scatterpig

This video gave me such a laugh, and then a little bit of a cry thinking about the rubbish they put on “current affairs” programs on commercial television stations in Australia…

One program that makes me actually angry to think about is Today Tonight – I guess the real problem is the people that watch it thinking that sensationalist rubbish about supermarket pricing, diets, immigration exposés, (telephone company exposés, centrelink exposés, blah blah) and cheap fashion shopping is actual factual news.

</rant>

Thanks John ;)

Delicious with vanilla butter frosting…

… or with a dusting of icing sugar.

If these vanilla bean buttermilk cupcakes had failed to turn out so beautifully this would be a post full of photos documenting my week of baking disasters.

First, I made a walnut and banana bread that didn’t rise and came out of the oven the consistency of a brick. So I decided to make pineapple muffins with some fresh sweet Queensland pineapples we picked up from the market… something yummy to get rid of the taste of the banana bread failure. I had enough batter to make two batches and they except for the one that I ate (all the while trying to convince myself they might be kind of ok) and the small bite John took out of one they followed the banana bread into the bin.

I used this recipe for the buttermilk cupcakes, next time I’ll make sure I have berries :)

He has turned out very cute :) I’ve made him a little larger than the pattern (by Ysolda Teague), his ears are a lot larger & I’ve shaped them a little more. I think this gives him an extra inquisitive look :)

I’ve decided to knit the icord for the Drawstring Chemise, I may do that today as we’re planning to stay put and relax on this Australia Day, or I might start in on my next project the Grecian Top. I would really love to be getting a head start on winter knitting… I have two jumpers, one cardigan, a vest, and two scarves picked out… but it’s way too hot to be handling all of that warmth. The danger is that by time it feels comfortable enough to be knitting will wools winter will be half way finished!

The photo above I snapped with my phone on my way to climbing yesterday, then ran it through ShakeItPhoto for iPhone – pretty cute app and I have a soft spot for overly processed looking saturation and exposure effects so I’m having a bit of fun with it at the moment.

Climbing felt just spectacular yesterday despite my injury last week and a shaky start, I attempted climbs above my current level and completed each one – not looking particularly elegant or controlled in the process, but I got there!  I then had a quiet afternoon home so I sat down and finished knitting Mousie by Ysolda Teague and just about finished the Drawstring Chemise. It’s blocking at the moment, I just have to seam it, complete the arm holes, and then make a decision about what to use for the drawstring. Even with all of this Christmas weight, looking at it all laid out I can see I’ve gone overboard with the positive ease… I’m pretty sure I’ll just give it to my Mum, I think she’ll like it :)

Photos of these projects to come. I have a fairly busy day today, I have to make time for some baking this afternoon for Australia Day tomorrow and then more climbing tonight (yay!).

Love this wall

We ended with a great time away with a visit to friends in Melbourne, and then a stop in Canberra to see the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition at the national gallery. It’s been a week since we’ve been back and things are plodding along slowly, well I’m plodding along slowly :) trying to get back into the swing of things.

It’s interesting being back at climbing, my fingertips and toes hurt quite a lot after the first time back – I didn’t realise how much I missed it! I can’t wait till the next climb, but for the time being my plan is to stay at three times a week instead of four. My feelings may change for the time being after seeing how my shoulder feels tomorrow, I came off the wall from an odd position tonight. I felt my shoulder kind of *pop* then my arm went tingly and then numb… I’m starting to feel some pain through the numbness so hopefully it wont stiffen up overnight or anything.

My knitting is still all over the place, I’ve been working on the Drawstring Chemise by Connie Chang Chinchio, and even though I’m not feeling any enthusiasm over it I am determined to finish it properly lest it join the pile of half finished bits & pieces from over the years. I honestly feel like knitting jumpers! It’s probably a good time to get a head start for winter…