I'm finally making progress on the Ripple Blanket. It's growing quickly now that I'm over halfway (I put it away over the summer and have just pulled it out again). My big girl is happy to see that she may actually get it on her bed this winter. I've just started getting a couple of requests for hats though, and since I get paid for them the Ripple will have to be put aside for a few days.
A couple of weeks ago I went on a most gorgeous garden tour, ending in a Sculpture Display at the Whangarei Quarry Gardens. If you've never been to the gardens it's well worth a visit if you are ever in my neck of the woods - a tropical oasis hidden away at the side of town. The girls loved the sculptures too! Aren't the gardens amazing?
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| My girls loved this table! |
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| Loved this one! |
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| Coolest Poached Eggs and Salt & Pepper sculptures |
We had a warning of a big storm coming just over a week ago, so I made a mad dash to collect loads of seeds, fruit and flowers from my garden before the bad weather destroyed them. The weather ended up being a bit of a non-event, but at least it go me motivated to collect flower seeds for next year.
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| Scabosia seed pods |
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| Cleome Seeds |
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| Pretty Dahlias |
I also picked Elderberries - as I only had a couple of bunches I made a small amount of Elderberry Tonic. This tonic, diluted with Hot Water, is an excellent winter tonic for colds and sore throats.
Elderberry Tonic
Pick fruit on a dry day, rinse well and drain. Pull fruit from stems and put in pan, adding just enough water to cover. Simmer for around 30 mins, strain and measure juice. Add 450g sugar to each pint of juice (you could also add 10 cloves for each pint). Heat gently stirring in sugar gradually until dissolved. Boil 10 mins and leave to cool. Pour into sterilised jars or freeze in small portions (ice cube trays would work). Dilute 2 Tablespoons to a cup of hot water (and a squeeze of lemon) for the sniffles.
We spent this weekend away in our Caravan Towbee, and despite the little
bit of rain, we had a wonderful time. Quality family time, just
enjoying the moment.
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| Towbee is in the distance, the campground was fairly empty so it was incredibly peaceful. Loved the 1967 Zephyr Caravan at the front of this pic - it was being towed by the teeniest car - adorable! |
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| What else can you do on a wet afternoon in the caravan? |
Well that's about all for now, busy week at work ahead so must get organised now.
Have a great week - Kylie xxx
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5 comments:
Oh my your ripple is looking good , mine looks nowhere as neat as that . Love the poached eggs scupture too .
What gorgeous garden photos - I love the table too :-) You are so good to be collecting seeds from your garden for next years planting - I wouldnt know where to begin! The tonic you made sounds wonderful, I must hunt down a recipe for something similar. Have a great week hon. Becks x
That blanket is just beautiful! Well done you! :)
Caravaning is so much fun in any kind of weather I reckon!! ;)
maybe see you this avo at the "Try-athalon"?? :)
Wow your ripple is absolutely amazing! It sure has grown since we were sitting together in November working on our blankets!! I'm going to re-read the whole post right now - just to make sure I haven't missed anything! Such a gorgeous post.
Leah
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Just having a look around a few "random" blogs that had something to do with crochet..... I really enjoyed visiting your blog as I'm also into gardening & trying to get back into crochet again.... it's a slow process as I try to relearn things. I'd love to have a try at a ripple blanket over winter if I can. Hugs from an Aussie
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