Just keep knitting...

Well, my oldest is settled back at school for his final year. I miss him but my mind is focused on the middle guy as he prepares to head out to UMass for his freshman year. My house is full of "stuff" for him to take. All the dorm room gear, clothes in bins, pillows, bedding, etc, etc...it's everywhere! The day is almost here and my nerves are getting the better of me. It's weird because I'm not nervous for him. I know he'll do fine. He's ready. But that bit of unknown has been keeping me up at night. I find myself up at 3 am, tossing and turning. I'm usually a very good sleeper. So I know this new stage of life is messing with my mom brain! It's going to be so different in the house but we'll still be so busy with my youngest, sports, him starting middle school, my work, my husband's work. I know we won't be bored! Just going to be different. 

So what do I do when I'm super stressed???? KNIT! Knit, knit, knit. I mean, I knit all the time anyway but I REALLY knit when I'm stressed. This sweater has flown on my needles and I'm almost done. I'll be wearing this sweater at Rhinebeck this year. It will be done soon so I thought I would have some time to knit another one before Rhinebeck. 

(photo and knitting by Kate Salomon)

When Kate Salomon from Green Mountain Spinnery posted her finished  Magnolia Cardigan, I knew this was the one. I would have loved to get yarn from Green Mountain (I LOVE THEIR YARN) but I had to be mindful of my budget. So I hopped on Webs and found this pretty wool, cashmere blend that was on close-out. I couldn't decide on a color. So I ended up with this Pine Green yarn. I thought it would be great for Christmas and holiday times. Hopefully I'll have it done in time to wear to Rhinebeck too!

Two more days and I'll be on the road to move our boy into college. How does time go so fast????!

And as soon as we get home I'll be putting my little guy on the bus to middle school. 

And I'll be knitting.....and knitting....and knitting!

A Fossil Hunting We Will Go....

Over the weekend, we loaded up our cars with the cousins and three of Wade's friends to go fossil hunting. Wade turns 10 soon and my sister wanted to get the bday party in while it was still nice and warm around here. What a fun morning of walking in the creek, finding lots of shark teeth and even a few frogs! 

We went to Ramanessin Brook Greenway Nature Trail in Holmdel, NJ. We have been in this creek before, but not this part. It's amazing! We were looking for fossils from the Cretaceous period, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and NJ was submerged beneath the ocean. It's wild to think the shark teeth we found are millions of years old! Every kid and adult found some teeth. It was a great day. Happy 10th Birthday Wade!

When I looked up some info on the creek, I came across an article that talks about an event coming up in September where a guide will be with you. 

Wings, Roots and Happy Feet

 My mom says it all the time..."Alpacas were put on this earth so we could all have alpaca socks".

My older boys are heading to college. My oldest left this morning (yes...I cried. No...it doesn't get easier!). My middle guy leaves next week. Mommom made sure their feet won't be cold!

Wings, and roots...(and happy feet)

Fall on the brain

Happy Monday!

 I've been soaking up the end of summer but I'm so ready for fall!

I've started knitting to sell things in the farm store. Basically, what ever money I make in the store is what I use for Christmas shopping. So I better get knitting! So far I have a little baby sweater made that will then get a little teddy bear face embroidered on the front. I plan on making a bunch in different colors and sizes. They're adorable and always a huge hit. I'm also going to knit a few cowls. They usually sell too.

That's it for today...nothing too interesting but wanted to say hi. Have a great week!

Are you ready for some football?

After a few weeks of practice, Chase and his team had a scrimmage last night. We went over to watch and I was happy to be back on the sidelines knitting and cheering him on. Last night's weather was perfect. Crisp and cool, just right for knitting and football. I'm working on a baby sweater to see in the farm store. I'm knitting the Flax sweater (without the garter panel on the sleeves). This is my go-to sweater pattern for knitting in the coop. I can make variations to it, add color work, a little lace, whatever I feel like doing. For this one, I'm knitting it using a pretty pink alpaca yarn and I'll go back and embroider a little bear face on the front. (Like this one I made last year.) As soon as I put them out for sale, people buy them. So, baby bear sweaters will be on my needles for a while!

We have one more week with the biggest brother in the house before he heads back to college. It has been so nice to have him home all summer. We're going to miss him so much. He's the best brother. He was busy all day yesterday but made sure to get over to the field for a bit so he could see Chase play. Carried his gear back to the car and drove him home just the two of them. 

I finished reading Flying Solo. I read her previous book, Evvie Drake Starts Over and really liked it.

I liked Flying Solo too. Definitely a quick easy read. Had some cute story lines that I enjoyed.

I've read so many books like this over this summer. It's all my brain could handle. But I'm ready for a meatier book. I say that...but I bet if I start reading a more serious book I'll complain!

 

I'm so happy fall is getting closer. I'm ready!

My Rhinebeck Sweater 2022 - Almost finished!

 I'm so pleased with my Rhinebeck sweater so far! I finished the body. The texture of the yoke and hem make me so happy. The color also makes me happy. I wanted to knit a neutral color but when looking for yarn, I had to stick to a very tight budget (two college tuitions stink!!!!) So when I saw the purple color on closeout and super discount, purple it was! It seems appropriate for this year. Our house members are all knitting something in the same purple this year (click here to see what I made). 

The sweater is the Javelin Pullover. It fits perfectly and I'm ready to start the sleeves.

But instead of jumping right into the sleeves, I gave my hands and shoulders a knitting break and picked up my library book, Flying Solo again. I've been reading a lot this summer. Most books have been super easy reads. I'm ready for a "real" book. Any recommendations? Again, I have the best cat in the whole world. Isn't he just the best? Hanging out by my feet on a cool summer night :) Love that silly guy.

Music and Food!

As Purple Debbie would say, this could have been three different posts :)

[Music] is the one thing that connects the dots in all kinds of ways. No matter how you were brought up, no matter what your religious background or political beliefs, people still love to sing along with somebody. -Kenny Chesney

The past weekend was full of good food, music and beautiful weather.

I got a text from my sister-in-law Friday night to see I wanted to go to the Kenny Chesney concert with her, my niece and my niece's boyfriend. Unfortunately my brother in law couldn't make it, so I was the substitute! It was SO MUCH FUN! To see a stadium full of people made me so happy. This concert was originally scheduled for 2020. Ticket holders have been waiting a long time for the show. The opening acts were incredible and the concert was 6 hours in total! I was a tired girl at the end! 

I got a few walks in this weekend, taking Little Dude with me for one. I love walking around Spring Lake. The views never get old to me. I also watched the moon rise on Friday night while I waited for my son to finish up work. I wish the pictures came out better, but I only had my phone with me. 

I also made some nice meals this weekend. The jersey tomatoes are in full force around here and they're delicious. My favorite summer lunch is toast, thick slice of tomato, topped with grated cheddar cheese then put under the broiler until it's all melty. YUM! 

Last night I made a nice meal for me and my husband. We didn't have any kids at home so I made this recipe: Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Basil Sauce. It was delicious. I made it with mashed potatoes. (I washed the potatoes, Debbie!)