fine spells

Waiheke Island from the Maraetai Coast Road taken in the rain on the way home after last weekend's visit to the Clevedon markets.

sparrows and finches

I don't know why I worried that the birdfeeder would go undiscovered. The birds found it three days after I put it out. How did they know? Lots of house sparrows and a few greenfinches. And spotted doves - that I've never seen before - eat the seed that falls on the ground. I've enjoyed watching them and have now moved the feeder closer to the house.
If you're interested in feeding birds in your garden (in NZ) there's good advice here.

Have a good week.

Listening: Are we there by Sharon Van Etten

yellow beanie

When I posted this photo of my granddaughter digging in the sandpit I realised I hadn't shared the pattern for the yellow beanie. So... here it is.

This is a simple pattern suitable for beginner knitters and perfect to keep your little one snug on a cold and windy day.

1 ball Misti Alpaca yarn
4 mm and 4.5 mm needles

Gauge 5 sts per inch on US #7 or 4.5mm needles 

With 4 mm needles cast on 76 sts
K2, P2 rib for 12 rows
Change to 4.5 mm needles and work 28 rows in stocking stitch.
Begin crown working in garter stitch (all rows knit)
(K3, k2 tog) to last st, k1 (61sts)
Knit the next 3 rows
(K2, k2 tog) to end (46 sts)
Knit the next 3 rows
(K1, k2 tog), k1
Knit one row
K2 tog across row
Break off yarn and thread through the remaining sts.
Sew up seam, make and sew on pom-pom.

susie

Another birthday to celebrate on Saturday - on Waiheke Island. And it rained nearly all day. I was hoping for walks on the beach and photos of the sea and distant islands. Instead we mostly stayed indoors in front of the fire. But it was a wonderful day - food, wine, friends. How lucky I am to know Susie.

Reading: Out of winter by Carol Lee

autumn

Now is my favourite time of year. I love the red leaves and the sunny days that are a bit chilly. And dreaming of winter shoes. And thinking about a new knitting project. I can't decide whether to make this or this.

We've put a bird feeder in the garden for the first time - hoping it might stop the birds digging up our winter vegetable seedlings in their search for worms. But also to help them out with some food when there's not much around. I don't think any bird has found the feeder yet. Perhaps I need to entice them with apple. Have you ever had a bird feeder in your garden? How did it go?

Reading: Gracefully Grayson: a novel by Ami Polonsky
Eating: persimmons - from our tree

mother's day

A visit with my mum yesterday at the rest home. She'll be ninety in August. We're planning a big party.

cake and sand

On the weekend my family celebrated a 61st birthday with carrot cake - decorated with lime icing, jaffas and gold dust - and washed down with champagne.

And last weekend we improvised a sandpit for our granddaughter. Digging and running seem to be very important things to do. I remember how I used to love making mud pies when I was about six or seven years old. I used to decorate them with flowers and then sprinkle sand on the top to look like icing sugar. I can't wait to get into that again.

Reading: Smoke gets in your eyes & other lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
Watching: The Sopranos season five