Number 2
Welcome to the second edition of the new Final Fridays series! Last month, I introduced the new format. I received some feedback…more pictures, less words! So, we’ll try that this month and see where it goes! Please let me know what you think, either with a comment or an email! In case you don’t want to read last month’s post, I’m basically doing a monthly summary but with a few opinions thrown in. Those opinions are the “for what it’s worth” part of this! I’m also throwing a link party so please link up your favorite posts. Don’t have a blog? Don’t worry! You might find a new blog or two!
What I’ve been reading…
I have been lazy and not gone to the library to get actual physical books so I’ve been reading them on my iPad. A Haunted History of Invisible Women was interesting but not what I thought it would be. Amoralman or A Moral Man was recommended by my youngest son. The author is also the creator of the show, “In and Of Itself.” Both are rather different…enjoyable but different! I tend to like anything Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen write, and I liked this one…nothing special. Now, this last book, A Merry Little Meet Cute…don’t take it to the office and leave it open on your desk! At first, I thought it was just a little bit porn-y…before long, I KNEW it was a whole lot porn-y! But, I have to admit I was intrigued by the premise of the book so I just skipped the sex scenes…lots of pages of those!
What I’ve been watching…
We finished “My Life is Murder” with Lucy Lawless. The show is fun; Lucy Lawless is back to her roots (accent and hair color); and the fashion is fabulous! I would love to have one of her trench coats! We watched a couple of movies, but I don’t really remember them! There is one movie I’m still trying to wrap my brain around! “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Have you seen it? I love Michelle Yeoh, and she was fantastic in this movie. I hope she wins the Oscar for her performance. But, I need to watch it again when I’m not knitting!
What I’m working on…
I’m still knitting away at my Allegro pullover by Martin Storey. I’ve finished the front and back. I’m now knitting both sleeves at the same time. It’s a little confusing as I’ve never done that before. I’m sorry the colors are so off in these photos…lighting! I finished the granny square afghan, but I forgot to get a photo of it. I think it’s still wadded up on my son’s couch! I’m now crocheting a granny rectangle afghan for my youngest granddaughter. This isn’t the actual placing of the rectangles. There will also be various sized squares.
A little more…
We just finished painting the kitchen and dining area. We had the entire house painted Sherwin Williams Antique White, but I decided within weeks I couldn’t live with that color for long. We have now injected Sherwin Williams Ancient Marble into the color palette! There seems to be a theme…old! I’m including a photo of the curtains I put in my bedroom. There’s more info in last month’s post if you want to read it.
Before…
During…
After…
A little surprise…
Some have suggested I need an editorial calendar. If you know me well, you know I’m just not a calendar person. I didn’t even use my planning book correctly for years when I was teaching. But…et voilà! I have started…you’ll notice there’s not a lot going on because I’m new to this whole idea of planning out content! I have started, though!
What I’m buying…
Unlike January, I have bought several things. First, Kantha Bae had a 40% off sale, but then they upped it to 50% off. I’d had my eye on a few things (here, here) so there was a quick click and items bought! I also picked up a couple of things at Loft, Talbot, and J Jill (sweaters mainly). I did buy these hot rollers. The first set had a bum roller so I ordered a replacement set. Honestly, they aren’t any better than my velcro rollers, and those don’t leave crinkles in my hair! So, the replacement set is going back, too.
Where I’m going…
Well, I still can’t report on any planned vacations, but we’re talking about it at least! Nigel’s had a few health issues for the last several months which tend to make vacations a bit shaky. We do plan to go to Brian’s Botanicals in Kentucky to check out the giant elephant ears. I don’t have much space to plant, but I can plant on our hump. I always want to say, “What hump?” Bonus points if you get the reference
What I’ve worn…
Wrap it up, Marsha!
OK, so there weren’t a lot less words, but there were more photos! Now that I’m actually using a calendar, I need to jot things down on it so I can remember what I’ve been doing! Will I actually do that? Hmmm…only time will tell! So, can we talk? Are you enjoying this version of Final Fridays? Did I succeed in more photos, less words? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as quickly as possible!
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post
Thank you!
As always, I’m so grateful to all of you whether you subscribe, comment, or email! I truly do appreciate all of you. If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Just a note…Traffic Jam will be back in March in a little different format!
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
Marsha, I like how you’ve kept yourself busy this month. You’ve tackled a lot of projects so kudos to you. As for an editorial calendar, I use my Google calendar which allows me to have it on the go as well as “see” it on my laptop.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks, Rena! This house is just so blah and vanilla! I need the color to make it seem more like home. I am not a calendar person at all so this paper calendar is baby steps!
The Allegro pullover is coming along nicely, looks very complicated. I have never been able to knit or crochet, so greatly admire those who can. I have too many calendars — editorial, book reviews, logging my walking miles and birthdays, not to mention the online Google calendar. But wouldn’t be without them. Thanks for the Friday linky!
Thanks, Gail! I just hope I don’t end up tearing it apart, too! That would be a third sweater from the exact same yarn! I have just never been a calendar person at all! And, you’re very welcome!
LOved this post Marsha. A little bit of everything. You have ben a busy bee! Have a lovely weekend x
Thanks, Laurie! I have to be doing something all the time, or then I just sit! I hope you’re have a wonderful week!
I liked this a lot and I think it was a good balance of photos and words. The paint looks great! I use a paper calendar for blog planning (but then again I use a paper calendar for everything– I am a planner at heart) and I always start by putting in those posts I know I’m going to do each month– the 10 on the 10th, the ageless style, etc. I I have a lot of content like that that repeats each month and sometimes they overlap so I then have to decide when to post which or when to just double up and print 2 posts in one day. I’ve learned to use an erasable pen though as I often end up swapping around post ideas.
Thanks, Joanne! Now I know how you do it every day!!! Seriously, I don’t know how you find the time to do it everyday!!!
I love this post. Such a busy month you had. I really enjoyed the movie when i saw. Would love watch it again.
Annie,
Annies Food Diary
Thanks, Annie! It was definitely a good movie, but I need to watch it again to see the things I missed!
So many fun things in this post. First off, Jack is so freaking adorable! I LOVE all of your crocheted pieces. The sweater is so pretty. I’m really eager to see how you put the granny rectangles together. What a cool concept! And isn’t it so wonderful when you get the walls painted the color you want. I found it such a relief. Your place looks so nice! Did I miss a post? I haven’t seen that last turquoise kimono. Gorgeous! Is it okay if I use that one to make our TJW header?
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Thanks, Michelle! Jack is an oversized Westie…the vet tells me he’s just big, but not fat! He also thinks he’s a lap dog and takes up my whole lap when he’s sitting on me…but he also keeps me warm! I really want a punch of color somewhere in this house but can’t decide where and what! I like knitting better than crocheting, but crocheting is faster for me!
I got a good laugh from your paint theme being “old” but hey, your antique and ancient colors are working well together! I use a paper calendar for blog planning but seriously, my planning is pretty seat-of-my-pants. I use a pencil on it because, like Joanne, I end up moving things around a fair bit. I 100% approve of the Jack content in this post, and I think the Courtly Check Bunny Plate on your calendar is very cute.
Thanks, Sally! I honestly would rather use paper and pencil than technology just because I can spread it out and see it at a glance! I’m glad you approve the bunny and Jack!
My Life is Murder sounds really interesting! I need to check it out! You are so talented. Your knitting is beautiful! I love the paint color you chose too!
Thanks, Laura! I think you’d like My Life is Murder. The episodes are short with the case solved in about 30 minutes!
Thanks for including your knitting. I love that you’re knitting both sleeves at the same time. I think once you do this you never go back to one at a time. I do this with socks too.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I have to admit I don’t know that I’ll ever knit a pair of socks! I’ve tried a time or two and just gave up! But, never say never, right? I’m so glad you suggested knitting both at the same time. I’ll never do it differently (unless the pattern calls for it)!
Thanks, Jodie!
Hi, Marsha – Thank you for linking up with us at What’s Been On Your Calendar. I enjoyed your post and believed that it was a great balance of photos and text. You had a very busy and varied month. Congratulations on giving calendars a try.
Thanks so much! I look forward to participating next month, too! This calendar thing is helping, but it’s just so not me!
I love the new paint color – the change is subtle but it looks so good! I’m thinking about bringing my knitting supplies back with me after our next trip back to the home place and taking up the hobby again, but I wonder how much I’ll remember. Your projects look wonderful and are inspiring me to get back to it. I use a paper calendar for keeping track of everything BUT my blog, that’s all on my Google calendar. Thanks for hosting!
Thanks so much! It is very subtle until you see where one wall meets the other. Now, I’m trying to decide if I’ll paint the living room the same color! Oh, do start knitting again. I’m warning you, though, buying yarn can be very addictive!
Hi Marsha thank you for joining us for the What’s Been On your Calendar? and you have been busy. Like you we are currently renovating our kitchen with new benchtops being installed this week. Your knitting and crochet is lovely and as we are heading into Autumn I was thinking about revisiting knitting again which I haven’t done for some time. I look forward to you linking up with us next month and learning what you have been up to in March. x
Thanks so much, Sue! I learned to knit when I was young, but all I could ever do was garter stitch. Then, when we moved to be near our kids, I picked it up from an octogenarian! Now, I use YouTube when I’m unsure of what to do! As for the kitchen…well, my last two kitchens had painted cabinets which I loved. This new kitchen has custom cabinets in a nice brown oak, but it’s so much darker than I’m used to. We installed subway tile last month, too. I’ll be sure to link up next month!
I love the wool in that pullover. I also love My Life Is Murder. It’s a great series set in a great city – certainly shows Auckland at its finest. Thanks for linking up with WBOYC.
Thanks, Joanne! I used to buy the cheap yarn, but once I discovered the good stuff? I just can’t buy the acrylic anymore! Oh, it’s good to find another who loves MLIM!
Hi Marsha, thanks for joining in for WBOYC and I really enjoyed reading about your activities during February. I love having a blog calendar and only started using it a few years ago, but it helps keep me on track. A great collection and you certainly keep busy 🙂
Thank you for hosting, Debbie! I just hope I stick to using the calendar!
Thanks for visiting!