Monday Goals (12-09-16)

Last Week's Goals:

Water | C

I am really not great at this... Does anyone have any tricks for drinking enough water??

Finish Something | A

I finished the hat and the shawl! I am really happy with how both of them turned out. And since my last blog post I started and finished another shawl (this one was for myself) 

Work Term Report | B

I wrote up 5 of the 8 blog posts during the week I had wanted to complete this task. Since then I finished the whole report and handed it in!

This Week's Goals:

Water

This needs to happen. 8 cups a day is the goal.

No Cereal for Dinner

Andrew is away this week. I know that I will feel much better if I don't eat cereal for dinner every night but it's really hard to motivate yourself to cook for just one person. I'm setting the goal of not eating cereal for dinner any night this week while my husband is gone.

Finish the Socks

I started these socks in the middle of August (in preparation for Christmas) and I am just starting the second one. I want to get them off the needles this week so that I can start my September socks!

What do you want to get done this week?

Monday Goals (29-08-16)

I really overachieved on two of my goals this week! It was only because once I got started on them I started having too much fun and didn't want to stop!

Last Week's Goals:

Half the X's | A++

I have three baby quilts to finish before October. I finished ALL the x's AND I put one quilt entirely together!! Guys this is amazing. I have fallen back in love with sewing

Water | C

Drinking 8 cups of water a day proved to be a challenge for me. I drank more water than usually, but I don't think I ever got to 8 cups in a day... yikes.

Spin a Bobbin | A++

Not only did I spin all the singles but I also plied about 90% of the singles I made. I am SO happy with how the yarn turned out. I ended up with over 400 yards of sport weight yarn so far.

This Week's Goals:

Water

I really want to drink enough water. I know it's good for you and I want to make sure I am taking care of myself.

Finish Something

I feel like I haven't finished anything knitting wise in quite a while. I currently have socks, a shawl, a cardigan and a hat on the go. I want to finish one (maybe two) of these things this week. 

Work Term Report

I have put this off for far to long. My work term report for my last two coop terms is due in a few weeks. Normally I'm pretty good at working on this as I go, but this time I've been procrastinating.- I've started it but I want to get it done before school starts up again for me (on the 8th of September). I need to write 8 short blog posts about what I did each month of my work term. It's not super difficult but I just have to sit down and do it!

What do you want to get done this week?

Monday Goals (22-08-16)

Last Week's Goals:

Finish August Socks | A

I finished my socks! The only thing I didn't do was block them. I don't normally block my socks but I think this pattern will require it

Divide the Sleeves | A+

I got past the sleeves! Most complicated part of the cardigan (in my opinion) is finished!

Try a new recipe | A

I tried a chicken and potato and cheese recipe. Andrew loved it, I was okay with it. I did really enjoy making it though. It's fun to try new things.

This Week's Goals:

Half the X's

I have three baby quilts to finish before October. I am finally at the sewing stage (aka the fun stage!). I am making a rag quilt so I have to sew an x on each of the 216 blocks. I want to get through half of the x's this week (so a diagonal line on each square)

Water

This habit did not stick. I really need to drink enough water, I can totally tell the difference when I don't get enough. This week I want to drink 8 cups a day.

Spin a Bobbin

I've been spinning this alpaca merino since my birthday (April). It's time to power through and finish spinning (so that I can start knitting!). I want to spin the last little bit of the first 100 grams and all of the next 100 grams. That way I can ply them together next week!

What do you want to get done this week?

Monday Goals (15-08-16)

I skipped doing last weeks goals, but I these are the grades for the goals from 2 weeks ago

Last Week's Goals:

Finish the Blanket | D

I didn't even touch this blanket... In my defense, it was really hot here this week and working on a blanket was just not going to happen. (Side note, I finished this blanket a couple days ago - see the picture above. I LOVE how it turned out!)

Crochet | B

I think I crocheted about 8 squares, which is better than nothing

Spin | A-

I picked up my drop spindle at least once every day!

This Week's Goals:

Finish August Socks

I will be doing a lot of car knitting this week, I'm hoping I can focus and get these socks finished!

Divide the Sleeves

I am pretty close to putting the sleeves of my Mom's cardigan on to stitch holders. I want to keep making progress on this and get past the sleeves this week.

Try a new recipe

I want to try something new for dinner this week. Maybe I'll find a winner!

What do you want to get done this week?

Monday Goals (02-08-16)

Last Week's Goals:

Breakfast | A+

I ate breakfast every day! It was delicious.

Spin | A

I used my drop spindle at least 3 times and I plied those two bobbins of singles that were on my spinning wheel.

Get Rid of The Junk  |A-

I removed the junk from the back of the car... but I just put it in a pile in the apartment, So I didn't exactly get rid of it in the best way...

This Week's Goals:

Finish the Blanket

This blanket has been sitting on my needles for quite a while now. I want to get it done!

Crochet

I need to keep working on crocheting those squares! I fell off the wagon. I want to do 2 squares each day (at least!)

Spin

I want to make more progress with my drop spindle this week. I have a project in mind for the yarn I am currently spinning so I want to start making faster progress! I want to spin at least once a day and hopefully be half done spinning the singles for this project by next week

What do you want to get done this week?

Currently (27-07-16)

Knitting... I finished my first pair of rose city rollers and immediately cast on another pair using some scrap yarn. I am done the first sock.

No progress on my Chevron blanket. I am going to a cottage with my family this weekend so I am hoping I will be able to get lots of knitting and crafting time in.

I started the cardigan for my mom. It feels nice to have a sweater on my needles again. I am combining two patterns for this cardigan. Grace by Jane Richmond, (I am using this pattern for the main construction but omitting the lace panels at the top). The second pattern is Ruby Tuesday by Ewa Durasiewicz, I am using the design of the top from this pattern.

Spinning... I plied the singles that were on my wheel and I am planning on spinning with my drop spindle this weekend.

Crocheting... I'm hoping to get several squares done this weekend.

Reading... I am half way done  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!

What are you currently up to?

Monday Goals (25-07-16)

Last Week's Goals:

Take pictures | C

I used my camera twice, which is better than nothing!

1 Chapter a Day & Crochet 2 Squares | B

1 chapter a day happened really easily this week. Crocheting, not so much. I'm just not super motivated at the moment. 

Clean out the Fridge | A+

I cleaned it out and filled it with yummy fruits and veggies. 

This Week's Goals:

Breakfast

I am really bad at eating breakfast in the morning. This week I want to try to redevelop that habit

Spin

I have two bobbins full of singles to be plied on my spinning wheel. I want to get this done this week. I also want to use my drop spindle a bit more. Let's say more than twice this week.

Get Rid of The Junk

I have so much stuff in the back of my car. I need it to be mostly clean for our trip to the cottage this weekend. I want to deal will the junk in the trunk so that it will be more usable.

What do you want to get done this week?

Currently (20-07-16)

Knitting... I finished my July socks. The yarn is from Stray Cat Socks in the colourway "Electric Avenue". I am planning on entering these socks in a fair in the fall. Which means I have to keep myself from wearing them until then!

So to fill that void, I decided to make a pair of rose city rollers with the left over yarn. I am done the first sock and I hope to be done the second before the weekend is over

I got another pattern repeat done on my Chevron blanket! I'm hoping I can repeat the pattern twice more. We will see how much yarn I have left.

I made a swatch for a cardigan for my mom. Now I just have to sit down and do the calculations to adjust the pattern and then I can really get started.

Spinning... Not much spinning is happening. I find it hard to spin when it is so hot!

Crocheting... Not much progress has been made here... Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things

Reading... I am still reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm 25% done according to my kobo

What are you currently up to?

Monday Goals (19-07-16)

I was sick yesterday, so this week's edition of Monday Goals is brought to you on a Tuesday

Last Week's Goals:

Keep it up | B

I drank enough water, limited my caffeine but I didn't crochet enough squares this week. 

1 Chapter a Day | B

I made good progress even though I didn't read Harry Potter everyday. 

Finish what I started | A +

The hat is finished and I think it looks awesome! I even weaved in the ends!

This Week's Goals:

Take pictures

I want to use my camera more instead of relying on my phone. I want use my camera at least once a day.

1 Chapter a Day & Crochet 2 Squares

I really want this to become a habit. I know that if I don't intentionally make this a goal it won't happen.

Clean out the Fridge

I think something is starting to smell (I know, it's gross). I need to clean out the fridge this week/

What do you want to get done this week?

Currently (13-07-16)

Knitting... I finished those socks I was working on for my brother (which is a big accomplishment. His feet are HUGE!)

I started my July socks. They are flying off my knitting needles, I am done the toe of the first one. The yarn is from Stray Cat Socks in the colourway "Electric Avenue" and I love it! Not going to lie, I totally bought this yarn because our prom theme was Electric Avenue and I thought that was just too funny. I am planning on entering these socks in a fair in the fall.

I started a chevron blanket. The pattern is for a baby but I am converting it into a lap afghan to give away. I love how it looks so far. I think I'll probably end up making one for myself in the near future.

I am still working on that star wars hat. My goal is to finish it this week!

Spinning... Not much spinning is happening. I find it hard to spin when it is so hot!

Crocheting... I am making steady progress on my sock yarn granny square blanket. I'm hoping I can keep doing 2 squares a day to help reduce my yarn stash little by little.

Reading... I am still reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm starting to get into it. (finally!)

Cooking... Spaghetti and meat sauce. Nice and simple.

What are you currently up to?

Tea of the Week - Oh Canada!

This weeks tea of the week probably should have been last weeks tea of the week... In honour of Canada Day... Oh well! It is still tastey this week!

Probably my favourite thing about this tea is that it is sweetened with maple syrup. It is oh so yummy. It's a rooibos tea (and caffeine free!) and has caramel and toffee! Also these cute little maple leaf shaped sprinkles. It's one of those teas that is good any time of year. Not too winter-y, and not too summer-y. If you want to get yourself some, you can find it here.

Monday Goals (11-07-16)

Last Week's Goals:

2/3 of last week's goals went pretty well. I'll have to try again on the reading one...

8 Cups of water - 2 Cups of Caffeine | A-

I only missed drinking enough water 1 day and I went over how much caffeine I wanted 2 days. Which I think is pretty good!

1 Chapter a Day | D

This did not go well at all... I only ended up reading 2 chapters, And I read both of those chapters yesterday. I'm going to try again this week..

2 Squares a Day | A

I only missed crocheting 2 squares a day once and I made up for it another day, I am happy that I'm working on elminating some of my yarn stash

This Week's Goals:

Keep it up

I want to continue drinking enough water, limiting my caffeine and crocheting 2 squares a day. 

1 Chapter a Day

I'm going to try this goal again. I want to make more progressing in my reading!

Finish what I started

I started a Star Wars hat a while ago and it has been sitting on my needles half finished for about a month. It's about time I finished it!

What do you want to get done this week?

Thankfully (07-07-16)

This week I am thankful for:

-20 km Bike rides with my family
-Board games (Specifically 7 Wonders)
-Craft time
-Pizza (I had it 4 days in a row this week)
-Progress on my Sock Yarn Blanket
-New Sunglasses
-More motivation to get things done
-Step Challenges
-Walks on the Trail in the morning

What are you thankful for this week?

Currently (06-07-16)

Knitting... I finished my sweater last week! I am really happy with how it turned out. Pattern was Briquette by Alicia Plummer.

I started a pair of socks for my brother. I am done the first sock!

Spinning... Knit Picks Bare Roving still. Spinning hasn't been a big priority for me lately. Hopefully I can make some time this weekend to get some plying done!

Crocheting... I finished that Dragon Ball Z hat. I also started working on a few squares for my leftover sock yarn blanket. I learned an important lesson. WEAVE IN THE ENDS AS YOU GO! I spent almost an hour weaving in the ends for 30 squares... Now I will be doing it as I finish the squares.

Reading... I am still reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I'm trying to make more progress in my reading.

Drinking... Pom Diggety from Davids Tea. Nice and sweet. Terrific hot or iced. I'm probably going to be buying more of this one!

Cooking... I made some peanut butter and honey granola last week. It was pretty good but I probably won't make it again.

What are you currently up to?

Tea of the Week - Pom Diggety

On my most recent trip to Davids Tea I was given Pom Diggety as a sample. It was so delicious I decided to impulsively buy 100 grams on the spot! I have no regrets. It's sweet, fruity and is great hot or iced. It's a black tea but has low caffeine, which is nice. It doesn't seem to get bitter like some black teas that I have tried. Besides black tea, Pom Diggety has hibiscus, rooibos, lemon myrtle, stevia extract, pomegranate seeds, natural pomegranate flavouring. If you are curious you can get this tea as part of David's Tea's Summer Iced Teas Collection.

Monday Goals (04-07-16)

I am going to try something new. A while back I did monthly goals. Recently some blogs I follow have been doing weekly goals and I am going to give it a try to see how I like it. Here are this weeks goals!

8 Cups of water - 2 Cups of Caffeine

I am not drinking enough water. My goal is 8 cups a day. I will use my phone's Health app to track this. I also want to limit myself to 2 cups of caffeinated beverages. After that It needs to be decaffeinated tea or coffee. My phone also has a section in the health app for tracking this.

1 Chapter a Day

I am trying to read more. I want to make progress on the Fifth Harry Potter book this week and I think 1 chapter a day is a reasonable goal for me.

2 Squares a Day

I haven't been making enough progress on my sock yarn blanket. This week I want to get at least 2 squares done a day. This should also help me achieve my overall goal of using up my yarn scraps.

What do you want to get done this week?

Thankfully (30-06-16)

This week I am thankful for:

-Dinner out with my knitting group (buffet!!)
-Puzzling with my husband
-Shopping with my Bestie
-Short work week
-Finishing (and hopefully wearing!) my sweater
-Deals at David's Tea (I got free shipping AND a free Summer Iced Tea Collection!)
-Pie
-Hilarious Snapchat filters

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankfully (23-06-16)

Crushing it.

This week I am thankful for:

-Bike rides (and ice cream!) with my Dad
-New storage in the apartment
-Weekend naps
-Special tea cups that make drinking tea that much better
-Crafting time with my Mom
-Campfires
-Air Conditioning in the apartment
-Manicures with the bestie
-Puzzles
-Knitting during lunch breaks
-Jam making with my family

What are you thankful for this week?

Currently (22-06-16)

Knitting... June Socks are finished! I am still working on my sweater Briquette by Alicia Plummer. I have both sleeves finished and I'm about half way done the hood. I'm hoping to be done this sweater within the next week or so.

I am finished a pair of thrummed mittens to send up to Nunavut later this year. I'm hoping the recipient finds them nice and toasty.

I started some projects to enter in some fairs this fall. Specifically, I am working on another Force Awakens hat, and I am going to try to make up a mitten pattern to match!

Spinning... Knit Picks Bare Roving. I have one bobbin plied, and I am hoping to do another one soon. I will then have 4 skeins for a sweater! I think I will probably need 6 before I dye it.

I also recently acquired a drop spindle. I have been spinning some purple alpaca-merino with it.

Crocheting... Crocheting has been taking a back seat lately. Someone asked me to make them a Dragon Ball Z hat, so I'll be crocheting that in the near future.

Reading... I am reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I haven't made much progress. Hopefully soon I will get some more motivation in the near future

Drinking... Smoothies! We found a magic bullet on sale a few weeks ago and I have been using it at least once a day. Do you have any favourite smoothie recipes? I'm looking for more to try, so leave me a comment!

Cooking... I gave a new recipe a try yesterday and it turned out okay. A little too much work for a regular dinner and it didn't really wow either of us.

What are you currently up to?

Thankfully (20-05-16)

This week I am thankful for:

-Finishing all my current orders for star wars hats (one went to AUSTRALIA this week!)
-Good progress on my May socks
-Roller coaster tycoon (that game is addictive)
-A long weekend that starts today
-My mom (She graduated from her Masters of Theological Studies this week!)
-Hardly any traffic on the way to my mom's convocation ceremony
-Board games with my family

What are you thankful for this week?

Niagara Falls Getaway

I know Valentine's Day was a LONG time ago but I still wanted to share a little bit about our most recent trip.

Andrew and I decided to go to Niagara Falls for a few days to celebrate Valentine's Day as well as the start of reading week. We went on the COLDEST day of the year but it actually turned out really well because it was not very busy at all. we dressed in lots of layers and we were good to go.

We did mostly tourist things in the area and we walked most places so that we wouldn't have to pay extra for parking. Here are some of the highlights:

-Splurging 20 bucks on the arcade. Seriously, this was so much fun. We got to play games together for over an hour and in the end we got two heart shaped slinkies.

-Sharing a beaver tail.

-Seeing how much ice accumulated on the railings by the falls in such a short time.

-Solving a rubik's cube at the Guinness Book of World Records museum.

-Buying matching sweaters

-Valentine's Day Dinner at East Side Mario's

-Visiting Niagara on the Lake and going to a cute yarn store to get sock yarn

-Walking over 30,000 steps through the weekend (seriously, not even joking.)

Thankfully (05-05-16)

This week I am thankful for:

-A new mug from a sweet coworker (and friend!)
-Beautiful weather
-Walks with the bestie
-Stretchy pants
-New pie plates (I'm going to test them out this weekend!)
-Old seasons of Survivor on Shomi
-Sleep
-Hydration packs that make me feel super hard core, even when I'm just sitting on the couch writing a blog post

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankfully (28-04-16)

This week I am thankful for:

-Birthday week
-Bike adventures with Andrew
-Time to knit with other ladies at church
-A husband who makes dinner when days are rough
-A new spring jacket
-Fruits and Veggies
-Tea Breaks
-Cookie scoops (makes balling the cookie dough SO much faster)
-Living close to trails
-Socks that are fresh off the needles to wear on my birthday

What are you thankful for this week?