I was thinking about the ridiculous cost of sock wool the other day, and what a pity that Bendigo Woollen Mills didn't do a sock yarn, so I thought I'd write to them and ask whether they had any plans, stressing that sock knitting is a big thing and there's certainly a market in Australia for locally produced wool that doesn't cost $25+ for a ball.

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Despite the fact that the pattern called for 100g of wool and I had 120g, and despite the fact that I'd made the decision to shorten the socks by three pattern repeats because I wanted to wear them with jeans, and despite the fact that I was indeed knitting perfectly to gauge (and yes, I only checked retrospectively, but it's spot on, because it ( Read more... )

I've spent a very happy couple of days, mostly pottering round at home.  Yesterday I visited M&J to give them a jar of my strawberry jam - M made scones, then fed me dinner, and I ended up staying late having a very pleasant discussion.  I've spent the rest of the weekend reading, knitting and cooking.  Today I made spinach lasagne, including ( Read more... )

I watched Geraldine Doogue interview Peter Singer on Compass on the ABC last night ( Read more... )

So, gentle readers, what do you think is Australia's greatest gift to the world ( Read more... )

I'm pleased with myself today.  I bought a couple of chicken schnitzels of the 'must be sold today' for $3, half a kilo of chicken breast in the same category for $3.50 (it's gone in the freezer, where it will be fine), a box of spinach at half price for $2, and a packet of pita bread for $1.  Dinner came out at less than $3 and was not vegetarian ( Read more... )

The spider was not a figment of my imagination ( Read more... )

Some very old friends, some newer friends and a potential brand new friend.  A great night out with good food and the omnipresent lubrication of sangria.  Discovered chorizo in a caramelised apple sauce, which is almost as good as pickled walnuts and definitely better than sex.  Caught the bus home by the skin of my teeth.  Slightly less than sober ( Read more... )

Not all white powders are created equal.

It turns out that icing sugar and vinegar is not particularly effective as a mixture with which to clean a stovetop.

Again ( Read more... )