It really was quiet...

Why so quiet around these parts?

Blame camping. I tried to contact the outside world. I positioned the three Pigs, lifted a metal camp chair and cursed the sky. Nothing. Actually, it did make it rain.

Which did work out good for the Ogre. We discovered the James St Station Restaurant. We meant to go to the Brew Pub, but it was raining so hard, we stopped a street early and ended up here. It was sort of like the Copper Bar in Marshall. Eclectic.

They had Oberon, home cooking and wifi. It was very close to heaven.

Does a Black Sheep knit in the woods?

Yes, when all the cousins are busy.

Kentucky Irish, I can even find people I know at a camp ground in Norther Lower Michigan!

Yep, even while camping, I spent some time knitting. But let me tell you, it is not for the faint hearted, or those with a weak stomach. I've been dragging this poor Kidney Kozy around all month.


Meet John Muir
Pig 1 pointed out that during the month of August we'd gone camping 4 weeks.
That's:
21 camp fires
7 drunken sailors
4 bags of marshmallows
3 bottles of bug spray
1 unopened bottle of sunscreen
1 leaky tent
7" of rainwater
soda, swimming, hummus, SNOT, blood, dirt, sand,smelly cubscouts and a sassafrass plus a whole lotta love. Maybe I should rename that Kidney Kozy Robert Plant.

Home, James.

Please sing to your nearest rememberance of Rawhide and lift a cold one...

Camping, Camping, Camping
I'm so done with Camping
I got sand in places where the sun don't shine!

Don't tell me to get a cabin
Those skeeter bites are still scabbin'
please take take me to a place with wifi


That's all I got for now...but here are some questions and answers to get you through...

Q: Ogre: Do you do pee in the showers?
A: Me: Yes
Ogre: That's not very sanitary and it's not making me like camping anymore.

Q: Do you think those people are vampires?"
A: Maybe. Or they are the owners of GM and this is were they are hiding out.
A: Correction...blah, blah, werewolves, vampires eat mint chocolate chip ice cream, the GM guy was awake at 2 am, he is a vampire.

Q: When can we go to Disney?
A: In 99 Days.

Q: Will we be camping then too?
A: Oh, HELL no.

I mean it this time

Hold still lawn. I'm going to mow you.

Fish, you just need to evolve into oxygen from the air breathing fish and climb right out of the tank. I'm telling you, it's nice out here.

The tent is just the place we pretend to camp in anyway. The Pigs much prefer the car.



These to do lists are for suckers.

To do, and why

To do list:

1. Mow Lawn
2. Seal Seams on Tent
3. Clean Fish Tank
4. Organize Cubbie thing by door-it's full of mittens

What will happen:

1. Push mower to front lawn to show neighbors I intend to mow. I'm really out of gas. I mean I have gas, because I eat a lot of Kashi go Poo cereal, but I mean Petrol.

2. Put tent away, because really, how often does it rain when you go camping? (You've seen the photos, it's everytime.)

3. Those fish don't need clean water. It's like a natural habitat. Crap, now I feel mean.

4. Heck, it's August, those Pigs are going to need those mittens again soon anyway.

I'm practically done!

Are we there yet?

The house is so full of camping supplies it looks like we are either running an army supply surplus store, or we've taken in a traveling carnival family. Either way, it's good times.

Even the garage can't escape the camping. It's full of coolers, drying navy blankets, a tent in need of patching and one pair of shoes so smelly that they have taken up residence out doors. I won't quit you Merrell Siren Ventilator Olive Green Walking shoes!!
I won't let you in the house, but I won't quit you!

You know, I kill a tent almost every summer. Why aren't my Pigs building their homes out of wood yet?

Camping, Spinning, Alpacas!

Oh, Fibery Friends, I missed you, but Cub Scout Camp was a blast! Now, don't get yourselves all in bind (eat a boozy carrot cake muffin!)

I was thinking about you while camping with the Cubs.

The Pigs' and my tent. It was cool, you know we like mud.
We only had 3" of water in our tent. The guys next to use had to us a mop to get the water out of their tent.

Me, in my swimsuit, under an umbrella. The thing in my mouth?

My only dry shirt. I needed it to get into the dining hall. It was a no shirt, no service sort of place. Oh, I was also walking around with a ziploc baggy that contained my phone, car keys, and id...you know in case we needed to make a break for it. Take no prisoners!
This is not a riot. This was organized chaos. My boyfriend is in the background. I will not divulge his identity or tell the full story. Ok, maybe. The Ogre already knows about it, so don't even bother trying to get me in trouble.

I've decided maybe I should rethink that whole not wearing a ring thing in super hot wear because it hurts and makes me feel like I'm making finger sausages, and either suck it up, or get a bigger ring.

Because it seems to be sending the wrong messages. Yes, comfort and sensibility is apparently sending out either one of two messages:

1. I'm a single mother of 2 Cub Scouts here to steal your husbands!

2. I'm the older fun loving sister of 2 Cub Scouts here to find a Camp Counselor!

Rocker!!!

So what was I thinking about my Fiber Friends?

I was talking to my friend Jenny H. about the Vicksburg Historic Society and the Fall Harvest Festival October 10th.

Yes, one week after the Wonder Why Alpaca Farm's Open House and Pen Sale on October 3rd.

But the Historic Society is in need of Spinner's, Knitters, Crocheter's, and I was pimping out the idea that they really need some WONDERFUL ALPACAS at their event!!!!

I'm always trying to get the word out about the Zombie Prom Date Knitters, Wonder Why Alpaca Farm, and Spinsanity Spindles, and Fiber by Em!! Uh, ladies, where's my commission for Snotty P.R.?

I was told to bring a Thermos

I just found out coffee is available 24/7 at Cub Scout Camp. Which is good because that is where I will be for the next 3 days 24/7. So for inspiration, madness,knitting, spinning, zombie slaying updates, and maybe a little fun, please check my Blog-O-Rama list to the right.

Now, where the hell is my thermos, my travel shovel, and my mosquito resistant knee socks?

Domestic, I try.

I have a few things that scare the crap out of me and I avoid them at all costs.

1. Pressure Cookers-Really. Explosions+hot food=DEATH

2. Sewing Machines-Cut up perfectly good fabric and sew it back together. Plus that needle is heading straight for your eyes.

3. Food Processor-Fingers, whirling parts, food on ceiling, following instructions. Following instructions.

4. 9-5 (7-3:30 or 5-1:30) Job inside a cement building with no windows-I've done that, it's not awesome.

Sadly, I found myself doing with 2 out of the 4 things in the last couple of days.

No, I did not get a job. Now you are just being funny.

I had to sew, sweat shop, I mean assembly line style, with Jackie, all in the name of Grange. Why? Because I'm skipping out on Work Day to go camping and I volunteered to.

Then, I decided to make giant zucchini into shredded zucchini. Which generally requires a scary, scary, food processor.


Notice the clean food processor, and big smile.

Things weren't going so well. I got scared. It was awful. There were zucchini bits all over. The stove, the cat, the dog, the living room, the curtains, the ceiling, everywhere but the bowl. There was only one thing to do.

Yeah, a normal person would have gotten the instructions. I have no idea where the instructions are, but I do know where the cool beverages are.


I think I could handle a pressure cooker now. Oh gosh no. Let me go outside. Wonder Why Gal, can I work on the tractor or shovel Paca Poo for you instead??

Knit Under the Stars...We did that

I really need to start doing something. No, I mean I do a lot of stuff. But I do it all for free:

We've got the Kidney Kozies in the works for the 2 dialysis units in Battle Creek.
There's the blue squares for the Cancer Cape for the Hope Lodge in Grand Rapids
National Kidney Foundation Volunteer
Cub Scouts-I camp, I go on sub trips, I mostly supervise and yell, but still
PTA, did I mention PTA? Yeah, that too

I need to start charging for my awesome to be at these Fibery Fun Days. I'm like the Monday Night Football Color Commentator, but of the Fiber World!!! That means the funny guy, who adds color to the boring of the commentrary Marty. So I would be there to sassy up your yarn shop's event. Like hiring entertainment. I'd be more fun than pin the tail on the donkey, but less clean up than pony rides.


But here at Your Local Yarn Store's Knit Under the Star's Meet the Dyer Night One Year Anniversary Party, they wouldn't have needed me.



Jill June, the famous dyer and Kelly J of YLYS

Visit Jill at Michigan Fiber Fest this year. She'll be an outdoor vendor. No, really, check how Rebecca and I felt about her yarn. We snuggled it, loved it, carryed it around, and generally made out with it.



Check out our new Zombie Slaying device! Scares zombies out of reanimation!

Worried you won't find the Zombie Prom Date Knitters at the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan on Saturday?

Really? That's what you're worried about?

You should be worried that when you find us we like you and we won't leave you.

Events:

Wings Etc-Westnedge ave, Portage
Wednesday Aug 12 6 pm

Michigan Fiber Festival-Allegan Fairgrounds
Zombie Prom Date Knitters Invasion
Saturday, August 15th
Look for the t shirts! Say HI!! (or prom dresses)

Additional MI Fiber Fest Vendor hours:

• Friday: 10 am- 6 pm
• Saturday: 9 am- 6 pm
• Sunday: 10 am- 4 pm

Camping!

Camping! With 3 Pigs, 2 Kids and 3 adults.

No matter how you count that, the adults are out numbered.

We did manage to catch one kid, and wrangle it into pj's and clean it's face, we neglected to clean it's feet. Although I did sing her a pretty song to help her fall asleep. I kept time to the racing cars from the Galesburg Speedway we could hear in the not too far off distance.

Later that night Britney (Spears?) and Jake (Busey?) were holding blood sport matches between raccoons and their kids right next to my tent. Which wouldn't have been so bad except the fighting ring was outlined in beer pee. Sadly, as the night progressed, the aim got worse and the ring got closer and closer to my tent. AWESOME!

Next day, we found the highlight of our camping experience. No, it wasn't poison ivy. It was...the butt hole!!!


Really, the kids fought over it.



We sat and laughed. No, we weren't smart enough to bring chairs.

Actually, we did bring chairs. We brought them during the thunder storm. To the big empty field with the butt hole. Knitting with metal needles, in a metal chair, in a field, with a butt hole, (Dad says you're gonna be late again you Butthole.) Smart, no. Having fun? Always!!!

I would like to point out that Sarah was reading a book. I won't tell you what book she was reading, because I don't want to embaress her, or let you ruin the story for her. Because you and I have already read these books.

There was only one injury, it was a sliver. I did surgery on the victim with a safety pin, and Sarah applied the oweeee spray.

Don't worry. It was John.

August Grange Chicken BBQ

This is the post telling you that it's Grange Chicken BBQ tonight!

previous well loved cake
But I should be baking a cake or two right now rather than monstering around on the computer.

Honestly, I'd rather be spinning Wonder Why Alpaca Suri,


Evil devil fluff
getting voodoo fix
NOT-Wonder Fluff

merino, bamboo blend,

but really I should be mowing the front lawn.

This is what a mowed lawn looks like
Back to those cakes for the Delicious Grange Chicken BBQ which is at

Home Grange 129
B Dr S & 9 1/2 mile rd
Battle Creek/Newton Township (it's sort of a state of mind thing)

I believe it runs 430-7 Yes, show up at 430 and say I sent you and see what happens. They'll probably put you to work. Speaking of work, I should probably make that cake, er, cakes.

We named the Dog Indiana

Today we built a volcano, went to the hardware store, the new location of Tanya's Totes and built a bike.



I'm still struggling with the Trail Gator, but I don't think it's entirely my fault, it requires a torque wrench to safely install. Do you own a torque wrench? Do you know what a torque wrench is?

The dog labeled as "a spaz-tastic breed that should not be left in small areas, near birds, or around the good china" was worn out by noon. I think this could be called regarded a productive day.

Now really, about that torque wrench...

Briar Rose Fibers...PRIZES!!!

I got a call from the Ogre while camping saying I got a package in the mail. Yes, it was that kind of camping. If I had wanted to I could have biked up to the ranger station and used the free wifi.

What I'm trying to get at is this...what was in the package.

Not just one, but two glorious skeins of hand painted smile inducing Briar Rose Fibers yarn!

Dream Weaver

Fourth of July

Now, so far we have a Kidney Kozy from Dawn. One from Marty. That's 2 names in the hat. Marty's working on a second Kozy because he wants to guarantee a prize. Carina has one done, Kentucky Irish was working on one. WonderWhyGal is not only donating some of her new ROVING, but also plugging away at a Kozy. Spinsanity designed one, knit half of it, and is pulling it out and starting again. Now that's true love.

What have you got going? Do you want in on this action? Prizes, glory, warm fuzzy feelings!!!

Plus, don't forget we're meeting up August 12th at Wings etc on Westnedge to show off our, uh, knitting, spinning, wing eating skills, Yellow Leader shirt from Tour de Fleece?

Wonderful Kozy Camping in the Briar Rose

Were you WONDERING where we were?
We were camping.
When it was raining, were you WONDERING if we were OK?

Wait, all the Wonder belongs to Wonder Why Alpaca Farm. Really, it does. Andrea got her first batch of rovings done from her very own herd of Alpacas!!!

Sugar Brown with Rose- Suri Alpaca, merino and bamboo!!!



Back off Biscuit Eaters! This one's MINE!!

Don't worry! Some of this pretty, pretty can be yours if you MAKE A KIDNEY KOZY and then get your name in the hat, and win the prize. I'm just saying!

Wait, there's more!!! The prize from Briar Rose Fibers showed up in the mail while I was in the woods too!!! I couldn't open the package yesterday because I was too filthy to dare touch the even the box. But I know something BEAUTIFUL is inside.

So there! Two top notch prizes for KIDNEY KOZY makers. Plus that warm, warm feeling you get when you do nice things for other people. If you don't like to do nice things for other people,

I'll also put a prize of "kick my puppy" in the hat to counter act your good deed. I AM JOKING. We aren't running a Michael Vick style charity operation here.


So, we have WONDERFUL prizes, worthy of Sleeping Beauty herself. Get it Briar Rose was Sleeping Beauty's woodland code name, Spinning wheels, pricking fingers, yarn? Go knit a Kozy.