The kitchen that was

I'm impressed with the amount of building work that's been done in just three days. So far we are managing well in our makeshift kitchen - cooking on the barbeque and washing dishes in the laundry tub. It's almost fun.

Unfortunately there has been little time to do some of the other really fun things in life. I have made a start on embroidering a couple of handkerchiefs with simple cross stitch designs taken from Makoto's cross-stitch super collection by Makoto Oozu. But I think I'm ready to take on bigger things.

Reading I remember by Joe Brainard + Watching Frozen Planet (BBC nature documentary series) + Still eating tomatoes from the garden.

Demolition

Our renovation project started at 7.00 this morning. It's sad, scary and exciting all at once.

Last chance baking

Our builder is about to start work anytime now on our new kitchen and bathroom. We're in a limbo state - trying to pack up the kitchen but wanting to leave it as functioning as possible until it's absolutely necessary to abandon it. Ironically the cookbook I ordered, Cake angels by Julia Thomas, arrived on Friday. I thought today might be my last chance to bake. During the rebuild we will be cooking out of a makeshift kitchen using only a barbeque, electric frypan and a rice cooker. No oven. So, even though I should be wrapping plates in newspaper and packing them away in cartons, I made Julia's carrot bar recipe instead. And it was so worth it.

If you grow fruit and vegetables then this is the apron for you. I found it in Sewing made easy, first published in 1950. It's a big scoopy apron with a drawcord that you can tighten to form a large pocket - or basket - to collect all your ripe produce. Or maybe you could use it to hold your clothes pegs. Isn't it such a simple and wonderful idea?

Eating tomatoes from the garden + Reading At home : a short history of private life by Bill Bryson

Blue stitches, black stitches

In my workroom clean-up I found a stack of old handkerchiefs that I'd collected thinking I could extend their usefulness with a bit of embroidery. Once the builders start I won't be able to do much crafting unless it's something small and portable - like embroidery or knitting - as most of our furniture will be stored in my workroom. So the hankies could be the perfect project to keep me sane through the renovations. I've been preparing with some random cross stitch. I like the strawberry but I'm not sure about cross stitch in general. All that thread counting ...

I also found this piece of blackwork that I started years ago. I don't know how I did it. My older self is impressed with my younger self.



Reading back issues of frankie + Watching Australian tennis open

The simple life

I'm struggling with simplicity. It's an elusive state. My life has been full - with a house guest and visitors. And now our kitchen and bathroom renovations are about to start early - in two weeks time. So... mad rush to find, choose, and buy a bathtub, basins, wall tiles etc. This should be fun, of course, but I often need a long time to make up my mind. I'm finding this a little stressful. But today there was an afternoon of calm so I sat and listened to the radio and, inspired by Diana Rupp's book Embroider everything workshop, practiced some stitches. With a little help from Eric.

Eating beans from the garden + Reading It chooses you by Miranda July + Watching The adventures of Tintin + Listening Bad as me by Tom Waits.

Getting off to a good start

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? I have a small list this year that focuses on getting more exercise and spending more time doing the things I love. I decided I needed to simplify my life in order to prioritise my time. So I have spent days - really, days - clearing out my workroom. I started with the books, ruthlessly keeping only those I haven't read but want to, those I refer to a lot and just a few with strong sentimental value. And then, once I got into it, there was no holding me back. I assessed everything and threw out so much including failed attempts at sewing and knitting. Huge relief. Now that I have an organised space I can see many possibilities for the coming year. Can't wait to get started. How about you? Any exciting plans for 2012?

etc

Making confetti candle jars + Eating at Cafe Hanoi + Reading The principles of uncertainty by Maira Kalman + Watching Drive