178/365 Whoop whoop for Wednesdays.

A whoop for blogging on the actual day today. Caught up again, we'll see how long that lasts.

Another whoop for the baby salamanders spotted (by Paul) on our walk this morning. After he'd pointed out two in quick succession, he had the cheek to tell me that I 'just aren't a good salamander spotter'. The cheek of the man! Granted the only one I did find first was dead. Anyhow, I think it is one of the slender salamanders, but will endeavour to find out more.



And a final whoop for corn on the cob tasting this evening. We sampled herby oven-baked, and then boiled with a sample of flavoured butters.



After a very scientific study of two hungry adults, I can report 100% agreement on the outcome. The final consensus was a preference for the texture on the baked corn, and the flavour of the lime-chilli powder-garlic butter. If anyone would like to offer funding for further indepth research, I can be contacted in the usual ways, but have a preference for postcards. x

177/365 Tuesday and I'm back on the needles

Knitting mojo hit today, sadly not with any of the projects I should be working on, but as a good friend of mine keeps reminding me, we knit because we enjoy it, it shouldn't feel like hard work. So, here is the progress on a shawlette scarfy number. the pattern is called Trillian and after seeing two of my colleaguey-friends working on these I finally caved and joined in....

....not that I generally wear scarfette-shawly things, but that has never stopped me before.

In other news, the postal strike is over. I'm not taking sides - but I am very happy to be reconnected with envelopes and stamps, and will be back letter writing pronto. And happily the first delivery included a little something from the parental-ships - hoorah!

176/365 Monday flew by....

....and yet again I failed to take a photo til back from Jazzfest again. Back on the main-gate again, which I enjoy both for its view of the stage and the banter with festival customers. I have never been so popular as I am with the older generation of jazz-goer. It must be the accent (cos it sure as hell isn't anything else in that t-shirt!).

Anyway, today's photographic treat is of photographic potential:



The chemicals in the 'dark room', patiently awaiting our use.....I'm feeling some project ideas developing (b-dum ching!)......watch this space (but feel free to go about your daily business in the meantime, it may be a while before these plans come to fruition!).

175/365 Cake update

Some of you may have been concerned about the lack of cake mentioned in recent weeks. Rest assured that although the housework may not have been done, and the craft projects are lagging behind targets, the cake is still getting eaten. I have never managed to keep going with a New Year's resolution with such dedication before. I'm so very proud.

Yesterday P and I whipped up a Victoria Sponge for the work party (complete with homemade raspberry jam). While we were there we also got to try everyone else's contributions (well it would have been rude not to!), including the amazing Mole cake - a chocolate/banana/raspberry and cream mountain. There's another one to add to the repertoire at a later date.

174/365 Look whats growing!

Woop woop! There must be enough for at least half a sandwich!

KD Lang was fabidosey at Jazzfest, complete with accordion accompaniment (got to love an accordion). And, as it was my second shift I was trusted out interacting with the public - silly bananas! Also honored with the position of standing in a muddy hole to make sure none of the patrons tripped over......I did an expert job and may make myself a badge to recognize this new skill....hmmm.....

173/365 Red lame and leopard print

(That should be pronounced larm-ay, can't work out how to do accents on here. )

I wish I had a photo to show Mr. Elvis Costello strumming one of his five thousand guitars whilst wearing a shiny red jacket and leopard print fedora. Sadly photography is banned at the festival, and whilst most people were ignoring this ruling, as I was wearing my volunteer pass I thought it was best if I behaved myself....Anyway, he was fab indeed. I'm not a die hard fan and so couldn't sing along to quite as many as the rest of the crowd, but the rain held off (the only two rain free hours of the day!) and he definitely put on a great show.

So my photo today is of the view of parliament when I got home and walked the dog, still humming '(I don't want to go to) Chelsea'.




(Sorry to end on a sad note, but we think Junior McBeaky may not have made it. We saw him in a garden up the street last night and he didn't look too well, although the adults were still on patrol. Poor love. x)

172/365 Gratutious chest shot

Yes, in an effort to boost readership I have resorted to the old age technique of taking photos of my chest, pretty stunning hey? Well, this is the flattering fitted look you get when you insist on ordering a 'large' volunteer freebie shirt. When will I ever learn? Ho hum, 'twill make a good nightshirt.

Anyway, jazzfest is here, and Friday night was my first shift. And it was also a ridiculously rainy day with thunderstorms starting at around 6:30pm. My shift started at 7pm. Eek. Thankfully for the most part it was dry though, with the downpour we feared all evening kicking in during the encore. And frankly by that stage I'd had about all I wanted of Mr. Robert Plant. I'm sure if you are a fan it was a good gig, but afraid I found it a bit M.O.R. And the 'planters' weren't half litter-louts! Blimey O'Reilly.

3 more shifts to go and the forecast is looking soggy! Hopefully I'll get some great musical experiences out of it though, time will tell.