Wednesday, January 3, 2018

A Few Good Days

Hello friends,

I hope you are all enjoying the first week of the new year. If you are back at work I'm sure you will be happy it is a short week this week. I know it is always difficult to get back into the swing of things after a bit of a break. In my last few working years I preferred working over the holiday when it was quiet and I didn't have the difficulty of transitioning back after Christmas and New Year's break.

I've had a bit of a cold over the holiday period. Just enough to make me less interested in being on line but not enough to keep me from other interests. It has been bright and cold over the past few days but today it warmed up several degrees and that always brings the rain. I'll take that to the heavy snowstorms they are dealing with across much of  North America.

In  my last post I showed you my crochet project. I finished my afghan the night before last but haven't yet put all the fringes on it. I just wanted to make sure I finished something sooner rather than later so I can move on to other projects. I've been enjoying hot cups of decaf tea late into the night while I work on the crochet project. I am happy with how the afghan turned out but I apologize for the exposure in the photo as I took this and the next photo late at night.


I enjoyed making this and may make another one in a different colour scheme.




I decided to get started right away on another project. 
This time it will be a doily.

I haven't made this pattern for many years. I've already had to unravel and re-do 2 times and will do so again.

The pattern requires a lot of counting and one error made means (for me) starting again.  Sometimes you can cover up mistakes. I don't like to do that where doilies are concerned. Once I make this I will immediately make one more while the pattern is still "fresh" in my mind.

I've got some minor alterations to do this week too before I can start on bigger projects of any kind.



My new reading material is called Arabic for Beginners.  It's about an American Canadian woman who accompanies her husband and small children to live in Jerusalem for a year. There she joins a group of  ex-pat women at her son's daycare and becomes friends with a young Palestinian woman. I'm in the early stages of the book. It is quite good in that it gives you insight into the Israeli-Palestinian life, politics and tensions. I've read several books of this nature and always find them helpful to understanding life in Israel.


The other book I'm reading is described as a cosy mystery. I can vouch for the cosiness of the book. Though not along the caliber of writers like Ken Follet, a few pages into it I can see it will be a satisfying read. It is a book by another Canadian author who is the author of two traditional mystery series. I only read mystery books quite sparingly. So far, I've enjoyed them.


Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment if you can. 
I hope you visit again when you can.
Happy New Year!
May you all have a fantastic 2018.



12 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The afghan looks so warm and comfy - just the thing for this time of the year.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

I wish I could crochet, its must be very therapeutic. Your lounge cover looks wonderful.

Jeanie said...

I'm so sorry you haven't been feeling well, Penny. I hope you're back to full gear very soon. It looks like you had some good projects to keep you busy, though. I love the afghan. I wouldn't use the fringe, if it was me. The pattern is so lovely and has a lot going on -- it doesn't need it! Just beautiful. Thanks for the book recommendations, too!

affectioknit said...

Happy New Year Penny!...I love your afghan...and the pretty doily...both the books look like they will be really good!

~Have a lovely day!

Joanne Noragon said...


A beautiful afghan. I will envy you the doily; I cannot hold such a fine hook any more.

Mari said...

Your afghan is very pretty and looks cozy too. I'm very impressed by the doily. It looks so intricate!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Have a Great New Year!!

diane b said...

You know how to keep busy and produce beautiful things.

Jan said...

Hope you are feeling better Penny. Happy New Year to you. I love that gold lettering quote, and it's sentiment. How clever you are in your making. Thank you for sharing the books you are reading, I like the look of the one about Pakatine/Israel conflict. I may look this up for myself. See you again soon I hope.

jabbott said...

Your new books look good I'm finally reading again. It feels so good to get lost In a new story "the much ado about murder book" looks like my cup of tea x

Peggy said...

Sorry - should have stopped by long before now to wish you a happy and blessed New Year! This is a very beautiful update post and photos, love the afghan and hope you feel better, this should help.

Breathing In Grace said...

I love the afghan! I haven't made many blankets... Just lots of hats! 💜

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