Today, today dear readers I slipped into Corporate Hell! It was agonising, and I don't think I was alone there was a general slumpiness in the room like everybody realised there worst nightmare had come true they had also slipped into Corporate Hell!

Then we got to go and watch the real people at work, which was incredibly interesting and I can't wait till I get to do it. It suddenly made me unslumpy and totally change my mind about never going back.

The DWC will be pleased I have promised him at long last digital television. Of course he's excited, which is why I am doing it.

I worked on the Feather and Fan Sock last night, I do pattern repeat only one at a time to be sure it all goes well.
It's looking good so far, however haven't taken it to work yet. I don't know there would be enough time.

Or enough brain power!

Until next time,
Suzi

9 to 5!

Workin 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin
Barely gettin by
Its all takin
And no givin
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
Its enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
- 9 to 5, Dolly Parton

I'm working nine to five! Nine to five! Excuse me I shall put my hairbrush microphone down now and tell you all my very exciting news!
I'm working nine to five! Yes, after long last and the never calling when they say they will so you consider it to be a dead end. But no apparently they like the element of surprise after torturing you some.
Not that I'm all that excited about the job, it wasn't quite what I envisaged for myself. But the prospect of what they will pay me is very exciting!
Just think of all the shoes I could buy!

And more exciting news! Remember that Aran Earwarmer that's been waiting to be finished? Picked up the stitches along the side Tuesday night while watching Pirates of the Caribbean, and then sewed it up Wednesday afternoon while waiting for Ms Stash. And it was done!

Up to the second row of lace pattern on my second Whitewater Wristwarmer! I have a good feeling about this.

"I like a good man, but not too good. Because the good die young, and I hate a dead one!" - Mae West

How very true! Do you know what I finally saw last night? Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest! I have to say that Jack Sparrow, sorry Captain, Capitan Jack Sparrow is good but not too good...

I'm counting down the days till I can finally start those much cursed Hippo socks! I'm looking forward to them, but want to get my second wristwarmer done before I start.
Not too many thinking projects on the go at once.

Until next time,
Suzi

The best laid plans of mice and men!

Between two evils, I always pick the one I have never tried before.
- Mae West

Mae West was a funny lady, actually looking at pictures of her she makes me think of a blonde Bette Midler.


I have been choosing my evils, I am going to have a bash at a Pomatomus sock for myself, I figure being a thinking sock I will be so overjoyed with the making of it I will make the second one. Breaking the vicious cycle of the second sock syndrome!
Brilliant or what????

And thnaks to KGirlKnits, I had to have a sticky beek at a new commentors blog! I discovered the First Toe Up Sock Knit-A-Long.
Never made toe up socks before but I have seen some designs I would like to try, they have lots of helpful links so come the new year. It'll be toes up for me!

And a big thankyou to all who have offered up advice on what to substitute for Sugar and Cream, I am planning to knit a dishcloth or two myself. Now there is an evil, evil has a name it is dishcloth. Here endth the lesson!

Not that I have anything against knitted dishcloths they just seemed to be things other people knitted, like baby bootees.

I have decided I can put it off no longer, I will have to pick up the stitches along the sides of my Aran Earwarmer, it is getting ridiculous. I don't want to be starting Intolerable Cruelty (by the end of the month hopefully) knowing I have minor things like that snarling at me from the depths of my stash. Having said that there is the small matter of the two left mittens....

And the bigger issue of I missed the arrival of the new AntiCraft how could this happen???? No doubt more things to add to my never ending list. (note: this will be gracing something I knit soon! And on a more normmal note, this hat rocks!)

I got an e-mail from my secret pal, who is none other than the very wonderful Karen form the Spinning Goth! Yeah! Who not only has sent the most awesome presents, but also knew me before the exchange so is not likely she could be frightened by anything!

If I intend to get any knitting done tonight, I had better call it quits now. So many exciting things goign on! It's fabulous!

Suzi.

Riddle Me This!!

What is a suitable substitute for this Sugar and Cream yarn I keep hearing about????

I'm in lurrrve!!!

Not since Intolerable Cruelty have I been so enamoured of a free pattern! Well, I have been enamoured of a few, but this one is like Intolerable Cruelty making it on to the Must Do list.

I have my yarn put away for for IC, it's currently on lay-by as I took advantage of the 20% off the other day at my local Black Spot.
Now I have to pick out some yarn for these gloves! Starlight Evening Gloves! And once again I am intrigued by the need for knitted food, I have seen a few examples of this and it fits on the one day when I have time list, I mean really knitted food? It's the sort of kooky thing I'd have to have a display of. Blueberry Pie.

It has been a few days since I updated, everything is going well with Broadripple so far. Shortly about to start the heel so I will reserve judgement till that is done.

Fianlly decided to make a start on the Green & Black Espresso Chocolate Bar my Punk Pal sent me, I have been saving it and finally started it last night while watching New Tricks. Very beautiful - both coffee and dark chocolate! Two of my fave things in the world.

Ms Stash and I have made a commitment to get together tomorrow with our knitting. What rsults waits to be seen!


People reading my blog, later!

Happy Halloween!

How awesome is this Halloween has once again rolled around! It's also a little sad because this is the end of it just about, the witching hour has started. Hence showing the ending to another fab sugar packed day.

Bring on next year! Whipped up some Ghost Merangues and a Haunted House Front. No cookies with my new Halloween cutters my Punk Pal sent me, yet!

What would we be without Living Elvis's?????

I actually bought Candy Corn today! I have often seen reference to them and seen pictures of them all in American websites and magazines, but walking past one of the most awesome lolly shops in town, there they were!
There actually very nice, kind of remind me of Jersey Caramels.


Tomorrow, tomorrow is Dia De Los Muertos - the Mexican Day of the Dead. This is a festival (I don't know if this is the quite the word I'm looking for but it's all I can bring to mind at the moment.) that truly fascinates me, I know I have a passion for slightly kooky and other things that sit outside the realm of normal decency. Anyone else up for poking about in graveyards? I find them very peaceful places, nice on a sunny day.

Back to the Day of the Dead, I find the little skulls and skeltons that come out very cute, I'd like them to have on my mantlepiece year round. But the ones I am most partial to is the skeleton brides and grooms. As some one who has no real passion for weddings, except maybe the receptions afterwards, you know all the eating and drinking. I like any celebration that involves food, especially if I get to muck around in the kitchen helping to create it.

And I have managed to get completly sidetracked, I have taken some photos of the Halloween creations and will post them hopefully tomorrow!
Next year I see a 3D house complete with it's own graveyard. Perhaps in a magazine somewhere...

I have a little Halloween viewing lined up, and it does invovle Johnny Depp. Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory, sweets and a weird hermit eccentric - perfect for this occasion!
Also good would have been Sleepy Hollow, From Hell or Edward Scissorhands. Or possibly Cry Baby, that would be pretty scaring filming by today's standards! Actually I wonder if you can get that? Wouldn't mind seeing it again. (Edit; Yes you can! Region 4 too!)

Dear blog readers, later!

The Long and the Short Of It!

Here it is! Here it is! Here it is! Here it is! The eagerly anticipated parcel form my secret pal! And it is so exciting!

You shall have to excuse my very lame photography skills they do not do this most awesome parcel justice!

We have in no particular preference but the random order my brain can file them in:- Pirate Devil Duckie Pencil Toppers, Black & Green Dark Chocolate Bar with Espresso, a set of Ankh stitch markers, Daz Bog Organic Coffee (Breakfast Blend), Rocky Mountain Lama Fiber Pool 100% Alpaca Natural (not dyed!) Black x2 skeins and a very cool Wizard of Oz card.

Today at work since we are preparing for a conference, I had to help do some of the food prep for tomorrow. I say help, but I was probably more of a hinderance. I probably would have been safest left to wash dishes, however I did get the fab job of trying to scrub out the muffin tins where they had been preparing the breakfast muffins. Trying to scrub off baked on egg, a challenge I met with vigor and beat!

Then I ended up helping to cut up chicken breast ready to be threaded on skewers so as to be marinated over night ready for cooking tomorrow. I may not have discussed my aversion for raw chicken much in the past. But I am now! I do not like raw chicken, I don't like touching it and I usually got Ms Stash round to cut up any chicken I was planning to cook.
A 5 kilogram bag of chicken breast, it took me an hour to cut up all the chicken breast, the cook had done about two packs in this time. 10 kilograms of chicken in an hour? She also managed to cut the fat off much neater than I could. I tried sifting through my off cut pile to try and salvage any bits that had chicken still attached to it.

I know it took me an hour and so was probably not much of a help in the grand scheme of things, but it was all about mind over matter, I had to psyche myself up for each and every chicken breast! Everytime I picked one up I felt my stomache turn, I don't know how many there were as I didn't start counting to the last 4.

I probably could have stayed longer and helped chop up some more chicken or even start threading chopped chicken on skewers, but my stomach had had enough. And so had I, I never want to see another piece of chicken again at least for a week! No Mexican Wrap on Tuesday either.

And something I just noticed about my coffee my secret pal sent me, I noticed it had something about Russia on it so was reading excitedly and actually started to feel the pack. I think it's beans, it is beans! I guess I have reason to finally buy myself a grinder! I'm shopping next week! And like all good coffee, it has the hole in the pack allowing the beans to "breathe" as carbon builds up in the pack. It also allows a good sniff of the coffee without opening it!

Watched the final episode of Jump Street last night, Johnny Depp like a fine wine has simply got better with age, if not slightly different looking. He's features sure have changed over, dare I say it? 18 years!
Ms Stash who dosen't like coffee, but ate my Choc Espresso cake anyway, had the audacity to sit on my couch and watch Jump Street and say "Which one's Johnny Depp?"
Upon pointing him out, she says to me "I don't remember him being that young."

Hmmmm. Grrrrr Arrrggghhh! One of the girls in the kitchen at work had her birthday on Wednesday and has reached the grand old age of 21! 18 years ago she would have been all of what? 3?????

How old do I feel? I'm surrounded by people who are all far to young to have remembered the joys of Jump Street or any other 80's tv for that matter! (He-Man, Vultron, all those Mr Universe looka-like movie stars!)

I felt so olllllllllllllllld, here she is 21, a tiny little thing in both height and width. And who am I? Having a birthday 2 days before? Some old bag lady who is not exactly tiny in width although I may be in height who'd thought nothing could be better the night before when she sat for 9 hours watching Johnny Depp when he was what? All of about 21 himself probably then.
Granted I thought about how young he was and briefly contemplated the fact that, at the time so I had been as well - with one wall of my bedroom wall papered in posters of Johnny Depp (he was the man back then, in every magazine!), well I was very young and you do soppy things like that.

I also had a giant poster of Alice Cooper, that creeped my mother out, I don't know if I still have it stashed away anywhere but even no longer present Alice still gives my mother the creeps!

Alas, I must away and prepare the knitting ready for Bones, and before that a quick spot of ironing for tomorrow and possibly Saturday who knows what I will be like tomorrow?
Hopefully the Daft White Cat will have fetched me a nightcap to be melancholy into on this dreary yet exciting day!

Blog readers, later!

The famed Chocolate Espresso Cake with Cafe Latte Cream. Ms "I don't like coffee" Stash devoured her piece in no time the other night and when visintg me yesterday devoured two pieces!


The Holy Trinity of Socks - Broadripple in the Dark Blue Prisma, Sharon's Feather and Fan Socks in Regia (which do look incredible once you get into the pattern, I know I've been there and back too many times!. And Ms Stash's Jaywalkers in some Hot Socks.


The camo scarf, a Filatra Di Crosa yarn I htink can't remmeber which though. I must look out a ball band. Forgot the Piuma scarf for this session, next time, again!


Avast! What have ye here?


Halloween Stitch Markers all the way from the Black Stich!

On Monday I went shopping and lay-byed myself some Zhivago ready for Intolerable Cruelty, at the store that can not be named! They had a 20% off sale so made it a much reduced cost.
Yesterday I went in search of Boston Legal Series 1 and couldn't find it anywhere. Very sad, and NCIS Season 1 was very expensive, Seson 2 wasn't too pricey but I'd like to start from the beginning.
In the end I settled for Season 1 of 21 Jump Street, I nearly bought both Seasons 1 and 2 but decided to hold off just in case my nostalgia had me wearing rose tinted contacts.
After 9 hours and 12 episodes, I so regret not buyiung Season 2 at the same time. Ah well just one more episode to go tonight!

Although I didn't recognise soem of the sotrys or the guy in charge at first, and wondered if perhaps I had come in in Season 2, but half way through the series we changed in charge guys and suddenly I remembereed all the storys after that!

Dear blog readers later!

Another year, another year....?

Now this was taken on this day exactly 22 years ago! We won't go into exactly how old I was at the time, because that will reveal my age and prove Matt Hardy isn't the only one who's old and suffering from Mad Cow Disease ("Denny Crane" whispers the wind).

And speaking of Matt Hardy my Secret Pal who is so kindly sending me something for my birthday, not here yet perhaps tomorrow?? Thinks I have good taste! Well maybe not exactly, what they told me was they thought Matt Hardy was a good looking guy! (Perhaps my secret pal is Matt? Or maybe Bill or Ted?)





Here is my bountiful haul, alas no Matt Hardy ("Denny Crane!) plus some unpictured pieces of eight - that went towards buying a new springform tin so I could make my Chocolate Espresso Cake with Cafe Latte Cream.
The cake is cooling upstairs as I write this in preperation of making the cream to go with it.
What do we have in no particular order:-
A block of Old Gold with Roast Almonds from the DWC,
A block of Club Dark Choc Cappacino flavour, Jack Daniels mug and fudge (Jack so lives at my house!) and the Undead and Unwed, Undead and Unemployed books form the divine Ms Stash and Ash (who wasn't part of the parcel).


The second Naked Chef cookbook (and my first! I have the complete works of Nigella and Ms Stash has the complete works of Jamie and between us we are now trying to gain the complete works of Ainsley!) from my "adopted" Grandma - the poor woman has become part and parcel of our family!

From the beloved but beleagured parents I got a block of Old Gold 70% Cocoa! Love Actually on DVD, love this movie - particulary fond of Bill Nighy(?) and his role in it. And of course Alan Rickman! And not forgetting Hugh Grant! An all round winner.
And some more pieces of eight! I forsee in my future the first season of Boston "Denny Crane!" Legal or possibly NCIS. No, I think Denny will beat Jethro to the shelf this time.
But still Christmas to come! (And CSI Season 4 - hint, hint!)


And then there is the piece de resistance, made by the able minded Green Woman who is an unnoticed genius and all round superwoman who kindly made this since my mother is not crafty at all - a Betty Boop bag!
Not just any Betty Boop, Betty Boop on a motorcycle! Luuuurrrrrrrrvvvvve motorcycles!

However it makes me laugh every time I see it, as it is just so huge! I know I have a passion for large bags as I like to carry my life around with me as I term it. I could live out of this bag most likely!

Not that I probaly will fill it if I do go out, no that's a lie. I will undoubtly fill it. Just be unable to then carry it. The only danger with big bags is you take far too much! Not that I don't anyway.
But part of me wonders, when Sandra D sidled up to Cindy, and said will you sew a large bag for Susan's birthday for me - what were they thinking? How did Sandra D describe the size? Ginormous perhaps? Or do I just look like a giant bag lady who carrys everything round in my bag since the supermarkets frown on you taking their trolleys away?

Ah well either way, it is fabulous and one of the truly greatest birthday gifts ever! I think Cindy has managed to top even the year Ms Stash gave me a Cartman mug (till this day my most treasured possession!), thankyou! Thankyou Cindy Loo Who! (Oh now I'm turining into the Grinch - maybe I will even save Christmas!)

It's time for Cinema Le Darkside! Tonights screening is Love Actually! Have to go see if the Icecream Girl is coming round...

Dear blog readers, later!

What is this fiendish thing I see before me?

It is a clash between CSI and NCIS, I ma not at all amused! At least NCIS goes for two hours so I can catcht he second one uninterrupted as I don't watch CSI New York, I have never taken to it.

Being Monday tomorrow my fave place in the world is closed, the Me Wah and so is alas Smokey Joes, ah well another night perhaps. However I have forgotten to look into the Prickly Cactus which I am still yet to get to. That might be the first another night.

Tomorrow I am making a Chocolate Espresso Cake with Cafe Latte Cream and it sounds really nice. And the picture looks promising. I've even picked next year's cake, the Chocolate Guiness Cake! Or possibly the Chocolate Merange Truffle Cake....

I need to start compliling a shopping list, I fear for a few of my upcoming projects I am goign tohave to purchase new needles as I don't currently have a lot of circulars.
Still haven't picked colours for my Illusion scarf. Must do that, buy Zhivago for Intolerable Cruelty. Get knitting on both these projects!
And still waiting to be knitted is my very own pair of Knucks! I must get around to that before next winter. And taking back the twisted hat. And finshing umpteen dozen socks.

Or I could not do any of it, and just sit and have a nice cup of tea.

Bah! Bah! Baah! Bah humbug!

Still no phots, there seems to have been a breakdown in communication. But tomorrow I wil hopefully get some done. Oh well I suppose I can get some more rows done and the socks will look even better.

And you know that recipe for the Chocolate Cake I have been meaning to type up? You know the one I made for the birthday party for Matt Hardy? Finally done! And you can view it here.

Theres something about making a cake that requires a baking dish that is immensly satisfying! Cooking on a large scale appeals to me like those immortal words "Denny Crane!" and Keith Richards (that man is so a pirate!).
I have a few more recipes for cakes in baking dishes so I am keen to try them next. Actually I think I have an article somewhere on cooking giant cakes....like ginormous round ones that will feed 30 people or something equally stupyfying!
Must look it out and see what I can find.

In last month's Delicious magazine they had a dinner party for 10 I think it was that really got me thinking. And itching to cook.

Speaking of large scale food production. I have been asked to help next weekend at work as they have a conference on, how important do I feel? They need me to help them, obvioulsy just couldn't do it without me! Probably a good thing I am a cracking good sport and all round jolly fellow!

Dear blog readers, later!

I Can Be Productive

Proof that I do useful things sometimes.

Frist off, a site dedicated to that most fabulous knit, the Dr Who Scarf. I might even be mad enough to make one for myself one day...

And how coll is this? A Gnome KAL, fromt hat now infamous pattern in Simply Knitting! Sharon made one and it was very cute! I should make one, but he would have to be more of an evil hobgoblin. Actually Simply Knitting in the next issue which won't be out till next month at least here features a knit Jack o'Lantern a bit to late for this year.

Got some more work done on my Broadripple sock today at the final houe of the knitting coven. Hopef ully some more tonihgt, it look sreally good and I am super pleased with it!

The Hat is Twisted!

I don't even know when it happened, I moved them all onto the bigger needles which also has a slightly longer cable and hey presto! It was there a twist in my so far I thought beautiful hat! But on the upside I only have 6 rows done so it's not going to be any hard ship to take back and try again.

Also on the upside yesterday, my Secret Pal sent me an e-card! How exciting!!!!

Also the Broadripple sock is coming on well and I am really happy with how it is knitting up. Really pleased.

Well I think that's about all the new sI have since last night, I'll have to see what gossip I hear today.

The Waiting Game!

I'm sure your all aware of the Crying Game, well this is the waiting game. They'll be in touch early next week, thak god for answering machines or I wouldn't be able to leave the house for fear of the phone ringing while I am not here!

As for my new hat, I hate circulars they all curl in on themselves in their packets and are a nightmare to work with, hence the bigger size I need for my hat got soaked in hot water last night and stretched out under my flour containers to try and hold it flat. Ready to recommence work tonight, I did the ribbing last night while on the couch watching tv. Anything to avoid thinking about today, but I am happy with how it went. I just have to hope they were as well.

Over at Stigmata Knits there has been talk of Halloween Craftisim. Not likely to happen on my part, my rate for new projects. But I have been given the green light on food that is art! Art that is food????

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, what will my cauldron cook up??? Ah now I'm not going to say anything definite here. As our knitting coven meeting falls on Halloween and it would take away too much of the surprise element!

No Boston Legal tonight, I am not happy at all. This is cruel and unusual punishment! To make things worse they have moved Sopranos form Wednesdays and put them on tonight at the same time as Criminal Minds!
Oh the agony!

Cup of tea time I think, maybe a slice of toast with jam (no cheese sadly) and some more work on this new hat, with how cool it's been getting I may need it!

Found a couple fo fellow Aussies through my Punk links - Black Crow Knitting and Impulse Knitting Mummy!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I am very nervous tomorrow is D-Day, I am not looking forward to it.

I've started a new project - a hat, eaten bread with jam and cheese - surprisingly good! And mostly muttered and fidgeted. I am not looking forward to tomorrow.

Stuff isn't quite working to plan I keep losing things, even though I know I've just had hold of them. Very infuriating.

I am nervous beyond belief. I think I may have to go ahve a vegemite sandwich - with no cheese! Because that would be gross.

Wishing and Hoping!

I am a little green woman of envy! There is some discussion at Stigmata Knits about tatts, I feel left out, I am the only non-inked up person in world!!
Budget jsut does not include my own private ink collection. But who knows the winds can change and so could my fortunes.

Started another sock last night, a Broadripple in some Opal Prisma in a dark blue. I have formed a conclusion about my sock knitting habits, and yes it comes from the Muppets in Space again.

And just so there is proof, will you look at this a Man who is not a model wearing a Marf in public! Who would've predicted that? I suppose Metrosexual is the new in thing.










And then there's this one....ummm....well, I guess it takes all sorts to make the world go round, and if there are men who are willing to publically decorate themselves with womens underware than so be it! I just hope their new or at least clean.
I believe the qoute that often springs to my mind comes form a Terry Pratchett book "the world seen through the leg holes of a pair of underwear". I do believe it was in reference to insane dictators or perhaps mad scientists? I think there was an Igor in this story somewhere.
Back to the picture at hand, I do like that top and I could happily decorate myself in that.
Take it off! Take it off! Ah NO!!! Put it back on! Put it back on!
And you know I think he should go with the red and black pair, suit his colouring.

My dear blog readers, later!

Baby Steps!

Here is the first photo of my goodies, notice how there all wrapped beautifully with black tissue paper?

Here's my bounty of treasure. Isn't it fab? I'm loving the Happy Hooker and have even started to a make a crochet chain. Granted a very boogelly one, but I can take it back and try again. If at first you don't succeed.....

The Cookie Cutters are just in time for Halloween, I shall have to get baking! How very excting!

I was going to take a picture of Ms Stash's Jaywalker, but I am too tired, it's been a busy week and I am ready for a good night's sleep and non-early start. Besides Ms Stash takes much better photos than I.
I finished the heel flap this morning and completed turning the heel this afternnon when I took it to show Ms Stash and see if she was happy with the progress.

I had planned to contiunue on it during Midsomer Murders tonight, but when I settled on the couch and got it out the bag I was missing a needle, I will have to check with Ms Stash and see if I have left it behind.
It's taken me a week for me to get this far, this is quite an acheivemnet for me. I wmust be coming down with something.

In place of the Jaywalker, I took the doomed Feather and Fan sock back and restarted,100th time lucky perhaps????

Not Ready To Make Nice

Blogger is being difficult tonight, I will have to postpone the photos till tomorrow when I have a bit more time and patience to sit and wrangel with it.

Which is disappointing as I hoped to show you a photo jounrey of my parcel form my Secret Pal who is a pure genius!

Life and Times

Breaking NEWS!!! Not more than half an hour ago, Ms Stash arrived with Sandra D and a box that was bigger than Texas.
It is the just arrived parcel form my Punk Rock Secret Pal! It was very exciting, but I wasn't allowed to look at one side of the box until I'd opened it.
There was a very cute Lantern Moon Black Sheep Tape Measure, three skeins of Lamb's Pride Worsted in Onyx, a set of Halloween Cookie Cutters, a Palm Forest crochet hook, a dashboard Pirate and Debbie Stoller's Happy Hooker! All wonderfully wrapped in black tissue paper! There were also pages from the New York Times packed in the box and I am looking forward to reading them.
I love it all, it's all so exciting. The Daft White Cat found the box exciting, even more excitng once he was able to sit in it.
Now he's trying to steal it, moving it across the room, I can see him as I write this. No, now he's sat back in it, must have wanted a better view.
Now I am all excited, I have to find a project suitable to use my new hook! (Arrr! Avast my new hook! Admire it or walk the plank land lubbers!)

We will now return you to your normal broadcast....

I rang back, then had to wait for them to ring me back. I had a brief phone interview and the upshot is I am going to an actual in person interview Monday which will last apprx 21/2 to 3 hours.
But this time covers paper fillign in, computer tests as wella s a one on one person interview so perhaps not all bad. Which makes me feel a whole lot better.

Now I've I had to go and search out the advert that I rpelied to so I can see just what it is they do and they want me to do.
"Inbound customer service for a telecommunications company fielding calls from a national grid".

However the phone interview was kind of scary, what kind of hourly pay are you expecting? Oh dear, I have no idea what to say to this, will I look less interested if I have no clue as to what I can expect?
So I told the truth just like that ad says, (it didn't have writhing women so some of you may have not paid any notice!) I siad I wasn't really aware of what the award was and basicly I was more interested in a job than what I would be paid to do it. Money cames second to that at the moment.
They pay award rate (almost $18 an hour, there are jobs out there that pay that much???) and penaltys, they don't have those contract things.

I spent last night working on a sock for Ms Stash, I got to 141/2 cm for I could prop my eyes open no longer. I had hoped to make it to at least 17cm as stated int the pattern so as to commence the heel today.
But instead I will be doing the final leg of the leg and then starting the heel hopefully later tonight.
Hopefully on tomorrow, which will be Day 6 I will be right to start the foot and Ms Stash has small feet, so hopefully only a couple more days after that to finish it. I'm putting no time on the second one however.

I'm off to make a Chai Latte, and settle on the couch, take my shoes off and recommence knitting.

But before I go, I had a thought about being a Cyber woman last night, I could then be supreme rualer of the Cybermen and make them knit for Mongolia. I could also make them kidnap Matt Hardy and make him knit fo r Mongolia.
There's a silver lining inside every balck cloud. It's probably a lurking cyberman......

Who knows what our future holds?

After watching CSI last night, with the psychic or should I say supposed psychic. Events that have unfolded today that have got me thinking.

First day on my voluntary effort to appease the government, ie I will make myself useful to a non-profit organisation in return for them to pay me to live.
It was a Monday so pretty quiet, I wiped down a few tables, served upa few meals, refilled all the napkin holders, folded about three packets worth of napkins and counted all the tea spoons.
I know this is hardly riveting work, it's more like hospitality actually. But I am grateful I got a placement somewhere being able to do something that will actually have some importance in pursuit of work - giving me that elusive "experience" marked as an essential requirement in all hospitality position vacant ads it seems.

I figure this is a good sign, things are moving in the right direction. Tomorrow I ring back one of the local recruitment agencies, I applied a fortnight ago when they advertised for call centre employees. Yes, a fortnight ago, in a day and age were most places simply make no contact at all unless you've made a good enough impression to be qualified for an interview and these people are ringing me? This has to be a good sign, while not quite what I was hoping for, there is the faint scent of money......

Could this be a twist in my path? Or possibly a fork in the road? Hmmmmm, what I would give for clairvoyance right at this moment!

Also on the weekend I was thinking while watching the Muppets form Space, I was thinking how true it was to me, granted my family aren't form outer space - but my other family is from cyber space! And how did I find them? With knitting!
And how did I come to knitting? Well after several failed attempts form childhood on, I discovered the first SnB book, then never ending amount of squres and the rest as they say is history!
I may not be the fastest, the most precise, knitted since before I could walk or even capable of finishing a matching pair of socks, but I knit therefore I am a knitter.

Even if I had the Flash's speed and Poirot's methods, then I could finish every project I started in no time. But then it would be different processs and I would be a different person. Not one who sits round on weekends watching the body tally in the most dangerous county in Britain keep rising or having deep philosphical thoughts while watching Muppet movies.
I'd be a Cyberwoman.

Something's Amiss...

This is the Daft White Cat (aka Jeff), just so you cna all see, he does exist and is not merely a figment that I use to blame Daft happenings on around the house.
Here he is in his fave spot on the desk next to the Count, on the mouse pad where he can be of most nusience.








And the long awaited photos form Matt's Birthday when he and Captain Denny had chocolate cake. I haven't typed the recipe up yet, but will hopefully get it done tonight, so look for it at the Darkside Inn by tomorow night.

Please note - according to the box they were meant to be star sparklers!





Stick a fork in him he's done!
Here's THE Matt tucking into his slice of chocolate cake, almost as big as him, almost.











This ius my latest knittign acquistion, picked it up off a slae table at one of the bookstores for $10. Some nice designs also some more dubious ones, a knitted three piece suit? And it features 2!
Loads of good info at the start about how to's with some well set out step by step pictures. Worth the $10.










As you may have also noticed, the camera date functin was way off. Didn't realise until I took allt he photos but it has since been corrected to avoid future daftness.
I finished my Piuma scarf on Tuesday and have been meaning to take a picture since. That will be the next long awaited photos!

A Quick Quickie!!

I have heaps of e-mails to answer, all of which will get done. I promise. If oyu haven't heard form yet, you will by tomorrow.

Tonight is Midsomer Murder night, I enjoy it because it is excellent knitting time. However the last one was a little disappointing. Only one murder!
I am not alone in this disappointment I am sure, as the star John Nettles once said he's always concerned with the body count being too high so convinced them to tone it down a bit. They were flooded with letters of complaints from viewers because their were not enough murders!

I'm going to work on something, undecided as to what it will be tonight. Progress report tomorrow, along with some long awaited photos, as I will finally be able to get them from camera to computer.

Since it is my birhtday coming up I am thinking of treating myself to some of the Knittery's new Merino Cashmere Sock wool in Moonlight.
And just possibly also a ball of Nundle's new Hemp Wool.

Note to self: Still need to buy Zhivago for Intolerable Cruelty!

Stigmata Knits is having a Illusion Scarf KAL - I am excited as I may actually get the Skull Illusion knitted up at long last. I do enjoy Illusion work, I've been very keen on it since I completed the Alien.

On the shortbread front I have found a Brown Sugar Shortbread recipe I am keen to make, however Tienne got me all excited with talk of a Malt Whosky shortbread she used to buy. Surely it wouldn't be hard to make? Add a slosh of whisky to a normal shortbread recipe???

And on a quest for Ms Stash, since I fialed to find th right site for her, a 2ply lace scarf pattern???? Has anoyone seen one online????

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide sharp pointy stick weilding red head and dman proud of it.

Surprise!

The new MagKnits is up, and I really like this pattern, 12:01. Can you guess why????

And also the wrist warmers, but I'm yet to see a pair of wrist warmers I wouldn't give house room too.

I've got a parcel to collect form the post office, I wonder what it is? It'll probably turn out to be something boring after all this exciting thought process.

I'm having mushrooms on toast tonight, ior possibly earlier. Maybe as a late addtion to lunch? I'm trying to leave some Vanilla Shortbread (Nigella's Forever Summer) I baked alone. I love shortbread. But I am hoping to take it along to the coven tomorrow, so someone other than me can eat it.

Catching up on some more blog reading, Stigmata Knits is seeking ideas for a knit along, some of th esuggestions so far are most excellent! I'm looking forward to seeing the final choice.

Note to self: Buy Zhivago!

I watched NCIS last night, it was a bit weird I haven't seen NCIS since I don't when, since it seemed to move to Digital, so I totally missed Kate.
Who, incidentally appeared in a episode of CSI, she played a District Attorney. Abbey was also in an episode of CSI, she was Catherine's ex-husbands girlfirend/singer he was managing.
She had pink hair!
And watching the commentary they were talking about how lucky they were to get her for ...um, cough cough, errr....oh yes for our new show.

Anyway. more reading to do and I need ot see if Boston Legal is on tonight. And also hopefully Scrubs.

I went, I saw, I coastered!

Late Edit: My good friend Katt, lost her prized orange feline. A sad loss, at this time I can but reflect on how my prized black and white feline came into my life.
Katt bought him a week after she got her baby from the very same shop for me. Such vibrant pieces of life they certainly leave a void now that they have gone.


Well, as for my recent abcense from Blog land, not from sudden lack of ability to type, or death or some other catastrophe like suddenly for once not actually having anything to say.

I was summoned (yes, just like a royal summons) to go and do family obligation and starve while going slowly mad. I left the care of the Great Daft White Cat to the capable Ms Stash.
Went to the library before I left town and hired the latest Stephanie Plum book through the express service all copies were out and I just couldn't wait any longer. Took me two nights to read it, and Sandra D about the same.

I went Tuesday, journey down wasn't too bad. I discovered in a local store on my journey to Hobart, that not only selling Easiyo kits they had those elusive extra jars!
And the Cadbury squiggle top biscuists Ms Stash has been lamenting she can not find anywhere. Boy do I know that feeling.

And I don't know if it was momentary euphoria or a sudden flash of divine intervention, but I bought the latest Creative Knitting. The first I've bought in a long, long time. Budget dosen't cover all luxerys so I've had to make harsh decisions when it came to my magazine habit.
I really like this issue, even after the euphoria phased. And was pleased to see an answer to my prayers (divine intervention alright), a pattern for a hat I adore that is made out of, can you believe it? The new Nundle Hemp/Wool blend just released! Only one ball - even better!

Furthur down the road in another little town, while browsing through a newsagent I picked up the latest Family Circle and off the discount table The Utterly Unrefined Cookbook - which brings together 50 British chefs with their recipies to help combat breast cancer by raising funds with the sale of this book.

Wednessday??? I don't believe I got far Wednesday, just vegged out. Made a Tea Cake, something I haven't made since I don't know when.

Thursday? I made a foray into that evil empire known here only as the Golden arches for breakfast, foole dno one and ordered a latte, nothing skinny about it. Hit the supermarket, stocked up on contraband with which I intended to smuggle into the house in my huge hand bag - big handbags are important for so many things!
Contraband is usually eaten alone, in my room at night after everyone else has gone to bed and consists of chocolate/Killer Pythons/twisties and anything else easily stored and requires nothing more than open packet and insert contents in face. No careful storing conditions either, stuff that can be literaly stuffed into bags, suitcases, under mattreses, in shoes...
Then I came home with my carefully concealed contraband, two new cd's from Chickenfeed's bargain priced discs loud rock music (Nickelback) and angry chick music (Pink). The first to disguise eating noises and the second because that's how I felt.
After that we made the Christmas pudding, so it's ready or should I say they as we had to make two as it wouldn't all fit into one cloth. Their hanging out to dry now, should be good for Christmas.

Friday? Got out the house and into town alone with Sandra D to test Starbucks, did not buy mug, Ms Stash demanded I least buy one that said Starbucks Hobart when I stated my intentions.
Alas, mugs started at $12.95 and one that said Starbucks Hobart was $20. So no mug, however I did buy a black rubber coaster consisting basicly of the Starbucks logo. It was only $2.
Great place, great coffee and hot chocolates, Sandra D found hers a little strong however.
Then onto my second highlight and regular if secret outing when in Hobart. Off to Flippers at the wharf for Flake and Chips and a Scallop or two. They do truly beautiful fish, I don't know how they manage it. I've eaten good but not better here in Launceston from a very prominant Fish and Chip shop, while good not as good as Flippers. I've since heard that the one here, in actual fact uses frozen fish, so while it is cooked fresh your fish has come form the deep freeze...

Popped into a second hand book shop I try to frequent every time I go to Hobart and picked up four back issues of Earth Garden. Then went to the library and discovered on their shelf, The Millionaire Float by Kirsty Brooks the third in her Cassidy Blair series. Number 4 is out so I am a little behind. Read it in a day. Can't wiat to get my hands on four, The Lady Splash!

Had dinner, with some more of the rellies, fab BBQ'ed chook. Lovely baked vegetables and some fresh aspargus all followed by pavlova and really good coffee.

Today was market day, off to Salamanca. Lots of beautiful but expensive things. I'm still imagining myself with a Led Zepplin bag ($60). I did by a new head band, only $5 so fit the budget well.
Got an early birthday present from visiting rellies who gave me 3/4 the cost of a screen printed bag with skulls ad crossed swords. Some local outfit, they removed the tag because I was going to use the bag rather than have it put in a bag.
Bought some fruit leather (raspberry) and coconut ice for me, the DWC and Ms Stash's beast who is a true fish boy got a treat from the Pet Treats stall, (all human grade ingredients no pet grade in any of the products).
Dried Anchovies and some Tuna Crunch which can be sprinkled on their food, I didn't really look at her dog choices.

Then was the long journey home, why does Hobart have to be so far away, I think they should move themselves closer.
Ms Stash had made me dinner, chicken-cauliflower curry. Absolutely beautiful. Came home to DWC, who didn't scream at me when I arrived, in fact he's rather subdued. Apart form the mad climbing-purring but no slobbering fortuantly.
We watched Doctor Who, a good one again. Look forward to next week, Billie Piper aka Rose is leaving at some point? A little uncertain if it's this season or next, but I'm hoping since this is supposedly "the last tale she will tell" it will be this season and we can get someone new and more interesting in time for the next season.

Discovered this pattern which I am sure Cindy will appreciate as much as I will, okay maybe not quite as much as I will, but as a felllow Terry Pratchetite the concept will amuse. A knitted Death of Rats! I must make one, I love the Death of Rats, almost as much as Death himself. I think in third palce would be Archchancellor Ridccully - shouting at people and jollying them along! And of course the fact he believes in BIG dinners!

Yes, I know most of this post has been about food, but then I am slightly obsessed with it, and lack of it and skull duggery required for certain amounts of it makes me slighlty more irritable and start to contemplate just how eating disorders ever truly came about.

Until next time,
Suzi.
A bona fide red head and damn proud if it.

Side note: Finished first Skull Sock of fury which is aptly named on Wednesday night, a little blocking, manual stretching and possibly some swearing and then I have decided depending on reults to rip back from the top and re-knit the intarsia/fair isle bottom up. More news when I am less furious enough to look at it with out plottign to start cutting...

You call that a slab cake???

Unfortunatly the pictures haven't made it from camera to computer yet, so I will have to post the pictures of Captain Denny throwing a surprise party for THE Matt complete with chocolate cake bedecked with sparklers.

Yes THE Matt is another year older, and yes I do celebrate his birthday by having a mini-party by myself because I am a bit of a Nigel. But this year, I had Captain Denny and THE Matt himself to enjoy eating chocolate cake with me.
Does this surprise you dear readers? Maybe not those of you who've been here for the long haul but for new-comers it may seem a little weird.

And also today signals the official one month to my birthday at which I will be another year older....Only a month and I haven't even planned what cake I will have! I might try the chocolate one with espresso cream as featured in Nigella's Feast. I've been keen to try that one.

As for my interview, they were apparetnly hoping for a experienced applicant, but despite that I couldn't bring myself to ask why they'd called me in.
I knew I should have!
However dare I say it lest Mrs Dr Who is overcome with excitement???? (She does talk a lot about the Knitty magazine - it is a tad worrying!) Shaking hands with my interviewer was like holding a damp dishcloth, your shaking hands with someone when you first meet them, I expected a litle more. Or am I just some sort of bone crushing freak??

On a side note I found this exciting post while catchign up on Punk Rock Knit Giirls - Captain Jack Chart. I see a Poster Boy in my future.

That's all for tonight folks! I need my sleep despite the excitment of the party.

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide tired red head and too damn tired to care about anything.

Random thoughts from my head

I'm exhausted, I think it was lack of sleep last night while I worried about everything.

Located one of my "good" black skirts, worked mostly on the Skull sock about almost at eh half way mark for the foot now. Made a small ironing pile, watched Border Security then put Batman Returns on to pass the time till Crossing Jordan and continued work on the sock hence all the progress!

Dashed out to town today to arrange new clothes for my interview, snagged a shirt straight off in the first shop, and a jacket which was unfortunatly navy then spied black jackets - none in my size of course. Damn!
Debated about getting navy pants to match the jacket but didn't dare because the jacket alone was quite xxx'y and then I needed a shirt. Something un-white as I am a proud member of the black bra brigade.

So I now have the choice of my "good" black skirt, my work pants which are very presentable but also black to wear with my new navy jacket....

I also tried to seek out some navy shoes to wear, as I only have black shoes. But the two shoe stores and one department store I was in had all converted to "summer" styles so full of strappy open sandles/slides.

Probably should have given some thought to an outfit prior to now, but the difficulty to find anything decent and also the price when you do has made me a bit slack.
Ideally a suit would be good as it would be a matching set, but try buying them! How do people buy work clothes I don't know, because all round town they sell everyday floaty around clothes. Very limited choice in practical shirts.

Also had my hair done, trimmed, thinned and straightened. I'm almost a new woman!
All for a job I have no experience or qualifications for, but they still asked me to come for an interview! Who knows!

And a thought that inspired me to google, with Halloween coming up and being on our knitting coven day. I had to google!
Knit Witch
Knit Witch's Realm
Nocturnal Knit Witch
Knit Witch
Stitch Witch

Suzi

Avast land lubbers!

The Skull Sock of Fury is fully underway, I'm into the heel.

I made gingerbread muffins (arr, the exotic spice trade, arrr!) and topped them with pirate chocolates (Wrappers have a pirates face pictured on them and a cardboard hat backing).

I may be a working girl once again, I'll know more after Thursday, however it's a an area I've never worked in before. I may yet be able to post pone ringing up about th ejobs going at the Men's Gallery (No experience required, full training provided. I don't need to have worked in that area before! Wonder if they want waiting staff????). But technically I am required not just to seek work I want to do, but any I could do. Oh how I owuld love to put that down on my form!

Which brings me to a side note, apparently in Germany a woman can not legally claim to have exhausted all her employment opportunites unless she has considered everything. This includes prostitution which is a legal for m of employment evidently?
Kind of glad I'm not living in Germay.

Which brings us to a topic discussed at the knitting coven today. Yes, those adverts late at night. Mandy and Candy....
Well in Sydney there are legal brothels and I'm not sure if there are also in Victoria???? So while Mandy and Candy are hot (snort snigger) strippers for your mobile the theroy that this promotes something else may be true but in certiain places at least it's legal.

Avast! There be high seas to be sialed and navigated!
Mad Cutless Bootleg Sue

Shiver me timbers or else!

In honour of Talk Like a Pirate Day, I decided to unearth some suitable knitting links, well not this year, but for next year I may be more organised.

What's more, how shameful is this? It's our knitting coven the same day! And I still haven't located the missing Pony Pearl needle so I can not even work on the Skull Sock of Fury!Found is the lost needle! Yes!!! I shall knit the sock at the coven tomorrow!

The Original Talk Like a Pirate Day - (does feature a knit pattern! The Pirate Queen's Booty Bag!) Has wonderful advice on Talking LIke A Pirate in English, German, Swedish and Madarin. How to Pick Up a Pirate (take note boys especially if your Captain Jack, Matt Hardy or Denny Crane!).

Knit Like a Pirate
The Black Stitch
Yarn Pirate
Laurel's Pirate Knitting - A very interesting knit blog!

And as for the actual knitting. Well anything with a skull or skull and crossbones should be suitable....Oh and a really big hat!
Kid's Pirate Hat
Skull and Crossbones Cloth
We Call Them Pirates (hat)
Pirate Mittens
Skull Cable
Big Skull Tote
Mini Skull Tote
Skull Socks of Fury
Skull and Needles Knitting Bag
Felted Bag with Fair Isle Skulls
Skull and Dogbones
Skull Scarf
Skull Illusion Scarf
Skinny Skull Scarf
Skull Chart
Pirate Arrrgh-yle Chart
Skull Mug Cosy
Jack Sparrow's Favourite Socks (There certainly going to be mine!)
Snowball's Chance in Hell
Nuclear Family

There be no excuse for you worthless land lubbers not to make something in honour of Talk Like a Pirate day! Arr!
If you don't , ye'll be made to walk the plank! Arr!

Sunday Tasmanian Article

Sudden afterthought, has anyone else read about the knitters in Queensland who are knitting a scarf the length of a proposed dam as a protest???
I'll see if I can look the article out.

So many good things!

Where shall I start?

With my Secret Pal who has sent me an e-card! How exciting??? I am absolutly thrilled.

Then we have an invite to join the Intolerable Cruelty KAL - maybe I will get the skirt made and go to the ball after all! Now I just have to pick yarn.....
Dug upone local supplier, anybody know of any others? Bamboo.

And thirdly, the Bondi Chai people e-mailed to say they'd read my comments on how much I liked their stuff and offered to send me a packet. Which has left me in a bit of a state of shock! Never imagined my ramble would inspire someone to give me something.

And here I was rabbiting on about how things come in three's!

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide and very pleased red head.

Lack of insight

Ah well during Bones last night I knitted up the first ball of Piuma into my scarf, it's coming on fab, will hopefully get a picture later today to post of it.

And then I found this....

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

And becuase I don't have anythign better to do, I found this one!

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

I'm off in search of caffeine and possibly a doughnut.

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide red head and damn proud of it.

I'm so exicted!!!

I found out my secret pal today! With Ms stash's help after some momentary panic, I came up with an idea for a first parcel. What I had in mind has been temporarily shelved, and may slot in furthur down the track.

I should have realised just because they don't talk about wrestling action figures, "Denny Crane!" or zombies that there wouldn't be that much difference and I could actually come up with some good ideas for parcels.
Buying for people I know is always so hard, but someone I don't know, well they won't be forced to like it (or wear it) I suppose.

On the knitting front, yesterday I knitted Sandra D a phone cosy. Started it Tuesday and did about 4 rows. Ploughed through yesterday. I'm hoping to get a start ona Moda Vera "Piuma" scarf while I watch Bones tonight.
I saw Bones for the first time last week, and am a little uncertain who everyone is and how they belong but I'm hoping to get up to speed tonight.

I'm making a pilgrimmage to see the new Starbucks in Hobart, some time over the next couple of weeks. Go and see why it's so special - aside from appearing in countless American movies and tv shows.

Nigella, has (as well as Feast which is airing in Canada and the US next month), started filming a new Chirstams series, unlike the last one which was one extended episode this will be a 3-parter.
I can't wait to see these out here!

And while on Nigella and her news page they now have an errata available for her books, worth a look if anybody owns any. Nigella Corrections.

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide red head and damn proud of it.

I don't believe it!

No, it isn't being exclaimed in mild annoyance at something that has peed me off, rather in a state of great excitement.

Nundle Woolen Mill now produce a Hemp-Wool blend! In both 8 and 20-ply. How exciting is this? I could actually be knitting things in a hemp-wool blend, from my very own fair Australian shores!!!

Normally exciting things like this take place elsewhere and I wait impatiently for things like bamboo yarn to appear on my local yarn stores shelves.

While at $10 for a 50gm ball of 8ply is quite pricey, it's probably cheaper than an already knitted tea cosy out of this new blend which retails for $42!!!! Or fingerless gloves for $33, at that price I'll make my own I think.

Until next time,
Suzi
A very excited redhead and damn proud of it!

I'll have what she's having!

While checking up on the AntiCraft blog I discovered this gem, the 2007 Stitch N' Bitch calender! How exciting! I must have one!

More to the long list, will it ever end?

The NEW Knitty is up! And once again I am adding things I would like to make to my list.

My top pick is Intolerable Cruelty.
Followed by Viveka, Avast, Sugar on Snow (for sheer amazing accessory ability), Lucie and while I don't know I would ever knit it, I will fantasise about knittting it - Lizard Ridge.

Now I must go and organise myself, allt he things that got postpond while I was a student have come back to haunt me, some iron wrangling and just possibly some light baking...

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide red head and damn proud of it.

What a day!

I was visiting a class maye yesterday when I saw the news about Peter Brock, two outstanding Australians in one week!

While not trying to be (I'm not going to try I'm just going to be) a harbinger of doom, these things come in threes.

Ms Stash has vacated herself away for a few days, the Panta pattern confuses me. So I've mooched about reading cookbooks and watching Nigella videos. And periodically shooshing the white cat who is not merely daft but disturbed. I don't know what's got into him today.

A quick search of google provided me with a link to a supplier for the malva non-alcoholic syrups suitable for flavouring mocktails and such. Non-Alcoholic Wine, an Australian supplier of non-alcoholic and dealcohised wine, beer and mixers.
A very interesting site. And not too badly priced I'm looking at $11 including frieght to get the particular bottle I want.

I've also typed up my cocktail recpies so you all can get mixing at home, there over at the Inn so just click here for a direct link.

Reading labels, which is how I orignally found out some suppliers for other products I found out and about and wanted to have at home to use, was the Da Vinci Gourmet syrups. It had a website on it's label, but most of the information relates to it's home country of USA. But it has a massive recipe section, so if short of ideas of how to use your syrups it's the place to look.

Then there is Bondi Chai, I love their cinnamon one! Absolutly delish. They have a website based here in Australia. With recipes no less!!

House has a website, slightly boring I might add. Habitat has one that is much mroe interactive and includes the latest catalogue to look at.

Now somewhere I am going to get lost in is the Fox Run Craftsmen site. That close to that many cookie cutters???

Until next time,
Suzi.
A bona fide red head and damn proud of it.

Schools out! For summer! It's been blown to hell!

I do believe I may have passed my course.

We had our evaluaiton this morning where our teacher cheerfully(of course he's cheerful he's about to go on holiday) that most of us still have stuff to complete before we can get our Cert 3.

I was the last person to drag myself over for the "little talk", only apparently it seems there was nothing to talk about as it looks so far as I have passed everything.

Nothing as yet stands out as needing to be done still. Nothing???? Nothing??? But then I did have the good fortune not to be here all yesterday afternoon trying to finish assignments and various other assessments.
For once in my life!

Off to lunch soon with some of the class I think??? We keep dwindling in numbers. Kind of like our class in general.

On a side note Bill and Ted have resurfeced, and yesterday Ted had to teach me to tie a tie in our coach others practical. I couldn't tie a tie before and think I am only more vaguely aware now.

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide red head and damn proud of it.

Extras are easy!

My pirate name is:

Mad Bess Bonney

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Found it on Monster Crochet's blog, which I eneded up at after reading about their Wearable Cobweb on Stigmata Knits. Now all I ned is a yellow submarine and the ability to crochet....

School's Out!

I am a free woman! Everything is done, handed in or acted out. Today I had to coach someone in making a pot of tea. I had to imagine they just landed form Mars and knew nothing about tea.

So I found some interesting sites on tea to have as a reference.

www.tea.co.uk
www.theteacentre.com.au
www.stashtea.com
www.lipton.com

Now that I am all done, I finally have a Thursday night that’s mine and I plan to watch Bones for the first time. And work on some knitting.

I am going to decipher the Panta Code! I have been meaning to start this forever, I have the pattern and some yarn earmarked. I just need to figure out the equations.

Well I have two lots ear marked, some Wine 12ply and some Burgundy 12ply I bought with the Panta in mind.

Any advice on Panta making???? And don’t anybody say don’t do it, I have made up my mind.

I’m looking forward to my next trip to the coven. I have a calamity with a sock that needs urgent attention. What was supposed to be the heel needles, I have inadvertnly managed to knit one heel needle and one of the “reserve” needles.

And also I miss the intelligent conversation that goes on! I fear class has been too much of a pressure cooker situation.
I’m going to eat a Mexican wrap, and drink a Chai latte and it will all be good. I can visulise it now.

Fiinally done my questionairre for PRGE, I can't wait for it to start and find out who I will get! I'll ahve to check and see if Igor has my parcell ready. Igor! Igor! Igor!

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide red head looking for a reliable Igor and damn annoyed about it.

Punk Rock Gift Exchange Questionaire

1) How long have you been spinning/Knitting/Crocheting?
Knitting - 3 years? About I think.
2) Do you consider yourself a beginner, novice, or experienced Yarn Artist?
A Novice by this stage.
3) What type of fibers have you worked with?
Everything just about, no alpaca or cotton yet.
4) What types are you dying to try?
Alpaca? Cotton?
5) Are you allergic to anything, (Fibers, Food, Smells that make you want to puke, etc.)?
No, nothing that I am yet aware of.
6) Do you have any Disorders, ex: Diabetes?
Aside from being insanity?
7) What is your Favorite Time/Style period, ex: Romatic, Grecian,Metal, Goth,etc?
Goth!!!
8) What fibers do you dislike?
Some acrylics, they feel naaasty!
9) Name some of your favorite Artist, Movie wise, Television if you watch it ex: I heart Keanu, some things cant be helped, and Rachel loves Mike Ness !?
Johnny Depp
10) Whos your favorite Character ex: Jack or Cpt Jack?
Buffy
11) Do you prefer natural colored fibers, or handpainted/dyed fiber?
No preference - just so long as it's dark colours I'm happy
12) What are you favorite colors?
Black, Blue, Purple and red
13) What colors do you dislike?
PINK!!!! Not to fond of yellow and orange either.
14) What projects are you currently working on?
Far too many socks!
15) Do you have a wishlist?
Ah, no. Well I do but it's huge and completly insane.
16) Do you have any other favorite hobbies?
Cooking! Pirates? Is that a hobby? Being a pirate perhaps?
17) Whens your birthday?(mm/dd) (Thanks Rach')
23rd October
18) What is your favorite food, candy, scents that you love!! Etc.?
Choclate! Coffee! Chocolate! Did I mention coffee???
19) Are you pierced at all? Any tattoos? Can you/would you wear jewelery that isn't real?
Not currently but have been nose/ears/navel and will probably be once again. No tatts as of yet. Sob.
20) What do you like Culturally, ex: Celtic, African, Devil Worshiping, Kidding!?
Celtic - a lot of my ancestry is form there! Asian.
21) What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
My knitting bags and an ice bucket (a Millienum one no less)
22) What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Metal/Rock but I do also like Madonna and Cher and a bit of that stuff called rap. Yes, I think so.
23) What's your favorite season and why?
Winter, because it's more likely to be cold and wet and it's easier to be miserable old miser.
24) What season do you abhor?
Summer - Far too hot!
25) How about Sports, any that you just cant get enough of or do they make you throw up in your mouth just a little?
Sports? Bah no! Unlessyou include pole dancing.
26) What is your family situation Do you live alone?
I live with Mr Invisable and a number of action figures.
27) Do you have any pets?
The Daft white Cat and rebel band of lint.
28) Do you like handmade gifts?
Love them! That added personal touch is very heart warming - but not too much!
29) What's your favorite thing to make, knit/crochet or other craft wise?
Scarfs? I seem to make a lot, proabbly because there so versatile. Closely followed by hats. I am a hat person.
30) Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Either or, depending on my project.
31) Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No.
32) Tell us how you learned to knit/crochet?
I saw the first SnB book and started with squares to see if I caould do it and boom! Here I am.
33) Do you enjoy getting helpful hints from others or does it just piss you off?
Ummmmmm, yes and no. Depending on what it is.
34) How old is your oldest UFO?
Probably 3 years?
35) Is there anything that you collect?
Cookie cutters! Anything Halloween related, anything with skulls, oh and aprons!
36) Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Happy Hooker! Noro Gemstones. Skull Needles. 2.5mm bamboo/pony pearl double points. LoTech Sweat Silk Corset Domknitrix Book
37) What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have if any?
None.
38) Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Crochet.
39) Do you enjoy knitting socks? How big are yer boats (feet)?
Yeah, size 9 Aussie which is about a US 9/10 in cms/inches ??????

When I Was Young

The rooms were much colder then...

As the Animals famously sang.

I do believe they also sang about Spillling the Wine which may have been an equal refrence, but no wine was actually spilt.
Fortunatly.

I awoke yesterday with a incredibly sore throat, and Iwsn't he only one, Ms Stash also seemed to be suffering this malady. Today I awoke with a slightly less sore thorat, but my voice was starting to go.

I've finished my last assignment ready to hand in tomorrow, completed all the theroy that goes with my practical tomorrow as well, so I am off to have a hot, hot shower in an attempt to warm my cold, cold bones.

But tomorrow is the last class! The very last! And it will all be over, I just have to hand in my work diary. To show what I have been signed of for. Then I am a free woman till my certificate comes and I find out how I did or at least till Friday morning when I have to go back for the end of course wrap up where we all find out (I guess if it's like the mid course) what we haven't done, what if anything we can do make up.

Would it surprise you at all dear readers if I told you I was ready for it to be over? Cert 2 turned out to be less scary than I thought it would be, and I coped very well. Cert 3 has been not difficult, but harder and as someone who is best left to count the railings under close supervision it has been a challenge.
If nothing else I can see myself happily washing dishes, I love washing dishes. I think it's because I get to play with the dishwasher. Always fun!

Not fun - trying to open bottles of wine with a waiters friend, I struggled on the Bar course and I struggled this time around.

Do you know, when I did the bar course Boags was in partnership with class at the time so we got Boags t-shirts mine is still in it's plastic wrap never worn, because we never got our Friday night prac. They closed for Christmas.
But since I have my certificate, everybody seems to think I know what I'm doing in the bar. Isn't faith a wonderful thing?

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide red head and damn proud of it.

I'm the Woman!

I've passed my Cocktail unit in class today, another one bites the dust!

Only another three to go and I've covered everythign, if I'll pass is a nother matter. Food and Bev I'm confident about, I know my food. Wine evaulation ahs me bothered, I give a tutired tasting tomorrow on wine. And then the day after it is coaching others, not looking forward to that one at all.

So far so good, I will come out with a certificate with something on it.


When blogger is being less disagreeable I will post the rest of the Smokey Joes pictures.
As for Fitknit's question, well, my fellow coven goers are a bit fo a rabble rousing lot....Oh wait did you mean Captian Denny and The Matt?????

However on the downside I awoke this morning to disocever my cold had returned with a vengance! Hence my cocktail today was a Tart Vengance. A little true to it's name, in future we will avoid soda water and go for lemon squash.

Today was Knitting Coven day, and I didn't get to go, but the very lovely Cndy me a present, it's a very awesome crocheted pot holder with a skull on it! A visit to the Green Woman's blog will reveal it!

As many of you who follow my blog know, I frequently ahve dinner with Ms Stash. Well now it's my turn to cook dinner for once, on Thursday we will be having one of Ainsley's recipes. A very yummy sounding spaghetti bake from his Gourmet Expres 2.

Friday I am meant to be out with my class, I presume were all still going out. (Long story, very long story.)

As for Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. He'll certainly leave a bit of a gap. But I suppose he went boots on figurtivly speaking. Which is how I intend to go.

Plans are a foot to make Nigella's Malteaser Cake, possibly next week and see what it is actually like. It sounds very nice, but then most of her chocolate cake chapter in Feast does. I'm keen to make the Espresso Cakee with cappacino Cream, but fear that may be a private indulgence, as Ms Stash dosen't like coffee....

On Sunday being Fathers day, Ms Stash and I did our duty and made lunch, Beef in Oyster Sauce and Chincken in Lemon Sauce.
So we finally got to try the new deep fryer. The chicken came up beautiful! The plans now are to try a bit of fish, and do our own fish and chips - in a beer batter of course!

Lunch was followed by Pavlova, not form scratch this time, I was a sligtly lazy and bought the magic egg, but he batter fr the lemon chicken provided me with two left over egg whites which are now stashed int eh freezer waiting for more so I can have them ready for my next pav.

What else is on my list? Some knitting of course, after Thursday I should be back into it. I have to finish off some assignments the ext couple of nights and then my life replys to semi normal, hopefully!

Until next time,
Suzi
A bona fide redhead and damn proud of it.

Put this in your pipe and smoke it!

Well here we have today the long awaited (I'm sure) pictures from the Knitting Coven's Evening Outing for our 2nd Birthday. In no particular order as of yet, and the story will have to unfold as I write.

To start here we have the Chicken Fajitas ordered by Ms Stash.

See her eaing the rice?















Here's Captain Denny with the Chicken Fajitas.


"I'm picking up strange readings from this! Perhaps I should test it? Write about it in my Captian's Log? Captain's Log Year 23.45.67.22222 on the 4th day of Frogwiggler, discovered new and amazing dish."















Here we have some maurading cave woman eating ribs....try not to get to close!













Ah, here's THE Matt Hardy with my Beff Fajitas, this is also what Mrs Dr Who who was sitting next to me ordered. They were absolutely delicious!


TMH was not playing nice, I think he was eyeing off Mrs Dr Who's fajitas and planned to steal it while she wasn't looking.









This is the Muddy Creme Brulee! Creme Brulee with a layer of melted chocolate just beneath the surface. I put on my Birthday list last year a Brulee set from one of my local kitchen shops, it was a mini blowtorch and four ramekins. I'm still waiting and suspest I may have to transfer to this year's list, or the mini blowtorch at least!
Make my own creme brulee, Nigella has at least 2 recipies for it. One for a Brulee and another she calls Christmas Brulee.







And now for a minor interruption while I try to get Blogger to upload more pictures!
I saw this book while out and about today and just new I had to add it to my collection, I collect kitschy cookbooks and when I saw Ralph's Tongmaster I had to have a laugh.
Aside from being a BBQ book aimed at the good old Aussie "bloke", the names where too much! Especially in the chapter for cooking to impress women. "Give Mary Her Little Lamb!" - declared one page in bold print. Another bore the title "A Nice Rack!" and was a rack of lamb BBQ'ed.
I'll have to see if it's still there when I go back, otherwise I'll have to see if someone somewhere will order it for me.

New day dawns and another sets.

I had a rare thing today, a failure form one of Nigella's recipies!

Ms Stash and I made the Arabian Breakfast from Feast, I don't know if my rose water ahs been knockign about too long or if it was the particualr brand but it was like eating perfume. Blah!!!
Waste of what would have otherwsie been a nice piece of watermelon.

I'm very excited, I have been invited to join a new grup blog! By the lovely Ms Fortuknit (who I think I still ahve to tell what season of Boston Legal were up to? I'm not sure the number but Denny has married and divorced Bev, and that was a few weeks maybe a month ago? About 4 episodes ago. If anyone esle can supply more precise details I would be grateful!)
Stigmata Knits is the name, very excited to see what creative impulses we can come up with!

The new MagKnits is up, and unlike the latest Knitty it hasn't taken me an eon to get over and see it, my two picks are Seaside and Inner Truth (which reminds me of my aran ear warmer and also I really liked the colour).

Has anybody else been following Punk Rock Knit Girls? Some of the designs and patterns are amazing! And I have been inspired all over again by a link someone provided for a Skinny Skull Scarf!
And one for if I ever do! A handspun ear warmer with ankhs!

Something very exciting has happened! Yes, the casket lid has been closed and sealed on the Punk Rock Gift Exchange and very soon it'll start!
It's Alive! It's Alive! It's Alive! Igor!!! Quickly fetch my goods for postage!!!