So it’s been awhile, because I’m distractable. And I have a lack of bandwidth. And I struggle to define what makes me unique enough to write a blog.

A blog about…. knitting ,crochet, baking, animals, birds, pattern writing, weird neighbors, cool neighbors, political issues, reading and books. Or thereabouts. There are probably more things to add, if I’m honest.

I’ve never had much of an audience on this blog (thanks to all who ARE here), and the reason is entirely to do with my busy life and that distractability I mention above. And you know- that’s okay.

So, for an update of sorts: Shop is ongoing and consuming a lot of time. If you’re interested in what shop I’m talking about, go to your friendly search bar and type in wrenandpurl.com- and your questions will be answered. We are a yarn and bookshop specializing in gentleish fiction, cozyish mysteries and nature writing/inspiration.
Kids are moving up and onward. I’m watching my boys slowly peel themselves away and into their adult lives- which sucks big time, but oh, the quiet is nice sometimes.
My current set of fascinations are about the same- yarn, books, bears, living animals of various type, caffeinated beverages, baking, taking long walks- that sort of thing. I’m also in a current love affair with Duolingo and I go back and forth between Dutch and Welsh.

And speaking for a second about Dutch. Practicing everyday on Duo has helped me read a book. I am just finishing Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew and was so happy to understand much of the Afrikaans in the book for the fact that it developed from Netherlandic, or, 17th century Dutch. As a person who has struggled with learning languages in the past- I am so happy to report that I am actually experiencing reading comprehension in a language I’ve been studying for…. 145 days straight. Thanks, Duolingo!

Back to the book for a moment- it is beautiful, if you’ll allow me to describe a murder mystery in that way. I’ve ordered the first two in the series for the shop because I can’t put it down, and can’t wait to read the second. No wonder they made an entire television series out of it. Check Acorn for information, and click here for the trailer.