SURFSIDE-WA

August 14th: A Gale Watch is still in effect, here, along the coastal shores above us in WA & below us, in OR:

Gale Watch Warning; Coastal

Coastal Gale Watch Warning; from Cape Shoalwater-WA to Cape Falcon-OR

Holland wanted to go watch the waves and spend some time on the beach before the rains came to keep us indoors until Tuesday 😟 We went to the furthest beach access we could, before land met Ocean - we hadn't been there in a while:

Oysterville Beach Access-WA from Ocean Bay RV Park-WA; 10 min (5.7 mi) via WA-103 N

Fun to watch … not so much fun for those along the coastline waters, in small boats; Oysterville-WA Beach Access-WA

After about an hour of enjoying the fresh air, watching the waves roll in, and watching people meander all over the beach … Holland suggested we go for a little drive before we head home.

I'm always game for a drive 😊👌

To start, we backtracked through Oysterville; and I saw that little white bridge that always catches my attention - I asked if we could get closer. Holland said, "We'll drive over it"; so, that's what we did.

Interesting little Bridge; Surfside, Oysterville-WA HOA Community.

Surfside-WA Canal:  (https://southwestwashingtonpaddletrips.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/surfside-canals/)

According to the map shown in the Blog link … the canal ran all the way from Ilwaco, to what is now the Surfside Community. When I mentioned what I had learned, Holland said the canal was probably used to bring small boats in and out of the area, back in the peninsula heydays.

Curiosity satiated 😁

Hmm

We didn't leave Ocean Park while we drove around: we explored. Just to see what we could see that we hadn't already seen 😉

And again, Holland was asked, "Can we drive around the block here, so I can get a good picture of that Ten Commandments wall mural?"

I like this Church siding; Ocean Park-WA

I have a good husband 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

When we finally got back home, Holland started Supper … and enjoyed a lengthy phone convo with his Colorado cousin, who called just as the pot was set to cook. They made plans to meet up around Thanksgiving time - our lungs can't handle the Colorado elevation, but we can definitely make time for them to get together when he makes a visit to the CA lowlands 👍

Holland's wonderful, fatty, Pork & Beans.

HOLLAND'S PORK & BEANS Recipe; Ocean Park-WA:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/08/hollands-pork-beans-recipe-ocean-park-wa.html)

Today was filled with enjoyable moments that made us smile; everything is okay in our small corner of the world ❤️

HOLLAND'S PORK & BEANS Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

Rain is forecast through the weekend - and gale force winds 😳 are expected too; so, today was the perfect Day for my husband to put on a pot of his tasty pork & beans 😊👌

 

Gale Warning.

I have actually been hungering for this tasty delight, so I'm glad I'll be enjoying it tonight, when the chill blows in, the the crazy winds kick up - we aren't riding the waves, but the ocean is literally only a 5 minutes drive from our front steps; so, we'll feel the rocking and rolling tonight, when Independence is pelted with raindrops & pushed against by mother nature's huffiness.

This recipe is so simple, it's deceptive in the way it flirts with your taste buds 😂🤣

Holland's Pork & Beans ~serves 8

Ingredients.

1-lb. bag Pinto Beans, rinsed * 1-lb. Pork Belly, sliced * 1 lrg. Yellow Onion, sliced * 1 head Garlic, separated & peeled * 8 c. Water * 1 TBSP Lowry's Garlic Salt * 1 TBSP Pink Himalayan Salt * 1 TBSP. Paprika powder * 1/2 TBSP Black Pepper, ground * 1 Insta-pot Pressure Cooker * 1 Ladle

1) Rinse beans - place in cooker pot; add onion, garlic, water, and spices.

Rinse beans & place in pressure cooker pot.

2) Place lid on pot, secure tightly & set timer. Pressure cook 2-1/2 hours.

Insta-Pot Pressure Cooker.

3) Carefully vent, remove lid, and serve.

This is SO YUMMY 😁👍

The delicious scent of supper cooking filled the house from end to end …

The rain came right in schedule, & will carry through the weekend.

DONALDBURGER & Granny's Teeth; Ocean Park-WA

We've been here, in Ocean Park-WA, since April: every time we drive past Doc's … [The Donaldburger] beckons; I didn't know if patriotism was running high … or if the burgers were extra "man-sized" thick. I was curious 🤔

So, today, we stopped in and found out.

I was hoping my husband would be sinking his teeth into a big, fat, juicy, man-sized patty:

Doc's from RV Park; 2 min (0.6 mi) via 261st Pl Bay Ave, Ocean Park-WA

Going in … #1414 Bay Ave, Ocean Park, WA

The interior was clean & well lighted. There are several pool tables inside; very roomy interior.

THE HAMBURGER WAS AWFUL! 😒🤦🏻‍♀️

It was basically a spin-off of a mcdonald's burger; made in a countertop oven 😳

The patty was of the mcdonald's cardboard-"burger" variety, and the whole thing was so sloppy the bun fell apart under the "juicy" attack; while the hamburger slid all over the place. Eating it was tricky - Holland gave up after 3 biting attempts: my chasing the patty lasted a little longer, but eventually I gave up, too. I don't like mcdonald's food - and this was even worse 😑

We trashed the mess and decided to drive into Long Beach, to The Corral, for a takeout meal - we know the food there is worth the $$, and will be satisfying 😊👌

We drove to The Corral & got Prawn Baskets for Supper.

Today is Gorgeous Grandma Day, and even though I didn't hear a single word, get a text or a call, from any of my grandchildren … my husband showered me with attention, love, and genuine affection 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Later, I went online to check my PM's, and saw that the zuckerberg's internet sharks 🤪 were trying to sink their teeth into my private posts.

A.g.a.i.n.: some people just never learn 🙄

FB's "Supreme Court" European Tribunal, tried to cow me with UN tactics …

I fired off a rebuttal - a 3rd world country does NOT run me = they do not run American freedoms.

So, this gorgeous granny had to bite back - with a hard rebuke and an insistent, "There's nothing false about my Post; remove the flag and put it back the way you found it" 😤

No one is going to slip a choke collar on me 😡

No one is going to force me to "obey!" their 1-sided demands.

I got an immediate response …

Don't mess with Granny; she'll show her teeth, and land one across your chops.

This "gorgeous granny" (today is International Gorgeous Granny Day) has teeth rooted in her gums … and isn't afraid to use them 😉

People - especially uninvited strangers - stalking my personal spaces & trolling my private posts, deserve what they find; & what they stir up.

MOD KNIT CROSS & STRIPE AFHGAN; Ocean Park-WA

MOD Knit Cross & Stripe Afghan Finished Size is 87-in long x 82-in wide.

My asthma inhaler when I need to use it - & my husband's COPD nebulizer, when he needs to use it; can cause drowsiness, which leads to an occasional nap when we set Independence up along our Road Gypsy journey 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨🌎

Current location is Ocean Park-WA

We are currently enjoying a few months, on the Long Beach-WA Peninsula.

Ocean Park-WA; between Long Beach-WA & Nachotta-WA

I like a tidy bed when I slip under the covers at bedtime … so, afghans which allow for naptime 😴 atop the bed's comforter, seems like a good solution to all needs 🤝

I had smaller afghans before I remarried - and they were perfect for me because I was a smaller woman, at that time: 5'2" and 40 pounds lighter. But my new husband 🥰 is 6'4" and likes to eat hefty meals 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️: so, newer, longer & wider, afghans became necessities.

I made this light crochet chevron st. afghan a couple months ago, when we were in AZ:

MOD Stash Busting Ripple Afghan; Kingman-AZ https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/03/mod-stash-busting-ripple-afghan-kingman.html

But it's a bit cooler, here along the PNW coastline 🤔 - so, I designed & crafted a more solid, warmer, afghan 👍

The Arabic cross and Moire st patterns, may look complicated … but they are not hard to work out 👌😊

Once you work out the **Amethyst st. st. stripe-White moire st. stripe-Turquoise st. st. stripe-White moire st. stripe** pattern sequence … the pattern will become second nature, & things will get monotonous 😉

You do not have to stick to my color scheme (the colors I chose have personal meaning for me) - use the colors that work for you and your needs.

MOD KNIT CROSS & STRIPE AFHGAN Pattern

FINISHED SIZE: 87' long x 82" wide (before washing & drying)

Materials: Super Saver Worsted yarn in White = 2 skeins, Turquoise = 2 skeins, & Amethyst = 2 skeins; scrap yarn in a color brighter than pattern colors; #10 circular knitting needle; Aluminum Crochet Hook # I/9;  Scissors; Tapestry Needle

Terms used:

CO = cast on stitches

EA = each

Garter St. = Knit every row

st. st. stockinette stitch (1 K row = RS - 1 P row = WS)

RS = front facing side of work

WS = backside of work

k = knit

p = purl

wrn = wrap yarn around needle

psso = pass yarn over st

EO = end off yarn

Sl St = slip stitch

Begin 1st BLANKET BORDER EDGING:

With White, CO 315 sts

Rows 1 & 2: K each row. Turn

MOD Cross & Stripe Afghan - worsted, 315 sts, #10 circular needle.

Rows 3: K across row. Turn

Row 4: P across row. Turn

Rows 5 thru 16: Repeat rows 3 & 4.

Rows 17  & 18: K 7 across row. Turn

Row 19: K 7; purl across row - end k 7. Turn.

Row 20 (right side facing): K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 21: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Row 22: K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5;  k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 23: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Row 24: K 7; P2; repeat following across row - *K 9 through back loop, P 3*: end row with P 2; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 25: K 9; repeat following across row - *P 9, K 3*: end row with K 9. Turn

Row 26: K 7; P2; repeat following across row - *K 9 through back loop, P 3*: end row with P 2; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 27: K 9; repeat following across row - *P 9, K 3*: end row with K 9. Turn

Row 28: K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5; k last 7 sts. Turn

Fold ridge & Arabic Cross pattern.

Row 29: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Row 30: K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 31: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Row 32: K across row. Turn

Row 33: K 7; Purl across row - k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 34 (right side facing):  Fold worked cross pattern facing over to match with backing st. st. border piece, & working both back sts & facing sts together: k 7 side edge sts, purl across 301 center sts, k 7 side edge sts (315 sts total). EO White; & Attach Amethyst.

Purl both sts together …

Top border band will be 'fluffy' as fold-over is worked - but it will fit on the circular needle, just fine.

STRIPED ROWS DESIGN:

Row 35: With Amethyst, K across row. Turn

Row 36: K 7; p across 301 sts; k 7. Turn

Amethyst stripe & cross pattern border; front & back.

Rows 37 thru 55: Repeat rows 35 & 36 for st. st. stripe. EO Amethyst; & attach White.

Rows 56: With White, K across row. Turn 

Row 57: K 7: p across 301 sts; k 7. Turn

Rows 58: K 7: *Sl st purlwise, k 1, wrn to make 1, psso the k st & the make 1* - k last 7 sts. Turn

Pass the k st over …

Rows 59: K 7: p across 301 sts; k 7. Turn

Rows 60: K 7: *Sl st purlwise, k 1, wrn to make 1, psso the k st & the make 1* - k last 7 sts. EO White; & attach Turquoise.

Moire st. stripe.

Row 61: With Turquoise, K across row. Turn

Begin turquoise st. st. stripe.

Row 62: K 7: p across 301 sts; k 7. Turn

Rows 63 thru 81: Repeat rows 35 & 36 for st. st. stripe. EO Turquoise; & attach White.

Rows 82: With White, K across row. Turn 

Row 83: K 7; p across 301 sts; k 7. Turn

Rows 84: K 7: *Sl st purlwise, k 1, wrn to make 1, psso the k st & the make 1* - k last 7 sts. Turn

Rows 85: K 7; p across 301 sts; k 7. Turn

Rows 86: K 7; *Sl st purlwise, k 1, wrn to make 1, psso the k st & the make 1* - k last 7 sts. EO White; & attach Amethyst.

Repeat rows 35 thru 86 for striped pattern - you should have 9 Amethyst stripes - 14 White stripes - & 8 Turquoise stripes … ending length with the 9th Amethyst stripe - EO;  & attach White

Alternating color st. st. & moire texture sts bands …

The length eventually was too long for table-top work; so, I contained it with a Lawn Bag, and kept the white border clean.

Begin 2nd BLANKET BORDER EDGING:

Rows 1 thru 4: With White, K each row (315 sts). Turn

Rows 5: K across row. Turn

Row 6: P across row. Turn

Row 7 (right side facing): K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 8: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Start of the Finishing Border.

Row 9: K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5;  k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 10: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Row 11: K 7; P2; repeat following across row - *K 9 through back loop, P 3*: end row with P 2; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 12: K 9; repeat following across row - *P 9, K 3*: end row with K 9. Turn

Row 13: K 7; P2; repeat following across row - *K 9 through back loop, P 3*: end row with P 2; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 14: K 9; repeat following across row - *P 9, K 3*: end row with K 9. Turn

Row 15: K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 16: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Row 17: K 7; P5; repeat following across row - *K 3 through back loop, P 9*: end row with P 5; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 18: K 12 (7 border sts & pattern sts); repeat following across row - *P 3, K 9*: end row with K 12. Turn

Border Cross Design done …

Row 19: K across row. Turn

Row 20: K 7; P across row - k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 21 (Fold-over Row): K 7; P across row; k last 7 sts. Turn

Row 22 (backside of work): P across row. Turn

Row 23: K across row. Turn

Rows 24 thru 38: Repeat rows 22 & 23. Turn

Row 39: Knit across row. Turn.

Row 40 (right side facing): Fold worked pattern over to match with Cross Pattern, facing, & purl into each back st. of foundational white border st. EO White.

Sew open border ends closed.

Fold-over & secure to back st. of Amethyst stripe; purl through both sts.

Finishing result.

Front & Back of finishing Border.

Sew open ends closed.

With White & crochet hook: start at right upper border band corner, and sl st across fold-over line. EO

With crochet hook, sl st along the border fold-over sts to keep border edge straight and laying flat, to ease back the "fluffiness".

Repeat crochet sl st with opposite fold-over border band.

Weave in loose yarn ends along striped blanket sides.

That's it - all done 👏: enjoy your comfy knit afghan 😘

Enough hang over that my big bear of a man's feet, will be comfy covered ❤️