Apple Tree, Then and Now

"My Apple Tree"

This tree has always bloomed around my birthday in early May. You can see me (left) and Andee (right) swinging from the branches while our Uncle Mayo took a quick break from farm chores and watched us swing. The tree still stands, with less branches but blooms just as pretty today as it did then.

Today...

My Rhinebeck sweater is coming along! Almost done with a sleeve. The tree was the perfect backdrop for a progress photo :)

 

Stitch and Pitch

Our local knitting/crochet crew got together at the Blue Claws game for "Stitch and Pitch" hosted by Debbie of Each Stitch Counts.

The mission of Each Stitch Counts is to alleviate hygiene insecurity by providing food pantries with dish and laundry detergent.  Containers of dish detergent include a handmade dishcloth donated by crafter volunteers.  Households dealing with food insecurity often deal with hygiene insecurity. We reach this community by supplying these products.

Part of the ticket price went directly to Debbie's organization. We also donated handknit/crochet dishcloths  we had made ahead of time. While we cheered on the teams, ate food and chit-chatted, we also worked on some dishcloths. I almost finished mine. We needed one more inning! 

It was a great day supporting a wonderful cause! 

And it ended with a beautiful sunset.

 

Thursday

It's Thursday, April 18. It's cold and yucky here today at the Jersey Shore. I'm VERY ready for nice weather, flowers growing outside, grilling, sitting on the porch, not being cold at baseball, yada yada....

I'm wrapping up my work day right now and thought I would share a few pictures from the week.

I made a bunch of these yummy egg, sausage muffins and froze a batch. Then my fridge died. Super. I had a repairman come and fix it but unfortunately all food was lost. So now I just have this nice picture. Glad we ate a few before I froze them! Fridge is fixed, now time to make more.

More sock knitting at baseball.

Monday coffee and knitting with my friends. We were all back together after weeks of someone missing for one reason or another. It was so good to be around the table with them.

My friend, Seashore Sharon is so happy I'm knitting socks! We also share a love of similar books so you can imagine my excitement when she gifted me a new project bag, a sock pattern, yarn and a new book to read. I'm about 2/3 done and I love it!!!! 

You guys.........my friend, Paige "Paige the Framer" was so sweet and framed my original sketch that became the winning 2024 Rhinebeck logo. It's very nice to have talented friends! I will treasure this forever and ever. I have to find the perfect place to hang it.

Sox the cat. By far the best cat in the world. His brother, Buddy the dog has ruined his chances of sitting on my lap while I work. But Buddy was napping and Sox took advantage. It was nice to get to cuddle for a bit. 

More sock progress!

I also swatched and casted on for my second Rhinebeck sweater. I'm so excited about this one. 

I'll share updated photos once I have more to show. 

We've had a long few days and lots of things broke...husband's car (twice...ugh, think it's time for a new one......), the fridge (now fixed), and today I had a flat tire and needed a new one. Oh the joys....BUT I will focus on the good. I've been surrounded by sad and worry lately and our hearts have been heavy as a dear friend is going through a mother's worst nightmare. The good...I have wonderful friends, yarn is healing, books and knitting keep you great company, concert season is approaching, my kids are healthy and thriving, lunch with my grandmother, happy animals, new music, new shows to watch and looking forward to a fun weekend with fiber friends.

:)

 

Cardigan Love and Some Shorty Socks

A few pictures of my recent knits...

First up, Rosemary Cardigan. Knitted with the new Green Mountain Spinnery yarn. 

I love it! I tried to take pictures of myself wearing it because no one was home. It's not easy!!!

A little baby cardigan, the Claudita sweater. This was a custom baby order.

I made one in the winter and the same customer ordered another one. So cute!

And some shorty socks. I'm on a roll! I have another pair on the needles already. Who knew? I'm enjoying the sock knitting a lot these days.

I chose a pattern and yarn for my second Rhinebeck sweater. I'm swatching now and can't wait to share it with you!

-Cheers!

 

There's a lot going on...

After days and days of constant rain, the sun came out for a little bit. We're still chilly around here but I think a warm up is soon. Let's hope!

I made some homemade bread and compound butter for some friends that have been feeling not their best. My sister made soup and we delivered everything to their houses. I wish everything was able to fixed with homemade bread and soup!

I really enjoyed participating in the knit along Denise of Earthtones Girl is running. So I picked up another book and casted on a sock to match. 

I took the day off of work on Friday for my grandfather's viewing. I just wanted a calm, slow day leading up to the service. So Buddy and I went for a nice walk through Spring Lake. It's so pretty right now. Flowers are starting to bloom and kids were trying to catch some trout. 

We went out for a late breakfast at Capsized Cafe and I got the only acceptable breakfast for a Jersey Girl...

pork roll and cheese on a hard roll with ketchup. I also got a side of home fries.

I bought a peace lily for the viewing. I found one with three flowers to represent me and my two sisters and our families. I painted a small card for our "Loving Gpop." Our grandfather was a master woodworker and turned wooden bowls for every member of the family. I placed the plant in the bowl and took it over the funeral home where it sat right next to his casket.

Saturday morning, the day of the funeral. Started it like every other morning, coffee and knitting.

I played my flute at the service. I was a nervous wreck! But I'm glad I did it. I had some mistakes but my emotions got the best of me. 

He had a final ride by the Mill, the family business since 1878. That got me...

My sister positioned herself to get a photo of the procession in front of the building. I'm so glad she did.

Baseball season has begun and we kicked it off with a double header (aka lots of knitting time!)

A dear friend is going through a very hard time right now and I spent some time in my kitchen Sunday just staring outside, praying for her, her family and wishing I could be with her to give her a giant hug.

I finished knitting my Rosemary Cardigan and now I'm trying to pick buttons. These might be the winners.

Spent some time outside yesterday to watch the eclipse. Pretty cool! 

 There's a lot going on...some good, some sad, some fun, some stress...I guess that's life!

GPop: Celebrating a long, good life

 Donald Lee Sherman, Sr. 

September 6, 1933 - March 29, 2024

My grandfather, GPop. My dad’s father, amazing woodworker, funny, organized, tidy, a collector of old tools, taught my oldest to ride a bike, yard sale enthusiast, Manasquan legacy, grandfather of 9, great grandfather of 12 boys and 1 girl. He lived a wonderful long life! 90 years! I will remember his sense of humor, kindness, the yard sale gifts he hid in the attic for my boys and how much he loved to dance at weddings. GPop, you will be missed…