dovecote cottage

dovecote cottage

my head is back in Toowoomba and in particular the cute little B&B we stayed at 'Dovecote Cottage'. It was so cosy and had the most fabulous avocado tree out back, that provided mum and I the opportunity to practice our pinata skills. I don't know what the neighbours thought with two pj clad women balancing on a chair, wielding and waving a broom at the branches, early in the morning and giggling crazily.

avocado tree

I am indulging (or is it torturing) myself by posting the following photos also from our recent trip to Toowoomba via Noosa.

pearls for girls

A trip to Noosa would not have been complete without a visit to Pearls for Girls, it was also very appropriate given that my pearl earrings that were a graduation present from B, came from Pearls for Girls. And how about this cute planter box, which looks like it may have been made from old decorative fencing.

planter box

My all time Noosa favourite was the locals, in particular this lolly chomping brush turkey. There were quite a few brush turkey's mingling on the main street, this one though had a green sticky lolly that it was very much enjoying, you can probably make out the lolly under its left foot.

lolly chomping brush turkey

Not much in the way of crafting experiences although, once in Toowoomba we managed a trip to Highfields and the Quilters Angel. Where I purchased wool flannel, and a kit to make a needle book. I am such an impulse buyer, and they join the list of unstarted projects lining up behind the unfinished projects. Just outing myself now, I think is encouraging me one step closer to signing up for a quilting group.

the quilting angel

And even if I don't get to a class, I really want some of this fabric, so Australian with its holden cars and a map of Australia. Unfortunately, the shop that housed this quilt was closed as it was a Sunday, as with most of the shops. Country Australia.

holden fabric quilt

A quilt like this one is more to my standard with a single piece of fabric and complementary binding.

graduation

over the last few weeks, the favourite brother graduated from the University of Melbourne, the littlest sister graduated from University of Sydney, I graduated from the University of Southern Queensland, and yesterday B also graduated from University of Sydney.

hood, gown and trencher

It has been a busy few weeks, especially for my parents who have attended every one. We all had a laugh when mum recalled a discussion with the favourite 5 year old nephew that morning.

Favourite 5 yr old Nephew (FN): Granny where are you and Pop going?

Granny: Pop and I are going to watch B graduate from University.

FN: You won't be able to come to my graduation, because you will be dead by then.

B's graduation was an early one, being at 9.30am, after refreshments in the quadrangle, photos, and framing of his degree, mum, dad, B's mum, B and I headed over to the Queen Victoria Building for High Tea at The Tea Room to celebrate. It was so good, mum and I were planning our next visit for my next flexi day and B was inviting himself along. With the Craft and Quilt Fair at the end of June at Darling Harbour, I may not have to wait too long.

the great hall
For now though congratulations to us all, and I am so proud of you b.

fly by melbourne

early morning view from my room at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne

I woke this morning on my 'fly by' visit to Melbourne to this fabulous view. It was raining, which was a welcome sight given dam levels in Melbourne had fallen below 30%.

The rain continued all day and continues to rain as I sit at the airport waiting for my flight which has been delayed by half an hour.

Unfortunately, I cannot bring you any fun shop windows this time round however, the Adelphi Hotel in Flinders Lane has an unusual feature. A glass swimming pool seven floors over the street.

Adelphi Hotel

Here it is close up.

glass swimming pool

momentary touchdown

I have been in a whirlwind, and have only momentarily touched down enough to do a day in the office, three loads of washing and type a sentence or two here before heading off again. This time it will be down south, back to Melbourne where I was only a couple of weeks ago.

Unfortunately, the whirlwind from which I have returned from that travelled through both Noosa and Toowoomba did not permit internet access even though the trusty laptop was dragged along.

I would like to share more of my whirlwind tour of Queensland but think I will save that for the weekend. Instead I post a 'tribute to flora' mosaic, because we are into plants here as you know. These photos were all taken in Noosa and surrounds. Toowoomba and surrounds made my heart cry, it was so dry, and the countryside was brown, brown, brown. I know we are in drought, but it is really shocking when you see it and realise how grim things are. I feel a bit guilty that I did not take any photos of our drought stricken land for some balance.

Plants from our trip to Qld

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

before the lights go out

in Sydney for Earth Hour.

Today, we made an effort to do our bit for the environment by replacing the outdoor taps with ones guaranteed never to drip (we shall see). The lawn also got mowed with the mulcher rather than the catcher, adding the nutrients back in, thereby reducing the need for extra lawn fertiliser. We also did a stack of weeding, and for some winter/spring cheer planted primula's and pansies.

Tonight we shall have barbequed sausages from the Eumundi Smokehouse purchased from the Warwick Farm Farmers Market, and watch either or both Kenny, and Little Miss Sunshine, of course with all unnecessary lights off.

Farmers Market Haul

our new verandah

Well folks, here it is, our recently finished verandah. This was a February project that took a little longer than planned as we did not plan the hot water service to blow up, or leak profusely, nor did we plan the under bench oven blowing up (literally) either!!So, after a couple of extra thousand dollars spent elsewhere on appliances, may I present to you, our verandah:

Finished Verandah

Another view:

Finished Vernadah

Underneath the awning:

Under the new verandah

And lastly, from LA-Bamboo_Direct on eBay, our 'Lotus Rain Chains' in place of downpipes. His store is well worth a visit, as there is lots of good stuff there!

Verandah & Rain Chains

Sorry about the 'quality' of this last image, as we have had some rain and it is late this evening...

Ahh... the sweetest words (this time for me!!!)

This time it is for me...
Graduated with the award of Master of Agriculture (Turf Management)!
Alas, one Masters down and another to go... Best I get back to the study...
Except this time, there is no thanks from Jasmine, no no...
But this time, from Lady, whom I was told from a very reliable source, has been visiting the neighbours by going under the fence...
As if Cooper wasn't enough of a strain!!

pink sashiko

O wow! B is too clever, we have three columns and a new colour. It complements my Sashiko.

sashiko

I bought this Sashiko at a craft show last year and took it a couple of times, when I could remember, with me on work trips to Melbourne. Something like a fix for craft withdrawl. I only had a small section to go, and with a trip to Newcastle this week, that will include an overnight stay in a hotel, I thought it might be a good project to take with me and finish. That is, if I hadn't done a couple of stitches, and then a couple more stitches and finished it last night. Realistically I would probably have been too tired to do any stitching.

I really enjoyed doing this one, it was so easy to do, just follow the printed pattern. I am now itching to get another. I found this great site last night which should be able to help out here. The only thing is what to do with them when they are done. Any suggestions?

on the brink

of blogging oblivion. I am struggling to find the time, and energy to keep our blog going. I have a camera full of photos to share which I am commiting here to posting over the next week. Although with this next sentence I admit this is a shaky commitment as this week shall include more late nights for work in addition to a trip to newcastle which is going to be exhausting. Up and back in two days via Sydney airport*, to put in a full day of work reviewing/reworking a document that is one year stale. I had booked a day off this week but it is not to be.

So while time has been a challenge, the weather has not helped with the energy levels. It has been so hot, and HUMID. Yesterday, I put the last of the muraya's and clivia's in the verandah garden beds, and the wisteria's at either end. This ended with a 2 hour nap before racing to vote, followed by a trip to Borders. If we (B) can work out how to put in a third column, I plan to add in a what I am reading at the moment. I did get a copy of the Easter issue of Martha Stewart, sooo many good ideas. There was another magazine I would have liked, Real Simple but Yikes like Martha Stewart it had a price tag of $14.95, instead I had to be satisfied with a sneaky peak in store.

Martha Stewart Living Easter Edition

*My parents are flying to Melbourne for my brothers graduation, and I offered to take them to the airport. The drive from my place to theirs is about 45 minutes, their place to the airport about 30 minutes, from the airport to work about 1 hour 30 minutes, and from work to Newcastle 4 hours. I feel sick just thinking about it.

happy chinese new year

Happy Chinese New Year Dragon

I know this is a bit belated but I couldn't resist after taking this photo on a recent visit to Star City. Ya gotta luv a dragon, I certainly do especially having just finished reading Garden of the Purple Dragon, a charming little story for young people. The second in the series by Carole Wilkinson.

Chinese New Year Dragon

Meet the neighbours part IV, and the new deputy

Last night, all was going well with L making some homemade pasta, and I was at the lovely new oven preparing the sauce for the nights dinner. I went out to the vege garden to collect some fresh basil, when I heard some voices from the currently (newly sold) vacant house next door.

Over the last couple of weeks we have heard people next door, namely enjoying the pool, but as we knew who it was, thought not too much of it as at least they were not causing too much harm. However, the Street Sheriff (who shall be the subject of a future 'meet the neighbour' entry) had informed us recently that the vacant house had been broken into, and should we see anyone in the yard we should call the police. I should also mention that the Street Sheriff has had the opportunity to say a hello to the new owner when he called by last week, and that our new neighbour is Barry, amongst other details, but inadvertently he forgot to get a contact number for him.

So making pasta and pasta sauce, with voices heard whilst collecting basil, on the instructions of the Street Sheriff, call the police is what L did, at 6.54pm to be exact.

Well, after nearly 40 mins of L keeping watch through our kitchen window whilst putting fresh pasta through the little machine that rolls/cuts it, I was keeping watch out the front window to see if they were to leave and in which direction they were leaving (suspects looked like the same that were in there throwing rocks against garage wall and into the pool on Saturday) to the house across the street from us. L, who by this stage was becoming more and more aghast at the time police were taking in this matter called again. The officer who took the call (as did the first call 40 odd minutes earlier) mentioned to L that the sooner he got off the phone to her, the sooner he could escalate the call to officers out on the road.

About a further 15 mins went by, and by this stage lights were noticed on inside the house! Great, now they have broken in and the police have all but allowed this to happen!!! L, on a further call to the police told (ordered) them to get their act into gear and get here quick as they were inside... Police arrived some 5 mins later under lights and sirens and snuck around the side of the house (as viewed from my vantage point of the bay window at the front of the house). Some 10 mins later, both officers left without a person in cuffs, or anyone being escorted off the property to across the road for a discussion with the parents of across the road. Instead, under further surveillance by us, said accused were now out the front having a smoke and L was off to make a further complaint to the Police Assistance Line, not happy Jan... I got my car keys and went out to the car to go for a drive so as I could see who they actually were, and told L to call the 'Sheriff' to make sure he didn't have Barry's phone number.

I returned some 10 mins later to see the police car had returned, accused being questioned by police, and both L (the newly appointed deputy) and Pete (Sheriff) all out the front. L came, somewhat sheepishly, to me in the car and informed me that the accused was actually the new owner, and it might be a good idea for us to meet...

Welcome to the street Barry!

making hay

whilst the sun shines, well kinda. The verandah construction is continuing and we have worked madly in the spare time we have when not at work and it isn't raining. We have made significant progress thanks to family and friends; in particular dad and the favourite brother. We didn't get quite as much done as I had hoped this weekend, as I had to work yesterday and it rained heavily around 2pm today which put an end to today's efforts. Given we are in a drought I can't believe how much it has rained over the last few weeks, since we took the back guttering off.

Next weekend we should have the roof on. If I hadn't worked yesterday, we would have had the roof batons on for sure yesterday. Instead whilst it stormed last night, I was undercoating them in the garage and at 7am this morning back there giving them an enamel topcoat. This was not the smartest of moves, nor was giving the rafters a second topcoat, as neither dried all day, and created a sticky hazard for fixing the batons, and was a painful waxing technique for knees, trialled by the favourite brother who volunteered the job of fixing said batons to the rafters*.

We had aimed to have the verandah completed by the end of February, although the universe has clearly conspired otherwise. Apart from the rain, this month we also replaced the hotwater system, and will replace the oven. So in the sparetime we didn't have for constructing the verandah, we also did a fair bit of appliance shopping.

We won't know ourselves at the end of next week once the new oven gets installed (Friday), and the roof goes on. I might actually have time to do some craft, that is if I didn't have a work trip to Melbourne. So hey, you might not see us for another week!

*this task involved being up on the roof (ie the beam, rafters and batons), kneeling on the tacky paint, and hammering nails into the batons to fix them to the rafters. Hence waxed knees.

barnaby restaurant review

Why do you think I am writing a restaurant review? Especially, the 'highly awarded' Barnaby's Restaurant?
Well, you see, we have an Entertainment book, which offers all sorts of discounts from Mc Donald’s to attractions etc. We decided that, whilst we can't use the discount card on Valentines Day, we would hold off to the following weekend, to us, Saturday night.
After putting in a very solid day of work around the house, we were both tired, but still we scrubbed up and off we went on our Valentine date. We called ahead to book a table, and we were asked to sit in the bar as we were a little early, 10 mins to be exact. We had a drink and decided on what we wanted for dinner, Chicken and Vegetable spring roll, with soy and chilli dipping sauce for an entree, and the renowned seafood platter for a main. We were then escorted to the table where we were given menus and ordered straight away, time check, 8.20pm.
After about 45 mins, our entree arrived, and a couple sat down at an adjoining table about 5-10 mins later. It is needed to be said, that the entree was delicious, and gave a very real interpretation as to what the seafood platter will be, bring it on as we are HUNGERY!
Some 30 mins later, the above mentioned table who had not only ordered a seafood platter, but was having it served! Time check here, 9.40pm. I did ask a waiter nearby, about the delay (a recurring them on many tables around us) he went off, and came back a couple of minutes later and said it will be soon...
After a further 10 mins or so I had just about had enough by this stage, so I went up to the Maitre’d, to enquire as to the whereabouts of our meal. Another wait staff member standing nearby, to whom the question WAS NOT directed, came over to say that it will not be long now, and asked me to return to my table (I should have asked, ok smart ass, what am I having since you know where I am sitting???) but I was totally shocked that he simply butted in! I returned to our table and told L what had happened. Another of the 'Senior Wait Staff' came over to try and put us at ease, and offered us complimentary drinks, Great, Bourbon and Coke for me and a Lemon Lime and Bitters for L! It is at this point, I should point out, the table on the opposite side of us with two gentlemen on it had ordered coffees. Simple?? NO! They ended up waiting 40 mins for a bloody cup of coffee!!!!
Anyways, whilst we were being offered the comp drinks, the rude guy came to the table and told L that the chef had said it will be 10 mins more. Ok, we will wait...
And wait we did. 10 mins came and went, and at the 20 min mark I went off to the toilet and before I left, we came to the agreement that if it was not there by the time I returned, then enough is enough... it was not there, so we started to leave. The senior girl tried to stop us, saying that it will be there in 2 seconds, please stay... NUP, I was well and truly over it, it is now nearly 2 bloody hours!!! As we were walking up the door and register to pay for the entree, (do you think we should have had to pay for this???), a pair of waitresses were coming out of the kitchen with OUR dinner, but we were well and truly put off this meal for the delay we had to endure!
We paid our account and left! Never again Barnaby's, NEVER AGAIN!

Valet Uncle Joe

Last week, I received an email from my Aunty Pat in the UK, (Seaforth Liverpool to be exact!) with some very sad news. My uncle Joe, whom had been quite ill for some time, had past away.

I had only met Uncle Joe in 2005, but I had always heard about him over the years. On this occasion in July '05, Aunty Pat took me around to his place for an afternoon tea. I was amazed at his house, and whilst I observed oxygen lines all about the house, he was a very independent man indeed. He made the tea with a minimal of fuss, and insisted on it what’s more!
One of his many traits I remember was to go to the local pub for a beer. Even though he was ill, he made time to get down there and have a social moment, no doubt, with the boys.

Whilst it is 10.44pm Friday 16th February, I understand that it is 11.44am Friday 16th February, so the funeral would be happening soon.

For everyone over there in the UK, from everyone over in in Australia, our thoughts are with you all in your time of grief. We only wish that we could be over there for you all.

i heart chocolate

i heart chocolate

Happy Valentines Day to y'all.

I heart you too, B.

as forecast

the heavens opened.

syd radar 11022007

Having taken the guttering down from the rear of the house late Saturday in order to attach rafters to the eves of the house and stabilise our work, we woke Sunday to the sound of torrential rain. So much so that at 5.00am we were up scrambling for towels to slow the flow of water coming in under the french doors.

It continued to rain on and off through Sunday, although we didn't let that slow us down. With Mum and Dad's help and enough sunny periods throughout the day we trimmed the Bottlebrush, erected the remaining two timber posts, a beam and 2 rafters. It probably also helped that we didn't make one trip, let alone the five we did yesterday, to Bunnings.

It has rained solidly pretty much since we packed up last night. In fact it was a two bathsheet under the door night, and two beach towel under the door day.

verandah before and mid-construction

construction zone

the construction of the verandah is really happening this weekend, it is nearing the end of day one and the boys* are on their fifth trip to Bunnings. So far we have the two cast iron posts up and one of the cedar ones, with one of the beams temporarily bracing one cast iron post to a cedar post. I think I will share progress pictures when all posts, beams and rafters are in place. This means that there will be no pictures before the end of next weekend as we need to get more timber for the rafters, purchasing only enough to brace the posts and beams at this stage.

Next week we shall have to start sourcing someone to do the roofing and guttering. Tomorrow when we fix the rafters to brace the posts and beams we are going to have to remove the guttering from the rear of the house. I can guarrantee that the 'worst drought in 100 years' that we are experiencing will be broken, so I want to line the roofing and guttering guy up pretty soon.

Although we got off to a bit of a shaky start this morning with holes drilled in the concrete slab not lining up and the special dyna bolt thingys getting destroyed in the process (those little suckers are unforgiving, once they're in they're in and get wrecked when you have to force them out), it would seem like we are actually going to pull this verandah construction off.

Other items on the list for this house are:

• Convert laundry; completely gut, retile, waterproof, and rearrange layout to fit a toilet and shower.
• Fix plumbing in the bathroom; this is going to be a big plumbing job but will need to be done before the next task.
• Rejuvenate bathroom; if the budget is not completely shot by this stage, this will mean a new bathroom in keeping with the house (ie late federation-early californian bungalow), otherwise new vanity, mirror, showerscreen, and get someone in to reenamel the bath and repaint the tiles.
• Replace laundry and bathroom doors with the leadlight doors purchased at an auction last year. This will let more light into the hallway, with the added bonus of knowing if someone is already in the bathroom.
• New Kashmir White granite kitchen bench tops, new stove and rangehood, and retro SMEG fridge. All completely frivolous requirements at the moment as there is nothing wrong with the kitchen or the appliances at this stage, but I like to plan ahead.
• Rainwater Tanks; these are planned to be installed as soon as the laundry is converted.
• Repainting the outside woodwork, this is going to need to be done in the next five years, at which point we will hopefully have decided on a colour scheme other than the existing primrose and heritage green (boring).
• Install post for side gate.
• Fix cubby house, it is in dire need of help now, but, well as you can see there is so much to do already,

And, if this were a ten year plan, I would probably suggest that a new front fence might be in order, and somewhere in all this is a concrete slab for the spa which is becoming more of a necessity with each job.

*JF kindly offered his services, and we are very grateful. I am grateful it gave the opportunity to get out of the sun, heat and humidity occassionally.

don't call me auntie

some people (my family) can be so insensitive, and I can be self-centred....

My two sisters are having babies, due a fortnight apart, in August. I am really happy for them, really I am. I love babies.

B and I have been trying for a baby for a few years now, but I have a pituitary adenoma, and my hormones are stubborn. STUBBORN! And, I have recently been told by my specialist that I will have to start a routine of daily injections, if I am to have any success. SOOOOOOO..... can you blame me if I feel a little out of sorts by the following comments:-

Setting - my parents house this evening, for dad's birthday. Walking in from the backyard to the living room full of family (grandparents, mum, dad, auntie, brother, SIL, my two nephews, and my two sisters and their husbands. I am the childless /non-exectant one).

Grandmother (very loudly and over enthusiastically): HELLO AUNTIE.
Me (looking around, who is she yelling at, I mean talking to? me????): Hi Nan and Pa.
Grandmother (very loudly and over enthusiastically): HELLO AUNTIE, Aren't you going to have a busy year, this year? AUNTIE.
Me (feeling a bit confused, overwhelmed, and in my head saying to myself) STOP calling me that, and get me the hell out of here.

Retreating back outside to get some space, only to have ten minutes later, my grandmother join me and the conversation to go something like...

Grandmother: You're a bit quiet this evening, are you alright?
Me: Yes, thanks Nan, maybe a bit tired.
Grandmother: It is going to be a busy year. How many greatgrand children will I have this year? (not waiting for an answer)
Me: (please get my barren arse out of here whilst my grandmother painfully counts those greatgrandchildren up)
Grandmother: Ten, I will have ten greatgrandchildren, that's pretty good and something to look forward to, isn't it?
Me: Yes it is.

I don't mean to be self-centred, but, enough already. We were out of there as soon as the presents were open and the candles blown out on the cake.

aargh!

it is day two of no hot water at our place, and I am desperate for a shower. It is hot and muggy, and definately two showers* a day weather. I am lucky that I am able to work from home (I am on a morning tea break at the moment, ok), although it is probably luckier for my workmates that this is possible. I feel I stink!

The electrician and plumber are working away as I type. We are going from the rusty Rheem electric hot water storage to the Rinnai gas continous flow. I am quite excited as we shall be going from no environmental star rating to a 5.6 environmental star rating. We are environmentally minded, and had this on our list of things to replace in the future. However, with water gushing from our old unit discovered by B when it had got to the point of overflowing the overflow and via the garage was rushing down our driveway somewhat like Niagara Falls, the future became now.

Break due to power being turned off, and on....

1.31pm ~ I am showered, and it was good. But back to work, and strangely enough I feel far more productive!

*short ones, I know we are in the worst drought for 100 years.

January all but gone

January goings on

despite the photo mosaic (l just had to try this one out) not a great deal has been going on, well actually not a great deal of variety anyway. Except when it comes to food. We have been spoilt with Sri Lankan curries and rice thanks to our dear friend R. The photos show a seriously spicy beef curry (B's mouth was on fire, but I like it hot), potato curry, and the most delicious yellow rice I have ever had. Cooking classes have been requested because it was just too good.

We have gardened, stripping out the vegepatch and topping it up with cow manure which Macc has delighted rolling in, Harvested passionfruit daily, from which we have made icecream and more icecream. It is icecream weather here. Sanded and painted the wooden columns for the back verandah, Visited officeworks and discovered the eco bags with the cute designs, and the bag tag.

B and I have also had a few doctors appointments, in between which I did a bit of footpath loving, grazing and bruising my toes, ankle, knee, and elbow. But you would have already known about this, as the howling and sobbing was almost as spectacular as the fall itself.

We have also had quite a few trips to the hospital to visit a friend who could really do with our prayers, A (not of 'A and D' the one who just had a baby) but our other friend, has been paralysed down her right side (kinda like a stroke) for the last three weeks and has a six week rehabilitation program ahead of her. Unexplained and all very mysterious, and also kinda scary, that this sort of thing could be a pinched nerve one day and well paralysed the next. She needs our prayers.

And if you can spare a positive thought I have joined all the other fatty boombahs at Weight Watchers, cause we have big things planned for sure in 2007.

fabric express

fabric for 'Sophie's Quilt' from Patchwork on Central Park

thank goodness, this arrived in the post, if only to save me from having to see the chook (in the previous post) one minute longer. I was seriously on the verge of going vegetarian.

The fabric in the pile includes the front and binding, and the white dot on green that the pile is displayed on is the backing for Sophie's Quilt (see Jan 12 post). I can't wait to get started although I am trying to finish a x-stitch that has been a work in progress for too long now.

Not much crafting will get done at the moment either it is too hot, and is only to get hotter with temperatures of 38 degrees C on the weekend apparently.

The warm weather was much appreciated though on Monday night when B and I enjoyed The Queen at the Open Air Cinema at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney with the littlest sister and her friend from Broken Hill. The two times, in previous years, it has rained during the movies we have been at, so this was a pleasant suprise. It was also nice to share the experience with the littlest sister, who congratulations is 11 weeks pregnant. It was a little disconcerting though as she is terribly sick with it, and spent a good deal of the time with her face in a towel she carries with her to deal with the acid.

ethically eating

With words like ‘bum’ banned our newest culinary success is no longer being referred to as ‘chicken with beer up its bum’ but ‘drunken chicken’.

I like the new name it’s less confronting for the eater. After all we buy free range eggs round here, we care about the chickens.

Drunken Chicken was a great hit for dinner, when my parents, the favourite brother, SIL and kiddo’s visited on Sunday night.

Drunken Chicken
Put an opened can of beer up the cavity of a chicken and BBQ till cooked.

Drunken Chicken

We also tested our newest (sort of homemade) Banana and Passionfruit icecream on them. It too was a success. The Passionfruit Vine continues to drop more fruit than we can keep up with, so I guess more passionfruit icecream is on the way.

Proof Positive Dinner was goood!

It was a great evening, and isn’t that a happy face.

waterlily cups and saucers

And I had a happy face when mum gave me these waterlily cups & saucers from a Salvation Army Store. Too cute.

And just because I don't like the photo of the chicken on the beer can I end my post with a photo I do like.

"I'll remove those excessive neck hairs"

best wishes

just a really quick one (as I am at work) - best wishes to A and D who are about to be wheeled into theatres for the cesearean delivery of their first baby. Our thoughts are with you.

***Stoppress 1.34pm***

born 9.53am at 36 weeks, 50cm, 6.4 pounds or 2.8kg, a precious little boy Brody John, Mother and baby doing well.

Congratulations!

And carried away with the celebratory feelings I have ordered me 'Sophie's Quilt' from Patchwork on Central Park, as seen on the cover of the February BH&G. It has been eating away at me since our copy BH&G arrived in the mail earlier this week and as I was viewing this blog and her quilt when I got the news of A & D's arrival, I just couldn't help myself.

Sophie's Quilt

work (not) in progress

craft buddies

is this not a picture of tranquility? I managed to work on my L'ete cross-stitch most evenings last week however, this week is not off to a good start. My craft buddies have been present for most sessions. Today, however, we have a forced stop work as the site foreman was tired and felt it necessary to sleep where the principal worker was set up.

work in progress

my craft pursuits have taken a back seat to home improvement pursuits. For the last month a good part of my 'spare' daylight time has been spent stripping back a pair of cast iron columns that are intended for our back verandah. The columns are 100 years old or thereabouts and had countless layers of paint.

tin 1

Three tins of paint stripper, the first an environmentally friendly one (as far as paintstrippers go) although it killed the grass underneath, and two standard tins which did surprisingly little to the grass underneath and were as effective as the first tin in removing paint and half the price, metal brushes including an attachment for the drill (which I managed to burn out the motor this weekend, I guess 3 hours straight use will do that), and I think I am almost ready to paint them. There are still some stubborn bits which I have contemplated sourcing a blow torch, to burn that stubborn paint away. Although me and fire, are not always the best of companions, and I could end up causing not only myself some damage but my precious columns, so I can live with a few imperfections that I am sure will add to the character. Regardless, next weekend I shall paint. Due to the rain on Sunday, B took some time out from the thesis (which he submitted Sunday afternoon, Yay) and we made a trip to Bunnings and purchased the paint, and a cheap paint sprayer - for the fun of it, ahm that professional finish.

stripped

good read

The Master Pearler's Daughter

I have finished my first book for 2007. An enjoyable read, Rosemary Hemphill's memories of childhood, growing up in Broome with time also spent in England. Broome is one of those places I would love to holiday, and my fascination has been further fueled by 'The Master Pearler's Daughter', I also have a passion for pearls, and as the title reflects, this book explores , aspects of this industry. Recently B, gave me a set of south sea pearl earrings for finishing my MBA, he had bought them in 2006 as incentive for me to finish my last subject, and I was not able to have them until I had finished.

A friend from the past once referred to pearls as tears of the ocean, and this somehow seemed fitting as a graduation token, as many tears were shed over the last couple of years in obtaining this qualification. Rosemary, refers to her childhood in Broome as teaching her to be strong, independent and resourceful, I believe there may be some parallels to be made in doing my MBA. This was a lovely book to read, for me it celebrated the special and unique Australian environment, and that I have so much to be grateful for; family, self determination, and a garden.

meet the neighbours (part three)

meet the neighbour (part III)

(and farewell) our newest neighbour, Cooper. Visiting for 3 weeks, staying with the neighbours to the left, it has been somewhat eventful, with:

• lots of conversation* that investigated by Macc was quickly dismissed. An SMS or two from us, being neighbourly, asking if everything was OK with the little fella, and would the neighbours like us to check? Thinking the neighbours were out, but no they just needed some time to themselves, and Cooper whilst adorable is a little high maintenance in the attention department.
• a search party instigated when he had slipped his noose and gone walkabout. The one occasion we were pleased to hear his barking, as it meant we knew he was near, even if we couldn't find him, and he returned to homebase of his own doing, and
• a play day, in which he stopped with us for 1/2 a day and ran Macc ragged (Greyhounds are not known for their endurance).

till next time.

*translation - barking

sunbathing

sunbathing

I arrived home early this afternoon, B was busy working to a deadline to finish his thesis and Jas was stretched out soaking up the last of the days rays with sunscreen on her nose. I grabbed this photo whilst bringing her an iced drink.

edible garden

passionfruit harvest

behold our first ready to eat passionfruit. By todays standards we have a large yard, and have tried to make the most of it. When we first moved in we had a lemon tree (it fruits all year round), persimmon, locut, mulberry, and the biggest monsterio delicio I have ever seen, and that no one will ever see again, as it got removed with the privet. These fruit trees gave us the idea for an edible garden, we now have another mulberry (a weeping one), a mango tree, lychee tree, blood orange, kaffir lime, and bush tucker inspired lillypilly's, lemon myrtle, and finger lime. We also have as many varieties of scented geraniums as I could find including, lemon, ginger, tutti fruiti, nutmeg, rose, lime, and peppermint. Apparently, the geraniums can be used to infuse flavour into all sorts of dishes, and although I have not tried any yet, I have a few recipes to try out.

And herbs, thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley, basil, chilli, chives, and coriander. A globe artichoke.

And newly planted strawberries.

Happy New Year

we welcomed in the new year with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jude Law. With company like that we gave the fireworks a miss again this year. The venue of our New Year celebrations was the Macquarie MegaPlex Silverscreen Cinema, with our company starring in The Holiday, which was kind of apt given the movie finishes with New Year celebrations. So well planned, a nice little movie, and so us at the moment. What happened to the party spirit. We were home by 10pm and struggled to stay awake to watch the Harbour spectacular on TV.

My resolutions

Relax, don't stress

More craft, starting with (current for last 2 years) cross-stitch project

Join quilters class

Blog more regularly

Read more fiction

Go to the movies more often (this shouldn't be too hard)

Catch up with friends who have patiently waited for me to finish uni studies

Learn how to make scones

Make a baby god dammit

Change the world

Oh and to finish the year off in true burntofferings style - burnt lasagne, maybe I should add improve cooking skills to my resolutions.

new year burnt offering