Emptyknitster

I enjoyed knitting these vanilla socks this a plus! The mosaic pattern was just enough to make these socks a little different! Socks, socks and more socks! Just can't seem to quit knitting them... Pattern: Vanilla with a touch of mosaic! Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock and Paton Kroy Sock Ragg Shades Colorway: Brown, Beige and dusty blues Needle Size: US Size 1

I was fiddling on my iPhone and took this pic of Denali - just wish it had been on the good camera! Denali - 4 months old She has grown so much in the last two months, her markings are changing and getting darker and her legs are getting so much longer! She has loved having the kids around but last night when things settled down she slept on my lap for an hour, something I've been missing! What a great little kitty!

We've had a very busy week with the nephews and grandkiddos here. They chose a short ride to the water park in town rather than a trip of several hours to Chico Hot Springs. We had a good afternoon and were home in a jiff. I forgot to take pics until the last second... Hubby jumped right in and came up with several things to do. He loves the outdoors and so naturally thinks that all youngsters, especially boys, should love being out communing with nature. Off we went! Over several days we made the Eastern Montana Circuit and visited Pompey's Pillar, Sherdian Butte, and Little Big Horn Battlefield. Pompey's Pillar:   Then it was on to Sheridan Butte, a six to seven mile hike! A little metal detecting was done and a surprise visit from a three foot rattlesnake! We hiked to the top and had a 360 degree great view! We were able to find the carving left behind by Co. C on their way to aid Custer but in reality they picked up the dead and inj...

How to Make a Frittata Makes roughly six servings What You Need Choose 3-4 of the following: 1 onion, diced 1 potato, diced 1 bell pepper, diced 1 roasted red pepper, diced 1-2 cups broccoli 1-2 cups cauliflower 1-2 leeks, diced 12 ounces mushrooms, diced or thinly sliced 1 cup leftover pasta 1 cup leftover rice 1-2 sausages, diced 1 cup shredded chicken, pork, or beef 1 cup tofu, diced Any other leftovers you may have in the fridge Seasoning Ingredients: 1-3 teaspoons spices, like oregano, basil, thyme, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder 1-2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 - 1 teaspoon salt Frittata Ingredients: 1/2 - 1 cup shredded cheese (optional) 6-8 large eggs, enough to cover the ingredients Equipment 10" - 12" skillet Spatula Instructions Heat the oven to 400°F. 1. Sauté the Frittata Ingredients:  If the meat is raw, cook that first and then remove it from the pan to add back in later. Cook the vegetables with a little oil ove...

There's another birthday at the end of the month and another pair of socks DONE! My nephew prefers short socks so these are about three inches shorter than usual. I'm not confident that they will be to his satisfaction and so I've kept the remaining yarn attached to make any changes necessary. Pattern: Vanilla Bean Striped Socks Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Striped Colorway: Mean Green Stripes Amount: 2 skeins Needle Size: US Size 1

This is the yarn I dyed at the retreat last month.  Fond memories in each stitch! The pattern was a great way to use hand dyed yarn that may tend to pool or flash. Pattern: Waffle Rib Socks Yarn: Emptyknitster Studio Colorway: Mint Julep Needle size: US Size 1

Last night the Oregon boys arrived. They are settling in nicely. This morning there was a little game playing, before we set of for a walking tour of the Rims put on by Western Heritage Center. Everyone found the tour interesting. There was a little Native American folklore, as well as how Billings was founded. I was pleased to finally have an answer to why Billings is laid out so strangely, not taking advantage of the beautiful Yellowstone River. Billings is a city formed by the NP Railroad. As the railroad forged across the country the government gave them land in checkerboard fashion. Here in the valley for some reason there are two plots of land up against each other rather than corner to corner. This is now downtown Billings. The track and old depot go right along the boundary of each, one side is the Southside including Minnesota Avenue and the other side includes Montana Avenue.  Also because of the winds usually blowing west to east the industrial section was on the ...

The Pirate has only been around grumpy old cats, ones that only see kiddos as unnecessary interruptions in an otherwise perfect live. Over the years he quietly wormed his way into Nkkos heart with his gentle ways but it had taken years and The Pirate growing up. Now there is a new kitten and it took only a few days for them to form a bond, kitten learning "The Boy", for I'm sure this is her name for him, could be trusted and "The Boy" learning he could touch her without a lightning quick paw scratching an outstretched hand. The kitten is happy with me each morning - until she hears footsteps on the stairs and at that moment she rises up on her hind legs, her neck extended just waiting for her first glimpse of "The Boy"! He is learning her daily habits and is waiting for her after the daily three and half hour morning nap with a quick snack and her favorite toy. There is nothing sweeter than a boy and his cat!

Monday we took a jaunt via Big Timber to see the Natural Bridge. We were slightly disappointed in the fact the bridge collapsed in 1988, however the river is now working at building a new bridge and the area is really very interesting. Currently the river disappears and the returns at the waterfall. When the water level goes down later in the summer it again goes under ground in the canyon area only to appear further down. Kitten seems to have taken to her backpack! We'll make a hiker out of her yet...

Since spring the gurls and I have been getting up early each Saturday and getting Bountiful Baskets. It has stretched us several times to find uses for some of the vegetables. This week we received cabbages (after I had bought one for slaw over the fourth!) and I also bought the fiesta pack so I had to find a use for the fresh cilantro after feeding the grandkiddos tacos on a regular basis. The Chick asked for the cabbage recipe: Runzas or Bierocks (German Cabbage Buns) 1 pkg yeast 1/4 c sugar 1c lukewarm milk 3 c flour 2 eggs beaten 1/4 c shortening 1t salt Mix yeast, sugar, milk, and 1 1/2 c flour, let rise 45 minutes or until bubbling. Add eggs, shortening, salt and remaining flour to make soft dough. (I have to add more flour so it's not sticky) Cover and let dough rest in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours or until double in bulk. Filling: Melt Tablespoons of shortening in a skillet. Add one chopped onion, 1/2 head cabbage, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon peppe...