Emptyknitster

Last weekend I made the eight hour trip to see the NorDakFamily. They are all doing great and we had a very nice time. The kiddos didn't have school on Friday because it was the annual teacher's conference. The Tiger played some video games while SadieLouWho made pumpkin cookies. SadieLouWho and I were visiting about how, although I have a great new sewing machine, I just haven't used it as much as I had thought I would. Sadie said she'd like to start sewing and so off we went to do a little shopping. The Tiger picked out some great Star Wars flannel while Sadie found some bright chevron flannel. After a stop for lunch Sadie started her sewing lesson. With great results! The next day their Mom joined us for an hour's ride to Papa's Pumpkin Garden for a fun afternoon.  Kiddos played in the cornbox. Sunday there was more baking, and we were off to watch Sadie ride horses, and the Tiger carefully shot his BB-gun while I cuddled barn cats! We...

When The Chick was born everyone began wondering just where she got her blue eyes. In our family my Mom, Dad and three brothers all had brown. My parent's siblings all had brown eyes as well. As I began asking extended family members I was told my grandfather was the one in my family with the blue eyes. But because he died when my mother was four years old it was only hearsay - until now.  Recently WWI registrations became available on the internet and I checked  my maternal father's registration and there it was in black and white! Now in Hubby's family they all had brown as well. I did have the opportunity to know his Gramma Pearl who in her heyday was a fiesty redhead with blue eyes. So there it is.... The Chick Who Flew The Coop got her blue eyes from her Great-Gramma Pearl on her Dad's side and her Great-Grandfather John on her Mother's side! Just have to add this darling photo of the three girls:

Next weekend is  UM Homecoming and they are again reviving the "Old Griz" colors. I was able to find Hubby an "Old Griz" hoodie but unable to find something for myself. So, out came the needles and I quickly knit a pair of crazy socks. These socks blend the old and new colors of the Griz. Crazy but I love them! Pattern: Modified Stashbuster Spirals, with Fish Lip Kiss Heels, and Modified Mosaic Stitch Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock Colorway: Black, Cinnamon, Burgandy Needle Size: US Size 1

No one had expected the football season to have such a great start. North Dakota have been the division champs for the last four years and Griz are starting the season with a new coach. I'm not sure what happened other than the stars aligned for a Griz win!  Griz 38/ North Dakota 35. One of the best games I've ever watched! AND the tailgate party was a hit!  The Crew: Kimmie, me, Denise, Whitney, Susan, Hank

I called The Pirate's sock blank Mr. Magoo's Socks because they looked like he'd painted a pair of glasses on them. Of coarse he had no idea what I was talking about - I must be getting old.... Pattern: Modified Blueberry Waffle Socks by Sandy Turner with a Fishlips Kiss Heel Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Stroll Single Strand Sock Blank Colorway: Hand dyed Mr. Magoo by The Tiger Needle Size: US Size 1 I've finished them and will be working on Chloe-A-Little-Bit's soon.

I soaked this sock blank in vinegar water before using a salt shaker filled with a salt/kool-aid mixture onto the blank. The salt was supposed to keep the kool-aid from streaking and running all over the sock. I was hoping for slightly speckled yarn but didn’t get the result I was looking for. What I did get was a much more muted colorway than usual. Pattern: Basic Ribbed Socks, by Kate Atherley with Fish Lip Kiss Heels Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Stroll Blank Single Strand Colorway: Salty Kool-aid Needle Size: US Size 1 They're fine and someone in the family will love them.

The Stillwater near Nye, Montana is a beautiful picnic, water splashing destination. By August the water is low enough for the kiddos to float down the river and they have so much fun! The first time I remember going with the family was when The Purl Gurl was only four months old. We had a picnic with the  whole family, and the men went fishing. I have pictures of the original adventure but also found some of later years when all the little gurls were around: The California Dreamin' Gurl, Our Beloved "Adopted" Daughter, The Chick and The Purl Gurl in the background. Great Grandpa, The Chick and One Handsome Grandpa with their freshly caught fish! Finally, this was year to visit once again. We were able to do the picnic/floating thing on the Stillwater with the grandkiddos and hope to be able to do it next year too!  The deepest section is waist high and and as you float down it gets to ankle depth...  Mountain fresh COLD water! Lots of humming and...