Emptyknitster

We headed up to Missoula Saturday for the season opener. We were all decked out in our lucky Grizwear...from head to toe! I had intended on taking a shot every time the home team made a touchdown... 53 seconds into the game, 1 minute 46 seconds into the game, 2 minutes 4 seconds into the game, You can see how it's going! Until... Lightning hit, and the stands have never been so empty before halftime. In the end Griz mauled Western State Colorado!

It is irritating to have a wonderful photo opportunity ruined by a photo hog. You know, that family member or student that jumps into the picture just when you are snapping it. The end result shows the photo hog thumbing his nose or wiggling his fingers with his thumbs in his ears.  It totally destroys any photo but the perpetrator thinks he is hilarious. This happened to me today. I saw these hardworking little hens with 16 chicks and thought that it would be a great picture: And then....   "Silly little fawn, didn't know any better!"  Even Mother Nature has it's pranksters. Thanks little Momma!

This morning students will be entering the building with anticipation and perhaps a little reluctance. I really can't remember my first day of school. I don't remember if I was scared, or even if there was any great "a-ha" moment when I began to read.   I do remember that I took a bus to school. My cousin Bob and I had to walk a long way after the bus dropped us off - a mile or so. One day he talked me into taking a "short cut" through a wooded swampy area. When I got home I had very muddy feet and an angry Mom. Dad had been driving up and down the road looking for me because he was going to take me with him when he got his haircut and they had no idea where we were. I do remember that I had a silver and green lunchbox with a thermos and Mom made me baloney sandwiches and Campbell's Alphabet Soup everyday . One day she fixed something else and I was upset! I do remember being able to go to the office to buy a big fat red or blue crayon for three cen...

It was important that the school year begin with a "clean slate" - not half a dozen knitting projects hanging over my head in various stages of completeness. So I've spent the last few days working on needle felting, casting off, knitting ribbing onto a crew neck, sewing seams, and blocking. The final item was completed this afternoon:   Pattern: Aran Knits for the Family, Patons Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Colorway: Ecru Needle size: 5, 7 (Disclaimer: Socks do not fall under the "clear slate" rule. There is a pair on the needles in my bag. Although I don't love the knitting of socks, I do love the wearing of a hand knit pair - and since I'm the only one in the family that knits them, I will always have a pair on the needles!)

Sadly, my vacation is drawing to a close. Tomorrow it's back to reading, writing, and arithmetic. In June I made a list of the things I wanted to accomplish during my break: My Summer To Do List... Sit on the deck sipping hot coffee, watching the sunrise. (Yes!) Go to a great concert. (Yes! John Mellencamp) Find the best "Pick Of The Summer" book - EVER. (Not sure the EVER thing worked out but The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo turned out to be the pick of the summer) Get the computer room closet cleaned out. (A BIG yes!) Go skinny dipping. ( Hmmmmm...) Sew wool Teddy Bears for all my kiddos. (Maybe next year) Spend some great quality time with my kiddos. (Yes) Visit Yellowstone Park. (No) Knit a Pi Shawl in honor of Elizabeth Zimmermann's 100th birthday. (8-9-10) (Yes) Spend a long weekend on Flathead Lake. (Yes) Turn my blog into a hardbound book. ( I vow, before Labor Day) Plan the perfect day for Hubby, from morning to night. (I think so, not sure how he feels abo...

This week I've been busy at school preparing for the next year, painting, cleaning, decorating the room in Griz, and getting lessons created. But I've also been working in the evenings trying to complete some knit projects that were rapidly turning into monsters hanging over my head.... I made Christmas mittens for the teachers early in the spring, felted them with The Pirate's hat in July, but couldn't call them complete until they had some needle felting on the back. Today is the day I had slated for the needle felting which turned out to be the first 100 degree day that we've had all summer. No big deal, needle felting can to done anywhere, anytime, in any temperature - but where, do you capture the completed mittens in all their glory? Felted Mittens by Nancy Lindberg Yarn: Galway Wool Colorway: Gray, neps Needle size: 7 Now, on to the PI Shawl. I was composing, in my head, a scathing blog about how EZ had finally done me wrong. The shawl was scratchy and ...

The last few days have been spent slipcovering a footstool for the Tella Tubby. I love my kitties and not only do they think they need to be in our bed at night, but I need to have them there to keep my feet warm. The Tella Tubby, just a little over weight, needs assistance if she is going to end up in our high brass bed. The old footstool worked fine with a beige duvet cover that had been on the bed but I've been busy this summer cleaning and updating each room and the footstool just didn't match the new striped blue, brown and gold bedspread. I've never slipcovered anything but I did watch my mom cover many things. Today, as I stitched each stitch I would remember Mom working on her projects and visualize how she would have done the cording, corners, and tucks. It brought a smile to my face realizing how much I had learned by watching and asking an occasional question! I always love opening up the desk holding Mom's old sewing machine. The first time I did after ...