Emptyknitster

This is the yarn I dyed at the retreat last month.  Fond memories in each stitch! The pattern was a great way to use hand dyed yarn that may tend to pool or flash. Pattern: Waffle Rib Socks Yarn: Emptyknitster Studio Colorway: Mint Julep Needle size: US Size 1

Last night the Oregon boys arrived. They are settling in nicely. This morning there was a little game playing, before we set of for a walking tour of the Rims put on by Western Heritage Center. Everyone found the tour interesting. There was a little Native American folklore, as well as how Billings was founded. I was pleased to finally have an answer to why Billings is laid out so strangely, not taking advantage of the beautiful Yellowstone River. Billings is a city formed by the NP Railroad. As the railroad forged across the country the government gave them land in checkerboard fashion. Here in the valley for some reason there are two plots of land up against each other rather than corner to corner. This is now downtown Billings. The track and old depot go right along the boundary of each, one side is the Southside including Minnesota Avenue and the other side includes Montana Avenue.  Also because of the winds usually blowing west to east the industrial section was on the ...

The Pirate has only been around grumpy old cats, ones that only see kiddos as unnecessary interruptions in an otherwise perfect live. Over the years he quietly wormed his way into Nkkos heart with his gentle ways but it had taken years and The Pirate growing up. Now there is a new kitten and it took only a few days for them to form a bond, kitten learning "The Boy", for I'm sure this is her name for him, could be trusted and "The Boy" learning he could touch her without a lightning quick paw scratching an outstretched hand. The kitten is happy with me each morning - until she hears footsteps on the stairs and at that moment she rises up on her hind legs, her neck extended just waiting for her first glimpse of "The Boy"! He is learning her daily habits and is waiting for her after the daily three and half hour morning nap with a quick snack and her favorite toy. There is nothing sweeter than a boy and his cat!

Monday we took a jaunt via Big Timber to see the Natural Bridge. We were slightly disappointed in the fact the bridge collapsed in 1988, however the river is now working at building a new bridge and the area is really very interesting. Currently the river disappears and the returns at the waterfall. When the water level goes down later in the summer it again goes under ground in the canyon area only to appear further down. Kitten seems to have taken to her backpack! We'll make a hiker out of her yet...

Since spring the gurls and I have been getting up early each Saturday and getting Bountiful Baskets. It has stretched us several times to find uses for some of the vegetables. This week we received cabbages (after I had bought one for slaw over the fourth!) and I also bought the fiesta pack so I had to find a use for the fresh cilantro after feeding the grandkiddos tacos on a regular basis. The Chick asked for the cabbage recipe: Runzas or Bierocks (German Cabbage Buns) 1 pkg yeast 1/4 c sugar 1c lukewarm milk 3 c flour 2 eggs beaten 1/4 c shortening 1t salt Mix yeast, sugar, milk, and 1 1/2 c flour, let rise 45 minutes or until bubbling. Add eggs, shortening, salt and remaining flour to make soft dough. (I have to add more flour so it's not sticky) Cover and let dough rest in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours or until double in bulk. Filling: Melt Tablespoons of shortening in a skillet. Add one chopped onion, 1/2 head cabbage, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon peppe...

This is the thirteenth pair of socks I've knit this year. Insanely I thought I could knit both birthday and Christmas socks but I'm pretty sure that only my most ardent sock lovers will be getting the Christmas socks this year! Pattern: Vanilla Bean Striped Socks by Emily O'Grady Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks Ragg Colorway: Brown Striped Ragg Amount: Three skeins, 498 yards Needle Size: US Size 1 I'm already using this Vanilla Bean Pattern on another pair of socks...a great step up from stockinette! The two story birdhouse was made by Dad and painted by Mom. They knew how I loved the 4th of July!

While we were on our camping trip to Yellowstone Park last weekend, I began reminiscing to the grandkiddos about my early trips to The Park. At the time we were living in Seattle and the trip to Yellowstone was the first big vacation I remember ever taking with the family. I was going into the seventh grade and had only two brothers, one on my left and one on the right of me in the back seat of the car.  The temperature at the end of July was sweltering, but anything over 80 degrees for a Puget Sounder is steamy. The five of us were stuck in the Valiant with no air conditioning and no seat belts! This was a time in The Park's history they're not to proud of, the black bears had run amok. They were allowed stand at the side of the road and beg for any tidbit that a human would offer. Visitors bought/brought marshmallows not for toasting at the campfire but to feed the bears. If you didn't offer the bears a treat they would just stick their paws in through the window and ...