First Baby Surprise - love it

I've been out of blogger land..no real reason..but just had to share my first baby surprise jacket..Wonder if Elizabeth Zimmermann way back in 1968 would have ever envisaged how the internet would bring her pattern back to life. I guess Elizabeth was a 'blogger' of her time. I loved the challenge and had to resort to Youtube to solve some problems. Seriously can't wait to make another one. The plan is to keep adding a different colour. Lots of babies on the way so should be interesting. My very first Baby Surprise Jacket is for Noah Francis Lloyd..grandson of my friend Cher..and luck has it I can deliver it personally to Brooke (the mum) in London. Heading off to London very shortly to spend Christmas with Nick and Shannon in London. What a fortunate life I lead.

Presents for Shannon

I had an excellent flight to London..Business class to Hong Kong..then Premium Economy to London..Sort of spoils you for any future travel that I have to do in Economy. So lovely to be able to stretch out on the flat bed and go to sleep. The very efficient Heathrow Express took me to Paddington and after a short taxi ride, I checked into the New Linden Hotel . Then Shan and Nick turned up...excitement, tears, etc. etc. But I was able to give her the presents in the bag. Besides a skirt and a top from Metalicus, I had made her a cardigan. I loved making it...few challenges..few glasses of red wine..few Sundays sitting in front of the fire...but I did get it finished..and best of all she loved it.

I bought the wool and buttons from Tangled Yarns. Shannon has proudly worn the cardi..on our visit to Suffolk...post to follow.

Not Just Thinking About Holidays

I have been doing some sewing/knitting as well as planning my holidays..This little skirt was my prize in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway..which was ages ago now.

And this little vest winged its way over to Elliott in New York.

And this little frock (Daisy Day Dress) from Little Bird Patterns is off to little Clare.

What's in the Bag?

It all started when Shannon sent me a link to a vest she particularly fancied from Metalicus. Decided I would check it out. Metalicus has a new, smart shop in Queens Plaza and I was lucky enough to be served by the lovely Rachel. We decided on the vest..(so happened her sister lives in Cambridge..as does my Shannon). Thought while I was there and feeling so comfortable with Rachel..why not try on some stuff for myself. Well..what fun that turned out to be..not to mention the dent in my bank account. Absolutely no regrets though. Rachel was just fantastic...and I loved every minute I spent with her trying on things. At no time did I feel pressured to buy..it was a real fun experience.

I even went back the following Sunday and bought some more pieces to go with this and that.

Then, with the incentive of a $50.00 gift voucher, thought I would buy my gorgeous girl something as a surprise...so to cut a long story short that's what's in the bag! Just over a week and I'll be there..I am so excited and can't wait to see my darling girl.

Travel Plans Falling into Place

I decided today to try and finally sort out accommodation and train journeys for my forthcoming visit with Shannon and Nick. I'm not too adventurous (maybe I'm getting old)..so felt compelled to book trains and accommodation. Shan, Nick and I are all pretty easy about what we do on holidays, but all agree that it must be a 'holiday' as well and not just racing around 'ticking boxes'.

The internet, in one way, makes it easy to do your own travel plans..But on the other side, it provides way too many choices. There are a number of excellent websites that provide an incredible number of options. Most owners respond quickly and it doesn't take long before you find yourself chatting away with Fabio, Walter, Mario, William, Elizabeth, etc. etc.

So accommodation now booked in Spello, Umbria; Menaggio, Lake Como, Venice and Ghent.

After hours of research and emails with Shan, finally booked train tickets today..breathed a sigh of relief...thought I'd done pretty well...but then got an email saying train tickets not confirmed...seems some of the tickets (at the quoted prices) might not be available! Anyway, fingers crossed, all will be fine...and the tickets will arrive via trusty Australia Post before the end of the week.

Our Menaggio house (on Lake Como) was recommended by friends and it looks gorgeous.
www.lakecomoholiday.com. We've got the little house on the bridge.

In Spello, we are staying here: http://www.inurbe.it. We have the flat with the terrace...

In Ghent we are staying on a boat: Bon Vivant on Travellerspoint.

Wonderful, hey..but how easy it would have been just to give dates, budget to the travel agent and let him/her take it from there. And we would have been happy with that.

Another Milo

Tried as I did to get this one finished in a week or less, I didn't quite suceed, eventhough I indulged in one Saturday afternoon in front of the fire, knitting and enjoying a nice glass of red.  This is my second Milo and the first PDF pattern I bought (have bought several since though).  The next one I make, hopefully I won't have to unpick any..getting the hang of it and bought some shorter needles today as the next one is much smaller.  I didn't notice until I finished it, that the dye lots were different..never mind..just adds to its character. 

"When I'm Sixty-Four"

 

When I get older, losing my hair

Many years from now

Will you still be sending me a valentine

 Birthday greetings, bottle of wine.

I was just turning 20 when this Beatles song was first released in June 1967.  Little did I know that when I did turn 64,  my much younger work colleagues would all be able to sing along with me to celebrate my birthday. To help with the celebrations, I provided the cake..a beautiful butter cake from the Shingle Inn.

My birthday celebrations (on the actual day - which was a Sunday) started with a yummy breakfast with my sister and family and ended with a long walk through Toohey Forest with Liam and Addy.  Roast lamb was on the menu for dinner and Liam had made a beautiful Italian dark cherry tart.  

These were the leftovers that I also took to share with my colleagues.  It had a lovely light texture and the perfect sweet with which to end my perfect Sunday.  To add to my delightful day, Shan and Nick skyped me from France..and you can see what they got up by checking out her blog.

But the celebrations have continued...and today I went with some friends to the Spirit House at Yandina for a sensational lunch.  We shared some entrees....this was the pork belly...

 And this is the pork belly..all gone:

 And the whole fish..bit gruesome for me but Tom said it was delicious.

June seems quite a popular month for birthdays amongst my friends and family..and my other Shannon (from my work) turned 30 a couple of weeks ago.  I knew she loves chocolate cake, so chocolate cake I made her.  This is a cake I have made lots of times from a very easy recipe which you might like to check out.   I doubled the recipe on this occassion and filled it with fresh cream with chocolate icing on the top.  Please excuse my dismal attempt at writing...won't be trying that again.