Supercilious and batpig -

It is stupid hot.














It has been stupid hot since yesterday.














It will continue being stupid hot. I am considering making a break for the coast, just so I can get some work done. (And some sleep - o! let me sleep - I am so tired, but I am afraid I will dehydrate if I go to sleep).

Yay, for global warming.

Versatility -

I pulled this project out to borrow the needles for the colourscapes scarf. I decided to resume knitting it because, really, the drape and sheen are rather lovely. I took it to work today to knit on during the presentations and meetings, thinking that there'd be airconditioning.














There was no airconditioning and there was no way I was having this touch me in today's heat. I might take a pair of socks for tomorrow's meeting and presentations. Or not. It is that hot.

What are you supposed to do with your self when it's this bloody hot? And please can they be kidding about four days over 40 in a row?

Colourscapes -

This scarf is a guilty pleasure.














It was an impulse buy.














And the scarf only took a day to knit (well, two days, but I finished it, didn't like the way the colours fell, ripped it and did it again)

The wolery -

I wonder if I can get it done by March. I wonder if the orange will match the pink.

Teething -

Teething powder. Calomel seems to be some sort of mercury related substance that was used as a purgative and insecticide and to treat syphilis. Why any one thought this would be good to give to teething babies is a mystery.

Um, Hello! -

Pub quiz, you say.

Orange and Lavender -

I went by Sunspun on the way home from knitting to pick up some needles I needed for my wolery jumper. And tripped and fell down: Colourscape.














That Kaffe, he can do colour.

I had a lovely morning knitting with friends at a friend's place (though I felt a little guilty taking advantage of the air conditioning and knitting on an aran jumper). She needs to get rid of her ridiculously cute baby, though. Every time I play with him I feel the need, the need to breed. It is really annoying and takes ages to wear off.














I was worried the jumper was going to be tiny on account of using 8ply. But I took it off the needles and it is bloody enormous.

Plumbing, grouting and other fun holiday adventures -

The cinnamon buns - mostly gone now, but this recipe will be tried again.














I bought a hammer recently and today a nice man gave me some nails to play with. I was also told what sort of walls we have here and was given a quick lesson in Where Not To Put Nails In Walls. It is my first hammer and I am delighted by it.

The hardware store was a foreign country, but I had an excellent guide. (He saw me holding a hammer and said 'That is not a good hammer.' (I felt immediately glad that I had not picked up the pink one). 'Who is the hammer for?', 'For you, a medium hammer. Hold this hammer', 'Now this hammer', 'You take this hammer, the balance is not perfect, but, for you, it is a good hammer'.)














Today, in the unbearable heat, I did the only sane thing a girl can do, I started a pair of socks (though, I suppose a saner thing might have been to finish the pair that has been floating around unfinished for 18 months now). But I needed the comfort that only a new sock can bring. The yarn is slightly thicker than I usually use, so I brought further comfort by using my 2.25mm Holz und Stein. Every stitch is a little bit of gladness, I love these needles to distraction.














And why do I need all this comfort? Well, due to a mishap, we will be without shower for the next couple of days. On the positive side, at least we have a bath. Also, the toilet survived in good working order.

Cinnamon Scrolls -

We went to stitch and bitch at Wool Baa today and I met a lovely person who is recently returned from the Netherlands. He recommended a recipe (with a secret ingredient) for Dutch cinnamon scrolls. This brown paper bag proved convenient for copying out the recipe.



















I made the recipe tonight, when I got home. They are due to come out of the oven in 5 minutes.

What? Why did I have a brown paper bag at hand, do you ask? Well.














There were loads of people at Wool Baa, some of them I have even managed to find on ravelry.

[Oh My... I just took the scrolls out of the oven. They are delicious. I want to eat more. Maybe it is just as well it is forecast to be so bloody hot in the next few days so that I at least can't bake any more. I want to wake up my housemate, it seems a shame that anyone should be missing out on this piping-hot, tasty goodness.]

A Bex and a good lie down -

A past housemate always has maintained that the quickest way to get rid of a headache is with a panadol and a shot of espresso.














It looks like they ended up taking the bad stuff out of Bex.














I should have looked inside, I have no idea what the 'powders' look like.

Baking -

I'll be damned, I did the kneading and the resting and they look like bread. I have been learning about bread from Delia. I have a battered old copy of her 'Delia Smith's Cookery Course; Part One'. I love her tone and am tempted to let her take me by the hand and lead me into a foray on pastry making.














She just sounds so comforting: p. 72, 'Pastry psychology. Yes, there is a sort of psychology involved. Attitude is the word I think sums it up, your attitude towards pastry-making. Once you've been shown how to do it, you must be bold and self-assertive! Go to it with confidence - I almost think that pastry dough can sense anxiety and then start to play up!'

I made her Oatmeal Bread. I picked this one to start with on account of her description: 'This bread has a lovely wholesome flavour, just the thing for a snack lunch with some strong Cheddar cheese; it also makes delicious bacon sandwiches.' She reminds me a bit of Elizabeth.














It would also get along well with pickled onions, but I was shocked to discover that we do not have any in the house.

I cast on for a new project in a rush of excitement that has slowed to a trickle of delight (arm sore from knitting means I should stop knitting, right?). I present you Ishbel. It is the second (fourth?) project from Ysolda's Whimsical Little Knits Collection. I bought the collection because I have been busting to make a Hap shawl since I saw hers, I even have the yarn in the stash, ready, waiting. I don't quite know what happened to nothing new until the Hap shawl pattern came out, but I cast on Ishbel and knit like mad (until, you know, the stabbing pain).














Soft and fluffy, the kid classic makes me forgive Rowan for the cocoon.

Materialism -

I know that buying things isn't supposed to make you happy, but I bought some new mugs and bowls... and they make me happy.














Geckos make me happy, too.

Rural -

The other weekend we went to visit a friend's grandma in the country. Perhaps I should have taken some pictures of the trees and rolling hills that are so beautiful in that part of Victoria, but instead I was taken with the old LUX stove.


















The collection of old tins, still in good use, including the sugar tin with the lid dinted from toddlers using it as a stepladder over the years.














There was also a good array of old medicines.














Which I found equal parts fascinating and terrifying.

Simple Pleasures -

The more I look at this scarf, the more I want to knit another one.














Then I remember that while it was a simple pleasure, it was not an inexpensive one, and maybe I should spend some more time with the stash.














It is pretty, though, and soft, and cuddly. I eagerly anticipate the cooler weather.

Serenity -

A new jumper has captured my heart. I have been completely obsessed by it for the last several days, but now the heat and several anxieties have slowed my hands and made me consider flinging this project from myself in despair.

Is the jumper going to look right done in 8 ply or will the cable look truncated? Will the flecks in the Cleckheaton spoil the effect of the cabling? Who is it for? Will it fit anyone? I don't think that the cable looks quite right, should I rip it and try again? longer? wider?














I look at the start of the jumper again. I worry that I'll lose motivation when I get to the arms (hello, borrowing trouble?).














I check out pictures of Wash again, I look at Firefly again (out of gas: 23:18 - 24:26, 28:32 - 28:52; the message: 40:24 - 41:20)...

Maybe I should go lie on the kitchen (tiled) floor reading a book until the weather cools.

Quarantine -

A friend from Canada sent me this delightful ornament.


















There was also a beautiful, festive tea towel - the kind I have enormous trouble using to dry dishes and just want to look at, or occasionally put under scones if I am presenting them specially.














There had also been some tea. But customs took it.














I wanted to bake a cake today, I finally got the last ingredient yesterday, but it is Far Too Hot to be turning the oven on. I shall not complain too much, but remember that this time last year we had already had a number of these scorchers.

Sailing away -

Stash -

Okay, so I crumbled like old cheese. Bloody Sunspun. Bloody house guests. Bloody quilting. Now it is a question of - am I game enough to tackle the sewing machine? (it is old and temperamental) or am I game enough to tackle the hand stitching? (the same thing could be said of me). I am thinking log cabin thoughts.














Yup, I totally caved.














I didn't last long.