Emptyknitster

Continuing the family competition called  The First Fawn Sighting , this morning Hubby and I were plotting out our day when I spotted the first fawn of the season out our living room window! Hubby immediately said it wasn't a "confirmed" siting. The Number One Rule is: Until there is a photo the siting is labeled unconfirmed. SO..... June 12, 1202 6:45 am Score! Checking the previous fawn sitings over the last four years this is the earliest yet.  The closest only four days later, June 16, 2010.

The week before school ended the principal approached me about becoming the science specialist for third and forth grade. I gave it some thought over the weekend and on Monday asked for the position. While exciting, it changed the dynamics of the last 8 days of school. Not only did I do the usual end of the year things - teaching, reportcards, fieldtrips, and storing of items - I also immediately went into moving mode, taking only items I thought would be science worthy. Students happily grabbed boxes as they went to science class making the physical movement much easier. This last week I worked on developing lessons and now have the first quarter ready for fall. Lessons for the fifth grade "math review" class that I will also be teaching are lining out nicely. Having the first quarter ready to go allows me to relax and enjoy the summer! My only reservation is the fact that I will have 450 students and because I have a hard time with names, there will be a lot of "Hons...

When we were at the California Dreamin' Gurl's graduation she casually mentioned we should return in a few weeks for a Beach Boy's Concert. Years ago a Beach Boys concert had been the gurls first experience at concert going and she remembered it fondly.  Little did she know that Hubby had been trying in vain to arrange just that event. "The Beach Boys Concert - It Might Be Their Last, After That They Might Be Died Tour" Hubby had talked about it so much, I actually thought that was the name of the tour and so was surprised to learn the concert's actual name is "The Beach Boys 50th Celebration Tour!" He hadn't thought to look for a date while I was still teaching school. Hubby had tried Red Rocks, "No the grandkiddos would be visiting," How about Seattle? The answer was again no for the same reason.  But when The California Dreamin' Gurl said they were singing in the Greek Theater on June 2 his eyes lit up and who was I to say ...

Hubby and I enjoyed this soup recipe I made last week while the snow was flying. Several people have asked me to post it. Enjoy! Beef, Potato and Quinoa Soup     2 tsp olive oil     6-7 scallions, chopped     2 cloves garlic, minced     1 tomato, diced     1 tsp cumin     1/2 tsp Badia Sazon with Annato (I've never heard of this and will use it another time)     1/2 lb beef, cubed into small bite size pieces (I used beef tenderloin)     5 cups water     beef bullion     1 carrot, peeled and sliced     2 tbsp yellow bell pepper, diced     2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed     1 cup cooked quinoa     6 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro     salt and pepper to taste             ...

To my knitting friends on this Memorial Weekend...  

This is what we woke to this morning: Poor little petunias! On Memorial weekend, Hubby and I usually drive up the Beartooth Mountain Highway to see the snow accumulation but this morning all we have to do is look out our window! We received about three inches which is better than the foot of snow in Redlodge, 50 miles away. Cinnamon rolls are rising and the toboggan we bought at Christmas is at the ready...

The Fiesta wear socks and Ka'ana shawl are done. I love them both... Pattern: "No Pattern Sock" Pattern Yarn: In Dyer Straits Colorway: Plumage Needle Size: US 2 I love LaLa's pattern and the yarn color is out of this world! I will be checking the Dyer Straits Yarn bin LYS every time I go to my LYS. I was told there would be a new batch of yarn delivered this week! Mmmmm, yarn candy... Pattern: Ka'ana Shawlette Yarn:Patons Classic Wool Colorway: Natural Mix Needle Size: US 7 This shawl is a joy! Quick and showy. It has a very long wing span and isn't to deep - no sitting on this shawl! The pattern called for 3 skeins but I wanted a large shawl so a 4th skein was necessary. It will be warm and will be used many winter evenings! But alas, the off road/free range knitting has come to an end. I've started the Christmas Sweater Knitting! The kids are getting bigger and each sweater is taking a bit more time... Vodka Lemonade here I come!