The other night was one of those most magical nights where I live, along the Gulf Coast.

I was walking Charles Barkley on the powdery white sand beach, thinking about something I recently learned. The secret of the famous sand is Silica Quartz, which makes up 97-98% of our sand. It’s cool to the touch, makes a particular “squeak” as your foot falls on it, and it’s even thought to have healing properties.

Could it be that’s why I’ve been so drawn to these beaches all my life? I was pondering…

The water was perfectly flat and crystal clear. I could see manta rays lazily combing the waterline for a meal, and dolphins playing in the distance. The sun was beginning to set in spectacular fashion, when…

OUCH!

Something bit me. A fly. A biting fly! What the what???

I kept walking along, trying to regain the peace and joy I had felt just moments before…but the flies kept biting. Before long, Charles and I had to just turn tail and head home, noticing as we went that the beach was really empty.

I felt frustrated and mystified…where did these biting flies come from? And why did they have to ruin everyone’s good time?

So the next morning at yoga class, I had to laugh when Shannon, our teacher, shared that she had experienced the exact same thing the night before. She looked it up and found out that the same north wind that brings the beautiful, flat waters also brings the biting flies.

Shannon also wisely pointed out, while the flies are annoying, they are part of the balance – the “bad” that helps us appreciate the “good.” The yin and the yang.

And this, dear reader, is why I am so grateful to be able to bring you the 10th Season of Knit Stars.

Traveling the world to film with this Season’s 15 Stars has taught me so much – as a knitter, as a crocheter, and most importantly, as a human being. I cannot wait to bring them out into the world – so you, too, will have the chance to be filled with joy and wonder as you get to know these Stars and learn from them.

I cannot wait to hear how this experience transforms your creative life.

Yes, our world is full of biting flies. Distraction, division, destruction.

But you and I, we share something that is magical, and beautiful, and so very healing.

If you aren’t yet enrolled for our 10th Anniversary Knit Stars Premiere Season, please join us. We’ve just opened our final enrollment period.

You can view your options and sign up here.

xoxo,

P.S. We’ve made a series of short, free videos about what I’ve personally learned from each Star, and we’ll be rolling them out this week on our social media. You can watch the first one here.

Part of the fun of a Knit Stars Masterclass is all the pretty kits, yarns and bags that get created by what we call our “Star Makers.” Each Star teacher pairs with a Star Maker, and together they create an exclusive kit to go with their pattern that’s included with their masterclass.

This year’s kits includes everything from a Norah Gaughan cable masterpiece, to a Tunisian crochet cowl, to a sweet little hot water bottle cover.

And some dyers create kits purely for the celebration of the new Season – including this new kit from Hue Loco. The kits are optional, of course – you can also shop your stash or your favorite dyer if you decide to make any of the Season 10 projects. You’re also completely welcome to not make any of them – and just enjoy watching and learning for the pure fun of it. ❤️

To enroll in Season 10 and get the secret link to shop the special yarns, kits and commemorative Joji + Co bag, click here.

Photo credit: EasyDinnerIdeas.com

Parmesan Chicken

This past week, I was running short on ideas, so I pulled out an old favorite and put a new spin on it. I used to make this pretty much every week when I was raising three young kids and running two businesses! It’s easy to memorize, quick to throw together, and always a crowd-pleaser. In our family, we always called it “parmesan chicken,” but there are lots of variations with names like “cracker crumb chicken.”

I’ve always used chicken breasts and the grated parm in the green can (you know the one!), but this past week I used chicken thighs and fresh-shredded parm from my fridge. It was a serious upgrade! This is going back in the weeknight rotation around here.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can use breasts, but may need to increase the cooking time)
• ½ stick butter
• 2 T worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• juice of one lemon
• ½ sleeve of saltine crackers (can also use Ritz crackers)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Spray a glass baking dish with cooking spray
3. Melt butter in a small microwave-safe bowl
4. Add worcerstershire, garlic and lemon juice to the butter
5. On a piece of waxed or parchment paper, crush crackers with a heavy-bottomed glass or rolling pin, then use your hands to mix in the parmesan
6. Roll each piece of chicken around in the mixture, then in the cracker mixture, then place in prepared dish. Drizzle the rest of the butter mixture over the chicken, then press any remaining cracker mixture on top of the chicken
7. Bake at 375 until golden and beginning to brown and chicken is safely cooked through, about 40 minutes
8. Serve with a simple salad and you’re done!