Time flies when you're having fun!

Where did the past three months go?

I realised a couple of weeks into November that I hadn't put up any new notes on my blog. Then all my plans went out of the window as I started planning for a big overseas holiday. An opporutnity arose that enabled Frans and I to leave our cares and worries behind (for the time being!) and take off to the other side of the world and experience an European winter.

But first things first... November has to be remembered!

The garden exploded with colour. I had planted over 300 bulbs around the end of June. It was a little late according to the packet instructions, but I took a chance anyway. My efforts were rewarded with these beauties.

There's nothing more satisfying than picking flowers from your own garden.

The foxgloves were sensational! There is an elderly gentleman named Clem who walks past our house every day. He's a keen gardener and when I'm out digging or planting, he'll always stop for a chat. He's helped me identify many 'surprise' plants in the garden. He just loves these foxgloves. He says that they're the best he's seen anywhere for years. Thanks Clem.

Ahh.. another weekend in the country with our friends John and Norma. There's nothing much to do except relax. Gee it's a tough life....

As you can see, the pace is pretty fast down on the farm.

We went for a drive down to the sea with John and Norma. The drive to Warnambool takes around an hour and a half.

Lovely sea side flowers

Frans' Mum, Riet, came to spend 10 days with us in November. It's always a delight to have her come and visit. We get spoiled with Dutch vegie and meatball soup and delicious apple sauce. (not served together of course!)

Here Frans is preparing some biltong, and Mum is preparing for the soup.

No-one can chop vegies so beautifully even than my MIL. I'm convinced it makes the soup taste different.

A visit to the Camberwell Market is a given. Mum loves op shops and markets. Here she is, purse ready!

Now there is nothing like a table of rope to make Frans happy! How could he walk away without buying a hank or two?!

Celebrations in order! Our 2nd daughther Katie finally completed her masters degree. She's a clever girl. A science degree, mastering in zoological research. Well done Katie! Cheers!

Aha.... the famous vegetable and meat ball soup.

You have to hang up your drying biltong somewhere I guess....

A visit to the National Gallery.

Just look at these beautiful  babies! Broad beans!

And this is how we ate them. Fresh bread, proscuito, brie, butter and cold white wine. What could be more simple, yet so delicious!

Ami & Mum Hillege. Lunch at the Giangulio's.

Sara and Oma.

I had some friends around for a girl's afternoon tea. Life gets so busy that we lose track of one another. It means we have to make a special effort to keep our friendships going. Adelyn, Kate, Lynnie, Sara and Anna.

Frans and I spent a weekend in the city. It was fun being tourists in our own city. A visit to Melbourne is not complete unless you've had a coffee at Pellegrinis.

And the most exciting event of all...... The birth of Leilani. My first great niece. Here she is, around 20 minutes young!  Welcome to our family xx.

Perfect Sunday

This past weekend, we had a 'girlie weekend'. My wonderful sister in law, Jayne, came down from Sydney for a couple of days. We trooped off to a craft market on Saturday morning and followed it with a few stops along High Str, Armadale. We ended our outing with a visit to a fabulous supermarket called Leo's in Hartwell. We bought supplies for dinner as Jayne was cooking. We had pork belly with lentils and caramelised beetroot. Delish!

Sunday morning found us the Camberwell Market. My favourite market in Melbourne. We browsed and had a yummy breakfast. I picked up a planter bowl for a new little plant my niece Gwen gave me.

Here's Jayne checking out the vintage bags

I love the eclectic fashions you spot at the market. Anything goes!

This thoughtful stall holder even provided a spot to kneel while rummaging through her pile of clothes. Genius!

We then went home and lazed on the front deck.   

Sara took to the grass

One of these days she's going to finish Anna Karenina!

Nala had to be part of the action. Love her licking her lips in anticipation!

Tea was poured

We bought some lemon curd at the craft market on Saturday. We filled little pastry shells and topped them with cream. The little meranges we picked up at Leo's. Filled with cream they were simply sublime! Not a calorie in sight! Sshhhh.....

Aaahhh... the good life!

Many years ago, my girlfriend Donny and I used to listen to Michael Franks' music. In one song he had a line that went something like this: 'hollyhocks and foxgloves to the knees. Now life's in a major key.' I've always wanted to grow foxgloves after hearing this song. So I planted some last season. No flowers then. But this year they've rewarded me with the most beautiful pink bell like flowers.

Life is definitely in a major key!

R.I.P. Wynand - South Africa

It was with great shock and sadness that we learned of the passing away of my youngest brother Wynand on the 14th of October. Wynand was only 37 years old. He was much loved by all who knew him. We will miss him terribly. He is going to make an awsome angel!

So my brother Lionel and I hopped on a plane to make the sad trip back to South Africa. We flew into Jhb and transferred directly to Durban where the funeral was to be held.

I stayed with my Mum at Wynand's apartment right next to the sea. What a view! No wonder he was enjoying his life in Durban. 

Lionel and I managed to catch up with our family and in between the sadness, we did manage to have a few good laughs. We visited my Dad and step Mum at their new place. Boy, just look at that security! 

Seatbelt rules are very casual to say the least in South Africa. No proper car seats for little ones. My little nephew Seth wanted to sit with his Uncle Lionel. No problem.

Lunch with my Dad and my little sister, Vanessa. 

You know you're in Africa! 

Lionel and three of the gang. Leshae, Seth and Cadibree 

Dinner.... Bunny Chow. A wonderful Durban Indian invension. Half a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with a delicious (hot!!) lamb curry. Served with a packet of pickled carrot. 

I just LOVE the Indian spice shops in Durban. Here's my Mum and my sister Belinda. Pity the Aussie customs are so strict! Spices are bought by the weight. 

What wonderful colours!

The new South Africa has created many new job opportunities..... For instance, I think that being able to buy an ice cold coke while sitting in the hot afternoon traffic is simple genius!  

My Mum Marie and my Sister Vanessa. 

The wake in honour of Wynand. Here his friends and boss are remembering him with a shot or two! 

My trip was only 4 days. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer. Next time. But my best friend Donny and her sister Lois came to the airport and we had a coffee together. It was sooo good to see them! 

And finally, on our way home, Lionel treated himself to a shoe shine at the new King Shaka airport in Durban.  

I visited South Africa last year and I didn't think I'd be back quite so soon. Even tho' it was for a sad reason, I'm glad I went. And hopefully we'll be able to go back again soon.

Family is best!

This past weekend, my brother Lionel, my SIL Adele, and my niece Genevieve and nephew, Delisle came to visit us from Brisbane. It was a fleeting visit. Only two nights. But hey, we're not complaining. It was great to catch up and share a few good laughs.

From left: Lionel, Delisle, Adele, Genevieve

Little Mummy. Only 6 weeks to go! It was wonderful feeling the baby kick.

Cousins!

Frans & Ami

Then it was time to haul out the knitted baby stuff and pass it on to Gen. (Save the postage!)

Pink and purple wool jacket

Little cotton bolero

And my favourite.. the sunshine BSJ knitted in wool

And just to show that knitting and crochet is genetic, here are a couple of pics of a beautiful afghan rug my Mum has just completed. My Mum lives in a small town in the beautiful Cape Province in South Africa. There is a very clever lady there who has a wonderful store called RAIN. She specialises in hand made organic products. So my Mum was asked to crochet an afghan for the store. It took her 3 months of solid 'hooking'. The pay was not great, but the satisfaction made up for it. I wanted to buy it, but unfortunately the afghan was earmarked for the London store. My Mum's one complaint was that the yarn was very thin! But you have to agree it looks devine! Well done Mummy! 

A close up of the squares. Yummy chocolate, taupe, cream and shell colours.

And yes, afghans are the flavour of the month in this family. I'm knitting a little pram blankie for Genevieve's bub. I'm using organic cotton. Queensland is hot remember!

The pattern is dead easy. Cast on 2 stitches. Knit a row. Then increase one stitch on each end until you have used up approx 5 or 6 balls of yarn. Then simply decrease one stitch again on each alternate row. And viola! You have a square baby blanket. All you need to do if you fancy, is crochet or knit a little edge around it I'm using white, cream and ecru for this little number.

Easy huh?

Stay tuned for the finished result. Then I'll be posting it off to Brisbane to Genevieve with all the little jumpers she FORGOT to take home with her! :-)

Latest knits...

I've been enjoying knitting smaller items this winter. And here is my latest tea cosy. I love orange. So if I can use this colour in a project, it makes me very happy!

The body is knitted, and the flowers are crochet.

This cosy looks very special on top of my grandmother's tea pot!

And once again, orange is the feature colour in this little 'Baby Surprise Jacket' that I made last week for my neice Genevieve. Well, it's for her baby...

The construction of this jumper is facinating. It is knitted as one piece. And all done in 100 rows.

I think this little jacket looks like pure happiness!

Here's the finished little jacket

Just loved the little flower buttons. Here you can see a close up of the unexpected use of colour: Orange, red, hot pink, pink and yellow. Why not I say...

The back.

Knitting these little jackets is a tad addictive.... Now what colours should I try out next I wonder....