Did I tell you guys how much I love Moss...?

For all those other moss obsessors, Ireland is the place to go. Talk about a wonderland! I think God spent a little extra time on the fine details in Ireland. :)

This happens to be my most favorite moss photo from my Irish adventure. 

an Irish adventure

BOO! It's just me again. There is lots to tell and lots to show, but I want to keep my post semi short. Some viewers enjoy reading while others would rather just see. I'm of the latter on most things. This last week I had the honor of visiting the most beautiful and mystical places on earth. Okay so I'm biased. I've not been to many foreign countries. I was lucky enough to visit Ireland! The weather was absolutely stunning while my sister and I were there. 50-60 degrees fahrenheit and sunny. What are the odds eh? There are a few things I would like to note.

• They use real butter. Margarine what? Ya this part blew me away because I LOVE butter. I'm officially spoiled and may never buy margarine again. Thank you for the upgrade Ireland. 
• Their soda bread is to die for. 
• Scones are my newest obsession- in fact I just pulled some out of the oven. Why haven't I obsessed on these before? Probably because I have been to involved with my dinner roll love affair to see there are other things out there. 
• Kilometers per hour makes more sense and we drive on the wrong side of the road. Also if our roads were as skinny and windy as their are, we might not have so many speeding tickets. I feel like my hand eye coordination was boosted big time for navigating their roads. AWESOME.
• They knit better than I do.
• There is such a things as Thirsty Thursday in Ireland. Their beer is stronger than ours. 
• I understand why they call it the Emerald Island. 
• I hate long plane rides. 7.5 hours did it for me. 

If I could ever convince my husband to leave America, we are definitely becoming sheep farmers in southern Ireland. Life is so much more simple there. I could just bake, knit, and sweep my floors all day and LOVE it. Our houses here are much too big and we can't take care of ourselves without all the fancy doodads we are so used to. Gah we are spoiled brats. 

Top left- Blarney Castle, Top Right- Cliffs of Moher, Bottom Left- A cute pond on the Ring of Kerry, Bottom Right- Poulnabrone Portal Tomb

Anyways, so I advise everyone to go bake some scones. And locate a recipe for Irish Soda Bread and get to baking- and for the record if you want a real recipe- think old school simple ingredients and remember the people who created soda bread were POOOOOOOOR- so if your recipe says beer (can you say stereotype) or buttermilk- find another because that is not a real traditional recipe. 

As for a scone recipe- heres a simple one. 

2 cups flour- sifted before measured

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup butter (and yes I used real butter!)

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk, or more if needed

Sift the baking powder, sailing and sugar with flour. Chop in butter as in making pastry. Beat eggs together, add milk and mix with the flour making a soft dough using a little more flour if necessary to handle. Lift to a well floured surface, knead lightly, roll out to 1/4-1/2 in thick. Cut using a large biscuit cutter. Place on a moderately hot griddle and bake slowly to ensure center gets baked well. I baked mine at 325 for approximately 20-25 minutes (I didn't watch so don't trust that- keep an eye on them). Bake until golden brown. 

I got this recipe from my most favorite cook book. "Southern Cooking" by Mrs. S. R. Dull. It's the Scotch Scone recipe from page 155. 

Knit Purl Knit Purl

 

So, I'm addicted to anything yarn related these days. I think it's because it is the easiest hobby to take on the go! Portability for a mother is necessary- not only for out of the house, but for in the house too. My toddler loves to help momma with everything so there are times where I have to be able to pick up and move QUICKLY. This weekend I explored an old hobby- knitting. It all started with this.... DeVine Neck Warmer. I would love to someday turn that neck warmer into a table runner- only doubled in width. I tried about twenty times before I finally gave up, but I still regained an intense love for knitting. I decided since I'm a bit rusty- again another hobby I was never formally taught how to do- I'd better start with a simple stitch. The one pictured above is called the:

Seed Stitch II

Cast on an odd number of stitches.

Row 1: K1, *pl 1, k1, rep from * across row.

Row 2: P1, *k1, p1, rep from * across row.

Row 3: P1, *k1, p1, rep from * across row.

Row 4: K1, *pl, k1, rep from * across row.

Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern.

   -This pattern can be found in the Complete Photo Guide to Knitting

I plan on using that pattern to make a table runner. Once I get the base done I will add on a bunch of crocheted flowers and embroider on some vine-looking design. I'll definitely share pictures when I get it completed. This project is for my husband's aunt Julie for a nice Easter table runner. Super fun!

On another note, crocheting isn't to be forgotten. I am still working on a few things. The granny square blanket is still in progress and I stumbled across this neat pattern for a Trellis style number. I haven't broker down and bought the pattern yet, but when I run out of fun projects to do, you better believe I'll go there first! If any of you happen to buy it and complete it, POST SOME PICTURES! I'd love to see!

There seems to be a lot of debate as to whether crocheting is harder than knitting. I can do both, though I'm no expert. I started with crocheting and at first knitting took a little work. Had I started with knitting, I think crocheting would have seemed hard. There are advantages to each and knowing how to do both makes the possibilities and options unlimited. I love to crochet, but knitting is more peaceful and relaxing for me. Crocheting is faster for me, but sometimes when I do it I get so focused on going fast that I tense up. Haha maybe that is just me, but I don't tense up with knitting. BUUUUUUT I love both crocheting and knitting both!

Get Inspired

Today I am feeling inspired. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamt of being a marine biologist so that I could study all the life in the ocean. Since I live in Kansas and doubt I'll ever permanently leave, I'll have to use pictures to turn my dreams into art... here are a few photos I found that inspire more... I'm already brainstorming a few cool ideas...