So, we've used cloth napkins in our household for as long as I can remember. I've purchased some new, lots of old/vintage, have been given some, and repurposed many. You can get a lot of good napkins out of an old cotton tablecloth marred by an unremovable stain or two. I don't even hem them — just rip along the grain and let 'em fray.
Today was "kitchen" laundry day — dishtowels, dishcloths, potholders, and napkins. I like to fold them neatly, but I'm not too particular about wrinkles and whatnot. It helps when I hang them on the line to dry, especially on a breezy day, because the sun and wind do a good job of "ironing."
There's a particular set of 6 that were my grandma's and they seem to wrinkle more than the rest. I thought that maybe I'd bust a move and actually iron them today.
In order to do that, though, I needed to clear a path to the cupboard where my iron is… to get the iron and also to have room for setting up the board… which I did, and I'm really glad I did, but the iron wasn't in there!
Thor: The Dark World is on my short list for the weekend. (It's my birthday (week) and I can do what I want to!!) I recently watched the first Thor on Netflix and have been looking forward to seeing this on the big screen!
For now, how about a slumber party with Tom Hiddleston on the little screen:
Flippin' awesome.
Chicago was fun but it's been a busy week and I feel as though I've hardly even unpacked. Laundry, a little cleaning, cooking, some knitting, I have some bebe sewing projects that should get started, too.
The apartment also awaits; I sort of conveniently dropped that off my radar. I did clean up the new/used stove and ordered new drip pans. I guess I needed a break from that, and now that I'm recharged (sort of) it shouldn't take too much more. I believe the painting is finished — even the porch — and it looks great!
After a short walk for coffee and breakfast on Sunday morning, we checked out of our hotel and started to make our way north!
First stop: The Spice House. We were there a few minutes before they opened, and the aroma was amazing even out on the sidewalk! This was my first visit to The Spice House, and I had a few things on my list! Those items procured, we walked down the street for coffee. I'd checked in on FB and my friend Amy piped up about their Chicago Spiced Sugar being a favorite, so we went back for that… and more!
I seriously love that about Facebook… and my friends… when I'm in a place that's new or unfamiliar! It was SO helpful when I planned the trip Sharon & I took to Las Vegas a few years ago, and there's just nothing better than a recommendation from a friend!
Our next stop was Soutache. I learned about this shop at Stitches Midwest where they had a booth. We visited earlier this year, but I had left all of my sweaters-in-need-of-buttons at home. This time, I'd grabbed a couple of Zim's in need of closure, and Ali and I had a fun time choosing… including some cute vintage buttons. It's not as extensive as Tender Buttons, but it's as close as I've seen.
Another planned stop was at The Container Store. We'd spied it on our way out of town last time and immediately put it on The List. Ali was looking for some baskets for shelving in her new bathroom — and if you can't find something like that at TCS…
Our last stop before heading home was Bellybum Boutique. I have a feeling we were at that store before, but Ali thinks not… that it's the one that was closed that day. I dunno. Cute shop, lots of great stuff for babies, their mums, and even their grandmums-to-be!
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Thank for all the wonderful birthday wishes!
I had a great day! No cake, but gelato works (Talenti Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip). Phone calls, Skype chats, both lunch & dinner away, hearing Zim's heartbeat at Ali's midwife appointment (next one in two weeks!), a couple of new books from my Wish List, a video "Happy Birthday" sung in Portuguese from Mack & Addy! Really. How could it be better?
6. I just discovered/realized that my birthday falls exactly 7 weeks before Christmas.
7. Always has.
8. That means Christmas is on a Wednesday this year.
9. "Hump day" is a great day.
10. Except when it's also Christmas Day.
11. Wednesday is one of the dumbest days for any holiday.
12. It's a great day for a regular day off, though.
13. Never thought I'd like it, and then I tried it.
14. Wednesday's been "my day" for almost 10 years.
15. Staggering.
16. My birthday present from Kate arrived in the mail yesterday — some lovely hand-dyed 80/20 BFL/Silk laceweight from Scotland — 1600 m/1750 yds!
17. It's a bit more blue than gray in real life.
18. Sanderling has been on my radar (and in my library) for a while… Wray.
19. I'm leaning toward a garment.
20. I'm not averse to a shawl/stole.
21. I do love my one & only laceweight shawl.
22. Hwy. 55 goes right through my town. It's also one of my favorite routes to take in a southerly direction. That side of Lake Winnebago is gorgeous.
23. State & county highways are so much more my style these days.
24. 55 is also the speed limit on many of those roads.
25. A Bugatti Type 55 drives square into "dream car" territory.
26. Today is the 3-week appointment with Ali & her midwife!
27. Soon they'll be 2-week, and then every week appointments.
28. So far, The Birth Partner is the best book I've read on the subject, and the one I'd recommend to a "birth partner." (I have the third edition, shown/linked below; the text link is to the fourth).
29. Hard to believe my first grandchild will be here in only two months!
30. I'm still pretty focused on baby knitting — just finished my third soaker, and started a pair of leggings/baby legs.
31. The first leg was knocked out last night. I'll knit one or two pair in worsted weight, but can't wait to pick some fingering weight from the stash to knit some of Ruth's Baby Leggings.
32. 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55. Fifty-five is the 10th number in the Fibonacci sequence.
33. I still have another "Fibonacci" project on my mind.
34. It may be time for an epic project.
35. Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crises. –Elizabeth Zimmermann
is the best book I've read on the subject, and the one I'd recommend to a "birth partner." (I have the third edition, shown/linked below; the text link is to the fourth).
