Mowers, Asparagus, oh, you know it's knitting

Knitting, yep, that's it.

Are you kidding? You know there's more than knitting around these parts!

Yesterday was Father-Daughter lawn mower maintenance day. Sure, sure, I did just stand around and watch while he drained the oil. But I did scrape out what felt like 3 years worth of moldy lawn clippings from the under side. I then went on and changed the air filter.

We went out and found 4 asparagus stalks in the weed garden. The garden was then deemed a disaster area and fema will be out to put a trailer on it any day.

Ok, then we sat back and did some knitting.

Dinner-no, I didn't cook that asparagus, I left it prominently displayed on the kitchen table. I did eat asparagus that knit though. It was all saucy and spicy. Where did I get such a luscious dish? Hunan Garden, baby! I ate so much my pee still stinks.

Fun things to do, that are sort of local:

Tuesdays-Knitting at Knoon at the Koffee Klutch

Friday, May 1st
Chicken BBQ at Home Grange #129
You get 1/2 a chicken, potato salad, dessert, pickles, veg. Notice the dessert is after potato salad and before pickles. That's the order in which I snarf. No, I don't remember how much it is. It's worth every ruddy penny they charge you though. OH!! Drinks are Ogre served! Now that's a draw in itself.

Address, the Grange don't need no stinking address. You just have to know how to get to
B dr South and 9 1/2 mile road. If you want directions, please email me.

Wed May 13th an Evening Knit-together
6pm

Sunday, May 31st
Kidney Walk
Celery Flats

I swear after June 1st, I won't talk about the National Kidney Foundation again until September.

Mud, Pigs, it works for me

Here we are, gathered at Cub Scouts to blast off rockets.



The first thing we were told to do was take off our tops. Myself and a few other dudes thought this was funny.


We are all Dudes or Dads at Cub Scouts. It's very gender neutral that way.

Where does one take a slew of 8 year olds to shoot off rockets?

Why, the nearest muddy field!

I know a thing or two about a thing or two and I dressed appropriately.

Please note the high rubber boots at the very bottom of the photo. Myself and several other dudes all high fived each other over our similar choice in footwear.

Others decided to wear their new sandals.


That's Pig #3. He was still high on the glory of Kindergarten Round Up, and then he got to go explode crap with the big kids. It was a day to remember.

Knitting? I knit on a kidney kozy all afternoon at the Koffee Klutch in Galesburg. Laura was finishing up her racing stripes kozy, and Marty was making Hempathy socks. What did we talk about? You. We talked about you, how bad you knit, and the ugly crap you make. Waaahaaahaaaahaaa! Maybe they were talking about me. Eh, what are you going to do.

It was sunny friday, we took full advantage

When I was in elementary school they always showed a certain movie that really changed my life. (that was a running theme on NPR yesterday) Or at least made me skip school on nice days. I don't think that was the intention of the teachers when they decided to show it.

It was about these kids who lived on a planet that rained all the time, and none of them remembered the Earth except this one girl. The other kids of course mocked the girl because she talked about how sunny and awesome the Earth was.

Well, on this planet it apparently gets sunny once every random 8 years. (No meteorologists on this planet.) Nasty children locked nice girl in a closet and of course that was the one sunny day. They felt like crap at the end of the day and brought her flowers. Do flowers really make up for missing a glorious day in the sun? I'm going to say no.

(Has anyone else seen that movie? Other people solved the mystery for me. Here's the wiki info link )(It's on youtube!! It's in 2 parts)

Anyway, I took Friday as the Day of Sunshine on Planet Rain and took the Pigs to the Zoo.

Sure, they missed school, but we got sunshine,

I made them walk to the Wild Africa area, and we saw wild life.


Yes, I have photos of a toad and none of giraffes.

As for knitting, I sewed buttons on a pair of hot pants, and on a baby sweater and worked on the delightful Morning Glory Wrap. When I'm done with that, I may knit that Print O' the Wave, out of spite, in secret. Like I could keep a secret.

A Craft In of AWESOME

Why are all these people excited??


They're having an awesome time at the Kideny Craft In!!!

If you didn't make it to the Kidney Craft In at Home Grange #129, boy did you miss out! The prizes, the socializing,
the crafting, the camera stealing.



I could not remember what was going on here. Then I remembered saying "Dorking out with new knit tools.

Linda was sharing, maybe not sharing, showing off her new Knit Kit. It was tested, molested and is Zombie Prom Date Knitter approved. Run out and get one today! Or, better yet get one for the knitter in your life (that is a hint, you can buy me one.)
Scrapbooking was being done. This is Erika, she scrapped her little heart out. Sarah, in the yellow, I didn't get her in the shot because she was angry. No, not at us, she was working on a paper. How not fun, unawesome is that?

Ah, that's better!!

Plus the Sharks and the Jets finally sat down and settled there differences.

See because Desi heads up our rivals, the Kalamazoo Knit and Crochet Meet up Group, and we always challenge them to knit offs (sort of like dance offs). The Zombie Prom Date Knitters always lose, so I don't know why we insist on doing it. Oh, the love of the fight. The love of the underdogs? Oh, right, good deeds and friendly competition makes for more fun. Plus cake.

The hourly prizes were AWESOME! Here are a few of our winners!!!


Rebecca won the Premier Designs Jewelry. Necklace, earrings, plus bonus lipstick case and purse mirror. We don't skimp out!! A big thank you to Angie Scoffin for donating such great gifts!

Spinsanity really out did herself this time. She made a spindle and handpainted a gorgeous kidney on it. Check out her other spindles on etsy!


How often is a kidney called gorgeous? Check out the design though! Greens and oranges, a purple heart, it's amazing!!

Spinsanity, Em and Crystal were all working on spinning projects, and others just couldn't resist the fun. Linda, Andrea, and Jamie were all bit by the spinning bug.

It was especially good that Andrea not only got bit, but extra awesome that she won the Kidney Spindle. I mean, she does own Wonder Why Alpaca Farm, girl needs to spin!
The Grand Prize went to Jamie!!

A big thank you to RJ at Olde Peninsula for the $30 gift certificate, Summer Thyme for the 2 meals donation, and the Kalamazoo Kings for the ball game tickets.


Finally, there was chocolate. Several different kinds of chocolate.



So here's the run down of the day:

We raised money for the National Kidney Foundation, new walkers joined team Little Carter's Ray of Sunshine, we helped people get a heart on

with Gift of Life, and we had a great time!

Hey! Now that you know where Home Grange is, why don't you join us Friday, May 1st for a Delicous Chicken BBQ!

I swear, I clean the house some too

I spied this on my rounds yesterday.


I initially had a plan to take a photo of all the Kalamazoo area "Vote for Matt Giraud" signs, but really, there are so many. Plus, I'm really not one for sticking to things.

Take the Print o' the Wave Shawl, which is now almost the first half of a Morning Glory wrap/shawl.

But you know I can't stick to it, so I started the cone of cotton yarn, and ended up with

1 pair of hot pants, 2 dish cloths, and two baby sweaters.

I also whipped out this Jane Austen Shrug for Addy. Sure, sure, I didn't get it at first, but I will not be defeated by a baby shrug. (Baby shrug, it seems like you should be wearing the baby as your arm warmer, but to each their own.)

Plus, out of guilt, I started another Kidney Kozy.


Actually, the Print O' the Wave fiasco may be the best thing that's ever happened to my knitting.

More with the Knitting

Oh, the Koffee Klutch! You with your great food, excellent coffee, and super awesome friendliness! Why don't I go there everyday?

Probably because the small town of Galesburg needs a break from the Zombie Prom Date Knitters' crazy.

Check this, an actual almost knit only once Print O' the Wave. That's right, super speed knitter Jax was with us this week!



While there, she not only showed off her handiwork, but lead a seminar on new methods of shovel wielding.

Laura watched the new moves and declared "I don't need no stinking shovel, I need my crossbow!"

She then promptly shot herself in the head with her crossbow arrow/size 15 wooden needle.

We had a new friend, Jill, make it Tuesday. Jill just so happens to have a business and sells Schacht Products. Hello, Ladybug wheel! What a day to show up for the first time. At least she got her zombie slayer's training out of the way. Welcome to the crazy Jill!

Jax, made giant socks, on accident.


They're only 2 sizes too small for the Ogre. Please note I will not be knitting socks that large, unless of course it's an accident. Ok, it's possible I'd make socks that large anytime I cast on a pair.

Speaking of casting on, Andrea, of Wonder Why Alpaca Farm fame, just finished her first scarf!!


I can honestly say I taught her to knit. Sadly, or luckily, I did not teach her to purl. The world has been infected with another Holly taught knitter! May all your projects be knit with snot. Hers may actually be knit with alpaca snot!

If you'd like in on this awesome, many a Zombie Prom Date Knitter will be at the Charity Craft In this Saturday. $25 gets you in the door, the $ goes to the National Kidney Foundation, and you get free lunch, a chance at some sweet hourly prizes, and all the crazy you can stand.

Happy Earth Day

Do something nice for your favorite planet today. Ok, if it's not your favorite planet, do something for the planet you live on today.

Ride your bike,
Dance a jig (I swear, Gaia loves it)
Buy and use ecobags, Target was giving out free reusable bags starting April 19th, Disney Stores give you a mystery gift if you bring in 3 plastic water bottles.

Check out earth stuff at NASA

Earth Day Michigan

Earth Day Network

Slow Food

mother earth news

Barbara Kingsolver is awesome.



Wow, if you say earth day enough, it sounds funny. earthdayearthdayearthdayearthdayearthdayearthday. Yeah. I'm done here.

Join the Fun!!

Join us for a Charity Craft Event in Battle Creek!

Saturday, April 25th

10-4

$25 proceeds to benefit the National Kidney Foundation

Take a day to yourself and have some fun!

Space to scrapbook, knit, crochet, spin, embroidery, cross stitch, needle point! Heck, if you want, bring a book and read!

We will have a Creative Memories Consultant, knitting instruction, and drop spindles to try out. Now’s your chance to learn a new craft!

Register now to reserve your spot!!

Hourly drawings! Freebies and Fun!! Scrapbook supplies, yarn, jewelery, Kalamazoo Kings tickets, Olde Peninsula etc, it's all awesome.

A delicious lunch is included, along with snacks, and beverages!

Home Grange #129
B dr South and 9 1/2 mile road
Battle Creek, MI 49033

Plus, you can join us for the NFK Walk

May 31^st

The Celery Flats

Portage, MI

Team: Little Carter’s Ray of Sunshine

More walk info at www.kidneywalk.org

If you can't make the Craft In event but still want to support the cause, you can donate your change at the Koffee Klutch in Galesburg, or directly to my NKF walk page.

ASL, Swearing and knitting

Last night I really wanted to watch The Amazing Race so I could learn to say bitch in sign language. The Ogre noted that I know how to swear in enough languages and I didn't need to add ASL.

What was I working on during The Amazing Race? I mean besides my swearing. I was actually making progress on my Morning Glory Wrap/Stole/Really Wide Scarf. I'm thinking I'm close to done with the first half. Any sane person would have actually paid attention to the number of repeats they were supposed to do and know when they are supposed to start on the second half. But really, paying attention is just not, hey look! a bird is at our feeder.
(technically, I am further than this now. But really, it looks the damn same.)

Due to the large amount of progress I'd made, and with my cone of cotton being gone, I was looking for something new to work on. In an attempt to knit something weather appropriate for my niece who lives in North Carolina I came up with this brilliant idea.

North Carolina+warm weather+sometimes cool in air conditioning+baby=Jane Austin Shrug from Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines.

Plus, that would go well with the whole knit everything in the book insanity. Turns out, I just don't get it.
k2 (4, 6, 8), m1, ^p1, k1, p1, c4f, p1, k1, p1^ m1, k5 (10, 21, 31), m1, repeat from ^ to ^ BUT working c4b instead of c4f, m1, k2 (4, 6, 8).

What the hell do they mean BUT. There's no crying in baseball, and there's no random BUTs in knitting.

Maybe I should just stick to what I'm good at.

A day off

I took the day off from Zombie Slaying, but my socks didn't. I was going to put them on, and I couldn't find them, until I looked outside.


They took it upon themselves to go on patrol. It was not a pretty sight. They were beat down tired and dirty from the fight. I was so proud.

What did I do on my day off? The day off that left the people in my neighborhood possible zombie victims?

I went knitting. That's right, left everyone in harm's way so I could knit, with cotton.

I did see Spinsanity do something you know I would never do.

That's right, unknit a perfectly good lace shawl and reknit it. She's a ruddy knit cannibal.

Patti was attempting to conquer socks. I was sitting next to her saying things like "yeah, that looks right." "Uh huh, that's how I do it."

When Spinny took a look at Patti's handy work she had this to say "It's crap! It's just like how Holly knits!" Truer words have never been spoken.

For my revenge, I tricked Spinsanity into going on a preschooler field trip to the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery.

It was wicked awesome. We will be starting our own fish hatchery later this year.

Could more excitement be packed into one day? Yes! It was also Chick Days at the feed store!


Pig 3 wants some chickens in a bad way.


Well, he is King of the Chickens, he needs a flock.

Please, sir, I want some more.

Some may remember the cotton hot pants I made over the holidays.

Some of you may be a hapless victim of said item.

Alright I'll call them by their proper names mitered hanging towels from Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines.


Well, in say December I was a bit smitten with cotton dish cloth yarn. You know, useful items, knit quickly out of inexpensive yarn are the perfect holiday gift. It seemed like the perfect storm. Then, in a wave of inspiration, I decided to buy up the world's supply of cotton yarn and start knitting gifts for next year.

This grand idea lasted until March 17th, the first day of the dreaded Print O the Wave.

Around April 1st, working with lace weight yarn on a project for me, seemed more than a little selfish. Ok, truth time. I hate knitting lace. I mean lace in itself is lovely, and the techniques are super simple, but there is a lot of counting, and attention that needs to be paid. Plus, I need me some instant gratification. 4 hours of work = one inch of finished goods. Please, bring me my cotton.

So, I made a pair of hot, I mean a mitered towel, and then some wash clothes, and I still had plenty of yarn, from the same monster cone of cotton.

I thought surely someone must be having a small human in the near future, I'll make a baby sweater.


Still, the cone of cotton was taunting me. Another baby sweater!

I swear, when the cone is gone, I will apply myself to the Knit a long that I set up and then have completely switched patterns and ignored. But really, that cone of cotton makes for quick knitting, instant results and well, generally less swearing. Plus, it makes an excellent napkin if you're out knitting in public.



Now on to fancy knitting talk...My socks are done! What, me knit a pair of socks while all this cotton yarn is flying about? No, no, my friends, the jewel tone lovelies that Marty has been working on are now mine! Complete details, story, the zombies they helped to behead, and adventures galore...tomorrow.