Submarines are Awesome, especially in Michigan

Haven't heard from me in a while? We're you worried?

Well you should have been!!

I went from this...

to this...in just mere hours. See my stretched arms? That's my sleeping space. See my legs? Below me was my friends sleeping area. Can you guess where we were?

USS SILVERSIDES!!!

For those who don't know, that's a WWII submarine. I went with Pigs 1 & 2 with their Cub Scout Pack. It was actually a riot. A well control riot, but a riot.

First, how often do you get to sleep on a sub, outside of the military, and especially in Michigan. I'm going with NEVER. Then, how often do you get to here normal, sweet everyday Moms say to their kids, honey, could you and your brother stand next to that gun so I can get a picture. I almost peed my pants.

I will not reveal the identity of said mother, I can tell you it was not me because I was yelling something else to my Pigs.

It's was more like "Hurry up and take the picture! I don't think I'm supposed to be up here

I wasn't. "keep off" was stenciled right on the anti aircraft guns. I love stencils!

After you tour a sub with 60 some kids, load them up with pizza, salmon, steak and soda what do you do by the fire? Well, I knit kidney kozies,

but what do normal people do? Sing Yellow Submarine!!! I have to say I laughed and had the best time with those kids at the fire. Everything was good times. Until...lights out.

Hey guys, where was it hottest to sleep?

Why? "HEAT RISES!!" Both Pigs chose bottom bunks. Good Pigs.

A sub filled with excited Cubs is loud. I went out and enjoyed the evening. There was a mild thunder storm and a beautiful cherry colored quarter moon. It was awesome.

At 3 am, it was considerably less awesome, and the moon was gone, but still, how many times will the Pigs and I get to stay on a sub? Hopefully, at least once more. Pig 3 needs to get in on this fun. Sign us up again!!!

Summer Pig Books-Good for you too

Summer Reading for your kids and you when they're done and you are wondering why they read it so quickly:

100 Cupboards, N. D. Wilson-in the grand tradition of "holy crap there are other worlds just through there" of CS Lewis, join Henry on what seems like a normal summer at his Aunt and Uncle's house in Kansas when he discovers the 100 Cupboards. Available at Target. 1st of a series.

Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan-Ordinary, strike that, worse than ordinary kid discovers his bad luck is actually because he's a half human half Greek God. Follow his and other kids like them on their adventures to save Zeus' Lightning Bolt. 1st in a series.

Magyk-Septimus Heap, Angie Sage At first you go "Gee, total Harry Potter rip off." But then the story takes off and it's really fun. Some neat stuff, fun, and really different things going on. 1st in a series. Author really gets in her own by book 2. Book 3 was my fav. Fun to listen to in the car on trips with the Pigs. Final book in series coming out this September.

Favorites:

Harry Potter Series...Missed out during the hoopla? Well, join the fun. The latest movie comes out July 16th see what all the fuss is about. It's worth the buzz. Then you can go see the AWESOME at the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago and get a taste of the Magic.

Half Magic-Edward Eager-this one has been forgotten over the years, but is a really good one. A little bit for the younger crowd, but feel good summer magic.

The Hobbit-JRR Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings-JRR Tolkien

Chronicles of Narnia-CS Lewis

You had Storms, We had ADVENTURE!!!

Harry Potter at Science and Industry

We saw Ron's "R" Weasley sweater. Sure, not technically book accurate, but sweet to see in person. His bed spread by the way, is not quilted, it's all hand knit. Our Orange and Green Barbara J. Hopps Charity Blanket from last summer is totally Molly Weasley approved!

A bunch of outfits, and props, and, and stuff from the movies were in the exhibit. It was overwhelming, and awesome.

Plus, Twilight fans-I saw Robert Pattinson's outfits from Goblet of Fire. He's short.

Everywhere we went we said "is this a museum or a dance party?!" Why, because it was fun and we were constantly dancing.

Dinos at Brookfield Zoo

Oooh, Pirates at the Field Museum.


Here's the list of things I didn't get photos of because the evil camera crapped out:

Bacon in my "vegetarian salad" at the Field Museum

Margarita Flight (6!) at Fuego Loco, plus the sampler I begged off the waiter due to over salsa consumption.

Copernicus statue in front on the Adler Planetarium. We named our new dog after him, we needed a photo.

Gangsta Wedding Party. Full tails on the tuxes, hats, everything trimmed in pink, face piercings, tats, flower girls, and the bride wore white. It was beautiful and punk rock all at the same time. All this, no evil camera!

Groendyke tanker truck-Really? The jokes were flying like mad in the Mazda. Sadly, no photographic evidence.

But, alas, we had to return home. You'll be glad to know during our down time I did manage to conquer entralac knitting. You might say I conquered it as well as I do any knitting technique. Plus, there will be photos of that in the near future, because like all things that die, the evil camera is back!! I know have an evil zombie camera!

Summer Time Blues-Knit Style

We need a new love in. I mean summer togetherness project. I think the squares thing went really well. Uh, except it was noted that maybe the color choice was a poor one.

I’m going to throw some options out at you. Please remember I don’t give a crap if you join in or not. This is not mandatory. This is what I am personally doing. If you don’t want to do this, don’t think you can do this, don’t want to, don’t have the time, money or energy, THAN IGNORE THIS WHOLE THREAD AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE.

Summer Time Blues

Square-roughly 10 inches. Really, if it's not 10" it doesn't matter. This is a ZPDK project, your square will be incorporated and loved. Remember the Long Lovey? I can now log cabin like a pioneer, it will work.

Machine wash and vaguely dryable-includes acrylic, Superwash wool and mixes there of

Any Pattern

Crochet or Knit

Any shade of blue-any

Where will they go?

To me, me, me!!!
Then, sadly, I will put them together, hopefully with the help of Tracy b at the West Branch Fibery festival and other intrepid Zombie Prom Date Knitters.

They will turned into Lap Robes and donated to Hope Lodge. Think Winter, Think Snow. These are going to cool you down when you are working on your blue square in August when you go, “when is that West Branch Fest? I have time to make that blue square!”

Kidney Kozies-The Saga Continues

Jamie found not one, but 2 dialysis units in Battle Creek that had never heard of Kidney Kozies. Well, since we sort of made up the name, yeah of course they haven't heard of them.

Anyway, we adopted them and said we would do our best to get some knittin’ done for them. Sir-Frogs-A-lot has a Kozy in the works and I have asked Home Grange (you know Chicken BBQ every Month) to donate some lap robes to get us rolling.

Now Jamie a regular of the Kalamazoo Knit and Crochet Meet up Group, our arch rival group, has challenged us to the KIDNEY KOZY SMACK DOWN II. Which kind of stinks because the ZPDKs lose every time we challenge the other group. But I'm pretty sure any groups are winning when we knit for them.

YLYS Challenges Yarn Garden

I’m not sure what the heck I got myself into, but these squares are so cute, and it’s with sock yarn and, and it’s a CHALLENGE and I couldn’t resist.

Plus, when you look at it you go, “it will only take me like 2 minutes, and I have loads of sock yarn hanging around.”

Yeah, I say that all the time.

Soo, like I said, none of this is mandatory. If you don’t want to do any of this DON’T. If you want to help, but don’t want to knit. Bake a cake , and bring it to an event.

Up date on the evil camera-I was trying to take a photo of why you (I MEAN YOU) shouldn't wear white pants. I don't care if it is summer and your momma said it was ok. It was all white pants, underwear, and booty. I took that photo, there was flash, but there is no digital image of that sorry site. Apparently your mama was wrong, because your white pants put my EVIL camera into shock. But it's still not nice to stare, or take photos, even if it should be documented.

Go Check Wonder Why...

So yeah, I left you...but I'm back, and I love you more due to the time away.

The Ogre made me leave all connections to the outside world at home. It's not like we went to a great barren wilderness untouched by technology or with crappy wifi. We were in Chicago. I was like the only person in Chicago without technology.

While we were at the museum of Science and Industry, I hot wired some equipment and logged onto twitter. It was very oo7. I felt sexy and then shot someone too.

Anyway because of my lack of ipod, my evil camera got sad and died midtrip. Right now it is having surgery. It may or may not recover. So there will be a long list of exciting things that I missed getting photos of because of camera failure. The Ogre was expecting a Unicorn to dance by at anytime due to all the awesome I was missing out on.

So for now, I lead you over to Andrea at Wonder Why Alpaca Farm. She and many other of the Zombie Prom Date Knitters were able to make it to Your Local Yarn Shop and 104.9's Roof sit for the Haven. IN A THUNDERSTORM!!!

Because that's how dedicated to the cause of saving the world they are.

Evening Knitting Event!!!

Soo, Your Local Yarn Shop in Battle Creek called me last night. I mean your local yarn shop in your town could have called me also, but that would have just been weird. No, it was Your Local Yarn Shop in Battle Creek calling to tell me they were buying me lunch. I knew we were friends, but this was awesome. Turns out I won a drawing, we're not that close.

But while we were on the phone, I did learn about Roof Sit for the Haven and Knit Under the Stars. (If this were a Kid n' Play movie it would Pjammy Jam flash back time, instead I just danced in my PJ's. Yes, I was in my Pj's when they called at like 6. It's summer, I can do what I want.)(The Photos are implying it's summer and I can do what I want.)

If you haven't heard, Battle Creek's Roof Sit will be happening at our store, starting at

6AM Friday, June 19 and running through the night until 7PM, Saturday June 20. The Roof Sit team and YLYS are joining together to ask for donations to help support our community and the Haven of Rest and Inasmuch House shelters.

Join us for Knitting under the Stars Friday night, June 19 as the team sits up on the roof , we can knit from the parking lot!!!! The store will be open until Midnight, so wear your PJ's! I will be in mine! Bring your lawn chair, blankie or whatever other comforts you need and knit under the stars with us!

We'll have free beverages and popcorn. We'll also be matching donations made from 6PM - 12AM in Yarn bucks up to $10!!!! Yeah, how easy can it be, donate $1 and we'll give you a $1 yarn buck....... you can't loose with this one. If the weather doesn't permit outside knitting, we'll move inside for some nighttime knitting silliness. Get the kids dinner and then join us in the parking lot for some nighttime antics, charity and some much needed " good times!" Wait till you see the set up. : )



Should I break this down for you?

June 19th
6PM-Midnight-Your Local Yarn Shop Battle Creek
Donations to Homeless Shelter= Free Yarn Money

Free Soda and Popcorn
Bring a Chair and Warm Clothes-Think Slumber Party at the Pink House!
Shovel to fend off zombies
Pizza Places will surely deliver to parking lot-bring extra cash

Vicksburg Old Car Fest, Yes, we Knit there

Sure, other people and groups are organizing get togethers for World Wide Knit in Public Day, but really, will they be as awesome as the one hosted by the Zombie Prom Date Knitters at the Vicksburg Old Car Fest?


Because really, Zombie Prom Date Knitters Do It Best.

I didn't realize I was saying we do it best all day until I saw the photo this morning, but really, you know it's true. Oh, you want more of an explanation? I was helping Cub Scouts sell water in the rain before sitting around in a Swap Meet area and knitting.

So, screw you other Knit in Public people, go to a comfy coffee shop and teach people to knit. Try doing some actual community service with the youth of America in the actual public in the actual rain with actual dirty looks in an actual swap meet under an actual banner that really does read

ZOMBIE PROM DATE KNITTERS
Slaying the Knitting World Since 2007
.....Fiber Artists Against Zombies

Then come talk to me about your glorious knitting in public experience. Because I'll smile, nod, talk politely with you, but I'll know that ours was a lot more fun. Plus we have a banner.



To people who don't know us, that is in jest. We really are out to have fun. We do a lot of charity work, community service, and all in all HAVE FUN! So thank you again to everyone who came out on Saturday. It was a really fun time. We had a bit of rain but thanks to Spinsanity's canopy we stayed dry. We will be out again next year with more info on our charity activities, prize drawings and of course our lovely banner.

We will keep you posted on our summer meet ups and we will be attending the Michigan Fiber Festival on at very least Saturday. Again, stay tuned to Knit with Snot for more details...


For Kai-
Dogs don't belong on the furniture! The Ogre yelled.

But I said he's the same darn size as our cat. You can't argue with that kind of logic.

THE BEAGLE HAS LANDED!!

Here is Tiger, now Copernicus, but really Copper, but often little Bubba.

Yes, little Bubba. Now where's my old blue Ford Truck and my shotgun?

Is this what the Clash meant by Train in Vain?

The Ogre said I could not put him in a dog sweater. I hate to say it, but Copper Tiger or CT rode most of the way home on my lap. He's my dog.

Zombies, Cheese, and Fluff

There was not one, but two plates of flaming cheese last night! It was cheesy fire fantastic!!!

Sadly Tory was not our OPA! waiter this month, nor were we able to have our impromptu baby shower for last month's pregnant waitress....

just when the ZPDK's were able to pull it together to have an impromptu shower, girl got herself relieved from employment at previously stated dining establishment.

I don't know if Theo & Stacy's wants us back next month. We weren't asked back, and we kind of cleared the place out. We were kind of loud. I mean I know why my friends get irritated at me.

I'm pretty sure with Spinsanity it's the evil camera.



I always pull out the evil camera at extreme close range usually while someone is telling a joke, or doing something silly.

Chrystal is a really good photographer. Which in turn means she does not approve of having her photo taken. Especially snap shots.


Especially snap shots taken of her by the evil camera, by me. Dang, the evil camera strikes it's evil shutter of doom again! Look Chrystal is teaching Jane to spin! Evil had to document this moment! Again, evil camera.

Oh, and then there is Jane. I sort of asked her to write a permission slip so I could take her son on a road trip through the south. He's 18 and we are planning on doing a scientific study on the difference between strip joints in the North and South.

We are going to take into account the prevalence of buffets in the North, how far south you have to travel, the number of Peaches, Pecans and Porn billboards until you get=100% buffets in the strip clubs. Then I will make an ipod app with the data. We will be rich.


But I can't figure out why the Ogre is always so torqued off at me. Is it because I pick on the size of his Ogre feet?

Or because I finally got him to agree to the beagle through common sense and a good arguement?



Eh, what are you going to do?

Cheese! On Fire Style-TONIGHT!

Theo & Stacy's-Portage road location
Tonight! June 10th
6pm until the barkeep needs to go home

Knitting, crochet, drop spindling, flaming cheese and impromptu baby shower for waitress from last month will all be happening. Yeah, because all of us tend to randomly have baby stuff on hand, in case of emergencies just like this.

Hope to see you there!

Side note: Location for daytime summer knitting will probably be discussed or decided upon. If you can't make it-throw out your preferences here.

Again with the Cake

So, like I said 3 pigs in less than 4 years. Today is Pig 1's bday. He's barfing. Happy Barf Day to Pig 1.

Maybe it's due to eating so much frosting lately.

Maybe it's due to the toxic food coloring used to make the orange glow in the dark.

Hey, how did Pig 2 get so big? That's my brother in law Kevin. It's his birthday month too.

You know the Ogre's base line is grumpy, right? Well, I did this thing. We had a lot of cake so I took some over to the neighbors. You know, to be neighborly. When I came back, I had adopted a beagle. It was awesome.

The Ogre did not so much think so.

I don't stress about this stuff or pull out my hair, I just cut it all off.

It seemed less painful, and really, I didn't have to clean up the mess that way. Now dog crap and zombie parts. I'm going to be doing that for life.

Holly and The Ogre are Stupid Day

Today we have 5, 7 & 8 year old Pigs.

Yes, 3 pigs in less than 4 years.

Happy Birthday Pig 3!