Fall Surfing

That's right I'm off surfing today.  Simon and I both have today off so we took advantage of the warm weather and the fact that the beaches will be less crowded to go catch a few waves.

I have mixed feelings about fall surfing.  Right now I'm totally fine with surfing the water is still warm and the air temp hasn't dropped too much.  But in a few brief weeks the water temp will cool and so will the air temp.  The water will be warm than the air and getting out of the surf will be difficult.  The waves however will be getting better and better.  The winter is peak season, but we don't own winter wet suits (which I've read have a lining of merino wool in the).  So as soon as the water temp gets down below 54 F, and I can't get warm when I get out of the water I hang my surf board up on the wall till Spring.  Does this mean I'm less core than other surfers? Probably.  Does it concern me? Not really.  I surf because I enjoy it and I have a sneaking suspicion that I would not enjoy winter surfing up here on the Jersey Shore.

My First Official Summer Weekend

The city has been hot in an unbearable way.  With that in mind Simon and I first put in our new window unit to cool our bedroom, and then we hopped in our car and got out of the city. 

On Friday we went blueberry picking and took our friend Mike with us.  While it was still hot out at Linvilla there was at least some shady trees and a breeze.  

We picked a little over 8 pounds of blueberries.  I plan on making more jam and some blueberry scones ASAP.

The peaches were also ready at Linvilla and we decided to pick a few pounds to eat and bake with.  

Here I am standing among the peach trees in the orchard.  My new favorite website is PicMonkey, it's similar to Picnik (which is no longer around), but much more user friendly.  I played around with some of the filters to get this great vintage look.  It reminds me of the old pictures of my grandparents from the 70's. 

There were so many peaches that the trees were weighted down and some of the branches were touching the ground. 

Later that night we had a massive storm.  It howled down our street and pelted our windows with sheets of rain.  It was lovely.  I took a few pics from our window while the storm was at it's worse. 

Saturday was beautiful and Simon and I loaded up our surf boards and drove to the shore even though the surf report wasn't in our favor.  We were in for a surprise, because the waves were way better than the surf report let on.  Most of the surfers had left after the morning surf was starting to be blown out by the afternoon winds.  I'm use to choppy surf and I had a blast riding my little yellow board.  It was one of the best days surfing I've had since Oz.  Simon was even impressed by how I did, and if I can impress an Aussie surfer who's been riding waves for 25 years than that's a win for me. 

After many hours spent in the surf I took a nap in the sun like a fat cat until Simon came back from his walk to wake me up. 

It was a perfect day at the beach and I'm glad to see some familiar faces in the life guard station.  The 7th street surf beach may not be the biggest surf, or the least crowded beach, and it may be the Jersey Shore, but it will always be my home beach when it comes to surf.  

Thanks guys for keeping the surf beach clear of swimmers so us surfers can catch some rad rides!  

Long Weekend

I know I shared my Me Made May photos from the weekend, but I thought I'd show everyone what I was up to this weekend.  One of the highlights of the long weekend, was that my weekend was an extra day longer.  This was the perfect opportunity to go surfing down in Ocean City NJ.  The water was warmer than expected and the waves were nicer than the surf report said, and the beach and board walk weren't crowded at all.

It was so hazy at the shore that you couldn't see the horizon, or the fishermen on the end of the rock piers.

I took this shot as we were packing up to head into town for a bit.  The hazy was so eerie in the middle of a sunny day.  I could have taken pictures like this all afternoon.

The rest of the weekend was spent canoeing down the Delaware River with a group of my friends from Philly and NYC.

Here are I am with my tent mates after successfully pitching my new tent.  Simon picked it out (sadly he had to work and couldn't come camping) he made sure it had a good rain fly on it.  I must admit I'm glad he took the time to find a tent with a good rain fly.  The second night on the river we got a huge thunder storm around 9:30 and night, but we stayed dry as a bone in our super rain fly tent.

We also saw lots of diverse river wild like.  My friend mike found a millipede at the first campsite, and there was a muskrat swimming around the island we camped on.  At the second campsite we found two black snakes and on our way down the river the last day we encountered a water snake and some box turtles.  

It wouldn't  be camping without a camp fire and s'mores.  Even if it did take us the best part of two hours ot get the campfire going. 

It also wouldn't have been the Third Annual Delaware Camping Trip with out the Third Annual Delaware boat race. 

Here are the top four boats (mine sunk, better luck next year).  The first place boat was the blue catamaran,  second place was the destroyer, third place was the cardboard master piece made by Jason, and the fourth place boat was the NYC gangs boat. 

It was a great weekend, but I was glad to be home to my shower, bed and the hubs.  

1st Surf of the Year

Gone surfing, see you on Tuesday!

Weekend Update: Surfing and Such

We had our first surf on the Jersey shore yesterday and it was a good one! I should have brought my camera, because the waves were about knee to chest height and spilling. (A spilling wave is my favorite kind of wave.) I got to try my new board and well I love it! It was a good thing we went yesterday, the weather here in Philly has turned cold, cloudy and rainy. Just a good excuse to get knitting!

This week is going to be a busy one. I have to work on my design, and sew a dress or something to wear to a party on Saturday. Here are some of my fabric choices from my stash. I love them all, but am having a hard time trying to decide.

I also have different amounts of each of these, so I can't just pick one dress or design and then pick a fabric. Each fabric choice would need a different project.

This was my newest addition to my fabric stash, that I like being about to say is grown, but not out of hand just yet. I'm tempted to go back and buy more yardage I love this print so much. It's fiber content is 100% cotton, but this fabric has a nice drape and body without being too stiff.

I also finished my sweater and actually wore it out the other day. I will have to get a picture of me next time I wear it. I swear it has buttons on it. The sleeves need a bit of elastic in the cuffs, but that's an easy fix.

Welcom Home

Currituck Light house, We climbed to the top

We are back from our vacation on the Outer Banks. It was amazing. Warm, sunny and there was surf to be had. Mind you cold surf, cold enough that we ended up buying booties to wear with our wet suits. My friend Jo from England calls the wet suit sock and I think surf socks is what I will be calling them from now on.

Sound Side

Our first day and pretty much everyday was beautiful. With so much good weather I will admit that my stripped sweater did not make much progress but I have set a deadline for myself and have till June to finish it. I am almost done with the sleeve and will have to post some new photos of it tomorrow.

Me on the beach on the day of our failed trip to find Horses.

One of the days on the Island we went in search of the wild horses that live just north of Corolla. We had no luck finding them, but had a great time looking for them and a lovely walk on a practically deserted beach. We had to console our selves the next day with a trip to the Duck Deli for lunch. Where I drowned my disappointment in a delicious pulled pork sandwich and all was well. The floral frock I worked so diligently on the last month finally gets a night on the town.

I even got to wear one of my new creations while on vacation. We all went out to dinner and I wore my new floral frock out. I even pulled out the pearls. I did realize that the dress needs some side seem alteration under the arms and through the bodice, but that will be a quick and easy fix. Other than that this dress fits perfectly and is light and airy.

All and all a great vacation. We came back to Philly to wonderful weather. It feels good to be home in our tiny apartment. There is a new addition to our home. Cuz what surfing trip would be complete without buying a new surf board?

My new board, just like my McCoy in Oz only a West Winds in the States

Well it's new to me and was such a great deal I couldn't pass it up. It's just like the board I was using in Oz, its vintage and it's a wonderfully garish yellow. It needs a few dings mended, but all in all a perfectly sound board. And no one can miss me out in the surf with a yellow board.

Being back is great, I can't wait to start surfing on the shore. Although Simon and I are going to have to wait a few weeks as the water temp on the shore is still a tad too cold even with surf socks and wetsuits. on the knitting front some of my yarn is featured in a treasury on Esty, and I've re-listed some hanks of sock yarn in my shop. To top it all off the weather here in Philly is warm and sunny, it looks like a good week ahead.

Hurry Up, Hurry Up

Simon and I are leaving on Saturday to head down to the Outer Banks for a week. We are super stoked and can't wait to spend the week surfing and climbing light houses. This means however that I need to complete some sewing projects. I mean start some sewing projects and then complete them before Saturday. Then I have to pack.

I love and hate packing. I pride myself on not over packing, but because of this it is a two day process. So not only do I have to finish my sewing projects I need to start packing tomorrow as well. There is however a certain excitement to packing for vacation.

I Am Suppose To Be Working

Instead I watched Surfwise on Netflicks. I did knit while I watched though so that counts right?
I highly suggest this documentary it was a great story of an offbeat family and the effects their values had on their children (9 kids to be exact).

Oh and they surf. I guess I'm longing for warmer weather already and we are only half way through January. Although its sunny out today I know its cold and therefor I will not be tricked into leaving the warmth of my living room till I have too.

Surf Pics

Here are the surf pics that I promised.

Yesterday's Surf Report

The waves at Ocean City were awesome yesterday. They were the cleanest waves I've seen there although they were closing out for the most part. I got some great rides in and spent almost two hours in the water surfing. It was a good day.

Simon even got one good picture of me surfing. Although I can't find my connector cord for my camera so I will have to post them later when it turns up.

I'm off to brunch with a friend and then off to a focus call at one of the theaters here in philly so my day is packed.

Gone Surfing!

Be back later.

For Realsies

This long weekend was spent in south jersey much like my summer. The camp I work at had it's 50th year this summer and to celebrate there was a reunion of campers and councilors from past years. Just like after camp Simon and i came home and crashed.

Today has been spent sitting around the apartment watching trashy tv and knitting. I do however have work today at three. It was a nice way to ease back into both my jobs as well as living in philly.

Hopefully Simon and I can fit a few more days of surfing in. The water stays pretty warm into October and the waves are better in the fall. We bought wet suits last fall and are now ready for the off season. Maybe I can convince Simon we should go surfing on Sunday. The shoulder season as they call it seems to be the best conditions for surfing here on the east coast. this also reminds me that I need to start planing my trip to Australia. I will be leaving in February and will be in Oz for about three months. I will miss most off the winter here in Philly which will be nice.

Corner of the Web

We are now past our first week of second session and I am finding myself with a little more free time than I had the last four weeks. This is hopfully going to continue as I miss my little corner of the inter web.

In my free time I am currently reading "Offbeat Bride" by Ariel Meadow Stallings, and I love it! Simon and I are hoping to plan our own off beat, personal, DIY wedding. As of right now there are no plans, we are going to enjoy the rest of the summer and then roll up our sleeves and get planning. We are quite content to teach, and Surf on our days off, only talking about our nuptuals in specific generalities. Others are not content to do the same, but they will have to wait.

On Tuesday we are going surfing, I can't wait. For it being summer the waves here on lake Atlantic have been substantial, and Simon hasn't complained once about the shore. Beacuse things have been decent this season the surf beach seems more and more crowded. I am all for learning to surf and beginners getting out their to learn, but if you are a beginner on a 9' Long board taking on that unbroken chest high wave is probably not the best idea. Especially when 4 of you decide to paddle for it. I always worry about beginners on long boards out the back as they never seem to watch what's behind them or infront of them.

Maybe Simon and I should get married on a tandum surf board....my mother would flip!

Just a Quick One

Today is my last day babysitting for the summer. It will be a long one as one of the boys has a half day so I must be off soon to pick him up from school.

As for the spring cleaning Simon and I have decided to do that on Monday. I wanted to gop surfing, but Simon said it wouldn't be worth our time as the waves are going to be small. So I must wait two weeks for another chance to go surfing. *sigh*

I did however start packing for camp.

Update

Surfing was awesome yesterday. The weather was beautiful and the water was a bit warmer than last time (I still wore my wet suit). I got some great shots of Simon surfing, but he did not get any real good ones of me. He says he just needs practice.

It rained in Philly something fierce this morning at 7:30, thunder, lighting, rain, everything. The park across the street looks like a lake. If its ucky out today it might be a bit slow at work today. Oh well I have lots of things I need to do there anyway.

Tomorrow I have most of my day off so I'm hoping to get a lot of stuff around the apartment done, such as clean, sort through all the clothes don't wear, and hopefully sew somethings!

I leave for camp in 10 days!

Surfs Up

Going Surfing, Be back tonight.

Back From the Long Weekend

Sorry I haven't been around. I worked most of the weekend, and had my usual Monday off. This Monday though was a very special Monday. Yes it was Memorial Day, but it was also the day of my first surf of the summer season! And boy was it a good surf. The water was a warm 58F (thank goodness for my brand new wet suit) and while the waves were only about a yard they pack some punch and I caught some great waves. I was also teaching my friend Luke to surf and he did well, and almost had it but our board was a little too short for him it being 7'2".

Sadly I have not made my duct tape dress form, but do not fear I hope that sometime this week it will matrialize.

So now I must be of to work so I leave you with a link to another treasury that I'm featured it! Check it out.

Weekly Plans

I have work today and then more work and then I get to go home and relax with Simon. I'm at the day job first and then I'm suppose to go and see a rehearsal of Footloose till 9:30. Either way after today I have three blissful days of only babysitting in the pm. So that means I will be sewing away. Righ now I have pieces for a dress scattered across our dinning room floor. It's cut from a men's dress shirt. I hop it comes out well as this is my first clothing project sans pattern.

I will also be sewing more bags of course and listing them soon. I had a good couple of days at the thrift store. Made some great t-shirt finds and found a vintage teal rain jacket for myself for only a dollar. It even has whales on the inner lining! Now I won't have to wear Simon's any more.

I do however have to work the weekend, but that's alright as on Monday we are spending the day on the beach. Hopefully it will also be my first surf of the year. Chilly, but still the first of the season.

Finally Spring!

Today is a beautiful day out, to quote some Frog and Toad "the sun is shinning, the flowers are growing, the birds are chirping." With the warm weather also comes the rising of the water temp. The current water temp in Atlantic city is in the low 50's which means we should be expecting a surfing trip in the near future. Now that Simon and I not only have a board, but own wet suit we will be able to surf earlier in the spring and later in the fall extending our surf season by at least a month. Simon is ready to jump in the still chilly waters, while I am not "core" yet and am ok waiting for the waters to hit that high 50's to low 60's.

Because Simon and I are getting ready for surfing I was searching surf photos on etsy and I found this great photographer. His name is Adam Dewolfe and I have fallen in love with his photos. Take a look http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7246635.

Here's what I've been up to. Hopfully I will have more time to sew now that I am finished with the show.
P.S. I finally Listed the "Surf or Die" tote.

April Showers

I know April showers bring May flowers, but why does it have to rain on my only day off!

Looks like I will stay inside most of today as it is rainning and is suppose to rain all day. Yuck! Yesterday was sunny and warm and beautiful, but I was in a dark theatre for most of the day. Simon and I did go for a walk last night to get Rita's. (First Rita's of the season, I love their custard.)

Simon has been itching to get surfing since its been getting closer and close to summer. I agree that I want to surf, but the water temp on the shore is still in the 30's and I would much rather wait till May. My wet suit isn't think enough to keep me warm in the water till then. It's a full steamer, but it's only 3mm thick, so I will have to wait till it gets closer to summer. This is all Simon has been talking of lately, well that and Tommy Emmanual. I think he misses Oz just a bit. He says what he really misses other than his family is being able to surf year round. I think that this is going to be a requirement for where we decide to live once he's done with school. I'll be honest I wish we could surf year round too, with out having to invest in a ton of cold water gear.

Also I listed s new bag today! Check it out!