That's When Good Neighbours Lead To Good Ends

Today is a day to remember Harki-Parki-Parker-Posey. It's been two years since she died and I don't know where the time has gone. Harki was the most wonderful Labrador, and we still (in the style of The Waltons), say good night to Harki, Vundy and Tori every night.

Happy Harki
Today is also Neighbour Day.  The idea behind The Day and how it began is explained on their website. In our little part of the street three of our neighbours came for several hours and cut down the branch that had fallen over in the garden, and some other branches and ivy and things and took two ute loads to the tip.

Here's the before:

Before
And here is the after where it is too sunny for Peri, but Gilly's young eyes are working really well.

Bright light, bright light
Good neighbours do make good friends!! I baked Chocolate Stout Cake, Sticky Gingerbread Cake, Banana Caramel Muffins and Raspberry Brownies for each of them: to say thank you. And I made scones, jam and cream and sausage rolls for morning tea. It will be a sunny, open backyard in Winter and the wire strung across near the house, that we use for a clothesline, will get so much more light and air.

Thank you Neighbours!!!

Thank you
The mornings have been very cold, so cold that we had a frost and The South had the coldest morning for fifteen years.

Frosty morning
Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We have the technology to build the world's first bionic hut. This hut will be that hut. Better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster. Well maybe not faster, but the steel is definitely stronger than the old treated pine supports which were destroyed by vandals.  I think the new picnic hut at the dam will be a good one and so do Peri and Gilly. They have given it The Sniffs of Approval.

Peri, Gilly, the hut at the dam
This morning we went outside the back door to discover water was cascading through the garden, down the steps and through to the next house. It was barrelling down the garden.  The water is still running in torrents, thankfully down the drain outside the gate once I moved the leaves, nine hours later and it is a horrid brown colour. We have a reduced water flow to the house as well. There has been a big digger excavating parts of the road. Who knows what happened???

Digger thing
Knitting? Sewing?? Any kind of craft?? No. Nothing at all. I'm just not feeling the craft 'love' and I have no idea why. It is very strange, especially as the weather is lovely and cold.  Maybe this week the 'love' will be back and I will be motivated? I've been thinking about Me Made May. It's not Me Made March or Self Stitched September this year. May is just not a good month for me to wear things I have stitched. Basically I wear jeans/ trousers, a long sleeved t-shirt or top and a cardigan. The cardigan is the only thing I have 'stitched' and it's going to be pretty boring seeing the same five cardigans six times. I think I will give it a miss.

North By Northwest is on TV and it's become a film I must watch to the end. Each time I see or hear something new. I'm addicted to it!!! So The Labradors will have their dinner, and we will watch Roger and Eve wend their way through the twisty-turny plot.


To Market, To Market, To Be At The Gig

We went to the new Harvest Farmers' Market and came home again, home again, jiggety-jig with a few bags full of produce.

Farmers' Market Harvest
Dutch Cream potatoes for $1 a kilo, the red onions, baby bok choy, radishes and a bunch of chives all for $8, a kilo of the freshest and most sweetly smelling and tasting strawberries for $8 and 6 medium zucchini for $2. I missed out on the sourdough bread, but because I know the baker's wife I have been promised a loaf at the next knitting outing. I can't stop eating the strawberries.

I have some new wool, it looks like liquid Mercury. In truth is is acrylic and viscose and I want to knit a scarf. I need a pattern with lots of stocking stitch that will show up the liquid silver sheen of the wool.

Liquide
The roof of the vandalised picnic hut at the dam has been saved and moved to a grassy area. Peri thinks it is the best thing out and likes to run through the roof.

Peri and the roof Peri and the roof A

Miss Lorelai Gilmore is not so sure and though by the second day she was brave enough to go closer, when the wind made the struts sing, she was very wary.

Peri brave, Gilly silly
Gilly has been playing in the paddle pool and then burying a bone. It is not good for the complexion or the eyes, but it is an enormous amount of fun and makes her very happy.

Gilly has a grubby face
In the last nine days MrsDrWho and I have radically improved our patchwork skills. Or maybe we just concentrated and chatted less?? We made the second patches in a little over an hour and there was successful use of the rotary cutter, special ruler and not once incident of sewing the right side to the wrong side. So that's both of January's squares out of the way. We hope to get to February's before we are too far into March.

Craftsy 1a and 1
The GardyGardeners and MrsDrWho have kindly offered to replace Harki's stolen roses. There are lovely people in the world. I may have to chain the roses to the wall.

RN, the newly styled Radio National, has a changed programme this year and I have discovered In Our Time, which explores the history of ideas and I can listen on-line. I'm also enjoying First Bite, which is all about food. I can add these to my usual listening diet of The Science Show, Lingua Franca and  Background Briefing, all available to download or to listen on line.

The Oscars are coming up and so I was interested to watch a short video about The Bechdel Test. It made me think. I had already been thinking about films because it was mooted that Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy would not be shown locally. On further investigation and a lot of back pedalling on the part of the cinema, it has been confirmed for late March. The same thing happened with The King's Speech last year, and we saw neither hide nor hair of the Harry Potter Postcard where in the weeks leading up to the last film they showed the whole series on Sunday afternoons. (I am running out of puff and so there are no more film links) I had thought I might try to go more often to see films, but they just make it too hard. As do the TV stations, which is why the DVD of Sherlock season 2 is winging its way to our house!!!

Cooking from magazines is going exceptionally well, and I think by tomorrow afternoon I might have three weeks of Friday Food up my sleeve. I have some chicken baking in the oven and plums and ramekins for two more recipes all ready to go.

The weather is muggy, but cooler and drizzly and I feel a little more able to do normal things. Tomorrow there is no dog walking and so we can all sleep in and then read the paper in bed with a nice cup of tea. The Labradors would like toast as well, but crumbs are anathema. I like that, it means especially dedicated to evil, and crumbs in the bed are definitely evil. I might even read two books I have borrowed from Mrs HouseOf via MrsDrWho: The House of Silk, a new Anthony Horowitz Sherlock Holmes book and Death Comes To Pemberley by PD James, set in Austen's P&P world of course.

Oh and in other TV news, MasterChef is filming here for a week. Last year I was not so enamoured of the show, but I will definitely be watching the episodes set in our state: it was Salamanca Market today I think, so maybe they'll travel North now??? I don't know if I am anoracky enough to actually venture out to see them in person if the come.


TinTin Cinzano**

Somehow, I never really jumped aboard the TinTin bandwagon, or whatever vehicle he and his friends are riding on. I don't know why, I have vague recollections of a cartoon on TV. I didn't 'get' The Adventures of Asterix either. Maybe it's because they were graphic novels, because I have small 'c' catholic and small 'l' liberal reading habits. I read what I like, regardless of who the book is meant for. I was thinking about this because there have been some articles about feminism about and it was discussed on the ABC today. I was thinking that although I was too young to be involved the first flush of feminism, women my age have really benefited the most. I never thought about whether I could do or be anything I wanted because there was no-one telling me not to. I could enjoy feminine clothes and books and pastimes, but I could also have equal opportunities in education and when I wanted to borrow money eg. So I still don't know why I like Biggles but not TinTin, but I'm definitely not off to watch the new TinTin film any time soon.

Today we went to The Vet to see Dr Tim, There are no photos because with Peri and Gilly in the same room this is what happened: Peri is being examined and Gilly sits in the corner crying with happiness and impatience because she wants it to be her turn. Then it is Gilly's turn and Peri sits in the corner crying with excitement because it has just been her turn. Then Gilly tries to eat everyone's worm tablets.

Dr Tim said he was very proud of how much health Peri has gained, and then we all went home and The Labradors cooled down in the paddle pool.

The Labradors cool down
This time of the year is trying for the Labradors. It's a good thing they like it when I gently use the hose too cool them down. We are expecting warm weather until at least next Tuesday. The temperature on the news yesterday was 28*C but outside our back door it was 36*. Nothing if not obsessed with the weather here.

I've noticed lots of Americans embroider their states and/or country and I thought I might too. So I've started Australia and I am embroidering each state and territory in their state/territory colour. Who knew ours was Bottle Green???? I can see I've missed a stitch too.

Aussie aussie aussie
The rhubarb has not died yet. Peri and Gilly are a bit interested when we water, but my exceptionally secure MacGyver-ish barrier of dowel and acrylic wool seems to keep them out!!

Rue barb and dogs
You would think The Labradors loved me:

Look at me
But one squeak of the neighbour's screen door, and the promise of a seaweed rice cracker, and I am persona non grata!!

Totally distracted Labradors
** Cin Cin Cinzano


I Get To Buy With A Little Help From My Friends

Just when you thought it was safe to anticipate Spring, or Fathers' Day........

It's baaaaa aaack
Yes!! the First Christmas Sighting of 2011. I am not cross at all, I am just noting that it has occurred!! I checked them out there are no Star Wars or Star Trek figurines, but if you like, you can have a Twilight Keepsake.

Help!!! My tax return has arrived and so now I am in the market for a desperately needed new computer. I am going to have one 'built' for me. I don't really do anything other than use the internet and save pictures and documents, but if anyone has any advice or ideas, I would be extremely grateful. I am not very knowledgeable about what I might want, and though I feel sure I will be well looked after, I would like to know what I need. I know I don't need to burn DVDs or have spectacular video game thingies!!

It's raining again and the North East is having their fifth flood this year so far. This means road closures, sand bagging and no school!! It is warm, really warm. I knew that Spring weather, with its rain and wind, was not far away. Every year as soon as my white camellia flowers along come the gales and downpours, just in time to ruin the beautiful white flowers and turn them brown.

Spring and the camellia
We walked in the rain this morning and Peri and Gilly love the wet and wild conditions. They run so fast they are too quick for the camera. Or me?? I love their happy expressions. Adults laugh fewer than fifteen times a day, children more than a hundred: I laugh at all the Labrador fun when we go for a walk, and I can see the happiness on their faces.

Peri and Gilly running fast

Gilly came home and insisted on playing with her Squeaky Toy. It is not technically new, but it was lost somewhere in the garden. She is very good at the start of the game, though she looks as if I should be wary of picking the toy up, and races to fetch it. Then she just stands at the top of the stairs and drops the toy. When the toy is a ball it usually rolls down the stairs to me, but when the Hot Dog Toy won't, she stands there and waits for me to go up the stairs, and then she grabs it and runs away. A great game!! You can see the poor Pink Squeaky Pig With No Legs that didn't roll down the stairs either.

Gilly has a toy Gilly has a toy so there
Peri is far more sensible, and old, so she spent her time more wisely. She curled up in a cuddly ball. I love the raindrop on her head.

Peri all curled up
MrsDrWho gave me some wonderful teas. I bought some nice BPA free containers and I am drinking my way to happiness. The tea is, L to R, top then bottom: Gunpowder, Lemongrass and Ginger, Peppermint, New Guinea, Assam and Blue Mountain.

T 4 me
To celebrate, I bought a very necessary new tea strainer and a cup, on sale, for $2-50!!

Tea accoutrements
I also bought an emerald green cardigan, for $14 instead of $40 at the Archery shop. The colour doesn't photograph very well. It is woollen and quite thin and just what I wanted for Spring. I am planning on wearing more emerald green this year. And they had green Reg Grundies (Australian Rhyming slang, Reg is a real person, but I am hoping he won't attract weirdy people when they google Reg Grundies. I never actually say Reg Grundies now, but I did when I was little) They are so hard to find, and I am going to go back and buy some more if there are some I particularly like. I don't draw the line at teal or aqua!!

Green things
Someone emailed me and asked how they could 'follow' my blog. The truth is, I have no idea. I don't know how following works or if the Typepad even does following: sorry about that.
I also have had a few emails asking me to do advertising or reviews on my blog. I just delete them as Spam. So if you are reading this, Ad and Review people: don't bother!!!

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, stop copying me!! I saw the ad on TV and I bought my copy this month and they are making: Queen Pudding!!  The odds must be astronomical. I should buy a ticket in Tatts!! Their recipe is much more modern and trendy.

Stop copying me
There has been knitting. I have finished on sock and am about to start the other. I've also traced off a pattern for a possible Rooibos dress. I am making a toile and it was cheaper to buy a doona cover to cut up- 4m x 2.2m which is about 8m of fabric for $10- than fabric.

One sock Rooibos sal

MrsDrWho and I are trying to see the Glee film. We are not fans of the show itself, with all its Home & Away/Beverly Hills 90210 teenage dramas, but even I know lots of the songs, because they are Very Old Songs. Our local cinema is not playing nicely, and unless MrsDrWho's school is closed, we can't go. No evening sessions. We hope there may be a weekend screening.

I am reading Geraldine Brooks' new book, Caleb's Crossing. At first I didn't like it, well I read the first page and I was tired and I sort of gave up, but MrsDrWho encouraged me to keep reading and not to be so silly and now I am really enjoying it. I have read all her books and I'm glad I persevered with this one.

Shopping has worn me out, and The Labradors are already asleep, so I think I shall have a nap. I while away many an afternoon with a nap!!


Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2

HP8

It is three minutes from my house to the local cinema, full of patrons who don't always know how to behave and treat the cinema like their lounge room, really uncomfortable seats and unhelpful staff. In general. That is why MrsDrWho, her sister, niece and I made the long journey west, for 70 minutes, to first watch  HP#7, and then HP#8 in 3D on the big CMax screen. Believe me, that is a very long trip for islanders. My mum needs a cut lunch and a machete to drive over the bridge to the Eastern Shore!!

We had seats one row from the front, but the seats are nice and soft and contoured and have a curved headrest that focussed your eyes on the big screen. After watching HP#7, we were ready for the last film of the series. And we were not disappointed. It was in 3D, but not overly so. There weren't a lot of unnecessary items or people lunging out of the screen, it was very tastefully done. Do not be afraid.

For us, it all ended on 13.7(edited to fix the date) and 00.05am. The film was all I could have hoped for. I was not disappointed. There was laughter, lots of tears, sadness and joy. Even though I knew the story, the film swept me along and it ended on a high note. If you have been following the Harry Potter series since the very beginning in 1997, as I have, then when it all ends you will miss them, but it is a very fitting finale and respectful to all the characters.

Of course now I am all out of synch. The Labradors are confused. They were both outside and waiting for me at 3:45am and we were all still awake after at 5-30am. I slept all yesterday afternoon and till noon today, but I can tell it will take me a while to catch up. But it was worth the effort.

Goodbye Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and all. It's been good to know you.

(Can't make this space go way)

((Oh apparently I can!!))


That's What Dalek About You, You Really Know How To Dance...

There may have been the reading, at last, of 200 posts and then commenting on almost all of them. I banned myself from 99% of blogs until I had finished MrsDrWho's extremely late birthday presents: wrapped and labelled and delivered.  Ta da!! At long last!!!

Remember this??

This
It has turned into this:

What dalek about you
An Eleventh Doctor New Paradigm Red Dalek (Rav link), complete with its own Kaled, zippered up inside. Kaled were a race of humanoids who were in a war with the Thals, according to one plot line in Doctor Who. They were genetically engineered after being affected by radiation and became the pink wriggly monster which controls the Dalek from within. That's my very own jigsaw puzzle being a prop.

Convertible David Tennant
Some Very Kind People, who I don't know at all, sent me this pattern from the UK so I could make the cross stitch of David Tennant, Doctor #10. He can be attached to a brown pinstriped cushion, made from an actual op-shop suit, or a blue and brown pinstriped tote. He looks better from a little way away.

  Titicaca
I used a randomly purchased ball of Full'o'Sheep to make The Titicaca Hat (Rav Link). It's really the Tortora hat from the latest Knitty and I knitted it in one day!! I love and adore this pattern, but see all that purl fabric?? I knitted the hat inside out, with knits, and then turned it inside out!! I feel a bit clever!! I hope she likes, it, I might even knit myself a slouchier version. In green.

Three Little Kittens

Here are Three Little Kittens: Caramello, Cleo and Muppin I think. They are cushions. I put some firm plastic in the base before sewing them up to make them stable. They come with some matching kitten fabric.

Death Star Biscuits
Look at The Death Star, then back at me, now back to The Death Star. See the biscuits? They are Death Star Biscuits. I hope they don't leave the taste of ashes in MrsDrWho's mouth.

Mosaic25bd08ca4d7855c36625a3ea023753de2c28a15d
There has been a lot of rain and so Peri has been having enormous fun in the creek. It is so full I am sure she is standing on tiptoes now and then. It is eminently drinkable too. It was so cold that I have had ice on the inside of the Dog Car windscreen and lots of puddles were frozen over this morning.

Gilly and her toy
Lorelai Gilmore has been playing with her 'Kong', it's not a bona fide Kong, evidenced by her ability to nibble away the opening through which I pushed some crusts. It kept her amused and interested for a few minutes anyway.

I have been reading  books. I've lost my Library Card, so I am eking out my reading until the 20th when I have to pick up my new book. If I haven't found it by then I will have to ask for a new one and learn another new number. In 22 years I have had 10 new cards, that's one every two years: a poor record. My only defence is that  I use my card all the time. I do try and care for it but I am overcome with book excitement. The When Eight Bells Toll book was really exciting and I am enjoying the Lady Julia Grey series too.

Tomorrow at midnight I will be at the pictures watching 3D Harry Potter #8. I will be napping tomorrow afternoon in the hope of staying awake and enjoying the film. I think I shall be sleeping most of Wednesday as well, but I have to go to see the Specialist in the middle of the afternoon.

Here are Peri and Gilly playing together in the creek, with lots of splashing water and ears flying everywhere.

Peri and Gilly in the creek
Peri and Gilly have been having a wonderful time playing together as the days grow longer. In spite of the cold and the very frosty, icy mornings we usually have sun-shiny days and there has been quite a lot of sun-baking.

In light of the non-appearance of marmalade last Tuesday, I have not an inkling of what 'N' I will be cooking tomorrow!!


ID 22

If there had been 18 sequels to ID4, then this title would be absolutely correct. Sadly there was not even one sequel, and I do really, really like ID4.  I couldn't go and see it until I had been reassured that the dog in the film lived right to the end. (I accidentally saw the end of Marley & Me on Saturday and cried buckets of tears. I was so upset I had to take one of my help-me-sleep, non-habit-forming calmative tablets)

Today is is Uncle Dutch's birthday, he's not 22, but he has the enthusiasm for life of someone much younger!! Uncle and Aunty Dutch are off to China for an almost three week holiday. It sounds enormously exciting: there was a birthday tea last night and much fun was had by all. Uncle Dutch very kindly fixed the light in the bathroom. The ceilings here are very high, 3m  or 10 feet I think, so it is hard to reach without a ladder. 

Back to the header, today it is 22 years since we moved into our house, well no-one here except me moved in, but 22 years is longer than I lived at home with my mum and dad. I do love our house, even though it is very draughty and dusty. It still has so many original features from the 1930s. My dad's mum lived in a similar house when she was first married, so her table and sideboard fit here perfectly.

I finally gave ToddlerElectric ( she's two now, so no longer BabyElectric) her Hungry Caterpillar quilt and book. I am very glad.

Finally
MrsDrWho is writing mid-year Reports, hindered only by Muppin who has completely recovered from her operation. When I left after chicken nachos for tea on Saturday, there was a big possum in the tree outside the front door. S/he was not too worried about the paparazzi.....

Playing possum
Peri rolled in something horribly horrid last week, but just on one side, to make life more interesting. She would not dive into the creek to clean herself and came home, all smelly, in the car.

Peri smelly one side
Gilly stood by her sister at first, Peri looks so cute even when she is smelly.

Sisters
But after Peri was washed, Gilly obviously still thought she ponged a bit.

Gilly thinks Peri pongs

Also, last week, The Labradors had a lovely play with Sandy The Labrador. We meet Sandy and his dad every so often. Sandy was going to be a Guide Dog, but I think he was a little too enthusiastic!! They all love to play together.

Three Labs play
And off they all go, Peri in the lead, then Sandy, then Gilly......

Off they go..

I always talk to my mum on Mondays at 7-05pm, and after that I am going to browse my cook books in search of another 'M' recipe, I am seriously considering marmalade. Oh we are having torrential rain and lots of thunder and lightning right now. It's nice to be warm and dry inside!!! There will be snow down to 400m this week, perfect Winter weather.


Two Dogs' Breakfast

The YouTube has changed their 'thingies' and I can't have a green border anymore. I am very sad. In fact there doesn't appear to be any kind of border at all.

Peri and Gilly are eating their breakfast. Gilly doesn't so much eat her food, as inhale it, and then her next thought is always to see if she can eat Peri's food. Peri is wise to her wicked breakfast stealing ways, and she picks up her bowl and takes it away somewhere safe!!!

This morning they had kangaroo, basmati rice, grated carrot, sweet potato and some delicious thinly sliced raw celery.

I have almost made one owl, it is larger than I thought it would be. I have three more owls that need eyes and wings. MrsDrWho has some toddler socks in the bag at her house which are going to be smaller owls. I forgot to take them home after we had been shopping in town today.

It's almost a hoot
The Hatty Potter is going well. I increased till I had 288 stitches and I am doing a double yarn forward and then knit two together each 36 stitches (eighths)  just to make it a bit more interesting to knit. I can't do a pattern because of the lovely colour variegations in the wool.

Hatty  potter 20 rows in
As per usual, Peri has been rolling in something smelly at the dam. She is currently experimenting with some gymnastic variations. I think this is a somersault with half pike, double back twist and a pirouette. Yesterday she lost her collar and so now she is wearing Harki's special green and white one. There are lots of grass seeds that want to stick into her skin, so when we get home it is an excellent excuse for a very long pat and cuddle to check there are none left in her fur. Vundy the German Shepherd had a grass seed that borrowed through her skin and was actually inside her insides, making its way towards vital organs.

Peri is a gymnast

Lorelai Gilmore is just looking sweet and lovely. There are lots of wallabies and potoroos about and she is intent on keeping them in order. She is so obedient, when I call her she comes straight away and then she sits at my feet. She is a lovely pup.

Gilly is sweet and lovely
MrsDrWho and I had thoughts of going to the pictures, but there is truly nothing at all that we want to see. I am happy to report that we shall be able to see The King's Speech. It was not going to be screened here, but now they are advertising that it will start on February 10th. I made a written and phone complaint (fancy that!!) and I think many other people did too. I am very much looking forward to seeing it.


Harry Potter And The Deathly Fellows

Harry Potter and The Deathy Hallows was fantastic. It was scary and dark and cold and mesmerising. I didn't look at the time once, or even think of doing it. If you have been reading the books and following the films, then it is a must see. I think the critics who pooh-pooh it aren't fans. I am glad they decided to split the last book into two films, it means the story will be told properly.

MrsDrWho and I have a new Going To The Pictures Rule. Way back in 2005 we went to see Kingdom of Heaven with Orlando Bloom (no, he didn't accompany us, he was in the film) and we went on Half Price Tuesday. The theatre was full of the noisiest, rudest people. It spoiled the film.

Rule One is No Tuesdays.

Rule Two is, if the twenty-somethings behind us are rowdy and raucous during the ads and the previews, we must move to quieter seats. Honestly, they must have thought they were at home. They talked and made noises all the way through. Not Happy Jan.

Last week I did something every day and it was too much for me in the end. Still, je ne regrette rien:

  • Tuesday: Leukaemia Support Group and Trivia
  • Wednesday: MrsDrWho's school
  • Thursday Harry Potter Film
  • Friday: TinkingBell came to visit (3 hours of talking, some car driving and a little shopping)
  • Saturday: WeeJockandBessie'sMum's birthday

Fooooooooooooooooood
Here's the delicious food. I had the salmon nicoise, first on the middle row,  and the lemon marscapone parfait with almond tuile and raspberry sorbet, very last on the last row.

So on Sunday I was very poorly. I was the kind of poorly where I needed a hot waterbottle for my feet to stop me feeling shivery and my lovely crocheted facecloth dunked in cold water and draped across my forehead to keep me cool. Doona: on. Window: wide open.

Also I had very weird dreams. I dreamed someone stole our toilet, I got up and it was gone, so I locked the door (it was our toilet from home when I was little, it had a door to the outside) and I went to ring the police...then I woke up and thought what a silly dream...till I went into the toilet and it was gone and I locked the door and went to ring the police.. by the third time I woke up I was getting more than a little worried, but I was actually properly awake. I haven't been up to very much at all, I have read blogs in my reader and not really commented. I think I am on the mend......

I hope I am on the mend.....

Everyone is so kind to leave such lovely get well comments. Thank you very much indeed.

Yesterday The Dog Car had a flat battery. There we all were, wearing our seatbelts, and I turned the key and nothing happened. We went for a little walk to the shop. Gilly does silly waiting. Maybe she is making a wish??

Waiting
Silly waiting
The RACT man came and put in a new battery. They replaced my last battery 5 years ago so I certainly had my money's worth out of it. The Labradors didn't like waiting at the gate. They felt all left out. We did go for a proper walk at the dam after that.

Take us pleaseeeeeeeeee
I have to thank The Australian Women's Weekly. My mum really wanted one of their books that was out of print, and I was extremely suspicious that their 'official' site was in the UK so I emailed them for help. The lovely Olivia said she had found the book my mum wanted in their office and that she would send it to me. Just like that. How kind. Well done AWW. (Something else I had to say... can't remember)

I have a stamp. I am not very good at stamping.

Stamp
I have made a Nigella's Raspberry Chocolate Pudding Cake for MrsDrWho's turn at Morning Tea tomorrow. It is a good recipe because it is all melt and mix. I am going to drop it off at her house. I can do that because even though it is 28*Cinside and hotter outside, I have the Air-Con in The New Car!!! I am supposed to go to Trivia tonight, and I really want to go, but I don't think I will be able to. I need to rest up and feel better.

Anniversaries

Yesterday: The 47th anniversary of the assassination of JFK. He would have been 93. Camelot.

Today: Similarly, the 47th Anniversary of Doctor Who. Happy days indeed.

There, I'm hot and tired now. I'm going to have some lunch and a shower and then venture out. I apologise if some of this doesn't make sense!!!

Thanks Kristen, I have fixed the anniverary dates which did not make sense!!

 


SSS Day 9

Today I wore mostly lime green with my teal jeans. Teal is like purple, it is a hard colour to photograph. Believe me, these are teal or dark turquoise!! My self stitched item is my Pretty in Lime top knitted in Harmony. I love it, but I have sloping shoulders so it is always slipping off. I am contemplating unravelling it and making something else..... I wore my lime t-shirt, new green shoes and my lime handbag. maybe chartreuse??

Sss9
Today I almost met MrsDrWho and Mrs HouseOf and her Offspring for brunch before we went to see Despicable Me. MrsDrWho told me to meet them at Place B. Now we don't usually go to Place B, but nevertheless I went there, I sat there for 25 minutes waiting. Whereupon MrsDrWho sent me a text to say she was at Place D, and where was I??? Apparently I was meant to read her mind and just know she meant to say Place D and not Place B. They do sound the same, but still. I need to get my psychic act together!!

Despicable Me was most amusing and in 3D. If you go to see it, stay for the beginning of the credits as there are some extras, but once they finish you can leave. It is quite a good film for adults and children, enough to entertain everyone. You do have to wear the 3D glasses, but our group had enough already so we saved the extra fee. Mrs HouseOf said that initially, you paid for the glasses and then they asked for them back to be 'recycled', in effect renting them out to endless people and making lots of money. Ha!! We foiled them!!! There was tiny promo for Tron Legacy and there was Bruce Boxleitner of Babylon 5 fame. There were elbows and there may have been some squealing!!

It was raining on our walk this morning, but we don't care. We walk rain, hail, sleet or snow. 

Modelling
Peri ate up all her grated zucchini today. They happily eat it raw. There was also one cup of dry dog food and the end of the porridge!! Peri is quite a slow eater and usually Gilly is standing beside her waiting to see if there is any left. There's not!! Gilly's breakfast from the other day has the end of the roast vegetables. When she has eaten all her food, she picks up her bowl and brings it inside. I think she hopes there may be more food. There isn't. Often then she has a little chew of her bowl.

Breakfast 

I did a little more sewing when I came home today. I have sewn both fronts onto the back now and both sleeves are sewn and hemmed. I have pinned one into the armhole and now I have stopped because I am getting too tired again.

You may know that Martha Stewart is my Guilty Secret a la Margaret from At The Movies. If you subscribe to her Living Magazine in the USA, it's $24 per year. If you subscribe here via Magshop, it's $240!!! Someone is making a Very Big Profit!!

Something lovely came in the post today. Spoonflower is a site where you can upload your own designs and print fabric. They had a free 20 x 20cm swatch day and I uploaded some pictures and here is my swatch:

Harki-Parki-Parker-Posey
It's Harki-Parki-Parker-Posey and just in the top right corner, her mum, Willow's leg!! I am not sure what I will do with it. But I love it!!!