Hello June! Like the last couple of months, I’m getting a jump start on this post. Today is Juneteenth, a federal holiday to celebrate the date when slavery in this country ended for all of its citizens. It’s no secret there is still much to be done to end racial inequalities. Parts of the Voting Rights Act being undone is an example of this. There are systems that benefit by dividing us. Systems within our country, and also across the world. There is an international sporting event related to soccer going on right now. Not naming it because I’m not messing with trademarks. I’ve been watching, and not only because North America is hosting. I’ve watched the men’s and women’s tournaments for years. When it comes to sporting events, I prefer the every so often, with a whole bunch of teams participating ones.
Again, avoiding trademarks, there’s a big one with winter and summer games, and then a college basketball one that happens in March. One thing about this current international soccer tournament is since North America is hosting, there are many visitors from other countries here right now. I’ve loved watching their videos where they visit our shops and restaurants. The reactions to free refills have been especially fun. But, what I’ve loved most of all is how welcoming the actual people who live here are. It’s like maybe the leaders of all of these countries don’t want to get along, not the citizens.
My mom is Belgian, so I always cheer them on. So far, they’ve only played once and it ended in a tie. My Red Devils tee has seen me through four of these sporting tournaments. It’s starting to get a bit threadbare, but I still love it. I hope all of the teams play well. There have been some surprises so far which makes the matches exciting to watch.
I’ve been sewing this month. I made a fun vest out of this retro fabric I bought from an online fabric thrift store called Paper City Fabrics. I also made another pair of pants. I love them, except for the fact that the color kinda makes them look like scrub pants. I finally used some of my IKEA fabric and made a jacket. It’s modeled after a jacket I already own and love. Also, I decided to hand stitch the entire project. It took longer than it would have if I used my sewing machine, but I’m so proud of it.
I might hand sew more. One thing I really like about it, is being able to hand sew anywhere. My stitches are not uniform or very neat, luckily the fabric pattern is so chaotic, my stitch work blends right in. Another thing I did was alter a dress I already owned. This was also done by hand. I got the dress years ago at a consignment store and never actually wore it because it was too snug in the bust. I removed the sleeves, unstitched the side panels, and extended them with the fabric from the sleeves. Now, it’s a tank style jean dress I can wear.
Knitting wise, I’m working on a sweater for a friend. Hopefully it will be done before it starts getting cool again. I like working on more than one project at a time though, so I think I will cast on and lightweight shirt. I have the yarn, and some patterns I’ve already done before. All I need to do is pick which one.
Seth painted our kitchen ceiling. We had a leak in the upstairs bathroom a few years ago. It was fixed, and the ceiling was patched, but it didn’t blend in well at all. The stairs are still in progress. We need to take off the one hand rail and sand it outside. The two smaller handrails need to be sanded inside. We’re procrastinating doing it to avoid the mess it’s going to make.
Since writing the above (same day). I have been to my mom’s, and fallen off a ladder. I’m fine, just sore and will likely have some new black and blues to show for it. It’s my own darn fault. I noticed some ivy growing into her gutters and decided I’d get it down. Well, I got it, and came down with it. Any big time physical activities for the weekend are now canceled while I take it easy and stick to something safer, like knitting.
Picking up where I left off, I had been knitting. I’m using some scrap yarn to make another Seaside Tee by Cocoa Amour Knits. I have a cream one, and this one will be blue. I’ve already knit so much, I’ve split for sleeves and am now on the body. Last year I made a Cat Knit sweater for Emma. I was using a heavier weight yarn and didn’t (still don’t) gauge swatch. It came out crazy, and I offered to remake it right away but she said she loved it. Well, she’s asked me to remake it now and I’m excited to do so. I have a better understanding of how to size up or down and pattern now if I’m not using the recommended needle/yarn weight.
I will finish the sweater I’m making for a friend, and my Seaside Tee before I start. She wants me to unwind her current sweater and use the same yarn. I’d rather start fresh so I’m going to buy some new yarn for it. There are some other things I’m my knitting wishlist I’m itching to cast on. I made a Sophie Hood last year, but I think I’d like to knit a simpler hood this year, and I want to make a poncho.
Another thing I’ve done this month, is health stuff. I had a cleaning at the dentist at the start of the month. Then, this past week, a mammogram and Pap smear. I had an annual physical in May, and I’m not due for another colonoscopy until 2027. Happy to report other than needing to up my good cholesterol, I have a clean bill of health. Please use this as a reminder to stay up to date on all of your check ups. It’s important for us to take care of ourselves.
It’s Saturday. Last week I was covering for someone at work and it is truly so nice to have zero plans (apart from posting you). I woke up early to see how Belgium played since their match was late. They are for sure advancing to the round of 32 which is a relief. Then, I lazed in bed and had a slow morning before I got up. Even with that, It’s barely after ten and I’ve already changed the sheets on our bed, got the laundry going, took an everything shower and am now sitting here writing with a me-made white chocolate mocha latte.
Mochi is in front of me, sitting on my craft table and watching the bird feeder. Every so often, he turns back to meow at me to make sure I haven’t forgotten he’s there. Or maybe he’s trying to tell me about the cardinal or blue jay he saw. Kiba is on the loveseat napping, and Miso is somewhere else in the house, likely exploring. The only thing that could make this morning better is if it was raining. I love it when it rains. I was born in April, maybe the April showers saying imprinted itself on me.
I think I’ll end it here for June. See you next month!