Quick Get-Away

I am very lucky to have inlaws that I love and enjoy spending time with. They live a little over an hour away and we can walk to the beach from their house. It truly feels like a vacation when we visit. I took a day off of work and we headed down for some beach time and fun. Chase got some fishing time (no catches), I read a lot of my book, Once Upon a River, knitted on a baby sweater for a co-workers brand new baby girl, visited H&H Seafood and enjoyed a fresh seafood meal (the first meal out since March!), and played a bunch with Rusty.

It was a great few days away.

Episode 50! Cheers to Being Over the Hill

Episode 50! Cheers to Being Over the Hill is up and ready for you.

What I've Been Creating....

I have always been a creative person. Always making something. It's part of me. My entire family is filled with makers. Every single one of us make things. I can't imagine life without it.

I continue to be a busy bee during these times. Things are opening up quite a bit around here but we are still sticking close to home most days. I'm still working full-time from home which allows me more time in the morning to knit and have coffee. It's sooo nice to not have to rush to get ready and out the door. More time to relax! I'm going to miss that so much when we head back to the office.

Thought I would share what I am working on. I am knitting the Trellis Shawl by Annie Rowden.

Annie has created some of my favorite knits of all time. She's a full time goat farmer with her husband and little girl now. I don't think she's been designing for a while now. 

This shawl is designed for a child. But it's bigger than I expected so I think it could fit a teen or older child, or small adult! I want to add pompoms to the ends when I'm done. I think it would be so cute. I am using Cascade Alpaca Lana D'Oro (it's a mix of alpaca and wool). It's knit up and down, not end to end like some triangle shawls. You increase to the triangle part and then decrease the other side. Very clever and enjoyable to knit.

I finally ordered backing fabric for my quilt. I hesitated to buy online but I didn't know when retail would open. So I used a coupon and ordered from Joann.com. I love it. It's a yellow color (my favorite!) I have been hand quilting at night and on the weekends. I chose to just do 2 inch spaced rows that follow the natural design of the quilt pattern. I looked online for some ideas but most people seem to quilt by machine these days. The hand quilting is my favorite part of quilting. It's very soothing to me. I am loving these fun crazy colors! Can't wait to use it. It's going pretty quickly so it might be done for cool summer nights. The quilt pattern is the Meadowland Quilt by Then Came June.

Hope you're all doing well and making fun things!

Boston Cream Pie Poke Cake

We had a small get-together last night to watch my son's high school graduation virtually. It was wonderful! I have to say, initially I was very upset that he wouldn't have a traditional graduation. But over the past few months, the school went above and beyond to make it special for our kids. The graduation was put together with speeches pre recorded and photos of the seniors in their cap and gown. It was great. We didn't have to worry about how many tickets we had for the graduation and everyone could be together to watch and celebrate.

Anyway....I made a Boston Cream Pie Poke Cake for dessert  and it was SOOOOOO GOOD! We inhaled it. Everyone loved it. I was a little nervous because I had never made it before but it sounded good and I took a shot. Wanted to share it with you here.

I didn't take a photo of it so here's the photo from the recipe page. I highly recommend it. I made it the night before and it sat in the fridge until about an hour before I served it. Here is a link to the recipe. Now I want to try all kinds of poke cakes! The possibilities are endless!

Almost Summer!

School is officially done on Tuesday!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!! 

Virtual learning has been a struggle at times and I'm ready for it to be over. Woohoo!

Thank goodness for the teachers. They all did an amazing job at adapting and taking care of our kids. I'm sure they're even more excited to be done with this school year. I am fortunate to still be working from home. It will be so much easier to not juggle school lessons with work. Life will still have it's challenges but we can do it!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Everyone tells you that it goes fast. Blink and they're adults. Guess what? They're right. Heading out into the world. Building their own life. Learn, grow, experience, succeed, fail, experiment, hope, fear...it's all part of growing up. I'm so proud. And can't believe that my first baby boy is finishing high school. 

There was a time early on in our marriage that I thought I wouldn't be able to have my own children. Luckily I had a very good doctor and I was able to become a mom. I was blessed three times with three sons. I love being a mom. I can't imagine a life without them. It's all I ever wanted. 

Seeing my boys grow up is my greatest joy. I have enjoyed the ride with my oldest. He was always a good kid. Never gave me any trouble. Sensitive as a toddler which was a challenge gave way to a kind, honest teenager. I'm thankful that I get to be his mom. He's a great kid. I'm going to miss him so much when he leaves for school. Our house will be different. Our Sunday football days will be much quieter. But it's all how it's supposed to be. I couldn't ask for a better son.

Congrats to all of the 2020 grads. You are graduating in a time that will be in the history books.

You all have a different perspective on the world that will hopefully help you in life.

A special congratulations to my oldest. Love ya kid.

p.s. Thank you to my sister, Andee for the graduation photos.

Moments of Peace

Appreciating simple moments from the weekend that feel safe and peaceful.

Close at Heart

When you're 8 years old, finishing up third grade and you have to spend the last few months in your house, learning from home, attend zoom meetings with your teacher and class, watching your parents work from home, watching your older brothers finish up their high school years, wondering what is going on in the world, it can be hard. My littlest has had ups and downs over the past few months. He doesn't love being in school, so part of this quarantine has been enjoyable for him. Besides doing math, he doesn't love doing school work. My older boys were always good students and enjoyed school. They both wish they were back at school now. My little one is a different story. VERY different kid! And I love him for that. But it's also a challenge to switch to online school and keep him engaged and get him through his reading and writing lessons. I love to read and I have to remind myself that not everyone is a book nerd like me. Then again, I loathe doing math and it's a huge challenge for me. So I try to be very patient with him and help him with his work. I wish I could make him love stories, but so far, no luck.

On Wednesday of this week, the school had a "Virtual Field Day". This also meant a break from school work ALL DAY! Yippee! His teacher reached out to the families and told us she would be visiting each and every student's home that day with a goodie bag and a wave from the porch. I have had three boys in this elementary school. My sisters and I also went to this school. We have had so many wonderful teachers throughout our years. I have had the pleasure to be class mom for many years and got to know teachers better. This year Chase got a teacher I didn't know. My older boys didn't have her. She was young and adorable. Seriously, look up third grade teacher in a dictionary and it would be her. I have been in her class for class parties and I was impressed with everything she did. The way she kept the kids engaged every moment. She encourages them, has fun, has complete control of the class, understands each student. She allows them freedom to move about the room to learn. (Great for my wiggle worm of a kid). Overall, one of the best of the best!

In her goodie bag for the kids, she gave them sunglasses, Hawaiian lei, bracelet, marigold seeds, a sweet note and a book that she wrote and illustrated! It was so sweet of her. Chase had an extra bounce in his step all week because of her visit. I don't think he realized how much he missed her and his classmates. It was nice to see him happy.

This time has been interesting. We have done well. I have enjoyed being home very much. I feel more connected to my kids. I wonder though, what will they look back on and remember about this time? Will Chase remember it all? I know my teenagers will never forget this time. But as an 8 year old, what will he remember? I hope he appreciates his time in school next year. The daily routine and interaction with kids and teachers can't be replaced by us! I applaud all home school families. I know public school is not for everyone. I know every child and parent are different. I do know that to be a home-school mom the also works from home is challenging. I wish I could have dedicated more time to help him but I have juggled as best I could these past three months. It's almost summer time and I think my little guy is ready to just play.

Here is a photo of the book written by his teacher, Jill Turner. It is available on Amazon. The link is here. It is so sweet! Here's the description from Amazon:

Did you know that sea otters hold hands while they sleep? Learn why in this fable that takes you through the journey of two adorable sea otters that drift away from each other one night. Follow the otter's mini adventure as he tries to find his way back home to be with his otter friend. There is also an appearance by a very kind pelican, but you will have to read the story to see just how special she is. These precious otters remind us of the importance of friendship and of remaining close to those we love. The sweet story and illustrations are enjoyed by babies and toddlers being read to, as well as older children doing the reading. Whether this story is presented as a read-aloud or as a bedtime story, it will captivate both the young and the young at heart.

I recommend it to everyone! I started a little girl shawl to sell in the coop. It's the Trellis Shawl.

Knitting for the Coop

I have been knitting as often as I can. Usually when I have my coffee and a few rows at lunchtime. The majority of my knitting occurs after dinner until bed. We sit down outside by the fire or in front of the tv an I knit until I go to bed. I have been knitting baby items to sell in our farm store. 

The bonus of knitting baby things are how quick and cute they are! 

Here are a few sweaters I just finished up.

I use the Flax sweater pattern when I want a top-down raglan sweater that I can make my own. I didn't do the garter stitch panel in the sleeves for the stripe version and teddy bear sweater. The Flax sweater is a great raglan and it comes in sizes for the whole family.

I knitted this little sweater in brown alpaca yarn and added the little face with a tapestry needle and dark brown yarn from the farm.

This is the Gidday Baby sweater. It still needs to be blocked and it gets two buttons.

I used alpaca/merino yarn for this one. It's tiny and adorable!

Time to cast on something new!

It's Baby Season

Baby number 2 joined the farm. Cutie pie, Don Wayne was born healthy and happy. His mom is Spacie. He fits right in and is cute as can be! He and Georgie are already ripping around the field having baby races. It's the best time of year on the farm! Love having these cute babies to watch.

Good Shoes Take You Good Places

My feet got a new gift today. My favorite pair of sandals have been worn and loved for the past few years. I still love them but the back strap had stretched out quite a bit. When my mom asked what I wanted for my birthday, I knew just the thing. New shoes arrived today and I realized how well loved and worn my old ones are! Good shoes take you good places. Looking forward to some good places.

Link to my favorite sandals.