days of summer

 

That is Mr Mingus in the garden showing you his little golden wings.

The beach is just a ten minute slow walk from our house. We swam there on Saturday evening. It was lovely. I wish this summer could last forever.

Reading How Proust can change your life by Alain De Botton and Kinfolk magazine + Eating sweetcorn from the garden + Listening to Sarah Blasko + Online for Journal de jours

pillowcases

I've been making pillowcases. I've made three pairs from a fairly new sheet and some cotton and linen I had in my cupboard. I've kept mine plain but if you'd prefer something a bit fancier there's loads of inspiration over here at Rosebud Quilting.
Sweet dreams.

but not so far

Yesterday was Auckland Anniversary Day and a public holiday where I live. So, in my quest for more holidays this year, we spent the day with friends on beautiful Waiheke Island. We walked the sculpture trail, tasted a little local wine, bought local produce - olive oil, honey, lemons and plums - and swam in the sea. Hoorah to that!

The minty drink is nimbu pani made from lemons I bought up North last week and some sugar and salt. It's an Indian summer drink similar to lemonade. Some of my work colleagues just love it so I had to try it for myself. I made this recipe from Sailu's Kitchen. It did taste a little bit electrolyte-sports-drink but I think the lemonade lemons I used are sweeter than regular lemons. Apparently they can be eaten straight off the tree like an orange so probably not a good choice for nimbu pani. We drank it all, but next time I might try limes or, perhaps, Waiheke lemons.

already a holiday

These photos were taken while staying 'up North' for a few days - the first of many holidays to come, I hope. The weather was wonderful and we swam in the ocean which I love to do.

Reading A moveable feast by Ernest Hemingway + Watching Girls, season 2

backwards and forwards

Hello again and Happy New Year. It's nice to be back.
This is most of the stuff I made last year. Sock monkeys and baby gifts feature heavily but I'm pretty pleased with what I got done. This year I'd like to do more sewing, do more yoga, take more holidays and learn to use my camera. How about you - any resolutions?

Reading The great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald + Eating lots of fresh summer vegies from the garden + Listening to Laibach

Thank you to everyone who has visited my blog this year.
I really appreciate it.

 I wish you all holiday happiness and bright days ahead.

I'm going to take a wee blog break and I'll see you again in mid-January.

bears and blankies

These cotton baby blankies were inspired by these flannel receiving blankets at Purl Bee and motivated by two pre-Xmas baby showers - first one tomorrow. I modified the pattern to just 1sc, 1 ch all round and I used a #10 cotton with a 1.5mm hook. I'm quite pleased with the simple look but SewChic has several patterns available for some nice fancier edgings. The bears are made from gloves like this one.

Time now to focus on Christmas. How are your preparations going?

Reading Are you my mother? by Alison Bechdel + Eating strawberries fresh from the garden