life

as always has been cutting into my knitting time, however, there is light now as the girls prepare to return to school, oh bliss! Last week became very busy, very quickly, thursday (Australia Day) was good, we finished the evening on the roof, watching the fireworks, Holly and her friend Sean were at the Big Day Out, and the other girls were in town at the festivities.

friday was supposed to be relaxing, Flash had an 8.30 appointment at the dentist, and a day off work, he came out of the dentist with another appointment for 3.15...fine, at 2.40 Charlotte was told that she had a job interview at 3.3o, we were not expecting her to be interviewed until the next week, so had not prepared, we leapt into the car, off to the Mall for black pants, and a pretty blouse (try shopping for a size 4 - thats US size 1?-with no time) and no time for shoe shopping, so she borrowed some from her sister, and then I dropped her in the city for the interview (she did very well, found the correct building and managed to catch the bus home, despite never having been in the city alone before) Flash had to walk to the dentist, 3.30 I had a call from him, "can you pick me up" - yes in 10 minutes - "no worries I'll walk home".

Arrived home, Flash in a sorry state, has just called the dentist and has to go back immediately, tooth has fallen out, Holly and Sean have to be at the International airport for flight to NZ at (check in is 4pm) Blaise is not home yet to see Holly off and her cellphone is switched off, Charlotte is somewhere in the city without a cellphone, Mummy is torn between everyone- so goes into organisational overdrive - Maria has a key and is at work, so Charlotte can get in the house, get Holly, Sean, Flash and bags into car, take Flash to dentist, wait 10 minutes, resist Champion textiles sale, take poor Flash home, drive to airport, pick Blaise up from friend's place, luckily near airport, Blaise very happy, collapse at airport and refuse to move until restorative amounts of coffee ingested, see my darling girl off, and for once I don't cry (well, I'll be seeing her again in a week!) phone home to see how Flash is bearing up - and discover Charlotte is home safe and well, with a positive interview experience under her belt...Blaise and I sing Exponents songs all the way home, and find Flash happily doped up and tucked up on the couch.

I did not get the job I applied for, I am not willing to work fulltime,they are not willing to employ a part-timer, so there we go...happily this led to a series of events which will result in the fulfilment of a couple of wishes, and the offer to be a "kept woman" for a while - my dear husband has suggested that maybe I start designing again, rather than seeking souless employment (you can tell my megalomaniac boss has spooked me can't you) and I am warming to the idea, I have agreed to do 60% of the housework unless (until) things get crazy, and he has agreed to remain calm if the house looks like a tornado hit if I am really into something. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me, I was getting myself into a spin worrying about work, now I don't have to worry so much.

One of my biggest regrets is that I did not take many photos of the garments I made and sold, I have a few in storage, in NZ, but most of my notebooks and patterns have gone, I thought that part of my life was over...I am never ever giving any of this stuff away again!! We had a disk with photos of my last designs, but can't find it since the move, I can only hope it is in storage too.

On the knitting front, the Opal petticoat socks are over half-finished, I have turned both heels, and have completed the gusset on one, so next I am knitting the second gusset, knitting them both at the same time does seem to be working for me. I am not too enamoured of the petticoat, I had expected it to be more pastel-y, I find the lime green sets my teeth on edge a bit, however they are not for me, so I will just move on.

Self portrait tuesday

so many to choose from, but I like this photo of me at 2, confident, aware. My Mother believed it was vital to get down on the floor and play with your kids, her MIL thought she was crazy, I learnt to read around the same time this photo was taken, and my sister was born soon after. The future was bright.

(shhh it is still tuesday somewhere)

flags

I will be in NZ for a lot of the Winter Olympics, so have chosen to stand down and not participate in the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics, however in support of my fellow Australasians, I have made some buttons, take and enjoy. You may need to resize them.

Also a shout out to Cantabrians, any links and addresses to anything you think I may be interested in in Christchurch, as I will be there for a day or two in Feb.

Endings and beginnings

this post is not as deep as the title suggests.

Here we have finished objects ( please clap politely)

The Panta - knit with one ball of Rare Yarns Cocoon (merino,silk,alpaca,mohair blend) in "jade"
it came out too long, so I have decreased the number of rows in a repeat from 16 to 14(her head is 22 inches around in Panta terms)
I had to rip this back 3x to get the decreases looking right (i.e. not showing) finally nailed it with help from fellow SSK-ers.

Next we have the finished thrummed mittens for
Holly, I love these, I used my ordinary kitten mitten pattern (in the sidebar) and knitted pencil thin lengths of roving in on every 4th row,every 3rd stitch, this left a float between each stitch (like fairisle) which I fluffed up when the mittens were finished.
I have promised Holly bedsocks with a thrummed sole next, but I am thinking a thrummed hat might be better in the weather she is going too! These were fun and quick to make (less than a day each....with at least a mon th in between!) using 1 ball of Noro silkgarden and approximately 15g Fleece Artist roving.





In order to avoid 1/2 finished projects I am trialling this method of making socks...2 at once, (no Donni I have not managed the 2 socks on 2 circs pattern from Knitpicks yet...but I have printed it, and bought the 2 circs, and they are all sitting together with the yarn, so next time!) you knit the rib of one, then the rib of the second sock, the first 20 rows of the one, the first 20 rows of the other, you get the picture, so you are never more than 20 or so rows further along on the first sock, and the "second sock syndrome" becomes "second toe syndrome" much easier to cure. Opal Petticoat - where were you when my girls wore kneesocks? they would have adored you, now you are destined for my Granny.

fifteen

Blaise doesn't want a blog celebration of her birth like last year so here is an old favourite poem from when fifteen was five.


Sleep, darling
I have a small daughter called Cleis,
who is like a golden flower
I wouldn't take all Croesus' kingdom
with love thrown in, for her
---
Don't ask me what to wear
I have no embroidered headband from Sardis to give you, Cleis,
such as I wore
and my mother always said that in her day a purple ribbon
looped in the hair was thought
to be high style indeed
but we were dark:a girl whose hair is yellower than torch light
should wear no head dress but fresh flowers

Sappho
tr. Barnard

happy birthday darling Blaise

finally I can put my feet up

to your right is a brand new button, click on it and it will take you to my latest free offering, I made the prototypes just after Christmas,and sent them to a friend in NZ.I have spent the past 2 days knitting these samples and writing the patterns. In the patterns I am taking a bit for-granted...that you will know how to arrange a 3x1 rib for instance! anyway, there they are...enjoy, and knit now for the yoga enthusiast in your life, get a jump-start on next Christmas!

This week has been hectic, Charlotte arrived home on sunday, and is settling in, I visited the "girls in the 'gong" on Tuesday and was entertained with the GOOD china (beautiful) cakes, cookies, a yummy lunch and good vino,I had a fabulous time, and so nice to talk knitting, get advice, and support, I feel like I am heading in the right direction.

Home is not a quiet place, even with Flash in Melbourne, Maria at camp and Holly working from 12-9pm...it feels as though there is just too much happening and I am feeling overwhelmed...hard to blog when your husband is on the phone, 2 t.v.s are on with doors open, and a kid is sitting, waiting for the computer...have you ever been stared at by a waiting teenager, very unsettling!

I am off to finish knitting Blaise's Panta, (alright I haven't joined the panta-along...I've joined in spirit if not in fact) fingers crossed I finish it before tomorrow.

a Mother's heart

I wasn't going to post today, not much going on, still working on that pattern I promised yesterday.

Blaise came to me tonight and uttered those magical words "could you please teach me to knit?"
YES! yes oh yes! I was sure she would be the one to withstand the temptations of the yarn...she is the musician, the actress, but no, there were these "darling little wristwarmers" YES! I leapt up and within a trice had soft pale pink pure wool dk, and electric blue steel needles, ( I cast on and knit the first few rows) and then sat her on my knee (she's tiny for almost 15) and, well, taught her to knit, as I write this she has knitted 6 rows, she is going great guns!

As she turned the needles again, for yet another row, I whispered the words from the opening of the Cast-on podcast "Knit - knit like the wind" her reply - "would a gentle breeze do?"
yes my dear, it will for now - but soon you will be knitting up a storm!

here it is, the picture to warm my heart - 2 of my girls knitting, we are now a majority!

this is not a baking blog!

really, I promise...it just looks that way!

yesterday I received a gift from a wonderful lady Danielle, which just blew me away... this cute decorated parcel, and inside a beautiful card, and the most darling little stitch markers...combined my love of eating and my love of knitting into the perfect wee gift. The name of the artist is Michael Parkes I love his use of colour, all of those different blues. Thank you so much Danielle, I appreciate your grace and thoughtfulness.

knitting content - almost zero, I am knitting...frantically knitting...but it is all secret since 1/2 the family read the blog, I am working on a free pattern though, and it will be up quite soon. I figured the best way to deal with next Christmas, is to start knitting the Christmas presents NOW, then pack them safely away and feel all virtuous when December rolls around again (do not, I say, DO NOT burst my bubble!)

I contacted a real (not fake) estate agent yesterday, he is going around to the Auckland house today to give us an appraisal (and we get the house checked out as well, which is a bonus) so it may well be on the market by this weekend, we won't miss it, none of us ever really liked it, but it served it's purpose well, and is in a good school zone, so, well...fingers crossed. It is a concrete step towards the realisation of our dreams and goals. The dreams and goals where we renovate and extend (in a sympathetic manner) our turn -of-the-previous-century villa in the country, and build a quaker-style barn up the back of the garden so that Mummy can design and knit all day, while looking out over the river and the hills beyond...ok, so it is still a few years off, but like I said, at least we are taking steps towards it.

housekeeping

not much happening at Chez lotsakids, I had a job interview this morning, I think it went well, but will not tie myself up in knots, whatever will be, will be, however, if it is to be, it will be
- a big change for me, careerwise, because it is not a career type job, but I think something that will be a whole lot more fulfilling, will update.

Knitting progress is being made, have been playing around with decreases, how to make them look right etc, found this great site which you probably all have bookmarked already, but if not...go there! this woman is a goddess. I am so grateful to everyone who shares their knowledge so that we all have this great resource at our fingertips, the decreases are on a baby cardi I am designing, in the old days it would have taken me ages to work out or find out these sometimes obscure techniques,now they are just a click away.

Wisteria Craft in Miranda Westfield are closing down, they are not sure when, just whenever they are told to pack up, but if you live close by get in there and buy something to help them out, I picked up a pile of Susan Bates anodised straights and dpns for 1/2 price, it is such a pity that these stores are closing, as I mentioned to Donni, some of these malls don't even have bookshops let alone yarn shops... they have 10 phone shops, 5 gaming shops, 20 "cut price, plastic crap,variety shops" and no bloody bookshops (excuse my rant)

Thank you thank you to Annie, who made me a beautiful Christmas tea-towel, which I opened on Christmas day, and have just packed away for next Christmas, Flash was quite overwhelmed that you actually made it for me...he is just starting to get the hang of this online friend thing, and is very impressed.

I am baking for Flash's management team meeting tomorrow - the joys of being a housewife! dark chocolate and cherry cookies, and good old oatmeal and raisin, so I'll leave you now with a picture of a present from Flash...loving these colours.

on Island time

I promised a batch of homemade Coconut buns - but it's not going to happen folks, I went clothes shopping yesterday, and while I don't usually discuss such topics in public..."the time has come - the walrus said" the Christmas/New Year eating and drinking fest ends now, so it is "templefood" time in the words of Nigella - see her book "How to Eat" the "low-fat" chapter, basically you eat porridge for breakfast (with golden syrup for her, honey with ginger for me) a baked potato with cheese for lunch for her (with broccoli and cheese for me) snack on fruit, vegies or low-fat fromage frais "gloop" if desperate, and dinner is a small amount of fish or chicken, loads of vegies, predominantly Asian flavours, I like her approach and attitude to dieting - just get on with it - and don't bore people by talking about - so I will cease now!

Back to the Coconut bun recipe, this recipe has providence - when I was a child my Mother worked fulltime, so needed a childminder during the school holidays, often we ended up at the home of my Speech and Drama teacher, her husband and numerous children, her husband was Samoan and it was from him that I learnt these recipes, as I helped him make the dough in an old baby bath, and watched with delight as they grew golden and fragrant in the oven, then we rode in the car with him as he delivered them to dairies ( convenience stores) all over Ponsonby and Grey Lynn. When I worked at WINZ as a case manager, I had a lot of Samoan colleagues, they were amazed when I brought "Pani popo" in for morning tea, smiling they always asked me"how can a Palagi (pronouced "palangi" - European) like you make pani popo?", I told them the story and had them over to my house to show them how to make them.

here is the recipe, no photo I am afraid

Coconut Buns (Pani popo)

1 quantity of dough (from recipe for cinnamon buns)
1 can (440 - 500 mls) coconut cream ( I use lite, it doesn't change the taste)
1 C white sugar

stir the sugar into the coconut cream, set aside for now.
Make the dough into rolls as described in the previous recipe, brush the dough with some of the coconut syrup before rolling up, but not much, cut into buns.
Place the buns in a greased roasting pan (alternatively place them in foil pans, 6 to a pan). Leave to rise while the oven heats,when risen, pour the syrup over the buns, it should come up the sides by at least a centimetre, you can make more syrup if you like, as long as the buns are no more than 1/3 submerged, bake until golden - open the oven twice during cooking to baste with the coconut syrup.
The syrup becomes gelatinous as it cools, absolutely delicious.
Serve warm if possible and should be eaten on the day they are made (can be re-heated i n the microwave)
enjoy!

Baking

The big girls are working, so Blaise and I took the opportunity to do some baking bonding.

We made cinnamon buns

and chocolate cherry buns

Basic bun dough recipe:

1 C hot water

1 C cold milk

4 C bread flour

1t salt

1/4 C white sugar

3 T plain oil (I use grapeseed)

2 1/2 T dried yeast

place all ingredients in breadmaker pan (remember to put the liquids first, then dry ingredients, then yeast) and put on the dough cycle, remove from pan when ready, roll out into a rectangle 2 cm thick - fill with fillings as below.

(if you do not have a breadmaker - check cookbooks or online and make the dough by hand)

Fillings:

cinnamon: mix 1 c brown sugar with 2 t ground cinnamon, spread 2 T melted butter over dough, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, then sprinkle with currants (to your taste)

cherry chocolate: make almond paste - 1/2 C ground almonds, 1/4 t almond extract,1/2 t vanilla extract, 1 T soft butter, 1/4 C sugar, mix well, adjust if necessary. Spread dough with almond paste, sprinkle with dried cherries and chopped dark chocolate (to your taste)

roll up, slice into 12 peices, place in a greased pan (I use a roasting pan) turn oven to 180 degrees (360) and leave to rise while oven heats, bake until light brown, place on a cooling rack, drizzle with simple water icing.

I have one more cinnamon bun type recipe, the Samoan version, I think we will make them tomorrow - will post the recipe.

the kitchen smells heavenly, and Blaise's friend from down the hall dropped in to see her (lured no doubt by the delicious scent filling the corridor) I'm off to do some test knitting.

Grass

you don't really think about things until you don't have them - like grass, it's a pain, you have to mow it, water it, remove weeds, sometimes you get bindis, and don't talk to me about prickle grass, the great NZ summer with all the kids limping along the grass verge on the way to the beach. However, it is summer, and summer to me is morning coffee on the back porch, reading the paper and watching the cat roll around in a dust bath. Wine in the evening on the front porch, chatting to neighbours as they stroll past on their evening walks, the air redolent with the smell of freshly mown grass.
We haven't had a garden for 15 months (apart from the pot of basil which I'm ashamed to say, isn't faring too well) I haven't missed the work - in Auckland we had 502 square metres, which was manageable, but Waihi is 1200 square metres, which was pushing it, I could have had a pony (or a couple of sheep...)!
Now that I have identified this yearning, I have set about healing it, the kids and I were off to sit in the park on a blanket, we have books and knitting, and the cafe is close enough for one of them to go get take outs, we can smell the grass, enjoy limited sun, and relax - I said "were", the sun seems to have disappeared, we may have to postpone until tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to it.

there has been knitting:
Trekking XXL socks - finished

Fleece Artist socks - 1/4 finished - Nancy Bush's Rib and Cable pattern - Fall IK these are for Blaise as I have knitted too tightly for them to fit anyone else, hopefully I will remember NOT to relax while knitting the second sock! The Fleece Artist is nice to knit with, there is a bit too much orange in this colourway for me - but Blaise likes it, problem with the first skein when I tried to wind, it was tied incorrectly, and after hours of patiently trying to unwind it, I ended up with total spaghetti, I was devastated, and when it came time to unwind this skein I was terrified it would happen again, but no, this one behaved like every other skein I have ever wound - perfectly.

and there has been swatching, the handspun from Tinonee, I swatched for it yesterday, and have spent half of this morning frantically trying to recall the amazing vest design I created while I was drifting off to sleep last night! I know that it is going to be "v" neck, almost mid-length and no rib, but I can't remember the little details which were going to make it fantastic, isn't that always the way.

Sales are on big time here, I have stayed away (trying to be good due to the decrease in income) but was waylaid yesterday by 60% off Hollywood knits (liking the "Matrix" sweater) and Simple Chic, while I was there I had to grab the air freighted winter IK (am definitely considering a subscription) today I definitely have to stay home and earn my keep.

Self-portrait tuesday

this SPT was challenging due to my lack of technical knowledge and software, I knew what I wanted to say, but not how to say it - so I'm saying it naively!
I come from a family of women, each and every one is opinionated and strong - just in different ways, this has been a major influence on my life and world view.
The background photo is one of me at 2, my Mum is pregnant with my sister, around us are my grandmother, and great aunts, the one in brown had an antique shop and was still driving a lorry when this picture was taken! The photo in the foreground was taken a couple of years ago, my Mum, my Gran,sister, daughters and step-daughters (and finally - a nephew!)

01.01.06

it wouldn't be a New Year in our house without new happy cats ( I know it isn't Chinese New Year yet - gives me the chance to get some more) these little guys are smaller than a peanut.

The New Year holds promise and excitement - changes to be made - adventures planned or unplanned, I don't make resolutions - it tends to lead to failure in my experience, but I do hold with the "new slate" theory - out with the old and in with the new.

Here in the glasshouse we are excited to have Charlotte returning soon, sad to be seeing Holly go, but excited to be spectators on the next stage of her journey, looking forward to a trip home, thinking of selling a house, re-assessing my career plans, lots of exciting changes, all working towards a common goal - using our time and resources to ensure a more balanced existence.

Last year was a rollercoaster of homesickness and discovery, we left our comfort zone completely to follow a dream, I started this blog, and met some lovely, kind and inspiring people, Mary-Helen, Alison and Monica welcomed me to SSK, which is a unique, eclectic and vocal group of opinionated, passionate knitters. Donna's Australian and New Zealand knit bloggers list in turn brought Donni, Ailsa and Sharon into my life, I love that drive to Wollongong - an hour or so to myself singing too loudly, or contemplating future projects, and Donni's visits to Sydney - introducing me to a wider and wider sphere of local craftspeople, positively pressuring me to use my talents, and just general and constant chatting...I have missed the company of my girlfriends, of whom I had complete support systems in both Auckland and Waihi, in Sydney I have tended to shy away from potential friendships as I know that one day I will leave and it will hurt more - I know that is a silly way to live and am confident that I will overcome my self-imposed barrier.
Thank you to all of the wonderful bloggers I have met online, to those who have encouraged and provided assistance, the beautiful gifts I have received from virtual strangers, and the fun I have had creating gifts in return, the comments and emails which have encouraged me (who would have known that little fortune cat would have gone so far!), this is an infinitely positive and creative medium, and I am so glad to be a part of it.

Happy New Year!

meanderings

when going on holiday it is important not to rush while packing, otherwise you could forget something important - like the camera.

Flash and I have just had a couple of days away alone together, we stayed on the northern coast of New South Wales,about 3.5 hrs drive from home. It was idyllic, we hiked, swam and laid on the beach (under a shade) we saw a real live wild goanna, and a wedge-tailed eagle, and mile upon mile of beautiful scenery, all of which is in my head instead of in my laptop, although we did buy a "happy snappy" camera in order to take photos of Gloucester and Stroud (inland NSW) for my grandparents (from Gloucester and Stroud in the UK) who like that kind of thing. It was so nice spending some time together, we needed to re-group, we have another year of changes coming up.
We drove inland to Gloucester, and passed a little town called Tinonee, a little way out of town I noticed a sign on the side of the road "The Spinning wheel" , and then another "angora goats for sale $15" we drove up the driveway and were immediately inundated with dogs - an elderly bull terrier, even more ancient sheepdog and tiny miniature schnauzer, who all licked and nuzzled enthusiastically, and engendered no fear at all, in fact it was great, they kept the husband busy while I loaded up with yarn! June's workshop was full of bags of dyed and undyed roving, and baskets of balls of handspun, I decided to pass on the roving, I have enough to be going on with - the spinning is improving, but not vastly so. The handspun was well priced, and I bought just over a kilo in different colour blends and fibres, all is sheep, but blended with either mohair or alpaca, each ball is 100g, enough for a hat, and I thought I might make some felted slippers too, but at the moment it is stacked on the coffee table, the kids love playing with it,it is full of lanolin and it still smells like sheep!

the colours are not showing at all, we have purple, white plied with pink and red, light brown plied with green/blue, natural brown, and teal plied with natural cream.

Once again I bought without thinking of the end product, so this too will end up in the stash (in it's own box I think) which makes me think of the last time I was a handknitter, I had a huge box of yarn in the corner of the living room, but I didn't call it a "stash" it was just a collection - which I expected would be knitted up in time, i had two skeins of Rowan Botany wool, 1 charcoal, 1 a soft mossy green, I used to pet them, and think "I really need to do something with this wool" but I never did, I didn't know any other knitters, so I didn't know that this was normal behaviour! and I used to search for sock wool in the LYS, but this was pre-internet and I just believed the owner when she said the spinners didn't make sock wool anymore.

15 1/2 years ago a friend and I went to see Kaffe Fassett give a talk in Auckland - I was mesmerised, I am sure the LYS owners saw him as an heretical upstart! if we listened to what he said we would stop buying packs of the same dyelot and mess the shop up with our "one of this, and one of that" mixed sweetie approach. Here was this man talking about colour and fibre - NZ is a wool producer, we knitted wool, but Kaffe turned me on to to kidsilk (ancestor of Kidsilk Haze) and mixing many more colours than I would have dreamed before, buoyed by his infectious enthusiasm I went home to start creating bright, original kids hats and clothes, which I sold at the local market, but I still knitted alone, I tried to join the Guild, but just didn't fit in, eventually I changed direction and handknitting was left behind, but the passion for fibre and colour remained. I am sad that this community of knitters did not exist for me all those years ago, but so happy I am part of it now.

Self-portrait Tuesday

time to relax and post a self-portrait
apple of his eye? eyes are the windows of the soul? or seeing myself as he see's me?
whatever, it's a nice way to get us both in the picture.

Merry Christmas

the race is over, if it hasn't been done, it won't be done, there is an awesome serenity that settles over the land at 5pm on Christmas Eve. The creme brulee cheesecake ( in lieu of Chrissy cake) is in the fridge, awaiting the subtle touch of a mini-blowtorch on it's sugar crust tomorrow, the presents wrapped, the stockings laid under the tree with care ...(where are the stockings they have had since childhood?... they are teenagers, this is what they want,I'll give up on perfection and have another wine)

my stocking - handmade by the amazing superwoman Sharon is on the tree, awaiting baubles and trinkets from my adoring husband ( yes hon, chocolates will do) and the equally wonderful Shannon's christmas CD is playing gently in the background.

Holly made pencil cases as gifts for her sisters...I am very proud.

and here are the chicks, (look it's enough that I got them all in the same clothes in the same place at the same time...to get them smiling would be a miracle)

so, to my wonderful friends, and family - Merry Christmas, from me and mine to you and yours...and remember North America, we are hours ahead of you, you still have a chance to finish your Christmas knitting!

Candy cane cupcakes

this is for you Donna
vanilla cupcakes with peppermint buttercream (includes crushed candy canes) sprinkled with more crushed candy cane - recipe from 52 Cupcakes - we made 16, there are 12 left, apparently they passed the test.

Enough

as you can see I have changed the blog, still isn't exactly what I am looking for, but will do for now!

I have started the second Trekking sock, as I have finished the first of these:

Stats: pattern: Kitten Mittens - see sidebar, no changes to pattern.
Yarn: Noro Silkgarden colour: 211
Thrums: FleeceArtist roving (lost the tag, not sure about the colorway)
Fits med-large woman's hand.
I will write up a pattern, my thrums are not conventional from what I have read, so I might try another way next time, but I like these anyway! In answer to a couple of comments, I wrote the pattern with a pointed tip, as hands are NOT square, look at you fingertips, they rise to a point.

Today I will be a-flurry baking, spaghetti pies (did you try them yet Donni?) typical kindy food, the kids are on a nostalgia kick, caramel swirl cheesecake ( or Creme Brulee cheesecake?) and another 100 spice biscuits ( the last lot disappeared...Flash has been taking them to work...)

sticking to the knitting

now that Christmas is under control (fingers crossed!) and the Holly-day excitement has subsided slightly, I can show that there has actually been progress:

finished sock in Trekking XXL in colourway 104, I used my "basic, know it off the top of my head" sock pattern, the cool thing about this yarn is that I can knit 3 pairs from 2 balls - gotta love that, the yarn is so soft and the melange of blues that slowly change from ice through peacock to teal are quite intriguing! As Stephanie has noted so eloquently - you can't make them match, so don't go driving yourself mad trying. (well, you can make them match...but I would prefer not to waste 1/3 of a ball of yarn looking for the right starting place) I feel for her, luckily having identical twin socks is not my personal compulsion, but I do admit to an almost pathological need to match stripes on jumpers, which has been mitigated by creating a raglan pattern,to ensure that the sleeve head and body stripes are compatible, but I tend to avoid the madness by just not knitting striped jumpers..."knitter know thyself"

Gratuitous "still sock with christmas lilies" photo...to distract you from the obvious lack of a second sock. This situation was caused by the arrival of two balls of Noro silkgarden, who attached themselves to the Fleece Artist roving and demanded my immediate attention, yes I know that the weather forecasters are making threats of 40 degree heat tomorrow...you will find me under the airconditioner knitting on this:

into thrummed mittens (now using my kitten mittens pattern - the other one was waaaay too big)...I can hear the groans, the shouts of WHY?? I'll tell you why, because in 7 weeks time, Holly will be in Christchurch, and this Mum needs to know that she has done her best to ensure that her firstborn will not succumb to frostbite. My Mama-bear instincts to protect my young are stronger than my desire to avoid fluffy wool roving sticking to me, while I knit in a tank top.

Now, a question...if your significant other buys you (the knitter) "Last minute knitted gifts" for Christmas, do you think that is is unreasonable of the the knitter to want to open it "NOW" because seriously, what is the point in getting "Last minute knitted gifts" if you cannot use it to make...some last minute knitted gifts, and is my significant other just messing with my head?

yes I know the answer - he is generous and loving man (who is buying me a Jordana Paige messenger bag for my birthday - yes honey, thats a HINT)

seen out and about:

I am loving Sockbug's christmas tree...I'm thinking felted christmas balls for next year.

52 cupcakes "Christmas series" look at those ornament cakes!

The Fred Dagg version of "We three kings" (scroll down)

We all love a secret

I think I need to re-think my priorities...new school shoes are soooo over rated, is my need for this yarn so much greater? Beautiful no?

The boys

this is my favourite Christmas spice biscuit recipe, we've been making these for 15 years. They keep for weeks un-iced. Yes Cece this is for your contest!
(thanks for the heads up!)

Speculaas
2/3 cup golden syrup (not sure if you can get this in the USA, it is like a lighter taste and colour of treacle, it is NOT corn syrup, you could try treacle)
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
113g butter
125g ground almonds
2 1/4 c plain flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
zest of 2 lemons

melt the first 3 ingredients together in a pan, boil gently for 2 minutes.
Mix in the other ingredients, the batter will be quite soft
refrigerate for an hour or so, until kneadable
heat oven to 180 degrees (360)
roll out to 1/4 inch thickness, cut out shapes
bake 8-10 minutes

let the Hollydays begin!

we thought you were a beautiful baby:








we knew you were a beautiful child:


Happy Birthday Holly Louise,
what a journey, and what a person to share it with.
So you are 19...19, those are BIG numbers, the government declared you an adult last year, well this year it is my turn...this is a big year for you, leaving home for the first time, so far away that any of us in Australia or NZ will have to take a plane to reach you.
Embarking on a career that I never in my wildest dreams would be your passion - my daughter the winemaker - creativity just taking another path.

You got 2 Christmases under your belt before you had competition, from today until Christmas (the offical Holly-days)you know you will be the subject of tortured Christmas carols courtesy of your twisted sisters.

"Deck the halls with bowels of Holly" and "Mum forgot to hang you on the front door" what??? "The prettiest thing will be, the Holly that you see on your own front doooor"

You wear it well, you are a "good big sister" and I must thank you for being easy on me...oh you were (are) so bright and aware, but questions, bug hunts and books were as much fun for me as for you, you handled complicated daycare arrangements with aplomb shepherding your sisters along too. You never caused me a moments worry, while other parents were worrying about their kids whereabouts, you were happily listening to your music, watching videos, playing sports.

The friends you have brought into our lives over the years and your ability to talk to ANYONE have impressed me and made me very proud, as your Nana says " the only thing I want from you girls, is that you have a social conscience" You know more people in Sydney than I do, and you are only here for 6 weeks a year!

I know that you will succeed in your chosen path, I am excited for your future.

I love this picture of you with your cousin Maisie,'

just wait 10 years before thinking about babies of your own!

You are now 2 months older than I was when the Doctor placed you in my arms, and wished me well.

I think I did a great job.

A little "hi"

pop my head up for a moment to say "I'm here" just not talking much.

Isn't Christmas CLOSE! this year I am very relaxed, we are doing a big dinner, but not a BIG dinner, and because it is only the "nuclear family" we are having OUR favourites, not the things you buy because Great Aunt Gladys thinks you should. I posted a note on the fridge and the kids have been writing down their fave foods...so the menu is shaping up like this:

Big roast chicken (cook 2, one for the next day)with sage and onion stuffing - both wet and dry (Flash has "turkey trauma" from his childhood - the christmas turkey had a name and lived in the backyard)
garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, Jamie Oliver's stuffed onions, green veg and loads of homemade gravy. (take the girl out of England, but can't take England out of the girl - I have to have a hot Christmas dinner)
Mini pizzas - (pastry in muffin pans, fill with tinned spaghetti, top with grated cheese, chopped onion and bacon, bake till done - kids favourite food)
Prawns - (for me)
little loaves of bread with dips
dipped strawberries
52 cupcakes candy cane cupcakes (made by Blaise)
fruit mince chelsea buns (made by Holly)
Baked ricotta cheesecake (made by moi - because I don't like Christmas cake, last year we had a triple layer mudcake- white choc, dark choc and caramel)
Christmas pudding (which I also don't like- but have to eat because it is Christmas - so i slather it with almond butter, custard and cream)
loads of fruit - and photos of kids with cherry earrings - just like when I was a kid...

Boxing day:
Chicken and stuffing sandwiches
Chicken Korma (used to be Turkey Korma - until I met Flash and learnt about the whole ickky turkey drama)

At the moment we are making Speculaas, Christmas Biscotti, lavender and honey biscotti, and stained glass cookies. I love making Christmas cookies with the girls.

On the knitting front:
finished the Shadow box and classy slip up socks, and 2 pairs baby socks

these have all been packaged up and sent. Next project - I have finally started the silk ribbed corset (in black wool/silk) I have knitted 18 rows so far, and have only tinked 1! I will use the Knitware software to make a pattern for the sleeves, instead of knitting down from the armholes. I'm in for the long haul. As a respite form the concentration needed for the corset, I am knitting the cable rib socks from the fall IK in Fleece Artist merino.

Have made a couple of felted scarves for my Mama, one has fluffy felted "pompoms", the other has some Shibori bobbles and noro silk garden pompoms. Holly was forced to model, so please excuse the "The Unicorns - never liked you " T -shirt. If you would like instructions for the scarf - email me - Kits are also available, and will be online in the New Year.

felted laceweight with silk garden pompoms and shibori bobbles

and finally, had a play with KoolAid and some pale yellow laceweight - here is the result, "Flouro fruit salad" - planning a felted scarf with some coloured bobbles - for Holls.

so, the energy is slowly returning, am still spending half the day in bed, this 'flu really knocked me over, but the background to it is stress - stress kills, it's not just a slogan, it suppresses the immune system, and lets all sorts of nasties in. So, be calm this Christmas season, pressies online if possible ( did this for Grandparents, neice and nephew, Dad, daughter - no stress!) and shop in the evening when the supermarket is quieter, use the freezer to store cookie dough, and other baking, don't stock up immensely, the shops are open again 2 days later, you won't starve.Enjoy family and friends, make them wash up, and keep some knitting to hand!

Shout out

I am sick as a dog, worked mon-wed with the 'flu, because I didn't dare take a sick day! Now I am paying for it, but happy as because I know I will get better, and I never have to go back!.
Something arrived from Cece which blew me out of the water...I was expecting a pair of socks worth of Knitpicks...what arrived was, well...a WHOLE lot more than that, thank you Cece you made my day, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.

TWO pairs worth of sock yarn in yummy colourways (Holly is coveting the green), "paint your own" with bonus koolaid and the suggestion of a Sydney/Wollongong dye fest, cute -as notecards, pretty wee tape measure some super squishy gummies and REAL gum. A hundred times thank you Cece.

A couple of photos of a wonderful walk we went on at Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains recently, this kind of went by the wayside in the wake of The Resignation. This walk is long , but a "must do" pack a lunch, and your swimmers, and be prepared for vistas that will take your breath away, (and some scary hair raising moments on the ledges - especially when your husband expresses his concern at the amount of rain which has recently fallen, and the propensity for ledges to collapse)

but for the sake of a picture like this, I am willing to risk a few (fenced) ledges

Infinity loop

Belinda spoilt me, then I spoilt Belinda, then Belinda spoilt me...ok ok you get the picture! And I think we both did a great job of pretending we didn't know. Nevermind, I had a great secret pal (I was my pal's pal...bit like I'm my own Grandpa...remember that song?)

Today was her Triumph de force

the wrapping was so cute...and boy if ever there was a day that I needed pressies, this was it.

Holly, my Christmas baby, nicked off with the embellishments and headed off to trivia night (with a boy who knits!

The cutest ornament of the season, very impressed Belinda, now I have to go buy that book

this may require some explanation:

Perky nana's - chocolate coated soft chewy banana candy, the other cool thing is my husband had something to do with their launch in NZ ...unfortunately he is away so I can't ask him (note to self....hide them from Blaise)

lush sari yarn, been wanting to play with this for ages.

Sublime stitching's transfers yummy yum, with little fortune cats (made me jump around...seriously) and sushi...I feel something interesting clothing-wise coming on.

gorgeous tiny stitch markers and a row counter engineered to hang, infinitely more sensible.

and yes you are right Belinda, Maggi onion soup mix - add a can of Nestle reduced cream, a tablespoon of malt vinegar, and leave in the fridge for an hour - there you have it - an incredibly calorific, white trash, chip dip...we will save them for Christmas!

Thank you, I loved getting to know you through your blog, unwrapping your wonderful gifts , and I really enjoyed thinking about your gifts and putting the packages together, have a wonderful Christmas.

little chick

so the Rock Chick in the last post hasn't really changed, she is still the sweet teddy hugging, gym obsessed, bright, hardworking, talented 14 year old she was before buying the guitar and hair dye, and inside that 14 year old...is still this 3 year old

and this 5 year old (the red and black is a bit of a theme though)

and I am so proud of her, I can see it now...we'll be rocking out to her concert which her middle sister Charlotte has organised at her big sister Holly's vineyard...

In breaking news this evening, I quit my job today, I finish up next Wednesday, I did ok, no egos were harmed, no toes trodden on, I do have an exit interview before I leave though, and I intend to be candid,so hopefully there will be positive changes for those who come after me.

AND, there has been sewing...pictures will follow.