Summer Book Recommendations ~ Part 1

The summer is coming. People, hopefully, have free time. More free time than normal, anyways, those who were in school. Unless you’re doing summer school, then you’re probably not as free as you’d like. Anyways, I digress.

The summer is coming, it’s pretty much here. I’ve completed *both* graduations. I’m officially a college student now (got my student ID, whaaaaat) I’ll be at our local community college this fall, and then after that I’ll make the big decision of which major university I’ll go to. Once again, I’m digressing.

THE SUMMER IS COMING. And you know what this means? Besides more knitting time, heh heh. More reading time!

I know I’ll have lofty goals of reading at the beginning, and it’ll actually come down to me reading probably only 5 out of the like 20 book list that I come up with. But hey, it’s 5 more than I was able to manage during the school year.

I’m really… not going very far with this post, it’s kind of just… rambling, haha. But that’s this blog is, right? The Ramblings of a Knitting Goddess, haha.

Long story short, I’m going to give you some book recommendations. Just one, right now, in this one post. But there’ll probably be more coming.

I will be re-reading, for probably the 15+ time, the Emily of New Moon series by L.M. Montgomery.

I know I’ve expressed my love and adoration for this particular series and this author many many times. But it’s just one of those things that has to be done every so often… because I love these books and this author so stinking much.

Why do I like these books? Why do I like L.M. Montgomery in general?

Her writing is so personable. It’s real. It’s full of amazing descriptive-ness of everything and anything. But not in a flowery, over-the-top way. Her characters, in all her books, aren’t perfect. Which bugs me, when authors start off with their characters, who obviously aren’t perfect, then slowly they become more perfect, till it’s kind of silly and it’s like “wat”.

I don’t really find that in L.M. Montgomery’s writings. They have their problems, and they still have their problems at the ends of the books. Obviously, some problems are fixed, but they go through hardships and trials. They’re very believable. And I like that. These characters have dreams, passions, goals, and strive to reach those goals.

“When I read that the flash came, and I took a sheet of paper. . .and I wrote on it: I, Emily Byrd Starr, do solemnly vow this day that I will climb the Alpine Path and write my name on the scroll of fame.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Emily of New Moon

Another thing is that the romance that she writes is just perfect. Like, oh my goodness, I love it. Sure, I like that kind of stuff. I’m not afraid to say that I am :-P

The books are some of the most quotable books as well. There are so many good lines and paragraphs, it’s almost ridiculous. In a really really good way, of course :-P

These are also the kinds of stories that once you start them, you have the hardest time putting them down. They pull you in, and you’re then part of the story. You live and breathe the characters and their adventures.

Plus, another reason why I love these books is that they remind me of when I was younger. I remember what I was going through when I read different parts. I remember learning lessons from the stories, and then rediscovering what I learned. Then discovering brand new things I didn’t see before.

These books, especially the Emily of New Moon series, are full of treasures for everyone of any age.

*end rambling-rant-whatever-you-wanna-call-this*

I know I didn’t really like say what the Emily of New Moon series is about, but I’ll just say that they’ll make you laugh. They’ll make you cry. They’ll make you cling on to the nearest cat due to scary situations. You will love these books.

Don’t know what to read this summer? Read these books, you definitely won’t regret it. :-)

What have I been up to?

I do apologize for my absence over the past couple of days, haha. I’ve been swamped with school stuff and getting everything ready for graduation (WHICH IS SO EXCITING) So, there will probably be spans of no posts for a couple of days in the future. Stuff has got to be done!

So what have I been doing? Actually, not a whole lot of knitting… *gasp* I have been knitting stuff, but nothing that’s like really… speaking to me, haha. Or anything that has had a ton of progress on, heh heh :-P

I did pick up that Granny Square blanket yesterday..

So that’s awesomeness! I’m still far far away from finishing it, but it is fun… good way to work on my crocheting skills :-P

I’ve been studying for various tests and working on various last papers… which Bertie has been helping me with, haha

He sits with me, so when I feel the need I can lay my head on him, haha. And he gives me a little chirp, then I get back to work.

To releve some of the stress of studying, during my breaks between subjects I’ve been treating myself to some P.G. Wodehouse. Which always puts me in a better mood, and I feel ready to conquer whatever I have left. Plus, I got that particular book in London… and my bookmark is a receipt from something in Paris. *happy Europe memories* That was almost a year ago in a couple of months..

And, more fiber oriented, I’ve been spinning! Hallelujah, I finished my first Loop batt! OH MY GOODNESS, IT’S SO AMAZING.

This was my first shipment of the Loop Bullseye Bump Club that I got my birthday. The colorway thing was called “Nature Chic” and it was 5.0ish oz. Which spun into an absolutely gorgeous 454yds of probably a DK Navajo ply.

Which, I’m pretty proud of myself… 454 yds is the most I’ve gotten to date. Of something that’s pretty nicely balanced, if I do say so myself :-P

Also, on Sunday, Joey, extremely nicely, took some senior pictures. Some of which included various knitted FOs and this skein of yarn…

It’s pretty happy happy. Plus, it’s got some sparkle (which makes me think of “sprinkle” but that’s something *totally* different ^_^) so that’s just awesomeness right there.

Bertie is also pretty happy for me too, haha. He, obviously, loves the sparkle, haha. Or maybe he just loves napping. Haha :-P

Book and blanket progress

Finished The Northern Light last night. It wasn’t… my favorite. I mean, it wasn’t horrible. But it wasn’t amazing either. I did enjoy reading it though, haha. Haha, it’s one of those books where you know it liked it, but you don’t know *why* you liked it. If you *do* read it, there are some parts that *I* personally didn’t think necessary.. they’re kinda “Ohhh my, moving on” and you skip a paragraph or two. Just a warning :-)

So I’ll be starting The Morning Gift this afternoon/evening/whenever I get the time. I was able to get a little more sleep last night, thank goodness. So I don’t feel like I was run over by a huge truck. More like a mini-van, but I’ll take what I can get :-)

Happy thing, school, I got it all done for today. And there was a lot O.o, but it’s all done… for today anyway, haha.

I worked a little more on the blanket…

I’m finally getting the hang of, I think, haha, of making the inside part. I was able to get all the garter ridges to line up how they’re supposed to… without getting too horribly frustrated, haha. Actually, it just kinda happened, and I didn’t even notice until I was about to finish the last one.

After being on break, and having pretty much the ability to knit/spin 24/7… going back to where school comes first is rather a let down, haha. Oh well, that’s what nights, breaks, and weekends are for, I guess :-P

Also, while I was trying to get to sleep last night, I discovered what a comforting sound your cat half moaning half snoring in his sleep at your feet is.

Call me crazy.. (I mean, I *am* the crazy cat lady :-P) but… it was a nice sound :-P

More books than knitting…

Yaaaayyy… obviously a lot of progress since yesterday… Yeahhhh, no. Oh well. I tried.

It look me literally three tries to get the third block thing connected in the right place. Which was only mildly annoying. I’d start it, thinking I was totally in the right place, get more than halfway through the block thing, and then realize, oh it’s pointing in the wrong direction -_-… so out it came… twice. Finally, I got it right. Third time is the charm, I guess, haha.

I’ve also been trying to read more fun stuff recently. Instead of knitting. Which is a insane thing to understand, I know. Me? Not knitting? Yeah, I’m astonished too. Haha :-P But I’ve been reading some pretty good books.. and have more on my list.

I’m reading The Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, and so far it’s proven to be really really good. Bits of it are confusing, because it keeps switching between times… (like, flash back for several chapters, then it goes back to present day. And there’s not a whole lot to tell them apart. Though.. this is not the end of the world, haha) but I’m really loving it. It’s some kind of mystery.. that I.. don’t quite understand.. now, haha. Hopefully I will later.

And after that.. I’ll read The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson and Gone by Michael Grant

….and a spinning magazine, haha. Maybe not a book, but it’s fun reading. Don’t judge ^_^

That weird bug thing I got is… stupid. Its causing me to not get a lot of sleep… or enough for me to function happily and correctly through the entire day. Alas. I really hate it. Makes school a bit difficult… and this is only the second day back :-/

Bertie sends a sleepy greeting your way, and hopes you’re having a good day :-)

Daybreak, SAT, Designing, Revelation…

So…this morning. I woke up at 6:10…to take the SAT.

I really don’t like getting up early. I don’t like taking tests either. So when you add those two together, it’s not cool, haha.

Anyway, so we got up. Got a Starbucks on the way. Got there…

Long story short, during the middle of the last math section…I was thinking about what I had to do on this problem…while I was looking at this Vincent Van Gogh poster that was right in front of me.

And the past two days, I’ve been trying to decide what other design element I want in this shawl thing. but I had no idea…besides the basic stuff, and this particular stitch pattern that I had already picked out.

So, I’m sitting there. Staring at Vincent Van Gogh, trying to decide what to do next in this hard math problem…then….

BINGO!

I knew what I would add to my shawl. Not what I was should do next in the math problem. Noooo. But what I should add to the shawl pattern. Cause it was totally relevant to my current situation… O.o

I don’t know if it was Vincent….or if it was the math that caused my sudden idea. Or maybe all the SAT prep had finally gone to my brain, and I was going insane (but…everyone knew that already, haha) Well, whatever it was, it was definitely an amusing time to think of it, haha.

On that subject… the whole designing a pattern is going pretty well for my first time…I think, haha.

I ripped it out a couple times last night, while watching Dr. Who (which I’m now definitely addicted to…haha) and after maybe 5 tries, I finally got it to do what I wanted it to, haha.

It’s definitely looking like what I want it to… I found a fun stitch pattern in an online stitch dictionary…which was sweeeeet.

So I’m really happy with that :-P

I’m…finally jumping on the Daybreak (by Stephen West who is absolutely brilliant) bandwagon, haha.

I’ll be using the rainbow stuff (Zauberballs FTW!) for the stripes…and then the grey color for the main color…(so technically the purple parts of it in that picture…)

I’m….EXCITED to start it. It’s knit on size 4s…and so is Emma…and so is something else that I want to start. So, I think I’ll…do Emma first. Then Daybreak. THEN the other thing, haha. Which…I haven’t mentioned at all yet, haha.

Nail polish = one of the best things in the world. Just one, haha.

AAAAHAHAHAHAAAA. the SAT is OVER. O-V-E-R.

I’ll need to knit for a week+ to recuperate, haha.

Trillian Mint Chocolate Chip

I’ll admit it. Those side seams and sleeve seams haven’t gotten done yet. I’m sorry. It’s true.

But I have been knitting! And reading! And…just living an awesome life in general.

So, I started something with that mint chocolate chip yarn that I got.

And…I’m pretty much in love with the yarn and the pattern. <3 <3

Pattern: Trillian by Martina Behm
Yarn: Mint Chocolate Chip by Jitterbug
Needles: size 2

This has been on my queue on Ravelry for FOREVER. but I hadn’t really found any really variegated yarn that really….spoke to me.

When you’re a knitter, it does happen. I’m serious. Yarn can speak to you. Or move you. Either way, it happens.

But I found the right yarn! Annnnd…it’s ammmazing!!

But when I went to start it…and I went to find size 2s. Circular or straights were NOT TO BE FOUND. I was horrified.

So I thought to myself…”Self. You are GOING TO START THIS. Right now. Who cares that you can’t find the needles you want. You just have to….you have to make it work!”

So I did….

I found size 2 DPNs (English translation: Double pointed needles. Basically…a stick, haha) and…got two hair elastics (we call them “pony-tail holders” haha :-P) and stuck them on the ends.

But this situation doesn’t bode well for when I have around 150+ stitches…on that little DPN all squished on there. This might need to be fixed..haha :-P

Non-Knitting Knote(I think this is becoming a thing…haha :-P) : What have I been reading? Welllll…

I got an AMAZING birthday present from an AMAZING friend (and when I say amazing, I really really mean amazing)

A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery!

L.M Montgomery, I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but she is SO STINKING AMAZING. And that’s…just to say the least.

(and yes, this is definitely personal preference. But this is what I think :-P)

So I started that, and so far….like always…it’s sooo amazing :-)

Something about her writing makes everything seem so real…and life like. *really bad way to describe her writing because it’s overused*

It seems that a lot of writers, when they string a bunch of adjectives together, it doesn’t always sound good. But the way that Montgomery does it…it’s just perfect!

*end ramble* :-)

I’m also starting a 4-week blogging class tomorrow….which I’m SO EXCITED about!! …to say the least :-)

Quotable Friday!!

“A home without books is a body without soul.” ~ Cicero

<3 <3

Haha, I didn't know that Cicero said this…but it's very true.

When we moved, the movers remarked on how we only had one tv, and about 20+ boxes of books. “Ah, we are homeschoolers” we said, haha.

Oh, and also all the winter clothing and snow shovels. They told us we wouldn't be needing those, haha.

The weather today is perfect for reading a book, with a cat and a cup of tea. Alas, after all the school is done though…

Knitting Knote: (:-P) I got the sleeves and the body divided for my Cranberry Leaves, which is realllly exciting. And I only need to knit half an inch more before I start the waist shaping. Moving right along! I hope to take pictures soon, so look out for that :-)

Haha, I hope your Friday is/was/will be amazingly awesome. Go grab a book and read it….like knitting, reading is really soothing, haha. :-P

Day 5 of 14 of Thankfulness!!

Today I am thankful for books.

They’re just awesome. They’re almost as good as best friends. Er, they’re like best friends…but in paper form? Maybe? Maybe not. Hm.

Anyways. Here’s just a few books on my favorite list :-)

Obviously, several of these are well-loved. Haha.

(please pardon the slightly blurry and dark picture. But I took the picture rather quickly, haha)

Anyways. Books are so amazing. They’re keys to a whole other world (*forgets how the quote is really worded and who said it*)

They cause smiles, laughter, tears, anger, confusion, and tons of other emotions.

I started Emily of New Moon last night, and when I opened it was like having a reunion with a very old and very dear friend again.

*gets all sentimental and mooshy about books* Now you don’t see that every day, do you? Haha.

So, take today…and think about your favorite books. Like your absolute favorite. The first one you think of. And think about *why* is it special? What makes it your absolute favorite? Comment below with your answer, I’d be interested to see what you have to say :-)

List of Fellow Thankful People ~

iPiano Music
Dream Knits
Arkansas
2947 miles, 365 days
A Small Measure of Coolness
Epic Grace
Such is Life

If you would like to be added (or removed) comment below with your blog link, and I’ll change the list :-D

Oh, on a really really quick side note. my NaKnitMo (National Knit Month) goal was 60,000. I am currently at 58,481. Hm. Well. Don’t think I’ll have trouble finishing, haha.

Stairs Full of Books. Not a Tripping Hazard.

Think about it. How awesome would that be? To have a stairwell FULL of books…and not trip over anything?

I seem to be able to trip over books even then they’re out of the way.

So, you can imagine when I saw these stairs when I was reading a blog that I follow (I forget which one..heh heh)

If you looked at this picture and said “Where…are the stairs? I don’t see any?”…I said the same thing when I first saw it. If you did get that they actually are stairs, you can skip forward. Brilliant person, you.

It’s just the weird angle that it was taken at. If you look at the top of the picture, that’s a door. I think the stairs kinda look like those file folders…with the sides that are weird shapes to make it easier to find stuff. But that’s probably just me.

Ok, so does that look like a TON of books or WHAT?!

But…it goes on. *gasp*

Holy cow…

Another reason why I find these pictures so interesting is that you can kinda see what this person has on his bookshelves :-P I can kinda see “Hadrian” in the last picture, which is interesting.

Anyways, if you want to read more about it, you can check out the webpage with all the information about it.

What makes it even cooler? It’s in London, England. Even better.

Oh, and speaking of books. I finished in two days, an ammmmazing book.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I would have finished it in just one day, but I had to do some school…and sleep. It’s apparently a series. The Books of Bayern, I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book, Enna Burning!

You know it’s an amazing book, when you finish it and feel like you’ve made best friends and the time comes when you have to leave them.

If you like fantasy, I really recommend it. It’s one stinking amazing book. An easy read, but a pretty awesome easy read :-P

Wow, Glinda lost a couple years…?

After watching the Wizard of Oz and listening to Wicked so much recently, I decided that I wanted to read the books.

It’s rather strange, but even though the Wizard of Oz books might be just as old as like, the Lord of the Rings, but they aren’t as popular, or more read.

Or maybe that’s just me.

Maybe you’ve read the Wizard of Oz books, and I’m just completely out of it. Which is most likely the case :-P

So I was reading along and knitting (great happiness that my mom got a copy from the library that’s big :-P) and Glinda came along. And this is how she was described…

“The little woman’s hat was white, and she wore a white gown that hung in plaits from her shoulders; over it sprinkled little stars that glistened in the sun like diamonds.” …. “But the little woman was doubtless much older: her face was covered with wrinkles, her hair nearly white, and she walked rather stiffly.” ~ The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Sadly, I can’t find a picture of the illustration of Glinda that I have. But…if you’re confused about the dress, it’s pretty much just like a nightgown.

That’s what the author had in mind for Glinda. And apparently…someone morphed her into

I wonder why…?

Also, another thing that’s different. Is that the shoes were SILVER? And not RED? Did anyone know that? Cause I certainly didn’t…

This is a really rough post, but I wanted to post this and I don’t have as much time as I usually do. I’m trying to get all my school work (and more) done before we leave on…SATURDAY.

Hopefully, pictures will be taken of my Monkey socks (which I cast on last night) and that Surprise Project, which I’m actually almost done with. heh heh. I have half of an arm…and another arm. Then I’m ready for blocking and seaming together.

I’m going to try and get it done before Saturday (or at least mostly done, and finish it up in the car) so I can wear it to Branson. I hear it’s supposed to get down in the 30′s while we’re there. Which is SO STINKING COLD! Even for regular non-wimpy-weather people! It’s going to my aaaaaawesome!!!