My new WTTW bag...

I love this roomy bag - just stashed my yarn & needle with the pattern for making a Chicago illusion baby blanket! Plus I am showing my love for and support of WTTW, my favorite trio of PBS stations. Pretty cool all around.

Inspiration for 2012 Goals

Karen Salmansohn's bright, positive, proactive messages and the truly brilliant art that accompanies those often bring inspiration to my days.  This is particulary relevant to my goals for 2012.  You can get your own dose of inspiration from Karen on her blog or facebook page.

When you need a little magic. . .

I had a crazy week so today was the first time I was home when my building's office was open and able to grab my packages, which for a change I had several.  The one I was most excited about about was from my friend Sara, who makes fun and funky, and often whimsical, crafts, and I highly encourage you to check out her etsy shop.  Inspired by Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, I plan to wear it whenever I need a little magic in my life.  I'll post the other goodies I purchased from her as I wear/use them. I am truly blessed to have such wonderfully talented and creative friends to keep me inspired!

2012 Goals

This year, I waited to post my goals.  This is in part due to wanting them to stick.  So here we go...

For reading, I am taking part in three reading challenges:

• Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012 (goal: 25 books)
• 2012 Ebook Challenge (goal: 25 books/CD level)
• Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge (goal: 100 books)

As per the usual for sanity, the first two challenges overlap with the final challenge. 

I also want to expand my knitting and crochet skills.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012

I have decided to take part in the Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012. I am shooting for Mt Vancouver (25 books) with the extra personal hurdle that the books have to have been added to my TBR before 2011.  I'll keep my running list here throughout the year.

1. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
2. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
3. Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell
4. City of the Century by Donald L. Miller
5. The Radical & the Republican by James Oakes
6. Best American Short Stories 1998 ed by Garrison Keillor
7. After Race: Racism after Multiculturalism by Antonia Darder & Rodolfo D. Torres
8. The Best American Short Stories of the Century edited by John Updike
9. Nothing But You: Love Stories from the New Yorker  published by The New Yorker
10. Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm
11. The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
12. The Department of Lost & Found by Allison Winn Scotch
13. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
14. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
15. Dune by Frank Herbert
16. Critical Race Theory by Richard Delgado & Jean Stefacnic
17. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
18. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
19. Chain of Command by Seymour Hersch
20. Who Will Write Our History? by Samuel D. Kassow
21. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
22. The Angel's Game by Carols Ruiz Zafon
23. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
24. Who's Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi 
25. Infidel by Ayaan Kirsi Ali