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.

31 Days of Where I Live

This year will be my first year participating the "31 Days Writing Challenge".  The goal is to blog every day during the month of October on a single topic.  For the past few years I have watched some of my favorite bloggers participate.   This year, I am in.

For my theme, I have chosen "31 Days of Where I Live".   Since moving from NJ to FL,  four years ago, Fall has consistently brought with it the worst homesickness.    This year, at least for the month of October, I am planning to pick one thing each day that I like about living in Florida.   There have to be at least 31 things, right?   Come back here each day and find out. :-)

Day 1: So, Where do I Live?
Day 2: Sometimes things just work out
Day 3: Happy Days
Day 4: Can't Beat the Beach
Day 5: Farmers Markets
Day 6: Ponte Vedra Beach
Day 7: My Favorite Restaurant
Day 8: City Coffee
Day 9: Rest
Day 10: It's Pretty Where I Live
Day 11: Fish Tacos
Day 12: Sew & Quilt Shop
Day 13: Not Happening

Come knit with me...

Have you tried my Simple Comforts Wrap?   Why not?   The pattern is simple (hence the name), but not boring.   With a one row, four stitch repeat, you will have the pattern memorized in no time.   If you can cast-on, knit and yarn over, you can do this.  The resulting wrap can be dressed up or down and is too cozy for words (all evidence to the contrary).   Best of all, the pattern is free (can't beat that) on Ravelry.

You can see a photo of the original Simple Comforts Shawl in my sidebar but, sadly, that one went up in smoke when my house did (more about that here).   This one is a sample in progress (Will I finish it before this Saturday?  Come on by and find out.)   This time I am using Skacel's SimpliWorsted (available at S&Q).   This is the first time I have used it and I really like it.   It was reasonably priced, is mostly natural fibers, is suitably soft and snuggly, and the drape is perfect for a comfort shawl.

If you live in NE Florida, have just realized that Christmas is only 85 days, 13 hours, and 11 minutes (as of this writing) away, and that a cozy shawl would be just the thing for Aunt Bess, please join me at the Sew and Quilt Shop, in Bunnel, FL, this Saturday (and another two weeks hence), for a Simple Comforts Wrap workshop.    I can help you pick the perfect yarn, the appropriate needles, and get you started on your way to cozy comfort.

Care to join us?   Here is all the information you need:

Simple Comforts Wrap Workshop
Location: Sew & Quilt Shop (directions here)
                 4601 E. Moody Blvd. #B-6,
                 Bunnell, FL 32110
                 386-586-5409
                 sewandquiltshop@bellsouth.net
Dates: Saturday, October 5th & 9th
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Price: $15 per session
Supplies - Simple Comforts Wrap pattern (download here)
               - 800 - 1000 yards of worsted weight yarn (I can help you pick the perfect thing)
               - knitting needles that match your yarn (12" straights or 24" circulars)
               - 1 stitch marker
               - scissors/snips
               - yarn needle (for weaving ends)
Need to know - Cast-on
                        - knit stitch
                        - yarn over (increase)
                        - Bind-off

Please do call/email ahead and let us know that you are coming.

Note:   This Saturday, October 5th is also Sew & Quilts' monthly Knitting/Crochet group, described thusly:

"Creative Critters: Crocheter + Knitter = Critter - Seasoned beginner, almost professional, or wanna be crocheter or knitter join us for a few laughs and a bunch of tangled fun! Sit & Stitch...Don't miss Saturday, October 5th 2pm - 4pm or Monday, October 7th 10am - Noon!!"

Feel free to stay on for that (there are lots of great places to grab lunch in the area).   I am planning to.