Number 96

It was almost really a Maxwell Smart moment of "Missed it by that much" for my Nana who is alive to celebrate her 96th birthday today. She has been in a nursing home for around 10 years due to dementia, but is quite ill with a chest infection/pneumonia. The antibiotics kicked in last night, and she is still alive - but not really with us. The person we knew and she knew is long gone now. She barely recognises any people in the room, let alone realising she had children and who they are. Mum visits, but even she suggests us staying away. So, for the woman I remember as Nana, the excentric and outgoing woman who was never without a beau, to that woman I wish a happy birthday and hope that she is still around somewhere....

(This was Nan's dog. I remember it from her kitchen. I love its kitch-ness and it is a sentimental item that reminds me of her)

Auskick - Grandparents

Today was grandparents day at Auskick and like the good ones they are, both Mum and Dad were out there on the field (not that mum was too happy about it, or particularly dressed for footy!) Alexander had a lovely day, and Benji and Spencer don't like to miss out and have a run around the field - or run off on Nana as the case may be. It is a nice fresh way to start the weekend.

Knitting Machines

I have two knitting machines. I know it sounds excessive. What is worse, I don't even know how to work one. It was one of those pregnancy purchases and it has stayed in the box pretty much ever since. The other one works much better and can pretty much do anything......

This woman is a dead-set knitting machine. Her latest offering is this great wool jumper for Alexander.

Pile of Junk

I'm so over catering and sewing for a purpose that I was happy to get out, sans kids, to spotlight just for a wander. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, just on the lookout for either inspiration or a bargain. I find spotlight is only good if you are not looking for a specific item. If you are - you NEVER find it. I like to let the fabric (or price) speak to me.

Today what greeted me was a bargain bin, where things were mystery bags for $2 each. I could see a couple of things that were worth more than two dollars so I bought three bags (as you do).

There were four different size embossing tools, some St Patrick Day decoration, a selection of zippers, a range of cottons, window paints, and some scrapbooking tools. There was also a pepper grinder, buttons, ribbons, and a chicken mould. This array will start a couple of new projects, I'll probably try embossing, but not sure what to do with the giant chicken!

Yet another birthday- Happy Birthday Mum

The machine has been whizzing, the beads have been dropping and the oven pumping.
This week, on the menu was Roast Turkey with 7 types of vegies - sweet potato, roast potato, parsnip mash, beans, cauliflower and broccoli and corn on the cob. Mum only wanted a little cake as we had also apple crumble so we made chai cupcakes with crushed honeycomb on the top.

Mr P and I were busy trying to make things for mum. We got this great fabric from spotlight of all places. It is a really soft knit. We only bought 2.5 meters and managed to make this wrap dress with bell sleeves and a sleeveless v neck top. Both are Burda patterns out of the magazines I get monthly but I didn't read the fabric requirements properly and we really needed 4 meters for both outfits - but with a bit of clever arranging, we fitted it all in. Thankfully both items fit perfectly. I will get onto mum to get better photos of these yet.

The other thing Mr P and I always do is make her necklaces. We have a place where we buy different pearls and natural beads. This time her request for black necklaces. So we did one similar to the red one she has on in this photo and matching earrings. ( Her ears are not pierced so clip ons are hard to come by).

Finally we got accessories - a belt and some perfume. We also coordinated with Dad who bought a red handbag and a red batwing cardy. Another good, successful night.

Oh, and we got a progress report of MrP's latest artwork for school. He is working on portraits and this one is only half done.

This week we were catering for Mum's birthday.

Brrrrrrmmmmmmmm

Bit of a worry - it is electric and lives at Mum and Dads!

PJ Party

Alexander had a school friends party today and it was a really nice party. The theme was a pajama party disco. So everyone had a costume and everyone had fun. The kids didn't have to go and get special stuff, we just found a clean pair of jammies. While he wasnt initially thrilled about going out in his PJs , once he got there and saw everyone else in theirs, he was cool.
The party was at a party centre and was sooooo cute. They had a reception room and you walked through to a designated eating area and from there could either go to the disco room, complete with disco ball and lighting, or to the beauty parlour. A fabulous pink room with mirrors, lights and pink high chairs and the kids got either face paint or hair spray. It is really great for girls - makes me want one....