Trying new things (also known as, slavishly copying the Harlot)

Afternoons in Port Fairy

Daffodils for aunty.

Potentially visually offensive christmas gift.

I am pretty sure that my Great Aunt doesn't read my blog. Actually, I am pretty sure she doesn't even know it exists.

We are having a big family Christmas for the first time in many many years. The herd has been thinned over the years and I think we are down to about 16 (unless I bring home a waif or stray from dancing). To simplify the present giving process, everyone is paired up for a present swap so that, outside immediate family, there is only one gift to work out.

I have gone the teapot/teacosy combo for my great aunt. I went with a vintage pattern and tried for a daffodil colourway. The name of the yellow is, in fact, daffodil, but one of my friends commented on the virulent nature of the cosy.

I still have to make some leaves and block it, and I have decided to knit a garter lining because I am not sure it will be warm enough otherwise.

I like to think it is 'cheerful'.


Ravelry.

A way to spend a week

The country

We went on an excursion to the country.
















There was vanilla slice and galahs. It's not enough to lure me from the city. Not even if it meant I could keep chooks.

Willy Wagtail

Willy Wagtails are my favourite sort of bird. They are so sprightly and pert. I have been looking for a willy wagtail cross stitch pattern for a long time, the closest I have found is one of a Blue Wren, which makes sense, because they are much more striking.




















I am contemplating the idea of turning this into a pattern.

Meh

It has nearly been 24 hours since I last slept. I woke this morning at some hour ungodly with a raging sore throat. I have been tetchy and stuffy all day, got some cold stuff from the pharmacy that is different from the cold stuff I usually take (which knocks me right out), got crazy tired at around half five, took one of these bloody sudafed things, woke the hell up and have have been bouncing off the walls ever since (as far as you can, with a head full of cold).

Here is some yarn. I was thinking clapotis.















I am going to try milk and honey.

I am really worried about how I am going to get all the marking done, plus the planning for next week when Unit Four starts for the year 12s. Hell.

You might not want to know

This might be too much information, but a bunch of people I have mentioned them to have never heard of them so I am going to take a moment to talk about Diva cups. I admit I feel a little squeamish about writing about it, so if you feel a little squeamish reading about it, stop here.















I have been thinking about getting a Diva cup for about 7 years (it can take me a while to get used to a new idea).















I have been subscribed to lunapads for a couple of years and finally bought the Diva cup kit a couple of months ago. They are having a 15% off sale on the kits this month. And, if you have lady parts and have been thinking about making the switch from tampons, the Diva cup is made of awesome, you should totally get one.















I found loads of advice on using them from ravelry, of all places and I am never going back. No mess, no fuss. For the first time in ever I haven't hated/resented the heck out of my period.














Diva cups. Totally worth it. Way less gross than tampons.

Days off and how to spend them

All Stars

Six kids, sitting in a row in class, all wearing All Stars.















I kinda want a pair.

canadiana

It is good having good friends.















I went to the website and very nearly bought one of everything.

To begin at the beginning:

It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black, the cobblestreets silent and the hunched, courters'-and-rabbits' wood limping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbing sea.

Tri'Coterie BFL Laceweight

Happy April 1st.

Mmmm

Boots!

Manos del Uruguay

I really need to knit this into a jumper one day.

Festival

I love walking home each night at the end of the music and it is quiet and there is no one around.















I have been walking home in the dark from the festival for more than 20 years, now.














John McCutcheon was one of the first artists I saw and he secured a place in my folk festival heart when he played Christmas in the Trenches, and he has made me cry at least once every concert I have seen of his, since. This year with Sara Tucholsky and (again) with Пусть всегда будет солнце. I swear he paused to let me take the photo and smiled at me after.














Narasirato Pan Pipers. Panpipes, who'd have thought.














I am also pretty enamoured with the crayola song. And the Angel song. And Jenny Jenkins (except sung by the Whitetop Mountaineers).

Folk

I have clocked 21 hours of music this weekend. On Friday I was pretty sure that if I'd died then, I'd have died happy, but that was just because I hadn't had tonight, yet. I saw the Narasriato Pan Pipers and danced until I couldn't draw breath. With John McCutcheon I laughed until I had to hold on to my knees and sang so I thought my heart would burst, then I came home via Genticorum where I jigged and reeled until I couldn't stand up. I am tired, hungry and dehydrated, and so damn happy.

Pleasing Anna

And a little pink squid