knitted : family hats

Of course one of the best things about holidays is that bit of extra time you have to get stuck into a new knitting project. Well, for me it is anyway. All that driving, all that sitting around campfires and in tents, well, it is quite conducive to a little knitting. Nothing too hard of course, as it is a case of the easier the better when you are constantly moving a project around.

Literally minutes before leaving I put a little knitting bag together. A little zippered case full of essential knitting bits and pieces, yarn, needles and a book I'd had for quite some time, More Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

Knitting in Daniel's hat to cover up that "camping hair"

I chose the Family Ribbed Hats pattern because we seemed to be quite short on beanies for the coming Winter. I find it is far easier to justify knitting time spent on a need rather than a want. And I had quite a bit of fun knitting up this first beanie for Violet. The pattern was straightforward despite the fact that it was my first hat "in the round". Most of the pattern involved a circular needle, and then changing at the very end to double pointed needles.

I like to think that there is a whiff of campfires, dusty roads and the scent of fresh alpine air, as well as the wild brumbies we saw, all wrapped up into this little hat.

The yarn was a beautiful cashmere blend I had won in a giveaway from Flowerpress, and originally from the ZigoZago store. It was wonderful to work with, and I love the way the rich colours knitted up.

I was so happy with this little project that I started another as soon as I got home. This time I used some alpaca yarn leftover from this project. Julia claimed this one for herself, and who am I to argue when someone actually wants my knitting?  Knitting can be a thankless craft at times, but not always.

 


So two family hats down, and I suspect there just might be a few more to come.


Ravelry details here.

busy season

 I had almost forgotten just how very busy this season of Autumn can be. Although it is only beginning, the slightly frosty mornings and fresh winds off the mountains are a hint of what is to come. The Summer vegetable garden, although not an especially good one this year, has been harvested, compost added and seeds all ready to go in today. There is a little window of time to get seeds in for the Winter, and this is just as the hot days seem to be behind us, but the heavy frosts are yet to start. We've had a light one already, and I'm afraid this window of time will be a pretty small one this year.

Oregano is hung out to dry, blanched silverbeet packed in the freezer, seeds ready to go and a kindly neighbour's basil and parsley have been turned into pesto. (I think I have greenhouse envy!)

This cooler weather has really made me feel like knitting again. A few little needed projects using wool from the stash has to be a good thing for the conscience. Especially after a holiday.

Yesterday I made Tarragon vinegar (so simple, it is just Tarragon leaves with vinegar added; I used apple cider vinegar, with time it will have a stronger flavour and apparently it is very good for the liver among other things). At the same time I lightly stewed a batch of rhubarb, preserved in honey (recipe here). I have a big pot of more rhubarb ready to go on the stove right now. I quite like the tang of rhubarb, and I think you either love it or you hate it. Unfortunately I am the only one who loves it in this house. But it will be a nice addition to cream for dessert or a dollop on porridge.


Have you found yourself just that little bit busier in the kitchen lately?
Busier in the garden?
Enjoying the change in season wherever you are?

greener

Going away and coming home again can give you a new perspective on things. The trees seem bigger, apparently having gone through a growth spurt while we were away. The grass long and the weeds prolific. Greener than when we left. The house seems larger and more airy somehow.

But most importantly, is the feeling that is with you when you come home. Being away and seeing new places tends to bring a fresh perspective on things. We saw beautiful places, but although different to home, not any more beautiful.

Sometimes we see places along the way, places that might have cheaper farms or land and we toss these ideas around for awhile. But we have yet to decide if it is really the desire for more land or just the thrill of change that we are seeking. It is an idea we play around with from time to time. The grass is always greener isn't it? But we always come to the same conclusion.

Each time we come home and realise that we do have it pretty good here. It's a home we want to come home to, even though it is a small one. Do we really want to start all over again? We've put in so many trees, a large vegie garden and I do love my big kitchen. A lot of sweat (and sometimes tears) has gone into this place. The kids are very happy here, which really tips the scales for staying. 

It's been over three years now, and with each year there have been new projects ticked off the list. Each year we are getting to know our place just that little bit more, both the good and the bad. Through the bad growing seasons, through bushfires and droughts. The people out here are a tough breed, having endured these things many times over. They know that better times will come eventually. They stick it out, year in and year out. We're learning to.

Coming home makes me realise just how fortunate we are to live in this place. In this house, in this valley, in this tiny town. The sun is streaming through the window as I'm about to put on my second coffee for the day. The first frost of the season has already thawed (thank goodness we harvested and turned over the entire garden yesterday). A beautiful Autumn day has emerged. I must say, life is pretty good here.

our day in Melbourne

Did you know that you can actually camp in Melbourne? Neither did I. But it seems you can, in a relatively pleasant caravan park just 9km from the city. Overshadowed by one of those giant electricity poles merely metres away, I joked that it was our Eiffel Tower view.

We had promised Luca a visit to the Eureka Tower, and it turned out to be the highlight of his trip. I was the only one who had been to Melbourne before, and that was many years ago, so it was an entirely new experience for everyone else.

We nervously caught the tram in (where I spied a young woman knitting, and wondered if she had a blog), got lost many times (and we must have really looked lost as a kind lady approached us and offered directions), stumbled upon interesting buildings and laneways, strolled along the river and Luca got to see his tower. A little weary at the end of the day (especially considering I carried Violet and Daniel had the nappy bag full of everyone's drink bottles), we happily stumbled upon an unassuming little Italian restaurant where we ate the most delicious handmade ravioli ever.

It was quite an experience. For those of us that live in the country, it is so far removed from our everyday reality, but an exciting and interesting place nonetheless. With great coffee.



We quite like Melbourne.

walhalla

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the little town of Walhalla, nestled in a steep valley, and rich in gold mining history, it was almost like stepping back in time. Daniel fell in love with the place, and I suspect he would move there tomorrow if he could!

We arrived quite late in the evening. Rain was just about to set in for the night, and we were tired from driving. After an enquiry at the hotel we managed to get ourselves a little cottage for the night. It was our big splurge for the holiday, and in the midst of all that camping it felt like quite a luxury. Perched on the edge of a steep mountain, with the view of the valley covered in gentle rain, it was beautifully cozy. Of course the next two nights spent there we went back to roughing it at the campsite.

There were many (steep) walks to do, which we somehow managed, old mines to see and a historic train ride. The steep cemetery and the cricket oval at the very top of the mountain were also highlights.

This is what we love about our trips. Discovering little gems of places, that are not on the regular tourist routes, places with a soul, steeped in history (literally) and one where you get a sense of community.

It is most definitely one of those places we would love to visit again.

Do you have a favourite little town that you love to visit?

nice to be home

 

Well, it is nice to be back. Nice to be home. Nice to be sleeping in my (soft) bed, settling back into home life and using my coffee machine once again. It is also nice to be back in this little space again.

On Friday we arrived home from a two and a half week camping holiday in Victoria. In our camper trailer, as in our last big trip. There was a lot of driving to do, a lot of set ups and pack ups, but so much to see that we hadn't seen before. We thoroughly enjoy our trips to Victoria  with so many fascinating and beautiful places to visit.

From the Mornington Peninsula we (including car and camper) caught the ferry to Queenscliff. It was the kids first ferry ride and so was pretty exciting for them. I think I was just a little excited too. After a few days in Queenscliff, we headed off to do the Great Ocean Road, something none of us had seen before. Many parts were breathtaking and almost surreal, though there were certainly some crowds.

From beautiful Port Fairy to Melbourne, to the quaint little old mining town of Walhalla. Back home via the Great Alpine Road, with some days spent in Omeo and Bright.

Some of the camping was free, but most of it was in caravan parks, this proving to be the most convenient way to find accommodation late in the afternoon with three tired children, and also quite handy for the inevitable laundry visits. We would stay a few nights in each destination, although there was a lot of moving around this trip which is not always the best way to travel with a two year old. I think next time we may be better seeing a little less, but seeing more of each place.

Holidays, while being wonderfully refreshing and giving you chance to see new places, and meet interesting people along the way, truly do make you appreciate coming home.