Katherine the Great
I like to think of myself as a storyteller. Mostly I tell stories about knitting.
Feb 14
2022
Comments Off on Four Fun and Easy Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Category: knitting & crocheting, romance

Let me begin with a confession. I read and write stories and I don’t finish reading a lot of romances. In my teens, I devoured every word of each book I started. Somewhere in my twenties, I decided “I am the boss of me.” and do not have to finish anything I don’t want to.

That said, it makes sense for me to recommend an author who consistently keeps me hooked until the last word. Tasha L. Harrison also holds the esteemed title of being the first romance author to make me cry (The Truth of Things). Some of her books are lower angst so there’s something in her backlist for everyone. If you’re looking for less angst, I recommend Liquor & Laundry or If She Says Yes…
Liquor & Laundry book by Tasha L. Harrison
Liquor & Laundry is a novella about an interracial couple with a little bit of spicy history. When their paths cross again, will there be sparks or fire? I love Ahmad and Hadassah and I’m betting you will too.

If She Says Yes... Book by Tasha L. Harrison

If She Says Yes… happens to be my favorite of Tasha’s stories. Tomás is in love with his best friend’s mother, Darcy. This interracial couple is easy to fall for. I especially appreciate an older woman/younger man story where the guy is an adult with a career and Tomás brings that energy.

I selected green yarn because Darcy is great with plants and that stuck with me.

Now that you have a few books to consider, here are my ideas for easy ways to celebrate.

1. Treat yourself to one of Tasha L. Harrison’s stories. (For content warnings check www.tashalharrison.com)

2. Enter Nikki’s’s #LoveinColor giveaway. (https://twitter.com/TakeMeAway02/status/1492588955895799810)

3. Enjoy Nikki’s videos on Instagram and give her a follow if you’re not already. She’s @take_me_awayyy

4. Do something nice for a friend. No matter your situation, this will release happy chemicals in your brain. It can be as small as sending them a text to say “Thinking about you. Remember that time we…” and recount a happy shared memory or as large as sending them a surprise gift.

I hope Valentine’s Day is what you need, Crew! If you’re looking for me, I’ll be at home eating pizza and knitting socks with Boov and The Husband!

Love,
Katie


May 05
2019
Comments Off on Avengers: Flashflood
Category: knitting & crocheting, movie reviews

Friday night, I was at work a little after 5 when the heavens opened and there was a deluge. As I finished up my meeting around 6, a flash flood warning went out. That lasted until 9:30!

Now, I live quite a ways from work and do not mess around with flash floods, so I got my lunch leftovers out of the fridge as I contemplated what to do for 3 hours. Having completed 5 whole days in a row of being a respectable human after Sydney passed away and arriving at work at 7:30am that morning, I was fried.

I had a thought. You know what I can do with 3 hours? See that movie I had absolutely no interest in seeing in the theater because I didn’t have 3 hours to kill. Evidently, I do. A theater is walking distance from my office so I checked movie times at 6:30pm. There was a 6:30 showing with seats. The 7 and 7:30 were sold out.

All of a sudden (probably 6:31), I couldn’t buy a ticket online. I knew Alamo doesn’t allow late seating and courtesy of The Husband, I also knew that there were a ton of previews before this film, so I grabbed my umbrella and sprint walked through the pouring rain, prepared to beg Alamo to sell me a ticket.

My request, “May I please have a ticket for the 6:30 Endgame showing?” was met with “No, I can’t sell you a ticket for 6:30.” Crestfallen, I asked, “Really? Because I got stuck at work and it’s flash flooding until 9:30 and the next 2 showings are sold out.” I was trying not to whine as she suggested I hang out in the bar. The gentleman over her shoulder interjected, “Yes, you can. Show her the available seats.”

She complied with a graceful, “It’s my third day. I’m still in training.” I thanked them profusely, resisted lunging over the counter to hug the pair of them and practically skipped away with my ticket.

I hit the restroom and happily plopped myself in my seat 30 seconds before “NO TALKING. NO TEXTING. NO LATE SEATING.” blared from the screen. I smiled in triumph and picked up the pen to order my popcorn.

As I settled in, I realized the lower half of my jeans were wet and I was a little chilly. Thankfully, I was wearing wool socks so my feet were warm and I drank hot water with lemon to keep me toasty. I consumed 2 teapots full of hot water.

If you’ve done the math, you realize that 2 teapots of water and a 3 hour film means I’m gonna need to duck out at some point. This is where being a writer came in handy. When Thanos began his Villain’s Speech, I recognized it and ran to the restroom. When I got back, he was still talking. Winning!!!

I cried 4 times during this film. They weren’t all sad tears so that’s not a spoiler. I have to be honest. I think the fertility meds. contributed because I’m not one to cry at Marvel movies, or DC movies for that matter. On the other hand, the All is Lost moment was well done. I think learning to write is changing the way I watch movies forever. At least one of the times I cried was related to Stan Lee and one was related to a quote that triggered a Sydney memory.

Overall, I enjoyed the film and it didn’t feel like it lasted 3 hours and there was a fair bit of knitwear. We’ll get to that in a moment.

I’m finally a Captain America fan. I’ve lost count of how many movies that took. Kudos to the writing team on this one.

~SPOILERS AHEAD~
I found the way they portrayed Thor distracting and could have done without it. My brain kept asking, “is this bad CGI?”. I suppose it’s important to address mental health issues that might occur after half the people on Earth disappear in the last film, but if you’re going to have a character that’s depressed, maybe don’t have his sensitive mom make a crack about him needing to eat a salad?

Apropos of nothing, I was hoping for a Loki resurrection. It was nice to see him for a bit during the time travel.
~END SPOILERS~
The Knitting of Endgame:

Someone’s daughter was wearing an adorable stranded cardigan with swans around the yoke. I can’t tell you whose kid she is because that would be a spoiler. I can tell you the little actress is every bit as charming as her sweater.

Mark Ruffalo is wearing a plain gray shawl collared cardigan in one scene that seems quite cozy. Course it’s not nearly as delicious as the gorgeous navy cabled cardigan Chris Hemsworth is sporting at one point. I know he’s attractive and I wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating crackers, but I gotta tell you, I’d shove him right out of the way if it meant I could take that sweater home with me.

It has me dreaming of knitting one, but I loathe working with dark yarn.

Note to self: Buy lamp.

*I stayed until they brought the house lights up to get this shot without disturbing others.


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Nov 19
2018
Comments Off on The World’s Premier Sock Model
Category: family and friends, knitting & crocheting



My brother and his family visited prior to me gifting these socks and we had a grand time. The Niece and I played with my dollhouse and enjoyed the hammock.

When you’re about to gift socks that are a little too small for you, reinforcements are needed. Allow me to introduce The Premier Sock Model. I expect there is quite a bit of sock modeling in her future so I’m thrilled that she’s game.


Yarn: Knit Picks Felici
Colorway: Beyond the Wall
Sock Recipe:
CO 64
k1tbl,p1 ribbing for cuff (1 inch)
left cross (1st over 1 st = 2 total), k1, p1 around for 1 round/row
k3,p1 ribbing for leg.
Spacious OMG Heel (verdict: never again)
k3,p1 for the top half of the foot.


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