12 delicious, traditional Christmas foods from around the world

by Evin // December 9, 2021 // No Comments

We have a great guest post today amidst a busy week. Today, I’m sharing 12 delicious, traditional Christmas foods from around the world by Erik Wolf, Executive Director, World Food Travel Association Holiday traditions offer a variety of wonderful and unique... Continue reading →

Three rainbow gradient bicycle wheels with spokes and text 'Trifecta Shawl MKAL' with the hashtag EndAIDSKALwinter22

The Trifecta Shawl MKAL #EndAIDSKALWinter22

by Evin // December 8, 2021 // 2 Comments

I’ll admit I’ve been intimidated by designing for KALs. But when there’s a chance to raise funds for and awareness of an important cause, that’ll get me to overcome that. So, I have my first Mystery Knit-along (MKAL) casting on the first... Continue reading →

5 Ways to Get Comfortable with Change

by Evin // December 8, 2021 // No Comments

Guest post By Sid Madge, Meee Ironically, change is the only constant. Life moves and evolves and sometimes those changes are tough and sometimes they are welcome. In the last few years many of us have been forced to change... Continue reading →

Knitting Full Spectrum Hat by Andrea Rangel

by Evin // December 7, 2021 // No Comments

In my latest post bragging about my talented friend Marseille‘s beautiful crafting, I’m writing about her knitting Full Spectrum Hat by Andrea Rangel. This reversible hat is such fun and lovely colors. The Pattern & Process The hat pattern is... Continue reading →

Brilliant Things: A Few of My Favorite Things

by Evin // November 30, 2021 // No Comments

In our day-to-day life, we use and enjoy certain things on an almost daily basis. There are things I just cannot imagine what we did before we owned them. They’re great gift ideas as well so with the holidays coming... Continue reading →

Tall metal feathers in a bowl-shape against a colourful sunset sky in Ireland

Honoring Kindred Spirits and the Irish-Choctaw Connection at Thanksgiving

by Evin // November 24, 2021 // 1 Comment

For me, Thanksgiving is a day to slow down and be together as a family. To welcome anyone to our table and share a meal, give thanks, and hold our loved ones close (even those who are no longer with us). I... Continue reading →

A dinner plate with roast turkey topped with cranberry sauce, some green bean mushroom casserole topped with crispy fried onions, some sweet potato casserole topped with candied pecans, and two slices of baguette. A fork and knife are beside the plate at the ready.

Two Different Thanksgiving Menus with Recipe Links

by Evin // November 23, 2021 // 2 Comments

This marks my 13th Thanksgiving in Ireland. When I moved here in 2008, I actually packed a can of cranberry sauce in my luggage in case I couldn’t find any for our first Thanksgiving. Half my Irish-based Thanksgivings ago, I... Continue reading →

Homemade chunky cranberry sauce in a glass bowl with a spoon

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

by Evin // November 23, 2021 // No Comments

I can’t believe I’m even writing this down, but someone was impressed I make my own homemade cranberry sauce when I mentioned it and I had to tell them it’s SO easy. And fairly essential in Ireland where canned cranberry... Continue reading →

$Red and blue stripes on white background. Lines refracted through glassware filled with water. Middle glass reverses color of stripes for interesting effect. Yes, center glass piece is upside down.$

Keep your back hydrated and healthy – why and how?

by Evin // November 22, 2021 // No Comments

Guest post ‘Keep your back hydrated and healthy – why and how?’ by Anthony Padgett, physiotherapist and Director at Back In Shape Ltd Drinking plenty of water is good for our general health and well-being. Doctors and fitness experts have... Continue reading →

View from Amsterdam bridge with buildings in the distance and a sign advertising pickled fish in the foreground

10 World Foods & Drinks that Deserve to be Better Known

by Evin // November 19, 2021 // No Comments

We have a great guest post today about 10 World Foods & Drinks that Deserve to be Better Known by Erik Wolf, MA, CCTP, MCTP, World Food Travel Association Destinations almost always have a particular food and/or drink associated with... Continue reading →

Gridel by Hunter Hammersen knit by Marseille | EvinOK

Knitting Gridelin by Hunter Hammersen

by Evin // November 16, 2021 // 2 Comments

In early 2018 my friend Marseille knit Gridelin by Hunter Hammersen and I have been curious about the result ever since. Finally, I got to squish it and try it on and it is so lovely. Obviously, I then coaxed Marseille... Continue reading →

Books with a Christmas Theme to Get in the Holiday Spirit

by Evin // November 11, 2021 // No Comments

Each year anticipating Christmas, I get out our boxes of decorations to bring the holiday spirit to our home. I also bring out a stack of Christmas-themed books which we read together and on our own for the two months that follow. It... Continue reading →

Hansel (Full Version) by Gudrun Johnston (knit by Marseille) | EvinOK

Knitting the Full-sized Hansel Shawl by Gudrun Johnston

by Evin // November 9, 2021 // No Comments

During EYF 2018, Marseille bought Rauma 2-ply Lamellgarn from Ysolda‘s shop to knit herself a Hansel Shawl by Gudrun Johnston. And after Marseille knit it, blocked it, and wove in the ends, she let me try it out & write about it. It is absolutely... Continue reading →

Honey, butter, and fresh thyme waiting to be cooked with.

How to Roast a Chicken and Make Your Own Basting Butter

by Evin // November 6, 2021 // 1 Comment

The classic Sunday roast evokes a Rockwellian feeling in our hearts and by our hearts, I mean our appetites, but it doesn’t just have to be for special meals now that small roaster chickens make it equally suitable for a... Continue reading →

Lemon & Honey Oat Cookies

by Evin // November 2, 2021 // No Comments

I love oatmeal cookies and I love lemon and honey, so I wondered what would happen if I invented a cookie with all three of those ingredients. I’ll admit it was all a lark to invent this recipe. The result... Continue reading →

Big List of Book Recommendations

by Evin // October 28, 2021 // No Comments

Since my dad passed away, I’ve lost my way a bit. I’ve forgotten how to have ‘me time’ and hobbies. One of my great loves has always been reading books so in an effort to find my way again I... Continue reading →

Knitting Clapotis by Kate Gilbert

by Evin // October 26, 2021 // 3 Comments

One brisk autumn day in 2004, the Clapotis shawl by Kate Gilbert was brought to the world on Knitty and it is now a go-to standard for knitting patterns. Marseille let me write about and try on her Clapotis so I could share it... Continue reading →

Braised Old Bay Chicken

by Evin // October 19, 2021 // No Comments

I’m a Maryland girl. You know how you can tell? In my purse, I carry a container of Old Bay Seasoning (available from fine grocers as well as Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk). Except for when my purse is too small but that’s rare. Most days,... Continue reading →

10 boxes to tick before you wrap your next gift

by Evin // October 14, 2021 // No Comments

Today, I have a great guest post to share. Kim Brookes of Perfino has written 10 boxes to tick before you wrap your next gift. After 10 years running an online gift registry, helping people list the gifts they’d love to... Continue reading →

Knitting the Lisa Hannes’s Festival of Stitches (Mystery-KAL)

by Evin // October 12, 2021 // No Comments

My friend Marseille has been knitting up a storm and I absolutely love what she has been making. When I was in the States earlier this year, she let me try everything on and have a little photoshoot. Though these... Continue reading →