Harvest Season

I went for a walk in the garden to pick apples for an apple cake and noticed peaches all over the ground.  They are so delicious and perfect for eating and baking. Another thing I noticed was my husband outside chopping wood; I couldn't resist taking a photo since he so rarely has to do any of the chores around the property. It makes my heart sing when he picks up a tool!  I guess he was equally impressed that I was baking and making a nice roast dinner. Whatever tickles your fancy!

The chiffonier in the kitchen/dining room

The Big Day Out

Well, it's been a good day.  I picked up a new piece of furniture today from Hamilton.  It's a Victorian Chiffonier circa 1865.  I bought it to replace a wardrobe that I regrettably sold during the summer.  I had an empty place in my kitchen/dining area that just needed to be filled again.  I will photograph it in situ when I have some better light.  It doesn't match my house exactly, but it matches my style which evolves because I have acquired furniture that does not really reflect who I am. But as I opened my drawers and cupboards to fill the shelves and the drawer (with crystal knobs!), I realized that it was the perfect style choice for me. I filled it with my linens, silver, and china and placed my three best pieces of china on the top. Tell me what you think?  The rest of my big day out was spent at Nosh Food Market in Hamilton and Grandmother's Garden.  Both very good places to be on a rainy Saturday in March.

Never a dull moment

Sarah, Jonathan, Jacqui (her mom), James, and Ben

Last weekend we hosted a 21st Birthday party for Sarah Fuller.  It reminded me that it was 20 years ago that I had the world by a string. Where does the time go? I was unafraid and eager to see the world. I started my own business, traveled, and enjoyed life.  What's happened to that fearless joie de vivre?  I don't know? But, oh to be 21 again!  The party had a Hawaiian theme and most people dressed up.  We had great weather and wonderful food prepared by Jacqui.  It was a great party.  Happy Birthday Sarah!

Tahlia, Steven, and Danielle

John and Rick

Twitter and Facebook and Social Media

It's final. I'm on twitter! I've tweeted. I'm with it and I tweet. I couldn't hold out any longer. I blame it on my studies and curiosity and whatever else I can point to.  How do I feel, you ask?  I feel hip, cool, young, and in the know.

It was the classroom exercise where the teacher put a whole bunch of social media words on the white board (facebook, bebo, twitter, blog, rss, web 2.0, etc.) and said to make a line placing yourselves at one end of the room if you use these on a regular basis (daily, hourly) and at the other if you have no idea what I'm talking about. eh?

Image borrowed from www.stampinconnection.com.au

There were over half of us jumbled together in the middle of the room not standing in a line. Two young girls (by young I mean under 25) at one end of the room and all the over 60's at the other. I, being 41, stood in the jumbled group who were not admitting to using facebook regularly.  I actually blog more than I facebook which doesn't say a lot. So we all had a laugh and learned about using social media for advocacy work.  It was a lot of fun and I'm still young and hip no matter how much I knit, sew, quilt and create!  This photo of a card is what I might have made tonight had I not been signing up to twitter.

Unitec

Hi there. I'm back at school this week. It's my 5th paper in my Grad Dip in NFP Management.  As I get out of the office and into the classroom, I'm able to knit in class where creativity is encouraged.  The classroom is in Hamilton at the Community Waikato building. I'm loving my classmates and the teacher is very creative!

Another good thing about moving out of my usual surroundings is the ability to snoop around the Hamilton shops, go for lunch at cafes, and stop in at Grandmother's Garden quilting store in Gordonton.  I'll be going there tomorrow so watch this space! 

Everyone needs a Patron Saint of Knitting

I am so thankful for knitting saints who clean out their stash and pass on yarn they no longer need.  I think they might like to remain anonymous so I will just say "Thank you!" (you know who you are).  This project is dedicated to the Knitting Saints!

I read this little saying on a blog, "I sketch, I swatch, I rip." I've just designed a sweater for myself on a bit of paper and this saying sums it up.  I was going to add the word "measure" but swatching is measuring.  Many people skip the  step where you do a guage but I am convinced that it's the most important step in most of my knitting projects.  My sweater is going to be fabulous!  I'm using alpaca tweed yarn, a 4.5mm circular needle, a piece of knitter's graph paper (from southseasknitting.com), and a tape measure. It's called Highlander - 45% baby alpaca / 45% merino wool / 8% microfiber / 2% viscose.  The colour is plum with an oatmeal coloured fleck.  Stay tuned!

Vintage Cardigan

My dear friend, Billie...You are so hip and gorgeous!
Here is Billie wearing a vintage cardigan that she picked up in Akaroa, New Zealand (near Christchurch). I love the design, the colour, the pattern of the lace. It's hand made and looks beautiful.