Emptyknitster

Hubby got out of the car thinking a group of people with cameras were looking at wolves in the distance. The bystanders quickly picked up their tripods and were beating a path to their cars just as I saw a bear on the horizon 50 ft away! I was about to yell at hubby BUT a kind soul informed my hubby there was a griz behind him! Look at the claws on this big boy! We were told the wolves were making whoopi before we arrived. All we saw was the male busily trying to keep the gray wolf from the carcass he was eating... It was a great day, one that will take many years of visiting the park to repeat!

When Hubby and I were in Yellowstone Park in February we decided to return this spring hoping to see some baby buffalo. Finally, this weekend was to provide us with some spring like weather and off we went on our adventure. Hubby and I left Saturday morning stopping at Chico Hot Springs for a swim. The weather was great and the water warm. Hubby and I enjoyed the afternoon leaving with a bit of a sunburn. Sunday we got a early start entering the park even before the ranger arrived at the entrance. We were not disappointed!  WOW! What a special day! Babies, eagles, wolves and a GRIZ!

I'll  admit it, I'm a podcast junkie! I enjoy listening to popular podcasts such as This American Life   or Things They Don't Tell You in History Class but I particularly enjoy listening to podcasts sharing my love of knitting. One such podcast is Stash and Burn .  Every week or two Jenny and Nicole, the hosts, share the secrets of their overflowing stashes. Recently the gals offered the opportunity to win a copy of Knit To Flatter. We were to: " post in this thread about your best sweater success or your worst sweater failure." My response was: "I would say that my worst sweater failure is not really the sweater but my change of taste in sweaters over time. I used to knit the bulky “ski” type sweaters but have now moved on to DK weight lighter sweaters (much more wearable). I think I should spend more time carefully planning each sweater rather than the, “Oh, this sweater looks fun, I think I’ll knit it!” way I’ve been choosing projects....

Sometimes the best laid plans just don’t turn out the way you’d like. The color and pointy angles of this shawl make me think of a clown’s collar! I seldom knit an item that doesn’t find a happy home but I think this shawl will be ripped out and knit into a pair of socks someday. Pattern: Wingspan Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball Colorway: Red and Purple Amount: 1 skein Needles Size: US Size 5

A teacher in my hallway announced at our Friday evening “book study” that he and his wife were going to have a baby this Christmas. Being the knitter I am, my thoughts immediately went to knitting up a little something. This bootie pattern knit up quickly Saturday night Oh, Baby! I love this pattern! We haven't a clue what the little peanut is going to be but I had some leftover yarn in the Opposites Attract, Anthony and Cleopatra colorway and decided to use it. Given the current style with the middle schoolers this baby will look great! My note read: Whether boy or girl This baby will be stylin’ in these! They were very much appreciated, not only by the Daddy but Mom as well.

During our Easter vacation we all enjoyed playing games. Grandpa had a great time playing chess with The Pirate, and Ticket to Ride with The Tiger. The California Family brought a new game to share, The Settlers of Catan that soon became a favorite with The Tiger. I was excited Chloe a Little-bit fell in love with Shanghai Rummy! This is a card game my Mom and Dad loved to play. When we pulled out the cards there was a hand written list of the books and runs needed each round Mom had written down years ago.  I'm looking forward to spending many summer afternoons playing with Chloe while she's visiting!

We all love our time a Chico Hot Springs but I don't think anyone enjoys it more than The Tiger. The last overnight stay we had at Chico The Tiger spotted a worker who wore a cowboy hat, western shirt and jeans and decided that must be the owner, "Mr.Chico." During the visit The Tiger just couldn't gather up the courage to talk to "Mr. Chico" but instead he watched Mr. Chico's every move. The Tiger was tickled pink when he spotted his buddy "Mr. Chico" this trip and again quietly watched Mr. Chico everytime he entered the pool area.  On our last evening Mr. Chico threw out several pool toys to our kiddos. The Tiger was delighted and without a thought yelled, "Thanks Mr. Chico!" It was nice to see a smile cross the old guy's face! Before we left the pool area for the night, The Tiger was sure to place the toys next to the management doorway  so "Mr. Chico" could share with someone else another day.

April has a couple of important birthdays. Our two older girls have birthdays two years and three days apart...what was I thinking?? This year I knit each of the girls a little gift.  The California Dreamin' Gal received some mitts. I bought the yarn during my last visit to California. The California Dreamin' Gal is so sweet and took me to A Verb For Keeping Warm where I found this lovely yarn AND pattern by the darling Leila Raabe. I was able to knit a pair of these mitts in February for The Chick Who Flew the Coop and had plenty for another pair! The gals didn't seem to mind having matching mitts. Pattern: Nalu Mitts Yarn: One Skein Tpp Draw Socks Colorway: Tuscany Amount:  Less than half a skein Needles: US Size 3

I knit these lovely socks for the NorDakPurlGurl who just celebrated a birthday. I hope they keep her feet warm in the land where there is still snow! Pattern: Business Casual Yarn: Marigoldjen Hand Dyed Yarn Colorway: Yoshi Amount: 1 skein Needle Size: US size 1

The family began trickling in on Friday, first the NorDak Family and the later in the evening The Chick Who Flew The Coop. Finally, on Saturday the California Dreamin' Crew flew in. Most families have a traditional Easter egg hunt, church and ham dinner kind of a day but obviously we are a rather unusual family... The boys sat around most of the morning warming up to what the day could bring.  Ultimately they hatched the potato gun idea! Thankfully The Chick offered to take the boys to the local hardware store for supplies knowing full well that there was no way the twosome could drive there and back without some mishap.  Off the three of them went and shortly thereafter Cousin John dropped by for a quiet few minutes before the trio reappeared. The partners in crime! The potatoes flew across the gully, over the road and into the horse pasture! I really can't believe that we had so much fun shooting those darn things!