Gardening

I finally did it! I finally got the time to plant the bulbs for this spring!

I'm so happy! It was hard work in the end and they seemed endless, but it will be worth it!

Oh, I'm so bad at this and for a few months I had absolutely no excuse, but to give myself some credit at least half of the time since I didn't update I DID had stuff to do, great, grand things.

And I'm not even kidding....

We moved near Milan, in the not so sunny - at the moment, Lombardia region. Yes, me, man and doggie in a lovely new house - and we're all set, clothes in the closed, hobbies box in an angle and knitting project in the living room.

I took the time to read "Marley and Me", which was a most fun read and it came at just the right time. I read it over a month ago and I still bug my partner about it - he promised to give it a try after he finishes his current "amorouse".

Lately, I've been cooking so I'll leave some proof that I've been really *doing* something.


spaghetti with mussels and spring rolls

brownies and a chocolate cream

my 2 eggs anniversary cake - ornated with a chocolate cream and nuts




grilled tofu and salad, with homemade mayonnese

Reading a lot and gaming

I've been reading a lot lately and not touching my other hobbies much...

I've finished the The Genesis of Shannara, the trilogy and then started reading Sapkowski's stories about the witcher in Italian.
Now I'm halfway through Colette's Cheri.

Some time ago I finished the first game of the Witcher but with the release of the 2nd one I replayed it so I could take my pretty armour in the "Assasins of Kings". It was so so so beautiful!!

Lemon stitching

I've been wanting to personalize table cloths since forever so I finally got down to do my first one this weekend.
I'm extra new to stitching so I haven't done a good job, but my boyfriend was pleased.

I just have to work on this...

through stumbleupon.com I found this really useful website: http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/

Bag

I've found a nice bag here: http://mairuru.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-patchwork-cube-drawstring.html

EDIT: I don't have a sewing machine, so all was done by hand, but that's about to change because I just ordered  a Cucciola Coats Cucirini from a shop in Milano http://www.neratoffoli.it/index.html

This shop looks amazing I can't wait to browse it when I move over to that part of the country. :)

Sewing

At my boyfriend's house we found a neddlework he started more than 15 years ago.

I stole-took it!!!!! I can't wait to finish it.

Knitting

I'm having various projects and ideas underway.

The first one is a small scarf with buttons for my man and the second one is a ball.

The scarf was on hold for a while because I was missing the yarn but now I found it and I can't wait to get it done.

Crafty

This last year my life has found lots of peace - thanks to my amazing partnerand this cute little puppy - which miraculously solved all my problems. World's best therapist!

I hate days that go by with no recollection whatsoever about what you did, where you went and what you saw.

I wish for my own house and my own time and kids and a household to decorate and clean.

If you join me I'll give you some good advice as well!

Hobbies

When I think about hobbies I have a fuzzy feeling. I always associate hobbies with relaxing, staying home and childhood time of no worries.

I listed below some hobbies and for memories sake I'll try and comment why I lost touch with them...

My life is going to change next year.
I will be moving from Florence, Italy to Bergamo, Italy - but not the city but a village close by.
I hope that after this last year of work when I get there I can rest and take things slowly.
I've worked hard these 2 years and with this new one to come there will be 3 years of hard work - weekends thrown off, plans shattered, hearts broken and some tears - I can't even begin to describe how I long for my life to finally settle down.

So here we go....
Reading  --- I've found some time to read mostly ebooks in dead moments at work. I don't think you can ever truly give up reading books; no matter how busy you are!

Watching TV  --- Little to none. In the evening mostly some dog trainer while I prepare dinner and we eat.


Family Time  --- We try to go to the park but usually it doesn't work. It's something I have to work at in the future.
Going to Movies  --- Nope, not for me, mostly not for my pocket.

Fishing  --- You have to stay still and wait - I'd probably fall asleep. I did it a couple of times when I was around... 10 years old.

Computer  --- I'm trying to reintegrate some graphic design - for my own pleasure, and some sort of graphic photoshoping in my plans.

Gardening  --- This is something that goes in my future plans. I'd love to garden more, not just my flower pots. I remember I hated the chores when I was little, now I'd love to grow flowers and vegetables.

Knitting --- I started to re-learn late last year and it's one of the activities that hit me most. I'm always there trying to knit another row.


Renting Movies  --- Different times now....


Walking  --- It goes in the same category with going to the park....


Exercise  --- It's been years since I last did it... and I do miss it. Perhaps I should take up swimming. I used to love sports, I used to not miss a single opportunity to show I could compete. In my last year of school I developed something at my knees, I got medicated and the pain went away, but I broke the rhythm and I never went back to it.

Listening to Music  --- I do and should do it more! Music comes first in my life!


Entertaining  --- and this means....


Hunting  --- nope, not for me


Team Sports  --- :( not for me


Shopping  --- I don't see shopping as a hobby... I see it as money wasting even though I am a woman and I do like new shiny things. :)


Traveling  --- It would be nice! In a camper with 2 or 3 of the little ones.


Sleeping  --- Oh, yeah! I'm missing great amounts of this!!


Socializing  --- I don't have friends... I left the ones I have back home and I'm not looking for anyone... The only socializing I want to do is with housewives at the park and at the supermarket.


Sewing  --- I know it's a very useful hobby that I don't want to skip but I feel badly handicaped coz I don't have the time to take it up.


Golf  --- not for me


Church Activities  --- not for me


Relaxing  --- I've been told many times I don't know how to relax.


Playing Music  --- can't play for the life of me


Housework  --- I'd love to have more free time so that my housework becomes a hobby...


Crafts  --- It's lovely doing little things for your home. I am starting to get new ideas and try some of the simple ones.


Watching Sports  --- not for me

Bicycling  --- Would like to do it! We already decided to incorporate it in our free time as soon as we move.

Playing Cards  --- not for me

Hiking  --- I prefer the bike

Cooking  --- Yes, love it, love it, love it!

Eating Out  --- Nope

Dating Online  --- No way

Swimming  --- I'd love to do it. I don't even know how to swim and I think it's an important life saving sport.


Camping  --- in a camper?


Skiing  --- not for me

Working on Cars  --- :) man stuff

Writing  --- I'd love to have more time to write. It's the activity I miss the most.
Boating  --- not for me

Motorcycling  --- well, who knows?!

Animal Care  --- I think taking care of my little dog is the only thing that keeps me sane.

Bowling  --- never did it...

Painting  --- I prefer the digital one, but these days I don't even have time to think about ideas....


Running  --- why not a bike?


Dancing  --- Would love to try the swing!


Horseback Riding  --- There are many hobbies on this list that I'd like to take on or do more often but this one is something that I ache to do. I shall do it. I shall!!


Tennis  --- It's a lovely sport and I do miss it. I'm not sure if I'm passionate enough to make it become a hobby.


Theater  --- Last time I went was when I was 17.... time does fly...


Billiards  --- used to play as a kid it doesnt interest me anymore


Beach  --- if any were close by I'd take running on the beach tomorrow


Volunteer Work  --- yeah, it makes you wonder about your priorities.