bendigo bound

Yarn by Stranded in Oz

The younger son and I ventured to Bendigo yesterday to visit the Australian Sheep and Wool show.

I cannot remember the last time I visited Bendigo and certainly don't remember it being as lovely as it is. Given its gold mining history, it shouldn't have come as any surprise that it is chock full of gorgeous Victorian buildings.


We passed the most gorgeous art deco style house (I think my favourite architectural style) and to my joy, found a photo of it via Google, as, as is often the case, I didn't think to take my camera.

The highlight of Ethan's day was the many and varied breeds of sheep on display. In particular, he was quite taken with the rams and, uh, what makes them rams. We watched the judging of a class and much to the amusement of those around us he exclaimed loudly "whoa, check out the nuts on that one, Mum."

Watching the sheepdog trials took me back to our time in the UK, where most Sundays involved a leisurely pint in our village pub before heading home to watch One Man and His Dog. Only in England could sheepdog trials be a popular weekly television show. I loved the farmers in their flat caps and thick regional accents and the gruff affection that they showed to their dogs.

Of course, we spent quite a lot of time browsing the wool stalls, touching, feeling and mentally planning out knitting projects.

Perhaps I could knit a gag for Ethan in time to take the boys to the Royal Show in September. If he was that impressed with the rams, I wonder what he'll make of the bulls?

ode to joy

For me the are few things more joyful than a newborn foal who discovers, after a wobbly start, that he can not only stand, but run.



More joy at Mikes.

this is not suri's hat

.... but it could have been.

I thought I'd hit on the PR idea of the week - Suri and the Cruise family are in Melbourne, so I'd send young Ms Cruise a hat to keep her warm on a bus trip to see the penguins, when queueing for the scenic railway at Luna Park, or waiting for Puffing Billy.

But not just any hat, I flicked through pages and pages of Google images to find a photo of her in a hat and coat so I could get an idea of what colour and style appeals to Suri and her parents.

Although there were a few (and I mean a very few) photos of Suri wearing a coat, there was not a single one in a hat. Even photos where mum Katie is wearing her oft worn woollen scarf and beanie - New York winter shots - there was Suri hatless, coatless and in some instances, in short sleeves. Even in summer Suri seemingly goes hatless.

Further digging revealed forums* and blogs suggesting that Suri doesn't do hats, often refuses to wear shoes and has to be Tom-handled into a coat, which she removes at the earliest occasion. Hmm, I thought, it's like that is it. Perhaps young Suri rules the Tomkat roost? Does as she pleases? No doubt she even jumps on the couch when the mood takes her.

It's a next season hat too. Less slim fitting than previous styles and the dainty vintage buttons are sewn on to the hat in a neat little column. She was going to be ahead of pack.

So as it's a Sheeps Clothing company policy to only give away hats to nice children, ones who will actually wear them, ones fathered by tall men who appreciate that furniture is for sitting on and that thetan is a track in the Botanical Gardens rather than a part of Scientology doctrine, this is not Suri's hat.

*Singular / plural? Does modern usage allow for an "s"?

eye spy... favourite childhood party game

I seem to remember lots of birthday parties as a child. Here I am (that's me in the front) at my third or fourth birthday in the obligatory new party dress (the Holly Hobby style one was my favourite). No doubt just out of shot is the table of cocktail frankfurts, cheezels and fairy bread.

If I were to be honest, I would have to say my favourite party game was cracking Chocolate Royals on my forehead before eating off the chocolate, followed by the marshmallow and finally the jelly smeared biscuit. Back then, the milk chocolate ones were my favourite because of the pink marshmallow, but these days I prefer a dark Chocolate Royal. As to whether I still crack them on my forehead, I'm not saying.

Food related games aside, I loved a good game of pass the parcel. None of this modern day PC every child gets a prize crap, there was one prize in the middle and one only. The thrill, the danger, the thinking you were opening the last layer for there only to be one more. What's not to love?

Centre back 5th birthday party 1976. The big ole hunk o' spunk is my Dad.

Thanks Kirstie for this week's theme. More party games at Cindy's.

new stockist

Red Feathers and a Hula Skirt

360 Marmion Street
Melville WA 6156

Opening Monday 13 July!

treacle beak beanies

It's amazing what a quick trawl through blog and website stats can reveal.

We've all seen the strange key words that bring people to one's blog. In my case, a long ago reference to my distaste for visible male (or female for that matter) under arm hair still brings in lots of readers, as does a fondly remembered holiday to Bora Bora.

Today following an unfamiliar link brought me to the door step of a new blogger, Treacle Beak who has recently knitted up my cupcake beanie pattern in a variety of flavours. Don't they look lovely?

If you're not a knitter yourself, the finished article is available in the store.

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging, Treacle!

holidays thus far

The school holidays can be a challenge given that the Cricketer works from home. It is difficult enough when he is on the phone and I start up the vacuum cleaner or charge in to ask him what he wants for lunch. Doesn't do much for the professional image.

Add to that two weeks of "Mum, Mum, Muuuuum!", "He hit me", "He hit me first" and the stress levels of all concerned go through the roof. Into that mix goes a week of near constant rain and it becomes a wonder that blood has not been spilled.

My answer to this is distraction, entertainment and when possible, outings.

Last week we had a playdate with a friend and her kidlets at the playground at Federation Square. The boys were mortified as they thought I was taking them to the Barbie Expo that was on in the Fed Square car park. It has become quite the threat, "be good or I'll take you to Barbie". I'm happy to use it.

From there we we ventured to the National Gallery where I was really keen to see the Charles Conder paintings of Mentone beach.

This is the one I was hoping to see, but it must hang in another gallery.

We did see this one, which was painted at Ricketts Point, a bit further around the Bay.

No trip to the NVG is complete without a trip to the Shop, where I picked up a postcard of a Mentone painting (along with the animal topped children's chopsticks) , thinking it was a Conder, only to learn when I photographed it that it is actually a Tom Roberts. Sadly it is indicative of how much I know about art.

Happy holidays!