Movies and Crochet.

In the first week of school holidays, Archie and I went to 'Where the Wild Things Are' at the movies. It was a special day being just the two of us so I made him a Maxesque boy (with no tail and quite different so please don't sue me) with fierce teeth as requested by Archie (although without the dripping blood he thought would be a good finishing touch). We both loved the movie and I so appreciated a book/film being made where the consequences of anger were explored and not sugar coated. I know a lot of people thought it may have been a bit too scary but as the mother of two boys, I can honestly say that anger in small and tall people is a frightening thing and the result even short term is often devastating to all those around. Anger is a real issue for lots of smaller people (I am meaning children here, not actually short adults) in the world and it is not often issues like this are addressed in film. And then beyond that, the puppets, the music and the scenery are sublime (and filmed in Victoria which filled me with goodness and warmth).
Today being the second last week of the holidays and with two boys wanting to see 'Fantastic Mr. Fox', I didn't have enough time to crochet fantastic fox-like creatures for two. Fortunately, Mum had made a fox for Archie which a promptly attached to a piece of wool which Archie then wore proudly. Hugo graciously made do with wearing Archie's 'Almost Max' with many promises to have something special crocheted just for him.
I am utterly mad on 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' by the way (although the book will always come first in my heart) and am thrilled to see wonderful films being made for children that capture the essence of handmade. Computer animated films are terrific but it is hard to beat the warmth that radiates from 'F.M.F.'. Added to that, the dialogue and casting in it are spot on. Who is more fantastic than George Cloony I ask.
Posts have been a little bit slow lately, school holidays have been great but also long so there has been a lot of parenting time going into the day. They just don't handle neglect as well as I would like. More to come, Archie and I are experimenting with paper mache tomorrow. Can't wait. xxooxxooxx.

Let's pretend it's just all Zen.

Small, scruffy haired boys watching Dr. Harry early in the morning. These holiday lie-ins have been great I tell you. And to think, one day (a long way into the future) they might be bribed into bringing me cups of tea. It will definitely have to be on the pocket money list when they are older.
I am testing my fingers out with a bit of knitting. So far so good but with much less padding on my right pointer I am ready to down needles by the end of the evening. The wool is very soft luckily, part of the 'Luxury' range by Bendigo Woollen Mills although in this photo, the colours aren't really showing up properly.

A few works-in-progress. I always like leaving a few plans lying around during school holidays. It helps me to remember there will be daytime routines again and eventually, even the odd spot of daytime creating.

Ohhhhh, that's nice, I just heard Hugo say sincerely to his brother, "Sorry I said I hate you". Yes, one of those afternoons where they veer from love to hate and back again in the blink of an eye. I have just started reading Sarah Napthali's book "Buddhism for Mothers" which has been a wonderful reminder that I am allowed to separate my emotions from the boys and deal with the situation at hand rather than take it on board. Breathing deeply has been the most powerful tool in helping me with this and has really made a difference. Bombs exploding... breathe... spiky words being thrown... breathe... matches being lit... umm, better react. xxooxxooxx.

Splashes of Colour.

The new woollen balls pictured second from top are the 'luxury' range from Bendigo Woollen Mills and would you believe they are 200 grams each. At the moment the colours look quite random but they are coming together in my head - the boys are due for new vests soon and they are going to be swisho.

Just a little post today, dinner is beckoning and the washing line is waving all of the clothes on it, trying desperately to get my attention. Hugo on the other hand is very quiet and also, alarmingly, wearing an apron and wielding a grater. See you tomorrow.

"Crochet Girl Goes Fishing"...

A few snapshots from today to show what we have been up to. That's right, fishing and who was the only one to catch a fish... that's right, me (although Jonno was the one running everything and really is the mastermind behind it all). There is only one other thing in the world like a fish tapping on the end of your line and that would be the first few kicks of pregnancy - they are startlingly similar.

The boys were extremely excited and became even more so when Jonno caught a little stingray which he then promptly returned to the deep, blue sea. We were all relieved to see it stretch out its wings and fly through the water again.

Other good things happened today such as a delicious new delivery of wool but that can wait until tomorrow. Off for a delicious dinner.

Crochet and Books.

It's progressing, this new summer cushion. It just feels so good too being made from the 4 ply cotton. When I rest my hand on it with fingers spread out, it almost pulses an energy. So of course at night in between squares, I spend a lot of time doing this.
I have had a few good books out form the library and was a very lucky person being given a few crocheting books as well. Here are three of the ones I have been studying intently with every cup of tea that passes my way.

The first one is a library find, 'Tasty Crochet' and is utterly wonderful. With all sorts of chapters ranging from breakfast to dessert, you come away not only inspired but hungry as well. The instructions are very straight forward and even the more difficult projects are very logical - I like playing with the odd bit of logic occasionally.

The photos above and below are from 'Lacy Crochet' which is a beautiful book with lots of lovely projects however, the instructions are not quite so easy with lots of those diagram thingies instead. I have to delve a lot deeper before I give my final verdict - however, in terms of aesthetics, it is a feast.

I am thinking beach today, the sun is shining, the wind is down and the house needs to have some time to recover from all of the squeals (happy and sad) that have been reverberating through its poor self.

Archie and Hugo are born adventurers and so as a family, we are much happier when they have cliffs to climb and crabs to categorise. Fortunately for two book wormy parents, this goes hand in hand with sitting at the beach with a good novel (and wonderful, attentive supervision). The boys are still going through their stage of wearing their life jackets so it is always easy to spot their fluro yellow beach bodies running around on the sand and mudflats.

Two boys in stereo are begging to go. xxooxxooxx.

Summer Crochet.

These cottons have been sitting next to me on the couch. Often when I am thinking about my next project I group colours together and let them simmer. There is a navy blue I love that spends a bit of time with them as well but for this project I needed the colours to sing in a high pitch (we all have our weired ways of synesthesia - mine happens a bit with music).
So, this is the piece evolving from those cotton reels. A summery 4 ply cushion pictured on a cushion I sewed from echino fabric the other day.

A little closer maybe? Lots more to do on it but I am really enjoying creating a pattern that keeps changing as I get further into it. And if you are wondering, the granny square pattern is one of the gorgeous Lucy of Attic 24 fame. Her patterns are always amazing, well written and beautiful.

This is another little band that is forming. I am still not sure of their purpose yet but I keep glancing toward them as my fingers twirl in their current task.

We are still floating through summer holidays, the days are lazy and long and we are managing to be kind most of the time... except a few minutes ago a little hand (the sort a three year old might own), slipped into my pocket and took my lip balm. Being an addict I then with frenzied patience asked where it went and he couldn't remember. How can you forget something you had in your hand two minutes previously!!! Anyway, I had better go and search the house again...

Mooching About.

Some Christmas decorations hiding in the kitchen, desperate to extend their stay beyond the festive season... who am I to deny them.

The dining area looking nice and tidy waiting for some friends to come over for a games night.
And beautiful moisturiser that was given to me by a lovely friend for Christmas and is in use constantly. It's free from all of the nasties too - nice one Cath.

So yes, we are still just mooching about at the moment but we kind of have to in order to preserve our sanity. The boys are on an enforced kindness regime and Jonno and I are thrilled to see it is starting to leak into us as well. There comes a time when as a family, everyone has to review their behaviour and this is certainly our time.

Well, had better get back to the mooching.