Emptyknitster

Our good Wyoming friends, Kendy and John, have been on vacation. Flying to Alaska, a train ride through Denali National Park and way up to North Pole Alaska, then a cruise back to the lower 48 with a stop in Seattle see their daughter, r ockyroadknitter . Rockyroadknitter asked if the Wyomingites wanted to go to Stitch and Pitch Night to see a Mariners game. At $15 a ticket they were all over it! It was amazing to hear that there was an entire section of knitters at the game having a great time. The two non-knitting Wyomingites just sat there watching the game, although someone tried to get John to take over the knitting of a sock! During the seventh inning stretch it was announced that an entire row in the Stitch and Pitch section had each won a door prize and it was the very row my friends were sitting in! John made a big deal, exaggerating excitement about the win and later learned he had been featured on the large screen in the outfield! Rockyroadknitter kept her bag, Kendy g...

This pattern was inspired by my love of The Beartooth Mountains and the early summer trips we take each year to the top.  The road is only open a short time each year. If the snow can be plowed from the road prior to Memorial Weekend it opens and will remain open until after Labor Day. To get to “The Top Of The World” one must go up - and then back down -  a narrow two lane switchbacked road. Pattern: Beartooth Mountain Mitts by Emptyknitster Yarn: Cascade 220 Heather Colorway: Galaxy Amount: 1 skein Needle size: US 3 Beartooth Mountain Mitts FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Cuff circumference: 7 inches (unstretched) Length: 6.25 inches MATERIALS: Cascade 220 1 set of US #3 needles Approx. 12 inches smooth waste yarn in a contrasting color Tapestry needle   PATTERN NOTES: BHC – (Back Half Cable), Knit in front of second stitch from needle point then knit first stitch on needle slide both stitches off needle FHC - (Front Half Cable), K in back of second stitch from need...

We live where we do because each day brings us such treasures.... Every time I drive up the hill into our subdivision and pass the "hanging tree" I experience the feeling of release and contentment knowing I'll soon be home. The cares of the day literally just wash away as I drive by this spot. When I mentioned this spot and the feeling I get when passing by, my neighbor/coworker she just laughed and said, "It's by this tree isn't it? My girlfriend and I call it the hanging tree! It's where we hang all our cares and worries of the workday. We vow not to pick them up again until heading back to work in the morning." Such and appropriate name, and I've try to drop my worries at the "hanging tree" ever since.  Our house is at the end of the road and it does have a few inconveniences but they're outweighed by the contentment we feel by living here. In the winter there's only Hubby and the man below us plow the snow from the road...

While the grandkiddos were here I knit several pairs of gloves toward Christmas giving. They are a quick knit and I've enjoyed knitting them. Pattern: Fetching Yarn: Cascade 220 Heather Colorway: Sapphire Amount: Less than a skein Needle size: US 6 Pattern: Elphaba by Valarie Johnson Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Camo colors Amount: 2 skeins Needle size: US 2 Pattern: Beartooth Mountain Mitts Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers Colorway: Galaxy Amount: Less than a skein Needle size: US 3

This last week many of the family came home to visit. The kiddos played with each other without to much turmoil. The Chick and NorDak Purl Gurl got their knitting "mojo" back. The Chick knit a beautiful baby pink Helena , she is becoming such a good knitter! I love this pattern and look forward to a girl baby making an appearance so that I can knit the pattern up. The NorDak Purl Gurl knit a favorite of mine, The Wonderful Wallaby, what a great pattern from Cottage Creations - size 2 to 44 all in one pamphlet! In the middle of the week we took a drive to "The Chico" and The Tiger was in heaven! When we weren't in the pool we were playing a game that is new to the family, Left Center Right. This is a great game for a little guy that is learning his left from right. We also played with nickels so it was a true lesson in good sportmanship! The kiddos loved the game - I had intended to send it along with them but forgot!   We had great meals and did a little shopp...

Because we live where we do, a vegetable garden is out of the question. The soil is terrible, and the deer constantly taste anything growing. Several years ago Hubby gave me a small greenhouse because I had mentioned that when I retire I'd like one to putter around in.  I had hoped to be able to a grow a few vegetables within the greenhouse. I soon discovered that it gets too hot to grow anything but tomatoes in the hot summer months. Even with the tomatoes I must keep a fan going or the door open or the plants will wilt under the hot Montana sun. Last year the door was open and the mom to the triplets got in not once but twice and ate the tomato plants right down to the stalks. They never recovered. Hubby build me a gate for the doorway and in an effort to conserve water we also planted the tomatoes in buckets. I saw this idea in a magazine article and thought it was worth a try. You need two buckets. (Costco Laundry soap buckets)The outside bucket has a hole drilled out about o...

"The Chick That Flew The Coop" arrived Friday night. I wanted to have a treat for her but it proved to be a problem. Hubby and I have really tried to cut down on the goodies but the only way for me to cut down is to cut them completely out - not even potential ingredients can be residing in the house. (I love to bake but need others around to eat the product) When I began looking in the cupboards, there were no chocolate chips, The Chick doesn't like nuts, and very little sugar. Then I remembered this recipe. It's tasty with little time or effort put into them. The Chick loved these chewy bars and asked that I post the recipe, a real stamp of approval! Gingersnap bars in sight of the terra-cotta piggy (given to Mom from her sister, Merab) Gingersnap Bars Combine in bowl: 1 1/2 cup flour 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup shortening 1 egg 3 T molassas 3/4 t soda 1/2 t salt 1t cinnamon 1/2 t ginger 1/2 t cloves Blend until dough forms. Spread in 13x9 pan. Brush wi...

I've just finished Sadie's Christmas sweater. Ends are worked in and buttons are on. It's going to be quickly and quietly slipped into the gift drawer because the NorDak grandkiddos arriving Sunday.  As they get older I've noticed their interest in my knitting basket has increased! Pattern: Kid Felicita Sweater Needles size: 5 Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pacific Colorway: Dark Teal Amount: 5 skeins I'll be working on fingerless gloves this next week - gifts for adult friends. I'm finding such a great variety I may end up knitting several different kinds! Pattern: Fetching Needle size: US 6 Yarn: Cascade 220 Heather Colorway: Turtle Amount: less that 1 skein (@110 yards) Pattern: Susie's Reading Gloves Needle size: US 5 Yarn: Jojoland Rhythm Superwash Colorway: SW 62 Amount: 200 yards

This morning Hubby called as he was heading into town. He had not only seen the first set of twin fawns in the neighborhood but had taken photos! A bit blurry but I am pleased that he has taken on the yearly fawn challenge!

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. -Erma Bombeck It's a quiet fourth for me this year, no Flathead Lake - Hubby is at work, the NorDak crew are happily at the lake in North Dakota, the California Dreamin' crew are on the Pacfic Coast, and the Chick is enjoying peace and quiet after a very patriotic show of fireworks this spring while the legislators were visiting her town. So I have time to pause and reflect on 4ths gone by.... Dad and I on a boat ride I suspect that my favorite fourth of July celebrations will be the times in my childhood when we spent th...

Hubby and I decided to drive up to the top of the Beartooth Mountains Thursday. This is something we usually do at the annual opening of the highway on Memorial weekend. The Highway Department was right on schedule and opened the road Friday before Memorial Day but after a snowfall during the night it was closed the rest of the holiday weekend. We had forgotten about going until a comment was made on the local news about the amount of snow still on the mountain, we both looked at each other and off we went. Also, the "Annual First Fawn of the Season" Contest came to an end as we drove down the highway. Hubby stomped on the brakes when a new fawn hopped out of the tall grass and decided to run across the road. In confusion the fawn ran back and forth several times. I don't think it liked the feel of the pavement and was rather shaky before it finally headed back to where it's mom had left it - hopefully the fawn learned an important lesson and will stay where momma pl...

The NorDakPurl Gurl commented on yesterday's post: "Your newly knit blanket is in much better condition than the VERY much loved "bluie"!! I hope the next little one finds even half as much comfort it their blanket as your grandson found in his!" The Tiger truly loves his blanket - the second one since his birth. As a baby he had it with him for naps, nighttime and comfort. Once when he was visiting The Tiger became sick in the middle of the night, up chucking everywhere including Bluie. The NorDakPurl Gurl paniced because this had happened at home and caused quite a problem. The Tiger had insisted on sitting atop the washer and dryer (with a bucket in hand) while his friend Bluie was cleaned. An hour long process was made to seem much longer by having a tired momma standing in the basement with a sick baby in the middle of the night. However, being the ever resourceful Gramma that I am, I had recently finished another circular blanket. I quickly went ...