Yarn Along, June 26

~Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading!  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now?  What are you reading?  Take a photo and share it on your blog.  Leave a link over at Ginny's Yarn Along to share your photo with the rest of us and then comment here so I am sure to pop over and see as well!~

Nothing much new here in the knitting world!  I am still working on the Rio dress for Rosemary and adding length to the skirt.  We are leaving town for just an overnight trip this morning so I haven't had time to take a good picture - this picture isn't an accurate color at all but I just am going with it for today.  I love this yarn, it is so soft and pretty and knitting up nice and smooth.  We have a four+ hour drive today and then again tomorrow so I am sure I will make good progress on the dress this week!

Does anyone have any suggestions (and pattern links) for girlfriend gifts that knit up quick but are pretty?  There's always dischcloths of course but I was trying to think of other ideas since we have about 10 birthdays in the next two months.  I need to think of ways to stretch our budget but still come up with special gifts.  Please help!

I am reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde and am still listening to Jane Eyre via the Craftlit podcast.  I love listening to one of my favorite books but also getting commentary from an English teacher on some of the details that I may have missed - for example, I learned the origin of the word "shambles" the other day... it originally referred to a street where you could buy meat!  I just love Jane and her quiet strength and I am looking forward to delving more into The Eyre Affair since it seems like a fun and interesting read.  I am still reading a smattering of other books, most notably Kisses From Katie and The Strong-Willed Child by Dobson.

Wednesday is a big day in measuring my progress in many ways now- on knitting, on reading, and now it is my weigh-in day for Weight Watchers.  I lost 20 pounds last year on WW and rejoined again a couple weeks ago.  It is a good system for me and makes sense to my way of thinking.  However, the first few weeks I remember I had a hard time losing (especially since I'm nursing and that gives me SO many points) and was really glad I took and tracked my measurements as well, because inches melted away first last time.  The same is true this time, too, so even though my weight isn't going anywhere fast, I am losing "size" - half an inch here, three-quarters of an inch there... more than I ever expect! It carries me on with hope even when the scale doesn't reflect my hard work.