tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269184342024-03-14T17:20:00.310+10:00Heart at HomeYou can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. ~C.S. LewisEmmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-5333544646956694662012-05-20T17:15:00.002+10:002012-05-20T17:15:51.143+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mother's Day</div>
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Pandanus Palm</div>
We visited a nearby home which was holding an open garden for Mother's Day. It was amazing, how much food can be grown in such a tiny space. <br />
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Angel's Trumpets</div>
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Bananas</div>
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Rosella - makes fabulous jam</div>
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Snake Bean</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-48858662083820424132012-05-08T12:00:00.001+10:002012-05-08T12:00:07.119+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My companion as I hang out the laundry, early in the morning. The sunlight on her web was so lovely. What a talented spinner!Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-74258781171979598012012-04-30T14:08:00.002+10:002012-04-30T14:08:17.964+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Remember me? I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. I am still reading blogs, but posting has not been something I have thought about in a very long time.</div>
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I am still spinning: delicious hand dyed top from <a href="http://www.shop.intothewhirled.com/" target="_blank">Into the Whirled</a>.</div>
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And treetops merino from the local spinning guild shop.</div>
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I am going to try and restart posting on this blog. I have to come out from under the rock sometime. </div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-86926858459802225662010-11-06T21:25:00.007+10:002010-11-06T21:45:27.927+10:00I do still exist, contrary to popular belief. I have been knitting, learning to spin and trying to keep up with the whirlwind of activity that the end of the year creates. The lovely little school my children attend is closing in 5 weeks, so I have been organising their transfers for the new school year.<br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU8WjrYklI/AAAAAAAABRI/qrlhFu9p_Ys/s1600/October+2009+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536397675153887826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU8WjrYklI/AAAAAAAABRI/qrlhFu9p_Ys/s320/October+2009+003.JPG" /></a> Above is my first attempt at spinning. It's a bit lumpy and strange, but I like it. I didn't get a lot out of the first attempt, so the plan is to knit it into a hot water bottle cover. The next lot is looking much more promising.</p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU8Wd1goWI/AAAAAAAABRA/ZneKD4CfUqE/s1600/November+2010+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536397673585746274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU8Wd1goWI/AAAAAAAABRA/ZneKD4CfUqE/s320/November+2010+007.JPG" /></a> I have been enjoying the birdlife in our tiny suburban garden this spring. This little fairy wren is hanging around with his harem. In this phot he was actually scolding the blue peg for infringing on his territory. The males are only blue in the breeding season, and the wrens remain brown throughout the year. I was so excited to discover a tiny nest in the shrubbery outside my bedroom window.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU8WEN2wYI/AAAAAAAABQ4/R5dJDnoH6jQ/s1600/November+2010+019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536397666708537730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU8WEN2wYI/AAAAAAAABQ4/R5dJDnoH6jQ/s320/November+2010+019.JPG" /></a> The kingfisher has been hunting from his fence perch. He pointedly ignored me with my camera, sneaking up on him behind the yuccas. They are such sedate birds. We have also been entertaining kookaburras.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My other little visitor has been a baby possum, badly photographed below:</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU-RPVeCPI/AAAAAAAABRQ/PaGcr2iUAwE/s1600/October+2009+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536399782817171698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TNU-RPVeCPI/AAAAAAAABRQ/PaGcr2iUAwE/s320/October+2009+024.JPG" /></a><br />I found him on the road outside our house, valiantly fighting off two crows who clearly thought he would make a most excellent lunch. I gathered him up, and possum sat for the afternoon, until I could take him to the vet to be passed on to licensed carers. He was unhurt, and quite snuggly once he had recovered from his fright. My guess is that he had fallen from Mama possum's back, as there was no sign of a parent anywhere. It's illegal to keep the wildlife as pets, so I had to reluctantly give him up. Josh and I are resolved to investigate becoming wildlife carers next year, so that we can help these 'furry friends'.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-20937195482939415532010-08-29T13:17:00.000+10:002010-08-29T13:20:10.542+10:00<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/THnRpwbtQ_I/AAAAAAAABQo/EyM7xxe3bSk/s1600/August+2010+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510666134370468850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/THnRpwbtQ_I/AAAAAAAABQo/EyM7xxe3bSk/s320/August+2010+006.JPG" /></a> Still here, still knitting.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/THnRpa-2I2I/AAAAAAAABQg/LG0zLxzX17s/s1600/August+2010+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510666128612270946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/THnRpa-2I2I/AAAAAAAABQg/LG0zLxzX17s/s320/August+2010+009.JPG" /></a> And baking cakes.<br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-67825175260485567272010-07-06T17:22:00.002+10:002010-07-06T17:42:49.771+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TDLZ8zeTCAI/AAAAAAAABQY/UC3ZTIQ74Ps/s1600/July+2010+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490690534350718978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TDLZ8zeTCAI/AAAAAAAABQY/UC3ZTIQ74Ps/s320/July+2010+010.JPG" /></a> I've been doing some internet housekeeping. I have set up <a href="http://domesticflotsam.wordpress.com/">a new blog</a>, just two posts so far, with the intention of using it as a craft specific blog. It'll be mostly knitting, with a little sewing thrown in too. Family related posts and pictures of the kids will remain here, where my heart is.<br /><br />I hope I'll see you all in both places!<br /><div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-84690117043923296922010-07-02T21:04:00.003+10:002010-07-02T21:28:54.595+10:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3Iwghq7bI/AAAAAAAABQQ/hXKr6C5CgtY/s1600/June+2010+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489264256524938674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3Iwghq7bI/AAAAAAAABQQ/hXKr6C5CgtY/s320/June+2010+007.JPG" /></a> Knitting like a maniac at the moment. Winter has well and truly arrived and the needles are in overdrive. I seem to believe that if I start a pair of socks tonight I will be able to have warm feet tomorrow. So here are a few finishes:<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3IwV9HBHI/AAAAAAAABQI/C5Q8dpSLgEY/s1600/June+2010+028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489264253687235698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3IwV9HBHI/AAAAAAAABQI/C5Q8dpSLgEY/s320/June+2010+028.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.morrisandsons.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_277_1231&products_id=36899">Spiral Scarf</a>, a kit I bought at the Morris and Sons stand at a craft fair in March. I also bought cheap bamboo needles so that I could cast on while waiting for Brett to come get me. It was such an easy pattern, and looks pretty amazing.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3Iv4-CQ_I/AAAAAAAABQA/fGxi7tbTnwA/s1600/June+2010+023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489264245906490354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3Iv4-CQ_I/AAAAAAAABQA/fGxi7tbTnwA/s320/June+2010+023.JPG" /></a> Star crossed slouchy beret, a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> pattern, knitted in Malabrigo Worsted, colour Pearl. This was another quick and easy one, though Brett was away that week, and I do tend to hyperfocus on stuff in the evenings without him around.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3IvvOdiGI/AAAAAAAABP4/pe3QKEPR-Cc/s1600/June+2010+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489264243291031650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TC3IvvOdiGI/AAAAAAAABP4/pe3QKEPR-Cc/s320/June+2010+004.JPG" /></a> And Cedar Leaf Shawlette, knitted in bronze Handmaiden Lady Godiva, one of the most sensual knitting experiences you could ever have. This yarn is divine. </div><div> </div><div>There are more projects going, of course, a couple very close to completion. Let's hope winter lasts more than the weekend!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-16443087122373384032010-06-18T15:32:00.003+10:002010-06-18T15:50:45.808+10:00<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGC1Oz6cI/AAAAAAAABPw/ZI1IFle-BSs/s1600/MayJune+2010+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483983616972417474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGC1Oz6cI/AAAAAAAABPw/ZI1IFle-BSs/s320/MayJune+2010+009.JPG" /></a> The first of June, the first day of winter. Our fair city had a small winter celebration, The Saviours of the Lost Arts, an extravaganza of workshops, markets and tea drinking. The local Council invited the knitters of the city to do a little yarn bombing. The green heart is a logo they use a lot on local council stuff, so hundreds of green hearts were knit and attached to places around the city centre. I searched and searched, but never found any of my contributions. I did love the possum one so much. It's such a cute bronze statue at the bus station.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGCs7ocmI/AAAAAAAABPo/UIBRCUJnamQ/s1600/MayJune+2010+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483983614744490594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGCs7ocmI/AAAAAAAABPo/UIBRCUJnamQ/s320/MayJune+2010+062.JPG" /></a> City hall was taken over by a vast spider's web, with a wooly spider in the centre. There was also the cutest line of baby clothes strung on the other side.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGCDc4NbI/AAAAAAAABPg/NeGSeNllII4/s1600/MayJune+2010+045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483983603609646514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGCDc4NbI/AAAAAAAABPg/NeGSeNllII4/s320/MayJune+2010+045.JPG" /></a> Notable legal minds clearly have interesting hobbies!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGBpBSnJI/AAAAAAAABPY/DDZVeRIeRwo/s1600/MayJune+2010+078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483983596514614418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGBpBSnJI/AAAAAAAABPY/DDZVeRIeRwo/s320/MayJune+2010+078.JPG" /></a> There are some large metal spherical sculptures outside the city library. These were wrapped into enormous balls of yarn. I was amused at how many passers by would pause to touch the yarn. The trees also gained a little wolly warmth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGBMIFPHI/AAAAAAAABPQ/VGoSMTJgKv4/s1600/MayJune+2010+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483983588758469746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBsGBMIFPHI/AAAAAAAABPQ/VGoSMTJgKv4/s320/MayJune+2010+008.JPG" /></a><br />And this kangaroo sculpture is exceptionally well dressed!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-31130666424323450712010-06-14T15:32:00.003+10:002010-06-14T15:47:11.539+10:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBXAhP8BgzI/AAAAAAAABPI/FR8j4ivew6Q/s1600/MayJune+2010+043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482499798839952178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBXAhP8BgzI/AAAAAAAABPI/FR8j4ivew6Q/s320/MayJune+2010+043.JPG" /></a> My favourite shoes and socks combination at the moment. The shoes are made by Colorado and the socks are a simple stockinette stitch made from Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBXAgpKF7GI/AAAAAAAABPA/SOdhykNyLmQ/s1600/June+2010+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482499788429978722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBXAgpKF7GI/AAAAAAAABPA/SOdhykNyLmQ/s320/June+2010+004.JPG" /></a> This weekend I finished my <a href="http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/2009/11/cedar-leaf-shawlette.html">Cedar Leaf Shawlette</a>, knit from the luscious <a href="http://handmaiden.ca/index.html">Handmaiden Lady Godiva</a>, a silk and wool blend. The colour is Bronze. It still needs blocking to bring out the shape of the leaf border, but it's just lovely as it is. I am a little sad that this one is going to be given away, and think I might have to make another for myself.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBXAgYsuS-I/AAAAAAAABO4/2pgPnrXVyeI/s1600/June+2010+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482499784011828194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/TBXAgYsuS-I/AAAAAAAABO4/2pgPnrXVyeI/s320/June+2010+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I am such a Bad Blogger. I have been reading, but failing miserably in the commenting and blogging stakes. I have been knitting like a woman possessed, so many finished shawls, scarves and hats and no photos to prove that it really happened. I promise that I'll be doing a whole lot of blocking, photographing and blogging to catch up.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-73776691473048213542010-04-13T14:03:00.003+10:002010-04-13T14:16:15.305+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S8PtxemYleI/AAAAAAAABOw/4oEjQiYHgyQ/s1600/March+2010+074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459468607586604514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S8PtxemYleI/AAAAAAAABOw/4oEjQiYHgyQ/s320/March+2010+074.JPG" /></a> Firstly a find, this gorgeous brooch was snapped up by yours truly at the nearby Salvation Army thrift store. I have been searching for appropriate shawl pins and this treasure makes a wonderful start to my collection.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S8PtxLeuhpI/AAAAAAAABOo/j5y2ZXlF_TA/s1600/March+2010+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459468602454214290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S8PtxLeuhpI/AAAAAAAABOo/j5y2ZXlF_TA/s320/March+2010+022.JPG" /></a> Just Enough Ruffles was my winning entry into the Tangled Yarns Malabrigo March competition. I knitted this up with Malabrigo Worsted in Damask Rose, with a Pearl coloured edge due to the lack of forethought of the knitter. I only bought one skein of Rose when I really needed two, and when I went back to the store they had run out of Rose entirely. I won another skein of Malabrigo from the store, so I think I came out on top!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S8PtwmHSrZI/AAAAAAAABOg/Y0cK99Ls8bE/s1600/March+2010+086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459468592423808402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S8PtwmHSrZI/AAAAAAAABOg/Y0cK99Ls8bE/s320/March+2010+086.JPG" /></a> And this is the Simple and Effective Shawl, which I knitted with Noro Silkgarden Sock, using two balls to make it larger. Very snuggly and the colour range goes with almost everything I own. Perfect!</div><div> </div><div>All patterns are available at Ravelry.com.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-82502925001513596622010-04-03T15:35:00.002+10:002010-04-03T15:45:54.378+10:00<div align="center">March has been crazy busy ...<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU36QdTLI/AAAAAAAABOY/9G22HKD1hcI/s1600/March+2010+087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455782055602113714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU36QdTLI/AAAAAAAABOY/9G22HKD1hcI/s320/March+2010+087.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>with a Teddy Bears' Picnic,<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU3cFnUhI/AAAAAAAABOQ/t-lIGiuwmUQ/s1600/March+2010+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455782047503569426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU3cFnUhI/AAAAAAAABOQ/t-lIGiuwmUQ/s320/March+2010+009.JPG" /></a> Easter Bonnet Parade, one with an Easter theme, one with a Weather theme and one with an Australiana theme,<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU22Z-JiI/AAAAAAAABOI/3yS03ykJ2R8/s1600/March+2010+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455782037388404258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU22Z-JiI/AAAAAAAABOI/3yS03ykJ2R8/s320/March+2010+012.JPG" /></a> a day out on the water for Christopher,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU2DtVbeI/AAAAAAAABOA/nxng4VzzObo/s1600/March+2010+060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455782023779413474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU2DtVbeI/AAAAAAAABOA/nxng4VzzObo/s320/March+2010+060.JPG" /></a> and a bit of game playing down time.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU1qTSa4I/AAAAAAAABN4/6LjP6JuH1AE/s1600/March+2010+093.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455782016959277954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S7bU1qTSa4I/AAAAAAAABN4/6LjP6JuH1AE/s320/March+2010+093.JPG" /></a> and Earth Hour.</div><div> </div><div>There was also a bunch of knitting and a thrift store find, but that's going in another post.</div><div> </div><div>Have a lovely Easter!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-65363526782205455752010-03-15T11:23:00.002+10:002010-03-15T11:51:38.589+10:00It has been a busy time around here, with extra choir commitments to work around as well as impromptu guests while my grandmother was in hospital. She has made a great recovery, in spite of being a 'difficult' patient. The only thing I have had time for, with plenty of sitting around by bedsides and in the car waiting for choristers to finish up, is knitting. This is the year of lace for me, and I am very pleased with the results so far.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S52MnOijJEI/AAAAAAAABNs/wCzS52mp82o/s1600-h/March+2010+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665729733960770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S52MnOijJEI/AAAAAAAABNs/wCzS52mp82o/s320/March+2010+002.JPG" /></a> This delicious shawl is Luna Moth, from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>. I used Malabrigo Silky Merino, in the Smoke colourway. The yarn was purchased from <a href="http://www.tangledyarns.com.au/catalog/">Tangled Yarns</a>, my all time favourite yarn store. I have bought yarn from them online and the speed of delivery would make your head spin. I have also been going to their social knitting morning as often as I can, and always seem to leave with more yarn than I had when I came.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S52MldjBfUI/AAAAAAAABNk/dp_y5jf5pqI/s1600-h/March+2010+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665699402743106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S52MldjBfUI/AAAAAAAABNk/dp_y5jf5pqI/s320/March+2010+003.JPG" /></a> And these two pictures are of my Swallowtail shawl, also a pattern downloadable free from Ravelry. I knitted it with very fine silk from <a href="http://kaalundyarns.com.au/index.htm">Kaalund Enchante</a> in the shade Glasshouse. I bought this at a craft show, and would certainly buy more. I had to get a circular lace needle, as it was far to frustrating on regular needles, but it is oh so soft and feather light. I used beads to replace the nupps (pictured below) and like that they give the shawlette a little weight, so that it sits really nicely around my neck. I am reknitting this pattern in Malabrigo Lace as a gift for a dear friend having a milestone birthday this year.</p><p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S52MkknGOgI/AAAAAAAABNc/YN94Cj4KGHA/s1600-h/March+2010+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448665684119009794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S52MkknGOgI/AAAAAAAABNc/YN94Cj4KGHA/s320/March+2010+012.JPG" /></a> </p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-34266844656554471742010-02-10T09:12:00.002+10:002010-02-10T09:20:21.949+10:00<div align="center">We have a baby kookaburra hanging around our neighbourhood at the moment. He and his parents spend a lot of time in the trees surrounding our yard. He is still learning to laugh, and sounds more like a very sickly chainsaw trying to start, rather than the familiar kookaburra laugh.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This morning he was carrying on continuously, and the kids went out to see if they could spot him. They came rushing back in to tell me that he was choking on a shoelace. Riiight. So I went out to take a look. Sitting on a branch was the proudest bird I have ever seen, proudly displaying a (very small) snake he'd caught all by himself. Obviously the noise was because he wanted us all to see how clever he is!<br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S3HsQv6nqGI/AAAAAAAABNU/kXRBxVTQaqU/s1600-h/February+2010+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436385997697296482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S3HsQv6nqGI/AAAAAAAABNU/kXRBxVTQaqU/s320/February+2010+024.JPG" /></a>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-30581933686165057692010-01-29T14:00:00.003+10:002010-01-29T14:15:29.780+10:00<div align="center">Australia Day<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JetOYW6nI/AAAAAAAABNM/_LcQ83XuEuQ/s1600-h/January+2010+019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008231609625202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JetOYW6nI/AAAAAAAABNM/_LcQ83XuEuQ/s320/January+2010+019.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>We have really been out and about this month, in spite of the sweltering heat. Last weekend we spent a few days in the bush, only an hour or so down the road from our place. We enjoyed the opportunity to explore a little further than a day trip allows.<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JesJoEwsI/AAAAAAAABNE/BrLd_zNRPuQ/s1600-h/January+2010+081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008213153497794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JesJoEwsI/AAAAAAAABNE/BrLd_zNRPuQ/s320/January+2010+081.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>We paddled in creeks filled with guppies and water skaters. Josh was disappointed to discover that this version of paddling did not involve canoes. It was so hot, and our car airconditioner is once more on strike, so any accesible creeks were considered fair game to cool ourselves off.<br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JersqTjPI/AAAAAAAABM8/87eTJnRNgWI/s1600-h/January+2010+034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008205378227442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JersqTjPI/AAAAAAAABM8/87eTJnRNgWI/s320/January+2010+034.JPG" /></a> My favourite spot was Natural Bridge, a fascinating arch and cave caused by a creek eroding the sand stone. There are glow worms, but they are not visible during daylight hours. </p><p><br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JerBOOpkI/AAAAAAAABM0/xU32A9om4WM/s1600-h/January+2010+069.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008193717741122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JerBOOpkI/AAAAAAAABM0/xU32A9om4WM/s320/January+2010+069.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JeqqoxGXI/AAAAAAAABMs/qvoUuzOv4oY/s1600-h/January+2010+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008187655035250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S2JeqqoxGXI/AAAAAAAABMs/qvoUuzOv4oY/s320/January+2010+016.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Outside looking into the cave.</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-65604703677353202010-01-12T16:14:00.002+10:002010-01-12T16:41:43.358+10:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Birthday Drive<br /></span><br /></div><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S0wT6aPNpLI/AAAAAAAABMk/iNiI-zXWlV8/s1600-h/January+2010+060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425733545271076018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S0wT6aPNpLI/AAAAAAAABMk/iNiI-zXWlV8/s320/January+2010+060.JPG" /></a> Another birthday out of the way. This year we took the kidlets, crammed them into the car and forced them to endure some aimless wandering through the mountains behind Brisbane. The 'are we there yet's started about ten minutes in, while we were barely through to the other side of the city. The above photo was taken at Jolly's Lookout, on the way to Mount Nebo. We meandered up the mountains, drove in to <a href="http://www.enjoythisworld.com/Queensland/Brisbane/BellbirdGrove/tabid/202/Default.aspx">Bellbird Grove </a>to see if we could hear bellbirds (we didn't) then up through Boombana and Mount Nebo (so many <a href="http://home.iprimus.com.au/punkclown/Punkclown/Bellbird.htm">bellbirds</a>, as well as a <a href="http://home.iprimus.com.au/punkclown/Punkclown/Whipbird.htm">whip bird</a>!! Follow the links to hear their calls.) before having lunch at Mount Glorious. So aptly named!<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S0wT6J07DuI/AAAAAAAABMc/JBa97WRIplU/s1600-h/January+2010+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425733540865838818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S0wT6J07DuI/AAAAAAAABMc/JBa97WRIplU/s320/January+2010+016.JPG" /></a> Exploring a creek at Bellbird Grove<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S0wT5p9nxcI/AAAAAAAABMU/QoK-aSnB3P4/s1600-h/January+2010+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425733532312389058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/S0wT5p9nxcI/AAAAAAAABMU/QoK-aSnB3P4/s320/January+2010+006.JPG" /></a> Some of the picnic grounds at Bellbird Grove.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-23341862867522503022010-01-11T00:00:00.001+10:002010-02-10T09:27:00.990+10:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/RcaIr8OwOpI/AAAAAAAAAIE/pEH0-cGZIpg/s1600-h/January+2007+350.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027856322489498258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/RcaIr8OwOpI/AAAAAAAAAIE/pEH0-cGZIpg/s320/January+2007+350.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">100 Books I have to read ...</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div><em>Revisiting my 100 books list. I have been making progress. I have read far more books than the list implies, because this list is merely a guideline. I am inclined to make another, which shows all the other books that have caught my interest since making this list two years ago. It has been a great way to find some new favourites. Wally Lamb and Margaret Atwood spring to mind as two authors I had not really broached, but now read avidly. The Bookfest is coming up soon, and that always is a great spree!</em></div><div><em><br /></em>For my 100th post celebration I have decided to branch out a little from the traditional '100 things about me' posts. Instead I have been working on a list of books I really want to read. This is not a finite list, obviously, and there are other books that I will be reading simply because I have them! The list is composed of books that I have always wanted to read, and books that have been recommended to me from various sources. Some of them are already sitting on my shelves (lucky me!), and I will mark them with an *.<br /><br /><br />1. <strike>Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy</strike> </div><div><br />2. Candide - Voltaire </div><div><br />3. White Oleander - Janet Fitch </div><div><br />4. <strike>I Know This Much is True - Wally Lamb*</strike> </div><div><br />5. <strike>The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood*</strike> </div><div><br />6. <strike>Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez*</strike> </div><div><br />7. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - John LeCarre </div><div><br />8. She's Come Undone - Wally Lamb </div><div><br />9. The Inferno - Dante </div><div><br />10. The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer </div><div><br />11. <strike>Paradise Lost - John Milton</strike> </div><div><br />12. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackery </div><div><br />13. Tess of the D'Urbevilles - Thomas Hardy </div><div><br />14. The Portrait of a Lady - Henry James* </div><div><br />15. Bleak House - Charles Dickens </div><div><br />16. <strike>The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald*</strike></div><div><br />17. Sons and Lovers - D. H. Lawrence * </div><div><br />18. The Power and the Glory - Grahame Greene </div><div><br />19. Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh </div><div><br />20. Scoop - Evelyn Waugh </div><div><br />21. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh* </div><div><br />22. The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger </div><div><br />23. Madame Bovary - Gustaye Flaubert *</div><div><br />24. The Plague - Albert Camus </div><div><br />25. Middlemarch - George Elliot* </div><div><br />26. The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoevsky </div><div><br />27. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez *</div><div><br />28. The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton </div><div><br />29. <strike>Beloved - Toni Morrison*</strike> </div><div><br />30. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller </div><div><br />31. Far From the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy </div><div><br />32. The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher </div><div><br />33. <strike>Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery*</strike> </div><div><br />34. Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier </div><div><br />35. Swallows And Amazons - Arthur Ransome </div><div><br />36. Ulysses - James Joyce </div><div><br />37. The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner </div><div><br />38. A Passage to India - E. M. Forster </div><div><br />39. A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemmingway </div><div><br />40. The Old Wives' Tale - Arnold Bennett </div><div><br />41. The Epic of Gilgamesh - Maureen Gallery Kovacs </div><div><br />42. Mrs Dalloway - Virginia Woolf* </div><div><br />43. Memoirs of Hadrian - Marguerite Yourcenar </div><div><br />44. <strike>The Pilot's Wife - Anita Shreve*</strike> </div><div><br />45. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini *</div><div><br />46. Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes </div><div><br />47. Walden - Henry David Thoreau* </div><div><br />48. Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens </div><div><br />49. <strike>Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde*</strike> </div><div><br />50. Journal of the Plague Year - Daniel Dafoe *</div><div><br />51. The Color Purple - Alice Walker </div><div><br />52. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov </div><div><br />53. <strike>Hornblower - C. S. Forester*</strike> </div><div><br />54. The Forsyte Saga - John Galsworthy *</div><div><br />55. The Warden - Anthony Trollope </div><div><br />56. Barchester Towers - Anthony Trollope </div><div><br />57. Like Water For Chocolate - Laura Esquivel </div><div><br />58. The Tale of Genji - Lady Murasaki </div><div><br />59. Feast - Nigella Lawson</div><br /><div>60. How to be a Domestic Goddess - Nigella Lawson*</div><br /><div>61. <strike>Cook With Jamie - Jamie Oliver*</strike></div><br /><div>62. The Writer's Book of Hope: Getting from Frustration to Publication - Ralph Keyes</div><br /><div>63. <strike>The Secret River - Kate Grenville*</strike></div><br /><div>64. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult</div><br /><div>65. Everyday - Bill Granger</div><br /><div>66. The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards</div><br /><div>67. The Sixth Wife - Suzannah Dunn</div><br /><div>68. <strike>The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver*</strike></div><br /><div>69. A Perfect Day - Richard Evans</div><br /><div>70. The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings - Amy Tan</div><br /><div>71. <strike>The Sacrifice - Beverly Lewis</strike></div><br /><div>72. The Emperor's Children - Claire Messud</div><br /><div>73. Birdsong - Sebastion Faulks</div><br /><div>74. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon</div><br /><div>75. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graham (read years ago, but want to reread)</div><br /><div>76. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger</div><br /><div>77. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho </div><br /><div>78. The Life of Pi - Yann Martel</div><br /><div>79. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess</div><br /><div>80. <strike>The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus - Margaret Atwood*</strike></div><br /><div>81. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullers</div><br /><div>82. I, Claudius - Robert Graves</div><br /><div>83. In a Sunburned Country - Bill Bryson</div><br /><div>84. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling - Henry Fielding*</div><br /><div>85. Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe</div><br /><div>86. The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera</div><br /><div>87. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad</div><br /><div>88. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou</div><br /><div>89. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut</div><br /><div>90. Aspects of the Novel - E. M. Forster</div><br /><div>91. <strike>Reading Like a Writer: A Guide For People who love Books and for those who want to write them - Francine Prose*</strike></div><br /><div>92. On Becoming a Novelist - John Gardiner</div><br /><div>93. Clarissa - Samuel Richardson</div><br /><div>94. The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne</div><br /><div>95. Three Men in a Boat - Jerome K. Jerome</div><br /><div>96. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley</div><br /><div>97. The Quiet American - Graham Greene</div><br /><div>98. Housekeeping - Marilynne Robinson</div><br /><div>99. Lanark - Alasdair Gray</div><br /><div>100. Oscar and Lucinde - Peter Carey</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here I am, a whole day after I started this post. I have read more book reviews than I thought possible and perused more top 100 lists than I dreamed of. I love books with a passion, but found this list a struggle, because I was avoiding books that I have already read, and trying not to list books that I just wasn't interested in. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you're one of those people who is obligated to buy me a gift from time to time this would be a brilliant place to start ;)</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-12905729549967204462009-12-23T15:18:00.003+10:002009-12-23T16:05:50.599+10:00<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SzGs3_UJJ8I/AAAAAAAABLk/imnPgYwQlf0/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+008A.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418301904592119746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SzGs3_UJJ8I/AAAAAAAABLk/imnPgYwQlf0/s320/Christmas+2009+008A.jpg" /></a> At last I have a big Christmas tree! We've had tiny trees everywhere we've lived, firstly for financial reasons, then because the kids were little and the tree had to fit in the playpen. Last year we had a pot plant tree, but this year the kids were adamant that we needed a decent sized tree. They call it a 'real' tree, but that's because they don't realise that fake trees are not the norm everywhere.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The wreath is made from Kaffe Fassett yoyos and ribbon. I am very satisfied with how it turned out.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SzGs3iiLw6I/AAAAAAAABLc/acFkDqK4VoE/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418301896866382754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SzGs3iiLw6I/AAAAAAAABLc/acFkDqK4VoE/s320/Christmas+2009+014.JPG" /></a> I have stolen this meme from a good friend, <a href="http://thefertileinfertile.blogspot.com/">Kristin</a>. I thought I'd do it because Australian Christmas celebrations are so different from northern hemisphere celebrations.<br /><br />1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, gift bags if it's a hastily bought gift on our way to someone's place.<br /><br />2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. It's hard to find a real tree in our sub tropical environment, and they don't really stand up to the heat.<br /><br />3. When do you put up the tree? December 1st, unless unavoidably delayed.<br /><br />4. When do you take the tree down? January 6th<br /><br />5. Do you like eggnog? Never tried it, though it sounds like something I'd like.<br /><br />6. Favorite gift received as a child? It's a tie between the chemistry set and the teensy Kodak camera. Or the wooden ornaments the Christmas we spent in Germany.<br /><br />7. Hardest person to buy for? DH, he's so darn contented with what he has, it's hard to get good ideas for him.<br /><br />8. Easiest person to buy for? Pretty much every female on both sides of the family. We share our good taste ;)<br /><br />9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not at the moment. The last one was too popular with the kids, and the ones I love are a little too spendy.<br /><br />10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I am a Christmas card failure.<br /><br />11. Worst Christmas ever? None have been disastrous, though we still miss Dad every Christmas.<br /><br />12. Favorite Christmas Movie(s)? Does Love Actually count?<br /><br />13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?Not soon enough!<br /><br />14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so ...<br /><br />15 .Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The whole turkey roast thing. It's the best dinner of the year!<br /><br />16. Lights on the tree? Yes, multicoloured led's. The kids had them set to random flashing, but I really hate that!<br /><br />17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, though Christopher's choir has restored my love of carols.<br /><br />18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? One or the other, some years we travel to Mum's, some we go to inlaws. This year we will drive down to the inlaws just for the day.<br /><br />19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, because it impresses the kids.<br /><br />21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, but not before the coffee and tea are made<br /><br />22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The number of gifts people feel obligated to give their children. Also how everything seems to hinge on the illusion of Christmas Day needing to be perfect.<br /><br />23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I lean towards gold.<br /><br />24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, roasted potato, pumpkin and carrots, greens (usually brussel sprouts), stuffing, plum pudding and custard for dessert.<br /><br />25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Peace and quiet!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SzGs3fzKysI/AAAAAAAABLU/gjFtrXbjh_4/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418301896132315842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SzGs3fzKysI/AAAAAAAABLU/gjFtrXbjh_4/s320/Christmas+2009+002.JPG" /></a> Our room decorations are made from magazine pages this year. The older two made the stars while Josh created a mile long paper chain. Fun and it looks great!<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-84950557213376377502009-12-06T10:38:00.003+10:002009-12-06T10:54:27.090+10:00Please forgive our absence. We have been ...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_r0lvm6I/AAAAAAAABLI/5Sb6dHE-vBY/s1600-h/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411919030555483042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_r0lvm6I/AAAAAAAABLI/5Sb6dHE-vBY/s320/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+220.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a> swimming ...<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_raEek-I/AAAAAAAABLA/-gAylVGT7hw/s1600-h/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411919023436633058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_raEek-I/AAAAAAAABLA/-gAylVGT7hw/s320/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+031.JPG" /></a> posing with cousins ...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_q_sQNdI/AAAAAAAABK4/wL3McYV-7Yk/s1600-h/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+108.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411919016355706322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_q_sQNdI/AAAAAAAABK4/wL3McYV-7Yk/s320/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+108.JPG" /></a> watching our uncle wed his beautiful bride ...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_qvuy-XI/AAAAAAAABKw/FR1pPJqfKFM/s1600-h/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+058.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411919012071405938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_qvuy-XI/AAAAAAAABKw/FR1pPJqfKFM/s320/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+058.JPG" /></a> winning an academic award for best marks in Year 3 and ...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_qAy99wI/AAAAAAAABKo/ndHn0_fUlAo/s1600-h/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411918999472436994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Sxr_qAy99wI/AAAAAAAABKo/ndHn0_fUlAo/s320/Jason+and+Dan%27s+Wedding+173.JPG" /></a><br />graduating Prep!</div><div> </div><div>We managed to squeeze a bout of gastro into our busy schedule without missing any of the important stuff. Now that's multitasking for you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-49883751455048697012009-11-16T15:31:00.002+10:002009-11-16T16:03:51.075+10:00<div align="center">November is turning out to be a productive month.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkPGDWfmI/AAAAAAAABKg/IbIgmxrViYg/s1600/November+2009+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404570500818435682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkPGDWfmI/AAAAAAAABKg/IbIgmxrViYg/s320/November+2009+011.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><a href="http://www.oneskeinwonders.com/patterns/shrug.php">Shrug This</a>, made from Nepalese recycled silk. It's turned out too small for me, but I am on a weight loss journey at the moment, so I will leave it and try to shrink into it. The silk feels so gorgeous, and I can't wait to fit it! The colour is a bit iffy in this picture, it's actually a peacock blue / green. And I haven't woven in the ends yet. I hate that bit.<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkOwyNMVI/AAAAAAAABKY/jkP4C5IbcfI/s1600/November+2009+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404570495109378386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkOwyNMVI/AAAAAAAABKY/jkP4C5IbcfI/s320/November+2009+008.JPG" /></a> My second teacher's Christmas gift has been started. This is one evening's worth of stitching. Once more the colour is dodgy, the thread is a gorgeous silvery blue.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkOrm_jaI/AAAAAAAABKQ/KLRXBFR5FmI/s1600/November+2009+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404570493720169890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkOrm_jaI/AAAAAAAABKQ/KLRXBFR5FmI/s320/November+2009+007.JPG" /></a> The first teacher's ornament is all over bar the shouting. It will be a biscornu, so I have yet to do a plain square (with names and dates, I think) for the back. I adore this one, and will be making it again for my own home.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkOXEfjfI/AAAAAAAABKI/TyNVxyl4OcA/s1600/November+2009+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404570488206757362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SwDkOXEfjfI/AAAAAAAABKI/TyNVxyl4OcA/s320/November+2009+002.JPG" /></a> And today I made a beach tote to take on holiday while we travel to a <a href="http://www.mantraonsaltbeach.com.au/">gorgeous beachside resort </a>for a family wedding. The pattern came from a newly released book, <a href="http://thecraftyminx.com.au/books/">The Crafty Minx</a>, by Kelly Doust. It was a simple plan to follow, and only took a couple of hours to make, factoring in two phonecalls with my bff and a snack break.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-82944258666690161222009-11-12T17:50:00.002+10:002009-11-12T18:19:46.266+10:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Field Trip!</span><br /></div><div align="left">The younger two kids have been studying space this term. Today both classes went to the Planetarium, followed by a picnic lunch in the Botanical Gardens. I didn't get to photograph inside the planetarium, but I took plenty of pictures in the gardens.<br /></div><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_VRNMvhI/AAAAAAAABKA/5RGwhbOoy1Q/s1600-h/November+2009+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403122550077963794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_VRNMvhI/AAAAAAAABKA/5RGwhbOoy1Q/s320/November+2009+017.JPG" /></a> The Japanese Garden is always gorgeous. I think the intention is that it is a peaceful place, but I have never been there without children intent on falling in the water features and generally explore every square inch of the garden.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_VHHWV1I/AAAAAAAABJ4/GynOGiWotPo/s1600-h/November+2009+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403122547369072466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_VHHWV1I/AAAAAAAABJ4/GynOGiWotPo/s320/November+2009+022.JPG" /></a> The water features are so darn tempting!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_UhD8M9I/AAAAAAAABJw/Ymiw42DOH9w/s1600-h/November+2009+055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403122537154229202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_UhD8M9I/AAAAAAAABJw/Ymiw42DOH9w/s320/November+2009+055.JPG" /></a> These swamp hens were fun to watch. The two chicks just about went mad peeping when they noticed the turtle swimming beneath them. The turtle had no evil intentions, but the chicks fled anyway.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_UUH2RoI/AAAAAAAABJo/2LoCLhw8Yjw/s1600-h/November+2009+048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403122533680957058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_UUH2RoI/AAAAAAAABJo/2LoCLhw8Yjw/s320/November+2009+048.JPG" /></a><br />I can't resist photographing water lilies. It's all to do with my Monet fetish.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_UGcb1hI/AAAAAAAABJg/6XVAMvVBwB0/s1600-h/November+2009+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403122530009208338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Svu_UGcb1hI/AAAAAAAABJg/6XVAMvVBwB0/s320/November+2009+016.JPG" /></a> The tropical dome is filled with the same plants I see when I head north to Mum's place. The geometry of the dome, and the huge leafy plants are so lovely together.</div><div> </div><div>But I do have a headache from spending the better part of the day staring at the ceiling.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-24967605401258806312009-11-05T15:55:00.002+10:002009-11-05T15:58:01.121+10:00<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SvJo8QbLnXI/AAAAAAAABJY/SgN1a1q018k/s1600-h/November+2009+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400494287581060466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SvJo8QbLnXI/AAAAAAAABJY/SgN1a1q018k/s320/November+2009+005.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy 6th birthday, Joshua!</span></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-36984439348073988782009-11-02T10:11:00.002+10:002009-11-02T10:25:51.920+10:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Weekend Fun</span><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Su4kGlT_xQI/AAAAAAAABJQ/AbSrciDB3Ws/s1600-h/November+2009+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399292698777601282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Su4kGlT_xQI/AAAAAAAABJQ/AbSrciDB3Ws/s320/November+2009+003.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center">A week ago I went to the local craft fair. I took Samara with me, and we both indulged in exploring our favourite things. Samara had a great time spending her savings on beads. She'd originally said that she was going to only spend a small portion of her money (mostly earned with chores and tooth fairy payments), and save the rest for a toy she wanted, but halfway through the day she announced that from now on she was only going to save for craft fair spending money.</p><p align="center">I spent most of my 'allowance' on knitting yarn, mostly silks. I have so many projects in mind at the moment. The knitting above is the first of a pair of socks I am knitting with Noro Silk Garden sock yarn. It feels more like painting than knitting. I am loving every second I get to work with these wonderful rich colours.<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Su4kGU0mnyI/AAAAAAAABJI/VK-fRDwGTao/s1600-h/November+2009+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399292694350962466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/Su4kGU0mnyI/AAAAAAAABJI/VK-fRDwGTao/s320/November+2009+014.JPG" /></a> I have also started the teachers' Christmas gifts for the year. We have only a few weeks left in the school year. I did the above stitching last night watching tv. I like it so much I think I'll be making a second one for me. The teacher this is intended for has taught one or another of my children for the past five years. She has quite a collection of ornaments I have made. She was telling me last week that she no longer hangs them on her tree, but has a special stand for them. Sadly, this will be the last year we have her. Samara is moving into the next classroom next year, and Josh will not be old enough to move up. The following year our cherished little school will be closing, and we will be moving on to another school, with a whole new set of teachers. It's going to be tough after the close relationships we have formed with all the staff at our current school.<br /><br /><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-16963436459633559142009-10-23T19:03:00.002+10:002009-10-24T07:36:09.446+10:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jumble Sale</span><br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SuFx2KvbqvI/AAAAAAAABJA/hvvDDrQFZpY/s1600-h/October+2009+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395719003976739570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SuFx2KvbqvI/AAAAAAAABJA/hvvDDrQFZpY/s320/October+2009+009.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>After a stressful morning I deserved a little pleasure. Thrifting was the pleasure that ticled my fancy, so I detoured past every charity shop I could thin of between the kids' school and home. I was looking for linens, but came up empty handed. Then I remembered the church jumble sale that is open until midday on Fridays. It was 11:15, so I leapt into the car and made a mad dash across a couple of suburbs to get there in time to have a browse. I found a couple of very pretty aprons, but the real treasure was this tablecloth.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SuFx117yUVI/AAAAAAAABI4/Up_IUTR485k/s1600-h/October+2009+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395718998391411026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SuFx117yUVI/AAAAAAAABI4/Up_IUTR485k/s320/October+2009+007.JPG" /></a><br />Hand embroidered, smothered in exquisite flowers, in immaculate condition.<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SuFx1hzuPJI/AAAAAAAABIw/IckAQWbrR7g/s1600-h/October+2009+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395718992988880018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SuFx1hzuPJI/AAAAAAAABIw/IckAQWbrR7g/s320/October+2009+008.JPG" /></a> And the cost? Five dollars. I cannot imagine how many hours of work went into this tablecloth, but I promise the stitcher, whoever she was, that I will cherish it.<br /><br /><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-16440881576979147912009-10-14T16:46:00.002+10:002009-10-14T17:00:17.072+10:00<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/StV0ITABxOI/AAAAAAAABIo/2G-2_h_lG-o/s1600-h/October+2009+019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392343814734202082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/StV0ITABxOI/AAAAAAAABIo/2G-2_h_lG-o/s320/October+2009+019.JPG" /></a> This sweet little thrifted wooden kitty found his way to our house recently. He's currently lurking with my most recent batch of soap - coffee flavoured. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Soap making suddenly got easy when I discovered<a href="http://soapnuts.com/snhp.html"> hot process </a>soap making. It's perfect for a family with a tiny house, with no real room for the long curing times required for cold process soap making. I made this batch in the crock pot, and it was an absolute breeze. It seems to have set nice and firm, and passes the tongue test, so, after a couple of weeks sitting on the cake stand, it's ready to hit the showers. Now that I have found my favourite way to make soap it's time to start perfecting the scents I use.</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/StV0H7C_kdI/AAAAAAAABIg/NsuNj8mJak8/s1600-h/October+2009+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392343808304189906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/StV0H7C_kdI/AAAAAAAABIg/NsuNj8mJak8/s320/October+2009+018.JPG" /></a> My current knitting project has received the Bella Seal of Approval. It's particularly soft and squishy, and has been a fun, fast knit. I'll be showing and telling more when the time is right.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26918434.post-52825451606955852162009-09-28T10:53:00.002+10:002009-09-28T11:01:59.130+10:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Kitchen Garden<br /></span><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SsAJZJhMg0I/AAAAAAAABIY/0VCj9ZNh7dk/s1600-h/Garden+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386315481991643970" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SsAJZJhMg0I/AAAAAAAABIY/0VCj9ZNh7dk/s320/Garden+001.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>I have been longing for a kitchen garden, but have been short on the time required to dig and maintain extensive garden beds. The perfect compromise is to plant up pots with some of the yummies I long for. Now I have tomatoes, lots of lettuce (vital as I am also working on healthy eating and salad has become a staple of my diet), and a plethora of herbs (my passion). There is dill and mint in the above pot.<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SsAJYgkD-sI/AAAAAAAABIQ/b7780VXrJbY/s1600-h/Garden+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386315470997813954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yB0lhVUd8oY/SsAJYgkD-sI/AAAAAAAABIQ/b7780VXrJbY/s320/Garden+002.JPG" /></a><br />And a second pot with lemon balm, peppermint, pineapple sage and chamomile. I am looking forward to all the delicious teas and meals I will be creating with this little crop.<br /><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11741677537472357815noreply@blogger.com3