Jan 01 2008
Filling My Days
The last week has been quite busy, and I have not found very much time to knit, let alone blog. I went geocaching with the nieces – which could easily become a new hobby if I was to buy a GPS unit – and also did some babysitting, some hiking, some movie watching, and quite a bit of reading. It was nice to unwind in this way, and it will take a little time to get back into the swing of things. I welcome the new year and all of its promise. I have some personal resolutions that I am hoping to employ over the next few months, many of them of a personal enrichment/spiritual manner. I also have some knitting related goals that I will be sharing over the next few days/weeks.
My family and friends know me well, as I received some lovely books over the holidays.
Travel, textiles, photography, yoga, nature, history, and food – yep, all things I love. I have read bits and pieces of several of these books, and I look forward to delving in more over the next few months.
I have also listened to some great audiobooks of late, including Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, and am now starting A Walk in the Woods, by one of my favorite travel writers/humorists, Bill Bryson. I think audiobooks answer that childhood love of being read to… and I love the fact that I can knit while listening and learning.
Kris and I have also taken in two films, which is surprising considering we usually go to the theatre once in a blue moon! We saw I am Legend, which I was a little hesitant to see, being that I am not usually a fan of “jump-out-of-the-dark-and-make-you-scream” kind of films. There were a few little jolts, but overall, it was a pretty good movie. Yesterday, we went to see The Kite Runner. It was not as gripping and powerful as the book, but the true story was still there, and that was what I appreciated. The actors did a fine job, and the film is an important one to see in order to understand current events, despite being a fictional account.
And for today, New Year’s Day ~ Kris and I have been looking forward to the special hockey game today between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres – it is an old-style “pond hockey” game played outdoors at the NY stadium. It should be great. And tonight, we will be celebrating the new year with some friends for a traditional Japanese New Years celebration. I am hoping to fit some knitting into the day – perhaps during the hockey viewing.
Happy New Years Day to you, my friends!!
Hockey on January 1—– TOP SHELF BABY!
Happy New Year! I’m sure we will watch each others journeys, especially spiritual this year. I will encourage you and honor your path!
i am currently reading “eat, pray, love” (been reading it for several months now, sigh…) and i love it so far! it’s just been so hard for me to set aside time to read every evening! it will be one of my new year’s resolutions!
Walk in the Woods is a fantastic book. Just a fair warning, you will actually consider taking time off to hike the AT, but continue reading — you will change your mind!
Happy New Year, Lolly! I think you would really love geocaching, my husband and I have been geocaching for two years and have set a goal to find 75 caches this year! We bought a new GPS receiver for Christmas and have been trying it out. So much fun!
Happy New Year! I just finished reading The Kite Runner about an hour ago and will say it didn’t live up to the hype for me. There were just too many groan-inducing, “damn, I should have seen THAT coming” moments. But I do hope to see the movie sometime soon. I’ll probably start Eat Pray Love this week (as I try to finish reading books bought in 2007 before I start on my new Christmas book booty).
Wow, I can’t believe you’re at the Winter Classic game, I’ve been reading all about it in the NY Times. Hope you had a great time!
I got United States of Arugula for Christmas as well; I got so many new books that I’ve only read a little of it so far. I keep trying to get Eat Pray Love from the library but the waiting list is so long!
Oh! Reading is heavy on my menu too this year. Both The Kite Runner and Eat Love and Pray are also on the list. I also have converted to audiobooks – I don’t fall asleep anymore while listening to a book than I did when reading a book! Plus, I like it too, that I can knit and listen to a book. Enjoy your hockey game and good luck reading and crafting this year!
Sounds like a really fun way to ring in the New Year.
When you are ready to hit some of the western states wonders (like Canyonlands and Moab), you let me know. You’d be welcome anytime here in SLC. We’ll leave the light on.
Happy new year Lolly!
That is quite a haul! I will be reading this year also. Although it will be children’s stories =) Happy New Year
Happy New Year! Quite an impressive collage of FO’s. Hope the coming year is healthy, happy & creative!
Mmmm… I love Bill Bryson, too, and found A Walk in the Woods to be worthy of recommending to my dad. There aren’t too many books that I read that I think we’d share an enjoyment of, but this was one I passed along as soon as I finished it.
So funny, but I have listened to both Eat, Pray, Love and A Walk in the Woods on audiobook, and would highly recommend them both. LOVE Bill Bryson. And LOVE audiobooks. I, too, find I have a need to be read to, plus they make my long travels bearable when I’m the only one in the car. And podcasts. Thank God for podcasts.
Happy New Year!
I’m with you on the audio books, for sure. Often, as I reach for the play button, I say out loud, “Read to me!”
Happy 2008!
Happy New Year!!!
I read United States of Arugula – it was really interesting. I hope you enjoy it! You’ve got a lot of reading to do! Happy New Year!
Great books – I hope you’ll give us some reviews of your favorites. Here’s to a great 2008!
Go Pens!!!
I’m reading Eat, Pray, Love right now and absolutely loving it. I, too, love Bill Bryson. Happy new year!
Happy New Year Lolly!
It sounds like the week has been filled with lots of fun. What a great stack of books to work through. I read “Arugula” over the summer & really enjoyed it. Happy 2008!
Great books! I used to listen to audiobooks all the time, when I had a longer commute and knew less of podcasts. I’ve recently started listening again…right now to “Through a Glass, Darkly.” Can’t remember the author’s name right now, but it’s a lovely book so far…
I am so anxious to see the Kite Runner, but it is not available in Europe yet. Wish you a happy new year
Happy New Year Lolly!
I just found your blog and I am looking forward to reading more about your knitting and other adventures. I just recently started to knit again after a loooong break and I could use some support. Plus I am trying myself in crocheting and there I am a real beginner.
I love audio books for long drives and for working out. I ride bikes and for the longer rides, they can be entertaining.
Greetings from NE,
CC
I had never heard of geocaching! That sounds interesting. Funnily enough, I gave my husband a GPS navigator for Christmas – Connecticut is notorious for skipping road signs. We got lost so many times in local roads (and they’re all local roads) that I figured it was time to get one!
It’s so addictive, that I am not sure how we’ve ever lived without one! 
If you’re going to buy one, I would skip Magellan – Garmin’s are much better! 
(I did about three full days of research!)
Great book list! Is that Bahn’s and Renfrew’s Archaeology?
That brings back memories! Best book on archaeological methodology, though!
Happy reading, and a wonderful 2008 to you and your family!!
Looks like some great new reads there. You’ve reminded me that I’ve been wanting to check out some audiobooks. Wasn’t that hockey game something? Made me very nostalgic for Buffalo. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Audiobooks are definitely on my “to explore” list this year. And learning to weave (couldn’t help but notice that one tucked near the bottom of your stack!)
Happy New Year, Lolly! All of your books look fun; but I do have to agree with you…the audiobook, it’s a beautiful thing!
Happy New Year, Lolly! Wishing you a wonderfully full and happy 2008!
Wasn’t the game awesome? Outside in the snow was really cool. I didn’t get to see the whole thing but come on! Crosby winning it in a shootout?! It doesn’t get much better.
Happy New Year Lolly!
I have to agree with Stacey that the game was awesome, though I wish my Sabres would’ve stopped the Penguins! We put up a good fight though. Sid the Kid really is an unbelievably skilled player, even if he is the NHL’s darling. Sometimes all his commercials make us sick!
My husband was at the game and he said that the event was simply incredible.
Definitely buy the GPS (Some of them aren’t very expensive at all. Of course, if you want to spend some big bucks….), geocaching is very addicting (especially if you already enjoy hiking) We gave son #2 a very cool GPS for Christmas and have been having a blast.
[...] of our Summer Fun program. Letterboxing – which I learned of over here (incidentally Lolly just blogged about a similar activity [...]
Woooo, hockey! That was such a great game. Must have been absolutely freezing there. R and I watched the game and couldn’t shake the feeling that we had the same weather in NJ, and then were pleasantly surprised to find it in the 40s and sunny.
what wonderful books!!!! we’ll have to talk travel – after this recent trip, I’m hooked! I just finished “the world without us” and it was very good….