SUMMER'S OVER!!!

.......... but the beach is just beautiful with sunny skies, warm water and a tropical breeze that warms your heart!  My love and I spent the day relaxing and enjoying our wonderful life by the sea.  Joe was reading and napping while I was knitting. 

 What could be better?  It was also a great day for people watching - and dog watching! 

 Now that the tourist season is officially over puppies are allowed on the beach and they sure were having a fun time!  And as for me - I always enjoy a day when I can "Purl By The Sea".

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Zimmerman

If you are a knitter then 

 Elizabeth Zimmerman needs no introductions!  

But for those of you who are unfamiliar with this knitting icon let me tell you a little about her.
Elizabeth was a knitter, teacher, designer and author. She believed in personal creativity and encouraged knitters to experiment and think outside of the box. Her goal was to have knitters make every design their own and not worry about following a pattern!  The legacy of information and design she left behind is the mantra for many knitters and her books are an absolute must in every knitting library.  She presents information in a clear and precise manner with a dash of witty commentary.  Her books have been a lifeline for me on many occasions when I needed help with a

knitting dilemma or catastrophe.  I have knitted my share of Elizabeth's designs in a Zimmermania Class I took in State College at a wonderful little yarn store 
 Stitch Your Art Out.  

Baby Surprise Jacket worn by my grandson Dylan!

 My mentor and knitting teacher "Cynthia" instilled in me the importance of of Elizabeth Zimmerman's place in the knitting community.

I am very fortunate to have two books that have been autographed by Elizabeth!  Her wit and light-hearted attitude is most evident in the inscription that can be found in my copy of "The Knitter's Almanac". 

And do you believe the amazing price of $8.95 for a hard back book! 

Knitting Without Tears also inscribed by Elizabeth!

So thank you Elizabeth Zimmerman for all you did to inspire creativity in knitters.

HAPPY 101st BIRTHDAY!
August 9, 2011

LET YOUR CREATIVE SPIRIT SOAR!

I am totally sick of listening to nothing but commentary about the debt ceiling.  Especially when I feel totally helpless regarding the entire situation.  Both parties and all the political pundits love to hear themselves talk and this crisis has given them ample opportunity!  The big problem is they really don't want to hear what we citizens have to say.   So --- I am protesting by not watching any TV news.   It doesn't help my attitude or my creativity.  And I cannot survive without creativity!


As we all know creativity comes in many forms.  The other day at the beach I walked past a brother and sister who were busy building a sand sculpture of a turtle.  I stopped to watch and was amazed at what a good job they were doing.    I was especially impressed to see that they had push the boundaries of creativity by adding color to their turtle by spraying it with green food coloring mixed with water.  What a stroke of genius!  I wonder if they realized what little artists they are!!

It was truly a site and it made me think of the many forms in which the creative spirit manifests itself.  True artists always come up with a way to push the boundaries to make their creations - their art - just a little more unique.   


Today I watched Lady Gaga on The View.  Many jokes and remarks have been made about the ways in which she pushes artistic boundaries and there is no doubt that she does.  Remember her dress that was made of meat. 

 And how about her dramatic entrance in the egg at the Grammys.  

Whatever she does, we cannot deny that she is truly an amazing artist that loves her art and knows how to go from crazy and eccentric to sophisticated and insightful!  Just take a look at her performance today on The View.  It was fabulous!!

So during this time of political & economic uncertainty I will not be watching the news.  I will however be watching Lady Gaga every chance I get - hoping to get just a spark of creativity from a young woman who knows how to push the artistic boundaries to the very edge.  And, I hope you take some time to find your own inner creativity - whether it is knitting, beading, painting, writing, wood working or singing.  Let your creative spirit soar - you'll be happy you did!  Just remember, meat doesn't knit up well!!

AND THE HEAT GOES ON!!!

Well the heat is still steaming!  Yesterday with the heat index temperatures soared to 122°.  NOW THAT IS HOT!!  Today it is a little cooler, but Joe and I decided to spend our time in indoors until we head out to a pizza party dinner with the New Jersey Club.  Hopefully things will cool off by then.

Neither of us have any problem keeping busy on a hot day like today.  And I don't mean with housework or cleaning! We both used our time indoors to work on our creative projects.  

Joe is hard at work constructing built-ins for under our counter.  He just finished installing a fantastic wine rack and is busy putting up bead board.

 

Next he will be adding a bookcase on the other side

of the counter.  What a fabulous job he is doing!

My day has been spent beading.  Thanks to my friend Ilse for the beautiful doughnut beads she gave me.  It took me three times to string a combination of beads that I was happy with - but I think the end result was worth the extra effort.

Just another way to stay cool on a hot summer day in the south.

Life is Good!

Christmas in July

The weather continues it's hot streak.  In fact we have broken the record for most days in a row over 90°.  The previous record was 43 days - we are now on day 49 with the hottest part of the summer yet to come.  So I continue to keep myself cool in the pool, at the beach or taking advantage of all the wonderful things Sun City has to offer.

Today my friend Bonnie and I joined a dozen other women in learning how to make a beaded Christmas wreath necklace. The end result was fantastic!   Thanks to Cynthia Nixon for a class well taught and appreciated. 

I am now hooked on beading and anxiously await the next 5 classes I have signed up for (YES FIVE!). Our space in the garage continues to shrink as Joe adds more storage cabinets for my ever growing array of hobbies.  Just another way to stay cool on a hot summer day in the south!

What Does A Southern Belle Do On A Hot Summer Day??

Well today summer has officially arrived.  Actually summer has been here in South Carolina for quite some time! It has been over 90° for the last six weeks at least.  Thank goodness we have the pool which is a welcome relief on a day like today.

And there always is the beach.  It is sooo... much cooler at the beach.  My friend Darcy and I try and get there at least once a week.  Last week we were happy that we were able to go twice.

Darcy Loves's The Beach!

Last but not least -- there is always my wonderful front porch. There is nothing that says relaxation like sipping sweet tea on a big southern porch.  Last week we had it covered with pavers and purchased two nice big comfy chairs with ottomans.  The men worked so hard and did a wonderful job!

There is such a refreshing breeze and Joe and I love sitting on our porch.  Lately it has been too hot to knit on anything heavy so I am working on a light summer scarf with little flowers.  It is a redesign of a crocheted scarf that my friend Ilse did.  I am planning on putting together a pattern for this and teaching it at a knitting class.  I have also been doing a substantial amount of reading - it is a great spot for that.  Also a fabulous spot for snoozing!!

Much of the time however is spent watching my little Gecko friends.  They seems to be living under the drain pipe.  They crawl along the top of the porch and scurry down the column and sit there looking at me.  I think they may be attracted by the music from my ITouch!  Often they seem to be playing with each other.  I wonder if they are a couple?  Oh well --  they certainly are very entertaining to watch!

So when friends and family ask - 
"What do you do all day in that hot weather?" 
I just chuckle and think 
how I have just taken to this Southern Lifestyle. 

As always "LIFE IS GOOD"! 

Happy Summer to Y'all!

Name That Tune - Or Not!!

Well - we tried our luck with Music Trivia again.  What wonderful fun!  The team was assembled - minus my empty chair!

 

 

Billy Drysdale was ready to begin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dick was feeling very confident!

 

 

 

 

George was already celebrating!!

George, Joe & Pete even took time out to sing!

Oh no - Emily and Bill, our dear friends, were on an opposing team.  Well this was war and we would fight to the end.

We tried our best - had lots of laughs and came up with a few good answers,

but alas no trophy for us.  Just an evening of good friends, fun and laughs.  

As always "LIFE IS GOOD" here in Sun City every day!!

The Winners - Dan's Dandies!!