sad sad city

Austin is under a grey blanket today. So dreary.
I think I got used to the sunshine of Maui.
I wanted to take some wip photos today but there is absolutely no light.
So, no pics of my progress on capitan or my sotsi stole today.
They are forecasting sunshine for tomorrow, so keep those fingers crossed. I know you are dying to see them. ;)
Here's a pic to hold you over. Not knitting, but still nice. Hehe.

book on tuesday

Since I have been reading so much lately, I thought I would share a few with all of you. I am guessing there are a few of you that may be as much as a reader as I am. I will only share every now and then, when I read a really great book. This is still a knitting blog. (which reminds me, I need to go to my LYS and find some Malabrigo...



You know why.

Anyway,

Over spring break, I read In The Forest by Edna O'Brien. Every year at around this time I read a book by an Irish writer. Usually, Roddy Doyle, Frank McCourt or Edna O'Brien. This year, I went with O'Brien.

This book was wonderful. Disturbing, but really great. A small west Ireland village is terrorized by a local man since his childhood. He started with minor crimes that the people try to deal with, but as he grows up they become terrified of him and refuse to do anything to stop him for fear of retribution. You see what may have caused his actions/mental health problems. You get to know the people whose lives are affected by his presence, his crimes, his sickness. I won't go into detail too much about the plot, I would hate to give anything away. What is really scary and interesting is that this is based on a true story.

If you are in need for a book to read, I definitely recommend this one.

on an island in the sun

well, not anymore, unfortunately.

I am back.

Just got back today after a red eye flight.

We had a great time. We did absolutely nothing but sit by the pool/beach and enjoy drinks with umbrellas in them.
I managed to get a lot of reading done and some knitting. Still behind on my sotsii. I did finally finish Hint #7 and have gotten some rows done on #8. Yup, haven't even gotten to the last hint.

I see that the Malabrigo has got a lot of you interested. 81 comments! I have many emails in my inbox and lots of first posts to check out. Thank you all for sharing.

Off now to read all 205 new posts in my Reader. Ta ta.

Malabrigo March Madness

Have you felt the madness? :)

Well, today marks one year in the blogging world. I know for a fact that many of you were not here for that first post. How often do you go back in posts of new additions to your blog roll?

I have met a lot of really great people from starting this so I think we need to celebrate and what other way than a contest for yarn. Us knitters love these yarny contests, right?

The prize: Some Malabrigo, of course.

The deal: Leave me a comment with a link to your first post and you get an entry. Link to this contest on your blog, get another entry. Any time anyone mentions you sent them, you get an entry.

The timeline: You have two weeks. March 20th is the deadline. I will announce the winner that weekend.

Good Luck!

mmm, dessert

What's your favorite dessert?

Go here and tell Devon your favorite dessert and she will enter you in her contest to celebrate her blogiversary.

Now I'm hungry! :)


Don't forget, tomorrow is my day to celebrate! I have some ideas on a ways to celebrate. :)

monday, monday

So many lovely gifts and purchases today.
First, I won a prize! I completed Hint #5 on time and had my name chosen in the drawing. Yay. I received a very cute little Sheep Measuring tape and a Needle Case from Lantern Moon.



That little lamb is adorable, isn't he?

Thanks, DK!

I am getting behind on Hint#7, btw. I have only knit a few rows so far. Should get a lot done tonight while watching The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

I signed up for a Malabrigo March Madness KAL on Ravelry yesterday. I will be making theCapitan hat. Cute hat. I need to ball up my Malabrigo and get started on it as well. This will make a good small project to take with me to Hawaii, I think.

I finished 3rd Degree by James Patterson last night. First book for March. Yay.
I am ready for another book. (P&P is coming along)
I know I have plenty of books on my night stand to read, but some are hardback and not easy/light enough to travel with. I wanted some books to take with me on vacation next week. Good, fun books. So, I went to B&N and picked up a few.



Can't wait to get started on these.

what's in a name?

Ever since I was little people have had trouble pronouncing and spelling my name. It's difficult, I know, for people who are not familiar with Spanish. It does require some rolling of an r, not much.

Mary, Marie, Mardee...and that's just the beginning. I have heard and seen them all.

I stopped at the Starbuck's on the way home from Meetup today and had Mardi written on the cup. As in Mardi Gras. Hehe.
I usually get Maudie, since that is what my name sounds like. Mardi was a first.

There are some Mexican restaurants here in Austin named Maudie's, actually. I have always wondered if it was really named after a Mari but spelled in a way that would get pronounced correctly. Hmm? You think?

ready for a break

I can't believe it is already March and only one week away from Spring Break! This year's trip is to Maui. I can't wait. Doing nothing but sitting by the beach with my books and my knitting sounds absolutely perfect after these past two months of work, illness and stress. We have been there before, seen the sights, so sightseeing will not be our priority. Rejuvenating for the rest of the year will be.

So the plan is to print out Hint #8 on Friday before we leave on Saturday morning. Getting that done will be my goal for the week. I will also be taking my dad's Thujas. I have cast on the second sock but have knit no rounds on it yet. I don't think I will be taking the cardigan. Too bulky and warm for Hawaii, don't you think?

As far as books for the trip, it depends on if I finish any this week. I know for certain that Ursula K LeGuin's book, The Left Hand of Darkness will be coming with me. It's one of the hubby's scifi books that I have read about and heard good things. Have any of you read or seen the the movie, The Jane Austen Book Club? It is the scifi book that Grig gives Jocelyn. Anyway, I am looking forward to reading it.



I have put out all my Easter/Spring decor. Is it too early?
Easter does fall in March this year. It feels like spring, looks like spring. I declare it spring here in Texas. So Easter/Spring decor is okay. :)

The yarn is Pakucho organic cotton that I am going to knit into something for a friend's baby girl who is due in May. I am thinking booties or a cute little hat with a sage green ribbon.

contests...for books!

(archived from mariknits)

I am very excited about reading 100 books this year. To get ideas on books I have been checking out some reading blogs for book reviews. What do you know, I found contests. Contests where you can win books! How awesome is that?

Interested?

If so, go to The Story Siren to win the Study series.

And The Page Flipper has five books to give away!

Want yarn instead?

I will be announcing another contest on the 6th to celebrate the completion of one year of blogging! Stay tuned. :)

100 Book Challenge

(archived from mariknits)



I am an avid reader. There is always a book on my bookstand. So, my goal this year is to read 100 books. I am determined to do it. I haven't read many the past two months, so I have my work cut out for me. I have begun my list in the sidebar. I am at 8, so far. I started Pride and Prejudice last night. Also, I am sure I will get through at least 2-3 books during spring break. I already have a couple ready to take with me.



Click on the picture if you want to give it a try too.