Knit & Bake

Loving the rain

2010-09-13T16:16:00.005+10:00

The weather is starting to warm up during the day, which Im loving and so are the vege's, they also love the spats of rain we are having...It is very rare I water my garden..which is fantastic..yeah Im lazy. lol
The poor gerbera's tho, the wind has been terrible of late, and they are really suffering.
But on a brighter note, the snow peas are growing well, the peas are getting massive, the womboks and silver beets have started to show their faces, and the tomatos too. The radish and the lettuce are plodding along nicely. The popcorn is growing..yes popcorn. The shallots and carrots are all making an appearance too. Some of the herbs are popping up, and also my lovely rocket. I watered with seasol the other day, so I am hoping it gives everything a super power boost and they grow over night! lol Other than that, not much else is happening in the garden.
The grass is trying to grow but I expect it will take a little longer than normal as the ground was really compressed from the pool being there for so long. My 14 yr old just dragged me outside to see if a green thing was a weed or a vege..well it is a vege, it is 2 lovely zuchini.. :)

Green Leafy Things!

2010-08-15T16:54:00.006+10:00

Progress..My Garden is growing good, its loving all this rain and sunshine. I have peas, snow peas, lettuce and radish growing vigorously, and also some strawberries I transplanted into the garden beds.
I have planted shallots, quite a few different varieties of tomatos, romas/cherry/sputnik/snow white/and some zebra's. I also bought today some gorgeous gerberas and some new square hanging pots for them.
I am trying to make use of every bit of available space I have.
Up the back there is a rusted out old wheelbarrow, that I threw a bit of wood in the bottom, then my Aunt gave me a heap of plastic and clay pots..so herbs will grow in them. the end bed near the wheelbarrow has my shallots/carrots/radish and lettuce in. Then the middle bad has peas at one end and strawberries at the other end. and the 1st bed has nothing yet, but will have my beans and whatever I decide eventually to put in.
The tomatos are all planted out in the buckets except for the one near the greenhouse, it has snowpeas in it. the front clay pots have lemon balm, basil, and um, something...lol, the clay pot near the foam box has allysum in. the foam box has nothing yet. and there is a chili hiding behind the trellis there.and this last pic, besides the dogs arse scooting out of the vege patch...is a double tiered foam box I made for the 13 yr old to grow her own stuffs... and 2 pots also. above the foam box are my gerberas I got today. so all in all it was a productive day even if the weather was woeful.
We also last weekend extended our bbq area with the pavers from the vege garden section as I didnt want them in there.
So hopefully lots of summer bbq'ing straight from the garden.

2010-07-18T17:36:00.004+10:00

I have been busy in my garden today, even tho I am on the tail end of the flu. My body did tell me tho to take it easy and not do too much. I was so woozy at some stages but sat down and drank water...plus I have a little fold out seat I used. So that helped.
I replanted my strawberries as they werent doing any good in their pot, and planted some snow peas, and some radish, and lettuce. Hopefully this week in the mail I should get my peat pots, for my tomatos. I had bought some plastic seedling pots but they are absolute garbage.
I was stoked too when I went up the side garden and found that my hen and chicken fern had babies...so I gently took them away from their mama and repotted them, all 4. I loves my ferns.
I then came in and made some gift tags and cards, as I am a shocker when it comes to having a present for someone but no card! So I sat and made these.
Close up of some.
Well Friday was my little girls 18th Anniversary of her death, and needless to say I was a little upset. The kids helped out and cooked dinner(frozen lasagne and home made garlic bread). I was really upset tho when the only ppl that made contact with me was a sms from my cousin in the morning saying that she was thinking of me and my aunt saying the same thing...My own mother didnt ring or sms or anything. I go out of my way to help her with different things all the time. I dont know wether she forgot(which I doubt) or what, but either way I'm pissed off. Hubs drove me down on saturday to put some flowers on her grave. Which then it all hit home and I had a good cry.
She was 20 months old when she died. And it is hard to think of all the things she may have liked in life, like food or colours or tv shows or clothing. I know life goes on, and it does for the most part, but it still hurts. And for my own mother to forget or if she remembered and just didnt make contact... I am not that sort of a person, and I do not have those values in life. I like to let ppl know I am thinking of them, and am there if they need me.

Thought for The Day; Keep those walls up to a degree, to save yourself from a lot of hurt.

Being Broke.. I do not like!

2010-07-11T14:18:00.003+10:00

Well, Mum is home from the hospital, and Dad had numerous times of me needing to take him to hospital(different one to Mum) as his heart was playing up. So in a space of 3 days I think I worked out between Mum and Dad and the kids and dinners, I did something like 180kms. I was very tired..But Mum is settled back home now..and pottering round, and Dad is in the throes of specialists again for his heart. I cooked quite a few meals for them, did washing, tidied up, kids school lunches etc etc...all the crap that needs to be done in a house on a day to day basis. So I am back basically doing my own thing in my own home.....
And this past week has opened my eyes up to something..we had this pay month, Rego, 2 kids b/days at $200 a pop, and an electricity bill extra to the normal bills, so that was roughly $1600 down in monies...oh and it was a 5 week month as far as the rent was concerned, but I didnt pay the 5th month as I had no spare orifice to pull that money from.
So this week (payday next week) I have run out of bread, milk, tissues, loo paper, margerine, cordial, and I am down to maybe 3 lots of meat, and I have very little fuel. I did borrow $100 from Mum which I absolutely positively hate doing. The week I must say has been very long. Out of the $100, I gave hubs $50 for work (lunch and fuel, NO he doesnt take lunch, but his lunch consists of 2 rolls and some meat and tomato, and costs him about $4 a day) so that left me $50 to buy bread, milk, and a few things to cover the 16 yr olds dinner for her b/day. I also pinched(borrowed) a tub of margerine from Mum.
The Lesson learnt was....I can make meals from nothing...and so can you!
I have done it before but that was ages ago when Hubs was unemployed..
I had a small packet of pork and veal mince that I made a meal from, I had cheese and a bottle of passata..I made rissoles with a chunk of cheese in the middle and the ordinary things in the rissole mix like egg and breadcrumbs and herbs..I then threw them into a baking pan with the sauce on top and some mozzarella that was in the freezer on top of the passata, baked it till cooked and I had a frozen packet of baked potatos in the freezer as well as beans and peas...
Dinner done!
I freeze everything... egg whites, left over mozzarella, capsicum, strawberries, blueberries, bananas in the skin, passionfruit pulp, garlic, breadcrumbs(fresh ones) onion, wine, stock, even flour...I do have a very full cupboard store. The one thing about monthly pay thats an upside is the fact I can buy in bulk. Especially when things are on special. So I can pull out almost anything to cook or bake. But my problem with meals is that Hubs likes certain things...he wont eat vegetarian, he wont eat most vegetables, and he wont eat pasta meals. He will eat pasta as a side dish. So I had to accomodate him with that, and he does work very hard and sometimes misses out on lunch so needs to eat well at dinner.
Hubs did say the rissoles were the nicest he had ever eaten, which was good, especially since the last time I cooked them was probably in the year dot. There are certain meals I never cook, as do most families.
Tonights meal will consist of some small peices of steak, covered in a mixture of tomato paste, worcestshire sauce, tomato sauce, and water. layered in a baking tray and baked in the oven as I am being lazy today, I have also peeled some potatos and sliced them thickish, and will throw them into another baking tray with some stock and shallots and not only does the oven cook our dinner it keeps the house warm, and being its gas the usage on my bill isnt much. I have some lebanese bread I picked up at the fruit shop for 89c a packet I will smear a little margerine onto them and slice into a few peices and throw some parmesan( I like real, Hubs likes fake) and grill. The kids will have some veges from the freezer, which I always have as I every year buy a couple of frozen hampers from chrisco and hamper king etc. I do hope that changes tho...I want my vegetable garden to provide most of what we need.
So I only have Monday and Tuesday to brain storm for meals as I can shop on Wednesday!
I must say tho I do like Catch and Kill nights. (These are get ya own nights) I dont care what they eat as long as it fills their belly's thats the main thing) I dont really have junk food in the house so I dont mind if they want porridge, or a toasted cheese sandwich or mac and cheese.
I have the mind set of looking out for the reduced stickers everytime I shop, so I can essentially buy more food stuffs to cover the month for the meals I need to cover. If I do buy some meat that is only enuff for 1 or 2 then I make sure I give the kids meals like pasta and sauce (no meat) or gnocchi, or chicken legs. They are a fussy bunch, but I cope. I do bake a lot, not so much lately tho as they are on school holidays. But I will get back into it. I hate my kids under my feet, even if they are teens.
My kitchen and my knitting are my quite times for me!
Oh and my kids love going to friends places as they do...but my middle kid loves to swap recipes of ours with her friends mums. and she bought this one home. I am useless with pancakes unless it is a packet mix...her recipe was 1 cup SR flour/1 cup milk/1 egg. I also added a little sugar. Now whether it was my expensive new fry pan or the mix or both...the pancakes were lovely. I would double the mixture tho next time! so another cheap brekkie/snack etc.
Today's lesson....there is always someone worse off than yourself!
A site you may want to check out too, which I have subscribed to and think is a good place to visit Simple Savings, I have added the link in my sites I visit section! You can subscribe to a newsletter or to the site itself.

Life!

2010-06-21T10:34:00.005+10:00

I feel like crap. Does that some me up in a nutshell? Does it say anything about me or my life? Today I think so!
My day, today...well actually go back to last night....I didn't sleep, my Hubs was snoring most of the night. I put ear plugs in, they didn't help. I did contemplate sticking them up his nose.
I also thought about getting up and having a cup of tea and putting a load of washing on, and unloading the dishwasher and cleaning the toilet and bathroom to get a head start on today...but I laid there, and listened to him for about 3 hrs....then I must have dozed off, to wake up feeling like crap and very tired.
And still having to do all that housework today.
It is also my daughters 14th Birthday today. That in itself is nice...but not the consequences. It means my pain in the arse Mother in law is gunna visit this afternoon. It also means my eldest daughter will visit, whom hasnt spoken to me in just on 2 months. So that could be interesting. But thats another story that I would rather not rehash.
I have done the washing(2 loads)
I have emptied the dishwasher and reloaded it with the breakfast dishes
I have swept the floor
I have emptied the bins
I have made the bed
I have dropped Hubs off at work (his car is at the moment unregistered, until he gets time to do it)
I have waved the kids off out the door
I have also been to Woolies to get cream for the birthday cake, and picked up chicken for my other daughters birthday dinner in 2 weeks when she turns 16.
I have just had a shower and put a treatment in my hair as it looks and feels like straw, the joys of menopause..it makes your body go to shit!
I feel run down...it might have to do with the fact I had the kids home last week for a couple of days with the flu...and I am trying to get the house back to normal after they have trashed it. Maybe also from the fact while they were sick they did nothing...not even load the dishwasher.
I cant knit..so there is some sanity out the door..I strained my wrist lifting some bags of soil yesterday. AND the asshole dog decided to dig up my foam boxes I just planted in preparation for my herbs....not impressed.
I have a busy couple of weeks coming up to, as my Mum is having surgery on Wed, and I told her I would help her out with dinner and washing etc...she has my 10 yr old neice and 5 yr old nephew in her care permanent. So she will need a helping hand for about 3 to 4 weeks.
I think I am sitting here contemplating what to do...or am I procrastinating? Who cares...
I will get it all done.. I love deadlines, especially the noise they make as they whoosh by!
The funny or rather annoying thing is that my family think I do nothing in a day. How stupid are they!
I have yet to clean the toilet, and the bathroom.
I have yet to bake the cake.
I still need to clean the lettuce and separate the leaves, as B/day girl wants San Choy Bow for dinner.
I should get up and do something. It does look like rain, maybe the first thing is checking the washing that probably isnt even anywhere near dry.
And OMG the MIL just rang..today is Monday, she asked if the b/day girl was home... WTF, they do go to school!
Is she mad?
I have no words to describe that woman sometimes..besides anal!
So many people want so much from me on a day to day basis, these people should not be relying on me! They are grownup, yes you are my family, but I have my own family to deal with! I do not want to wipe your nose or pick up after you! I want to just stay home and do my own thing, since when was that a crime? I don't have to chase after you and pick up the peices! What have you ever done for me or mine? I dont ring as I don't want to talk to you. Sorry...You don't call me, then you complain I dont make an effort! Maybe you should get the facts right before you start sprouting off about what I am doing or what I am thinking! You dont know me! It has maybe taken me some 35 plus yrs to realise but I dont need you! You have never been there for me, you have never helped me out when I needed it. I know who my friends are, I also know who appreciates what I do! and you certainly are not one of those people! So grow up and move on. I have!
I need a cup of tea.. on that note I will leave you with a picture describing how I feel at this very moment in time!

Bean Trellis

2010-06-13T14:57:00.003+10:00

I now have a lovely and extremely sturdy bean trellis. Hubs drilled 4 large pins into the raised bed and then mounted the sides onto them..and then it all holds together with the 2 top wing nuts! Ingenious!
And that funny looking thing to the left of the trellis is a teepee for my peas... does that make it a teepea? lol
I am amazed at how good everything turned out... I know my Hubs is a very good handy man, but he has excelled himself , but I do feel a little bad, as he has done all this in his holidays. And I did want him to relax in his holidays as the week goes by really quickly.

Trellis.

2010-06-11T16:55:00.003+10:00

I now have a trellis for my tomatos and beans. So it is all just about ready for planting....after I sit down and work out what I want where.
I had to go to Bunnings to get a new set of gloves as I killed the other ones... I just about had to get kids gloves. Why cant they stock smaller than med-large! Idjits!
I think Hubs is glad all the major work is over.
I do still have to clean the area up a little. Hubs wants to put pavers or sleepers dug inbetween the beds for me to walk on, I don't mind grass when it eventually grows. We will see....its not like I need it now!!
I received the last of the seeds I purchased on ebay today, but need to order just a couple more.
I have been sleeping well tho with all the work we have been doing......and the shed is so warm to sit in when needing a break.
Oh and my dog has been a good girl too and not digging anything up. So I treated her with a new/old blanket, her kennel is a bit chilly (she does have a bed) so I went to the op shop and picked her up a second hand onkaparinga blanket. and the best part was its a queen size and it cost me $2.
I had to grab a few groceries today and wanted some tomatos, I purchased some truss tomatos, and nearly fell over with the price! $9.99 a kilo. I bought 3, and left it at that. I think I will be a bit of a stinge with the fruit and vege if its that dear, and hope mine grow really quickly. :)

Mulched!

2010-06-10T14:51:00.003+10:00

Today was mulching day. 1 bag of sugar cane mulch covered all the beds and my buckets, which I was able to rustle up another one, so now I have 6 buckets. Hubs fastened the green house to the fence so that it doesn't fly away. My hands are bloody sore from the cold, and also the fact that my hands need to be moisturised every time I do something.
I have ordered more seeds off Ebay, so waiting for those to arrive.
The dog left some lovely foot prints in the garden beds last night as she was having a sniff I think. She didn't dig so that is good.
I had nightmare tho last night! I was raking the soil that is full of lumps of horse poo, and I was trying to separate the lumps when these little horse poo people started to form out of the soil, they looked exactly like little kids but a mini version! They were attacking me and I was trying to smack them all back into the soil, and as soon as one was gone another formed and attacked me. While all this is happening my Hubs is standing there just watching me! I did go crook at him when I woke up for not helping me! He laughed... meanie.
The shed looks much bigger now that the greenhouse is out of it now too, so it is a lovely spot to sit, the youngest was off school sick today and we were both sitting in the shed with a cuppa enjoying the sunshine, but sheltered from the wind.
So all that is left to do is to make some sort of an over head frame/trellis for the buckets. I am guessing Hubs will attack that some time over the next couple of days.

I haz Soil!

2010-06-09T16:14:00.005+10:00

We went to get a trailer load of organic soil today, some straw mulch, and some frost mat. OMG we only travelled to a place 20 minutes from our place but it felt like we had taken a wrong turn and ended up in Melbourne...It was FREEZING!
The guy in his big tonka truck filled our trailer and we were on our merry way home to the warmth, and some shovelling! :(
I now have 3 lovely filled beds and also some filled buckets. The trailer was over full, but we still could have done with a little more soil, but its mostly for some foam boxes and another 2 buckets. So to compensate for this we will buy a couple of bags of soil and just give it a mix with the soil from the raised beds and redistribute it.
I also cleaned out the shed. It's warm and sheltered in there so I thought if I can access the table and a chair and sit in the sun and enjoy a cuppa while gardening, well then that's a bonus.
So tonight is a test as to whether or not the mongrel gutted one in the yard decides to dig, if she doesn't, well then she is a good girl as well as a good cat deterant, but if she digs, well I need some blood and bone dont I !

So here is todays pics. I think Hubs and I are glad all the hard heavy labour is over, besides a trellis frame I need to have built!

Positioned!!

2010-06-08T15:56:00.005+10:00

The raised beds are in position, the tomatos have their stage too! Lemon tree is planted, and so is the banana passionfruit.
Soil being bought in the morning..

Beds Completed

2010-06-07T16:44:00.006+10:00

We went to buy the sleepers for the raised beds today(thats them near the fence), and I kid you not...it took my Husband just under 2 hours to have 3 raised beds finished! I am seriously impressed.
They are stacked on top of each other till we get some soil tomorrow. Then we will position them and layer with cardboard and compost and soil....I am also getting Hubby to make a frame to position over some buckets for tomatos/beans and a climbing spinach. I will thread through some string to support them as they grow. Also this is the side garden taking shape...it is a shady area.

Progress on Vegetable Garden.

2010-06-06T14:51:00.004+10:00

So, we have been having some lovely wet weather. Which has in turn slowed progress down on the vege section. I did take the youngest on a Bunnings trip yesterday, she was amazed at the plant section and the variety available. We were lucky enough to pick up some clearance plants which I have planted up the side. A couple of Azaleas, an Arum Lily, some smaller perennials, a couple of New Zealand Impatiens. So the side is starting to take a slight transformation too. I bought my lemon tree and also another passionfruit vine, this one is a Banana Passionfruit. All of these things were marked down, except the 'Green Goddess' Arum Lily. New secateurs were purchased, as well as tags for the vege garden, wire to make some temporary hot house tubes, some gutter guard to nail to fence for vines, 2 succulants for front brick garden, and a terracotta pot, as well as some jute for trellis's so my beans can climb. We have a loan of the trailer and a wheelbarrow so we can probably pick up the wood the beginning of the week. Fingers crossed!This is what the area looks like now that the tarps have been lifted and the excess sand has been moved..we also levelled out the area so the raised beds wont need to much chocking up. The pavers that were near the gate were also pulled up... It was good with 3 of us working on it. Hubs shoveled, I shoveled, and the youngest helped out too. She has already staked a claim on the vege garden and wants to help out as much as possible, which is good, hopefully she will know her chives from her chervil!
So lets hope this week we get some decent weather to purchase wood, make beds, and purchase soil!

Vegetable Garden!

2010-05-25T14:23:00.004+10:00

I was very busy today..besides the hour cleaning, and the half hour preparing dinner, and the hour cleaning the chip cooker, and the hour cleaning the shed out..I also spent 2 hours pulling the pool down to accommodate our soon to be vegetable garden!
The kids are now old enuff to go to the local pools, our pool was a pain to keep clean, and not that the chlorine was dear..but the pool is sitting there for 9 months doing nothing.
So I want a vege garden.
I still have the tarp and the bricks to pull up..and level out the sand that was under the pool....I am going to use raised garden beds so this should all pan out well. I also have some foam boxes in the shed, so I will plant veges in them too. Also behind the shed but still kinda in the open is an area I want to put some tyres, I will grow a cucumber or some sort of vine type plant, so that it doesnt spread. I want to try to utilise all the space I can effectively. I have a compost bin going and I have bought my self a little greenhouse too....was contemplating where to put that without it being a nuisance. And have decided with a few bricks in the bottom so it doesnt blow away, that it will go on the pavers near the back door, in the full morning sun.
I have a trellis I bought yesterday too..for beans.
As you can see by the gate it isnt very sturdy, esp to keep out a dirt digging dog! So that will have to be made a little sturdier to keep her out. I do have to address the fact that we have neighbours with roaming cats...lots of them. So have to figure out a way to keep the cats out of my vege garden too.
The area I have to work with is 5.6 metres at the back section along the fence, and along the right hand side it is 3.6 metres, the left side is 4.8 metres and the front section is basically 4 metres ( but a working area of 3 metres as the gate is there) so it isnt by any means a square..
We bought for the kids a couple of years ago a set of bunk beds(yes they hate them) But I kept the cardboard packaging and that will be perfect to use under the raised beds. I will buy some timber (rough stuff) and angle brackets and just lay the timber in place and screw together. That shouldnt take too much elbow grease. I am thinking maybe 3 beds...but not sure yet.
I still have to work out the layout, the cat deterring, and also the type of vegetables we want to grow. I have purchased some seeds off ebay lately, Thumberlina carrots (shaped like a beetroot), some zebra tomatos, snow white cherry tomatos, corn (that is only grown for its popping value, the kids will love that), some yellow roma tomatos, and sputnik tomatos. I have some seeds for shallots too I have had for a while. I want to grow some lettuce, and onions too....but as far as anything else havent really thought it thru too much! I will get there..slow and steady.. I am thinking if I have the beds ready by about end of July beginning of August then I should be right..but time will tell if this happens as planned.
I will be taking progress shots right thru this too, as more of a record for myself than anything.
So ...where to next.. bricks/tarp/sand/and levelling....

Being Sick SUX!

2010-04-27T16:27:00.002+10:00

Well I'm sick, and bored...no mojo to knit, and no mojo to even get up. Hot one minute then cold the next. Colds are a pain in the butt. I don't do sick very well. Upside is Hubs is cooking tonight. :)
What have I knit recently? well I finished a shawl for my sis in law for her birthday, a shawl for my Aunt's birthday, 2 squares for a swap...and I am half way thru another 2 shawls that i kinda fell out of love with one and the other didnt suit what I wanted it for. I will also when I feel up to it cast on for my Mum's jacket for mothers day...Hope I get to finish it in time.
School holidays have been and gone, thank god, my kids were so bored by the end of them they wanted to throttle each other..not to mention I could have throttled them too.
I have been doing a little sewing of late too..just pottering for now.
Greg and I got to go out for our anniversary, 16 years, we went out to dinner and a movie, like normal big people do. :) It was nice to have a break from the kids.
Oh and we went out last week too, we went to a local club that had a 'Nickelback Show' on..they were ok as far as copycats went. But the real thing is pretty awesome.
God Im ready for another nap..I really do hate being sick.

Fly By Post!

2010-01-30T16:53:00.004+11:00

Just a quick post until later on when I get a chance to sit and update the goings on in the life of me! But I had to post this pic of my 15 yr old daughter! I always thought she was evil! the pic proves it! haha

2010..what a good start!....NOT!!

2010-01-04T17:01:00.003+11:00

So I think this is going to be the year of disasters and mayhem...How do I know this...easy, for some reason if something bad is going to happen (to me/us) it will...

1~ Xmas day...my FULL refrigerator decides it will have a coronary and die. Not good with lots of food in it for Boxing Day. In its defence it has been telling me for months it was ill, and in my defence I have been telling the Mr it was doing a long labourous rendition of carking it. He didnt listen to me, which in turn I couldnt do anything for the fridge!

2~ Xmas Day, My eldest Daughter decides that she is going to split from her Husband of two yrs...Merry xmas and all that mumbo jumbo...I am not gunna go into this in much detail as it is stressing me out a lot, they both need to grow up!

3~ Xmas day at Mum's was a rather morbid affair due to No-2 of disasters!

4~ Get a new but second hand fridge, put it in place of old fridge...put old fridge in laundry until we can get it repaired...new/old fridge wont go below 13 degree's. WTF! This fridge was from my Uncle, he said it worked...ok...frantically swap all food into other fridge, and hope to hell it works a little...It does...miracle, it mustn't have liked being replaced...so now its in the laundry, working! and then the other fridge we tweak and finally it decides to work...I prefer my old fridge, it is ALL fridge, no freezer section, I already have 2 of those, did have 3 but Mum is getting one back..why you ask...why so many fridges/freezers...well good reason..2 adults and 3 teens..and MONTHLY pay! yes it sux! anyways...So now I want to swap the fridges, as I dont like the new/second hand one, it is so much smaller that my other one...it has a freezer section, that is fine, it has a smaller capacity fridge section (not enough room for bottles to be upright etc) and there is a crisper drawer. My other fridge had that too, but it was clear and in the fridge..the new/second hand is a drawer external to the fridge and I cant see in it...I will lose my vegetables in it, they will die a slow mouldy death of , 'You forgot me'.
Yes I am a person who hates change of any sort..unless it suits me. I do not like this fridge in my kitchen...I want to swap it over and it can be the drinks fridge...
BUT in reality I want a new refrigerator...yes I have hinted to the Mr and yes I have even circled the catalogues for the exact one I want....I probably/definitely wont get it... :(

4~ We had 3 computers and 3 laptops...1 is the Mr's work laptop, 1 is the kids from school, and 1 is my laptop I got for my b/day, and then 3 PC's..well it was one of these that decided it too wanted to go to tech heaven! So I wanted to rearrange the computer room anyways (no we don't live in a big house, its a 3 b/room, the girls all share, much to their disgust) so when the Mr was making one decent computer from two, I took the opportunity and rearranged the room while he was in the kitchen. It needed a good vacuum and sort anyways. and now we have 2 work stations for computers and a desk with an extra bookcase in the room for my stash (wool) and f the kids need a desk to work on! The Mr doesnt really mind now, as I never touch his stuff, but the girls are pissed as we are down a computer now! Tuff luck!

5~ I bashed my shoulder on the door knob yesterday, damn it hurts!

and all this by the 4th of January...ooh only 361 more days for more shit to happen! Bring it on!!!

WOW and WOW

2009-12-09T23:03:00.007+11:00

NICKELBACK!!!! were bloody fantastic....well worth the money....they played for 2 hours straight, played maybe 20 or more songs...we got pretty good seats....and man did it rock. I wanted to go again the saturday night...

The heat from these pyrotechnics were felt on our faces even tho we were sat quite a few metres from the stage, and they kept flaring them all thru the night....was amazing.
What a voice..must say they are my all time fave band, never get sick of listening to them.

If they ever come back to Australia, we are definitely going again...

Ponderings

2009-11-08T16:09:00.002+11:00

Well my eldest Daughter is back home, finally.... So nice having her close instead of so many miles away, even tho she hasnt been round much. I thought she would stay over a little more than she has. She is missing her hubs tho, he is working on a prawning boat, but based in QLD still...so lots of messages and calls.
Oh well she is minding the kids this weekend as we are off to Sydney to see 'Nickelback'.
So excited, we are staying at the Novotel. Mind you we were at 'The Sheraton' a fortnight ago, as Greg had his work xmas party, so Sara minded the kids then too. We hit Paddy's Markets and Morris and Sons, as I needed to get some new knitpro tips, and some gifts for the kids from Paddy's. But this will be my 2nd, and last time out this year...all rather sad really. So I had better enjoy myself, hey!
Our hampers come on Saturday too, so Sara and the girls have their work cut out for them. lol
God knows where I will find things....but they have strict instructions to only open the frozen stuff. As I want to put the other stuff away myself. Thats part of the enjoyment too I think.
I have been busy as, knitting for xmas. Kinda there. Still have a few things to do tho. But am not stressing....too much. :)
I still have a heap of chocolate chip cookie dough to make and freeze, all ready to bake when it comes time...or I could be a lazy ass and just do it all in one go. The kids gift, cookies to friends at xmas. And that way then they only give 1 or 2 special friends an actual gift!
I do still have some christmas shopping to do, but more so my kids. I HATE xmas! all the hype, all the commercialised crap....so over rated....why cant it just be a nice get together, and a small meaningful gift! Bah humbug....
Be glad when it is all over, no actually I will be glad when January is over. As I still have to buy stuff for all 3 girls for high school, bags, shoes, books etc etc...bugger...
It is never ending....and I am finding there is always more month left at the end of the money...

Todays ponderings....I think I need a money tree..

Camping..and Shit Weather

2009-10-17T20:40:00.016+11:00

Well we went on our first camping trip..to Crookhaven Heads...we packed the car the day before...what fun that was, trying to put 5 sleeping bags, 4 airbeds, 1 ten man tent, a foldable picnic table and chairs, an eski, a dining room cover, a crate for food, 5 pillows, 6 towels, 3 blankets, gas stove, a gas bottle, tools, tarps, and a myriad of other stuff we needed...oh yeah clothes, so 5 bags...our poor car was rather full.....
We went on a bit of a sight seeing tour

Cambewarra Mountain ( the mountainous lump off in the distance, to the right of that, is where we were staying)

Greenwell Point And then we arrived, emptied the car, and set up..we made the kids blow up their own airbeds, they was pretty tired after blowing up a quarter of one..then we told them we had a pump! nah we didnt do that! haha
We went for a walk to an old lighthouse down on the heads, it was apparently built around 1860 or so..very small, but interesting. Would have been enough room for a small bed and eating facilities. Poor bugger that had to do duties there.It rained on the 1st day we were there, massive storm downpour, we found all the leaks in the tent, mind you. Soaked them up with our towels! and then had to hung them out to dry. Not that we could reuse them. This is a pic the Brianna took..
It is 2 little monkeys in the mud! lolWe had sausages and salad for our 1st nights dinner, was nice.
It was a bit cool as we had a dining room section, but needed to have a side tarp, which we put up on the 2nd day, was much warmer then, blocking the cool breeze.
We went for a drive to all the local areas but there really wasnt much to do locally.
This is a pic of some dolphins we saw at Huskisson, playing in the water. Finally had enough of the shit weather, so headed back to the camp site. Made dinner for the 2nd night, BLT's...and tea cake for afters. The sound of the roaring ocean was almost deafening, as we had ocean on one side of us and the bay water on the other, so we were surrounded by water basically. At one stage I had to go to the loo (ooh we also had our own ensuite!, I am not camping where you have to dig a hole!) anyways I told Greg I might go sleep in the ensuite as it was quieter in there. The 2nd night was much quieter as the ocean was not so rough.
Was an interesting trip, things we need to quirk , and things we wont do again....
The kids fishing
What did we catch Dad?
Oh just another terd fish! yuk, throw it back!
Oh we took the girls fishing too, Greg had gotten 3 hand reels and sinkers and hooks and we bought bait down there. Lol., he hates fish! ..it was freezing on the jetty, Greg baited lines, I took pics, the girls fished, and I took pics..and they caught fish too...all toad fish..or as they put it terd fish..every last one of them went back...so as soon as Greg baited a line he then had to remove a fish to throw back. I must say he was kept busy! haha. Maybe it kept him warm too. :)

The kids in the Helicopter Simulator

Watch out! it's Dad's turn
Tuesday morning we packed up, after brekkie, and then went to visit the HMAS Albatross...Greg was in his element, kids thought it would be boring, but they found the helicopter simulators....and were having a ball... we took a heap of photos..On the way home we drove thru Berry for lunch, and to hit the lolly shop too!
So god knows when or where we will go again..probably the xmas school holidays! and somewhere warm....But next time I will write down at the end of every day what we did, as I know there is a heap I have forgotten to write here, that would have been more interesting...I must say we would have had a really good time had the weather been warm, as the kids could have splashed at the beach, and gone for a swim at the caravan park. But we have always joked we could hire ourselves out as drought breakers, as every holiday we have it pours! but thats another story!

Coming back home

2009-10-04T23:12:00.002+11:00

Well in 22 days my eldest Daughter comes back to Wollongong to live from Qld. The kids are ecstatic to say the least, and I am beside myself....It has been a while coming....and it feels good to be able to say I can pop in to see her or visit her at work for a cuppa. The kids will be flipping over themselves to help her unpack. She has a bit of a drive as her and her hubby have the car and the ute to drive back with stuff...the removalist brings her other stuff back on the friday before. Its all good.
Had to begrudgingly sell some of my yarn and fibre to fund a pair of glasses for Brianna, as she had snapped them at the nose peice. $200 later....oh well shit happens, not that I am impressed.
We are off to our first camping trip this weekend coming, and the weather is supposed to be shit...typical...it will be a bit of a test how the girls like it. Greg keeps telling them that there is drop bears. lol, they keep shitting themselves. Even their older sister said the same thing.
we have payed for a powered ensuite site tho, so it will edge them into camping. I have had to look at what is easy to make and eat when camping, but also stuff they will actually eat. They hate sausages, but I think on the bbq it will be a bit different, and heaps of salad stuff will fill them...I made a lovely banana and choc bread for their brekkie as that doesnt have to be kept in the fridge. so with a nice warm milo should be nice. We are taking all the mandatory bits. I have packed the snacks, as I dare say the kids will want to munch away.
I hope it is not too cold as we cant make a fire to keep warm where we are. but with us all in the tent and in our sleeping bags we should be ok. I hate the cold.
I am taking it in my stride with the weather, as it is so early into spring, and the weather could be really shitty. We are only going for 2 nights and 3 days. I am looking forward to it being a photo shoot opportunity, as I need a new shot of the kids for the wall, and I have told the kids they are to start up their scrap booking hobby again...good time to do it.
They are on school holidays at the moment, and the weather is wet, and it is a long weekend, what a good combo! NOT
Will have to find chores for them to do...washing, baking, dusting.....actually they do need to change their sheets.....hmmm
I have been trying, very succesfully I must say, to empty the freezers ready for the xmas hampers. It actually feels rather good to be able to say, we have that in the freezer and dont need to buy what ever it is...we have 4 weeks till it comes...I have been very disciplined and not bought anything on special from the shop. I usually buy scones, rock cakes, bread, cakes, slices, muffins etc etc on sale, and freeze it for the kids for school lunches. It is much cheaper sometimes to do that than to make it myself, and I do bake a hell of a lot. So lucky the kids are on holidays for the next 2 weeks.
I have been slowly knitting xmas gifts, and have already worked out what I am baking for xmas too. and it is so easy. the kids will have to help me soon with it. the problem is that I like to make the cookie dough and make it into small rounds and freeze it, then bake it when we are ready to gift it...so will have to make sure I have room in one of the freezers at least, to do this..lucky I have 3 freezers. I am going to wrap everything into cellophane and a nice big ribbon. We are going blue and silver ths year for the colours. and I have been saving any type of clear plastic container that would hold cookies in and be able to wrap easily.
When I pull out the recipe for the cookies I will post it here, so stayed tuned.

Thought of the day ; If it doesnt work the first time cause you stuffed it, be warned that the second and third time you try it, will probably be just as fruitless an effort. Leave it till tomorrow!

2009-09-27T15:16:00.003+10:00

It is very windy here this weekend...has been on and off for a couple of weeks actually. The wind is 40 to 50 kms, while the gusts are about 90kms. and the temp is 14.5' but with the wind chill factor is actually about 11'. That video is of the trees across the road when it isnt gusting too much...
It is scary when it does gust as I think a window or something will break!
I personally am sick of the wind. My nose and top lip hurts as they are dry. The washing dries quick, but you have to chase it around the back yard. And in general it just makes it shit to walk out the front door!

2009-09-14T14:16:00.005+10:00

I was looking at Facebook pics today, and came across a few of my eldest.
And I tell ya what...Kids grow way too damn quick!

Here is my eldest when she was 4, at her little sisters christening. (Emma was 4 months old in this pic, she passed away at 20 months old)

And here is Sara at a recent hens night she went to.

So glad she is coming back home to the Illawarra soon...I/we, do all miss her.

Redecorating

2009-09-11T21:12:00.008+10:00

I have been very busy today..I decided to finally clean our bedroom and put our new sheets and quilt to use. I had to vacuum all the dust behind the waterbed, which is a major pain in the arse to reach...and then I had to clean all the mould, now that we have warm weather hopefully it will stay away. I put new curtains up, and a new rod too. I rearranged the furniture, so it is actually a bigger looking room and a bit easier to move in...The clothes rack used to be on the wall that the chest of drawers is on..so I basically just swapped them....But doesn't my bed look nice...
The sheets on the bed are 300 thread count egyptian cotton...the quilt is a cotton quilt (new) and the quilt cover is also cotton and new ....The lamps are new too. I also have another new quilt for winter as it is a heavier fabric and a set of grey sheets and some black pillow cases, for a different look. I have had this stuff waiting to be used as we thought we were moving, but now we arent I wanted to put this stuff on my bed when spring came round...The kids got their new stuff when their room was painted...so they have had theirs for a couple of weeks now....I still have to clean out the wire cubes in my room as I have to clean out my jewellry and makeup stuff....but that will get done tomorrow or sunday!
I like the airy light look for spring/summer but a darker cosier look for autumn/winter..so the 2 quilt sets should do just that, and because they are mix and match I can take elements from both for the two different looks! I would love to have a builtin instead of the rack and then I could get rid of the chest of drawers and the cupboard, but I really dont see it happening, and hey this works so i am going with the flow...and for the curious, that rack cost me $70 at aldi..so money well spent..as I can fit a heap of stuff on there.
The whole room looks so much lighter now...especially when the afternoon sun is shining in...come full summer that room is so hot, so the black suede curtains and the trees outside should cool it down nicely.
I even found some new clothes I had forgotten I had bought! Bonus..

Missing in action ...Mojo!!

2009-09-02T13:54:00.002+10:00

I dont know what to cook for dinner [the man had a tooth out and is gummy].
I dont want to knit, but am bored.
I am bloody cold and can't warm up, even though the sun is up.
I have no mojo.!!
The stupid cow next door is playing the same shit music over and over and over and over again...very loud...she is in her mid 40's and she plays teeny bopper shit. She sings to it...she is bad!!!!
I have to pick a kid up soon, and wait for the other one to come home as one is already home.
I want to go to bed, at least it is warm there.
Hubs is going away this weekend to the Mountain Bike Championships, hehe he will be cold...its in Canberra, maybe 2' at night! lol...he is camping, in a tent...brrrr. He will be glad to come home to his big warm water bed.
Upside I wont have to cook big meals...down side, no snuggles.
I should be knitting Ishbel...I have done some rows today, but I need full concentration as one stitch wrong means the whole lot is wrong!
This week I feel like I have got nothing done....kid home sick (well a thorn in its foot) Hubs home with a sore head (tooth removed, $270 later)
hmmm, next week is another week, and tomorrow is another day.
I should be writing a xmas list of all the things I need to knit. eg; teatowels, tribbles, slippers, shawls etc etc...
Stupid dog keeps barking, can I rip out her larynx...or maybe tape up her gob.
hmmmm
Thought of the day : I need some dynamite up my arse!

Kids or Aliens?

2009-08-20T19:51:00.005+10:00

I am so over my children, being so ungrateful of all the things I do for them...They are teens, and do understand manners, or so I thought. I buy something for them, it is like it is expected and no thanks need to be spoken. They need something like say a bra, and I go out and get it..but no thanks are expressed. They need money, they get it, but they complain they never get pocket money. No they dont get a set amount of money per week, we get paid monthly, we have 3 kids, that do stuff all to earn pocket money! They always have money for school. I dont agree with just dishing out money to a child for them to spend. If they do things to earn that said pocket money on a REGULAR basis, then fair enough. But my kids do chores sporadically...and never when I need them done. They (mostly the eldest) do them usually 2 minutes before their father walks in the door, as she knows she will be in trouble if the job isnt done. I ask for the job to be done, at that time as I need it done now or very shortly, not at 6pm...
Is a simple 'thankyou' that hard...I do not ask for much, a thankyou once in a while when applicable, respect always and manners. also no bitching and yelling at your sisters! oh and do your homework!
But I think these things are too hard for my kids to fathom...the youngest starts high school next year, and I will go thru the hormoanal bit with her...that will be 4 down..none left. Thank you very much!
SO thats why I enjoy knitting, I think it is very Zen. It relaxes me, it is like meditation...
I do enjoy weekends, as far as no routine for 2 days, but lately they seem to want to go every where. that may very well go on hold if the niceness does not start to appear!
I ask for respect, you will maybe get what you would like, within reason.
I get grief and whinging and you in return will get sweet fuck all!
So enough of that.
I went to my local Spotlight the other day, and they had 90% of their wool on sale. So 'not that I need any' but I bought some more wool. I will use these balls on pressies for either xmas or b/days. So it isnt going to go to waste, not that my wool ever does!
Other women buy makeup or clothes and spend a fortune I buy wool, and my makeup cheap and my clothes on special or at the op shop.
I make presents and add a nice bought thing to it, it is much cheaper and shows that person you care enough as you 'made' something for them.
I am at this moment making a baby surprise jacket for my Husbands boss (who's wife is pregnant). I felt like making something small, and didnt really have anyone close to me that is pregnant. I am also knitting a dinosaur for my nephew for xmas, it is a tyrannosaurus rex, it is also made from nasty acrylic, but I think it is going to cop a beating. I have a list in my head I want/need to knit for xmas..and should really put it down on paper and mark off as I go!
I am so wanting to make a shawl I purchased the pattern for last, but I was having probs with it, and it has 1400 beads....I just need to sit and start it but every time I try to, something pops up!
I also want to finish spinning my fibre, it is bamboo/BFL and very shiny! :)
The kids room has finally been painted, so i made some curtains, and put their new quilts and sheets on their beds, bought those plastic under bed roller containers for them...and they whinge about all that...'My stuff doesnt fit' well how many lip glosses do you own? NO you dont need to keep all 78 of them...cut down..the stuff will fit!
I would love to be able to go away for a weekend with Hubs!
Ideal holiday spot! Hmm somewhere hilly, lots of hills, a cottage with a fire place...a comfy chair...I pack my knitting, some food and maybe even some alcohol...Hubs packs his mountain bike and helmet...Off we go....time together at night and us doing our loves during the day....Yes I am dreaming.....but what a nice one...
Thought of the day... I need to destress!

First time for everything...

2009-08-02T22:39:00.003+10:00

I made this for my Eldest Daughter, it is Ishbel
I was a bit dubious at fisrt, but with the coaxing and help from a friend, I think I did quite well.
I am rather pleased with myself for sticking to it...it looks and feels amazing...the yarn was sock yarn called 'Miss Understood' from Ewe Give Me The Knits.

We took the kids for a drive today to Kangaroo Valley for some lunch and to get out of the house.
They tend to get in each others face when we stay at home too much...it will be nice when the warmer weather rocks around, bike rides will be a good option...
I have also been making tribbles...what on earth is a tribble you ask?? This is.... It is a round flannel type cloth knitted from cotton...I will make a few and add a body wash or nice soap to it for the kids friends xmas presents, as they have a lot of friends.
I want to make a start on my knitting for xmas, I have decided to make a shawl for my Aunt.
the tribbles for the girls friends, also some flannels too. so I will buy soaps to go with them.
I think I will make a couple of beanies for my Cousins little girls, the only problem is our xmas is summer...but still, they can be put aside.
I want to make some fingerless mitts for my postie, he is a nice postie. If i have a package in the mail he has to deliver, he actually knocks at my door and gives it to me, or leaves it near the door so you can't see it from the street.
I will need to make a list of all the people I have to buy for and see what I can make. I would rather make something and then add a smaller cought present than a huge present they may not like. Does that make me a cheap skate? tuff luck....lol
Oh well to construct that list....

Thought of the Day.... I will do more spinning..tomorrow :)

My lovely children

2009-07-31T20:39:00.003+10:00

I have the weirdest children..or rather child...this is my 15 yr old daughter ....OMG... LOL..she will kill me if she finds out I put this up here! hahahaha..I think its called payback...

Back from Bendi

2009-07-24T19:22:00.004+10:00

Well I survived the airplane, and shuttle bus. I had the numbest ass and a sore back but I made it.
Woke up at 4.30am on Friday morning, got ready, couldn't face breakfast at all. Drove to Sydney airport, 1.2 hrs, boarded the plane 1.15 hrs, arrived at Melbourne airport, and waited 30 minutes for shuttle bus, then when it did arrive that was a 2.5 hr trip to hotel at Kangaroo Flat...The hotel was very antiquated I must say (wont stay there again).
Weather was icy cold, my menthos were rock hard and I near broke a tooth on one. When I left Sydney it was about 14', when I landed in Melbourne it was 6'...BRRR
Went for a taxi run to the Bendigo Woollen Mills, bought a heap of stuff, and then walked back to the town centre, got a hot chocolate, and then caught a cab back to the hotel. laid on the bed for a rest, and watched tv for a bit.
Met Alison (wooliewombat) at 8pm that night for a dinner do. Then after that back to hotel, to TRY to sleep for the next days early start. The hotel setup was a U shaped 1 level building with front and back doors. I slept with a chair up against both doors! Heater on all night and the electric blanket as well. Tv on all night for some back ground noise. Didn't sleep much at all.
Got up at 6.30am, made a cuppa, got dressed slowly and waited for Ali to pick me up. Went to
a breakfast that was planned, had to wait for ages in line for a cuppa :(
Met Jolene and her Husband Leonard, and her lovely little babies. Rachel and Joshua.
We all then took off for the Wool Show. The place was huge..we went from one stall to another squooshing all the lovely yummy yarns...we hit Charly's and Mandies shed and I spent a small fortune there. I bought some fibre, some sock yarn, a couple of bobbins. From other stalls I got some sheepskin ugg boots for myself and some sheepskin moccasins for my Mum. I also picked up some lovely laceweight kid mohair and also some cashmere, I also picked up some lovely wooden buttons and also some paui shell buttons....all documented on my stash page... :)
I am really happy with all I bought from the show...(could have used one of those granny pull along trolleys).
Met a heap of ppl I talk to online...so putting faces to names was good.
Lunch was a sausage sanga on the run...Then we dumped a lot of stuff in the car, and picked up Jolene's carder, and some more purchases..lol
We then all decided we were going to leave...I didnt see any animals (not that they interested me) But the show was so big...and we were so tired..especially poor Rachel (what a good kid)
she was so tired but well behaved for such a littlie....
By this stage I was getting a lift back to my hotel with Jolene and her Hubby, and the kids were going to sleep while we all rested for a bit before we ate some dinner.
The kids took turns sleeping on my nice warm bed, as I had left the electric blanket on !! :)
We then got some dinner and after a while I had to wave goodbye to Jolene and her Family...
By this stage I was shattered, but hanging to get home to my hubby I missed terribly.
So I tried to pack my bags, squishing all my yarny goodness into my bag...I had to carry most of my clothes in my on board luggage and leave the wool purchases in the main luggage. I also had to open the extra zip to expand the bag. (Greg said my bag looked like a pregnant guppy when it came round the luggage turnstile) My luggage going down to melbourne was 7kg, on the way back it was 14.2 kgs.. :)
Left Kangaroo Flat at 6am on Sunday morning, cold and wet..very cold...maybe 3'...got to airport not much warmer maybe up to 7'..landed in Sydney to a balmy 19'..and here I was wearing heavy sheepskin boots..lol
I was very glad to be home, warm and comfy.....
Will I do it again...dunno....ask me later...maybe...
I have already made a beanie for my Brother out of one of the skeins I bought from Moseley...I liked the way it turned out, very nice wool to knit with too. Here are some pics

My wings

Alison (wooliewombat)

Jolene (Inoriz)

Little Joshua

Rachel (just after she woke up)

Off We Go to The Show

2009-07-16T13:09:00.002+10:00

Well it's finally time to pack and fly...Tomorrow I am off to the Bendigo Wool Show...
I am excited and also scared...I don't really like the idea of being on my own at all.
But on the other hand am excited to be going. I have packed and have all that I
need (I think..I hope)..
I will post pics when I get back...
It will be nice to finally meet all the people I talk to online.
Ok catch ya on the otherside..

2009-06-25T16:17:00.004+10:00

This is my Son In Law..on his 30th Birthday... hmm...My poor Daughter.... LOL

Me

2009-06-24T19:36:00.002+10:00

I wanted to compose a list of things that either bring me joy. or piss me off...so here it is

Likes

My Husband
My Kids
Cups of tea
Sleep ins (I am not a morning person)
Back rubs
Hot showers
My kids appreciating me
The weather to be nice
A good stretch
To be able to knit, in peace
To cook
Visiting my Mum
To get a bargain
Everything to be in order
The house to be clean
The children to listen
The occasional shopping spree
Good Music
Chocolate on occasion
The neighbours to not be home
Liverwurst
Clean sheets
Oysters Kilpatrick
Nickelback
The colour Green (but strangely not to wear)
My laptop

My Dislikes

Dishes moved from in the sink to on the sink, full of water
Disrespectful children
Vacuuming
My neighbours being home
Cups left on the sink with stuff still in
Our barking dog
Our shitting dog
The cold
The mould in my Kids room
The condensation in my Kids room
Having to dry my clothes inside
Having to load the dishwasher
My small boobs
My bunions
Dial up speed (when we go over our limit)
My MIL
The fact my eldest lives in Qld
Xmas
Bills
Andre Rieu
The colour pink/red/orange

These lists are not in any order at all....

Thought of the day; I shouldn't drink!

Beautiful Weather

2009-06-15T21:51:00.003+10:00

Today Hubby had a day off, (actually he has had 3 but anyways) and we went to Wollongong Harbour to have lunch....our usual lunch haunt was closed so we had KFC instead...
It was ok, besides the fact I near choked on my lunch as it was a Zinger burger and extremely hot..I do like em hot but whoo...that was hot....
anyways...
We sat in the glorious sun....We are in winter but this is the weather we got..so lovely..
Actually the car between the 2 seagulls is ours... so we didn't have far to walk either..lol
I twisted my ankle though, when I went to get back into the car, my foot slipped off the kerb..bummer. Still aching now.

I also have been busy in my back room, tidying up and decluttering big time..took heaps to the op shop..but this is the result..

All my wool is tidied up, and I have taken stuff from the kitchen that was hidden in cupboards as I don't have that much room..also my fabric is right down the bottom in those clear containers...must start sewing again!!...
All the recipe books are out there too...so now my kitchen has been cleaned up too and isn't so cluttered....
I have more plastic containers, as it is so much easier to see what you have when it is in a clear plastic container....

So what have you been up to?

Thought of the day; TV annoys me...

Ramblings!.....

2009-06-02T15:41:00.003+10:00

Happenings...hmm Rain...and then some more rain..and as an after thought..some more rain....It hasnt stopped. I have washing I need to do..It doesnt dry properly inside...it doesnt smell fresh inside...and I hate using the dryer except for maybe the last 5 to 10 minutes of drying.
I have been knitting..and frogging..and casting on again...had started a cowl neck collared jacket for myself, had knit 4 balls in total..its knit as a whole thing the 2 fronts and back all together..132 stitches all up....was all the way to the underarm section when I stuffed up...I tinked it..only to notice right at the start I had stuffed up there too.....SO I undone the whole freaking thing..not happy....I have now cast it back on..for a 3rd time, I refuse to make a mistake this time..How hard can k4. p4, k4 be! but seriously...I lose count..easy done....I will be counting lots of 4 in my sleep I am sure! lol

I have also cast on some slippers for Dayna....
Finished a cowl for my cousins birthday..at first I hated the wool (Jo Sharp Georgette) I didnt like all the loose bits that look like a dog has shed its fur on it, But I picked all the loose ones off as I was going. and I love the stitch...Here is my version The pattern is ILEAN
It is gorgeous, may have to make one for myself..I do have another ball of lighter grey 'Georgette' here...but am also waiting on some Malabrigo! YUMMO. so might be a bit patient and make it from that, as well as some fingerless mitts I want to make for myself.

My eldest is flying down from Qld on Thursday night, and I am picking her up from the airport..I haven't driven to Sydney before..I will have tom with me tho...I cant wait to see her...it has been ages. The kids are all anxious too.

I really need to pull my finger out and knit up some xmas stuff too...should compile a list..and start at the top...hmmm
Maybe after Bendigo...which is in 45 days....kewlness. That is another little adventure for me..flying in a plane all by myself the whole finding things and travelling by myself....scary..But I am a big girl....;)

Hmm I have a cuppa and a muffin...nom nom....

Thought of the Day: Never wish for something you don't have...you may have the better option already!

My Sexy Husbeast!

2009-05-28T13:31:00.003+10:00

This is my man!!!
I do luvs him lots.
What is it about a suit that makes a man look sexier......

Missing my Man!!

2009-05-16T22:16:00.003+10:00

I am missing my man, and he hasn't even gone yet! He is to spend 4 days in Sydney for a training session! Gotta love work goings on!..I don't. Never will....Lke I said I miss him already...
I am watching a show on Austar about the Elizabethan era and the food they ate..how disgusting...pickled fish pie, beer for brekkie, sheeps heads and tongues all the way down to the asshole basically, as they didn't waste a thing, and some really gross foods! But enuff of that!
I have been knitting...lots...a black woolen shawl collared jacket for myself, a ****** for my stashbusting swap partner! a scarf for myself, a cowl for my cousins birthday, some knitted lollies for my cousins little girl, and need to do some slippers for Dayna too....I cant knit the jacket at night as it is hard to see the stitches, which is a bit of a bugger. Too many stitches and not enough hours in the day. Need to get some more Malabrigo too...the silky merino stuff....thats my crack!
I am also in the Green swap on Rav...have gotten a few things for my partner, but definitely need to get some more niceness for my partner! I love the swaps, and putting things together, like checking out what they like or do, what their fave colour is or fave hobby...its kewl..
BUT I hate it when you are in a swap and they couldn't be fucked to check out what you like and send you shit they have laying around! That is just the epitome of rudeness I think!
So hopefully I will get something nice from these swaps....will post pics after the swap finishes.
Here is a sneak pic of my stashbusters pressie....
It is Malabrigo 'Silky Merino' in Wisteria.. feels gawjus...I hope my partner loves it!

Thought of the day: Edwardian food was disgusting!

No Mojo!

2009-05-12T13:33:00.001+10:00

ENJOY!

Bush Walking

2009-05-11T18:57:00.005+10:00

It is amazing how nature forms things..went for a walk with hubs today up in the bush as he wanted to check out some new mountain biking tracks.
And came across a tree that looks like grandmas crotch! LOL..how rude!

A twisted branch that looks remarkably like a snake.

Also there was a few trees with fungi on them! They looked awesome. One looked like it could have been a stage for fae folk to perform on! It was about 35cm wide!
There was even a wild strawberry plant that was fruiting, I did take a pic but it turned out blurry. There was also plenty of wilderbeast poo! lol
I love the sereneness of nature, it is so relaxing and calm.

Takes note: Must make more nature walks with Hubs!

Riblet...

2009-04-15T21:54:00.002+10:00

My friend Jolene had her baby today...15th of April 2009....Joshua Naoki...He is such a cutie like his big Sister Rachel...Both little nomable ppl's......Poor Jolene wont know whats hit her now with 2 small kidlets! We love you Ribs! ;)

Thought of the Day.... They are so cute when they is little... LOL :)

Life's up's and down's

2009-04-09T13:25:00.005+10:00

God it has been a while since I blogged...Oh well shit happens..
End of term 1 today for the kids...Easter holidays, oh nice!! Cries of 'I am bored' will be sounding out from many a household I guess....My kids are fine for the 1st week then get on each others goat, as well as mine. Hubs is still at work, so no holiday away for us. I should line up all the housework jobs that need doing, that will keep them busy.! LOL
I dare say there will be lots of sleeping in, a shopping trip or two, a trip to the beach with their cousins, a couple of sleepovers, and maybe some bowling.
I have no recipes today as I have lost my mojo, and couldnt be stuffed to do anything that I dont have to....
It looks like we probably have to move, we live in Dept of Housing and they want to knock our house down to redevelop the site for villas...they want to knock the house down either side of us too...so they will be able to fit lots of villas on the land...They will relocate us, paying for all the expenses, supposedly paint and carpet where ever we move to, and also get Luxaflex in to do the window dressings...They have to move us to a place that is equal to this one as in 3 bedroom, yard, garage, and close to the girls school or bus route even..hopefully it will be local somewhat to where we are. Not looking forward to packing up 19yrs worth of accumulated stuff...but hopefully it will be for the better...
I have shouted myself a new quilt and cover and sheets for our bed, and I have told the kids that they can have new quilt covers and accessories too, for their room. They are a little excited as we have never moved before while they have been around so it is like a big adventure to them.
I finally finished spinning my first lot of fibre...was a good learning curve, i am quite happy how it turned out.
I called it Montego Bay, as it reminded me of a pic I had seen.
I am trying to spin up some BFL/bamboo, but having a hell of a time with it. A friend said to move the flyer closer to the wheel somewhat, and have done that so will wait and see....

Thought of The Day........Always expect the unexpected!

More Lazy Recipes...

2009-02-27T21:01:00.002+11:00

Potato Bake
3 Potatos peeled and sliced
185 ml cream
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 200'c
Place all ingredients into a bowl, and toss to combine.
Place all ingredients into an oven proof dish.
Put into the oven and cook for 40 minutes..
Optional...sprinkle parmesan on top....
Yum

Easy Marinade Steak..I like to do this before I freeze my meat....
Place equal quantities of tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce in ziploc bag...
approx 1/4 a cup of each..and place steak in bag..freeze til ready to use...the sauce marinades and also makes the meat tender..this is my Hubs fave steak..Told ya I was a lazy cook...

Laziness is Good

2009-02-11T12:30:00.003+11:00

Well I don't know about you guys...BUT I am a lazy cook.....have gone off baking big time, no cakes or slices or muffins at all....BUT dinner has to be cooked as everyone goes hungry other wise....So I have come up with a good idea...which I thought I would share with you....I like quick easy, no fuss recipes....If it takes 5 minutes or so prep and lots of mmmm's, its good in my books...
I have just put a leg of lamb on to cook...took me 5 minutes to prepare, and tastes devine. I only have to baste it every hour for 4 hrs..thats not much work at all...I make a cup of tea when I baste it...kewl!
So would you like the recipe? Of course you want it...
It is a recipe from a book called 'Good Living' from the Sydney Morning Herald....The 'Spring' edition..page 135..'Slow Cooked Greek Lamb'
Ok what to do.....

Slow Cooked Greek Lamb

1 Leg of Lamb
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp dried thyme or oregano
flaked salt and ground pepper
2 lemons
extra virgin olive oil, to finish
2 tbsp chopped parsley..

Now I am not going to write the whole recipe out..I also dont use all the ingredients.. or follow the recipe properly...

I do this!!!
Baste leg of lamb with crushed garlic(I use a jar of garlic) Squeeze on juice of 1 lemon, salt, pepper and oregano..thats it
preheat oven to 160' celsius. Place lamb on a rack in a baking tray, pour enough water to be about 2 or 3 cm deep in pan...baste with pan juices every hour...After about 3 hrs, when the top is golden, cover with foil and continue to cook..when cooked remove from oven and let rest for about 20 minutes(this is what the book says) I leave long enough to scoop out the rest of the meal...then the easiest part, i tear the lamb apart and drizzle with more olive oil, salt and pepper and serve....tastes fantastic and is very moist...even the next day....This is the only way I will eat lamb, as I am not a lover of lamb....

As I get make more dinners I will post what I cook here, for you to share too....Happy Eating

The Beauty of Love

2009-02-09T19:47:00.003+11:00

My Pop died on sunday, after a long and prolonged time suffering with cancer...he was told of my Nana's passing and he just slipped away. They are in heaven, holding hands again...how sweet...
We are reading this poem at the funeral tomorrow, as it is a double funeral.

The Beauty of Love

The question is asked, "Is there anything more beautiful in
life than a boy and a girl clasping clean hands and pure
hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more
beautiful than young love?"

And the answer is given. "Yes, there is a more beautiful
thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman
finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands
are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but
still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired,
but still strong with love and devotion for one another.
Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love.
Old love."

I have no idea who wrote it, but it was so appropriate for the situation.

I am so sad to see them gone, but on the other hand so glad that they are now on a new journey together...they will be sadly missed by many..and loved forever more..

Will add pics of them together when i scan them...

My Beautiful Nana

2009-02-07T22:29:00.004+11:00

My Beautiful Nana passed away last night, she was very ill with cancer, she had breast cancer quite a few yrs ago and overcame that with all the usual procedures of the time period, and then many yrs later it came back..but much more vigourous than the first lot...she also went thru radiation therapy for this lot of cancer but it manifested itself into bone cancer and also a brain tumour. It was growing at the base of her skull, it was putting pressure on her nerves making it a problem for her to move her arms and legs so she had more radiation therapy to alleviate this problem, but in doing this the radiation therapy in such close proximity to her brain had its side effects of making her very forgetful, very similar to dementia. It also didnt actually work on the tumour. At 7.50pm 6th Feb 09 my Nana passed away, and is now in heaven with my little angel Emma, I hope they are both looking out for each other..

My Birthday

2009-01-18T19:47:00.006+11:00

Well I hit the big 40 this year, do I feel that old, no way...do I look it, I hope not...What did I get for my birthday....From my lovely hubs, a beautiful dinner out, while the kids were babysat... and a Laptop...all of my own, my own settings...and noone can fiddle with it, or change anything or delete anything....how kewl....
I have spun a little but kids on holidays and my patience is not a good mixture, so will have another go when they is busy in the pool. I have lots of new fibre to use so all is good..
I have booked my tickets for Bendi, and am really looking forward to going..So excitement! lol

My hubs was making me this unit...and its all finished. I am so pleased with it..

It has way more fibre and wool in it now tho!
My eldest daughter and her hubs is down from Qld tomorrow night...we havent seen them since august!

Shed Clean Out!!

2009-01-03T13:52:00.004+11:00

I just cleaned out my back shed, threw a heap of shit that is accumulating and really we don't need. So will do a trip to the charity shop, and get rid of the 1st lot, then come back for the 2nd lot. There was a cot, pram, high chair, banana chair, an outside chair, bloody tennis rackets, and a heap of other crap...So I now have room for more craft stuff. I cant believe how much stuff over a period of time accumulates!!!
I have picked more passionfuit today too.... heaps more coming!
I am cooking for dinner a lag of lamb, it has to cook for 5 hours. But is so simple to do... take one leg of lamb, heaps of garlic, 1 lemon, olive oil, oregano, and salt and pepper...mix all these ingredients into a bowl and coat the leg of lamb of lamb....Cook on 160' for 5 hours on a rack in a pan with enuff water to come up the sides a little...thats it!! How easy.
Will get the first naughty child to peel potatos, as I hate this job!! and trust me one of them WILL be naughty! lol
Oh and I knit for the very 1st time from a chart, a little painful having to look back and forward, but I did it. The only thing is it is a lacy pattern so will only do it when the kids are in bed...I would hate to fuck it!

EDITED TO ADD... the pattern I was trying to knit (4 times) was apparently totally wrong, upside down or some shit!!! So in saying that I am incorporating a different stitch, with that pattern as in the measurements and elements of....it is working so far...fingers crossed.

Thought of the Day: Don't keep all the crap!

PassionFruitz!!!

2009-01-02T13:20:00.003+11:00

I have passionfruit....Yum
I am freezing the days crop tho as I want to make passionfruit butter. I had picked a heap yesterday and then in the afternoon there was a heap more...

So I scooped out all the pulp and put into a ziploc bag to freeze. I will freeze them into the required amount for a batch. I had to get rid of the dead leaves this morning and a lot of the fruit was still sitting hiding in the branches...and I have been giving it a good shake as I check for fruit!
So needless to say I have enough for another 2 ziploc bags at my guess. From this mornings pickings was another 29 fruit. So a good amount with heaps more to follow.

Yesterday was 34' and the day before wasnt much cooler, but today is about 21'. Much cooler, almost to the point of cold! Crazy weather.
My gawjus hubby is making me this unit...
It will go against the loungeroom wall. So I can store all my nice wools and fibres in the unit...it is quite big..so will need lots of filling... :) Stay tuned for an updated pic when it is up and filled!

I also have just bought myself a spinning wheel. But its at a friends at the moment getting
some much needed TLC. It had to get a few new parts... Thanx Ali. :)

Thought of The Day : Head colds are not nice in summer. achoo.

Xmas is toooooo close!

2008-12-05T19:42:00.003+11:00

I hate xmas with a passion...
I know that sounds really bad considering I have kids, but all the bull shit of the tree and decorations. It blocks my light in the lounge room as the lounge room is so pokey!
All the hype with the shops...gets on my nerves..and it doesnt help that my hubby is a manager in retail...
The cost of that just right present! the way we have to wrap the presents...etc etc...
I do make sure my pressies are wrapped just right as in the same theme as the tree and look nice.
I also do believe if it looks aesthetically pleasing then you have won half the battle...I most probably have every colour you can imagine for xmas tree decorations!
I just dont wanna put a tree up this year!
Give me some of that twisted willow stuff, spray painted white with a few nice decorations hanging from it, in a nice pot on top of the tv unit...That would be fine...
I am still making and buying presents!
I am still going to wrap them nice (maybe I might bag them)
But why oh why a *$#@^%*! tree.
I have to empty the shed to get to the plastic baubles and the glass ones as I am using red this year...and a splash of silver and white...snowman theme.... I really dont like red by the way! I do all this for my kids...and hubby! I dont wanna! :(
Yes I sound bah hum bug, I am the first to say I am!
Xmas is too comercialised in my opinion! What happened to a nice home made gift...they can choose one of those...as there is 3 kids! So which one do you want!
We arent going anywhere for xmas lunch due to family commitments etc, the eldest Daughter and Son-in-law aren't even coming down from Qld. So I dont wanna!
The kids want for too much these days...All I want is for the silly season to be over!
Hey if I post a pic of the tree from 2004 does that count as putting A tree up!

Thought of the Day....I Don't Wanna!!!

Fabric NOT wool!

2008-11-17T21:43:00.006+11:00

I bought something different for a change....lots of yummy fabric to make bags........
especially WIP bags.... I have made one already...I am happy with it, but thought I had bought iron on interfacing and it isn't...stoopid sales girl...oh well...if you get lemons so they say...
I want to make a few more bags, whether they be bags or wip bags...does not matter at all to me...Here is my first attempt! From the strawberry round to the right to the pink check is not for bags, thats to make some little dresses for my neices...with cotton knit tops...but that is an 09 project.

It is a good size for a smaller project and the bits you need with it...
AND it is fully reversible....so which ever side you like, you can use.
I will still have to go out and get some iron on interfacing...Oh well tomorrow is another day.

My Little Girls 18th

2008-11-16T21:04:00.004+11:00

Today would have been my little girls 18th B/day.....But instead of a party and cake all I got to do was put some lousy flowers on her grave...She was born on the 16th November 1990..and died 16th July 1992...Emma had Downs Syndrome as well as a heart problem. at 6 months old she had a pulmonary artery banding and at 10 months old she had open heart surgery.. a week later she had to have a pace maker implant done...she was ok until she was about 19 months when she started to get sick again and at 2o months old she died of heart failure. I often wonder what sort of a kid she may have turned out to be or what she would have liked to eat, or what she would have liked to do....

Thought of the Day...Cherish your kids....Always...

2008-11-15T00:08:00.002+11:00

Nothing to write just a pic, of my Daughter and Son-in-Law, they are living in Qld and I miss them terribly.......

2008-11-14T21:21:00.006+11:00

We had our deliveries yesterday! I hate disorganization...can you tell??? It should take the kids about 3 months to get thru the cereal! I hope...longer would be better....
I still have more coming...not sure where that will go....But i am sure I will figure it out!
Well I cant believe it has already been a week that we have been home from our little weekend away...would be so nice to go again...but that ain't happenin'!
I have to knit...But I am not starting till tomorrow, as I know I will make mistakes tonight...
Well thats me done for today I think...
Thought of the Day ~ Kids should be seen and not heard!

Staying at the Sheraton

2008-11-08T18:36:00.012+11:00

We are back safe and sound, and refreshed so to speak after our Sydney escapade...We walked heaps, even tho we bought an all day monorail pass. We had a nice time, but are both very glad to be back home....The bed was rather hard, especially on a sore hip. (from walking).
Morris and Son's....wow, I could have stayed for ages and spent a fortune, loved it, but was a little disappointed that all the wool is in plastic bags. I know it is to keep nasties away, but when you want to feel what something is like it is near impossible...Left with a new 3mm knitpicks cable, some more pages for my knitpicks book, and some yummy goodness......

Debbie Bliss 'Silk'

Lana Gatto 'Jaipur' 100% Egyptian Cotton

Lana Gatto 'Super Soft' 100% extrafine Merino
Lana Gatto 'Minicaraibi' 100% Cotton
So I have added them to my stash on 'rav', no idea what I am making from them, but I am sure something will pop up and say make me....
This was our room at the 'Sheraton', it is a king size bed. Food at the 'Sheraton' was so yummy...I had a huge plate of prawns, then a lobster in mornay sauce, then a lovely selection of salad and cold meats from the buffet, and after all that I had a few yummy desserts...I was extremely full. They also juice their own oranges and the juice is to die for...I had 2 glasses at $10 a pop....I took a pic of my desserts....here they are...I was so full, I nearly didnt eat them, but I made sure I had a bit of everything.

The top plate is fruit and a lemon tart, a raspberry tiramisu like cake, and another little tart in the spoon with fruits and a sweet lolly thing in it....and the bottom one is a strawberry mousse...
I just couldn't fit the chocolate cake in I would have liked to try. :( Breakfast was a continental brekkie and was so filling too, and I don't usually eat breakfast....but I managed to eat a nice breakfast, before our trip to Parklea markets....where we had a ball, before we came home to our lovely childrens!!!
The reason we went to Sydney was for a work function for Hubby, he works for Westfield and they just finished the redevelopment of his shopping centre, and he bought these yummy boxes of chocolates back for me... I am a lucky girl. BUT I am not sharing with the kids! lol
Thought of the Day .............. I want to go away again!!!

Getting Old & Going Out

2008-11-06T18:57:00.002+11:00

Went to visit my grandparents today, and they do not look very well at all... my Grandfather is so ill, he can not even put his false teeth in without feeling ill and wanting to be sick. He isn't eating much and being indoors all the time he is very pale. He has gone from 90kgs to 70kgs. He is quite a tall man, so for him that is a bit of weight he really can't afford to lose....my Nana on the other hand is tired and very forgetful but other wise seems ok, she is still eating and getting around even if it is quite slowly. She still goes down to the dining room to eat with the other residents, and the nurses escort her back to her room. My grandfather said he wished he was dead, he is in so much pain, but won't take pain killers either, they either make him sick or don't work. Very sad. I didn't leave the nursing home in high spirits....rather depressing actually...
But on another note Hubby and I are off to Sydney tomorrow....we are staying at 'Sheraton on the Park' we have stayed there before, Hubby has a work function to go to, but we are staying most of the day in Sydney to have some quality together time without the kids...and it is the 1st time I have been out this year, and will be the last time too, until 09. :(
But I will enjoy myself, I am going to go to Tapestry Craft, I mean Morris and Son's....I need another shorty cable, and some 3mm knitpicks, plus I want to look and feel the yarn especially the stuff that I have never had the pleasure of meeting before. I wonder what I will buy...something soft and smooshy I s'pose.... will post pics of what I buy.

Thought of the Day..... Make the most of each other, and enjoy all the small silly things that make a marriage!

2008-11-02T19:46:00.003+11:00

Well today was a real nothing day. No sunshine, no energy, no motivation... But on Friday it was 36' and then on Saturday was 21' and today was only 16'...so no wonder I feel blugh!
Started a bolero, but still dont know if I like it yet...will keep plugging away tho, maybe by the time a button is on it and worn over a black top, it might look totally different.
I cleaned out the top of my hall cupboard, the kids top part of their built-in, and also my room, and rearranged a few things so as to have more room for xmas pressies....so all the winter blankets are in the top of the kids builtin, and the hall closet has all I need in it to be in easy reach. Other wise I have no idea as to what I have for whom.....much better. At least I got something done. And I didnt cook tea..I flat out refused! and It worked..It was a catch and kill ya own night.
Well I wonder how my Daughter is doing in Qld, she never emails, hardly ever is online and never writes or sms's...Her sisters miss her terribly, and so do I and my mum (her nana)....
This is her and her Husband on their wedding day...they have been married for just over 1 year!
Hmm, what else to write...nothing much....
Todays thought.....Life - is nothing like the brochure!

2008-11-01T20:05:00.005+11:00

MMmmmmmmm Mangos....Smell nice, taste nice AND make nice mango chutney...I made some on Tuesday....
Xmas presents they will be, unless Hubby eats them all before then...He doesnt like mango's but loves the chutney. The jar to the right just behind the front one..went in a day.
I have also been knitting xmas pressies....phone cosies, mp3 player cosies, and these.....

Snowballs, are they not cute....and I also finished my top...
And also my passionfruit is in full flower and fruiting stage....so will be making some passionfruit butter very soon, and maybe some passionfruit licquor too...Such a pretty flower....
Xmas is still so far but so close...I hate it with a passion...I would much prefer we just gave the whole shinanigans a miss, but having kids doesnt allow that.
So if they don't like a few handmade things well then bad luck. I am sure the chutney once I do the bottles up will look very presentable. And to be honost I will be glad when it is all over again for the year..I know..what a party pooper...but truly noone is grateful....not for the money that is spent and the time either making stuff or buying stuff and the thought process that goes into it. I would really love to not have a tree this year but Hubby wont hear of it. So I am going to get a little one and put it on top of the tv unit. The damn tree blocks all my light in the lounge room, which I dont really have much of. So a little tree it is. There will still be presents....so all is good.
I would love to knit bags of some sort as I have bought some gorgeous fabrics as linings, but I dont know anyone who would appreciate them, maybe I will make some WIP bags for myself.
Hmmm.
Todays Thought.....Xmas should be cancelled...lol.

2008-10-21T21:04:00.006+11:00

Finally the pool went up last weekend...mind you the kids couldn't swim until this weekend...and now yet again...we have shit weather and rain...go figure.... I don't care...it's up...that is the main thing.But this is what the water looks like on a nice day....inviting hey?
Today I visited my Grandparents, they seem to be settling into their new environment. We had a coffee in the cafe at the nursing home...was nice. Nana had a case of the wobbles and had to get a hand with her cuppa but other wise was all good...I also went to all the op shops in the area, and scored myself a few bargains, a few balls of wool, and a pair of green cotton pants for summer and 2 jumpers...one for winter (like I tried to knit and the pattern was shit) and one for summer to match the green pants actually. only spent $15 total. Cool.
I am staying home tomorrow, did all the washing tonite and put away, so will play with yarn and start my Nana's lap blanket for xmas tomorrow. Have been crocheteing edges on a few flannels with some merino for xmas pressies....have the lap blanket, a scarf for the postie, and a few more slippers to finish for xmas....have to decide what else I want to make, have to check out my stash...mite make a few phone or ipod cosies for the girls friends for xmas too...they are small, quick and funky...
This is my addition to my stash some lovely Sea Star Alpaca.... and also some Silk Vivid
and what am I doing with them.....dunno....a project will pop up at some stage...I love the feel of the silk...it's beautiful....
I also made this for Brianna...a new pet, I called him Squirt...
She loved it...she loves all turtles...

Thought of the Day...........
Take life by the horns.....and ride it....God only knows when you will get thrown off.

Not Happening Pool!

2008-10-11T22:32:00.004+11:00

Well on a good note I finished the second baby jumper... and here it is.....I havent done a hood before and at first it really had me stumped with the shape of it, but eventually figured it out!
I had set my goal as Sunday nite late..and finished one day earlier!
So I am really pleased with that! Had a bugger of a time taking pics tho, for some reason they were bmp files and not jpg files...Hubby had to fix for me...Thank god for him...

And the bad news is we had rain all day, so still no pool going up.....thank god the kids go back to school in 2 days.
I do believe with the amount of things we have organised and the holidays we have been on, it always rains....we sometimes laugh that we could be hired out to be drought breakers!...

Thought of the day......Don't Think.....just do!

Stormy Weather

2008-10-10T20:57:00.004+11:00

Well we had a rather nasty storm brew up the other day, stopped us putting up the kids new pool, and doing the lawn....Was a huge down pour of rain and windy as well....and then within a space of 30 minutes we had this beautiful sky, that lasted all of about 5 minutes.
I took a few snaps and it was gone...
But it is a new weekend now so hopefully the pool can get done this time around...

Brooke my 12 yr old was bored this afternoon and decided to do some small knitting and came up with a mini sack and an icecream....

She is going to make some small things into keyrings for xmas pressies for her friends...so less on my hip pocket! YAY...
Nearly finished my 2nd baby jumper....just doing the hood and then the band...the first one..the wool didnt take the dye well, so it had a mark on it that looked like a rust stain...and it is meant to be a present for my Hubby's boss who is due in Feb...so had to start another. I was not very impressed....with the wool I mean, I liked the pattern and the way it turned out...
Will post pics of new jumper when finished....

THOUGHT OF THE DAY!...School Holidays are over....I am so greatful! :) Muhwwwwaaaa

Way too Long Gone

2008-10-08T00:10:00.005+11:00

I have been slack...I know...Thought I would start a blog and add to it every day, what a joke that is, I am lucky to scratch sometimes. I just forget to come to this page and tell all what I have or rather havent been doing. But looking at everyone's Blogs on Rav, was like a good swift quick up the ass.
Oh by the way here is a pic of my finished market bag....somebody on Rav called a similar bag the 'Black Hole Bag', they werent wrong I can fit about $60 or more worth of groceries in this bag, it is HUGE!. I love it, need to make another but with a shorter strap....it is way stretchy.

Well what have I been doing...
1 - Kids are on holidays, so putting up with their garbage

2 - Hubby working over time to get things just right...so lots of not knowing what time is knock off time. Or dinner time even

3 - Helping my family clean out my Grandparents place as they have moved to a retirement village. And can only take a certain amount of their belongings with them. It is so sad how a lifetime (of possessions) are transformed into simple objects for others to take or throw. My Grandparents have been married for 62 yrs, and lived in the house we are cleaning for the last 20 yrs. We are sorting out their life really. Photo's, B'day Cards, Clothing, out of date prescriptions (by 10 yrs), all manner of things that we all use everyday...It is a new chapter in their life and we will all be there one day, having somebody sorting thru our belongings, commenting on how they remember what was going on in the pic, or who gave us what present. It is just a shame that they couldnt really sort it out themselves, not for the fact that we have to do it, but for the fact it would have been nicer for them to be able to sort thru their own stuff and say whether they did or didnt want what certain things. We have all taken a certain thing that evokes good memories for us to remember our parents/ grandparents for many years to come. We have all given them money to contribute for the things we may have taken, but it doesnt take away from the fact we have all had sleepless nights feeling like we are vultures.
My Grandparents came from Holland in 1952 with 2 small children in tow, being my Mum and my Uncle, they then had a further 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy...so they have a rather large family. There is in total 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Not a move I myself could have made, from 1 country to another. That is a huge move.

5 - Spring cleaning my house, to make more room for yummy stash...

I have been frogging jumpers. I bought myself a wool winder on ebay...best contraption since sliced bread. I can now buy op-shop jumpers and clean and disinfect and then frog...I love it...I have bought some georgious jumpers made from 100% Cotton, Silk, and Angora mixed with Merino. Making my own 'cakes' is so self satisfying....This WAS a cabled ladies jumper with a very high neck, cost me $2.50. There is 4 more like this one, and I got a total of 674gms of yarn from it...and it is 8 ply(DK) yarn...
I dont have to go to a shop to buy wool any more I can purchase a jumper for under $5 with the wool content I like and bring home to frog. ( I still will go shopping.............I will.......must add to stash :))
To reuse for other purposes. I have lots of ideas to knit. I want to make a couple of market bags for family, and some little bikini tops to sew onto cotton for little dresses for my neices who are both under 3. easy cool wear, not too mention easy washing for their mother.
I want to make some dishcloths....not sure why, but will.
I am making a teeny baby jumper at the moment, as I wanted something small to work on...but starting to get the irrits! and wanting to work on something bigger now...
Saw a post on someones blog how they had a bag rack with hooks attached to wall, with various sizebags hanging with WIP's in them...fantastic...I have lots of bags I like but wouldnt really use to go out with, so am gunna adopt this idea...not only is it functional, it is art too.

I bought Knitpicks...(interchangeble Circs) I am so over the moon, they are fantastic to knit with....My other knitting needles are sitting in the corner of the loungeroom lammenting about their lack of use. I am sure I even heard some of them sobbing the other day. Tuff I say, get used to it....I didnt think I would like working with circ's but dont mind at all now, so if you are thinking about getting some, stop contemplating and just do it. A good friend of mine got me onto them. Thankyou WW.

Well what does tomorrow hold, a friend of DD is coming to stay.
An orthodontic appointment, for youngest DD.
Having to run down road for some quick errands and
KNITTING......

Being Environmental

2008-08-04T19:57:00.005+10:00

I am making a Market Bag, from acrylic and recycled yarns...
I love the colours of the recycled stuff but with the black
acrylic it seems to make the green more effervescent...got it
off eBay, am loving it...Hands are a bit sore from the circ's
as it was quite tight to start with but now is easing a lot so not
such hard work on my poor hands...
The pattern is from a lady by the name of Hannah Ingalls and
it is from her blog... the address is www.iknityouknot.blogspot.com
This will come in very handy for all those small shopping trips I
make...I am sure plastic shopping bags breed in my laundry...I
don't like them, I do however use them for garbage bags, so I don't
have to purchase those.
I miss my Hubby, he is away on a conference in the Hunter Valley
about 3 hours away from here, I always miss him when he goes
away... :(
My eldest Daughter leaves in 2 weeks for Qld, hope she finds
whatever it is she is looking for.....
I have had a bit of a dry spot for knitting lately, only little trivial things
were getting knitted, and nothing major, but after I finish my bag, my
Daughter wants one, and I want to make a vest or summer top
of some sort, but still need to finish frogging one of my found jumpers....
I will get there...I am confident...

Non Events

2008-07-26T18:38:00.003+10:00

Gee amazing that time can fly so fast when you are having fun....not that I am having fun..
The kids were on school holidays, that would be the furthest thing from fun I would have to say, all they did the whole time was whinge and fight....They have no idea to start actually doing something to keep themselves occupied. All they wanted to do was watch tv, or play the computer or most of the time go to the shops, which with 3 girls becomes rather expensive and is not a viable time occupier. Oh and they slept in til about 11am just about every morn...lazy little asses.
Thank god they are back at school now tho, only problem is I have lost any motivation to do
anything other than sit. I think it could be just my lazy week to catch up with having them off. Hopefully i will get my knitting groove back in the next couple of days. I did finish winding some wool from a jumper I frogged, so maybe that is the start of me getting it back, I have also been half contemplating what I will knit next.....So maybe it is floating around ready to bite me on the ass at any time. I did knit an elephant last week, for a cousin who is due any day with her baby, thought it would make a nice little gift with an outfit that I have bought. I know the bee is huge compared to the elephant but I couldn't resist making him too, just seemed so cute...
Even dinner is a non event around here, once upon a time I would construct a menu for a month, shop for it, cook it and I had direction, and the meals were really tasty. Now I shop weekly, as I have broken the monthly pay up, and not really made a menu, the meals are still ok, but not to the callibre as they were before . I sp'ose the family are still getting fed, that is the main thing isn't it.
Well it is getting closer to my eldest Daughter and her Husband going to Queensland, she asked me to help her clean their apartment, after the removalist takes the rest of their stuff, Shit I am going to miss them.

2008-07-12T18:58:00.004+10:00

Gee looked like the LIAR is really truely pulling a swifty
this time...last time I missed 1 day....This time I missed
several....What a bad habit...Mustn't do that again...
Been pretty tired of late, not much sleep etc..
Wednesday night went to bed but couldn't get to sleep
at all, not even broken sleep, so got up at 3am, then went
back to bed and finally had enough by 5am and got up
and stayed up.....That is so unlike me.
BUT I was in the middle of knitting that cute little
elephant by Susan B Anderson, that I ended up finishing
his body and enjoying a cup of tea, while the rest of the
house slept. Will post pic when I have finished him/her,
haven't decided which yet. More than probably a girl....
So far it is all grey but was thinking of making the inside
of its ears a buttery yellow colour, and some sort of
accessory in the yellow as well.
Speaking of yellow here is a lemon my Daughter picked
for me, weird shape looks like a bird or parrot (on steroids)
of some sort to me.

Nature can be so amazing at times....
Youngest Daughter has learnt how to read a knitting
pattern, cast on, cast off, all the stitches in the middle
etc....she made a couple of 2d snowmen, on varying
sized needles to understand the concept of needle size,
wool ply etc....she is a quick learner.
She will be knitting jumpers before I know it....MAYBE!

Thought of the Day.... Always ask, never perceive.
You just may be off track.
Always make sure those around you know that you love them.

2008-07-09T23:26:00.006+10:00

Gee I missed a day...I feel lost somehow...have been posting everyday and somehow
missed yesterday...oh well they say shit happens SOMEONE LIED cause by the looks
of it, shit didn't happen yesterday.
Must post a pic of something my 12 yr old DD knit...
Now I have never actually taught her to cast on, she only watches.
I have never really sat and shown her how to actually knit, again
she watches...
I have never taught her to cast off, or how to read a pattern.
AND she did this sandwich from Jean Greenhowe's patterns
from scratch all by herself. And she even doubled the size to make
it proper bread size.
What a girl...I am very proud of her....
She has always been a kid to analyze how a person does something
and then redo it herself.
She wants to be a Paramedic when she gets older.....I think she will do
well whatever field she chooses in life.

Thought of the Day I hate the cold BRRR!

2008-07-07T23:12:00.006+10:00

I got up much earlier than usual considering today was the first
day of the school holidays, and I got to finish the second chemo
cap for my Nana. It is a lovely pale blue.
I gave them to her today and she said they were so luxuriously soft.
After a while she had forgotten that she actually had 1 on...
which is good there is nothing worse than wearing something that
really pisses you off and is annoying.
I can't stand wearing skivvies or high neck things....
A scarf has to be loose...
I am sure in a past life I was killed by a guillotine cutting off my
head, or a similar fate.
Actually getting up earlier was nice as I got to enjoy my early
morning cuppa and knit in peace. The kids didn't get up until
close to 11am, lazy little so and so's.
But DH is on holidays for the next week, and he can never sleep
in past 8 or so, so I do imagine a lot of early morning wake up calls.
that go a little like this....
Dad - 'GOOD MORNING'
Kids - oh go away...
Dad - but its your dear daddy, don't tell me to go away
Kids - grrrr
Dad - come on the sun is shining and the birds are singing
Kids - @!%^&*
Dad - thats not nice
Kids - DAD!!!
Dad - hmmm. Yes?
Kids - DAAAAD!!!!!!!!
Dad - mummy the kids don't love their daddy.... :)
He loves to rile them up...he can be such a meanie.
We were supposed to be on our skiing holiday as of 4am this
morning, but due to a multitude of reasons, were not able to go.
which is a shame, but mind you there is no snow, where we ski
at the moment so maybe a blessing.... so here is a pic taken
in 2004 of the kids in the blizzard like conditions we got that year....
the pic is of the kids with a snowman the youngest one had built.
No it's not very big is it...

2008-07-06T20:54:00.006+10:00

Today is my DD 14th birthday...Happy Birthday Brianna. Gee do the kids grow quicker now a days or is that just me...I remember bringing her home from hospital, changing her nappies, night feeds etc etc....Now it's dropping them off at high school, makeup, shopping, arguments, attitude. Well I think you get my gist.
I started and finished my Nana's chemo cap. It took me about 2 hours in total. I wasn't sure if I had enough wool to finish it, but I didn't have to worry, I finished it and had about 40cm left to sew it up...It is pink and so soft. I will make her another tomorrow, as I have another ball of the same stuff but in blue.
Here is one of my DD modelling it for me.
The pattern was from a chemo cap web page, I will have to go back and see which one for a link.
It was a very easy pattern, and extremely quick which is always good.

Thought of the Day Don't over work your arms with knitting it does hurt, like exercising and finding muscles you never knew you had!

2008-07-05T22:36:00.003+10:00

Remember all those jumpers in my last post that I got at the op shop......well what a bugger to unravel etc.....so I asked my DH if he could make me a winder and he did....here it is.

The 2 younger kids have been unraveling and winding for me...the youngest said she feels like she is playing Wheel of Fortune...thats fine by me, my arm hurts from all the unraveling.
It spins beautifully, as it has bearings and bushes and other technical workings that I don't really understand a lot about...but it is so bloody handy...I would never have thought to buy a jumper from op shop, unravel it, wash wool, ball it and then rework it to be something for us....That was BEFORE Ravelry. I can't believe how much money I have saved on wool by doing this.
Mind you I didn't get a chance to start my Nana's beanie...tomorrow is another day though.

My Thoughts Will have to go Op Shopping more often for bargains..

2008-07-04T21:48:00.003+10:00

Well what can I say, it was the kids last day today of school for 2 weeks.....I am not impressed.....I love all the sleep-ins (BUT that makes me lazy by the time they go back to school), but I really don't like having them at home. They fight and whinge and moan and disagree with each other and in general are really feral. I will have to find heaps of housework for them to do. or maybe lock them in their room. No that's not good...all 3 share a room. Hmm will have to think of other things to keep them occupied.
Went to the op shop today and picked up 4 jumpers to recycle..was really happy with them, all huge sizes so heaps of yarn, and hardly been worn, and only cost me $8. What a bargain. Now I just have to unpick them. That is hurting my left hand a little. but am going to get DH to make me a winder so I don't have to do it by hand. Already have a project in mind for the black jumper I bought. I want to make this... from Filati Issue 33.

Actually I want to make the white top too, looks fantastic as a set...
I was amazed and very happy with the price of this magazine, and the patterns..I love them all, and boy there was lots of them too....I shouldn't have to buy patterns for a while now...BUT I know I will. Can't help myself. :)
I am going to make my Nana a chemo cap/beanie of sorts, she has no hair at the moment due to radiation therapy and is wearing one of my uncles old green acrylic beanies which is miles too big on her, so I thought I would make her one that fits and is a nicer feel than the other one.. Plus it slips over hers eyes when she gets up, what a pain for her...as well as dangerous. I have a special ball of wool already picked out.I will make it my goal to finish it the same day that I started it.....
Come to think of it I have 2 different colours in the yarn I want to use, so maybe she will get 2...
Well sitting here is not starting any knitting, so I think I will at least go and cast on.

Thought Of the Day Chance is an opportunity you must never pass up...you may just come across the bargain you never realized you wanted/needed.

Happy and Cranky

2008-07-03T21:07:00.003+10:00

I am happy...I had my haircut today and I really like it. I also had highlights put into it.
I am also happy because I was actually able to purchase from local newsagents the magazine 'Simply Knitting'.
BUT I am Cranky because no matter where I go or what I do I cant find anywhere that either sells Alan Dart's 'Irresisistable Gifts to Knit' or that accepts anything other than credit card. Really starting to peev me. HELP!!!
I also purchased today a magazine by Filatti, has some gorgeous designs in it. Absolutely making some of them, if not all.....Oh well have to go wool shopping now....

I had lunch with my 21 yr old Daughter today and she drops a bomb shell she is moving interstate...
Well I was not expecting that.....I was hoping more for Grandbabies, drool , throw up, dirty nappies even. :(
Maybe she will hate it there, and hurry home. :)
Maybe her new DH will hate it and DRAG her home.
I shouldn't make her feel bad should I??
Nah! bugger that I am her mum, it is my legal and lawful duty to inflict as much misery and pain upon her, they say payback is a bitch. I am so evil. :)~
I shall be good at it by the time my other girls are fully grown, they say your first born is kinda like a guinea pig. I will be The Master of All Evil!!
Made some coconut macaroons tonight but can't show you, they are for my grandparents, they aren't well, and I hate visiting empty handed. I know... it's a thing I have, someone I haven't seen in a while I must come bearing gifts of some sort. I feel weird otherwise.

Thought of the Day I am going Op shopping tomorrow, to find a bargain.

2008-07-02T21:09:00.003+10:00

Well I actually did some baking today, mind you it was of the boring variety. I made some blueberry muffins for the kids lunch boxes. I had a container of sour cream in the fridge just screaming at me to use it before it died in my fridge.

I didn't pick up any knitting needles today....which is unlike me, maybe because I got my jacket made in record time, my brain and body is telling me to take a breather.

I am getting my hair cut tomorrow. Appointment is at 10am. a wash, foils, and a cut, to get it layered. It is a mess at the moment. The last time I had it cut was December...and it is long overdue. And I hate going to the hairdresser almost as much as the dentist....they are so expensive.
I am meeting my eldest daughter for coffee afterwards. I think we all need a treat now and then. This one has been coming for a while. Way overdue....

My Thoughts.....I would love to be on a sunny deserted beach in some warm part of the world with my gorgeous Husband.

Finished

2008-07-01T19:31:00.004+10:00

I finished my jacket today. Really pleased with it. The color doesn't show up real well on the pic.
It was a bit tricky for about 4 rows near the arm section when I had to pick the sleeves up with the rest of the garment, but over all not hard at all. Wasn't sure what sort of buttons to put on it, until I went through my button box and found some bling. Wore it today and it was extremely warm. I even had some wool left over, which surprised me. Might give myself a break for a day or two, might lower back is really aching, i am thinking it is muscular. DH just rubbed deep heat into it, and I took some pain killers. Youngest DD wants a head band. What a good way to learn/practice cable.
Mind you there may be some swearing going on if its too fiddly. My thumb doesn't do fiddly after dislocating it in January. Still plays up occasionally.

2008-06-30T21:44:00.004+10:00

Here is the jacket that I started last night....It is supposed to be knit on circulars, which I don't have in that size, SO I am persisting with straights. It is working and I am almost finished. It is just a tad tight when knitting near the armholes, so I am just not stretching it at all there....I hope I can get it finished by tomorrow night....Made a promise to myself I would have it done by the time the kids go on school holidays, Friday is the last day of school for 2 weeks (blah). But in saying that if I get it done by tomorrow, then I can start another project. I like to do a big thing even if it is quick and then a couple of small things...I think it has something to do with instant gratification.

Here is the Link for the pattern for this Jacket

My Thought of the Day : Understanding a pattern properly is best done with no children around.

2008-06-29T16:30:00.003+10:00

Today was an absolutely beautiful day.
Why you ask...the sun was shining, and the kids were well behaved.
It was not as cold as it has been, I hate the cold.
I decided we were going to have a late lunch, early dinner. So we barbequed.

We had a Moroccan butterflied lamb leg with chili potatoes all cooked on the bbq, then we
had a morrocan style salad, with chickpeas, lettuce, couscous, orange, etc. And fresh crusty rolls.
Now I just have to give them a snack of some sort later...otherwise they will feel like they haven't been fed, as we ate so early.
Well I have 5 more days of peace (I mean knitting in peace) then the kids are on school holidays, great for a sleep in, but they drive me mad sometimes....I will have to give them lots of jobs to do so they don't get bored...
The 10 yr old likes to knit, I am teaching her the basics at the moment, 12 yr old doesn't mind either, she just made a licorice all sort. I told her she should make some more and fill a jar, that would look cool. The 14 yr old loves to draw, so hopefully a lot of that going on in school holidays.
If it's nice I will take them to the beach, if THEY aren't nice I wont.

Thought of the Day I like having dinner early, it leaves me free
the rest of the day to do what I want to do.

2008-06-28T15:31:00.013+10:00

This is some of my stash.....I do have more of my SPECIAL stuff.....but will post that at a later date.....

Thought of the day: Children should be seen and not heard
( especially when they are being unruly)

2008-06-28T12:45:00.005+10:00

These are some gnomes a that I made ages ago...Just thought they were the cutest. They are an Alan Dart Pattern, that I got courtesy of a friend. I am in the process of making a 3rd one but he is in the WIP basket for now taking a rest. Thought I would make one that looked similar to santa for a xmas pressie.

2008-06-27T20:16:00.004+10:00

My daughter realised I just posted the pic of her fairy, and amazingly asked me to post these.
Normally she doesnt like anyone seeing her art work....
She drew them today, she had the day off school as she passed out this morning and was not well enough for school.

2008-06-27T19:56:00.003+10:00

Learning how to do this blogging is brain straining... usually i have to get my hubby to help me with most computer related things, but not this time...except adding the links....
I did it all myself....
I have to post a pic that my 14 yr old daughter has sketched.
I think she is good but then I AM her mum!
I scanned it while still in the frame...

Knitting and not much Baking

2008-06-27T18:39:00.003+10:00

I have decided to start a blog...don't ask why I don't even know. I never kept a diary as a kid.
I suppose we all think 'I will never do that' then turn around and for some strange reason just do it...maybe it's because I am getting older.... whatever!
I am off knitting this week a bit, had a major fail with a pair of slippers I made and they didn't felt.
Wasn't until I had finished that I realised there was 40% acrylic in the wool mix...no wonder.
Lesson learnt....read all instructions properly...and I suppose swatching wouldn't hurt.