Blog Love

Let's celebrate the last of our blogiversary sales with a fun one! These seven patterns are 50% off from now until Monday, Dec. 21, 11:59pm PST, with the coupon code: BLOGLOVE.



(top: left to right) Fiar, Peek-a-boo Penelope, Kenmare Lace Hat, Ballydesmond, Wish I Might, Naylor Street, and Golden State.

A few of my favorites and a few of this year's new ones! A little something for everyone.

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Enjoying Limbo

• limbo    noun an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state       

That's where I've been these past two weeks. You see, as life happens sometimes, plans may be changing. Or not. Due partly to some unforeseen family health issues and partly to me and him wanting to be closer to our families here, I'm not yet in Alaska. I might not be moving to Alaska. But I might still be. I've been in limbo these past two weeks since I quit my job. I'll know this weekend, but until then I've been enjoying the freedom that comes with this in-between state.

My friends and sister said I could be in limbo here at home or with SnBLeslie's free hotel room in NYC, so I should just go to NYC.  So last week I did.



I'll do another post about my trip, but this picture pretty much sums up how I feel these past few weeks. So damn happy!!! I don't know if it is because I know there are good things in store no matter if I'm here in CA or AK, or if it is because I'm feeling so much better, or if it is because I've taken a leap of faith and quit my job that was really stressful, but happy I am. Last year I went to NYC and couldn't imagine walking even a little of the Brooklyn Bridge. My feet were so swollen from one of my pain medications and I was in so much pain walking most of the trip. This trip I walked the entire Brooklyn Bridge and walked at least 2 miles everyday!! I felt great!



I felt so good walking that I've kept it up this week with mom. We've gone walking twice this week. See, in limbo I have time for exercising :)



And time for knitting. This new design is off the needles.



This design was released!!  More about that one in another post too, but figured I should at least tell you about Peek-a-boo Penelope.    



And I'm working on a sample of another design that will be released tomorrow. Limbo has been kinda nice (shh! don't tell anyone! I would like to know if I need to pack or not?!).



I loved reading about your summer traditions. You know one of my traditions is enjoying the farmers markets. I finally had time to do that this weekend. Oh! The smell of fresh basil! Just divine!



Delicious on this pizza too. This isn't just any pizza by the way. Nope, in limbo I've been trying new healthy recipes, determined to help me and my challengers in my challenge group enjoy eating healthy! This is a cauliflower pizza crust and it was delicious (I followed that recipe almost exactly, except that I microwaved the cauliflower instead of boiling it)! And yes, I even roasted some veggies and put them on the pizza too. I know, I know. I don't recognize me either!!

I'm going to enjoy this uncertain state for another few days but I'll keep you posted. Either way, I know I'm in for an adventure. Thank you for being along for the ride. I love you guys.

Happy knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happenings.

A lovely 3-day weekend, but things here seem to be moving quite fast lately. End of the school year, lots of exciting plans coming up, busy busy. Trying to find balance and be in the moment as much as possible. Just thought I'd share a few of my right nows....

Currently....

{hanging out with}



{writing the pattern for the wee sweater}



{reading}


You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

{destashing}

Just go look :) You know you want to. I can't take pictures fast enough....probably 40-50 more  skeins to be added (eeep!).

{watching}

{drinking}

6 weeks in, and 4 weeks of a lot less pain, I can't go a day without (new recipe I tried the other day...vanilla ShakeO and coffee!). My healthiest meal of the day. I've signed up to be a coach and we have a challenge group (think KAL, but more like Fitness-along) starting in June. Let me know if you'd like to join or are interested in more info about shakeology! 

{knitting} 

I'd love to hear what's been happening with you.

Love you guys!

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Birthday Magpie!

I can't believe it has already been a year!



Time sure does fly!



Her party is this weekend but I love that my sister made her her own cake tonight. I just LOVE this picture!



She also had her picture taken today, in a sweater I knit for her with a matching dress I gave to her last year. Who knew it would fit perfectly today?!

This sweet baby girl has been such a blessing to our family this year.



Her and mama coming home from the hospital :)



The tiniest Gryffindor!



Here she is coming with me as my littlest cheerleader for my first radiation appointment last year.



Go Irish!!





And the cutest baby model, right?!?!?





A lovely Mother's Day this year.







Oh, that smile just melts my heart!!!

Happy Birthday Magpie! I sure hope I can finish knitting your sweater by your birthday party since it matches your dress! Anyone want to take any bets?!?

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Signs of Fall

On this last day of August, there are signs that fall is just right around the corner and boy am I excited about that!

First sign.....Notre Dame Football!!!





Check out the cutest ND cheerleader around?!!? Magpie continues to kill us with her happy smile! And the Irish put on a show yesterday by beating Rice 48-17!

Second sign.... more knitting! Something about watching football, lil' Snow's soccer games, chilly weekends just means more knitting time. I'll be honest, there wasn't much knitting most of August except for the Lowney socks, so I'm looking forward to more knitting. Swatching happened yesterday and today.



Third sign... PLUCKTEMBER! September is the month long festival celebrating all things Plucky! Official cast on starts September 1. I think I'm ready to go!!



Reminder, today (Sunday!), is the LAST day to receive 30% off any of my IGK designs with the coupon code: PLUCKY2014   Now if you miss this, don't worry, I'm running a Plucktember special all September. That coupon code is for 20% off and is: WELOVEPLUCKY

Forth sign.... apples... I discovered a fabulous type of apple at my local farmer's market a few years ago, Pink Pearl Apples that have a very short season (few weeks in August). Well, I stocked up this year! And my local baker at the farmers market made a lovely tart with them too!



So good!

Fifth sign..... the leaves are changing!





Yes, yes, another Peekaboo Penelope that I knit for Magpie last year during Plucktember that I never got around to showing you guys. Another goal for this Plucktember is to get this pattern published.

I will say. This year has been quite a year for our family. This time last year my dad was unexpectedly in the hospital, and then right after began the pain that was the indicator that my tumor was back. I'm glad to put this year behind us. The bright light of this past year was this sweet little angel above . What a blessing she has been.

Here's to signs of a new fall!!! Happy almost Plucktember!!!

Enjoy these last few days of summer!

Happy Knitting!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits