24 April, 2007

cockroach and cake

it was the favourite 5 year old nephews birthday celebration on the weekend. I would love to see the world again from a 5 year old's eyes and imagination. Every present was opened with an "oh wow", he got books; piratology had him completely absorbed; toys; and a cockroach.
Max's 5th Birthday 006

When I rang mum this evening, he was telling her about his cock-a-roach, or is it a dung beetle, who knows, whilst she tried to talk to me on the phone. He has a great imagination.
Max's 5th Birthday Cake

Mum made the cake and again it was a hit.


Max's 5th Birthday

23 April, 2007

it made me laugh

we received probably the stupidest bit of marketing ever today, not just because we live in a full brick house, but well who wants a section of cladding as a fridge magnet. It wasn't obvious at first that it was a fridge magnet, the size for one thing means it is not really practical, and secondly when you notice the magnet and writing on the sticker and try it out, it doesn't actually stick.
fridge magnet ???

fridge magnet

Hmmm, Thanks for the laugh.

15 April, 2007

silenced

today I have no voice, and I am so fed up with being cooped up at home. I had a brief trip yesterday, accompanying B to a session at a conference he was attending, well actually I travelled and waited in the car whilst he attended the session. I read my book and watched the clock. I was on the promise of a quick visit to 'Hidden Orient' at Terrey Hills before we dropped in to mum and dads.

I was on a mission for something else, which shall be the subject of another post, however, I also came home with this wonderful fabric pack of japanese fabrics that shall be used in my recycled jeans quilt.
japanese fabrics
Mum also sent me home with this sweet little tablecloth, a cheer me up for this blessed cold. I guess the cold has fought back and taken away my voice!

tablecloth

tablecloth detail

14 April, 2007

Aluth Avurudhu

babel fish has let me down, I wanted to be able to title this post 'happy new year' in Sinhalese, instead I believe the heading is just 'new year'. Babel fish does not have an English to Sinhalese option that I can find.

Thanks to this site for also providing the following information.
In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese New Year falls In April when the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya otherwise known as the 'House of Pisces', to the Mesha Rashiya or
'House of Aries'. Sri Lankans then begin celebrating their New Year known as 'Aluth Avurudhu' in Sinhala and 'Puththandu' in Tamil. The timing of the New Year begins at the time determined by astrologers. They not only calculate the beginning of the new year but also the conclusion of the old. You might think that surely where one year ends another simply begins, but not so. Here, there is a period of a few hours in between both years called the 'nona gathe' or neutral period during which no one works and all are expected to engage in religious activities.
Happy New Year and special thanks to our friend R for allowing us to share New Year with you today, and this amazing feast she purchased from Flavour of Ceylon.

Sri Lankan Feast

12 April, 2007

resting


jeans, jeans, jeans

apparently yesterday I used up almost 20% of our monthly 1G internet account. It must have been discovering that you can watch past episodes of Martha Stewart and indulging.

It is really hard work resting, I have read my
book, watched tv (Dr Phil, Judge Judy, love it), done the odd bit of dusting, vacuuming, and general tidying up. Being at home through the day with the sun streaming in, you really notice the dust, and it gets me quite agitated, not good when you have been told your blood pressure is high and a brain scan is required. Hmmm, yes a brain scan, I only went to the doctors on Tuesday because I thought I was coming down with a cold or the flu, and yes I have had a constant headache for a fortnight but I was putting that down to work stress, so a couple of days rest and I would be right for the month ahead of conferences, workshops, graduations, trip to Queensland, trip to Melbourne, submissions, presentations ....... and other life changing possibilities, I guess now we shall see.

In the pursuit of resting and making the most of this week at home, I have gathered up our old jeans and will try and out do yesterday's internet usage (only joking B) for recycled denim jeans quilt inspiration.

11 April, 2007

extended long weekend scarf


extended long weekend scarf

inspired from my day at the Show with mum on Thursday last week and Ann Collin's handwoven mohair wraps and dyed wool, I couldn't wait to get home and dig out the balls of mohair I bought last year. I had started the scarf a couple of times but couldn't remember the verbal instructions given to me, so subsequently unravelled what I had knitted a couple of times before admitting defeat and putting the wool away, till now. I commited the instructions to memory, 9mm knitting needles, cast on 18 stitches and knit to the end of the wool. Wallah! Over the extended long weekend, Friday through Easter Monday and sick day Tuesday.

08 April, 2007

Happy Easter


easter treats
after trepidations about easter, due to recent family gatherings that have unavoidably strongly focused on the pregnancy's of the two sisters (remember I am oversensitive), I put on a brave face and we joined our family for easter.

The venue this year was Randwick, at my auntie's (mum's sister). The weather was great and all the family except for the youngest sister and her husband attended. We had baked pork and vegetables for lunch and cakes, cakes and more cakes for dessert. There were so many cakes that one went home with its maker (my grandmother) untouched and the other got dissected and went home with willing recipients. I cant't believe that my grandparents made it through yet another yearly milestone and that my grandmother was able to make a cake for the day. They are so well.

After lunch we took ourselves to Centennial Park for coffee, fresh air and to walk off some of the calories.

06 April, 2007

sponge with jam and cream


sponge with jam and cream

We have such lovely neighbours. This was presented to us over the back fence by our neighbour. It was the lightest sponge with fresh cream and jam. It was a little overwhelming actually, not being very proficient in the kitchen I couldn't imagine baking more than one cake succesfully and handing them away.

05 April, 2007

pet day care

pet day care

we have visiting with us Winston, the youngest sister's cat. Winny is a Tonkinese kitty who is being presented here because of his fancy threads. You gotta luv the collar. I believe the youngest sister has made this one, and on her return from up North for Easter I shall be putting in an order for one for Jasmine.

And because we do not have favourites round here, say hello to Lady a boisterous Labrador, who belongs to the favourite brother and his family, and who was staying with us whilst he graduated from Melbourne University for completing his Masters the weekend before last (Congratulations).

01 April, 2007

fabulous florence


Fabulous Florence

I am fixated with Florence Broadhurst, I just love her designs. Upon discovering the Signature Art Prints studio at Roseberry who now reproduce her work, I have amassed a couple of cushions, some fabric remnants, and from today's visit (thanks to the temptation of a sale) a wallpaper remnant, and excitement....placed an order for a framed silkscreen 'tapestry chandelier' shown below in the entrance of their store, and coveted since a previous visit.


Florence Broadhurst Screenprint