Time for a Challenge

(Because four assignments due within one week clearly isn't challenging enough.)

I am the sort of person that needs a deadline so that I'll do things. That uni assignment? Yeah, it's not due for another three weeks, why start now? That scarf I'm making for my sister's birthday? I still have four months.

Unfortunately, this attitude has landed me in trouble several times. One Christmas, I was finishing of the presents in my sister-in-law's bedroom as other family members started arriving. That was also the year I bought my husband a salami for a present. Best present ever! There have been many times when it's the night before an assignment is due, and I'll be in tears, blubbering things like "it's so much harder than it's meant to be" and "I'm stuuuuuuuuck." It isn't a pretty sight.

All this to say, I'm going to try to get my blogger-butt into gear! Yes, my dear bloggees, I am going to participate in Blogtoberfest! 

I even get a cool button (this is also on my sidebar). If you click it, you will be taken back to the host site.

I have no idea what I'm going to actually talk about for 31 days in a row. I can predict uni stuff, interesting knitting and crochet stuff, and something about my Mum's birthday. Maybe some recipes, perhaps even a new crochet or knitting pattern! Once I get my camera back (I left it at my sister-in-laws) there will even be photos. I'll do my best to remember to share with you all about going to Cradle Mountain back in July too.

I'm starting to get excited!

Kathy's Dieting Tips

Throughout the course of our lives, we pick up tidbits (hehe) of advice. Some is helpful. Some of it is total cheesecake.

Here is some feel-good (yes, really) dieting advice that I have gathered over that vast span of my life. All twenty-four years.

If it is a neutral colour, it has no calories. 

Delicious things like chocolate, fudge, caramel slice, and chocolate puddings fall into this category.

If it breaks, all the calories leak out.

In other words, "snap and enjoy!" (This is why KitKats are so popular.)

Did your choc chip cookie fall on the floor? Well, pick it right back up and take a bite, because the Five Second Rule keeps your cookie safe from all those nasties.

Above all, follow Plutarch's advice and abstain from beans.


*This post was inspired by mouthwatering maccaroons, made by a friend who will hopefully one day visit me, bringing some neutral or slightly broken goodies along with her.

Picnik and Cradle Mountain

Greetings fellow Earthlings!

Tasmania is fully immersed in the throes of Spring. The first week was sunny and altogether lovely. This week there has been rain, wiiiiiiiiiiind (so much wind), sleet and snow, with sunsine peeking out from behind heavy clouds - always in time to melt any snow that may have settled. Apparently Thursday was the coldest day in Tasmania since 1986.

Cradle Mountain... beautiful!

But I have not come here to talk about the weather. I think we are past that stage of our relationship.

I love this photo my husband took of a pine and Dove Lake.

I have recently discovered Picnik, and have been having HEAPS of fun editing photos on there.

That's pretty much all I wanted to tell you...

Why Cats are Easier than Babies

After the last post, I've been told in no uncertain terms that I need a baby so I don't need to post pictures of my cat.

However, even though I am a fantastic cat-mama, there are several reasons I think I'll stay away from babies for awhile (at least the next nine months).*

One, the cat only needs feeding once a day. Usually Julian feeds him.

Two, if I get sick of him, I can put him outside and close the door.

Three, I don't have to buy him clothes or Christmas and birthday presents.

Four, I never have to worry about waking him up, because after a glare and a grumpy meow he goes back to sleep again.

Five, when we go on holidays we can leave him at home and at the mercy of a friendly neighbour.

Six, he doesn't interfere with university work.

Seven, he licks clean the emptied tins of tomatoes/tuna/kidney beans/fruit/anything, reducing food waste.

Eight, he eats leftovers, further reducing food waste.

Nine, he doesn't wear a nappy that I need to change. Julian changes the cat litter.

And, number ten, I can always get another one on the spur of the moment. If only I could talk Julian into letting me get another kitten.

So, yes, no babies for me for a while yet!

*Please note that this post is written in fun. I love babies :)

Contrary But Cute

As I mentioned in my last post, my cat is not always the epitome of cooperation.

All he had to do was pose for two seconds.

Facing towards the camera would have been preferable.

Side shot... it's okay but not what I'm after.

Okay, now Dougal is just being rude.

See the bitten off leaves? Yeah, he fancies himself to be a gardener. He prunes this plant everyday.

I know it's not a brilliantly composed photo, but I love this picture.

And he's back to plant munching.

He doesn't even eat the leaves. Just bites them off then spits them out.

 He's obviously had his fix now.

Now (finally) he'll humour me and my desire to take photos of him being cute.

"Dougal! The camera is not a toy!"

Distracted by an ant... small things.

 "My hand is not a toy either!"

I really don't want to get swiped by those claws! Can you see them? They're big. Once he split open my thumb. It hurt.

I love him anyway.

Even though he always sits on my knitting.

Hello Out There!

Well I nearly managed to make it a month since my last post, but was getting itchy to pop in a say hello! I was going to do a post on my favourite underwear, but wasn't sure how that would go down with the husband...

Since the 13th of August several things have happened:
 - Tasmania had its first real taste of winter. (Read: snow!!!! About 3mm of it. Though there was a lot on Mt Wellington.)
 - Spring is very much here - blossoms everywhere and sunshine and daffodils. I love spring.
 - My potted Rosemary has sweet purple flowers

 - I had a 3 week teaching practicum, which was great and I passed! Woohoo!!! This is why I'm so happy about passing.

 - I did the dishes. Twice.
 - I finished knitting this scarf: 

 - And all these slippers: 

- I started this scarf (only 40% to go!)

 -  I received the wool to make another scarf exactly the same as the above scarves... but business is business and I've already been paid, so scarf making has got to happen.
 - Found out I that I weigh more than I thought I did. If only it were trim muscle and not blubbery blubber cushioning.
 - I read Little Lord Fauntleroy. I loved it. I never wanted it to end. And the grandfather's dog? His name is Dougal. Just like my 8kg cat!

 - I found out how uncooperative my cat can be when it comes to taking photos. (Just look at the camera sensibly!!!)

Yeah, so that is my super exciting life. I know, don't you wish you were me?