This weekend I'm loving.....

Crochet

I finished the white shawl last week but have only just got around to taking a photo of it to show you.  

I've also been working on the table runner I started a week or so ago.  It may not look like I've done much but I ended up pulling the whole thing apart and started again, this time using a longer stitch than I was using before.  It's coming together a bit quicker now and we are friends again.

Reading

I re-joined my library recently and have been making up for lost time.  I hadn't visited for about a decade and was no longer on file so I've joined again and am now happily spending about half an hour each night reading a chapter or two.  Although if it's a book I'm really enjoying then that time can stretch out quite a bit!

I'm reading books I would never have thought about borrowing before and have decided that if I'm not enjoying it, I don't have to finish it.  Giving myself permission to do that has opened up a whole new world to me.

The best thing is, it's a nice 5 to 10 minute walk to get to the library so I'm enjoying my little outings.

Keep up your recommendations on your blogs my friends as I'm looking up any that interest me and putting a hold on them. 

Eggs

We seem to go through plenty of eggs in this house.  Luckily there's a poultry farm right next to the primary school so I can call in and get a tray (2 1/2 dozen) when I do the school run.

We often have quiches or omelettes and Master M's favourite breakfast is an egg on toast.  When I buy a tray I usually boil some up once I get home and keep them in a bowl in the fridge.  The kids love them for a snack and they're also great with a salad for lunch so we certainly plough through them.

So this weekend we have a bowl of boiled eggs waiting for snacks and plans to make mini quiches to freeze for school lunches.

Sleepovers

I have no photos of this although Master M had a night at my sister's with his best mate and cousin Master R.  They were apparently very excited and quite noisy (usual when they're together) but had a wonderful time.

Miss R and I had a quiet girls night at home since hubby is away at work and we certainly loved the peace!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend too.

xx Susan

This week I'm loving.....

Crochet.... plenty of crochet!

I've finished another version of my Venetian Shawl.  This time I used a Scheepjes Whirl which has a lot more yardage than the pattern calls for so I made a few adjustments and am loving the Cherry Pie colours of this one. (adjustment notes are here).

I've been good in recent years to contain myself and have no more than two projects on the go at once.  I usually have a main project and then a portable project but right now I seem to have forgotten how to count as my basket has a few extras in it.

I've still got plenty of the cotton I bought when I was on my city jaunt back in April so decided to start making another bag while I was finishing off my shawl.

Then of course I started making another one in a different colour!

Then I started faffing about and began making another shawl!

Perhaps all these projects are a reflection of my scrambled mind at the moment.  I'll see how good I can be and try to pick just one project to work on over the weekend.

Strawberries

It's winter and that means sweet, juicy strawberries. Not that I'm getting to eat a lot of them as Miss R seems to be going through them at a rapid pace.

Spur of the moment picnic

Hubby and I are celebrating our 15th Wedding anniversary this month and thanks to my family who are looking after the kids, we get to have a couple of days to ourselves.  Of course there's been a bit of a drama surrounding it so we've had to change our plans but we've started it off with a spur of the moment picnic lunch on a gorgeous, warm winter's day.  

(and yes, I did say WARM winter's day as it was 27 Celsius [80.6F].  Perfect for a picnic!)

Yarn

More yarn.

I couldn't help myself.  It was on sale! :)

I hope you are all having a wonderful week wherever you reside on this little ball of ours.

xx Susan

This week I'm loving....

Time with my girl

The boys are away (lovely hubby at work and Master M on school camp).

That means time with just my girl and I.  I'm amazed at how quiet it is in the house (and she's often my noisy one).  I've also had a day when I didn't have to throw a load of washing in the machine which was really strange and I felt a bit lost for a minute to tell the truth.

We've had quiet time, snuggly time and movie time...on a school night...staying up late.  It was fun.

New Projects

I don't have a pattern for my latest project.  I just picked some yarn leftover from my last project and started working on a half formed idea the other evening.

It was sort of what I wanted but not quite working out.

So I frogged it (quite a few times) and it has started to come together.  Thank goodness I'm writing down what I'm doing as I go.

I then looked over at my stash basket and realised that I had some yarn that would probably work up nicely in this pattern so I started that too of course.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this one will look in the end.

Out for Breakfast

I don't often go out for breakfast.  It's a bit of an indulgent thing and most of the time I'm getting kids to school then walking the dog so it's mid-morning before I get the chance to do much.  

The other morning was dog bath day (I even got him out from under the house quite easily although a pocket full of treats may have been what did the trick!).  There's lots of muddy puddles where we walk right now and I wanted him to stay clean for one day at least so I took the opportunity to go out for breakfast after the school run.

I was also in desperate need to get out of the house as I don't often go anywhere except school and groceries half the time.  In fact, I usually only buy a coffee once or twice a month as I just don't want to go anywhere.

We have some great cafe's in our town, a few only a 5 minute walk from our house, but I really didn't want the noise and the bustle around me.  I needed somewhere quiet, where I could sit and write in my journal without interruptions and noise.

So I headed up the hill to the Mountain View Café at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

It was such a beautiful morning and I'm so glad I decided to head up there.

I even took another selfie!  Two in one post!!  I rarely take them as I feel like a bit of an idiot but there's no other family photos of me so I decided I had better take some myself.

After a really yummy breaky and plenty of journal time, I wandered back to the car the long way.  This path isn't very long though, only about 100 metres.  

It meanders around the back of the picnic area, playground and car park and was just the perfect few minutes I needed to round out a wonderful start to my day.

Storms

It's still hot in these parts and I feel like I've been slow cooked over many months.  The storms we've had over the past week have helped cheer me up as I really, really, really LOVE storms.

Some of them have been rumbly and fizzled to not much but we had one pretty spectacular band of storms head through that lasted over two and a half hours.  It was pretty awesome.

The best thing about the storms is that they have been cooling things down a little after they have passed.  Usually everything heats up again and becomes so steamy you feel like you're walking around in a giant sauna.  Perhaps Autumn is finally on the way....bring it on!

I hope you're all having a wonderful week.

xx Susan

This week I'm loving.....

Dishcloths

I had planned to start on at least one of my stash projects of course but realised that a few of my dishcloths were looking very tatty.  New ones it is, although I've only had the chance to get one completed so far.

Midweek baking

When a bit of a sweet treat is needed midweek, nothing beats my 3 minute microwave chocolate slice.  Quick and easy and the perfect sweet snack.  Miss R doesn't agree though as my girl hates chocolate.

(I posted the recipe for this a few years ago and you'll find it here if you want to give it a go).

Lychees

The last lychees from the farm which a relative dropped in for us a couple of weeks ago.  There's about 10 kilograms worth which we've made a decent amount of progress going through.  Well Miss R and hubby have because those two LOVE lychees.

If you're ever lucky enough to have a glut of lychees like us then I'll give you a tip and say that they freeze well.  Peel them first and pop them in the freezer and they're still beautiful.  

Hubby's aunt loves them in her wine to keep it cool during our hot summers.  I haven't tried that yet as I think sweet lychees might clash with a dry chardonnay!

Fun with my boy

Snatching time here and there for some fun UNO time.  I think we're pretty even in the head to head count at this stage although I think my boy may be slightly ahead.  :)

Reading

I love books and used to read regularly but unfortunately that, like my crochet, got shelved (excuse the pun) in recent years.

I'm going through my bookshelf reading old favourites and starting on a few novels recommended or read by some of my blog friends out there.

I love being able to download a book and read it straight away, especially at 2 or 3am when you're having trouble sleeping!

Hubby's away working this weekend and Master M's having a sleepover so it will be my girl and I for a night which we're both looking forward to.

xx Susan

This week I'm loving.....

Crochet

I don't seem to be getting as much of this done as I would like.

It's been really busy around here lately with extra kids, outings and sleepovers.  I seem to be doing things in small bursts and snatching a few moments here and there to catch up on some of my projects.

I have finished my Winter Mist Shawl and took a quick snap of it just to show you.

It's made out of a brushed alpaca / silk mix and is the softest and lightest shawl I've ever made.  It's gorgeous!

I'm also working on an easy shawl in a ball  which is my latest portable project.  It's a no think shawl and is slowly growing because as I said, it's really busy here now and my crochet time seems to be limited.  It's the perfect project for these school holidays though.

Sleepovers and play days

My house seems to be a revolving door of children lately.  I've had plenty of extra kids here during the day which equates to a LOT of extra noise.  The kids have also had a sleepover at friend's or relatives for a night, both at different times so I've still had one with me which has been a fun night of one on one time.

Master M and his mate had a big night when they went out for his friend's birthday.  It took its toll the next day and when I went to find out why they were so quiet, I realised they were crashed!

Outings

On the brief occasions that hubby is home from work we've made the most of it.  We went for a drive and picnic one day which I can't believe I have no photos of.

We also went to see How to Train Your Dragon 3 at the movies which was loved by us all, especially the kids.

While hubby was home I took the chance to escape for a day.  I needed it as it had reached that stage in the holidays when the kids wouldn't stop bickering and I had hardly had a moment since early December that didn't involve constant noise and interruptions.  I think I was about to go postal so hubby took over parenting duties and I had the best day out.

I knew I couldn't handle noisy shops or anywhere too busy so headed about 15 minutes up the hill to Mary Cairncross Park which ended up being just what I needed.

Coffee and journal time at the café was the perfect way to get my thoughts in order and then I headed into the park to enjoy some time meandering in nature.

It was the best pick me up and I've got a ton of photos so I'll take you for a walk through here when I get a bit more time to organise them all.

Food

I LOVE food and my days out always require me to find somewhere nice to enjoy something tasty that I don't have to prepare myself.

A tasty snack of spiced fruit toast with a raspberry and finger lime jam was perfect to fortify me during my walk around Mary Cairncross.

I ended up spending the rest of the afternoon wandering around the town of Maleny with its artisan boutiques and plenty of cafes.  The salmon and asparagus quiche was incredible!

That's just a few snippets of the past week or so.

I hope you're all having a great weekend.

xx Susan

This week I'm loving.....

Crochet

Of course there's always crochet.  This week I'm working on a cotton triangular shawl in a granny stripe which I'm loving the easy flow of.  I'm not following a particular pattern as I'm just making this up as I go but a granny stripe is pretty easy to do and it's so effective.  As it's cotton it would be perfect for a beach wrap too.

I've also been working on a scarf in some of the alpaca wool that my Mum gave me.  I haven't quite been sure about the pattern of this one but the closer to completion I get, the more I like it.  (Red is really difficult to photograph so I'll show you more once I've finished and blocked it).

Rain

Days and days of rain that has hardly let up from heavy downpours to gentle drizzle.  It's been perfect for indoor snuggling and cosy pursuits.

(The photo below is from my front door and somewhere in the grey sky is a mountain.  We haven't seen it for days but I'm sure it will peek out through the clouds soon enough).

Storms

A prelude to the rainy weekend were the storms each day.

Of course most of them hit around 3pm when it was time to pick the kids up from school.  There seems to be some unwritten rule from Mother Nature that school time is the best time for a downpour.

We were lucky to escape any damage unlike some friends in the neighbouring town of Glasshouse Mountains who had trees ripped out and power lines down at their place.  No property damage on the farm though which was good although another friends trampoline ended up on the roof of their house.

We did get some hail one day and had to wait until the worst of it was over before picking the kids up.  Thank goodness the school kept the kids in their classrooms and realised that it would be a slightly later pick up for most of them.

Sewing

Slowly, slowly doing little bits each day to make these Christmas gifts for the kids school teachers.  One day its cutting out fabric, the next its pinning it together and then the process of doing a little sewing each day until it finally all comes together.

Afternoon tea

Nothing beats something warm and homemade when the kids walk in the door after a really wet and cool day at school.

Sometimes it's fresh scones but this time I made pikelets which were enjoyed with lots of butter, jam or golden syrup.  I had no cream  :(  as it was a spur of the moment cook up.

Making a double batch also ensures some for either lunch boxes the next day or a very quick filling mini pancake breakfast.

Board Games

The Monopoly board has been out while the rain teems down outside.  Ours is a Lord of the Rings Monopoly which we were gifted many years ago.

We zip through the Shire, Bree, Rivendell, Lothlorien, Rohan and onto Mount Doom while passing by the Steeds of Middle Earth (instead of train stations), Shelobs lair and the staff of Gandalf and Saruman.

This version also has the bonus Eye of Sauron on one of the dice instead of a one.  Each time this is rolled a special gold ring is moved onto the next property around the board and as soon as it reaches Mount Doom.. game over!  I love this shorter game and it's much better for the kids too as the game doesn't drag on and boredom sets in.

What are you loving about your week?

xx Susan

This week I am loving...

Crochet:

Working on Miss R's blanket.  Not much to do now....

...as well as my next portable project.  

Breakfast:

Breakfast out with our UK friends.  It was our last get together before they fly back to England this week and we will be sad to see them go.  Master M's hot chocolate however caused much excitement....

Hair:

Having my hair done then promptly going for a walk along the coast and getting it mooshed up!

(Is it just me or does anyone else feel an absolute idiot taking selfies?)

Walking:

Patch and I haven't been able to go for our usual walk much this week because of various appointments but I was able to take some time for 'me' and appreciate the beauty of the area we live in.  Such a gorgeous winter's day in Caloundra.

Receiving parcels:

A new order of yarn arrived this week in record time from the UK (only 8 days!  The last few orders have taken close to 4 weeks!)

Family:

I'm especially loving this rare photo taken of my cherubs and myself.  I have no idea how long ago it was since I had a photo taken with my kids as I'm the one usually taking photos!

I hope you are all enjoying your week in your little patch of the world.

xx Susan