First roll taken on the Diana Mini. Surprised by these, if I’m honest. They’re good, considering it’s a teensy plastic camera with 2 settings.
Cropping is a pickle but otherwise, I’m impressed. Will test this again on a brighter day.
Diani Mini with Fujicolor C200 film (that’s the stuff they give you free when you get a roll developed).
Lots more film to come. 3 rolls. I love film developing days.
So. My mom likes graveyards. In all other ways she is not into spooky, creepy or kooky. That was my particular quirk. She likes pink and lace. I like blue and vampires and bats. As a kid I wanted to live in the Haunted Mansion and to grow to be Morticia Addams or Lily Munster. I could never decide which. But somehow the bond between loving the quiet peace of graveyards and the history contained in the church yard has been passed down.
All photos taken in the village of Wherwell. Which always prompts much “wherwell? There well. There castle.” I get the Young Frankenstein appreciation thing from my dad. Funnily enough.
It really has been the never ending week. I’ve thought it was Friday since about Tuesday.
A few random thoughts:
- I understand where at least part of my dissatisfaction with blogging comes from. When I get a huge backlog of stuff that I want to put on the blog but don’t have the time or energy to make them more than show and tell, that’s an issue. Should be more about what’s being shared, not just look! This! And This! And That! So. Working on that.
- Dude, it’s HOT. 26.8C in the house. That’s 80F. This building is fairly new but did they think to put air conditioning in? Of course not. This is why in summer we frequent our local Starbucks. Not for the coffee, for the A/C.
- I was up at 2am removing my toe nail polish because I was so sensitive to it that my toes were throbbing. How’s that for ridiculous? Stupid over sensitive body.
Health: Heat is the key, apparently. Joint/muscle pain has lessened. Fatigue is better (probably because the pain is less). The terrible muscle spasms I’ve been getting across my neck/shoulders/upper back are still there though. I know the problems: poor posture while using my laptop, knitting too much, flare/muscle issues, a desperate need to go see a chiropractor. Not going to knit for a few days (too hot anyway) to see if that helps. Dizziness is still around too. I’m thinking that’s either dehydration or neck related. Maybe both.
Knitting:
Just did a search and I haven’t posted a FO since March 2. Dang. I have a few but no modeled shots. It’s too darn hot.
FOs:
Shut Up And Drive (Driven by Veera Välimäki) in a little less than 2 skeins of Fleece Artist Organic Wool in Ruby. Why did they ever discontinue this yarn? It’s gorgeous. Great pattern, as always.
Sunshine on A Rainy Day (Brangian by Bronwyn Parry – free pattern) in 1 skeins of A Treehugger’s Wife Soft Sock in Western Buttercup. This is getting sent to Missy where it will be a shop sample in her store.
Manuka (Maluka by Bea Schmidt – free pattern) in quite a bit less than 1 skein of Sundara Sock in Beaded Turquoise. I used a bit of this yarn in Olive and had way too much yarn left over to just call it leftovers. Hence this wonderful, easy and very satisfying little shawl.
WIPs:
Embracing the Ugly Shawl. Technically done, needs blocking. A total case of loving a pattern and not wanting to buy single skeins of sock yarn (can’t knit socks, not really a single skein shawl wearer – I like my shawls bigger). It’s not ugly, in fact, it’s very pretty. But it’s not something I’m ever going to wear. So. Anyone want a shawl?
Sangria Shawl. Needs to be started. Pretty yarn though, yes? Courtesy of Melissa.
Impossible Princess Cardigan. Too lovely not to be started the day I got the yarn.
Super Secret Project. This is technically done and blocked but it needs to be mailed.
Reading:
Currently: In the Spotlight by Anne Mauren, The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier, Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3) by Chloe Neill.
- Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2) by C.C. Hunter – YA paranorm. Eh. The first was just interesting enough. The second, less so. Unsure if I will keep reading the series.
- Falling Under by Gwen Hayes – YA demon/underworld. THIS. This book has the sort of world I LOVE. As such, I have already bought the second one. I liked it but I admit the descriptions of Under would make me love it regardless.
- Nutmeg by Maria Goodin – chick lit/fiction. Very surprising book. The MC was a little stubborn but you get to understand why. The story is unassuming yet very strong. Would recommend.
- Bloodlust & Initiation (Vampire Beach 1 & 2) by Alex Duval – YA vamps. These books are my guilty pleasure series. A bunch of Malibu teenagers that are mostly vampires who have some surprisingly dark stuff happen to them. Not complex stuff but very enjoyable.
- Bound by Kira Saito – YA voodoo. From the sample I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, really, REALLY annoying characters with a penchant for mood swings and convoluted internal monologues + an interesting plot = eh. Will read the second one just because it did end on a cliff hanger I want to know what happens.
Watching: Eurovision, of course. I’m supporting Jedward because they I can’t watch them without laughing. They’re so damn BOUNCY. Seriously, when they heard they made the final one of the twins (no idea which) cartwheeled his way to the main stage. Plus, Simon Cowell hates them. Bonus.
Man, I love Eurovision. Final is tomorrow. Go Ireland!
Happy mail from Missy! Since there’s a lot of wheat here (did you know there’s wheat in Red Vines? Crazy.) J. has been having an American snack field day.
There was also some of her wonderful Soft Sock yarn in the prettiest colorway ever.
And last, but definitely not least, her Stripe Study in Wollmeise which is a yarn that I cannot knit with (hurts) but I can see where the hype comes from. Also, having a Stripe Study without having to knit one? Awesome in the extreme.
Lots more coming but at the moment I’m going to try and catch up with some emails. So if I owe you one, it’s coming. Hopefully.
Ok, it’s hot. Like three days ago it was 14C, today it’s 24C. Good thing: since the Super Flare was at least partly kicked in due to the rapid change from hot to cold, it might ease a little going from cold to hot. Here’s hoping anyway.
A last bit of cool weather knitting with friends.
Wednesday Wander, looks very summery out there now.
Since it’s so warm, there’s been lots of blocking.
And lots of trying to finish up a truly ugly shawl. It’s hot under all that wool.
Anyone else notice how great a phone camera is for in progress knitting shots? I didn’t mean to let it take over that job but it’s just so easy to do.
Tomorrow, there’s more! Lucky you.
