More flowers and animals...

Looking through my photos to post a blog and it's all flowers and animals. Beach and my kids. That pretty much sums up July for me! Lots and lots of cut flower bouquets, keeping animals cool and happy, watching my friend's goats and dog while they're away, beach time, knitting and reading. 

 

Pork Roll

Pork Roll. NOT Taylor Ham. It's Pork Roll. Always. It's a Jersey thing. If you know, you know.

My son's girlfriend was visiting a few weeks ago from Massachusetts. She had never had a pork roll and cheese sandwich so we fixed that right away! She LOVED it. She enjoyed it every morning she was here. My son is heading up to visit today so I had to send her some. She is very excited! This makes me so happy!!!! Seriously...she gets better and better.

My first sourdough starter was 3 1/2 years old. I started it in December 2019 and I've made many yummy loaves from it. I almost lost it a few times over the years but always got it back. Well, I ignored it too long this time and it went bad. Like really smelly, no way I could save it bad. I was so sad but it was my own fault. Today marks the day I am starting a new one. I use this recipe for starting it and I also follow her exact baking recipe for my sourdough loaves. 

It's very hot today and getting hotter! I washed my Meadowlands quilt and hung it on the porch railing to dry. Have the use this hot air for some good!

I started my fall/holiday knitting for The Coop. I knit things to sell in the farm store and use that money for my Christmas shopping. This is my first of the season, a cute little baby cardigan. I've made so many of these Granny Favourite sweaters! They're quick and adorable. I made this one short sleeves so I only needed one skein of Cascade Pure Alpaca. It's a perfect layering piece for a baby.

Once the quilt dried, I put it on my bed and Buddy immediately jumped up for a nap. Well, it was clean for an hour....

 

Summer Bounty

The flowers are gourds are growing so well! I go into my flower garden every day and cut new blooms. I am filling every vase, jar and glass I can with flowers. I'm loving it. My mom's gourds are growing on their trellis and in the field. It's a magical little spot! My nephew Wade, Buddy (dog) and I spent some time down there the other night. The leaves are huge! We used his head as a comparison for a photo.

I've been getting as much beach time as I can on the weekends. I get most of my reading done there. I finished the book, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island. I loved it!!!! I am really excited to read Crow Mary. I loved her book, Kitchen House and this book is based on a real story. I checked it out of the library last night and started reading. So far it's great. I also started knitting for the fall/holiday season at the farmstore. I love knitting baby sweaters and baby items. This little purple sweater is the Granny's Favourite Sweater. I've lost count how many of this sweater I've made. It's the perfect gift sweater. Super fast! I'm making the short sleeved version for a little layering baby piece. My friend Joan recently made two of these for sisters. The pattern goes from newborn to 8 years old. They even have an adult version.

The summer is flying by. Football started last night for my youngest. Goodbye family dinner time... That's the worst part of this time of year. I love having all my boys around the table for dinner. And my college boys time at home is coming to a close soon. Trying to soak in the time best I can.

 

The Blanket

A few weeks ago I posted about our cousin that was going through some health issues. You can read that original post here. It took us longer than we hoped to get the blanket to her but last night we finally got there to spend some time together and gift her the "Rhinebeck Love" Blanket.

49 squares all knitted and crocheted with love and good thoughts by our Rhinebeck housemates. Crocheted together by my sister Liz, big pompoms on the corners by me. It's not the prettiest blanket but the thought and care is there!!!!!!! 

And I think she loved it :)

Beautiful night for a boat ride. Thanks JR for being our captain!

 Spending time with family makes me so happy. The smiles and laughter are the BEST.

And we are soooo happy to see our cousin doing so well. Another surgery in a month but that should be it! She's amazing and strong, positive and fun. She's got this :)

The Sun Will Come Out

Summer weather...sunny, humid, thunderstorm, lightening, and then the sun comes out.

It's very appropriate that my current knit is named "Here Comes the Sun"! We go from clouds to sun within minutes around here.

Yesterday started off rainy and dark. I wanted to stay cuddled up on the couch with Buddy drinking coffee and watching tv. It was one of my "office" days so I had to shower and head out into the world. By mid afternoon the sun started to come out. After dinner, Rick and I took Buddy to Spring Lake for a nice evening walk. The weather was picture perfect. It's by far my favorite place to walk. Everything is beautiful in the area. It's a little slice of heaven right here.

My flowers are thriving and I'm loving it! The sunflowers are just about to bloom and show their yellow petals. And my zinnias are doing great. The morning glories are starting to climb up our porch railing. I can't wait to see them bloom.

The sun is shining today and I wish I was at the beach!!!!!!! Oh well...that whole working thing...it really does get in the way of fun! Hope you're all enjoying your day whatever the weather :)