Knitter's Soul A Little Out of Control

Sweet times in Colorado

2009-10-17T06:46:00.002-06:00

We should leave more often. Mike went to Fort Collins to get feed and Callee and I spent a sweet day with our dad/granddad. When we returned home some of this wonderfulness was on the freezer. We had fresh baked bread with two types of jelly. Dad made some of Grandmas Lois's special catsup for us also. We are planning a trip to the goat dairy today to purchase some cheese to eat on this cranberry nut bread!!

An old homestead we hiked around. We loved hearing the stories Granddad could tell about the use of the tools they cut the lumber with to make the houses.

This was at one time a 250 foot tree!!!

We were thrilled dad could make the mile walk with us after just getting out of the 8 day hospital stay.

Early or late Friday Post

2009-09-08T14:29:00.002-06:00

By going out of town for a weekend two weeks in a row it has put me behind on my "Thankful" posts. I wanted to post some photos of my latest knit which I did most of on my trip to Cori and Evan's wedding. Picking the trim was easy, I found a pattern that originated in 1920 because Cori and Evan picked a 1920's theme of dress for the guest to wear if they wanted. I loved seeing all their friends dressed up in costume.
First thing I am thankful for: I will be wearing this new creation to California on Saturday to see Callee and Keenan for a week. :) I am so excited to be spending the week with them. Callee taught Keenan to play UNO so we will have some fun card games I am sure.

# 2--the Buena Vista Deer are at a disadvantage now that Mike has this on the front of his work truck!!

# 3 I can wear this dog out by playing ball numerous times a day. I did take him for a mile run a few mornings ago and when he got home he took a few deep breaths and wanted to chase the ball. Our son thinks I just need to peddle my bike lots faster so he has to sprint most of the way.

TGIF

2009-08-21T18:15:00.002-06:00

I am thankful that is cool enough in the mornings to wear my wool socks & because I am a grandma I can wear my hand knit socks with shorts. I will be excited to wear these before next friday and because I am knitting with my friends in the morning before going to Denver I will have them done. OH, Denver, I am excited to go watch the Denver Roller Dolls with lots of my girl friends and see what all of this is about. I am pretty sure a tee shirt will have to be purchased!!

I am thankful it is still 90 degrees by the after noon so my flowers are not freezing yet.

That my husband is to devoted to all of the 4-H kids that he buys 4 pigs and some of those cute little girls bake him cookies and give thanksyou cards to Martin Feed.

Oh those peaches, I love Colorado peaches!! I am learning to bake gluten free desserts so I may try my luck at a peach cobbler. Until then I will just eat them over the sink with the juice running down my hand!!

Oh, to be so thankful

2009-08-14T08:43:00.002-06:00

It is Friday

The number ONE-I had 4 days off from work and I didn't even leave town. Oh, how I enjoyed hanging out at the yarn store and helping ladies with thier knitting. I used to think a vacation had to involve going long distances and being worn out when I returned.

The number TWO: I have not driven an inch in my little red truck since starting my vacation. I rode my bike everywhere. I just loving riding, I even rode around town for a couple hours with a friend one night after she finished work. Now my brothers might not consider it a work out of any sort but it was fun and that is why I own a bike.

The number THREE: I could talk to Keenan this morning before his first day of school and hope to catch some of that excitement about my day. His mom will post photos, I can hardly wait to see them.

The number FOUR: Cash did not get ran over when he decided he should stand in the middle of one of the busiest roads in Buena Vista. Some yippee dogs moved across the street and he thinks he is the official greeter on the other side of the tracks also. I have to go use some dog whisper on him. This won't be pretty but he is a quick learner.

I'm glad Gram taught me to sew!!

2009-08-12T22:26:00.005-06:00

Here it is, I was able to cut up an old pair of Bud's camo pants and make his referee jersey. I do hope it is what he had in mind. I am getting ready to go watch the skating on the 22nd of Aug. in Denver at which I think he might be wearing this shirt. We will see if he likes it. I was not to put any red, pink, or yellow of any sort on the thing. Bud, I can't rip any of this out if it is not what you wanted, get another shirt and we will do it again if need be.

Lets Eat some dead pig!!

2009-08-11T20:23:00.003-06:00

Mike and I just finished watering his latest purchase from the 4-H fair. We are now the owners of 4 very large porkers. So guess what will be under your Christmas Tree from the Martin's. They go to Hoggy Heaven in the morning.

Wall of color!! I loved, loved, loved, working in the sea of color today

Got my hair cut so took a photo by the wall of color. Notice, still no glasses, Cash ate them so I should get new ones on Friday!!

It's Friday already

2009-08-07T20:06:00.001-06:00

Thankful Friday:

Hmmmmm lets see, I will have to ponder this a bit for sure.

1. I am not thankful that Cash ate my glasses last night, but am very thankful I can still see without them. By next friday I can post a photo with my new glasses I hope.

2. Mike has had a succesful week and the feed store selling hay. He has found some young boys who are willing to work and throw those bales around.

3. I am about to get a week off from Trail West and when I went to the yarn store today Tami could use my help at the yarn store!! I am glad to be back in there with all that wool.

TGIF

2009-07-31T22:02:00.002-06:00

I encouraged my daughter to start every week writing down the things she is thankful for. It would not be a bad idea for her mum to do the same. So here goes--the first one is this child and how looking at his photo makes me tear a bit. He is a joy to Nana and Papa and we are so thankful he loves to call us a couple times a week to tell us about his day. I will be flying out to see him for a week in Sept. and do whatever he wants. We are eating mac and cheese, marshmallows, and popcorn so he says. Reading lots of books from the library and going to the park will be part of our days also. I am looking foreward to seeing Callee's place and spending time in her and Keenans life.

#2. That my sister loves me enough to know when I am having a really hard week here on the home front and buys me a wonderful gift to show me how much she loves me. I am very thankful that I have a sister and will be looking forward to seeing her and all her guys in a few short weeks at Cori and Evans wedding.

#3. That this fine women whom I am very proud to say is my mom made it through another trip to the emergency room. We are all very thankful she is home again and doing better. I do hope she will stop scaring me like this!! LOL. She continues to impress me daily and I am thankful to get the chance to payback a little for all the care she has poured out to her family.

#4 That our son and Mike were here to help with Gram this week. I am thankful for Lynney, who was so willing to fly out here for 2 weeks and help mom when we went through 2 surgeries in 7 days. I know that was hard with all the planning for Cori's wedding that needed to be done.

Bud living closer has been so fun for me--next time we are hiking (he will fish and I will draw) Cash will charge along and jump around in the water. I love those times together with Bud.

Until next week.

Just a few memories

2009-04-19T20:50:00.002-06:00

This is where I started the Cliff Walk which was .5 miles from the hotel I stayed in. I went on it 2 time. Once the whole way--8miles by myself and 3 miles of it with Bud

This is the lawn side to the Breakers, 70 rooms, built in two years. This was thier summer home, those little windows at the top where no air can get through is where the 40 servants stayed. Bud, Dane and myself toured this house. I can't believe they built the thing in 2 years.

The real reason I flew out- he cleans up good. Mike and I are very proud of him. He is driving back to Colorado as I type. Until next time.

Easter Flowers

2009-04-12T14:24:00.004-06:00

Mike gave me some pretty Easter flowers so I am trying to capture them with my art. The new books Emily and Jerry gave me money for (my birthday) should be arriving soon. That will help lots. Suffer through these pictures. Until next time.

I now have new TOYS!!

2009-04-07T22:17:00.005-06:00

I don't claim to be any sort of artist but I thought some of you might like to see my new toys--36 new colored pencils. Today was the first time we used them in class. I need to buy some flowers so I can practice, it has been great fun for me. I promise not to bore you with to many of these budding art photos.

OH DEAR

2009-04-05T20:05:00.004-06:00

Oh dear, I knitted like crazy for 4 weeks to finish this lace project to wear to our son's graduation from Officer Candidate School in RI. I leave on the 15th. The back of my cable sweater is finished and I am now casted on and started on the front. Those pink socks are for a friend of our daughters. She has cancer so pink is perfect. I found a lady in Colorado Springs with a sock knitting machine and for a very small fee she will take my mounds of sock yarn and make something people can wear. That is great because I am knitting my stash yarn this year.

The color is not very good in this shot but it shows the pattern. I am enjoying knitting this and hope to have it done when the snow flies next winter.

Here is a close up of the lace project, there are trees in bottom of the stole. One row (it is my first lace project) look like the trees were born and raised in Wyoming:). I am planning on getting that sailor to stand still for photos with his mom, so look for those in my next post. Until next time.

Bud's Wall

2009-02-18T21:19:00.002-07:00

He lets up put up these things in our house that display what all he has done so I think it is safe to post it on here. He served 4 year on the sub and they gave him a nice wooden plaque. He will be in Colorado in 2 months, Mike and I are planning on a trip out to RI to see him graduate. I am really looking fore ward to getting off this mountain for a few days and seeing something I have never seen before.

Cash--he loves to sit up high on the sacks at the store so he can see out. Now when he gets bored he does chew holes in the sacks. Mike and the boys who work for him don't get up and look to see what Cash is into when things get quiet in the store, maybe just mom's do that!

My first load of gluten free bread from the new bread machine my sister gave me for my birthday. I hope to be very good at it when she comes to visit in a couple months.

Until next time

Tea Time

2009-02-08T07:31:00.002-07:00

Mike and I both enjoy a good cup of tea--how the process is achieved is completely different. I love using my new cup Keenan and Callee gave me for my birthday and slowly choosing the tea for the experience of drinking it. Mike gets out the feed store cups-heats the water in this way cool pot his sister gave us and drinks the same tea every time, Constant Comment. He calls it Instant Insult. So it is time for me to brew my tea and get ready for another day here in these mountains. Enjoy your day with a good spot of tea no matter how you choose to experience the beverage. Until next time.

Mikki will be doing the dish tonight

2009-01-29T17:59:00.002-07:00

When I made this wonderful Red lentil soup (Mike wondered where the meat was) I just had to put it in these dishes that Uncle Doc Munson gave me. He brought them back from the war for his mother, Helen Munson, and then gifted them to Mike and I a few years ago. I don't use them often, but when I do I can be sure that Mike will not get his sleeves rolled up and head for the sink. He is so sure that one will be broken. I love using them every once in a while.

If any of you have had the pleasure of going to Doc and Edie's house you ate out of the set of dishes he brought back for himself. They have pine cones all around the edge. Uncle Doc loves ice cream and we have eaten many a bowl with two of our favorite people out of those dishes. Very fond memories.

Until next time

mountains of sweetness-plain or peanut

2009-01-19T12:46:00.003-07:00

Let me just say, sorry Callee. Papa wanted Keenan to have some m&m's and you know he would never just buy the little package when we go through the checkout at City Market. They will be in the mail soon--just the plain ones unless he changes his mind when he sees this photo.

Today on my walk I thought about all the things I am thankful for: You now will know what they are also

1. Mike Martin is still my best friend.

2. My mom lives close enough to come have coffee once in a while.

3. Keenan wants to buy his Nana a coffee cup with flowers on it.

4. My i-pod (thanks to the sailor) so I can enjoy all types of music

a. I don't enjoy country or rap--just in case you were wondering

5. We have two children who are making difference in this world

6. Mike let me get another dog--Cash is loads of fun.

7. I am standing tall & firm and waiting because I have inter strength

8. Bud will soon be off the sub and on to officer candidate school, plus living in Colorado for 3 years

9. Callee keeps us up to date on their lives with photos and a phone call every Saturday

10. That at almost 51 I could loose 30 pounds and still walk 3 miles in one hour. When I am 52 I want to have lost a total of 37 pounds. My fighting weight before those two wonderful children!!

11. I am thankful for our friends and family who we are getting to visit with often.

Celebrate life. Until next time.

I knitted almost all day

2009-01-10T20:21:00.002-07:00

On Saturday mornings I head down to the local yarn store to knit with my friends. The group keeps growing, we even had to move the yarn racks around to fit in more knitters. It is such a great way to spend the morning. Then I taught the rest of the day--on very cute 8 year old little princess named CC along with her mother and a friend.

I have vowed to knit my stash this year--so this morning I bagged it all (25 plus projects), added notes of paper with ideas of what the finished project should be along with whom it will be for. I also have two sweaters I am knitting on. You can see that one of the projects was finished up today. Socks size 9 women's. We will see how far I get, two a month, that's not bad. Right???

The projects I want to knit are like these. I love the snow flakes, I have made 3 hats which none of them are correct yet, our local mission is collecting warm weather items for people. They have been donated. I am going to get this figured out I am just sure of it, maybe I will whip up a pair of mittens next. Oh, I don't have that yarn in my stash, does that mean I will need to buy some tomorrow when I am working at Serendipity :). Until next time.

Christmas Day Fun

2008-12-26T06:47:00.003-07:00

Gram came out and spent the day with us--she was very helpful in our mitten making. I loved the fact that we cut up old felted sweaters to make these mittens.

Here are the sweaters that our friend Brooke was able to purchase at $5.00 bag days. We still have lots a fabric and will be sewing lots of items. My mind is running a mile a minute thinking up ideas.

Sorting through buttons is so fun. It always reminds me of Aunt Donita--she has a great button stash

Brooks mittens progressing along

First finished pair--Gram and I figured out a few ways to make the pattern fit better.

Fun in the sun and snow

2008-12-19T22:12:00.003-07:00

Brooke was laughing so hard at my ability to run the camera she fell over in the snow. It was a great day to head out in the mountains and play in the snow.

I am looking forward to being out on the snow shoes lots more this winter as I am much better shape than I have been for years.

Brooke and me

I want to be this excited

2008-12-08T22:19:00.004-07:00

I want to be this excited about putting up our tree!! This makes me smile to see how excited he is. I love that his mom makes special memories for him. Our son will be home this Christmas and we hope to make some memories while he is here. He has his elk tag, that would be a great thing for him to get one to fill his freezer. I have lots of great memories with our time together with Keenan and Callee in November. One of my favorite was going on walks with them to the park--she is doing such a good job being a mom.

For the first time in 7 years I took the turkey Trail West gave me for Christmas!! As of today this is hooked up and going. Mike heated his tea water on it--he is excited to have some fresh bakes biscuits soon. I have mom's sourdough going so we will be having biscuits by Saturday. I just want to say how happy I am to have a stove, what a great gift some fine folks gave to the Martin house. Now if you stop by I will have some of Grandma Lois's ginger snaps baked up for us to snack on.

Missing this new buddy

2008-12-02T21:52:00.002-07:00

I can't tell you all how much Cash enjoyed playing with Keenan. I miss him calling me Nana and he loves his Papa too. We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday--he is 5 now.

Teaching Cash to go down the slide with Keenan. I never knew how much fun it is to go to the park.

Waiting for Keenan to surprize me. Someday I hope to get back out to California and go to the park there before he gets to old to enjoy the whole deal.

Wow, Mike and I recieved such a great gift.

2008-11-23T20:30:00.003-07:00

Here are the green mittens after some felting, they are very warm. I wore them the other night when I took Cash for a walk.
This showed up at my house on Saturday morning. For 7 years I have cooked on a hot plate. Ruby (the car) hauled this over to the house, Mike and I were supposed to me among the missing. I was home awaiting Brooks arrival to go knit with friends. What a surprize to get this big of a box, oh my, what could it be????

Here it is, a great fit, seems like our little kitchen was just made for it. Now all we have to do is run some power to it. I hope that does not take another 7 years!!!

Still thinking Green

2008-11-19T17:20:00.003-07:00

My friend purchased this sweater for me at a thrift store and I did not like the neck design plus it made me itch. Soooooo.... I asked can I cut this up??

I took some measurements

Got out some scissors and cut the neck out after stitching around the placement linesHere it is and I love it. I will try that again.

These mittens will fit the golly green giant--they are now felted and I am ready to make another pair.

Thinking Green

2008-11-07T17:42:00.003-07:00

I have been thinking green lots as of late. I am teaching a felted mitten class in the morning and these are the samples. I will whip up the rest while friends are over watching the PBR--we love that bull riding!! I bet someone in Alaska could use some very warm felted mitten this winter.

This is my winter knit, it is a sweater designed by my friend Marilyn King. If you are saying, didn't you start a sweater last year out of this same yarn? You are so very correct, I ripped it out and put it away for a while until I found the perfect sweater. This is it. I will keep you posted on the progress.

One other green note, every time I throw a can, some glass, plastic, etc in the trash something inside tells me that is just not right. So I am on a recycling kick. It is not as easy as for our daughter in CA. I have to haul my stuff a few miles. We will see how long I can keep it up for.

Until next time, keep thinking green.

What a great fall day

2008-10-26T21:06:00.002-06:00

Mike took Brooke and I to the shooting range after our hike. I loved it right up to the part where I whacked my eye with the scope!! I will be ready to go again next time he gets out the guns. It was a great activity for us both to do and I have been searching for something we can do together besides work!!

How cool our shadows look in this photo, right in front of our own targets.

We made it to the top of Sleeping Indian--me signing the page in the canister

Brooke takes great pictures

My Helpers

2008-10-08T20:51:00.005-06:00

Jenny--it took her over an hour to sort all my card stock and cards so I can find them quickly now.

Brooke and Jenny, they are way to much fun for this GrandmaWe cooked up this witches brew for Brooke to help her get better--don't worry Dr. J sent it home in a brown paper bag and she drank the first half cup. We had to listen to her gag and spit for a bit but she got it down!! Mike and I both have been through this and we are still alive!!!

Clean Sweep

2008-10-08T20:36:00.005-06:00

Mike and I had an old friend come and stay with us a couple weeks ago--his name is Zeke Shoop. To make a long story short I had no place but the couch for him to stay--he did not mind one bit.

I have been thinking about a trundle bed and one of my friends on Monday night knitting just had one to give away!! What a treasure. So two of my friends came over and we did a clean sweep which took one whole evening. Now we have a craft room/guest room so if your party is not larger than 2 you are welcome and we have a place for you to lay your head. I am excited about the prospect of it all.

I can knit, make cards, or any other craft I wish plus have a place to rest and can shut the door. The best part of the whole experience is spending time with Brooke and Jenny--I love how they make me smile.

My Sunday Work Day

2008-09-28T21:35:00.005-06:00

This is such a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon. We put away lots of yarn and played with friends. Fun was had by all.

I like popcorn--oh yes I do

2008-09-28T10:33:00.003-06:00

Mike is teaching Cash to beg for food!! Bud taught Max to catch popcorn so Mike is trying to get Cash to do the same. Cash is not quite fast enough to get the tasty kernels yet. He get so excited when he knows Mike is going to pop up some for them.

Those two went to Fowler Colorado for Uncle Cletus's nut fry. (some of you will know what that is) Mike was looking forward to visiting with lots of old neighbors. I will say I am not having to much fun being home alone. I forgot what that is like as usually someone is here rattling around in this house with me. Mike's idea of a great place to live is off in some cow camp miles from town. He is having to rethink that married to me for 30 years now. I don't do so great without lots of people around.

We moved my mom back in her apartment on Saturday after the fire. Her apartment survived in great shape--some people on the 3rd floor can not say the same. She is very happy to be back home.

I have been doing lots a knitting but I will save those pictures for the next update. My goal is to blog way more that once every 3 months!! Some of my new friends will keep me accountable for that I am sure of it.

Oh, just a little note for our son--your mom is letting her hair go back to it natural color which has some grey in it!! When you see me next time remember you caused some of those and don't tease me to much!

Until next time--be looking next week I promise.

Bunny Butt

2008-07-22T20:16:00.003-06:00

This Bunny Butt has cut into my knitting time!!! He is a hand full and I am pouring over the "Dog Whisper" as quickly as possible!! For an 8# little animal he is very head strong. We are enjoying spending time with Cash, he now can fetch, we are working not chewing up our household items. I was in the shower for about 5 minutes and he managed to get my latest sock out of the rocking chair and chew on some things. I was thankful I caught him before he ate my new wooden knitting needles. Summer is flying by way to quickly for me. I only have 4 more weeks of summer camp, when that is over I hope to spend so time playing. A friend and I are planning a trip to Durango. We will see where we end up. Until next time.

I'm in the can

2008-06-29T20:27:00.003-06:00

Cash likes to sleep in this can in his crate!! So tonight I have walked him, (not far enough) played for another hour and a half and he is still hell on wheels. Mike is taking over. I have taught him to fetch a toy, he loves to play tug of war. This first photo was taken 3 days ago. Now his ears are up like a corgi's ears should be. I am not giving up we will get him worn down before bed time.

Show me the Money

2008-06-21T20:52:00.004-06:00

For a 4 plus pound dog he can eat some food. He goes after it like a little pig!! Mike and I decided to call him "Cash"--because we spent more cash than we ever have before on this dog. I can't wait till his ears stay up-they do sometimes. Most the time they flop down, maybe next week. Anyhoo, there is our update. He is cutting into my knitting time. :)

The latest memeber of the Martin Clan has arrived

2008-06-20T20:23:00.003-06:00

Here he is, so much for Mike not wanting a puppy. Oso and Mike are now watching the Rockies play some baseball. Oso is a 7 week old Corgi. He is a very rare blue color. He has already provided lots of fun and giggles. It may be a bit of a long night as Oso has 6 bothers and sisters that did not come along with him. We are going to crate him at night so he won't have the run of my knitting and other items!! I will need to do a bit of research on this whole new training method for us. We will keep you posted on the pooch.

It is finially warm here!!!

2008-06-19T17:49:00.004-06:00

I am so happy not to have it snowing and 55 degrees, can I just tell you how wonderful it is to park myself on the front porch of the house at 7 am before going to work and knit a bit. Here is the latest thing I am knitting on. Serendipity Yarn store just received these great sock kits (Flat Feet). I am just getting started and loving the colors, it is so fun to see what the pattern will come out like. I am having trouble deciding what pattern I should knit in the socks for sure. Other things I have been knitting and don't want to post photos of--our Grandson (Keenan's) first day of school sweater. I had to rip out the front because someone wrote the directions wrong or I would of been almost done with that project. Finished a pair of birthday socks, nope not showing photos this time so it really will be a surprise!! I am working on a pair of green socks off the new Knitty patterns.

I am glad to be back among the blogging. Lots of water has gone under the bridge but I am back and well. Life can get a bit crazy for all of us, I am learning to just take baby steps and take better care of Mikki. I am a bit hard headed as my best friend whom I am married to will quickly agree. Therefore I can be a slow learner in some cases. I will be posting some more photos of my knitting and am on the hunt for some pink yarn that matches these pink flowers Mike purchased for me. I have fallen in love with the color PINK.

Never say Never

2008-04-08T17:59:00.003-06:00

I thought maybe we were going to have some warm spring weather. Wrong we had a 2 hour spring snow storm. Yesterday while crossing the church parking lot it was snowing so stinking hard I could not tell if the ground was flat or slanted. Apparently there was a slight slop, as my knee hit the ground and then the rest of me right out there for all of the folks driving by on highway 306 to see. I realized that is not a safe place for me to be walking right now!! So next time I can't see my hand in front of my face I will walk where I know it is flat.

Never say never!! I said I would never knit socks on a toothpick. My friend, Marilyn King, who sells the yarn below gifted me these wonderful sock yarns which will need to knit on size 0 needles. I usually knit most of my socks on size 2's or 1's. My sister is coming and we are going to knit socks, don't worry Terry I will not set you up to fail and myself look like a know it all on your first socks. I have matured since our childhood days!! This yarn is such a great gift, I am thinking about trying to dye some of the light colored ones. I will post pictures, but first I have to finish the sock in the picture.

Today we had meetings at work so I knitted on the pink sock. Someone asked me if they noticed me knitting in the meeting. Hmmmmm, I don't have to look at the stitches as I go, but unless the man is blind he should of noticed the bright pink sock. Anyway, he did not tell me to put it away, if he would have it would not of been long before he asked me to get it out again. I didn't bring a doodle pad. (I don't sit still well, Mike refers to it as a shark in a feeding frenzy, if I don't have anything to keep my hands busy)

Spring may be on it's way to Buena Vista

2008-04-05T15:32:00.006-06:00

My newest sock project has all the colors of spring. I seem to have quite a few socks knitted up that are not pairs. So this month with be the season to not let that be the case.

From this to that!! Here is the sock I just finished knitting up from the yarn I dyed with the bag full of yellow onion skins!! I am very happy with the way the yarn turned out and the socks look great too. I have scolded myself for wanting to dye more yarn before I have knitted up the last 3 batches that are waiting some needles to touch them. My thoughts keep going toward a blue-bell yarn color. One other pair will need to at least get started before I am even allowed to get close to the dye pot.

When Mike gets home he will have great stories to tell. He was invited to help out at a branding and was so excited to go. It is the first branding however that he did not take his own horse. Just threw some tack in the truck and off he went. Mike does miss this time of year with branding and seeing all the new life on the ranch. I am so thrilled for him to get to be a part of his life that he misses.

We are sure missing our Max dog, chatter from Mikes end of the table is sounding more like getting another Corgi dog some day. I may have to get a night job to afford one!! Maybe I can post some pictures of a dog instead of knitting all the time. Wouldn't that be fun for you all. Until next time--I will try not to wait so long.

There is a use for Onions!!!

2008-03-16T20:39:00.004-06:00

Here is photo of my mom' s new creations. She is selling them at the yarn store plus one of my friends wants to take them to craft shows in Denver. If anyone is interested just drop a note. She has been working on them a little every day after she has sort of healed up from the bug going around our town.

There really is a use for onions. My Uncle Jim and I feel the same about this food. Now I can use the skins to dye my yarn. I will post a picture of the finished project next week. The black socks are done--they are being blocked and drying. Here is the next pair I am working on with some of the yarn I dyed. I am thinking this dyeing may become another passion of mine--I am saving onions skins already!!

I wonder how many socks Callee can wear?? These are her green cable socks, then I better start gifting them elsewhere. I won't be doing black socks for a while, maybe someone of the male gender named Mike would wear a green pair made with manly green yarn. Callee is always mentioning I should sell them, that may take the fun out of knitting them.

Hot Plates work for a number of things

2008-03-02T08:52:00.006-07:00

Here are photos of my latest adventure in the art of yarn. I have been wanting to get started in this arena of fiber for months but was fearful of the results and maybe the waste of money. I purchased some yarn from my favorite hang out and grabbed an arm load of books on color and yarn and came home. Let me tell you I love it. I wanted to make these light green and blue socks for Callee so I combined buttercup for the first dye bath.

First you have to soak the yarn for about 30 minutes to get all the dirt out.

Here is the first batch of Buttercup. This takes about 30 minutes on simmer. Cool it down and put it in the Bluebonnet color way. I ended up with this great color way. I also wanted to make some rich brown sock so I dyed this color up last night. Next adventure will be making a rainbow of colors in one pot. The colors can get very muddy so I will have to practice. It is snowing again this morning so I won't be outside playing around in the sunshine. Lots of time to dye yarn.

So postage is going up again

2008-02-23T19:29:00.005-07:00

I received this in the mail the other day. For those of you who know Mr. Doc Munson and how many times he and Edie have moved I could not believe my eyes!!! He has hauled this thing around a few places. One time while I was up spending time with them he gave me these dishes that he brought home from Korea for his mom Helen. They are a real treasure to me, every once in while I get a cup and saucer out and have some tea and remember great things about Uncle Doc. Mike feels like Charlie in Open Range when we use them and is so afraid of breaking them.
Things I remember about Doc :
1. When I tried to out run Rob(not many kids play hide and seek in a pasture) and hide in that small cave up south and missed the bottom of the cave, landing on a big slab of rock my wrist was broken. He used some boards and newspaper, fixed it best he could, put me in the black chair, and he and dad ate dinner. Then we went to town to get my cast. I am sorry I clubed Jerry and Tim with my cast!!! It was a great weapon.
2. Used to buzz the horses or milk cows with the air plane when I could not find them in the pasture so I could get them in.
3. He says I used to wipe my spoon on his shirt sleeve because he sat by me when I was little. Must of been some sort of fond memory for him to keep this birth announcement.
4. I always love his voice on the message machine, plus he can tell some good stories.
5. There are lots more but I will keep them just for me.

Postage is going up, can you believe this was how much it cost to send a letter 50 years ago. (3cents) Mike and my wedding announcement had a drawing done by Bill Brandt that looked a whole like like this. I thought that was cool.

Here is my latest knitting project. I was making them for myself but they look like they are going to fit about an 8-1/2!!! Now they are expensive socks, hand died yarn, great wool, ect. It was one of my baby yarn purchases. I am pretty sure I would never pay this much for yarn for socks ever again. So you will not think me crazy I will not reveal the purchasing price of this great looking yarn. If you happen to get them as a gift I will let you know so that you will not throw them in with your jeans and hope them come out ok.

Things I am working on, some black socks. I am having a hard time seeing the stitches. Heck to get old. Plus I needed some fun yarn to brighten up my day when I knit them.

Martin Feed Drive Thru

2008-02-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

When I returned home from work this
evening Mike wante me to see his "Bambie"!! He has a whole herd of them out back of the feed store. Some even eat in the truck . I just thought you might get a kick out of seeing them. For the first time in two months we can see a bare spot of ground in our parking lot here at Martin Feed. If it keeps up this warm spell maybe some ground will open up and they can eat else where. Then again why would they want to go somewhere else when the grub and pickens are great right here.

Spending some of my hard earned $$$$

2008-02-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

I am getting lots of knitting projects finished up because the wind was blowing so hard that people where actually getting blown off the road (yes in their cars)!! Today is the first day in weeks it has been warm enough to get outside and go for a walk. Before I did that Gram and I went to Serendipity yarn store and knitted with friends for a couple hours. These are my new socks I am knitting for the next birthday girl. It is amazing me how much I enjoy knitting socks--therefor I purchased the above books. The Knitting Circles Around Socks is to knit the black socks that I will knit as soon as the yarn gets here. This is a wonderful invention to knit both socks at once. By the next post I should have them on the needles--She is back!! I have to sneak out there to get a photo, but everytime I open the door she runs off. I want to show you a photo of Mike's new heard!! He is selling hay like not other and people here finially started feeding the deer no matter what the DOW is saying. They are wanting to fine every little Grandma who want to feed the deer so they won't starve to death. Good luck with that. Sales are looking good at Martin Feed. I will see if I can get a photo to show you all. Until next time.

KNIT ON

2008-02-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

My mom makes these stitch markers--from a lady who could change her own oil, fix fence, and loved working on her sons vechicles I would say she has come a long way.

She is creating lots of great jewlery also. These markers sell down at our local yarn shop like hot cakes. I love knitting with them, it just makes me smile when I get to a point where they are on the stitches.

Is is still Winter???????

2008-02-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

Beings that it has not melted much of the snow we accumlated on December 8th I thought it would be a good weekend to start my winter knit. For years I have been wanting an Aran sweater so I decided to knit my own. Here is the project so far. I purchased this Black Water Abbey yarn from my friend Marilyn King thinking I would knit a cardigan. I really want a pull over and this cable pattern is very easy to memorize so I can knit while watching TV.

I also started the next pair of socks for the Sock Of The Every Other Month Club at Serendipity yarn store. I usually knit 3 different projects at once-one complitated, one TV knit, and one gifted knit. Beware friends and family, this is looking like my next gifted knit. I am going to start a pair of BIG black socks for some soldier.

One night last week we made card at my house. It was some great fun, and some of the girls even enjoyed watching the Duke game with Mike just as much as the card making.

Mike had to put a fence up around his hay pile here at Martin feed. He looked out to the hay stack one night and there were 27 of them eatting as fast as they could. Now that Max is not here to be the deer attack dog they moved in. The fence seems to be doing the trick. Mike feels sorry for the deer so he breaks a bale outside the fence. The problem with 260 plus deer in town may take care of itself with all the snow and cold we are having.

Until next time. Remember you are loved.

Remember a friend

2008-01-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

10 THINGS WE LOVED ABOUT MAX

10. He loved going to the groomer and was so proud of him self when he returned. Max is the first dog Mike would ever spend $30.00 on once in while to have him groomed

9. He could sure chase the deer off the hay pile in B.V.

8. Max would lay on his back with all 4 legs in the air hoping someone would glance over and see what a "Cool Pooch" he was

7. He loved eating popcorn on Sunday nights with Mike while they watched the bull riding. Bud taught Max how to catch popcorn. (that's the only trick he knew)

6. He would be excited to go to work every morning with Mike. ( I am sure there was a cookie involved)

5. He became quite the traveler--they were sure good road trip buddies

4. Max was the official greeter at Martin Feed. Our customers will miss him.

3. He loved "cookies" more than I do. Mike loved giving them to him way more than he should have. Max got a treat for just looking at Mike.

2. He was such a delight to us and he will be missed.

1. The number one thing I loved about Max--he helped my best friend of 30 years come out of a very difficult time in his life after his accident.

I celebrated my 50th birthday this week!! Never have I enjoyed my birthday like I did this year. All of my knitting friends gathered at the local restaurant and we packed the place. Thanks to all of you for making me feel so loved and cared for. I received some wonderful gifts and am very thrilled with each and every one of them. My sister in Texas sent me these flowers. How great is that.

I am make some things for SAD (singles awareness day). That is what Bud now calls it. I love Valentines day and have always enjoyed making treats for it. Here is a photo of my new creation. I will probably send the sailor one anyway, even if he is not thrilled about the cuteness of the whole thing.

2008-01-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I have been knitting Bri's birthday socks and am now teaching Mom to make them. I teach beginning knitting and sock knitting at Serendipity Yarn Store. Today I used Bri's sock pattern to teach for the very first time. It worked great because they are on size 6 needles instead of 1's or 2's. I can't tell you how many times I have knit Bri's socks before I found a pair that I think she will enjoy.

We still have snow from the 8th of December. It is a solid sheet of ice under everything. I am finially saying I am tired of the snow and cold. I talked to my brother in Montana and he said it is snowing there today. UCK, that sometimes means we will be getting some more snow. It has been a very cold winter.

Nothing to exciting here in the mountains to write about. Maybe by next Sunday there will be some news! Until next time..........

You know you live in a small town when.......

2008-01-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

You know you live in a small town when the local dog groomer just pops by the feed store after you talked to her a couple of weeks ago when down visiting Gram. She picks up Max at the feed store, grooms him, then brings him home all for a great price. I love living in this town. Max always looks so nice when he gets home and immediately starts looking for the freshest pile of deer poop so he can add his finishing touch. I think Mike managed to keep him out of most of it because he still has the fresh laundered smell about him. I just had to take a photo to show you how beautiful he really is.

I am getting ready for Young Lifes All Staff Conferance in Orlando next week. My biggest problem at present is what knitting project to take. Here are photos of the two socks I have going. Callee don't look to close, one is a gift for you. I am the worst at making gifts for people I love the then keeping them for that special occasion I knitted them for in the first place. I don't know how many pairs of socks I have had to knit again because I already gifted them to that special someone.

We are still covered with snow but woke up this morning to 40 degrees, it has been minus 20 most mornings. People are getting tired of the cold because it has been this way for a month. Why are we as humans always so unhappy? Callee took some wonderful photos of the mountains while she was home, they are beautiful covered in all the snow.

Most of my family (not myself) can express themselves on paper. I did not get the gift, so please humor me and enjoy my blog. Until next week, maybe I can get a photo with Mickey Mouse while at the parks. I think I signed up to ride all the roller coasters, better take some pills for motion sickness.

Never Again

2007-12-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me last night that Keenan will never again hug me like he does now when I pick him up out of the truck. Never again will I be able to ride him around the z00 on my back. (he is a big 4 year old!) We have to cherish every minute with our grandchild-we are in hopes of seeing them both again in 6 months. Mike and I are both so proud of our daughter and how great she is at being a momma. Letting Keenan make choices at such a young age is a new perspective for these parents and I wish I would of know more about that when Callee and Bud were young. I did think we were leaving the zoo early when Keenan wanted to ride the train and there was no way it could go in a snow drift. He could not understand why it would not take him for a tour. We would of missed the monkey house which he declared "This is awesome"

Our house is very quiet tonight while Mike watches the football game and I think I will knit on a pair of sock.

Christmas 2007

2007-12-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Callee keeps telling me I need to get something posted on here so here goes my first post on own site. We have been having loads of fun playing with Keenan and spoiling Callee so not much time spent in front of the computer.

Christmas was so much fun, I do believe Keenan might of worn every one of these Graves kids out. This was the first time some of the cousins have been together and lots of them have not seen each other for years.

Keenan's favorite part of the holiday was this dog-Boone. Brian and Lori's newest dog played hours on end with everyone. Boone even played tag with Keenan. We all enjoyed spending lots of time together and we ate, ate, and then ate some more.

I also put in a photo of the necklaces Gram created this year for all of her Granddaughters & daughters. I can't believe how this lady who could build a fence and change her own oil is now making wonderful treasures to hand down to her family. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I have working on it. Until next time.