Emptyknitster

I've just finished two more pairs of socks for the double competition I'm knitting for. This month's Sock Bash theme is holidays. I knit the Voting Socks earlier and now have completed the Cinco de Mayo socks. Both are a bit unconventional but will work.   Pattern: Vanilla with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Sock Stripes Colorway: Mexicala stripes Needle Size: US Size 1 I also knit some socks in my favorite color, purple. Grape Ape socks I'd call them! Pattern: Vanilla with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia Tweed Color 4 fadig/4-ply Colorway: 7495 Winterzauber Needle Size: US Size 1 And the last pair for the month:  Pattern: Groovy Socks Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia Tweed Color 4 fadig/4-ply Colorway: 07497 green-blue Needle Size: US Size 1

 Jo called and to say they'd picked all the cherries from their trees they needed and wondered if we wanted any. Hubby and I went down and picked enough for 14 quarts of pie filling. He was more than happy to pick because they would be used for his favorite dessert. Viv's Cherry Blossom Dessert 1 1/2 cup flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup oatmeal 1/2 cup butter 1 teaspoon salt  1/2 teaspoon soda 1 quart cherry pie filling Melt  butter and add dry ingredients. Mix until crumbly. Place half of the crumble mixture in a 9x13 pan and pat evenly on the bottom. Spread pie filling and add remaining crumble mixture on top. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes . After a long day of picking, pitting and canning cherries it was a joy to have the twin fawns and Momma visit.  

We met on our family zoom hour a day early because SadieLou is having her senior portrait done tonight. Yearbooks have to go on even in these crazy times distance learning times. As of now, the NorDak kiddos (and most of the kids in the US) don't know what school will look like for them in the fall. Will they go to school full time, part time and supplement with distance learning, or will it be completely distance learning?  As we have learned over the last few months, the virus can increase in numbers quickly making it hard to foresee what it will look like in five or six weeks. Onward this week's challenge was, "Like a King" from the Chef Offer collection (2013).  Above is this week's winner.

It became apparent last week Hubby and I won't be doing anymore traveling this year. The tour company has cancelled all tours until at least the 2021-2022 traveling season. We've been getting along very well at home with our social distancing plan in place. We live on three acres of land which keeps us busy outside much of the summer, we found a small lake just an hour away to paddle board and camp overnight, and we are both lucky to have hobbies to keep us occupied. However, the thought of spending six months, or more,  of a Montana winter totally at home had me a bit concerned. After very little discussion Hubby and I bought a hot tub to create a "staycation' atmosphere and keep us occupied a little every day of our long winter ahead. First early morning sunrise and coffee in the new hot tub!

These socks could be Memorial Day Socks or Fourth of July Socks but they are Election Day Socks. They are for my nephew who will be voting in his first presidential election this year. My hope is he will pull on these socks the second Tuesday in November and while taking each step to the polls he will carefully contemplate who is the best choice to uphold democracy, honesty and equality for all. I think this year may be the easiest choice ever! Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia 4-fadig, and  Cascade Yarns Heritage Colorway: Blue and White Striped 01742, Christmas Red Needle Size: US Size 1

We received an update on our grandnephew born in December and can't believe the resemblance he has to Chloe! They easily could pass for twins, not second cousins!  Chloe Michael

The family didn't meet last week. We thought perhaps there would be some "normal" Fourth of July celebrating going on with just a little social distancing thrown in, but in the end it was spent very quietly. Hubby and I stayed home but did have burgers and potato salad, the NorDak Family went to the lake as usual, the Chick and the California Dreamin' Family stayed home doing home improvement projects. After a one week break this family was ready to renew the competition!  Marilyn's Lips (1962) by Andy Warhol  Above is this week's winner

While herding cats this evening Hubby and I spotted this doe with her very young twin fawns. In the valley down below the loud fireworks were booming and it was scaring this momma. She was running back and forth not able to get away from the noise and protect her babies. I had wondered in the past what the wild animals thought of all the noise and hoped they interpreted it as thunder but obviously it's more like the sound of gunshots to them. Good thing the Fourth is only once a year.

Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia Tweed Color Colorway: 7493 Herbstlaub Needle Size: US Size 1