The Lazy Days of Summer...

The weekend was hazy, hot, humid and lazy...

It was a weekend of inside chores, knitting, paperwork, eating in,

eating out, a little of this and a lot of knitting...

it looks like everyone was feeling it.

Number two Swan was a little bit perky...

 preening and fluffing,

keeping an eye on things.  

There they are, a couple of love birds,
that were not so easy to photograph with all that wild grass.

Godfrey Lake ~ August 30, 2015

Cindy's Fast Break!!

As I have said before, 

I am always on the "hear-out", "read-out", "look-out"

for fun things to do in our area.

There are so many wonderful adventures to be had here at

the Jersey Shore...even I don't know about all of them.

I read an article about cool eateries at the Shore.

Cindy's Fast Break came up, here's what the article said...

"In their neon, retro interior glory - are cultural staples

of the state, offering just about any delicious 

American comfort dish on the cheap.

Fast Break in Toms River has a killer breakfast special called

"The Piggy Joe"

They had me at comfort food. 

Last Sunday was the day and we incorporated a lot of other

on the way stops in order to create an awesome day.

Mission accomplished. 

 Here's a look at the table, 
kinda' cool ~ but this place was no bigger than my living room.

 The place was packed and we had to wait for a table.

 Here's my breakfast, Eggs-Benedict, Jersey style with pork roll 

not Canadian Bacon

 The hubs had a western omelet. 

The food was excellent, the best Eggs-Benedict I have ever eaten,

and there was plenty of sauce.

 There were a lot of neon lights,

so I'll bet the place looks really cool at night but

they are only open for breakfast and lunch.

Two thumbs up for Cindy's Fast Break!!

As we pulled out of the diner, to head for our next adventure,

I spotted another car show, right across the street.

This required a quick maneuver on the hubs part,

but he managed to move over three lanes and we flew into the show,

in true hot rod style.

ooooooooh the cars, the beautiful cars...

I took a lot of pictures,

 but I am only going to share images of my two favorites.

It will not be difficult to figure out why these were my favorites.

I think these car shows are trying to tell me something...

you feelin' it??!!

Saturday Critters ~ 89 ~

A walk around the yard this morning, camera in hand,

did not disappoint in my quest for today's critter.

I knew what I was looking for and I was sure that I would find them.

Let me share with you...

The Pollinators

busy bees on my Rose of Sharon

Sharing images taken on August 29th 2015 with
Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen

Six Words Friday ~ Precious ~

           

Addie

Lorelei

    

                  

so "Precious" to me!!

Sharing images of my two grand nieces with 

Adrienne at My Memory Art ~ Six Words Friday

Please stop by and share 
Six Words with my dear friend Adrienne

July 25, 2015

Good Fences ~ Edition 75 ~

While we were wandering around Seaside Park over the weekend

we saw some of the cutest seaside homes.
I photographed so many but decided to share my 2 favorites.

Both sporting adorable, unnecessary fences...
and crushed seashells for their front yards!

Sharing images taken in Seaside Park on August 22th with

Theresa at The Run*A*Round Ranch 

for Good Fences 

A Visit from a Swallowtail...

I was outside watering on August 22nd and was so surprised 

to find this beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly

spending time in my vinca garden!

Sharing with 

Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose

stop by and join in the fun.

The Butterfly Garden

Sometimes, I watch the local news when I knit.

I don't love the news but I like listening to the local news,

where I often hear of fun events happening in our area. 

A few weeks ago, I heard a story about the "Opening" of a 

Butterfly Garden on the 14th Avenue Pier in Seaside Park.

I added it to the bucket list, so I would not forget,

and Saturday we decided to take a ride and see if we could find it.

I knew it was very tiny from watching the story.

But the garden was a labor of love,

created by the local people

in an effort to rebuild and beautify the area after

Super Storm Sandy.

 And it worked!!

 We saw only one Monarch as we were getting in the car,

and it floated off quickly with the gentle breeze.

 When the butterflies do land, this will be their view,

 not too shabby, right?!

 This will be a great "stop over" spot for the Monarchs

in early fall as they begin their migration.

 These beautifully decorated pots 

held some lovely ornamental grass,

and surrounded the outskirts of the garden.

 The path, typical for seashore communities,

was cracked sea shells!!

Lot's of benches, a beautiful view, wow...what a gift

to the butterflies and the community!!

Knitting Woes!!

oh yes, we are having some real knitting woes over here at my house.

You may remember that I started working on the 

Outlander Cowl.

You can read the exciting beginning of that story here.

Well, things have not been picture perfect.

I had to rip it out twice because of mistakes.

The first time, although I was much further along,

did not sting quite as much.

The second time, I felt like a failure.

The third time was not the charm as I am right 

back where I was the first time,

with a mistake that really affects the pattern in the cowl.

 To me, the pattern looks a little bit like a basket weave...

but if you look where my finger is, it looks like I am off one stitch,

and it changes the entire look of the pattern of the cowl.

 From a distance it is quite obvious that the stitches to the left, 
maybe three rows, don't match.

 I learned how to make one "m1", which is to make/add a stitch,

I think it looks sloppy but Leanne says I am o.k.

 Right now I have stopped work on the cowl. I have class on Monday

and Leanne thinks she may be able to help me

rip out 3 or 4 rows and restart from there.

I don't know how to do that.

And to cheer myself up, 
I purchased another knitting basket.

My other is full, right to the tippy top.

I think most "real" knitters have several.

I do LOVE this one!!