Resting up

Not doing much today as we are going to sydney to see Jeffrey Rush in King Lear. So just reading the paper, took the dog for little walk and planting some of the reduced plants. I love buying the reduced plants if they've survived a week or so in a nursery then you think maybe they are the hardy ones and will survive in the garden. Then did some watering as its hot and a bit windy. I'm knitting some socks at the moment and a summer scarf out of marl cotton. 

We went to Melbourne for the weekend to a friends daughters engagement party so I sneaked a visit to Morris and sons in Melbourne and got a wool that I want to knit a jumper from. Could have just ordered it but I love the thrill of finding it. We found a beautiful arcade too and had lunch. Pretty tired through, I am not much of a party person but it was really great to catch up with  all their family and friends as I,Ve know her since school and that's a long time. Must get ready 

A child on the beach

There are sadnesses so deep 

If you dive them 

You will drown 

These wars are like their reasons 

They mean nothing in the end

The vanity of leaders 

Baking

Been inspired by the great British bake off which is about the only one of those contest shows I like. I hate it when they kick people off. I don't know why they have to do it why not go to the end with everyone and judge it then. It's just a nasty bit of drama but at least in the bake off it's mostly feels fair and the bakers learn a lot. 

I've been looking up sultana cake recipes found a nice one so going to try that.

It's quite chilly today but have been planting 

Investigating frangipane

Have made a hummingbird cake which I mix up with frangipane cake, pretty names. Anyway I've got it worked out. Baby is a month old tomorrow so made a cake for him, I bought an 0 candle. It is such an easy cake which I like, can't get it wrong. Will put cream cheese icing on it, everyone likes that. 

Finished some slippers for mother in law and had some wool left so made a little pair for her great granddaughter. Have been doing some gardening it is warmer at last and nice to be outside. The azaleas are out and the freishas.A sweet pea is out early because it is growing up the gabion wall. 

Waiting for husband to get ready

HWe are going to see our new baby grandson. He is our first grandchild and it feels quite amazing. I wish they were a bit closer. It's only 1/2 hour or so but just a bit far for popping in. He will be two weeks old tomorrow and changing already. 

I didn't get round to planting yesterday just chopping up all the palm fronds and wisteria I'm pulling out from behind the pool. It's such a mess the landscaper looked at it and ran for the hills. So I'm just working away at it. You can move mountains bucket by bucket, well if you live long enough. I made some nice bread and a Jamie Oliver marmalade cake which was really nice, I made it with sumo mandarins. Also finished some socks and the first square of a baby rug. I love the pattern very simple and self edging. A pattern for washers. 

Pretty day

Very cold winter this year for us anyway. I guess we don't dress or heat enough for it. It's ok today in the sun. I'm going to plant some pansies. The problem I have at the moment is next doors rabbit who grazes our garden and the possums who eat the rest. The reticular camilla in bloom  one thing the possums don't eat with our new gabion walls in the background. 

Tiles

HWe are renovating the bathroom, unwillingly the shower was leaking under the floor so big issue. All the board rotten. Actually just going to reno the bathroom downstairs but had to fix the upstairs shower first. Then the found all the extra damage. I don't mind any of that but just hate picking the tiles etc. Really if we ever do it again going to get a interior designer (a cheap one) and take whatever they pick. The great thing about watching reno shows is NOT doing it. The more I look at stuff the more perfectly happy with our own clutter and worn out carpets, actually that's where all the new stuff is heading anyway. Came home to find this :the bathroom on the street.