#ZK2023

"What is ZK2023?," you ask? That's easy, it's the ZK between ZK2022 and ZK2024! 

"But, what does ZK stand for?"

Also an easy answer. ZK stands for friends getting together,

being silly, 

taking pictures, 

Group photo time!

knitting,

Twins!

eating, 

Is this the only food pic I took?

collecting yarn and other goodies,

Goodie bag goodies!

learning from inspirational experts in our yarny pursuits, 

Thank you,  Vincent Williams, Jr!
@Visuvios_Crafts

hanging out,

Bingo!

running (or walking) a fun 5K,

and staying up late into the night...so late that we may or may not feel like zombies the next day!

I have one more day with the Stockinette Zombies here in Minnesota, and I'll be at the Market all day, so I figured I'd knock out the blog early this week. This annual Zombie Knitpocolypse is probably one of the most fun things I've done in the last few years, and I have already put ZK2024 on my calendar (Lord willin' an' th' creek don' rise!)

I wonder what yarn I'll come home with? I hope it all fits in my suitcase! Tune in next week to find out! 

Until then, thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

I've Made My Bed

I wonder why I feel so satisfied after making a bed? Our beds and bedrooms are not fancy or frilly,

and I do not claim to be the perfect lay-er of linens...

But there is just something about a freshly made bed that makes me want to go out and conquer the world! Well, maybe not the world, but perhaps I could ball up some yarn for a new pair of socks...

Then I could start knitting socks! Which I have done this week, so yay!

Making beds also gets me motivated to do the things that need to get done before I blow this popsicle stand in favor of one of my favorite retreats: the Zombie Knitpocolypse!

I'll be hopping a plane to see some of my favorite faces early next week, and so I will spend the rest of my weekend planning, packing, and preparing to embrace my Stockinette Zombies friends in person next weekend! It'll be a super-fun time!

Until then, I'll likely keep knitting something, and trying to wrap up the loose ends at home and at work to prepare for my absence. Like finally getting my hair cut...whew! 

Seeing all the dark hair discarded was not for the faint of heart...and I had a hard time not picking up a lock to keep, in memory of my young hair...lol!

When I get back from the retreat, it'll nearly be the 4th of July! Where is this summer going? I plan on grabbing as much fun in the sun (aka knitting outdoors) as I can while it's here, and I hope that you will do the same! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

The kids had a visitor this weekend.
So very sweet he was!

Another Good-Bye

Aunt Chris, the oldest of three daughters, hadn't been doing well since before February of this year. On May 18th, she had a heart attack, and it was clear that she was nearing the end of her race. My cousin put out the word that she still had her phone, and she reminded us how much Aunt Chris loved us all. Thank you Teresa, and thank you for this picture, taken the day after the heart attack. I love that she is still smiling, and I credit that to the fact that she was well-loved and sure of her eternity. 

I took the time to text her a few times in those last days. On May 19th, I texted, "I love you Aunt Chris!" 

She texted back, "Thank you i love you too. Pet your pretty cats for me. Please make me some of grandpa's cookies"

I sent her a pic of a cat that's been across the rainbow bridge for some months, no need for corrections now, and I promised that I would make the cookies...which I did. I sent her this picture. 

Then I sent the cookies, and they arrived in time. Teresa texted that Aunt Chris was glad to receive them, and that made me happy.

Christina Ann DeLuca entered those pearly gates on May 31st, and I am glad that she has arrived at her final destination, free of the pain and heartache of this world. But I miss knowing that she is a text away. 

I will remember her as one of the three monkeys, 

Mickey, Marianna and Chris

The oldest of three sisters (my mom is the middle sister, and the only one left now),

My beloved Aunt, who lived far away, but still loved me. She loved all of us, and I will grieve for and with all of the people in this picture. Those littles are all adults now, walking this walk and saying goodbye together...from all over the country.

I won't make it to St. Louis to celebrate her life next weekend, but I will be there in spirit...and maybe I'll make some more of those cookies. Go rest high on that mountain, Aunt Chris, and enjoy the view!

Life is still good. God is still good. And there is still so much to do. Go hug someone you love.

Thanks for stopping by, and knit in good health.

Get to the Point?

Cedar Point, our local amusement park, was a big part of our plan to wrap up the holiday weekend, and I couldn't be happier about it! I've told you before that it is one of my favorite places to spend a summer day, and last Tuesday was no exception! 

As a bonus,  it looks like I have a new ride buddy! Although the baby was not super impressed with the hot sun and noise of the park (even when grandmothers paired up to take him on the carousel),

and the middle kid only consented to a couple of rides,  

This boy right here? He had the time of his life! 

From waiting in line to going really fast,  he just kept saying,  "This is the best!," and, "Gramma, this is so awesome!," usually followed by,  "Can we do it again?!"

He had fun on all the rides, and I had so much fun joining him on all the round-and-round rides we both could stomach!  Not many pics of that, but here's a shot from one of the little coasters I rode with him 3 or 4 times! 

He put his hands up on his own, I didn't even have the chance to suggest it...and even Pop Pop rode a couple of rides, which was awesome! 

And everyone feel asleep on the ride home, so you know we got the most out of that day! 

Sooo, season passes next summer? Maybe! I think that would be fun,  and hopefully the brothers will learn to love riding, too! Even if they don't, a day at the park is a great time to show of your favorite hats, right boys? 

Right! Maybe a second trip could be in the cards for me and my little buddy, too? Time will tell, and until it does, I'll just keep knitting... because although summer has only just begun, we all know that winter will return eventually! 

Do you have any fun plans this summer? Drop a comment and tell me about them! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!