Emptyknitster

The first of six Christmas sweaters is in the cupboard! I've finished Choe-A-Little-Bit's Vodka Lemonade cardigan and am on to the second sweater. I did make a few modifications, both intentional and unintentional. The pattern calls for a US size 5 but to get gauge I used size 4. Although I’m not sure of the final fit, I loved the decreases and increases at the side for a fitted sweater. I just hope it works for Chloe. I was a sloppy pattern reader and only put one lace repeat on each front side - a design feature I guess! I looks fine to me but doing two on each side would have added a little more interest for me when knitting it! Pattern: Vodka Lemonade Yarn: Jojoland Tonic Colorway: Shaded Spruce Amount: 4 skeins Needle Size: US 4 All in all this is a sweater worth doing again!

When visiting the California Dreamin’ family in May, Chloe-A-Little-Bit was very enamored with my Fiesta Wear Socks. I thought I was being very smart in finding her favorite colors blue, purple, and turquoise in fiesta ware colors. I was to find out later Chloe’s interest in the socks was for the yellow orange color NOT necessarily the socks! Pattern: Lala's "No Pattern" Afterthought Heel Socks Yarn: Dyer Straits Colorway: Needle Size: US 2 Hope she wears these!

For the last week we have been watching a trio of baby robins in their nest. I had noticed a mama robin hard at work building a nest under our deck but didn't think much of it until The Chick and I heard babies chirping a week ago. We followed the sounds.When we got on our hands and knees, we could peek through the crack in our deck and see three the babies just five inches away. All week we have kept close tabs on them. Today I attempted a quick photo....   About a week old and it's hard to believe that they will be on their own in a week!

Many people are knitting socks this year with a call to needles of: "Twelve in 2012". With my new found fondness for knitting socks I thought this to be an admirable endeavor. Even though it is only half way through the year I'd like to present my twelfth pair of socks: Pattern: Lala's No Pattern Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Ragg Shades Colorway: Blue Brown Mari Amount: 2 skeins  Needle Size: US 2

Next year I will be teaching science to third and fourth graders. I really didn't want to spend the summer thinking about what I will be doing and not producing anything concrete, so I spent the first week of my summer vacation lesson planning for fall. Scientific Method, ecology and worm farms are some of the things happening in the fall. The principal also encouraged me "to just have fun." No more needed to be said! The "geek" glasses and science tees have been ordered, and a lab coat will be on hand by fall. I'm still looking for a pocket protector but think I should be able to find one soon. A real favorite of mine arrived yesterday:  "Morti" McMasters My 7th grade math teacher Thanks to DeeAnn, our primary secretary, for the great idea! Morti will be our class mascot - taking tests for the students, giving out rewards (candy in his cranium) and keeping an eye on the kiddos. The grandkiddos aren't to sure of Morti. The Pirate ...

Continuing the family competition called  The First Fawn Sighting , this morning Hubby and I were plotting out our day when I spotted the first fawn of the season out our living room window! Hubby immediately said it wasn't a "confirmed" siting. The Number One Rule is: Until there is a photo the siting is labeled unconfirmed. SO..... June 12, 1202 6:45 am Score! Checking the previous fawn sitings over the last four years this is the earliest yet.  The closest only four days later, June 16, 2010.

The week before school ended the principal approached me about becoming the science specialist for third and forth grade. I gave it some thought over the weekend and on Monday asked for the position. While exciting, it changed the dynamics of the last 8 days of school. Not only did I do the usual end of the year things - teaching, reportcards, fieldtrips, and storing of items - I also immediately went into moving mode, taking only items I thought would be science worthy. Students happily grabbed boxes as they went to science class making the physical movement much easier. This last week I worked on developing lessons and now have the first quarter ready for fall. Lessons for the fifth grade "math review" class that I will also be teaching are lining out nicely. Having the first quarter ready to go allows me to relax and enjoy the summer! My only reservation is the fact that I will have 450 students and because I have a hard time with names, there will be a lot of "Hons...

When we were at the California Dreamin' Gurl's graduation she casually mentioned we should return in a few weeks for a Beach Boy's Concert. Years ago a Beach Boys concert had been the gurls first experience at concert going and she remembered it fondly.  Little did she know that Hubby had been trying in vain to arrange just that event. "The Beach Boys Concert - It Might Be Their Last, After That They Might Be Died Tour" Hubby had talked about it so much, I actually thought that was the name of the tour and so was surprised to learn the concert's actual name is "The Beach Boys 50th Celebration Tour!" He hadn't thought to look for a date while I was still teaching school. Hubby had tried Red Rocks, "No the grandkiddos would be visiting," How about Seattle? The answer was again no for the same reason.  But when The California Dreamin' Gurl said they were singing in the Greek Theater on June 2 his eyes lit up and who was I to say ...

Hubby and I enjoyed this soup recipe I made last week while the snow was flying. Several people have asked me to post it. Enjoy! Beef, Potato and Quinoa Soup     2 tsp olive oil     6-7 scallions, chopped     2 cloves garlic, minced     1 tomato, diced     1 tsp cumin     1/2 tsp Badia Sazon with Annato (I've never heard of this and will use it another time)     1/2 lb beef, cubed into small bite size pieces (I used beef tenderloin)     5 cups water     beef bullion     1 carrot, peeled and sliced     2 tbsp yellow bell pepper, diced     2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed     1 cup cooked quinoa     6 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro     salt and pepper to taste             ...