Emptyknitster

In October I wrote about the Weavers, a family in my husband's ancestry. ( Were my inlaws outlaws ?) Last Friday I was excited to see that I had received a comment to this post: C. Wilson said... This blog is very interesting to come across. Henry Weaver was the first husband of my great-great grandfather's older sister, Lucretia McCutchan. I have a photo of Henry, Lucretia and Adelbert (their son that was named after who is being called Adel and Dell in a lot of the articles). That photo was taken probably just a few months before the vigilante attack took place,  Henry, Lucretia and Adelbert Weaver and I have a picture of just Henry Weaver as well. Henry had a daughter that was born not long before he was killed - her name was Henrietta. Let me know if you'd like to see the photos.  PS- They'll eventually be posted in my genealogy and history blog.  ( journey back in time genealogy ) This was such an exciting post, internet is so great! This in...

Roving turned into yarn right before my eyes! It was a bit of a surprise not to begin spinning perfect yarn. All the years I've been knitting allows me to know exactly the yarn I want to use. Shouldn't I be able to spin it instantly? For a while I thought the yarn would only be used for a pillow for Nikko!   When Rosalinda arrived at the house, I vowed all yarn produced would be knit into items. Quickly I learned to order 8 ounces of roving or braid. It isn't easy to find something to knit when you have less than 200 yards of yarn! Thanks to Ravelry, I found two patterns for the new spun yarn. Monkey Mitts Fingerless Mitts by Alisa Bluesunflower Needle size: US 6 MY handspun yarn: 80 yards of Marl, just a bit of Ivory and Red Miss Sadie's Scarflette by Sara Kay MY handspun yarn: less than 130 yards Needle Size: 13 I thought this garter stitch cowl pattern would "cover up the yarn's flaws" but I think the stockinette stitch in the mitts made a b...

At the beginning of their visit the grandkiddos went into town to get snowboots for the North Dakota winter that is sure to be arriving. While driving home they made their parents promise that was the only time they would have to leave Gramma and Grandpa's house. (Tiger calls it "Montana") You might wonder what they did for the next 5 days out in the country but they were very happy, busy children. One afternoon was warm enough for lunch in the playhouse resulting in a "Store Sale" (Turkey feathers $1), another afternoon was spent doing Melty Beads, Sadie made the Christmas napkin holders we will be using in a few weeks. Tiger loves the Legos, hot chocolate was a hit, the DS was often hidden away... tooling leather with Grandpa... sometimes a little reluctantly! And Grandma's favorite...decorating the house for Christmas!! Thank you so much for your help Sadie Lou Who and Tiger!!

The NorDak family arrived and The Tiger loves his new stripes ... Look, turkeys! PLEASE, Gramma can I chase the turkeys? Does The Tiger think he has to bring home the Thanksgiving dinner?

I haven't been able to get enough of these little shawlettes. They are an easy knit that you can multi task while creating. The first two were a combination of several different patterns but this one was a true Multnomah.  Pattern:Multnomah Yarn: Bits of sockyarn, and Red Heart Heart & Sole 2 skeins (75% wool 25% nylon) Needle size: US 5

When I find a fun knit I seem to just keep knitting it agan and again! The kerchief is just one of those knits. The second shawlette is complete and I have a third just about done, then I need to get back to the last Christmas sweater of the year! Pattern: A little of this and little of that - Multnomah, Silk Kerchief, Milk Run Shawl Yarn: leftover sock yarn, and Red Heart Heart and Sole, Ivory Needles: US 5

Fundraisers are in full swing. Kids and parents are frantically trying to sell wrapping pager, popcorn and candy including See's toffee. Seeing the See's label, I shared with the other teachers that I had an award winning recipe for See's Fudge. My Aunt Betty gave it to us years ago. She had been visiting California, See's corporate headquarters, when there had been a contest for the best knock off recipe for the fudge. Here it is gals, and really, it's the best! See's Fudge Put into large bowl: 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cube butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 6 ounce package chocolate chips Boil in a heavy pan for 6 minutes: 2 cups sugar 2/3 cups canned evaporated milk 10 marshmallows Pour over the contents in the bowl and beat. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan, cool.

Last week the last of my Dad's generation was laid to rest.  Aunt Verna is a part of my earliest memories. Before I'd entered school she came for a visit. One afternoon as we passed a roadside fruit stand she asked if I liked cantaloupe. I'd never had such a thing and she told me that is was the best thing ever. It melted in your mouth and was quite possibly better than ice cream. On the way back home we stopped and bought several of these wonderful fruits. I became suspicious when the melons were cut and I caught wind of the musty smell but after a bite I knew I'd been sold a bill of goods! I just received a package filled with family things. One was an old autograph album of Aunt Verna's from 1938-1945. In it were many heartfelt messages to: "Irish" "Itty Bit" and "Little one". I learned that she had gone to Greeley and Steamboat Springs to signal school in the hopes of becoming a W.A.A.C. and serve in WWII. The following speaks o...

This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Ask offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com  to get the details I have been lucky enough to lead a very fulfilling and happy life. I enjoy what I have and am grateful for surprises along the way.  A couple of items have just snuck up on me just recently. I unknowingly accomplished two of my bucket list items without even knowing I wanted to do them until they'd been accomplished: 1. I walked across the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge . 2. I bought a spinning wheel . I'd love to have these things come my way and would never turn them down! 1. Learn to spin yarn worthy of sock knitting 2. Go on a knitting retreat 3. Hike across the heel of Italy like Shirley Mclaine 4. Be a housewife once again, cleaning and cooking to my heart...

It has been a beautiful sunny and warm fall, but winter is lurking and the lovely sweater weather will soon be coming to an end. Yellowstone River 2011 Woodpecker on the deck              No more Griz games, just snowy gray days ahead.  After the game Saturday we stopped by 'The Chick Who Flew the Coop's' hen house and picked up Babycakes for a visit. She wasn't very happy but settled down for the last hour or so in the car. The now snowy Yellowstone River

I'm a little sad some of my Grandchildren are already thinking they are to old to dress up for Halloween but I do have photos of the younger ones: Sadie Isaac Sam and then there are the young at heart and VERY scary goblins: My former teaching buddy, Kathy, was here visiting and I knew we could catch up on what's been going on in our lives if we were at my house because WE HAVE NEVER HAD A TRICK OR TREATER! (That's what happens when you live at the end of the road.)