The first post where I brag about my holiday

Well I though I was going to be a good blogger and update with photos and anecdotes while I was in Melbourne.

Instead I spent all my time stepping away from social media. Except to check-in using yelp wherever I went.
Last time I was in Melbourne I got home and didn’t know where I went, and wasn’t going to let that happen this time.

Particularly as we went to a few places, but one in particular (Trunk I’m looking at you) where the service was so horrible and we all left absolutely disappointed and sharing some Buscopan tablets.

But all in all it was a good weekend, way too short, and we’re now planning the next one (if you’re listening AFL- we want to see Adelaide at the MCG).

My knitting went on the plane with me and met no hassles. Not that I had any knitting time actually in Melbourne, but between the two flights I managed to get some uninterrupted knitting done.

I will spend more time on Melbourne and post some photos when I transfer them, but I didn’t take half as many photos as I wanted.

But thanks Melbourne and see you again soon.

This was the view from our hotel room.

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lets talk!
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Stuck in my head – birds of Tokyo

It’s probably strange that a Perth band reminds me so much of Melbourne.
But the night before the last time I went to Melbourne, I saw Birds of Tokyo’s album launch of which this is the title track.
It still gives me shivers.
I listened to that album, fresh from seeing them live, all that Melbourne weekend.

And since I’m going to Melbourne again this week, it’s been stuck in my head.


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lets talk!
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A moment of genius

My rissole recipe, but instead of breadcrumbs crushed potato crisps.

It’s never going to win a weight watchers recipe contest, but it was very tasty. Rissoles taste better the next day in a sandwich, but that’s if they last that long.

basic rissoles
Put all these ingredients in a bowl
500g mince, 1 egg, 1 slice bread soaked in water, 1 diced onion, 1 squeeze of BBQ sauce, salt & pepper
Get squelchy and mix all together, hands work great.
(always make sure that you prepare the breadcrumbs/crushed potato crisps before you start mixing. It makes it easier)

Make into patty shapes. Coat in crushed potato crisps.

Put into fridge for about half an hour.

Give to the gentleman friend to cook on the barbecue. (I’m hopeless at pan frying these.)

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lets talk!
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Pastels everywhere

Have I mentioned that next weekend I’m in Melbourne?
I probably should have because it will be the first time my Gentleman Friend and I have left the state in 2 years.

So I’m pretty excited. We’re going over to see The Shins!
Which is pretty exiting in itself.

The first birthday present I bought for my boy was a Shins wallet. It is freaking cool, but it was retired just before it was about to break. I have a feeling it may make it out of retirement for a weekend.

So I’ve been making lists and preparing.

I’ve also realised that my sister-in-law is due in another month. I swear she had at least 6 more to go, so I’ve dedicated very knitting minute to a baby’s blanket.
It’s another 10 stitch blanket.

I’m particularly fond of pastels at the moment.

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lets talk!
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Stuck in my head – the shins (covering the postal service)

I don’t think it’s a secret that I adore Death Cab for Cutie and in particular Ben Gibbard’s voice. It therefore follows that I adore The Postal Service.

And I also adore the Shins doing covers of The Postal Service.

Here’s the spotify link.

And here’s the best fan made video I could find. (trust me when I say even though this is very literal, it’s not the most literal one out there).

And the original radio edit

7 questions answered

This week has been very knitting-light. So instead of showing off what’s on my needles (because that would be super boring) I’m answering 7 questions Catie has always wanted to ask another knitter

Do you hold on to horrible yarn from your early knitting days because you’re convinced that it hates you as much as you hate it…and it’s good to keep your enemies close?

I have some horrible pink yarn which I bought from k-mart which is horrible. And I bought 8 balls of it!
I was very knitting naive, and the ball band said pattern on the inside, and my size requires 8 balls. I thought “I should be able to knit that if the pattern fits on the ball band”. of course there was just a link to the pattern on the ball band which I took one look at (my FOs at the point were 2 garter stich scarfs) and went ARGH!!!
But it was too late! I already had 8 balls of the stuff. When I went to knit with it I realised how splitty it was and how slow it was to knit with.

I’ve learnt a few lessons with this yarn. The first being don’t buy yarn from k-mart.
The second, try one ball before buying 8.
The third was if you’re going to make a scarf using two colours make sure they’re both a similar guage (sorry Mum. I now know that was an appalling scarf. Absolutely horrid)

But I still have three balls of the stuff. I honestly don’t think I’ve made anything that I’m happy about from this yarn. And I don’t think that’s about to change. But I feel bad for throwing it out.
Maybe a use will present itself? One can only hope.

What do you do when you give someone a lovely hand-made gift that they don’t like or don’t use? Is covert reclamation allowed?
I’ve only had one Christmas which I lovingly crafted presents for my immediate family. I am still yet to see a photo of my nephew in his three odd socks (which were freaking adorable!), but I have seen ones of the beanies.
I would assume that the first scarf I made Mum would go unloved. But no one would want it anyway. (Again sorry Mum!)
But I’m assured that my other brother adores his minion and it is a travelling companion.

I’ve started to ask before making my Gentleman Friend knitted treasures. He’s a frequent recipient of beanies and socks. Some which get worn and some which don’t. He’s pretty honest with me which is appreciated.

When your mother in law gives you a large bag full of cotton yarn to make dish cloths out of, how much obligation do you have to start popping them out? Is the obligation greater if you have not given her grandchildren?

I’m going to substitute mother in law for grandmother in law. I’ve only been given yarn from one person, and there was no obligation attached. I now have a lot more mohair than I know what to do with, but I don’t think I can make dish cloths from that (well not useful ones anyway).

On a slightly related note, everyone is getting dish cloths for christmas. I’ve decided.

Are shawls really fashionable these days, or is that a delusion I’ve fostered to deny that I dress like a Jane Austen reenacter?
I’m not a shawl wearing person, but I think they look pretty.
I’d like to wear shawls over my jeans again like I did in highschool. I always liked that look.

Does my knitting really make the whole couch vibrate?
I’d love to know! I do enjoy knitting on the couch. I have a lazy boy which is horrible to knit on.

What would you do with all the spare time you would have if you didn’t knit? Would you be thinner?
I may not be thinner, but I would be more well read.
Television is so much easier to consume whilst knitting.

Do you think sheep would find it creepy that I spend so much time petting yarn?
I used to visit my great-grandparents sheep farm when I was younger.
I liked the smell of the sheep shearing sheds. Maybe knitting takes me back to all those fond memories?

I think the sheep would like to know that they’re responsible for bringing so many beautiful things into the world.
If I were a sheep I’d be proud.

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lets talk!
tweet tweet ~ ravelry ~email me

Pay it forward

While I was reading my morning blogs I came across this post from Keri.

And I think this is just the thing to keep me busy whilst I figure out my health issues.

These rules are from Tara over at The Little Things

Here are the rules if you want to join in:
1. I will send a surprise gift to the first three commenters on this post. The gift will be handmade by me. It will be sent sometime in the next 365 days. It will be a surprise. We all love getting surprises in the mail, right?

2. To sign up and receive a gift, you must play along, too. Pay it Forward on your blog, by promising to make a surprise for the first three people who comment on the post.

3. You must have a blog (that is updated regularly, as I will blog stalk you to find the right gift for you). Include your blog address in your comment. A Ravelry handle could also be very helpful, so add that too please.

4. After commenting here, you must repost this or something similar to your blog in 48 hours. If not, I will choose the next person who comments…Its that simple!! 🙂

I am looking forward to playing this fun game with my fellow bloggers and making something special and handmade just for them

And since I’m in Australia I’m more than happy to ship internationally.

My eyes are dim

I cannot see.

Well I can see but my eyes are giving me a lot of trouble.
And when you’re feeling downtrodden, everything else treads on you.

So I’ve been saving my eyes for work and not knitting in the evenings.
But I’ve been asleep by 7:30 so I haven’t missed it too much.

If you don’t see me around much it’s because I’m saving my eyes for seeing.

All I have to show is an update on my ten stitch blanket.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

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Peanut butter cookies

My sweet tooth has been playing up recently.

It’s getting to the point where I’m snacking on chocolate at 2:30 (on the dot!) most afternoons.
And I’m buying chocolate from the many multitudes of fundraising chockies in the lunchroom.

So I thought I’d bake something.

There’s a cozy casserole heating up the kitchen, and now there’s some peanut butter biscuits.

I love this recipe. It’s 4 ingredients. Which are probably all in your cupboard right now.

Which makes this a great recipe to pull out when you have visitors on their way over, or when you want something quick to make while you have a casserole in the oven.

Go forth – bake!!

(and if you’re in the Perth area, Col Panna has a giveaway on at the moment – check it out!)20120626-211954.jpg20120626-211959.jpg20120626-212014.jpg

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