celebrations

We are celebrating having lived in our house for 5 years. Naturally, there is champagne, and food shaped like houses.

I was trying to think of a way of explaining to Elliot why we were having a celebration without a cake, then realised there was actually no good reason not to make one. So one house-shaped cake is now cooling down, awaiting decoration. 'cause you can't have too much Betty Crocker chocolate frosting, I say.

christmas cheer

progress ahoy

Sometimes I need to talk about things to motivate me to do them, other times I just need to shut up and do them. There’s been a little bit of doing things.

6. learn new fingerpicking techniques for guitar

Have discovered small windows of time when Martha is happy to laze on the floor and listen to me play and sing. Am surprising myself with ability to practice; although I must admit usual tendency is still towards being easily distracted and ending up using the time to write new songs instead. Still, I’m having fun working my way through lessons. Also getting inspiration from listening to more folksy alt-country type music. Currently loving Jordie Lane.

37. use my washing line more and my clothes dryer less

Yes. Not much to say about this one, except that I’ve been doing it. Oh and mum made me a very sweet peg apron, in which I feel quite the 1950s housefrau.

7. run city-bay fun run faster than I did last time

My short term goal is to be able to run 5 km comfortably before I return to work. Surprised by how excited I’ve been about this, but after taking things easy as advised by physio, have started a couch-5 km training program. Shouldn’t surprise me, I suppose, given before Martha I was at the gym three times a week and doing PT every saturday. I’ve really missed that post-exercise buzz and feeling of virtue.

Shouldn’t be too hard on myself after the first session, but there were some negative thoughts and a bit of, “are you sure I used to do this?” from my body. Then I got into the swing of things and felt quite chuffed about how nice it was to be all sweaty again. Also being out without the pram - bonus.

12. record some of the songs I’ve written

Enjoyed mucking around with a borrowed microphone, but I found it hard to find Martha-free times to record. Instead I tried putting together a few different test tracks and just ignored that I can hear her in the background. Loving Garageband. Am now thinking of picking up some midi-cords to record some piano and guitar directly. 

I’ve also been knitting, naturally. Mmm, check out the pretty parcel!

'tis the season to eat choccies

Details ravelled here.

Bunnies and legwarmies

Gosh it's been a while. Not much listy progress, but I have been knitting. There was this fun cutey:

Also these, which I popped in the mail to English nephlewling this morning:

Being modelled by his cousin, who seemed to think they were pretty swish:

Also a very pleasant anniversary evening was had last night. Yum! 

#21 - colourwork

Some knitting progress to report for #21. Happy to say I finished my colourwork mittens in time for the birthday recipient's 40th:

Ravelry details here.

I also finished off a random WIP from my WIP box - a slouchy elephant beanie I designed. I'd knit up to near the end of the elephants, but hadn't left any notes on what I'd done so far or what I planned to do to finish. Helpful. I vaguely recall notions of writing this one up as a pattern but given the lack of instructions I can't say for sure whether I did or not. Never mind, it's cute anyway:

Ravelry details here.

I have also gone through my hat cupboard and selected a bunch I never wear to give to charity. Mostly they're heavier-weight ones, which I find too warm for our mild winters here. Naturally, this leaves more room for new hats. Hurrah!

sunday stuff

Usually I find redbacks nesting in the patio. This morning there was this instead outside of Martha's window:

Which explains the bizarre noises coming through the baby monitor. Cheep cheep, scratch scratch. Dave has chivvied it along but I can hear it again, so suspect this might be the start of a battle of wills.

Some more knitting progress this week, but all on presents so no photos yet. Last night I started a project with Cascade sport weight, which I've never used before. It looked quite loosely plied but is knitting up nicely. Bit hard to get excited about knits when it's over 30 degrees though.

Instead, I'll share some toddler activities that kept Elly busy for about ten minutes each this morning.

For #36 - Elly making his own colourful t-shirt. We love fabric markers!

Off the list, we did some of this, which was a big hit:

And because the embroidery hoop quickly became used as a crown, this:

Which he then wore to the plaza, naturally.