Emptyknitster

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Hubby and I went "camping." We were out with the grizzlies but not far from a little town. Every morning we got in the car and drove down the mountainside to get a cup of coffee to start the day. Then is was over to the deli to pickup lunch and one night we even went back to town for dinner....kind of embarrassing really. But one must be careful with food and the close proximity to the bears.  Years ago, way upon the top of a mountain Hubby found a ghost town in the middle of the forest while elk hunting. We hiked to it. Very interesting but again...I have a healthy respect for grizzlies and really don't like visiting their living room! We did have a discussion and may buy a little home on wheels soon.

The last few days were very productive. I was able to finish several items and put them away for Christmas giving. Yes, Spider socks for a Christmas gift. Really, is there a teacher that wouldn't want to wear a pair? Julia, from the LYS, wanted a pair for a shop sample and since I’ve knit a pair already I was happy to oblige… Murphy’s Law! (Just hope no one looks closely!) I used size 2 needles because the last pair just fit me and my brother’s feet are bigger. I never thought I’d say this but the fabric just isn’t what I like - to loose- so it’s size 1 needles for me. I’ll just add stitches somewhere in the future! Pattern: Spider Socks by Terri Knight Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn Colorway: Cinnamon Amount: 1 skein Needle Size: US size 2 I think the family Diva will love this little beaded hat! A fun pattern that isn’t hard at all. The knitting class is excited to start this hat as they will be learning to bead while knitting on this item. Pattern:Odess...

Historically, when school begins the flowers on the deck are done for. Getting the school year underway is stressful and tiring, so this year I wondered just how much longer would I be able to enjoy the beautiful flowers on the deck. The answer came on Saturday night in the form of a storm, two weeks longer! Wind, hail, and an inch and a third of rain in twenty minutes turned the deck into a disaster.  We were without electricity for almost 20 hours and will be re-screening some windows but were relatively unscathed.

This week's canning adventure....apples! Seven quarts of applesauce. Tomorrow, pie filling!

Last weekend we went to the season opener in Missoula. A wonderful day! The Y's invited us to their tailgate party and then it was off to the game, Griz vs Appalachian State, the first season night game at Washington Stadium.  We have played this team before at championship games and they always have proved a team to be reckoned with. This time, however, an impressive win 30-6!

I haven't seen a real butterfly at the house for ages but this guy has been flitting around all morning. He just can't get enough of the flowers on the deck! Double Swallowtail, Two-Tailed Tiger Swallowtail

I was happy when Jo's hubby brought me a box of peaches from Washington. This morning I got up with the plan to get them canned. However, only half were ripe enough, the others need another day or so to ripen. Hmm, what to do? Can peaches or peach jam.... the peach jam won out! I lost my original recipe but found a very similair, if not exact, recipe on the internet: Peach Jam Ingredients: 6 cups peaches, mashed 6 cups white sugar 2 cups crushed pineapple 6 oz orange Jello Peel peaches. To keep them from turning brown while you do all that peeling, place them in a pan of water to which 2 T vinegar per gallon of water has been added. Then when all are peeled, remove peaches from the water and mash. Combine mashed peaches, sugar, and pineapple (I drained mine) in a heavy pot. Bring to a boil. Cook 20 minutes (or until it begins to thicken and peaches are cooked through) Add the Jello cook the mixture for about 2 more minutes to be sure the Jello has dissolve...