Wintery weather is finally upon us, the last 3 days have been cold.
The car has been nicely iced up in the mornings, on Monday night I had to spray it with water when I got home - birds at work have good aim and when I got up in the morning all water drops had frozen and the side window was frozen shut.
I don't think it's a bad thing, the cold that is I like cooler weather, just have to add more layers of clothes. At work it's not much fun, the door has to be left open and the wind blasts in right across where we have to be, from one side we get the cold wind and from the other we get blasted with hot air from the AC - body doesn't know what to do - then they wonder why the staff get sick.
It's 8am and already I've been to Kmart, thank goodness for 24 hr trade. This morning I realised that Thomas didn't have any long pants for school, they have to wear navy, his last pair are too small so I raced in and bought him a couple pairs as well as socks and pyjamas. He will be warmer now. He's asked me to go back to buy undies and singlets, he has shot up so quickly that everything is too small now, not so long ago he was looking up to me these days he looks down on me. He kindly points out the gray hairs, the way is going he'll soon be able to tell his father that he's going bald.
I just tried to run the hot water in the kitchen, it was coming out just as a trickle, looked like the pipes are frozen but only the hot water one, the cold one worked fine as did the hot and cold taps in the bathrooms. Tried running the bathroom one to get the heater going and stood with my fingers in the freezing water wondering why it wasn't warming up - someone had turned our hot water system off. The system control is in the kitchen, I showered last night and my husband would have this morning too, very strange. Turned it on, ran the bathroom tap and within seconds the kitchen one was running again. Usually when the pipes freeze it's where they are exposed to the elements where the heating unit is, when that happens we can't heat the water due to no water pressure, it's strange that a pipe protected by a brick wall on the north side of the house freezes up, never noticed that before.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Sunday, 27 June 2010
I got outside today, spent the time weeding overgrown area, made a surprise discovery of a tomato plant, then accidentally ripped it out. Hoping it will survive replanting, it looks good where I put it.
Started on the overgrown wasteland outside my bedroom window, while the menfolk were at a soccer game I cleared most of the weeds out, cut up some branches I found in the overgrowth and lit a small fire in my brazier. Everything was damp so it put out lots of white smoke, that's when my brother in law turned up and quipped "hey look you lit a smoke". I still have to get approval on my idea for the area, not that it matters, husband knows I'll do it whether he approves or not. The other day I checked out display houses near my work, mainly for decorating ideas and saw how I want to do the paving. Told David that I wanted him to come out and see it.
I was hoping to burn at least some of the things I was pulling out, it was all too damp though so most of it went into the bin. It's all full of seeds, especially farmer's friends, those seeds that attach themselves to your clothing so you resemble an Echidna. Not that it's legal to burn off these days, when we were kids just about everyone had an incinerator in the back yard. Ours was a made of brick, 3 sided and about knee high. We were allowed to light a fire whenever we wanted, we would cook things for our friends on those fires. We spent so much time outside when we were kids, we made our own fun something that kids today don't seem to know how to do, even my own kids.
My son has discovered this same fun, he and his friends head down to a local bushland reserve whenever they are able, they come home filthy and I couldn't be happier. When I mention to anyone else what they are doing I get asked "how can you let them do that?" They make rafts to float in the creek, which they can safely wade across. When I was a kid we spent time in the same area, we had to keep it secret from Mum as she didn't let us go there. At that time the area was crawling with motorbikes, Mum was worried we'd get run over but as soon as we heard one coming we would jump off the track and hide in the bush. Funnily I remember hearing them but have no memory of actually seeing any. These days the reserve has been turned into a park, lakes and picnic areas put in, there's no more motorbikes running along the tracks so I know it's much safer. At least it gets him out and away from video games.
Started on the overgrown wasteland outside my bedroom window, while the menfolk were at a soccer game I cleared most of the weeds out, cut up some branches I found in the overgrowth and lit a small fire in my brazier. Everything was damp so it put out lots of white smoke, that's when my brother in law turned up and quipped "hey look you lit a smoke". I still have to get approval on my idea for the area, not that it matters, husband knows I'll do it whether he approves or not. The other day I checked out display houses near my work, mainly for decorating ideas and saw how I want to do the paving. Told David that I wanted him to come out and see it.
I was hoping to burn at least some of the things I was pulling out, it was all too damp though so most of it went into the bin. It's all full of seeds, especially farmer's friends, those seeds that attach themselves to your clothing so you resemble an Echidna. Not that it's legal to burn off these days, when we were kids just about everyone had an incinerator in the back yard. Ours was a made of brick, 3 sided and about knee high. We were allowed to light a fire whenever we wanted, we would cook things for our friends on those fires. We spent so much time outside when we were kids, we made our own fun something that kids today don't seem to know how to do, even my own kids.
My son has discovered this same fun, he and his friends head down to a local bushland reserve whenever they are able, they come home filthy and I couldn't be happier. When I mention to anyone else what they are doing I get asked "how can you let them do that?" They make rafts to float in the creek, which they can safely wade across. When I was a kid we spent time in the same area, we had to keep it secret from Mum as she didn't let us go there. At that time the area was crawling with motorbikes, Mum was worried we'd get run over but as soon as we heard one coming we would jump off the track and hide in the bush. Funnily I remember hearing them but have no memory of actually seeing any. These days the reserve has been turned into a park, lakes and picnic areas put in, there's no more motorbikes running along the tracks so I know it's much safer. At least it gets him out and away from video games.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Translating Japanese sewing instructions
I am trying to make head or tail from the instructions for these baby shoes, Google Translate makes no sense at all, it's just random words and lots of Japanese characters.
This 宝宝鞋样
This 宝宝鞋样
该文件为PDF格式，首次下载的请先参阅PDF格式纸样打印方法。文 件中同样有 10cm/11cm/12cm 三个型号，分别适合满月~一周岁的婴儿。
制作步骤：
1. 根据纸样裁剪布料，这里表里布我用的都是同一种布料，共需鞋面4片、鞋帮4片、鞋底4片，鞋底暂先裁成长方形稍后再做修剪。另外再裁剪2条5cm x (9~12cm)的布条用来做鞋带：
translates to this with Google
鞋样 treasure
PDF prestigious Acts 该文 cases, under the following heads 载的 阅 请先 see how to mark shot 纸样 PDF formality. The issue in the documents 样有 个型 10cm/11cm/12cm three-minute 别适 合 满月 岁的 婴儿 round.
Production 步骤:
1. 剪布 fee 样裁 据纸 roots, and capital charges for all costs the same 种布 our table cloth 这里 ri, 4 pieces with side 需鞋, 鞋帮 4 pieces, 04 pieces 鞋底, forming rectangular clip 稍后 做修 court again 鞋底 暂先. Article 2 The court again 另外 clips 5cm x (9 ~ 12cm) of fabric 带 Article 做鞋 came for:
But with Bad translator, it translate to this
PDF format file format as the first baby shoes, please refer to the PDF format for download method print. 10cm/11cm/12cm 3 models of the same file ~ one month old baby. Manufacturing steps: 1 According to the pattern for cutting fabric, table cloth I use here is the same fabric, need 4, single shoes, only a total of 4.4 on the table, this will be cut, only the first rectangle, then cut. Article incision × 5 cm 2 (9 ~ 12 cm) of fabric used to make shoelaces:"
The translator is supposed to make strange translations, it automatically translates 10 or more times, the above is after 10. It fails to come up with a translation after 25 or 54. Too many characters I suppose.
The shoes are coming together nicely, I am up to attaching the soles, I chose pink gingham and am adding white lace hearts.
Multitasking.
Have been honing my multitasking skills today, need to add that to my resume, cooking, sewing and facebooking at the same time. Have been cooking roast beef in the slow cooker, I've just pulled it out - boy is it tender. My husband loves the roast beef rolls that are sold at events, I've never been able to work out how they cook it, now I know. The recipe came from Simple Savings.
Ingredients:
1.3kg roasting beef
2 tbsp gravy powder
1 crumbled beef stock cube (or 1 tsp stock powder)
1 cup water
2 tbsp cornflour
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
Method:
Combine the gravy powder and stock with a little water and mix into a smooth
paste. Add the rest of the water and stir until smooth. Pour into slow
cooker. Place meat into slow cooker on top of liquid. Place lid on slow
cooker and turn on to 'low' setting.
Go back to bed, go to work, or find something else to do for 7 hours.
Turn the slow cooker off and pour the liquid into a big shallow container
like a roasting pan and put it in the fridge until the fat solidifies on the
top. This will take a while, so now is a good time to make the
roast/mashed potatoes/veg/etc.
Once the fat has solidified, scrape it off and bin it. Put the cornflour into
a saucepan and pour in about 1/2 cup of the meat juices, stir
into a smooth paste, then pour in the rest and stir over heat until it
thickens.
Slice the roast beef and place it into a shallow serving dish and pour the
gravy over the meat. Serve with all the other stuff you made to go with it.
I have made the gravy for the roast beef without refrigerating the liquid to
solidify the fat (usually because we were all too hungry to wait) and it has
made no appreciable difference to the taste (no greasy taste either) so if
you are really pressed for time or just can't be bothered you can skip it
altogether.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
I am an artist --- NOT!
After visiting the Norman Lindsay Gallery I wondered whether I could sketch, this is what I came up with last night while watching tv. Not great, the head with the fountain like protrusion is supposed to be my daughter. Shh don't tell her.
My favourite is the guy with the trolley, he was the first thing I drew. I don't think I'll make my fortune as an artist.
Or a garden designer
These I drew this morning after pondering on what I can do with the wasteland outside my bedroom window. We are on a battle ax block and this is as the end of the drive. At the moment it's a weedy mess with concrete chunks and odd junk, there's a rickety paling fence on 2 sides. On the other side of the fence is my neigbour's shed/garage/granny flat, there's a window directly facing my bedroom window. I'd like to cover that window but not take away their light and came up with the above design. The pillars are or might be brick supporting a white washed wall with a leadlight window, with either coloured or frosted glass. The area will be paved, potted plants and a breakfast table. The area catches the sun in the morning and will be a great place to have breakfast. Now I just have to talk David into it, he is claiming the space for his boat. Boat? We have a canoe.
Today I went to the Red S and bought 3 folders titled The Country Look, they are mainly about design, projects and even recipes. It's not the full set I am missing folder 2 and it looks like folder 5. The 3 books cost me $10 and are filled with a treasure trove of great decorating ideas.
I also bought 2 bags, brand new with tags attached, not great brands but I really like them. One was a small backpack, I'm keeping it in the car for when I go on unplanned walks to carry my purse and keys, the other is a drawstring shoulder bag. It's strap was missing so I asked for a discount and then found a belt to replace the strap, they gave me the belt for free. The original strap buckled onto the bag, all I had to do was to cut the buckle off the bag and put holes in the end.
My favourite is the guy with the trolley, he was the first thing I drew. I don't think I'll make my fortune as an artist.
Or a garden designer
These I drew this morning after pondering on what I can do with the wasteland outside my bedroom window. We are on a battle ax block and this is as the end of the drive. At the moment it's a weedy mess with concrete chunks and odd junk, there's a rickety paling fence on 2 sides. On the other side of the fence is my neigbour's shed/garage/granny flat, there's a window directly facing my bedroom window. I'd like to cover that window but not take away their light and came up with the above design. The pillars are or might be brick supporting a white washed wall with a leadlight window, with either coloured or frosted glass. The area will be paved, potted plants and a breakfast table. The area catches the sun in the morning and will be a great place to have breakfast. Now I just have to talk David into it, he is claiming the space for his boat. Boat? We have a canoe.
Today I went to the Red S and bought 3 folders titled The Country Look, they are mainly about design, projects and even recipes. It's not the full set I am missing folder 2 and it looks like folder 5. The 3 books cost me $10 and are filled with a treasure trove of great decorating ideas.
I also bought 2 bags, brand new with tags attached, not great brands but I really like them. One was a small backpack, I'm keeping it in the car for when I go on unplanned walks to carry my purse and keys, the other is a drawstring shoulder bag. It's strap was missing so I asked for a discount and then found a belt to replace the strap, they gave me the belt for free. The original strap buckled onto the bag, all I had to do was to cut the buckle off the bag and put holes in the end.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Sanity day
Went out today just to buy hat elastic for the baby shoes, but instead of turning off the motorway I just kept driving and ended up heading up the Blue Mountains, first stop was Glenbrook, bought some Lavender seeds at the nursery. The thought to head back was only fleeting as turned onto the highway and headed to Springwood, by
this time I was hungry for lunch. I wanted to eat in a place with history so chose to go to the Norman Lindsay Gallery's cafe. An indulgence, I started with Soup of the Day, Pea and Ham, finished with a Berry tart and tea. The food was delicious, ate every bite and ended up very full indeed.
After wards paid my $10 to enter the Gallery, which is in the house that Lindsay lived in. I hadn't planned to go on the tour of his studios (who said today was planned?) but I noticed the last tour was about to start so thought "what the hey?". The painting studio was he had left it, there was an unfinished painting on the easel. He died in his 90's, with pen in hand, mid sentence. The tour ended in his etching studio. After that I went on short walk down the trail to the pool, which no longer holds water. The whole place was gorgeous, recommend it to anyone. My favourite thing was the kitchen, I walked through the door and gasped, it's sort of kitchen that is mostly ripped out and replaced but it would suit me down to the ground.
More photos here .
I didn't forget to buy the elastic on the way home so will avoid the tv tonight and spend the evening in my sewing room, creating.
this time I was hungry for lunch. I wanted to eat in a place with history so chose to go to the Norman Lindsay Gallery's cafe. An indulgence, I started with Soup of the Day, Pea and Ham, finished with a Berry tart and tea. The food was delicious, ate every bite and ended up very full indeed.
After wards paid my $10 to enter the Gallery, which is in the house that Lindsay lived in. I hadn't planned to go on the tour of his studios (who said today was planned?) but I noticed the last tour was about to start so thought "what the hey?". The painting studio was he had left it, there was an unfinished painting on the easel. He died in his 90's, with pen in hand, mid sentence. The tour ended in his etching studio. After that I went on short walk down the trail to the pool, which no longer holds water. The whole place was gorgeous, recommend it to anyone. My favourite thing was the kitchen, I walked through the door and gasped, it's sort of kitchen that is mostly ripped out and replaced but it would suit me down to the ground.
More photos here .
I didn't forget to buy the elastic on the way home so will avoid the tv tonight and spend the evening in my sewing room, creating.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Gardens for Pleasure and an Elephant
Last night I pulled out a book I've had for several years, it's beautifully illustrated garden design book called Gardens for Pleasure. I've often perused this book dreaming, but this time it's for real. I've decided to adapt one of the designs for my yard, the chapter titled Living Pleasure Gardens held my special interest, but what to go for? The Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden were contenders until I realised I could have it all by going with the Wildlife Garden.
I'd recommend this book to anyone, apart from being very useful, it's gorgeous. Right now there is a copy on eBay and I've noticed in my search that some libraries stock it. If you have the chance to buy don't hesitate.
A really big plus is that it's Australian, most of the plants in the design I like are natives and I went out looking for some today. I'm limiting the height of trees to up to 5 metres in our small yard. Bought a Bottlebrush today, already have a Lilly Pilly and a Protea, they are all in pots waiting for perfect positioning. I'll add some native grasses, kangaroo paws and Grevillia but I'd really like to add Grass Trees as well, up to 3 I think but today I saw tiny ones priced at $100 each.
Did get around to sewing today and after I was disappointed by not having elastic suitable for those cute baby shoes I made the sweet little elephant. Chose the small size, he's a little small to be used as a toy, I'll be using him as a pincushion.
It's a fluke that the flower was in the eye positon, it's only on one side I have to find buttons to use as eyes.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
A nice surprise
After a day at work, that actually went ok except for the moment when another staff member put a basket on the floor behind the counter. It wasn't there when I walked in but was there when I tripped over it on the way out, causing a big graze up my shin - ouch .
I did have a little surprise when I got home to find my side of the bed covered with baskets of my junk, the family decided to spend today tidying up and put everyone's junk on their beds - mine is the fullest . But the living areas look great and it means that on Monday and Tuesday I can actually get into my sewing room and finally get some sewing done - maybe I might do some tidying too. I want to make this -
Isn't it cute?
And these too.
Found at Sewlover with thanks to Meggiecat
Plus any other cutesy wutsey things I can find, I have a new Great Niece, born last Sunday. Her name is Amelia (love the name) and she shares her Birthday with her Great Grandfather. My niece has her hands full she also has a 4 year old girl and an almost 2 year old son, who had ear surgery on Monday.
I did have a little surprise when I got home to find my side of the bed covered with baskets of my junk, the family decided to spend today tidying up and put everyone's junk on their beds - mine is the fullest . But the living areas look great and it means that on Monday and Tuesday I can actually get into my sewing room and finally get some sewing done - maybe I might do some tidying too. I want to make this -
Isn't it cute?
And these too.
Found at Sewlover with thanks to Meggiecat
Plus any other cutesy wutsey things I can find, I have a new Great Niece, born last Sunday. Her name is Amelia (love the name) and she shares her Birthday with her Great Grandfather. My niece has her hands full she also has a 4 year old girl and an almost 2 year old son, who had ear surgery on Monday.
Friday, 4 June 2010
How to travel back in time.
On the internet that is.
Have you ever found a fantastic site and later you find that it no longer exists? It's probably happened to all of us at some stage or another. If you know the web address then traveling back in time to the site is possible using the Wayback Machine. It gives you access to a snapshot of the site, sometimes some of the old files are accessable. Recently I lost all of my patterns from Designs by Gidge, beautiful crocheted Barbie doll dresses and have been able to access some of them through this site. Always, ALWAYS copy files before attempting to move them from one computer to another, lesson learnt the hard way.
Right now I am searching for the cutest little bear pattern, I've found the site but just need to look for the right page. Time will tell.
Woohoo, I found the pattern I was after. I made this bear, called Byron years ago, using buttons from a favourite coat to hold his little arms and legs on. I was so pleased with him. The day after I finished him I was talking to my Grandmother who had been out with friends, she told me of seeing teddy bears that could sit in a tea cup but she hadn't been able to afford one on the day, I excused myself and went home to grab my little fellow. I gave him to her and she kept him on display in a teacup. She's been gone 5 years and I have the little guy as a keepsake now, he's somewhere around, I think one of the kids may have packed him up with the Christmas decorations because he is always included with my Christmas decorating.
Have you ever found a fantastic site and later you find that it no longer exists? It's probably happened to all of us at some stage or another. If you know the web address then traveling back in time to the site is possible using the Wayback Machine. It gives you access to a snapshot of the site, sometimes some of the old files are accessable. Recently I lost all of my patterns from Designs by Gidge, beautiful crocheted Barbie doll dresses and have been able to access some of them through this site. Always, ALWAYS copy files before attempting to move them from one computer to another, lesson learnt the hard way.
Right now I am searching for the cutest little bear pattern, I've found the site but just need to look for the right page. Time will tell.
Woohoo, I found the pattern I was after. I made this bear, called Byron years ago, using buttons from a favourite coat to hold his little arms and legs on. I was so pleased with him. The day after I finished him I was talking to my Grandmother who had been out with friends, she told me of seeing teddy bears that could sit in a tea cup but she hadn't been able to afford one on the day, I excused myself and went home to grab my little fellow. I gave him to her and she kept him on display in a teacup. She's been gone 5 years and I have the little guy as a keepsake now, he's somewhere around, I think one of the kids may have packed him up with the Christmas decorations because he is always included with my Christmas decorating.
A weekend away
I've been sick with a cold or flu this past week, not really sure how to tell the difference, all I know is that this has stuck around. Of course work tried making me feel guilty because I took a day off, they then rewarded me by forcing me to work 3 hours more the next day and tried to force me in today - they demand a reason for me saying no on a rostered day off, I'm still sick. Isn't it enough that they are forcing me to work all weekend as a reward for putting a holiday form in to give me last Friday off. In the short time I've been there I have done more than my fair share of covering for others to have days off.
I asked for the day off because my sister asked me to come to her new house for the weekend, it was her first time driving there without her husband so she wanted adult company for the drive. They have bought a country property 5 hours away. Of course I jumped at the chance and gave work 2 weeks notice.
They've had the house a couple of months, it had been empty for 2 years as a bank foreclosure, the house isn't in too bad a shape considering they were told the old owners left it open when they moved out and wildlife had moved in by the time bank got out to inspect it. The original owner of the house would be turning in her B&B somewhere in Tasmania. I love the house, it's only about 12 years old, but built to mimic older style houses, tall ceilings. There's claw foot bath, I had to have a try at that. The only thing I can see that is missing is a wood burning stove in the kitchen, I'm sure they could put one in just to please me.
They have done a lot of work in the short time they have owned it, pulling out weeds, clearing outbuildings, making discoveries of lovely rose bushes and more scary ones of spiders, scorpians and termites (luckily only in a fallen tree). Not taking chances they have sprayed the area and there was none to be seen last weekend. Each morning we were there we woke to find Kangaroos in the paddocks.
I've wrangled another invite a few weeks down the track, they bought a lounge suite off eBay and snagged the fabric as it was being loaded up. I gave instructions for a temporary repair and have offered to repair it properly. Sneaky, hey?
Their plans are to move there completely next year, their main worries are financial ones, finding work in the area. They both work for the same company and run a carpet cleaning business but there is already one of those in town and they don't want to take the livelyhood of someone else.
I asked for the day off because my sister asked me to come to her new house for the weekend, it was her first time driving there without her husband so she wanted adult company for the drive. They have bought a country property 5 hours away. Of course I jumped at the chance and gave work 2 weeks notice.
They've had the house a couple of months, it had been empty for 2 years as a bank foreclosure, the house isn't in too bad a shape considering they were told the old owners left it open when they moved out and wildlife had moved in by the time bank got out to inspect it. The original owner of the house would be turning in her B&B somewhere in Tasmania. I love the house, it's only about 12 years old, but built to mimic older style houses, tall ceilings. There's claw foot bath, I had to have a try at that. The only thing I can see that is missing is a wood burning stove in the kitchen, I'm sure they could put one in just to please me.
They have done a lot of work in the short time they have owned it, pulling out weeds, clearing outbuildings, making discoveries of lovely rose bushes and more scary ones of spiders, scorpians and termites (luckily only in a fallen tree). Not taking chances they have sprayed the area and there was none to be seen last weekend. Each morning we were there we woke to find Kangaroos in the paddocks.
I've wrangled another invite a few weeks down the track, they bought a lounge suite off eBay and snagged the fabric as it was being loaded up. I gave instructions for a temporary repair and have offered to repair it properly. Sneaky, hey?
Their plans are to move there completely next year, their main worries are financial ones, finding work in the area. They both work for the same company and run a carpet cleaning business but there is already one of those in town and they don't want to take the livelyhood of someone else.
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