Mid-year update? Book, yarn and adventures

My blogging on a regular basis? Pretty much non-existent. However, at least I'm here again. I'm just going to excuse myself by saying that books, yarn and adventures are keeping away. I'm sure that's not 100 percent accurate (because we can always find time to do the things we want to do), but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So let's get to it! First up, books.

This has been a great year of reading for me. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to read. Working in a library is really awesome when you are a reader, and one consequence of my job situation is that the number of books I've read has increased significantly (and let's not even talk about the increase in my to-read list!).

Goodreads is my friend. Since I started using it a few years ago, it's so much easier to keep track of the books I've read and to keep a list of books I want to read. Plus, I love that I can set a goal (annual reading challenge) and track how I'm doing. I can see what my friends are reading, too, and I love that!

Next up: yarn (and other things that have to do with needles).

Yeah, not as much yarn time happening in my life right now, but that's OK. I'm slowly working on a couple pair of socks. I do love hand-knit socks even though they take me forever to complete. I do have a lot of WIPs hanging around my house (works-in-progress) so I ought to pick those up and work on them.

I have picked up embroidery again and I am really enjoying it. I'm not fast at it either, but it's sure fun. I love the retro designs I've been able to find.

I also started a little quilting. I've learned to paper-piece, but I don't get a lot of time at the sewing machine, so it kind of feels like I have to re-learn every time I sit down to make another block. I do have some other ideas for making a couple of quilts, but again, there is not enough time in the day to do all the things I want to do!

Finally, adventures!

I love to travel and while I don't get to go to all the exotic places I want to visit, I do get to do some pretty fun things close to home. I'm so glad to have good friends that I can have adventures with.

Here are some pictures of a few of my adventures lately (walking, yarn, travels, concerts!).