a simple yarn

So what’s on the needles? Nothin’ really.

Am I a seasonal knitter? Perhaps.
In the Dublin mountains, no on-site husband, no garden, no distractions.
In America, there are too many other summery pursuits.

The stair tread work is stuck in a suitcase.
Will probably run out of yarn and would hate to buy more for a ‘recycled’ project.
Received a lovely yarn donation from Holly to keep it moving along.
A bit too hot to manage a lengthy wool felted snakes.

The black lace bolero is history.
Love the daisy lace pattern.
Too distracted these days to focus on a fiddly project.
Dumped the pattern but will use the lace design for a manageable lace pashmina.
Backed with a silvery, shimmery fabric to highlight the lace.
Think it’ll be a stunner.

I would really like to buy a new knitting book.
One with lovely patterns that get the creative juices flowing again.
Haven’t found anything.
Guess that means I have enough patterns waiting in the queue.
Oh wait.

Stumbled upon Ysolda’s Liesl.
Pay Pal is just too easy.
Downloaded it in an instant.

Have some teal cotton I’ve been storing until a pattern came along.
Perhaps it’s enough yardage.
This just might be the incentive I’ve been looking for.
Next thing is to unpack my needles.

So, is it a problem that what the Kiddies know about American history comes from ‘National Treasure’? Ehm, perhaps we ought to ‘supplement’ their education…

Warning: Sad Representation of US Tourism Brochure to Follow
In other words, poor attempt at a little Board-Failte-American-style for my Irish friends.

We live 8 miles from Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon is the home of George Washington.
George Washington was the first president of the United States.
Having the same first name does not make you related.
Having the same job does not make you related.
Contrary to what Son-Alex thinks, George Bush is not related to George Washington.

Living so close, it had to be one of our first Sunday afternoon outings.
Mount Vernon enjoys a beautiful prospect overlooking the Potomac River.
Of course photo is from opposite-non-river-view-side of house.

Being firstly a farmer, George Washington created a unique 16-sided grain-threshing barn.
Toss in grain sheaves.
Let horses walk round and round, trampling sheaves.
Kernels fall through cracks in floor to level below.
Example of good ol’ early American ingenuity.
Wonder if the flour had a faint ‘hoof’ taste?

Couldn’t experience it all in an afternoon.
Good thing we live close.
Good thing we bought an annual pass.

Yep, everything is big in America…even the supermarket is called ‘Giant’.

I think I may be able to live here.

Yes, I think it’s possible.

I know the kids will be happy here.

(Currently blogless) Marie is Commentor No. 72 and, based upon the Random Number Generator, also the recipient of the Kilcarra Tweed yarn.

You may already know this, but just in case you don’t…
Thankfully, you don’t have to travel all the way to Éire to get such lovely yarn spun in Co. Donegal! It’s also sold in the US under the brand name Tahki.  And, as Lisa reminded me, it’s also available through Debbie Bliss—Donegal Tweed.

Congratulations to Marie and thanks to all who participated!

‘Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me.’ —Carl Sandburg

I have a new header.

No, you did not miss an opportunity to vote on photos. Funny how things happen. Was reading some comments left on the blog. You know how it goes…one link leads to another and I found myself at Lisa’s blog. She did a post on Mosaic Maker.

Janey Mack!

Warning: Culturally Accented Diversion Ahead
Right, I would not normally say ‘Janey Mack’ but it’s a great expression especially if you have an Irish accent, so please read it with one, okay?

Anyway, it’s exactly what I was looking for! A great way to highlight archival favourites. No more dithering. And it’s so simple that additional favourites will certainly crop up in future. Hope you like it…I do!

But the contest is still on with 200grams of Irish Kilcarra tweed yarn to be posted anywhere on the globe. Colours available are Red, Dark Berry, Tobacco or Dark Green.

Comments will be open until Friday morning…oh let’s say until noon EST to avoid confusion…and then I’ll use the handy-dandy random number generator to pick a winner. Thanks for your input!

Post Postscript:
See, I’m already fiddling with it after only a day! Taking on board your input, I’ve taken out a photo that Elisa thought was muddy (how true) and included the felted snake that Pia liked (good choice!). Hope to stick with this for a bit, but who knows? There’s lots of power out there with Mosaic Maker!

Post Postcript 2:
Great suggestions from ye! (Yes, they do say ‘ye’ in Ireland, so throwin’ some in for good measure.) Been dithering about the felted snake, so when I received a couple of suggestions about including a Dublin-inspired pic, the snake is out and the shamrocks are in. How appropriate to the legends of Éire—the snake-free isle! As I hunt up other archives of Ireland, we’ll add those in as well in future.

…when most aspects of life need immediate attention?

You change your blog format, of course.

Can’t find a thing.
Piles of laundry.
Weeds as tall as my children.
Abject chaos.
A perfect time to sample and dabble in theme changes.
A new look for life in a new-again country.
And here’s where you can help.

I’m in a bit of a dither about the new header photo. During the next week or so…when I should be organising our household…I’ll take some sample photos for a new banner, the felted snake being a temporary measure.

I’d like your input for which photo to choose. Random number generator for comments made will choose the winner of 200grams of straight-from-Ireland-Kilcarra-tweed yarn. Simple enough…and very helpful to me as I’m finding it difficult to make the smallest decisions.

Next task, find the camera.

Or in other words, trying to break the gravitational pull of this island.

Honestly, we tried to leave.
Mechanical difficulty.
Now the Kiddies and I are in a Dublin hotel for the evening.
Feels rather anti-climactic now.
Re-scheduled flight tomorrow takes us via Heathrow.
Isn’t that the wrong direction?
Wondering if we’ll ever make it to the US.
Glad I’m not superstitious or I’d be worried right about now.

Today is our last day in Ireland.

Bugger.

Nothing like a bit of last minute shopping to steady the nerves, eh?

I do not have a fetish about shoes.
Not much of the Imelda Marcos in me.
Or so I thought.
Maybe I do.

An impulse buy.
No doubt about it.
Rationalised by thoughts of mere hours until departure.
What if I can’t get them in America?

Clarks.
Lots of unattractively British granny shoes.
But some styles are just so…cool.
Had to have these.

First the wellies and now a second post about shoes.
Guess it is a fetish.
Stormin’ good pic of my feet.
A parting postcard for The Other Four.

Warning: Yet Another Non-Crafting Post Ahead

Last lovely cappuccino at Avoca

How ironic that after winning ‘Best Craft Blog’ at this year’s Irish Blog Awards, recent posts have been eerily devoid of any crafting. Deepest apologies for that. Needless to say, there is great appreciation for your collective patience as we pace ourselves through this trans-Atlantic transition.

But there is much to be excited about at our new ‘vintage-cottage-in-the-city’! A broad palette for creativity to be found in the garden, in the kitchen, on the needles and on the loom. Just a little while longer…

So, to celebrate new life in new environs, this space is gonna need a new face, I’m thinkin’. And I’m gonna need help…I’ll keep ya posted. And there’ll be some cool Irish Kilcarra tweed yarn in the offing.

Yep, there are good times ahead…

Irish Friends: “How do you feel about moving ‘home’?”
Me: “My feelings change about as often as I change my socks.”

Ask me and I’ll say, I will miss living easily amongst antiquity. Ancient ruins readily available and accessible, offering passage to echoes of early Celtic days gone by. The US is so young and modern, mere teenagers to the older cultures of Europe.

Ask my kids and they’ll say, if you’ve seen one 12th century castle, you’ve seen ‘em all. They’re just rocks, right?

For me, I will miss the relational culture of Ireland. Sure, the maddening pace of post-modern life has certainly landed on this island, but still…there is something within the genetic wiring of the Irish that continues to bring people together for a good aul’ meaningful chat over a pint. I find Americans to be busy.

For my kids, the US has good libraries and ice-skating rinks and theme parks. What could be better?

But I have to say the US does infrastructure well. Roads are wide and smooth. Car parks are large and manageable. Choices are abundant. Washing machines hold a full load of clothes. Healthcare, albeit expensive, is quick, dependable and respectful of an individual’s dignity. Schools are generally well-funded. It is easier to live life in America.

Still, I will miss the quality of our life and relationships here, even while I look forward to being on the same continent as family.

Is it ungrateful to say this doesn’t seem like moving ‘home’? Actually, I feel quite at home in the Irish culture. Always an American, mind you, but comfortable here nonetheless. No, it’s more like moving to the US, like we might move to France or England or Italy…another new place requiring cultural adjustments.

Such a perspective may seem rather normal…or perhaps emotionally muddled…guess it depends upon your point of view.