A Whirlwind

It has been a busy, fun-filled few weeks, but I'll admit, a bit of a whirlwind. Knit nights, cooking club (fabulous idea, right?!), musical performances, softball games, friends and family from out of town, work, life....phew. How has your summer been?  Hopefully fun-filled as well! I can't complain about the busy as it has been filled with fun.





This dish has made me want to actually use the pressure cooker my dad bought but still hasn't used! So delicious!! Madeleine had all the ingredients ready, but I prepared the dish. Using the pressure cooker, I kept thinking no, no, this isn't worth it. Not much faster. But as soon as we all tasted the chicken, WOW! Everyone practically exclaimed they were getting a pressure cooker. The flavor was so good, you would have thought that it had been simmering away for hours.



And this. This is why we love Alexis. So good....especially with a bit of vanilla ice cream. In summary, cooking club was a hit and we plan to do it again!



Ok. One more foodie pic. My favorite summer salad. Me, the girl who really is not that fond of tomatoes, loves this salad. Heirloom tomatoes are magical.



I went with a group of friends to hear a local author discuss her new book. It was so interesting to hear more about her process and inspiration about the story. It was a quick, enjoyable summer read that I'd recommend. I'd also recommend this one. I think I've told you that already, but just in case you missed it.



I do love summer reading, especially by the pool! Not quite done with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, but loving it!





Lil'Snowboarder had her first musical debut! Sooooo much fun and I'm just so proud of her! Lil' Guy loved it too!



There has been knitting too.



And the sock has a toe.



And sweet magpie keeps growing and smiling!



And now the fun begins! A whirlwind trip to NYC for a few days of ME time! So excited!

Happy summer!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time there was an irishgirlie who knit socks. Lots of socks. But then one day she lost her mojo. She didn't know where it went, but away it had gone.



So she tried to pick up a plain vanilla sock. Simple, maybe that would do the trick, you know, even though she had actually never knit a plain sock. At least not that she can remember. A sport weight sock too, so it would go faster? Well, she did finish one sock and then put the project away somewhere. Bored.

Other than one pair of baby socks, she hasn't knit a pair of socks in almost a year. Those socks were quite pretty and special and secret because they are going to be released in this book later this year!

And then something happened. She was asked to design a sock for Plucktember, a month (September) celebrating all things Plucky. It was like magic. Primo magic.

There was swatching. Definitely not with the colors she was going to use, but it didn't matter. She was going to knit socks.

There. Those colors sing, don't they?

She brought it everywhere.

Even to a fancy restaurant. She was smart enough to put the needles down to enjoy these profiteroles. Delish!

There was a twinge of sadness, or perhaps guilt, when she went to turn the heel and completely forgot how. It was a brief moment, two rows she had to unknit, but still. How could she have forgotten? No matter, in just a week she was almost to the toe.

It may have been a long sock-knitting-less winter, but summer was here and a sock knitter was back!! Just in time for another summer of socks.

To be continued.....

Happy Sock Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Today, July 8, is the last day to take advantage of the IGK KAL/Holiday sale! Receive 25% off any IGK pattern ($6.00 or less) when you use the coupon code: FIREWORKS

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend! Our view will look like this most of the weekend....



Lil' Snowboarder is in left field and one of her best softball friends is up to bat! Fun game this afternoon, despite the loss. But more games tomorrow and Sunday, which also means plenty of knitting time too! I'm trying to not think about the 93 degree weather predicted for tomorrow!



These crazy big bows were not a thing when I played softball, but boy are they a hit now! Who knew?



And we knew these would be a hit. Not just any Rice Krispies for the 4th.

We also started our IGK Ravelry Group KAL this week! It is sure to be a fun one with WIPS, Summer Wind and finding the next Summer Wind! To celebrate, I'm having a KAL/Holiday sale! From now through July 8, receive 25% off any IGK pattern ($6.00 or less) when you use the coupon code: FIREWORKS

Now it is time to head down to the hotel pool!

Happy 4th of July!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

June favorites

A few favorites last month that I wanted to share before we jump right into July!

{favorite new recipes}



Smitten Kitchen's Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats  OMG. So good. These were all the rage around blogland a few years ago when she posted this recipe but I never tried them. They are seriously delicious!



Back in May I made these deviled eggs for mother's day. So so good. They use greek yogurt and lots of fresh herbs and they are delicious. A nice contrast with the cheesy biscuity delicious things on that bottom plate that my sister made.

{favorite new treats}







All of the treats from Miette, a lovely little bakery in San Francisco. I fell in love with the Gingersnaps and Graham Cracker Cookies, and of course, the macarons.





Blue Bottle Coffee, another favorite at the Ferry Building.

{favorite new knits}

photo courtesy of Knitspot

Wheaten Cap and Mitts by Anne Hanson. After knitting Polartorte, I think I'm ready for another Knitspot pattern and this one is calling my name! Perfect for gift knitting too.

photo courtesy of Knitterella

Wavelenght Hat and Mitts, by Jill Zielinski, another on my must knit soon list.

{favorite pins/decorating ideas}



I'll be honest. This isn't a pin. I haven't been on pinterest in awhile, but I'll pin this next time I get there. It's my photo from one of the restaurants in the city that has a great NOLA feel :)  I love how they decorated with the coffee tins.

{favorite music}



Disco turned me on to Ed Sheeran two summers ago and I'm so glad she did. She also said I had to go see him in concert, and again, so glad I did. This concert on youtube is just filled with win. So good!



His new album, x , has been playing nonstop here lately.

{favorite movies}

Go see Fault in Your Stars right now. And bring a lot of kleenex. It was wonderful, and the book was amazing.


Okay, I could go on with the favorites but you know, it is July!  So let's get this posted :)

I am hoping to do a post on Summer Reads though, so if you have any recommendations, I'll be sure to make a list of those on that post.

And of course, let me know of any of your favorites this month! Especially favorite knits!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits