Hell Yeah Homeland.

Sara is a huge Homeland fan. I've known that for years; she's the real reason I watch the show and feel connected to the story. But what I didn't learn until last fall was that she created a whole website  and community around the show. It's called Hell Yeah Homeland. 

Part of my "preparation" for Sunday night's episode was reading through posts about the season and then listening to a few of the podcasts. I'm consistently impressed by the quality of the writing. Sara and six others host the site. The "six others" was a fairly recent addition and much needed - it is a ton of work! and the additional perspectives have created some interesting and fun dynamics in the conversation. 

Season 6 is almost to the halfway point and things are getting ... tense in Sara's world. While I was visiting, I was privileged to watch her interact with the site and her team members. 

And on Monday, we recorded a podcast. For reals, y'all, it's on iTunes. 

I listened to it for the first time yesterday and was impressed - not only with the quality of the production (that's all Sara) but also our conversation. You can even hear my needles clicking (finishing up the second of Sara's apartment socks). 

The feedback from the community has been wonderful. 

two of my favorite comments

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I can't imagine Sara being this passionate and dedicated to anything different.

Socks!

Whoa, time flies and all that. but hey, I finished a pair of apartment socks for Sara!

even without kntting for most of yesterday. or even thinking about writing a blog post.

because Homeland. (more to come. soon. promise!)

Fridaying Alone.

Thank y'all so much for your kind words and encouragement on yesterday's post (and yikes all the email on the iPad! I'm a qwerrty girl but I can't manage more than pointer fingers on the iPad "keyboard" ... first world problems 😉) - here's hoping it's a short learning curve!

So, day two of the Madison Project (as I've now named this crazy iPad thing). I knew I'd have the day to myself. Sara is working today but she's off on Monday. When we were at dinner last night I was telling her how excited I was about a "day off"; she didn't get it. Yes, I'm retired, but I have "obligations".  (It was hard to explain.) I was thinking about no alarm, knitting, a walk, lunch out by myself, cooking dinner, ... and no other plans ...

Here's a bit of what transpired. Dark early. Oh boy, I love the view from Sara's sofa (where I sleep). Her apartment faces south, looking over Lake Wingra.

 

I had, as Honoré would say, "an extended MSQT". I got up off that sofa at 9am, did a 20 minute yoga routine, dressed and got out the door just after 10 to visit the yarn shop across the street (my home away from LYS). I did buy yarn and I promise to share. soon.

Lunch out, by myself, was a real treat. I went back to the restaurant Sara took me to last night (and had the same waitress we had...if she recognized me she did a great job of not showing it). I ordered a glass of wine and artichoke toast. And started a new book (Study in Charlotte). I read almost 60 pages while I ate ... wonderful!

 

Back at Sara's I got down to the real business of the day: catching up on Homeland. Sara is a fan. She hosts a blog and a podcast about the show. and she told me in no uncertain terms when we talked about plans for this weekend that she would "not be stopping to explain stuff to me."  Ok. I watched one episode at home and the last two today.

 

And I'm glad I'm through the short rows on the sweater because I even boo-boo'd the increase round while I was watching. I need plain old stockinette for this show!

Which brings me to dinner. With a cocktail to start. That's a raspberry simple syrup going on in the back and roasted vegetables on the front. I've got a plan...we'll see how it turns out!

 

Think Write Thursday | If You're Reading This.

...I have successfully completed the first step on a project I've been putting off for months: posting on my blog from my iPad. 

Three things happened early this week that finally made me move on it:

1. I got a new-to-me iPad (because Marc upgraded to the iPad Pro);

2. I realized this weekend's trip to Madison was the perfect trial run (my biggest reason for wanting to post from the iPad is Alaska ... I really want to blog while I'm on that trip and I really don't want to take my laptop); and

3. Today's Think Write Thursday topic is procrastination. (please forgive the lack of links...taking baby steps here!)

Longtime readers might recall blog posts from Sara's post-graduation trip to Paris and Florence (back in May 2014). Those were all done from my iPad. But since then, the app I was using turned into a pumpkin and I've been comfortable posting from my laptop. and frankly, too wrapped up in other things to bother with it. So I'm grateful for this push from the universe to figure it out.

My plan is to share posts every day while I'm here to get the hang of it. Hopefully by Tuesday y'all won't be able to tell the difference between the iPad and the laptop. That gives me a few days to figure out the kinks, right?

From my trial runs, I think photos are going to be the biggest challenge. I like to post them centered, and sometimes with a caption. I haven't figured that out yet. 

But I do have two photos to share. This first is my standard in-flight entertainment shot. I cast on for a new sweater at the gate in Atlanta. The pattern is Amy Miller's Michigan (I'm going to name my project Wisconsin). Short rows and a new-to-me centered double increase meant no book...just knitting (I even waited on the wine until I was sure I had the pattern down).

 

And the almost landed view to the west. On previous flights, we've flown right over (Sara's) Lake Wingra...not today. If I had my bearings right, it's the shimmer off to the far right. Much of the flight up was cloudy (and bumpy), so seeing the ground - even with snow! - was welcome.

 

If you've read this far, thank you! I really appreciate your patience. and if you have any app suggestions for Blogger posts, please share (I settled on BlogTouch Pro, but maybe there's something better out there?)

Hope to be back tomorrow with a better (looking) post!

A Morning Walk in Madison.

Last Monday, I had a little over an hour left in Fahrenheit 451; there's nothing like a little dystopia in your ears to add atmosphere to a quiet, cloudy morning. Henry Vilas Park is about a mile and a half from Sara's (this time, I checked the map before I set out  :-) This was my first time visiting there and I had no idea what to expect.

I wasn't disappointed. The scenery is beautiful.

(no filter required)

I made it back to Sara's with a little more time left in the book (at this point I was listening to the Coda and Afterward) so I kept going. This view is a block past her apartment. I'd seen it many times before, and always thought it would make a lovely Waterlogue.

Hope your week is going well - happy Wednesday!

Cooking with Sara.

I've written before about how much fun Sara and I have together in the kitchen. This past weekend, we cooked more than yesterday's post (and my Instagram feed full of blue skies and cocktails :-) might've suggested. But it wasn't until Monday that we cooked together. For brunch, we made a spinach mushroom strata and sangria. It was delicious (especially accompanied by a mini-marathon of the last season of Sex and the City episodes). and you'll have to take my word for it since I forgot to take photos.

So I made up for it with dinner. a very non-traditional 4th of July menu, featuring fresh produce and bread from Sunday's market, leftover burrata from Friday's dinner and a pork loin with garlic, thyme and rosemary (that Sara wanted to learn how to make).

It took a little bit (and we had a few dishes to wash), but it was worth every minute.

Sara also made a rhubarb compote, which she served with a dollop of greek yogurt just before the fireworks started. Perfect ending to a lovely meal.

Weekending, Madison Style | 2016.

Ha - why mess with a good thing, right?! Apparently this year's visit was almost an exact duplicate of last year's. So maybe I should simply call them our traditions.

The day before the long weekend, Sara works. I hang out, enjoy a run, walk to Trader Joe's for dinner provisions, prepare dinner, then enjoy time on the balcony and by the lake with my knitting and/or a book. It's fun to have a special cocktail and plate of appetizers ready for Sara when she gets home (upper right).

We go to a matinee. This year we saw Finding Dory on Saturday afternoon. The theater has been renovated since last summer and now has a bar (upper middle) and those super comfortable recliner chairs. We loved the movie. and it gave us the perfect excuse to re-watch Finding Nemo, too!

We celebrate a belated Mother's Day with cocktails and dinner (and Uber) at Merchant. (lower left and center).

We go to the Farmers Market. This year we skipped the huge market at the Capitol on Saturday morning in favor of the neighborhood one we could walk to on Sunday morning. There was a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables and Madison Sourdough. We only needed a few more things  and we had food for two dinners and a brunch.

We go to Sardine for brunch (upper left).

We watch the fireworks at the lake from Sara's balcony.

Along the way, we have plenty of time to catch up and simply enjoy each other's company. I also get to read (I finished three books), knit (slow progress, but at least I'm on size 3's now) and enjoy the neighborhood. All too quickly, four days pass....

I talked with my mom last night and enjoyed sharing a few of the stories. We agreed it's a huge treat to visit your grown children and see them doing well. Indeed it is.

Thank you, Sara, for another wonderful weekend!

Finding Family History.

One of many things I love about Sara living in Madison is feeling a sense of family connection. My grandmother on my mom's side was born and raised here (the family home wasn't far from where Sara now lives). Her family settled in Madison in the 1800's. The only family left here is Cousin Lois (the widow of my mom's cousin Ed) and their son and his wife. But at one time, there were several generations and lots of cousins living here. And of course, there are some buried here, too. Last week, my mom suggested I visit the family plot in the local cemetery; she said it wasn't far from Sara's.

So yesterday morning, I went for a run with the vague idea of trying to find it. Mother was right; Forest Hill Cemetery is about a mile away. But it's huge! I wandered for a bit and realized I needed a guide book. A few minutes later, I found this (and out for a run without my glasses it looked a lot blurrier :-)

and when I looked up, I saw that section 4 was straight ahead (there are over a hundred sections...I got a chill when I realized how close I was).

A few minutes later, I found it.

My great grandparents are buried just behind and to the right of the family marker.

The cemetery is really beautiful...I'm glad I found it and had the opportunity to connect a little more with this place.

 

FO Friday | Eleventh Hour.

I spent much of last week knitting a new afghan for Sara. This is Purl Soho's Eleventh Hour, knit with Lion Brand Thick and Quick. held double. on size 36 needles. This wasn't nearly as quick a project as I thought it would be. maybe because I made it almost twice as big? and I'm glad I did - it's about 70" long and 52" wide. An afghan for snuggling up (especially in Wisconsin) has to be this big!

Sara chose the main color when we visited the Lion Brand store in New York back in April. But I chose the pattern, the border color...and the timing to knit it!

I even managed to make it a surprise. Here's what last week looked like "behind the scenes".

There's more information on my Ravelry project page if you're interested (that's the only online place I go where Sara doesn't follow me :-)

Cheers to the long weekend and happy Friday!

 

 

En Route.

I don't know how people who don't knit can stand to travel. This is the text exchange I had with Marc (at 1:35 ET) contemplating an almost two hour wait for my 3:20 flight.

Yep, two new projects! I started another summer cardigan while I waited. 267 stitches on size 1 needles is the kind of slow going just made for waiting in airports. Here's my progress by the time we took off. The guy next to me asked what I was making. A sweater, I replied, I have a ways to go. He smiled and said something about it being warm now so no rush. I didn't bother to tell him it's a summer sweater...short sleeves and cotton (and a very fine gauge).

for my inflight entertainment, I started a pair of Little Squirrel socks.

Happy to report my progress on size 4 needles with just 44 stitches is much faster and the cuff is now about two inches. my progress with Drums of Autumn is simply slow and steady...5-1/2 hours to go!

We landed just a few minutes late, I claimed my bag and took advantage of the empty bathroom (man, you gotta love the Madison airport - I've never been in an empty airport bathroom except for here) to snag a photo of my outfit.

Totally loving my new linen cardigan :-)

Deadline Knitting.

In general (and especially since I stopped knitting Christmas gifts), I am not a deadline knitter. But this morning, I checked the latest forecast for Madison*.

Woo hoo - It's gonna be Cardigan Weather!

And set myself a deadline to finish this one before I go.

Good thing I've got an hour of TV (cannot wait to watch the season finale of Game of Thrones) and 18 more hours of Drums of Autumn to keep me company.

*yep, I'm headed up there Thursday to spend the weekend with Sara!

Watercolor Wednesday | Morning Walks.

...a few more glimpses of Sara's neighborhood.

Weekending, Madison Style.

...what a delight! The weather was marvelous. I explored the neighborhood on morning runs (weekend Sara is not a morning person, so I had a few hours to myself to begin each day...just the way I like it!), read (I finished two books), knitted (not much still...that progress photo is from yesterday afternoon; I'm still on the first ball of yarn), saw Inside Out (which we both loved - highly recommend!), enjoyed a belated Mother's Day night out (complete with cocktails and Uber), watched tennis and soccer, cooked, taught Sara how to make margaritas, and saw fireworks (from her balcony...perfect view!)

As is our tradition, we went to Sardine for brunch yesterday and thankfully I now have one photo of the two of us to share. Thank you, Sara, for a truly lovely weekend! xo.