Winter is coming, and with it more grey days. Sometimes, the morning fog stays all day, and drizzle turns to rain.
To keep my mood from turning grey, I have lots of choices. For example, I can: go to the gym, hunker down with a cup of tea and a good book, or infuse my world with some color. Yesterday, I chose color. I pulled out my stash of yarn and played. Ostensibly looking for a new project to begin, I immersed myself in a veritable rainbow of possibilities and let my mind wander. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. This was fun!
In my office/studio, yarn fills several wicker baskets and a couple of storage bins. Yarn spills over into other areas of the house, lurking under the dining table and creeping onto the couch near the TV. My favorite fibers are within arm’s reach of my desk. Here are skeins of baby alpaca, wool, and even a little hand-spun – organized by color. Some are souvenirs of vacations; others were purchased on outings to local yarn shops.
Since I finished two knitting projects while away, I need a new one — or three — to begin. I like having several creations in the works at any given time. That way, one always fits the bill. A simple scarf is great for knitting group, where conversation is center stage and knitting is the backdrop. More intricate designs are better for knitting solo, when I can give more attention to the instructions.
After pouring over patterns and consulting my friends, I settled on a quick & easy vest using 2 strands of bulky wool; it will go fast. This is as close to instant gratification as knitting gets.
I also chose a simple cardigan that will take a little longer to make; for this one, the yarn – a variegated wool-cashmere blend – will be the star.
What about you?
What do you do to banish the blues on a grey day? How do you infuse color and texture?
The park is adjacent to Bartholomew Park and Buena Vista wineries.
Getting my heart-rate up and flexing my muscles felt good. Tiny frogs jumped, ker-plop, into Benicia’s Lake near the summit.
There’s nothing like a hike on a warm summer’s day! I always finish a hike feeling better than when I started — less stressed, more content, and grateful — for everything. It’s nice to know that I am on the right path.
Did you make New Year’s Resolutions this year? How are you doing?
To learn more about “building community, one veggie at a time,” check out their 
In the nutrition world, we talk about “good, better and best” choices. Grass-fed beef, sustainably raised without antibiotics or growth hormones, would be a “best” choice. You won’t find this at Costco. However, if you shop carefully, you will find some good choices for protein, such as:
Fresh Wild Sockeye Salmon: $7.99/lb*
Also, Costco is an excellent source for staples, such as rice, quinoa and beans. Quantities are huge; so, consider sharing with a friend:
Plus, you can get great deals on hummus, extra virgin olive oil, steel cut oats, almond butter, etc.
I inherited my love of gardening from my mother. She says she was a pioneer woman in a previous life. When I was young, she rototilled and built stone walls. I remember the delicious vegetables we ate for supper, picked moments before from the garden in the backyard.
Like my mom, I enjoy working in the dirt. This is my kind of exercise, sweating and all. I feel a deep satisfaction when I use my pickaxe and spade to dig holes and plant baby plants. However, until recently, I was none too fond of weeding. Gradually, I’ve changed my mind.
