knit with snot for you

29 again, still, ALWAYS!!

2009-11-06T08:02:00.009-05:00

So what does a girl do for her 6th 29th birthday? Well, when you make up your own rules like I do, people pretty much expect you to do what you want.

I started the day husking brains from their shells.

You know those hungry zombies, and that clever Pig 1. He's trying to domesticate them as a 4th grade class project.

I started my day off with a lovely breakfast with

Pig 3 will have a real mustache and I'll still be 29

Pig 3, Sir-Frogs-A-Lot, White Rabbit, and Other Marty.

Then it was off to the Wonder Why Alpaca Farm to help with a school field trip.

Did I mention it was pouring rain and freezing? I didn't notice! I was having fun!

Then friends showed up too! After the field trip kids left, we ended up staying in the pool house barn and playing with fiber and...celebrating!

Someone thought they were funny and got me a spatula.

That's cool, because it was attached to a very potent rum and coke cake! Someone said "oooh, I like the after taste." They were not of legal age. I feel for that mother's future.

Read Spinny's adventures making it! Now, Spinny has a birthday coming up, and I have a gift in store for her. Don't worry Shannon, I got it at State Grange...

Then it was home to the family for a nice quiet dinner, more spinning and talks of a new evil camera...

One camera, so much evil...

Me loving bag sewing! My SECOND failed venture into mitten knitting. Does anyone know someone who needs one mitten? Or who has one large hand?

Kidney Kozy Drop off!!

2009-11-04T16:42:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has again, and again stepped up to the plate and put in extra time and energy and $ to work on the Kidney Kozy project.

(Oh, and not to mention every other crazy ass idea that we seem to come up with.)

I dropped off 14 Kozies to
FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
2845 CAPITAL AVENUE SW SUITE 104
BATTLE CREEK, MI 49014
(which was technically Kazoo Knit Crochet’s turf-but Home Grange donated some and that is where they wanted to send some, it’s down the road from them)

Which Kozy did you make?

Then I drove by the infamous pink ghetto house of 1000monkeysknit got flipped off by a construction worker, made the international sign for “kidney” and then jumped a curb and headed toward…and dropped off 10 to:

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE
BATTLE CREEK NORTH

233 E. ROOSEVELT STREET
BATTLE CREEK, MI 49017

I believe this is where a bowling alley used to be. If it is, wow, could I tell you a story about the first time I ever hung out with Beth and Robyn...but, this is about Kidney Kozies, not bowling alley forged friendships.

Christy was super nice, remembered meeting me at the National Kidney Foundation Kidney walk, and was gracious enough to not say "about time" or "what took you so long."

So, again, thank you to all of you who worked on this project. It really was great to see all of our hard work, fun times, and laughter being dropped of with people who really appreciated it and would use it, no matter what size or color it was!!

Also, if you are ever bored and just want to do some mindless knitting...let me know, I'll throw some yarn at you. There are always people who need their kidneys (or kidney) warmed up!!

Side note-In true Snotty form, I went from downtown to goat farm in 2 minutes. Yes, lost, lost lost.

Secret Mission

2009-11-02T09:56:00.002-05:00

I'm on a secret mission.

It does NOT involve mittens. I've made 2 pair of mittens lately, all four individual mittens are of their own mind and have decided to be of their own size. In people I respect that, mittens, not so much.

My secret mission does not involve spinning fluff into yarn.

My secret mission does not involve breaking the hearts of young men, drinking beer or being scantily clad. Are you kidding, I live in Michigan, it could snow at any minute. The Ogre frowns upon those activities, unless of course it's for the betterment of mankind, or we end up getting free drinks or dessert. Plus, I've been 29 for like 7 years now, things are rapidly heading downhill.

So what's the secret mission? It's a freaking secret!

Do you have a Job

2009-10-29T09:40:00.009-04:00

Yesterday, someone asked me if I had a job. I said no.

That's because I apparently like being treated like shit for no pay, being criticized when things don't go the way other people think they should, and cleaning up other people's messes.

I'M A FULL TIME VOLUNTEER!!!

Funny thing is, the more I do it, the more I want to keep doing it. Even with the bad parts, you can't make up for the good. I'm not an adrenaline junkie, I'm a philanthropist junkie. Mother May I Volunteer? It's going to be Tori Spelling's next Lifetime movie.

Recently, The Ogre and I helped with the Home Grange Halloween Party. I worked mostly in the kitchen slinging Sloppy Joes.

I bleached those tables, because I care

Pirate Pig! Those are eyes sewn on his vest!!

Great costume on the cheap! Black clothes, cobwebs, white and black face paint!!

2009 Costume Winners!!!

Andrea showed up at the Grange Halloween as a Charity Knitter.

I know, I know you think I haven't been knitting! But I have. It's all been for this...
I really do need a cricut! I made ANOTHER sign.

That's a hand knit hat and scarf set on that sign See, everything will fit somebody!

Ok, sometimes, it won't fit somebody local. I'm going to have to either market these as decorations, or actually make new mates for these. Because no matter what angle I look at these...they just aren't the same size.

(On that note, I saw a guy in a wheel chair with only one leg yesterday. I said "hi" to him and had to bite my tongue...I almost asked if I could knit a sock for him. I finally found a place for all the SINGLE socks I knit. Bonus-he lives in my town!!!!!)

Hey, speaking of Grange, check out the Michigan State Grange awards that got handed out...

Sister Bear 1st Place in Jr Grange Photography and Fiber Arts-Other!

Now, tell me do I have a job? Setting a good example for all of these guys...

I have to make up for all the swearing I do in front of the Pigs...

Update your Ogre Knowledge...

2009-10-27T08:43:00.005-04:00

Ogres do not like warm climates. That's why you find so many zombies in the South, plus there is the whole voodoo thing.

This also works well for the zombie slayer knitter and Ogre match up. Cold weather, knitting and Ogres all just seem to make good sense. I have no idea why so many Ogres are drawn to short women.

Snotty and Ogre Dr B & Jackie The Ogre and the Amazing Kat!

I'm going to say it's the short women looking ahead to the future and wanting to utilize storage on tall shelves.

What am I knitting? Mittens. Mittens for Soldiers, mittens for the Home Grange Bazzaar.

WHAT!!! You're telling me it's been 2 days since something awesome has happened at the Grange Hall. Well, you're right. It has been 2 days. You missed the Halloween Party. Which means you also missed a chance to have some of my now famous Sloppy Joes. But your loss.

Next chance to dine at Home Grange will be for the Annual

Swiss Steak Dinner and Craft Bazaar-

it's one of those food in the lower hall, crafts in the upper

December 5th!!

Food-swiss steak, real mashed potatoes, veg, rolls, dessert, all the fixings, for a reasonable price!

Craft Bazaar-mittens, scarves, baked goods, RICE KRISPY TREATS (although part of the trill is gone now that you know my assembly line process) Grange top secret pickles, aprons, antiques, crafts, ALL SORTS OF AWESOME STUFF and disgustingly LOW prices!!!

We've talked about renting tables to outside vendors...I'll let you know what the Grange has decided on this.

As a reminder, it's peak season for both zombieism and flu, so carry a shovel, increase your cardio, and wash your hands. (this is actually the amount of hand washing you should be doing, you filthy beast.)

Because Charity Work's Not Enough

2009-10-26T10:56:00.006-04:00

I wrote a song too!

(It's got knitting in it)

I'm in the Pink Ghetto and I'm raising me some kids,
Got a sweet Volvo and a 10 pairs of Birkenstocks
Only shave my legs when I'm out of clean knee socks

Feels like I wasted so much time,
got a Doctorate from Brown
Only had to sleep with one prof,
but man, she was mighty hot

Wearing sweat pants all over town
My cords are all worn down
Took up knitting, and it's rad
Never going back to that corporate scene

Chorus:

I'm in the Pink Ghetto and I'm raising me some kids,
Got a sweet Volvo and a 10 pairs of Birkenstocks
Only shave my legs when I'm out of clean knee socks

Crisp Rice by the Batch, YO. Not Yarn Over

2009-10-26T07:36:00.006-04:00

I may not cook that well, but the things I do, I kick hienie at. Sadly, one of my great skills is making Rice Krispy Treats. Or in this case "Crisp Rice Treats."

Oh, come on. I have tips. I make like 5 batches at a time. Who has that kind of patience? It's a skill, it's an assembly line. Henry Ford would be proud!

Look how happy!
(I wore that shirt again the next day and found 1 rogue krispy stuck to my sleeve)

I never get any flipping marshmallow on my hands but sometimes I get krispies stuck to like the phone or my camera. You all know I'm lazy. So I'm sure you know I have a secret...

Shall I break magicians code and reveal my secret?

Oh, hell, you know I can't keep a secret!!

Yes. Butter. But not any butter. FROZEN BUTTER. If you don't have several pounds of frozen butter in your freezer at all times, you are dead to me. Or vegan. No really, buy it on sale and it keeps in the freezer then it thaws fine. You don't love butter?

Anyway, if you are making Krispy Treats and you are at the dreaded "press mixture into pan with greased hands" step. STOP! and do this instead:

Use your FROZEN STICK OF BUTTER to press molten hot mixture into PARCHMENT PAPER lined pan.

While the 1st batch is cooling, line another pan with PARCHMENT PAPER. Put your butter back into the FREEZER, and....

Throw that spoon right back in and start over with the butter and the marshmallows!

Holy multiple pans of Crisp Rice Treats! By the time you are done pressing the 2nd batch in the pan, you can pull the 1st batch out by the parchment paper and set it somewhere out of the way.

Sure, I've been known to stack layers of krispy treats on the washing machine

This can go on, and on, and on.

8 Batches, 4 flavors, of 2 each
Fruity, Plain, Chocolate, Peanut Butter

(I usually do fruity first, wash the pan, and then go plain, chocolate, peanut butter straight on through with no washing again until the end.)

Trouble getting the marshmallow mess out of the pan? Water into pot, onto stove, boil.

Don't dread your next bake sale, family reunion, pot luck, holiday bake thing, bring Rice Krispy Treats...by the truck load!

Other thing I am good at making, sloppy joes, to serve 100.

Plus, we went on adventure and found the little door in Kalamazoo!

It's another Isla de Muerta thing!

We also like looking for the horse parking, and the little building.

Social Blunder...

2009-10-22T11:47:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we went to our local Grocery Store. There was only one other family there with school aged children. They were quiet, orderly and calm. The Pigs and I were wild, disorderly, and, well acting like we normally do.

While shouting over the theme music to the movie Halloween, I told the Pigs to bag all the the cold stuff together. A store employee asked if we were doing a home school outing.

This was my reply, still in my loud voice:

"These are not home school children out on assignment. These are the last three healthy kids in our school district. I'm sick of being locked up in the house with them. "
Then I realized I was still shouting.

We're heading out again today. We're trying to stay healthy.

I may be shouting if you see me. We're loud.

Is it harshly worded enough?

2009-10-21T16:51:00.006-04:00

Here's my harshly worded letter:

I hate you. Yes, you.

You who hack and cough as if your germs don't fly into Spinsanity's face.

I hate you who cough into your hands and then touch all over surfaces. What surfaces? The same damn surfaces that other people are going to touch.

COUGH INTO YOUR DAMN SHOULDER, OR ELBOW PIT. I don't know what the hell the proper name is for elbow pit, but you know what I mean.

Hey, person who takes a piss in a public restroom and then doesn't wash their hands. You, I hate you just in general all the time, so I'm throwing you in with this general public hate fest.

Why the hate? Because you are part of the problem. You aren't part of the team. You aren't even trying.

Little kids, old people, the immune compromised, and other groups, they already have strikes against them and you, you just blow your SNOT all around. Keep it up, continue being inconsiderate, see what happens, come near me...

So when I come at you with my shovel, and my bleach, don't say I didn't warn you.

What to do if you get sick-from the CDC (did you know I was offered a job a the CDC? Yeah, because of this...

Yeah, I've sort of got my wires crossed

2009-10-21T12:05:00.002-04:00

Fingerless gloves and long scarves are all the rage. Go knit.

Shower.

Oh, buy some hand sanitizer.

Plus some coffee, and cheese.

I don't think this is a blog post, it's actually my to do list.

Open Invite to the Brave-Really the house is a mess

2009-10-20T08:47:00.007-04:00

If you are on Ravelry, you may have already read this update.

But I'm also putting it here for those of you not in the know:

Ok, our school district has been SHUT DOWN, YO! Yarn over or Yo, as in a shout out, or holla, your choice.

Anyway, the Pigs and I are NOT SICK and we plan on staying that way!!

We are also not inviting any DAMN SICK PEOPLE into our safe house.

So, that being said, if you are not sick, *come over anytime after NOON Tuesday. I've got some serious piles of destruction that need attended to, that's why it has to be after the noon hour. You may also consider bringing a chair, we had an "incident" involving the big blue chair in the living room.

I have a completely messed up, not ready for guests house, a giant vat of vegan potato soup (sometimes that just happens) and a garage full of diet coke.

If you are sick, stay the hell home, you are not welcome here, there’s not enough han-er-tizer in the world to keep what you’ve got on you and off of me-even my bottle of all healing rum can't fight this.

If you are immune compromised, care for someone immune compromised, love bacon (there is none in the house, we do have roast beef though) or are germ phobic, I advise you to steer clear of South County Kalamazoo.

No, really. Head North Young Man, Head North.

*my house is like Isla de Muerta-it can't be found, unless you already know where it is.

There will be no Zombie Slayer Outings, No Kidney Foundation Meetings, No Meet Ups at the Koffee Klutch for me. I've got 3 Pigs in tow...so come over here...if you dare!

But, if you want some rocking, and I mean ROCKING zombie slaying action, go visit FatCatCrochet! She's holding down the post, Southern Style!

We Rocked the MI Grange Convention

2009-10-19T07:36:00.010-04:00

Michigan State Grange 136th Annual Convention. The first question I get wasn't did you have fun, it was "Did they get some decent judges for the Contests this year?" It was a fair question considering how much I complained last year about a certain item of pink, fuzzy, questionable workmanship that will remain untalked about.

So let's start again and reword the question. Did they get judges that know about knitting, crochet, cross stitch, and fiber arts in general?

They got a lady who walks around in hand dyed, hand spun, hand knit socks, spinning straw into gold on her hand made spindle and then another lady who taught me how to crochet while I was still in the womb and who now works at a framing and cross stitch shop. I'm going to say yes, they got judges knowledgeable in the realm of needle arts.

But I'm sure there were complaints, even about them, because everyone thinks their work is best. Well, I certainly didn't.

Surprisingly, I can weave in ends! Plus-Wonder Why Gal takes 3rd-she's only been knitting since March! Must be that magical Alpaca!

The sweater that beat my sweater was AWESOME!! It was a first prize sweater. It certainly was no fun fur scarf.

Check out Sister Bear's hand Spun! Blue Ribbon! Jr Grangers also got a slew of Blue Ribbons!!

Yeah, one of the Judges actually told me I better get my butt moving and start working on something really special for next year because there are so many talented people in the Grange.

Thank you again to this year's judges!!!

I think I may have been called a slacker.

Hey, I may be a slacker in some areas but I'd say that at least one person was proud of me.

No not that one. Or that one. This one.

Grandpa Winter! He was proud! I was deemed a pleasant young lady by one of the delegates and
many complimented my level of enthusiasm.

I worked hard during committee meetings, and during session too.

see what I accomplished during session

Oh, come on. This is the one place where NOT knitting or crocheting during speeches and business is actually looked down upon. We've got cold hands to cover! Charity work, fairs, bazaars and next year's contests to knit for! Honestly, there were at least 5-10 people working on something at all times. That was just what I could see.

I was also pointed out as "the one who uses that good yarn." Now that's pretty cool.

Plus I was Flora!

Fancy Dress underneath
Both Donna Summer and Demeter would have been proud

Home Grange was no slouch either! We took 1st place, for large Granges, which means...

We'll be seeing you at National Grange in November!!!

Now, doesn't that look like fun? Don't you want to join Grange? It's a family fraternal order based in agriculture...plus it's got knitting contests and supports fancy dress!!!

Friday, I'm Flora

2009-10-15T22:21:00.000-04:00

I was busy Wednesday Night picking out a sensible sweater to....You guessed it! Wear with a fancy prom dress!!!

Why? Because I get to be Flora on Friday!

Ok, I don't think "get to be" is exactly the phrase I should use. I think "married into the Grange," would be more accurate.

So Flora on Friday! it is. If you put me in a choir gown and I have to wear a flower head band...you get a Salvation Army Prom Dress, a Smart Cardigan and Sensible Shoes. Yeah.

Afterward, the Ogre's taking my fancy ass out on the town...Straight to the Casino!

Photos to follow! State Grange Contest info will be announced asap! I'm going to look so sassy!! You know I love to dress up and slay zombies!

They are ALPACA!

2009-10-14T21:19:00.009-04:00

Oh! Look, Llamas!

No friends, these are not. They are alpaca. Do you wonder what the difference is? Well, you could go look it up on wiki, or ask an Alpaca owner! Like we did at the Vicksburg Fall Harvest Festival!

Wonder Why Gal, are those llama's?

Actually, no, these are Alpaca, camelid cousin of the llama. Whereas the llama is a pack animal, the graceful alpaca is bred for it's beautiful fiber!

Did someone say fiber? Is it bran or like fluff? The Zombie Prom Date Knitters Love FLUFF!

Plus, we apparently love cold weather, sitting under tents, and teaching other people to love the same things!

Hey, little girl, need a spindle? Try a Spinsanity Spindle!

You, in the boots, do you know how to work that thing? Another kid? Give that kid some fluff! Better yet, trick everyone into only spinning with goood suri alpaca fluff!!

Ok, ok, it wasn't just all about fiber! It was a day to Celebrate Vicksburg's Historic Village, the Awesome of Vicksburg, and just awesome, good times and well, you know.

Look! Moose and Canoe Coffee Shop! Right, normal people call it Boundary Waters, but if you are cool and in the know, it's Moose and Canoe. Sweet table, I think it was from the Antique Mall in Vburg.

Their was also food from Good to Go Cafe, and you know my Sloppy Joe meat suppliers Stubby's!! I also got some really nice soap from Curvy Girl Soaps-which proves I'm not a hippie. (for the record, don't google that-the soap maker not the hippie part.)

It wasn't all super awesome sunshine hippie hugs and I'd like to give the world a coke and teach blah blah songs and singing.

We had a bit of "I wonder why this trailer has a flat tire?" and "I wonder why this is not awesome right now?"

Anyway, super nice guy Randy, and then super nice guy at Heimstra helped us out and safely got Wonder Why Gal and little Emily back on the road.

What did I do? I was there for moral support, plus I flagged Randy done. I was also prepared to "borrow" a tire from another trailer. Hey, I've always said I'd lift a car off my friends, I'm ready to steal a tire for you too.

Blue Squares!

2009-10-13T07:50:00.006-04:00

Hey! Blue Squares are coming in from all over now!

Bonnie sent in a batch from IA just last week! Yes, IA.

Ok, I kept saying Idaho, but it turns out Bonnie is in Iowa. I'm sorry Bonnie. I'm really bad with directions. Really bad. I tried to send Bec to a cemetery instead of a chicken barbecue. Told the Zombie Prom Date Knitters to meet at rest stop in the wrong COUNTY for adopt-a-highway cleanup, and the list goes go.

But I am trying to keep this affliction from affecting the Pigs. I have a map of both the United States AND the World hanging in the kitchen. Plus, the US Presidents. I don't want them to be ignorant Americans. We also work with them on Canadian history and facts, because when we travel, we pretend we're from Ontario. It's fun, you should try it.

Anyway, back to the Summer Time Blues Blanket that's to be donated to the Hope Lodge in Grand Rapids, MI. I believe it was named appropriately. Summer is over, we're still collecting squares, send 'em if you've got 'em.

Guidelines, not rules...

Blue, any shade of blue

Machine wash

Knit or Crochet

Any design

10x10 is the ambition not the goal

When will this end? Oh, it ended on Labor Day. But we only had one square, so we kept going. We have 6, plus some more completed, just not here. So, we will be done when it's big enough to keep someone warm!

On the Kidney Kozy Front-It really is a Front. Home Grange #129 has taken up the Cause and will now be donating on a regular basis. Take that Kidney Dialysis. We'll be able to keep more Kidneys warm!

You thought you'd never wear it again...

2009-10-12T09:16:00.022-04:00

I know you're all curious to find out what happened at the:

First Annual Zombie Prom Date Knitters

Zombie Slayers Ball

yeah, you should have shown up. But I'll take pity on you and give you the highlights.

First-

Full City Cafe, said "hey, you show up with 6 zombie slayers, we will give you a free Sundae."

Well, that's like inviting a Vampire into your home. I bike for cake and I"ll put on a prom dress for ice cream.

Turns out, we're not called the Zombie Prom Date Knitters just for fun! We take that Prom part seriously.

They wouldn't let us bring our weapon of choice, the mighty shovel, into the movie theater, but we had our next best thing... our zombie stompers!

Spinsanity Spun at the Movie When not Laughing!

After Zombieland-Check those smiles, and handknits!

So how was Zombieland? Best movie EVER!!! Just, just, go see it. I don't want to ruin it for you. I'll just say it's a touching coming of age story set in a post apocalyptic world filled with trying situations, tough decisions and hard times. Heeheehee. No, really, you could describe it that way or like this "If the little girls in your neighborhood are f@*ked up little monsters it's time to stop driving carpool."

We tried to go to Olde Pennisula after the movie. But they said "You will have to wait 1 hour to have the all delicious fall time treat of Pumpkin Ale for a Zombie Prom Date Knitters Party that Large and Awesome." So we went to Monaco Bay.

Our Waitress Sarah was super awesome.

Turns out, she knits, and she has been accepted in as one of our own!

Did we stop knitting at the bar? That would be a no.

Astonishingly enough, we were the normal group at the bar. There was a birthday group that was causing a ruckus. Yes, a Where the Wild Things are level ruckus!

Drunk dry humping to Happy Birthday on stage by Fake Boob Girl and Creepy Taking Advantage Guy was deemed PG by dueling piano bar hosts. But when Andrea and I said "hey, it's our Birthday too we want on stage!" We were told no one was allowed on stage until 9 pm unless it was PG.

Uh, hello, fake boobs and dry humping between a hetero sexual couple is PG but two girls dancing in Prom dresses is too Wendy and Lisa for you?? So we had our own dance party at our table.

My haircut is butch, that doesn't mean I am.

Heck! I followed Death around the block to see where he was going. Turns out, it was a dark alley. Then I helped Kentucky Irish pick up a guy.

"Have you met my friend Dawn?"

Someone wasn't someone's type.

Then we all went home to our normal lives being farmers, charity workers, artists, neighbors, moms, daughters, wives, friends, nurses, teachers, accountants, corporate lawyers, and other normal things. Yeah, crazy fun makes the world go round. Did you ever wonder why the world spins to that one side? Character.

Zombie Prom Date OUTINGs

2009-10-09T09:56:00.007-04:00

Oh, you know you've been waiting for this...

First Annual Zombie Prom Date Knitters

Zombie Slayers Ball

No, you don't need a date, because mostly likely your date was a no good zombie anyway. Really, check out the zombie prom date knitters' origin story, Ted was bad, a zombie, and in the end, got the shovel.

So, what happens at the Zombie Slayers' Ball? Well, we get on our Fancy Dress Clothes and go out on the town.

You too are worried about the zombie horde and you want to join us? Oh, you want to see if anyone besides just me goes out in a Prom Dress to recreate the Original Zombie Prom Date Knitter's Bravery-then mock me mercilessly if they don't?

Well, first stop is at:

Full City Cafe 1:00 for a 6 person ice cream Sundae. Full City Cafe at the corner of Oakland and Centre.

Then on to Rave for the 540 showing of the Freaking Awesome Movie

ZOMBIELAND

With quotes like "Time to Nut up or Shut Up." "I haven't cried like that since Titanic." "Do you guys want some Purelle?" and the promise of stripper zombies, prom date zombies, zombies, zombies, and more zombies. Oh, I believe Robert Smith said it best, it's "just like heaven." I was almost in tears-of laughter and joy just over the trailer.

Of course there will be an after party...but no, I'm not telling you were that is.

As for Saturday, October 10th you can find more awesome at the

Vicksburg Historic Society Fall Harvest Festival

10-7

Vicksburg Historic Village
Located at 300 N. Richardson
Vicksburg, MI

Holy Crap, you really can’t get to Vicksburg, unless someone tells you how, or you get lost and end up there.
I-94 to Sprinkle rd
Sprinkle road South until it T’s at the BP.
Turn Right, follow the curve, you will see the Historic Village.

Look for the Crazy in the Prom Dress! We will be doing demos of spinning, combing fluff, and knitting. Bring a chair if you want to join in.

Spinsanity Spindles will be available for sale.
Wonder Why Alpaca products, roving, yarn, etc will also be there. Wait! So will some Alpaca!!! Smell, hear, feel, touch the WONDER!!

Official Fest Details…

Antique market ~ Farmers market ~ Old-time craft exhibitors
~ Antique harvest equipment ~ Music ~ Food ~ Children’s
games ~ Magician ~ Storyteller ~ pumpkin carving
contest ~ Scavenger hunt ~ Pie baking contest

I believe we are the “olde-thyme” craft exhibitors.

Public Zombie Announcement

2009-10-08T08:10:00.006-04:00

Kalamazoo Horror Fest

hosted by Game Warehouse!!!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17th
GAME WAREHOUSE
120 East Milham
Portage, MI. 49002
269-903-2309
EVENTS FOR THE DAY
* 10:00am - 5:00pm Autographs from THE EVIL DEAD LADIES. Catering by Lenny's Sub Shop. Hooter zombie girls in the parking lot.
* 5pm - 5:30pm Eat evil wings with us at Hooters.
* 6pm - 7pm Zombies in Bronson Park.
* 7pm- 8pm Zombie Crawl
* 8pm-8:30pm Q&A at Up and Under Bar.
* 9pm - 2 am Zombie party and evil dead screening at Wayside West.

I don't know, something about eat evil wings cracks me up.

Did you note the ZOMBIE CRAWL?

Meet at 6:00pm at Bronson Park for the biggest zombie walk ever. The ladies from THE EVIL DEAD will be attending where you can get pictures taken with them during the setup of the zombie crawl.

I wonder if Tom Sullivan will be there?
There the public service announcement is done, you may go back to planning your little bit of awesome!

Yes, I wrote all my bits in bold up there because I was a wee bit excited when I first started this. I've calmed down a bit. BUT REALLY!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? KALAMAZOO HORROR FEST HOSTED BY GAME WAREHOUSE FEATURING EVIL DEAD-the ultimate experience in grueling horror??? Where's Sam Raimi and a paper bag when you need them?

People think I'm a responsible adult

2009-10-07T07:38:00.006-04:00

Well, well, my darlings. Do you miss me? I miss you. I've been trapped in the house. No, not like under a pile of rubble or anything. Although if you were to look in my garage you'd think poorly of my house cleaning skills. No, I've been doing paper work.

This was Sunday...outside with the Fam having fun, but where have I been since then?

Which, I don't know what about me makes people think:

"Wow! Let's let Holly be in charge of really important papers that require organization, patience and an ability to not spill! Plus math. Let's throw in math!"

I had to run to Target to buy a calculator. Sure, I get that there is a calculator on this computer, my cell phone, etc, etc, but those are tiny, and there's my lack of organization, and patience and the whole spilling thing. I bought $10 in $1 calculators. You know, just to be safe.

Ok, ok, it's not just all work. Yesterday I was out all day with the Zombie Prom Date Knitters at the Koffee Klutch. Haahaahaa! I had you feeling all sorry for me.

Spinny with her combs of death and our new friend Gloria

We even had fresh meat! They seemed to like us though. Actually, they fit right in! We have off putting name, but really, we're fun and we do good deeds. Didn't your mother teach you not to judge a book by it's cover? Or at least your librarian?

Zombie Prom Date Knitter impending doom...or fun rather:

This Friday, October 9th 1pm Full City Cafe at Centre and Lovers Lane in Portage for ice cream and fun.

This same Friday at the Rave in downtown Kalamazoo at either 540 or 7pm (time is still being hotly debated) we will be attending

ZOMBIELAND in full Prom Date garb! Wear your Prom dress!!! ZPDK over the top is the way to go for most of us. Combat boots and shovel optional accessories!

Saturday, October 10 Vicksburg Historic Society's Fall Harvest Festival!
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. – Fall Harvest Festival. Antique market ~ Farmers market ~ Old-time craft exhibitors ~ Antique harvest equipment ~ Music ~ Food ~ Children’s games ~ Magician ~ Storyteller ~ Pumpkin carving contest ~ Scavenger hunt ~ Pie baking contest-ZOMBIE PROM DATE KNITTERS-Spinning Demos-Spinsanity Spindles-Alpacas-Wonder Why Alpaca Roving and Yarn-Cub Scout Pop Corn-plus a whole lot of AWESOME!!!

It was full of Wonder, NOT Snot

2009-10-05T08:28:00.009-04:00

The Wonder Why Weekend was beyond WONDERFUL it was AWESOME. I was serving up slop, I mean sloppy joes, as an official representative of Home Grange #129. So I didn't get to experience the full Wonder. So for the full, official up date please visit the WonderWhyGal's blog. For the quirky version of the Event...stay here.

I had to feed my assistant or he refused to work

Yes, these sloppy joes were the recipe used at the Original Home Grange Pancake Tent from the Calhoun County Fair. Anything else is NOT going to taste like these.

I couldn't believe all of the amazing people showing up at the food service, Wonder Why vendor area:

Kalamazoo Knit and Crochet Meet up Group!

My Relatives!!

Zombie Slayers back from a mission!

So I knew there must be some sweet stuff going. I sent Pig 1 out to get some photos of what I was missing. He brought back amazing footage of the outside world.

I did sneak out of the food service building for a bit. Ironically enough, I put up an
"out to lunch" sign. Who did I find teaching people the Wonder of Spinning? Why the Zombie Prom Date Knitters of course!! Check Spinsanity's new spindle cherry limeade. It's got little cherries on the shaft. (heehee, I said shaft.)

Apparently, all the cool drop spindle users are wearing fingerless mitts this season.

Which turned out great for Jaxy, because she was commissioned to make a pair for one of the farms. It was all win-win around the Wonder Why Open House!

While on my lunch break I just ran around like a maniac, taking photos, and shopping.

How did I shop? I shot photos, and decided I would contact the farms at a later date. Jackie said "I thought about buying you yarn, but I didn't know what yarn to get for you." My answer to her was "ANY!!! Just like Po says 'I love Kung Fu!!' I LOVE ALPACA!!!"

She said the same but about alpaca socks. She would take any alpaca socks. See, we speak alpaca. It goes like this..."OMG! Alpaca is awesome, I want some!"

My assistants in the kitchen.

Thank you Pig 1 and Sister Bear!! I couldn't have done it without you two!!

Now, if anyone sees the Ogre today...

A shout out to him too...

It's his Birthday!!! Make sure to give him a big hug. He loves hugs.

Alpaca, Eggs, Landscaping, Yeah, we got that

2009-09-30T08:25:00.007-04:00

When you've got a Wonder herd of these,

Those are Alpaca, not Llama folks

it turns out, you don't have much time left for this...

What's a busy person to do?

Small Wonders Landscaping

You call in a professional landscaper to take care of your problems!

How did I end up helping a professional landscaper? You know I don't work for money.
I VOLUNTEERED!! I thought it would be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Guess what, it totally was. Knitting together is fun, but weeding together is funny. We should really pool our resources and get this Small Wonders Landscaping lady more often. Not only was she a riot, but, wow, wait until you see the results when you attend...

The Alpaca Wonder Weekend
with a
Wonder-ful Pen Sale!

Presented by
The Wonder Why Alpaca Farm, LLC

on
Saturday, October 3, 2009
from
10am - 4pm

located
7 miles south of I94/ Battle Creek, MI

1996 E Dr S

East Leroy, MI 49051

Admission: FREE

Check our website

for details.

http://www.wonderwhyalpacafarm.com/

When we started working, I was all awwwh, look at those turkeys, they're actually birds that aren't trying to attack me!

Turns out, they were just trying to lure me closer to the fence so the attack chickens could have their chance at me.

Not only will Home Grange #129 be serving up Sloppy Joes, Chips and soda for the low, low price of $5, but we will also have egg salad sandwiches made from these very chickens! Yeah, take that chickens!

Meal Deals $5
Sloppy Joes
2 Hot Dogs
Egg Salad Sandwich

all meal deals include chips, and soda

Rice Krispy Treats, and brownies, will also be available! Monster Energy Drinks so you can be like the Wonder Why Gal too!!

Now if any chickens, sandhill cranes, or geese get any funny ideas...
This is my dog.

Our yard is a bird free zone.

The Football was Awesome

2009-09-28T11:08:00.007-04:00

Before the game, I got all nervous. Why? because I wouldn't be able to work on any charity work at the game. It would be all fun and good times. Sure, I can knit anywhere, but my current knitting projects are all lace work and I can't do lace and work a crowd. So I flipped out and sent the Ogre to the store. This is what he came back with.

Proper Charity Work Size Needles

Why 2 sets of knitting needles. The flip out was so big he was worried I might want my needles to be color coordinated with WMU. He was right, I took the gold ones to the game. GO Brown and Gold! Go BRONCOS!

Here are some pre game photos. Yes, we are tailgating in a garage. Screw you, I made the Ogre opened the trunk.

We had some Kentucky Irish in the house, yo. Somehow between here,

and here,

awesome things happened. I kissed Sandy's husband, which ended in me getting a $20 Cub Scout popcorn sale from Dee's brother. See, I'm always trying to help out the Cubs!

(I'd like to say the Ogre just stood by and said "yep" and nodded a lot. I take the attention off of him being so freakishly tall.)

Then we all changed our name to Jenny and I think I'm finally going to get to be a bridesmaid and not the bride for once!!! I don't know if John knows that his future wife changed her name to Jenny or that I get to be a bridesmaid, but whatever. Promises made at driveway tailgating are forever!

Look! Our WMU spirit beads got us on the JUMBOTRON!!

During the game we made friends, saw other friends, all this while in the Elephant Ear line. Kentucky Irish did her best to keep us abreast of Kentucky's mighty attempt to thwart a number 1 ranked Florida. God did punish Tebow for either lying about h1n1, spreading h1n1, or just straight up showboating and used Kentucky to concuss him barfing to the hospital.

The knitting? Mocked by all around me. Then my fame of knowing Coach Cubit,
WMU players

and being a "phila... er, phila... er, yes, er, Good Deed Doer."

Now, who is in for a WMU Hockey Game?? K Wings???? I'm in charge of the next event, and let me tell you, it's an event.

This was the after party Sunday night.

Now tell me he doesn't like this dog.

It's always fun around here

2009-09-26T12:16:00.004-04:00

Hey! It's football day. I get to wear the Go Broncos Hat!

Oh, I know, I'm supposed to be at like 3 places today, but sometimes my best friend wins out:

I know you all thought it was you. But I need my very best friend to be a Big Grumpy Ogre.

It balances out all the Short Annoying Cheerful.

Don't worry, I'm bound to do something stupid today.

I've been practicing my one handed back bend, in my new zombie fighting prom dress no less, to prepare for today's tailgating.

Speaking of fun...ZOMBIELAND!!!! Opens Friday. I'm looking at Oct 9th. Get your shovel and your hedge shears sharpened.

On the BIG SCREEN!!!! The Wizard of Oz!!!!

2009-09-24T09:13:00.008-04:00

ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!

As we were walking in Liz said, "you don't see that very often." Of course I had to get a picture.

See, it's not all fancy like normal movie marquees. The Kalamazoo 10 had to go up to their attic and pull out actual letters and spell out Wizard of Oz.

We didn't go to the Wizard of Oz for Pig 1. Oh, no. We went for this person.

Yep, that's the 10 year old Snot.

I was expecting the Kalamazoo 10 to be packed with people dressed up like Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion and the whole bit. Sadly, it was less Rocky Horror Picture Show, and more a Wednesday night out at the movies. The only person at all dressed up was one friend of Dorothy and I think he just had more fashion sense than the regular Wednesday night out at the movies in Kalamazoo crowd.

But the movie it's self was not a disappointment. The colors in Munchkinland almost made me dizzy!! The audio was amazing! The Ruby Slippers??? Ahhhh, so shiny.

You know what we learned from the Wizard of Oz? This world needs more of the color green. Oh, and sequins. The color green and sequins. Big hats too. The color green, sequins, and big hats and fancy dress.

Fancy dress!
Sure, looks better in Munchkin Land

(We could probably do without the random flowers on shoes that they had in Munchkinland, that did not strike me as real practical.)

Don't you think, maybe, we should try to incorporate this into our everyday lives more too? "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others." In the George Bailey way. Great, now I'm mixing classically beloved or hated movies.

Whatever. I'll never be able to watch it on a small screen again. Ogre, we need that new tv, with surround sound, and hd, blue ray. Yeah.

Updates, but it's still awesome

2009-09-23T08:51:00.009-04:00

Remember Iraqi Bundles of Love? Well, here's what we bundled.

Confused by the bundle concept? Well, you put two pieces of ribbon in the bottom of the box, to form an x. Then you put a large piece of fabric on top.

Fill box. Bundle like a baby.

Tie it up, mail it out....RAAAAAWHIDE!
(Of course the Zombie Prom Date Knitters sent 6 yards of Orange Fabric to Iraq!!!)

Ooooh, can you spot your Kidney Kozy in the mix here!

Sure I have to drop them off yet, but every time I go near them I fall asleep. They're just so damn Kozy. I'm going to have to recruit the Ogre. He's got no heart, I think he can resist their power of comfort.

Hark! What is this bowl of fluff floating in space?

If you look close, there's a blue square in with all that lovely hand spun yarn.

Actually, the bowl isn't floating in space, it's on my new hand me down end table!!! Anyway, the blue square is The Hope Lodge Shawl.

Hope Lodge Shawl
See, it real small, blue, in the bowl
Wow, Cancer DOES suck!

So, if anyone has a roughly 10x10 blue square sitting around the house, for the love all things comfy! PLEASE SEND IT TO ME!!! The Wonder Why Gal was the only person who turned one in!! I feel like a schmuck, a schmo, a bunch of schm words that I don't know how to spell.

I will put it together, I will mail it in, just send me your blue square!!

So what's going on now with the Zombie Prom Date Knitters?

We are currently meeting Tuesdays at the Koffee Klutch in Galesburg. Lu Ann will treat you right in there!

October 3rdWonder Why Alpaca Farm Open House! Demos and Fun! If you want, serve food with me, or do demos, or just visit and have fun!!!

October 10th Vicksburg Historic Society-Fall Festival we have a 12x12 space, bring your knitting, spinning, crocheting, a chair and your sass. We provide the space and sign. Wear your ZPDK shirt.

ZOMBIELAND-yes, we are going to go see ZOMBIELAND. I don't know when yet.

I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but really, that's just the next two weeks. There's also the Battle Creek Barnes and Noble Wednesday night once a month thing I always forget, and then Fabrications in Richland knitting also. So....yeah, lot's of knitting to be done!!