A Nice, Quiet Weekend

Not only was this last Sunday Father's Day, it was You Know Who's and my thirtieth anniversary. That's right, thirty, three zero, three decades. I'm not sure where all that time has gone. I look at our kids and grandson and know I am getting older but apart from the days where my body doesn't cooperate, I don't feel older. I look at this man whom I love more than when we first decided to spend the rest of our lives together and he just hasn't changed that much. (He loves being told that.) 

Anyway, I am blessed. 

We are blessed, to have the life we do.

 Together. 

It's appropriate then that we spent our weekend with people we love, doing things we enjoy.

It was a gorgeous day out on the water Saturday. He and I went out into the ocean for the first time. Not very far, but far enough for me....

One section of the beach was covered in birds. Their noise was so loud, you could hear it over the crashing surf.

Pelicans in flight are kind of amazing.

Heading into open water.

I made him turn back for the inner coastal before we went too far for my comfort.

Beach baby.

Look at that tongue! 

A picnic would not be complete without iced coffee. 

This stuff has changed my life. 

Seriously.

I broke up with a well known coffee house now that I make my own.

I can have it anytime I want.

I've gained weight. 

I am happy.

Join me?

I Knitted My Bit

Knitting has always intrigued and yet eluded me. I've tried hard to understand it but until my sister came and showed me I just wasn't getting it. Poor Sherie, I don't know how many times she asked if I was really sure I wanted to knit. I got to between round 9 - 13 six times and tore it out. I know I will never be a knitter but at least I know can say I have knitted. 

This yarn is gorgeous. Thank you Mary for giving me such loveliness. I've been saving it for something special. The pattern is called Candle Flame Cowl from here. 

 My real goal is to be able to make wash cloths. This pattern is from Purl Bee . Sherie has made a couple of these for me and I want more. I keep thinking I should be able to make them myself instead of bugging her. The knitting needles below were made by a friend. Yes Joan, I still love purple! 

Gratuitous grandchild shot. I love this boy.

My Sister, My Friend

It's been over two years since I've seen my sister. It's so good to know that time and distance are not relevant in our relationship. 

 She's gorgeous and kind.

 She makes me laugh like no one else. 

 We can be all kinds of special and we don't care.

 We are so much alike and so much different.

We have fun hanging out and doing nothing.

 She taught us to knit.

She can hold a baby and knit.

 She loves her Great Nephew very much.

And I think he feels the same.

First Things First

When we arrived this is one of the first things we did.

We need another tandem to have enough seats for the whole family that is present here at this time.

We were contemplating a peddle version but Jess and I decided, not so much…. 

This shop is fun because you get to try out the different models. Ask for Cody, he was awesome.

We think we know which one we're getting now. Are you going to come kayak with us??

Happy Holidays

We had a lovely Christmas Eve Older, Younger, You Know Who and I. It was spent with old and new friends. We ate, laughed, sang and watched kids open gifts.

Today was very, very laid back and quiet. I cooked a little and baked a little. The guys managed to eat most of it. I tormented them by taking this photo before dinner. I love it when they humor me.

After dinner we opened a couple gifts. Brinkley, still a puppy at heart waits every year for what his gramma sends him. He shared with the guys, then got down to business....

This is what getting down to business looks like.

I am afraid that the ginger bread man has indeed been caught and chewed to smithereens. It got a lot uglier than this. I almost couldn't look.

I gifted myself with starting another project. I've been wanting to do these for quite awhile.

Where did November go?

Sorry for the absence. I've been  overwhelmed busy. We've had a few things going on at the shop. My cat is really ill. I am leaving this mornig to see my baby girl. I am trying to throw up a few photos of some of my favorite things. These are  in no particular order. Mostly around Stuttgart and the Christmas markets. I do love the markets. I think there may be a crafty photo in here too......