Woolly WOW

One of my fluffy wombats, I think this one was a gift....isn't that terrible, I can't even remember from whence he came. But he's cute and fluffy.
Our pretty Callistemon along the side path has been flowering its little heart out in the last couple of weeks.....just imagine a high bush covered with these deep pink flowers, it's very pretty (and I don't even like pink very much). Unfortunately the winds of the past week have stripped some of the flowers but there are still lots left on the bush.

Sydney made international headlines last week with a red dust storm and I didn't even see it. The reddest part happened when I was still in bed. I don't get up at sunrise for anything........but I have seen photos and it looked very eerie. This time of year always seems to be windy, and wind can do a lot of damage. Yesterday my choir was singing at a charity function in a park, we managed all right because we were on a stage which was only open at the front. Had we been standing on an open stage, we would have been blown away by the wind. My eyes have been watering and stinging from the wind but anti-allergy eye drops have been helping.

On Saturday the quilt group that I used to belong to had their exhibition and I went along for a look-see. Didn't take any photos of quilts because of copyright, but even if I had I wouldn't post them on the interwebz without their maker's and/or owner's permission. It was nice to meet the women again and catch up with their lives - a few asked if I would join again. No, I won't. The pressure to keep producing items for show and tell and for the exhibition held every two years, and the noisy monthly meetings, got to me after several years. At the time I was working in a very noisy environment and found the meetings too much to cope with after spending all week surrounded by noise. I'm not a prolific quilter (and was even less so then when I was working), so I decided it was all a bit much for me. I'm happy pottering along on my own, at my own pace, in my own time, without anyone pushing me to do things I don't want to do. When we move to Tamworth next year I will check the quilt group out and see if I think I will enjoy it; if I think I will then I will join, otherwise I will just keep pottering along alone.

The quilt group also had its own little cliques within the group, which several people complained about....I was one (there were a few of us) who tried sitting with different groups from time to time to get to know some of the other women a bit better, but it was usually made clear that the individual cliques didn't welcome 'outsiders' and wanted to keep their exclusivity, so I gave up.

Ah well. That's human nature, I suppose.

The knitting is coming along in leaps and bounds, the back is now finished and I am charging through the first sleeve. The top I was sewing last week is finished and it fits, although it's a bit big. Next time I use that pattern I shall make a smaller size. But it is certainly wearable, and doesn't even look too bad. Might even take a photo and show the world......don't know if the world is ready for that, however......

From the 1885 etiquette book, a quote from the chapter entitled 'Harmony of colors in dress'. Interesting that they use the spelling 'color' not' colour', which I would have expected.
"Size in relation to dress and colors.
A small person may dress in light colors which would be simply ridiculous on a person of larger proportions. So a lady of majestic appearance should never wear white, but will be seen to the best advantage in black or dark tints. A lady of diminutive stature is dressed in bad taste when she appears in a garment with large figures, plaids or stripes. Neither should a lady of large proportions be seen in similar garments, because, united with her size, they give her a "loud" appearance. Indeed, pronounced figures and broad stripes and plaids are never in perfect taste.
Heavy, rich materials suit a tall figure, while light, full draperies should only be worn by those of slender proportions and not too short. The very short and stout must be content with meagre drapery and quiet colors.
Tall and slim persons should avoid stripes; short, chunky ones, flounces, or any horizontal trimming of the dress which, by breaking the outline from the waist to the feet, produces an effect of shortening."

So there you have it.

Only eight days until we fly to Canada. Last week we picked up our plane tickets - makes it seem more real now.

Have a lovely week.

Jennifer

Cloudy day WOW

Another little wombat probably designed to perch in a pot with a plant and look cute.
And some more of the Botanic Gardens....this isn't the photo I wanted to post but by gosh those thumbnails are tiny, aren't they? Never mind, it's pretty anyway. One garden was planted with yellow, white and blue/mauve flowers which combined with the dull green foliage to make a lovely display. The foliage of Australian native plants is often a soft dull green rather than a bright knock-your-socks-off green. The early European settlers didn't like it, they were used to the bright greens and deciduous trees of their homeland.....but Australia isn't like that.

Aren't you pleased with me, only a few more rows and I can cast off for the shoulders on the back of the re-knitted cardy; that means both fronts and back will be done. Only the sleeves and collar to go. I am surprising myself by the speed of this but somehow I don't think it will all be done before we jet off. That's okay, it will get finished when we come home.

Yesterday I managed to unpick the neck of the top I am sewing and steam press it back to shape, then pin and sew it again; thank goodness it sat properly that time. I don't know the composition of this fabric (a drawback when purchasing at op shops rather than off the bolt at fabric shops) but it is quite stretchy and slightly heavy so I wouldn't be surprised if it's something like a polyester/viscose/lycra blend. Colour is a soft lime green with a dull brown/olive floral design - when I cut it out I tried to carefully pin the front piece so I wouldn't have a daisy centered on my bazoom, let's hope I placed it right. The pattern is Jalie 2005, it's my first time sewing a Jalie pattern but so far so good.

Only 15 more days to fly day. Are you ready, Canada?

"The Street Manners of a Lady (contd)
A lady walks quietly through the streets, seeing and hearing nothing that she ought not to see and hear, recognizing acquaintances with a courteous bow, and friends with words of greeting. She is always unobtrusive, never talks loudly, or laughs boisterously, or does anything to attract the attention of the passers-by. She walks along in her own quiet, lady-like way, and by her pre-occupation is secure from any annoyance to which a person of less perfect breeding might be subjected."

It's not quite like that now, is it?

Have a wonderful week.

Jennifer

It's only words.........

............and words are all I have, so the song goes.

Powerful things, words.

Today when listening to a radio concert I heard the announcer say "and here comes Soloist onto the platform with her shoulder-length greying hair"........her hair is going to affect how she plays piano?

Each Monday evening my journey to and from choir practice takes me past a salon with these words on the awning outside - "International Eyebrow Shaping Champion". Huh? Now I know there are some pretty whacky awards out there in this weird world of ours, but you must admit that's a doozy.

This post is decorated with a few more scenes of our trip to the Botanic Gardens last weekend; red kangaroo paws, yellow paper daisies (the petals crackle like paper and are quite sharp and spiky, although they don't look it) and a view of part of the gardens in the late afternoon with the sun shifting behind the hill. It's a lovely place.

One of my Pay It Forward gifts is finished but I won't show it yet, it will be delivered in person when we get to Canada. Only 16 days to go now, it will be wonderful to see our son again. We miss him heaps but we are glad he's happy.....even if he is finding happiness on the other side of the known universe.

Sydney today is very smokey and hazy from the burnoffs an hour or more away, I keep feeling as though I'm choking. I feel sorry for those folk who have breathing conditions like asthma. I'm staying indoors although the windows are open for fresh air - may have to close them soon as black clouds are building up, it's getting towards thunderstorm season.

The other day I cut out fabric to make a top for me but have run into a snag sewing the neck binding down, it has stretched to billy-oh and I am having fun unpicking (I refuse to say frogging, it irritates me) close twin needle stitching. However I shall persist as I want to try the pattern for fit. The fabric cost me $2 for three metres earlier this year, if the pattern works I have a top I can wear......if not, it hasn't cost much to find out. There are two tops plus leftovers in that piece of fabric, which makes it a good buy in my book.

The quotes from the etiquette book are exactly as written, punctuation and all. The writers were very fond of the comma.

"The Street Manners of a Lady.
The true lady walks the street, wrapped in a mantle of proper reserve, so impenetrable that insult and coarse familiarity shrink from her, while she, at the same time, carries with her a congenial atmosphere which attracts all, and puts all at their ease."

Yep......sounds just like me.......

Jennifer

Happy WOW

Is this snow? not at all.....it was taken yesterday on our lunch trip to Mount Annan Botanical Gardens on a warm sunny day. Different botanic gardens specialise in specific plantings and this one's speciality is Australian plants. I can't remember the name of this interesting plant but it looks like some sort of snowy pine tree. The thin leaves hang vertically like those on many Aussie plants to minimise heat loss (a smaller surface presented to the sun means the plant doesn't overheat) and it has little white flowers that grow along the branches. So, no snow.
We saw this large goanna sunning itself by a pool, it was well over two feet (60cm) long - that's a lot of lizard, although they can grow much bigger. It let us get fairly close and I took a few pics, then it disappeared in a flash over the side.
Today's wombat spends all day lying around munching leaves. What a life! I bought him (my wombats are hers or hims, not its) about 12 years ago in Victoria, it's probably painted plaster designed to recline in a pot plant and look cute.

I am making good progress on the cardy, everytime we go out it comes with me, I knit in the car. Even if I only have time to knit two rows, that's two rows that wouldn't have been done if I had left it at home. I am determined to have this finished to wear as soon as I can. Many years ago I used to knit a lot more than I do now - that was before I took up quilting - when our sons were younger I would knit at band practices, and gymnastic practice, and all day at band or gymnastic competitions. All the mummies used to take their knitting in those days.

Here is the etiquette for travelling by public transport in 1885.

"Etiquette For Public Conveyances.
In street trams, omnibuses and other public street conveyances, it should be the endeavour of each passenger to make room for all persons entering, and no gentleman will retain his seat when there are ladies standing. When a lady accepts a seat from a gentleman, she expresses her thanks in a kind and pleasant manner.
A lady may, with perfect propriety, accept the offer of services from a stranger in alighting from, or entering a tram, omnibus or public conveyance, and should always acknowledge the courtesy with a pleasant "Thank you, sir" or a bow.
Never talk politics or religion in a public conveyance.
Gentlemen should not cross their legs, nor stretch their feet out into the passage-way of a public conveyance."

How times have changed.......

Three weeks tomorrow until we fly.

Jennifer

Spring is well and truly sprung.........

........and the rainbow lorikeets have arrived. Although this picture wasn't taken in our garden this is what we are seeing now - rainbow parrots visiting our Aussie native flowers. We have Grevilleas but not this one - ours are red, and pale creamy gold rather than this lovely bright yellow. (have I mentioned that I really like yellow.......) The lorikeets have been visiting our bright pink Callistemon flowers, chirping away while they extract the nectar. These birds can be untidy little buggers, they chew off the flower heads and leave them strewn on the ground but so far the pink flowers are intact. Di's blog has some wonderful pics of the flower display that I saw last week. I really love our native flowers, they are part of what makes Australia unique. That, and wombats. Tomorrow we are having lunch with friends at a restaurant in Mount Annan Botanic Gardens.

I had planned to head out for a walk later this afternoon but I don't think I will....it's quite warm and still, but somewhere there are bushfire hazard reduction burnings taking place and the air is quite smokey. It's starting to affect my sinuses and developing into a headache. I think I shall stay inside for the rest of the afternoon.

The Secret Project mentioned once or twice is proceeding well, I have stopped for a coffee break. The re-knitted cardy is also coming along nicely. And I am starting to get really excited about our trip next month.

Folk club last night went off well I think, but a bloke who thinks it is hilarious to interject when I am singing did it once too often. I told him later that I wasn't amused and had never tried to sabotage his performance. Will it make any difference? We'll see. Being interrupted just because someone else thinks it funny is cruel and unnecessary. Even though I have been singing in a small way in public for years I still have to pluck up my courage every time, it can be quite nervewracking.

"Gentleman passing before ladies:
Gentlemen having occasion to pass before ladies who are already seated in lecture and concert rooms, theatres and other public places, should beg pardon for disturbing them; passing with their faces and never with their backs toward them."

Enjoy your weekend.

Jennifer

Kitchen helper WOW

A matching apron and tea towel that obviously haven't been near the ironing board....never mind, they're clean. I think the apron is made from a tea towel with shapes cut out at the top for armholes, but it works.

The sweet beef curry on Saturday was indeed sweet and not very curried, but perhaps the flavour will improve after it has matured in the fridge for a few days. It was nice, just not very spicy. I don't like hot hot hot curries but I do like a bit of flavour.

Both fronts are now finished on the re-knitted cardy and I need to pull the rest of the original undone so I can continue. I had no idea I could knit so quickly. Re the $7 button that folks have commented on....it is truly gorgeous, vintage 60s or 70s, silver metal in a woven design. The cardy is knitted in basketweave stitch so I am hoping it will be complimented by the button. Have you noticed how difficult it can be to find buttons that match knits? That's why I went for a metal button......doesn't match, doesn't matter.

The other day I went into the city to the Quilter's Guild and also to check out the annual spring flower display at a large city retail store (which I won't name, because they aren't paying me to advertise them). The flower display had an Australian theme and was truly amazing; huge massed groupings, large vases full of just one variety - kangaroo paws in some, banksias in a few, a vase of flannel flowers on the concierge's desk. The grand piano player was tinkling out Aussie tunes and asking for requests, but didn't know any of the songs I mentioned. I took several pics, so the occasional one may pop up on the blog from time to time. Many people were wandering around taking photos of themselves and each other with a floral background. It all must have cost a squillion dollars but was really beautiful.

Father's Day yesterday was nice, lunch was late and became afternoon tea instead. But we all enjoyed the time spent together.

Now I am off to unravel more of the knitting so it can be re-knitted.

"Kissing in public:
The custom which has become quite prevalent of women kissing each other whenever they meet in public is regarded as vulgar, and by ladies of delicacy and refinement is entirely avoided."

Four weeks tomorrow until we flap our arms and head for Canada.

Have a fantastic week.

Jennifer

All Clear

Yesterday I received the "all is well" letter from the breast screen people......I hadn't heard anything ominous so I had already assumed that everything was OK. But it's always good to have it confirmed, isn't it? So that's that for another two years, thank goodness.

The re-knitted cardy is proceeding along quicker than I could have hoped, I didn't know I could knit so fast. It probably helps that every time I have a spare moment I try to knit a row or two.......left front is finished, right front is up to the neck shaping and nearly up to the armholes. And this time I put in a larger buttonhole because the wibby little one in the instructions wasn't wide enough for the gorgeous vintage button I bought. ($7 for one button!!! geez!!!!) My lovely new Addi needle is helping it go so speedily I'm sure. Good tools make any job easier.

And would you believe......not only are those lovely Canadians holding their craft festival just for me, a folk club near where we will be staying is having their monthly concert night while we will be there. Aren't they wonderful people!

A lovely smell is wafting through the house, beef curry is simmering away in the slow cooker. Haven't tried the recipe before; the other day I bought a book of slow cooker recipes and plan to make something from the book at least once a week. Yes, I know there are heaps of free recipes on the net but this is an Aussie book, so I know I will be able to get the ingredients easily - not always the case with recipes from other countries.

Father's Day tomorrow, our son and his girl are taking us out to lunch....I know it's Kevin's day but if it wasn't for me he probably wouldn't be a father, would he? So I get to go along too.

"Obedience"
If you would not have all your instructions and counsels ineffectual, teach your children to obey. Government in a family is the great safeguard of religion and morals, the support of order and the source of prosperity. Nothing has a greater tendency to bring a curse upon a family than the insubordination and disobedience of children, and there is no more painful and disgusting sight than an ungoverned child."

Have a wonderful weekend.

Jennifer