The Woolen Rabbit

Keeping this body moving.....

Sun and Moon divide the sky,
Fragrance blooms on pear wood bones;
Earth awakens with a sigh.
Wanderer revels on the path alone.
Deng Ming~Dao

I can't say that these are the prettiest sneakers on the block, but they are something new that I am trying.  I have so many issues with my feet that I can't even begin to bore you with, but finding sneakers that are comfortable for me to work out in has always been a challenge.

Lately I have been doing a lot of reading on body mechanics when walking and running and have found some interesting information on what is referred to as a minimalist sneaker with a zero drop heel.  As a beginner runner/walker I know for sure I am a heel slapper which causes discomfort at times.  The theory behind the sneaker without the built up heel that we see in most sneakers is that it helps to align your body more naturally and helps to strike with your midfoot instead of your heel when running.

I have gone out twice now with these, Altra Instinct 1.5 and found that the running part of my C25K was much much easier, but the walking part felt a bit different and not quite as easy.  I know that this type of shoe really needs to be eased into as it makes you use different parts of your muscles than you usually do, so I will alternate shoes for a while until I get used to them.  I can tell you for sure though that they are as light as air and feel so good on your feet. 
I will give you an update in a few weeks to let you know if they help or hurt. :-)

Weekending.....

This past weekend was a very relaxing one here, which was so nice for a change.  With the large yarn club mailing behind me and being where I should be on WR orders, I was able to take the entire weekend off.  Saturday morning Ken and I walked 3 miles to get the day started and then we had a leisurely morning.  Saturday afternoon, Hannah asked if I would take her out for some pictures for her Senior yearbook, so we wandered around the lovely village of Jackson, NH and took some shots.  I am not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, but I think some of these are pretty good.

To you photographers out there....what types of lenses are your favorites and what websites or books did you find helpful in really learning and understanding how to use aperture, shutter speed and ISO.  Right now I am just guestimating and would really like to completely understand why and when to use which settings.

Sunday morning I headed to the gym for a workout and then I did not do a blessed thing for the rest of the day...well, nothing work related that is.  I spent the morning working on some of Hannah's pictures (still more to do) and the afternoon watching football and knitting Biscuit.  I ended up going with the Spiced Cider colorway as you can see.  Even though I love Chili Peppers more, my next sweater is going to be that color, so I figured it's better to switch it up a little.

So that was my weekend.....how was yours?

Eye Candy Friday and some changes.......

Isn't this a beautiful spot?  Last weekend I took a little time to map up some distances from my house.  I mapped out 2 miles and what would be 5K.  I am not a person that likes to walk on the main busy road where there is a lot of traffic.  I always feel like people are looking at me, which is silly because they are not...hopefully they are looking at the road ahead of them, but still.  It took me a little while to think about where I could walk without having to drive somewhere and then a lightbulb went off.  Duh.....just across that busy main street is a long side street that is not only beautiful, but pretty flat with a few inclines here and there.

Remember Monday's post?  Well I am trying to make some changes in my daily life and walking (and maybe a little running) is going to be a big part of it as long as my back tolerates it without pain.  You see....there is this pair of pretty red fat-baby boots that wants to be on my feet on New Years Eve and I have to meet a certain goal before I will pull them out of their box.
Having said that, I will give myself the weekends to rest and maybe splurge a little because life has to be enjoyable as well and with this very busy week behind me I am looking forward to a little rest,knitting and maybe a glass of wine. :-)

I hope you have a relaxing weekend too!

Mama has a New Coat....

With the cooler weather upon us it was time for me to shop for a new fall jacket.  My red jacket that I really loved just became to big for me....a good thing, but I hated to part with it.

This time I went with one of my favorite colors. It's pumpkin colored on the outside and the inside and sleeve cuffs are kind of a grey goose color.  I thought it would be nice to make one of those long cowl type scarves that you could wrap around your neck to match, so I went into my studio and pulled out two colorways in Pearl.  The lighter colorway is Spiced Cider and the darker one is Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I go back and forth.  I love the darker one, but my next sweater is going to be done in that color, so maybe I will go with the lighter one....but that rich chili pepper....hmmm.

I was inspired by this lovely cowl designed by Bonnie Sennott of Blue Peninsula Designs.  I was very flattered that she used my yarn for her design......so pretty!

I had previously made another one of her designs, Deephaven, for Ashley last year and thoroughly enjoyed the knit....and I think I will enjoy this one too!

Free Motion Quilting....

I am a little later than usual getting this post up.  Even though I was up bright and early, this morning was a comedy of errors, but I did have something that I wanted to share with you.

Yesterday I received this book in the mail, Beginner's Guide To Free Motion Quilting and let me tell you it is wonderful!  I have been reading Natalia Bonner's blog for a few years now and have always been impressed with her long arm quilting. (this book is for home machines quilters as well.)

Some of you know that I purchased a long arm machine a few years ago.  I had a lot of time to play with it when it first arrived but this year has been a crazy busy year in so many ways that I have not had the same kind of time to commit to that muscle memory learning.

When I saw the advertisement for this book, I was excited because I am really hoping to have some quality time in my own studio (not the work one) this winter.  One of the things that I really want to conquer is making these swirls. I love how all of her pictures show you just how to achieve the design.  Very, very well written...I highly recommend it!

Last week this little group of fabric arrived here as well.  It's been washed and pressed but I will only make one block this weekend.  Only one because I am really wanting to see how the block comes out, but then I will set it aside to honor my commitment to finishing up projects...yes there are some unfinished quilts that need tending to as well....hard to believe right? <grin>

Definitely if you are a quilter, check this book out.  It is one you will love to have in your library.

Ten On Tuesday....

This week's Ten On Tuesdays topic is 10 Favorite Candies in Your Trick or Treat Bag.
Whooee.....as hard as last week's was for me, this one is pretty darn easy because candy...well, candy is something I love.  Yes, yes I do even though I don't get to have it very often.  In fact, I almost bought a bag of candy corn for a picture, but remember yesterday's post?  Nope...no candy here today.

Here we go:

1.  Candy Corn...and the best part is that it is so darn sweet, you just can't eat too much.
2.  M&M's.  Oh my, I love them so.
3.  Mint M&M's.  Have you tasted these yet?  Oh my, they are like Junior Mints in an M&M shell...mmmm
4.  York Peppermint Patties.  Are you sensing a theme?
5.  Linden Truffles....those soft centers get me every time!
6.  Three Musketeer Bars.  I think that this may have been my first candy bar all those years ago.
7.Rolo's.....If YOLO were part of my reality, I would be eating Rolo's all the time. :-)
8.  Reese's Peanutbutter Cups...the miniature ones are irresitable.
9.  Tootsie Roll Pops....the cherry ones!
10.  Kit Kat bars...mmmm

Yep, candy has always been a weakness from me, so I really try hard on Halloween not to even have one bite because if I do, well it's all down hill from there.  Thankfully my kids are all to old to bring home candy that will sit around tempting me for a few weeks....whew!

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

My Little Notebook......

I still talk in my sleep.
I still dream.
How can there be perfect stillness
When my brain is so noisy?
Deng Ming~Dao

Noisy brain syndrome is the perfect description of an ADD person...I am forever in a constant dialog with myself.  Sometimes it's a good thing and sometimes it is exhausting....but I digress.  The little Dao quote and meditation was spot on.

Ok...on to the picture.  Last year I went on a health journey as some of you know.  This Woolen Rabbit has really struggled with some major back groans, so to help my back along, I started working with a trainer to lose some weight and I did...I lost 40 pounds.  I also did all of the other things my back doctor recommended, but ultimately I had to have surgery to fix a disk....not.fun.

Over the last few months my back started acting up again...boo!  I had been working out at the local gym with a trainer who I really like, but some side movements during a few sessions really tweaked my back.  I was concerned enough that I was very worried that I would be visiting the surgeon again which really had me feeling depressed.  I am also working with an amazing chiropractor and neuro muscular massage therapist however who have really helped me and my sad, tight back so very much.  So, I took 3 weeks to just rest my back and let these ladies do their magic and I am happy to say that I am feeling a lot better.  Yes, I still have a lot of back pain, but that is just a part of life for me now...but the good news is I am able to get back to working out again. This time however I will do it slowly and carefully.  I know I need to exercise to keep my back strong, but it's a fine line for me because it's usually exercise that hurts my back....so it will be slow and steady and I will carefully listen to my body.

So the notebook......over the last 3 weeks of rest, has been a little bit of well...um...snacking and with no exercise to counter that snacking a few pounds have crept on.  The best tool I know for losing weight is keeping a food journal.  I have kept the ones I wrote last year when I took that weight off, so I will use them as a tool to lose the few I have gained and the last 25 that I want to take off.

If any of you out there have some yummy low carb recipes, feel free to share them with me...I am always looking for new ideas. :-)

Eye Candy Friday......

A little bit of sunshine on this gloomy, rainy day makes me smile.
~ Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm Just Mad about Saffron.....

Isn't she lovely?  I have wanted a nice Dutch Oven for a very long time, but always had a hard time justifying the price.  Most of my pans are older than all of my children so I finally bit the bullet and invested in a Staub dutch oven.  I love that it has self basting small spikes that keeps everything moist while cooking and I LOVE this saffron color!

I was going to share this recipe with you, but after making it last night, I won't.  I never realized how much fat is in short ribs.  So much so that I couldn't eat them.  blech!

Instead I will leave you with my friend Miriam's yummy braised recipe

Braised Chicken legs

8 Chicken Legs (she used thighs) I removed the skin
1T bacon fat or olive oil
Onion
garlic
White wine (1/2 c)
Chicken broth (1 can)
Salt, Pepper
Rosemary
Lemon thyme or lemon verbena

Sear the chicken with bacon fat or oil, remove the chicken from the pot then cook onions and garlic for a few minutes. Deglaze the pot with white wine then add the broth, put the chicken back in.  Add the seasoning and bring it all to a boil, then put the pot into a 350 degree oven for approximately an hour or until chicken is falling off the bone. 
Very yummy....enjoy!

Leaving.....

You may be wondering why I didn't post yesterday?  I had planned on participating in Ten on Tuesday, but it was a big fail for me.  The topic was your ten favorite mysteries books/authors.  I read a lot of books, but not enough mysteries it would appear.  I read a lot of the TOT posts and am now going to add a few of those to my kindle.

On to today.  I have been working at cleaning up my UFO's because I have a few projects that I am itching to get started on, but I promised myself I would get my unfinished things finished.  The blue moon socks were last week and this week I have been plowing through my Leaving sweater.  I just have to finish up the sleeves, then I will move onto the dreaded seaming.  I don't know why I hate seaming so much, but I really do.  

Here's a close up of the sleeve pattern.  Isn't it pretty?