A Post from the Anchorage Airport

I so needed this weekend. A quick weekend trip to Anchorage, Alaska to visit my guy was just what my heart and soul needed.



When I made this big leap of faith back in July, he was a big influence in my decision, and no matter where things end up, I'm forever grateful for that. But being back in Alaska, everything just seemed so perfect. I loved the rainy weather. Oh how this California girl misses it. The dark morning and early evenings. Of course, he jokes that I wouldn't love it in December, and he's probably right. But right now, when my head is killing me and the light doesn't help it, you know, I kinda love the vampire lifestyle :)



Look at that magical misty fog!



He cooked dinner Friday night, while I took care of snacks during the Notre Dame-USC game. Go Irish!!





Our drive today out on the Seward Highway to Chugach National Forest to see the glaciers was just beautiful!


Portage Glacier


Spencer Glacier





The Glacier from the Whittier side of the ONE-LANE TUNNEL....for 2 1/2 miles... under the glacier...with 5 safe houses....yeah...that freaked me out and I wanted to say, "But what if..." and he just said, "Save your scenarios. I don't want to hear them, even when we are out of the tunnel." You know...like what if there was an earthquake? A car accident? A nuclear war...are these the bunkers the president goes to??? What are in those safe houses?? Bezzie....tell me about this tunnel thing??? Ok, I just did a little research, but I'm sure Bezzie has more info for us :)

And a new hat I designed Friday morning....





I don't regret not moving to Alaska, although long-distance hasn't been ideal....he's moving back to the bay area soon though. But we both know we'll always have a plan B because we both love it here. And I can wear ALL. THE. HAND. KNITS.



Sorin and Aleyska.



Glaciers, hand knits, and a happy heart.

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Oh the Places We Went and Food We Ate! Nashville Version

Warning! This post may cause a hankering for southern food. Especially biscuits.



When we heard that Stitches South would be in Nashville this year, it didn't take more than 60 seconds for us to decide that it would be a perfect trip for the Irish Girlie Knits Designs team. Looking back, I can't believe how much food and fun we packed in to such a short period of time. Most of that credit goes to the incredible organization of our knitterly travel companions @cupcake_faerie @2ducklips & @christinempk. Thanks so very much ladies!

First of all, we stayed at the convention center hotel and quickly found the Opryland Resort was appropriately named.




It was like a mini Disneyland!  There was a boat ride inside the hotel! Crazy!



And a waterfall!



First southern fried meal was from the iconic Loveless Cafe; complete with sides of fried green tomatoes and mac & cheese. And biscuits.



Biscuits and gravy...




Biscuits and jam... heavenly.

In the evening we headed to the Grand Ole Opry.



The young man above is Michael Ray who made his Opry debut that night and brought us all to tears with his heartfelt gratitude and raw emotion. The kid is going to be big.



He first sang "Green Green Grass of Home" as a tribute to his grandfather.  He followed it with his new single "Kiss You in the Morning."

The next morning we headed to Monell's for what we were told would be a true "Country Breakfast Experience."




A country breakfast is no joke...








This was just the first pass where I tried a bit of everything. The highlights were the sausage, fried chicken and the (surprise!) biscuits.

We walked off our full stomachs with a stroll around the Germantown neighborhood surrounding Monell's restaurant.

Then headed to Ann Patchett's store, Parnassus Books...







And took a little break at a darling coffeehouse:



Oh, remember we were there for Stitches South!

We also managed to meet up with some of the most lovely people in knitting:







Jody!! (GrannyKnits4U)



Donna had a booth for her store In The Making.



Ravelry IGK group member ChefCaroline!




And darling Sarah showed off Nashville in the Plucky Knitter booth!
(We did a lot of damage there - her yarns are beyond inspiring!)


Lest you think we were done with all the eating...

We got up super early on the day we flew out for one last biscuit frenzy.




It was sooo worth it.




 Not only can these people make the the Giselle of biscuits...




they take biscuits to the next level...



They fry biscuit dough into donuts, fill with lemon mascarpone cream and serve them with a blueberry sauce. Unbelievably delicious!


We were exhausted in the very best of ways!



Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits
&
Tricia (@CheekyAttitude)

P.S. There's lots of fun sharing going on in the IGK Ravelry Group KAL. "Playing with Color" is the theme. The Dancette pattern is on sale for the month of May. Perfect springtime knit in gorgeous color.

Stitches Fiber, Fun and Friends

I still can't believe just two weeks ago was Stitches West, and I think it was the best one so far. I had such a fabulous time seeing friends from all over and looking at all the yummy yarn.

I love the Anzula Ladies and Hilary for The Yarniad.




And the Yarnover Truck is always a hoot and a half. Perfectly photobombed!







Luckily I was there Thursday night for some early shopping. I started out by heading straight over to Jennie the Potter.




And I got some of the gorgeous gradients from YOTH. They were certainly one of the most popular booths, and it was their first Stitches! But I also bought some of their fresh palette yarn which is just lovely too. Veronika and her team were so warm and welcoming, it was so exciting to see a new yarn be received with such enthusiasm!








I also picked up a yummy kit from Verb along with one of Romi's gorgeous pins.




Canon Hand Dyes had some bags that were to die for. Happy Birthday to me!





Friday was the big day at the Anzula booth, my Irish Girlie Knits Designer Meet and Greet.




Thanks so much to everyone who came by.  You guys are awesome! I had so much fun helping pick out yarn for patterns.

        

       


I also got to meet Mari, co-founder of Kitterly. They are an awesome website that kits up patterns and yarn together for you (and you'll see some of my IGK patterns there!).




Saturday was the relaxing day of the weekend and @snbLeslie booked us a spa day.




I was rejuvenated for the final day.

This year the Webs booth not only included Debbi, but I also got to see Marcy!



It's been too long ladies!




 Miss Babs and I plotted yarns for some new designs

All the while, I was inspired to work on something new. Here's a sneak peek knitted in Plucky's new cashmere, along with a Miss Babs varigated yarn that would be perfect, don't you think?





And to think, all this fun and I didn't even show you all the yarn!!

Don't forget you still have time to enter to win a copy of Pam Powers' lovely book here!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits