Finish it February 2024 & TBR

February 1, 2024January 28, 2024 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to a bit of a challenge introduction. Finish it February is something I have been hearing a lot around the knitting scene, but I feel like it could really be great for all of my hobbies. Mainly, at least from what I have seen or heard, Finish if February is where you take all your WIPs (works in progress) and try your hardest to finish as many as you can. Now, I am going to be doing this with my knitting and crochet projects, but I am also going to be doing it with my current reads as well. So, since it is the start of February, here are the books I want to finish and the projects I want get of my hooks and needles.

The Books

As of writing this I am in the middle of two books, both of which I want to continue with and have been enjoying. The first is Holly by Stephen King, which I have mentioned in a post earlier this year. This one I have been “reading” for a bit, but I have not been keeping up with it so I might actually restart it since I am not too far along into the story. The second book is The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda, this is a thriller I really am enjoying the over all setting of a lore from what I have read so far. I would really like two finish this book first since it is fresh in my mind and then restart Holly. Realistically, I don’t know if I will be able to finish both these books in February, but I would like to finish one and then make a good dent into the other.

The Projects

So, my WIPs are a bit out of control I am not going to lie. I am activity working on 7 projects, 2 pairs of socks, 1 clutch, 2 sweaters, 1 wrap, and 1 tree skirt. I think I would be thrilled if I finished the Teddy Bear Clutch I am more than halfway done with as well as the socks I am working on as well. One of which is just a plain sock and the other is a test knit I am in the middle of. Following that I would like to prioritize the tree skirt and get that packed up with the Christmas decorations and ready for next year. After that I am not quiet sure which one I would prioritize. Overall, I think I would like to just get my WIP number down and I wont be to mad if I end up casting on something else.

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

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Monthly Intent & TBR

July 2023 | Using a Prompt Generator to Make My TBR

July 2, 2023June 11, 2023 ClassicBhaer8 Comments

This month I decided to do something a little different and I wanted to use a prompt generator once again to pick my TBR. I did this quite a while ago, you can see what it ended up picking for me last time here: To Be Read | November 2020, Using a Prompt Generator. This time around I ended up using Random Prompt by heyreader. Without more of a delay here are the prompts it sent my way as well as the books I decided to read based upon them.

For this prompt I let my boyfriend look over my owned TBR and pick any of the books on it. He ended up actually picking a number to corresponds with my goodreads shelf, Owned TBR. He ended up picking number 14, which means I am going to be reading Mary by Nat Cassidy. It is a newer book to my Owned TBR, it is described as a horror/thriller where a woman begins to have strange experiences that mirror a well known serial killer.

For this one I have to run to the library for, which I am excited to go to the library and support them. I don’t have any classics on my shelf, but one classic I would love to reread is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I last read this in 2015… a whole 8 years ago! I would like to see how my feelings are the same and/or different. Looking back at my goodreads I gave this book 4 stars.

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

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Monthly Intent & TBR

Three Books I Want to Read This Summer

June 25, 2023June 24, 2023 ClassicBhaer4 Comments

Hello readers! Today I am going to to share some of the books I really want to read this Summer. I have not done a lot of reading in recent months, but I am hoping to slowly get back into reading. I miss getting lost in a book and honestly just having some me time so I am trying to make it part of my daily routine, even if it just a page or two. Anyway, here are the books I hope to read!

Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

This book follows a PhD student in late 20s who just wants to finish her dissertation that focuses on Xiao-Wen Chou. From what I read in the description it seems like she finds a letter in a book that not only helps her in her goal, but also changes her life dramatically. I was drawn to this mainly because I enjoy reading about individuals in college or university, but when I read the description I felt like I needed to know what she found that impacts her life so intensely.

Red Milk by Sjón

I will be the first to admit that the cover of this book is really what got my attention on the shelf at the bookstore. But, I am not one to buy a book based only on the cover only. I picked it up and read this, “In England in 1962, an Icelandic man is found dead on a train bound for Cheltenham Spa”. Then I was automatically won over, a train murder mystery, I am in! Then I read a bit more and realized it was a historical fiction and pulls from the 1950s/60s and takes a look at how someone could be shaped by a hateful ideology.

The Spite House by Johnny Compton

I went to the bookstore in May on the hunt for a horror novel. This book had a little blurb from a staff member that intrigued me enough to pick it up and read the description. If you are newer here I really enjoyed reading House of Leaves a few years ago and one thing I really liked was the idea of a house being the evil entity. So, when a father of two comes across an ad to live in a haunted house and detail their encounters for obscene amount of money I was intrigued to see if this would have the same evil location vibes.

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

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Monthly Intent & TBR

Monthly Intent & TBR | June 2023

June 1, 2023May 29, 2023 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Reading Plans

This month I am not planning on picking up and starting a new book, but I would really love to finish a book I am currently reading. That would be Happy Place by Emily Henry. So far I am really enjoying it, but to be fair I am not too far into it at all, only about 40-50 pages in.

Knitting & Crochet Plans

This month I am focusing on finishing up some WIPs I am currently working on. I am planning on doing a little post to share my WIPs separately though because I really want to focus on a WIP down going into the second half of the year. I will say, out of these I really want to focus on the Intersections (Ravelry Link) Socks by Marceline Smith. I am loving this popcorn pattern and the yarn has been a dream to work with. I am using a limited edition color by TheLittleWolfKnits.

Random Goals

The past few months I have been working on transitioning this blog from a book blog into a more rounded experience. In doing that you might have noticed that I have changed some things, but other changes are on the way. I would like to finish these changes in the next month. Fingers crossed I can find the time.

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Monthly Intent & TBR · To Be Read

Monthly Intent & TBR | February 2023

February 1, 2023 ClassicBhaer4 Comments

Reading Plans

Since last month I ended up finish an entire book, I am going a little overboard with my TBR this month. I am planning on reading two books. I mean, it is only tow books, but to be fair it is a 50% increase from the month before. I am planning to read the sequel to the book I read last month, Ninth House, this one is called Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. I only just finished the first book and I am so ready to jump into the second one. I am not looking forward to the wait for the third book though. The second book is a book I picked up in January when my boyfriend and I went for a walk around town and stopped at a local indie bookstore. That book is called Devil House by John Darnielle. I have not heard much about this book, but it seems to be a very intriguing horror/paranormal book.

Crochet & Knitting Plans

This month I am planning on finishing two of my ongoing projects. The first one I would love to finish it my third Oslo Hat – Mohair Edition by PetiteKnit (Website | Ravelry). My first attempt at this pattern I made it for myself, the second and third are gifts for others. I really would like to finish this one ASAP due to the fact they need a hat during these cold months. This one is also lends itself to being an out and about project for the most part so I am confident in being able to finish it. The second project I really want to finish this month is my Underwing Mitts by Erica Heusser (Etsy | Ravelry). I am starting the month out with a little bit of a head start. I am about halfway through my first mitt already and I only started working on them just about a week ago. I have not picked it up in the last few days, but I feel like I am going to be able to make a lot of progress since they are small and the colorwork is a lot of fun on this project. Plus, I really want to learn to do the duplicate stitch. This technique is used after the fact the decorate the moth on the mittens.

Random Goals

This month I would really love to go to a knitting centered event of some kind. I either would like to go to a knit night, try to find a new shop to check out or something along those lines. I feel like since it is going to start warming up after this month I want to get in all the yarnie goodness I can. Other than that I would really like to see a little bit of snow, not a lot. This past month I really wanted to watch the snow, but it didn’t snow a single flake! I would really like it if it snowed a tiny bit when I didn’t need to go anywhere.

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Monthly Intent & TBR · To Be Read

Monthly Intent & TBR | January 2023

January 1, 2023December 31, 2022 ClassicBhaer4 Comments

Hello and welcome to my monthly intent post where I share my monthly TBR and other goals I have for the month ahead. I am really excited about a few things this month and am looking forward to. I am planning on trying to address my goals for this year early since my motivation is high currently.

Various skeins of yarn in different bases surrounding an eReader displaying the cover of Ninth House.

Reading Plans

This month I am going to be focusing on two weeks, both are buddy reads. The first is one I am very behind on that I was reading with my friends Reg and Jenna. For the Halloween season we decided to read Sundial by Catriona Ward. I have yet to finish it, they both have…oops! The second book I am planning to read is Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and I am reading this one with Misty from Misty’s Book Space. I am really excited about reading these.

Crochet & Knitting Plans

This month I would really love to make the By the Fire Socks by Danielle Jorge. They are an ankle sock where the cuff is a few little trees. I have never made ankle socks or socks where the cuff isn’t a standard cuff, so I think it will be a lot of fun to give a go. Other than that I would like to start a Big Cozy Cardi by Andrea Mowry. It is a very oversized comfortable looking sweater, which I think would be perfect to wear around the house during these colder months as well as transition months. I don’t think I will get to finish it, but I know I want to at least start it.

Random Goals

This month I would really love to do two things, I would love to go for a walk in the snow as well as read in front of the fireplace. The first being totally dependent on the weather and is totally out of my control, is more like a dream than a goal. The latter I can certainly do this month without much hassle. I just really want to enjoy the fireplace while it actually makes sense to use it. Once it gets warmer, it is not something I can do without melting.

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Monthly Intent & TBR

Monthly Intent | December 2022

December 1, 2022November 13, 2022 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my monthly intent post for the last month of 2022! I know I have been very hit or miss with posting this year, but I am hoping to turn that around this month and going forward. Anyway, as with very monthly intent, I am going to take a moment to share some of the goals and plans I have for the month ahead.

Reading Plans

I honestly have no real goal this month in particular. I have a lot going on this month with last min. gift knitting and crocheting and all the holiday plans. I feel like if I am going to have a goal is to just read what I want. I have no plan and that is my plan, if I can call it that.

Crochet & Knitting Plans

This month I really want to enjoy my knitting my advent striped sock and maybe crocheting my other advent as well. I say maybe because the advent I was lucky enough to have has both a crochet and knitting pattern and I have no idea what they look like at this point. I feel like I will figure it out once I see what my options are. Other than that, I just have a few gifts I need to finish, but I am not too stressed or worried about the deadline currently.

Random Goals

This month I really would like to get organized for the new year. I mainly want to set myself up for success in 2023 by doing what I need to do to try and succeed at the goals I have for 2023. December is a really odd month for me in this respect. I feel like it is all about wrapping up the previous year and getting ready for the new one.

Other than “prepping” for 2023, I really want to take part in blogmas this year and post each day leading up to Christmas. In the past, I did a version of blogmas, The 12 Days of Blogmas”, but this year I really want to commit and post from the 1st of December thought the 24th. It is a lot of work, but I think I can do it. Plus some of the posts I am planning are fun and silly. I am hoping this will reignite my love of blogging.

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Monthly Intent & TBR

Monthly Intent | October 2022

October 2, 2022October 1, 2022 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to another Monthly Intent post where I share my reading plans and other goals I have for the month ahead. We are now officially in fall and I have already had my experiences with chilly mornings. Due to this I am in the mood for horror, knitting sweaters, and other fall activities to keep warm and get in the spirit of the season. Without some more ramblings, here are my plans for the month of October!

Reading Plans

One book I for sure want to read in October is Sundial by Catriona Ward. I am reading this with my friend Reg specifically because it is a creepy psychological horror book and it is finally the spookiest month of the year. I have a feeling it will be the perfect book to read to get in the Halloween spirit this month. Other than that I really would like to read 2 more books, but I am going to leave it up to my mood. I recently took a good look at my owned TBR books, turns out I only have about 7 remaining on my shelf, Owned TBR Shelf. Which is really exciting because I really want to get to a point where I finish a book and then pick up my next book from the library or the store.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

Color work body completed of a knitted sweater hanging on a ladder. Has zig zags near collar and bumps throughout.

Finishing Alpenglow I by Andrea Mowry. I know I really wanted to finish this last month, but turned out I did not have the 9 inch curricular in the correct size to work on the sleeves once I got to to them and was held up a few days. I am not halfway through one sleeve and only have a sleeve and a half to go! After this I would really like to finish my halloween socks, which is a yarn called Zombie Frap by Desert Vista Dye Works and I am using the pattern, Heel Toe Do Si Do by Crazy Sock Lady Designs.

Random Goals

As for random goals, I want enjoy some of this fall weather and activities before it gets too cold outside. I would really love to go apple picking this month, it is something I have been doing for years and it really is a ton of fun and afterwords I get to make apple pie! I would also really love it if I got the chance to carve a pumpkin, but this month my schedule might not allow it. One last thing I would really love to do this month is have a bonfire in the backyard with the chill in the air.

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Monthly Intent & TBR

Monthly Intent | September 2022

September 1, 2022August 31, 2022 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am just taking a moment to write some goals I have for myself this upcoming month. This month I feel like I am already ready to say goodbye to the heat of summer and embrace the light chill in the air of the start of fall later in the month. I don’t know about you, but I am already noticing the days getting shorter. Anyway, with all that in mind here is my intent for the month of September

Reading Plans

This month I would like to finish my two current reads, Maledictions: A Horror Anthology by Cassandra Khaw and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. I mentioned yesterday in my Monthly Digest | August 2022 post that I have really been enjoying both of them for different reasons. I am about 30% into both of them so I feel like I will fly through the rest of both of them.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

Collar and start of zigzag section of the colorwork yolk on needles and balls of yarn attached.

This month I have the goal of completing a sweater called Alpenglow I by Andrea Mowry. I have never made a colorwork sweater, but so far I am really enjoying it! It has been engaging so I don’t think I will have a problem finishing it up.

Random Goals

As for my random goal of the month, I really would like organize my space a bit more. I did a lot of unhauling of books, items, etc. because I had to downsize. While I was able to take some things out of my space, I kind of just shoved things where ever they would fit instead of organizing. So it has been a little difficult finding items and my space just doesn’t seem to be working for me. I feel like it is going to take some time, but I really want try to tackle it. or at least most of it, this month.

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Monthly Intent & TBR · To Be Read

Monthly Intent | August 2022

August 1, 2022July 27, 2022 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Reading Plans

I don’t have any specific books I plan on reading in August, but I do want to read 4 books in total. If I did have to choose two I most likely end up reading, I think it would have to be to finish The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager, I started read it halfway through July and I have been taking my time since I am reading it with Reg and Jenna. The second one I would have to say has a high chance of being read in August is Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez, I read another work by this author and absolutely loved it so I am really looking forward to picking this one up.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

As for knitting plans I really want to start working on either Morning Rituals by Andrea Mowry/(Ralvery/Makers Website) or Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter (Ralvery/LoveCrafts). Both are sweater patterns, but the first would be starting the transition to fall/sweaters with beautiful cables and the Soldotna is a short sleeve colorwork crop top. Both are beautiful. I am tempted to make one more Summer top before the weather changes, but to be fair I wont have a ton of time in the month of August to knit. Decisions, Decisions.

Random Goals

For the month of August I don’t have too many goals, I am really going to do my best to relax a bit since I will have some time to myself. I really want to go on another nature walk like I did in July, it was just a really fun adventure. I also want to go to the beach as least once if not more to relax near the waves and do some reading. Like I said, I just want to relax as much as possible.

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