Emptyknitster

Hosting The Nutcracker in Billings has been a 30 year tradition. For several years I have wanted to go with the granddaughters. Either Hubby and I are celebrating Thanksgiving in North Dakota or by the time we think of reserving tickets the theater has sold out. This year we thought the timing was right, the NorDakFam were coming to town, and the tickets were bought. But sadly the NorDak Family unexpectedly had to return home early. I called in the reserves, Jo and her Grandkiddo Mia. We attended the ballet last night. The San Diego Ballet Company danced with our local children. Humor was tucked into every scene for an observant viewer. And the Plum Fairy impressively seemed to fly through the air. It was outstanding! I wore my new shawl and felt very festive. Pattern: BLT Scarf/Shawl Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin Colorway: Ruby Needles: US 4 Beads: 44 grams My good friend, Darlene,  bought this yarn last July while in Germany. She was lucky enough to visit ...

Thanksgiving break was extra long for me this year, I took Monday and Tuesday off to be with the NorDak Family. They arrived on Sunday and the first thing I did was give The Tiger his bigger and better New Blue. He loved it! We played lots of Ticket To Ride...   and worked on a gingerbread man. We tried new recipes and ate all the time! Carmel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies   (from the Cooking Photographer ) Ingredients 1 cup unsalted butter, nearly melted 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (7.4 ounce) box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix *Not sugar free* 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 (14 ounce) bag Kraft Caramels Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line rimless cookie sheets with parchment paper. It has to be parchment this time. 2. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt, and all 10 packets of apple cider mix until smooth ...

After much dragging of feet on my part, Hubby and I drove the five hours up to Montana's BIG college football game - GRIZ vs. Bobcats. It has been one of the worst seasons on record for the Griz, but one of the best for the Bobcats.  I was sure that it would he a waste of time, money and a beautiful fall Saturday. If nothing else the GRIZ know how to put on a fun pre-game show:  A National Guard Fly-over  My favorite pro football player....MARC MARIANI!  A great first half...  My first tailgate party hosted by Hank, and Kimmie... After that it was all downhill.

I have been frustrated for several months over my knitting. I dislike having piles of unfinished items in front of me and that is exactly what has been happening lately. Rather than knitting an item, posting it as complete and moving on, I've been slogging on and on never seeming to get anything complete. There is a Christmas sweater I'm not happy with. I still have to finish "the thing" by my self imposed due date of Thanksgiving. I initially was trying to work on whatever item my knitting group was knitting but that got out of hand. They were knitting items I really had no use for. I realized this kind of knitting couldn't continue but not before starting a Piper's journey which now must be finished. I joined my first online knit along and had a pair of sock to knit  but the yarn didn't arrive in time and so I ended knitting two pair.  Socks on a Plane and Katniss Socks are now complete. Pattern: Katniss Yarn: Yarn vs Zombies Damsel Colorwa...

It was a dark, quiet, Halloween evening and suddenly there was a knock at the door... Our first trick or treaters in 20 years!

These socks are for the Sock the Vote KAL , HOWEVER, my Cuffie Party Yarn was lost in the mail. NO worries… Mel, of Single Handed Knits created a new party: The Undelivered Party and so I was able to actively participate! A second mailing arrived and I'm currently knitting the second pair of socks and should have them completed  before the week is over. This was my first KAL and I had a great time. I appreciated all the thought and effort Mel has put into this entire project and I'll be participating in others in the future. Pattern: Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman Yarn:Barking Dog Opposites Attract Colorway: Anthony and Cleopatra Amount: 1 skein Needle Size: US size 2 I am so tired of having MANY projects on the needles...this is the first project I think I've finished all month. I knit a little on MANY projects. The Cuffie socks will be done this weekend, and the Piper's Journey Shawl and The Tiger's Blue III soon. There are even a few more to be fi...

I was pleased with my photo for the annual this school year..... The day we had photos taken the principal asked if I'd worn my lab coat. Yes, Mr. B. Yes, indeed!