Finished Item - Crochet Shrug

My lovely model shows the back of the shrug

Last week I showed you the shrug I was making. Today I finished it. I was thinking about sending it to my niece for her birthday but I've decided against it. I don't think it's quite up to scratch so I decided to keep it. Such a sacrifice I know (I made it in a shade of my favourite colour). I have now decided to send my niece a little clutch handbag and some make-up instead. What young lady wouldn't want make-up and a new bag?

In Angus's words.. it's different Mum.

By the way the shrug is lovely and warm. It was perfect timing finishing it this afternoon because the temperature has turned cool. A very welcome change from the heat and humidity we've had over the past week or so.

And The Rain Came Tumbling Down

Angus & I had a meeting at his high school this afternoon. When we left the sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly. I even thought about how its a shame I cannot wear sunglasses any more because I need to wear my glasses while driving. Before our meeting finished it started raining. Not just a little bit of rain it bucketed down! The kid of rain you have when you get flash flooding!

Angus & I were standing under a veranda waiting for the rain to ease up so we could make a run for the car. Would you believe we waited for 15 minutes before we could make our attempt? The rain was that heavy at one stage Angus & I couldn't hear each other properly.

While we waitied I took a few shots. It's a shame that my phone isn't waterproof or I would've taken some snaps of the car park. It was almost totally under water. The kerb was over flowing it looked like a waterfall.

I was very careful driving home. The water was splashing up everywhere. Some parts of the road near our home were completely covered in water. I had a feeling they would be so I was extra careful.

I know we needed some rain to help cool things down but I honestly didn't think we would get as much as we did. I have to admit that even though we got soaked making our way to the car that the water felt nice and cool. It reminded me of when I used to live in Darwin. While it rained everything felt good but as soon as the rain stopped it got all hot & humid again. Just like it is right now (o_0)

Oops I didn't Post Yesterday

Oops I didn't post yesterday (o_0) in fact I didn't spend much time at my computer at all. It's this icky humid weather. It kind of knocks me for six!

While I was NOT at my computer yesterday I watched part of a new show on TV. My kind of show too Country Music TV. I'm thinking it will become part of my regular Saturday morning viewing :D

While watching it I saw a new video from Shannon Noll. I've loved his voice ever since he was a contestant on the first Australian Idol. I found the video for his new song "My Place In The Line". I really like it.
I hope the video works for eveyone this time. Sorry if it doesn't.



I'm off to sit in front of the air-conditioner. It's going to be another warm one today :-S

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Muffins

Look what I made :D yummy pumpkin muffins. Not only did I find another way to get my boys to eat more vegetables these ones are even diabetic friendly :D 

If you want to check out the recipe pop on over to Blossy's Cookbook to get it

It's Australia Day!

Happy Australia Day!

Lee Kernaghan - Southern Son


"I'm a Southern Son & I'm proud to be one"
This song makes me feel awfully proud to be an Aussie. It gives me goosebumps.
Yeah I know I'm a nutter  :P

What's More Australian Than A Barbecue?

Since Australia Day is this week (tomorrow actually) I thought I would share this fun recipe video that I found. What's more Australian than a barbecue? A barbecue biscuit perhaps.

Of course I had to share Sam Kekovich's new commercial for this years Australia Day. I just can't believe that Sam was actually singing ... At least this fits in with the BBQ theme :D

For those who don't know who Sam is he's a bit of an eccentric former Aussie Rules Footballer who is very passionate about Aussies eating lamb on Australia (and Mother's Day for that matter) He even goes as far as calling himself a Lambassador (o_0) 

While he is not everyone's cup of tea (he is a bit over the top sometimes) he provides a laugh for many Australians.

WIP - Crochet Shrug

I've been working on a crochet shrug for the past few days. I just LOVE the colour I am working with. It's like a nice rich plum! Not that I like to eat plums. I just don't like the taste but the colour is beautiful :)

This shrug is very slow going. It's made just by using double crochet in the back loop only (that's single crochet for my US friends). The pattern is a freebie from Lion Brand Yarn called Simple Crochet Shrug and it really is simple too. How hard can it be to crochet a rectangle and sew parts of the sides together to make sleeves? Just my kind of pattern :D

I'm thinking I will send it to my niece for her birthday provided I get it finished in time (as I mentioned its slow going). Wish me luck :)

I Need A Nanna Nap

I wish I was as energetic as the characters in this animation.

Gosh its one of those days today. The kind where you need lots of Nanna naps! I've already had one but my eyes are telling me I need another snooze Zzzzzz. Don't you just hate days like that?

We had a pretty quiet weekend this time around. Angus went and stayed at a friends place & came home today. Brodz is now off on an Interchange camp until Wednesday afternoon. You know what that means. Bliss. The boys wont be fighting with one another. I think it does them good to spend some time apart.

Not that I am counting or anything but there's still two weeks left of the Summer holidays. Please cross you fingers that we will survive the next couple of weeks because we've had enough stress these holidays (well I have at any rate).

My House Smells Soooo Good

Banana Muffins

I thought I would do some baking today. We had some really ripe bananas and instead of wasting them I decided to cook them :)  I just took this yummy batch of banana muffins out of the oven. Of course I had to taste one while it was still warm just to make sure that it was good enough for the rest of the family to eat. 'Cos I'm nice like that :D

If you would like to know what ingredients I used you can go HERE for the recipe over at Blossy's Cookbook. It's where I have posted some of my favourite recipes. I did alter the recipe though. I used low GI sugar and wholemeal plain flour.

We're A Bunch Of Sleepyheads

This is what happens when you fall asleep on the couch .. Mum takes your photo and blogs about it! And the kitten climbs all over you while you sleep before taking a nap himself!

It's been such a hard morning for the cats in our home .... Rory played a lot and has now curled up on my desk after walking all over the keyboard. He managed to save photos from web pages, scroll through blogs and changed tabs. It's no wonder he is snoozing.

Maybe I should follow his lead and have a nap myself *yawn*

My First Treasury

I have created my first treasury on etsy :)
I had such a hard time only selecting a handful items. I could've added so many more things.

I love Doctor Who. We have been very fortunate to have the every episode being played from the newer stuff  beginning Series 1 with Christopher Eccleston through to Series 6 with Matt Smith being shown on ABC2 each week night. I have been in Whovian Heaven for the past few weeks! I can't wait for tonight's episode we've moved on to David Tennant :D

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• cool changes :) the weather had been awfully hot & humid earlier this week but it's really lovely today 
• Rory, he has been keeping me amused this past week with his cute little antics
• completing ALL of Angus's back to school shopping. He now has everything that he needs 
• Nanna naps. I've had a couple this week & I sure needed them *yawn* I think I need one now :D

What are you thankful for this week? 

Made In China

When Mark requested a new Aussie flag because his old one got ripped I kept my eye our for them in the shops. So when Aldi had them for sale the other day I grabbed one. I did find it a little sad to see that flags never seem to be made at home any more. That they tend to be made in China. It's kind of funny really when you see things sold as souvenirs that all seem to be made overseas. So much for keeping the money at home. Oh well. Maybe it's time to search for a manufacturer from Australia.

I find it sad that an Australian flag isn't even made here any more. I guess it's cheaper to make them overseas.

WIP - Tea Cosy

Oh boy are we in for a hot night. It's after 8pm and it's still 31C (87.8F) outside! We're meant to get a cool change sometime in the early hours of the morning. The only trouble is that it will only cool things down to around 31C for tomorrow. I just hate the humidity that accompanies the heat here. It's horrid. Did I ever mention that I don't like summer??

Anyway on to something a little better than me complaining about the heat. I've been making a crocheted tea cosy. A strange thing to be making when the temperature is so warm (o_0) It's not like the tea will get cold quickly in this weather. I just felt like making a tea cosy because I haven't managed to crochet one before.

I'm not sure that I like it to be honest. I messed it up. It was too large so I sewed around the base to make it look better. At least it still fits the teapot now and that's the main thing I guess. It's meant to have flowers on the top. I haven't gotten around to making them yet.

I'm thinking I might pull it apart and try again.

Temperatures Are Rising

With the temperature rising to the mid 30's (mid- high 90's) today so has our tempers. The boys have been nit-picking & annoying one another for weeks. I am tired of the way that talk to each other and the way they (mainly Brodie) talk to me. The raised voices, the swearing and just being plain old rude.

I don't think that the word RESPECT is in their vocabulary. Well maybe it is but they have certainly forgotten what it means. Perhaps its because they are on school holidays that they think they don't need to mind their P's and Q's and behave. I think it's time to slap them with a wet fish and knock some sense into them. If they aren't careful that wet fish might come in the form of a can of tuna!!

On a brighter note. The Australian Open started today. You know what that means don't you? Two weeks of not much on TV and lots of tennis! There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. It means that we are that much closer to the school holidays being over. We're half way through the Summer break. Thank goodness. I know I said I was looking forward to the sleeping in but I would gladly give that up for some peace and quiet.

For now the boys have been separated. One at each end of the house. Let's hope that this makes a difference. At least for tonight. I'll worry about the rest tomorrow.

Can Cats Be Geeks?

Look Mum. I'm using your mouse =P

Cats can be so cute. Rory decided that he likes my mouse. I'm wondering if he is turning into a computer geek like the rest of the family.

Not only does Rory use my mouse he has tried joining groups for me on Facebook and has open and closed new tabs for me in my browser. I guess that will teach me to leave a browser open  =D

Rory has also sent chat messages for Brodie when he walked over his laptop. I bet that made for an interesting conversation. 

Definitely a geek in the making.

Silent Saturday

Finished Object - Popcorn Stitch Baby Blanket

The baby blanket is being held by Angus.
It was the only way he would let me take a photo of him (hidden behind something)

Ta Da! It's finished. I completed it yesterday but I hadn't gotten around to uploading the photo until now.  It's big enough to be used as a pram cover or something but I don't think it's big enough to wrap a baby in. With all the yarn that I used I am sure that it will be extra warm =)

Now .. on to my next project. I've decided to make some little toy teddies. I thought I might make a few of them (as a left over stash buster) and possibly give them to the ambos as trauma teddies. I guess it depends on how many I end up making.

Thankful Thursday

Another week has flown by. I guess that means we've been busy doing stuff and keeping out of trouble =D

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• Interchange camps! It's been nice & quiet with Brodie being away.
•  having a VOIP phone. Our 'normal' phone hasn't been working but at least we have the voip to fall back on just as long as our Internet doesn't go down.
• friends who remind me to make phone calls to get blood test results. Thank you Mish =D 
• good results for my HbA1c. It was 5.9 mmol (last time it was 6.2 mmol) and I also had better results for my cholesterol level (I wont bore you with the numbers though but its better than last time)
• my crocheting - I had fun finishing that baby blanket I started earlier this month
• finishing the back to school shopping. Angus now has everything he needs to start the new school year. That includes his safety boots, overalls and safety glasses for his TAFE course. Brodz even has a few things he might need for TAFE when he goes back too. I'm just glad its all done!

What are you thankful for this week?

It's Summer Right?

See the hand on the right => that's around area where I live

I think Mother Nature has forgotten that it is meant to be Summer in the southern hemisphere at the moment. Right now it is a brisk 12C (53.6F) and that wind out there makes it feel more like 10C or less (50F). Not that I am complaining. I am really enjoying this colder stuff :)

I feel bad for Brodie though. He is on his first Interchange camp as a volunteer (they get called volley for short, us Aussies shorten everything!). The poor kids would probably be stuck indoors out of the wind, hail  & rain.
Brodie was quite excited to be asked to come back as a volunteer. As far as I know there has only been one other person who was a client of Interchange that was asked to come back. She found it a little difficult to participate as a volley because it hadn't been all that long since she was one of the 'kids'. I do hope that Brodz doesn't have that problem. I guess I'll find out on Friday afternoon when he is due back home.

Even thought Brodie is there as a volley I am treating this as respite. We sure did need the break from one another. Summer holidays always cause a lot of stress in our home. Especially since these boys are not all that interested in doing things outside of the home. They rarely hang out with friends & do stuff. Not like when we were kids. We were always off somewhere without friends. I would gladly push them out the door encourage them to go and do stuff ALL the time usually without success.

Anyway I'm going to relish the quiet that has enveloped our house. It doesn't happen very often so I plan on enjoying it :D

Op Shop Bargains!

Mark & I went Op Shopping yesterday. We didn't go looking for anything in particular. We just wanted to browse. We decided to go to the next town over from us because it had been a while since we had been to any of the Op Shops there.

I like the pattern on the wood. Brodie said it reminds him of a peacock.

I am so pleased that we went. I found an absolute bargain! Some new chairs. For some reason we are not very gentle with chairs and have gone though quite a few of them (o_0) Personally I think its because the boys don't sit on the chairs they plonk themselves on them.

I think they will be perfect after a bit of a clean up. The seats are a bit on the dusty side but they look very sturdy and hopefully up to the challenge of 'surviving' my boys! 

My Two Gingernuts

CK and Rory

My two Gingernuts look so cute together. They are finally getting along nicely. Sometimes they even sleep together on the bed.

All I need now is for our three-legged boy, Trip, to finally accept Rory and things will be better. Trip is such a nasty, hissy thing right now. He wont even stay indoors if he sees the kitten (o_0) Trip only wants in for a feed then tries to get outside again. I think of Trip as a grumpy old man (he's just turned 10 yo)

Does anyone have any tips on how to get the cats to at least stay in the same room?

Small Things Keep Us Amused.

Sometimes it doesn't take much to keep the kitten amused or the Aspie for that matter. Both Rory & Brodie love my email notifier. It keeps them amused.

I think its nice that something that's as simple as this keeps Brodie smiling. 

If you're wondering what email program I use it's Incredimail. I used to make stationery backgrounds for it but I haven't done so for a while. 

Although that may change soon. I bought myself a copy of Paint Shop Pro X4. It arrived the other day and I have slowly been installing plug-ins and have starting to play around with them.

If you by chance already use Incredimail and you want to see what stats I have made you can go HERE to check out my website (if it is working it's on the server at home. Mark had set it up but there may be teething problems) or HERE  to join the yahoo group where I have stored the .imf files (sorry there are no previews there).

My Kitty Likes Watching TV

It seems that I have a little kitty who likes to watch television. 

Watching an Elvis movie while sitting on my desk.

Rory liked the dancing. I think the movement had him mesmerised.

Saqqara was the same. She would sit in front of the TV when Angus was watching Garfield. Maybe she thought Garfield was her type of cat :D

Loom Knitting

Angus and I were looking at looms when we were in Spotlight last week. I never knew how easy it was to use them until I saw this video.

I'm seriously thinking I might just have to get a set of looms now. 

It looks so much easier than using a pair of needles!

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• Brodie had been having pain near his gall bladder over the weekend & I am thankful that the tests done so far have shown that it wasn't gallstones. (Yes I kept that pretty quiet but he's feeling much better now)
• the nurse who was able to find my vein first pop when doing my blood tests this morning
• the cool change that arrived late Tuesday night. It has cooled things down beautifully
• Mark and his being able to set up a Smoothwall so that we can find out who uses the most bandwidth & so that we can block 'outsiders' from hacking into our network & stealing our net connection. I <3 my geek!

What are you thankful for this week?

Stash Busting

I started a new project today while I was sitting down watching some TV & catching up on the shows that I had recorded. I have to keep my hands occupied while I am sitting on the couch.

Surprise, surprise I have plenty of purple yarn to use up :P   I have this thing for the popcorn stitch at the moment. I was inspired by a lego shaped baby blanket I saw the other day. The stitch looked the same to me.

The colours look a little washed out here. That blue is a lot brighter than it looks in the photo.

I have no idea who the blanket is for yet. I'm just making it to use up some of my yarn stash. The stuff that didn't fit in the boxes.

Such A Hard Life

Being a kitten in our home (or just a cat for that matter) is such a hard life. I mean all you have to do is eat, sleep, play, submit yourself to enormous amount of cuddles and catch the occasional mouse should one be unfortunate to enter the house.

Anyway, here's a few awww moments in the life of our kitten, Rory, who was finally been named last Friday afternoon.

Oooo a bag fell on the floor ...

I must see what is inside...

Oh I found a hole to attack you through ...

After a long hard play

I annoy the mother cat until she places me on her desk

Now she can't reach the keyboard or use the mouse properly

It's been a very long day and tiring day.

As Bright As A Button

On my Thankful Thursday post the other day I mentioned that Mark encourages me to go shopping for yarn. When your other half says go shopping what else can you do but do as he suggested. I wouldn't want to disappoint him (o_0) So I went to my favourite store (Spotlight) and bought a couple of balls of yarn that I needed (yes I really did need these ones, in a pale cream colour) so I could continue making my knitted toys. Although I have started crocheting a couple of things because I wanted to make some quick items to use up some of my stash that didn't fit into the containers that I have.

Anyway back to my story (I got a little side tracked) while I was at Spotlight I picked up some really cute BRIGHT buttons! A whole bag of them. Of course I took some photos so show you what they look like.

Here's a small selection: lady birds, hearts, apples, stars, flowers, teapots and a whale.

Angus & I had fun sorting them.

Mark even gave me a container to put them all. I owe him a new one but he said I'm not allowed to buy him a pink one (like my other container). I have no idea why :P lol

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

 I wish you ....

12 Month of Happiness,
52 Weeks of Fun,
366 Days of Success,
8760 Hours of Good Health,
52600 Minutes of Good Luck,
3153600 Seconds of Joy

May 2012 be all that you want it to be & more :)