Sunday, May 5, 2013

A Beautiful Sunday

Today is just the most gorgeous day.  Here in Florida during Spring we went from chilly right to hot and humid.  Today is perfect.  The humidity is low, the sun is brilliant and the temperature is hovering around 76 degrees.  You can sit outside and and not sweat to death.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.  After my chores I am going to plop my expanding behind in my swing and crochet. 

Yesterday was also lovely, I made a quick trip to the Honeymoon Island, to the beach for a long walk.  The skies clouded up and were threatening rain by the time I reurned, but the walk was lovely.  My vow was to make it to the beach more to enjoy the fact that I live in Florida, I think I may need some reminders to help me achieve this goal.  Life gets so busy, between taking care of my family, my house, and work there is not a lot of time to venture to far.  I know I have to make time, really to help my sanity.  Maybe I can help your sanity with a few pictures.





At the very tip of Honeymoon Island you can see the lighthouse on Anclote Key in Tarpon Springs.  This lighthouse is non functioning, but there is always hope of restoring it.


 Spaced out across the beach are these lovely benches with a tribute written on the back for loved ones.  I think this is a  very nice way to remember someone you love.


On to more yarny things.  I was originally going to make an eight petal African Flower square for my bag, but then decided that the thought of sewing all those squares together was not going to be fun.  I did not like the way the squares looked so I frogged the outer layer of crochet. You have to understand that math is not, nor ever will be my area of expertize.  So I just kept going with the eight petals not giving it a whole lot of thought.  Guess what octagon's do not make great shapes for a bag.  I figured that out a bit late I am afraid.  I went back and looked at lots of pictures on Pinterest and guess what?   I know this will not come as a surprise that most of these flowers are made in a hexagon for a reason, they fit together nicely this way.  After pulling apart two of my flowers and fussing quite a bit about it, I took a look around and decided that one of the trees in my backyard needed  a bit of dressing up.


I decorated this lovely tree with my three remaining octagon shaped African Flowers.  I think it looks rather lovely.  Since I live with all men, who never, ever venture outside to help in the yard I think this might go undetected for years.  I just might be adding on to this tree art with some bits and bobs of yarn fun.  Goodness knows I have lots of flowers and things left over from projects.


This is actually how it is supposed to look.  Wow imagine that, shapes that fit together.  I am having fun with this new project although as you can see after all this frogging, not much is getting done.


The blue Malabrigo sweater made it out of the 'Feel good basket" for the trip to Ohio.  I did lots of knitting while waiting for Mr. 19 year old to get his rear end in gear so we could pack.  I am now ready to separate for the fronts and backs.  You would think this would motivate me but the thrill of African Flowers has taken over my brain.

Thanks for all your heartfelt comments on Motherhood.  You all are so wonderful, each and every one of you.  I am blessed that you take the time to comment and be a part of my life.

Hope your Sunday is glorious and you are finding time to do something you love.

I forgot to tell you my wonderful friend Taci at Taci Studio is having a fabulous give away.  Once again I really don't want you to enter because it ruins my chances, but if you feel you must, go ahead and pop on by her wonderful blog.

33 comments:

moonstruckcreations said...

Those pictures of the ocean was just what I needed having had a rather nasty incident happen to me earlier this afternoon - Im fine but just a bit shaken, and these photos are so lovely and calm.

That crochet looks fab, I haven't tried doing hexies in crochet before.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday - we have a national holiday tomorrow so we don't have to go to work or school - bliss!!

Helenxx

Plain Jane said...

Need a reminder to get to the beach more often? Keep looking at those photos - picture perfect! As for your octagons - what a creative way to use them - far better than leaving them to languish in the bottom of a basket (not that I would ever do such a thing - ahem!) It's been a rare glorious afternoon over here in Staffordshire and I've fallen in love with my garden all over again x Jane

Liz said...

Oh Meredith,

You make me long to go to the beach. I love, love, love your photos.
The african flower motifs are so pretty with the perfect colors.
I have enjoyed catching up on your posts. I've always said, "If only I could live near the beach, I would go there all the time." But I'm sure life would get in the way. Well I'm gonna go read your previous posts now. I really do need to take more time and stay up to date on my blog reading;)

Mrs. C said...

Beautiful pictures! I'm jealous! I just finished a tote that I embellished with a row of African Flowers ( I used cream, yellow and green and made them look like daisy's) I didn't want them to be hexagons( made one like that last year) so I played around and looked around the web until I found a way to turn mine into squares. They're really more of a slight rectangle the way it works out but I love them so much more this way! :)

Ana Figueira said...

Your pictures of the beach are gorgeous! The sand is so white, really beautiful!
Hexagons do fit so nicely together, we don't give it much thought but that's why honeycombs have that shape. Nature is really wise!

Gerda said...

Love the photo's of the beach, those blue colors! Yeah, heaxagons fit nicely together
; which reminds me of the fact that somewhere I do have a lot of african flowers. Hooking them is addictive.I will try to find them. Groetjes, Gerda

Teresa Kasner said...

LOVE the beach photos.. you are SO lucky to live near that awesomeness! LOVE the colors in your African Flowers.. you rock.. I'm glad you're my friend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

andamento said...

Beautiful beach photos, such gorgeous turquoise sea and white sand.
I've done the African flowers, I found them very addictive and ended up making my first blanket...

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Sniff, sniff....I am home sick now! :)

Love the photos, though. :)

The sweater is really going to be so pretty...and those flowers are very pretty.

I am looking forward to seeing what you hook/knit up next.

Hugs and blessings always dear friend. :)

Gracie Saylor said...

Meredith!!! It was warmer here today than at your house!!! [82 but low humidity, breezy and perfect] Thank you for posting pictures of your beach walk: ocean beaches are my most favorite places on earth :-)
And I love the purple and green combo of your new project, and your yarn bombing, and your sweater is coming along beautifully as well. Hoping you have a happy week! xx, Gracie

Anonymous said...

Love the yarn-bombed tree. :-)

Your Malabrigo sweater is going to be gorgeous. Malabrigo is such a nice yarn.

Karen said...

The beach photos are beautiful. Thank you for taking us along:) It's easy to take for granted the places that we live. I look at the Rocky Mountains every day, yet hardly get myself up there to hike around anymore. I need to make it a priority.

Betsy said...

Hi Meredith! Goodness you took some beautiful beach pictures. How I wish I lived near a beach. Maybe someday when hubby retires we can have a beach close by. It would probably be in Oregon near Taci, Gracie and Teresa!! Your African flowers are coming along quite nicely. I love the colors. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy

Babajeza said...

I love your hexagons. And sure every tree likes decoration. I wish you happy times on the swing (haven'nt bought mine ... yet). Hugs Regula

Taci simmons said...

Beatiful projects my dear friend :)

An Aussie Felter said...

Hi Meredith, I love days like that ! I've just visited your etsy store - you weave as well? I love your tan and cream shawl - looks so soft and snuggly x

Rose Red said...

I love the African Flower pattern, and the colours you have chosen are lovely.

I love your tree decoration! I might have to do that here too, what a great idea!

Hanne said...

Living close to the beach is a gift :) Though our weather is not as warm as yours I love spending time at the beach.

Marjo said...

Nice knitting and crochetwork :-)
and lovely weather ..here also a lot of sun ...

Love from a sunny and lovely Belgium

xxx
Marjo

JCDiTaranto said...

What wonderful colors in your beach photos, as well as the ones you're making the African flowers in! Thanks for brightening my morning!

RURAL said...

You are yarnbombing...that's so cute, and I do wonder if they will ever notice..lol.

I really like the color combo, perfect for spring.

Jen

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hey Meredith.....It is nice to see the beach...I can hear the seagulls in my mind! My friend will be here from Tarpon in less than 2 weeks. We have had fabulous weather since you left last week! Don't take that personally..lol. We got a lot of yard work done and a little bit of sunburn. I have thought of doing that African Daisy but like you not sure if I want to put the hexagons together. I like your color combos! I sliced my left thumb open yesterday so I need to let it heal a few days before I can crochet again. Enjoy your downtime on your swing! ~ Hugs, Patti

kathy b said...

Oh I love your beach images Meredith. They are so soothing to me. !!!!! I love your sweater so far....the color is waterish...like your swimmer son ...did you do that intentionally?

Tanna said...

Ooooh, I loved the beach photos... dreamin'....

I can see why the African Violets would capture your attention. That is such a lovely pattern and I love the colors!!

Just finished a Malabrigo project and it was fun! Look forward to seeing that sweater finished. blessings ~ tanna

Annie Cholewa said...

Those beach pics are so serene! And I love what you've done with your tree ... that says 'happy' to me :)

I missed your last post Mere ... one thing I know, however far our kids sail wherever their families our will always be home port and the first port they head for in a storm. Which surely is just as it should be :)

Sue Pinner said...

Wow that beach looks perfect hugs x

Kris said...

Meredith,
I must heed your advice, and find things to do to feed my soul. Now, more than ever before!!! I think I shall start today. We are still very much in turmoil here. Every day, I pray for calm.
Your photos are great. I love that you yarn bombed that tree. I have been wanting to do a yarn bombing forEVER!!!
Hugs to you, my Florida friend.
PS Did I ever tell you, that my husband lived in Homestead? His Dad was Air Force. He loved it there.
XO Kris

Ladybird Diaries said...

Gorgeous photos of honeymoon island...and what a fab name! Pretty crochet too.
M x

Sentimentally Me said...

Lookie Lookie - Miss Meredith is yarn bombing! LOVE IT!!!!

I think they look great with 8 petals, but for the bag, I suppose 6 is good!

Loving the sweater, too!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

What glorious photos of your stroll along the sea.. Thanks for sharing them with us.. Lovely crochet flowers..and the colors are wonderful. I am your newest follower. Hugs Judy

Deb said...

Beautiful beach photos! Such a lovely, peaceful spot.
Your new African flower crochet is gorgeous - love the mauve/green combination. They really do remind me of little African violets ♥

Unknown said...

Love the photo's of the sea and the beach it makes me long for it. It wont be long and I will be in Cyprus on my honeymoon 3 weeks and counting :-) Enjoy your crochet it looks lovely, dee x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

A walk by the ocean sounds absolutely lovely. We definitely need to find ways to nourish our soul each and every day. Walking does that for me. But already our temperatures are on the rise. 100 degrees yesterday. I think I shall get out there early for today's walk. I made one African flower just to see if I could -- that was some time back and I never made another. I tend to stick with easy projects I can finish quickly. I need to go yarn bomb something outside. :) Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy