Off Topic: Other Interests-Hobbies

[Laurel]

I have too many to name. Birdwatching, gardening, cooking (I'm really into pies lately...), knitting, music (piano, singing), folk-dancing, playing bridge, photography. I made beaded flowers for awhile, but haven't done that lately. Languages - I've taught myself Welsh and taught it for many years. Was into Old Norse for awhile... Computer games - I may be addicted to Family Farm. :-D And I should get back into doing yoga. Especially if I keep making pies...

[Beth]

Chrissie wrote:Are you going to believe this? I promise you it is true. Here goes. My daughter had an English Cocker Spaniel. He was sooooo cute. A black,..."

Wow! What a great story. And I love English Cockers!

[Alice]

That's a cute story Chrissie!

I always enjoy walking by the river and most of the time as soon as I get outside and breathe in the fresh air, I feel happier almost immediately. We get a lot of rain during the winter months, so I don't get to do walking as much as I would have liked. In spring, summer and fall, I walk every other day. The river scenery takes on different colors in each season and there are always singing birds dancing in the air and gulls resting on floating logs on the river.

[Chrissie]

Yeah, it is pretty amazing about Hobson! But it is all true. I thought I should share.

Alice, I agree totally about how getting out, and walking always works wonders. You see such pretty things.

[dely]

Is sleeping a hobby?

I really feel ashame reading all your interesting hobbies. I don't have real hobbies but I like to sleep also because I'm often very tired. My mother tells me that I was born tired, lol.
Well I like taking long walks or going to art exhibitions but these aren't real hobbies. I like also theater performances but, as usual, they are very expensive so I rarely go. In the past I had much more hobbies: knitting, cross stiching...but I gave up when my son is born.

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: "Is sleeping a hobby?

"

Oh Dely, you made me laugh.

This morning when I took a long walk with Oscar the sun was just coming up. There were dark heavy clouds but at the horizon the sky was clear and the sun shone bright. With first a yellow then a reddish tinge. All the fields were reddish. All the colors were very distinct. The ice on the puddles sparkled. I tell myself, "Remember what you just saw." Gorgeous.

[Julia]

@ Laurel - Oh my... you taught yourself Welsh? You go girl!! But how do you know if you're pronouncing the words right if you don't have a teacher?

[LauraT]

How I'd love to have time for your hobby dely!!!
But it's not really true: when I don't work in the afternoon - mondays and wednesdays - and start reading on my couch with a plaid and the cat on my lap... I finish taking a nap!!!

[Noel]

It's so cool discovering all these other interests. I'm getting to know you all so much more! :)

When I'm not reading, my primary interest is fiction writing. I'm also a visual artist and crafter. On the non-creative side, I practice my rock climbing every weekend at a great climbing gym. I have a ton of hobbies but those are the biggest! :)

[Beth]

Like so many here, I like to cook. But more than the enjoyment of cooking, I like to feed people. So I often have friends or family over for dinner and will experiment with new recipes as well as cooking old favorites.

When the weather is nice, I love the beach - my husband will fish and I sit and read - we spend days at our beach house just hanging out - him fishing and me reading.

We have a dog and like to take him places - he loves to run or the beach and he loves to go hiking. Up until the weather got really nasty we were taking him hiking most weekends.

Also like others, I like to crochet although I have been doing less of that since I have been reading more.

I seldom watch tv, preferring to read or watch a movie or go to the movies or out to dinner.

Our dog is really my favorite hobby - after my youngest daughter left for college we adopted a rescue and he is the little furry love of our lives so I always want to do things with him if we can.

[Sandra]

I really enjoy taking care of plants, particularly orchids. I have a little greenhouse in my yard and I enjoy spending time out there with my orchids and violets, watching for signs of impending blooms. The problem is, we've been spending the winters in Arizona and it is a huge undertaking just getting the plants across the country. So I don't have nearly the collection I would like but one can't always have cake and eat it too. This year the orchids decided to bloom early so I'll probably have to cut a lot of the bloom back for traveling, which will make me unhappy.

I also enjoy bird watching and taking walks in the sunshine. I sometimes dabble in stained glass when I have the urge. I used to ski in the winters, but as I've been spending the winters in Arizona I haven't gone for a few years now. I also enjoy spending time with my best friend and partner... My cat! (Did you think I was going to say my husband!? LOL) Kitten Kutie comes to Arizona too and it's not fun traveling on a plane with a cat! Yes, I'm THAT person!

[Chrissie]

Beth wrote: "Like so many here, I like to cook. But more than the enjoyment of cooking, I like to feed people. So I often have friends or family over for dinner and will experiment with new recipes as well as..."

Yeah, life without a dog is quite simply empty! I WISH I liked cooking, since you have to do it every day.

[Chrissie]

Yeah, cats are good too, but people who have no pets have really missed out on the wonder of having a close pet. (Cat or dog, that is just a matter of preference and circumstance.)

[Chrissie]

Yeah, cats are good too, but people who have no pets have really missed out on the wonder of having a close pet. (Cat or dog, that is just a matter of preference and circumstance.)

[dely]

LauraT wrote: "How I'd love to have time for your hobby dely!!!
But it's not really true: when I don't work in the afternoon - mondays and wednesdays - and start reading on my couch with a plaid and the cat on my..."

I use a plaid too, lol. The only thing that I don't have anymore is the cat and I miss her so much.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: " I WISH I liked cooking, since you have to do it every day. "

We could invite some members of the group to our home and they could cook for us seen that they like it so much :D
I don't like cooking though a lot of people say I cook well.

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: " I WISH I liked cooking, since you have to do it every day. "

We could invite some members of the group to our home and they could cook for us seen that they like it so much :D
I ..."

I even tried reading Babette's Feast by Karen Blixen to understand the value of cooking and the gifting of food to friends, but I still don't like cooking. I understand only in my head, but it doesn't change how I feel about it. It should not make any difference if I can't eat what I make.

[Leslie]

Sandra wrote: "I really enjoy taking care of plants, particularly orchids. I have a little greenhouse in my yard and I enjoy spending time out there with my orchids and violets, watching for signs of impending bl..."

That is so interesting! And I hope you don't mind, but all I could think was "Nero Wolfe"! Do you know that character? He is a private detective in a series by Rex Stout who loves orchids and has a greenhouse in the top floor of his New York City home.

[Beholderess]

My main hobby is jewellery making. Mostly beadwork, some macrame, and I really want to learn wirework too.

[Noel]

Beholderess - I would love to learn wire working too - there are some beautiful pieces out there! The jewelry I make is very simple - I cut out images and fit them into bezels with glass on top. I'd like to do more with beads sometime though.

[dely]

Chrissie wrote: "I even tried reading Babette's Feast by Karen Blixen to understand the value of cooking and the gifting of food to friends, but I still don't like cooking. I understand only in my head, but it doesn't change how I feel about it. It should not make any difference if I can't eat what I make. "

Lol, I've read a similar book too. It was about the importance of loving preparing meals and being happy while preparing them. I've tried for some days but then I started again complaining.

[Carol]

I enjoy creating paintings (oil on canvas) but I have to wait for warmer weather because it is a very strong smell if it was in the house. I also shoot photography which I do in changing seasons. I like to cook/bake from scratch using organic foods. I like playing the piano, I have sheet music from the film Pride & Prejudice, which I'm working on. I'm going back to the pool at the Fitness Center after New Years, to swim. I hope someday I will go to the opera in NYC.

[Dhanaraj]

I love to watch movies - movies of all kind (except horror). But well made horror films are okay. I used to collect films (films from all over the world). I had a good collection of films and I still have a good collection.

I used to collect pens. I have not kept it up.

I was also a philatelist ONCE when I was a school boy.

[Chrissie]

dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I even tried reading Babette's Feast by Karen Blixen to understand the value of cooking and the gifting of food to friends, but I still don't like cooking. I understand only in my ..."

Two peas in a pod.

[Bionic Jean]

Shannon - and possibly Beholderess - it sounds as though you would find resin work very rewarding. It also gives you a lot more options than glass. (I don't use it myself though.)

Also looks at polymer clay - that medium allows you to create some incredible effects. Have a look at millefiori techniques in books by Donna Kato. I make some beads like these when I have time, and dot them around my pieces.

[Beholderess]

Resin work sounds very interesting indeed, but I think I'd rather focus on a few things at time.

And polymer clay is a long-time fascination of mine, as I feel it allows for creation of the truly original work, but it seems rather daunting in terms of materials and workplace organisation.

[Noel]

Carol - I admire you for using oil! I found oil to be the hardest medium of paint to work with. I tend to stick to acrylic and watercolor. What subjects do you usually paint most?

[Noel]

Jean - Polymer clay sounds fun! I've done some work with epoxy clay, which is similar but fast-drying and doesn't require an oven. It's very messy though, which is why I've only done a little with it.

[Alice]

Dhanaraj wrote: "I love to watch movies - movies of all kind (except horror). But well made horror films are okay. I used to collect films (films from all over the world). I had a good collection of films and I sti..."

I love movies too Dhanaraj! I often watch old movies that I like again and again on TV! A few days ago I re-watched (for the nth time) "The Holiday" starring Diaz Cameron and Kate Winslet and Jude Law - still enjoyed it!

[Bionic Jean]

I like working with polymer clay, when I have time, because of its superior texture and ability to create very fine effects. I hesitate to say "works of Art", but they are unique and can certainly be very beautiful :)

It doesn't get at all "messy". Yes, you do need to be super-organised really, but the outgoing expenses are very little, since you don't need a kiln. Unless you want to make things in bulk (which to me spoils the point of it!) you can use a conventional oven, which you probably already have. As long as it's at a different time from cooking food, of course!

[Beholderess]

I am most interested in using polymer clay to make beads for use in bead stringing. Perhaps in a few years...

[Carol]

Shannon Noel wrote: "Carol - I admire you for using oil! I found oil to be the hardest medium of paint to work with. I tend to stick to acrylic and watercolor. What subjects do you usually paint most?"

Oil paint is my favorite; my daughter does beautiful watercolors and ceramics.

[Katie]

Dhanaraj wrote: "I love to watch movies - movies of all kind (except horror). But well made horror films are okay. I used to collect films (films from all over the world). I had a good collection of films and I sti..."

Same. I can barely watch horror films and watch films from all over the world.

[Dhanaraj]

Alice wrote: "I love movies too Dhanaraj! I often watch old movies that I like again and again on TV! A few days ago I re-watched (for the nth time) "The Holiday" starring Diaz Cameron and Kate Winslet and Jude Law - still enjoyed it!"

I too have the same 'sickness'. I love to watch some of my favourite movies again and again. Have you ever watched Zhang Yimou films? I love to watch his NOT ONE LESS and ROAD HOME. Lovely films.

[Dhanaraj]

Katie wrote: "Same. I can barely watch horror films and watch films from all over the world."

I have watched few horror films and whenever I had done it, that night I lost the sleep. Lol..

[Katie]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Katie wrote: "Same. I can barely watch horror films and watch films from all over the world."

I have watched few horror films and whenever I had done it, that night I lost the sleep. Lol.."

Haha I'm exactly the same. My friends used to watch them all the time and I'd be terrified lol.

[Alice]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Alice wrote: "I love movies too Dhanaraj! I often watch old movies that I like again and again on TV! A few days ago I re-watched (for the nth time) "The Holiday" starring Diaz Cameron and Kate Win..."

Yes yes I love "Not One Less". I may not have seen "Road Home" though.

[Laurel]

Julia wrote: "@ Laurel - Oh my... you taught yourself Welsh? You go girl!! But how do you know if you're pronouncing the words right if you don't have a teacher?"

Well, I'm a musician and I have a good ear. I used lots of tapes and videos. I've had strangers ask me what part of Wales I'm from, and Welsh people have said I speak "like a native." Of course, they could just be flattering me!

[Chrissie]

Laurel wrote: "Julia wrote: "@ Laurel - Oh my... you taught yourself Welsh? You go girl!! But how do you know if you're pronouncing the words right if you don't have a teacher?"

Well, I'm a musician and I have ..."

Oh my, Welsh sounds very difficult. You are a master!

[Julia]

@ Laurel - I never thought of videos.... I would love to learn Tagalog, one of the languages spoken in the Philippines, so it's off to Youtube I go to see if I can find anything...

[Genia]

Julia wrote: "@ Laurel - I never thought of videos.... I would love to learn Tagalog, one of the languages spoken in the Philippines, so it's off to Youtube I go to see if I can find anything..."

Try this site:

https://www.duolingo.com/

[Genia]

Laurel wrote: "I have too many to name. Birdwatching, gardening, cooking (I'm really into pies lately...), knitting, music (piano, singing), folk-dancing, playing bridge, photography. I made beaded flowers for aw..."

Welsh is somewhere on my list, a bit down the line. I'm currently poking at Spanish because I got tired of cheating on it with Italian, French and Latin, so I said "fine! I'll study the damn thing!"

Second time this happens to me.

[Alice]

@Laurel, Genia: How I admire your language talents! I'm trying so hard just to keep my French from turning rusty. With my declining memory, this too is becoming a challenge :(

[Julia]

@ Genia - Ooohhh..... I like!!!! I'm going to try this! I don't see Tagalog, but there are some other languages that I've always wanted to try to learn.

[Catherine]

Just received a new needlepoint kit delivery today. It's a picture of a black lab and looks just like my own Jake. Now I just have to find time to do the needlepoint.

[Beholderess]

Needlepoint is great! I'd really like to return to it some day

[Julia]

There are so many things I would like to try my hand at; jewelry-making, needlepoint, crochet, learning another language, bread making and that's just the tip of the iceberg.... I think that for the coming year I'm going to pick 2 crafts and just jump in; if I find it's not the thing for me - at least I can say I've tried it.

[Bionic Jean]

I like your attitude, Julia :)

[Alannah]

At the minute, apart from work and reading. I have been taking my dog out for walks to try and get her in shape. Everyday I try to think up new routes to go.

[Chrissie]

Alannah wrote: "At the minute, apart from work and reading. I have been taking my dog out for walks to try and get her in shape. Everyday I try to think up new routes to go."

I hope you enjoy the walks too.