Whitemarsh Virtual?

Have you heard of the popular local Facebook groups called Whitemarsh Virtual? There are four of them. Books came first back in 2017. I was not interested in an in-person book club. I read fast and I typically have 5+ books going at one time. I was looking for book recommendations, a place to trade used books, have small conversations about books and authors, but wasn't looking for more. Facebook was the logical place for a group such as this. 2017 was way before we started our virtual/COVID times. Guess I was ahead of the game and named the first group Whitemarsh Virtual Book Club. To date, there are more than 400 members and not just in Whitemarsh! If you love books and reading as much as I do, check out the group, I'll make sure you are added!

Whitemarsh Virtual Book Club | Facebook

Books have always been a favorite escape of mine. However, to understand where the other ideas came from, you need to know a personal detail about me. Prior to becoming a REALTOR, I worked as a Medical Practice Administrator. A job my mom groomed me for! I worked for a doctor that she knew for many years. Christmas 2012, my mother suddenly passed away. My last conversation with her on Christmas Eve was it may be time for me to get a new job. Days later, she was gone. I spent the next 12 months grieving but still had to parent my two kids, run a medical practice and my household. I couldn't hide away in my bedroom, but I did need to find diversions to keep my mind busy but also keep me present for my kids, job, and family. I turned to cooking, crochet, and gardening. 

I used to be a Lipton noodle sides kind of girl. Chicken parmesan was precooked breaded patties, a slice of moz, and sauce from a jar. Cookies came from a log of dough. As a child of the 80s, this was the norm! I came up with a list of recipes and techniques I wanted to learn. I planned menus and read as much as I could. Watched YouTube videos. I learned so much that first year. I changed how our family eats and totally ruined my son -- he will ONLY eat gourmet now! It kept me present in the kitchen, providing delicious meals for my family, and my love for cooking grew. It took until 2019 to set it up, but the Whitemarsh Virtual Cooking Club was added to the list! Do you love to cook and share recipes? Join the close to 300 members from all over (not just Whitemarsh) and connect today. This is definitely an active group. I'm looking for new recipes so please join us today! 

Whitemarsh Virtual Cooking Club | Facebook

Artistic, no. Crafty, yes! I wish I could draw. Never could. Even my doodles are questionable. However, give me knitting needles, latch hook, gimp, embroidery floss, a sewing machine....I'm your girl!! My mom taught me to knit as a child. Not crochet. I did learn some stitches in college (to make yarmulkes) but never pursued it further. My mom was the knitter and every grandchild benefitted from her craft. How could this continue now that she was gone? Thank goodness for the internet! Videos galore! I had the basics down. Got some supplies and my techniques improved and many a baby hat and blanket have been made for my nieces and nephews. 

Then came COVID. Then came the shut down of real estate. March and April and most of May were stressful. Just like in 2012, 2020 was full of emotions and stress. I turned to my hobbies to keep me sane! Crochet had turned into tie dye projects, dot mandala painting, quilting & mask making, and now vinyl cutting. Where could I share all of this FUN I was having? What about all the masks people were making? Summer 2020 saw the birth of Whitemarsh Virtual Sewing Bee, Quilting Circle, Craft Show. May not be as popular as cooking or books, but if you have a secret love of crafting, join us! You won't be sorry.

Whitemarsh Virtual Sewing Bee, Quilting Circle, Craft Show | Facebook

Valentine's Day 2018 was the day I moved into my first "city" house. Fitler Square. 26th and Lombard. The cement patio was not going to deter me from growing things! The internet was barely a thing. Ha d a few tiny peppers but was successful with herbs and cherry tomatoes. Fast forward to 2009/2010. Living on the Hill with an amazing backyard has allowed me to try different varieties and grow what we eat! Just made sense to start networking with other local growers. Now we can seed swap and learn from each other what does work around here in zone 7! Time to join the Whitemarsh Virtual Garden Club and get your garden ready for Spring!

Whitemarsh Virtual Garden Club | Facebook

I hope you enjoyed the history of Whitemarsh Virtual and a bit of insight into who I am and why these groups were created. Please join any or all of the Whitemarsh Virtual groups and engage and share with this growing community.