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

I DID IT!!

We have so much to catch up on, but I just posted this to my Facebook page and I couldn't share it there without sharing it here with you guys. Because you all are so much a part of this journey for me. You know that. I know that and I wouldn't be here without all the love and support you guys give me...the emails, texts, hearts on instagram, comments here and on ravelry. I appreciate them all.
xoxo Carrie

I'm still on a high from how PROUD of MYSELF I am! I had such an awesome morning, I just can't put it into words, but I'm going to try. I held back tears through most of my 45-minute workout this morning. Not because I was exhausted or tired, but because I couldn't believe I was there, in a group of 80 or so fit, fabulous coaches working out.

I hadn't had a second thought about joining my awesome team of coaches when they invited me to join them for Super Saturday! These women remind me so much of my circle of knitting friends- fearless, fun, passionate (heck, they even have crazy conventions and retreats for their fabulous passion). Their passion just happens to be fitness and health instead of knitting. Anyways, as the 80 or so of us got ready to #CIZE with Shaun T on a big screen I realized I hadn't done a group exercise class since probably right after college, so maybe 18 or 19 years ago. And I looked around and realized I was probably one of the heavier people in the room, if not the heaviest, about to do this. But I wasn't nervous or worried. I knew that I could do it because I'd been doing the workouts at home for the past two weeks, cheered on by my challenge group and other coaches, and I had my friends there supporting me. But a few minutes in, I could feel the tears coming on as I was really doing it. 15-minutes in as Nikki Boyle​ gave me a high-five I almost lost it, but just kept going.

Last spring, after having dealt with being diagnosed with cancer twice and radiation leaving me so tired and exhausted, I felt like my body betrayed me even more when my doctors told me that the pain I was experiencing was chronic pain that wasn’t going to go away.  First, the surgery in 2012 to remove the tumor, then a year later radiation, that all seemed to set the nerves in the temple area of my head on fire. They were already a bit messed up since I’ve had headaches and migraines since college. But this pain just wasn’t going away my doctors told me. Awesome. Oh, and yes, this particular cancer has a 50% chance of reoccurring, which is why my doctors say I’ll have this diagnosis forever. Most of last year was spent figuring out how I was going to be able to work full-time again when I was exhausted and in so much pain. How was I going to get my strength back?

I’m so grateful that a few months ago just some small changes in my diet and drinking Shakeology helped with my pain levels immensely. I’m blessed that when my friend and coach Kristina and I talked about what my health goals were she mentioned the discount coach opportunity to me because she knew I was dedicated to doing this no matter how long it took me to get healthy. Because the coaching opportunity exposed me to this bigger support group of women right away who are so much like my Irish Girlie community of friends. I am so grateful for all of their motivation and inspiration. Their honesty in sharing their successes and failures. Their neverending support.

I am so blessed to have the family, friends, and community that I have and I wanted to thank you for hanging in there with me. I have felt all the love, prayers and support the past few years. And today, I cried happy tears after my workout. I know I’ll be stronger and healthier for the next challenge that comes my way. I’m doing it!!

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

Winner!

Message me on ravelry (cheekyattitude) with your mailing address and I'll send you the book!

All the comments were so wonderful, such fantastic summer activities. I've been reading reading reading more than ever. If you want more details about what I've been reading go here.

Summer Traditions

Happy July!

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to the 4th of July weekend! To me July is the best of summertime starting off with a celebration and easing into a slower pace and lazy days until the rush of August and "back-to-school" madness.

Here's what I'm looking forward to in July:

1. Cheering on the U.S.A. Women's Soccer team! Sunday is the World Cup Final and the U.S.A. is on fire! Don't know if anything can top that fantastic game with Germany though - whew!

2. Outdoor movies in my hometown square. They started in June, but July is when hubby and I head out for movies outdoors with fresh popcorn, and treats.

3. Reading, reading, reading. I went to the American Library Association conference for the first time and was given a crazy amount of books! So excited to dive in and read.

4. A trip to NYC! Yippee! One of my very favorite cities in the world. I'm going to the BlogHer conference and extending my time to hang out.

5. Knitting. No surprise there. I've not been knitting as much, but then found a great audiobook (The Martian) that is perfect company.

Do you have any summer traditions or things you look forward to every year?

Let us know in the comments below and I'll pick someone to win a copy of  "60 Quick Knits From America's Yarn Shops."

This book has great projects that would be stunning in some Plucky or other luxury yarn. I especially like this lacy hat:

The giveaway will be open through July 5, 2015 and the winner will be chosen at random.
Can't wait to hear about your summer!

Happy Knitting!
Tricia

----Update Comments Closed----  Winner will be announced soon ----