International Travel and Covid

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

Today, we have a guest post by Mark Bibby Jackson, TravelBeginsAt40.com focusing on international travel and Covid. His insight and factual input comes from years of first-hand experience as well as being a leader in the field of travel and tourism.... Continue reading →

Baked Brie en Croute with Spicy Berry Sauce

by Evin // September 21, 2021 // No Comments

One of my favorite easy snacks or starters is baked brie. It has all the gooey comfort of warm melty cheese but the pastry “en croute” presentation and using brie adds a bit of sophistication. It works equally well for... Continue reading →

Ballyhoura Baby Blanket Origin Story

by Evin // September 14, 2021 // 3 Comments

Though we had kept my second pregnancy a bit of a secret, I was knitting a baby blanket for the little Bee which would later be the basis of my Ballyhoura Baby Blanket pattern. I enjoyed trying out the stitchwork and... Continue reading →

Comfort Food in a Bowl: Cinnamon-Banana Oatmeal

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

One of my comfort foods is oatmeal with cinnamon and bananas. First enjoyed on September 17, 2001 in a hotel in Nashville with my dad. It is a very specific memory of my father. And with my memories, I get a... Continue reading →

Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

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

One of the best treats of autumn is a hot beverage cupped in mittened hands on a chilly day. I personally prefer hot chocolate, but sometimes there is a sweet drink that draws me in, like the Pumpkin Spice Latte... Continue reading →

Recipe for Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning

by Evin // August 31, 2021 // No Comments

I love everything bagels. Our weekend tradition growing up was to get a dozen bagels from Bethesda Bagels and some cream cheese, lox, capers, and thinly sliced Bermuda onions for a brunch at home with whoever stopped by. It was... Continue reading →

For a true taste of a country, try its cuisine

by Evin // August 26, 2021 // No Comments

Today, we have a guest post by Mark Bibby Jackson, TravelBeginsAt40.com focusing on travel experience. His recommendation is that for a true taste of a country, try its cuisine. Cultures are constantly evolving, and to experience food as it is... Continue reading →

What I Want to Knit

by Evin // August 24, 2021 // No Comments

My annual post on what I want to knit. Admittedly, I’ve lost my knitting mojo a bit since my father’s death. I want to cocoon inward and my energy is low. Added bonus is that they found arthritis in my... Continue reading →

Gift Ideas for Home & Self-Care

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

It has been one heck of a last nine months for me losing my dad, learning more about my mother’s health and helping her transition to a care residence, and clearing out my parents’ house. Really, I guess to be fair... Continue reading →

The ‘VLT’ (Vegan BLT) Recipe from Louise Palmer-Masterton, founder of Stem & Glory

by Evin // August 18, 2021 // 1 Comment

Such love after sharing her recipe for Vegan Fig Upside Down Cake, so Louise Palmer-Masterton, founder of Stem & Glory, is sharing another recipe of hers… The ‘VLT’ (Vegan BLT). I haven’t intentionally eaten pork or bacon since 1994, but the one thing I... Continue reading →

Knitting ALJayKnits’s Look Left Beanie

by Evin // August 17, 2021 // 2 Comments

Though I design knitwear, I also appreciate the work of fellow designers and like to knit without editing in my head. So, this post is about how my knitting ALJayKnits‘s Look Left Beanie. This was one of those long-term WIPs that... Continue reading →

Tips for developing a brilliant brand for a Drink or a Food product

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

Today, I’m honoured to be sharing an insightful and practical post by Richard Horwell, Brand Relations. Branding plays a huge role in encouraging a first-time purchaser to try your new food or drink product.  Indeed, 90% of a first-time purchase is... Continue reading →

Imitation Wagamama: Vegetarian Sweet Potato Cakes with Homemade Amai Sauce

by Evin // August 10, 2021 // No Comments

Optimus LOVES Wagamama. It was his favorite place to eat in Cork city, until it closed. Thankfully, there are locations in Dublin so we make sure to get take away whenever we’re up there, but that doesn’t help him enjoy his... Continue reading →

Vegan Red Pepper Dip Recipe from Louise Palmer-Masterton, founder of Stem & Glory

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

Back with a third guest post recipe from Louise Palmer-Masterton, founder of Stem & Glory. I’m feeling VERY lucky to be able to share her guest recipe posts here this summer. Stem & Glory is on my wish list when I next visit... Continue reading →

Being an Entrepreneur While Balancing Parenting

by Evin // August 5, 2021 // No Comments

Today, I’m sharing a special guest post by Judy Piatkus, author of ‘Ahead of Her Time; How a One-Woman Startup Became a Global Publishing Brand’. There are people who are just meant to be entrepreneurs. For women hoping to become... Continue reading →

Four Memorable Visits to This Is Knit in Dublin

by Evin // August 3, 2021 // 3 Comments

Everyone loves their Local Yarn Store (LYS), but for me the two shops I most consider my LYS are not in the city where I live. One is Stranded by the Sea in Edmonds, WA (my mother-in-law’s LYS) and the... Continue reading →

Green with Envy: Homemade Salad Dressings

by Evin // July 27, 2021 // No Comments

A bite of crisp lettuce is refreshing and hydrating, which makes anyone's mouth water on a muggy summer day. There are so many types of salad greens, and even more dressing options. That makes it easy to have your daily greens in a salad without becoming bored with the same flavors day after day. Continue reading →

Vegan Sun-dried Tomato and Herbs Orzo Salad

by Evin // July 20, 2021 // No Comments

When we were living in California, one of our favourite treats from the Italian deli markets was a flavour-filled orzo salad. They varied, but always went well with anything from roast chicken to grilled fish. After moving to Ireland, I... Continue reading →

Your Recommendations for Skin Care & Make Up

by Evin // July 15, 2021 // 1 Comment

I’ve never been much for makeup. Really, I can recall the number of times I bought makeup on one hand. Concealer, lip balm, and an eyelash curler are my basics for everyday. But I rely heavily on skin care because skin... Continue reading →

Chilled Beetroot Soup

by Evin // July 13, 2021 // 4 Comments

It was July 2011 in Cork City and a typically mild day. My belly was just starting to get bigger as I reached the third trimester of my pregnancy. I was craving some weird foods. My stomach was repulsed by normal... Continue reading →