Wednesday, October 8, 2014

snippety snippets

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So the holidays are over and we've hit the ground running. It's springtime in our part of the world and although it's not quite tee-shirt weather yet, I feel like things are changing and I'm going to have to move fast and spend my time carefully to keep up.

I feel like we've had a great rest. I feel like I've had the time to really work out my priorities and I feel ready to work hard for and at the things I love and the things that inspire me and make me happy.

I feel like I've got loads to share with you here too, but before any of that let's do a quick catch up. Here are some of the early October snippets of my life.

ADMIRING the peony roses. We are generally a bit useless when it comes to growing anything that's not edible, but the peonies seem to take care of themselves. Each year they flower for Jazzy's birthday and each year I am astounded by their beauty and make a mental note to plant more. More roses and more flowers in general. We can't eat them but they certainly feed us in other ways. They make me happy, they make this place beautiful and they make me stop for a bit and be in the moment admiring them. Love!

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Technically I'm not CROCHETING anything but I have plans. I'm searching Ravelry for a hat pattern for my cold headed, awesome friend Andi who shaved her gorgeous raven locks to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. Pretty great hey!!

And I'm also queuing patterns for my Softie For Mirabel softie. I'm thinking I might make a kitty this year. Or a bird. Are you making one too?

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I'm READING this book. Oh my goodness how I want to be a shepherdess. And a spinner. And a natural dyer. And I want to sell a Daylesford Organics yarn to people all around the world. And I want to work out if there is a way we can do it all from here in a certified organic/biodynamic way.

I'm a little bit obsessed but I feel like our probable plans to travel next year are putting the brakes on this new direction. Or maybe it's making me change the direction of our travels into woolly research. We'll see.

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I'm SMELLING all of the blossom. I'm fighting for space to get my nose in deep with the bees. And I'm dreaming of quinces and plums and almonds and apples and nashis and berries. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

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Unfortunately we're still LIGHTING the fire for warmth. I had hoped that our days of collecting, splitting, hauling, stacking, lighting and cleaning would be over for another season by now, but I should have known better. Hopefully soon we'll be down to overnight burns only. And by then it'll probably be fire season.

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I'm still KNITTING my love heart socks. Knitting time at home is so much scarcer than on holidays.

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And I'm MISSING little holiday bare legs and arms photobombing my pics.

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We're EATING kale on everything, in everything and around everything. We planted a ridiculous amount this year and now I want the space back.

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I'm incredibly GRATEFUL for this beautiful 100% natural Polwarth wool that Tom from Tarndie Heritage Sheep Farm sent me.

Tom's great-great grandfather developed the Polwarth sheep on their farm in the 1800's to better suit the southern climate and now 100 years later they are still farming the sheep and now they are selling the wool on their big cartel site. Imagine what Tom's great-great grandfather would think of that?! Amazing!!

I haven't had a chance to knit with the Polwarth yet but I can tell you that it is soft and squishy and the colours are gorgeous, all the most important ingredients in a good yarn I think.

IMG_1568 And finally, I'm EXAMINING our wisteria vines as they naturally weave themselves into the roof of our carport. I think I need to make some time for some basket making, and wreath making and weaving soon before they wake up and sprout leaves and flower. I think the clock is ticking on my big basket dreaming, maybe this weekend the sun will shine and I'll get out my secateurs and get to work.

And that's me, all caught up and ready to press go.

How about you?
What are you admiring, crocheting, reading, smelling, lighting, knitting, missing eating, examining and grateful for?
Let me know in the comments, or perhaps you'd like to make a blog post of your own?

Until then, I hope some fun stuff is happening in your world.

Big love

xx




33 comments:

  1. What beautiful photos and yes, go for it organic yarn from Daylesford......sounds perfect. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane

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  2. Oh my gosh you inspire me!! I'm off to water the garden and make a mental list of all the projects I want to get started on. Ummm hello........ Daylesford organic yarn, I'll be one of the first people in line!

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    1. It's so silly because it's still so far off but that makes me so excited Marnie. xx

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    2. Oh its glorious to dream and have big plans... and when it does happen it will be a huge success, I just know it! xx

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    3. You're so gorgeous, thank you. xx

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  3. Yay for snippets Kate. Beautiful snippets at that. You would sell beautiful yarn. We have just waved goodbye to two truck loads of wool following our shearing. If the raw wool wasn't so bulky I would send you some to play with. Let me know if any of your peeps ever head our way with some spare room in their car. Seriously x

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    1. One day I'll come up for shearing time.
      I'd totally get in the way but I it'd be the best fun. xx

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  4. Oh my gosh the kale! I can't see anything beyond the kale! Gorgeous!
    xx

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    1. Oh my goodness, I know.
      I feel like we're not even making a dint in it.
      Got a kale cake I could bake?
      x

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  5. Beautiful snippets and awesome plans I do hope they come to fruition for you. We are kicking through Autumn leaves here and hunkering down for Winter, so the thought of knitting and crochet in front of a roaring log fire sounds pretty damn good. Envy you the onset of Spring, but I do quite like our crisp Autumn days.

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    1. Knitting and crocheting at any time of the year sounds good to me.
      I hope you have a gorgeous, cozy autumn. xx

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  6. How energising to be enthusiastic about so many things; and what great things they are on your list. I am admiring your ambition. There are never enough hours to do all the things we want to do but as long as we do some, it makes a difference.

    I will be reading your future posts in earnest because I am also interested in biodynamic and organic ways to grow food. My tiny vegie patch is chemical-free and I am enjoying the creatures and wildlife that are coming to visit while I try to reconcile a habitat garden and a food garden!

    That sure is a lot of kale you have there! Perhaps you can freeze the surplus and you can use the plot for something else next year? My silverbeet patch was like that last season so I empathise with you having the same veg in every meal (especially when the children question it, yet again, mum???) but that just goes to show how versatile our greens can be - good value in the garden and great nutrition.

    Joy and good health to you!

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  7. OMG the kale and the LOVE HEART SOCKS!
    also- Hi!
    xxxxx

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    1. Hi lovely Ruth, I can barely see you throughout the forest of kale. xx

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  8. HI Kate,
    I have followed you for so long, I love what you do. I am the owner of Unwind Craft Cafe, if you ever make a hand died yarn, please contact me, I would love to stock it at Unwind. Go for it. xx

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    1. Thanks so much Robyn, best comment ever!!
      x

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  9. I think it would be great if you could produce your own yarn.

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    1. Thanks so much for the encouragement Gillian, I hope I can and do. xx

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  10. Ahhh, this is a beautiful post. Fabulous, textural photographs and lovely words with the imagery. A very inspiring catch up - thank you! J9 x

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    1. Thank YOU!!!! I hope you have a happy weekend. xx

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  11. I'm reading that book as well and dreaming the same dream. There needs to be more shepherds in the world!

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  12. And I am LOVING all of the colors, textures, and warmth in this post! That is your stove? Oh, I am so envious. My husband and I have major Aga-like stove love! The yarn looks great.

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    1. Thanks so much Katie and yes that's our stove, she's temperamental but we love her. xx

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  13. I'm admiring your kale shot, because seriously, that just makes me smile! Looks like a stampede of kale coming to take over everything.
    Gorgeous photos Ms Kate, every single one of them.
    I'm working on a 'to do' list that never seems to reach the bottom. Now why is that?

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  14. i just happened to come across your site a few weeks ago & since that time I have fallen in love with your family & created a blog site of my own - Hick's Haven - for just ramblings to the world. I am IN LOVE with your stove. If there were a greater word than love I would use it, but I can't think of one, so I'll stick with love. I want to knit & crochet & quilt & garden & raise goats/chickens/pigs/sheep whatever I can get my hands on, but for now, I will live through you my friend across the sea, so keep the posts coming so those of us who can't, can!

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  15. Sheep and wool and landscape preservation, all topics near to my heart. Health is getting in the way, but it can't stop me dreaming. Good luck with yours! Blessings, Pam

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  16. Now that is one impressive kale spread! Glad you had a great tropical vacation + are now having fun getting back into the swing of things. Have a great week!

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  17. Lots of lovely snippets, and from so long ago you've probably forgotten them by now. That's my life though, catching up - all the time - catching up, all for good reasons though. Life is busy, but good. No complaints. Now, that is some serious kale. You must all be green with the intake. And I am so intrigued by knitting two pairs of socks in one round. I must look up a how-to video on YouTube. Makes so much sense.

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  18. Ohhh I've added that book to my wishlist... it looks fab!

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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