sheeps clothing - news from the flock

to do

2009-12-22T11:48:00.000+11:00

To prove that I am an eternal optimist, I have recently bought the most divine yarn with a view to knitting something for myself. See that it is sleeveless? A summer top. This summer? Hmm.

Before I can get started, I have wholesale orders to finish by early March, plus I have all but hit the submit button on a couple of market applications. My first ever markets. My fingers are shaking as they hover over the mouse. Not sure if markets will be my thing. I'm not really a social animal and don't know if I can be "on" for hours on end.

In the mean time, I have to be content with just reverently stroking this yarn (Sirdar Sublime Baby Cashmere Silk in Artichoke). One day, my sweet....

*Ravelry details here and here.

more from melissa

2009-12-17T16:47:00.005+11:00

Beautiful new photos from Utah based photographer, Melissa Niu. Not only did she take the photos of this beautiful little girl, she gave birth to her too. Now that's multi talented.

It's photos like this one below that make me think about growing my hair long. I do wish I could wear hats like this, but when worn with my super short hair, I look like I'm having chemo.

This model is only 14 and although I don't wish I was 14 again (the angst!), 24 would be good. Spaghetti straps, no bingo wings. Those were the days.

birthday boy

2009-12-17T10:54:00.008+11:00

As Ethan's birthday falls on Christmas Day, he is destined to always have a birthday party some weeks before the actual event. His celebration of choice was a trip to the bowling alley with some of his friends. After the bowling, they had a play on the arcade games. It seem his motorbike riding style is heavily influenced by the stunt riders we saw at the Royal Show.

I find that every birthday party has at least one kid who acts like a turd. This year we had two. The whingey, whiney, uber competitive child who through a tanty when he didn't win; and the smarty pants, I can swear and do everything better than you kid. Horrible children.

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate butter frosting. Yum. The two that got squashed on the car trip were served up to tanty kid and smart arse kid. I enjoyed that.

***

Other things, in short.

More baking, this time, iced gingerbread stars to accompany teacher gifts.

School report season. It's nice to have it down in writing that they are indeed clever and well behaved boys.

Tree decorating. No accidents this year. Yet.

my place and yours: 5 minutes peace

2009-12-13T15:20:00.004+11:00

There's a funny little room just near our front door, whose intended purpose has always eluded me. It has a wide opening onto the front hall and on the opposite wall is another wide opening to the dining room. Too small to be a formal sitting room and bigger than a hallway, it doesn't get much use.

We have two large, soft leather couches in there one of which is currently serving as the "warehouse" (read: dumping ground) for two home based businesses. The other is under a window and is the perfect spot to grab a few minutes' peace. The little lamp table at one end makes a good spot to park a cup of coffee or a glass of wine to complete the time out.

When this fails me, I retreat to the vegie garden to pull out a few weeds and check on the progress of the current crop. See that? That's our first crop of beans. If you call 7 beans in total a crop, which I do.

The basil was planted as a companion to the tomato plants as apparently it deters an insect that damages tomatoes. Unfortunately the basil has been tucked into and it looks like the companion needs a companion. Oh dear.

This week's theme was brought to you by Pilgrim. More My Place and Yours, including lots more places to grab Just 5 Minutes at Mikes.

winners are grinners

2009-12-10T10:32:00.005+11:00

After the disappointment of making the final last season, only to lose, this season's win was sweet.

You know where it's going, don't you?

They do.

they grow 'em big in mt waverley

2009-12-04T09:28:00.000+11:00

I've mentioned before how much I love the flowering gum tree in our front yard.

We seem to spend a lot of money servicing it, more in fact that on my car and that's saying something (Volkswagen - German for "reliable, and costs a shit load to keep that way").

Last week we had a Arborist visit to give the tree its annual trim and check up.

I was somewhat taken aback when he exclaimed "whoa, that's a big butt." I was about to take him to task and explained that I had in fact lost weight and would thank him to keep his observations about my figure to himeself, when I realised he was talking about the tree.

He went to tell me that the tree is quite old and "would be twice as big if you lived in Mt Waverley."

I wonder if it is just myself and the family or would the tree also would have to move to Mt Waverley for that to be the case?

in the garden

2009-12-02T16:23:00.005+11:00

The return of the warmer weather has seen renewed activity in the vegetable garden.

It may be a vegetable gardening cliche that home grown tomatoes taste the best, but like most, it is one that certainly has an element of truth. Having home grown tomatoes was one of the prime reasons we put the vegie garden, so it was with no small amount of excitement that we planted four tomato plants a few weeks ago.

This summer's crop, all going well, will include tomatoes, beans, beetroot, spring onion, lettuce and pumpkin. The herb section now includes rosemary, basil, thyme (shown above), coriander, chives and parsley.

Just above the front door, a local family have been building their new nest. Like builders everywhere, they didn't clean up after themselves.

The fig tree is laden and it is about this time of year that I make my annual pledge to pick the figs before the birds get them. Let's hope I have better luck than last year, when my "give them one more day on the tree" plan backfired dismally.

just shoot me

2009-11-27T11:44:00.000+11:00

I finally finished the project and accompanying pattern for the magazine.

I had planned on taking some suitably obscure photos that gave a hint, but without too much detail before I packaged it up. In the end, I was rushing to get it wrapped up and in the post on time, so no photos.

I was quite happy with how it turned out, especially as there were some constraints within which to work. I believe it will be published early next year so shall reveal all then.

As part of this project I needed to provide a profile photo so asked H&B to do the honours. Have you visited her beautiful new website? If not, get over there now. Run. Come back when you've looked.

Okay, you're back? Gorgeous, isn't it? Such a talented photographer lady.

To say I am over the moon with the photos Lea took is an understatement. Overjoyed.

Well apart from this one to the left.

The scariest thing (yes, even scarier than the expression) is the fact that this face just happened in the course of normal conversation.

Do I do that all the time? God I hope not!

The one below, I particularly like.

celebrity crushes: part ii

2009-11-25T10:20:00.000+11:00

Following on from my revelation of a celebrity crush on Jane Kennedy I'd like to announce that my next celebrity crushes are a duo, Phil and Kirsty from Location Location Location and Relocation Relocation.

I'd like to invite Kirsty to my girls night in. Jane is yet to confirm her attendance, but I just know she'll come. She has to, she's providing the food. I have an inkling that Kirsty would be a girl that likes a good feed and a glass of wine or two.

I could get a closer look at her collection of coats and hopefully she'd wear that green, blue and white shirt that I swoon over every time I the particular episode in which it was worn. It bothers me that she made a worst dressed list in the UK as I like her sense of style. She may have a younger, prettier, thinner sister who has also got in on the property tellie show lark, but IMO Sophie's a pale imitation of her big sister.

Another good thing about being Kirsty's buddy, is that she could introduce me to her televisual parter, Phil*.

Tall, dark, handsome and with an eye for property investing. What's not to like?

*Did anyone see the episode where he was in the spa sans shirt? Oh my!

his n hers

2009-11-24T09:58:00.002+11:00

I do love a bit of embroidery, especially when it is done by someone else.

I couldn't resist these pillowcases when I spotted them in The Quilter's Attic Etsy shop last week.

The Mr might object to the lacy edging, but the Mrs is convinced he'll get over it.

my place and yours: a collection

2009-11-21T11:40:00.000+11:00

This week's "My Place and Yours" theme was suggested by Fox's Lane.

I love embroidery, particularly that which has been done by other people as although I like the look of it, the doing bores me to tears.

Some time back Iacquired a collection of vintage embroidered hankies on eBay, which technically probably makes it someone else's collection, as I didn't do the collecting myself. I'm usually more of a tissue rather than hankie person, but now that I have about 30 of them, I might have to change the habit of a lifetime.

My favourite collection comprises only two pieces one of which is shown here. Both acid etched and engraved glass bowls were made by Melbourne artist Amanda Louden. My lovely husband bought them for me some years ago and I fully intend to grow the collection when finances allow.

The photo also shows some of my longest standing and most extensive collection, that of embroidered doilies. There is barely a surface in the house that is not festooned with a doily or two. Most of them came from op shops, although one of two of them were completed by my Mum.

We baked our favourite peanut and chocolate chip cookies for the cricket afternoon tea earlier today. I think what makes them so good is the use of golden caster sugar which gives a nice caramel-ly flavour. By all means use regular if that's all you have.

125g golden caster sugar

125g soft butter

1 egg

2 tbs crunchy peanut butter

175g sr flour

150g choc chips

2tbs milk

Preheat oven to 175C

Cream butter and sugar and add egg. Beat until well combined and creamy.

Add peanut butter and mix again.

Sift and add flour and choc chips.

Add milk until it is a soft dropping consistency.

Bake on lined trays for 15-20 minutes.

celebrity crush. part 1

2009-11-19T10:23:00.005+11:00

Like the kooky girl in Notting Hill who tells Julia Roberts' character that she just knows they are going to be best friends, I'm positive that Jane Kennedy and I could be besties.

We both think her husband is funny, both went to Catholic girls' schools in Melbourne and neither of us can eat white bread and still fit into Bettina Liano jeans. And we both have dark hair. We'd have to be friends.

She's smart, she's attractive, she's funny and she can cook. We could hang out, watch old episodes of Frontline or the D Generation, eat meals from Jane's new book, and tell jokes that only former Catholic school girls would understand (Mary Magdalen goes into a bar.....)

Who's your celebrity crush?

oops!

2009-11-18T16:19:00.004+11:00

A few weeks ago I ran a recipe book giveaway here on the blog. The thing is, I forgot to draw and announce a winner.

So, some weeks later, the winner is Aeonie. Aeonie, if you'd like to send me your details, I shall pop it in the post to you.

The photo above shows two lovely flower brooches made by Funky Flori and purchased at the very sweet Maribyrnong Makers Market on Saturday. The Christmas market is being held on 14 December and I may venture across town again. It is worth the drive for the sausages in bread alone.

From Seddon, the boys and I ventured to the Yarraville Market, via a shop selling the most divine coffee icecream. A little outside the parameters of my diet, but (and allow me a little self congratulating here) as I have lost 4kg so far and stuck to my low carb version of hell, I figured one little scoop wouldn't hurt.

I do like Melbourne's inner west with its village like suburbs, funky vibe and interesting shops although a quick reality check of the narrow frontages and small backyards, not to mention trucks, soon sends me scurrying back to my quiet, possibly boring, white bread corner of suburbia.

reading and the art of procrastination

2009-11-13T19:00:00.001+11:00

I am writing a knitting pattern for a magazine at the moment. My way of pattern writing is probably not the most efficient. I basically get something in my head, play around with a few swatches and then knit it up, taking notes as I go. Once the item is finished, I then "read" the finished article, along with my notes and write the pattern from that.

Problem is, I fall into a "no need to write that down, I'll remember what I did there" trap and of course I can't remember when the pattern writing time comes. So, having finished the article, I am now up to the tedious, time consuming, frustrating, writing bit.

As a result, I'm having a lot of early nights as I tell myself I'm too tired to concentrate on the pattern. Of course, I'm never too tired to read when I get to bed and as a result, the "to be read" pile has shrunk dramatically in the past few weeks.

In summary:

The Boy in The Striped Pajamas. I have opinions about this book. Op.in.ions. Despite the book being written in a naive style, from the perspective of a child, I have trouble seeing this as a children's book as positioned in a well known Australian book store chain or as mentioned in The Age review. Possibly I am being overprotective of my children, but this is not a book I would be encouraging them to read in childhood. Teen / young adult - yes. Child - no.

Apart from that,Neither the book nor the film did much for me. This could have been a really haunting, moving story, but didn't hit the mark in my opinion.
The Other Queen. My falling out of love affair with Philippa Gregory continues. Not only does she bang readers over the head with reiteration of key facts and names (Sir William Cecil becomes Lord Burghley. Okay. We get it) but this one is just plain boring. Mary Queen of Scots, such an interesting historical figure is rendered two dimentional here.
Kitchen Confidential. Before watching his travel / food show No Reservations, my opinion of Anthony Bourdain was that he was self indulgent, thought he was too cool for school and a bit of a knob really. No Reservations changed that opinion. I love it and thought I would love his book, Kitchen Confidential. Unfortunately it only served to reinforce my initial thoughts on Mr Bourdain. He is a knob.
Next up on the list is The Road Less Traveled by M Scott Peck. I tried to read this book when Conor was a baby, but tiredness and baby brain just meant it never happened for me. This time I am only a few pages in but am loving it and keenly identifying (in others of course!) many of the personality issues he refers to. The bit about delayed gratification certainly hits the mark with my pattern writing shirking self.

See the pretty wool pic at the start of this post? More beautiful, woolly hand dyed goodness from Suse whose hand dyeing abilities far out weigh my photography skills.

** I drafted this post a few days ago and just re-read it prior to hitting the publish button. I read somewhere that people on low carb diets are prone to bad temper. It would seem so.

back in black (and white, red and a touch of purple)

2009-11-09T22:44:00.004+11:00

Saying that these black and white clips are my favourites leaves me with the guilt of a parent nominating a favourite child.

I hope the other hair clips don't grow up full of resentment and needing the help of a therapist.

These babies are off to Leeloo and will also be available in the store in a few days time. It's on the to do list, so don't hold your breath.

If you don't want to wait, get your people to talk to my people. We'll sort something out.

eye spy... my favourite gadget

2009-11-08T13:07:00.000+11:00

When our 15 year old food processor finally gave up the ghost a few weeks ago, I would have been happy enough go to Kmart and pick up something that does the job.

This is not how it works around here. If you're going to buy something, buy something good.

After a few goes of this baby I am throughly smitten and convinced it was a good, if costly, purchase.

More gadgety goodness here and here.

my place and yours: my secret weapon(s)

2009-11-07T12:51:00.005+11:00

Meet my secret weapons, Brian and his secret love, Marjorie.

Brian works in production, blocking hats for Sheeps Clothing. He may be a lightweight, but he is clever enough to know his limitations.

Marjorie on the other hand is the elegant house model who sees herself one day modelling race wear millinery. Her dream is to model a hat that one day will be worn by a drunken Neighbours starlet in a Melbourne Cup Day marquee.

Marjorie never even looks at Brian. Brian, although clever enough to see right through Marjorie, loves her with a passion and hopes that one day they will wear matching beanies.

More secret weapons at my place and yours HQ.

attention, and the lack therof

2009-11-04T16:39:00.005+11:00

Exhibit A: "I'll wash the dishes and sweep the floor while the first batch are cooking."

Exhibit B: "I'll just read a few blogs and check out Ravelry while the second batch are cooking."

I really should know better.

eye spy... shoes

2009-11-02T11:52:00.000+11:00

Something funny is happening in my wardrobe. The red and green shoes seem to be multiplying.

I know a guy who always wears odd thongs. Perhaps I might start following his example. Thanks to our host, Bec and this week's theme champion, Anastasia.

my place and yours: blog central

2009-11-01T11:47:00.004+11:00

My home office is not neat. Not tidy. Not orderly. This is not my home office.

It doesn't have a view, style or whimsy.

It's not as bad as this one.

It is behind doors, in Euro laundry, office in a cupboard style arrangement. But I'm still ashamed to show it.

Yours and mine, from people not embarrassed to share here.

style collective 30 days of giveaways

2009-10-31T07:11:00.001+11:00

Style Collective today launches its 30 Days of Giveaways Promotions. Each day they will giveaway a fantastic prize from an independent designer.

More details about the promotion, including the full list of prizes, can be seen here. Good luck!

somewhere over the (double) rainbow

2009-10-30T15:23:00.000+11:00

recipe book giveaway

2009-10-27T19:29:00.000+11:00

Mentone Primary School this year celebrates it's 120th birthday. As part of birthday celebrations, the school published a book of recipes submitted by local businesses, current and former school familes and staff.

With a multicultural school population featuring students from countries including Russia, Greece, Vietnam, the UK, USA and Turkey, just to mention a few, there's a wide variety of recipes to choose from.

I have a copy of this book to giveaway to one blog reader. Just leave a comment on this post by Monday 2 November to be in the draw.

my place and yours: bedside

2009-10-25T15:13:00.003+11:00

Pip and Lexi have challenged readers to show off the contents of their beside table. Mine's pretty boring compared to Pip's I must say. We have:

The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory. I know I was quite harsh on Ms Gregory a week or so ago, but it is typical of my fickle, fickle mind that here she is again featuring in my reading. We'll see how this one goes. If I don't like this one, then it may be the end of our relationship.

Cut glass and silver salt dishes. I bought these at an antique fair in York about 15 years ago. I love them dearly.

Photo of the husband and boys. It is about 4 years old, not the best photo, but I like how they are all laughing and their much loved teddies are in the shot too.

Yellow fabric flower. I had this on last night and it is resting on the book, waiting to be put away or worn again.

The Tasmanian Oak drawers are part of a set that was an extravagent purchase just before the boys were born. The company that made them is no longer in existence, much to our disappointment as we had hoped to buy more of their furniture one day.

watcha wearing wednesday

2009-10-21T07:33:00.002+11:00

Today I'm wearing a shrug I knitted a couple of weeks back. This inky purpley blue is definitely my favourite colour of the moment.

The pattern (details here) is easy peasy and it's quick enough to knit up in a day or two.

Fii has beautiful new red shoes. I wonder if she's wearing them today?