The weekend

Summer has drifted slowly into autumn, and although the weather is still warm, we’re well into the cooler season mode. I’m certainly struggling with moving far from home, enjoying the quieter change of pace that the change of season brings.

Autumn mornings are the perfect time for raspberry pancake squares (yes we are still picking raspberries – yum!)
So what did I get up to this weekend?

Can you spot what’s peaking out from under this beautiful orchid?

Yes I’ve started knitting a pair of socks.

It’s many a year since I’ve knitted, but I’ve seen so many gorgeous socks being produced all over the internet, I decided I would give them a go.

After the initial fiddling and fumbling with the tiny circular needle, no less than 5 starts on the rib(!), and more than a few dropped stitches, I pulled myself together and finished a sock. I’m well into the next one and I’m happy to report that it’s growing on the needles much more smoothly (and quickly ). Im following this most excellent beginner sock tutorial on Winwick Mum.

Don’t you love the lovely self striping sock yarn?

I also spent a few hours on Saturday making a whole new wardrobe for Maia’s Barbie family (interestingly, not one of the them is called ‘Barbie’!)…

Certainly not my favorite dolls, but I’m actually quite proud of how modest,  yet stylish, they turned out! Plus its the only time I’ve made 3 skirts, 2 pairs of trousers, 1 dress and 4 tops in one day. Maia: “You should go into business making Barbie clothes, Mum. They are so much better than the ones they come with.” Thanks love, will keen that in mind if I need to find a new job!

As with most weekends, I also spent some time in the garden. The winter vege garden is in, and while the summer flowers are all but done, there are some pockets of color still holding on…This time of the year I adore the hydrangeas…Their mottled colors are  so beautiful as they dry on the bushes…I know they are probably not for everyone, but to me they are more beautiful now than when they are in early bloom.I will cut them off, but not until they are completely dead (sometime in the middle of winter), for now I enjoy their shabby chic beauty…So that’s what the weekend looked like at our place. What did you get up to? Ever knitted socks? Got any tips to share? ~ J xox

December and January

There isn’t any snow falling, nor fires burning or chestnuts roasting… but our festive season has had a lot of sun, sand and smiles 🙂

Just before Christmas we spent a week at Mt Maunganui, which was glorious!While we were there, my baby girl turned 9!Since Christmas we’ve been for lots of hikes, and even managed some mountain biking. Not to mention plenty of time in the pool.I always love finding a heart shaped rock!I’ve spent much time tending my garden… which is looking lush and green thanks to a couple of days of rain this week! It’s very productive too – artichokes, potatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers – I’m impatiently waiting for the tomatoes, they just need to hurry up and ripen! Of course we still have one of these; And there were plenty of presents, and all the usual things you would expect at Christmas – like us all eating more than a reasonable amount of festive-y food!

The summer still has another month or so to go, but work starts again later this week which will be a rude wake up call for those of us that have been lazing around in bed until a very late hour (ie, me!), but I’m sure we will manage to fit in plenty more outdoor activity before the children have to go back to school next month.

So my friends, I want to wish you a (little late) but very merry Christmas, and all the very best for a wonderful new year…

What’s happening in your world? What have you been up to?

J xox

‘Tis the season

For reindeer cookies…The silly season is upon us and the year flying by at an alarming pace. But there is always. Always! Time for reindeer cookies 🙂This year they were decorated with chocolate and m&ms.

Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies recipe:

• 1/2 cup golden syrup
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• 2 Cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger

Preheat oven to 180 C. Heat golden syrup, sugar, butter and milk together in a pot until melted.

Sift dry ingredients and add to pot. Blend together well, using a wooden spoon.

Cut out gingerbread man shapes, place on baking sheet and bake for 7 -9 minutes until lightly golden. When cool decorate with melted chocolate and m&ms. Share with all your friends!!!

Some coloring and lavender crochet mittens

Mixing up the weekend crafting…

First a little coloring in and then finishing off these crochet mittens, which I think Ill give to one of the children’s teachers for an end of year gift. You can find the free crochet pattern here.

What are you working on? Jxox

Green Doily Ta Da

I managed to get some shots of my newly completed doily in the  sun this morning…

I think it turned out well, the pattern is good (a few very minor mistakes, but obvious enough if you have been crocheting a while), I’d definitely still recommend it! It’s a free pattern (my favourite kind) and you can find it here.

I was particularly pleased with how the green contrasts with our rimu table and the lovely Cherise of this orchid which I have managed to coax into a second year of flowering…

I’m now working on some fingerless mitts for a Christmas present. What are you working on? Any nice doily patterns to recommend – I’d like make more 🙂 Jxx

An octopian air plant

I have many different varieties of Tillandsia (otherwise know as air plants) dotted around my house. This one is particularly beguiling I think, with its octopus like arms it looks like it would be most at home under the sea.

Instead it lives attached to a stick above my kitchen sink, hanging out with all the kitchen utensils. A perfect little spot for him, lots of light, nice and warm with occasional steam 🙂

I’d like to report that after running out of cotton, I finally finished my doily. It’s currently drying outside in the sun after a ‘no pins’ blocking. As soon as I get some photos I’ll be back to share it with you. How’s your weekend going? J xoxo