Is there such a thing as too much Austen?

 Mike and I have been watching a lot of Jane Austen-related movies as of late.  We own a few already, (Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility, Persuasian) but chose to put The Jane Austen Book Club and Lost in Austen on our Netflix list.  Very cute movies; both couched against the backdrop of Jane Austen's famous books.

In the spirit of all things Austen, I cracked open Pride & Prejudice (50 Things, #11) and begun reading.  While I have watched the A&E movie probably a million times, I have yet to read the book.  To entice you, here's the first few words:

Pride & Prejudice, Chapter 1

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.  However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters.  

"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"  

Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.  

"But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it."  

Mr. Bennet made no answer.  "Do not you want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.  

"You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."  

This was invitation enough.

A Thoughtful Paws from Woody & Ellie

We just want you to know that there is no such thing as too much love and cookies!

50 Things - Update

In my last blog post I mentioned that I love lists...  I also have a bad habit of making lists and then not completing the items on said list.  So in the spirit of being a finisher, I am going to highlight some of the items that I have started working on and their progress.

#2  take more pictures - just for this blog alone.  I have my camera with me always and am trying to discipline myself to taking lots of pictures.

#5 run a 5k - for many years now I've wanted to be a runner.  I completed a marathon in 2004, but that was walking.  I'm proud of the accomplishment, but I'd like to be a runner.  The danger, however, is that I like the idea of running just a little bit more than the actual running.  I eventually want to run marathons, so I'd better start small with a 5k.  I've started walking 3 days per week, increasing my speed each time and then I'm going to start the couch to 5k plan from Cool Running.

#6 read the New Testament through once per month for a year - started this 5 days into the month.  Took my Bible (NIV/Message parallel) and divided the number of pages of the New Testament into 30 days.  I read 14 pages each day with a couple of days spare for any misses.  So far so good.

#14 weigh a healthy weight for my height - I've always battled with my weight and so far it's winning, but this is the year that I gain some ground.  My goal is to lose 5 pounds each month and at the end of the year I should be at a healthy weight, give or take a few pounds.  I'm eating sensibly, lots of fruits and vegetables, trying to cut down on sugar and fat and so far so good.  

#19  complete BSF series - BSF - Bible Study Fellowship is a wonderful Bible study that I highly recommend.  The complete series is 8 years and I'm in year 5.  This year we're in the book of John and next year we're scheduled to study Isaiah.

#27 exercise for 30 minutes 5 to 6 days/ week - so far it's 30 minutes 3 days/week.

#29 knit Mike a sweater - he picked the pattern and the wool (grey heather) and I cast on the over 300 stitches for this bad boy.


#34 walk around all the lakes in the Lake District - each year my mom and I visit my grandfather in the north of England.  There is an area called the Lake District with several lakes that are incredibly beautiful.  I want to walk around all of them, or at all the ones that they will allow me to walk around.  I'll probably walk around Rydal Water or Windermere first.


#37 knit 1 square/week each year for KAS - KAS or Knit-a-Square is a group of knitters and crocheters around the world that knit squares to be sewn up into blankets for AIDS orphans in South Africa.  This is an incredibly inspiring story and mission.  If you've ever wanted to learn to knit or crochet, this is the time to try and there is nothing easier than a square.


A Thoughtful Paws from Woody & Ellie

 

We don't care if you finish your list... we just want to be with you so you can give us treats!

50 Things

I love lists!  And even more than that I love to cross items off lists!  Weird, I know, but it's one of my secret joys.  I was blog hopping the other day and came across a 29-year-old who had made a list of 30 things to accomplish before 30.  She gave herself a year to do these 30 things and since I had just turned 41 I wanted to do a list also, but doing a list of 42 things just didn't have the same flair.  So I came up with 50 things to do before I turn 50.  Much more flair ;-)  The list took a few days to compile, but it was fun to think about the future and intentionally plan activities that will help me be healthy, take care of my family and home and stretch me spiritually.  So here goes...

1. create a scrapbook of my dogs
2. take more pictures
3. setup my stamping website
4. finish a quilt for our master bed
5. run a 5k
6. read the New Testament through once per month for a year
7. celebrate our 25^th anniversary (2013)
8. create a scrapbook of Mike and me
9. read/listen to one classic novel per year
10. run a 10K
11. read Pride & Prejudice
12. learn a foreign language
13. knit a lace shawl
14. weigh a healthy weight for my height
15. go camping
16. sew a tote bag
17. run a half-marathon
18. create a family scrapbook
19. complete BSF series
20. organize my files
21. knit socks
22. de-clutter the garage
23. plant a garden and spend time in the garden daily
24. run a marathon
25. cook from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking
26. start playing pinochle or canasta on a regular basis
27. exercise for 30 minutes 5 to 6 days/ week
28. paint the interior of the house
29. knit Mike a sweater
30. run the Comrades
31. complete a “Dear Jane” Quilt
32. read the Old Testament through once every two months for a year
33. take a trip to South Africa
34. walk around all the lakes in the Lake District
35. save for wood floors
36. organize craft room
37. knit 1 square/week each year for KAS
38. upload all my stash to Ravelry
39. run 5 marathons before I turn 50
40. quilt for Mike
41. secret project to be revealed after 2012
42. make dog beds
43. go to the international quilt festival in Houston
44. decorate the house for each season/holiday
45. de-clutter and organize each room of the house
46. support two more compassion kids
47. setup an etsy shop
48. support 18 micro enterprises through KIVA.org  (2 per year)
49. make a gingerbread house
50. go on a mission trip to Africa

A Thoughtful Paws from Woody & Ellie

So what number is "walk dogs everyday and give unlimited treats"?

Finisher!

When my husband and I crossed the finish line of the Honolulu Marathon in 2004 they gave us each a medal that says "Finisher".  It is a wonderful reminder that we completed something.  Finishing something is a great feeling.  In my last blog post I talked about the frustration of feeling like I never finish things.  Well that's a bit of an overstatement because I do finish things...  I was referring mostly to my projects (craft projects).  So this year I resolve to finish projects!

And on that note... behold a finished blanket!  This is a blanket that is part of a set I gave to friend who became a grandmother again to two twin boys.  The other blanket is the same design except the brown stripes are blue stripes.  I really enjoyed making these blankets because 1. they were for a dear friend; 2. they were easy, just knit and purl;  3. they are relatively small (only 24"X28") and 4.  I used Vanna's Choice yarn (delectable) and it only required 4 skeins.  I came up with my own design and knit away.  It's a great "pick up and go" project and doesn't require intense concentration.


There are a lot of areas of my life I resolve to improve this year, but I'm starting with finishing.



A Thoughtful Paws from Woody & Ellie

So when do we get a knitted treat?

Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...

I suppose introductions are in order.  My name is Grace Edwards and I've always wanted to have a blog.  Well since about 6 months ago.  I have been a huge fan of blogs for a few years, all kinds, and always marveled at the creativity and courage of the people out there in the internet ether who are committed to their craft or cause.  Personally, I love so many things, it's hard to know what to blog about:  dogs, knitting, quilting, stamping, my job (children's director at my church), and the list goes on and on and on....

Lately, though, (here's the deep reflection portion of the post) I've been thinking about my life and wondering why I don't complete more projects, follow through on more commitments or just plain enjoy my life.  I have a great life, an incredible husband, wonderful families, the two best dogs in the whole world (slight bias) and amazing friends.  After many walks (with my dogs) and prayers I've discovered that I'm just getting through life not enjoying it.  So hence the name of the blog (thought of in the shower where almost all great thoughts arrive)... The Life in a Day with Grace.  I wanted it to be just The Life in a Day, but that was taken so I added the with Grace part.

I must confess that I'm also in great need of accountability (even writing this gives me great fear) and I thought a blog where potentially the entire internet world could read my bold claims would be the answer.  Maybe a little over the top, but everything I've tried up until this point hasn't worked.  One of the podcasts/blogs I listen to/read is called CraftSanity by Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood.  She's an amazing writer, podcaster and crafter who just recently began talking about putting our commitments out there for the world to see and hear.  I was encouraged and inspired by her boldness and thought I would follow suit.

So here goes...  the Life in a Day with Grace

A Thoughtful Paws from Woody & Ellie

How much more life do you need when you have us???