It's....it's....it's ALIVE!!!

Look what's back from the depths of purgatory. It's Rogue by Girl from Auntie, Jenna Wilson in all it's cabley, green goodness.

This photo is showing much brighter of a green than it actually is. It's more of a grassy, olivey green.

Believe me, it's not that I fell out of love with the pattern or the yarn, but gosh it's damn hot to carry around in 90 degree weather. And it's in the round. I had started this back in April while I was traveling a lot for my job. It grew quick and the weather got really muggy pretty quick. Sadly, Rogue was shoved to the side to await the FALL! Hot damn bring on the Fall knits. I hate the summer.

Gosh I forgot how much I loved this yarn. Probably my most expensive sweater to date. I bought 20 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha in Color 100 back when folks were mad over the Hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I was lurking through some pictures debating on whether I *really* wanted to do that pattern that bad and saw someone who had knittied theirs in this very color. I was hooked, but not for that particular pattern. I had owned the Rogue pattern for some time now and was just search for that perfect yarn and perfect color.

Nothing is more perfect to me than a sweater that brings me back the fond memories of the lush green grass in Ireland, and the one place that draws me back, Miltown Malbay in County Clare. It speaks to me like home as do the wonderful people that we still continue to exchange cards throughout the year. It was a place of magic and beauty that can never be erased from my mind. *sigh*. I leave for Europe next Friday, but I think another trip to Ireland may be in order.

You fellow bloggers are smart folks so you know what comes next....on to the sappy retrospect....

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

Wendy and I (on the left) with our trusty gnome Verne at the Burrens in Galway

The Pirate Queen preparing to sail from Westport to Clare Island in Clew Bay. The boat is named after my hero, Grace O'Malley, known by her children of Ireland as Granuaile. She was the O'Malley clan leader and her people were one with Clew Bay living off of the fruits of the sea. During the British occupation, the British ships would collect all of the produce and meats that the starving Irish famers had raised and would take them back to England to feed their own. Granuaile was apalled at the state of her people and became the Pirate Queen of Ireland. She would wait until the British ships entered the open waters and would pirate the goods to give back to the starving Irish of County Mayo much like a Robinhood. She was the only person ever daring to DEMAND an audience with the Queen of England. The two powers met and no one knows what was said to this day. One thing known is that Granuaile would not bow to the Queen of England as she stated she "was a Queen in her own right".

Mysteriously, the British would never enter County Mayo ever again.

"She was small but what a site

"The men were wrapped around her finger tight

She was blessed came from the West

She could terrify the strangers with the best

With pale blue eyes and long black hair

The sailors fell in love with this corsair

For her they'd jump for her they'd fight

Her name became a legend overnight

Sail sail Granuaile take me away

Through your rough and troubled waters

To your castle on Clew Bay

Sail sail Granuaile and the fleet was turned away

By the Pirate Queen of Ireland...Ireland

Granuaile!

-"Granuaile" by Blackthorn (Irishthing.com) One of my fave. Irish bands ever

Clew Bay where the Pirate Queen protected her Ireland

Haunting and lovely high crosses on Clare Island as viewed from the Abbey where Granuaile is buried.

"Will you meet me on Clare Island?

Summer stars are in the sky

We'll take the ferry out from Runa

And wave all our cares good-bye

We go dancin' at the ceili

We go kissin on the strand

Take our clothes off in the moonlight

Skinny-dippin hand and hand"

-"Clare Island" by The Saw Doctors (another favorite Irish band)

At home behind the bar with our "Dad for two weeks" Paedar O'Laughlin of O'Laughlin's Pub. Hands down the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
(Ruth, Me, Paedar and Wendy)

Wow, I never realized how dark this pub was inside. I have red hair but you can't even tell.

In front of our home base, O'Laughlin's Bar and Restaurant. Many, many happy memories here and they weren't even Guinness-induced. Umm ok maybe a leetle. But the memories are fond for the experience of hangin' with the locals.

I think it's time to go Home again........Slán go fóill.