It’s a sneak-up! Beginning tomorrow, Friday, July 9th (bright and early-ish – say around 9 or so Eastern time) and going through the day. Lot’s and lot’s of fun stuff – sale skeins, the return of our beloved cashmere (2ply, 4ply, a wee bit of 8ply) as well as the cashsilk 2ply and 6ply (DK), some sweater quantities and more.

But, when will the next scheduled update will be you ask…. let’s say  Tuesday evening, July 13th at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. And, to mix things up a bit how about  free shipping on everything?  YAY!

Lately I’ve realized that I try to keep the blog quite sanitized – very happy, cozy, light and fluffy. But, thinking about it, I thought that perhaps my customers and readers would appreciate it if I were more open and sharing of the not-so light and fluffy stuff… a little bad with all the good so to speak.

I truly see my customers as friends, not just customers and, as friends, they have the right to hear about the icky things as well as the nice goings-on. Therefore, I am hereby making it a goal to be more open with good, bad and ugly side of things. Which brings me to~

June, 2010. I was not a fan. So very glad it’s over. While part of the frustration I have for June was completely out of my control (medical issues/tests which made for some compressed dyeing schedules, some extended family issues, etc.) a good portion of the wonkiness was my own darn fault (it’s the people pleaser in me, while that can be a good thing, it can totally come back to bite me in the bum at times). I’ve had an epiphany – I bit off more than I could chew. Way more. And, as a result, a few things fell through the cracks. My customer service suffered and that makes me very unhappy. Customer service is of the utmost importance – you guys mean the world to me. It is my pleasure to be able to be in contact with each and every one of you.

I’m seeing things with a fresh set of eyes and have a new perspective on all things plucky and, well, life in general. I’ve made a few changes to ensure that my customers receive the sort of top notch service they deserve. Any good business should be a work in progress and like any WIP sometimes you have to frog a little bit and go back and re-read the pattern to get it right! So, in the immortal words of the pluckiest of gals, Scarlett O’Hara Kennedy Butler – “tomorrow is another day.” Here’s to July and a fresh start!

I’ll be off the grid (in a work capacity) this weekend, spending time with family, cooking, knitting and generally just re-charging my batteries. But, next week I’ll have a fantastically pretty update for you with FREE SHIPPING – a little celebration of new beginnings. In the meantime have a great weekend everyone and happy knitting!

Raspberry & cherry lemonade… farmer’s market Wednesday this week.

Just like clockwork, every Wednesday, around 3:30ish in the afternoon I make a quick get-away and head to the farmer’s market. How I love that place. Only there, in a small-town farmer’s market, can I find old friends of my grandparent’s (the Riverview Drive grandparent’s) and hear “You’re one of the Kooistra girls aren’t you! How have you been honey!?” Puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. Almost, but not quite, like a little visit from with grandma and grandpa. I miss them.

Anyway, what’s not to love about a fist full of flowers, some plump berries and fresh spinach and feta bread (and peanut butter cookies for Shelbie). Oh, and Sam loves the fresh dog treats I bring him. It’s a highlight of the week for all of us.

Speaking of Sam, the little pistol thinks the new coffee table rug is for him. Guess I can see how he’d be confused, I mean it goes so well with his coloring.

Plucky Merino SW Worsted – Sassy Sangria

Another Wandering The Moor. Shelbs has absconded with the other one. I totally saw that one coming. Speaking of Shelbie…. look who has her very own etsy site!

And, if you’d love to be entertained… do check out her flickr stream as well. I may be biased, but there are some fantastically artsy photos to be seen. Enjoy!

Today….. 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Tangled yarn. It happens. Boy does it ever happen. With alarming frequency…… but, more often than not, we’re able to get it get it back on the straight and narrow. However, there are times when we just can’t bear to face another tangled skein and, well, some of you live to untangle yarn and I live to serve! It just wouldn’t be nice of me to keep it all to myself!

Tangled times like these call for reinforcements. My reinforcements of choice today are dark chocolate and roasted almonds. Tell me, what are your go-to treats? Drop me a comment and tell me what your favorite snacks, drinks, etc. are when you’re having one of those days. You’ll be entered into a drawing to win a tangled skein of yarn. Two winners will be randomly chosen.  Comments will stay open through Monday, June 21 at noon Eastern.

Getting ready for an update too! Shop update Sunday, June 20th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern followed by a small sneak-up on Monday, June 21st.

Smore Chocolate – Merino SW Worsted

Also known as Farmer’s Market Wednesday!

My other favorite day? Any day that has a knitted FO to show, that’s what!

Wandering The Moor

And, I wanted to share a good recipe that was suggested after this post. Doesn’t this sound great?! Thanks LJo of MadieBandMe what a great suggestion!

Los Barrios by Diana Barrios Trevino

Chicken Chipotle
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon salt
8 oz package cream cheese..room temp
1 cup milk
2 canned chipotle chiles
salt and pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Place chicken breasts, onion, garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of salt in large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325. Grease 9×13 baking dish. Combine the cream cheese, milk, chiles, and salt and pepper in a blender and blend well. Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish, Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinke with the paprika. Bake for 20 minutes.

YUM!