Emptyknitster

I've been quietly working on another Wallaby. I enjoyed knitting the last striped baby sweater. There was plenty of the orange variegated left so I made another for a little girl that didn't receive one last Christmas. Yet another version of the Wallaby is on the needles right now!   Pattern: Wonderful Wallaby - this one has a  pocket Yarn: Plymouth Encore Color: Ecru, Orange variegated Amount: 3 skeins Ecru, 1 skein Orange Needles: 8 US (even on the ribbing) The summer is slip, slipping away. I'm enjoying it so much, I don't even know what day it is! The turkeys also think they have it made, enjoying a walk-about, and shade from the warm sunshine.... I received my unspun Icelandic yarn from Schoolhouse Press yesterday and will start the Pi Shawl in memory of EZ's 100th birthday on July 1st. I bought the yarn on brooklyntweed's recommendation, it seems a little fragile but how can I go wrong with those two knitting forces behind me?  It is going to be a ...

I woke up this morning, and had a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise... Hubby and I started into town for some more tornado pictures, but quickly caught these little guys carefully crossing the road..... (I promise no more Metra/Tornado shots after this.....)    I turned slightly west of the Metra and couldn't let this shot go untaken - priceless... I much prefer Mother Nature's quiet beauty!

Before Hubby went to work this morning we got up and went into town to take a look at the tornado damage. The Metra may be totally ruined, not only is the roof gone but the east side of the building is gone.  Bits and pieces are strewn everywhere... The above photo is where Fastbreak once stood.  News reporters say that the tornado hovered over the Metra for about 15 minutes rather than moving on. I had always thought that a tornado moved quickly and fast! Amazingly no one was injured by this tornado, had there been an event at the Metra, or the tornado hit a subdivision rather than the fairgrounds, there would have been many injuries. Yesterday the airport measured 2.25 inches of rain and in places golf ball size hail. A fellow teacher had a car out in the hail and now has many dents, and will have to replace tail lights and windshield! The current forecast is for storms in the afternoon and evening -  as strong or stronger than yesterday.

About four it started clouding up and this is what followed! WOW! Metra lost its roof, we are told that Riders Marina and a business, FastBreak, were destroyed and there are boulders all over the Airport road. Check out Looking Thru The Expensive Dog Door for some great photos. We, on the other hand, lost our electricity and are so far out in the county that we didn't hear the emergency warning sirens.  Hubby and I thought it was a big storm with some tornado potential.

I promised some pictures of The Chick's new nest. Here they are.... We also spent some time exploring the area. Sunday was a lovely afternoon so Chick and I drove up to Canyon Ferry and took a look around.  Last year at the beginning of the summer, I took many photos of  flowers . This must be the summer for the birds. Here is a lone pelican on the Missouri River just below the damn.   I need your input on this little night stand.    The Chick and I have a slight difference of opinion.   Chick wanted a nightstand to go with her black iron bed. I suggested that we go to the thrift store, after all, whatever we found would be painted black. I discovered this little (darling) table sitting in the corner. All the work had been done for us. Someone had spent a lot of time sanding it down to bare wood. If the person had done much refinishing, he would have known that right before you stain and varnish, the item usually looks like the project is a hopeless...

 Mexican Chopped Salad with Toasted Cumin Vinaigrette Ingredients:   2 ears fresh or frozen cob corn, thawed 4 reserved cooked chicken breast halves, diced 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans drained 1 cup Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese, shredded 1/2 cup Spanish olives, sliced 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos, sliced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 cup cider vinegar  Directions : Heat a stove-top grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat to preheat. Place corn on hot pan and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown on all sides, turning frequently. Remove from heat and cool. When cool enough to handle, slice kernels from cob. Transfer kernels to a large bowl and add chicken, beans, cheese, olives, tomatoes, apple, jalapenos, and cilantro. Toss to combine.   For the dressing: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium h...

I had a great time in Helena this weekend. The Chick moved into a new nest last weekend and we had so much fun decorating. I was excited to show some pictures but for some reason the digital camera down loader thingy (technical term) doesn't have power and so I'll have to buy a new one as soon as I get to town! The Chick has asked for this recipe: Three Cheese Chicken Bake 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 3T butter 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup undiluted 1 can sliced mushrooms drained 1 jar chopped pimentos drained 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1 package noodles cooked/drained 3 cups diced cooked chicken 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese 2 cups shredded cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesian cheese 1/2 c buttered bread crumbs Saute onion and green pepper in butter. Stir in soup, mushrooms, pimento and basil, set aside. In large bowl combine noodles, chicken and cheeses; add mushroom sauce. Mix well and put into greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 30...