Irish Yarn, Mills and Aran Stitch

I love to check out yarn whenever I have the chance and Irish yarn is one of my favourite! I do not care much for the fancy yarns offered these days and prefer the wholesome lasting skeins in earthly colours produced in smaller mills or even better by tiny cottage industries.

The Aran stitch has always held a mystical appeal and I count myself lucky to own a geansais (sweater). The untreated white sheep's wool or bainin features symbolic embossed patterns and designs. Contrary to popular belief it does not represent family names (such as kilts) but instead projects a wish list for successes in life such as wealth, good fishing, health...

There are always myths and lore associated with most Irish things but we know for sure that creating a Aran sweater was not a hobby but rather a very important part of Irish source of income. In fact knitting first came to Ireland in the 17th Century with Christian monks teaching the trade in poor rural communities.

Aran sweaters knitted from black sheep wool (my favourite) comes in many shades depending from which sheep and region it comes from and rarely is actually black, being more heather grey, true grey or even brown.

Long ago the geansais was in fact called the bridal shirt because young women knitted such a sweater to give to the one they loved. If the fisherman accepted the sweater it meant he reciprocate her love.

I discovered Cushendale Mills (located in Graignamanagh, County Kilkenny) and loved their wide variety of yarns as much as the history behind it. Woolen mills have been established there since 1204 with the building of a monastery by Cistercian monks after they discovered the pure quality of the water of River Duiske.
Flemish weavers brought their quality art and expertise in the 1600's and the rest is history!
It is still to date a family run business offering wonderful home furnishings and fashion whilst supporting Irish sheep farmers, selecting their finest wool and producing a true natural Irish product!

I like that most of all!

And since I plan to knit a 6 x 6ft blanket in Aran stitches shortly, I will enjoy knitting even more knowing where it came from!

Cushendale

Note: I was not asked to write a review about the mills and this post reflects only my opinion!

Kilfenora County Clare, Ireland, crosses and facts

Doorty Cross

With its Holiness visit to Great Britain, much is being spoken of. For many this is a very important visit, the second only in 30 years. Since it is estimated there are 1.1 billion Roman Catholics in the world, the Pope's visits are very much revered and so like many I was surprised Ireland was not included in this four day trip. Perhaps a future trip will be planned just for Ireland.

I found an interesting factor about a little Irish town known as Kilfenora in County Clare. It is said the Pope is in fact also the Bishop of Kilfenora.

"Kilfenora's history goes back thousands of years. It was the site of an important early monastic settlement; St. Fachtna founded an Abbey here in the sixth century. Kilfenora was amonsgt the most important dioceses in Ireland in Medieval times and due to a complicated series of events of ecclesiastical history, the Catholic bishop of Kilfenora is the Pope! Kilfenora gained the title "City of the Crosses", a reference to the High Crosses within or near the precincts of the cathedral. It is believed that there were seven high crosses here. They are beautifully carved and date to the 9th – 10th century."


I think most of us associates the Irish countryside with beautiful crosses, tiny crofts and Irish smiles...
So until His Holiness's visit to the Emerald island, Slán leat

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/k/kilfenora-clare/

11th Septembre, unsung heroes and learning

11th Septembre 2001...

Today we remember one of the saddest moment in History...
Today we remember the many who passed away,
Today we honour once more the unsung Heroes who came to help,
Today we learn again forgiveness...



Today we pray,
Today we hope...

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado, Book Review

Max Lucado is an excellent writer and his latest book Outlive Your Life is no exception! What sets this book apart is of course the subject: the first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts.

Each chapter starts with a verse from Acts doing what Lucado does best, telling a story about you perhaps or me to include many examples of life changing messages and finishing each chapter with bible verses thought provoking yet so inspiring.

In typical Lucado fashion he challenges us to get out of our comfort zone, to help those who are hurting, to look for those in need and to truly give of ourselves just as Jesus did.

His message is one of hope whilst teaching us that Love, Compassion and Character are the essentials Jesus himself taught us through the example of his own life.

Lucado shows us indeed that even with a limited income we can and should make a greater impact on the lives of others from the making of the tiniest of doll sizes clothing for premature babies to the stitching together of disposable pads for cancer patients.

Easy to read, hard to put down, Outlive your Life by Max Lucado has the potential to change many lives and I definitively give it 5 stars.

I received a free copy of Max Lucado's book from the Publisher as part of their Blogger program and I was not asked to give it a positive review.

Apples harvest, Autumn season and dry dock

As we crossed the valley to reach our mountain hideaway we could see the harvesting in progress! All those apples...My mind thought of the pies, gosettes (turnovers) compotes and such I could prepare...I can just smell them...To the kitchen!

Autumn is so near, you can feel it in the air and it is not just the bees looking for food and ready to pounce and sting the innocent!
The leaves are starting to change colours, the nights are much cooler and the days seems to be getting shorter. It's my favourite season of the year!

Dry dock is soon to be upon us too which means we will have no way off island unless it is an emergency. Food and other supplies (lots of books!) have been brought in and we shall enjoy every minute of the peace and quiet for a few weeks! The island is now truly ours!

Dreaming, dreaming...or maybe not after all...

Pasteque, mountains and relaxation

Summer is slowly coming to an end and there is an abundance of fruits available. Those little markets along the country roads beckons!
A few days ago a good friend and neighbour brought us fresh figs and I made a lovely compote. And since we are leaving for the mountains for some relaxation I hope to pick up a bushel or two of apples. I love baking and can be on occasion very creative, something my family never complaints about! I know the house must smells like a bakery but it is such a comforting smell!

Staying at our cabin for a few days means we are a bit challenged in regard to our diet since we have no refrigeration. Fruits are always on the menu, corn on the cob, bread and cheese - we keep a cooler with 2 frozen gallons of water for freshness - and of course dry and canned food.
Depending on the weather we might even be able to lit up our wood cooking stove and if so I see pancakes on the menu early in the mornings!

And since I have learned to like watermelon (pasteque) I discovered recently seedless watermelon! All those little seeds use to be a challenge but since it is so refreshing I was very happy to know there is such an alternative especially when I found this recipe!
Once tried, I just knew this was just what I needed after a long day's work!

Jus de Pasteque

Ingredients:

1 ripe seedless watermelon
sugar, preferably organic
water

To make:

remove rind of 1/2 of the watermelon
cut fruit in small cubes
process in blender, add water and sugar to taste.
I like to steep a few pieces of fruit in a glass jar in the fruit juice to add more taste and voila!

And while you enjoy this, I will be dreaming in the mountains... See you in a few days!

Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah, book review

In his book called Captured by Grace, No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God Dr. David Jeremiah gives us wonderful insights on how our Loving God gathers his chosen ones, in this case John Newton, a slave trader who later on wrote the well loved hymn Amazing Grace and Paul, who use to persecute Christians before converting.

As Christians most of us have studied Grace as a subject yet we do not always understand or even accept its simplicity. Yet no one is beyond the reach of a Loving God and clearly if we believe, we can be saved no matter our lifestyle.

In Captured by Grace you will find amazing examples and stories showing us Grace is always there in fact, in the past, in the immediate present and in the future. Using Amazing Grace as illustration, this author defines each part of the hymn and refers to its biblical explanation.

This compelling book is certain to reach out to each and everyone of us thus helping us to experience God's Grace. Each chapter shows clearly the different aspects of Grace, relating scriptures references and ending with Moments of Grace.

Dr. David Jeremiah is the author of several other books. His bible teaching program Turning Point is broadcast internationally.
I find this book to be very informative and an excellent addition to any Christian library.
I gave it 5 Stars.

Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson/Booksneeze as part of their book review program. I was not asked to give it a positive review and all opinions and statements are my own.