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Phoenix Shawl

Check out the Phoenix Shawl in all its glory.   This baby has been in the works for years (literally).   There was the idea, which became the charts, which became what you see above.    Then came the fire, the loss of the shawl, the laptop with the charts (backup, backup, backup!), and the preliminary pattern.  

From my written notes came new charts, and new samples, and a rewritten pattern.   I've got three test knitters working on it as we "speak".    One, is three rows from being done.   One has put it aside to work on Xmas gifts, and one is waiting for a meet-up with me.

First known as the Old City Shawl (we live in St. Augustine, FL), then the Simply Exquisite Shawl (thus dubbed by a LYS owner), it is now, finally, the Phoenix Shawl (because it rose out of the ashes).
I used Colinette's Jitterbug for the lost one. Two of the test knitters are using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal (Canopy & Thunderhead).   It occurs to me that I have no idea what my third knitter is using.   I've got three samples on the needles, one of Knit Picks Stroll Tonal  (Pearlescent), one in Malabrigo Lace, and one in Ella Rae Lace Merino.   It is not so much that I don't have a favorite, but that each one is my favorite when I am working on it.

If you would like for me to drop you a line when the pattern is good to go,  just follow the link to Ravelry and leave a comment.   I am hoping (but not promising) to have it up and available for sale before the end of the year.

Not Happening

You may have noticed that I have fallen off the 31 Days wagon.   It's true, I can't come up with 31 things that I like about living in NE Florida.   I started the process with a list of fifteen things, feeling sure that once I got started, other things would occur to me.   Sadly, that did not happen.   Not only did the list come up short, but almost nothing makes up for the cultural differences.    We are most assuredly "Damn Yankees" ("Yankees go home, Damn Yankees stay").   We do not fit, and, likely, we never will.

It's not all bad news though.   Sometime in the last year, T2 told me "I still hate it here, but at least I am not miserable anymore".    As he said that, I realized that he is right.    I do want desperately to go home, but, I have found a place here that makes waking up in the morning much easier.   While some of our neighbors do, unashamedly, fly the Confederate flag, our neighbors to the immediate right and left are also "not from around here" and we can be ourselves around them without being dismissed and/or reviled.   Neighbors that we had not met, came forward to offer help and sympathy in the aftermath of the fire.  There is a community here for us, even if it is a community of "misfits".

In closing here is the rest of my happy list:

• Unitarian Universalists (I don't think I/we could have made it this far without them.)
• Kerri & Michelle (The thing is, it took the comfort and safety of the UU for me to feel safe enough to take an emotional chance on outside connections.   I am so glad that I did.    I love and depend on these two lovely ladies.)
• Starbucks (Don't laugh.   They are nice to me there.)
• Hubby and sons (Luckily we are not the kind of people who take out our misery on each other.   We really have been in this together.)
• Good insurance (Post fire, this can not be under-appreciated.)
• Nancy (An early friend who has stood by me even when my hermit tendencies come to the fore).
• Teresa/Kelly/New freindships (Again, comfort in one area of my life, left me able to be open to new friendships.   Being open to new friendships has brought some lovely people into my life.) 
• December (When mid-Dec rolls around and I am still sitting outside at Starbucks, I feel good.) 
• The Sky (We have the prettiest sky here.   The blue is very blue and the clouds are fluffy and distant.   My mom says the sky is like that in Puerto Rico but that I was too young to appreciate it when we lived there.)

That's it.  That's all I've got.   With two boys in college, we are not going anywhere else anytime soon.   However, once the boys are good to go, so are we.  Until then, we still hate it here, but at least we are not miserable.

Tomorrow this blog goes back to it's regularly scheduled mostly knitting content.

Day 13: Dinner on the Water

Taken from
Clark's Fish Camp

One of the things I really do like about living in FL is how often we eat outside.  One of my favorite places is Clark's Fish Camp.   The place food is great, the menu is extremely varied, and the mood is casual and fun.

This is number thirteen, in the 31 Days of Where I live blogging challenge.

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day 12: Sew & Quilt Shop

Sew & Quilt Shop
Bunnell, FL

Look what I made today at my favorite local yarn shop!   Even though there isn't any in the shop name, once you get there you will find plenty of yarn, along with friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming staff.    This is my favorite place to go when I feel like running away from home.

Today, the talented Teresa Bovino, demo'd her Christmas Ornament pattern (available at the Sew & Quilt Shop).   We used Plymouth's Steletto on #3 needles but you can use any fingering wt. yarn.    I bought a ball of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino to make some more for my family.   I didn't have #3's with me (and I am trying not to buy things I already own) so I used the #1's I had in my purse.   I am happy with the final product but the finishing was a bit tight.  For my next attempt I definitely will go up a needle size or two.

This is number twelve, in the 31 Days of Where I live blogging challenge.

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day 11: Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos @ Tijuana Flats

I am on my own tonight.   T1 is off with his friends, and Hubby & T2 are preparing for a fundraiser.   I,  on the other hand, took myself off for a massage, followed by fish tacos at Tijuana Flats.   Fish tacos, apparently a Southern thing, are my current favorite food.   How did I go so long without fish tacos? :-)

This is number eleven, in the 31 Days of Where I live blogging challenge.

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day 10: It's pretty where I live...

Marineland, FL

This is number ten, in the 31 Days of Where I live blogging challenge.

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day Nine: Rest

So here it is, a day late and a picture short, Day Nine in my "Where I Live" series.

Yesterday, I got to do the most amazing thing.   I got to stay home sick.  It may not sound that exciting to some, but to the Moms among us it is a rare treat.

You see, because we live in FL, our youngest was able to take (and pass) his drivers test last week even though he is only 16.   When we lived there the NJ age was 17.   That means that he is on the road and I am not.

Yesterday, while T2 took himself off to school, I (stricken by the plague, or perhaps a cold) snuggled on the couch, read, knit, and watched three (!) spooky movies.    It was awesome.   I am feeling much better today, and quite pleased with FL license policy.

This is number nine , in a the 31 Days of Where I Live blogging challenge.

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day Eight: City Coffee

City CoffeeSt. Augustine, FL

Our youngest (16yo) started college this year.   In September, when school began, he did not have his license.   He did pass his test last Thursday, but yesterday, my car went to the dealership with a mystery ailment and is not expected home until tonight or tomorrow.   That means that I am still driving him to school and waiting for him.

I thought this would be pretty miserable (St. Augustine does not have a single Starbucks!), or expensive (the shopping is grand) but that first school day in August, while looking for someplace to work/knit/read/caffeinate, I happened across the City Coffee Company, easy access, free WiFi, lots of parking, good coffee, the best ever breakfast burrito, with warm and welcoming staff.   JackPot!  

Two months on and I still look forward to coming here.

P.S.  Although they make them rarely, their zuchinni walnut muffins are to die for.

This is number eight , in a the 31 Days of Where I Live blogging challenge.

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day Seven: My Favorite Restaurant

Columbia RestaurantSt. Augustine, FL

The Columbia has been my favorite restaurant since I was a little girl.   I can remember my mother taking me here as proof that I was "good enough" to eat in a grown-up restaurant.   The food is Cuban (a particular favorite of mine).   Their 1905 Salad is famous and for good reason.   Sometimes we go there just for their Spanish Bean Soup and salad.   Others, we do it up big with soup to desert (their flan is heavenly).

When we lived in NJ, I would only get to eat here once or twice a year.   Now, I can go when ever the mood strikes me.

This is number seven , in a the 31 Days of Where I Live blogging challenge    

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day Six: Ponte Vedra Beach

Sorry for the delay, our internet was wonky yesterday :-)

Ponte Vedra Beach

This is number six, in a the 31 Days of Where I Live blogging challenge    

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day 5: Farmer's Markets

Earlier this week, after dropping T2 off at school, I decided to explore the roads behind campus.   Not only did I find the hoped for shortcut to my favorite Panera, but I happened upon a weekly farmer's market.    Just that morning I had been wishing for zucchini walnut muffins and here was my chance to score some locally grown zucchini.   These markets are everywhere down here and I love that.    I get excited every spring when my favorite fruit market pops up with juicy Gerorgia peaches.    Many of the markets have not just produce but ethnic foods, crafts, and the work of our local artists.  As a maker myself, I get a kick out of wearing locally made clothes and jewelry.

I got so excited that I forgot to take pictures.   If I get back there this week, I will take some and add them later.

This is number five, in a the 31 Days of Where I Live blogging challenge    

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day 4: Can't beat the beach...

Crescent Beach

This is number four, in a the 31 Days of Where I Live blogging challenge    

Each day I will post a thought and/or picture relative to something I like about living in NE Florida.  

You can see the whole list of posts here.

Day 3: Happy Days

We spent the weekend before last at SeaWorld (Orlando).   It was awesome.   I know there is a documentary coming out about how bad it is for the Orca's to be kept in captivity.  I know I am going to see it and likely change my tune.   But, for now, OMG what an awesome place.

We went down Friday evening so that we could get an early start on Saturday.

Saturday morning, after riding a couple of the roller coasters (not me, I knit) we met the daughter of a friend for a private behind the scenes tour of the Antarctic exhibit.    Wow!   That was wonderful.   We got to see, and pet, hold penguins.   It was an amazing, once in a lifetime, experience that we are all still talking about.

This was the first time we have gotten their meal plan.   We were given wristbands that allowed "all you can eat" and, more importantly on a hot day, drink throughout the park.   This made it less worrisome to let the boys take off on their own.   I did not have to worry about them having enough to eat or staying well hydrated (a particular concern for T2 who was recovering from an upper respiratory thing).

We did and saw everything, somethings twice.    My favorite part was (and has always been) the dolphins.    I got to see the show, the babies, and feed them both days.   As I texted to a friend on Sunday, "It is impossible to be sad while feeding dolphins".

So today, I am feeling pretty happy about living just a couple of hours away from SeaWorld.

This post is part of a 31 day series.
Find all the posts in this series here.

Day 2: Sometimes things just work out

Find out more about Florida Virtual School here.

During the planning phase of our move to Florida, I found out that St. John's County had the most highly rated schools in Florida.   I was thrilled and never considered living anywhere else.   This is where a little bit of knowledge got dangerous.   What I did not find out until we got here is that Florida was 50th our of 50 in education nationally.   I was appalled.   I had happily moved my kids to the best of the worst (Note: FL is no longer 50th.   Thank heavens for Mississippi).

So what could I possible like about that?   Nothing, really, it was definitely a fail on our part.   What we do like, what saved the day, was Florida Virtual School (FLVS).    This is a student driven on-line school.   Not home schooling, because I did not have to be the teacher.   Student driven because, as recommended, I let my youngest set his own pace.  It is not the choice for everyone.   Our oldest tried it for one class and hated it. 

He came to us with the idea.    There was never any doubt that he would do well (he is that kid), but even an extrovert, needs some social contact.   He pushed, we relented, and it turned out to be one of the best things we could have done for him.  He went from bored and miserable to engaged and confident.   He also learned that even he needs social interactions.   He flew through 7th grade, then choose to go to traditional HS with a virtual class or two thrown in to maintain interest.    This year, at 16, he is doing a combination of FLVS HS and traditional college.   He is doing very well and we are very proud.

  

This post is part of a 31 day series.
Find all the posts in this series here.

Day1: So, where do I live?

Old City Gates
St. Augustine, FL

I live in St. Augustine, FL, one of the oldest cities in North America.   My mom first brought us here when I was three years old.   I remember it distinctly.   It was a dark and stormy night (no. really, it was).   My mom had been driving all day, and this is where we stopped for the night before continuing on our way from Northern NJ to Cocoa Beach.   After eating dinner, and settling an elderly relative who was traveling with us, my mom took my sister (10) and me (3) out to the only attraction that was still open, The Old Jail.

Did I mention the dark and stormy night?   At one point, I was in the execution chamber with my mom and my sister had gone up a short flight of stairs to see the weapons gallery, when there was a simultaneous burst of thunder and lightening.   We all screamed and ran and right there at the top of the stairs we bounced off of each other like a scene from the Three Stooges.   When the docent (who I swear, looked like a cadaver) came to see what had happened, we, all three, were stilling on the landing laughing like loons.   What can I tell you?  It was love from that moment forward.    For the rest of my childhood I spent every vacation and most school holidays in St. Augustine, FL.

For today, what I most like about living in Florida are the happy childhood memories.

This post is part of a 31 day series.
Find all the posts in this series here.