"Saturday's Mini Crank-In..."

Don and I drove over to the Hawthorne Branch Library (East Washington) on Saturday, to attend a mini crank-in. A crank-in is a gathering of members and people who own Circular Sock Machines, or CSM's. These local members try to schedule one each month. Next months is scheduled for January 23rd......yes, it is on my calendar. :)

Below is Pat, who was modeling a mitten scarf that another member, Barb, produced on her machine. Pat, and another member, Renice, sent me the information about the crank-in.

Here is Pat at work on one of her 6 (YES, 6!) machines.

Pat, along with each of the members who attended, was filled with information and suggestions about sock machines.

This is the piece she was working on. This is the beginning of "turning a heel".

This is Barb, one of 2 Barb's there that day. Behind her is Dawn, who doesn't yet own a machine (but is planning on having one at some point), and joins the group gatherings when she can. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked in, when Dawn re-introduced herself to Don (who knew her immediately), as she is the daughter of one of our neighbors from down the block. It was my first time meeting her......she is as nice as her Mom, Sandra.

This is what was on (in?) Barb's circular sock machine.

This is a NZAK (New Zealand Auto Knitter), the only circular sock machine that is being manufactured now....yes, in New Zealand. :) Most of the machines that one sees are from the late 1800's and early 1900's that have been thoroughly cleaned and oiled or re-conditioned. Machines were manufactured here in the USA and also in Canada.

Renice (standing), me, Barb, and Pat in the background. Barb is explaining something about her machine. I was given the opportunity of cranking her NZAK for 30 rows. :) OH YES! I LIKED IT!

I'm holding a sock that Renice made on her machine. There is a very large learning curve to circular sock machines, but I feel I am up to the challenge.

Tomorrow, photos of my having a lesson on "turning a heel", using a 2nd machine of Pats, which was set up with scrap yarn specifically for the purpose of allowing novices a "hands on" experience.

"Benjamin and Don......."

Benjamin gets his first time down the hill riding on Dad's lap.

Unfortunately, he wasn't really able to see where they were going when lying on his back.....

But like his Dad, he liked it! He had a big smile on his face when he got up from the saucer.

And he was ready to go again, but had to wait his turn.......

Because Don decided to give it a go, too. But......he only came out to take photos, and wasn't dressed for sledding......so he was in his bathrobe and crocs!

With a yell of delight, he slid down the hill!

Until he hit the transition point at the street level, and then made the exclamation, "OW"!

But when stopped, was laughing very hard, having enjoyed the trip, regardless of the hard landing. :) Afterwards, he did go inside and change into more winter worthy clothing.

More to follow. By the way, if you would like to see a short movie of the sledder's, go to: http://web.mac.com/madcitypato/_gallery/100007/Gregory%20Street%20Sledding%20-%20Medium.m4v

"Ramp Construction...."

Speed and Distance! That's what we want! This cry was heard far and wide! Thus...construction of the ramp. Snow.......we need more snow!


Christin was having a great time!


And Christina kept her eye on the construction, waiting for it to get to the point where a run was really exhilarating.


Even I had my suggestions on what should be done.


Busy workers like "ants on a hill".


Shoveling more snow onto the ramp and packing it down.


Adding snow to make sure no one ended up in Rob's basement window well (as Don "almost" did). :)


Time to try the new construction........


Lonny had to take a run to make sure things were going according to plan........


Sledding continued tomorrow.......

"The "REAL" Fun Begins....."

The "group" is at the top of the hill between Rob's house and ours when the "idea" comes forth for a sledding run. Can't you just see those devious minds working? ;)


"Big Kid" takes the first run, breaking the way for the many changes and innovations on the hill that will create the "perfect' sledding run.......


Back at the top, Andy (Big Kid), takes to the hill again.


Gaining more control.....and speed as he defines where the run will be.


With a slight twist of his body he creates a slight curve in the run for the participants future enjoyment.


We did hear a definite "whump" escape his lungs when he got to the street. There needed some tweaking of the transition from hill to street.


Lonny's turn to try it out.......


He added a little running start to his first time down........ I chose not to include the next photo of Lonny's run......it didn't show his "best" form, that would be perfected, too. ;)


Andy gaining the plastic saucer again and striving for more speed.


What form, eh? The run would soon be packed down enough that he would take Benjamin on his lap.....the "true" purpose of this entire event. ;) Hmmmmmmm..........I think there is something subliminal about this photo.....those of you who know Andy......what is your impression? I truly didn't notice it the first time I looked at the photo.


Watching for cars/trucks was not a major issue that day, although a few did occasionally make their way past......slowly.


Sledding soon to be continued........

"The Backyard in Daylight....."

Don went to the backyard to snap these photos, taking a quiet break from the commotion out front. The weight of the snow on the reflecting ball actually made the ball roll out of its stand later that day......I don't have any other explanation as to why the reflecting ball would've been lying on the snow next to it when we saw it out of its stand later. No footprints led to it.......


Even the chain link fence was almost a solid mass (I'd knocked it off of the one by the coop feed storage cans). The snow on the greenhouse didn't stay up there too long, but slid down and covered the path I'd shoveled out to the chicken coop and compost bins within 24 hours after this was taken. I wish that kind of action happened on the main house, saving us from raking it off. ;)


A view from the back gate. The snow has melted some since last Wednesday due to warmer temperatures, but we still have a lot left and I don't think the temps are rising again for awhile. There shouldn't be any problem with having a "White Christmas" this year. :)

"Let the Playing Begin!"

As mentioned in the last post, Christin and Andy are our "big kids". I must say, they enjoyed the new snow thoroughly.......it was great packing snow! Perfect for snow balls.....of ALL sizes! ;)


They each got as good as they gave, too........


Keeping the ever watchful eye on their opponent...........


While another younger "kid" looks on and learns defense and offense tactics.


AND form......can't forget form!


After the snowballs came the physical contact part of the sport.........Snow Wrestling!


I've no photographic documentation as to who won the contest......I think it may have been a draw (I, being male, I feel obliged to say that to save Andy's self respect). ;) Truthfully, I really do not know how the contest turned out......I was busy shoveling our driveway, thankfully, with the help of Rob and Lonny!

"Snow Day....."

With the University and most businesses closed, the neighbors were all home and out helping each other clear driveways of the heavy, wet snow.


Surprisingly, our street had already been plowed and they moved cars from driveways to clear the snow from them.


Rob clearing a path from Lonny and Charlie's house over to Christina and Christin's. I "think" he is doing that for Frank, our mailman. Our two houses have the mailbox down at street level near the end of our driveways, so we do not need to do that.


This is Benjamin's first major snowstorm. He naturally was around for last winter, but not the age of being able to go outside to play in it.


Christin taking a break......


Andy, our oldest "kid" in the neighborhood. ;)


Soon joined by his female counterpart, Christin. :)


Christina taking a break......


Lonny enjoying the time outside.......this was only the beginning of a fun filled day. ;)


And while the "kids" were having a snowball fight, I was working diligently on removing snow from our driveway.........sigh.....my work is never done. LOL I sure took my time about it and took many, many breaks, plus Lonny and Rob came to help me as well. :)