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.



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.



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



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



I'm quite pleased with the result



It fits well



and I gave it to M who was quite happy!

another lunch

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



We crossed some new (to us) sburbs





with interesting curiosities



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





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.







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



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

message

downtown

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









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

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.



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.

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



and even found some christmas decorations hanging around outside home



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



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





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



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



What a great day.

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



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.



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

wise words

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!



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!



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



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



The temperature was mild, seagulls were all around



people enjoying the pier



the city in the distance



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



and there was much time to relax and have fun





PS AND I wet my feet in the sea!

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



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!



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