Melly Muse

Funky aprons

2010-01-12T17:22:00.004+13:00

First proper sewing project in a while.

Take funky coloured teatowels from Freedom, buy matching fabirc and coloured binding (don't make binding unless you are REALLY keen and have lots of time and patience!). Cut off the thick hems and shape the bottom so it is curved. Sew on binding around edges and along top using excess for waist ties. Sew funky pattern of your choice on the pocket and then attach to apron.

Viola!

Crafty biz

2009-12-15T19:48:00.006+13:00

In knitting - a scarf in moss stitch (seed stitch) has been produced - though needs its ends tidied up still. It is super warm, great for teaching me a new stitch - but superbly slow I realise now that I am back to knit stitch. So in the much more exciting (and instant gratification craft department) I have made stars for this years handmade Christmas ornament swap (and yay Lou for getting in the paper!). Fast and easy - my kind of project.
Also, some rather exciting news, and thanks to being another year older, I finally own my first sewing machine. The one that I used to use was borrowed (on rather a long term loan - so much so that I did the servicing!) and the owner left town. Currently brushing up the old skills and spending money on future projects instead of finishing the ones I have half done. Watch this space for progress!

Late edit: star pattern used came from here

Melly Muse phone home

2009-12-15T19:33:00.007+13:00

Yes well,

Where did the last few months go? I am sure I should have been reporting on progress. I am not so good at writing when I am busy doing things. When I am quieter (and thus have nothing to write about) I have plenty of time to write. Hmmmmm.....

How to summarise the new house in a few points.....

The surroundings - peaceful, quiet, space to run around in, nice rural views.
The gardens - long grass as ride on mower broke down, glasshouse made of random pieces of wood and old doors and windows (and 8 toilet bowls full of dirt and weeds, 1 bath, 1 sink.....??) yet seems to do the job, vegies not a big priority (next year she says!), fruit trees flowered but no fruit yet

The house - small yet well formed, facing south (d'uh - what were they thinking), freezing cold in snowy October, extension and renovation plans in design stage, insulation and new heating system compulsory

Sheep stories - 3 fat sheep came with the place, 7 came to visit from friends up the road, one of ours died and was duly buried in a big hole in the back of the paddock, yesterday they were all shorn (after I chased them out of my garden and back into the paddock - dont ask - moving of gates to make pens, cunning plan gone wrong), visiting sheep went home, now two fat, naked, lonely sheep remain.

Tis lovely being out of town. No neighbours in view (even though we're only on 3.5 acres) and no people noise except for the odd car.

A new beginning

2009-09-12T13:52:00.003+12:00

We are packing and cleaning, cleaning and packing. As much as moving is such an awful process, it is also quite good to go through all the stuff and be reminded about how much we cart around from house to house.....and put it back in the boxes because we cant be arsed sorting through it today. And wow - kids create way more stuff than I thought they would. Run out of boxes already.

It totally feels like we are at the start of something new. A crossroads on the next part of the journey. I am off to Brisbane with Lily this week and when we come back we will be in a new (old) house on 3.5 acres of land and nanny-less (she has gone on to other things). So not only is our location and environment changing, our patterns and routines are also about to shift. i.e. I am going to have to get way more organised as daycare doesnt appreciate me just showing up when it suits my timetable.

Plus it is spring, the season where we all get inspired to start things. Like the seeds I should have planted last weekend but will be rushing to do tomorrow while we shift most of our stuff into the new place.

The next grand adventure is about to begin.....

Impatience is a virtue

2009-08-01T13:02:00.002+12:00

I would be very virtuous.

If only impatience was a virtue :)

Waiting for the rain to stop.
Waiting to move house.

Do you remember when you were a kid, wandering around after your mum, complaining about being bored? So bored that you can't even be arsed thinking of something to do to keep you amused? That is me this week. Even though there are plenty of half finished projects, people I keep meaning to call, and there is always housework...

The house is conditionally sold - Woo hoo!! one week til it goes unconditional. Waiting, waiting...

On the upside, I am celebrating not having an open home for the first time in 9 weeks by not cleaning the house this weekend.

Cast on!

2009-07-24T13:00:00.002+12:00

In joining a new knitting group:

Try to turn up after the friend who invited you to join them - it makes introductions a lot easier.
Try not to stuff up your knitting in the first ten minutes, thus requiring the help of the group expert to unravel the mess.

It is amazing how much knitting you can achieve when all you have to do is knit and chat for a couple of hours.

I can only hope to create an equally divine dessert as the homemade raspberry cheesecake when my turn to host comes around.

New Look

2009-07-21T19:35:00.002+12:00

Time for a change.
Over the old look.
Over winter rain.
Don't "they" say that change is as good as a holiday.
Can't holiday right now.
Can't move house yet.
So blue for blue skies.
Will I get sick of it or used to it?

The creative vacuum

2009-07-18T17:04:00.003+12:00

I am in the search for the next project. Or projects.

I had a light bulb moment today. With the theatre show finished, and sleep back to normal patterns, I don't have a large creative outlet on the go. Also, since the house is for sale we are not even gardening. Just weeding and cleaning house, and while this does provide short term satisfaction for the retentive, organised left brain, it is not exactly exercising the other half of my brain, or satisfying the soul.

I also discovered a few days ago something which friends and workmates probably already knew, that I seem to have a minimum level of activity/projects/commitments that makes me feel content/wanted/busy/satisfied. I know this is due to having an overactive enthusiasm, and unwillingness to pull out when the passion has long gone. This is why I overcommit and travel the road to burnout more often than cruising at a sustainable pace.

This is fascinating me - how many projects is my perfect balance between the rewards of activity and the joys of slow mode?

I am trying not to commit to anything big while I answer this question. But that doesnt mean I can't start (or-restart) lots of small projects.

Photos - on the winter to-do list for the past 4 winters.
Pull out the knitting box, cruise ravelry looking for ideas I can do without having to buy new wool or needles. Cast on two new projects using existing stash.
Then promptly order two new knitting books, and some yarn to finish a half completed blanket.
Look for a creative writing course I can do by correspondence.
Storyboard two novels, and actually start to write one of them because I want to see how the characters develop.
Design my dream house for when we move (and have an endless supply of funds).
Read about native plants and visit the botanical gardens - in preparation for planting natives on our land.
Commit to regularly writing in my blog - to develop regular writing habit and take time to reflect.

A bored mind really can come up with all sorts of things to keep it busy.

Dream, think, plan, imagine, design, plot, scheme.

Nature or Nurture?

2009-07-13T19:16:00.003+12:00

Today's Tip: Herding cats

2009-07-10T20:04:00.002+12:00

You will need:
One cat
One toddler
One adult (or someone tall enough to shut doors)

Step 1: Accidently let neighbours cat inside when you go over to feed it, when it is supposed to stay outside.
Step 2: Follow cat up the hallway, down (crazy) steep stairs to where it is expecting to be fed. Carry toddler so she doesn't fall down steep stairs while you chase the cat.
Step 3: Ponder how to carry both cat and toddler back upstairs.
Step 4: Put toddler down, encourage toddler to go and see the pussy cat.
Step 5: Shut doors behind you as toddler chases cat back upstairs.
Step 6: Trap cat in lounge, with door to deck only escape option from toddler.
Step 7: Congratulate self on taking 10 minutes to feed one cat 1/2 cup of biscuits.

And now it is July

2009-07-03T13:28:00.003+12:00

Yes, well that seemed to happen a little fast for my liking. The blog was there, waiting patiently and I have been doing heaps of stuff and heaps of stuff has been doing me - and yet it didn't quite make it to being "published" to the world.

I thought I was waiting for some good pictures to include of the theatre performance I was in - but really what a crap excuse! I am still planning on getting everyones photos together so if I wait that long it will be 2010. So here is the best one I can find that isnt blurry (hard to take photos without flash during dress rehearsal when people wont stand still).

I was in a musical theatre cabaret show - musical numbers from lots of musicals (hence dodgy orange cat suit for mamma mia). It was excellent. Lots of cool costumes and my first ever solo. And not really suffering from post show blues - I am celebrating being able to go to bed at 8:30 again! plus we get to do some of it all over again in August so I can't forget it all just yet....

Other things in the last couple of months - car crash, concussion and recovery. Finally got my hair coloured this week - YAAA HOOOO!! damn stiches in my head meant BAD roots for a couple of months. All good now though.

We put our house on the market, trying to keep it clean....ha! It looks amazing for open homes (I would live here!) and then degenerates as the week goes by. Luckily we have only had one surprise inspection. It is amazing how much stuff you can fit in the dishwasher, wshing machine and oven when you only have ten minutes warning......

Have new house and land all lined up for September, come on, somebody buy our house, buy our house, buy our house. Ready to start the new project, new house, new garden. Very exciting.

Achievements

2009-04-08T15:17:00.005+12:00

Yes, well, a-hem. Been a while 'eh?!

In the blog intermission that was the last month.
I finished my second ever knitting project - a beanie. Which was supposed to be for man-about-the-house, however the large was still too small. I might keep it, it is soft and warm. And outside is cold. I learned all about knit two, purl two. And despite initial swearing, it did get easier. Hmmm, what's next?

The garden has done the mass tomato production, Yum! Lots of different colours and sizes, we are now collecting heritage, ugly ones that taste divine. And winter vege are sorted - just need to go in the garden.....before we run away to Mahi for Easter weekend. Packing -what packing??

I am doing a musical theatre cabaret - awesome! Going to do my first ever solo, Adelaide's Lament from Guys and Dolls. Plus we are doing some great numbers from a range of musicals. I am also in Jellicle Cats, Mamma Mia, Cell Block Tango, Copacabana, Mack the Knife and Perfect Young Ladies. Yes - there will be very, very quick costume changes! It is a great small group of 11, and we are rehearsing our begeinner, amateur hearts out in time for the show in June. Yay!!

belated Christmas sewing

2009-03-01T10:20:00.006+13:00

Images: front and back of Lily's Christmas stocking.

It has been a rather drawn out process this - trying to finish Lily's Christmas stocking. I did the right thing by servicing the borrowed machine - and it has taken three more goes by the repair men to make it work properly. sigh!

But having learned my lesson about procrastinating - I was determined to immediately sew on it for an extended period to ensure it was working........much easier to prove they didn't fix it right if you take it back the next day, rather than waiting a month to use it....oops! So I pulled out unfinished projects and ta da! One belated christmas stocking - fabrics and santas from my sisters stash. Two tag blankets for new babies (they just keep on coming!) I used more ribbons this time. Off to Wellington this afternoon (big smoke here I come!) but cutting out the next projects too, to be sure, to be sure....

Update

2009-02-20T16:28:00.004+13:00

Wow - the weather must have been good because I haven't written anything here for a while!

Hmmm, things we have done in the last month...in no particular order:

First overnight hike with Lily in a baby backpack and camped. Kawakawa Bay - great rock climbing spot, accessible only by boat or hike. Moderately successful. Needless to say we would try it again.
Followed by sick child and lack of sleep (for all). The grown ups are very pleased to have our sleeping back, and a happy playful child again.
Made more plum sauce because my hard work priming people (i.e. nagging) throughout the year has come to fruition.
Increased my working hours to 3 morning (8am-2pm) - dont know that I am working them all yet though...
Busy doing Parents Centre stuff - keeping things afloat, and getting organised for 2009
Started swimming lessons again with Lily - she LOVES the water.
Went to the beach last weekend to see grandma and enjoy the sun. mmmmm
Lots of walking down to the lake to swim in the hot weather, a few walks. Exercise not very enthusiastic.
Had a friend stay for a couple of nights from the UK
Attended a Christening & then a first birthday. Just about to launch into a gadzillion first birthday parties with all the antenatal babies.
The block/section we were eying off for the last couple of years sold. Just as we decided that we were better off staying put for the next couple of years until my income kicks improves. Plan to improve underhouse storage and access to stop me going mad with clutter.
Keeping the garden alive - harvesting far too many zuccini, and eagerly awaiting the tomoatoes. hurry up and ripen! Started planning my winter vege - I told you I was going to be more organised this year :)

Photo of an ice sculpture in Winnepeg, Canada that Matthew took in January. It is on a roundabout. And stays there for six months - air temperatures dont rise above minus ten celcius for six months of the year....brrrrr.

Plums

2009-01-27T12:10:00.004+13:00

This is Lily supervising the bottling (jar-ing?) of the long weekend's hard work. I decided not to go to Auckland for the long weekend, and having made that decision our neighbours dropped off (unprompted) two full shopping bags of ripe plums. Clearly my weekend was supposed to be spent at home. We ended up with over 7 kg of pitted and chopped plums - 4kg into plum jam, 2 kg into chilli plum sauce and 1 kg into plum & rhubarb jam. Woah - that is a lot of sterilising jars and washing sticky dishes. Dont even ask about the purple sticky spotted walls from tipping hot, lumpy jam into tiny baby food jars!! It seemed like a good idea at the time.....

Overabundance

2009-01-21T16:46:00.009+13:00

The garden is going off! All of a sudden when I ignored it and Matt watered it, Ta Da! Vegies like nobodies business. And, I know that I know that I shouldn't plant any more than one zuccini/corgette plant, but I had three types, and then accidently planted what I thought were squash - but ended up as two more types of zuccini. Luckily they all look different so it is spectacular looking meals....even if one does get a tad sick of it after a while. I am going to try zuccini and chocolate cake.....

Even the corn is growing!

This is the wilderness. Plus there is an overflow vegie garden in the gully...

This is my new favourite marigold that came out of a mixed bunch from Kings Seeds (my new favourite shopping site - so many great ideas!). Note the pear shaped tomatoes in the background. I dont know if they are supposed to be the red ones or the yellow ones. Because I also planted about 6 different types of tomatoes .....but didnt mark which ones were which.....
And this is what happens when you plant far too many pumpkins and zuccini (that you thought were squash) in a small area with lots of sun and water....

Happy holidays

2009-01-11T12:38:00.003+13:00

We are back from holidays. Well actually we were back a week ago but brought family back with us, so didn't get a chance to get back into "normal" existence until now. I have been sorting out a backlog of work stuff (I am now a contracting consultant instead of a salaried employee!) and Parents Centre stuff (sorting out the new year so that we can be ahead of our volunteering selves.....is the plan). Plus I am still trying to find somewhere to store the Christmas presents and the two suitcases of my stuff that mum brought over from Perth. I guess I can't store it in her garage perpetually since we live in NZ.....but I didn't consider the storage issues :)

Holidays and Christmas were fantastic. It was so good to have Matthew home for a couple of weeks. We had a long table Christmas lunch hosted at our place with close friends and their parents. It seemed this was the year for everyone to stay in Taupo and have their parents come to visit. Each family brought a contribution to the lunch and we ate like kings and queens! Plus the weather was gorgous....after raining all Christmas Eve.

We headed over to Whangamata for a week at the beach. Again mostly good weather, and very relaxing. Lily was spoiled by both sets of her grandparents, plus other friends and family who sent presents. Not much crafting went on, especially as the sewing machine carked it on Christmas Eve. It is going again now thankfully. Gardens had a clean out of weeds once we got home, and we are busy harvesting beans, zuccini and squash. Eagerly watching tomoatoes develop. I'll post some garden pics soon.

Latest Xmas and holiday pics at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70013&l=f8cc5&id=590486015
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70016&l=e0d84&id=590486015

Ornament swap

2008-12-23T19:56:00.005+13:00

Thank you to all the lovely ladies who sent through ornaments from my group. Here is a photo of the collection, plus one from Alise (the star) - a friend from Taupo who was in another group.... but we swapped anyway :)
And the ninja just didn't want to hang out with the others - I think he has a thing for my garden angel.....

I know - the decorations are not on The Tree. They were.... but we have had a bit of a Christmas tree adventure - though at least we have upgraded from driftwood to greenery this year in honour of Lily and visiting grandparents. The first tree that we "got" didnt like being removed from its forest so dropped a gadzillion pine needles in protest. So it was retired early. We went to the awesome Taupo Native Plant Nursery to buy a $15 Totara tree in a pot. This tree is smaller (and prickly - ouch!), so could not take the weight of the crafty decorations. Or many lights, thus we had to go for light weight warehouse stuff instead! So far the barrier of presents and prickly-ness seem to be keeping little fingers away....
And, I think we are ready for Christmas - as ready as we can be without actually having cooked anything. I sent off the big email today detailing each family groups responsibilities which divided up the food and logistics. Now I feel relaxed. So relaxed that when I went food shopping I forgot to buy ingredients for our tasks - whoops! Merry Christmas to all!

Late edit: I don't know how Santa will go fitting down the gas fire chimney - we wish him luck!

Chainsaw Sculptures

2008-12-19T19:28:00.004+13:00

We have some new garden art. How amazing are these?!

You may remember that we cut down the plum tree in our backyard a couple of months ago because it had lived its 50+ years and started to crack, no leaves, no fruit etc. Well the arborist who cut it down is also a chainsaw sculptor, and he came back this week to create some art in time for Christmas. They have not been sanded or anything, just chainsaws. We need to oil them this weekend. Very inspired to plant and landscape the gully now. Yay!!

Christmas Ornaments

2008-12-15T19:09:00.004+13:00

I am assuming that New Zealand Post have done their job and delivered the handmade xmas ornaments that I made for the big kiwi ornament swap, so I can post some pics. I did originally have grand plans to do something with beads, but then got some xmas fabric and fell back on what I know I can do :) I made little boxes out of cardboard, put a bell in them and wrapped them up with that padding stuff they use for quilts and xmas fabrics. Little presents for everyone - and they even jiggle as all good presents should. Thanks to all the others in my group for their awesome gifts.

Spring flavours

2008-12-10T14:38:00.004+13:00

I received the most excellent cook book for my birthday - thanks Lou! It is called "eat fresh" by Annabel Langbein and showcases cooking through the seasons, eating seasonal foods, using your garden etc. Amazing. (As an aside: And I just googled her to find a web link for the cookbook and she had video tutorials and free recipes and everything here).
I was inspired and made rice paper rolls. We miss vietnamese food living ina small town and these were a Perth favourite. Just to make them ourselves! We did the vegetarian ones and used mint and coriander from our garden as well as pak choi (instead of lettuce). Divine! Recipe here. Not the best photo - we only thought to take a pic once we'd started eating! I love the chilli peanut sauce, mmmmmm.

La garden

2008-12-10T14:26:00.006+13:00

I took some photos in the garden on the weekend - none to showcase the gadzillion tomato plants that I finally put in the ground. Six different varieties grown from seeds - I must have been keen. However, random shots of ripe raspberries - YUM!! WE are fighting over them - one has to be in quick!
And I love the smell of citrus flowers. It blows in the kitchen window on the breeze.
And this years walnut crop is well underway.
And our first flax flower is super tall (sorry about rubbish view of neighbours house).
We planted a succulent garden from cuttings last year. I had no experience with them, but found them super easy to grow though many didn't like the frost. I am getting used to the beauty of them, and most have survived. Some excellent flowers that remind me of alpine plants.

Growing the stash!

2008-12-04T10:32:00.003+13:00

I officially now have a fabric stash! Big thanks to my awesome little sister Kathryn. She used to work at Spotlight in Perth, and it a bit of a fabric hoarder herself...amongst other things (card making, bead making, scrapbooking....). When the Perth Spotlight shut down for 6 months last year to build a new store, Kathryn did bulk shopping at super, duper discount prices. She has now decided to do a spring clean out of all her stuff, selling it where she can - so big sis went through all the boxes and had her own personal home shopping adventure. YAY!!! Lucky I took over half full bags, because they sure as heck we're light coming home :)

I think it is going to be sewing in summer, knitting in winter. I have skirt and dress plans for me, some toy ideas for Lily and her friends, plus I have now completely changed my mind about my christmas ornaments I am making for the big swap.....

Home again!

2008-12-04T10:18:00.003+13:00

Yes, we are back. Survived the trip to Perth. Lily is an excellent flyer - she didnt sleep much at all on the way over as the flight was during the day but at least she was happy. It wasnt really a holiday - more of a trip. We spent most of our time visiting friends and family, and being visited. Did manage to squeeze in a little bit of shoping, and a radical new yummy mummy haircut though! Unfortunately I managed to get sick when I came back, the cumulative effects of insuficient sleep, plane travel and busy-ness....so have had no voice for a few days. I am sure Matthew thinks it is nice and peaceful :) Back into our "normal" routines now, and the Christmas chaos......

Pics from Perth (mostly different people with Lily - sorry no tourist shots!) at
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62764&l=30d4f&id=590486015

Off to see the wizard...

2008-11-12T12:41:00.002+13:00

Yes, I am frantically running around in crazy mode trying to sort out my life and pack bags for our trip to Perth. Lily and I leave tomorrow morning, flying to Auckland, to meet my grandma and then fly to Perth for ten days. A very long day ahead, and who knows about time zone changes and the munchkin. Just sending off those last minute emails, crossing things of my list (NOT!), ignoring the work to do list, and trying not to wear the clothes I want to pack.

And the sun is shining, it over 20 degrees outside, no wind, and we are all wearing shorts and tshirts. GLORIOUS!!!! It better be this good in Perth...... :)

The wonderful wizard of Aus...

As modelled by Lily...

2008-11-04T17:55:00.004+13:00

I have finally finished my first knitting project! It ain't perfect - but it's done. One roll hemmed hat for an 18mnth head (though modelled adoringly by Lily at 8 months -.....big head!). Made to match a jumper that mum knitted for Lily (no colour coding of the girl child in this oufit!). Finishing required me to learn to decrease stitches and sew it all together. I thought I had it sorted and was well on my way to knit-pro. :)

So on the same day I learned to increase and do rib (two different projects). My brain was hurting. And I think I am getting RSI in my left hand. Must stick to large chunky yarns me thinks.

Tag me!

2008-11-01T16:49:00.005+13:00

Woah! Two posts in one day! Just a quickie - Lou put me onto this idea....a ribbon blanket. My antenatal group are all amazed by our babies fascination with tags and ribbons on things. Give them a new toy, and they spend ages playing with and chewing the tag. Lily goes for zips, tags, embroidered logos, and loves the drawstrings in hoodies (I have rethreaded a few!). I did some google-ing to find a tutorial and then made the rest up as I went along. Fabrics are dancing bugs on cotton (I found it hard to decide between the various colurs available!), and back is a purple polar fleece. Ribbons were various from what I had lying about, and picked up a few in town. So far it is a hit with the little one.

And I think I might be addicted to our new fabric shop, Clever Hands (no web page yet...) - it is a quilters paradise (not really my thing), but they have some gorgeous fabrics and a great atmosphere, lessons, space to stitch n bitch, plus they service sewing machines. Yay!!

So, a needle pulling thread...

2008-11-01T11:10:00.008+13:00

I have been doing some sewing, though practical rather than exciting. Have asked for a sewing machine for my birthday as I have taken over the desk as a craft corner now that the computer is permanently living in the spare room on another table. Quite exciting to have a dedicated space, especially as Lily will be moving soon, and this way I get to keep it all out but up high away from little fingers. I am still in planning and collecting new projects mode though rather than actually doing any finishing. :)

Last weeks projects were baby change mats. I have four friends having babies in the next couple of months and three of them are in Perth. Lily and I are off to Perth for ten days in a couple of weeks (while Matthew is at two conferences), so I had a timeframe if I didn't want to spend lots on postage. Plus with Christmas sneaking up rather fast, good to get baby presents sorted. They are polar fleece, backed with thermal fabric (the stuff used in curtains). Matt's mum made me one when Lily was born and it is awesome. Warm and snuggly for cold and bumpy changing tables, floors, outdoor picnics. Though not water proof, you do have a bit of time before panicing about the lovely duvet cover on the bed you are changing them on. Plus, just chuck it in the machine. I get the thermal fabric as off cuts from our local curtain making shop for a couple of bucks.

And the garden is progresing nicely, all except the basil and tomatoes are now in the garden beds. Lily is doing her bit to help!

To plant or not to plant?

2008-10-21T18:53:00.006+13:00

Seedlings going strong (ish) and Labour Weekend is the traditional time for planting the vege garden. And that is only a few sleeps away. I went through all my old seeds and planted everything that was still viable, plus did an excellent spend up at Kings Seeds - so many choices! The whole "only plant what I am going to eat" idea goes out the window when confronted by rainbow corn and funky coloured tomatoes. I'm sure they'll taste just fine :) It's going to be a late tomato crop though - the seedlings are only a couple of centimetres high. Gives me a few months to choose pickling, preserving, and sauce recipes for the Autumn. I can't wait for plum jam time again.

I have a bit of a dilemma though - my winter vege went into the ground too late so did nothing until a few weeks ago. Now the brocolli, spinach and celery (in picture above, planted beneath pea climbing mesh - d'oh!) are showing signs of fruiting (vegetable-ing?) in the next few weeks, but they are taking up the spot where I want to put the spring and summer vege. Hmmmm. I did say that I was going to PLAN my vege garden this year (I know - shock, horror!), so I have been reading up on rotating crops and companion planting - but my cunning plan is thwarted somewhat by poor planning in winter. Instead of making a decision, and actually planting the beans and peas, I am designing bean and pea teepee support structures in my head, and in the garden. And procrastinating......

Confessions of a yarn addict

2008-10-15T08:20:00.006+13:00

Yes, it is true. I have become (or am becoming) a bit of a yarn hoarder. I find myself trawling through trademe in search of a yarn bargain, even though I don't necessarily have project to start. To my credit I have started two knitting projects and they are coming along nicely, but I have always been tempted by the possibilities of starting something new. Rather than finishing what I have started. Personally I think Ravelry is to blame (nothing to do with will power and attention spans at all!). I have found myself lost in Ravelry, planning new projects. And then of course I need to get the right size wool and needles for that project, which takes me to trademe, which adds more projects to the list :)

In other fun crafty news, a few friends in Taupo have decided to start a stitch 'n bitch group - technically not just stitch, it is more craft and chat and drink coffee, but thats fine with me. I still haven't managed to make it to a get together, but it will happen. Guaranteed knitting for at least one hour a week.

I am also thinking that I will need to buy a sewing machine soon, cant keep borrowing a friends. then that list of sewing projects will also start to grow.....i sense another trademe hunt coming on....

Inspired!

2008-09-21T09:28:00.004+12:00

One of the things that I did achieve while we were in Australia was that I learnt to purl and cast-off. I had learnt to knit a few times and started making squares, but never seemed to finish anything or have a project in mind, thus never needed to cast off. I have now started two projects - one baby hat on 4mm needles which seems to be taking ages (but it does make me practise purling). So I am also doing a chunky, big needle project to keep me inspired by the speed at which they are done :)

We have also been inspired in the garden the last few weekends - helped by gorgeous sunny weather. The boys sorted me out with a garden shed (uber-exciting!!), which now finishes one side of the house - and clears away all of the clutter. Big thank you to Matthew, Simon and Shawn for their shed building and paving efforts. Awesome!

We followed that up the next weekend with weeding and woodchipping and a general tidyup - so now we can get some new blue metal for the driveway and say the the front garden is "finished". (Except for the far wall where we are waiting for the neighbour to fix the retaining wall....still waiting....). Spring vege about to be planted too. All the plum trees are flowering. I am already plotting all the preserves and jams and sauces I will make in the Summer and Autumn.

New Lily pics at

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52941&l=44575&id=590486015

Return from Oz

2008-08-27T13:49:00.003+12:00

Hello, hello!

We are back from the Australian trip and I have found my way out from underneath the post-holiday washing pile. Phew! I think we have mostly caught up with ourselves and Lily seems to be back to the New Zealand time zone. As much as I loved sleeping in to 9am with her each morning (and hated waking at 5am in Sydney), life and bedtimes are now a bit more normal. The trip was great, cold in Sydney (well, an hour south-east of Sydney) and warm in Cairns. I must admit I always expect it to be warmer in Australia - even in winter. Am I turning into a kiwi?

Lily travelled like a star - little miss social thinks that everyone in the airports, planes, shops etc are there to see her. Big grins for everyone. I think it is a bit of a shock being home and seeing the same face all day. Great to see everyone, though I am knackered from continual socialising. Must head off for a nap .....

Farewell to a gentleman

2008-08-08T12:32:00.003+12:00

Well it has again been ages since I wrote, so much for regularity! It has been a very busy month filled with the good, and the sad. We had a couple of weeks of house guests and plenty of socialising to be had. Some fine weather (go the frosts), and then the whole country got bombed by repeated storm fronts. Lake Taupo has gone from a 65 year low in March, to a few cm from full. This is a 60 something cubic kilometre volume lake. Crazy weather!

In the sad news - my grandad passed away last week - the Whangamata grandad for those in the know. It was fast and peaceful, and even though we didn't want him to ever leave us, it was his time. He left us with dignity, surrounded by loved ones. Family flew in from Aus and all over NZ and we spent a few days at grandma's house organising the funeral and keeping track of the gadzillion cards, phone calls and food drops. Community support amazing. Grandad came home for one night, the night before the funeral and we did a catholic rosary/vigil at home.....followed by boozing and songs around the piano. We are all sure that grandad was there with us - he wouldn't have wanted to miss it! And we are so glad that we went to the beach only a few weeks ago and had a great weekend with gma and gdad. He was very proud of his great-grandaughter - and everyone at the funeral seemed to know who Lily was! He is missed.

Brrrr....snow!

2008-07-07T10:14:00.002+12:00

It is officially winter...and then some. We had a maximum of 8 degrees yesterday with plenty of rain and hail and howling southerlies. For those who have been to Taupo, it snowed on Mt Tauhara (the little mountain just behind town). Matt and a bunch of the crew were not going to miss that opportunity, so they scampered up to the top, with a few compulsory snowball fights on the way to the top. Lily and I stayed indoors, though if it happens next year we will definitely be there too!

Rain, rain go away

2008-07-03T10:02:00.004+12:00

Its raining, its pouring....

Again. There is plenty of snow on the mountains but you have to be quick to get up there in the weather windows. Unfortunately school holidays start this weekend too, so it is battling the crowds. Not that Lily and I are going to partake in skiing this season - I need muscles and fitness first, and I guess she needs to learn how to sit and stand before she can ski! :)

We spend a great weekend at the beach, sitting by the fire doing crosswords, watching the rain .....while the boys built some shelves for grandad's shed. They turned out very sturdy. Big thanks to Simon for working on his day off. We even managed to take less stuff than last time, getting better at this packing thing. It is the "what-if"s that tempt you into taking too much!

Lily update: growing, chuckling (though unpredictable), grabbing at things put in front of her, chewing on everything, rosey cheeks and drool combined with mega crankiness suggest her teeth are moving around, much better at tummy time....mostly, still being breastfed, not into the bottle, mum has started making pureed vege and putting it in the freezer.....a new project perhaps. And for Aunty Jenny for yesterday....

Seasonal tastes

2008-06-15T08:49:00.003+12:00

Where has time gone? I haven't written or ages!

We are off to the beach this weekend so i am trying to pack and organise myself while Lily sleeps. So far she is doing short naps to thwart my plans. Hence here I sit typing one handed while she decides if she wants to go back to sleep......

But inspired by last nights dinner:

What to do when:

a. your self-seeded pumpkins do really well - when they were left completely to ramble unsupervised in the last corner of chaos in the vege garden,

b. the walnut tree has another bumper crop; and

c. the hot, dry summer meant lots of basil and parsley......?

Create a winter pasta recipe. Mmmmm

Roast pumpkin

Roast walnuts

Cook your favourite pasta - fettucine works well

Mix together with basil pesto (made with homegrown walnuts and basil)

Add in Feta (we like goats feta better) and some Kalamata olives

Can add roasted red capsicum too for extra sweetness - sort of seasonal if you have a late crop!

Tasty!! Doesn't photograph well though....

The budding lepidopterist

2008-06-10T15:49:00.002+12:00

Lepidopterist - a person who catches, collects, studies and observes moths and butterflies.

She can't quite catch them yet - but Nan's butterfly mobile is a big hit with the munchkin.

Do we have a career path already mapped out?

And I shall try the next techno-challenge - upload a video.....

The photo doesn't really do it justice - sorry Sue!

Whispering Babies

2008-06-10T15:35:00.004+12:00

Well Lily and I went to see the Baby Whisperer yesterday - the kiwi one. No - not a personal appointment, but rather a seminar with other mums. There seems to be one baby whisperer in each country when I google it. Some dedicated baby-nurse type lady who chooses to go into homes for the first seven weeks and be sleep deprived for other peoples newborns (wow!...crazy!!). But she seems to have picked up lots of handy tips and hints for calming and connecting with babies. It was really good - but another one of those chunks of advice that you get four weeks too late. I have decided that is how parenthood works. You make it up as you go along, and then find out that other people have also been there and written the book full of helpful hints you stumbled upon after a few weeks of trying all the wrong things. Ha! Even though I have consumed quite a number of baby books (Up the Duff, Kid Wrangling, Oh Baby, The contented baby, Secrets of the baby whisperer) - I still seem to only find the tips after I need them. Brain like a sieve. Information overload!

In Lily news - we are now 14 weeks old. Very happy and content. Still not sleeping through the night (sigh!), but only one wake up the past two nights so I am optimistic. Smiling, recognising faces. Loves being on her back looking around. Loves bath time and has outgrown our baby bath. Rapidly growing into the clothes I have stashed away - I have to go and check them every week or so, so that I don't miss whole outfits! Not so keen on the tummy time - has to be bribed and distracted. Likes socialising and getting out and about. Learning to self settle quite well.

And we have booked flights to Aus - time to start preparing for the next adventure!

The first holiday

2008-06-06T16:35:00.004+12:00

Well we survived Lily's first trip away from home - and no, we didn't need a trailer.

But it was close. The answer to traveling with children is to always go with friends who don't have kids so you can fill their car with your toys. We managed to fit two kayaks on the roof or our car, and of course there was no surf. And we took the golf clubs. And the guys didn't get to play a game. Oh well, it was good practice for going to Aussie in August. And Matthew did many tour guided trips to the "donut" island instead. Lily was fabulous, slept in the car and settled well away from home. I think all the goo-ing, ga-ing girlfriends helped. So many people to play with! I am still recovering from the weekend away though - catching up on sleep. Hard to go to bed when there is a house full of people to socialise with - even when you know you'll be up twice in the night. We'll be heading back to the beach again soon.

And in other projects I finally finished the roman blinds for the kitchen windows - the last uncovered windows in our house.

And just in time for some heavy frosts and minus one degree night temperatures. Brrrrr! The consensus is that they turned out well - they go up AND down! I am really happy with the fabric I chose and, like all projects, learned a few tricks for the next time.

Jelly-ing

2008-05-28T08:47:00.003+12:00

I was in desperate need of some new jam. The double batch of plum jam that I made at 38 weeks pregnant (I had some time to kill at home, waiting...waiting...) has run out. In hindsight I made a silly mistake to give a jar to the person who supplied the plums and another to the person who supplied the jars! What I did not foresee was that jam on toast would be my midnight snack for the first few weeks of breast feeding munchies, and an easy snack at other times. Don't even think about how I could eat a jar of jam in a week. Thankfully Lily was taking all those calories straight out of me :)

However, autumn/early winter is not the best time for having a fruit selection to play with - so thank you to the humble feijoa and to Lou for the inspiration - again! Two batches of jelly later I am a happy camper. It was harder than plum jam - where I just throw everything in the pot al la the good 'ol kiwi Edmonds cookbook recipe. I used the Edmonds recipe for the feijoa jelly, but also this link from laurasaur - the pics help heaps! The whole drain pulp through muslin step - without giving in to the urge to help it along - was an adventure. It is excessively sweet jelly - first taste test on toast this morning. But it will get me through the winter and more midnight snacking.....I hope...

And todays techno-challenge - try to include pictures....

A new era begins

2008-05-27T14:16:00.000+12:00

It seems that 2008 is the year of trying new things - first parenthood, now blogging. Admittedly one has followed the other. Now that the worst of the sleep deprivation has passed (we hope), I have some time between feeding and keeping up with the washing to spend meandering through the internet.

A thank you (I think!) to twentycentmixture for introducing me to the world of craft blogs. I have joined Ravelry and bookmarked loads of blogs to go back and read. I have also found so many inspiring projects - not that I didn't already have a mental list of things "to-do"......

I do have a tendency to enjoy hearing myself speak, and writing is really no different. However, I shall try to keep it short and sweet, and not just talk about babies! Right - lets see if I can work out how to insert hyperlinks and then post this thing.......