Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Yarn Along

I have a thing for hats, not wearing them, knitting them.
I look terrible wearing a hand knitted beanie hat.

I like knitting hats because they are easy, 
I can usually memorize the pattern and they make a nice gift.
Did I mention they are "easy" and portable, you can take and work on them anywhere.
For that reason, all most of my friends and family own a hand knitted hat.
I still have a few people on my "they don't have a hat list",
and a new friend who needs one!

I knitted this hat last week, it took 5 evenings and maybe a few car rides.

A Cider Press Hat
Soft - warm Alpaca Yarn
for someone I've known a really long time...
I want to be the person who keeps her warm durning the winter.

I purchased this yarn at Arrow Acres Farm
It's Farm Yarn
Made from a blend of Smoke Ring, Shooshi & Mr. Bates
I love this farm, you can visit with these Alpaca on the farm,
then make a nice hat with their fiber.
And one other happy p.s. about this farm, this is where Ms. Leanne taught me how to knit.

I am joining Ginny at Small Things for Yarn Along 

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Let's Light the Tree...

We don't live in Spring Lake - but we spend a lot of time there.
We ride our bikes around the lake and up on the boardwalk along side the ocean.
They have the cutest downtown, lots of small mom and pop shops.
It's a "beachy" community, bikes, surfboards and everyone walks around with sand on their bare feet.

This year, for the first time, we decided to attend their Christmas Tree lighting ceremony!
WoW!! They sure do light the tree with a lot of fanfare - 
the hubs and I had such a nice time.

There were carolers...

tiny dancers...

and big dancers.

And the cast of Scrooge performed.

Then there was Santa...

arriving over the crowd, atop a fire truck!!

The town also provided free hay rides with Christmas music playing.
We rode all around town, many of the homes were already decorated for Christmas.

After the tree lighting festivities, we visited a beautiful train display,
that's another post, for another day.

Before heading home, we drove past the 
The Sisti Family Christmas Lights 
a really stunning display of Christmas Spirit set to music on a local radio station.

November 26, 2016

Monday, November 28, 2016

A Christmas Tradition

- Shopping - 
- a Christmas Tradition for most of us -
I don't love to shop, heck I don't even like to shop, but I could wander around this 
Christmas Shopping Village forever.
Beautiful seasonal items for sale, everything is displayed with perfection,
let's go for a walk through...
















Off season, this is a furniture store,
Opdykes Furniture in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
Each Christmas Season, they turn the store into this magical shopping village.
A beautiful place to shop, the people are so friendly and helpful.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Thanksgiving 2016 in the Books!

- Turkey Day was Awesome -

Tom Turkey, deep fried, was delish! 

This is a feisty group, the hubs side of the family, we celebrated at my nieces house. 
This is the kind of house you want to spent a holiday at. 
Paper plates, too much food, kids running all over, 
it's loud - Italian loud, but it feels like a holiday!

And our little turkeys...

Lorelei

Adelina and Jasmine

Anthony and Jasmine (she is such a sport)

And there I am lovin' my sweet little Lorelei, the apple of my eye!

We had such a beautiful day 
and I am so very thankful to have this special family to spend the holiday with! 

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Saturday Critters ~ 154 ~

Duck - Duck - Swan

Mrs.

Mr.

I love those orange webbed feet.


This swan surely wanted to receive the same attention as the ducks.

Sharing today's images with 
Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen 

Lake of the Lilies November 12, 2016

Friday, November 25, 2016

Breakfast...

Breakfast, by itself, is like a holiday and let's face it, it should be!

I made this Baked Egg Boat for Thanksgiving Breakfast.
I used this recipe as a guide.
I added crumbled bacon instead of pancetta, fresh spinach and a blend of cheeses.
This was really good!

Hash browns and extra bacon, because you can never have too much bacon.
This was a wonderful and very yummy holiday breakfast!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Good Fences ~ Edition 140 ~


It is with great sadness that I say good-bye to Good Fences!
140 posts shared, I have enjoyed the ride!
Thanks Theresa, you're the best...

Sharing today, for the last time, 
with my good friend 
Theresa at The Run*A*Round Ranch for Good Fences

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Yarn Along

Last week I started another hat -


and much to my surprise - this week, I finished it.
A Cider Press Hat
it is the same cotton/cashmere blend yarn that I used for the Guernsey Wrap.


I can't express in words how much I love the pattern created 
by this combination of knitting and purling.

When I learned how to knit, I made up my own cast on method -
- don't ask - know one knows...
but I have worked hard and I believe I have mastered the long tail cast on.
It's still a little sloppy but much better than what I was doing.

I am on to another hat, I'll share that one next week!

I am joining Ginny at Small Things for Yarn Along 

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Heading Home ~

Heading home after a super long - super fun day there is one more stop to make.
The hubs drives slowly and I am searching for them, 
as this is the spot where they usually hang out.

 As I get out of the car, they both see me but they don't run off.
The leaves are crunching beneath my feet as I walk closer and they are so curious.


Eventually Junior runs off, but the big guy stays.
I enjoy seeing deer in the wild...
It restores my faith that in spite of the progress of man kind, 
 there is still something natural, untouched and free in this world.

Monday, November 21, 2016

~ Sunset ~




Sunset...is still my favorite color!

November 19, 2016

Sunday, November 20, 2016

~ Autumn in November ~

When I went outside today, the leaves were falling gently and it reminded me of Winter.

When the snow falls softly and covers the evergreens.
The air was warm, but my senses were heightened and it smelled like Fall.
It was a spectacular Fall day, let me show you...






The trees in my yard still have a lot of leaves, 
turning yellow but a lot are still green.

There are a lot on the ground as well, it seems Fall came late for us this year,
as these images were taken on November 18th.

How about you guys, are you still seeing some color or has Fall "fallen"?!