towering trees shifting in color from the autumn chill with light peeking through the leaves and a child walking the path between the trees.

Create a Magical Autumn I-Spy Walk with Your Child (Free Scavenger Hunt Downloadable)

by Evin // September 27, 2024 // No Comments

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, autumn becomes the perfect time to get outside with your child for a special kind of adventure: an I-Spy walk. This is something my mom would do with me when... Continue reading →

Paper goody bag for kid birthday party with rainbow stripes

Goody Bag Fillers That Aren’t Candy

by Evin // August 21, 2024 // No Comments

Following up on last year’s post, Everything I Love for My Kids’ Birthdays, I wanted to share a list of goody bag fillers that aren’t candy as well as links to paper goody bags. I love not including a ton... Continue reading →

Hot Spiced Beef Sandwich

by Evin // May 8, 2024 // No Comments

We love a nice hot sandwich on a rainy day. You know the kind that is a bit gooey with a little crunch on the outside? This is that sandwich. We kept it simple to let the flavours of the... Continue reading →

How to Propagate Hydrangea Plants

by Evin // May 7, 2024 // 4 Comments

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. I carried them as my wedding bouquet and when I see them it reminds of me of that day. The plant is beloved for the stunning blooms and vibrant colors, making them a... Continue reading →

Fresh Bell Pepper Salad with Grilled Sausage

by Evin // May 1, 2024 // No Comments

Today, on our walk around town we popped in to the English Market to buy some fresh O’Flynn’s Sausages to grill at home for an easy lunch. Two pork-free sausages were available today, the Lamb & Rosemary and the Boerewors, so we bought three of... Continue reading →

Woolly and Wonderful Hand-dyers in Ireland & Northern Ireland | EvinOK

Over 30 Yarn Dyers Based in Ireland and Northern Ireland

by Evin // April 26, 2024 // 18 Comments

With over 30 yarn dyers based in Ireland and Northern Ireland, we are fortunate to have so many options. There are so many talented and original yarn sources and hand-dyers in the world at the moment, but I’ve got to... Continue reading →

Ice cream solves everything in neon by Brendan Church

Positive Mindset & Reframing Tips

by Evin // January 30, 2024 // No Comments

I’ve gone through a bit of loss and grief the last few years, as have many of us, and it has given me a lot of opportunity for personal growth and reflection. It has also taught me how fortunate I... Continue reading →

Compiling a Rube Goldberg Kit

by Evin // January 23, 2024 // No Comments

My sons love building things. Given their love of building, I thought why not make a kit to make things. And since I have seen them build systems reminiscent of Rube Goldberg devices, I thought a Rube Goldberg kit would... Continue reading →

Air fried kale leaves on a plain white background

How to Make Kale Chips in an Air Fryer

by Evin // January 16, 2024 // No Comments

Kale chips are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional potato chips. My cousin Katie makes THE BEST ones and I could eat a whole head of kale prepared in this way. Ok, two heads. Surprisingly, they’re easy to make... Continue reading →

WALL-E staring off into the horizon alone. Photo by Dominik Scythe

6 Ways Disney Taught Me to Grieve

by Evin // January 9, 2024 // No Comments

Disney movies often explore themes of grief and loss. I mean, can you name a Disney movie in which the main character has both parents still alive and not cursed? It’s ok, I’ll wait. But with those characters and situations,... Continue reading →

Brussels Sprouts on Your Table: 25 Ways

by Evin // December 12, 2023 // No Comments

Growing up, broccoli was my favorite vegetable. I would eat those little trees every day happily. Then, I discovered the multifaceted flavour of the Brussels sprout. Since then, I’ve grown to love almost every vegetable, but Brussels sprouts remain in... Continue reading →

My Favorite 3 Parsnip Recipes

by Evin // December 5, 2023 // No Comments

Parsnips have a unique sweet and earthy flavor that is similar to a carrot but with a slightly nuttier and sweeter taste. They are a great addition to soups, stews, and purees, and can be roasted or mashed to bring... Continue reading →

gifts wrapped in brown paper with red and white string. Tag says 'Made in Santa's Workshop'

Gift Ideas for a Handmade Christmas

by Evin // November 28, 2023 // No Comments

I am making nearly all of my gifts this year and isn’t as crazy as you may imagine. You could knit, sew, paint, or carve your loved ones something special. It doesn’t have to be exactly like something out of... Continue reading →

Homemade jam in jars with labels and dates. This batch is Strawberry-Rhubarb and dated August '21. A small stamp on the label likely signifies the farm or maker. Photo by Max Goncharov

8 Thoughtful [But Not Too Personal] Gifts That Don’t Break Your Budget

by Evin // November 21, 2023 // No Comments

From office gift exchanges to something to bring when going to a holiday party at a friend’s home, there is a necessary place for thoughtful [but not too personal] gifts that don’t break your budget. I mean, you can’t always... Continue reading →

Cranberry Tart photo by Jennifer Pallian

Homemade Cranberry Tart for Your Holiday Dessert

by Evin // November 14, 2023 // No Comments

A cranberry tart is a creative choice for a holiday dessert because it combines the traditional flavors of the season with a unique and eye-catching presentation. Cranberries are often associated with the holiday season, and their tart and slightly sweet... Continue reading →

List of Gift Ideas for Me To Treat Myself

by Evin // November 13, 2023 // No Comments

With my birthday and Christmas approaching, I am making a list of my personal wish list items. This is a bit of a tradition and just for my family. Which now that I write it, it hits me that I... Continue reading →

A Random List of Holiday Gift Ideas

by Evin // November 10, 2023 // No Comments

Each year, I feel like I move further away from wanting material goods and ease more into wanting sleep, recharging experiences, and replacement items for things that wore out. I don’t know if that’s sad or lovely, but I am... Continue reading →

Circular wood knitting needles with sage green yarn in a bowl alongside a knit lace shawl on a wood table with a journal.

How to Choose a Gift for a Knitter

by Evin // November 7, 2023 // No Comments

I’ve posted many times with gift ideas, knitting care package inspiration, Knitmas gifts, knitter care package advice, examples of knitter gifts I’ve given, and creative thoughtfulness suggestions, so why not once more? This post, however, is more focused on choosing... Continue reading →

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