Emptyknitster

The last Friday of each month is treat day at work.  I have a couple of old standards I enjoy bringing and was asked to share them with the crew. What an easy way to get copies to everyone! Microwave Carmel Corn Kathy W. Combine in 2 quart microwave dish: 1 cup brown sugar 1 stick margarine 1/4 cup karo  syrup 1/2 teaspoon salt Bring to boil, then cook on high for 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 tsp baking soda. Put 3 quarts popped popcorn in brown grocery sack. Pour mixture over it. Roll bag shut and cook on high for 1.5 - 2 minutes. Shake bag, cook 1.5 minutes more. Spread onto cookie sheets and cool. Pumpkin Bread Caroline K. 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon salt 3 teaspoons cinnamon 2 cups white sugar 2 cups pumpkin 4 eggs, beaten 1 1/2 cups oil 1 cup chopped nuts Place all dry ingredients in mixing bowl, with a spoon make deep well in center.  In well place all other ingredients. Stir carefully - just enough to dampen dry ingredients. Pour ...

I finished another pair of socks. These Stashbuster Socks are the greatest! You need three balls of leftover yarn from previous socks. I like to use two variegated colors with one similar color running through both and a third yarn in a solid color. This seems to keep the colors in the socks "toned down" and not looking like what the knitting community calls "clown barf"!  An added plus is for every three pairs of sock yarn bought you get a third pair free! Pattern: Stashbuster Spirals Yarn: Lorna's Laces Multi and Solids Colorway: Maple Grove, Specially dyed Wild Purls, Off White Amount: Leftovers from 3 previous projects Needle Size: US1

What do Rednecks in Montana do on December 1st when the temperature hits the 60's? Go to the shooting range!

Last Saturday The Chick Who Flew The Coop was gathering up her things to make the trip back to her house, clean laundry (check), Black Friday sale items (check), and finally her kitty - Babycakes.  Babycakes loves her mom, her apartment, and our house but she HATES what is between - the car travel! So when The Chick said, "Okay Baby, I know you won't like this, but it's time to go home." Baby looked at her, tucked her tail between her legs, bolted for the basement stairs and yowled one long yowl all the way until she was under The Chicks bed! There was a quick discussion and we decided that she could stay with us until after Christmas. A hour after The Chick left, Babycakes appeared and life has been great ever since. Baby goes out on our deck and takes in a little fresh air every morning but what she loves the most is Hubby. She sleeps on him, follows him everywhere and is only two feet away whenever he is home. Hubby has already bought her a cat bed that will...

I just can't tell you how happy I am that the DAMN Sam sweater is done! I hope, hope, hope that it will fit my beloved Sam but I readily admit the sweater I started in April, yes April, has been the bain of my existence and may be to small or big, the arms to long, short, skinny, or the entire sweater may just fall apart! Seldom - if ever have I hated the knitting of an item so much! Pattern: Mirror Stripes Yarn: Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Heather Colorway: Mallard, Cordovian Needle size: US 3, US 5 Last night I cast off, worked in the ends, will wash off all the months of cat hair, blocked it, and pop the Christmas gift in the mail this weekend. PS: I've already started something else that I love - more to come later.....

Hosting The Nutcracker in Billings has been a 30 year tradition. For several years I have wanted to go with the granddaughters. Either Hubby and I are celebrating Thanksgiving in North Dakota or by the time we think of reserving tickets the theater has sold out. This year we thought the timing was right, the NorDakFam were coming to town, and the tickets were bought. But sadly the NorDak Family unexpectedly had to return home early. I called in the reserves, Jo and her Grandkiddo Mia. We attended the ballet last night. The San Diego Ballet Company danced with our local children. Humor was tucked into every scene for an observant viewer. And the Plum Fairy impressively seemed to fly through the air. It was outstanding! I wore my new shawl and felt very festive. Pattern: BLT Scarf/Shawl Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin Colorway: Ruby Needles: US 4 Beads: 44 grams My good friend, Darlene,  bought this yarn last July while in Germany. She was lucky enough to visit ...

Thanksgiving break was extra long for me this year, I took Monday and Tuesday off to be with the NorDak Family. They arrived on Sunday and the first thing I did was give The Tiger his bigger and better New Blue. He loved it! We played lots of Ticket To Ride...   and worked on a gingerbread man. We tried new recipes and ate all the time! Carmel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies   (from the Cooking Photographer ) Ingredients 1 cup unsalted butter, nearly melted 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (7.4 ounce) box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix *Not sugar free* 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 (14 ounce) bag Kraft Caramels Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line rimless cookie sheets with parchment paper. It has to be parchment this time. 2. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt, and all 10 packets of apple cider mix until smooth ...