Busy busy!

My weekend was quite busy! It started off Friday night when Snowboarder and I went to see Star Trek. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Snowboarder loved it!

Up early Saturday for the Walk Now for Autism event in San Jose! Our company has a resource booth there every year and it was a great chance to hang out with my coworkers, families, and network a bit with other organizations and potential families. Plus it was a gorgeous day too!




After the walk, I stopped by Purlescence to celebrate the end of the yarn fast! Woohoo!! 8 weeks is probably the longest I've gone without buying yarn in forever! And believe it or not, I think it may have worked. There were plenty of gorgeous yarns I could have bought (oh Aquaboy in Woobu! I must think of a project for you so I can go back and get you!), but I didn't. Instead, I purchased one skein of STR heavyweight that I wanted at Stitches and Sock Camp.


Manly yes, but I like it too! Father's Day is coming up, and dad will need some socks!



I was also able to get started on knitting squares for the barn-raising quilt project for Sock Summit. You can read all about it here. They need to arrive in Portland by June 9, so you all still have time to knit one or two. They go quick! If you are part of our Redwood City SnB, you can bring your squares Tuesday night and I'll mail them all up together on Wednesday! Plus, I wanted to send some good yarn karma to Tina and Steph who really had a tough week with the Sock Summit drama!

Today was the farmer's market and lots of grilling and cooking! Pesto, homemade marinara, grilled veggies, frittata, baking.....delish!! Plus, Snowboarder loves it when I cook! Learning to cook was my obsession before I took up knitting, so it has been nice to rediscover some favorite recipes and new ones. Definitely some joy in that! I'll share some pictures tomorrow! I need to get ready for tomorrow...its Monday!

Hope you all have continued to find joy this last week of May! I know I have!

Here's to a great week ahead!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Fraggle Friday!

Another busy week...but the school year is almost over! I still work during the summer, but less meetings, reports, etc. I can't wait!

SPOILER ALERT! RSC shipment pictures ahead!

I am pretty excited that I finished my first pair of socks for this year's Rockin' Sock Club! I am head over heels in love with this colorway and can't wait to knit up a pair of Cotty socks in this (yes I will be ordering more!).

Before the pictures, here....let me distract you with this pretty.... I just may be casting on soon!














Pattern: Fraggle Squiggle Socks by JC Briar
Yarn: Socks that Rocks lightweight, colorway Pepe le Plume
Needles: US 1 (2.25mm)
Size: Medium
Mods: None! Loved the pattern. Will definitely knit it again in a more shaded solid too!

Happy Friday!! Hope you all are still finding joy! I'm celebrating 8 weeks since I last purchased yarn!!! I am sooooo ready for a hit though. Just lettin' you know... hehehe

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Memorial Day!

I take it back. I am a Monday person if that Monday happens to be a holiday! Hope you all are enjoying your holiday weekend!!

(Beware...more Rockin' Sock Club spoiler pics!)

Here's my to-do list for today (remember, I make to-do lists for fun stuff too. I guess its my joy for the day!).

1. Try not to eat all of this.



Raspberry Buttermilk Cake. Cupcakefaerie and I must be on the same food wavelength lately. I too saw it over on Smitten Kitchen and thought...yummy! And its delicious!

2. Figure out what classes I want to take at Sock Summit. Registration is tomorrow! I'm hoping there will still be a few left at 11am when I get out of my work meeting! So excited!!!

3. Pay bills. Put away laundry. Balance checkbook. Edit one or two work reports. Hurry up and get to #4, it is a holiday afterall!

4. Watch this.

5. Knit the second one of these.





I'm tickled with this month's kit!! Just heart it sooooooooo!

6. Grill up all the veggies that I got at the farmer's market this weekend and cook dinner for Snowboarder! Plus, I'll have healthy and delicious food leftovers for this crazy work week ahead!

What's on your list for the day?!

Happy Memorial Day!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The Joy of Right Now

When the new Rockin' Sock Club kit arrived(spoiler alert!), immediately after I opened it and hung up the phone with knittinggolfer (who called to share the joy!), all I thought was...I want to cast this on right now. But I had to go back to work. When I got home, I thought, right now. But then Snowboarder called wanting to go out.

But late Friday night....I wound my skein (SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!) and cast on. Its the first sock club shipment all year that I've been able to cast on...right now!

And I'm loving it!!

But here, for those who don't want to be SPOILED!! Look at the doggies and then click away....









In her Dyer's notes, Tina said she tried to recreate a Rare Gem that a bunch of us begged her for! I even remember the blog post! And she did it from memory too! I had no idea it was going to be our sock club colorway!! I heart it big time!! Thanks Tina...I'm still dreaming of this in LSS and heavyweight!





Hopefully I'll finish the first sock today. I'm knitting the pattern, Fraggle Squiggle Socks, and I love it! Sure, the pattern would look absolutely stunning in a shaded solid, but I also love the texture and what it does to the colorway! Of course, I'm also planning to order another skein of this to make a pair of Cotty socks!

Hope you are all enjoying the long weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!

Its Friday!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!

I'm just glad I survived the week I've had! So much joy that I have three days off! Perfect timing!!

So let's kick off the post by announcing the winners of the joy contest. Yes, I said winners! There were so many entries that I thought I should give away two skeins!!





Look at these pretties! I actually feel a bit bad separating them, they look great together!





But I think Laura of Running Stitches and Brena, aka Nicole the Knitting Goddess, won't mind. They are the winners! I won't tell you which of the colors you won so that there will be a little surprise! Send me your addresses irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com and I'll get them out to you next week!! I'm also sending you a copy of my Cotty Pattern too! Congrats! And thank you all again for sharing!




So back to joy. The joy I've been experiencing in this hectic week has been a gorgeous simple pink cashmere cowl. This morning I thought I should just finish this and not touch any of my other projects. I love it that much!

And then the mail came. OH MY!! I won't spoil it, but the Rockin' Sock Club shipment, well its pretty spectacular. And special. And I'm casting on soon. Probably tonight after dinner with Snowboarder. All I can say is that our depraved dyer is amazing!! Thanks Tina!!

Oh, and 7 weeks on the yarn fast!! I may give in to a certain update tomorrow...or not...we'll see. I'm pretty proud of 7 weeks without yarn!!

Happy Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Bubble gum bubble gum in a dish...

How many pieces do you wish?

Considering I just had a root canal this afternoon, I'm going to say I don't want any bubble gum tonight. However, if we're talking Double Bubble, the sock pattern I test knit for Sam....

Let's just say the joy I'm finding tonight (other than the pain meds!) is that I just cast on the second sock of Double Bubble while I'm watching the American Idol finale! That means I'll have a new pair of socks soon! My first test knitting experience and I just loved it! I sure did luck out with such a fabulous pattern!!

Pattern: Double Bubble by Samantha Roshak
Yarn: Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Lover's Leap (a swap from Weezalana...hehehehe I bet she's kicking herself now for letting this baby go!)

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. if you haven't entered yet, find joy contest ends Thursday night!

Glee

Glee n: extreme happiness

Did you experience any today?! Yeah yeah....I'm watching Glee as I type this. But seriously, definitely some joy today.

1. We had an American Idol party tonight....me, Rowan, and Snowboarder. Oh, and pizza! Seriously, the three of us had a great time! Go Kris!! Go Kris!!

2. Quite enjoying Glee so far.

3. I made these last night, a special treat for a coworker who is going on maternity leave this week. Yeap, even after a day like yesterday, I can still be a good boss! Well, at least one who makes chocolate dipped strawberries. And they were quite delish today!

4. Doggies! Just home from the groomers and happy to see me doggies! Here you go piddleloop!

I couldn't resist this one!

5. Reading more joy comments over at the contest post!! Keep 'em coming!

Happy happy!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Comfort

Today I understand why I don't blog everyday. Life gets in the way. Or, I let life get in the way. I thought I'd try posting everyday until the end of May just to see what happens. Part of my joy+ride. Blogging in and of itself is joy/fun for me.

Which brings me to today. Monday. I am so not a Monday girl. Never have been. And what a Monday it has been. Work is always busy at the end of the school year, but today. Not just busy, but draining too. Last night I had thought about a joy post for today. Then today happens, and well, different post. So it goes.

Did you know another synonym for joy is comfort?

Comfort n: good feeling; ease

Now that is a perfect word for today. I found comfort when I came home. I mean, look at what my sister made for dinner.


Definitely comforting! Some type of taco casserole (that I don't really want to know the weight watchers points for)! Delish! ETA: By request, here's the recipe link!


I'm also taking comfort in the fact that on this yarn fast (44 days!! going strong despite Woolgirl sales! and Plucky Knitter updates), my stash is quite nice. My resolve was weakening yesterday, so I cast on one Plucky Knitter project (cashmere cowl!! yum!!) and Rogue Roses. I think I can make it to 60 days (and then I'm buying some yarn people...I'm just sayin').

So today, despite being a bit drained and exhausted, I take comfort in making some time to do something I enjoy (blogging), having a fabulous family who is always here for me (and heck! sometimes cook for me!), and having a creative outlet (also known as knitting with cashmere).

I'm loving all of your joy comments too! The contest is going until Thursday night....don't forget to leave a comment!

Take time for a little comfort....
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Joy = Pleasure

A synonym for joy is pleasure, defined as

1.	the state or feeling of being pleased.

2.	enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.

And there has been pleasure today. Just like Peaknit and Cupcakefaerie, I've fallen for this book.


Which, of course, led to this.


A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table

Good morning delicious French Toast! Rowan even got out of bed for this. Yummy! Seriously decadent. I planned for this yesterday when I bought that nice big loaf of French bread at the market.

And since there were blueberries at the market yesterday too....well....


Ooops. That is not quite how it is supposed to look. I obviously didn't grease the pan enough (hey, I never said I was perfect!) and the top stuck to the bundt pan. Oh well, I just flipped it over and improvised. Luckily, this wasn't planned for a party or something.


I doubt Dad and my coworkers will mind, since it looks like this on the inside...delish!

But the pleasure does not stop there. I also finished my Cotty socks. I heart this colorway!







Pattern: Cotty by me
Yarn: Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Beached
Needles: US 1.5

Its been exciting to see people knitting my sock pattern! And I absolutely love how it works with STR! And so, to keep the happy going, let's have a contest! I'll be giving away some Socks that Rock this week! Simple contest.....let me know what is bringing you joy lately or what you are finding pleasure with! Leave me a comment by midnight, this Thursday night, and I'll pick a winner on Friday!

ETA: Contest closed as of midnight PST. Winner will be announced tomorrow here on the blog!

Happy happy!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Joy of a Saturday Morning

This past week Neuroknitter encouraged us to join her and the ladies over here to find joy and to practice joy during the month of May! Cupcakefaerie joined her too! Such an inspiring idea to explore because I have been counting my blessings lately, trying to be aware of all the simple joys and blessings I have.

Before I took up the needles, I decided I wanted to learn to cook. I approached this much like I have my knitting...with gusto! And one of the joys I discovered was our local farmer's market. Its been a favorite Saturday morning activity ever since. But Saturdays can be busy, life can get in the way, and sometimes it has been too long since I've been to the market. I always feel like I'm treating myself and taking care of me when I make time for the farmer's market.

And this morning was one of those mornings.


There will be some yummy salads this week!


Happy Spring!


Can you guess which one I had? Who can't find joy in a chocolate croissant!

We're halfway through the month of May, so I think I may participate a little bit differently. Rather than three specific things I'd liked to do, I'm going to try to see if I can find joy daily for the next couple of weeks and see where that takes me. I may even try to blog daily to share...that in and of itself is a joy! Whose in for some joy!?

Happy happy! Joy joy!
Irishgirlieknits

Monkey Monday!

Yippee! Its been a long day, but I just had to finish the toe on my sister's Monkey socks when I got home from work.



This photo shoot was all my sister's idea! Her monkey too.



I find it interesting how much more she is interested in the modeling when the finished item is actually for her.



She picked the yarn out herself too. Hazel Knits Artisan Sock, colorway Chuckanut Drive, from Woolgirl. Lots of leftovers too! I'm thinking this would be perfect for a Barn Raising Quilt Square. Are you all knitting your squares to donate for Sock Summit? They need them by June 9th.....details here. The finished blankets are going to be auctioned or raffled off as a fundraiser for Doctors without Borders. Great idea!

Happy Monday!! (seriously, how many days until Friday?!?!?!)
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Saturday!

It has been a great weekend so far!


"Good morning!" says Bailey.



I knit up a quick pair of Toasty yesterday for mom! I know, its May, but who can resist 100% cashmere, right? The Plucky Knitter Aran Cashmere, 1 skein in Brickhouse (love!).



I think Puddles likes cashmere too.



I knit on the test knit sock I'm doing for Sam. I absolutely love the pattern and the yarn (STR Lover's Leap....that pink just sings!). And of course, my little splurge a week or two ago from Piddleloop (beware: there is actually stuff in the shop!!).

I also did a little baking. You see, Snowboarder, Rowan, and I have become addicted to these cookies. Only 2 points on Weight Watchers, but they taste like real cookies (you know, not those fake ones). But they aren't cheap. And I figured there had to be a healthy version of this cookie somewhere online.


Look at these healthy ingredients!



Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

They're delish! And healthy! And, Snowboarder took an entire bag home because he liked them so much! I even caught him sneaking one before we went to dinner tonight at one of our favorite restaurants.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!! And Happy Mother's day to all the moms, grandmas, aunties, and sisters!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits