Friday 30 December 2011

last finished knittings of the year

Do not be worried, there are at least some other 5 projects on the needles!!!

Anyhow, these are the last finished knits of the year, and to keep up with traditions, it's two hats.

I found the wool (Patons Wool Tweed DK) at Morrison and Sons in Melbourne, they were having a sale, and there was a $1 a ball bin. How could I resist? And so two hats were made quite quickly, as I enjoyed the "Knitting at the Botanical Gardens" meet (every third saturday of the month, from 11 on!),happily chattering along with amasing ladies. P read a book, and modelled for a hat, that I gave  to one of the ladies.

First hat is Mr Tom's Beanie by Woolly wormhead.

IMG_9779

It's a great free pattern, so just go here and grab it, and then do yourslf a favour and try another of her patterns, I'm a big fan of hers. Clear directions, easy hats, wondreful textures: never boring or disappointing.

IMG_9781

The second hat is improvised, I had in mind Propello by WW, but really made it on the spot!

IMG_9847

I cast on 90 stitches with 4.5 mm, made a k1p1 rib, and then worked 4 wedges of alternate stokinette and reverse stokinette.

IMG_9842

I'm quite pleased with the result

IMG_9848

It fits well

IMG_9841

and I gave it to M who was quite happy!

Thursday 29 December 2011

another lunch


This time we headed to K, in a wonderfully blue and crisp air, with the perfect temperature.

IMG_4887

We crossed some new (to us) sburbs

IMG_4894

IMG_4901

with interesting curiosities

IMG_4895

and found a little heaven, a fantastic garden and an house with a verandah where we had an incredible meal.

IMG_4905

IMG_4909

But the best was staying with friends, and chatting freely about work, life, experiences and friends. A great lunch and afternoon spent in wonderful company.

IMG_4910

IMG_4911

IMG_4941

On the way back we had an adventurous crossing of the Merry River

IMG_4946

and had a nice tram ride, with a nice, final message to be found.

IMG_4959

IMG_4963

IMG_4965

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Tuesday 27 December 2011

downtown


Today I worked quite a lot, but had a little time for a short stroll downtown.

IMG_4848

IMG_4849

IMG_4850

IMG_4852

OK, I confess, I did a bit of wool shopping, we all have our weeknesses!

Monday 26 December 2011

Boxing day - Santo Stefano


This morning I woke up early to be able to speak with home, and we greeted everybody, and it was so good to see all (yay for skype!)!

We then headed to R.'s, where we had a great lunch notwithstanding a partial flood they experienced during the night.

IMG_4826

No electricity, but we could cook and enjoy the good company, talked a lot, relaxed and had a great time.
On the way home the sky was blue and bright.

IMG_4839

Sunday 25 December 2011

Lunching around - part 2 Christmas


At Christmas we were invited by very dear and good friends for lunch. Notwithstanding the hot weather (a bit cloudy) we happily set off

IMG_4775

and even found some christmas decorations hanging around outside home

IMG_4771

We went to our appointment and E. showed us just as the first drops of rain were starting to fall! The lunch was great,

IMG_4784

we chit chatted and relaxed and enjoyed ourselves SO much! We really felt at home and welcome, and watched the hard rain

IMG_4797

IMG_4799

and then hail (just o have a white cristmas!) and discussed about the many things of life. I had a little walk along the lane

IMG_4806

and around 8pm we reurned home. The rain had finished, and we had a glorious sunset!

IMG_4815

What a great day.

IMG_4823



Saturday 24 December 2011

Lunching around - part 1


On the 24th we had friends visiting at home, just two of them, R. and K., but that was perfect.
I woke up and went for the last shopping, coming home with a bunch of beautiful flows, that have lasted for many days

IMG_4758

I adore flowers and well set tables, even though they are simple and with few things as our rented apartment is well equibbed, but not abundantly.

IMG_4761

A great day in good company (and we have even bought a table-cloth!)



Tuesday 20 December 2011

Sunday 18 December 2011

sunday around

Deaspite all my dreams of having a december of regular postings, I have totally failed. Too many things happening, connections not working, travelling, keeping up with urgent things... There is no end to the things.

We have arrived safely, and on Sunday we had a day off and spent a proper Melbourne day!

IMG_4644

First there was the Knitting at the Botanical Gardens, organised by Toni, and it was as wonderful as always. Cetching up, chatting, knowing new people, it was perfect!

IMG_9776

Then on the way home we decided for a "short" detour, and went to St Kilda, to see the sea!

IMG_4646

It was a bit grey and windy, but I loved it even more!

IMG_4649

The temperature was mild, seagulls were all around

IMG_4654

people enjoying the pier

IMG_4653

the city in the distance

IMG_4657

a bride was around to have photos taken (how could I resist?)

IMG_4656

and there was much time to relax and have fun

IMG_4665

IMG_4664

PS AND I wet my feet in the sea!

IMG_9802

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Life List - 81.

Sometimes ago, I wrote my Life List, and there is a dedicated page about it on this blog (have a look up there, on the top bar, on the right!).

This post is to document number "81" of the list, which was all about showing a rice field to P, who had once confessed me he had never seen one from nearby (and, I will add, we live in a region FULL of rice fields!).

So at the beginning of october we were heading to visit the Maggiore Lake when I stopped along the road

IMG_7065

What are you doing? - was the question. I got off the car and smiled: We are finally going to see a rice filed from within, and get some rice as well!

IMG_7064

And so we did, and jiggled all the rest of the trip!

IMG_7066