Knitting & More...

 The sweater I am knitting finally has a sleeve, 

and it's growing and there is hope that the sweater will be done in time for my trip to Rhinebeck.

Tradition has it, that when you go to the 

New York Sheep & Wool Festival 

in Rhinebeck, New York

everyone wears a sweater that they have knit or crocheted. 

This is the first time I have a sweater I have knit, 

it was harder than I thought and I am not sure I will ever knit another.

I had a lesson with Leanne and she helped me to understand the pattern and what I was doing.

Thank goodness for her and for Mandy, both have helped me so much!

This is the Weekender Sweater

It is a fun, boxy sweater, with that small detail down the front and the back.

When I would get stuck on my sweater = need some help...

I worked on the Christmas ornaments I have been making.

I had a total of 10 done but I gave one to my sister-in-law the other day.

Her name is Debbie also and I really love her, she came to see me on a day I really needed her company.

My orchid is blooming and I really love this soft lavender color.

These Mexican Sunflowers came from my wildflower garden.

I have so many of them, primarily orange, they go well with my autumn decorations and pumpkins.

I found a great pot for my new succulent.

And most importantly...

my KC Chiefs won last night!

It was a thrilling game, so well played but a real nail biter!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Brielle Day & Chester

This past weekend was the weekend of craft shows, on Saturday we went to Brielle Day. 

They have this show every year, the Saturday after Labor Day, 

once all of the vacationers have gone home.

It rained a little in the morning so we waited and went in the afternoon.

It was cloudy, and about 70 degrees, which was perfect for me.

There were hundreds of crafters.

There were a lot of food vendors, everything you could imagine...

this colorful vendor was selling lemonade, funnel cakes and fried oreos.

There were several vintage fire trucks taking the kiddos for rides.

Here I purchased a really nice homemade candle and these pretty notecards with the blue bike.

The candle I purchased is called "beach bum", 

I wish you could smell it, it smells like you are sitting on the beach.

Sunday was a gorgeous day, we went to Chester, New Jersey, for their craft show.

A really beautiful ride, 

about one hour north of home, we passed a lot of pretty farms and houses on our way.

It was much cooler on Sunday, the weather was perfect!

I really enjoy looking at artwork, the work of others inspires me and gives me good ideas.

On our way back to the car I spotted this red truck, my red truck...

who wants to go for a ride?

- We had a great ride home, we were not in the red truck -

I purchased 3 great items...

this pretty succulent with instructions on how to care for it,

this colorful sign for inside the house, over the front door...

and this infinity scarf that also came with instructions, there are many ways to wear it.

It was a great weekend filled with fresh air and fun!

September 11...

I will forever remember how Americans came together, and bonded over this tragic event.

I want to remember September 12th and all the time that came after...we were a united nation,

people who really cared for one another...took care of one another.

Here is how we remember this day at the Jersey Shore,

 it is a small but poignant reminder of the lives lost!

Up On The Boardwalk

Most people visit the boardwalk at night, my family did when I was younger.

But visiting during the day is kinda' fun, there are less crowds and it is still quite colorful.

Some of the rides are the same as when I was a kid, remember I grew up here, a few have changed.

I never went on any rides that spun me around, and never a roller coaster.

Here the rides are pretty tame...I always loved the bumper cars.

The hubs...havin' fun!

We ate at the Lobster House, right up on the boardwalk,

we had a tiny crack of a view of the ocean.

The placemat was great reading material while we waited for dinner.

The bread came and I was sure I died and went to heaven.

The hubs does not like garlic so this was all for me.

What I did not eat before the meal came home with me, 

and when I tell you it was the best part of the meal, it was!

I ordered a Lobster Roll, it looks great right?

The lobster was so rubbery and had no flavor, I think now it had been frozen.

To their credit, the fries were hot, but over seasoned, I only ate one... 

the cole slaw was amazing.

The hubs ordered Fried Shrimp.

The shrimp were frozen, the waitress told us so, his fries were hot and they were not seasoned.

If one of the rides I pictured here was a childhood favorite, let me know in the comments!

As The Storm Came In

The air changed...

First you could feel it, the air was moist, then you could see it, daytime became night.

We were up on the boardwalk, as we left, this was the view from the street corner.

It was so dark overhead, so moody...

We decided to drive to the inlet, only one half mile away and see how things looked there.

This was the view...

Only 2 fishermen were left, neither seemed bothered by the sky.

The storm was the perfect twirl of black and white ribbons.

It wrapped around the shoreline and was headed out to sea.

Only a few huge raindrops hit the car as we drove away.

I am not sure what actual rain the area received from this very ominous sky,

I am so happy to have captured it!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Saturday Critters #560

 I have had a wonderful critter week...with each sighting being memorialized with at least 30 pictures.

Don't worry, I am not going to make you view all of them!

I saw several of this next shore bird at Lake of the Lilies, I am not sure they are all the same.

All of the following images are young Gulls.

Many thanks to Eileen and Anu for helping me to identify these young gulls.

Next up are photographs of the the 2 young swans I have been following since birth.

I was so happy to see both of them, still alive and still thriving.

I thought they would be white by now, I should google how long that takes.

It was super difficult to get a picture of momma...I spoke to her but she did not come to the shoreline.

I was surprised.

They stay close to one another, I hope I will still recognize them once they turn white.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters