DESIGNS BY HUI LENG

Got My Yarns from Woolganics!

2011-06-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

It will be interesting to see how it turns out. I must admit I'm not terribly brave in picking and matching colours so I am eager to try Mel's combination.
I hope I get to finish hemming and vacuuming/cleaning up DS's room so that I can start caking Mel's skein and knitting!

Starting it up

2011-06-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

This could be a good start as I try my hand at putting my patterns out there. Finally!
I'm starting with a vest for Winter and I hope it gets picked up.
In the meantime, a fun pattern for socks is waiting to be graphed.....

Had fun reading the old posts...

2010-02-12T20:02:00.000-08:00

Was searching for some old pics......

I'm with Teri...

2009-02-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

We had a little chat about trying to simplify our busy lives so here it is....
A pinky swear that we would 'retire' our blogs.
It's been fun writing but there's just too much to keep up now....
Adios, blog world!

The little things - Danny Elfman

4th New Year Resolution

2009-01-22T22:55:00.000-08:00

Eat our way thru 10 highly recommended Sushi Sashimi places
and perhaps, rate them.

23rd of Jan Aka Tombo, Prahran

Had Sashimi lunch set and the Sashimi Moriawase - White Fish and esp Hamachi Yellowtail was excellent - very fresh. Tuna was good too. Serves were good size and the moriawase had Tuna, Salmon, White Fish, Yellowtail and octupus pieces decorated with lovely baby okra - nice touch. The Sashimi lunch set has the same sashimi components with gohan, miso, 2 appetisers and cold freshfruits/almond jelly cubes/baby dates(?). Delicious esp for the hot weather we've been having. Lunch Price range $22 to $26.

Out of 5 hearts:
♥♥♥♥

3rd New Year's Resolution

2009-01-08T14:39:00.001-08:00

The need to accomplish ONE bushwalk this year!
With new shoes for DD, we hiked the Cathedral Ranges (8.7km) on Wed. Graded medium and steep, I thought I wasn't going to make it after the first half hour!
We did it the 4hr walk in 6 hrs...phew!
DD says bring the Aerogard! The bugs were HUGE!
And now paying for it in body aches and pains....arrrgggh

2nd New Year's Resolution

2009-01-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last entry. Thank you all for words of encouragement. Blogging urges comes in waves and I guess there wasn't one for me at the end of 2008. With the last term of school, life got more and more hectic and we were glad to see the holidays.
My foot has been a lot better as well and I had started planning to go on our walks again in 2009. The first thing I wanted to do was to buy our daughter a proper pair of hiking shoes. We hadn't before seeing that her feet hadn't stopped growing. It looks as if her growth spurts have slowed and here we have all 4 pairs of hiking shoes.

Hazard doesn't think much of it at the moment!

1st New Year Resolution

2008-12-31T18:04:00.000-08:00

Learn how to use Blogger and Facebook more effectively!
will try more!

What Color Green Are You?

2008-09-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

You Are Apple Green

You are almost super-humanly upbeat. You have a very positive energy that surrounds you.

And while you are happy go lucky, you're also charmingly assertive.

You get what you want, even if you have to persuade those against you to see things your way.

Reflective and thoughtful, you know yourself well - and you know that you want out of life.

What Color Green Are You?

I haven't blogged in a long while. funny how life steers you into certain directions. It looks like Blogging may be a casualty eventually.

Update on Mitts

2008-07-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

...and it's a success!
DS has worn it to the last 2 training sessions and he's even wearing it at home while working on the computer! Cold hands like Mom :).
Rho, you're fantastic! You spotted the homework!
I'll have to make a second pair in navy so I can wash these other ones...eeewwwww!

Quick Running Fingerless Mitts for Men

2008-07-19T03:40:00.000-07:00

A quick knit using bulky stash yarn. DS lost his running gloves and I was appalled at the cost of a new pair made of presumable hitech space material. Scaled the needle size down by 3 sizes to get a firm fabric. The mitts had to be up to his knuckles so he can tuck in his fingers and keep them warm while running.
I think he will wear it next week at training?

please excuse the long nails on the right hand - he plays classical guitar :)

Sock yarns from Eat Sleep Knit!

2008-07-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

They're here!
I can get started on test knitting my pattern!

Second Pattern - Twilight Inspired Socks

2008-07-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

'Just Before the Meadow'
For Twilight fans -
The orange breaks in the yarn remind me of streaming sunlight filtering through the tops and branches of the majestic trees as Edward and Bella approach the edge of the meadow.
The anticipation, the hesitation, the anxiety rippling through just before Edward reveals his magnificence!

My second offering - available now at Ravelry and after a few more tweaks, will be available for sale.

Ravelry Withdrawals!

2008-07-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

I can't get into Ravelry all morning!
Arrgh!

Counting Down AUG 2 - Breaking Dawn

2008-07-01T01:12:00.000-07:00

Get this widget!

I can't believe there's only 1 month left after waiting for so long!

Where will you be on Aug 2, 12:01am?

Home Alone.....

2008-06-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

We've had our house for 18 yrs and it's only been this last year that I've truly been able to enjoy it.
Today is just one of those days.
All household chores are up to date and these two winter months to plan and clean up our garden.
The irony is that if things work out, we may not be here much longer.
Ah! Such is life!

My first pattern on Ravelry

2008-06-09T05:27:00.000-07:00

I'm still learning and ironing out little kinks as I go.
I can't seem to add a pic of the bags in Ravelry so I've linked the url here for a pic of the bags.
If you'd like the pattern (available in pdf format, plse email me at desbyhl@yahoo.com.

Simplifying

2008-05-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post. Have been caught up in the momentum of keeping things up to date at home
but unfortunately, this poor blog was temporarily abandoned.
With a systems background and all this spring cleaning, it was probably natural for my thought processes to rattle on to the BIG PICTURE -MY LIFE: How to simplify everything.
And for a moment there, this blog was on the chopping block too.
I've ebayed most of the knitting mags and yarn that I forced myself to admit that I'll NEVER get around to knit.
In fact, the process was so liberating (not forgetting the $ that came in but admittedly more $ was spent buying those items in the first place) that I'm contemplating putting some more out there on ebay.
I've been forced to consider what I really want to do - knit? design? go back to school? go back to work? stay fluid till the kids go to uni? travel more? change my line work all together?
No easy answers here with my eyesight and health going with age......
But in the meantime, I'm still eyeing the stuff that I can get rid off in my stash......

I'm a Compulsive Frogger

2008-04-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a Compulsive Frogger. Finished this one sock...
Wanted a snug fit ...check!
Wanted the length...check!
But it just didn't feel right.
So I frogged it and tweaked the number of stitches and length....

Hi Trish....

2008-04-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

I just checked the date of your last email sent and it was more than a month ago. I’ve been meaning to write but it has been very hard for me to kick start this even though I’ve had a million conversations with you in my head. Yes I’ve been ‘talking’ to myself again…bwahahaha!
I’d ask you what you’ve been knitting and what you have cooking for dinner. I think you had just started Bob’s gansey and found more pretty inexpensive stitch markers. You know me, I’d use just about anything for a stitch maker and thanks for the offer. I have stitch makers that I take out and admire how lovely they look in the sunlight and stash them away again carefully ☺. These ones you found are lovely and I wouldn’t have thought of using those jewellery findings. You’re always so innovative!
Thanks so much for finishing that hat for me too and sending me pics. Your finish is impeccable as usual! It’s no wonder you’ve got so many fav comments for your work at Ravelry.
Nothing has happened much since I last wrote to you. Other than the usual knitting and running around with the kidlets, you know. Same old routine, same old blurred images racing past. It feels like time detaches and just stands still. And yet you notice the scenery changing around you. Weird!
I’m quite cheesed off at you for not finishing Bob’s gansey - being so adamant that you were feeling better. And a little angry with myself for not insisting that you get the A-O-K from the doctor’s.
When Vi sent me a message about you, I was so confused that I had switched your name and Vi’s while typing. I guess I didn’t want it to sink in then. I got as many details as I could from her and Rho too and frantically sent you a telegram. Vi and I knew you’d be really upset with us that we made such a fuss. I could picture the knuckle-dragging goon that you’d send over to beat the crap outta me.
But it doesn’t matter.
There wasn’t any other way I could get in touch with you quickly enough. I didn’t think it was a great idea to call Bob at work either. You know what crazy determined nutcases we all are. And it didn’t matter that after all this, you’d never speak to us again.
So it’s been over a month now. The scenery around me has changed – it’s a lot quieter for me on the web, the place we met over 4 years ago. I haven’t had a message or email from you with your usual loud AHAHAHAHA laughing at my silly juvenile jibes. I suppose we’ll have to postpone our plans for yarn stash spree until later, Kimosabe. It’s funny that I had so much to say to you all this time and now I can’t seem to write anything down.
I won’t say goodbye, girl. As you said, we’ll just pick up where we left off the last time.
G’nite, Gracie.
We miss you.
Yours,
Coco-knut

For Trish 1951-2008
For her quiet and yet great selfless generosity.

and She's Gone....

2008-03-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking of what to write here.....
and it will be a little while still before I can say more.

A dear dear friend passed away on Friday.

Too soon

Memories about we goofed around thru our emails and messaging are running thru my head and how she made me laugh.

She hates attention and fuss and this would have made her furious at me.

So I'm waiting for her to come and beat the crap outta me.

Ok ... I'm pushing it

2008-03-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

Here's DD's feet in her Edward's Heart anklets. I've only started 3 rows of ribs and I don't think I'll have enough to give it a good length of ribbing to finish. I wonder if Knitmeup has some scraps?
The last of our visitors just left today. Had 3 grps - One anticipated and the other 2 were surprises.
Even though it was a nice change with the hustle and bustle, I'm doing a mini cleanup over the next 2 days that sorta got waylaid when the visitors arrived. Everything should be back to normal...hopefully!

How to hypnotise a bulldog

2008-02-14T03:16:00.000-08:00

This is DS's other interest other than cooking - hypnotising said white marshmallow. Hazard can stay totally relaxed for quite a few minutes.
Now if only DS could figure out how to levitate him.....

Actually when you turn the photo around, Hazard looks like an overweight trusty companion of Superboy!
or "PIIIIGGGGSSSS In SPAAAAAACCE!"

My first ever Sock Club sock!

2008-02-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

I learnt how to knit socks more than 2 years ago along with learning the Figure 8 cast on and Magic Loop techniques.
The first pair was a top down and the second pair was a toe up. I've used the Figure 8 cast on and Magic Loop technique in many of my projects but never felt the urge to knit another pair of socks.
At beginning of this year, one of our Twilight Ravelry group members started recruiting for the 1st Twilight Sock Club for a Feb 14 commencement and being such a fan-atic for the series, I was shamelessly drawn into a Twilight-inspired project.
Carol at KnitMeUp.com kindly sent my package a little early to me as it had to make the trek half way across the world.
I was trying to finish reading Queen of the Damned and start re reading Twilight to coincide with knitting the socks. When the package arrived on Friday, (almost) all reading stopped! I have another wip but I couldn't contain my excitement and casted on the first sock!
and yes, I have already frogged once!
Note the color - "Thirst" and my size 0 KP classics naturally depict E for Edward :)

I have very narrow feet and even following the instructions to knock off 4 sts and use a smaller needle, it was still too wide.
So I modified and decreased by 12sts. I think I could go down another 4 without disturbing the pattern - may run into a bit of bother at the heel turning. I'm almost there now......

Noodle making fun

2008-02-09T22:16:00.001-08:00

About a week ago, we had a visitor from Malaysia who has been in the noodle making business for more than 60 odd years. DS was intrigued with the process - watched and helped when she had a noodle making session - that he bugged me to try. So we borrowed a pasta machine from my sis and it took us about 3 tries to get it right. Now we're thinking of getting a nice basic machine for ourselves. Hazard was watching the activity around the kitchen bench intently when he realised it was raining food! Yes - he cleaned up whatever dropped on the floor as we rolled it out.

The Lace Tree

2008-02-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

I had to repost this pic by itself - it was most amazing and beautiful! Click on the pic to view the textures and the lovely green backdrop.

The Otway Fly

2008-02-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

Another pic heavy post - now of the Otway fly. (www.otwayfly.com.au).
First thing- I am ASKEERED of HEIGHTS! I don't get motion sickness or sea sickness and love certain rides but heights??!!
So here we are at the start of the actual engineering feat.

It's an amazing construction in a beautiful setting - taking into account the minimum contact/disturbance to the natural wildlife, fauna and flora and to be able to view all this.

My Crew went up the tower but I didn't. They went on the Cantilever as well - which is scary! It's a 24m extended walkway that you can make it shake and move a bit. I was assured that it can take the weight of 14 elephants. yes yes yes all very fine I'm sure! are you KIDDING me?

Here's me looking very 'relaxed' in a pic taken from the Cantilever. The whole structure - posts, bridges etc - they all sway a bit. It's a little like being at sea but with humongous drops all around you.

Triplet Falls

2008-02-03T22:13:00.001-08:00

Walking to Triplet Falls - Part 1

2008-02-02T01:53:00.000-08:00

Lovely walk to Triplet Falls - everchanging scenery

Last photo - A glimpse of the lower falls here.

On the way home but first to Triplet Falls

2008-02-01T00:41:00.000-08:00

It was a fine morning at Johanna but as we approached Lavers Hill on the way to Triplet Falls,
we drove through an eerie countryside.... beautiful and reminiscent of Forks!

Distant Cousins

2008-01-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

Fisherman's Grotto - Now and Then - Dinner and a lovely sunset

2008-01-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

This is Fisherman's Grotto
About 10 years ago, you could go nearer to the first arch (although not advisable when the tide is coming in. Signs posted everywhere).
At the bottom edge of the photo, you can barely see the top of the low wall they've built to stop people from going down.

This second photo was taken 10 yrs ago on a cloudy day and with waves splashing into the Grotto.

This is a large part of what we had for dinner for 2 nites- lovely Crayfish! Flesh is firmer than the Boston lobster and more intimidating to get at with all those barbs.

And a lovely sunset to end the day....

The Twelve Apostles

2008-01-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

Hi!
(Had a few uploading problems yesterday). This is the stretch that is called the Twelve Apostles just almost adjacent to the Gibson Steps. There used to be more of these solitary structures standing guard here. I think at least 2 to 4 have fallen in the 30 years that we have been in Australia. Time marches on for everyone and everything.

Next day - Gibson Steps

2008-01-28T01:33:00.000-08:00

Here's a pic of our cottage in the morning just before we leave for the Twelve Apostles Drive.

Our first stop along this drive is the Gibson Steps - steep steps down to the beach. The sun was warm but the wind was a little chilly.
Beautiful clear day for lovely pics!

Cape Otway

2008-01-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

We decided to take a short break to Cape Otway which is about 4 hrs from Melbourne before the school year starts next week.
There are quite a few dog friendly accommodation spots down this way. Why not try one instead of having someone babysit Big Baby at home?
So here we are at our lunch stop - Hungry Jack's (Burger King) outside Geelong.

The Great Ocean Road (http://www.greatoceanrd.org.au/) is a beautiful but windy drive. We finally arrived at Johanna Seaside Cottages (http://www.johannaseaside.com.au). As you can see here, there's lot of grazing land. We noticed that most of the accommodation venues had sea related names but they either faced inwards or required a long trek to the beach. Funny isn't it? Deceptive advertising?
The views were from our cottage patio.

These are online pics - first one shows the hilly ridge immediately behind the beach. The beach areas were quiet and peaceful but we're told it gets quite busy during surf season.

On the way, we stopped at Apollo bay and bought some local groceries and seafood for dinner - 2 crayfish, gemfish and huge prawns!

Summer Fruits Part 2

2008-01-24T18:15:00.001-08:00

A quick post before talking about our trip - We harvested our sole nectarine tree a day before we went on our break.
That first yield was in excess of 300 fruits which were quickly distributed to family and friends. We had to do this as the birds were starting to enjoy them.
This is our second harvest and it would be close to 300 again. Me think there's still another 300 on the tree.
This nectarine tree has been prolific every year - it's a white nectarine but lots of flavour even when picked and eaten slightly green. If you wait for it to ripen fully on the tree, you would have to declare World War III on the birds. Very deceptive tree this one. We always think that it will be a low year as it's pruned in winter and spring buds don't look that many.

Getting used to new upgraded Blogger

2008-01-19T04:05:00.000-08:00

Be sure to grab a snapshot of what your old settings were before saying yes to the upgrade...unlike me!
I'm trying my best to remember what I had on my old blog page!

Summer Blooms and Fruits

2008-01-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

**Had quite a bit of trouble uploading pics for the last week. Blogger just wouldn't let them thru ***
Even though it's been very dry (no rain for at least a month - some arrived this evening), some of our fruit trees are getting on with life.
Here are our figs - attempt at fruiting at the right time after trying to fruit in winter.

Cumquat blooms - smells really pretty. These are the long cumquats with the sweet delicate skin. Very refreshing!

Persimmons!
Nothing last year due to the BIG DRY as well but with a relatively 'wetter' winter and spring, it's fruiting now. Have just netted it to keep the rosellas out.

Hi Anna! we're feeling just the opposite as the days are getting shorter. Dreading autumn....

You get the feeling you're not the only one?

2008-01-11T01:24:00.000-08:00

It takes so much to defy the odds. This lone nectarine must have loathed being stuck here, growing out of the tree trunk, constantly brushed on and eyed by a slobbering large white mass of a dog. Due to where it is placed, it has had the good fortune of being sheltered from the elements- searing heat, relentless wind and very little moisture from a dry Spring. Yes, it grew!
Alas, all good things come to an end.

It will be EATEN!

Paper paper everywhere!

2008-01-05T21:18:00.000-08:00

Feeling a little euphoric here! We're halfway into clearing up all the paper clutter that's accummulated/neglected for 2 yrs now. Couldn't chuck it all in trash just in case we need bits for tax purposes and product/appliance warranties etc.
So the last 5 weeks, we've been sifting, re sifting and filing filing filing!
Managed to get more ebay-able items - which is a nice thing.
Do we have more space now?
Not really but it's nice to know where everything is .....finally!

So are YOU ready for 2008?

2007-12-30T00:42:00.000-08:00

Much has happened over the last 3 weeks. We've had another cleanout of the house before Christmas on top of the usual Christmas rush. It was a great idea - we discovered things we hadn't used and could ebay or give away and took stock of what we really needed going forward...
so the BIG New Year's resolution for all is...
BUY ONLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO USE!
DH discovered that he needed new shoes for work and that he has far too many shirts!
DD and I went thru our wardrobe and trimmed it down to what we actually do wear and what we needed to top up.
DS took stock of his running shoes and resolved to push his guitar skills further.

What has happened in the last 3 weeks?
DH got 2 pairs of shoes.
For DS as a reward and incentive for having completed 2 music grades in classical guitar) this year and to do more next year - his Christmas present was a basic Fender strat pack.
DD just wanted and needed new casual shoes instead of living out her sneakers. She got a pair of Converse C Taylor's and Keds casuals. Oh she did get her Twilight themed T-shirt. Designed it and did it with iron transfers.
As for myself, I finally manage to bring myself to throw out my fav but pretty worn pieces of clothing and updated my look with a few items.

So are WE ready for 2008? :) perhaps...
Are You?

Sleep

2007-12-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Been having a spat of sleepless nites where I'd wake up after about 2 hours shut eye.
I used to have more of this while I was still working but I chalked it up to just worrying about work and juggling it all.
I'm trying to 'go with the flow' with these spells and not get too stressed about them.
Perhaps I'm eager with the clean up that I'm doing ahead of ushering in the new year? Nervous Energy...I sure hope so!

It's taken a while....

2007-11-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

I just looked back at my post for walking 10,000 steps a day. I haven't been able to do it everyday but managed to slip it in 3 to 4 days a week. The warmer weather has also helped me in cutting back on my food portions.
Have so far dropped 2kgs (4.4lbs) and holding.
I'd like another 2kgs off and am looking at this year's Christmas eating sessions with much trepidation!

Just love this song at the moment!

2007-11-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

It just rocks!

Fall Out Boy "The Take Over, The Breaks Over"
The presence of a bulldog helps too!

Baby Bear Sunhat is finished and Brea Bag went out for a test drive

2007-11-22T14:37:00.000-08:00

I've finished my Baby Bean Sunhat and I'm deciding what to do do with the pattern ie
Should I try submitting the pattern to printed and online knitting mags?
I've heard that this process can take quite a while just to find out whether it's a yea or a nay.
Does anyone have any first hand experiences that they can offer?
If not, should I offer it online myself for free?

Brea Bag got her first test drive yesterday. I took out some essential items from my usual handbag and I must say the
2 x grid pockets I made holdiing up the sides are doing their job well. They're preventing Brea from flopping into a flat sack with items running aroung in the bottom of the bag. We just went to the Trinity Guildhall speech exams and back. I'll take Brea out shopping in the city one of these days!

An excellent read ..... Twilight

2007-11-20T01:29:00.000-08:00

There's not much to post about these days. Just sneaking in my knitting when I can during the daily chores.
There's both DD and DS's end of year exams and activities to ferry them here and there too. I've been trying to get all our paperwork at home filed properly for easy reference and tax .....
and boy is that hard to do! Especially after a few years of neglect.
It's something that I need complete and undivided attention for a few days coz my memory is so bad....! I start piles according to categories I want filed then I forget that I've done one and start another!
On another note, I finished reading Pyramids by Terry Pratchett and started on Twilight by Stephenie Meyer upon DD's insistence.
To my surprise, I was totally engrossed in this YA romance-horror story.

A thoroughly enjoyable read that I could not put down coupled with a beautiful setting (Hoh Rain Forest, Forks, WA) and (I was advised by DS) progressive rock soundtrack by Muse and Linkin Park as recommended by the author, it's one of those books that leave you feeling sad that you've finished reading it.
I really like listening to Phoenix by the The Butterfly Effect while reading this. This song is so Edward!
I've yet to start the sequel, New Moon but am already re reading Twilight :)

I wish I could knit faster!

2007-11-09T00:46:00.000-08:00

or at least keep interested long enough in one project before jumping to another!
arrrrghh!

Peonies!

2007-10-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

A quick pic before I have them in a vase.

Brea Bag is finished

2007-10-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

I've been procrastinating over Brea. The actual knitting took only 4 days but I was dreading the seaming and sewing up the lining.
Pondered way too much about the insides of this bag. I wanted to give this bag a bit of form and structure rather than being a floppy potato sack. I bought some light red cotton drill material use for easy cleaning and durability. Modified it by crocheting more rows at the opening and used a zip instead of a crochet loop and button as the opening was too gaping for my liking. Used extra wooden rings from my curtain rods.
Our local haberdashery store did not have leather straps/material so until I investigate where I can get a proper strap, I'm using one of my old belts. This was an eyeopener for me. I haven't worn waist belts since the lowslung buttcrack showing fashion movement came in. Not that I wore these type of skirts and pants, you just couldn't buy waisted garments off the rack. So last nite, I took my old belts and tried them....OMG my waist has exploded! DH was laughing until I told him to try his old belts. :)

Here's BREA!

I know DS won't starve...

2007-10-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

DS is a big fan of Jamie Oliver.
About 2 years ago at the age of 13, he got hooked on JO's TV shows. If only JO had cooking classes for kids. (normal ordinary kids and not the hardknock ones for the "Fifteen" restaurants)
So when cooking was available as an elective extra at school this year, he signed up. They have had only 2 classes but he's learnt how to make ANZAC cookies and sausage rolls. Now and then for a break from homework/studying, he comes to the kitchen and potters....
Now we have to teach him how to clean up his mess effectively...

Pics before these babies burn...

2007-10-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Herbaceous Peonies

Deep Red Rose - "Papa Meilland"

Bearded Iris "Beverley Sills"
It's a little early to have hot weather in Oct but we have had 3 days of high 20'sC. Today's another one with warm winds so I thought I'd take some pics before these lovely blooms get cooked.

My Zelkova Serrata bonsai one year since the last pic - first attempt at the broom style. It didn't have as many shoots after the cut but it's not looking too bad in it's second year of spring.

An Opportunity to Get More Done

2007-10-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

DS went for his first East Region Athletics Shield Meet last Saturday. Curious to see what it was like, DH volunteered as a track judge while I found some shade and worked away on the Brea Bag. Cool breezes and a very sunny day, the red yarn almost burnt my retinas!

I hate sewing up and finishing off. Partly because the euphoria of knitting a new project is over and that it just takes me so long to do it!

While gazing at the runners waiting to be called, I looked at DH’s track spikes and it made me think of his first baby shoes.
I had bought these baby Ladybirds a few years before I was married. Just saw them and thought they looked too gorgeous to pass up. It didn’t occur to me that if my firstborn was a boy, red shoes was not a good look! There was a navy pair but the red patent part got me.

I wouldn’t say DS’s a late bloomer but while I marveled at all his precocious peers getting involved in playing instruments, sports, singing and dancing while as tiny tots, DS was not into The Wiggles, Barney, Hi-5 and the singing/dancing parts of Sesame Street. (It’s the same with DD but a slightly different story there).
Here was Mum dancing and singing with the shows and little DS and DD looking at her, thinking “What on EARTH is this MAD WOMAN doing??”
We coerced him into playing the piano and swimming and for a time, he did it just because it was just another activity.
Then something happened in his second last year of primary school. He was promoted to squad training for swimming. Let me tell you, this is gruelling stuff! I felt tired just watching these little guys do dozens of laps. After 3 years of training, it was just too much to keep up with the training and school. He was only just at the state qualifying time for his age group and would need more training to improve. His secondary school inadvertently introduced him to running and with that, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ woke up.
He has changed schools but his interest in running has stayed him. The new school has no compulsory sport program so we enrolled him in our local Aths club.
And this are his track spikes (which is one of 4 pairs of running shoes and he wants another! - a pair of racing flats)…..

Oh yes... and another thing...It's more COOL to play the guitar than it is to play the piano, Mum!
He switched to classical guitar :)

"Danger, Will Robinson!"

2007-10-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

More like "Danger, Hui Leng! You're casting on too many!"
I've been feeling stuck with my Precious project - testing knitting, proof reading etc, checking and writing -
that I need something new to do.

So within 48hrs,
I started swatching for my idea of a summer-y jacket.

Then I thought my next Precious test knitting should be done in blue. Casted on.

While power walking, I thought about knitting an adult version on the Precious baby cloche to wear instead of my dumpy freebie hat. Casted on.

And in Ravelry, one can get carried away looking at all those gorgeous FOs and not resist knitting something new.
So I casted on Brea (Norah's Gaughan's Brea Bag) in the afternoon and finished one side

Yesterday I took a deep breath and stopped casting on more new projects.
But I want to do more!
So much for being chaste to one projeect.....

10,000 steps a day...

2007-10-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

I love food too much.
I'm usually very good with breakfast and lunch aided by time constraints.
But it goes pear shaped once I hit dinner.
I'm starving by then.
I'm trying to change what I eat to more protein and vegetables.
So it's 10,000 steps a day to help me get into some sort of shape.
I know I know... Round is a Shape!
It's my 3rd day into walking 10,000 steps.
I'm hoping I'll see some results in 3 weeks.

I found Bovril at Safeway!

2007-10-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Whooppee!

You'd never know this IS Melbourne!

2007-10-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

This, ladies and gentlemen, is hip and happenin' Melbourne. One of the many lane ways in the city that have sprung to life in the last few years where sushi and pasta eateries mingle. There's a blues guitarist busker at one end and another having a break at the other. The cafes are packed as we jostled thru the walking lunch time crowd. One is so tempted just to sit and have a latte enjoying the sights, smells and sounds.
To think that Melbourne was doomed when an urban study report in the '70s said it would lose activity to its growing suburbs.

Bovril

2007-10-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

These 2 tiny bottles almost cost me an arm and a leg. It was already hard to find in our local supermarkets and with the onset of the Mad Cow disease, sales dropped and alas, Bovril was gone.
In 2004, Bovril changed its beef extract recipe to yeast to help bolster sales. I've yet to taste it but according to web sources, tastes tests say it's the same.
I made this desperate purchase at www.treatsfromhome.com.au. I will still scour our local supermarkets to see if anyone might have it. For now, my appetite for Bovril, tomato/cucumber slices on Ryvita crisps is appeased. :)

A Ravelry Test

2007-09-30T04:04:00.000-07:00

Let's see if this will picked up by Ravelry

Seremban Beef Noodle (Ngau Lum Fun)

2007-09-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

A number of weeks ago while I was cooking Pho, I was overcome with the urge to attempt this recipe from my hometown.
Fond memories of having it at the stall with my dad, I was probably about 4 or 5 and the daughter of the stall owner used to give me a little dish of my own peanuts with my tiny bowl of noodles.
Went on the web to see if I could find any information and lo and behold! this noodle dish is quite famous!
For starters, most bloggers know that it's the beef noodles from Seremban and no other place does it quite the same.
Most bloggers also know the current stall on the second floor in Pasar Besar, Seremban (not the original one from my childhood).
and many thanks to Lily Ng and her entry here,
I decided to get the ingredients this weekend and go for it!
Other than having it ourselves, I sent 3 samples to my sisters nearby to see if they can give me some feedback.
I tweaked Lily's recipe by using beef brisket and veered my beef soup more towards a pho base. I'll try a different marinade for the beef brisket next time and I'm waiting to hear from my sisters!

Private stash - after cleanup

2007-09-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

Here it is...
What's left after the cleanup - Malabrigo worsted, Fiesta Yarns La Luz, kokopelli, Rayon Boucle, Frog Tree, Lovely hand dyed yarns from Celia www.celiaknits.blogspot.com, Manos del Uruguay, Alchemy, Zara (?), Brown Sheep and Optim.
I haven't visited any LYS just yet for fear of breaking my abstinence.
I have so many ideas for these yarns but I need to finish my WIPs!

Lunar Eclipse Aug 28 2007

2007-09-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

These are nothing like Zippiknits' marvelous photos http://zippiknits.blogspot.com/2007/08/in-beginning.html.
The moon is quite high and these shots are taken coming out of the total eclipse.

SPRING!

2007-08-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

We have had great weather this last week - temps 18C to 20C during the day and as you can see, spring has sprung!
Over the last 18 months, I haven't been as diligent as I would have wanted in the garden. So with this great weather, I've been weeding and feeding! I try to do as much as I can in the morning and in the afternoon, knitting in front of the TV catching up on my DVDs.

********

One of the hazards of weeding is that I always get startled by a fat juicy earthworm popping out of the ground.
GAAAAH!
I know they're great for the garden but I HATE earthworms!

Ahhhhh .... the joys of having a fat companion dog.
Doggie Notes for when your owner is gardening:
1) Fight for space to park your butt in tight garden spots when she's weeding. No, don't sit somewhere else like opposite her. Make sure you sit beside her or on her toes.
2) Any tight spot is also a great place to stretch and sun yourself right on top of where the weeding is being done.
3) Be sure to get real friendly when you're in a tight spot like sniff and snort really close to your mummy's face.
4) and when she's bending down picking up weeds, leaves etc , remember to go around and make her stuck in an unladylike position.
5) and don't forget to FART like there's no tomorrow.

When you lose track of your WIPS

2007-08-11T19:19:00.001-07:00

This is what I unearthed during my spring cleaning. 2 knit WIPs were totally mindless knitting ventures where I just needed something to do with my hands. The other knit WIPs were abandoned/forgotten when I had little gifts to finish and just completely lost momentum to finish them.
Note the silk ribbon embroidery material at the bottom. I'm all read up, researched and ready to go...!
This pic does not included STASH - yarn purchases from the US, from Celia and at least a few years back, kool aid and other dyes, bead stash, embroidery cotton stash, fine crochet cotton, cloth for dress making and various projects and at least 10 cross stitch unopened kits for myself and DD.
eeekkkk.
I think I'd better finish some some of these WIPS quickly....

IT IS DONE!

2007-08-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

After 4 months! I've finished going thru the house with finetooth comb!
I admit that I wasn't as ruthless as I wanted to be with my WIPS and stash (will take a scary photo of this weekend) but it's all done. I have some oddbits to put on ebay. Tomorrow the last preloved clothing gets picked up and this weekend we move the hard rubbish out to the nature strip for council pickup.
Next week, we'll get that 8kg front loader washing machine and for me, some fashion mags to bring me up to date (no fashion faux pas at my age). Let's go shopping!

Resisting temptation

2007-07-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

I'm almost there with my spring clean. I'm down to our bedroom, bathroom and the cupboard under the stairs.
With our bedroom and especially my wardrobe, I'm determined to be ruthless. Have kept so many items for sentimental reasons but I need to purge.
Will keep my wedding dress and some classics but have to purge the rest. I did promise myself to buy a few new things this coming spring to update my wardrobe and knit for myself which I haven't done for some time now.

Celia has offered me the opportunity to buy some of her items incl her Ashford wheel!
OOOOOO!
I am so TEMPTED!
I purged some of my craft stash including a spinning wheel (gosh can't even call it a stash - more like a cave of wonders) starting some 12 months ago. Just had not enough time to do all the crafts I wanted to pursue. So I prioritised them and spinning was one of the first to go as it was time consuming and I couldn't dedicate any more at that stage to learning the craft.
And I'm sure as I tackle my bedroom I'll find more things that I forgotten I had.

But I can't, SHOULDN'T take on any more new things just yet....eek.

For example -
Here's a pair of Red Satin RAYNE shoes (size 7 - innersole 25.5cm) that I'd forgotten I had. Tried to ebay it but no takers. Wore it once for a wedding. DD's feet area already too big for them. Please post if you are interested.

Behemoth Lunatic???

2007-07-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

Things to do at Blogthings

Your Monster Profile

Behemoth Lunatic
You Feast On: Peanut Butter
You Lurk Around In: The Ocean
You Especially Like to Torment: Hippies

What's Your Monster Name?

**********

Your Theme Song is Beautiful Day by U2

"Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away"
You see the beauty in life, especially in ordinary everyday moments.
And if you're feeling down, even that seems a little beautiful too.

What's Your Theme Song?

**********

You Are a Light Pink Rose

You represent sweetness and grace.
Your vibe: Kind and gentle
Falling in love with you: is like falling in love with a best friend

What Color Rose Are You?

Interesting!

*********

Orange County

You're rich, pretty, and living a charmed life. (Or you seriously wish you were.)
From Disneyland to Laguna Beach, you're all about living the California dream life.
Just make sure to marry rich - so you don't have to work for it!

Where Does Your Inner Californian Belong?

Somebody tell my husband he's supposed to be rich!

Maya's cloche

2007-07-24T04:31:00.000-07:00

All done!
I think I'll make this pattern available as a set. Now to knit the set for some photos!
Do you think it goes well with the jacket?

Nice touch Ms Rowling

2007-07-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

I'm sure many readers would have had their tissue boxes with them as I did.
Had quite a few suspicions when I reread the 6 books before the release of Deathly Hallows. 3 of the more 'important' ones were true - dreaded them but they were true.
As Fred (or was it George?) who said in the movie...." back to your knitting"
PS Miss you Fred

All Knitting Activity Suspended!

2007-07-21T04:15:00.001-07:00

Went to pick up our pre ordered Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this morning. Arrived at our shopping centre before 8am and hurried to the bookstore. All this for Australia's East Coast opening time of 9.01am release of the book!
Glad to say I was number 9 in the queue.
At the last minute, I bought another of us and one more for Maya's mum as she is probably wanting a good read now!
3 HP books!
DS, DD and I are pouring over the pages now with DH teasing DD constantly about telling her the ending (He honestly does not know the ending...c'mon)
A quick dinner tonite, ABSOLUTELY NO KNITTING!

Feeling GOOD!

2007-07-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

All this cleaning was really getting to me plus persevering on the baby projects.
I'm 60% done on the homefront and am redoing Maya's little cloche. We saw her yesterday and I've forgotten how little
and precious babies are! My hat was way too big- big overestimation!
I'm also trying to get over this inertia of writing down what I'm doing... I'm always saying that I'll remember what I knitted and how I did it. And of course, I forget a few months down the track...
I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel!

Even Lions get a brand new set of chompers!

2007-07-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

Here's our favourite hand puppet at our dentist!

For little Maya

2007-07-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

A cross stitch welcome notice for little Maya.

All done and ready to go!

I had 2 wips on needles thinking that my GF was going to have a boy (one wip was a mini man's cardigan with rolled collar).
When Maya was born, I decided to abandon the other 2 and quickly knit this up. As you can see, I'm hopeless when it comes to sewing up. I love knitting but I hate sewing up!

Retirement...??

2007-07-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

Fast forward to July.
Here I am now - almost 4 months into "retirement". My role and area of work was wound down and it seemed a good time to take it as an opportunity for a breather.
I had stacks of things I wanted to accomplish in anticipation of the change. Getting stuck into learning more needlearts like ribbon embroidery, stumpwork, cleaning up the garden and the house (major spring cleaning).
Four months on and ...
I think I've just about finished cleaning downstairs but I still have upstairs to do.
Started on a teeny bit of the garden
Tried quite a few new recipes
Cleaned up computer files and did some backing up (pre disaster backup!)
Knitted for 2 babies
Finished a cross stitch welcome for a new baby (next post)
but mostly, I do have a new vocation...
School 'bus' driver/chaffeur.
The hours during school days go so quickly.
The moment I get back and settle into cleaning, etc, it's time to pick them up again. Public transport in Melbourne isn't the best and DS would be the only one that it would work out for. DD's school and timetable are not 'public transport friendly' in terms of location and times. There are more trains and bus services being implemented so hopefully, we'll see a better 2008.
In the meantime, more spring cleaning to do!

Death of the Formal Lounge and Dining Room

2007-07-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

Do you ever use yours?
Over the years, we've found that all our visitors gravitate to the kitchen, meals family and rumpus room. That's where we're all relaxed, chatting and drinking freshly brewed coffee, snacking, kids playing in the rumpus room or outside or watching TV.
Good food, good wine and great company.
The Formal Lounge and Dining Room were untouched and uninhabitated, desolate areas ....
Well, until this year.
With both kids now in secondary school and for some reason that's evolved over time, they both don't use the desks in their respective rooms to work. They just don't do homework in their bedrooms.
At first, DS was the only one working downstairs and he's basically taken over the study.
With DD starting a new school this year, she had begun to stake her territory downstairs too.
I looked at my pristine red mahogany leather lounge suite and formal dining suite and pondered...

Two months ago, we lined the dining table with a surface protecter and a heavy weight upholstery material (on special at the local haberdashery store) and voila, the dining room table is now laden with laptops, screens, books, pens etc.
We've yet to get small bookcases for them but pretty much I now have running shoes, sports bags in my modified mobile kitchen trolley and school bags leaning agst walls in there.
As for the lounge, that's become the music room with 2 guitars, music books and piano. The piano has always been in there but there's no where else in the house where the table (coffee table) and seat (my pristine lounge suite) is the right height for practising the guitar (DS does classical).

I've been told that new house plans nowadays are being to do away with the traditional living areas as well.
Have you changed yours as well?

and another pouch....

2007-07-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

for BILLS!
This one has taken a bit of a beating. At first, I had only intended to keep my unpaid bills in due date order in here.
The beauty of knitted things is that it stretches. Ok .. so maybe it won't spring back to its original shape.
I've now got more things cramped in it now - cheque book, to do list and it still fits in my handbag :)

Getting back my knitting mojo

2007-07-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

When we got back I was preoccupied with getting my foot back to normal.
Doctor visits, xray and even a CT scan plus many physio visits. Fast forward to 2nd July, it's almost there. There's still some stiffness and aches when the weather gets cold. I've been trying to ease back into wearing heels. Feel ok with 1 to 2 inch heels but not higher than that as yet. Twinges of pain when I put on my winter boots (3 inch heels) and to top it off, I had bought 2 more pairs at Century 21 in NYC before the fall! I can't let that go to waste!
Lost my knitting rhythm too with going back to work, kids back at school.
I needed to kickstart my mojo so I tried knitting a cosmetic pouch for my handbag with scrap wool. This 'new' handbag didn't come with enough compartments and it got to the point where it was like having a lucky dip when I reached into my handbag for something!

18th Jan 2007 - Last Day: Walking around Grauman's Chinese and Kodak Theatres

2007-06-30T05:34:00.001-07:00

We walked around our neighbourhood on our last day as our flight home was that nite itself. Window shopped at the stores within the Kodak Theatre complex.

The Hollywood sign from the back of the Kodak Theatre overlooking traffic on N.Highland Avenue.

Traffic on Hollywood Blvd.

The El Capitan cinema across the road.

The Chinese Grauman's Theatre - getting ready for the "Smokin' Aces" red carpet premiere. You cldn't walk on that side of the road so we took our photos from across while we were shopping for souvenirs. All the souvenir shops here are even more cheesy than the New York. The only thing that we even considered buying was a "Vote for Pedro" Tshirt that DS wanted. Didn't get it though - was pricey.
Pity we cldn't stay to watch the "Smokin' Aces" red carpet proceedings for that evening.
We left Orchid Suites by 4pm for LAX (Super Shuttle) and as our driver took us thru the main city freeways for more pickups, we saw the LA evening rush hour traffic at its peak. Took us abt 2 hrs to get to LAX.
I got wheelchair assistance again and we had dinner at the airport. Enjoyed free internet wifi at the departure gate.
A very long trip.
Sad to leave but we were glad to go home... at last!

17th Jan 2007 - Santa Monica Pier and WildFiber

2007-06-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

We chose to take the local public transport to Santa Monica Pier (subway and express bus) and if anyone else wants to attempt this, it takes almost 2 hrs each way Hollywood-Santa Monica.
Luckily we were not in a rush to cram a lot in.

Lunch at Bubba Gump. A buzz for DH as he loves "Forrest Gump".
To order, you flick the sign at your table to Stop Forrest Stop. When all is delivered, they flick it back to Run Forrest Run.

Here we are late afternoon at Wildfiber. Quite a large LYS - has a wide variety and lots of Rowan yarn from the UK.
Again, prices are a little more than NYC. Lots of bags and knitting accessories too.

16th of Jan - Hollywood and Beverly Hills

2007-06-28T04:54:00.001-07:00

Pics from our Movie Star Homes, Hollywood and Beverly Hills tour in the morning.

In our van looking at the Magic Castle Hotel

Los Angeles Skyline

Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood sign taken fro Mulholland Drive

The Viper Room on Sunset Blvd

The Whisky A Go Go Club.

The Luxury Car dealer on Sunset Blvd that Halle Berry crashed into....

The Hollywood mansion used in countless movies like Batman's mansion, Rush Hour etc

Rapper Bow Wow's house

This store is Great! Nothing over USD$15.00 and in the street just parallel to Rodeo Drive.

The famous Chateau Marmont - hotel to the stars.

After our visit to the Black Sheep Knittery, we had to go see a movie in Hollywood! So here we are at the IMAX Universal Studios for "Night at the Museum". Great movie on a huge screen!

Update on foot - 16th Jan 2007

2007-06-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

Looks ghastly, doesn't it?
Still icing it and taking Advil too

Black Sheep Knittery - 16th Jan 2007

2007-06-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

We actually went to the Black Sheep Knittery in the afternoon so the posts for the 16th aren't in order.
This is a lovely LYS and within walking distance from our Orchid Suites accommodation even with me hobbling.
I noticed that the prices here were a smidgin more than New York. There was a lovely African American gentleman knitting there and he's pretty GOOD!
I honestly can't remember if I bought anything here but it was a lovely visit!

Movie Star Homes Tour, Black Sheep Knittery and "Night at the Museum" 16th Jan 2007

2007-06-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

Thought I was on a roll posting away until a few events cropped up!
Just this last one happened on Monday - our Stadt ducted heating unit died.
And Stadt is out of business.
Here we are at the start of winter and the forecasts are that it's going to be a cold week and hail!
Monday was a public holiday for us (Queen's birthday).
Called 2 heating companies on Tues and the installation wait is 1 week. noooo! Finally got one company to install a brand new Bonaire Vulcan and it comes with programming gizmoes. We've been so outdated with our old unit - hadn't realised these heating units have come along way!
Chose a "green" unit with 5 star efficiency rating and zoning capabilities to cut down unnecessary heating and gas usage.
It'll be interesting to see if our gas bills are less this winter.
Ok back to our trip... almost there at the end of it already.....

Warner Bros Studio Tour - 'Friends' and Farmers Market 15th Jan 2007

2007-06-05T03:30:00.000-07:00

We have sooooo many shots of this set as you can imagine.

Caught a taxi to Farmers Market for a late lunch. Lovely window shopping and a great way to end the day.....

Warner Bros Studio Tour - Gilmore Girls and Famous Cars 15th Jan 2007

2007-05-26T03:43:00.000-07:00

Our second major stop is at the Gilmore Girls set. The town was used in many shows - one of them being the "Dukes of Hazzard" TV series. We cldn't take pics as they were actually filming then -a few extras and Liz Torres at the shop!
We cld only take pics of the hse here.

Here's a bit of fun for movie vehicle props buffs!

Warner Bros Studio Tour - ER - 15th Jan 2007

2007-05-25T02:14:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't stay in.
Our second day in LA.
We booked to go on the Warner Brothers Studio Tour at 10am and called for a taxi to get there. The trip took only 15mins and we browsed around the WB store. This is a great place to stock up on WB Dvds as the prices offered are cheaper and you know they are fair dinkum! If only we knew this before!
Our lovely guide was Aaron and he was absolutely charming and entertaining. We were first shown the outdoor sets where major movie scenes and tv series such as "Sex in the City" and "Friends" were filmed.
Whizzed around past the stars' car parking spots - "Two and a half men" star Charlie Sheen's car parking spot. Too quick and cldn't get a shot so here's Matt LeBlanc's.
Wld have loved the set of "Two and a half men" but most shows were still not back at work yet.

Our first major stop was ER. This is great! but eerie as well - it was so deserted and quiet. You cld 'see' the actors here in the oh so familiar scenes in countless episodes. The camera, lighting rigs and how they replicate snow, rain and Chicago's gloomy weather in this small area as Los Angeles's beautiful weather can be problematic for filming!

City of Angels! 14th of Jan 2007

2007-05-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

DH, DD and DS went to Universal Studios today while I stayed in the hotel and blogged.
They caught the subway at the cnr of Highland and Hollywood Blvd to the very next stop for only USD 1.75 per person! Universal Studios has free shuttles where the pickup point is near the station that'll take you up to the Universal walk/mall.
Here are their pics:
Desperate Housewives sets?

War of the Worlds set

On our way to LA - 13th Jan 2007

2007-05-20T03:34:00.000-07:00

Woke up around 4am to get ready for our ride to Dulles Int Airport for our morning flight to LA. Didn't sleep too badly after an early light dinner in the hotel. I guess everyone was tired after all the excitement the afternoon before.
At first I was worried. All weary travellers are aware of the long airport queues. With added security, the lines snake all the way round to eternity. I could hobble but I probably need to sit somewhere close to the queues as my posse moves along.
Never had to travel like this.
All was quiet at Dulles - no queues - when we arrived and at our check in counter, we were asked if I needed a wheelchair. Hey! That's a great idea! After a few minutes, some from the airport staff came with wheelchair and to top it all off, we got priority in the security check queues. I'm not one to complain about travelling. I know It's a huge task for all involved to move all these people and luggage to their destinations and sometimes it's just bad luck.
By this time, I was over the moon with my wheelchair!
We were 'parked' at our gate with 2hrs to spare and we were all too grateful to be helped by the American Airlines and Dulles airport staff here.... :)
Got into LA by early afternoon. (Used Super Shuttles for our transfer in DC and LA. ). We checked into Orchid Suites in Hollywood and it is position perfect for those who want to avoid staying near Disneyland and anything else south of California. It's only 3 mins walk (10 mins hobble) to Hollywood Blvd, Kodak Theatre and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It's still quite a way from Santa Monica as we found out a few days later. Pretty decent place and quiet considering that Hollywood Blvd and Nth Highland Ave is just bustling with traffic.
Had to ask a local where we could find pharmacy/supermarket on Hollywood Blvd so I called my cousin's hubby for directions (Thks, Mike!) and also to chat with my cousin (Hi, Yvette!) who are all now in Houston. I think it was called Long's Drugs. We stocked up on provisions to last us for the 5 days we were there. With hindsight, we were glad that we had this many days here. It wld have probably been too long if I was able bodied to be running around.
I stayed in and worked out the wireless internet connection while the troops bought food and found a chinese restaurant La Oriental Bistro on Nth Highland ave - great for takeaways but not very good at french or so my son tells me!

The US Capitol Building - 12th Jan 2007

2007-05-17T00:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the Capitol building.
The architecture, design and detail is just magnificent as we were shown via the in-house tour. It was a short one and we were left to wander to the meeting chambers of the House of Reps and Senate. So much history happened in the rooms and corridors - one can't help but be overwhelmed.

As we were leaving the lower ground rotunda area, we were rushing to make it to the National Archives before 4pm when disaster struck.
Just on the last few dark steps before the external doors, I missed a step. Felt my right foot twist inwards and the pain shot up the front of my foot towards my shin. I knew I was in trouble- it was excruciating and I had to lie down on the floor. I lifted my leg up and all that was rushing thru my head was that we had an early flight out of DC tomorrow and I swore when the twist happened! Had anyone heard me swear?
DH and a policewoman (where did she come from?) kept asking me where it hurt as everyone thought I had fallen and hit my head. Kept asking for my name and if I knew where I was. Then 4 very capable men came running down the stairs - the Attending Physician and 3 paramedics. eeek.
A wheelchair appeared. They helped me into it but the pain made me nauseous and I almost passed out. By now I was struggling to compose myself with the pain from the foot and pain of embarassment. Was wheeled to the Office of the Attending Physician with the Whole Entourage. eeek.
Dr Gutierrez was so very nice and good looking but I almost wanted to punch him when he pressed and probed my ankle and foot area. The front was quite swollen and I was going to pass out again. Everything seemed to point to an ankle injury.
Then he kept asking about why I was passing out......
(ok so i don't cope very well with pain but hey, I did have 2 babies the usual way. Didn't pass out then - DH would attest to that. Was conscious enough to tell him it was all his fault :) )
RIght... no broken bones. Looks like a very bad sprain but we could go to the George Washington Hospital to double check.
He gave me some Tylenol and taped an ice pack around the swelling. Lots of rest, foot elevated (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation???)).
They arranged for a taxi to pick us up just outside the building and it was starting to rain. They didn't have any crutches they cld loan me ( apparently they were all out?!)
At the time, I had thought it was a pretty bad sprain and chose not to go to the hospital. I cld hobble with our 2 umbrellas and my good left leg. (I know now that I tore something at the front of the foot where it joins the leg. Still aches and my niece and nephews reckon I should have an MRI for soft tissue injury as my scan and xrays were negative for broken bones etc.)
DH was chuckling away saying NOW we'd never forget DC for sure, DS was sweet and got me lots of ice from the ice machine and DD just smiled as she helped with opening doors for me - she never experienced something like this before....hee hee hee!

Union Station, The US Botanic Garden - 12th Jan 2007

2007-05-13T04:49:00.000-07:00

We were going to cover the Capitol building end of DC on our last day. The kids had just watched "National Treasure" and with New York fresh in their minds, they wanted to see the Declaration of Independence.
Our hotel is really close to the subway as well so we took a train up to Chinatown and then across to the Union Station.
Here are some cool pics inside the subway.

The replica of the Liberty Bell outside the Union Station.

We made it thru to the Library of Congress but as it was raining, our photos are quite grey and depressing. We then made our way to the front of the Capitol building and waited to be taken in to the Capitol building tour. A great place to visit while you're waiting is the US Botanic Garden just next to the Capitol on the left side while facing the Washington Monument.
I've always loved Cattleya orchids - these blooms are beautiful bu the photos don't really show the intensity and the size of the lovely flowers. They were huge and absolutely magnificent!

More pics from the Trolley Tour...

2007-05-07T04:56:00.000-07:00

Lincoln Memorial

View of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial (remember this scene from "Forrest Gump"?)
Abraham Lincoln

Korean War Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Vietnam war memorial

The WHite House

The Willard Hotel

Portrait of all the Presidents together

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 11th Jan 2007

2007-05-05T05:01:00.000-07:00

A solemn quiet place of a thousand words and thousands of souls....

JFK, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, their daughter stillborn 1956 and Patrick Bouvier Kennedy

Bobby Kennedy

And the Tomb of the Unknown soldier - Changing of the Guard

Washington DC - 11th Jan 2007

2007-05-05T04:37:00.000-07:00

Today we took the Trolley tour - here are some sights.
http://www.dctours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm/tid/878
National Archives building

The Union Station

Washington Monument

Washington DC - 10th Jan 2007

2007-04-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

We arrived in DC just before 6pm in Chinatown. It was starting to drizzle and we managed to get a large taxi for ALL our bags.
This time we were booked into Holiday Inn Washington - Capitol
Great location especially for the kids as we were just 5 mins from the National Air and Space Museum and all other Smithsonian museums within walking distance as well the subway.
We had dinner in the hotel (and yes, kids eat free at Holiday Inn!!) and tucked in for the nite.

Here's the National Air and Space Museum - the most visited museum in the world.
It was quiet which is apparently quite unusual. The cashier at one of the souvenir shops said that it is always like the zoo :) in there. Early January is a great time to visit DC as the crowds are significantly less and before it gets too cold. We were still experiencing the warm spell we had from NYC so the weather was pleasant and thank goodness, not humid.

We spent almost a whole day there and as we walked to the National Gallery of Art (West), this magnificent view of the Capitol building.

We're not art buffs but the collection here is magnificent and we sped thru hoping to cover the east side as well.

Here's the National Air and Space Museum view from the National Gallery of Art.

We finished the day at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History http://www.mnh.si.edu/ - home of the Hope diamond!
http://www.minerals.si.edu/hope.htm

Goodbye, Manhattan! 9th Jan 2007

2007-04-29T03:04:00.000-07:00

Here's Solita on our last day. We had brunch at the diners across the road before heading off with DS and DD to Ben's Pizza.

Newspaper article on MIB II on display at the shop.

We got on the buses in Chinatown bound for DC and we took some pictures on the way out.
This is the United Nations building.

And I think this Red Loster Restaurant is on 7th? We were here for about 10mins waiting for more passengers.

Can't believe we spent this many days here and still wanting to see and experience more...
So it's goodbye, Big Apple
For now....

Purl Soho and The Point Knitting Cafe - 8th Jan 2007

2007-04-26T03:35:00.000-07:00

Visited Purl Soho and the Point Knitting Cafe

Purl Soho is a quaint little store with gorgeous yarns - bought Alchemy's Bamboo and Manos here. Although it didn't have much space to sit, knit and relax, it had it's own buzz. We were jostling inside looking at yarns and waiting for our turn at the till.

In contrast to Purl Soho, The Point Knitting Cafe is a double store equipped with a cafe side, large tables and yarns galore. Maybe it was a Monday. The store was quiet given that it was tea time and I had expected to see some knitters there. It makes one wonder what creates the atmosphere/vibe for an LYS.

Back in Solita, Ben's Pizza, Purl Soho - 8th Jan 2007

2007-04-25T04:48:00.000-07:00

Our last full day in Manhattan, we had brunch at Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown. More soup dumplings!
Strolled to at City Hall (Law and Order steps) before it started drizzling and DS said he had to go back to the room el pronto to the loo. I had 2 LYS to cover today and I was making sure that rain was not going to make me miss out on that!
While back at Solita, DS asked if I thought the pizza place in Men in Black II - Ben's Pizza - was real.
"Probably not, it's just a movie pizza place"

Ok Mum - eat your words.....
DH accompanied me on my mission first to Purl Soho and we walked thru the lower part of Manhattan. Lotsa galleries etc when we turned to Spring and Thompson...Lo and Behold! there was BEN's PIZZA!
Waddyaknow!
Had to bring DS and DS here and if we could have pizza brunch before we leave NYC.

7th Jan - straight back

2007-04-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

Off on an early morning start from Toronto, today is really a straight thru drive all the way to NYC.
Stopped for breakfast in Niagara Falls and took more pics of the falls.... we just have too many now!

Niagara Falls and Toronto - 5th/6th January 2007

2007-04-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

Niagara Falls - The Horseshoe (Canadian side)

2nd pic - The American side

Toronto

Toronto Trams!

And the last pic is the view from the glass floor in the CN tower

Off to Niagara Falls 5th Jan 2007

2007-04-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

First a cheeky pic on the way to the tour pickup

Pocono Mountains lunch stop

At Corning Glass Museum - this may seem out of the way but it's worth a visit. I was fascinated by it's small collection of Art Noveau/Deco items - Tiffany Lamps and Lalique Vases ooooooo!

Off Soho Suites New York 4th/5th Jan 2007

2007-04-21T04:38:00.000-07:00

We got back to New York Chinatown around 6pm and bought some Chinese takeaway dinner as we were quite tired from the coach trip to eat out. We were booked for only one nite at Off Soho Suites. After checking in, we proceeded sleepily into our suite equipped with a full kitchenette. Off Soho Suites does look a little tired but for all you groupies out there, this must be a great find.
As we checked out the next morning and gazed at the pictures on the wall, I then realised I was looking at a signed album cover of JET.....!
There they all were... on the walls just after the reception desk.... autographed pics and covers of LOTs of bands.
This is where bands stay while performing in New York. Don't know if Jet wld still be staying here now that they've hit the big time but it was nice to know they were here before.
We didn't have time to check all the pics out as we had to go join our Niagara Falls/Toronto tour.
:)