Hobbies???

I have found that hobbies are a great way to take my mind off eating or off trying not to eat.  For a while I wasn't doing enough, and my weight and food were on my mind way too much.  Besides the type of hobbies that we know we are supposed to be doing, such as exercise in many different forms (if you call exercise a hobby), I have started painting again.  I bet I haven't painted in 30 years!  I'm taking an acrylics class and love it.  I'm very out of practice, but getting better each week. 

I've also started doing photography again and am actually painting a picture of a photo I took of cattle on our ranch.  A friend and I plan to go to Santa Fe, NM in a few months to take pictures of thngs we want to paint.  Architecture, the people, crafts, etc.  I'm going to start sewing again.  Not so much clothes as craft type things that I want myself and things I can give as gifts.  Tote bags, etc.

My best hobby is my new puppy, Sadie.  She is a black and white Maltipoo and is 9 wks. old.  I went 7 monthswithout a dog and couldn't take it anymore.  My last dog was a large dog.  I decided this time I wanted a small dog that would be easier to take places with me and that I would be able to take as carry-on luggage on the plane when I go to visit my daughter and her family.  When Sadie is a couple months older, I will start her in obedience classes.  She should weight 6-8 lbs. when she is full grown.  She is 2 lbs. now.

Just wondering what kind of hobbies all of you have and do you find that doing these things you like to do keep you from eating too much or grazing?

I scrapbook, but not often enough becuase I am always behind.  And funny thing is that my honey-do list for tonight is to clean off my scrapbooking shelf so I can tell what in the world i have in there.  lol

I also sew.  My daughter and I are currently remodeling her room.  She designed curtains and a comforter - she's quite the artist - and I've helped her make a pattern and we're slowly sewing it all.  Big job!!

This week I picked my crochet back up.  More of a necessity really as my feet were freezing and I just can't bring ,yself to pay for those expensive thick wool socks.  So, had yarn and remembered how to make them.  Off I went.  I now have a cute denim blue pair with a rose on the toes and a ruffle edge.  I'm now making a multi color pair that are really bright and fun. 

I like photography, but another one of those things I've never really had time to work on it.  I just do it when I can.  Maybe when I retire I'll take some classes. 

To answer your question - YES.  In fact between working full time and being a Mom and my hobbies I don't have any time to watch TV, which encourages snacking I think.  Suits me just fine anyway - never cared for any of the shows, other than some of the sci-fi ones.

Anyway, I am a newbie beekeeper - started with one hive last Spring and it did great so I am expanding to 2 this year.  I also have a spinning wheel and spin my own yarn.  I knit (love to knit socks!) and sometimes sew.  My dream is to have my own spinner's flock of sheep one day on our retirement property in Arkansas.  I also make my own soap.

You can see pics of all my socks, projects, bees, our yurt in Arkansas, etc on my blog.  There are labels in the upper right corner to just show entries related to a particular subject:

http://www.knittynoddy.blogspot.com/

My husband is the artist in the family and a degree in Fine Art and a Masters in Art Education and he specializes in portrait painting.  He does all the gardening, including 2 small garden ponds and woodworking.  His next class is going to be a pottery class and he wants to buy a used kiln someday.

Almost all of our disposable income goes to supplies !!!!  Hence, we don't take vacations except to visit the yurt or his family. 

Sarah, your family and friends must have the happiest tootsies around!!  I LOVE knitted socks and I have a terrible time finding them.  Each Christmas my daughter and hubby KNOW they better put some in my stocking or I'm gonna be upset.  Even before WLS, my feet always froze.  If you ever decide to sell them let me know, I'll be your first customer.

Sarah, you just fascinate me.  I've never heard of anyone who keeps bees for a hobby but I LOVE it!!  I so wish I lived closer to you so I could get to know you in person.

Hugs,

Jeri

Well, I never thought about keeping bees, either until my brother gave me a book on growing apple trees..........  I was looking forward to growing them in Arkansas since it doesn't get cold enough to grow them here.

Well, a lot of the apple trees have to have bees to pollinate them because the pollen is too heavy to be carried by the wind........  so....... I thought....... well....... I will have to get me some bees and then we can have honey, too!

I started reading up on how to keep bees and got hooked.  I figure I better buy all the boxes and tools now while I have a job to pay for it because we are going to be really broke when we move there, but I don't care :-)

I took a leisure learning class on backyard beekeeping and ended up setting up a hive.  I bought a 3# box of bees with a marked queen and picked the box up in Navasota last Spring.  The box has approx 10,000 bees and you just open it up and shake them into the box - it is a TRIP !!!!  They all eventually go into the box because you put the queen in there in her cage and they go where she goes.  The cage has a candy plug they eat their way through to release her after a couple of days.

I can't wait to hive another box of bees this Spring!!!!  I may even buy a full suit if my weight has stabilized.  I just use a jacket with a veil and my jeans.  Only been stung once through my jeans.

GEESS  sarah  you are just so  talented.


I just  read your blog...............i saved it  . 


NOW  when can i go camping in your yurt lolol just kidding

I agree, crafting keeps my hands busy, and busy hands can't put food in my mouth.  I sew, scrapbook, and make greeting cards.  Most recently, I'm sewing for my grandbaby who is due to arrive within the next couple of weeks.  I made curtains for the nursery and the cutest little dresses.  I also maintain web sites for my church and my family. 

Vicki,
I've thought about making greeting cards.  How do you do it?  What kind of paper do you buy and where?
Nancy

I usually just use the same paper that I use for scrapbooking.  Sometimes I buy plain cards that come with envelopes.  You can get a box of 50 in assorted colors for $6-$10 at Hobby Lobby.  Then I just embellish those with the scrapbook supplies.  It's pretty much the same principle.  I search the internet for clever verses and ideas.  I also like to add ribbons, lace and buttons.  You can also download templates for envelopes and make them too.