Discussion, dialogue and dinner

This week is the last week before my big baby starts high school (year 7). It is a huge milestone and we are all pretty happy about it. My daughter is pretty darn excited to be leaving primary school behind — she is keen to take up new challenges, make new friends and try new things. It is a new year and a fresh start and we have a few of our own challenges to face this year – as I am sure you do too.

In last weeks newsletter post I promised you the result to the survey which I asked whipup readers to fill in – thank you all – over 1300 folks filled in the survey and the results can be seen here.

Also last week I discussed using bi-carb and vinegar in place of shampoo for washing hair: I have been experimenting with using homemade hair powder in between washes to keep your hair looking fresh – I have been sprinkling bi-carb powder on my hair and then massaging and brushing it through (works wonders), but readymade has a recipe for a natural scented powder which looks kinda cool, also I hear you can use talcum powder too (just not too much unless you want grey hair).

Whats for dinner tonight? I am quite addicted to taste spotting and food gawker websites for leading me to some new and delicious blogs. This is comfort food week in our house: tonight we are having pea and ham soup, tomorrow night is curry night and I am making Butter chicken and Mung bean dal (also known as moong dal), then wednesday night is bolognese night (also known as ragù alla bolognese), thursday mmm it gets a little fuzzy on thursday so I searched for ‘comfort food‘ and had an array of choices in front of me … the rest of the week it will be braised brisket, garlic soup with egg and Mexican meatball soup. Unless of course the weather turns hot again and in which case its back to chicken schnitzel and salad. (Images above)

Now onto other things…

• At whipup this week we had an interesting guest post (language warning) from Chawne from completely couchy, she discussed her use of crass words on quilts, and received a mixed reaction. She wrote a follow up post on her blog about the more controversial quilt and I wrote a follow up post about some of the issues brought up in the comments too.
• Also this week at whipup: Creative organisation plus 5 ways to organise your kids : Guest post – convection mittens tutorial and pattern :: Guest post – seaweed soap tutorial ::  A back to school lunch sack tutorial.
• Lovely links…
• Stylish granny stripe blanket :: how-to crochet a granny ripple blanket :: wrapped yarn bottles :: recycled paper basket :: flower squares crochet pattern :: sewing pillows :: sewing boys undies (all found via pinterest – view my boards here for more inspiration)

I am reading…

• Hello My Name is Amineko: The Story of a Crafty Crochet Cat by Nekoyama, published by Creative Publishing international; Reprint edition (September 1, 2010): Amineko make his/her debut on the crafting scene many years ago when the author published a tutorial and wrote a craft book in Japanese. More pics on Ravelry. So needless to say I was pretty excited that she has written a craft book in English, republished the pattern to make Amineko along with a bunch of cute crochet cat accessories. Cat lovers and crochet lovers – be prepared for a new addiction!
• 55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne & Carlos and published by Trafalgar Square Books (July 1, 2011). Who are Arne & Carlos? This pair of talented knitters and designers have written a wonderful book for knitted traditional christmas balls – you might need to get started now so you can make a few in time for next year. Here is another lovely video by these guys.
• The Heart of Simple Living: 7 Paths to a Better Life by Wanda Urbanska, published by Krause Publications (May 11, 2010). Wanda has for many years hosted a tv show titled Simple Living – and if you are in the USA you can stream past episodes here or you can check out some episodes via youtube. I finding this book to be interesting reading and quite in tune with how I am feeling about slowing and down and simplifying my life. She is a big advocate for frugality, home cooking and the less is more mentality.

[Thanks to publishers and distributors for sending me books to review, I don't get paid to post reviews but I am an amazon affiliate] (Australian’s can purchase craft books online through can do books or booktopia or else browse booko for the best prices.)

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