Emptyknitster

We've had a very busy week with the nephews and grandkiddos here. They chose a short ride to the water park in town rather than a trip of several hours to Chico Hot Springs. We had a good afternoon and were home in a jiff. I forgot to take pics until the last second... Hubby jumped right in and came up with several things to do. He loves the outdoors and so naturally thinks that all youngsters, especially boys, should love being out communing with nature. Off we went! Over several days we made the Eastern Montana Circuit and visited Pompey's Pillar, Sherdian Butte, and Little Big Horn Battlefield. Pompey's Pillar:   Then it was on to Sheridan Butte, a six to seven mile hike! A little metal detecting was done and a surprise visit from a three foot rattlesnake! We hiked to the top and had a 360 degree great view! We were able to find the carving left behind by Co. C on their way to aid Custer but in reality they picked up the dead and inj...

Last night the Oregon boys arrived. They are settling in nicely. This morning there was a little game playing, before we set of for a walking tour of the Rims put on by Western Heritage Center. Everyone found the tour interesting. There was a little Native American folklore, as well as how Billings was founded. I was pleased to finally have an answer to why Billings is laid out so strangely, not taking advantage of the beautiful Yellowstone River. Billings is a city formed by the NP Railroad. As the railroad forged across the country the government gave them land in checkerboard fashion. Here in the valley for some reason there are two plots of land up against each other rather than corner to corner. This is now downtown Billings. The track and old depot go right along the boundary of each, one side is the Southside including Minnesota Avenue and the other side includes Montana Avenue.  Also because of the winds usually blowing west to east the industrial section was on the ...

Last weekend the brothers breezed into town for a quick visit. We enjoyed our adventures, playing games, catching up on family happenings, and meals together. All four cousins enjoyed their visit but the two little ones created quite a friendship.  Our time together quickly came to an end and we sadly had to say good bye until the next visit! Sam. Cameron, Joe, and Chloe

Family from out of state have been visiting Montana this week. Hubby and I thought it might be a fun adventure for all of us to visit some ancient Native American pictographs. These pictographs are a well kept secret we discovered about twenty years ago.  In past posts I've written about Hubby and how he never gets lost. He can find his way through unfamiliar wilderness and has even retraced steps days later to find lost keys or arrows. Yesterday it proved the same with with the pictographs. He hadn't visited them for over five years. Although he said he wasn't sure he could remember, he led us right to the area. It was an amazing trip, the contrast in landscape and beautiful clear sky made this one of the most beautiful trips to the site I've ever taken! Everyone enjoyed the trip even though the temperature was in the 90's. A late night before the trip and a hot hike proved to much for The Pirate and he gladly took a two hour n...

First to check in with their new sweaters: Chloe A Little Bit The Pirate Grandma gets the second set accounted for: Sadie Lou The Tiger And the last two are looking good!

I've been working on an Irish knit sweater for the "California Girl's" Christmas gift. I love knitting all those cables! One thing that I often do when knitting a sweater is to knit the two fronts or two sleeves at the same time. That way each piece is exactly the same as the other!  Notice the white feather on the ceramic cat....it's from our wild albino turkey! Yep, she made it through the winter! This sweater is from Paton's Aran Knits for the Family . When my nephew Joe was little I made several sweaters for him from this booklet. I also made a few Aran knit buntings that the babies looked lovely in! If anyone knows of a good book of Aran patterns, please leave a comment. I have five more Aran Christmas sweaters to do! I may try designing some Aran Sweaters to keep from getting bored!  The California Girl  The Mandy look a like The Prince 

The Oregon family reported in and are having a great winter break. They are hopping with joy over the wallabies! I think I have conquered the signing up for, and ordering of, the DVD movie rental membership! Thanks again for this thoughtful gift! A movie and popcorn will be something to look forward to after a long cold day. Love you all and Happy New Year! Brother Scott in a prayerful mood...