I just returned from a two-day trip to Austin - some work and some much needed relaxation. I did a little shopping, ate too much good food, and spent time with friends. The sad thing about the time with friends part is that it was friends from Dallas! We have not been able to find/make the time to get together at home to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and two birthdays. So, we decided to do it while we were all in Austin. As we were catching up and opening gifts, we all decided that celebrating this way was not so bad. Our time with each other was not carved out of an overbooked holiday season. We were able to actually enjoy the company of one another. We met at the Magnolia Cafe, a place that none of us had been before. Hence, a little mystery was added to the evening. The pancakes are great! It has been nearly 48 hours and I can tell you what I was given as gifts. I guarantee this would not be the case if we had celebrated during "THE holiday season." Being able to enjoy every facet of the evening we shared was a gift in itself. This is how traditions are born. We may celebrate our holidays again in March next year too!
What else did I do in Austin?
I have almost finished my Betina Jacket out of Noro Silk Garden. (Stay tuned for pictures.)
I finished the knitting on my Booga Bag. However, it is difficult to find a hotel room equipped with a washing machine. So, it is not felted yet. That will happen in the next day or two.
I also visited my favorite bookstores - Book People and Bookwoman. I bought:
The Spirit of Silence; Making space for creativity by John Lane
Morning Food by Margaret S. Fox (This is a cookbook of breakfast and brunch foods. I made the Ole Souffle for dinner tonight. It was pretty good. I am anxious to try some of the coffee cake and bread recipes.
The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life by Martha Beck
Faith and Feminism: A Holy Alliance For Spirited and Spiritual Women Throughout History by Helen LaKelly Hunt
Secret Leopard poetry by Rosemary Nissen-Wade
This week is spring break. I may actually get some of these books read! I do have to clean my closet first. New books are a great incentive plan.
We also stopped at a new yarn shop, Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe, north of Austin. Believe it or not, this was the work part. They were very interested in Spirit of Knitting. Yeah! Of course it would have been rude to go in there only to hock our goods so I did the polite thing and bought some yarn - a few skeins of cheerful Kureyon (in case I need to make another Booga Bag), a ball of Tofutsie sock yarn, and a few patterns. I showed a great deal of restraint, I think.
I spent an entire weekend doing exactly what I wanted to do. I had time with friends, time with books, and time with yarn. I found Nirvana! I realize at this moment it is temporary. But I am blessed to have had a glimpse of it. With the hope of another 48 hours like the past, I can greet the normal daily grind with a smile on my face.
And then there was this daylight savings time thing. In my journey to Nirvana, I did not even miss the hour that magically disappeared. What time is it anyway?
