"God must be a knitter." ~ Judy V.

We were trying to remember the other day if this was the 4th or 5th time our knitting group has gotten together for World Wide Knit in Public Day. The official day (actually week) runs from June 14th through the 21st. We have always done our public knitting at the Homer Blue Grass Festival, which, this year, was held the weekend before WWKIPD. Since no one has ever shown up who wasn't a member of our library group, we figured that we would continue with tradition and knit at the festival.

One good laugh along the way - some of us took cellphone pictures and posted them to Face Book while we were there. Colleen was not able to join us, but she texted me at one point, saying:

"You might want to tell Sue to edit her FB post. Knitting in "public" leaves much to the imagination...."

As you can guess, she had not included the "L" in public! Yes Sue, we will have a good laugh about this for years to come!

We could not have asked for a more lovely day (hence Judy's quote from above). A lively crowd, good friends and blue skies - wonderful! 

"Good news is rare these days, and every glittering ounce of it should be cherished and hoarded and worshipped and fondled like a priceless diamond." ~ Hunter S. Thompson

If you have been reading my blog since its beginning, you know that I have a thing about the ocean, and a thing about Cape Cod in particular. I vacationed there growing up; as a young adult; as a parent; and in recent years, as a retiree. Bruce and I have spent a week these past three Octobers in a lovely, simple cottage, right on the edge of Pamet Marsh. Heaven on earth - plain and simple. 

You may recall my dismay when we learned that our cottage would not be available for rent this coming fall. I'm not kidding when I say I cried. There is simply no way that we can afford this spot in-season, and we have become accustomed to, and love, going in the fall. I had done some cursory hunting for another spot, but my heart was not in it. While we were in Florida, I even e-mailed the owners, asking if they had reconsidered their decision to not rent past September. I received a very prompt, pleasant, but unsatisfactory "no". The reason given was completely understandable, but that doesn't mean I had to like it.

Happiness! I received another e-mail from the owners just a few days ago, and yes, they have decided to rent in October once again - our rental contract is in the mail! Guess what - I cried again! I realize that the day may come when they will sell the cottage (it has been for sale for some time now), or they will no longer rent it, or the rent will be out of our reach (there has been a steady increase). Until that time. I will continue to dream of our next visit, and buy lottery tickets. Hey, you never know!

"Across the miles......I carry your heart." ~ Pinterest

This past weekend, I traveled back to Vermont for a family celebration. We all gathered (minus my nephew Brian who is currently in Montana) to celebrate the marriage of my nephew Scott and his wife, Changting. Scott and Changting were actually married two years ago in a civil ceremony in China. None of us were in attendance that time. Then, last summer, Changting's family hosted a formal, traditional ceremony in China (I have concluded this post with a few photos from then). Scott's family and a few friends traveled to China for this occasion. Now, two years later, with Changting finally in the US as of November, Scott's family has hosted a celebration in their honor, and to welcome Changting to our country and our family - Whew!

Scott and Changting met while sitting on the same bench in China four years ago. When Scott returned to the US, a two-year skyping romance blossomed. When Scott returned to China two years after their first meeting, they were married. A lovely courtship!

The reception was held in a lovely old opera house in the village of Vergennes. I discovered after the fact that I had my camera on the wrong setting, so many of my photos are in a bit of a blur - so be it!

While sitting in the car at one point over the weekend, my father turned to me and said, "You know, we have a wonderful family." He is oh so right.......

Scott and Changting, with my sister and her family.

The Rhodes women, minus my sister Robin.

I made soap as reception favors.

The Rhodes Family!

My father broke his glasses the day of the reception, but did not let this stop him from enjoying the reception, or the company of two of his granddaughters.

My mother and Alex!

These final photos are from the traditional ceremony held in Changting's hometown in China last August.

We love you Scott and Changting, and wish you every happiness in the years to come!