Monday Musings from Sunny Mexico
Happy Monday from sunny Mexico. This week’s musings include a reader request, what I wore, and what’s new in my life. My wardrobe in Mexico is more playful than what I wear at home, which is fun. Today is also our 46th anniversary, so we have dinner reservations at a lovely place downtown.
The day we arrived, we quickly changed clothes and headed out to one of our favorite little local restaurants. My shirt came right out of my bag, looking fresh with barely a wrinkle in sight. I am a huge fan of no-iron clothes for just this reason.
Currently Knitting
Several of you expressed an interest in what I’m knitting. I fell in love with this Rowan Cotton Cashmere because the white (Paper) is soft and not warm. I chose a great pattern and dove right in. After several swatches, I discovered I had to go down to a size 5 needle to get the proper gauge for the stitch they were using, and my trigger fingers were not happy with that. At all. So I played around with doubling the yarn and found this cute little Carabeth cardigan that allows me to use a size 9 needle. Much better.
I’m using a circular Bamboo needle, which I find grippier than my other needles and also helps with finger fatigue. I knit for the process, not the end result because I find it very meditative.
Currently Listening To
I prefer to listen to books while traveling because I can do other things, like knit, at the same time. I get mine from Audible, free from Libby, or Spotify. I’m really enjoying this book by Sheila Nevins.
“Thank you to Sheila Nevins for putting all this down for posterity. Women need this kind of honest excavation of the process of living.” —Meryl Streep
This book is a series of short stories read by actors like Alan Alda, Christine Baranski, Kathy Bates, Ellen Burstyn, Glenn Close, Katie Couric, Blythe Danner, Diane von Furstenberg, Gloria Steinem, Martha Stewart, Meryl Streep, Marlo Thomas, Lily Tomlin, Gloria Vanderbilt, and more, which makes it more fun to hear than read.
Do you like to listen to or read books on vacation? What are you currently reading?
First, Happy 46th Anniversary! Second, enjoy your visit in Mexico with your brother and sister-in-law. Third, I love Audible books! I used up all of my years credits so I am enjoying rereading Rita Mae Brown series that I read decades ago. They are cozy murder mysteries where her pets talk to one another and solve the mysteries! They are relaxing and fun. They are free in the Audible library. I knitted all of my life until arthritis took it away from me. I donated my copious amounts of yarn and circular needles sets to our local yarn shop knitting classes. Very helpful to beginners.
That’s a great idea. I have lots of duplicate needles I could donate.
Happy Anniversary and wishing you many more years together. Enjoy Mexico. Wish I could knit.
Thank you!
Happy Anniversary!! Have a fab trip in Mexico.
Thank you!
Love hearing of longevity in marriage! 🥂
Happy Anniversary!
I have those jeans in the petite and regular length for different looks!
Enjoy your trip!
I love these jeans!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and do like your choice in the blouse. As to knitting; never learned but certainly wish I could, however I do sew and am a fabric ju*kie on account of it (☺) as those who know me would tell you. Last but not least; regarding books I prefer one in hand and those taken on vacation I will often leave behind for another reader (at poolside, a café etc.) with a small note inside; “for their enjoyment and when completed, to kindly pass it on”.
-Brenda-
That’s a wonderful thing to do with a book after you finish it. Great idea Brenda
Happy Anniversary Jennifer! Have a wonderful vacation.
Thank you so much
Happy anniversary ! Love the blouse . Big fan of chicos no iron shirts.
They last forever too ! I havent needed to iron in years and dont intend to start ! Cant wait to see your sweater finished . Enjoy your trip ! Thanks for book tip !
Thanks Susan!
Have a great time in Mexico. I have been a few times with my sisters. We always travel to some place with just the four of us. We are far apart in age, but really enjoy each other without children and husbands along. We have done this since our Mother passed away several years ago. I am the second oldest at 79, older sister is 81, then one at 74 and youngest one at 69. (No longer need to arrange care for children.)
We all have our husbands except one (I have been married 55 years in April. )
Really enjoy your blog and book selections as I use to be a Librarian and miss the book reviews I use to get. I am reading Ken Follet’s “The Armor of Light.” but have a stack of books on my bookcase weighting for me. I still prefer a real book. I ‘ll add your book to the list.
I also knit, but not as much as I use to. I knitted a hat out of wool on large needles that you then wash in the washing machine that felts it down. It has a brim so I use it year around. I tried making another one for my daughter but can’t seem to get the wool yarn to felt. A real bummer.
That sounds like a fabulous time with your sisters!! I tried felting a bag one time and it was a fun process.
About reading: I am reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, by Anne Brontë, the less read of the Brontë sisters. If you are interested in 1840s life, how the neighbors gossiped and everybody’s concerns, this is a good one.
I enjoy getting ideas for warm weather outfits this time of year. You always have great taste! Love your choice of the Carbeth sweater for knitting; I’m going to order the kit from her. Looking forward to seeing how this comes out!.
She’s a fascinating women.
Happy 46th Anniversary! I hope you had a lovely dinner. ❤️
Thank you so much
Happy Anniversary 🎉 so great you can celebrate in Mexico! I love that you can knit. I used to crossstitch and really enjoyed it but unfortunately arthritis made it so I can no longer do that. Really like your outfit, enjoy😎
Love your outfit! Today is our 46th anniversary too! Congratulations!
Wow! Congratulations!
Happy 46th Anniversary! How fun to celebrate in Mexico.
Your shirt is cute with the embroidery on the tip of the sleeve only. I love no iron cotton tops!
I prefer a paperback, versus audible or reading on a Kindle. I realize it is more practical for travel to download your books but a book in hand makes me content. I’m a voracious reader.
Thank you
I had to laugh when I saw your knitting. I just finished a pull over sweater in the exact same yarn. I always relate to your blog because I feel like we have a lot in common and I share your taste in clothes. I never miss reading it. Have a wonderful vacation.
What pattern did you use, Jane? I love the yarn.
Aros sweater by Petite Knit. I had trouble with the waist band being to lose, so I had to redo it on smaller needles.
I love the look of that pattern! My daughter is currently knitting something by Petite Knits.
About 20 years ago, as a teacher, I had a Fulbright to study in Mexico. It was wonderful to spend time in some many varied places. As a teacher of Latin American history, I often took students to Mexico as well. Currently, I am reading Pretty Things before I see the movie. So far, it is very interesting. My husband thinks I have a yarn shop. I love to crochet, especially sweaters. Enjoy your vacation.
My yarn stash used to be large enough that it looked like I owned a yarn shop too.
Thank you for sharing your knitting project. I can’t wait to see the finished sweater. You must style it for us!
Enjoy the sunshine!
Happy Anniversary! Wonderful accomplishment 46 years of loving and happiness.
Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. We are right behind you @44 years! I love that philosophy you have about yours being more about the process and less about the product. I find it relaxes me, that and my crosswords and Wordle. Have been to Mexico about 5 years ago with my adult daughters. Loved it! Enjoy the sunshine!
It relaxes me too!
Happy Anniversary, Jennifer! Have a wonderful time in Mexico. I love what you are wearing—I have those same jeans in the barley color. I enjoy your blog and look forward to reading it every day.
Thanks for your fashion AND reading tips! I just placed that book on hold at my library. I’m traveling too and will enjoy reading it! 👍
I always take a book on holidays, for the flight and to read just before going to sleep as it helps relaxes me. Am currently reading about Joe Kennedy’s tenure as Ambassador to the UK during the 1930s. I have a of 10 books to get through – next is the history of Prague. Enjoy Mexico, relax, warm up and eat too much.
That book sounds fascinating.
Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes is a fun book. It’s a quick read and provoked great discussion in my book group re: how what we wear affects the way we feel about ourselves and influences how other people relate to us.
I must read that!!
Oh you look so relaxed in this first photo- heading to a favorite restaurant! Happy Anniversary! Hope your Mexican vacation ( with brother and his wife) is absolutely the BEST! Enjoy the beaches, the conversations, just the marvelous weather! Have fun.
Thanks Paulette!