Last Post for NaBloPoMo

Hello lovely bloggers,

Well, tonight is my last November post and I made it!  30 out of 30 posts for NaBloPoMo!

At times, it was a bit tricky but on the whole I must say that I enjoyed it - it was a lot of fun.

I hope that the other bloggers who did NaBloPoMo enjoyed it as much as I did.

I have had a steady week of stitching this week - here is my progress on my La Belle Etoile SAL:

Have a great day or evening everyone,

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Stash Empire Building

Hello lovely bloggers,

In preparation for the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, I have been doing some more Stash building:

Magnetic Needle Minder and matching counting pins

I am going to be a busy girl in January, aren't I?

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Big News

Hello lovely bloggers,

Well, I have some big news to tell tonight.  I am so excited!  Next March DH and I are going on a long holiday to America!

I have been wanting to visit mainland U.S.A for a long time now and finally we are getting the opportunity to go.  We are travelling to New York City, then Washington, we are then being picked up in Washington  by friends who are going to take us on a road trip to Gettsyburg (I have always wanted to visit a Civil War battlefield) and then down to their home in Nashville, Tennessee and then the last stop is San Francisco and then home.  We will be gone for a whole month.  Have I mentioned that I am so excited!  U.S.A here we come!

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Weekend Roundup

Hello lovely bloggers,

Well, lots to report on this 27th post in a row - go NaBloPoMo!  Only 3 posts to go after this one for a perfect record for the month.

As I posted yesterday, it rained really heavily here in Melbourne yesterday.  Very hard to believe as I sit here in brilliant sunshine today at 6.30pm.  Anyway, as promised here are some photos of the measures we had to take to combat the indoor showers:

The window in DD's bedroom

Leaking through DD's wardrobe - thank goodness she was not home to see this!

Our front hallway.

However, Saturday did have a bright note as we were invited to an engagement party which took place in the afternoon.  Now, being an ever vigilant cross stitcher, I espied these little darlings on the wall of the study where we placed our bags and jackets.

Aren't they cute?

And here is a pic of DH and I at the party and one of some of my friends.  My friend who has just got engaged is second from the left.

There was the most gorgeous chocolate engagement cake and very cute Red Velvet cupcakes:

I have been working hard on my La Belle Etoile SAL, here is my progress pic:

...and lastly, here is my TUSAL jar, with Furio looking after it for me:

Have a lovely evening everyone, stitching or blogging or any other fun thing that you are doing,

Hugs, Kaye xoxoxo

A lovely Christmas Giveaway

Hello lovely bloggers,

Well, it must be getting close to Christmas and to kick us off, Barbara from To Stitch or not to Stitch is having a fabulously generous Christmas Giveaway.  You can check it and her lovely blog out here.

Good luck everyone!

It is a very wet day here in Eaglemont and the rain is so heavy that it is actually raining in my house!  We have had our roof and our gutters checked and rechecked by when we get a heavy rainfall from a certain direction - we have no hope and it is running around with buckets and old towels for us.  I will take some pics and update this post later.

Hope that all of you are dry,

hugs, Kaye xoxox

Udderly smooth

Hello lovely bloggers,

When I was blog browsing the other night, I saw a post on Daffycat's blog where she mentioned liniment amongst her latest stash purchases and was complaining about its scent.

This made me think about a cream which I used to use when I was stitching many years ago called udder cream.  This is a great hand cream for stitchers as it is totally absorbed into the skin and then you can stitch straight away and it smells nice.  So, I did a google search to see if it still exist and imagine my excitement when I found that it is made by an Australian company called MooGoo and that my local health store stocks it.  This company has an online website and there are stockists in Hong Kong, Ireland, U.S. and New Zealand.

Now it is exactly what it sounds like - it is actually udder cream - it is used to stop teat cracks and keep udders supple!  Here are the directions on the back of the tube of cream which I bought:

"Wash udder and teat parts thoroughly before each milking to avoid contamination of milk. Apply udder cream to the udder after each milking , massaging into the skin.

For teat cracks, apply sufficient quantity to fill crack and surrounding area. As an aid in softening swollen udders during calving, apply liberally twice daily with gentle massage. May be used for dry or chafed skin and as an aid in keeping skin soft and supple." 

I can thoroughly recommend it as a hand cream for stitchers.

Have a good evening everyone, 

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

JCSs Christmas Ornie SAL update

Hello lovely bloggers,

Well, I finally managed to get some quality stitching time - boy, did I need it.  I find it so relaxing, don't you?

Here is my progress on my JCS Ornie SAL which I am doing with Julie.

Off to bed now - one more day than it is the weekend and more time to stitch!  Yay!

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Very quick post

Hello lovely bloggers,

This is just a really quick post as I have put in another long day at work today  - three back to back meetings including a nationwide webinar  - 13 hours.  So, just wanted to say hello and fulfil my NaBloPoMo commitment.  Off to have a yummy spag bol cooked by DH (only Italians can cook really good spag bol) and work on my JCS SAL with Julie.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

IHSW and I have a new toy.....

Hello lovely bloggers, 

Well, after a great night's sleep and a really productive working at home day I am ready to post a proper post.  Blogger is finally picking up my IHSW progress pic - not sure what happened there, but here it is, La Belle Etoile SAL - I actually have done a little more on it last night - I have started the vine on the right hand side.  Sorry it is not ironed (me being lazy) and for some reason, every time I take a photo of this design the fabric colour comes out differently - Go figure!

Now, for the exciting news - a new camera!  I bought a Panasonic Lumix FH2 with two 8GB memory cards.  It is a really pretty blue colour - I can't wait to take some photos with it.  But, here are a couple of pics of it taken with my old camera:

Furio would like to take some pretty pictures, too.

Off to stitch and blog watch now, have a good evening/day everyone.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Too tired....

Hello lovely bloggers,

Sorry, I am too tired to blog a proper post tonight - I have just put in a 12 hour day today and I am pooped!

On a good note, though, my new camera came today - so excited about it - I will post you all the details tomorrow.

Have a good evening - I am going to relax by doing some stitching on my La Belle Etoile SAL.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Sunday.....

Hello lovely bloggers,

Today for NaBloPoMo, I am going to add to my post as the day goes on:

7.30 am - woken by a happy Furio purring in my face.  He is a great alarm clock

8 am - checking out blogs as it is too early (thanks Furio) to go pick up my friend for our walk

8.25 am - Discover via Rita E's blog Stitch Days about a great new Giveaway from Miss Print, you can check it out here.

8.41 - Having partially satisfied my Blog Stalking reading craving,  I head off to pick up Marie and then on to Prince's Park for our walk.....

..... to be continued.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

10am - Finish walk, Marie and I stop for coffee at our favourite Greek Cafe where we indulge ourselves after all that hard work by sharing a Greek custard cake (in my defence, I had not had any breakfast!)

11am - Stop to buy bread for lunch, some Christmas party invitations and a new diary for 2012:

The outside box cover

The cover of the actual diary itself

Now, aren't I organised?  Actually, my DD has told DH and I to keep the 12th January free for our Christmas present - I wonder what she has in mind? - and told me to write it in my diary, so I just had to go out and buy my 2012 diary.  Isn't it pretty?  The inside has gorgeous photos of the French countryside and French style:

This is just a sampling - aren't they absolutely gorgeous photos - what a lovely year I have ahead of me, enjoying these photos?

... ... to be continued.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox


2.10pm - I have been watching episodes of 'Fringe' and stitching my La Belle Etoile SAL.  Here is a progress pic:  (sorry, not ironed and I can't seem to get that background colour to show up right)

2.27pm - I have given up in frustration - despite the progress pic showing up in iphoto - blogger cannot see it!  Grrr!  I will try again later.

... to be continued...

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

3.35pm - home from the supermarket shopping with DH - always such a joy - NOT!

Still no luck with uploading the SAL progress pic - so annoying - it is definitely sitting there in iphotos but neither blogger nor picasa can see it!

... to be continued...

Hugs, Kaye xoxox


7pm - Getting all dressed up in my glad rags to go out for Malaysian food and a movie with DH, DS1 and DD - we are seeing "Drive".  Has anyone seen it?  I will be able to give you my review in tomorrow's post.

This is probably all from me today,  (thank goodness, you are probably all saying as this has turned into a bit of a marathon post).

lots of hugs, Kaye xoxox

Under Milkwood

Hello lovely bloggers,

As I mentioned in yesterday's post - last night we went to see Heidelberg Theatre Company's version of 'Under Milkwood'.  They did a lovely job but, as might be expected, they were not as good as Richard Burton:

Isn't his voice amazing?  It is so lyrical and beautiful!

Enjoy!

Edit:  I am happily stitching for IHSW - on my La Belle Etoile SAL from Threadbasket.  It is a miserable, wet day here in Melbourne - so a great day for stitching.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

More Baking Mojo

Hello lovely bloggers,

I thought that I would show off some more of my baking mojo.  This is what I made for dinner the other night:

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with chick peas, sweet potato and pearl couscous

Spicy Gingerbread Muffins with homemade lemon curd

I can tell you, I have never made lemon curd before but it was so easy and so delicious!

Off to work now and then straight out to see 'Under Milkwood' at the local theatre tonight.  Have a great day everyone.

18 for 18 for NaBloPoMO!  Yay!


bye for now, Kaye xoxox

JCS Christmas Ornie SAL

Hello lovely bloggers,

I am doing a Wednesday night SAL with Julie of Christmas Ornies from JCS 2011.  The first one I am doing is Shepherd's Bush Christmas ABC.  I am doing it on 28 count Prairie Green Linen from Wichelt.

Sorry, the picture is a bit hazy:

I have done one little christmas bauble, the word 'Pole", a 'Q' a present and 'ghts'

Now, off to do some more stitching.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox


P.S.  I have just found out that Daffycat has opened up the 2012 TUSAL.  If you want to join up, here is the link: It's Daffycat: A Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long

K

... and we have a winner! ... or should I say, two!

Hello Lovely Bloggers,

I have a winner for my 'Just Because' Giveaway and as I got to 100 followers by the time it closes, I have a winner for my '100 followers' Giveaway, too.

But first, I am going to tease you - you will have to read my whole post to get to the big announcement!

I have finished Part 1 of 'La Belle Etoile', the Threadbasket SAL I am doing.  Here is a pic:

I am really loving this fabric - it is Prairie Green 28 count by Wichelt.  Really easy to stitch and the colour is fantastic.  I am thinking of using it for 12 Dancing Princesses and Jane and the Prisoner of Woolhouse - both HAED.  Here is a better picture of the green fabric:

I have also just had a reading finish:

This was a really interesting piece of historical research which looked at the life and reign of Elizabeth I from the lens of the influence of the women in her life.  If you are interested in The Tudors and historical research - then I can recommend this book.

Well, my baking mojo seems to be back after my sickness - this is what I made for last night's dinner:

Pasta, chorizo and tomato salad (I adapted the recipe from a dish I saw elsewhere)

Zucchini Fritters with Dill Yoghurt Sauce 

This recipe is from my friend Vicky's blog, The Weekend Cook. Please check out her blog - she has some lovely recipes.

The winner of my 'Just Because' Giveaway is.... Linda from 'Stitchin' with my Furbabies'  I am so happy that the random organiser chose Linda's number, she was so keen to win that she made lots of comments to get herself lots of entries in the Giveaway.  Congratulations, Linda, here is just a reminder of what you have won: 

And the winner of my '100 followers' Giveaway is... Wagapapa, her blog is Wagapapa Creations.  Please check out her blog as she is having an blogaversary giveaway.  I am also really happy that Wagapapa's number was chosen by the random organiser as she had just slipped in with a late entry - so it goes to show that it is never too late to join in a Giveaway or competition.

Now, Wagapapa, it is a surprise what you have won - you will just have to wait until you receive the parcel in the mail!  (evil chuckle) 

Linda and Wagapapa, please contact me on KayeDeP@gmail.com with your snail mail address and I will send you your prize.

Well, tonight is my JCS Christmas Ornie SAL with Julie from JulieandYesDearsravings, so I had better get some stitching done.

Love to you all, 

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Last chance to enter my 'Just Because' Giveway

Hi everyone, 


Just a quick reminder that you have until midnight Eastern Summer Time (Australia)  to enter my  'Just because' Giveaway - you can check it out here.

Also,  as at I am nearly at a 100 followers only two to go  - if I reach 100 by midnight tonight when my 'Just Because' Giveaway closes I will have a second prize to giveaway - not sure what it will be yet but it will be something from my stash.

I will post a progress pic on my Threadbasket SAL - "La Belle Etoile" tonight, probably.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Yummy dinner tonight!

Hello lovely bloggers,

Just a quick post as I want to:

a) read and comment on lots of blogs tonight

b) get some stitching done.

But I wanted to share a pic of the yummy dinner I made for DH and DFIL tonight:

Prawn and Feta Saganaki

It was a really quick recipe to make and absolutely delicious with crusty olive bread!  Yum!

Just over 24 hours until my  'Just because' Giveaway, it closes - you can check it out here.

Also,  as at I am nearly at a 100 followers only three to go  - if I reach 100 by midnight tomorrow night when my 'Just Because' Giveaway closes I will have a second prize to giveaway - not sure what it will be yet but it will be something from my stash.

Have a nice evening, everyone.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox

Finally feeling much better...

Hello lovely bloggers,

I am finally on the mend.  I had a lovely rest cure in the country, staying in Ballarat with my DU and DA. They coddled and pampered and plied me with the finest French brandy and finally those rotten germs are on the run.  I am feeling almost normal - coughing only rarely, and while I have still got a slight sore throat it is quite bearable.  Thank god!  But, of course,  I am really behind on my work and I have another deadline this week - which I am not going to be able to make.  But I am not going to get stressed about it - there was nothing I can do about being sick!  So, cool, calm and collected will be me tomorrow!


Anyway, yesterday I promised you some photos of the Farmer's Market next to Lake Wendouree, sorry they are a bit fuzzy but I had to take them on DH's mobile.

Dear Aunt

The cool children's playground by the lake -  DH and I used to bring the kids here when they were little.

The next photos are of us having coffee in a converted old house opposite the lake:

DH in silhouette

Dear Uncle

DU again

The next three photos are of a family of swans by the lake.  We have had 11 years of drought in Victoria, which only broke last year.  Lake Wendouree went dry and the swans went away.  Now they are back with a vengeance - they have bred three times this year.

I thought I had better have a stitching update - during my R@R I was able to get some stitching done.  I have started Virginie at Threadbasket's SAL.  Here is my start on part one:

And, here are a couple of old kitten photos I just found on my phone:

Last thing, don't forget my 'Just because' Giveaway, it closes in two days - you can check it out here.

Also,  as at I am nearly at a 100 followers only four to go  - if I reach 100 by the time the Giveaway closes I will have a second prize to giveaway - not sure what it will be yet but spread the word.

Hugs, Kaye xoxox