Arrrgggghhh! I ran out of yarn!

I guess I have to day that this blanket is now complete due to running out of yarn! At least it is big enough to drape over a baby in a bassinette or a pram. Now all I need to do is work out what I will be making next ...

Thankful Thursday

 

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• cooler weather. It has been beautifully cool this week. Cool enough to bring some relief to the fire fighters who are still battling the blaze in the open cut coal mine in Hazelwood. The smoke from the fire has been horrid and the people of Morwell are suffering badly. I was saddened to hear that the fire was deliberately lit and that it is expected to continue to burn for a few more weeks yet before it can be extinguished. 
• the CFA (Country Fire Authority) they work so hard and I am grateful that they are good at their job
• rain 
• that our home and electrical appliances are safe. We had a MASSIVE crack of thunder over our home on Tuesday afternoon. It was so loud I almost jumped our of my seat. It was almost like the thunder and lightning happened at exactly the same time. We did lose a couple of electrical items but the majority of our stuff was left untouched, thank goodness. 
• my health, even though I have diabetes and other things.

What are you thankful for this week?

WIP - Crochet - Bavarian Crochet Blanket

The blanket is a lot bigger than what it shows in the photo. I've completed two more rounds (1 of each colour) since I took this pic. I am slowly running out of yarn. I'm not too sure what I'll do when that happens. Perhaps I'll just call this a bassinet blanket or a blanket for a baby car seat carrier or something.

The Postie Has Been

I love it when I receive parcels in the post. My two new beautiful scarves arrived today.

I bought them off ebay. I love finding bargains on ebay!

I keep looking at scarves on ebay. I have three of these pretty ones now and a larger shawl. I'm not sure where or when I will get to wear them all but they sure do look nice.

Recipe - Spinach & Feta Baked Egg with Salsa

I got this recipe from the March/April issue of Diabetic Living magazine. Let me tell you it was delicious and I will definitely be making this again!! YUM! A brilliant way to start the day! 

Ingredients

cooking spray

1 cup of baby spinach leaves

20g reduced fat feta, crumbled (I used cheddar only because we didn't have feta)

2 eggs

a few finely sliced pieces of a long red chilli (optional)

1 wholemeal bread roll (I had 2 slices of toasted multigrain bread instead)

salt & pepper

salsa

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

4 cherry tomatoes, chopped

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 200C. Spray an ovenproof dish with cooking oil. Arrange the spinach over the bottom of the dish. Top with feta. Add the chilli next (optional).

Crack the eggs over the spinach. Bake in the oven for around 8 - 10 minutes or until the eggs are just set. 

While you wait prepare the salsa in a small bowl. Season with salt & pepper and toss to combine. Place over the eggs once they have finished cooking. Serve with the roll.

*Okay so there is no salsa in the picture but that is only because the tomato I had in the fridge smelled a bit funky so I threw it out.

Work Placement And The Open Cut Mine Fire

photo of the smoke from the fire at the open cut mine, Morwell.  picture is from yahoo news

I drove Angus into Morwell this morning. He started his first day of work placement today. We had to drive past the open cut mine on the way to his work place. The smoke and the smell was horrible. It is no wonder that the people of Morwell are complaining and that some of the schools and child care centres are busing kids out to other towns for the day. It is also no wonder that so many people are having problems with their health as well.

Just driving towards the town itself broke my heart. The damage that the bushfire caused in the area is so awful. The blackened landscape, the road signs were non-existant, the damage on both sides of the freeway. I can totally see why the freeway was closed for a while and that you need to slow down around the township. Luckily visibility was good this morning but I bet when the wind blows just right you wont be able to see across the road at all. Today is day 11 of the fire in the open cut mine. Officials are still unsure as to how much longer it will burn.

I will be thinking of my baby all day and wondering how he is going at work and how he is coping with the smoke and the smell. His work place is only 5 - 10 minutes from the open cut mine. Luckily he finishes work at 1:30 pm and he will be heading to the train station to come home. Sadly the railway track was damaged during the fire so it will be a bus trip for some of the way, although they may have fixed the track by now. I think he'll be able to get the train from Moe to come home. I guess I will find out when he eventually gets home this afternoon.

I am crossing my singers and sending lots or good thoughts and prayers to the people near the fire. I may even do a rain dance and pray it pours over Morwell.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• rain. We haven't had a lot of rain but what we have had has been lovely. At least my cars windscreen is clean (0_o) We still desperately need rain for the fires that are still burning. It's been over two weeks since some of the fires started (~_~) and there is no hope of them being extinguished with out some good soaking rain.
• helpful kids. The boys have been taking turns washing the dishes and it's been nice to have a break from doing them every day
• my crochet! I finally picked up my crochet hook again and I am really enjoying practising the Bavarian crochet stitch
• Diabetes Support Group - I went to my first ever meeting on Tuesday afternoon. It was really interesting. Each month they have a different speaker. This month there was a local optometrist, John Farmer, talking about Diabetes and Eye health. He also spoke of his work in Papua New Guinea and how he has helped teach nurses there about eye health. You can read about John's work HERE if you are interested.

What are you thankful for this week?

My Visit To The Surgeon

Mark and I went and saw a surgeon today in regards to my carpal tunnel and the pain in my arms/wrists. It has been around 4 ½ years since I saw him last. If you want to find out what he said back then you can go HERE. He wants to double check that it is the carpal tunnel that is causing my pain and discomfort. I now need to book in for a nerve conduction test. Once that is done I can go back and see the surgeon. When he checks the results, which he can compare to the first test I had done a few years ago, we will be able to discuss what will happen from there.

I just phoned the place where I got the nerve conduction test done last time. The receptionist was very helpful in explaining that they need to see the referral first. I explained that I saw the surgeon this morning and he told me that the referral will be sent to them once it was written. Once they receive the referral one of their doctors will check it out and then I will receive a phone call to organise a time.

So all I need to do is wait ... I'm not in a hurry.

WIP - Crochet - Bavarian Stitch Blanket

Here's what I have done so far. It's about the size of a dinner plate at the moment.

I think it's looking pretty good. I am hoping that I have enough of this yarn to make this into a baby blanket. Cross your fingers for me because I am not too sure if I do. This particular stitch uses up a lot more yarn than I thought it would. 

Crochet - Bavarian Crochet Stitch - Video

I finally decided what my next project would be .. I wanted to learn how to make a bavarian crochet stitch. And what better way to learn than from a video by the Crochet Geek ☺ she makes amazing videos.

This is what I have done so far. It doesn't look like much yet ...

I was thinking that perhaps I should have chosen a better contrasting colour. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm Stuck For A Project

When I had to stop taking my anti-inflammatory medication for several days I was itching to begin a new crochet project. Now that I have been back on my medication for a couple of days I haven't been able to find a project that I want to begin.

I'm going to blame the weather (o_0) it has been so humid lately and it makes our home feel so stuffy. Like there is no air flowing through the house. The smoke haze doesn't help either. The fires that began last weekend near Morwell and the Yarra Valley, the two that are the closest to where I live, are still burning. The rain that was forecast hasn't arrived yet. I am crossing my fingers that the rain will reach us tonight or tomorrow.

I am hoping that I am able to find a new project soon. My fingers are getting itchy ...

Happy Valentine's Day

Not that we really do Valentine's day in our home 

but if we did I think that the picture above speaks for itself ♥♥ 

Happy Valentines Day!! 

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• cool changes and the relief that they bring after several days of heat
• wonderful firefighters who have been working so had to extinguish the fires that have been burning. Sadly some of those fires are still going
• blood tests! Yes I know it is strange but I had to stop taking my anti-inflammatory medication for a week before I had the tests done. I had my blood taken this morning and now I can go back to taking my meds. I certainly know why I take them. I have had annoying aches and pains and even some new pain too (o_0)
• being able to start crocheting after having to stop for a week due to the pain and not being able to take the anti-inflammatory meds
• weather forecasts that say it might rain. I truly wish it would and that we would have lots of that wet stuff. Goodness knows that the firefighters could use the extra help
• my facebook friends/family who have been wishing me a happy birthday for the past two days ♥ 

What are you thankful for this week?

♪♪ Happy Birthday To ME ♪♪

♫♪♫ Happy Birthday to me! ♫♪♫

Mark and the boys remembered my birthday this time around but I didn't give them reason to forget either.

I got a new kindle cover from Mark. Which I love!

I bought myself two tote bags and a bottle of perfume.

Brodie got me Tina Arena's latest CD which is really good! I ♥ Tina she has an amazing voice.

Angus bought me a DVD of Pearl Harbor. It's one movie I always watch when it comes on tv ☺

I'm not cooking tea tonight. I have decided that I want Subway for tea. And since it is my birthday any dishes that need doing will be done by someone else. It is a rule in our home that you don't have to wash or dry the dishes on your birthday!

I'm off to listen to my new CD again and I'll watch the dvd later when both of the boys are home. Or we can wait for movie night ☺

Smoke Filled Skies

I took this photo from our front yard at 8:30 am today.

I opened the front door this morning and all I could smell was smoke. The fire I mentioned yesterday is still going in Morwell although I did read that it isn't as bad as yesterday. They had a lot of aircraft dumping water on the open cut mine. There is another fire still raging from the weekend at Mickleham where more than 25 homes have been lost. It's heart breaking. The fire in the Yarra Valley has been downgraded but with the winds due to pick up people have been asked to keep checking the CFA website.

The Latrobe Valley Express (a newspaper) shared some incredible photos of the fire near Morwell. If you're interested here's the link http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/2077316/hernes-oak-and-driffield-fires/?cs=1210#slide=1

I am just hoping that by the end of the week, when we are expecting some rain, that the fires will finally be under control or completely extinguished and all areas are declared safe.

Bushfires

I can smell smoke outside this morning. If I can smell it and the fires aren't that close by I can only just imagine how bad it is for the people who live near the fires. Although there were quite a few fires around our area yesterday but nothing like some other parts of the state. I read somewhere that quite a few homes had been lost :-( It always breaks my heart when I hear things like that. 

Photo by Jason Edwards, Herald Sun newspaper.

Yesterday afternoon a BIG blaze started near Morwell, which is about 70 km (43 miles) from our town, and was dangerously close to the power station in Hazelwood. Last night the power went out at around 9:30 pm. I had visions of it being off for at least 24 hours or more. I even thought that the fire may have reached the power station after all. I am still unsure if it did but there were power poles/lines that came down due to the fire. 

It's funny what goes through your mind when something like this happens. Do we have enough cash? How far would we have to travel to get money, food and fuel for the car? How widespread is the power failure? I pictured us having to cook and all the food from the freezer rather than throwing it into the rubbish bins.

It turns out that most of West Gippsland had no power. From Morwell/Moe right through to Narre Warren (an outer suburb of Melbourne). I can't even imagine how large an area it covered in terms of kilometres but believe me when I say its a VERY BIG. The electricity supply company stated on their website that they did not expect the power to be back on until 5 pm today. Lucky us it came back on at around 3 am this morning.

Photo by Jason Edwards, Herald Sun newspaper.

The highway between Moe and Morwell is closed off to traffic as are many other roads. Who knows how long they will remain that way. I know that fires can sometimes burn for weeks before they are completely extinguished. Angus has work placement in Morwell starting this Friday and I will be driving him there. I am wondering if the fire was in the industrial estate where his work placement will be.

It will be interesting to find out whether the highway will be opened by then. I know that VicRoads will need to inspect the road for damage before giving the all clear. It will also be interesting to see how bad the fire damage is when I finally am able to get down that way.

Cross your fingers and toes for all the people affected by the fires. Do a rain dance if you can. Who knows it may help. 

Another Hot Spell

I'm melting! We are in another hot spell at the moment. Thank goodness it isn't as hot as last weekend or the week or so before that. A dry cool change is expected later today. I will be so glad when it arrives but I am not looking forward to all the wind that will accompany it.

Photo of the fire at Hernes Oak taken by Bernie and shared on Facebook.

There are several fires around the state at the moment and these winds will cause nothing but problems for the CFA (Country Fire Authority). On particular fire I am concerned with is about 50 - 60 km away in Hernes Oak but it's where a few Church members live from our ward. Our Chapel is just the other side of the freeway in Moe/Newborough.

Our Firies do a wonderful job, especially during summer and even more so during heatwaves. I am crossing my fingers, toes and whatever else I can cross and I am praying that the fires around the state will be under control soon.

I heard on the news yesterday that our state is the driest it has been since the Black Saturday bushfires on Feb 7 2009. It's not surprising we have had no rain for weeks. We desperately need good soaking rains. Sadly it doesn't look like we are going to get any for a while.

WIP - Triangle Scarf

This is my current project. I decided on making a triangle scarf. I'm not normally a scarf wearer but I thought why not. A scarf is a good way to jazz up an outfit, right? If I don;t like it I can always give it away.

Big Fringe Triangle Scarf from Yarnspirations

Oh bother, I have run out of yarn. I am thinking I shall just give this away to a little person.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• cooler weather. It has been wonderful now that we have had a few days of cooler weather. 
• my crochet and being able to finish that blanket I had been working on for weeks
• reading - I just love how a book can transport you to another realm where you can escape reality for a while and maybe even fall in love with the characters you read about
• spending time together as a family 

What are you thankful for this week?

How To Crochet An I-Cord

I was checking my Google+ feed when I came across a post with a video on how to crochet an i-cord by Sharon Ojala. I had never made one before, not even in knitting but I had seen a video on how to knit one. 

There have been times when I thought that they would come in handy for making straps for beanies or even large button loops. So I thought I would give it a go.

Here's how my first ever try at an i-cord went. I do have a helpful tip though. Make sure that you are using a yarn that doesn't split easily. It makes placing the stitches back on the hook a bit of a nightmare if it does. Oh and try not to make the stitches too loose or the i-cord will look uneven like mine does.

Stupid Carpal Tunnel

I just got back from seeing my GP a little while ago. Just a routine visit to organise blood tests etc to monitor my BGL and thyroid function. While I was there I did mention how my right arm, due to the carpal tunnel (which I have in both wrists) seems to ache more and more lately. I also mentioned how I need to wear a wrist brace more often these days to help with the ache and the pins and needles. BIG mistake! I now have a referral for a surgeon.

Last time I saw this particular surgeon (back in 2009) he said to try using a wrist brace and see if that helps because he didn't want to operate unless I was unable to do my usual day to day activities. The wrist braces have helped a lot (I have one for each wrist) however they seem to be losing their effectiveness. You know what that means don't you?? Surgery!! I probably wont be able to crochet or knit for a while after the op. NOT a good thing :'(  I don't know how I will cope without being able to crochet. It keeps me sane. I guess I need to make sure I do lots and lots of crocheting before surgery so I get my 'fix'

I phoned the surgeons office but they are closed for the day so I will need to phone them in the morning. I wonder how long it will take to get an appointment to see him? I also wonder how long I will be on the waiting list at the hospital before the surgery is actually done. I'm not sure that I want it done too quickly but then again maybe it's better to get it over and done with, right?

Finished Item - Crochet Zoo Blanket

Yay. It's finished!! I love how this blanket turned out. It looks amazing! 

I decided to only finish off the blanket with plain on treble stitch (double crochet). I think it looks pretty effective. I was considering a fancier border but I decided that the blanket was pretty enough without it.

You can find the pattern HERE on Ravelry from Knot Your Nana's Crochet.

All I need to do now is work out what I will be making next ... 

Snagged (Inspirational) Quotes

I am in hibernation today. We are expecting a maximum temperature of 41C (about 105F). I plan on sitting in front of the air-conditioner all day but I did manage to snag these from LDS S.M.I.L.E. on Facebook to share with you. I'm off this thing before I begin to melt ...

WIP - Crochet Zoo Blanket

I sat down in front of the TV Thursday afternoon to catch up on some of the shows I had recorded and didn't get around to watching while both boys where home. Now that Brodie is back at Yooralla and Angus is back at school it seemed like the perfect time to sit back, relax and crochet. I hadn't done that for a while at least not during the day time. Although I began crocheting in the afternoon it wasn't until last that night when I had completed adding the squares together.

As I completed each section of the blanket I was uploading photos on to Facebook. I just love showing off what I have made plus I enjoy reading the positive feedback I have been receiving. I just love how this blanket is turning out.

I am getting such a huge kick out of the SIL liking this blanket. She is loving it so much. She will be SO surprised. You see when I started making this one I decided that I would be giving it to her as a gift. I think I'm pretty safe writing that here as she doesn't read my blog, well I don't think she does.

When the SIL saw how the blanket was progressing she commented that she would LOVE to have another baby just so she could buy a blanket like this. Sadly, both she and I are both past our child bearing years so that really isn't an option. However, I know she will absolutely adore this blanket when I give it to her.

All I need to do is put a border around the whole thing and it's done! I'm thinking of using a border from that book I bought a few months back that has crochet edging patterns.