WARM LITTLE BUNNY

I love that Elsa's birthday falls at the beginning of winter, when I can embrace the changing weather by way of knitting her a special birthday accompaniment. Last year it was a hat and cardigan, this year it's a scarf, her first. A much smaller project - can you tell I have two children now!? I used yarn left-over from a cardigan and hat one of my sister-in-laws made Elsa a few years back (we still squeeze her into the cardigan). I love this yarn, so soft with the tiniest hint of fluff.

I also made her some birthday pants. They're one of the only gifts I've ever made well in advance of a birthday; I made them during our winter beach get away last year. (photo to come)

MY LITTLE PUMPKIN

The first of many pumpkins to come our way this Autumn. I made two batches of pumpkin scones last week and I think they'll be more to come! I never realised how much I LOVED pumpkin scones, and Elsa and her cousins enjoyed them too.

One of the 'excuses' for pumpkin scone baking was the anniversary of Dad's death yesterday. Two years on...wow. We had a lovely day at my sister's eating beef stew and scones, two of Dad's favourite dishes. He was actually pretty good at making both, and damper...perhaps we'll get to that this week.

CANDLES GALORE

I turned 34 last week. The past four years have gone by at a rapid rate. Not surprising given that I had my first (and long awaited and much desired) pregnancy, we made a nice long visit to Canada, my husband started a new job and travelled o/s a good deal, I left my job, we bought our first house to the opposite side of town, my Dad died, we had a second child and well, then I turned 34....and had a lovely, lovely day. Here's some of the evidence.

THAT BIT MORE

Enjoying every little bit of the sun while it lasts. Dinner at the beach this autumn night.

GOODBYE SUN, HELLO LEAVES

Goodbye Summer.

We had such a fine time with you.

You kept us so very warm, a little too warm at times but, we forgive you.

Thanks to you we enjoyed luscious mangoes, lemons and peaches,

we watches tomatoes and basil ripen in our garden,

we juiced lemons and blended berries,

we felt warm sand through our toes and salty water on our skin,

we swam in Nana's pool and enjoyed celebrating with Santa.

You're a great friend Summer, we'll see you again soon...but not too soon.

WOOLY BOTTOM

Rafa's first time wearing the soakers I made him last year from a great book full of wonderful vintage patterns. The wool is from a great shop/label from Torquay, Victoria called Pear Tree Yarns and I have lots more stashed away to make him a winter vest. Can't wait to see him in the full outfit.

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

I made this bag for one of my nephews last year. Let me rephrase that, I finished making this bag last year, at which time I gave it to my nephew but, I started making the cross-stitch component of this bag around seven, yes 7 (!) years ago. I remember working on the cross-stitched little boy during a weekend trip from Toronto to Ottawa to visit dear, dear friends. It was intended as a pillow for my then 3 year old niece living in Calgary, now her 7 year old brother in Melbourne uses it as a library bag, and a car bag, and a ....for lots of things. At least I'm flexible!!! I finally remembered to take some photos of the bag during a recent visit to my sister and co's.