Pearls Mother

Christmas Day

2007-12-27T18:59:00.000+11:00

My Christmas started at 7.00 am at Skye's to see Hugo and Oliver open their presents.
Heres's Skye and Hugo just out of bed!

It's present time with daddy Johnny helping

Here's Gigi and Poppy (Skye's parents) seeing what Santa left for the boys.

Christmas lunch was with friends in a lovely sunny backyard.
of course we ate and drank too much

To round -out the day we're at Gigi and Poppy's in Torquay to open some more pressies and eat and drink a little more!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas full of fun, family, friends and fine wine.

Knitter's Coffee Swap

2007-11-27T22:05:00.000+11:00

I have received the most amazing parcels of goodies from Amber

The first contained some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, now, this is a yarn that I pick-up and fondle regularly at my LYS, it's beautiful. Also, there were 3 Brittany Birch Cable needles, they are just the perfect size.

The second parcel came directly from Amber in the US and WOW, she spoilt me!
Two mugs, a variety of coffees and biscotti and chocolates, all of my fave things.

The really strange thing is that the Yarn parcel came from Perth (on the other side of Australia), the parcel from Amber came from Virginia in the US and they were delivered to meat the same time. The knitting pixies must be looking after me!!

This has been a great swap and I've enjoyed getting to know Amber and being able to send Aussie animal goodies for her gorgeous daughter Audrey, I suspect that they may be sick of learning about Koalas by now.

A New Start and an Ending

2007-11-20T14:02:00.001+11:00

I had to cast on and knit with this yarn,
this was after telling Debbie, the Skein Queen
that "I just want to stuff it down my bra and carry it with me everywhere, it's that soft and beautiful".
Debbie very kindly took this as a compliment and not a sign of my complete insanity

the skein became the cake

and then another rectangle!

actually, it's a 2 row chevron pattern and yes, it's going to be a scarf.

My nanna has passed away at the wonderful age of 91.
She was a strong independent woman.
She inspired my love of baking.
She encouraged my love of knitting.
She tried to teach me to crochet and eventually gave up after much laughter at my complete inability to master the most basic chain stitch.
She also grew the most beautiful lilliums.
She was my mother's mother and I'm comforted to know they are together and watching over me.

At times like this you are either blessed with a loving family or a group of toxic strangers!
I'm lucky to have wonderful friends who are 'the family of my heart'.

Tea Swap 4

2007-11-04T16:52:00.001+11:00

here is my swap parcel from Courtney, just collected form the post office.
I remebered to take my camera, It's a shame I forgot to also take scissors.
Yes, I had a parcel of treats and no way to get into it, I now have a pair of scissors in the glove box for emergencies!

Yay, the parcel is open

A gorgeous assortment of my fave things,
Yummy yarn, new teas to try, biscuits to enjoy with the tea, gorgeous cards and hand made soap.
The soap was used this morning and is lovely.

The yummy yarns up close.
I'm thinking the three will be combined into a lace wrap/scarf.
At the moment I'm just happy to fondle and enjoy them.

While I've preparing this post, i've been enjoying "Egyptian Licorice Mint" tea in my fave mug.
The tea is refreshing and I might just have another cup!

Thank-you Courtney, you have sent me a gorgeous assortment of all the things that I love.
Your kindness and generosity is much appreciated.
I'm so glad that you are also enjoying your parcel of goodies.

Also. thanks to Suzy for a great swap.
I'm already looking forward to next years swap.

New Yarn

2007-10-27T16:21:00.000+10:00

Mama Llama bamboo sock yarn in "venice"

Miss Babs Merino in "Spring Violets"
This is going to be a Clapotis for me

Miss Babs 100% Cashmere in "autumn leaves"
I don't know what it's going to become but, I love it so much, here is a close-up!

These all came from the lovely Jen at The Woolgirl

Merino Cashmere Yarn

2007-10-23T20:01:00.000+10:00

This is the divine Merino Cashmere Sock Yarn from Daphne at The Knittery.
It's so soft that I just want to use it as a pillow. Above is 'Warm Pinks' and below is 'Midnight' and yes, I have 3 skeins of each.
Daphne is donating $5.00 from the price of each skein of the 'Warm Pinks' to Breast Cancer Research/Charities.

Why 3 skeins oof each? I'm going to make a couple of fingering weight lace wraps or shawls.
Oh, I also got an Addi Turbo Lace Needle ------ gorgeous and really pointy for quick and easy yo's, I might try and sneak a couple in with each order until I have all of the sizes I need.
Did you like the way I said 'need' instead of 'want'?

This lovely blue and gold parcel is ready to be despatched to Courtney,
My Tea Swap 4 Pal.

I'd like to say it was being posted tomorrow, but, it's Geelong Cup Day.
Yes, we have a Public Holiday for a horse race, so, the post office isn't open until Thursday.
As I work for a national company, i'm off to work, my lunch is packed and ready to go.

I've been shopping

2007-10-20T22:03:00.001+10:00

Oh dear, I've been bad. I had such great plans to not buy any yarn to add to my stash.
Then I had a trip to visit The Loopy Ewe then Wool Girl and The Knittery.

I've received some of the orders and the rest are still coming, some of the shopping was for Swap Treats, but, I must admit that most was for me! Oooooh, there are some yummy yarns coming and there will be photos. It's all either lace or fingerring weight yarn. I don't have any projects in mind, I just bought yarn that I loved.

My Tea Swap pal is Courtney, who in her blog today talks about Qiviut.
Yes, I covet Qiviut, I dream about it and perhaps I should go on a yarn diet so I can save up and get some.
Okay, I admit that save and yarn are not words I use in the same sentence and Wool Girl does have some in stock!

I've promised myself that before I cast-on any projects with the new yummy yarn, I'm going to finish two or three things that are currently on my needles.
Is there a cure for 'serial starting'?

When reading Lime & Violet's Daily Chum I was lured to
Skein Queen's Etsy Store.
Ooooooh, she has some gorgeous silk/cashmere.
I may have bought the Raspberry Mocha.

Where are the metal needles??

2007-10-12T23:14:00.000+10:00

There has been an audit of the knitting needles, all metal ones have been put into their respective pairs or sets, tied with tartan ribbon (the world is a happier place when tartan ribbon is used), labelled with their size details and delivered to the RSPCA (the lost and unloved kitties or puppies will benefit) opportunity shop (or thrift store as they are known in the US).

The sales lady smiled knowingly and said "sore hands' when I took them in!!
Clearly, no-one should knit with metal kneedles.
So from now on it's plastic or wood for me!

I've just spent a happy half hour in my garden with a bucket of warm water on aphid patrol.
Yes, it's that time of year when the roses have lovely buds covered in bl#*#*dy aphids.
So, I patiently do the squash and remove with hot water.
I don't use spays as I like the birds in the garden.

Gardening is still basic as we are still in the grip of a drought, yes, I'm still showering with the 3 buckets which then get used to water the garden!
The roses are thriving on the tough love.
usually at this timeof year I'd be planting punnets of violas for summer colour, instead, I'm leaving the thrift and dianthus that have have survived and infact flourished.

I've received my 'Tea Swap 4' pal ------ Hi Coutney.
So, I've done a little 'on-line shopping' with a local yarn dyer,
Oops, I may a have also ordered some treats for myself.

Here is my questionaire for the Coffee Swap

1. Whole bean or ground? either
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? either
3. Regular or flavored? either
4. How do you drink your coffee? latte, cappuccino, mocha, short black.
5. Favorite coffee ever? not sure, will think about this.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? i haven't met a bean that I haven't enjoyed.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? chocolate, biscotti, jelly beans.
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences? only that I get to enjoy one regularly.
9. Yarn/fiber you love? any natural fibre
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? not hate, but, I don't enjoy synthetics
11. What's on your needles? lace knitting, some more lace and baby hats.
12. Favorite colors? purple, blue, grren, pinks
13. Allergies? none
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? Nope, but, thanks for asking!

I'd forgotten about metal needles.

2007-10-10T21:02:00.001+10:00

They make my hands, wrists and arms hurt -------- even my elbows hurt.

My mother always knitted with tortoise shell or plastic needles, she said that metal kneedles made her hands ache.
I should have remembered this
Now I should explain that if mum was awake she had knitting in her hands, hmmm, that might be where I get it from.
Actually. my nanna and nanny were the same ------ it's obviously in the gene pool.

I'm making a pair of fingerless mittens for my bestest friend Andrea's dad (Norman), he has Parkinsons Disease.
He is having circulation problems with really cold hands, so, some left over Bendigo Alpaca is perfect.
I have the yarn, now, I needed new DPN needles.

Off to the LYS I go and the choice is Bamboo dpn's at $18.00 or metal for $6.50, it seems simple really.
Yes, I bought the metal ones and one and three quarters mittens later everything aches and the bamboo dpns are beckoning.

Is there something going on that I haven't joined recently?
The current tally is,
Knitters Coffee Swap Three,
Knitters Tea Swap 4,
Secret of Chrysopolis Shawl
Secret of the Stole
Mystic Wayers Kal
------- more details and some photos are coming!

Pathology Results

2007-10-03T11:25:00.000+10:00

this 'fat lip' is officially 'a benign lession'
yay, for pathology results
Pearl slept through the happy news!

I've joined the Secret-of-Chrysopolis Shawl,
Now let me clarify that i usually join and watch these knit alongs,
but,
I've started knitting, the first clue has 89 rows, I went to bed last night having finished row 30,
the next clue is released on friday, I suspect that I may falll behind.

It has taken 3 attempts to get row 7 right, so, I have embraced a life-line, stitch markers and a heavily gridded pattern,
I'm using Mist Alpaca laceweight, which is a delight to knit with.

Ravelry is still fascinating, I just browse and go oooh, aaaah, a lot.
There are some amazingly talented knitters out there.

I've just had a phone call from my bestest friend of over 30 years, Andrea
Today is her birhday
Her question "am I 46 or 47 today?"
My answer "we were both born in 1960, so 47"
Her reply "I knew you'd know!"
Happy Birthday Andrea, see you for dinner tonight.

The Tummy of a Large Kitty

2007-09-29T23:50:00.000+10:00

it's a lovely tummy, that likes to be scritched!

Ravelry and the Vet

2007-09-28T22:00:00.000+10:00

I've disappeared into the abyss of Ravelry (as Pearlsmother),
it's amazing,
whilst browsing, I'm being inspired, motivated and tempted to order yarn!

I understand why everyone is sooo excited when they are invited to join.

Pearl Phyllis and I have been to the vet this week,
Pearl had a tooth removed,
I now know that Pearl weighs 7.2 kilograms or approx 17 pounds,
the vet was very excited to tell me that she is the biggest kitty he has seen,
then he kindly gave me the bill for $563.00!!

Yes, there has been knitting, I've just finished a scarf in Apple Laine,
photos will follow,
the yarn is so soft and gorgeous and I think I need to order more.

I've been spoilt!

2007-08-07T19:44:00.000+10:00

I've recently been a part of the 'tea cup' swap, so wonderfully arranged by Zoe

this is the stunning parcel that I received from Sharon,
who is from 'The Jersey Shore'.
even after a few days to take it all in,
I'm still in awe of Sharon'e generosity and thoughtfulness in putting together a swap package that is just perfect.
Thank-you Sharon, I love the goodies you selected for me.

I sent a parcel to Julie
It was a delight to select goodies to send to Julie and her children Amy and Toby.
I love being able to include some "Aussie" goodies if my swap pal has children.

Thanks to Zoe, Sharon and Julie for such a great 'swap'

My Ravelry Stats

2007-07-28T07:11:00.000+10:00

Found you!
You signed up on June 30, 2007
You are #11704 on the list.
4666 people are ahead of you in line.
9298 people are behind you in line.
32% of the list has been invited so far

I suspect that I'll be waiting for awhile!

2 hours at the doctors!!

2007-06-28T19:16:00.000+10:00

Princess Snotty, yes, that me with the headcold,
spent two hours waiting to see a doctor.

I arrived with a coffee, my ipod and my knitting.

I enjoyed the coffee, the ipod battery died after 40 minutes
and
I knitted 10 inches of a lace wrap that I'm working on.

Then I saw Dr "How Long Do You want Off Work"?
Not my usual doctor thank goodness.

Time spent in the waiting room ------ 2 hours
Time spent with Doctor ------- 5 minutes.

But the knitting time was good.

Although, I have realised that everything I've knitted
or am knitting for myself this year is Blue.

Ooooooops ......... I'm a bad blogger

2007-06-23T08:14:00.000+10:00

Where have I been?
I wish that I could say "Tahiti"
but
just at home, being lazy with a winter cough.

Pearl Phyllis and Miss Puss say Hi.

Ooooooops .........

2007-04-15T20:11:00.000+10:00

I've been reading blogs,
but,
not writing one!

I promise to be a good girl and write tomorrow,
in the interim,
please go to the side bar and visit Gretchen's blog.
She is running a competition to raise money for the Heart Association.

It's a great cause,
there are fabulous prizes
and
Gretchen is a wonderful woman for doing this.

a late start.

2007-03-15T08:30:00.000+11:00

After three days of working from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm,
I start work at 10.45 am today!

So, I've slept in, I'm now catching up on my blog reading,
I'm enjoying my second pot of 'Scottish Breakfast' tea,
the kitties are outside
and
it's time I got out of bed.

Before I head off to work,
i need to ring and arrange to get the car serviced
and go to the post office to collect a parcel.

Hmmmmm, what is in this parcel?????
Sock yarn in a merino/cashmere blend,
in 'geranium' colour.
Photos and details will follow later.

Oh dear, my relaxing blog has just ended,
two kitties have just come running in the front door
and arrived up on the bed with a thud and a miaow
----- someone must be coming up the street with a dog.
My girls are both big sooky girls!!

our paws

2007-03-06T21:28:00.000+11:00

Pearl and I flashing our paws,
Yes, I do need to paint my toe-nails!

A big hug of thanks to everyone
for their kind wishes for my birthday.

Happy Birthday to our Mummy

2007-03-04T16:40:00.000+11:00

Here's our mum enjoying her birthday lunch
happy birthday
love
pearl phyllis and miss puss
xoxoxoxoxoxo

a new start

2007-02-25T15:56:00.000+11:00

yes, my mum has had another new start,
she tells me this will be the take to work knitting,
but,
should she expect me to model it whilst I'm sleeping?

it's a feather and fan scarf in handmaiden lace weight cashmere,
it's soft and snuggly, but, I suspect mum won't let me keep it.
my mum says, kitties don't sleep on cashmere,
given the oppotunity I would!
purrs and licks to the other kitties from Miss Puss.

It's button day,

2007-02-24T21:20:00.000+11:00

Yes, thats the day you get the button jar out
and
replace all of the missing buttons on your shirts
then
you wash and iron those shirts.

it's like getting new clothes
as
some of those shirts have been unwearable
and
waiting for button day for months!

I've joined "International Scarf Exchange 4"
Can't wait to find out who my swap pal will be,
so, I can dive into my stash and find something fabulous.

I'm going to leave you with a cat haiku,
don't get excited, I didn't write it
I just bought a book.

I grope under the
Door with a splayed paw; I know
You're in there. Come out!

I'm a silly old girl!

2007-02-18T18:05:00.000+11:00

I confess, I've been in panic mode,
Can I do the new job?
Can I learn everything required?
Can I cope?
the answer to all of these questions is Yes.

I've just finished my first full week on the phones and it's been fine,
well, i was almost hysterical the first day when my computer access went kaput,
but, everything is now ok.
Hey, I'm sensible and I ask questions, what more do I need?????

In the midst of all of this panic and the associated sleepless night there has been knitting,
I can knit during my breaks and lunch,
so there is now 'work knitting', it's another broken rib scarf in alpaca,
and it's another birthday present.

Is 2007 going to be the year when I knit everyone's birthday gifts?
It's looking very likely and all with yarn from my stash.

My friend Sal turns 40 in April, she's going to Spain and Morocco for 5 weeks to celebrate.
I like to do something special for "0" birthdays,
and Yahaira at Pure Knits had some gorgeous hand dyed habu Cashmere in laceweight,
so Sal is getting a scarf for her birthday, here are the first photos.
I love the pattern and the yarn is so soft and yummy.

We've had 2 days of hot, hot, hot weather (over 100 degrees),
the kitties and I don't like hot weather
but,
we love our airconditioning!

Confessions about my stash

2007-02-10T12:33:00.000+11:00

I went to my stash of baby wool this morning,
a friend is having her third, it's due in a couple of months
so
I thought i'd knit a couple of jackets with matching hats.

I found 6 balls of a "Robin DK" white with a lemon and green fleck,
perfect for what I wanted,
then i found the receipt for the original purchase of the yarn.

It was on sale for $1.50 Australian per ball in June 1988!

According to the receipt i bought 60 balls,
now 19 years later I'm down to the final 6 balls.

Yep, there are lots of treasures tucked away in my stash.

My brain is full!

2007-02-02T20:27:00.000+11:00

I can't learn anymore, my brain has reached it's full capacity
and
I have still have another week of training to get through.
They tell me that the last week is all revision,
I hope so as I can't fit anymore information into my brain!

Take a quick trip over to meet April , her gorgeous goats and to enter her fabulous birthday competition.
yes, I've sent my donation to the Aussie office of MSF.

happy knitting, I'm having an early night,
a full brain needs extra sleep,
yes, I'm losing my mind.

Happy Birthday Dad.

2007-01-20T11:42:00.000+11:00

My dad would have been 70 today.

He's been gone for 3 years and even though his last 6 monthes have caused me so much angst,
I miss him!

Happy birthday Dad, we would of had a wonderful party to celebrate.

This reminds me that it's time to scan all of the old photos onto my computer.

Snuggling kitties

2007-01-18T15:43:00.000+11:00

this is the closest the my girls ever get to snuggling up together for a nap.

another FO!
a broken rib scarf in Bendigo Alpaca,
I have enough left over to make matching mittens.

a helpfull kitty,
the white bedlinen waiting to be ironed is the perfect place for Miss Puss to 'rest'.

Tuesday was a fabulous day here in Victoria,
I was home from work with a tummy bug, it was late afternoon,
it was hot, there were bushfires, a major power blackout
and my ipod full of knitting podcasts had no battery left!
So for 3 & 1/2 hours I had my torch, two hot kitties, a hot me and no noise,
it was weird!
The only place open nearby that had generators and could operate normally
was of course McDonalds,
on a tummy bug day you really don't want to think about McDonalds.

The job!

2007-01-15T18:54:00.000+11:00

I have survived the first week of training and yes, I'm enjoying it!
But, i'm tired, I'd forgotten how tiring it is to be in 'learning' mode.
I've discovered where all the free parking is and it's only a 3 block walk,
so, I'm even getting some exercise.

4 more weeks of training and i will be 'live' on the phone taking enquires
and reviewing peoples telephone accounts.

The people are interesting and when they said wear casual clothes,
they actually mean't 'Lindy, wear your gardening clothes!'
yep, it's really casual, so I've treated myself to a couple of new polo shirts.
I'm even getting knitting time during lunch and breaks.

We are having 'sooky kitty' syndrome with Miss Puss,
she has never known me to go to work, so there has been lots of
'miaow, miaow where have you been all day' when i get home.
She has been better after the weekend of 'you're still here mummy!'
Pearl Phyllis doesn't care, she just keeps sleeping.

Thank-you to everyone for your messages of support and good wishes on the job.
Yep, it's a big adventure and challenge.

My new title

2007-01-15T18:05:00.000+11:00

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Empress Lindy-anne the Eldritch of Mousehole by Sea
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Yes, this is what I get when I enter Lindy-anne!
And yes, Lindy-anne is what it says on my birth certificate.
I quite like it and it will look impressive on my passport. LOL

Mummy replies to the helpfull kitties

2007-01-08T21:39:00.000+11:00

Girls, get off the bed, you're not helping me, you're both playing!
No, I don't iron my sheets and neither of you appear to mind,
but, if you do, just go and sleep somewhere else.

My thoughts about the Noro Silk Garden,
I love the colours but it's not as soft as I would have liked and actually expected,
so I increased the needle size which helped a little, but it was still coarse.
Would I knit with it again? Probably not, but I am happy with the finished scarf.

Today has been the beginning of product training at work,
it's still funny to say 'at work'.
I still need to adjust to the routine of getting up with the alarm,
but, I'm being a good girl and taking my lunch each day.
When everything has settled down I'm intending to walk to work,
at the moment i'm driving,
it will be a 20 minute walk,
so i can catch-up on listening to podcasts.

Helpful kitties

2007-01-07T18:31:00.000+11:00

we're helping to make the bed,
don't you think that mum should iron the sheets?

we also thought that you'd like to see our mum's latest FO,
it's a scarf in Noro Silk Garden using the 'broken rib' pattern,
it's knitted on size 8 needles and took 4 balls of yarn.
the scarf is a birthday gift for our friend Jan.

Our mum is off to work again tomorrow,
she starts 5 weeks of product and systems training.

I survived.....

2007-01-04T23:31:00.000+11:00

After a sleepless night and imagining the worst,
the first day was fine, met lots of nice people
and
yes, I'm going back tomorrow.

I've finished the january birthday scarf,
photos tomorrow.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho .......... it's off to work i go!

2007-01-03T22:10:00.000+11:00

Tomorrow is the day,
after 2 & 1/2 years of freedom (Ok, not working) I start a new job.
It's 2 days of induction, then 5 weeks of training and then back to the phones,
Yes, I'm the Queen of Customer Service, well, I used to be!

It's all a bit strange, but, I've bought a new tea mug and packed my tea bags,
so, I'm ready to face anything!

Wish me luck, I think I might need it.

Two kitties and a scarf

2007-01-02T20:09:00.000+11:00

the first photos of 2007

Miss Puss having a pre-snooze bath

Pearl Phyllis displaying a lovely white tummy

My first FO of 2007,
A long thin scarf in the broken rib pattern on size 9 US needles.
The yarn is a hand dyed 'thick thin' that I received as a gift.
I think it came from Daphne at The Knittery

I suspect that you will see a lot of the broken rib pattern
as
I'm completely besotted by it!

The final photo of 2006 and knitting plans for 2007

2007-01-01T10:31:00.000+11:00

this is my final photo for 2006,
taken at David's new years eve party,
yes, we were singing 'show tunes' around the piano
and
yes, that's David leading the singing.

this is the usual scene when I sit and knit,
two sleeping kitties to my left!

I thought that I'd share my knitting aims for 2007
# knit as many birthday gifts as possible,
there are currently two broken rib scarves on the needles for a January and a February birthday.
# use yarn from my stash,
but if I need to buy yarn, that's OK.
# finish the 3 lace weight wraps that are currently on the needles,
all 3 are for me.
# enjoy the knitting and try new yarns,
such as "Shokay Yak Down".

Now I'm going to be a Domestic Goddess and do the laundry,
which will provide buckets of water for the parched garden.

Happy New Year to all.

2006 in review

2006-12-31T10:39:00.000+11:00

this is the closest the girls come to snuggling up and sleeping together

I rediscovered my passion for natural fibres and knitting,
and treated myself to some cashmere!

Charged up the digital camera and took lots of photos.

Enjoyed lots of meals with wonderful friends.

I became a Blog reader
and then a Blogger.

Weaned myself off the 'Happy Pills',
it seems that I'm happier without them
and
I'm a functioning happy girl, most of the time.

Decided that it was time to go back to work,
so after two years of not working,
I start a new job next week,
yep, it's a little bit scarey!

Love, hugs and purrs to all for a happy new year
from the girls and I,
see you all in 2007

Santa got me some...... Rain!

2006-12-25T09:45:00.000+11:00

Yes, in drought ridden and water restricted South Geelong
it's raining lovely wet water.

Thanks Santa,
it's the perfect prezzy for a gardening girl.

Love, Hugs and Merry Christmas to all.

A Christmas F O

2006-11-27T22:45:00.000+11:00

this is a cable scarf and hat set in Bendigo Alpaca,
it's part of my friend David's Christmas present.
I know that it's strange giving winter knitwear as a gift
when we are heading into summer,
but,
it will be fabulous for next winter.

now it's time to finish the three knitted 'baby bobby bears'
and two cross stitch ornaments that are also christmas pressents
and do some baking, i will share a gluten free macaroon recipe with you tomorrow!

Do you have........

2006-11-18T22:25:00.000+11:00

an overwhelming urge to collect things?

I have to confess that I'm a Collector of all sorts of treasures,
knitting patterns/books/magazines
cross stitch patterns
fabulous knitting wool
edinburgh crystal (in the thistle pattern)
royal crown derby paperweights (the kitty cats)
thistle jewellery
disney classics collection figurines
cookery books
sherlock holmes books
christmas recipes
christmas ornaments,
just to name a few of my passions

but,

I'm becoming a new age woman!
I'm having a clean out.
Yes, the 6 or 7 years worth of food and house magazines,
are going, but first,
I need to go through them and tear out the things I want to keep.

So I'm flicking through magazines, tearing out recipes and recycling the remnants
Then, I'm going to scan the recipes I want to keep and they will be available at the press of a button.
This is greatly amusing my friends and neighbours,
who have all been warned,
that piles of magazine parts will appear in the recycle bins in the coming weeks!

In drought news,
We go to stage 4 water restrictions 9th December,
which means no watering the garden, unless it's with recycled water.

FO's

2006-11-15T23:14:00.000+11:00

A finished object or even two!
A hat and scarf in DK Alpaca from Bendigo Woollen Mills.
The Alpaca was soft and yummy and a delight to knit with.
Tha pattern is a simple 6 row cable.

Here is Peter, the birthday boy, modelling his new hat and scarf.

Now it's time for gorgeous kitty photos.
Today was the coldest November day in 50 years and we got some rain.
So Pearl Phyllis has spent the day in direct line of the heater,
She has snuggled in a ball, stretched to get hot air on her tummy and had a big stretch and yawn.
Yes, it's a tough life being one of my kitties!

I love my garden

2006-11-11T09:09:00.000+11:00

these pretties need water
and
Saturday is one of my watering days (along with Tuesday)
so
I set the alarm for 6.30 AM.

yes, I was outside watering by 6.45
ok, I was still in my dressing gown
I was clutching a cup or tea
I was assisted by two bleary eyed kitties.

if I fertilise and mulch today
I can water again tonight between 8 and 10 PM.

yes, I am committed to my garden
and to water conservation.
I suspect that we will soon be going to stage 4 water restrictions,
which means NO watering, unless using recycled water.

how many of my neighbours were also out watering?
just Bert next door, he was also clutching a cup of tea,
so I had someone to chat to!

Wednesday's random mumblings

2006-11-08T10:23:00.000+11:00

* the Reserve Bank of Australia has just announced an Interest Rate increase of .25%.
so, my bank will now want me to increase my mortgage payment by approx $60.00 per month!

* yesterday was Melbourne Cup Day
I didn't have a bet
but,
I love looking at the gorgeous clothes and silly hats.

* the ructions of last week are over,
I won't be bothering with petty, malicious people,
the 30 year friendship is stronger than ever,
I didn't need to reach for the 'happy pills'

* yes, after 3 years I have weaned myself off the 'Happy Pills'

* I now have over 7,000 songs
and
117 podcasts on my Itunes.

* I have finished the alpaca scarf and hat
that I was knitting for a birthday pressie.
The birthday is Sunday, photos then.

* we have changed brands of kitty litter.
I like the crystals sooo much better.

* I've joined lacevember
more details will follow in a later post.

* Santa comes to my house in 46 days

* yep, the christmas shopping is almost finished.

* still no rain,
I love using my watering can

* Why do people on infomercials have such irritating voices?

* I've never bought anything from an infomercial!

* Pearl Phyllis and Miss Puss send everyone purrs, purrs and more purrs.

Rain, Rain, Please Stay

2006-11-02T11:40:00.000+11:00

Rain is a precious commodity in Victoria,
We are experiencing a drought and Summer hasn't arrived yet.
But, it rained overnight and is still raining now,
Ok, it's not heavy rain, but, my garden is loving it!

Why am I sooo excited?
We commenced 'Stage 3' water restrictions yesterday,
which means,
I can't use my automatic watering system
but,
I can water with a hand held hose between the splendid hours of
6 and 8 AM or 8 and 10 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays,
or I can use a watering can at any time.

It's times like this when I'm glad that I live in a townhouse
with small front and back yards.
And I'm learning the fine art of water recycling,
yes, I now have a bucket in the shower and I'm using the rinse water
from the washing machine.

In other news,
there has been knitting, but nothing really to show,
the cats are well
and
I've had a really ordinary few days!

Why is it that we let the peripheral people get to us,
or is it that we can't stop them?
Yes, my best friends brother-in-law is causing ructions
and a 30 year friendship is being greatly tested.
But as he is fond of telling me I'm not family,
so the depression demon is knocking and banging at my door
--- it had better not need any of my precious water!!

My next post will contain, photos, happiness, kitties and knitting.

technology and I

2006-10-25T22:05:00.000+10:00

A Standard David Austin 'Glamis Castle' rose
I haven 4 of them along my front fence.

Yes, technology and I are becoming acquainted,
possibly even friends.

When I worked for the large Government Department
There was a fabulous IT section
They all knew and understood that I was 'technologically challenged'
'I rang, they fixed'
It was a happy arrangement.
And, I gifted them with lots of chocolate at christmas,
Yes, it was bribery and it worked.

Now that I have my own laptop
I learn by trial and error
and if in doubt,
I consult Hamish from across the road
(teenage boys make the best computer consultants)

But, all by myself,
I have updated my sidebar,
I have added things
and
I haven't killed anything.
Hamish will be proud of me!

yes, there is knitting

2006-10-22T20:18:00.000+10:00

'beware of the cats'

this is the 2 ply wool silk mix from Khris at chewy spaghetti
it's soft, yummy, a delight to knit with
and a stunning colour!

I'm knitting a long scarf, it's a birthday present.
It's a simple two row pattern of
right side, knit
wrong side, yo kp2tog,
you need an even number of stitches
and
it will need to be blocked.

this is Habu alpaca,
yes, we all know that I'm besotted by all yarns made by Habu,
but,
this is a skinny and soft 2ply.
It's from the fabulous Yahaira at pureknits
and
being the creative girl that I am,
I'm going to save the cones to paint and turn into skittles for Hugo and Oliver.

the fur ball has landed!

2006-10-20T20:49:00.000+10:00

1 long haired tabby,
1 trip to the vet,
1 course of anti-biotics
continued use of 'cat lax'
a change of cat food
regular vomitting
an unhappy Miss Puss

all of this in the last week
but this morning,
the dreaded fur ball
which has caused all of the fuss
appeared!

Happy Mummy.
Happy Miss Puss.
Yes, all is well again at my house!

pretties!

2006-10-11T21:32:00.000+10:00

these are the pretties received from Khris of chewyspaghetti
3 skeins of hand dyed 2ply wool silk.
the blue is destined to become a long thin lacy scarf for a november birthday gift.
the other skeins are going into my stash!
notice that Miss Puss was closing in for an inspection.

Pearl Phyllis is my blogging assistant
I type, she snoozes
I read, she snores
I scratch her tummy, she rolls over
I have a happy assitant.

Miss Puss conducts an inspection of the yarn,
she will have to learn the mantra of "no yarn for kitties"

two days ago Miss Puss had a visit to the kitty doctor
she had been vomiting, yep, it was a fur ball
after 2 injections,
lots of praise for her beauty and good behaviour from the kitty doctor,
she is happy, healthy, eating lots, not vomiting and taking her anti-biotic pills.
she is such a good girl,
we won't mention the happy kitty scratch marks on the leather chair!

Chocolate swap goodies

2006-10-10T21:26:00.000+10:00

Look what my postie delivered!

Goodies from Gretchen my fabulous Chocolate Swap Pal
Wonderful yarn,
Lots of yummy chocolate,
Chai tea,
a tootsie roll pen ( I did have to consult my american neighbour Bert, about what a tootsie roll was)
and
purple bubble wrap!

I'm so spoilt and I've been having lovely email chats with Gretchen.
It was while reading Gretchen's blog that I fond out about the fabulous Khris and her stunning yarn!

More on Khris and her yarns tomorrow.

I hope that you have all noticed that I have mastered links,
with thanks to my friend Hamish from across the road.
Hey, I'm not silly,
I know that when you need computer assistance or information,
You consult a teenage boy!

A finished wrap

2006-10-07T23:31:00.000+10:00

made with 2 'Be Sweet' magic balls
a fun knit on size 12 mm needles

Blooms in my garden

2006-10-07T23:24:00.000+10:00

'Tipsy Imperial Concubine'

David Austin's 'Glamis Castle'

Happiness is ............

2006-10-04T10:15:00.000+10:00

a 'red fountain' cordyline
in my front courtyard

two 'be sweet' mystery balls
they will become a wrap
for me!

miss puss enjoying the afternoon sun
and guarding the front door.

coming home to find
that 11 bags of mulch have been delivered.
it's going to be a long, hot aussie summer,
so my garden will need lots of mulch to survive.

receiving an email from my SP9 hostess!
planning my christmas knitting.

Yummy goodies

2006-10-02T18:02:00.000+10:00

A little shopping on Ebay.
A 2ply Cashmere from Handmaiden.
It's going to be a scarf for me

I've also been collecting embroidery silk
I'm going to make this fabulous sampler
It's by Dutch designer Jan Houtman.
I suspect that it's going to become a long term project.

And because I've been a good girl
A little Amazon shopping.

I've also been shopping to finalise the goodies for my Chocolate Swap Pal Gretchen
and my secret knitters tea swap pal.
There will be photos of swap packages tomorrow!

My knitting chair

2006-09-26T18:42:00.000+10:00

Pearl Phyllis loves my chair,
Don't you want to scratch that gorgeous white tummy?

My chair displays some knitting,
this is an alpaca scarf that I'm knitting for a November birthday pressie,
they will be a matching hat.

My chair is ready for me to sit and relax
Just behind you will see a cross stitch of two black kitties sitting on quilts
Yep, I made it!

I've shown you my chair because,
'Crazy Aunt Pearl'
wants to see everyone's knitting chairs/spots.

A wet and windy Sunday

2006-09-24T16:41:00.000+10:00

It's the sort of Sunday when you stay inside to knit and read blogs!
Pearl Phyllis likes to read blogs about other kitties.

Yes, there is kniting.

This is my bedside knitting.
It's a hand-dyed 2ply wool from Marta's.
I'm knitting a simple wrap and it's in the most beautiful shades of purple, grey and aqua.

This is my take out knitting.
It's growing, I've nearly finished the second ball of Habu Mohair/Silk.
I think it will take 3 balls in total, but, I did originally get 5 balls!

I've now got my secret tea swap pal,
so it's out to buy tea tomorrow
and off to the post office to send the parcel to my not so secret chocolate swap pal
------ Hi Gretchen.

Gorgeous goodies from April.

2006-09-22T17:47:00.000+10:00

My parcel from April, my wonderful Lace Swap Pal has arrived.
Yep, I'm excited!

April took the time to wrap everything beautifully.

I'm so spoilt.
Thank-you April I love everything!
How did you know about my passion for citrus scented handmade soap?
Lets get down to details,
3 skeins of Knit Picks Gossamer lace yarn in Sweet Peas, purples and pinks are my faves,
2 lace patterns that I had been on my wishlist,
Knit picks needles, fabulous 'jumper' needle holders,
tea, chocolate, note cards, post cards and a lovely note from April.

April, you've taken the time to put together this amazing swap parcel
and I want to give you a big hug of thanks and just say "wow" you're amazing.

Sunny Sunday

2006-09-17T17:59:00.000+10:00

It's a beautiful sunny Sunday morning in South Geelong.

Today is the start of my spring cardigan/jacket washing festival.
I have approximately 20 knitted wool cardigans in my cupboard.
Yes, for many years I've knitted cardigans.
In fact some of them are 20 years old and still gorgeous,
a good aran pattern never goes out of style!
Well, 2 are done and 2 more will be done tomorrow and so it continues.

I've received my pal for the Chocolate Swap,
It's Gretchen of Gretchenknits.
I have the yarn selected so now it's off to buy chocolate,
what a hardship that will be!

I've spent a couple of hours in my local garden centres today,
and come away with some new plants for the garden,
planting will be a task for tomorrow.

4.00 AM and I'm awake

2006-09-16T05:30:00.000+10:00

My cats are snoring and I'm wide awake
so
I load all of the knitting podcasts I have onto my Ipod
--- I can listen to them as I'm gardening.
I check my emails, I even reply to some
I read some blogs
I load the dishwasher and turn it on
I wax my underarms
I make a pot of tea

Do I knit, cross stitch or read?
No

It's now 5.30 am, still not sleepy
Time to brows some on-line yarn stores
Must be good and only look, no buying.

Yes, you guessed right, cats are still snoring

Don't panic!

2006-09-15T23:06:00.000+10:00

I don't want to scare everyone
but
Christmas Day is in 100 days!

Okay, so it's time to,
Get out the Christmas list,
Think about baking the Christmas cakes,
Start browsing the shops to get ideas,
and panic.

Am I going to knit any gifts??
i'll think about that over the weekend.

Stash busting and litter boxes.

2006-09-13T17:19:00.000+10:00

I've spent a gorgeous sunny afternoon in my garage,
amongst my knitting yarn stash
doing some stash busting
to share some goodies with my swap pals!

I found some treasures and treats to put in my swap box,
no photos because these are secret,
but,
I will give you some hints --------
Anny Blatt, Berger bu Nord, Bendigo Woolen Mills.

And I found some wonderful cotton,
so I'm going to make some things
for my swap pals.
No, not dishclothes!

The saga of two cats and two litter boxes.
Do they use one each? No.
Do they use the same one each time? No
Do they prefer the covered or uncovered box? Depends on the week.
Do they both stand waiting while I change the litter? Yes.
Do they enjoy driving their mother crazy? Yes.

A bright and sunny monday.

2006-09-11T11:49:00.001+10:00

Thank-you for all of the loveyl get well wishes I've received after yesterday's 'sniff-athon'

Today is a much better day,
the sun is shining,
the washing is on the clothes line,
the cats are outside
and
my nose has stopped running.

I'm going out to have lunch with a friend
and then a trip to the garden centre.

I need to see what I can plant in my garden for spring.

It's officially sniffy sunday!

2006-09-10T17:34:00.000+10:00

Okay, please confess, which one of you two, well fed and indulged kitties turned on the tap in my head?
My nose is running so all I can do is sniff, sneeze or blow my nose.
This is not a fun or fabulous way to spend my Sunday.
Why am I sick and you're both sleeping in the sun????

I tried knitting, but, i needed to blow my nose in the middle of each row!
There is nothing on TV worth watching.
It's days like this I'm reminded that I should hook-up the DVD in the beedroom.
But if I did, how would i decide what to watch?
I don't enjoy watching DVD's on my laptop.
Reading a book didn't help, nor, did flicking through magazines.

Yes, I'm officially miserable!

So, I check my emails and Woo Hoo, it's now officially 'sniffy swap sunday'
I've joined the chocolate swap and secret pal #9,
Together with knitters tea swap 2, I now have 3 swaps to plan for.
Yes, I can plan and blow my nose at the same time, thank-you for asking.

I already have birthday and christmas present boxes in my cupboard, now I'll need a swaps box!
I like to buy things when I see them and not wait until the last minute for my gift shopping.
Hmmmmm, did I keep the box that those dozen bottles of wine were delivered in last week.
Yes, it's under the dining table, time to rescue it from the kitties.

My namesake the chicken

2006-09-08T02:46:00.000+10:00

I've been reading the lovely Jessie's blog (http://whathousework.typepad.com) for some time.
I'm madly in love with her poodle Sophie, her chicken Helen and her sooooo cute daughter,
but i now find out that she has a chicken called Lindy and we both have silver hair.

Go and say hi to Jessie and learn all about her family, animals and Vermont.

Cough, knit, cough, have a nap.

2006-09-07T21:04:00.000+10:00

The hacking, barking winter cough has arived.
It's pal the sore throat and raspy voice have been with me since the weekend.

I've been reclining in my nice warm bed,
With never ending cups of honey and lemon tea
and the knitting from my bedside table.

What, you don't have bedside knitting??
I have a lovely large cake of Marta's hand dyed 2 ply merino
that is becoming a long, rectangular and toasty warm wrap.
It's a 2 row pattern repeat so I can just keep knitting until I'm almost out of yarn.

How my cats respond to my barking cough.
Pearl Phyllis just snuggles in beside me and sleeps, snores and twitches.
She only stirs when i go to the kitchen, just in case I put something in the food bowls.

Miss Puss thinks coughing is a secret form of communication.
She comes bounding up from her spot on the foot of the bed to miaow at me.
So it's time to open the back door and let her play in the garden, but, it's raining
Yes, you guessed correctly, half an hour later I have a damp cat miaowing to be towel dried!

the chocolate swap.

2006-09-06T23:29:00.000+10:00

How could I not join the chocolate swap?
I can find some chocolate coloured yarn in my stash.
I can buy some drinking chocolate to send.
I can sample a variety of chocolate to decide which ones to send.
I can send my favourite chocolate cake recipe.
Yep, I love chocolate!

My 'take it with me' knitting

2006-09-06T13:25:00.000+10:00

This is the knitting that goes out with me!
It's Habu 2ply hand dyed mohair silk in 'Ink'.
I have 5 balls that will be a long scarf, it's a two row pattern that is easy to take anywhere that i'm going to have a spare couple of minutes to knit.

I thought that a sleeping girl would make a great 'prop' for a yarn photo.
Silly me!
Miss Puss woke and went 'Woo hoo, yarn for me'
A kitty playing with cashmere could scare her mummy.
It can be noted that no cashmere was harmed in taking this photo.

My Habu stash, cashmere and mohair/silk

Goodies for my stash!

2006-09-06T12:04:00.000+10:00

Some sock yarn goodies from Pureknits!
from top to botom they are
Yarn pirate in Paris, Culture Club and Plum Gorgeous.
Yarntini in Cosmopolitan and Grape Ape.
And Chiaogoo bamboo needles that are wonderful to knit with.

I love it when Sam, my mailman (of course we are all on first name terms with our mailman, he brings goodies!) delivers a parcel from Yahaira at Pureknits.

am I a swap junkie?

2006-09-05T14:42:00.000+10:00

I've just signed up for the Knitters Tea Swap 2
This is my second swap
Does this make me a swap junkie?
I will have to learn how to save the swap buttons!

A new yarn basket

2006-09-04T21:32:00.000+10:00

I bought a new basket for yarn
Silly me
I have cats
Pearl Phyllis has taken possession
Along with a mohair blanket
The life of a cat is very good at my house.

Knitters Lace Swap

2006-09-02T03:47:00.000+10:00

I've joined my first knitters swap!
It was the wonderful Knitters Lace Swap organised by Donna and Ailsa.
My swap partner is Megan, here is the parcel of goodies that I sent her.
Yes, Megan has received the parcel and tells me that she loves it.

currently on the needles

2006-09-02T01:17:00.000+10:00

I'm knitting a rectangular wrap with Habu Nerimaki Silk.
The yarn is from my fave enabler Yahaira at Pureknits (sorry, i haven't learn't to do links on my trusty mac, yet!)
The yarn is amazing, it varies from lace weight to aran weight and makes gorgeous loops as you can see.
I'm knitting it on 4.0mm or size 6 needles.

I will admit that I am completely in love with Habu yarn.
My stash also has some of the cashmere and mohair silk, both are soft and gorgeous colours.

I also have a couple of two ply wraps on the needles.
Yes, I'm someone with multiple projects on the go.
There will be photos soon.

Miss Puss requires equal time

2006-09-01T21:23:00.000+10:00

This is Miss Puss
She was rescued in January 2005
The vet advised that she was 6 when rescued
From what I can establish I'm her third home, and Yes, her final home!

meet pearl and her mother

2006-09-01T20:46:00.000+10:00

This is Pearl Phyllis the wonder cat and I'm her mother.

Welcome to my first Blog.
In coming entries you will find out about my love for any or all of the following,
my two cats
my love of knitting and cross stitch
my enjoyment of a nice glass of wine
my gardening skills
my friends and their children
my fave books and magazines
and
anything else that takes my fancy.

Feel free to stop by and say hello.