Emptyknitster

This is the thirteenth pair of socks I've knit this year. Insanely I thought I could knit both birthday and Christmas socks but I'm pretty sure that only my most ardent sock lovers will be getting the Christmas socks this year! Pattern: Vanilla Bean Striped Socks by Emily O'Grady Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks Ragg Colorway: Brown Striped Ragg Amount: Three skeins, 498 yards Needle Size: US Size 1 I'm already using this Vanilla Bean Pattern on another pair of socks...a great step up from stockinette! The two story birdhouse was made by Dad and painted by Mom. They knew how I loved the 4th of July!

While we were on our camping trip to Yellowstone Park last weekend, I began reminiscing to the grandkiddos about my early trips to The Park. At the time we were living in Seattle and the trip to Yellowstone was the first big vacation I remember ever taking with the family. I was going into the seventh grade and had only two brothers, one on my left and one on the right of me in the back seat of the car.  The temperature at the end of July was sweltering, but anything over 80 degrees for a Puget Sounder is steamy. The five of us were stuck in the Valiant with no air conditioning and no seat belts! This was a time in The Park's history they're not to proud of, the black bears had run amok. They were allowed stand at the side of the road and beg for any tidbit that a human would offer. Visitors bought/brought marshmallows not for toasting at the campfire but to feed the bears. If you didn't offer the bears a treat they would just stick their paws in through the window and ...

Every year our family has a contest called " The first Fawn of the Season ." The rules have evolved over the years. 1) Not only is it the sighting of a fawn but 2) it must be documented for the win.  Over a week ago, while I was in Helena, Hubby excitedly texted the first sighting of the year.  However, at the time he was responding to a general alarm and so no photo. This gave not only me but the two grandkiddos a chance to hunt down the win! We've been on the lookout ever since... but to no avail. This morning, on Hubby's way to work, he took this photo:   Not one fawn for the win but two! - I bow down to the winner, great documentation!

This weekend we tested went out the camper with two additional occupants and I'm pleased to have one of the grandkiddos as a guest blogger. Thank you Chloe-A-Little-Bit! I am visiting my grandma for a couple weeks this summer and we went to Yellowstone. Camping: Day 1 On the first day of the camping trip we hiked down to a river and went gold panning. On our hike down, we saw the state flower the Bitterroot, and some other pretty blossoms. We also had to cross a stream. Cameron had a go first, and with Grandpa’s help, got a few specks of gold. He enjoyed it very much. I sat reading for a bit and then joined in and got a few gold specks as well. We hiked up the hill to the car and went to bed. Update: It appears that although my Guest blogger has taken beautiful photos and written her blog she bailed on me and so I'll complete and publish her entry :) Camping: Day 2 On the second day we drove through Yellowstone and saw th...

Life around here is really changing for our Gracie Gurl! She's taking a lap anywhere she can find it these days. Note how Chloe is taking precautions to keep her all her fingers!

On our way home Monday, the kiddos and I went to Lewis and Clark Caverns. Although named after the famous explorers, the caverns were discovered by two local ranchers that were out hunting. The expedition did float past the caverns on the river behind the kiddos. The caverns are one of the largest limestone caverns in the the Northwest. Winter or summer the average temperature of the cavern is 50 degrees. The cavern is full of stalactites, stalagmites, columns,and helictites. Once we exited the caverns it began pouring rain, again! It's been a wet winter and spring which has been great for the caverns. They were noticeably damper inside 98% humidity with puddles and wet railings great for stalagmite growth!

I've just finished the twelfth pair of handknit socks this year. When I found this pattern I knew immediately it was the perfect pattern for the yarn NorDak Purl Gurl had given me. Pattern: Show-off Stranded Socks by Anne Campbell Yarn: Fuzz and Sunshine Superwashed Blue Faced Leicester Colorway: Habinero Sherbert Amount: One Skein, 434 yards Needle Size: US Size 1

Once the knitting retreat was over and everyone had "cast off" and were on their way home, I hopped into the car and headed to Helena. Three generations of the family were planning on racing in the Governor's Cup. California Dreamin' Son-in-law and The Chick were running the half marathon, California Dreamin' Daughter was running the 10K and The Pirate, Chloe-A-Little-Bit and I were doing the Fun Run- later to be known as THE MILE MARATHON! California Dreamin' Son-In-Law finished with an outstanding 10th place and 6th place in the men's category. We are all very proud of him and the training he's been doing to be able to finish so strong.  California Dreamin' Daughter arrived next with a winning stance! And  The Chick flew by! After the race our three racers compared notes, and a friend of The Chicks stopped by to say that she had thought she saw The Chick during the race and from behind shouted to her to move her...

Our original six knitters enjoyed last year's retreat so much we decided to do a retake on the Rockin' S Retreat (Sit, Sip, and Stockinette!) There were eleven this year almost doubling our group and I think we had even more fun. Food was outstanding.We knit, knit knit and sipped a little. We dyed yarn in several sessions, some soaked in the hot springs while others dyed their sock yarn.  Everyone let their creative juices flow and some yarn was tonal, some mottled, and some mottled and then over dyed in tonal!  Each member took a turn working on a charity project for the school's PTA silent auction this fall. We soaked in the pool but by mutual agreement- no photos, and enjoyed the great outdoors. A few dedicated knitters even knit their projects late into the night.   It was declared The Rockin' S Retreat Take Two was a great success and all are looking forward to next June 14th and 15th!