A Few New Things
Yes, one of them is a book. We will start with that and get it out of the way. Every spring I read The Secret Garden. I pulled my copy off the shelf a few weeks ago and it fell apart in my hands. Obviously, that would never do so I immediately went online and found a lovely secondhand copy of the annotated edition to buy. It is hardcover and has illustrations from different editions. Now, for years to come, I can continue to happily dream of having my own walled garden.
The next few things are all gifts from my husband. He has been in an exceptionally generous mood lately and I am not complaining. Do you see that pen in the photo above? It is a fancy, wooden, fountain pen. I love fountain pens and have several but they are all very inexpensive ones. My husband, even though he cannot fathom why I would want to write with such a high-maintenance pen, decided I needed a better one. He did some research, found something he thought I would like, and surprised me with it. He was right. I love it and it writes like a dream. He also bought me the mug after I found it in Barnes & Noble, insisted I didn’t need it, but kept picking it up and putting it down. I think he was simply saving us a trip back to the store. I have more mugs than any woman needs but that does not matter when I find another book-themed one. The leather journal in the photo is one I bought myself years ago. It is there simply to look nice, as it does.
I know I have mentioned a few times that I am learning to knit. I bought a little trial set of interchangeable needles from Knit Picks and I really liked them. However, I couldn’t convince myself to spend the money to buy the whole set. They are substantially cheaper than some interchangeable sets but I have trouble spending money on myself. After listening to me debate the purchase for a few weeks my husband announced he was buying them. It might have been simple self-preservation at that point, he probably didn’t want to hear me talk about knitting needles anymore, but I do appreciate it. He also bought the yarn I needed for a project. I started a sweater vest with yarn I had but I needed a second color. Isn’t it so pretty?
I have to head to work in a little bit. All I really want to do is stay home, knit, drink tea, write with my pen, and read The Secret Garden.
10 Comments
Constance
I love that yarn! My library has a big yarn sale fundraiser every year and I was at a meeting elsewhere in the library the first night, then planned to return on Saturday to buy yarn and needles in multiple sizes ($1/pair). I got distracted and never made it back, which in a way was good as I don’t really knit and my house is cluttered enough already. Yet wandering around picking up yarn is so much fun. One year a sick friend gave me $50 and asked me to buy yarn for her to make socks. I was stressed trying to determine the appropriate weight but it was fun picking things out for her with no specific requirements. She must have got enough yarn for many months.
jllee656
A yarn sale fundraiser sounds enjoyable and very dangerous!
Lisa
I always enjoy browsing annotated editions, but I find them difficult to read because I keep getting distracted from the story with all fascinating annotations! That’s the only reason i’ve resisted buying the big beautiful annotated editions of Jane Austen.
I hope your work day goes smoothly and quickly so you can relax into the weekend with tea and crochet and books and family.
jllee656
I think this is the only annotated edition I own. We shall see how I get on with it.
Joan Kyler
I have the same edition of The Secret Garden and have just finished reading it. I’ve been enduring a long recovery from a botched foot operation and a hip replacement. I’ve morphed into an invalid state because healing, mentally and physically, is taking so long. I’m decades older than Colin and think that I’m far too old to aspire to run and play with the other kids, but I’m hoping he’ll inspire me back to health.
jllee656
I am so sorry you have been unwell. I hope you are soon able to get out and about and that, in the meantime, you have lots of lovely books to read.
Katrina
What a lovely (or sensible) husband! I know how you feel, I also have difficulty buying things for myself, although with grown up children I’m not so bad now now. I hope you get on well with those circular needles. I’ve knitted since I was around 5 years old but only ever with two needles, I tried a circular one and just couldn’t get on with it.
jllee656
I learned on circular needles. Plus, I have a little trial set of the same brand and knew I liked the feel of them. My knitting is coming along but I do wish I had tried to learn years ago. Sometimes you post photos of things you have made and I am always so impressed.
Tanja/the red phone box travels
lovely yarn and pen
jllee656
Aren’t they pretty?1