Merry Christmas

sooty and amy

What a wintery week it's been. It's so cold in the house now, I've had to put the heater on. It was similar weather this time last year too, I remember having to put the heater on on Christmas day.

Well we are ready for Christmas day tomorrow. We have just got everyone small gifts this year and have also bought everyone a gift from Oxfam and we've asked that our family donate to charity instead of giving us gifts this year. You might think I'm being a bit of a grinch but the rampant consumerism at this time of year really bugs me. Buying presents for people who don't really need or want those things just because that's what you're supposed to strikes me as really wasteful. I'd rather give that money to someone who really needs it.

Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. (remember to eat lightly tonight, you're gonna need that space tomorrow :)

WAAAAKE UUUUUUP!

Salvos

We live in a fairly quiet suburb. The only thing that wakes us up occasionally are the birds.

Well this morning it was a brass band! I opened my eyes and thought, that is not the alarm, that is not the TV, therefore there must be a brass band outside our house! So I opened the curtains and saw that there was! That got me out of bed fairly smartly.

Kids

We went to visit my parents in the country on Sunday. Their neighbour has a few farm animals so we went over there to see their new kids. They had three, two were very shy but this one practically jumped into my arms! She was so cute, I really wanted to take her home.

The had sheep, alpacas and chickens too but I couldn't get close enough to any of them for a cuddle. I love animals, I grew up in the country and we always had a wide assortment of pets but now we just have a dog, Sooty.

I made tomato sauce for dinner tonight. It was good but not as great as I thought it might be and it was a bit too buttery. I'd definitely try it again as it was sooo easy to make but I think I'd put less butter in and probably add garlic. (Don't you think adding rocket to any meal just makes it look instantly gourmet!)

Done - just in time for summer?

I finished my Hanami scarf this morning and it's blocked and dried already (it is 32 degrees here today!).

I really enjoyed knitting this, the pattern is interesting and the alpaca yarn is so soft. I can't wait to wear it ... next winter :(



It doesn't really go with a singlet does it?

Dukkah Pumpkin & Risotto

Dukka Pumpkin & Risotto

I made this for dinner tonight - it was really tasty. Made a bit of a mess of the kitchen though.

Recipe from The Cook and the Chef, I love that show.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/cookandchef/txt/s1930652.htm