What Are Your Hobbies?

[wildhawk]

The quilting threads got me to wondering what hobbies you all enjoy besides cycling? As an artist, I have too many. I love nature, photography, hiking, calligraphy, art, and I play guitar and didgeridoo (Australian aborigine instrument). I love collecting insects and rocks/sticks from all over. Every time one of my friends go on vacation I ask them to bring me a rock and my collection now has stones from Africa, Brazil, Canada, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and BC. Recently one of my friends brought me two lovely rocks from Marthas Vineyard. Here are some samples of my art - I love to draw pets/animals and wildlife but shy away from people portraits. (The chow is pastel, the horse is colored pencil and the raccoon is white pencil on black paper.)

[rubysoho]

Drawing, working in 3d (sculptures ... I'll post a pic of one that was in progress at the time, it is finished now, a very cool looking glass piece that I gave to my mom... well, she stole it actually) and horse back riding. I actually spent a year as an apprentice to a German trainer and teach lessons to a select few outside of my real job because I really enjoy helping people solve their riding problems. This summer I took two horses in training, one who was bolting away and bucking its rider off and the second who had started rearing with its owner and she was afraid it. Both are solid citizens now. :cool:


and the pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/daisiesofthegalaxy/sculpture.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v679/daisiesofthegalaxy/100_0173.jpg


PS - I loooove your drawings - and am very jealous of how good you are. I always get so frustrated drawing and painting because I become so much of a perfectionist. With clay, glass and other 3d mediums I am able to let go so it is much more satisfying.

[Blueberry]

Besides biking, photography (mostly macro, though I don't technically have the equipment), knitting and crocheting:) Also cooking (too much for my own good):)

CA

[JaneE]

Very beautiful pieces! :) Wildhawk and Rubysoho, you are both very talented!

Obviously, there are lots of very talented people here at TE. :)

[JaneE]

Also cooking (too much for my own good):)

CA

I also love to cook and bake and lately I've gotten into making homemade ice cream...and I have the thighs to prove it! :D

[Crankin]

Cooking
reading
theatre
going out to eat
wine
But, most of my life revolves around outdoor activities
no artistic talents at all

[Aggie_Ama]

I don't feel like I have many: baking (not a big fan of cooking itself just baking), hiking, if it is cold/rainy or football season I like to do jigsaw puzzles, reading (wish I did it more).

I am very interested in kayaking but no boat yet. And I like mountain and road biking which feels like two hobbies to me.

As for collections I collect Cookie Jars and those little smashed pennies you make in the little crank machines. My husband is amused by the penny thing, I will seek those things out if we are in a touristy place. This is a recent thing I started, I think it comes from my Pawpaw, he liked to find strange coins. It was never pricey collector ones he just found them.

[bmccasland]

Quilting
making Bobbin Lace
Renaissance costuming
Birding
Gold thread embroidery (with REAL gold!)

Things to collect - rocks from work project sites (impossible in swamp country), Zuni fetishes, handmade Christmas ornaments - if made overseas, must be in a local art style (i.e. No "German" ornaments made in China).

[tulip]

kayaking, although like Aggie, I don't have a boat of my own, yet.
gardening and garden design (kinda my profession, too, but I just can't help myself)
seeking out and reading about modern architecture
I would like to say that I draw, but I don't anymore. I keep saying I'll pick it up again, but I haven't. Same for music (cello and mandolin). I'll call those Past and Future Hobbies (but not present)
cooking, once I get a kitchen
keeping up with French and learning Spanish

[GLC1968]

Well, prior to moving I was into mostly just beading (I make beaded jewelry - or I used to), reading and beginner gardening.

Now my interests are varied. Lately it's been canning - I'm having fun with it! I also have tried my hand at cheesemaking (after I learned to milk a goat). We will be kidding our goat this year, so that'll be a new adventure. I taught myself to knit, so once the winter kicks in, I need to work more on that. I also want to learn to spin and to make wine - but one thing at a time.

I'd also kill to learn to quilt - but I really don't have the time yet.

I'm very much a do-it-yourself-er. While I'm not into drawing or painting or creating music...I still consider myself creative. I just have non-traditional outlets! ;)

[Blueberry]

I need to get out Kayaks out enough that I can call it a hobby! I do love them.

I'd love to learn to spin, but have *no idea* where to start...

CA

[Flur]

Other than cycling:

Yoga
Photography
Reading
Writing (this is a new one)
Walking my dog and playing with my cat
Shopping

I'm also learning French, Photoshop and Illustrator.

This all keeps me extremely busy. I'm not sure how I'm going to keep it all together when I go back to work!

[alpinerabbit]

I used to do some silversmithing - for a while, until I kinda ran out of ideas. Still have some silver clay lying around waiting to be used.

http://phoenixnturtle.net/images/hofstone.png

http://phoenixnturtle.net/images/rings%20011.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/4223/bardictz1.jpg

I'm also a ritualist.

oh and I make webby stuff like icons.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3083/rtemagiccbiogifhn5.gif http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/7080/phonezy9.gif http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/4609/quotesqun1.gif (hey Flur, this is Illlustrator)

[GLC1968]

I need to get out Kayaks out enough that I can call it a hobby! I do love them.

I'd love to learn to spin, but have *no idea* where to start...

CA

Find a place like this (or go here):
Spinner's Ridge (http://www.spinnersridge.com/index.html)

And take a class!

[bluebug32]

Writing (even though it's my job); photography; rock climbing and challenging my body in new ways; reading; playing the guitar and listening to and discovering new music; and my pets have kind of become a hobby (geckos, turtle).

[Southernmomma4]

I just thought I would jump in and say what beautiful work ya'll do.
My hobbies are:
woodburning/pyrography
reading
cross-stitch
gardening
and whatever else catches my attention.
Here's some of my woodburning pieces...I'm not real good but I keep trying.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/SouthernMomma4/Pyrography/th_barn.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/SouthernMomma4/Pyrography/barn.jpg)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/SouthernMomma4/Pyrography/th_coon.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/SouthernMomma4/Pyrography/coon.jpg)

[Aggie_Ama]

I keep telling DH if he will just let me get an Alpaca I will learn to spin and get better at knitting (my Nanny taught me many moons ago) and we can enjoy the soft wool while keeping our new buddy as a pet. Luckily he can say no and hide behind a HOA for now but our dream is to get some property, probably 3-10 acres and then I will get an Alpaca, even if it just "wanders" onto our property. Hehe. :p I even tried to make him stop in Mora, NM so we could feed the Alpacas at a large ranch there. He thought I was joking, I am still sad we didn't.

[vinbek]

My hobbies have gone by the wayside that last few years. I love to garden and to read and to bake, but don't get much time for it anymore. I am into volunteering right now - I do alot with the PTA, teach Sunday School, lead bike rides, mentor younger moms, work with the American Lung Association, I serve on the Board of the local girls softball league, and I do various other projects for organizations. I am an organization nut - I can organize and streamline anything. I'm moving my mother- in- law from Atlanta to California in early October. That all keeps me busy!
My life seems to be full of "used to's"... I use to sew, I use to garden, I use to run marathons, I use to scuba dive, I use to macrame, I use to fox hunt........

[Flur]

I used to scuba dive, ice climb and ski. I'll probably pick up the last two again when we move someplace where winter is fun...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Current hobbies and pastimes:
biking, fitness walking, snowshoeing, roller skating....
playing the banjo and mountain dulcimer....
singing and collecting archaic murder ballads....
drawing/painting/handmadebooks....
collecting (badly behaved) diminutive bisque antique dolls....
gardening....

Ongoing On-Off interests and hobbies:
knitting (socks and mittens are my forte)....
mushroom hunting...
cooking....
speaking/learning Spanish and French....
all things with nature- plants/insects/spiders/birds/snakes/turtles/rodents/etc...

[LBTC]

Ah, hobbies - those pastimes that help define who we really are. :o

Cycling - almost all road, but a little mountain just to keep me on my toes
Belly dancing, yoga, walking, reading, learning my new job (does that one count?), finding new ways to eat dairy- and gluten-free (!), dogs and cat,

But, really, most other interesting subjects are obscured by my Otaku (read this great article to understand what Otaku is: http://www.swimupstreamlife.com/2008/04/otaku.html), which is photogpraphy. Links to my photos are in my signature line. There are few things in life that bring as much satisfaction, or could take up as much time if I truly gave myself to it. With a new full time job, the dogs and cat, the need to stay healthy, etc, my Otaku is still barely more than a hobby, but, over time, this too will change.

You ladies really have some wonderful hobbies and some fabulous talents. :)

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[7rider]

Ongoing On-Off interests and hobbies:
mushroom hunting...
cooking....
all things with nature- plants/insects/spiders/birds/snakes/turtles/rodents/etc...

Hey, BSG...Its Puffball season again!!! DH just found two in our backyard! One is okay....looks like critters did a number on the second.

My hobbies:
Bicycling - on and off road
Kayaying - flat water
Skiing - downhill and cross country if we get enough snow!
Photography (as with all of my hobbies...I'm horrible at it, but I plug along anyway!)
Puttering around on the internet
Puttering in general...in the backyard (can't quite call it a garden)
I'm really good at puttering.
House rabbit rescue

[Kvixen23]

Hmmmmmm.......

Well, I love to read murder/mystery fiction novels!! I can't get enough of them and never have enough time in my day......I keep asking if I can be a stay at home wife but my husband just laughs :confused::confused:!!!

I also enjoy working in my yard, including mowing my lawn. I don't really have a garden but I have maintained a few decent borders with many different plants for about 5 years now.

I have 4 cats and 2 dogs, all rescue, and spending any time with them is great. My husband and I sit around for obscenely long periods of time talking out the thoughts of our animals as they play. We each have a voice for all 6 of our babies!!

I really enjoy drinking Beck's dark (german beer). Cold or warm is fine with me.

While the rest of you are "artistes extraordinaire" I enjoy frequenting local art shows when I can. I have started a collection of colorful art pieces to decorate our very dark gray, light gray, dark brown and dark green walls from local artists......but I need/want (I think it's more of a want) more though. We also picked up an awesome piece in Mexico this year while on our honeymoon.

Oh yeah, I love to hang out with and take care of other people's kids!!! :D:D That's why we don't have any of our own. I work with them all day and then seek them out in my time off so I have an excuse to play!! :p

[Kimmyt]

I enjoy reading and cooking, but other than that don't really have any non-physical hobbies.

In order to balance myself out by adding a more creative hobby, I'm hoping Santa brings me a banjo for Christmas...

K.

[solobiker]

Gosh, where to start.... Well, of course riding my bike, running, walking, hiking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, reading, quilting, woodworking, cooking, climbing, sailing, kayaking, flyfishing the list could go on. :p

[SlowButSteady]

now.......this could go on and on.

Cooking (gourmet food & wine), hunting & gathering my own food, interest in regional food customs, music (listening & general knowledge of contemporarly indie artisits), reading (mysteries & "serial killer novels", plus eloquent regional essays). Kayaking and "adventure" in general.

Linguistics.

Cycliing and triathlon--particularly as sports for plus sized women or other atypical athletes.

Green stuff.

[amy]

I keep telling DH if he will just let me get an Alpaca I will learn to spin and get better at knitting (my Nanny taught me many moons ago) and we can enjoy the soft wool while keeping our new buddy as a pet. Luckily he can say no and hide behind a HOA for now but our dream is to get some property, probably 3-10 acres and then I will get an Alpaca, even if it just "wanders" onto our property. Hehe. :p I even tried to make him stop in Mora, NM so we could feed the Alpacas at a large ranch there. He thought I was joking, I am still sad we didn't.

OH! I love alpacas!! I spent some time on an alpaca farm several years ago. I thought it was the coolest thing ever!! Of course, I live a conflicted life. While an alpaca farm sounds cool, I also like living in the chaos that is Los Angeles and I don't know that my neighbors would be cool with alpacas... oh well. You'll just have to post pictures of yours when you get them!!

[Aggie_Ama]

OH! I love alpacas!! I spent some time on an alpaca farm several years ago. I thought it was the coolest thing ever!! Of course, I live a conflicted life. While an alpaca farm sounds cool, I also like living in the chaos that is Los Angeles and I don't know that my neighbors would be cool with alpacas... oh well. You'll just have to post pictures of yours when you get them!!

Well since we are probably going to be in this house another 10 years, it may be awhile. If my in-laws lived closer I would so ask if I could keep it at their little ranch but 60 miles it too far.

[shootingstar]

Oil and mixed media painting, snowshoeing, reading (for past few years travelogue books, food history/foodie literary books, social issues).

And hobbies I dropped but used to practice much more heavily..Western calligraphy (this is painting the steel nib before executing the letters, not just fountain pen use), sewing..over 80% of my wardrobe..

I never say never, to good-bye hobbies...life can change over time. :o if there's time outside of cycling. But recently I discovered that I might need reading glasses soon, to do sewing..

I'm not sure if photography counts anymore with the ease of digital. I used to include it when I used my Nikon SLR heavily with zoom lense, bounce flash, etc. for many years before digital.

[TsPoet]

All of you wonderfully talented people!
I used to try beading and drawing and kayaking... I wasn't any good at any of them and just can't stick to anything long enough to get good at.
So, I started living through my dogs. I do dog agility.
Since I only have rescue mutts, I can only compete in some trials, not the major ones, and I have dogs that don't have agility personalities (e.g. shelties, border collies, papillions...). I get a kick out of getting my fear aggressive little pug/corgi/chihuahua/etc (purebred mutt pictured in my avatar) to jump over an obstacle rather than attack the judge or getting my shiba/beagle cross to pay enough attention to me to do the right obstacle.
We aren't any good, but we have a blast.

[surgtech1956]

No artistic talents.

Biking - mountain/road
Reading
Photography
Camping
Hiking
Riding my new motorcycle
Gardening
Cross Country Skiing
Snowshoeing
Woodworking

[kjay]

So many wonderfully talented people here! I have hobbies that besides biking include spinning (lol), photography, dabbling in PhotoShop, and travel. BUT, I have a passion, which is camels.

I'm the groom for 14 camels, both Bactrian and Dromedary, and care for them once to twice weekly. They are a huge part of my life and are the subjects of most of my photography. One of my goals is to travel wherever I can to ride them in different countries (Egypt so far and working on others). My avatar needs to be updated, but it's one of my Christmas cards showing my favorite Bactrian.

[emily_in_nc]

My hobbies: flower gardening, working in the yard, reading, sailing, running, kayaking (don't do it enough), fitness/weight training, reading/posting to computer forums/doing email/researching stuff on the web, following my favorite TV shows, online shopping, selling on ebay.

Not my hobbies: Cooking. Cleaning. Entertaining. Getting up early. :D

[wildhawk]

Wow - you are all incredible! I love the diversity of our forum members! And so many talented and interesting people! Thank you all for responding - I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you all a little better, and hope you enjoyed learning something about me in the process. I have never been on any forum where it seems like family - that is what makes TE special and you are all the best!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow - you are all incredible! I love the diversity of our forum members! And so many talented and interesting people! Thank you all for responding - I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you all a little better, and hope you enjoyed learning something about me in the process. I have never been on any forum where it seems like family - that is what makes TE special and you are all the best!!!

TE is pretty special. :)

[GraysonKelly]

Hobbies....hm...
Reading. I read everything. Fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, alternative, literature, and much more. I love it all.
Making stuff. Macreme, shelves, storage boxes, decorative wood burned plaques and stuff.
Learning the guitar.
Singing
Hiking/Walking
Writing: mostly short stories but I'm slowly working on some longer stuff
Collecting old books (my oldest is from 1829)
Collecting baseball hats (I have every color Adidas makes except anything with pink on it...I'm not a pink kind of girl)
and
Collecting knives and restoring old knives (oldest from 1944)

There are some really talented people on this forum. I think it's awesome.
Gray

[suzieqtwa]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm also so impressed by everyone's talents. I'm not artistic at all ,but I love to bake ,hike, garden. When I have the time I do volunteer work at the "No Kill" cat shelter. At one time I had 7 old cats. I would take home the cats nobody wanted. Now I just have 2.
I just love football ,and spend my Sundays watching the games all day (after I take a long bike ride).

[Smilie]

Drawing, painting (though not as good as the ones posted!)
Reading, writing (goal to publish someday)
Volleyball, cycling
Making bead jewelry
Scrapbooking
Mosaic crafts
Gardening
Love my fish, cats, dogs, birds, and guinea pigs
Sewing (used to do a lot of mine and my kids clothes)
Crocheting

Have done so many things, I can't keep up with them, or get bored and needed to change. My mind flits from item to item! Maybe I was a hummingbird in a past life. :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm also so impressed by everyone's talents. I'm not artistic at all ,but I love to bake ,hike, garden. When I have the time I do volunteer work at the "No Kill" cat shelter. At one time I had 7 old cats. I would take home the cats nobody wanted. Now I just have 2.
I just love football ,and spend my Sundays watching the games all day (after I take a long bike ride).


Hey SuzieQ how are you doing, nice to see you! :D

[ASammy1]

How does everyone find the time to explore all of these different hobbies??? I'm so jealous of all of you! I work full time and travel a lot for my job, so just fitting in time to get some exercise can be tough! :(

[limewave]

Biking is my hobby! I agree . . . where does everyone find the time?

When I retire, these will be my hobbies as they were before marriage, work, children:

Photography
Drawing
Reading
Writing
Tennis (Oh, how I miss Tennis)
Volleyball

[milkbone]

:DWow, the diversity is great!! How talented...

my hobbies include...

of course, cycling, both road and mtn
working out
photography
being a "soccer mom"
baking
does work count, since I love my job ?
Love football season...watch mostly college -Go FSU!!
kayaking, although I haven't been in awhile
going to the beach
rugby and soccer, although its been a long time since I've been able to play:(

:)

[sundial]

I like to photograph interesting cloud formations as well as landscapes. I am also a doggie rescuer and transporter.

[Fredwina]

reading, writing, history(sorta goes with the previous ;) ), and 'puters (hey that sound like work!

[deedolce]

Very cool to read what everyone does!

My latest obsession is wire wrapping. This one is called 'The Way the Winds Blew on Wednesday' after my bf went riding and was complaining that no matter how he turned, he was always riding into a headwind! The stone is Rainforest Jasper:D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/dct45/WindsofWed082508a.jpg

I started wrapping because another hobby is being a rockhound and doing lapidary. This is an Ocean Jasper cabochon I did:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/dct45/myoj040207.jpg

I also love to spin, knit (working on Mermaid fingerless gloves), dye fibers and yarn, sew, grow heirloom tomatoes, and play competitive tennis.

Ha, in my local cycling club, my girlfriend have just started a Cycling/Knitting club! Once a month, we meet at a local coffee shoip with our knitting projects and talk bikes. So much fun!

Alpacas are cool. Talking of fiber bearing animals, after my dear doggy has lived his lifespan I'm planning on getting a house bunny: a French or German angora. :D

[salsabike]

Cool!

Mine:

Weaving
Rock hunting
Knitting, crocheting

[tulip]

How does everyone find the time to explore all of these different hobbies??? I'm so jealous of all of you! I work full time and travel a lot for my job, so just fitting in time to get some exercise can be tough! :(

Ha! I used to be like that, but I changed my life around to be more in balance. I still work full time, but from home and very flexible hours. I had enough of fitting life around other people's schedules!

[Brandi]

Well my hobby is now my full time job. www.sandscpaes.com
Besides all that I love to paint, cook, garden, knit and play scrabble!

[Popoki_Nui]

Yar mateys....this scurvy dog likens to:

-astronomy/astrophotography
-collecting/restoring vintage bikes
-collecting/playing vintage synthesizers
-collecting/restoring vintage watches
-sleeping.



Arrr....

[tulip]

Well my hobby is now my full time job. www.sandscpaes.com
Besides all that I love to paint, cook, garden, knit and play scrabble!

Brandi, you have found the secret and followed you heart--a rare and courageous act, indeed. I love seeing photos of your work and hearing about your travels. Any news on where you might go in South Carolina?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I recently got a new addition to my little antique doll collection, but she badly needed re-stringing...her head and limbs were just flopping about and needed new elastic.
Here is how little Edith managed to get herself "pulled back together" again this evening. ;)
Edith's "surgery" (http://picasaweb.google.com/Strumelia/EdithSReStringing#)



.

[Blueberry]

tulip-

what's the story behind your new pic?????

CA

[Red Rock]

My hobbies are the following:

crochet, cycling, hiking, team estrogen visits, cyclingnews visits, reading, working in the yard, mowing grass, and most importantly being with the family. When I am not at work, there is always something I could be doing. There just are not enough hours in the day for everything I like to do.

Red Rock

[Meaux]

Other than the bike, I enjoy:

-reading
-yoga (I just started a few weeks ago, I have a love/hate relationship with it, LOL)
-cooking (I am turning it into a career, hopefully I just started culinary school this semester! I am so excited!!)
-music (listening and making it, I play four different instruments, and my husband is an amazing guitarist)

I used to do cross stitching. I loved it. Don't remember why I stopped. Hmmm...

[tulip]

tulip-

what's the story behind your new pic?????

CA

It's my new look ;)

[bnylo]

My primary sport/hobby/life's work is Shotokan Karate. After 20 years, my right knee wanted to take early retirement so I took up cycling....sigh... and ended up with a road bike.

So much for taking it easy as a rehab sport.

I have a lovely lop earred House Bunny named Percy, 2 cats (down from 3) and many fish.

I can commit mass murder with my cooking so I refrain.

Oh and jujutsu and boxing too.

[Biciclista]

what wonderful photos, such cute dolls!



I recently got a new addition to my little antique doll collection, but she badly needed re-stringing...her head and limbs were just flopping about and needed new elastic.
Here is how little Edith managed to get herself "pulled back together" again this evening. ;)
Edith's "surgery" (http://picasaweb.google.com/Strumelia/EdithSReStringing#)



.

[five one]

Ginerbread Cookies! (http://picasaweb.google.com/bluturtle52/Cookies#)

When I can finally retire from the job I have now (still a few years away), my DD, who has a Masters in marketing, thinks I should start a small business. I don't know...how do you keep it fun when your hobby becomes your job?

Getting ready to do fall and Halloween cookies soon :D.

Other hobbies include reading, collecting books I had as a child, counted cross-stitch, refinishing thrift shop furniture finds. Oh, and cycling.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, five one, your cookies are BEAUTIFUL and amazing!!! You should definitely start a business -- you really should start a business; you'd do well! I am very impressed!

[wackyjacky1]

No kiddin'! They're practically too pretty to eat. ;)

[five one]

Thanks :D.

At the moment, they are too time consuming to make more than just seasonally for family and friends. But it helps me to do something somewhat artistic when my daily grind job is so... not. One of my daughter's grad school friends thinks I should get this future business off the ground by sending a sampler to Oprah. Maybe someday. I don't think I'm quite ready to live up to my sig line.