Quiet

I give you another picture from my garden, because I have absolutely nothing too say. I am in a knitting slump and can't seem to crawl out of it. I am sure with Fall approaching I will be finding something that arouses my curiosity. Until then...enjoy the garden!

Why We Stay Home

Winter can be long here in this area of the country so when summer comes we tend to plant our butts and stay home. Today was one of those days that you dream about in mid-February. Crystal blue skies, white fluffy clouds, low humidity and no plans.

Fishing, swimming and playing in the sand were all part of the action this afternoon while I sat and caught up on all my magazine reading.

We use to spend every afternoon at the beach playing when the boys were young. But now camp schedules and friends move the beach to the bottom of the list.

It was a delightful afternoon. Certainly memories were made today!

This and That

I finally finished sewing this vintage apron today. I haven't been sewing in a long while and had the itch. I found a book of vintage apron patterns while perusing a quilt shop not long ago. Not sure if I will wear it but I enjoyed making it.

On a different topic: I went to B/N last Friday night to enjoy the Potter festivities with the boys and stopped again today to finally pick-up the 7th book. I couldn't help but notice ,both times that I was there, the middle school/high school kids that were excited about this book. Granted it is a social phenomena, but these kids are buying the book and hopefully reading it. What gave me bigger pause today were the two young gentleman that were ahead of me in line. They were not together, yet both were buying the Harry book.

I guess as a former teacher and now parent it made me thankful that somewhere, someone instilled a love of reading in these young adults. Be it JK Rowling, parents or teachers is not important. What's important is two young men reading...and not playing sports at the moment.

July 22, 1995

Oh Yeah...that's us 12 years ago! Andy and I have known each other since college days way back in the early 80's. I saw him the last night of my freshman year and the rest is history. A really drawn out history that ended up with our wedding 14 years after we first met. The whole world knew we were meant to be together except the two of us.

Can't say it has all been rosy and happy. There has been many valleys and just as many peaks. In fact, I think right now we are going through our deepest valley. Mid-life has a way of changing all perspectives and we are trying to find our way through this age. I am confident though, that we will find our way and emerge out of this time stronger than ever!

Here's to you sweetie! Thanks for the laughs, hugs and the strong support you have given me these last 12 years!

Smiles

Right about now we start really discussing our trip to the Adirondacks. This is one of those vacations that the kids will be talking to their kids about when they are parents. For nine summers we have been returning to the same spot. Same routine, same mountains to climb, same lean-to to sleep out in, same awful water park to visit! It isn't one of my favorite vacations, because it isn't my vacation. I still cook, make beds, pick-up the clothes. What I do enjoy is watching the boys grow with the environment. When they were toddlers we would just spend the day at the little beach and call it a day. As they have grown older, we hike, climb mountains, fish, fish and fish some more!

I cherish this time because it will come to a halt quickly. We usually pick the later part of August to vacation and that will conflict with sports as they enter the later grades. I cherish it for the family time and the memories that we are building for our boys. Nothing beats it!

A new podcast that has hooked me is Jumping Monkeys. It talks about parenting in a techie world. Great links are given and the guests are interesting also. Check it out. I thought I was pretty suave when it came to the computer, but I had no clue that half of the stuff they talk about existed.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Thought I would share some pictures from my garden. I have to say that I am not a very good gardener. I don't like to water and I rarely read the instructions to planting. If I see something I like, I plop it in the dirt and hope for the best. So far, I think the whole thing looks good from a far, just don't get too close. The randomness really shows if you start to study the garden as a whole.

We have a ton of deer in the woods, so each morning I say a little "thank-you" that all my flowers have survived the night. One product that has helped set a boundary is this. Smells absolutely rotten. I don't advise spraying it if you have guests coming for a visit or a hang-over! But I truly believe it works. Watch, I will wake up tomorrow and find everything eaten to the roots.
Both boys are at hockey camp this week. I am trying to get caught up with some knitting and sewing projects so hopefully I will have some things to post later this week! Enjoy the garden!

Rip-it! Rip-it Good!

No it's not the sound of the frogs in the pond! It's the sound of this being ripped! Not the right yarn for the project, plus it was going to make my behind look huge! The yarn is too nice to ruin on my butt! It won't be hard to find a use for it. Back to my Jaywalker socks for the time being! Have a fine weekend all!

Looking For My Sanity...Have You Seen It?

Last week was a blur. I hosted three parties in six days. One was a cookout for neighbors down the street. Three days later, on the 4th of July we had a family picnic. A cocktail party followed two days later for friends that we all use to sit with at Syracuse football games.

My husband stayed home all week and relaxed with the boys. They had a great time! They went tubing on our boat...many times, celebrated birthdays, and even got nine holes in at the Country Club.

I felt like I spent the entire week either in the grocery store or in my kitchen. By Saturday I was tired and wishing for someone to take me out for a nice meal!

But the weekend came and went and I spent most of my time in the car yet again, taking the boys here or there. Soon I was wishing for Monday to arrive. Finally, my husband would go back to work and the kids would be happy to have some down time at home.

But our contractors showed up...ON TIME! Never have we had contractors show up on the day that they scheduled. NEVER EVER has it happened to us. So, quickly I slurped down my coffee and went to unloading all the stuff in our bedroom. It now sits in various parts of the house waiting for some time next week to be put back in its respective place.

I do have to say that I am so very pleased with the man that is doing the work. Finally, we have found someone that shows up when he says he will and stays the entire day. That has never happened to us before! So I thought things would be okay this week until...

some demons came into our house and took over the bodies of these two precious boys. They have turned into MONSTERS whose main goal is to torment the other one until someone bleeds! Who said this was one of the nicest ages? I even heard my mother in myself telling them that if they don't stop that I would send them to camp next year for the whole summer!

I think I am going to have one of these and go count my blessings and try to remember what special kids they are!

Twirly Skirt

I first saw this skirt here and then found the tutorial here. This was my first sewing adventure in a long while. Because of that I got some super inexpensive fabric (total cost to make; five bucks including thread) in case I made huge mistakes. I did make a pretty major mistake, but no one can see it but me.

I got tired of just finding slinky sundresses in all the stores. I like to wear cotton skirts in the summer, especially when it gets really warm. I plan on making this skirt again and again. I wore this up to the snobby country club that we belong to(husband is expected to join for work, but is so overworked he has no time to enjoy the place, plus I dislike the whole atmosphere immensely) and got tons of compliments. I just had to laugh at all of them thinking it was some hot, new designer! Joke's on them!

I am in a knitting slump, trying to find something that will interest me. I have been busy reading The Other Boleyn Girl. I am sure that once I finish it up I will be more creative in the knitting department. I am knitting a pair of Jaywalkers and am enjoying the process greatly. Until next time...have a wonderful Sunday evening!

Shrimp On the Barbe

That's the name of the colorway given by sKNITches.

BeBop Supermerino yarn

56 stitches on No. 2 needles

3x1 ribbing

I really enjoyed knitting with this yarn. I think next time I will use No. 1's on the the calf and then change to No. 2's from the heel flap down. I have a feeling I will get some slipping down my leg as I wear them.

sKNITches has some really pretty colorways to choose from. You need to get on their mailing list so you know when they update. The yarn goes fairly quickly.

On to my next pair. This time I am making a pair of Jaywalkers. I am probably the only person out there yet to make a pair.