Yarn Along

Since we haven't fully adjusted to the daylight savings time change I decided we could head to the beach this morning for donuts, hot chocolate and the sunrise.  The sunrise was at 6:29 and to us that is still kind of like 7:29.  It was worth the few minute ride to the beach to get to watch this this morning.

Okay maybe the boys were still a little sleepy.

I take that back Mr. B was sleepy, Tiny Terror never rests. Oh that kid wears me out. Can't he just take a nice picture. 

In exciting yarn news I now have 3,200 yards of beautiful 2 ply sport weight yarn from his sheared fleece from last May!!!! It is 90% Blue (alpaca) and 10% silk and oh so wonderful.

I am going to make myself a nice big shawl, a hat and fingerless gloves.

I am going to be so fancy this winter.

I've had some Shibui Cima yarn for about three years now. I didn't have enough of it to make a sweater or anything else that I was in the mood to make. So I bought more so I'd have enough to make myself a turtle neck sweater. I am loving how it is coming out. I am holding two strands together and knitting on a US 3 needle. It seems to be taking a very very very long time. I am so close to finishing the neck and then I have to do a band at the waist and it will be ready to wear! 

 I've been very busy with the alpacas lately. We've been showing, breeding, behavior testing and halter training. That has led to more time outside and not inside at my computer.... hence the lack of posts lately. It also doesn't help that my memory was full on my computer and even though I put most of my pictures on back up drives I still had such a hard time DELETING them off my computer permanently. It makes me so nervous to do that!

Today we behavior tested Spitty and Francesca. They both spit at Smoke Ring!!! In other words most likely they are pregnant and wanted nothing to do with that boy!

My parents just got some of the status back on the herd's fleeces. Francesca's (above on the left) baby from last Fall has micron of 14!!! That is just amazing. So hopefully she has another one of those babies cooking right now!

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

For reading I listened to The Art Of Mindful Living.  I really enjoyed it. I listen to quite a few podcasts that have recommend it. It is a quick listen and I know I'll listen to it over and over again. I enjoyed everything about this audio book. I don't know what took me so long to finally download it, but I'm glad I did.

Yarn Along ~Destash

I've been on several missions lately. One mission has been to finish photographing my newest vest and cardigan patterns. A combination of a heat wave and Tiny's insistent to photo bomb each picture have made me realize why I pay models. Oh and I was easily distracted by a rum bucket drink at dinner last night and lost track of time and the sun set without me getting any pictures. Maybe today I'll finally get the pictures done.

Another mission I have been on is to use up my stash before Rhinebeck. I can't wait for Rhinebeck!!!! This year we will be camping up at Rhinebeck so I will be there ALL weekend instead of a day trip. I am so excited!!!!  Since we have gotten home we have been getting as much beach time in as we can before school starts.  Even if it is just for an hour or two a day. It is nice to take a break from work and go play on the beach for a little while.  The temperature has been beautiful at the beach and I've actually been able to get a lot of knitting done there!!!! Keep that shore breeze coming!

The first shawl I have photographed is still in the works. I have made it with my handspun Loop Bulls Eye Bump and cormo. I purchased the fiber at Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. I have to spin up some more cormo to finish the next part of the shawl up. I HEAVILY modified the pattern that I found on Ravelry and of course since it was a travel knit I didn't keep any notes so I'm sorry for not passing on the modifications.

For reading I am still listening to the final book in the Outlander series "Written in My Own Heart's Blood". Right now they are right down the road from me. Currently in the book is the Battle of Monmouth. I am planning on photographing my new patterns at the church where Clair is right now in the book with her triage tent. It is only a few miles from where I live. I think I might just stalk the area until Starz goes there for the filming of their series. I wonder if I will get to see the real life Clair & Jamie!!!!! I think that might be about 15  years away though at the rate they are releasing episodes.

Another fun thing this week was I won a give away from the Knitmore Girls Podcast. I got the cutest project bag, tote, notions bag and goodies. I have to send out a congrats to Jasmine for the birth of her son. I'd say she got my free stuff out just in time! I can't wait to see T-Rex in all his hand knits :)

Have a wonderful day and happy knitting!

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Just Knitting on the Beach

Last night while my kids were at our church's youth group. Freddy and I went down to the beach. I just happened to have my knitting with me and one of my finished patterns. I can't wait to release it!!! For now I have to keep it secret, but in the mean time I got to work on one of my samples of it on the beach while we waited for the boys.  I even got some pictures of me in one of the finished samples. All my yarn came in and I'm ready to send it out to all my test knitters!!! I am so excited about this pattern.

I am also so excited for Summer and the beach!!!!!

For reading I just started "Echo in the Bone". The next book in the Outlander series I'm ready. I still can't get enough of these books!

Since the beach was so nice last night we took the kids back up to the beach and had dinner and then played on the beach until the sun set. I can't wait to have these boys home from school so we can play.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

A Sunset

The forecast is calling for snow tomorrow! Yikes.

After wrapping up a photo shoot today with my newest patterns I couldn't resist getting a picture of the beautiful sunset. Is it ever going to be mild weather again?

Day 22: Clothing

Day 22: Clothing

31 Day Photo Challenge

 

I actually went shopping today. I actually bought myself some new clothes. I needed some new farm clothes. So I am not sure if they are worthy of sharing in this post.  I also got the boys new socks. We've had a poor selection of socks these days and now that it is warmer and they are in shorts and you can see their socks when they are wearing their sneakers it meant we needed new socks pronto.

 

So as a reward for the boys being so good on our shopping trip I rewarded them with a trip to the beach!

 

It was our first time to Belmar beach since hurricane Sandy. It has been closed since the storm hit in October.  I had heard that they opened up some new playgrounds and people were allowed on the beach today.  I couldn't get there fast enough.

 

 

I can't tell you how much joy I have to see this playground.

 



 

The boys played chicken at the ocean's edge.

The ocean won and the boys clothes were soaked.

 

I am so glad to have our favorite playground back.  It does feel like some of the towns are recovering here, but some are still so badly damaged.  Belmar still has a way to go, but the beach and boardwalk are open!

 

We are really looking forward to getting back to normal around here.

 

Scavenger Hunt- Colors

I'm participating in Ashley Scavenger Hunt Sunday! It has been a while since I've participated and I'm so happy to be back.  This weeks prompts were colors.  Clearly I need simple prompts to participate.  So here goes.

Red

Tiny in his RED sweater I knitted for him.

Orange

 I wish this picture wasn't out of focus, but I love it anyway.

Yellow

 

Brady got off the bus yesterday with a yellow balloon he had gotten at his class party. Within seconds of getting off the bus the wind took it and up into a tree it went. He was devastated.

Green

 

I bought this decoration for my mom for Christmas. It seemed like something that was perfect in her house.

Blue

I sweet piece of blue sea glass.

Fingers crossed next weeks hunts prompts are more colors and maybe I can include Brady.

Have a great weekend!

~ Andee

Thanksgiving

Today to celebrate my Birthday I packed up the kids and headed to the beach.  Most of the beaches are closed because of the hurricane, but fortunately I know a good spot to get on.  The ocean seemed very angry today.

The weather was beautiful. Typically there would be lots of people taking a walk on the boardwalk before their Thanksgiving feasts. But hurricane Sandy took all the boardwalks away. Now people just come to look.

Fortunately at this beach there wasn't much of a boardwalk, so it doesn't look completely destroyed and we can have some fun.

These dogs were having a great time too.

I so wanted to get a great picture of this dog running up to me, but Tiny insisted I get the sand out of his shoe, so I had to settle for this pic. This great dane was huge!

The hurricane has displaced many families and there were random things on the beach. Here is a light post. I have no idea what town it came from. Needless to say the hurricane has mixed some things up a bit.

It looks like the fox has survived the storm!  When I used to lifeguard on this beach we would see it.  It was nice to see it made it through the storm.

After the beach we headed to my parents for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast.  We had a great time with our friends and family.  Thank you so much to my parents for the great dinner.  I also got some wonderful presents today. Thank you Freddy, Brady, Tiny, Leanne, Liz & My Parents!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I'll be at my parents farm Friday, Saturday & Sunday for their Open House.  If you are in the area come on by!

www.arrowacresfarm.com