Emptyknitster

Roving turned into yarn right before my eyes! It was a bit of a surprise not to begin spinning perfect yarn. All the years I've been knitting allows me to know exactly the yarn I want to use. Shouldn't I be able to spin it instantly? For a while I thought the yarn would only be used for a pillow for Nikko!   When Rosalinda arrived at the house, I vowed all yarn produced would be knit into items. Quickly I learned to order 8 ounces of roving or braid. It isn't easy to find something to knit when you have less than 200 yards of yarn! Thanks to Ravelry, I found two patterns for the new spun yarn. Monkey Mitts Fingerless Mitts by Alisa Bluesunflower Needle size: US 6 MY handspun yarn: 80 yards of Marl, just a bit of Ivory and Red Miss Sadie's Scarflette by Sara Kay MY handspun yarn: less than 130 yards Needle Size: 13 I thought this garter stitch cowl pattern would "cover up the yarn's flaws" but I think the stockinette stitch in the mitts made a b...

At the beginning of their visit the grandkiddos went into town to get snowboots for the North Dakota winter that is sure to be arriving. While driving home they made their parents promise that was the only time they would have to leave Gramma and Grandpa's house. (Tiger calls it "Montana") You might wonder what they did for the next 5 days out in the country but they were very happy, busy children. One afternoon was warm enough for lunch in the playhouse resulting in a "Store Sale" (Turkey feathers $1), another afternoon was spent doing Melty Beads, Sadie made the Christmas napkin holders we will be using in a few weeks. Tiger loves the Legos, hot chocolate was a hit, the DS was often hidden away... tooling leather with Grandpa... sometimes a little reluctantly! And Grandma's favorite...decorating the house for Christmas!! Thank you so much for your help Sadie Lou Who and Tiger!!

The NorDak family arrived and The Tiger loves his new stripes ... Look, turkeys! PLEASE, Gramma can I chase the turkeys? Does The Tiger think he has to bring home the Thanksgiving dinner?

I haven't been able to get enough of these little shawlettes. They are an easy knit that you can multi task while creating. The first two were a combination of several different patterns but this one was a true Multnomah.  Pattern:Multnomah Yarn: Bits of sockyarn, and Red Heart Heart & Sole 2 skeins (75% wool 25% nylon) Needle size: US 5

When I find a fun knit I seem to just keep knitting it agan and again! The kerchief is just one of those knits. The second shawlette is complete and I have a third just about done, then I need to get back to the last Christmas sweater of the year! Pattern: A little of this and little of that - Multnomah, Silk Kerchief, Milk Run Shawl Yarn: leftover sock yarn, and Red Heart Heart and Sole, Ivory Needles: US 5

Fundraisers are in full swing. Kids and parents are frantically trying to sell wrapping pager, popcorn and candy including See's toffee. Seeing the See's label, I shared with the other teachers that I had an award winning recipe for See's Fudge. My Aunt Betty gave it to us years ago. She had been visiting California, See's corporate headquarters, when there had been a contest for the best knock off recipe for the fudge. Here it is gals, and really, it's the best! See's Fudge Put into large bowl: 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cube butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 6 ounce package chocolate chips Boil in a heavy pan for 6 minutes: 2 cups sugar 2/3 cups canned evaporated milk 10 marshmallows Pour over the contents in the bowl and beat. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan, cool.

Last week the last of my Dad's generation was laid to rest.  Aunt Verna is a part of my earliest memories. Before I'd entered school she came for a visit. One afternoon as we passed a roadside fruit stand she asked if I liked cantaloupe. I'd never had such a thing and she told me that is was the best thing ever. It melted in your mouth and was quite possibly better than ice cream. On the way back home we stopped and bought several of these wonderful fruits. I became suspicious when the melons were cut and I caught wind of the musty smell but after a bite I knew I'd been sold a bill of goods! I just received a package filled with family things. One was an old autograph album of Aunt Verna's from 1938-1945. In it were many heartfelt messages to: "Irish" "Itty Bit" and "Little one". I learned that she had gone to Greeley and Steamboat Springs to signal school in the hopes of becoming a W.A.A.C. and serve in WWII. The following speaks o...