The Sound of One Hand Knitting

Scotty, 12/4/96 - 24/8/11

2011-12-24T18:24:00.000+13:00

Oh my beautiful boy is gone, and I am all alone. I miss him so much; there are no words to describe my grief.

This is the last picture I took of him, on his 15th birthday. He slept most of the day :-)

Oh darling, rest well.

Why stop at 10?

2011-10-21T09:43:00.000+13:00

Lovely, lovely (Jane Austen Shawl, a purchased Ravelry download)

Curry Leaves ( Flying Diamonds, a purchased Ravelry download)

Wildflowers of Multnomah County (Multnomah, free pattern)

Hairy Orchid Shawl (Vibrant Orange Shawl, a purchased Ravelry download)

Gathering Leaves in the Coleus Forests of Caledonia (Gathering Leaves, a purchased Ravelry download)

10! Humph, too easy!

More shawls.

2011-02-06T12:52:00.002+13:00

Yes folks, I made it to 10 Shawls in 2010! Here are the other six:

Brownie (Seraphina Shawl, free)

Deep Peace of the Southern Lights (Deep Peace, a Ravelry download)

Stole 2 (Dancing Cranes Stole, available from elann.com)

Baranduin (Brandywine, a purchased pattern)

Twilight Falls on Klamath (Klamath, a Ravelry download). This was my favourite for the year.

Viceroy, or Attack of the 50' Butterfly, (Viceroy Butterfly Shawl, a purchased pattern)

I had so much fun, and some aggro!, that I decided to keep going.......

Here I am!

2010-11-14T16:24:00.008+13:00

This morning I was laying on my bed, having a cry and feeling sorry for myself (never mind what for), and I said to myself: "Diane, just get up and DO something!" So I did. I got up, blew my nose and got dressed. Then I hung out some washing (never easy with one hand and very difficult in a strongish wind - like today's), loaded up the machine again, did some dishes, some knitting, hung out the second wash, planted 5 tomato plants from Dad and then thought "I feel like blogging." And here I am.

Sooooo, where to start? Have I told you that Kelvin, my youngest bro, is engaged? Yes indeed, he and fiancee, Fiona, are planning a wedding for 2011. She's lovely, and I'm so happy for the both of them; Kelv waited a long time to find Fi. Speaking of weddings, middle brother Graham and his partner Angie are tying the knot on the 27th of this month. Family are coming over from Aus for this one. Can't wait to see them all.

I turned 47 last month. 47! Sigh. Where have the years gone?

I was fossicking around in my email the other day and found this chick that I had created with the Chick Machine at Bless This Chick a year or two (or more) ago. I had forgotten all about her but once reminded I went back and made another:

I seem to have a thing for PINK!

WARNING! Making chicks is ADDICTIVE!

I think I'll hop off now. I was going to do a 10 Shawls in 2010 update but I'll save that for next time.

xxxoooxxx,
D.

Blogger interrupted

2010-05-17T11:14:00.000+12:00

... interrupted, distracted, disturbed. April isn't the best month for me anymore, not since last year anyway. It's a month of grief and guilt and what-if. I'm not going into detail as I've moved on from there and dealt with some of the icky stuff. We'll see what happens next year.

Scotty survived his 14th birthday without hassle. It must be nice to be totally oblivious of the human cares and troubles around you! I think he slept most of the day - as usual! He has a couple of choice posi's, namely My Bed and The Lounge. Both rooms get a nice amount of sunshine and are very cat-friendly. I've noticed he sleeps a lot more than he used to, and that he moves more slowly, but he still shows his kitten side from time to time. He also still defends his territory - I witnessed that the other day in a most hilarious manner: Scotty on the inside of the lounge window, and Rascal (my neighbour's cat) on the outside of said (closed) window going at it hammer and tongs! They really don't like each other! I just laughed and laughed!

My little niece turned 4 last month, and apparently adored the colouring books I sent for her. She's so sweet. Last time I rang Pauline, Sam was in the background playing indoor golf. You should have heard her when she got the ball in the hole, she was so pleased and proud! Tiger had better watch out for our Sam!

Scotty: 13 years 364 days

With time marching on and the seasons turning, daylight is at a premium. New Zealand had an extended period of daylight saving time this year, and now that it's ended, dusk falls about 5pm, and dawn's about 6am. We've had a marvellous run of sunshine, and 'they' are telling us we're going to have a mild winter (YAY!!!) All the cicadas have gone, but on a sunny afternoon you can still hear a few crickets singing. There's no doubt it's been getting cooler, and flannelette's sheets and extra blankets are on the beds. Haven't had the heater on yet but there's still months of autumn/winter still to come. My fingers are cold today.

I have had some trouble leaving comments on some blogs - Blogger doesn't seem to like me much anymore - so if you are reading this NATALIE I just loved your posts about Benjamin! He was such a gorgeous kitten, I think I'm even more enamoured than ever! (Natalie blogs at Chicken Blog, which has been going for EIGHT YEARS! She's a marvel)

My shawl making is still coming along nicely. I entered two more in April:

Carisbrooke Stole (link to free pattern)

Rose Diamonds (Frost diamonds)

I love the Carisbrooke stole, but not so fussed on the Rose diamonds. It isn't long enough but I just couldn't face doing any more repeats of the pattern, not to mention the fact that the long purl return rows were sending me to sleep! (However, it does make quite a nice shoulder warmer.) I'm currently making 1 knitted and 1 crocheted shawl, and have 3 crocheted and 1 knitted waiting 'finishing' - I won't be putting them all into the competition though. I've committed myself to a knit along in June and ordered my 2ply merino yarn for that this past weekend. There will be lots to see next time I post about shawls!

I think that's me for today - I want to get back to my knitting - I've only got 16 more rows and 'Chart C' to go on my current shawl! I could get it finished today .....

Thank-you, but .....

2010-04-11T12:31:00.000+12:00

...it won't be MY birthday.

It will be Scotty's!

Re: my previous post: My apologies for the confusion, I thought the calendar page was so cute, and cat appropriate, I couldn't resist putting it up. Afterwards I wondered if I should clarify things but didn't do it. And then this morning, Lo and Behold! two of my sweet friends have left birthday greetings for me! Thank you so much Kaz and Natalie, you lovely ladies!!! (Nat even wants to bake me a cake!) Another 6 and a bit months to go for me though.

Tune in tomorrow to find out how SCOTTY'S day goes....

2 days until ....

2010-04-10T18:20:00.001+12:00

10 shawls in 2010 - oh shawly not!

2010-04-08T21:04:00.001+12:00

One of the Ravelry groups I belong to is '10 Shawls in 2010'. Our goal is to make - yes, you guessed it - 10 shawls (or wraps / stoles / ponchos) this year. Each. Our group has 2,826 members, and if we all reach our goals that's nearly 30,000 shawls!!!!!! 30,000!!! Sheesh - even I'm flabbergasted! Of course not everyone will make it to 10, but there will be a few who go well past that number. Don't believe me? We already have a Master's thread set up in our forum!

Russette (South Bay Shawlette pattern available free at Lion Brand Yarn)

I've finished two 'official' shawls, have another two I haven't entered yet, and I'm currently working on at least three more. I have a folder FULL of patterns, and more patterns queued up at Rav. I think I may have enough shawl patterns to last me a life time!

Blue Hawaii (Semi-circle Pineapple Shawl)

Think I can get to 10? I most shawly will!

Winter Ravelympics, Part Deux

2010-04-06T16:14:00.000+12:00

It's high time I showed you the rest of my Ravelympic efforts. Here are my other two scarves, Burning Bright (Tiger Eye Lace Scarf) on the left, and Queenie (Queen Anne's Lace Scarf) on the right, along with another scarf medal.

Next are my Girlies (Accidental Girly Mitts), and medal:

Lastly, 2 hats:

Striped beanie (a Patons pattern in print only),

and

Twilight blue (Twilight hat, a Ravelry only pattern)

I got two medals for these as I entered them in two events. I suppose I should make it clear that everyone who finished their projects got medals. Most egalitarian!

And that's all folks!

Ooooo lookie!

2010-02-15T18:53:00.000+13:00

I got medals!

Winter Ravelympics

2010-02-15T15:50:00.000+13:00

Running in tandem with the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the Ravelympics give the fibre-crazed ravthlete's the chance to go higher, further, faster. There are any number of events from the Hat Half-pipe to Aerial Unwind (ie frogging!). I myself have entered into the Mitten Mogul and Scarf Super G. I've finished 2 of my 3 nominated scarves already:

Aren't they pretty?

Big fleur (aka Chunky floral lace scarf; a Ravelry only pattern as far as I can see)

Bed of roses ( aka Flowerbed scarf)

At this rate I might get another 3 or 4 done! Now where's my hook....

The end-less squares and what became of them

2010-01-04T21:10:00.002+13:00

(This post is especially for Natalie, a dear friend who has one of those unfortunate 'falls between Christmas and New Year' birthdays; hope you had a wonderful day!)

~~~~~~~~~

Here's a wee selection of the now end-less 12inch squares...

I had to edge them to give them a bit of coherence, so I did a round of single crochet (UK double crochet) in a dark purple, and then joined them together using sc.

It took hardly any time at all to join the 16 squares together and work a simple border (1 round sc, 1 round reverse sc), but it entailed more end darning!

Here's my finished blanket:

Now, I know you're thinking 'but she made 32, where are the others?'

Ha! I used 2 colour schemes and I haven't made the other 16 up yet. I want to edge them with a darkish brown but there just isn't any on the market right now. So these guys are currently languishing in my room!

Here's a few of them:

I'm afraid you will have to wait for the finished blanket to appear, and I'm sad to say it won't be nearly as stunning as the first.

Besides, I'm not in that much of a rush to get it done, cos guess what?

I HAVEN'T DONE THE ENDS ON THESE ONES!

No end in sight...

2009-12-31T16:36:00.002+13:00

...well there aren't now I've done darning them in!

All through this year I've been making 12 inch crocheted squares as part of a crochet-along (CAL) run through Ravelry. Our group is the 12 inch Block-a-Month CAL. Our leader chose the block patterns and we all interpreted them in our own way. Craftster were also doing their own CAL and we shared the patterns. There were some bonus blocks thrown in, and members substituted other patterns if they wanted to. All-in-all, I made 32 full blocks and a few dead end ones. Now, I COULD have darned in the ends as I went, and I did that on a couple of blocks, BUT (a BIG BUT) I left the majority of my blocks unfinished till the end. Sigh, you KNOW what I'm like - the procrastinator extraordinaire! So, I darned and I clipped, and I generated a very satisfying little pile of ends.

Finding joy

2009-07-31T13:29:00.002+12:00

You may have noticed that I'm not a joyous or joyful person. I have odd, widely spaced moments of happiness, contentment, joy, but, believe me, they ARE very rare. The last few months have been difficult: not quite depressed, but not quite 'not depressed'. On the edge, ready to tumble over and down, that's how I'd describe it. I've had a major case of the GUILTS, every time I think of Raro I end up crying, and it's mostly to do with 'HOW COULD I?' (bawling again now) and 'WHAT IF?'. Sigh; what if indeed. I thought I was coming to an end of the grieving a couple of weeks ago when I had an 'I haven't cried for a few days' moment. I was wrong. My heart is pierced and is going to take a long time to heal. Anyhoo, this isn't the track I set out on in writing this post: today, I found joy. All I was doing was taking a bag of good, unworn-for-ages-or-at-all clothes around to one of the clothing bins dotted around the city, when I found myself singing in my heart and feeling good; feeling JOY. All the way there and all the way back, and right up until I logged on. Then the sads took over again. Which is okay, because I know that joy is out there, or rather, in there, waiting to be tapped into. We can't live in joy all the time (can we?), but we can treasure it always.

Raro, 6.12.1995 - 15.4.2009

2009-04-17T13:54:00.003+12:00

Raro 15.4.2009
Originally uploaded by campbellgirl

Oh friends, my heart is broken. I chose to have Raro put to sleep this week. She had been getting thinner over the past couple of months and I kept on denying to myself that she needed help. I suspected an overactive thyroid - she had most of the symptoms - but I didn't want to "know" the truth. She appeared happy - catching cicadas and bringing them to show me before eating them, sleeping in the sun, doing rolleypoles on the warm driveway, coming out to greet me when I came home from town. Her fur remained soft and shiny. But then on Monday and Tuesday of this week she really slowed down and wasn't coming in for her usual biscuit breaks, just spent her time laying in the sun by the letterbox - a favourite possie. Her breathing had become somewhat laboured and her eyes looked tired and dull. I took her to the vet, who suspected the thyroid too. I had to leave her there so they could do some tests and observe.

Next afternoon the vet rang to say the results hadn't come back yet, and that they had discovered fluid in the chest. They drained some of it but Ra was still in a distressed state. I said I'd come down.

I went in to sit with my precious little friend and Susan (the vet) told me what they had done and what they still could do. She left me to check for the results again, and as I sat gently patting Ra I knew what I had to do. When Susan came back I said : Let's put her to sleep. They were both the easiest and the hardest words I've ever said.

Kelv arrived just after 6pm, straight from work, and we both had some final time with her. It was lovely, she purred and walked about a little. Kelv held her and we said some words to her. Then Susan came back, and it was time. Kelv opted to sit in the waiting room but I chose to be with Ra for the end. Susan and her assistant were wonderful - gentle and matter-of-fact, no drama at all. Ra was sedated so there was no struggle; I think she was ready to go. I patted her softly while the needle went in and the anaesthetic was administered. It was so quick that, to be honest, I couldn't tell the moment that she died. There was no flinch or movement or discomfort; her breathing just stopped and she was gone, in peace. It was a privilege to be there and it was dignified and so gentle - just like Ra.

We wrapped her in my fleece cardy and I carried her in my arms out to Kelv. We brought her home and I laid her on my bed. We had a quiet dinner and watched some telly. I had to go to bed early - crying gives me massive headaches - and I then knew where I wanted Ra to spend her last night with me. Still wrapped in my cardy - you know how soft and warm fleece is - I put her on the pillow next to mine, and there she 'slept' all night. Scotty jumped up and snuggled next to me, which was so lovely, but I hardly got a wink of sleep. I cried and cried and I talked to/with God and kept checking to make sure Scotty kept on breathing. And then it was morning.

I don't know what cat's think, but since Raro and Scotty were siblings and had spent practically their entire lives together (they were from separate litters), I didn't want Ra to just 'disappear' from Scotty's life, so I unwrapped Ra and let him see and smell her. He did that and softly backed away. I patted Ra and took her picture, that's it at the top - see, she looks just like she's sleeping. Lovely girl. I wrote a little note for her, one one side I asked God to watch over her and on the other I told her how much she meant to me and thanked her for sharing her life, and death, with me. I popped it in a wee envelope with a few of her treats and laid it on the cardy with her. It was time to lay her to rest.

We chose a spot next to the trees she used to lay under, by the back fence. Kelv's digging produced the perfectly sized grave; I put my note in first, then we gently laid her down, and had one last pat. I sprinkled some of the soil over her and then Kelv took over. It pretty much broke him to cover her, so I took a turn too. Strangely enough, what was so hard for him was easy for me. There was no doubt in my mind, and I just knew and felt that it was right, what needed to be done. Inadequate words that don't truly express what I want to say. Our filling in was not very tidy but I think we had reached our limit. I went out earlier today and tidied up and made the bare earth smooth. We have a chrysanthemum to plant there later and some pansy plants - the ones with the whiskers on their faces. Pauline asked me to put a flower on the grave, just a daisy if there wasn't anything else around, so I picked a beautiful dark pink 'pink' (dianthus) and put it on Ra's grave from P and Spen.

I spent a lot of time crying yesterday; crying, praying and feeling lost and gutted. I think Scotty felt the same way - he slept in odd places, and wanted more touch than usual. I have the feeling that he may age very quickly now, so every second with him has become so much more precious. I did sleep last night and I didn't cry until this morning. In the post I got a lovely card from the vet clinic with a special poem in it:

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep;

Then you must do what must be done; for this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand; but don't let grief then stay your hand.

For on this day more than all the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years; what is to come can hold no fears.

You don't want me to suffer so... the time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend, but please stay with me till the end.

To hold me close and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree, it was a kindness done to me.

Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved.

Please do not grieve that it was you who has this painful thing to do.

We've been so close, we two, these years; don't let your heart hold any tears.

-Author Unknown

Beautiful, just like my Ra.

My creations

2009-03-27T09:53:00.003+13:00

Hi guys. Did you miss me? In case anyone has been wondering what I've been up to: well, I've been up to lots of little things. Thanks to Ravelry and my joining lots of groups there, my fingers, needles and hooks have been flying! I'm in groups like 12" Block a Month Crochet-along, Hat of the Month, 52 Hat Challenge and more. Every month this year I'm making hats and afghan blocks with these groups AND any other things that take my fancy. These have all been small projects and have been a lot of fun - that's a sampling in my mosaic there on the right.

One Day a Week for UFOs group has been an absolute boon to me in getting items that have languished for months, FINISHED! (Yes P, I even finished Swallowtail!!!) Numbers 3 and 16 in the mosaic (Swallowtail shawl and assorted lace scarves) have been part of my Finishing Friday campaign, where I work on my UFOs on Fridays. It's been extremely gratifying, and a bit humbling, to see my UFO pile shrinking. Thanks to this group, I'm not only finishing the old stuff, I'm also finishing my current projects as I make them - no more leaving ends undarned 'til I feel "in the mood", because - let's face it - no-one likes doing it!

Here's Swallowtail as you would have last seen her:

On the left there, she been soaked, stretched, pinned (just like Medieval torture!), and left to dry. This opens out the lace and makes it beautiful. The finished result is in the mosaic and there's a detail shot of the lily-of-the-valley lace and border below. Si-i-i-i-gh, I do love her but she's not as big as I thought she'd be, and so I've given her to mum for her dolls.

And last, but in NO WAYS least, a shot of Scotty.

Catch up, part 2.

2009-02-28T15:37:00.006+13:00

I can't believe it, another month went by while I was blinking! Granted it is a short one, but even so, whoosh! Now to carry on with the up-catching ...

November.
I'm sorry Kaz and Sue, but November was a fizzer. It was the Month I Was Miserable. I believe it was the coming down from the month before and I just went flat. I didn't communicate very much and spent a lot of time playing card games and being logged in to Ravelry. I did meet brother G's new partner, Angie. I was anxious about meeting her, always get that way with the prospect of the NEW, but I needn't have gotten myself worked up as she is a lovely lady. Very plain and ordinary and, well, nice! They seem happy together and I guess that's all anyone can ask for. Also met A's dog, Anika (not sure if that's the right spelling, but it will do) - she's a foxy/corgi cross and she's lovely! Soft, soft fur; pretty features and markings, and a nice disposition. Will have to get a piccy of her sometime.

Onwards to:

December.
Nearly to the end of the year! This was the month another little brother turned 40, Dad turned 79, and we celebrated Christmas. Yes, indeed, half my siblings are now past it. The 40 year marker, that is, LOL! G and A invited us all down to P'ram for a quiet barbie to mark this event. Food was plentiful, the meat not too burnt(!), and we got a lovely tour of A's garden. Mum finagled lots of cuttings, and I had fun with the dog. On the way down, we stopped at Lindale, to stretch our legs and visit the Kapiti Cheese and Ice-cream shop. We drooled, we boggled (good cheese = $$$$$!), and we bought a few bits and pieces. I had a wonderful two scoop cone: Passion fruit Sorbet and Feijoa Ice-cream. Mmmmmmmmmm!

Graham, me, Mum, Dad and Kelvin

(G's 40th)

Dad's birthday was low-key. So low-key, I can't remember if we went over or not! Oh Dear.

Christmas. Mum and Dad's place. Them, G and A, K and Me. Roast chicken. Roast lamb. New spuds. Mint sauce. Gravy. You get the picture. Yummy food, nice company. Pressies. Home.

That was it for December, nothing else is leaping to my attention. Spen turned 12 over in Aussie. Raro turned 13. Tempis fugit.

Let's play catch.

2009-01-31T15:29:00.003+13:00

Catch Up, that is.

WARNING: LONG POST FOLLOWS!

OCTOBER.
The month of the trip, the wedding, the op, the birthday. My journey to Melbourne was pretty uneventful, though I was disgusted that the first thing everybody else did once we were on the plane was put on their headsets and turn on the entertainment. I abstained. I confess it was because I'd never used it before and didn't want to look like an idiot fiddling with it! I also have trouble putting headsets on. So I pretended I was aloof from the inanity of it all. I ended up watching bits and silent pieces of several films on other peoples' screens! Quite fun really. The meal was ho-hum - I chose the beef pie, and guess what? it was a beef pie, just like you'd get from a pie-warmer. Served with a small amount of potato salad. Dessert was a very nice Carrot cake - moist and well-flavoured.

I met up with Pauline and Kelvin in the city and I had my first experience of 'the train'. I thought it was fun. And yes, people really do answer their cellphones with 'I'm on the train'! Eventually, hour/hour and a half later, we got to our stop where we were met by Dave with the car, and we continued on. And on. New Zealand is a really small country. Australia is vast. Victoria is only a little state but it has a lot of space in it. We finally got 'home' and I got to meet Ray and Maree (Dave's dad and step-mum). Nice people. Samantha was in bed but had to come out and see what was happening. She's just gorgeous. I think I fell in love with her there and then. It was great to see Spen too. I love my nephew, he's the son I never had.

Let's see, what shall I tell you about? The weather was nice - not too hot, except for one 38 degree Celsius day; it was mostly fine. The bird life was amazing - kookaburras, rosellas, cockatoos, can't remember what else. Just in and around the backyard and neighbourhood. They're all raucous. The city - well I wasn't all that impressed with the little bits I saw. P, K and I took ourselves off to the city for the day and we saw some interesting buildings, and we went to the art gallery. But could we spot the 'free' tourist tram anywhere? No we could not! So we went home again. Mum and the boys went in on another day and found some interesting things to do, but it wasn't my scene. The shopping - being impecunious, I didn't have a lot to spend. I bought a book on soft toys and some knitting yarn that I could have got back here at home (it was on sale tho!). Mostly my money went on food and drinks. I could have spent a LOT in Warburton, a 'hippy' type town! If I'd had a lot to spend, that is. Actually, I preferred Warby to Melbourne. If only the tea pot shop had been open..... The people - it was lovely to see Dave again, he's a nice chap. P made a good choice I think. I loved playing with Sam, she's fun, bright and cheery. And smart. I got to see my bro from Brisbane, Darin, and my SIL, Karen. That was nice - hadn't seen them for 5 years! The wedding - lovely. Lovely, lovely, lovely. The parting - ah well, has to happen. I think P cried a little bit. Mum, Graham and I were all leaving the same day, but my flight was later than theirs. Dave drove us all out to the airport and mum and G were gone just like that. Dave stayed with me a while and we had coffee and wandered around. He's good to have to yourself, quite knowledgeable about a lot of stuff but doesn't put it out there in mass company. I don't know if that was clear to anyone else, but I know what I mean.

And then it was just me. Waiting till check in so I could deposit my luggage and be free. And after that, waiting some more. I bought a few things in Duty Free (food!) and spent half an hour on the Internet. In the end my flight was called and I was off. The first thing I did was....yoooouuuu knowwwwww....put on my headset and turn on the entertainment! Being the seasoned traveller this time I had to now, didn't I? LOL! I had Dr. Who (David Tennant) in my face; ooooohhhh it was luvly. Food this time: uninspired lamb pasta bake thing with very nice carrot and sweet potato salad, followed by a delectable Choc orange cake. Yummmmmmmm. I would have liked more, much more. Oooh, and I had the BEST tomato juice EVER!

Eventually I got home, but not before I'd missed my bus in the morning and had to re-ticket! My cats were fine, and my joy at seeing them again lasted all of several hours. Being hounded/ catted(?) for food is NOT a nice welcome home.

So that's that, but October isn't done with yet: Dad had to go into hospital for a knee replacement surgery. Through the power of prayer or something, it was scheduled for the day after mum got home from Melbourne, pretty amazing timing really. Dad has had these bad knees for ages, it made me cry sometimes to see him struggle with the pain. He went from a man who walked to and from work every day to un-aided retirement, ti using a walking stick, to two sticks after a tumble. The op caused almost as much pain as his worn-out right knee had but it has lessened A LOT and it's so good to see him getting around again. So very good.

And after that, my birthday. 45. I don't know how I feel about being this age, not happy, but not despairing either. I had a very quiet day, got messages from all my family and friends, which was nice, and carried on. And, yes that's me, scooting around P's kitchen floor. Not bad for 45!

And THAT was October.

Straitjacket fits

2009-01-17T14:41:00.010+13:00

Remember them? I don't; only their name has stuck in my mind.

Now then, I just want to thank my lovely friends Kaz, Sue and P for their comments regarding my straitjacket request. They have graciously allowed me to have the pink one of my desire but only if they can add SPARKLES!! P has also requested a jacket but she wants a black, studded one. How's this, P? And how's this for me?

Oooooo, now that's stylin'!

Break out the fatted calf!

2009-01-08T18:06:00.004+13:00

The prodigal blogger returns, and would really prefer the fatted lamb, but will settle for the beef.

What can I say? I just haven't been "in the mood", again. (Still?) However, I've come to realise that the longer I stay in that mood, the harder it's going to be to break out of it. So if I "act as if" I'm all revved up and excited about life and a new year, it may just come to pass that I actually GET revved up and excited.

Do you know what the little voice inside my head is saying? You know - that little voice who always puts me down, who really seems to hate my/our guts, THE INNER CRITIC - it's saying YEAH RIGHT, DREAM ON LOSER, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

(What sizes do straight jackets come in? Can I have a pink one?)

We all have that inner critic, but it chatters louder in some people than in others. Mine prattles on A LOT. And LOUDLY. And never seems to have anything constructive to say. I have to learn to block it out, wish me luck friends!

Enough?

2008-12-13T16:09:00.004+13:00

I didn't get very far in my Melbourne tale, did I? Truth to tell I haven't felt much like communicating at all. I've been blog reading and leaving a few comments, and participating a little in my forums at Ravelry, but apart from those, zippo. I realised this afternoon that I've been trying to fill up a void inside me with everyone else's words and pictures, with THEIR lives. However, there doesn't seem to be enough out there to fill me up and stop this incessant craving for NEW. (This post might not make sense to anyone else, sorry if that's the case). I think it's part of my recipe and pattern collecting 'thing': if I collect enough then one day I'll find the perfect recipe/pattern and I'll never ever need another. Sigh. Am I crazy? Could this also be related to yarn/fabric stashing/ overeating? One day there will be ENOUGH. What happens then, I wonder, what happens when one reaches that point of being satisfied?

I wasn't depressed before. I am now. Enough already.

My Fairy Name.

2008-11-26T15:26:00.003+13:00

Your fairy is called Oak Iceglitter

She is a bone chilling bringer of justice for the vulnerable.
She lives in forests of oak and lime trees.
She is only seen in the light of a shooting star.
She decorates herself with leaves and berries.
She has icy blue butterfly wings.

Get your free fairy name here!

My sister, the bride

2008-11-05T12:03:00.005+13:00

Here she is - my sister Pauline - the beautiful bride.

The 'boys' -David, Harry, Andrew and Daniel (the groom, best-man and supporters)

The bridal party - ME, P, Sam, Spen, Mum (we're pretty spiffo!)

The first kiss.

The cake table,

and the cake cutting.

Don't trip!

Now you see her,

now you don't!

Melbourne mosaic

2008-11-01T16:30:00.006+13:00

Melbourne mosaic
Originally uploaded by campbellgirl>
Flinders Street Station
Yarra River
Eureka Tower
City 1
City 2
Art Gallery entrance
Art Gallery water wall
MCG

There, and back again.

2008-11-01T15:40:00.006+13:00

Gidday, mates! Gee, the last few weeks have gone by so quickly: I've been home a week and a half already, my little sister has been Mrs Spinks for 13 days, and it was only 17 days ago that I set out on my journey to Melbourne. To tell the truth, I've been having trouble remembering what day it is today let alone what happened on which day and/or where! (Did that make sense to anyone else?)

Where to start? What to tell? First of all, you should know that I didn't take any photos, so all the pictures I have are from various other family members. I have to say that not having camera responsibilities was quite liberating! I also did not buy any postcards, so don't go hoping for any in the mail! Seriously, I couldn't find any that I liked enough to spend money on. Perhaps next time I'll have better luck.

I think I'll spread out my story and pictures over the next couple of days so that I don't overwhelm you all. How does that sound?

Airline food: will it be as bad as everyone says?

2008-10-14T17:19:00.007+13:00

All going well, this time tomorrow I'll be on approach to Melbourne airport. Yes, I'll be winging across the Tasman to get to my sister's wedding. I haven't seen P for 3 years, and I'm really looking forward to giving her a big hug. I also get to meet my little niece for the first time; she's so sweet on the phone, I hope I don't scare her!

I've only ever flown 'no frills' before and I'm actually looking forward to trying the cuisine and seeing what movie is on and so forth. I'm pathetic! In reality, my anxiety level has been quite high, I'll be fine once I'm on the plane, it's all the rigmarole involved in organising the trip and getting from home to the plane that gives me the heebies. I shall be the same on the return leg, I expect.

I will be leaving my furry babies to their own devices for a week, with the neighbours coming over to feed them and keep an eye on the place. Scotty and Raro have never been by themselves before, I've always had a cat-sitting family member stay with them. This time all the cat-sitters will be in Melbourne too! I hope and pray they will be all right.

The scarf I was knitting with the mohair is finished, at least the knitting is done. Ends have to be darned in and blocking taken care of. It has turned out rather nice and I'm pleased with it so far. The camera has gone ahead of me to Aussie with Kelv, so no pictures for now, but I will post some when I can.

Well, I'd best get the washing in and sort the last of my packing (clothes are really bulky when you have limited space and weight to fill!) See you's all in a week!

Love and (((hugs))),
D

(I learned the hug thing from the lovely Natalie. It's cute and I love it. Thanks Nat!)

By NOW I'll be in Customs!

Luxe

2008-09-03T13:16:00.003+12:00

Just a few words today: SUPERFINE. KID. MOHAIR. 1 PLY. GREEN. LACE. DIVINE. BARELY THERE. SIGH.

Who needs Gold, Silver or Bronze when you can have ... PINK?!!

2008-08-23T16:19:00.002+12:00

Well, here she is, my final Ravelympics project. It's a sun top for my teeny niece in Australia. I get to meet her in October!

This was crocheted in Moda Vera Jaclyn, which is a very loosely spun yarn that makes a lovely soft fabric. There are some very cute flower buttons on the top but I couldn't get a good shot of them.

What am I going to do with myself now?

Weather update

2008-08-22T13:58:00.001+12:00

Yesterday was one right out of the box! 4 lovely days in a row. Crap weather back on the radar though. Oh well, it wasn't meant to last.

3 down, 1 to go!

2008-08-22T13:48:00.004+12:00

Gosh, I never knew socks could be so comfortable! Custom fit to my own little tootsies, they are oh so cosy!!! GRIN. These are Crochet toe-up socks, Jo Sharp DK in Lichen, made with a 3.5mm hook. I used double crochet (US sc) for the toe and heel, treble (US dc) for the body, and put on a little picot trim around the top. I'm wearing them right now. They're good.

Second project finished, and the SUN is shining ...

2008-08-20T13:13:00.004+12:00

... for the 3rd day in a row! Admittedly, the southerly wind is cooling things down, but it's very nice in a sheltered spot. I think the washing might even get dry today. The clothes dryer could do with a rest.

I finished my second Ravelympics project, another hat:

this one is Marnie Mclean's Halley's Comet Hat, knitted in 10ply/Aran wool on 5.5mm DPNs (double pointed needles). The colour is a natural creamy white. I like it.

I started this little string bag to fill in time the other week and finished it off the other day. I thought it would be bigger than this - I was thinking grocery size - but it is quite small. However, it is cute, and handily holds several balls of yarn.

Here's a gratuitous picky of my gorgeous Scotty. I totally failed to capture the demented mood he was in: racing around like a mad thing, chasing shadows, acting like a kitten! He can be a right na na at times!

One down ...

2008-08-12T13:30:00.004+12:00

My first Ravelympics project is FINISHED:

Head start, the Retro cloche hat, knitted in Jo Sharp Double Knitting Wool, colourway Lichen.

It's really sweet and I'm very pleased with the result. I may end up changing the ribbon, - I had visions of velvet, but ended up using this dark tartan taffeta(?) ribbon as it was something I had already - but then again I may not!

I didn't start at the beginning of the opening ceremony after all, I was tired and tried to get some rest instead. I don't knit all that fast either, so while some other Ravthletes knocked off their hats in hours, mine took a couple of days to complete.

I've begun work on the girl's top, and it's coming along very nicely. I crochet faster than I knit, so it should progress quickly. Will post picture(s) next time.

Totally unrelated - it's cold today. I have three layers on, my toes and fingertips are freezing, and it's raining again. I'm off for some hot soup I think.

Cheers!

Ready ... set ... go!

2008-08-08T14:06:00.003+12:00

Today is a big day: the 2008 Olympics open in about 10 hours from now. Whoopee. Not a big sports fan I'm afraid (though secretly I'll be rooting for our Kiwi athletes, underdogs of any persuasion, and cute guys that catch my eye!!!!!) I do enjoy the equestrian events, some of the gymnastics - floor mainly, and the shooting events can be fascinating. Now, if they had sheep-dog trials I don't know if I could tear myself away from the telly. Seriously. Those sheep can be right b******s!

However, for me, the really big thing about today is the start of the Ravelympics: 17 days of concentrated knitting and crochet. I can't wait to start my projects! The games kick off at the same time as Beijing (which puts me at a midnight start, yeah for insomnia!) when thousands of Ravelers/ Ravelryers/ Ravelry members will cast on or start hooking their chosen projects. I've signed up for 2 hats (knit), a pair of socks (crochet) and a little girls top (crochet). One hopes to have completed these items by the end of the closing ceremony of the Olympics. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

I've refurbished my crafting corner and organised my patterns, equipment and yarns all set to go. I'm quite pleased with how my possie looks:

nice, clean, bright (unfinished) blankie to sit on,

seat cushions swapped around for maximum comfort,

back cushions plumped,

leaning cushion recovered and ready to go;

yarns chosen;

patterns printed and stapled;

needles, hooks and assorted accoutrement's ready and waiting.

Stay tuned for progress updates!

Take me over

2008-08-01T17:58:00.004+12:00

My goodness, I've been in a good mood today! It's almost like someone has taken over my brain and is making me do things I hate doing and liking it. The floors have been vacuumed, I've picked up my knitting/crochet corner of the lounge - it's really great to see the carpet again - and in the kitchen I've cleaned the stove top - it's SOOOOO WHITE!!!!! I can't really explain it, so I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts, which, knowing me, won't be all that long! At least I can laugh at myself! LOL

Hail to the sleet

2008-07-10T15:21:00.005+12:00

These two pictures (above and below) were taken last Saturday, at about 8 am. I thought it was pretty nifty then, but there was more to come.

This was later, at 10 am.

Poor plants!

And drivers!!!

That's my middle brother Graham (aka G-man)

beginning work on an ice mountain ...

... which lasted for a couple of days before it melted away.

Mosaic Meme

2008-06-15T14:14:00.012+12:00

This is a meme that's doing the rounds at the mo. It's fun but I found the technical stuff to get the info onto my blog a bit taxing! (And now the mosaic won't expand! Arghhhh!)

1. White daisy on a green citroen diane..., 2. French onion soup, 3. MEME.... a bit of fun!, 4. Sunny Side Up, 5. MAA NONU All Black, 6. Empty, 7. Callanish, 8. Spring Trifle, 9. Seeing the Light, 10. Mum, Dad.....Enough Already, 11. Moody Moon?, 12. CampbellGirl and Lisa

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

The concept:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste the html into your blog or Flickr stream (the easiest way is to copy the URLs and then head over to the fd's flickr toys link above and use the mosaic maker).

The Questions (and my answers):
1. What is your first name? - Diane
2. What is your favorite food? - Soup
3. What high school did you go to? - Rangitikei College
4. What is your favorite color? - Pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush?- Ma'a Nonu
6. Favorite drink? - Speights
7. Dream vacation? - Callanish in the Hebridean Isles, Scotland
8. Favorite dessert? - Trifle
9. What you want to be when you grow up? - Enlightened
10. Who do you love most in life? - Mum and Dad
11. One Word to describe you. - Moody
12. What is your Flickr name? - campbellgirl

Yup, this is what I raked the leaves for!

2008-06-15T13:18:00.001+12:00

And the winner is ....

2008-05-17T17:40:00.005+12:00

Greetings, Readers! Thanks go out to those who left comments for the 50th post and giveaway draw, I loved them all; big hugs for each one of you, and to any one else lurking around! I have your names in an ice-cream container (I think it fits ME, don't you?LOL!) and I'm about to do the draw. I want you to know that this is not rigged, there are only 4 of you in there, whoever comes out IS the one who comes out, luck of the draw. But, because there are only 4 of you I've decided that there will be one 'winner' and 3 runners-up. I want you all to have something.

Okay, here goes: Da da da dada dadaah!

NATALIE! Congratulations, you're the winner! Oh, this is so exciting - I feel happy, anxious and dumb all at the same time (hey - I've never done this before). Congrats to the runners-up too: Pauline, Papoosue and Sbonetsue! Big, big hugs!!

Natalie and Sbonetsue: please email me your addresses (P and Papoosue, I have yours). Once I have my little handmade goodies ready, I will post them off to you.

Wow, I think I need a rest now, I'm getting too old for all this excitement. Thanks again, lovely ladies, for taking part. I'm really looking forward to making your gifts.

xxxx, D

I forgot my own anniversary

2008-05-10T17:50:00.007+12:00

I started this blog over a year ago: April 21st. I missed my first blogiversary! I've been concentrating on getting to fifty posts (TAH DAH) and I missed the other. Oh well, lets have a GIVEAWAY anyhow!!!!!

Dahlings, please leave a comment on this post, my long-time-coming 50th, and next Saturday (May 17th) I will draw one of your names from a hat and send you something handmade, something handmade by moi. Bon chance!

Thanks for putting up with me for 50 posts; at times I've felt like giving up this blogging thing, hence the paucity of writing (or is it the other way round?), BUT I really do enjoy it when I get going. Sometimes the words trickle out of me, other times they pour out, but it's the having them out that's main thing - setting free some of the very many words inside myself has been a blessing. Here's to at least 50 more posts!

xxx D

PS: Here's a little clip for you to enjoy, starring 2 of my favourite beings in the whole wide world:

What? ANOTHER one!

2008-05-10T17:35:00.003+12:00

Oh yeah, I'm on a roll! Here's some (mediocre?bad?) poetry for Autumn:

leaves fall

cat fur thickens

soup bowl steams

**************

almost frost

dew drops linger

long into the noon

************

soup pot simmers

blankets call:

summer flees

************

two quilt night

cats curl close:

my nose is cold

************

My first Barbie.

2008-05-10T16:48:00.006+12:00

Yes folks, 44 years old and never had a Barbie! Actually, she isn't mine. Mum's op shop occasionally have naked or semi-naked dolls donated to them, and Mum brings them home and knits clothes for them. When she mentioned she had this Barbie doll I told her about a knitting pattern book at the library. Unfortunately, it has gone missing, but not so the CROCHET book. As the only crocheter in the family, I got the job of dressing B! I find her completely endearing - who couldn't love that smile? Or those blue eyes?

She desperately needs a hair make-over (how does one wash B's hair?) but she's in good nick otherwise. Don't know when I'll get her clothes made but I think it will be quite a glamorous job.

I knew that cone of lurex would come in handy one day!

I heart homespun.

2008-05-10T16:25:00.003+12:00

I seem to have developed a love affair with homespun and/or hand-dyed yarns. I've been collecting a few 'bits and pieces'. A hank of alpaca here, a skein of wool/silk blend there. Very thick merino/possum, cobweb light 2ply, whatever takes my fancy!

Very soft wool in blues/aqua/purple
A gorgeous wool/mohair boucle
Pumkin (named by the seller!), wool plied with a fancy sea weedy yarn
Sigh.

So much yummy yarn out there, so little money. It's really hard to use them because once they're used there won't be any more. Ever.

Ravelry... and Flickr

2008-05-10T15:54:00.006+12:00

I joined Ravelry. On the recommendation of lusks, I went over and signed up. And got my invitation to join just a couple of days later. It was so exciting! It IS so exciting! Patterns, places to record needles, hooks, yarns, projects. Fabulicious! In the wake of joining Ravelry I thought I'd better get my A into G and sign on up with Flickr . So far I've loaded 1 photo! LOL! Still, one has to start somewhere, I guess.

Swallowtail shawl cast on at 12:30AM.

This is 2.5 hours worth of knitting.

I couldn't sleep so I started knitting a lace shawl very early this morning. Doesn't look like much yet, does it? Keep watching.

Even cats love flannelette

2008-05-08T19:09:00.002+12:00

Seasonality

2008-05-06T15:38:00.003+12:00

I've gone and done it now. Flannelette sheets on the bed, that is. An acknowledgement that the season has changed: it is now AUTUMN. No more shorts and tank tops, no more cicada song, no more salad dinners. From here on in it's long pants, sleeves and socks, it's steaming bowls of soup/stew/casserole dinners, it's snuggling down in those warm, fluffy sheets. I dragged the heater out from it's summer home the other day and plugged it in. Oh but it was good to be warm!

Being somewhat miserly when it comes to the power bill, I only heat the sitting room, so sitting at the computer in my brother's room is somewhat of an ordeal during the cold months. I suppose I should heat the room I'm in but this house isn't insulated very well so I don't bother. We survive. I miss the underfloor heating in the previous house I lived in, now that was BLISS.

I'm o.k., you're o.k.

2008-04-24T18:15:00.005+12:00

Why do I do this to myself?

Why do I take on awkward, fiddly projects that leave me cussing and screaming?
Is it some deep-seated psychological need to prove I can be just as good, if not better, than some "able-bodied" crafter?
Or is it just because...
I can?

Completely unrelated, my very own, very first, brand new piece of, hushed and reverent tones, Kaffe Fassett fabric:

Isn't it glorious! Actually I don't like a lot of his fabric but as soon as I saw this, I said I'm having that! And have it I have. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. GRIN!

Time keeps on slippin', slippin' slippin' ...

2008-04-08T15:24:00.010+12:00

When my girlfried Susan commented that I hadn't blogged for like 'a hundred years' , I thought 'cheeky cow' (and told her so). Then I thought I'd better pop in and check, and, YIKES! it's been a month already. I swear I have no idea where the time goes. I have been writing posts, in my head again in the middle of the night, but not actually getting them on to the screen. I must do better than this.

So, what then have I been up to?

Crochet - ah, my beloved crochet! I've been a very happy hooker, I don't think I've ever crocheted so much before, and the desire doesn't seem ready to abate either.

Pig

Blanket

Pig in blanket

I have had pieces of pig crocheted for months and months, and finally decided to put him together. He's supposed to have embroidered eyes and nose but lack of confidence in my embroidery skills has put me off doing them. I really like his tail and the quirky set of his head! As for the blanket, well, I discovered Jan Eaton's 200 ripple stitch patterns book at the library (God bless both Ms Eaton and the library!) and dove in. I seem to have whipped up the blankie in no time at all, and sold it to my mum for her dollies. They are very pleased with it, as am I.

Currently I'm crocheting another small blankie in blue, fruit and vegies for a little girl, and kids hats for mum's op shop. I want to start either a full sized ripple or hexagonal blanket sometime in the near future but I've promised myself to use up a lot of odds and ends first (hence the hats).

Knitting - my second love! I haven't done much knitting at all since I started this blog; for some reason I have felt more comfortable crocheting. However, I have made a scarf and some hats for the op shop, and have had visions of lace knitting in my head. I haven't done any lace knitting for years and the urge has been increasing in strength just lately. Watch this space.

Blog reading - most days of the week I get on the computer and do the rounds. I've just updated my list today to include some new favourites and delete some I don't really visit any more. That isn't to say that they are in any way bad blogs, just that my tastes have changed a bit or that theirs has. I tend to be a lurker - which sounds so sinister! - but now and then I screw up my courage and leave a comment. I always think that my comments sound over the top in some way, or that I'm just repeating what umpteen other people have just said! Still, I have 'met' a lot of amazing people whose sharing brightens my day.

Solitaire - well, hmmm, this is where A LOT of time goes, playing Free Cell and Spider Solitaire on the computer. I seem to sit here for hours some days, playing endless, mindless rounds. I get angry with myself for wasting so much time and energy on it but I haven't done anything about stopping. I don't miss it if I don't play, but once I get going, I'm hooked. I think it's a way to keep 'busy' without actually doing anything.

Ah, so, that's where the time has gone! Of course this isn't a complete list of what I've been up to, I mean there's reading, housework, cooking, eating, telly, talking to my cats, napping, crying, gardening, shopping, texting ...

Growing, growing, grown!

2008-03-05T15:21:00.004+13:00

I finished Spencer's blanket today, WOO-HOO!!! After row upon row of double crochet (single crochet to my American friends), I worked one round of dc and one round of reverse dc (crab stitch) to give it a nice neat edging. There are a few ends to finish off but the hard work is done, and I can send it off to my beloved in time for the cooler Autumn weather. I hope it keeps t' lad cosy.

(Wow, it didn't take me as long as I thought to make the blankie: the first picture is from July 07. That's only 8 months ago; how those fingers fly!)

A little HP

2008-02-18T13:33:00.001+13:00

be sorted @ nimbo.net

Congratulations on making Ravenclaw!
Well you're one smart little cookie, aren't you? You're wise and clever, and just love to use your wit and learning to your advantage, and sometimes even the disadvantage of others. Well, nerd, there IS a world outside of that copy of 'Hogwarts: A History', you know.. Oh don't worry! We all know you're special. You're just a naturally good learner, right? Not too much is known about your house right now.. Wow! Not only are you intellegent, you're also an enigma!

Ravenclaws to Remember
Cho Chang

Done at last.

2008-02-15T17:07:00.003+13:00

Well I finally finished Mum's 2007 Christmas present:

Sorry about the sideways picture! It's a tea cosy from the book Killer tea cosies. The pattern is Gladys. It's made by knitting a ribbed fabric in black and appliqueing on the crocheted pansy flowers and leaves. Mum (who isn't named Gladys, but adores pansies) loves it.

Isn't my mummy beautiful?

New blog

2008-02-01T13:39:00.000+13:00

I have started another blog on which to record my journey to wellness with diabetes. It's called Diane's Diabetes Diary. I hope you will pop over and have a look sometime.

First post of the year

2008-01-11T12:24:00.000+13:00

Hello everyone! Your favourite one-handed knitter/crocheter is back (oh, go on; how many do you know?) and, whilst not exactly raring (is it raring or rearing?) to go, is in gear.

I've been reading blogs and catching up with what various folks did for Christmas and New Year, and have decided that my family are just plain boring. We don't put up lots of beautiful decos, we don't stay up and toast the NY; we just pretty much carry on as normal. Which is okay. My brother and I did have a couple of cold beers on NY's Eve; and the family gathered at another brother's home for a barbeque lunch on NY's Day, and that was pleasant, but I was glad to get home to my place again.

I find gatherings to be a trial sometimes - there gets to be too many sources of noise and my head goes 'fuzzy'. And being on my own a lot of the time, any gathering of more than, say, four people can really make me feel out of it. It's very unpredictable though, I can be perfectly fine in a group or I can be miserable. When I'm unhappy I feel guilty because it upsets the people around me, which, surprise, surprise (not) makes me feel worse. At least I'm aware of the problem now and I take myself off for time out when I need to. My family are pretty understanding too, especially my mum; dad not so much but he has become more so over the years. I love being with my family, but I love to be alone just as much.

So, apart from being dull what have I been up to this year? I put together this kit set shelf set:

it will provide some much needed craft storage; there's never enough, is there? ; )

I crocheted these squares:

the pattern is called Light and shade, from Jan Eaton's book 200 Crochet Blocks. I'd had the book out from the library for weeks and a few days after Christmas when I was feeling listless and unmotivated, I suddenly got the urge to crochet. So I got out some yarn, a hook and the book, and away I went. I've been finding the pattern to be very soothing and meditative; in fact, when I tried a different block pattern I got most frustrated and had to come back to this one! I've got 18 blocks made so far; I ran out of the original gold/green colour and started on the cream/beige/oatmeal. I have some black to use as well. I'll be interested to see where this leads.

I'm making progress on the sweetener front - I've been making myself have my hot beverages with just 1 (ONE) tablet. Let me tell you, it isn't nice! I've never really enjoyed the taste of tea or coffee, and developed a sweet habit to mask the flavour (hence the 2-3 tsp of sugar). Whilst never having been a big drinker of coffee, I've really gone off it now - maybe 1 cup a week at the most. I can feel the coffee fans cringing he-he-he! I never could abide the flavour of ordinary tea - I don't know why anyone drinks the awful stuff - and have been quaffing Twinings Lemon-scented, and Earl and Lady Grey for years. With 1 tablet they're passable, but only just. In fact, the only thing to have improved with less sweetening has been a Tangerine and Orange fruit infusion - the slightly sour citrus taste is refreshing and most enjoyable. It was far too cloying with 2 tablets, but now it shines. I think there are about 2 tabs left (having warm weather means I don't have as many hot drinks, so the tabs have lasted longer than I thought they would) and then that will be that. I know I can do this with the help of the right teas.

So, what else? I have my slender feet and ankles back thanks to some diuretics my doctor prescribed. My feet and lower legs had been puffing up quite badly for some time (not heat related) and I finally did something about the situation. It meant adding another item to my pharmacopoeia but the results have been great. I love my ankles, they're about the thinnest part of my poor obese body!

Oh oh oh I'm so pleased to tell you that I achieved my goal of a handmade Christmas!!!! I got a little something made for everyone on my list. Some of them are still in transit, so I won't post any pictures yet (and I don't want to appear to be bragging either!). I tell you, it was hard work, and I'm not sure I'd do it again, but it was fun - some of the finished items just made me laugh!

Cheers!

I'm dreaming of a...

2007-12-24T16:20:00.001+13:00

...minimalist Christmas!

Okay, so after my last two un-festive posts, I made myself do something about it. I cleared off the lounge table, spread over the Christmas cloth and got out my 3 ft Scotch fir tree. Assembled said tree and placed it on said table. Liked it the way it was and just added the parcels my friend Susan has sent for me to the base. (Thank you Susan, Adam, Lucy and Dave - I can't wait to open them up!!!!!)

Now, with less than 8 hours to go, it is beginning to feel Christmas-y. I've been humming songs, watching movies on telly (some of which have been quite delightful), reading blogs and leaving comments. I made tomato relish yesterday (I know this has nothing to do with Christmas but this is my blog) which put me in a festive, spicy frame of mind, even though I had to mop the sticky floor after! This morning I made a Strawberry and raisin loaf, which is simple and delicious (Kelv has to work later this week so we needed some baking in the tin), and I'll be making Jellied cucumber salad later on for tomorrow's family dinner. I have some lovely red tomatoes and green basil all ready to go for another simple and fragrant salad as well. I'm still working on my gifts - I have actually succeeded in making something for everyone, but in one of those ironic twists, it's the first gift I started making way back in February that will be the last gift made! I've had the pieces made for months, just waiting around to be put together, but there's a lot of 'end weaving in' to do and attaching the smaller bits to the larger bits and more 'end weaving in' to finish. Mum is going to love it; I just have the feeling that there will be last minute stitching on this one (my Peculiar Aristocratic Title should have been the Procrastinator instead of the Precocious! )

So anyway, I'm feeling a lot more festive now, and thanks to comments from Susan and Pauline, I'm feeling a lot more sanguine about not having any children (or a car, or a mortgage...). I've even made a New Year's Resolution already:

these little white tabs of Splenda are the last of my stock. I'm not going to have any more sweetener after these are finished. I used to take 3 teaspoons of sugar in my tea and coffee and when I was diagnosed with diabetes I switched to artificial sweetening. I tried Equal and Splenda (and even had a crack at Stevia). Equal is cheaper but I prefer Splenda - I think it is a bit less 'artificial' than others, less 'harmful' I guess- so Ive been using Splenda almost exclusively in my bevies over the last couple of years. However, the price has crept up, and it now costs about $7.50 for 200 tabs. Now, 1 tab = 1 tsp sugar, right? Says it right there on the pack. My taste buds disagree, and I'm finding that 1 tab is nowhere near enough, 2 tabs are not always enough, 3 tabs are about right except with iced coffee, in which case 4 just does the trick! Now while I don't believe Splenda is as 'bad' as some other products, even I have qualms about my dosage, and I'm even more alarmed about paying through the nose for these sweeties. So I'm quitting. Starting yesterday. I actually had an iced coffee this arvo with NO sweetener whatsoever (okay, some vanilla, does that count?). I got it drunk, it wasn't as awful as I imagined, I can do it. Once those 16 tiny tabs are gone, they're gone from my life. AMEN.

Wow, there are less than 7 hours left till Christmas now. All there is left to say now is a big, warm THANK YOU to my readers, and also to the authors of the blogs I read. I so enjoy what you all have to say, either in your comments or your blogs. I hope to continue posting and reading, and maybe even learning a few new things, in 2008.

meri kirihimete

love, peace, joy, courage & strength to all

xoxoxox

Eine kleide nachtmusik

2007-12-21T11:05:00.000+13:00

Standing on shaky ground.
8:55pm (last night) We had an earthquake. 6.8 on the Richter scale, 40 kms deep, centred off the East Coast near Gisborne. Now there's nothing too uncommon about earthquakes in this country (as everyone who lives in the Ring of fire knows too well), but it takes a good shake to get me under the door frame! I was there last night. It wasn't all that big here on the west side of the country, but it rolled for quite some time. Sometimes during a quake there comes a moment when the thought that 'This is IT' enters the brain, that's usually when I get under cover. There has been damage to buildings in the Gisborne CBD, not a nice pressie for shop owners, but as far as I know no-one died or was seriously injured. The adrenaline rush was a bonus.

In the middle of the night.
12:13am. Well I wasn't walking in my sleep, but I did in fact have an insight about my lack of Christmas spirit: I spent 19 years working in a tertiary institute that closed down over the Christmas/New Year period. 9 days break, something to look forward to. From the beginning of December there would be Departmental luncheons (if you worked in 2 departments, you got 2 lunches); mince pies, Christmas cake and/or chocolates at morning and afternoon teas; strawberries and ice-cream; closing at noon on the last day and those precious days off (which in the end didn't come off your annual leave!). There was tradition and a clear demarcation of 'the end of the year'.

A couple of years ago I burned out, and I left my job. That first Christmas, my ex-colleagues invited me to the dept. lunch with them. It was like I'd never left, and I still had that sense of breaking up for the holidays. Now though, every day is pretty much the same. There is no demarcation, and nothing special to look forward to. My sister will probably read this and think 'what about Spen?'. Spen's dad brought him over from Australia for Christmas last year, and he's done the same this year. Our family gets to have Spen for two weeks. I can't wait to see him, and to get one of his wonderful hugs, but it's almost like that has nothing to do with Christmas. Or that seeing him doesn't quite make up for the loss of those 19 years. I wouldn't go back there for ALL the tea in China, but I do miss the fun and camaraderie, and I'm still grieving I guess. Maybe I should start a tradition, a ritual of my own to mark the season (just not making all the gifts each year - it's HARD WORK!!)

Anyhoo, that's enough rambling - it seemed all clear when I thought about it After midnight (that is a song title, right?) and I wrote myself some notes, and then ...

(The lights all went out in) Massachusetts,
Palmerston North actually. At least twice. I was trying to crochet and write and in the end I gave up on both activities. My lights stayed out till this morning.

Whither art thou, O Christmas Spirit?

2007-12-20T18:28:00.000+13:00

In just a few days it will be Christmas Day. All over the world, both the 'real' world and the blog world, folks are busy decorating, getting together with friends and family, making or buying gifts, baking goodies, having a good time. Apart from making gifts, the rest has passed me by. It just doesn't FEEL like Christmas to me. I've got no decorations up and no inclination to put them up. There's no 'Christmas' food in the cupboards or fridge (they're all bad for me anyway). We aren't having roast turkey for dinner in the first time ever I think. I've been reading blogs and envying the happy families, the various Advent countdowns, the decorating, the preparations, the snow. I finally figured out what is wrong. There are no children here. Not since Spencer and his mum left for Australia. SIGH! I'm feeling broody. And tired, and sore. Crochet can be intense, I kid you not.

So there; among all the festive happiness I sit alone, a tired, sad, childless spinster. Bah humbug!

(Don't worry, I will get over this slump. Maybe I need to WRAP something!)

Lah-Di-dah

2007-12-13T15:51:00.000+13:00

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Her Eminence the Very Viscountess Diane the Precocious of Wallop upon Deane
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Oh, blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly ...

2007-12-07T13:06:00.000+13:00

We had a lurid sunset yesterday. The weather has gone from being very summery to autumnal/wintery. It's been windy and drizzly, and the sunset was weird. The sky was a strange pinky purple and everything was bathed in an eerie light.

As you can see, several of my potted plants were blown over; I thought it best to leave them that way until this morning. The wind has eased a bit so I have righted the pots but now they all need watering as they have dried out with the wind. It isn't much fun watering when it's cold out!

Anyhoo, yesterday was also my beloved Raro's 12th birthday. I chased her round with the camera, but she just wouldn't 'pose' for me, this was the best I could get from her. The picture does show off her pretty colours and markings I suppose. Both my cats are getting long in the tooth; Scotty will be 12 in April. I dread the day I have to part with either of them.

Summer salaciousness.

2007-12-05T13:48:00.000+13:00

(hope I spelled salaciousness correctly, I'm feeling too lazy to check the dictionary!)

Look at these berried treasures, fresh picked off my raspberry canes not 10 minutes ago. Several found their wicked way to my lips, and, oh! such rapture! Sweet, sun-warmed globes of crimson glory.

I've been reading a lot of Northern Hemisphere blogs and envying their winter Christmas preparations - warm fires, egg nog, lights, family activities, etc, etc, etc. But those things just can't compare to fresh raspberries, just-mown lawns, ham and mustard sandwiches and ice-cold beer. Envious? I hope so.

I suppose I miss out on a lot of the fun and excitement Christmas brings because I don't have children. Sigh. But then, I don't have to share my precious bounty with ANY ONE - AH HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

No pictures please!

2007-11-17T13:44:00.000+13:00

Thirty-eight days: 15 giftees: 1 crafter.

Sorry I can't show pics of the 7 items I've made so far, but some of my readers ARE giftees! Suffice to say, I'm enjoying making little gifts for the people closest to my heart and I'm actually at times feeling really, really smug. I just can't help it. I see the hype and commercialism surrounding Christmas and I feel ill. It isn't right.

At the beginning of the year I convinced myself that I would make all my gifts this year. I started out with good intentions and high energy and got one item made. After that I fizzled out. As the weeks, then months, flew by, I got into the mindset that it was too late now to start. I resigned myself to BUYING things. SIGH. Then I discovered Kumiko Sudo's book Omiyage, full of little handsewn purses, pouches, and other pretties. After that, I found another of Kumiko's books Kokoro no Te, filled with more beautiful sewn projects. THEN I discovered Sew, Mama, Sew with their 30 days of handmade gift ideas and tutorials. Brilliant!!!!!!

So, inspired and enthused once again, I began MAKING my gifts. I'M DOING IT. It feels great, it's fun, and I hope my little bits and pieces make their recipients happy. I'm sewing and crocheting, and I will be cooking, and maybe knitting too. And even if I do have to resort to the odd store bought gift, I won't feel bad about it because there's always next year to realise this particular dream of mine.

My backyard

2007-11-02T16:25:00.000+13:00

This is the back of my house, the brick is so lovely and warm in the sunshine. The first set of windows is the lounge - sunshine streams in there making it cosy in the winter but a little too warm in the summer. Solution: pull the curtains closed. The other windows are my room.
This is half the yard, the prettier half! From where I took this picture, there is only the boundary fence behind me, so you're not missing anything. My little shed is full of junk and gardening gear, it really needs a good clear out.
Close-up of the pink tree, a Virgilia. It's flowering so profusely the branches have drooped very attractively. There will be a carpet of pink on the ground soon.
Part of my tiny vegetable patch - my pretend garden. Although I'm not an outdoorsey girl, I have a potter in my patch now and then. I've grown a few things here - lettuce, tomatoes, rainbow chard, golden zucchini, butter beans, shallots, garlic, broccoli, parsley, rosemary, strawberries, raspberries (that's what is in the middle of the shot). It is deeply satisfying to use the produce I grow, I just don't have the passion to keep it up.
Scotty made it into the previous shot, so here's Raro. Whenever I'm outside - hanging out washing, watering, digging, picking - one or other of the cats will come to visit and be nosey! Raro quite often acts like she hasn't seen me for ages, even if it really was just a few moments ago. She's so sweet. She's more camera shy than Scotty - he seems to turn up whenever the camera is out AND he will 'pose'. Raro just turns away. Ah well, I still love her anyway.

Planet quiz

2007-10-20T13:18:00.000+13:00

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability.
You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea.
Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion.
You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone.
If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

What Planet Are You From?

Parcel from Oz

2007-10-12T13:29:00.000+13:00

My sweet little sister, Pauline (who blogs here), sent me an early birthday present. Here's the parcel sitting between Scotty and Raro:

I had a dilemna though:

fold the mountains of washing or open the parcel? Being notoriously keen on leaving household chores till later (much later!), I decided to fold the washing, then open the parcel as a very special (and well-earned) treat.

TING, TING, TING - that's me flicking my halo! Well, what a treasure trove I discovered. Pauline had sent a heap of scrapbooking papers and stickers, here's a selection:

Beautiful! Also some charms and trims. She HAND SEWED this lovely tote bag. I love the cross stitch piece with the kitty charm, and the accent fabric is gorgeous:

She also made me these two concertina albums with pictures of Spen and Sam:

and this lovely birthday card:

Isn't she the most wonderful, clever and loving sister? I miss her so much but at least I know she's living her dream and is happy and loved. Thanks little sister, you are so precious to me. Thanks as well to Dave, Spen and Sam for the lovely birthday wishes. Big hugs all round.

Yumyums

2007-10-05T18:11:00.000+13:00

Here's a recipe that has become a firm favourite with the whole family:

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP BARS

(from: One Smart Cookie by Julie Van Rosendaal)

2 tbsp butter or margerine, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F (180C)

In a medium bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and vanilla. Add egg and stir until smooth.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the egg mixture and stir until almost combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir just until blended.

Spread the batter into an 8" x 8" (20cm x 20 cm) pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray (I've been using nonstick baking paper). Bake for 25-30 minutes, until just golden and the edges are starting to pull away from the sides of the pan. Do not overbake.

Cool for a few minutes in the pan before cutting into bars.

Makes 12 bars.

This is a really scrummy bar - a bit like a brownie, I think. It isn't a big mixture, but it doesn't need to be, it's quite rich and a little goes a long way (although I can eat several pieces no trouble!) It has endless variations, too: I've used white sugar instead of brown, substituted an equal amount of cocoa for some of the flour, added instant coffee powder, added raisins, used peanuts instead of chocolate chips (and I did think about using nuts AND chips), used raspberry essence instead vanilla, and used chocolate essence instead of vanilla. Whew! In fact, it wasn't until the 4th or 5th making that I used the whole, original ingredient list. It's really easy to make and if you use nonstick baking paper, the pan doesn't need cleaning, so washing up is quick and simple too.

Oh yeah - and the bowl lickings are scrum-diddly-umptious.

WIP

2007-09-29T14:31:00.000+12:00

A never-ending work in progress, this one: a small house, two cats, and two messy people who have too much 'stuff '. As I'm home alone all week-end, I've decided to do some work on the living room. All the 'stuff ' is up off the floor, and the carpet has been vacuumed. I've de-webbed the corners and moved one or two pieces of furniture. So far, so good.

It's actually a very pleasant room when it's clean and tidy. Big windows let in lots of sun - which the cats and I love - and the colour scheme is quite pleasing. I can't take credit though, as it is a rented house, but my lounge suite goes with it very nicely.

Now all I have to do is sort and tidy away the 'stuff '! Huh! easier, so much easier, said than done. There's craft supplies, books, magazines, potted plants, papers, projects all to be dealt to. Sigh!

Well, at least it doesn't have to be finished today. I have room to sit and knit or stitch; I know where the tv remote and the cats' treats are. Sweet.

My front step

2007-09-21T13:42:00.000+12:00

I was sitting on my front step today, enjoying the moment, when I thought about taking some pictures. I went off to get the camera, changed the batteries and took the above shots. I sat there thinking about what a dumb camera it was, because I couldn't focus on the blackbird on the fence. A little while later I was fiddling with the camera and I wondered to myself "what does this button do?" Well, LO and BEHOLD, it's the beeping zoom! So I had a play and took a few more shots. Oh joy, I couldn't wait to tell the world! So instead of being outside in the fresh air and sunshine (yes, sunshine!) I'm in my brother's room, sitting at the computer, getting a numb bum (we really must get a better chair) and crowing over this minor accomplishment.

Using a camera with one hand is not easy, especially when THE one is the LEFT one! Go on, try it. Is there such a thing as a left-handed camera?

Spring is sprung....

2007-09-11T14:04:00.000+12:00

... the grass is riz, and I know where the biscuits is!

As part of a cunning plan to stop myself eating more and more of the weekly baking, I have given the whole batch to my bro. He can keep them in the car, or his locker at work, and away from me! I've told him how many pieces there are and how long they should keep him going for - how he rations them out is up to him.

Pretty clever huh?

Oh, yes, I feel a LOT better now.

Blue funk

2007-09-08T13:10:00.000+12:00

I feel awful. There, now the whole world knows. For the last couple of weeks I've been dog tired. My good arm hurts, my shoulders ache. I forgot to take my tablets yesterday morning. I had a cup of coffee after WEEKS of not having any. I made a very chocolatey and raisiny slice and proceeded to gobble down 2 large pieces. I didn't sleep well. It is really hard to get out of bed because I feel so groggy. HOWWWWWL.

That's enough of that.

I've been making inroads to my cross-stitch project. I've almost finished the right side of the teddy. Still holding my breath to see if I get it done in time!

Anyhoo,that's me for the nonce. I think I feel a little better now. Great what a bit of a rant can do. Caio!

Soul quiz

2007-08-31T11:33:00.000+12:00

What color is your soul painted?

Blue

Your soul is painted the color blue, which embodies the characteristics of peace, patience, understanding, health, tranquility, protection, spiritual awareness, unity, harmony, calmness, coolness, confidence, dependability, loyalty, idealism, tackiness, and wisdom. Blue is the color of the element Water, and is symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky.

Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

O'erweaning ambition

2007-08-24T13:33:00.000+12:00

I've never really regarded myself as ambitious; until now. Back at the beginning of the year I volunteered to make a Christmas stocking for my little niece; having made one several years ago for my nephew this would make a set.

'Just a simple one' my sister said. Well, I looked at simple patterns and there were some lovely ones and I would have been happy to make one of them. Then I found this pattern. Sigh.

Honestly, I started with good intentions, and I stitched away quite happily for a while. Then, I 'took a break'. Actually I got distracted for a couple of months. You know how it is - so many things to make, so little time. Sigh. Suffice to say, I am way behind schedule. This is where I was up to as of 17 August:

(sorry, this pic doesn't want to pop up)

I am now putting in some stitching EVERY day, and I'm actually surprised at the progress I've made since taking this picture! I still don't know whether I'll have it finished in time for this Christmas but I'm doing my darndest.

Not ambitious. HUMPHHHH!!!

(I will keep you apprised of my progress )

Ubiquitous foot shot

2007-08-18T15:35:00.000+12:00

Everyone seems to have one.

I'm ba-a-a-a-ck!

2007-08-18T15:11:00.000+12:00

Feeling better. Thank you Susan and Pauline for your love and support, and to anyone else out there who sent good thoughts to me. So what's new?

I got these fat quarters in the mail this morning:

aren't they beautiful? They're going in MY pile - for me to make something for myself some day. I have a distinct fondness for pink.

Also got this fabric:

Yuh. Complete contrast. I know. I really like it though and I have an idea or two for it. (My sister is probably barfing at this RIGHT NOW!)

Still here

2007-08-08T13:15:00.000+12:00

hi world, i AM still here, just not feeling like being part of things right now. i'm keeping up with reading my favourite blogs but there's something wrong with me and IT just isn't enough, i've been searching and searching and adding new blogs to my list and they are still NOT enough. what's missing? where's the spark? i'll be back soon.

Recipe for Date and walnut loaf

2007-07-21T16:45:00.000+12:00

(Specially for P: it really is easy peasy, AND yummy!)

20 medium dates, chopped
1 cup walnuts (or pecans), coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sugar (or equiv. substitute)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 cup boiling water
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups plain wholemeal flour
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 165 C and grease a 10x20 cm loaf tin
Place chopped dates and nuts in a bowl with sugar, oil and soda
Pour over boiling water
Stir in eggs, flour and vanilla
Place in prepared tin
Bake for 50-60 minutes

In the kitchen again.

2007-07-17T13:10:00.000+12:00

These are the makings of a yummy lemon tea cake. Isn't baking an amazing alchemical art? You take these simple ingredients, mix them together in the correct proportions, apply the catalyst of fire for a specific length of time, and bam! you have cake!
Here it is all iced up. I wish I'd had something to decorate it with but I used all the zest in the mixture and there are no flowers on my little lemon tree at the moment. Shame, but didn't affect the taste at all - nice and lemony and not too sweet. Yummmmm!!

This one is the diabetic Date & walnut loaf. It's made with wholemeal flour and only half a cup of sugar (I have used Splenda in it but I prefer the sugar). It always turns out well, but it's never been as good as the time I accidentally cooked it on grill!

I case you are wondering: I don't eat a lot of the baking, less than a third I'd say. The goal is to make nice things for my brother/boarder to take for lunch and afternoon tea. He has quite a physical job, hefting fruit and vegies around in a supermarket, so he needs topping up with relatively healthy snacks, rather than not so healthy treats from their bakery. I think I'm succeeding - I bake 1 loaf or cake and that lasts all week. I'm on the lookout for new recipes so that I can widen my repertoire, but the old classics have a lovely nostalgic thrill about them and I really like to make them: Date & walnut loaf, Banana cake, Madeira cake, Seed cake (which I haven't actually made for years and years). I used to make and take Afghans for work teas and they always went down well. Actually some of my best baking went to my work colleagues - that way I didn't have to eat it all myself! Gosh, I think I actually miss those days. Just a bit.

Meet Redcat

2007-07-06T11:34:00.000+12:00

This is Redcat. He came to me a few days ago and he seems quite happy to be here. He'll only be with me until tomorrow though. Mum is coming over and she will take him away to be put in a box for a new baby. Her church is making up baby gift boxes for new mums in their town. I offered to make a few bits and pieces, and voila!

Oh-oh, he's found my cats' treats!

Good old Scotty, he's sharing with Redcat! Isn't that sweet?

Someones in the kitchen ...

2007-06-30T17:37:00.000+12:00

The wonderful aroma of beef stew is permeating the house. I've got it in the slow cooker, and as the hours go by the disparate ingredients are melding into a rich, tasty singularity. Mmmm, I can hardly wait for dinner.

I like cooking. It's creative, I usually finish the project I start, and the results are, on the whole, yummy. I've been doing some baking over the last few weeks. My brother Kelvin boards with me, and he asked if I could make something for him to take to work instead of him buying 'goodies' (he works in a supermarket with a pretty good bakery), so I've been using him as a guinea pig. He's a BIG lad but over the last year he has lost well over 30 kg and is still trimming down. I thought my diabetic cooking books could provide some healthy treats, and they haven't disappointed.

So far I've made: Date and walnut loaf, Banana bread, Gingerbread, and Apricot Loaf. Kelvin has even made his very first Banana cake!

I didn't much care for the gingerbread but Kelv enjoyed it. It has blackstrap molasses in it. Molasses has a taste and savour all of it's own. It's yucky! And yet, seductive. I think a song from the past describes molasses admirably:
'Molasses, molasses,
icky, sticky, ooey, gooey,
crazy kids stuff'

(words thanks to mum and dad!)

Personality

2007-06-28T17:32:00.000+12:00

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant.Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle.You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs.
For you, comfort and calm are very important.You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

World's Shortest Personality Test

Tirimisu

2007-06-16T13:37:00.000+12:00

I've been a rather lethargic lately; it's the cold weather, it always makes me feel slow. I find it so much harder to knit or crochet, or to even hold a book, my fingers especially don't work as well as I want them too. It's a problem that has worsened since I developed diabetes 4 years ago, and having only the one hand means my winter-time work output really slows down. Of course, being a fundamentally lazy person doesn't help!

However, I've just got off the phone with my sister Pauline, and I'm feeling quite refreshed. She has just started her own blog http://www.lifeaccordingtopauline.blogspot.com/ and she's worried about not being exciting or arty or crafty enough for the world. Pish-posh I say, why does it matter if anyone reads your blog or not? I'm finding with mine that I enjoy reading my own posts, I make myself laugh. If anyone else reads it and gets a laugh or a smile out of it that's great. If they don't, tough. I enjoy a lot of other people's blogs, some I read or check in on daily, others I find when I surf the links and I might only read that once. A few I read a little and move on - it might be the content or the style that doesn't agree with me - and others I go back and read all their archives and thirst for more. We're all so different, and yet, so the same. There's summat for everyone out there.

for Spen

2007-06-01T14:04:00.000+12:00

This post is for my beloved nephew, Spencer (HI SPEN!). He's the light of my life and I love him so much. I miss him like crazy too, especially his hugs. He and his mum (my sister, Pauline) moved to Australia nearly two years ago to be with P's boyfriend Dave. I haven't seen P since (and I miss her too) but Spen's dad brought him over for Christmas 2005. Spen visited with me for several days and we had a pretty good time. (He was 9 at the time) I thought I'd put up a few pictures of him as a tribute:

Spen has a little sister now. Her name is Samantha.

I LOVE U SPEN!

bUsTeD

2007-06-01T13:36:00.000+12:00

Oh man, I'm such a pig. I succumbed to the lure of Dark Mocha. King size block. I only ate 5 rows. Honest! I paid for it though, and how. I don't KNOW what the caffiene level is in the CHOCOLATE but it was compounded by the COFFEE in the chocolate. Needless to say, I didn't sleep until after 6am. Being an insomniac of long standing, this was nothing new, but there were extra delights thrown in. Leg cramps: shins and calves; foot cramps: above and below AND individual toes; ankle cramp; hip that spasmed; INCREDIBLE indigestion (I could have filled a zeppelin with all the gas!) I think that's the lot. I don't know if it was all caused by the choc but the timing was exquisite! The rest of the bar remains wrapped up by my bedside for now.

Do you know what the real kicker is? I have type-2 DIABETES and I "shouldn't" be eating the stuff in the first place!!!! Not just a pig, but a fool, and a FOOL and a FOOL.

'Tis the season...

2007-05-29T13:14:00.000+12:00

... for bots and lurgies. I'm afraid this past week has gone by in a blur. I haven't been feeling well and I thought I was coming down with a cold. I've been tired all the time, muzzy headed and a bit 'sniffy'. Have spent a lot of time in bed where it's warm and cozy, and passed the hours snoozing and feeling blue. However, the cold has come to nothing so far, and my head isn't woolly any more but I'm still tired. Poor me.

All this self-pity means I haven't done very much in the way of knitting or crochet, I haven't sorted any yarn or picked any patterns out to use for my niece and nephew and I still don't feel like doing any of the above.Oh well, I did manage to go to the library yesterday and get some fiction to read. Only trouble is, the book I started - the Chocolate Lovers' Club - has me wanting to gorge on the sinful stuff! My tastebuds can't help but crave some Whittaker's Dark Mocha (62% cocoa and ground roasted coffee beans). Have mercy, it's not payday until Thursday. I've stopped reading that one for now and gone onto Crusader Gold, an archaeological/treasure hunting thriller. Not a morsel of choc in it so far!

Finnish Ed (thanks Shakespeare)

2007-05-20T17:52:00.000+12:00

This is the pink scarf I have been crocheting. The stitch doesn't have a name in the pattern book but it looks like stars or flowers, marguerites or asters maybe. I'm rather pleased with it but happy it is finished. I found some black homespun wool on Trade Me , which is our very own online auction, for my hat project. It should arrive in the next few days and I'm excited about that.
I had my sister measure up her two scalliwags for me and I think I will make something for them next. I think I might knit for the children as my crochet buzz is wearing off slightly. Yup, that's right, I knit too, that's why my blog is called The sound of one hand knitting.

I'm IT.

2007-05-16T12:37:00.000+12:00

Thanks to my 'buddy' Susan I have been tagged to write 7 weird things about myself. Only seven, can I stop there? Actually it was harder than I thought it would be to come up with seven in the first place, seven publishable things that is; I mean, I don't want to scare anyone now, do I? This is the list I came up with:

Unlike the rest of the world, giant pandas do nothing for me. Red pandas on the other hand, now they are just darling, oooooooh, aaaaaaaaah
I sing Christmas songs all year round. To myself. In my head
Thinly sliced raw onion, sliced lemon, cheese and a sprinkle of salt: makes a damn fine sandwich
As a kid, I read Roget's Thesaurus for fun. (I still like to dip into a dictionary now and then)
Bagpipe music always, always stirs me
I still enjoy the original Thunderbirds. F.A.B.
I always won sun-staring contests with my brother (I'm sure I'll pay for that one day)

And there you are, a teensy insight into moi.

Apologies and Thank yous

2007-05-14T10:26:00.000+12:00

I've been a bad blogger according to The complete idiot's guide to creating a web page & blog, 6th edition. I went away for several days without leaving word, I haven't replied to comments, and, perhaps worst of all, I started this blog because 'everyone else' is blogging, and because I could. I am sorry. I will do better. I had no idea that there were ettiquettes to follow, I thought one just set up and wrote. About anything. Or everything. What a baby I am, wandering in the cyber-forest. Sigh.

I would really like to thank Susan and Sarah for their supportive comments and encouragement, and my sister Pauline for reading and commenting via email, I have appreciated them a lot. Oh, and a big HI to Mum.

(eeek, I really shouldn't play with the buttons so much; I can't undo the font sizes!!)

Ta Dah!

2007-05-05T09:29:00.000+12:00

Well, here she is: my baby. Haven't given her a name yet, actually all I could think of was Spirelli, which I kind of like but I'll sleep on it some more I think.

This week I've been working on a crocheted scarf in the same pink wool. I've been working on it mostly at night when I can't sleep (chronic insomniac :- [ ) and it's been growing quite nicely. Should have it finished in a few more days (or nights, as the case may be).

I think crochet is my oldest crafting passion. When I was 9 or 10, I watched other girls crocheting at school and I was fascinated and wanted to do it too. No-one told me a one-handed girl can't crochet, so I set about learning. I taught myself, and was - oh I know it's a really bad pun, but here goes - hooked. (I just had the thought that if I'd had a hook prosthesis at the time, I would have been hooked through and through!). Anyhoo, I've been crocheting on and off ever since. I don't plan to stop, either.

Oh, by the way, I figured out the photo thing.

My first creation

2007-04-27T15:17:00.000+12:00

I created my first hat this week. I'd gotten a bit tired of using other people's patterns and I'd been wanting to make something by myself. So I got some stitch pattern books from the library (I love that place!), got out some wool and a crochet hook and got to work. I found a medallion pattern that I really liked and worked it up. Then I had to think about how to shape the hat and started experimenting. I had to undo my work a couple of times (quite substantially, too!) but finally I had done it - MY very own hat. I am so chuffed with it, I can hardly wait till the weather gets a bit cooler so I can wear it!!!

Oh, and I have a commission to make one for a friend. Well done me!

(I'll post a picture when I figure out how to)

Hello World!

2007-04-25T14:31:00.000+12:00

My wonderful friend, papoosue, inspired me to start this. I've tried once before, but I could never come up with anything to write about; I'm afraid I'm not the most exciting or interesting person on this old Earth of ours! My posts might be short and far apart for a while, at least until I get up some confidence.
Cheers,
D

2007-04-21T14:26:00.000+12:00

I am a
Canna

What Flower
Are You?

The Sound of One Hand Knitting

Scotty, 12/4/96 - 24/8/11

Why stop at 10?

More shawls.

Here I am!

Blogger interrupted

Thank-you, but .....

2 days until ....

10 shawls in 2010 - oh shawly not!

Winter Ravelympics, Part Deux

Ooooo lookie!

Winter Ravelympics

The end-less squares and what became of them

No end in sight...

Finding joy

Raro, 6.12.1995 - 15.4.2009

My creations

Catch up, part 2.

Let's play catch.

Straitjacket fits

Break out the fatted calf!

Enough?

My Fairy Name.

My sister, the bride

Melbourne mosaic

There, and back again.

Airline food: will it be as bad as everyone says?

Luxe

Who needs Gold, Silver or Bronze when you can have ... PINK?!!

Weather update

3 down, 1 to go!

Second project finished, and the SUN is shining ...

One down ...

Ready ... set ... go!

Take me over

Hail to the sleet

Mosaic Meme

Yup, this is what I raked the leaves for!

And the winner is ....

I forgot my own anniversary

What? ANOTHER one!

My first Barbie.

I *heart* homespun.

Ravelry... and Flickr

Even cats love flannelette

Seasonality

I'm o.k., you're o.k.

Time keeps on slippin', slippin' slippin' ...

Growing, growing, grown!

A little HP

Done at last.

New blog

First post of the year

I'm dreaming of a...

Eine kleide nachtmusik

Whither art thou, O Christmas Spirit?

Lah-Di-dah

Oh, blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly ...

Summer salaciousness.

No pictures please!

My backyard

Planet quiz

Parcel from Oz

Yumyums

WIP

My front step

Spring is sprung....

Blue funk

Soul quiz

O'erweaning ambition

Ubiquitous foot shot

I'm ba-a-a-a-ck!

Still here

Recipe for Date and walnut loaf

In the kitchen again.

Meet Redcat

Someones in the kitchen ...

Personality

Tirimisu

for Spen

I heart homespun.