Saturday, April 26, 2014

Spring

Hello friends,

Spring has sprung. It feels more and more like Spring weather though we are still getting cooler temperatures and more rain than usual.

The weather turned out to be better than the forecast on the weather news last night.


I had a good run of Spring cleaning accomplished last week in the garden and front room. Today I'm tackling my closets and chest of drawers. I can't believe how many clothes I've got.  This is even though I try hard to be mindful of not purchasing "willy nilly".  I also cull my things on a regular basis.

All the clothing from my dresser drawers is piled on my bed. My tops have already been culled and put away in the drawers.  Another bag of clothing items has been put in a giveaway bag.  Now I have to try and make some sense of the remaining pile because this is really too much to keep and to wear.  I will need to try everything on first and see what I still like or what fits and what doesn't. Some of these items I've had for years and years. Perhaps it is time to let them go.


After I get through with the clothes, I plan to cull my fabrics and yarns and give a lot of them away too especially the stuff I purchased second hand.  I bought most of it when I was just starting out as a knitter.  Now that I've been a knitter for a few years, I can see what is doable and how much yarn I need to do certain things. I've decided I can no longer keep all the yarn just in case I might use it one day.  A lot of it what I have in each colour isn't enough to make projects I'd really like to knit or crochet.  Someone else can benefit from them to make school projects or other things.

I am just so tired of clutter. We probably all feel like that come Spring. Believe it or not I've been getting rid of bags and bags of things on a regular basis but still I manage to find more!  I also try to follow the rule of getting rid of 1 or 2 items for every new item brought in to the home but it doesn't always work out that way. After I've finished with clothing and craft items, I will be doing more book culling and also going through cds and dvds. I've already culled these a few times but I think I can get rid of more.  Books are hardest for me to get rid of besides papers (old records and statements I may need some day).

I'm carrying on with the dietary changes started earlier this week.  Truth be told I've tried changes before and I can do okay for awhile but then I slip and fall. I guess as long as I keep trying I may eventually have success!  I'm dutifully eating my oatmeal for breakfast and lentil soup for lunch today.  I'm also boiling up some kidney beans to make some chili. I'll probably make it Sunday for Monday's dinner.  Tomorrow I will be having leftover curry sauce (homemade) and boiled yams with salad greens. I've noticed my blood sugars seem much better later in the day than earlier in the day even though I take more medication earlier.  I will have to let my doctor know in 2 weeks time. Perhaps she will have some explanation for me and some suggestions on what to do.  I can also try to find some answers on line.  Perhaps it is my coffee because I do not drink it black. I drink it with cream and I think the only way to change this is to stop drinking coffee altogether.  This will be hard to do but easier when it is summer to at least drink less coffee.  Maybe I can look for some dandelion coffee and see how I like it. I do like herbal teas but it can't replace my morning coffee.

I stayed up late (again) trying to get to a certain point on the little baby sweater you see in the photo below. I've never made a sweater like this before and I'm having to figure out a lot of new things like M1, place holders, etc. It is learning experience and I'm grateful for youtube videos where I can look things up at the drop of a hat.



My eldest nephew and his wife are having their second child in early June so I want to surprise them with this unisex sweater. The parents have opted not to identify the sex of their child. They just want a healthy baby. This sweater isn't for a newborn since the baby will be born in June and it gets very hot where they all live.  I hope it will still fit him/her come Fall.


I hope you are enjoying your week!

Our World Tuesday 

19 comments:

Stewart M said...

No day I'm going to have to clear out my book shelves - that will be so hard!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Joanne Noragon said...

That's a pretty little quilted piece hanging on the wall.

Jan said...

Decluttering my wardrobe is something I do regularly but I never seem to get to a point where I only have clothes I actually wear in my wardrobe. I like the idea of getting rid of two for every one. That spring sky looks so exhilarating. I think today could be a lovely day here. Love the look of that sweater and the sounds of those yams with curry sauce. Maybe I could pop over for lunch. Xx

jabbott said...

Its kind of liberating decluttering gives a sense of order.Things you longer need are always of use to someone out there. .im always dropping things off at charity shops. Also I want to encourage you to stick with your new eating plan, you can succeed xxx

Mereknits said...

It feels so wonderful to get rid of the things you don't need and move them on to someone who does need them. Love your new knitting, good luck with all the dietary changes.
Hugs,
Meredith

Thomas Lee/Lee Lip Pang said...

a beautiful spring sky

Linda said...

You have inspired me to work on clutter and give a lot of clothes to Salvation Army! Thanks for the encouragement. Happy Spring!
Linda

Cynthia said...

Spring cleaning is a great tradition. I love putting away the heavy winter clothes and getting out the spring and summer ones. It feels great to have something "new" and light weight. Good luck with all your projects.

Karen said...

Beautiful sky shot, good luck with the spring cleaning.

Indrani said...

That is a beautiful creation.
Lovely sky shot.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Spring is nice and so is decluttering, it feels really good to get rid of stuff.

Anonymous said...

Great shot of the sky!

orchid0324 said...

Hello; Wow, I LOVE your gorgeous sky shot!!! And SO sweet of you to knit a sweater for coming baby♡♡♡ Your nephew will be thrilled to get it.
Have a LOVELY week. Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Anonymous said...

Wonderful sky shot! Glad to see your knitting!
I came across your blog and i liked all your post. So i started to follow you and wish you to have a look of mine and be a follower too!

eileeninmd said...

Love the beautiful sky shot! The scene with the mountain in the background is gorgeous.. Decluttering is good, hubby and I are doing the same... Have a happy week!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful sky shot and my you are ambitious with Spring cleaning ~ neat sweater started too ~ xoxo

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Ceil said...

Hi Joyful! Don't feel alone in your struggles to do well on eating. I am also really good for a while, and then the junk food calls my name. Ugh. Such a struggle. But bit by bit we'll make it!
Your nephew and wife are going to love that sweater. Just having something handmade from you will be so precious!
Have a good Tuesday :)
Ceil

Unknown said...

I love spring cleaning. There is no better time to get rid of the clutter then in spring :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful sky!

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