Funky cushion cover and the secret

Thanks for all your Birthday and get well wishes. I am better.












It's turning chilly here. A cold and frosty morning today, but a lovely bright day after that.


I had lots of left over novelty yarn from my scarf making days and I decided to knit some cushion covers. The back is black and this is the front. I used a mixture of 8ply and novelty yarns for the front and a strand each of black 8ply acrylic and 8ply "feather" type yarn knitted together for the back. I used size 9mm needles and 32 stitches. I will make some plain black covers and another couple of striped covers. I like to change my cushion covers each winter. These feel nice and cosy and they are a quick project.












"the Secret" by Rhonda Byrne


I bought the book "the Secret" this week. I actually really enjoyed it. I originally wanted to read it to find out what all the "hype" was about.I haven't seen the film. I really think it did me more good than harm. I always try to think positively about things and tend to have a few "moments" where I wish for things to happen and they actually do. I also tend to believe that to a certain extent we make our own luck in life. Maybe I already knew "the secret" and didn't realise it!!??

I am 51!!!

My 51st Birthday has been and gone. I couldn't have any visitors because I had caught a "bug" and didn't want to infect anyone. Consequently, dinner plans with DH were cancelled.

My eldest brother phoned me from Queensland and sang "Happy Birthday" and proceeded to tell me that he had just gone through having three stents put in his heart (after collapsing at the Anzac Service) and was due to have two more in a couple of weeks! I didn't even know he wasn't well! We only keep in touch two or three times a year and no news is usually good news. I was very upset! Even though he is 16 years older than me and had left home when I was only a baby, he is still my brother, and I do care about him. He hadn't told our other siblings either, because he didn't want to worry us. I say a trouble shared is a trouble halved and we could have given him some moral support at least. Anyway I will visit him in July when I go to see Dear Son. It is amazing what can be done these days to keep our hearts going. He is 67, but I hope he has many years left to live in "paradise" (as many of my close relatives like to call their life in Queensland).

On an happier note, I received some lovely presents and cards and phone calls and luckily I am not needed at work for a week because our beloved Surgeon is in USA for a week. Now I have stopped "throwing up" I have plenty of time for knitting and my appetite hasn't returned, so I have no worries about eating more than I should!

Where do the years go?

I crocheted a little scarf with my leftover Mother's Day wool. I have attached some crystal beads to the end. They don't show up well in the pic though.

I have also started yet another pair of "Magic Stripe" socks. The others washed really well, so I am very happy with the wool.

It is my little boy's 30th Birthday! Cherish your little children - you blink and they are all grown up!
Happy Birthday Dear. Sorry I can't be with you, but I will see you in July, and that is only a matter of weeks away. He doesn't read my blog, so I can safely post this pic without getting into trouble.

Time to say "Thank You"

I have now been blogging for TWO years!!! I can hardly believe it myself. I just want to say "thank you" to all my blogging friends for commenting and keeping in touch. It really means a lot to me to hear from you. I also really enjoy reading your blogs.

I began my blog to help me keep focussed on staying at my goal weight and keeping fit and healthy. It has really helped me in that regard and I am still maintaining after two years. I am certainly not at my lowest weight, but I am still "at goal".

My posts these days (as you know) are more about life in general and knitting and sewing. I will always need to keep an eye on my weight and my health but I plan to keep busy in the process.

Once again Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!

I have finished one sock with my Mother's Day wool. It is so soft and gorgeous to wear.

I have also organised myself for sock knitting during the winter. Here are the before and after photos of my knitting tidy. Another old pair of jeans bite the dust! The pockets make great holders for my tape measure, row counter, darning needles and pen. I also made little bags for my pattern (I photocopy each pattern so I can write on it) and knitting needles and scissors.

When wool and a notebook can make you cry

Tears of joy that is! Today I received a parcel in the post. It contained a lovely box tied with a bow and inside was the most beautiful skein of wool and cashmere sock yarn and a pack of darning needles. A gorgeous Mother's Day present from Dear Daughter and family! I cried!

Yesterday the postman left me another parcel. A lovely card and "the Notebook" DVD from Dear Son! I cried!


I didn't cry from sadness. I cried because I love my "kids" and I am happy and proud to be their Mum, Mummy Dearest, Mother, Mother Dearest, Gran, Granny, Branny, "SuperGran" and Sue!

Dear Daughter and family are coming for breakfast on Sunday. Dear Son (as you know) is too far away to come, but we will no doubt talk to him on the phone.

Have a lovely Mother's Day with your families!

No nails and more socks

I have nails!

When I was younger I bit my nails quite badly. I have never been able to grow long nails since. They are very soft and often split. I have tried all sorts of remedies from vitamins to paints.I am now trying sunflower seeds. Until my nails start improving -

I have just discovered the French Nail Polish kit.

I know it has been around for years, but sometimes I'm a bit slow on the uptake.

I now have nails! I know it is an optical illusion, but I love it!

I didn't want long, false nails, I just wanted some nails. I have never been one to spend a lot of money on beauty treatments, and never will, so for under $20 I can have nails for months!

My second pair of socks are almost completed. They are made from Magic Stripes Lion Brand Yarn. The pattern is on the back of the yarn! The yarn is a wool blend and they are machine washable and dryable. The only thing I don't like about knitting socks is finishing the first sock and realising I have to do it all again.

Have a fun weekend everyone!!!