Emptyknitster

  Yesterday the kiddos headed home after another visit to the old homestead. We started the visit in the usual way - a trip to the public library. The kiddos found a great stack of books knowing it would keep them happy for their three week visit. I happily checked the books out on my library card. I've had my card for over forty years and even though I'm asked from time to time if I want to update it I've kept it just for old times sake, until this visit. As I was putting the card back into my purse, it just broke in half. I was shocked! The kiddos laughed at the look on my face. It forced me to replace my Parm l y Library card with a new flashy Billings Public Library Card and in that second there went my ties to two libraries and thousands of checked out books! A little thing with a BIG impact...   We spent our days as we usually do reading, hiking, paddle boarding, playing card games, watching a little tv. One day we visited the Top Of The World on the Beartooth ...

I enjoyed making the baby quilts this last winter and told the girls I'd make more as gifts for their friends as needed. The Chick was the first to take me up on the task. This quilt is for a baby boy whose room will be decorated in a nature theme. The owls are a great touch! I was worried about the owl's background color and later I found out The Chick had been too. No worries, it's perfect and I just love how this quilt turned out.

It's that time of the year again, with a big difference. Hubby and I weren't the only people playing this year.  There were a few additional contestants with family visiting earlier than usual this summer.  The California Dreamin' family and The Chick were quickly made aware of the rule required to play the game:  It must be a confirmed siting, involving PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF. Everyone got into the swing of it, carrying their cameras on all walks. As usual Hubby saw the first fawn but the proof was nonexistent in his photo. Bri was right behind him with her camera but disqualified herself because all you could see was a very small bum - or tree stump, we're not sure. It didn't take long for the next siting. The next evening Chloe ALittleBit was just finishing her walk, and  heading up the driveway when there by the garage was not one fawn but TWO! How are your skills at finding those little guys? Way to go Chloe, 2017 winner of the First Fawn of The Season compe...

The California Dreamin' Family and The Chick came to visit this week. We've been hangin' at the house relaxing. The Chick brought Zoey for the visit too. She was surprised by the new kitten but they hit it off immediately and it was as though Polly had found her mom once again. Polly played "no holds barred" while Zoey used her newly found adult restraint. They would chase each other around the house in the morning but Polly would find a lap to nap in all afternoon.  Where was Denali during all this fun? Under the bed, she will soon start her third week there!

It was while knitting these socks on the train from Guilin to Gangzhou I acquired the World Title of Fastest Knitter In The World clocking in at 150 mile per hour!   The socks will also be remembered for their part in being pulled over by security. We had been through security time and time again during our trip through China. So imagine my surprise on  the last leg of the journey, Hong Kong to Tokyo, being pulled aside and asked to remove a sharp object from my purse - no, not my knitting needles but a nail file.  “Madam, you see the file has a sharp end.” the security officer said as she moved her finger over the point. I agreed and quickly gathered my things and moved on. I must admit I felt just a bit smug as I knit my way to Japan. Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Regia Arnie and Carlos Colorway: Tinn Needles: US Size 1 Three pairs of socks knit in China, not a bad knitting adventure!

While on our trip we spent four days cruising up the Yangtze River giving me time to sit on our private balcony, knit and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  Pattern: Vanilla socks with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia Pairfect Colorway: 0719 Needle Size US Size 1

It might have been a hot and humid day in Beijing but a Knitter’s gotta knit! Enjoying the sites at Temple of Heaven.          I made sure the socks were in progress, on the needles and the cuff done when going through airport security. There was no problem getting them through. However, I was worried enough something could happen  -  I put a spare pair of needles in my checked luggage. I can't imagine not knitting a stitch for 3 weeks! Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Regia4-Fadig Jacquard Color 4-ply Colorway:Black, Purple, Blue, and Oatmeal Amount: 1 Skein Needle Size: US Size 1 I had decided to knit vanilla socks during our trip. I knew they would keep my hands busy without drawing my attention away from the sites.

I have been wanting an orange kitten for a long time but in our household two cats make up the pet family and happily our cats are very long lived. Eighteen years is a long and great life for a cat! Three years ago Hubby REALLY wanted a Bengal and we now have Denali and do love her so much!  This moved me into first in line for the choice of a kitten this winter when Grace moved  Florida. We decided not to even look for a kitten until we got back from our trip. For some reason I thought an orange kitten would just magiclly appear and I would be greeted at the airport with a kitten. Instead I had to wait almost three weeks for one to appear! Meet Polly (Hayward) Pickett...  I've been saving her name for many years. When working on the family genealogy I discovered my third great grandmother's name was Polly Hayward and she married Gilead Pickett making her Polly Pickett. I instantly loved the name and thought it would be a great cat's name...I'm pretty sure the h...