Knitting in places that don't need wool

Well I have been knitting in the oddest place, Rarotonga. 10 days where it did not fall below 26 deg C and was normally 28 - 31. Loved it. But sometimes the sun gets too much and retreating to the room is needed. This is a laceweight merino that is multi dyed. I had a different pattern in mind when I bought it. I have started and unpicked twice as it just did not work for me. This time I am just doing a straight scarf using a lacy pattern and 5mm needles. I love it.

Leaving the hotel

Last swim in the warm ocean.

On our last day we had until 2pm and mucked around in the ocean on canoes. Had a huge swim just with Aaron while the boys were in the pool. Trying to get four of us on one canoe was hilarious and a great family bit of laughter.

This trip I used the canoes much more than I had ever before. The weather was consistently fantastic and it was just good to be on the water and a bit cooler. The water was so warm that it did not matter if you fell in. Also as my health was so much better I had the omph to be able to do physical things.

Aaron and I had a few date nights

The hotel from the water

Eli and I canoed every day and we started going right out to the reef and surfing the waves in. The water was so calm that we had to head way out on all except one day.

This trip was warmer than any of our other trips. I did not get to wear my fancy dresses in the evening much as it was just too hot, loose cool clothing only. Three nights were cool enough for me to wear my glad rags and I enjoyed dressing up.

19 year remembrance tramp

19 years ago (almost to the week) my husband and I met on a Tramping track in NZ. Into Lake Daniels on the Lewis Pass.

 

Now we have two kids in tow, we are older, tireder, but also re-energised with new life happening again. Nope - not babies - but a new heart means the life we had then, we can start having again. Out and about in nature, tramping into overnight huts and enjoying the great outdoors.

 What was new 19 years ago is new again, almost as fresh. Almost even more exciting. Back then we had no idea what was to come but now we know what we have to look forward to as we create a new way of living with the new lease of life I have been given.

Easter gifts for friends and teachers

One day of school left before the holidays so baked two types of muffins, added buttercream and some Easter eggs. A wee treat for some friend and teachers.

I am waiting with bated breath to see how the weather will pan out for Easter. This tropical cyclone is certainly wet. We had planned my first overnight tramp and I will be gutted not to be able to do it.

A few things

Making yummy apple turnovers with our Peasgood nunsuch apples.

A flat walk

Up the hill behind our friend farm - Pons Mountain. Amazing to be climbing up.

Last of the summer swims at the Pons place. A night camping and relaxing and freezing cold autumn water.

Up Mt Thomas at last. A huge day for me. On the mountain top, never thought it would happen again. Thanks to heart surgery (though completely underestimated the amount of time!!)

My night in shining armour. He had to shoot up the hill with some head torches as I had taken the long way up and not gotten timing right.

Going down the fast way. Hmm sore knees

Absolutely rejoicing at becoming an outdoors girl again. Never thought I would ever be able to do these things. I cannot describe in words how it changes my life.

A 1970's Chair makeover

I am thrilled with my latest effort, although frustrated at some of the mistakes I made.

I had the fabric lined up correctly on the seat so the dogs would go in the same direction on the seat as the seat back. For some reason I thought the seat went on the chair the other way around and so at the last minute I turned it. By the time I realised my mistake I had trimmed excess material and fully stapled the seat. I am just not pedantic enough to undo it and start again.

I bought the chair for $1 as the back was broken and there is bits of rust on the chrome. I used a technique I had seen on one of the many upcycle TV shows I watch, and the chrome improved beyond my wildest expectation. I am proud of myself for the "fixing" I am now managing to do. I wished I had taken more process shots as I took all the coverings off and managed to stabilize the chair back to the strength it would have been.  

The chrome tacks on the back of the chair were quite difficult to do. The previous taking had destroyed the integrity of the chair back, so I had to change the position of them. My poor thumb was bruised and sore for a couple of days.

Linking to these places and crazy mum quilts

Change in depth of field

In photography the talk about "depth of field" is constant. It really refers to the area you wish to focus on and how wide or close that focus is. Lately my depth of field has been too close and I find it has taken some of the joy away. This photo is of a garden bed that we have found an insidious weed in. My husband has been working so hard on removing it as he knows it stresses me.

But when you look at the garden by standing back and expand the depth of field, it is a lovely garden. But I had lost the focus and just saw all the areas that I have not dealt with, focusing on the negative not the positive.

Focusing on the weeding, the dock and greeblies in the lawn, the rampant items and not the flowers, fruit and overall pleasure. I have been doing that with the house too. What needs to be done, cleaning etc, instead of enjoying the space.

Aaron has an area to relax and we have a lovely deck and great vege garden. But all I had thought of is what was not planted and weeded rather than enjoying what has been.

Peasgood nonsuch apples

Fabulous Feijoas

It has affected my craft as somehow I see the crafting as work, rather than pleasure again. Maybe making list of what I need to do is not good. I need to pick up and do something that I want to do.

I want to focus on being fit and healthy after my Operations but feel that the everyday and mundane somehow take over and don't allow that time.

I saw an article about the best hot cross buns in NZ - My kids still think mine are the best!!!

A finished scrap quilt

I have finally sandwiched, quilted and bound this patchwork. Another quilt ready to be sent to the orphanage at Hope Homes International. This quilt I made totally improvisational. But to give it some structure I used a 1 inch strip of red in random places. It has a lovely flannelette back to be snugly on a bed. Pleased to get it done as it has been sitting in the wardrobe for a wee while.

I just stippled it as the batting was a lot of leftover bits, so stippling for quilting keeps it altogether. I am trying to do all my mending and bits lying around. I have a new overlocker I have not yet used because I just cannot start another project. But have cleared it to the point that there is a space to put it. So when I come back from my work trip I will have some fun with it. In the meantime my mending meant I had to learn a new skill. 

I taught myself how to do shirring. I love shirring but have just been too scared of it as it looks so complicated. But it really is not. The blue is the practice and the shirt is now mended. Four not quite even or straight rows, but I am pretty pleased.

Linking to these places and Crazy mum quilts. and