  These pictures were taken 2 different times, no doubt lighting different, and I actually think it was 2 different cameras.  The picture below is when I first designed it from donated squares, named it and added it to my collection to work on later.  The current picture shows 2 rows edged and assembled, how much the edging and joining is increasing the size and is actually the back side of the ghan.  Apparently when viewing the picture to know the color design on my ipad...the picture got flipped several times, so now to get things correctly laid down and connected, I'm looking at the back side, lol

Both ghans, and the shawl/scarf were projects I took on the road during January and February when hubby and I traveled to Hilton Head, SC.  Love going there in the winter.  No worries about a sunburn, but you also don't have to shovel snow.

 This is a perpetual calendar, a gift from my Darling Daughter at Christmas.  I've set up the first quarter of the year with dates and cards and dividers.

I began using it on January 1.  The idea is to use it to record a short sentence or two each day, about what you doing, feeling, what you're grateful for, anything really.  A calendar with more of a diary twist.  Each card is a day and once you complete the year, you start over using the same cards.  I was really enjoying using this...this was going to be my 2nd post of the year, the day after my New Years Post.....well, as you can see that didn't happen.  I've been gone 3 wks and had intended to actually make notes while away to fill in on my return.........that didn't happen either, so now my debate is pick up anew, or try to go back and fill in?  It's hard to know what thoughts you were actually having on any given day, so think I'll record where I was to remember 2 or 3 years from now why I didn't have anything, and start anew.

That brings me sorta up to date.  While away I did yoga for the very first time and enjoyed it.  A beginners class at the resort where we stayed.  I don't remember it all, and wonder if doing just a few things still is good...or if doing things in a particular order is part of the benefit?  Anyone know?  I also used exercise equipment for the very first time.  A couple of days were  too windy and wet to walk outside so I did some walking on the treadmill, road the stationary bike, and used an elliptical.  I also enjoyed that and wished I had a reasonable or predictable schedule enough to perhaps get a gym membership..........or maybe buy some equipment for here at the house.

Hoping to get back into blogging more in 2015, and hope you all are doing well.  Tell me what you've been doing.

My New Years Plan

Happy New one and all.  I hope you're ending 2014 on a high note and are looking forward to what a new Year can offer.

I've not been one to make New Years Resolutions, sometimes I think about goals...in a loose manner, nothing written down, nothing hard and fast.  It seems lots of folks get down on themselves if they're not able to get their New Years Resolutions.

Most of you know several months back I began walking in order to reduce pain and swelling in my knee from arthritis, as well as bring down my cholesterol which was too high.  I've been successful with both of those quests.   A bonus has been weight loss, which I've learned reduces the stress to ones knees.  In fact, I read a single pound of weight loss reduces stress to each knee by 5 pounds.  That's HUGE and has made a real improvement for me.

My Fitbit has been a big help with keeping me on track and I enjoy the friendships that have developement with Fitbit'ers.  People encouraging each other, virtual walking buddies is indeed very helpful.  Stats prove people with walking buddies, exercise buddies both in person and virtually do better with their goals than those that try to meet the goals/weight loss solo.

So, my plan for up coming year of 2015 is to continue.  I've been a bit lax of late, in that I've not walked daily as I was before.  The cold weather has made it more difficult as have the holidays.  So, need to re-double my efforts on that.  For anyone out there wanting a walking buddy, virtually...sing out.  We can share Fitbit profile links, or connect on facebook or here.  I was religious about recording my food intake until the last couple of months, so need to regroup on that score.  Again, stats show you're more successful if you do keep track of your meals.  Not only for weight loss, but if you're watching your sodium level, or cholesterol, or carbs...any specific item like that.

So I vow to be more consistent with my walking,
To be more consistent with recording my food,
To be available for others who want/need encouragement....

Tomorrow I'll post something about part 2 of my quest for the New Year, so please check back in.  Don't want to be too wordy here.

I wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Years

The case of Hungry Vacuum and my Knitted Shawl

Been such a long time since I've written a blog post on this blog.  Where does time go?  I love this shade of green and have made more headway on this project since I took the photo a week ago.  It's made with Uptown DK Universal Yarn.  It's not a yarn I've used before, but am enjoying the feel of it.  The skein suggested size 6 needles, but I'm using a 7.  Actually now my 2nd set of size 7 thanks to my sweeper.

The project/shawl was laying on the footstool where I had been sitting the evening before.  Yarn was dangling down which I didn't see as I was vacuuming.  Sadly, the vacuum did snare it.  Tried quickly to get the thing turned off, but ...the yarn including needle (the bent black lovely Knit Picks Wooden needles) included.  Had to cut the yarn close to the sweeper to free my shawl...thankfully the shawl itself didn't get sucked in, but the needle did.  The needle also shattered...errrrrrrr, really liked those needles, so am now using a back up pair with a shorter cord.  After unwinding all the yarn the hungry vacuum had eaten, I resumed cleaning......though not happily.

The shawl pattern calls for 2 skeins, but I've purchased a 3rd, as I'm concerned it's not going to be long enough.  Currently fairly close to the end of the 2nd skein.

Nice Bull, Please go Away

I've posted off and on about my walking.  This site is for anyone with an interest in virtual travel, anyone who likes history, anyone who likes awesome photography, and anyone who likes to walk, anyone who has a fitbit etc.

I'm virtually walking in Scotland and enjoying the sites, chocked full of history, interesting pictures; however.........think if I came in contact with this fellow, I might want to take off my walking shoes and find another hobby.  LOL

This badge will eventually be added to my sidebar and or have it's on page with a tab here on the blog, so I can click and or you can to see where on the trail I am.  I've gotten through part of the trail that's very overgrown and has nettles..........whatever there are they sound like (see the description in the photo there) like they hurt and scratched up my legs and others on the trail.  Makes me wonder if this is more appropriate for hiking boots vs my walking shoes.........though they're not nearly as comfortable.

I'm wanting to change the font on my blogs from the default font and can't figure out how to do it, anyone know?  I've tried to find it even in the html code where I know it can be changed, but.........haven't been successful and it occurs to me with all the gadgets there's probably an easier way to do without messing with the code?

I should add, I'm super close to getting my 1,000 mile badge on fitbit (less then 2 miles to go), need 70 more flights of steps for the next stair badge which is 500 floors...so best get off the computer and get stepping.

Eating Well, Knitting a Shawl

Some time back a variation of this quick and easy meal appeared on Facebook.  The pan was turned the other direction, and they used only 3 items (no carrots) in the version posted.  They had chicken on one side, potatoes, and green beans.  They suggested using canned green beans.......I use fresh when possible.  Their presentation wasn't nearly as colorful as the potatoes (white showing) were next to chicken.  I suggested for color they flip things around........then the first time I made it I used green beans, carrots, and no potatoes.......typically I didn't cook potatoes with chicken. 

It was hit with hubby for taste and with me for ease of cooking it, and cleaning up.  One pan, no muss, no fuss.  Cook on 350 for 45 minutes covered with foil.  Drizzle with Italian dressing.  Sometimes I use olive oil and a good balsamic and my own spices.......sometimes I pour Italian Dressing right out of the bottle. Salt and pepper to taste, or use Mrs. Dash........which is what I used in this picture.

By turning over most of the potatoes to show red, stacking beans and carrots, and adding potatoes......you can make it a very complete meal.  

Spending lots of time walking (see previous posts), so don't want to spend lots of time cooking and no reason to.  I've also put pork chops in this arrangement in place of the chicken.  Butterfly chops, cut in half.  Not bad flavor, though they come out a little tough.

When you don't spend too much time in the kitchen, you have time for other pursuits.

Like knitting a prayer shawl.  Love the green, such a pretty color.  I've not used this yarn before, but will be again......love the way it feels and how it slides nicely on the needles.  It's Uptown DK anti pilling acrylic.

Free Rewards

WOW, it's been forever since I've posted here.  Think I've broken a record of how long I've gone between blog posts.  Life has been busy, busier then normal.  Working more hours then normal, spending more time working outside in the yard (or did during the summer), and spending alot more time outside Walking, and WALKING and Walking!

If you read my last post you know I'm trying to walk daily to reduce my too high cholesterol count, to build supportive muscles due to arthritis in my knees, and to maintain a more even keel of activity.  The cycle of being on my feet for wayyyyyyy to long one day, and not wanting to do anything the next day at home has made the situation worse.  Back in the spring I changed that; but it requires several hours a day of me stretching, walking, and stretching again.  However, it's worked!

Have lost weight, thus reducing pressure to both knees, have reduced cholesterol (more needed though), and have built supportive muscles which has reduced pain and swelling in my knees.

AND I've earned this dandy bright pumpkin orange headband...........FREE!

Free is always good.  Think, I'll probably use it more as a headband to cover the ears as the weather turns cooler.  If you can read it it says #FittStreak.  I earned it on Fi.tt.  (my profile link is HERE
You can join free (it's quick and easy), you can link you fitbit or other electronic devices that count steps etc to Fi.tt and earn points.  You earn points based on challenges.  I earn on some, and some I don't; but they do add up, and after I had earned 200 points I got this headband as my reward.  Who doesn't like rewards?

You can join as many or as few challenges as you like.  Some are for fun only, some reward with points, but both encourage you to have fun while you're exercising.  You can have friends, be as social or non social as you like; but most research indicates the folks that have friends (even virtually) do tend to meet their goals more.

So yes, I am still around in the blogsphere, after all, one needs a break from walking sometimes.  Too bad I can't figure out how to do other things while I'm walking.......hum!