Emptyknitster

Because we love to knit, the customers of my favorite store - Wild Purls Yarn Shop - gather and knit until dark on the longest day of the year. It's Father's Day on Sunday, so we met on Friday evening and missed only a minute of knitting. My knitting enthusiast daughter, Sarah, was is town to celebrate. The gathering of happy knitters... We each bring a delicious dessert and indulge. I always bring my... Black Russian Bundt Cake 1 yellow cake mix, w ithout pudding 1/2 cup sugar 1 6 ounce instant chocolate pudding 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 1/4 cup vodka 1/4 cup amaretto, or strong coffee liqueur 3/4 c water Grease and flour bundt pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine cake mix, sugar, pudding. oil, eggs, vodka, liqueur, and water, mix at low speed about 1 minute. Beat at medium speed 4 minutes. Pour into prepared pan. Bake until cake tests done with a wooden pick. (35 - 45 minutes) Prepare glaze. Let cake cool 10 minutes in pan. invert onto wire rack. Poke ho...

Sadie had so much fun at Chico Hot Springs last Wednesday AND her Mom was so envious, the entire family took another trip there this week! Little brother, Issac, had a blast! The day was overcast and in fact we had a few rain showers, but a great day was had by all. The very beautiful historic hotel. The darling grandkiddos... Isaac inspecting a critter in the flowers. Sadie posing a little for Gramma. In the pool...... Wish we could go there everyday!

We were so lucky when Sadie's other grandparents, Nana and Bumpa, agreed to drop Sadie off for a visit! They were traveling through Montana on their way to snowy Yellowstone Park. Sadie was excited to come and we were elated that she thought she was big enough to be away from her parents for a week! So far, and it's Thursday, things are going great! We are counting "the sleeps" until Mom, Dad and Isaac come BUT sometimes we have to mark off two days because we forget - a good sign - I think! Grandpa made breakfast! Gramma "did up" my toes! Keeping busy playing games. Relaxing with Gracie. Ready to hit the road for Chico Hot Springs! A real bathing beauty. Gramps just floating by... Aunt Katie is a great pool buddie! The noodle really works great to keep you floating... Chico can tire a kiddo out! Billings is a short trip home when you nap all the way!

Well, the kiddos have been sent off for the summer and it's now turned into Margaritaville here at home! These are the best Margaritas ever! Jo, MVBF, modified this recipe from one on the web. It's a little bit more in calories but the flavor is out of this world... Mondo Margaritas Serves 5 12 oz diet Mountain Dew 12 oz Rose’s sweetened lime juice 6 oz tequila 5 oz triple sec 1 1/2 tablespoons splenda 5 oz water 1 drop green food coloring Mix together and freeze until slushy or frozen solid. Scoop frozen slush into serving glasses dipped in salt. Garnish with lime wedge. Single batch makes 5 cups – 335 calories per serving. Don't waste your time, just start with a double batch. We've even started buying extra Rose's lime so as to not run out.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful site - the flowers are blooming!

You know that summer is near when all the teacher's toes are in order... Much of the school day was spent placing students into classrooms for the next school year. It is always a fun day spent on the reflection of students and enjoying little stories about their adventures through the third grade. BUT at the same time, we want all involved to have a great school year next year and so it is also a monumental task! I think that we did an outstanding job, which was made a little easier because we had six regular ed. teachers instead of five to place the students with. (What a difference that would have made in our year!) After getting all students in just the right classroom, it was time for lunch and a little sun. Carol, Heather, Whitney, Marie, Kim, and me up top!

Memorial weekend is the traditional opening of Beartooth Pass. This highway is located outside the small ski town of Red Lodge and goes to Cook City, a small town a little east of Yellowstone Park. It's a beautiful drive when the road is open, no matter what time of year, spring or fall. This is a view heading up to the top of the pass... It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny - a great day to share with hubby! The critters were out sunning themselves! Do you think the grizzly bears were still hibernating under all that snow? We're getting close to the summit... Lots of snow! The skiers were out... A breathtaking view! Time to turn around and go home... WHAT FUN!