Hey friend 👋, it’s been awhile since I did a personal update. So, before I get to this week’s “picture postcard” from Season 10 filming, here’s what has been up with me.

First, on the knitting front, the double-size anniversary edition of my Rising Scarf in Koigu’s 10th anniversary pencil box is getting…so…close…! Just 4 of 20 mini’s left to go! Which begs the question…

When is a wrap too long? Have I already passed that point? Well, it’s too late to stop now! 😅

And on the plus side, as I recently found out, when you find yourself freezing in a hospital room, a giant merino wool WIP comes in handy.

These past several months have been a whirlwind of travel and filming and adventure and getting to know some really amazing people…punctuated by brief, glorious moments at home, “happy-hermiting” with Charles Barkley.

When I’m home, I try to do as little as possible. Just lots of sandy beach walks, puppy snuggles, quiet work, and cooking simple meals, often with Luke when he isn’t traveling for his own work.

It’s taken several years since moving cross-country, but I’ve finally started to form what feel like true, lasting friendships. One thing about living at the beach that I didn’t really expect is that it’s a highly transient place. People come and go all the time – either they’re vacationing, or their primary home is somewhere else. So it can be hard to form real connections.

Yoga has been an amazing way to meet kind, heart-centered folks who aren’t just in town for the margaritas and white sand. I even just started a book club for the first time in my life! (We voted for Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert as our first read. Have you read it?)

Now,  back to that extra-long WIP of mine and the hospital room…

Confession: The reason I was freezing wasn’t the room – it was my sky-high fever.

For months, I’ve had this annoying pain in my back. At first, I thought it was from walking Charles (he’s only 14 pounds but he’s a little freight train!). Nothing I couldn’t handle, right?

Well, after we wrapped filming in Nashville with Ann + Kay of MDK, I fell into a fevered sleep that basically lasted for 3 days straight. Luke drove us home from Nashville a day earlier than we’d planned, and long story short, I got diagnosed with a kidney infection. Oops!

It was all a reminder that this 10th anniversary Season, flying all over the place and filming lots more masterclasses than a “typical” year, is not without its hazards. As they say, the body keeps the score.

So today I’m on the couch, writing you this newsletter, and full of that special gratitude that comes from having been really sick, and then starting to finally feel better. 🙏

So now…let me tell you about my Turtley Awesome Days with this very special human and her beautiful, creative family.

After filming with Natalie Thomas in Detroit, Brad and I flew to Des Moines, Iowa, to meet up with Jen Geigley.

She greeted us with these awesome bags, filled with her favorite snacks from Trader Joe’s. So thoughtful! And she had picked up some pastries (which have somehow emerged as a Season 10 theme and have contributed to my gaining what I’m now calling “The Season Ten.” 🤣)

Right away, we knew this was no ordinary family home.

It was a crucible of creativity. Art studio meets music studio meets knitting design studio, where pops of bright yellow everywhere reflect the love and joy that just flow, palpably and freely, from this sweet family of four.

Jen Geigley and her husband, Bo, are both graphic designers and music lovers. Their uber-cool daughter, Lotus, led an impromptu family jam session while we were there.

And then there is the Turtley Awesome Bowie.

Bowie is truly one of the sweetest kids I’ve ever met. We instantly bonded over our shared love of turtles. While we were there, he created several amazing drawings featuring his own character, Andy the Common Snapping Turtle.

He also makes brilliant animations from hand-drawn cartoons (yes, the old-fashioned way, one hand-drawn frame at a time!) and if you’re so inclined, I’d love if you give his Youtube channel a follow @ZephyrTurtleAnimations.

His sister, Lotus, crocheted this plush turtle for Bowie. 💖

At Bowie’s school, word has spread about his great knowledge and love of turtles. It’s become common for everyone – other students, teachers, even the principal – to borrow Bowie’s signature phrase to wish one another a Turtley Awesome Day. How cool is that???

So now that you know a little more about Jen and her family, let me tell you about her bada$$ masterclass

She went ALL IN and didn’t just design one pattern…she designed 4! And she dives deep into helping you create your own modern, truly wearable, handknit capsule wardrobe.

While we were there, I found out Jen designed a whole bunch of extra accessory patterns to use up any extra yarn and give you even more options when Season 10 debuts this fall.

It’s going to be so good. SO GOOD!

And the most turtley awesome part of the day? I got one of Bowie’s own Andy stickers to add to my laptop. 🐢💕

So this week, take good care of yourself, and I’ll see you next week with the insider look at Ann + Kay’s Nashville filming.

xoxo,

If Jen Geigley’s name feels familiar, there’s a good chance you’ve made her GAP-tastic Cowl that went viral back in 2010.

But Jen is sooooo much more. Did you know she’s self-published a whole collection of books that are as gorgeous as coffee-table books but filled with modern, wearable, fun-to-make pieces?

Like “Valhala,” a basic cowl that’s anything but. The super bulky yarn creates a slouchy fabric that transforms into the very best shapes for any outfit you wear and whatever level of warmth you crave.

Or “Debut,” a luxuriously fantastic jacket/cardigan. Jen writes, “Whether you are lounging about at home or heading out for a night on the town, this jacket will make you feel like the extraordinary knitting hero that you are.”

You’ll find these two and a bunch more chic designs in “Weekend” – buy as a book on Jen’s site here, as singles or as a bundle on Ravelry here. (If your budget allows, buying bundles is a great way to support your favorite designers 💕)

Jen has nearly 200 designs on Ravelry, but here are a few of my faves…

The “Main Squeeze Pullover,” so sleek yet comfy in solid or variegated yarns from your stash…

“Quilty,” a graphic blanket constructed using garter stitch blocks, log cabin, and triangle blocks. Instant “cool factor” for your home…

And “Me Time Tee,” the perfect handknit t-shirt.

Last but definitely not least…how about treating yourself to a new knitting journal that makes you feel like a rockstar? I just ordered one for myself, and a few more for gifts.

You’ll find them on Jen’s site, here.

I texted Jen for a favorite recipe, and I got this picture back…

“My favorite recipe right now is Stanley Tucci’s Zucchini Pasta, because we have zucchini the size of my arm in our garden!” she wrote.

So here’s the recipe in all its glory! May it help you use up all that extra zucchini.

Stanley Tucci’s Zucchini Pasta 

Ingredients:  

• 4 zucchini
• 1​​​​​​​/2 box whole grain pasta
• Olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• Pasta water
• 1 tbsp chopped basil
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Slice Zuchini thin, spray with oil and air fry for about 10-15 min switching trays in between for even cooking. You are looking for done-ness with the edges a bit brown. You will do several rounds for 4 zucchini’s BUT you can also do these in the oven on large baking sheets, again looking for done-ness and browned edges. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it’s 2 minutes away from being tender yet firm to the bite.
3. As you are cooking the spaghetti, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to release juices, soften, and break down, 5-10 minutes. Add a couple splashes of the pasta water to the zucchini, but don’t overdo it. Break zucchini into small pieces with the edge of a spoon or spatula. Reduce heat to low and toss in basil and butter; stir until butter melts.
4. Drain pasta ( reserving a little pasta water) and into the sauce; stir until coated. Mix in Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Add a final splash of pasta water and adjust salt if needed.
5. Place in pasta bowls, garnish with a bit more basil and grated cheese.