Hello and welcome to a post where I am going to share some books stats from my reading this year! I did not track too much, but I still think it is fun to take a look at. If you want to see the list of books I read this year, you can find that on my Good Reads Challenge Page. Now I will also say I am taking advantage of the data collected by Goodreads to create this post. In the past I tracked my reading a bit more with a google sheet, but this year I just didn’t for one reasons or another.
I read a total of 9,267 pages
I read 32 books
Shortest book read was 18 pages and it was Willie the Weirdo by Stephen King
Even though I did not track a lot of other things this year like genre, I am glad to have this data to look at. I am really happy that while I did not read nearly as much as I usually do, I rated books, on average pretty well. On top of that it was kind of fun to see the most and least popular book, based upon how many people have also read the book, not its rating. I am not sure if I am going to track on a goole sheet next year or not yet, but I know for sure I can count on Goodreads at least to give me some fun stats to look at during the end of the year.
Hello and welcome to a little post where I share all the things I made over the previous year. I am still working on a few projects that I expect to finish so I am going to add them as well. This year was my first full year of knitting and I have to say, I learned a ton of things. I did cables for the first time and learned how to knit myself a sweater. Which has quickly become one of my favorite things to make. Throughout 2022 I managed to complete a total of 21 projects, plus another 2 I am going to be finishing before the end of the year. Anyway, on to the things I made! Oh, before I forget I am just going to add a picture of my favorite project from each month I completed one, otherwise this post will be way to long, I will also include links to all patterns as well if you want to take a closer look.
Stats
Socks: 9 pairs
Sweaters: 6; 2 short sleeve, 4 long sleeve
Cowls/Scarf: 2, maybe 3 depending on how the next few weeks go.
So, this one I don’t have a picture of or a pattern for. I ended up making a pair of socks that was ribbing from top to bottom and gifted them to a friend of mine.
After the Storm by The Little Wolf Knits (Not Yet Released)
So there are all the things I made over the entirety of 2022, it is kind of amazing to look back at this list and see all the different things I have made and the new things I have tried. I am really excited to see what kind of projects 2023 brings and what else I am going to challenge myself with and grow my skill with these hobbies.
Hello and welcome to a post where I share how I prepared for Blogmasthis year! This year has been hard blogging wise because I have not done a ton of reading because I have invested my time in other hobbies, which I am not mad about. What I did read I loved, but I found it hard to share things on here when I was not reading. I then decided to start sharing my other interests and hobbies, which I have enjoyed. That being said, I knew last year I wanted to do the full 24 days of Blogmas, so I started preparing early!
Making a List
Very early in 2022 I decided to make a list of posts I could write to help with blogmas. Writing 24 posts in a month is a lot, I figured if I could do some of the brain storming ahead of time I was really going to be helping future me out a lot! So, I ended up writing up a list of about 30 post ideas to use for Blogmas.
Writing Ahead of Time
I know Summer is not the most festive time of the year, but that is when I started writing a majority of my blogmas posts. I like to be prepared and not being stressed out by deadlines and having to write a post a day is not something I would personally have fun doing. I most likely would have just said forget it for my well being. That being said, I wrote posts here and there over the Summer so I had a lot of the posts already written up and ready to go. Once done writing and I was happy with them I scheduled them ahead of time.
Using a Kanban Board
I have been a huge fan of these types of organizing boards for a really long time. How I set mine up is pretty straight forward. I write the steps down I use when writing a blog post; brain storming, write, picture, tags, schedule. Each post has their own sticky note or tab and they move through the board until the task is complete. I can easily see what I need to do and what stage everything is in. You can do these digitally or with something physical like a notebook or white board. I tend to use a notebook because it doesn’t rely on something working properly. I used this for each post I wrote for Blogmas to keep track of how many posts where done and how many more I needed to write and how close they are to being done.
My Thoughts
While I know that planning ideas is not a huge deal with Blogmas, I do feel like some people may think that writing ahead may not be in the spirit of Blogmas. I would like to counter that I have writing 24 posts themed around the holidays, books, winter, reflecting on the old year and looking at the new year. I am a planner by nature so I would have had all these in a notebook anyway. Plus, if I am writing so much in December, how would I have been able to read Blogmas posts by others? I think my favorite part of Blogmas is seeing what other people are reflecting upon, excited about, and just sharing their love of the season. I feel like if I am going to enjoy this aspect, I personally am going to have to do a bit of work ahead of time. Honestly, just do what is best for you. You know you better than everyone else and I think as long as you are getting into the spirit and having fun prep for Blogmas however you feel.
me to a mid-month peak at what I am reading and working on. Now, this month I will be very honestly with you. I am really dissapointing myself as a reader for various reasons, but I am looking forward to reading more in the new year. So, I am just going to be focusing on this, I will have a bunch of wonderful books to read next year. Is that not something to look forward to? I think it is. Anyway, here is what is currently going on!
My Current Reads
I am keeping this section mainly to look back at more than anything, but I am currently reading nothing. Yep, I am reading nothing at all and have not read anything all month or the few months before this. I am really hoping to turn this around in the new year as I said in the opening.
My Current WIPs
Day 7 of the Self Striping Advent Socks Toe-Up
Spinifex Socks by Helen Stewart, this year I ended up getting a 24-Stripe advent skein to make a pair of socks. I picked mine up from Freckled Whimsy and I have been enjoying the process of working on these socks a little each day. Apart from this project I have been working on a few smaller presents for people so I don’t want to share them incase they happen to read this post.
7 Mismatched Knitted Mitered Squares Connected
I also did decide to use my scraps to make a Coziest Memories Blanket, which is going to be an ongoing project for the next few years easily. It is nice to find a way to use my left over yarn in a way that makes something that is cozy, usable, and a bit of a memory capsule of the projects I make. This blanket is made up of mitered squares each square uses different yarn so it looks almost patchwork.
Hello and welcome to another blogmas post! Today I am going to talk about a few of the things I would love to accomplish this upcoming winter, which starts December 21st, at least in the northern hemisphere. While I do tend to have some monthly goals, I thought it would be fun to share some for the entirety of winter. Some of these I have complete control over, some the weather has to cooperate with me a bit. Anyway, on to my winter bucket list!
Drink hot cocoa while it is snowing outside
Go for a walk in the snow
Wear my wool socks
Play a few board games
Read a book set in Winter
Have breakfast in bed
Drink coffee in front of the fireplace
These are mostly fun things I really want to do this winter. I find with the days getting shorter I really like to do more cozy things, but also spend some more fun time with my family. If not, I end up falling asleep as soon as the sun goes down and then waking up in the middle of the night wide awake.
Are there any things you really want to do this Winter?
Hello and welcome to a quick little list of the songs I have been listening to this month on repeat. I am normally someone who has one giant playlist with 100s of songs on it so I get a different experience, but this year I decided to make a playlist of just Christmas music for when I am feeling festive. Here are the songs that I ended up adding to that playlist.
12 Days of Christmas by Pentatonix
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Pentatonix
Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Perry Como
It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmasby Bing Crosby
Winter Wonderland (Remastered 2006)by Bing Crosby
Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane) (1947 Version)by Gene Autry
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)by Nat King Cole
Jingle Bells (Remastered 1999) by Frank Sinatra
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeerby Gene Autry
Frosty The Snowman by Jimmy Durante
Frosty the Snowman by Gene Autry
05 Snow Miser/Heat Miser Song by Uncle Bob’s Rarities
07 Here Comes Santa Claus by Uncle Bob’s Rarities
Where Are You Christmas (From “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” Soundtrack) by Faith Hill
You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch (From “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” Soundtrack) by Jim Carrey
Hello and welcome my perfect free winter day! Today I am going to take some time to share what I would do if I could plan my perfect winter day. This even incudes the weather, which as we know doesn’t always cooperate. As you read this, I hope you are having a wonderful day and even your own perfect day!
Morning
My perfect morning would include waking up without an alarm to see a light dusting of snow on the ground. I don’t enjoy where there is a ton of snow, but just enough to see its beauty without the mess. After waking up to my own natural alarm clock I would start my day with a cup of coffee, an audiobook, and some knitting. I truly love when I can just ease into the day. As I am knitting I am cuddled up on the couch or chair with a big fluffy blanket and a view of the snow covered yard and trees.
Afternoon
Later on in the day, I would have a really wonderful sandwich that someone else made for me with some potato chips. I don’t know about you, but there are two things I always think taste better when someone else makes it. The first being a sandwich and the second being popcorn. I am not sure why this is the case of me, but it is. For the rest of the afternoon I would be happy spending time with my loved ones, continuing to craft, or reading to my hearts content.
Evening
After dinner and the days activities, I would love to end my day sitting on the couch with my significant other in front of the fire place to keep toasty as the temperature outside begins to drop as the sun sets. We will be sipping on warm hot chocolate made on the stove top with some milk and mix. Other than that I am happy to be listing to a podcast together, playing a game, or just watching something on TV together. Then once we finish our hot chocolate it is time to go to bed.
If I had a free day with nothing planned, I would plan a day that was slow, calm, and allowed me to enjoy the environment around me. I enjoy days where it is not chaotic or go, go, go. I like being able to take a breath and truly appreciate the world and those around me. I think this is why my two biggest hobbies reading and knitting allow a bit of meditative quality. Now, I know that everyone enjoys different things and other people may enjoy a bit more adventure in their perfect winter day. As for me, I enjoy taking a breath and relaxing in my own space.
Hello and welcome to a really random post today. I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite things that I have discovered this past year. All of which I bought myself! I am going to go threw a few categories of items, so be prepared for a hodgepodge of things!
Reading
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle – I bought this bundle this year because I had to downsize and move away from physical books. So far this ereader, cover, and charging dock have worked wonderfully. It is a lot more responsive than my previous kindle and kobo as well as the screen is more sharp, at least to my eyes. I found myself reading more before bed as well.
Post-it Transparent Sticky Notes – when I did read a physical book I loved using these see-through sticky notes. I could annotate away easily without having to change my sitting position very much. Just doodled or jot down something then stuck it on the page.
Crochet/Knitting
Furls Streamline Resin Swirl Crochet Hooks – These are for sure an investment, but I found that this year using these work perfectly with how I naturally want to hold my crochet hook and the hand motion I use. Even when I am knitting I keep one of these on hand for when I drop a stitch.
CYPRA Interchangeable Needle Set 3.5 Inch Size – I started off knitting with larger tipped needles and I found that I knit faster and easier with shorter ones. I picked these up and I feel in love with them for a few reasons. The first being they are made of metal, I am a tight knitter so with this material I had a lot less drag on my work. The second being I was able to maneuver the needles a lot easier because they were smaller and I was not fighting them as much for smaller circumference knitting.
Tape Measure, I know this one is not glamorous and honestly any one will do. I never used a measuring tape more than when I am crocheting or knitting. I have them all over the house so I always have one on hand. If I had to pick one I really love and has held up really well it would be Clover Shiro Spring Tape, plus you can easily find it at a big box store if need be.
Daily Life
Tea/Coffee Handwarmer Ceramic Mug – You can get these amazing mugs left or right handed, but these mugs are amazing. I ended up having a bit of a collection of them. I love these because they are on the larger size, more coffee for me, but also because they keep my hands nice and toasty during a chilly morning or day. Plus, they are dishwasher and microwave safe.
My Bullet Journal, I am not really going to link something specific for this one, but I use it for EVERYTHING. I love that I can make it anything I want or need and is relaxable, especially in comparison to commercial planners. Which, please don;’t get me wrong those are amazing too if you find a layout that works for you. If you want to take a look at my bullet journal you can look at my category called, Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More. It is just really nice that you can take a notebook from the dollar store or a nicer one and turn it into something all your own.
Read 6 non-fiction books, I have read a total of 7 non-fiction books, I did it! I was kinda worried about this one because I read a lot less than I normally do.
Read the International Booker Prize Shortlist, I have read 4 of the 6, so exactly the same as my last post…oops!
Get owned TBR under 15 books, as with my previous update my Owned TBR down to 12 books. I ended up picking up a few books that I was really interested in and some preorders came in. Thankfully I ended up meeting this goal!
Life Goals
See a new place, I ended up visiting about 4 new yarn shops this year. Not quite what I had in mind for this goal, but technically I did do it.
Teach myself something new, In my first post on the topic I talked about learning color work, cables, and bobbles in knitting. In addition to taking a genealogy research class.
Maker Goals
Knit a sweater, achieved for sure, I created 5 of them!
Knit 6 pairs of socks, I did it, I knit 6 pairs of socks this year! Plus they are getting a ton of use now that it is chilly. Wool socks really are just the best!
Crochet a sweater, as I said in my last update this one is not happening and I am totally alright with that. I ended up knitting 5 garments that I really love.
Create 10 things with my hands, as of writing this I am happy to share that I have made a total of 17 projects this year. I took on a lot of bigger projects this year so I wasn’t sure how it would work in the long run. I have created less, but I really am enjoying that I am making a lot more.
Goal Count
Completed: 7
Not Completed: 2
I have successfully achieved 7 of my 9 goals for this year. Overall, that is about 78%, not the best. To be fair though these are goals I made a year ago when I was into different things and had no idea what the year would bring. I am really proud of what I achieved this year.
Hello and welcome to a post where I am simply going to share some of the books that I own and want to read. I have really tried to get my TBR down to 0, and I am still working towards that goal. The main reason I want my owned TBR so low is because I really want to hear about a book or have a friend mention one to me and I can just read it as soon as I am interested to avoid spending the money and then loosing interest and it sits on my shelf forever, then I end up donating it. I am really glad that I am able to donate books, but I am always so sad to do it with books that have not been read. I am going to break down my list by format of the books. I will also add an asterisk if I also have an audiobook copy of the book. Anyway, here are the books on my owned TBR.
Not to bad at all, I have a total of 12 unread books that are waiting for me to dive into. I am really happy that I was able to get this number so low and I am looking forward to continuing towards my goal of 0 books. I am also making a move towards ebooks slowly. The main reason being room, it is just not feasible for me in the space I am in to keep a lot of books or have books on hand. I also am able to access my library to save some money and still enjoy one of my passions.
Bookish Luna 