Good things.

1. Fresh flowers. I try to buy them as often as I can when I know I'll be home to enjoy them. My rule of thumb, under $10. Mostly thanks to Trader Joe's :)



2. Reading. Actual books. It has been awhile, but with summer upon us, I've been making more time to sit and read. My current faves.



3. The love of a doggy. Our sweet Puddles went to heaven two weeks ago. It happened suddenly. Her heart was literally too big. Oh, I miss her so. And so does Pa and Bailey. But we were blessed with that sweet girl for 12 years. I never, ever, ever thought I was a dog person until these sweet doggies entered my life. I'm misty-eyed now just thinking about how she was always the first to greet me at the door (Bailey is a bit too, um...lazy, dare I say?! ha.). You guys were awesome with your love and prayers on IG and FB. Thank you. But, dear Puddy filled this blog with her sweet little eyelashes and tongue, so I had to share a few more pics. My heart.



 And for a trip down memory lane, here's all the posts with Puddles in them...oh my sweet girl.

4. Designing. And seeing you guys knit the things I design. I've released another hat pattern, Chugach. Remember, the glaciers and that crazy 2 mile tunnel in Alaska?!  Finally that hat pattern is done. Next up. The matching mitts.

When my fabulous friend, knitter, model, and graphic designer, Knitterella shared her picture of her finished Chugach this week, I thought, heck let's have a sale! So grab the pattern now for $3 til tomorrow night! Jill is such a talented designer, I have to say I'm honored and flattered that she still enjoys knitting my patterns once in awhile :)





And Sarah of the Plucky Knitter shared the sneak peek of her June Classics in my Steward Hat pattern so I couldn't help but put that on sale for the month of June too! I'm so blessed to be part of this awesome, support knitting community!! Sarah is celebrating her 10-year anniversary sale this weekend so grab a skein and cast on!





5. Quiet. I'm craving it so much lately. The peace and quiet and solitude. Whether it is the quiet of my morning swims, the silence of my mind while I'm journaling, or meditating or praying, I find myself anxious if I don't get enough of it during the day. I've been listening to Shauna Niequist's Present over Perfect (LOVE!) and here are a few quotes that I just loved from the book. So many.





6. Cooking. New recipes too.



Blueberry Crisp



Summer Salad

Any new easy recipes you've guys recommend for all the lovely summer fruits and veggies at the farmer's market?

7. A lovely weekend with Pa and Bailey Boo, in my town :)



8. Casting on new things. Simple garter stitch of Cobh.



Hope your weekend is filled with good things too.

With love and gratitude xoxo
Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Good things.

This time of year I can't help but reflect and focus on all the good things, even though it may be hard with what is going on in the world around us or around the holidays when people we love aren't with us. Two years ago at this time I was going through radiation, so it is hard to not feel blessed. I'll be honest, last year was a hard year too, and this year has been filled with so many blessings. So my list of good things may be a bit random. From sentimental, to my typical good knitting things, to a favorite recipe. And our blogiversary sale continues. Just a heads up :) I'm trying to find the light.

1. I'm going to start with an easy one. Did you see Clara Parke's 2015 Gift List? So many lovely things on it. I'll be honest. I ordered a little something for myself from Tolt Yarn and Wool. Sister, don't look....I have dreams of knitting this for Magpie (or me and Pa someday!). 

2. For all of us MI-5 lovers out there, did you know there was a movie that just came out?! Quite enjoyable!! We rented it this weekend and loved it. Oh how I wish Netflix would bring MI-5 back. It was perfect for knitting deadline marathons. I should also mention Jon Snow is in MI-5. Enough said.

3. Balancing the holiday treats with healthy cooking! I'm still trying new healthy recipes to keep it interesting too. New favorites include this Baked Oatmeal (so good for a holiday brunch!). There are a few different versions of the same style recipe by Heidi Swanson here and here. I used raspberries and almonds, btw. Delish!

Another winner was this beef, leek and barley soup from Smitten Kitchen. I made this for the second time this past weekend and substituted stew meat (less fat) instead of the short ribs and added more veggies (green beans and carrots and celery). Another winner!

4. Knitting by the fire. I'm on a secret design deadline, so the view of the fire is all you get for now (sorry!).

 

5. 'Tis the season for flannel sheets and falling asleep to the nutcracker soundtrack. My seasonal favorites.....da da da da da da da da da da dadadadadada....

6. Our next pattern sale! Adare and Adare Fingerless Gloves. I just love this set, and I especially love some of the projects that have been popping up on the project pages too! You should check them out (this is my favorite probably...every hat now needs a pompom!)

Each pattern is 50% through Dec. 10, 11:59pm PST, so just $3 each! Maybe a knitter you know has them in their queue....perfect time for a RAK?

Speaking of which....those of you on Instagram, have you seen the #getyouryarnwishesgranted? Talk about warm and fuzzy...I love it! I've already granted one wish....I'm just not fast enough granting the other wishes before someone else has gotten there. And also self-striping sock yarn is a very highly-wished for item. And I have none. Well, one skein of Canon Hand Dyed on my needles.

7. The munchkins in my life. My cup runneth over when I'm with them.






Someone else loves gingerbread cookies just as much as Auntie does!!

8. Yesterday (well, technically I'm still up late so really today in my book!) marked the start of the Year of Mercy for the Catholic Church. It is a Jubilee Year and Pope Francis has deemed it the Year of Mercy. Quite fitting for our world right now. A good thing in my book.

mercy: a broad term that refers to benevolence, forgiveness and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social and legal contexts.

Notre Dame has a prayer site that I kind of love. It emails you daily prayers (anyone can sign up). I don't check the email every day, but on days that I need it, it is perfect. A small passage from the bible, a prayer, and a relevant story. And by relevant, I mean meaningful for us. How I remember the homily being during Mass when I was in college. Not something over my head or about something I couldn't relate too. Anyways, I thought I would share this today, in case one of you needed a little extra love and light.  Insert your words for your God/faith/divine power where it says Holy Spirit/Lord or instead of Church, I like to think of me/us/community.



9. Happy Hanukkah to those that celebrate it!

10. Not necessarily a good thing....but 15 knitting days til Christmas. I'm so behind!

11. YAY!! I'm adding this one...it wasn't available last night when I posted. Kate Davies' new book is available (or here it is on ravelry). I've enjoyed seeing each of the new patterns she's released....the one club I've kicked myself for not joining! It looks lovely. I splurged and just ordered it. Thanks Santa!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Good Things.

And just like that, July is almost over. Summer seems to be flying by, doesn't it? I'm trying to savor every moment I can. Lots of good things happening this month... a few highlights.

1. First, if you follow me on instagram, you already saw this one. I posted that it was a pretty awesome work day because I had just gotten my business license for starting my private practice here in the Bay Area providing behavioral and educational consultation to families and children with autism. Yes, that means I'm staying here in the Bay Area.



2. But this guy was here last week for a job interview. Crossing fingers.



3. And staying here means more time with Magpie. Goodness, her smile just melts my heart.





4. I've also been able to focus on my health. Thank you all so much for your kind comments on my post last week! It has been awesome to have friends and knitters join in my challenge groups too- we're doing this together!



5. I've been really enjoying time to cook healthy recipes too. I'm finding the 21 Day Fix program something I can LIVE on!



I made all that!! Well, not the strawberries. The most requested recipe has been for those fabulous blueberry muffins (no sugar or flour?!??! well, almond flour doesn't count in my book) . Here's the recipe.



The entire family loved the Taco Turkey Meat from the new Fixate cookbook. Plus it is one of the 2 for one meals...you make Grandmas's Marinara Sauce and use it in the Taco Meat, and now I have the Marinara Sauce made for another recipe too. Quite a few of the recipes are like that.



6. I also released a new design last week. Kenmare Lace Hat is on sale for one more day! This hat is knit with the lovely Anzula Croquet, a new yarn that was released at TNNA. It is just fabulous and I loved the drape!






And there is an awesome special if you combine it with the Kenmare Lace Fingerless Gloves.



7. This weekend we leave for vacation at the cabin. This will be my view pretty much everyday.



I can't wait!!

What good things are going on with you guys as this month is winding down? I'd love to hear.

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

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It may not be decorated yet, but I love having the tree in the house.



Cranberry orange muffins. Now we are ready for the holidays. Something about cranberries just mean Christmas to me. Here's the recipe. And in a pinch I've used orange juice in that recipe and they still taste perfect :)



And some Christmas socks for me. I probably should be working on the gift knitting, but Saturday I was exhausted and needed some comfort knitting. My friends often tease me for having matchy-matchy project bags and yarn, but this yarn was specifically dyed to match this fabric! Yarn is from Canon Hand Dyes and I'm loving it!

Today is the last day to take advantage of the first blogiversary sale!



More details in the last post. I'm also loving your holiday traditions comments in the contest too! Still time to enter that too.

I hope your week is off to a good start. We'll be back tomorrow with the next group of patterns on sale!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits