Emptyknitster

Hubby reported three new inches of snow yesterday to bring us to a new record... But today, we have happy kitties!

I was left with few instructions for the week other than "If the royal baby comes, put the bunting up!"

This week Chloe was making some cookies and made the comment she liked cookie dough almost more than the cookies themselves. As a young girl my paternal grandmother would make the rotation from sibling to sibling for a six month stay with each famiiy. She was usually treated as a guest but in the fifth - seventh grades Mom worked part time and Grandma would step in and help with the cooking. (My first experience with sauerkraut)  She would often make cookies in the afternoon and once in frustration said, "Maybe I shouldn't bother even cooking them. I think you kids would eat all the dough raw if I'd let you." My brother's and I looked at each other, our eyes lighting up and quickly agreed to the offer, hoping she was serious! Chloe comes from a long line of cookie dough eaters!

Knowing I was headed for Oakland last week, it was only natural to cast on a pair of Socks On A Plane. I finished them in sunny California and took a quick snapshot in the garden. Pattern: Socks On A Plane by Laura Lindermann Yarn: Cascade Heritage 150 Sock Yarn Colorway: 5689 Regatta Needle Size: US Size 1 I must be turning into one of those "crazy old ladies" on a plane who no one wants to sit by.  This is the second time I've spent time visiting with the person sitting next to me. I want to plead innocence, I had quickly pulled out my knitting and popped the earbuds in - the universal request to "leave me alone" but when a lady my age sat down next to me and saw my knitting she pulled hers out and we instantly fell into a lovely two hour visit. We talked about our knitting, love of the outdoors, and our travels. She was a retired teacher, had three kiddos and a husband who had grown up in the same part of town as hubby and graduated from the same Univers...

I was happy to be able to attend the annual High School Bridge Competition at Oakland Tech. "What’s the process? In teams of one or two, competitors submit a rough sketch of their proposed design. The materials are balsa wood and glue, with strict construction rules. At the competition, each bridge will be loaded until it fails, with the winner withstanding the highest weight." Chloe and Lillian worked for most of a week preparing their bridge. Each day the bridge was tweaked just a bit more in the attempt of producing the perfect bridge. Last night the competition was fierce: Chloe and Lillian's bridge held 30.4 pounds, earning a Third Place standing in the competition! Great job girls!

I'm visiting in California for a week or so to be "Gramma In Charge." Paddle boarding in Venice? The kiddos are doing a great job, we decide to have something for dinner and before I know it they're cooking up a storm and doing the dishes after! It appears the only thing I have to really do is pick up The Pirate Tuesdays and Thursdays! Today, I went on another long walk and just enjoyed the beautiful day....

  Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage 150 Paints Colorway: Co 12 Needle Size: US Size 1

Not much has been happening at Windyridge since our trip to the Big Island. We are just waiting for spring to appear. I've been enjoying knitting on some larger items none of which aren't quite done.  I said I'd never knit a "Down The Rabbithole" blanket - EVER AGAIN - but the sock scraps were really multiplying and something just had to be done with them!  I must admit this time I looked for a pattern I thought would be quicker and definitely with less ends to weave in. This is a much quicker project than my Down The Rabbithole Blanket but still makes me feel just a bit crazy. Even though the blanket is on the downhill side I have over 300 stitches on the needle ! Everyone is beginning to chatter about their Stash Dash projects and so perhaps I’ll let this marinate just a bit and finish up in June. I've notice many stranded yoke patterns appearing and decided to join the masses. This Griz Sweater has just one sleeve left to be knit before I can c...