Emptyknitster

On Saturdays, when the gurls were young I'd often make waffles for breakfast and just for short time called them "Awful Waffles." Until middle daughter, who HAD loved them for breakfast, no longer would eat a single bite! Oh my, it was because I'd been calling them awful for several weeks, and years later she still claims not to like waffles.... I've improved my sock knitting technique in the last few years. When I began this sock knitting adventure they all went into my sock drawer but as I got better at knitting socks, they became gifts for friends and family. Now, as I look at the socks in my drawer, I long for the much improved versions! Kendy, from the WyomingCowboyFamily, has told me on several occasions that although she has been receiving her Birthday and Christmas socks she'd never turn down sock drawer hand-me-downs.  I'm pretty sure that she should be looking in the mail for a package soon! And then I'm adding these socks to my sock...

This weekend my creative juices were really flowing. I decided to try a new dyeing technique I'd read about, ice cube yarn dying. I froze concentrated grape, strawberry and apple-kiwi koolaid into ice cube trays. Then I placed the ice cubes on the moist yarn. I placed the yarn in a low temperature oven for about an hour. The results were horrid, blotchy yarn in dull purple, BRIGHT red and splotchy green. Today I used a technique called tonal dying in an attempt to over dye the  yarn. I used blueberry koolaid and placed the dry yarn into a pot to simmer. I like the result...

Every Christmas I have the blog entries printed into hard copies for the family. Somehow this Christmas my biggest fan didn't get his usual edition. When I was cleaning up Christmas wrap in the fiber room, there was The CaliforniaDreamingFamily's copy hidden under the mess! I didn't miss the opportunity to get it down to California last weekend when Bri was visiting. I was happy to get this photo of The Pirate. I see my fan club continues!

After a LONG winter, Friday brought spring not just on the calendar but also in the weather and my temperament! Friday I cleaned house like a maniac so the weekend could be "my own".  Saturday I did a little "junking." Years ago Mom and I used to do this every once in awhile but I really haven't done it since The Chick moved into her own place and needed a few things to round out the first apartment. ( black paint always coordinates everything! ) I found a frame and original painting dated 1966 of an aspen grove and teepee for $6 by someone I hope never rose to fame and fortune in the artistic world because... I did a DYI project for my fiber room.  I'm going to add a quote on the blackboard after the paint cures a few days. The blackboard paint was so fun and easy that after I made instant Chi Tea and Cappuccino I sprayed the lids and added the name of the contents and amount needed for a cup! Chi Tea 1 c. nonfat dry milk powder 1 c. powdered ...

I've been wanting to give baby tube socks a try. They take just a bit of leftover yarn and are a quick knit for a shower gift.... Pattern: My Own Yarn: Patons Kroy 4 Ply Colorway: Sporty Stripes Needle Size: US Size 1 Pattern: Cast on 20 stitches using Judy’s Magic Cast On. Increase every other round until there are 40 stitches Knit 4 rounds Knit 2, Purl 2, to length desired Cast off loosely

Denali with her birth Mom Nine week old Denali on her arrival from Alaska Look who's 1 year old today! Our SadieLouWho and little Denali share the same birthday.  Sadie has brought this fact up several times throughout the year and so it was easy to remember Denali's first birthday!  No gifts for her today, hubby is away but truly every other day of the year would be a birthday if it consisted of only gifts - he continually showers her with presents.  I will admit to a neck-rub and a verse of "Happy Birthday" for her in honor of the day!

When visiting the NorDak Family last month, The Tiger asked me to help him get his socks on. They were the birthday socks I’d made him in the fall and man, oh, man, his feet had grown! So when I settled back home his name went to the top of the list for a new pair. The Tiger’s handknit socks are very important to him, he believes they are “Lucky Socks” bringing him luck on spelling test day. Not only are these socks lucky because Gramma knit them but because they are lucky shamrock green!  G-O-O-D-L-U-C-K    T-I-G-E-R!! Pattern: Stashbuster Spirals Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock, Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball Colorway: Moss, Cinnamon and Blue/Green Needle Size: US Size 1

Chico Hot Springs! Chico Hot Springs was originally visited by the Native Americans where they would soak in the warm waters. In 1900 a couple built a hotel, dining room and plunge pool. Later rooms were added for a hospital wing. Currently it is a popular weekend retreat for area families and provides a restful soak for tourists leaving The Park. Lucky for me I'd brought my knitting. There was an unfortunate accident in the pool involving a kiddo (no blood) and the pool was closed for the first half of our stay. Getting creative we headed for the Boiling River on the 45th parallel in Yellowstone Park. "A sign north of where the road crosses the Gardner River marks the 45th parallel of latitude. The 45th parallel is an imaginary line that circles the globe halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Bathers must walk upstream about a half mile from the parking area to the place where the footpath reaches the river. This spot is also marked by large clouds of...

This past weekend Hubby asked if I'd like to head to Yellowstone Park and see how the critters had fared over the winter. We have been noticing a little spring popping up around home and so I was good to go. With very little planning, we pulled things together - Leftover pizza for lunch and corn beef and cabbage for dinner, some warm blankets and off we thought we'd go. Do you remember Denali is supposed to be a traveling cat?? She headed west for all the Grizzly Games last fall. However, this time she had other ideas for our spur of the moment trip. (I think Hubby was just a little to intimidating in his noisy nylon jacket and quick movements.) As he tried to put on her harness, off she ran hiding anywhere we couldn't get to her.  We hung around for an hour or so but I decided we needed to be off on our adventure and "Sorry little Denali, you'll feel very sad when you're left alone at home!" As we went out the door I'm pretty sure I heard a little...

Recently, we received some photos in the mail. Hubby's cousin was sorting through three boxes of photos her mother had taken years ago. The ones in the envelope were from a visit Hubby's Aunt Martha had made to Montana years ago. Great Aunt Martha came out west to visit her sister-in-law, Hubby's mom. This coincided with our visit and we had a great time. Martha must have thought so as well because she came back for another visit again a year or so later. Martha took these photos so we don't have a photo of her. But what fun it is to see a happy Gramma with her beloved Grandchildren! These photos brought back a memory of the night California Dreamin' Girl fell out of bed THREE times but out of sheer stubbornness she rode out the night on the top bunk ! Great Aunt Martha was sleeping in the double bed in the "guest room" with a crib, and a bunk bed as well. The Chick was in the crib, the NorDak Purl Gurl was on the lower bunk and The California D...

Apparently, The Pirate is changing his M.O.!  Recently his school decided to set a new record for the largest Einstein gathering for the Guiness Book of World Records. They now, unofficially, hold the record - with plenty of help from their parents!

I just finished another pair of sock for myself - must be the year of self indulgence! Pattern: Vanilla Bean Striped Socks by Emily O'Grady Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock and Fishknits Strong Heart Colorway: Moss for toes, heels and cuffs and Fuji Fight Like a Girl for the main construction Needle Size: US Size 1 I’ve had this yarn for a while and from the beginning I wanted to make St. Paddy’s Day socks. This just seemed like the time. My feet will be dancing a jig wearing these in a week or so!

Just another day at home! And exactly why I love to be at home, because you just never know who's going to stop by!

For the last few months I have been spending time with family and frankly to busy to be blogging.  I'm not going to dwell on the situation but things are settling down now, and getting back to normal! However, I'll say I've learned a few things over the last three months. The biggest is just how much family matters. We've always been a close family, which is an easy thing to write in good times and a statement this mom says with pride after our stressful situation. It was a time our family just naturally pulled together and all our strength and resources  were pooled, working toward just one outcome. Hubby, daughters, son in laws and grand kiddos showed their strength. Thanks and much love to everyone!  When times got tough this family really stepped up! Knitters gotta knit, but in times of stress this knitter REALLY got her needles in gear. Nonstop to the point I knit a blister on my thumb! (not to mention sore wrists and joints) So here is the fashion lineup from...