Hello friends! I hope you are safe and well. It’s hard to believe it’s almost the end of August. I am currently in the midst of another August 31st deadline (how is it nearly the end of another fiscal year?!) I had a pretty long work week this past week, and have to get to work once I finish this blog (boo), but at least Labor Day will be here before I know it. Work has been engaging and frustrating and overwhelming all at once, and I’m trying the best I can to give myself a little ease.

How I feel about working from home varies based on where I’m at on the coronacoaster. Right now I’m cautiously optimistic (three vaccines in Phase III!) and appreciative that I don’t have to worry about commuting at the moment. I am trying to start my mornings slowly, if I have the bandwidth – some journaling, a little coloring, some poetry. Having a nonexistent commute helps with this current morning routine. I will also really miss being around Apollo once I go back. I worry about how he is going to adjust when we return to normalcy. He’s gotten very used to warm sunny spots in my office, scruffs and scritches, and his mid-afternoon treat tire, which I stuff with marshmallows (vet-approved).

I’m still staying at home for the most part, other than my now weekly grocery trips (which has returned some much-needed normalcy), daily walks around the neighborhood, our weekly hiking trips, and our now biweekly takeout meals. Mmmm.

We started hiking within the Indianapolis metro area again, which I’m glad. I love seeing the skyline as we drive on I-70 towards our park, a much needed reminder that we live very close to a major city. It’s also fun to see different restaurants and find ideas for our next takeout meals. Our hiking trips have sustained me, and I’m afraid my personal Instagram grid has morphed into “TREES THAT I SEE ON SATURDAYS.” Summer here is amazing. Last week, we had highs into the high 70s/low 80s…what?!

That being said…winter will be here before I know it, and I am pretty worried that the coronacoaster/my mental health is going to take a deep dive when that happens. I’m trying to find as many things to look forward to that I can, both at work with new, upcoming projects, personal and creative projects, and potential hiking/camping trips further south when it gets too cold. I’ve never camped in my life, but the idea of satisfying my wanderlust while still respecting social distancing is highly appealing to me.

Anyhoo, let’s see some pictures.

Fort Harrison State Park is a recent favorite. Yesterday we took what we thought was a 4-mile trail (portions of the trail were closed due to trail restoration). I usually can’t get enough of hiking, but having worked long hours last week and dealing with a strained back (which I pulled by STRETCHING), my energy levels were much lower than usual. I’m not going to lie, my heart sank when I saw the 2.5 mile mark. Fortunately, we walked for another 0.5-mile or so before seeing the start of trail/Husband’s car. Phew! Hopefully I’ll be back to my normal self for the next one.

I’ve been working nearly exclusively on the Speckled Square Blanket, but progress has been pretty slow…some days last week, I was too tired to even crochet! But I’m making some decent progress. Apollo decided that he needed to be in my photo shoot and that this blanket is his (spoiler alert: it is not his blanket).

Yesterday, I found myself needing a change of pace with my projects. These skeins had been taunting me all last week, so I knew I should do something with them.

This is a kit from Sewrella Yarns (formerly Handmade Home Fibers) made exclusively for TL Yarn Craft’s Garden Party Shawl. I purchased it last year but felt encouraged to work on it this weekend. I caked up my yarns and got to work!

It’s coming together so fast! The pattern is easy and repetitive, and the colorways are so beautiful. I’m really happy I finally started this project!

Well, I’d better get to work (boo) but hopefully more crafting is in my future this evening. I hope you all have a great Sunday!