Jairah’s Jumper – Yarn Along

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Jacinta

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things yarn along this week.

Jairah’s jumper is finished!  I love it and found it a lovely pattern to follow. I never used to block garments but these days I always do and it shows in the final finish of the garment.  The wool is Cleckheaton country Naturals 8 ply in forrest green (col 1841).  It was lovely to knit with and has washed up so soft, it’s really quite buttery in texture.  It’s a blend of 85% wool, 10% Acrylic and 5% Viscose and it’s made in Australia.  I’d definitely knit with it again.

My next project is this.  I have the wool, I just need to cast on.  It will be my most ambitious knitting project to date, so I can see it taking me a while to finish, hopefully before the end of winter so Tenneille can get some wear out of it.

As for reading I have read two books in the last two weeks (that’s almost unheard of for me these days).  I finished Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart.  Once I got past her constant appologising to her letter recipient, the book wasn’t too bad.  There was one phrase which I will quote which struck a cord with me and made me finish the book: “To me, homesteading is the solution of all poverty’s problems, but I realise that temperament has much to do with success in any undertaking and persons afraid of coyotes and work and loneliness had better let ranching alone.  At the same time, any woman who can stand her own company, can see the beauty of the sunset, loves growing things and is willing to put in as much time at careful labor as she does over the washtub, will certainly succeed; will have independence, plenty to eat all the time and a home of her own in the end”.  Oh my, that passage spoke volumes to me and if I were only to read this book to read the above passage, then I suppose it was worth it!  It was a freebee on Kindle too, I might add.

The other book (also a Kindle freebee) was called, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself, by Harriet Ann Jacobs.  This book is based on the life of a Southern slave called Linda.  What an amazing story, albiet, terrible in so many ways, and her escape to freedom.  Books like this make me most thankful for the many freedoms I enjoy.  I makes me think of all the untold, heart wrenching stories that will never be told of so many slaves whose lives were not their own to live.

I can’t wait to see what you have all been knitting/crocheting and reading. Jacinta x

 

Posted in Books, Craft, Knitting, Yarn Along | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Hot Chocolate Anyone?

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Jacinta

We are certainly in the depths of winter here and the fog didn’t lifted all day, therefore I declared that hot chocolate was in order.  I must say this is a heart warming recipe and certainly acts as a pick-me-up on a cold, wet and grey day.  I suggest you use the best quality cocoa and chocolate that you can afford, as that is what makes a hot chocolate really good.  Scooping out some melted chocolate from the bottom of your cup, divine.

If you aren’t a fan of chilli, you don’t need to add it, although the amount I add is barely detectable.  As for the spices, you can add your favourite if you want.  My choice is merely a serving suggestion.   I grate nutmeg from the whole nut.  It has a stronger aroma and flavour than the powdered form.

Winter Warmer Hot Chocolate

Ingredients to serve 4:

4 cups (1 litre) soy milk
8-10 tsp good quality cocoa (I use Green & Blacks 70% cocoa)
4 tsp honey
1/4 tsp of mixed spice
1/4 tsp of grated nutmeg
small pinch of chilli powder
8 pieces of good quality milk or dark chocolate (I use Green & Blacks)
Marshmallows to taste

Method:

With a little of the milk, make a paste with the cocoa (to avoid lumps), then add it to a pot with the rest of the milk, cocoa, honey and spices and heat until very warm, but not boiling.  Add a couple of pieces of good quality chocolate to the bottom of each cup and pour over hot chocolate.  Add marshmallows if desired.

Alternatives: 

You can use cow’s milk in lieu of soy.
Add your own favourite spices.
Substitute the honey for maple syrup, agave syrup or sugar if desired.

Those pieces of chocolate down the bottom turn into melted goodness!

 

Winter Warmer Hot Chocolate

Scoop, stir and sip your way to pure indulgence.  Enjoy!  Jacinta x

Posted in Gastronomic Explosions - aka Yummy Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

This Moment

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend lovelies!  Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, This Moment | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Meet Our Newest Addition

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Jacinta

Here she is:

Do I melt your heart or what!

She arrived today.  Tenneille loves squirrels (along with dragons and dinosaurs of course) and when I saw this squirrel on sale a while ago, I just knew one had to come and live at our house, well Tenneille’s room to be precise.  I’m not sure who was more exited, me or her.  Tenneille has called her Firey Fiona (that name makes me laugh for some reason).  I wouldn’t be surprised if I found her tucked up in bed with Tenneille.  She is just so darn cute.

I do believe the dragon (whose name escapes me right now) will keep Fiona in check.  I’m sure dragons and squirrels can be friends, right?

Fiona was purchased from Lark.  I have ordered from them before.  They have the cutest online store as well as a shop in Daylesford, Victoria.

I think Firey Fiona is a keeper, don’t you?  Jacinta x

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Our Winter Nature Table

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Jacinta

We have a nature table to celebrate the change of the seasons.  The girls and I finally decorated our winter scene this past weekend.   Of course we always have good intentions of having it decorated as the seasons roll over, but it seems we are seasonally delayed!  Better late than never I suppose.

The painting behind the scene is by Scarlett as is the white spotted red mushroom aka Amanita Muscaria.  The Snowdrop babe is made by yours truely.

Snowdrop babe

Aren't her ruffles divine

The knitted gnome and the moon house are from a lovely local Steiner shop.  I made the winter gnome who I think looks rather like a Tomten.

Our winter gnome who morphed into a Tomten

The girls thought he looked like a Tomten too, so hence the brown fox in front of the moon house.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with a Tomten, he is a delightful character from books written by Astrid Lindgren.  Oh and lets not forget the red chook.  Tenneille thought it essential that the winter scene needed to include one.  As for the nature table itself, it is a piece of reclaimed red gum I found at an op-shop a few years ago.  It seems very fitting for its purpose.

I find our nature table rather enchanting and I love how proud the girls are in their decorating abilities.  I love how it connects us with the season we are experiencing while in the comfort of our home.    Jacinta x

Posted in Books, Craft, Family Life, Seasons, Steiner/Waldorf | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

This Moment

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend lovelies!  Jacinta x

Posted in This Moment | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Keepin’ It Real

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Jacinta

– Keepin’ It Real captures the true essence of family life that I know are fleeting, keeping this mama grounded –

For most of her life, Scarlett took to running to the far reaches of the house whenever the vacuum made an appearance.  She hated the noise.  She was always very sensitive to loud noises (although she could make noise with the best of them).  Though it seems the tides have changed.  At eight, she now asks to vacuum.

No photo of Scarlett is complete without trying to pull a face!

She happily vacuumed the carpet in her room the other day before Greg pulled up the carpet to make way for floating floorboards (you can see a sneak peak in the second photo).  The funniest part was Greg had to ask her to stop, she was a girl on a mission.  I think all up, she vacuumed for a good 15 minutes.  I hope she always finds joy in vacuuming.  Do your kids have a household chore that they love?  Jacinta x

Posted in Keepin' It Real | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Yarn Along

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Jacinta

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things yarn along this week.

I have finished the front and back of Jairah’s jumper and have started one of the sleeves.  I thought I would have had the jumper finished by now especially with all the wintery weather we have had, but no, it seems not.  At least I have the fire going tonight, so I might get that sleeve finished.

I have read a little more of my kindle book, Letters of a Woman Homesteader, by Elinore Pruitt Stewart.  It’s ok, but I find the constant apologies in the letters a little grating and distract me from the rest of the content.  I’m sure it is a refection on the era the book is based, but it still gets me.  I need a book to read that is all engrossing and the type you don’t want to put down.  I was thinking of purchasing the kindle version of the White Queen by Philippa Gregory.  Has anyone read it?

Can’t wait to see what you have all been creating and reading this week. Jacinta x

Posted in Knitting, Yarn Along | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

On The Subject Of Clovers

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Jacinta

Now if a four-leaf clover is meant to symbolise good luck, then what does a five-leaf clover symbolise?  Perhaps a double dose of good luck? The girls were hunting for four-leaf clovers the other day and came across this five-leaf clover in our yard (isn’t it just the prettiest green).

A five-leaf clover

 

They were so excited when they came inside.  I for one, have never seen one with more than four leaves before.  We seem to have a patch in the backyard that is very reliable for finding the four-leaf variety.

A four-leaf and a five-leaf clover

They have been back looking for more with five leaves, but as yet, this is the only one.  Have you ever found one with more than four leaves?  Jacinta x

Posted in The Garden | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

This Moment

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend lovelies!  Jacinta x

Posted in This Moment | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments