I received a package from an anonymous source recently... containing beautiful socks for my Paddy boy... they are gorgeous and soft and beautiful!
Feijoa! A bumper crop after last year...
Recent Posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Pretty, pretty socks...
I received a package from an anonymous source recently... containing beautiful socks for my Paddy boy... they are gorgeous and soft and beautiful!Feijoa! A bumper crop after last year...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
This is my ... favourite book
I've been conspicuously absent from posting my 'this is my' - so I'll get right on it this week. And may even catch up on a few of the old ones!
My favourite book would have to be My Family and Other Animals by Gerard Durrell. An English family relocates to Corfu just before WWII. It describes the life of the Durrell Family on the island in a humorous manner, the cultural differences, and also richly discusses the fauna of the island. My copy was an old penguin, orange cover, with a huge dragonfly on the front. I've read and re-read it so many times...
Other contenders would be Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, The Timetravellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell.
My favourite book would have to be My Family and Other Animals by Gerard Durrell. An English family relocates to Corfu just before WWII. It describes the life of the Durrell Family on the island in a humorous manner, the cultural differences, and also richly discusses the fauna of the island. My copy was an old penguin, orange cover, with a huge dragonfly on the front. I've read and re-read it so many times...
Other contenders would be Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, The Timetravellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
ANZAC Day and cupcakes
We too have been in Sydney - although our view was from the other side of the Harbour.
*Notice how many office lights are on those buildings. That was last night - a public holiday before a weekend - and had been on since the night before. So much for Earth Hour affecting real change...
Anyhoo, the main reason for our visit was ANZAC Day. I wrote about ANZAC Day last year, and what it means to me. This year there were fewer of Pa's group, but more family (13 all up). There were only five men from Z Special Unit, and only three of them active members from Pa's Unit. It broke my heart to see so few of them marching. When I first started going with Pa and Nan there were at least 30 men, and their wives that came to march, and then went for lunch (and lots of rum) afterwards. Now Pa's family outnumbers the members by nearly 3 to 1. Last year and this year we went to the Young Alfred restaurant in Customs House. I think it meant alot to Pa that we were all together. I get the feeling it may be the last year his Unit march.
Dick, Eric (my grandfather) and Henry
*Notice how many office lights are on those buildings. That was last night - a public holiday before a weekend - and had been on since the night before. So much for Earth Hour affecting real change...Anyhoo, the main reason for our visit was ANZAC Day. I wrote about ANZAC Day last year, and what it means to me. This year there were fewer of Pa's group, but more family (13 all up). There were only five men from Z Special Unit, and only three of them active members from Pa's Unit. It broke my heart to see so few of them marching. When I first started going with Pa and Nan there were at least 30 men, and their wives that came to march, and then went for lunch (and lots of rum) afterwards. Now Pa's family outnumbers the members by nearly 3 to 1. Last year and this year we went to the Young Alfred restaurant in Customs House. I think it meant alot to Pa that we were all together. I get the feeling it may be the last year his Unit march.
Dick, Eric (my grandfather) and HenryCaffeine Faerie has the poem 'The Fallen' on her site, and it prompted me to find the poem that is usually read by my grandfather's mate Bill at their wreath-laying. It is glorious and sad in equal measure.
Because I was there with Lily. And our experience looked like this. She only 'eats' the icing - and most of that was up her nose...
But it was fun. And I snapped this interesting pic across the road. The windows of the building were making the most beautiful patterns on the blank wall... and with the trees and the old building etc it just looked purty.
On trails to Kokoda, On beaches to Lae,
the sacrifices called for our comrades to pay
was the price of our freedom to be here this day.
To stand here this morning, remembering why,
our comrades fell, But they did not die.
They are not dead, the men who fell,
though sounds for them the vesper bell,
and loved ones gather at the shrine,
they live in hearts of yours, and mine.
They live on mountain and in glade,
in shearing shed or place of trade.
At school, or on the fields of play,
they live, those men who marched away.
They are not dead, the men who fought.
The sons of valour, who feared naught.
Of man's devising, but who trod
the deathless path that leads to god.
Their call down bush tracks still is heard,
Their whistle in the song of bird.
Their laughter, like a wood note wild,
is heard in some Australian child.
They are not dead, but gone before,
though crosses mark on Borneo's shore,
in Markham valley and Balikpapan,
where rest those mates, who never ran.
The hills near Moresby, the valleys deep
sound no more to their trudging feet.
But they are still here, at our side.
The men who fell, but never died.
They are not dead, they cannot be.
They're a part of you and a part of me.
The friendly hand, the steadfast look,
could never perish at Tobruk.
Though seas and land and years divide,
our comrades live, they have not died.
On a lighter note, we went to visit Cupcakes on Pitt. We always stay at the Meriton on Pitt because its close to the end of the ANZAC march, and a cupcake and coffee have become traditional. I like this place as much as Kuka did when she visited in January. Although the staff/management seemed decidedly more grumpy than last year. Unfortunately I cannot provide beautifully staged photos - like this one from Kuka.the sacrifices called for our comrades to pay
was the price of our freedom to be here this day.
To stand here this morning, remembering why,
our comrades fell, But they did not die.
They are not dead, the men who fell,
though sounds for them the vesper bell,
and loved ones gather at the shrine,
they live in hearts of yours, and mine.
They live on mountain and in glade,
in shearing shed or place of trade.
At school, or on the fields of play,
they live, those men who marched away.
They are not dead, the men who fought.
The sons of valour, who feared naught.
Of man's devising, but who trod
the deathless path that leads to god.
Their call down bush tracks still is heard,
Their whistle in the song of bird.
Their laughter, like a wood note wild,
is heard in some Australian child.
They are not dead, but gone before,
though crosses mark on Borneo's shore,
in Markham valley and Balikpapan,
where rest those mates, who never ran.
The hills near Moresby, the valleys deep
sound no more to their trudging feet.
But they are still here, at our side.
The men who fell, but never died.
They are not dead, they cannot be.
They're a part of you and a part of me.
The friendly hand, the steadfast look,
could never perish at Tobruk.
Though seas and land and years divide,
our comrades live, they have not died.
Because I was there with Lily. And our experience looked like this. She only 'eats' the icing - and most of that was up her nose...
But it was fun. And I snapped this interesting pic across the road. The windows of the building were making the most beautiful patterns on the blank wall... and with the trees and the old building etc it just looked purty.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I'm not usually a fan of aubergine
But really - could you have walked away from this at the supermarket?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
'Brave mother' is my mate!
This article about my amazing friend Sarah was in today's Canberra Times. If you feel like making a donation, the website is at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/kokoda08.
Monday, April 14, 2008
More stuff
Nicole got so much cool stuff for the kids... then Nana and Old Nana (my grandmother) got in on the action. Seriously, Saturday was like Christmas! Freakiest thing was the 'Percy Pigglets' - complete with pork gelatine....
Presents from afar
My sister is back from her sojourn - with presents!
The pendant is from Mexico and the shells from Argentina (now cunningly made into great big earings).
I've got heaps of pictures to share at the moment and very few moments to blog, so I'm just going to dump them here and write about them later. Maybe. If I've got time.
I've got heaps of pictures to share at the moment and very few moments to blog, so I'm just going to dump them here and write about them later. Maybe. If I've got time.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
gifts and cockington green
I won a competition over at Funky Finds a little while ago and the first present has arrived! A wonderful monogramed T for Lil from Oliver Lane. Isn't it the most gorgeous thing?? I love pink and brown.
And during the week we went to Cockington Green. I love the little plants more than the other little stuff - but the playground (with about 10 dolls houses) was a hit with Lil.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Canberra's Got Style: Looking forward to: Re-fab
Canberra's Got Style: Looking forward to: Re-fab
This sounds fantastic, although Crafts ACT could do some better promoting of the Clothes Swap a Rama... there are very few details online.
This sounds fantastic, although Crafts ACT could do some better promoting of the Clothes Swap a Rama... there are very few details online.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Where my needles at?
Today I made a circular needle holder.
I've had this idea buzzing around in my head for a while and I thought I'd give it a go. I was kind of thinking that if they look like they might be practical and pretty then I could make some for the wool fest at the OBDM. It measures about 7" by 3" and was based loosely on a similar one I found somewhere online or at craftster. There are 6 needle sleeves, made from medium weight pvc. I'm planning a dpn case too, based on the same principle.
I do have some issues though... I don't know if I should go for the pvc or plain fabric. The pvc means the stitching looks a bit messy although PVC has some great benefits - the obvious benefit being that it's see-through so you can see the needle; you can write the size and length on the front in sharpie; and the pvc sticks together to stop the needles from slipping out. BUT - fabric would hide the stitching and make the whole thing a little more tactile and softer (the pvc can be a bit stiff).
So, gentle reader, would you use such a holder? And if you did, do you think you'd prefer pvc or fabric...
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
This is... a little late
but This is... the contents of my handbag. Its really way too small. I can't even get my sunglasses in. And I notice most mothers have some motherly items in their handbags - but I hate pulling out my wallet and slinging a dummy across the room.
- Cigarettes
- Lighter
- Mobile
- Swiss Army knife (doesn't every mother have one?)
- purse that won't close
- hand-me-down mascara from my sister
- hand-me-down lipstick from my sister
- emery board
- receipts and bits of cigarette paper
- a Brumbies balloon (naturally...)
- keys
- work pass (i went for a visit yesterday)
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Knitting in literature
And when I say literature, I mean children's books. Because that's about all I get to read now days. So how delightful to find an Australian children's book which mentions knitting. Not only that, but a male knitting. Ruby Roars is about a Tasmanian Devil who tries to make scary noises, but can't seem to frighten anyone. But then she finds her mojo and scares the bejesus out of her parents. Her dad is knitting when this happens...
"You little devil!" said her Dad. "I've dropped three stitches - you nearly scared me out of my wits!"
"Excellent," said Ruby.
I like to imagine Ruby saying 'excellent' in a Monty Burns kind of way...
"You little devil!" said her Dad. "I've dropped three stitches - you nearly scared me out of my wits!"
"Excellent," said Ruby.
I like to imagine Ruby saying 'excellent' in a Monty Burns kind of way...
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Earth Hour... whatever
My blog title will no doubt startle some... While visiting QuiltingMick's blog this evening she mentioned Earth Hour and her cynicism. I soundly second it. I commented on her blog with the following
Earth Hour, Clean Up Australia, Plant a Tree Day... they all give folks the impression that they've 'done their bit' for the environment rather than making long-term changes for the other 364 days a year. If WWF was serious about getting people to change then they could have pushed a couple of messages about turning the lights off in empty rooms EVERYDAY. Or turning your appliances off at the wall EVERYDAY. I'm happy to go along with the crowd on these days too, but maybe we should say to ourselves 'for every "day" that I do, I'll do something "every day"...
I've worked in the environment department for several years and have always been frustrated by the 'days'. I understand that it raises the profile of many issues and for that we should be happy. But it more often absolves people of their guilt for not doing anything the rest of the time. So that is my challenge to you. Make a commitment to do something for more than just one hour a year.
Earth Hour, Clean Up Australia, Plant a Tree Day... they all give folks the impression that they've 'done their bit' for the environment rather than making long-term changes for the other 364 days a year. If WWF was serious about getting people to change then they could have pushed a couple of messages about turning the lights off in empty rooms EVERYDAY. Or turning your appliances off at the wall EVERYDAY. I'm happy to go along with the crowd on these days too, but maybe we should say to ourselves 'for every "day" that I do, I'll do something "every day"...
I've worked in the environment department for several years and have always been frustrated by the 'days'. I understand that it raises the profile of many issues and for that we should be happy. But it more often absolves people of their guilt for not doing anything the rest of the time. So that is my challenge to you. Make a commitment to do something for more than just one hour a year.
Monday, March 24, 2008
20 Questions For Women Who Aren't Us
From The Park Bench website -
Some of the questions remind me of your recent post Spidey...
20 Questions For Women Who Aren't Us
This is my favourite -- Why do you wave your hands in front of your face when you cry? Are you trying to keep the mascara dry or are you doing LOLCat jazz hands? I hope it’s the latter because everyone loves LOLCats.
Some of the questions remind me of your recent post Spidey...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Beautiful creations
My Mum's partner has just come back from a work trip to Paris and brought back the most gorgeous clothes for Lily. The man has an eye for fashion, no doubt. This outfit is not only lovely for its beachy design, but also because it is not pink. A constant frustration to me is that I can't buy interesting coloured clothing for Lil. Just pink mostly. Or pastels. Anyhoo, I love this and I can't wait for her to wear it! Its from www.DPAM.com - well worth a browse!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
All the idiots are out today*
I was just singing to Lil (part of our bedtime ritual) and some maniac with a 5000 decibel engine tore past our house, did a burn-out around the corner and sped off. This of course startled her out of her alpha sleep making it a damn site more difficult than in needed to be to get her to sleep. This kind of thing makes me so angry for several reasons.
1. It is thoughtless and dangerous.
2. It makes me rehearse arguments/remarks/things to shout.
3. It makes me imagine creating devices or items that i could use to slow them down or damage their cars without being detected (i was just considering throwing a bouncy ball with nails all through it)
4. It fills me with totally impotent rage. I can't do anything to relieve it.
5. It fills me with negative thoughts such as the above when I could be sitting and contemplating the wonder that is my daughter falling asleep.
arggggggggggggggggggggggh. Does anyone have a magik trick to zen that kind of feeling away?
In other news, I've finished a mitten. Thumb and all. I've been walking around with it on in the 33 degree heat just admiring how clever I am. I'm very proud of myself for knitting on dpns!
check ya later.
*This is what Lil and I say when people do dicky things when we're driving around. Like sticking in the right-hand lane even though they're not overtaking or turning, or doing 75 in a 40 zone... more things that fill me with impotent rage.
1. It is thoughtless and dangerous.
2. It makes me rehearse arguments/remarks/things to shout.
3. It makes me imagine creating devices or items that i could use to slow them down or damage their cars without being detected (i was just considering throwing a bouncy ball with nails all through it)
4. It fills me with totally impotent rage. I can't do anything to relieve it.
5. It fills me with negative thoughts such as the above when I could be sitting and contemplating the wonder that is my daughter falling asleep.
arggggggggggggggggggggggh. Does anyone have a magik trick to zen that kind of feeling away?
In other news, I've finished a mitten. Thumb and all. I've been walking around with it on in the 33 degree heat just admiring how clever I am. I'm very proud of myself for knitting on dpns!
check ya later.
*This is what Lil and I say when people do dicky things when we're driving around. Like sticking in the right-hand lane even though they're not overtaking or turning, or doing 75 in a 40 zone... more things that fill me with impotent rage.
Monday, March 17, 2008
I'm a what now?
You Are An ISTP |
 The Mechanic You are calm and collected, even in the most difficult of situations. A person of action and self-direction, you love being independent. To outsiders you seem impulsive, surprising, and unpredictable. You are good at understanding how all things work, except for people. In love, you tend to be very easy going and flexible. The only thing you can't stand for is someone trying to change you or your life. At work, you can stay completely calm under pressure. You handle stress well. You would make an excellent pilot, forensic pathologist, or athlete. How you see yourself: Logical, flexible, and unconventional When other people don't get you, they see you as: Indecisive, flippant, and disrespectful |
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I'm back on the knitting bandwagon... with mittens! I've even been to two SnBs - accompanied by my beautiful little man. Although he wasn't a very attentive date - he was found shamelessly holding (or being held) by other women!
Anyhoo, the mittens are from Knitting-and and are pretty easy. I haven't done the thumb yet and the red strip is where I've used waste yarn and will now pick up those stitches to do the window where your fingers can pop out. Picture's a bit dodgy, but you get the idea...
I've also finished four roman blinds for my lounge room - only taken 2 years since we moved in, and one year since I got the fabric. But the camera is flat so you'll have to wait for those.
Must go, Master Paddy is bellowing.
Anyhoo, the mittens are from Knitting-and and are pretty easy. I haven't done the thumb yet and the red strip is where I've used waste yarn and will now pick up those stitches to do the window where your fingers can pop out. Picture's a bit dodgy, but you get the idea...
I've also finished four roman blinds for my lounge room - only taken 2 years since we moved in, and one year since I got the fabric. But the camera is flat so you'll have to wait for those.
Must go, Master Paddy is bellowing.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
A different meme
Just because I feel the need to 'get back on the horse'... and that 7 weird things meme has been so, like done
The One Word Challenge
The One Word Challenge
1. Where is your mobile phone? handbag
2. Your significant other? sleeping
3. Your hair? up
4. Your mother? babysitting
5. Your father? riding
6. Favorite thing? reading
7. Dream last night? swimming-pool
8. Favorite drink? milk
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. Room you’re in? messy
11. Your ex? scary
12. Your fear? greyness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? relaxed
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you’re not? slender!
16. Muffins? chocolate
17. One of your wish list items? ring
18. Where you grew up? canberra
19. The last thing you did? knitted
20. What are you wearing? jeans
21. Your TV? on
22. Your pet? sleeping
23. Your computer? sloooooow
24. Your life? blessed
25. Your mood? ok
26. Missing someone? Yes!!!!
27. Your car? functional
28. Something you’re not wearing? makeup
29. Favorite store? Ikea
30. Your summer? declining
31. Like someone? Yes
32. Your favorite color? Orange
33. When is the last time you laughed? 1pm
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Going coastal
We're in Nowra at the moment... going coastal so we don't go postal hehehehehe
But the reason I'm blogging is because Nath's aunt has a wifi laptop. I never knew that my computing life could be so good! I never want to surf any other way!
See you next week!
