Changes

I'm moving to a new job next week.  I'm full of nervous excitement at what is to come, but that is tinged with sadness at what I am leaving behind.  Today my wonderful colleagues presented me with a beautiful book as a farewell gift.

'The Golden Age of Couture'

Speaking of books - despite Canberra's freezing temperatures (last night it was -8oC (17.6oF)) my husband and I are planning our garden for the coming summer.  We still have some tomatoes hanging under the verandah, but we ate the last of our potatoes tonight (along with fresh parsnip and beetroot from the garden).

And more books!...  This knitting book from the library has some lovely patterns that I'll hopefully make at least one of. 

What have you been inspired by lately?

Congratulations Cadel!

Cadel Evans just became the first Australian to ever win the Tour de France.  In previous years Cadel has had misfortune in his TdF campaigns, so when he had mechanical difficulties on Friday I almost cried.  But he fought back and then blitzed the time trial on Saturday.  So, from everyone in our house - Congratulations Cadel!

Our winter garden

I heard on the news a few days ago that this winter has seen an 8 times higher increase in the usual rate of colds and flu.  This has definitely been seen in our house where we had only just recovered from the flu of a couple of weeks ago and my husband developed bronchitis - judging by how I am feeling today I think I have it now too.  But before I go back under a blanket to sulk, please join me on a short tour of the highlights of our winter garden...

Silverbeet, garlic, onions, leeks and beetroot

Spinach, more garlic and broccoli (which we planted too late for a winter crop, but it should be ready in spring).

Hellebore

Tahitian limes

Spring bulbs starting to show themselves

Some more bulbs.  We planted bulbs (mostly daffodils, but also some iris and hyacinths) under a tree in our front garden within a couple of weeks of moving into our house.  We hope that one day this entire section of our garden will be a blaze of colour in spring.

A shirt for spring

Last month a light cotton fabric with a lovely print caught my eye.  I bought it thinking that I could make a shirt from it.  

I've finished designing the shirt - well, mostly.  I'm still thinking that I might change the bottom of the shirt by adding a waist band with a couple of buttons at the side.  I made the pattern pieces and cut out the fabric on the weekend.  I'll keep you posted!

This weekend

We got eggs!  We haven't had home laid eggs since before Easter.  We think they are from Phili, but they could be from one of the new girls - Harriet or Cottontail.

I've got the flu.  Lots of aches and snuffles.

A cute dress and a crazy parsnip

I wore my self made dress to work again today - I love it!  But it was only 9oC today so I had thick tights and a long sleeved shirt underneath!

A parsnip from our winter garden.

Birthday flowers

The tulips I bought my husband for his birthday last week have bloomed to their full colour.  We really love them so if anyone knows which tulip it is please let me know so we can try and track down some bulbs to grow.  They are dark purple with blue blushes on the inside bottom of each petal.

Vive le tour!

Yay!  It is that time of the year again.  I LOVE the Tour de France!  I introduced my husband to the Tour by enticing him with the scenery and Gabriel Gate's recipes, he then got into the actual cycling and now agrees it is worth watching.  Sadly with the huge time difference between France and eastern Australia we can rarely stay up to watch a whole stage.  One year I am going to spend my annual holiday staying up late to watch every stage (and late nights in front of the TV will give me lots of opportunities to knit and sew!). 

The Tour is my favourite sporting event.  I've done a little bit of long haul cycling myself, but I have absolutely no illusions that I could ever do the distances that the Tour covers.  About 10 years ago I cycled the Orkney Islands (off the north coast of Scotland) and it rained 9 days out of 10!  I also cycled from Bristol to Exeter following the English coast - it wasn't as rainy as the Orkney's but almost!  Despite the rain I love cycling in the UK because there are such small distances between towns and villages - giving lots of opportunities to visit many bakeries!

Hopefully this year will be Cadel's year at the Tour.  Will you be staying up late/ getting up early to watch?