A Spring In My Step, And Some Handspun

I, like many of us, don't do well with NY Resolutions. "Resolve" - it sounds so formal and dreary. Instead, I like "intentions" like Laurie's and "I want to" lists like Hilary's. So here's my "I Want To" list:

I WANT TO: spend part of each day walking in my beloved local park. The wildlife and the trees are so heart-warming. The aerobic benefits are great too. My park has a 2-mile walking trail, and it's exactly half a mile from my front door. So a round-trip gives me 3 miles of pleasant surroundings and refreshing exercise. The catch? I find that I only really enjoy the mornings there - the afternoons are too crowded and my energy level is low (and my procrastination level is high). Heading out the door with the husband in the morning is perfect. He leaves for work and I'll leave for the park.

I WANT TO: weave more. I have some mini-workshops lined up with local guild members, and I joined a tea-towel exchange on Ravelry. I love weaving, but I haven't set up a consistent plan for keeping my looms moving and learning new things. Now that I have my days free, I'm excited about having time each day set aside for passing the shuttles.

I WANT TO: spin more. It's no secret that spinning soothes my soul and brings me great joy. I want to do more of it. I'm happy to have more time to spend doing something I love so much. I sell most of it, otherwise I'd be knee-deep in yarn. I'm eager to increase my production, and see more activity in my little Etsy shop - I've met some great people through sales there, and I've set up some satisfying custom commission work, too.

I WANT TO: organize my space. I have enough space to do the things I love, but until now I haven't had the time to organize well enough (on a consistent basis) to keep clutter at bay.  I'm pondering a system of cataloging and inventory that will help me to have a place for everything and put everything in its place. This will free up more time that is currently spent hunting for supplies.

I WANT TO: spend more time with friends and family. Having my days free (do you sense a theme??) gives me that chance. I've got some "playdays" marked on the calendar for guild friends, and I'm planning lunch once a month with sisters.

I WANT TO: learn some new recipes and vary our meals. I'm in SUCH a rut. I really don't enjoy cooking - this year I gave away 3 nights a week to the daughters and to the husband, but the other 4 nights are mine. I struggle to come up with something that doesn't seem tired and old. I have many resources (the web, cookbooks, recipe cards) and I'd like to USE them to add some new meals to my boring repertoire.

Sounds good to me - all things that I would like to do, and none of it seems like a chore or "scolding". I'm eager to get started!

I downloaded a free app for my iPhone (BeatBurn) that gives me an interval workout to music, changing the beats-per-minute to vary the intensity of the walk. I used it this morning - I walked out the door with the husband as planned. I worked up quite a sweat this morning in 45F weather. 3 miles, and the time passed before I knew it. It was great - give me more!

So far this year (heh) I've spun two skeins of yarn. They're both chain-plied to preserve their color changes, and they're both Aran weight.

The first is 'Monet' - a luxury ultra-soft blend of merino superwash and cashmere, in colors evoking Monet's Waterlilies.

And this is 'Eat Your Greens' - a bouncy skein spun from 'lambkins' superwash merino from Enchanted Knoll Farm, in a riotous blend of green shades.