Currently on the Needles


I only just realized that I have a mere seven days to get done what I want to get done before the Thanksgiving holiday.  My self imposed deadlines are looming.  So I went into high gear knitting for the mitts.  I finished the one in the above photo and started the second pair of mitts.  The second pair is the last pair.  To the right in the basket is my super secret knitting project that I cannot show you.  Sigh.

I have a difficult time with secrets....so let's see if I can hold out for a few more weeks??

I continue to read The Book of Speculation which started off quite good but now I'm just wondering why all the character's conversations seem forced and unreal.  The plot gets weird and I'm suspending belief to finish.  I have less that 80 pages to go.  Thank goodness.

Alexander Hamilton is FANTASTIC.  Each sentence is loaded with information.  This is my first time reading a non fiction historical book.  I must say, I love it!  I wonder, why didn't my history teachers make this content as thrilling as this author?  I never cared for history classes and found them boring.  Maybe it's because the teachers didn't make it personal enough.  I was faced with a series of dates, events and endless memorizing and spitting back the information on a test.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

Comments

  1. MonicaNovember 16, 2016 at 7:58 AM

    Now I am super curious! :) Can't wait for the reveal!!
    I am going to look for this book as I too have come across some great non fiction history books and am amazed at what I didn't really learn in History class. Blah it was awful!
    I am sure you will get that other set of mittens finished. You're really fast! :)

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  2. flyingjenNovember 16, 2016 at 9:14 AM

    I am hoping to get some serious reading and knitting done in the next week. I'll have plenty of sit time on the airplane. I'm going to put Alexander Hamilton on my list.

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  3. mamasmercantileNovember 16, 2016 at 9:17 AM

    Love the mittens but Karen your secret knitting is a real tease, I am so looking forward to the big reveal.

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  4. SarahNovember 16, 2016 at 9:42 AM

    What beautiful mitts! It's amazing to be homeschooling and learning (or relearning) things along with my first grader about stories and history. We are reading a well written picture book about Ben franklin and I am learning so much about his life! Good history writing is so interesting, I'll tuck away that Alexander Hamilton book for someday!

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  5. SnapNovember 16, 2016 at 10:08 AM

    Love the color of the mitts! I saw the Hamilton book at my local bookstore, but passed it up. I may have to go back and get it. I agree with you, why didn't our teachers make history interesting! I've found I've been reading more "real" history as I've gotten older. Fascinating!

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  6. AsKatKnitsNovember 16, 2016 at 10:13 AM

    Your knitting and your photos are always beautiful! I am listening to The Underground Railroad and it is fantastic!!

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  7. Jeannie Gray KnitsNovember 16, 2016 at 10:26 AM

    I feel the exact same way about history class, although as an adult, I've found that I LOVE well written historical fiction, things like Philippa Gregory's books and specially TV shows like the Tudors, Reign, Downton Abby, the Vikings..... Even if they aren't exactly accurate, they at least get me interested in learning about that period. Btw, your mitts are lovely & I can't wait to see what you're hiding.

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  8. stephNovember 16, 2016 at 11:43 AM

    would hamilton be worth hauling on a long trip???? (I ditched Book of Speculations; you are a better person than I am!!!) (Love the colours you're working with!!!!!)

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    Replies
    1. karenNovember 17, 2016 at 8:42 AM

      If you have strong arms to lug it about, yes :)

      Delete
  9. AnonymousNovember 16, 2016 at 11:57 AM

    I like the heathered softness of the purple for those mitts. I'm happy to not be stressed out like I usually am this time of year. With my parents overseas, we aren't having the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We'll be meeting the godparents for dinner on the peninsula. I do still plan to buy a turkey from TJ's.

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  10. Andrea @ This Knitted LifeNovember 16, 2016 at 1:40 PM

    I am THE WORST at secrets. Enjoy your knitting, self imposed deadlines and all. How is it mid-November already?

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  11. Kim November 16, 2016 at 2:20 PM

    Secret knitting is so much fun...can't wait til you share :)

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  12. Caffeine GirlNovember 16, 2016 at 4:06 PM

    I have always loved history -- and I think it started with historical novels. I agree that teachers need to remember that history is about people!

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  13. AnonymousNovember 16, 2016 at 5:23 PM

    Hi Karen. My husband loves all things about past presidents. He started with George Washington and I'm not sure where he is now. I will mention the book to him. What a gorgeous purple you are working with. I'm trying to hurry and finish a project too.

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  14. GraceNovember 16, 2016 at 5:43 PM

    Hmmm, I might have to steal Mary's copy of Hamilton! I know she will never finish it at the rate she is going! I am so curious about your top secret knitting project, can't wait for the big reveal! I'm still working on Commonwealth (love it) and in between I have been still working through The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. It all depends on which part of the house each book is, LOL!

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  15. kathy bNovember 16, 2016 at 7:13 PM

    My favorite book last year was Deep Down Dark. Did I already say that?

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  16. ValerieNovember 16, 2016 at 11:20 PM

    Ah, thanks for the idea of a good nf history book! Alexander H! Putting on my reading list now.

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  17. ZauberflinkNovember 17, 2016 at 4:17 AM

    Ohhh, I want to know what is in this basket!! ;-)
    Your mitts look so lovely! Can you imagine I'm currently knitting my very first pair of mittens after all these years? It is so much fun!

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  18. AnonymousNovember 17, 2016 at 8:24 AM

    I'd like to read Hamilton... maybe I'll find some time in the new year. A girl can hope :) Good luck with your deadline!

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  19. JaneNovember 17, 2016 at 7:09 PM

    Keep chugging along on those Thanksgiving knits. The colors in your photo are so pretty together. I am knitting a couple of Christmas gifts and am glad they don't have to be finished by Thanksgiving. Soon though as they need to go in the mail. My book group just discussed, "We are Completely Beside Ourselves." We had a thought provoking discussion.

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  20. Judy S.November 18, 2016 at 11:54 PM

    That book of yours is on our shelf just waiting. Have you read John Adams by McCullough? It'll fill you in on some more details of that time period. What pattern are you using for your mitts? They are very pretty.

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