Favorite Memories:
-Waking up to this view.
-The simplicity of the kitchen in our Italian Villa.
-Being handed lemons through the fence from a local.
-Watching my mom gaze out at the sea.
-Our driver, Stefano.
-Dipping our feet into the sea.
-The Path of the God's hike I took with my sisters.
-Rubbing Italian olive oil mixed with our new favorite essential oil, Thieves, into our feet at night. (To boost our immune system.)
-Drinking Thieves and honey in the morning.
-When the owner of the restaurant drove us home when we asked him if he could call us a taxi.
-The perfectly small market.
-The amazing, breathtaking views.
-Watching my mother eat her coconut gelato and then we all had to get one.  I had a lemon cello.
-Drinking champagne, waiting for the pizza.
-The way the tea lights lit up my mom and sisters faces.
-Filming my bella cowl tutorial and laughing SO hard.  (My sisters voice: "Quiet on the set!  Take 27, Bella Cowl, A Friend to Knit With".)
Favorite Meals:
Dinner at Il Rifugio and dinner at Kasai.

Next up, Florence.
Have a great day!

So, this summer, we all met at my sister Lisa's house for a visit.

I'm packing my passport and heading over the Atlantic.  A special someone is turning 80.  I'll probably post photos over on Instagram if you want to follow along.

Off to paint my nails.
See you soon!

I've made these cookies for the past two weeks.  Easy no brainers.  Well, I actually made them twice because I was the "no brainer" and forgot to sprinkle with sea salt.  So I needed to make them again to see if we actually liked them the way the recipe intended.  (Both times I omitted the dried cranberries.)
They were actually delicious either way.  Although, I think the kids actually prefer them without the sea salt sprinkle.  They are a nice crisp cookie.  I tried to make them a little chewy by under baking them.  That worked.  A little.
This was the day that had me fretting over running out of yarn.  So much so, that I ate cookies for lunch instead of my normal green smoothie.  A perfect day if I do say so myself.

On the way to Colorado. Happy weekend!

Has your weather been perfect like it has been here? Crisp cool mornings and clear blue skies are making for the best days around here. Makes me all giddy for fall.
My mind is racing with thoughts of new projects.  I'm looking for a sweater pattern as I approach the end of the yoga shawl and have a lot of little projects in mind.  (Toast will always be on my needles.)
I came across this lovely Yarn and Soul yarn.  Have you seen it?  Wow.  It is really yummy.  100% Superfine Alpaca.  The colors are incredibly beautiful.  And did you know that 1 cute Alpaca = 4-5 sweaters as opposed to 4 cashmere goats = 1 sweater!  Loved that little bit of information I never knew until now.  I'm thinking of making a hat.  Heck, with that generous 400 yards in one hank I can make two!  Off to Ravelry to find a pattern.  And then I'm going to make this cake.

Happy Monday, Friends!

 Can you stand all of that beautiful lavender?   I sort of wanted to dive in!  Lavender is known for it's calming qualities and healing powers. We all need a little peace and calm in our busy lives. That's why my creative friend, Denise, started making the Peace Chain.
 The peace chain is a simple reminder carried on your keychain.  A reminder that we are all linked together.  A reminder to breathe.  A reminder that you are loved.  Cause we all are!

 Oh my gosh.  Do you ever watch Daphne Dishes on Food Network?  Well, a couple of Sundays ago, I found myself home alone.  So I did what my inner knitter told me to do.  I grabbed my knitting needles, a cup of hot coffee and climbed back into my super comfy bed.  It was heavenly.  And Daphne had me giggling the whole time.  She really is so funny!
 I couldn't wait to make the Toffee Pecan Cookies she was baking.  She made them bite sized for her car adventure.  Perfect.
But since I was packing them in lunches, I went with the regular size cookie.  And they were a HUGE hit!

This week has really gotten away from me.  I can't believe it's Thursday and the weekend is almost here.  I feel a little behind but just gonna go with it.  At least there has been knitting.  And this quick, fun little knit makes things feel like progress.  And a great gift knit.  Fast and Affordable.  Perfect.  I think I'll be the first recipient!

Pattern:  Spidey's Spiral Cowl
Yarn:  Lion Brand Thick and Quick
Needle:  US15

Happy Thursday, Friends.

 So, I have made brownies after the first day of school every year since Charlie was in kindergarten.  (He is now a sophomore in college.) Except for that one year I forgot and Charlie reminded me.
I just can't stop looking at this wisteria branch.  It amazes me how it twists itself together.  Just like life.

Happy long weekend friends.  So looking forward to it!

I used to be excited about the first day of school.  I truly remember putting all three on the bus and skipping up the driveway.  These days, it doesn't fill me with that much joy.  In fact, I'd love to go back to those days when I skipped up the driveway.

There will be sea salt brownies baked today as our first day of school, after school snack.  I'm grateful for that.  And for love notes in brown bags.  And for the placemats that continue to be loved in our home.

In honor of back to school, Chalk Lots are now 15% off until September 9th.  Enter code: BACKTOSCHOOL at checkout.  And remember, they make great gifts, too!

Happy Back to school days.

I've been working on the yoga shawl, and have loved every minute.  The rhythm of endless stockinette has kept me very happy and given me busy hands in busy months.  So grateful.  But now, I am ready to finish.  I'll be starting on the second chevron pattern soon. (Hopefully tonight.) And I have given myself until the end of September to finish it.

So many knits have been catching my eye in the last few days.
I spotted this on Ravely.  (It's just a matter of days until I cast on.)
This beautiful cowl is calling my name.  And the pattern is 50% off until Friday.  (Buy now!)
And Knitterella is holding a 50% off her non-collection patterns through October!  (Use code KNITTERELLAPLUCK)

So many possibilities!

Hey friends!
Remember the chalkboard placemats?  Well, we finally named them (Chalk Lots!) and are doing a little giveaway over on Instagram.  So, if you are on Instagram, follow @chalklots and you will automatically be entered into the contest.  We are giving away 5 boxes, 4/box.  Head on over and tag a friend or family member, too.  They make a great gift and a really great addition to the new school year!
P.S.  You can always purchase them here and here.  :)

I thought I would give you a quick Trouble update since some of you have been asking and it is National Dog Day!  (How long have these National Days been going on?  There seriously is a day for everything.)
Trouble has gained weight.  Not all that she lost but close.  And she just doesn't want to leave our sides.  Seriously a big love.  Oh, and she is always hungry.  I mean, always.  She came home eating plants in the yard, but that has stopped.  I guess that is what she survived on while away.

It also seemed to be "National Move Your Child Into College Day".  I just returned from getting Charlie settled in.  I have such a great time doing it.  Until I have to drive away.  :(

Trouble gave Charlie many kisses on his way out the door.  We are all SO grateful she is home.

I have needed a few little baby gifts and these baby moc's caught my eye.  I found them completely irresistible.  I grabbed some sock yarn from my stash and a pair of size 2 needles and voila.  I had a pair of the cutest baby mocs ever.  I finished adding the fringe and then noticed something.  I had two different sizes.  So, now I'll cast on again and hope it will match one of them!

Pattern:  Welcome Mocs
Yarn:  sock yarn from my stash
Needles:  Size 2

Happy day, friends.

 Last February, I purchased the book At home in the Whole Food Kitchen.  Love it.  Would love to spend more time in the kitchen with some of the recipes.
But for now, the page that is dog eared is the almond milk recipe.  I was instantly drawn to it.  Probably because I haven't drank milk in 100 years.  No really.  I know... hard to believe, 100, but its true.
I don't like milk.  But homemade almond milk?  Sold.  And so is the 15 year old in the house. (Perfect.)
We've been making it at least once a week.  It takes about 10 minutes.  The clean up is probably the hardest (worst) part.  I've read about making almond flour with the almond pulp.  But so far, mine just heads down the disposal.
A cup of nuts, water, vanilla, a little bit of cinnamon and a pinch of salt is all that goes into this.
And it becomes a bottle (from Ikea) of pure deliciousness.
Homemade granola.  With homemade almond milk? Pure joy.

Hey friends!

Just wanted to stop by with a quick hello and let you know the good ol' blog is getting an update.  My awesome + amazing friend, Raz, has been busy behind the scenes sprucing up this space.  I think we are almost there.  There may be a few things within the next week that we (he) will have to tweak.  But basically, just wanted you to know you are here with your friend to knit with.

Happy day!

xx, leslie

 This is the one on the front porch.  A little bigger with a little skinnier slats, chunkier legs.
Only one coat of paint.  I still haven't decided if I am going to add the gray stain.  Sitting on that decision for a bit.

I'm off to pack for a road trip to New York.  We are leaving in a couple of hours.  Hello car knitting!

Happy day, friends!

Oh my goodness.
I certainly didn't mean to be gone for so long.  We took a fabulous trip out west.  And spent a couple of weeks filling our souls.  It was amazing.
The yoga shawl was the perfect project to take along.  Mindless stockinette over coffee, in the car, when alone or in conversations, over wine or at a campfire.  Really loving this project.

Happy weekend Friends!