Broadway and Granville

I have been meaning to make this hat for a very long time. The Malabrigo worsted is very quick to knit and the colours are grand.

















I blocked it over an enormous plate and it fits rather well.

Aphrodite's and a hat.

I had my first piece of pumpkin pie. It was delicious. I am going to learn how to do this and then open a pie shop in Melbourne and make pie all the time.

















Why, yes! I did immediately follow the pumpkin pie with apple and black current pie. It was delicious. This was right before I accidentally walked all the way to UBC. I wasn't lost, exactly, I could have found my way back, but I wasn't where I thought I was going. At any rate, it is just as well I ate two slices of pie.
















And I made a Rose Red. In green Malabrigo.

Christmas -

I know it is Christmas because I just spent the better part of the day passed out under a tree in the backyard with two dogs and a good book. Other signs: I've just been sent down the street to get a Christmas present on behalf of one parental unit (who is at the pub) for the other parental unit (who is pretending that this doesn't happen every year). I am also going to head down to the village green in half an hour to sing carols with the village choir.

It is really hard to take a picture of two bad black dogs.















I have given the badly out-sized bayret to the brother. I should probably take a picture of him when he hasn't just hauled out of bed, having arrived at 4 am this morning. He and the cuz came through the nearest large town at 3 am and were flagged down by the police looking for drugs and guns. The car was searched and they were surly. I guess a caddy with two dodgy looking boys is just too much of a cliche.



















This year's Christmas tree.



















I'm off to sing and then make the pudding.

Long weekend -

I caught up with friends for breakfast, yesterday. We tried to make our way home winding through the back streets and cobblestone alleys. We got lost and found good things.














I've begun a πr2 shawl. Ravelry.














And managed to get a little more done on the ever delightful Bayret. Ravelry.














It has been quite the most splendid long weekend, filled with excellent people and (o-mi-god)delicious food.

And the best thing? It is not over yet.

Dancing Moss -

I started a new hat today (cause I need another one) cause I saw a great pattern and have this really great yarn.

It is even likely to fit someone given the timely observation by my house mate that it was enormous with an extra pattern repeat in it. This time I listened sooner and ripped after four rows.














I want a kitten, please.

Lhasa, Tibet AR, 25/09/08 -

This was the view from breakfast.














The first monastery of the trip was Drepung. This is the monastery where the troubles started earlier in the year.














You can see in this picture, on the balcony thing, one of the solar stoves. Every monastery and many of the towns and villages had these. There is a lot of sun in Tibet, so it makes a lot of sense. They stick a kettle on the holder in the middle.














The walls were very thick, every window was painted around with black (good luck? keep away the bad spirits? I can't remember), and most window sills had pots of flowers. There were many geraniums and chrysanthemums.














This place has been here for hundreds of years, surviving plateau winters and earthquakes. It was closed down by the government from 14th March until shortly before our visit. Many of the monks were taken away on the train line (the one they just finished building?) and no one knows what has happened to them.

Hothamhaas -

It turns out that I am no good at taking a picture of my own head.

My dear boy,

I hope you are well and that you get this soon in your travels.

Thank you for the credits you forwarded. They have helped, as Matty is still sick with the Damplung.

I made you the enclosed to keep you warm in your travels.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Your Mother.















A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he's not afraid of anything.