A cool change

Finally, after what seems like a eternity, the weather has finally changed for the better.  Even though cloudy days haven't meant cooler temps over the last week, today there is a real difference in the atmosphere.  Such a relief.

To celebrate the cool change I'm going to spend the day lounging on the sofa, and reading some of my old favourites.  At the moment I'm three quarters of the way through Dark Desire (by Christine Feehan), with Dark Gold next on the pile.  It's been some time since I've read these books and I'd forgotten how much I loved them.  They were one of the reasons that I got hooked on the whole paranormal romance/urban fantasy genre.

As you can see, my copies are very well read - but much cherished!

Happy reading!

Yeah, I see clouds!

After an absolutely nightmare of a night (no pun intended) I was so happy to wake up to a cool breeze and no sun in the sky!  Yes, that's right folks - it's not going to be a scorcher today!!!!

Last night was just the worst night I've had since I moved out this way nearly 2½ years ago.  There was not one little puff of air blowing through my windows - and let me tell you, I had everything open.  That's only the 3rd time that's happened since I moved in!  So, there I was, desk fan on the side of the bed plus the ceiling fan on as well.  Even with all that, I still spritzed myself a couple of times during the night just to get a little cooler.  It was not a comfortable night I can tell you.

It's been so hot and uncomfortable lately that I haven't even been able to escape into my books for relief!  Usually I can loose myself in whatever book I'm reading for hours.  I tried on numerous occasions over the past few days, and the most I could manage was a good half and hour to an hour at the most before I just could not ignore the heat any longer.  I jokingly said to my mum the other day "you'll visit me when I move to Tasmania, or NZ, won't you?" - but after the lung sucking heat over the past 4 days I'm seriously considering a change of address I can tell you!

Though for all my whinging about the heat (I need to vent somewhere) I consider myself lucky I'm not living further west.  The western parts of QLD are suffering so much more with the heat and the drought, so really, what do I have to complain about in the scheme of things?

Happy Reading!

'Beat the Heat' Survival Kit

It's been another scorcher today.  At 3:30pm it was 41.5°c!  Well, maybe a tad more, but still bloody hot ;-D

After yesterday's hot temperature, when the mercury started to climb today I retreated to the bedroom where my little 'Beat the Heat' supplies have come in handy.

First, make sure that you have a good cross ventilation system going.  I simply opened the windows.  Then put a small desk fan at the bottom of the bed.  To make sure it's wasn't going anywhere, I put it on a hardcover book.  Lie down and spritz your bare legs with the water bottle - set on mist - and the result will make you feel so much cooler!

I, personally, made sure there was a supply of cold water, and books to read, so that I didn't have to get up very often.  Its a cheap way to keep cool - especially if you don't have air conditioning.

Just remember to spritz yourself regularly for best results.

PS, put an old sheet under yourself otherwise your bedspread might get a little damp!

So hot!

It's just after 3:30pm, and when I went to the kitchen to get an icy cold glass of water - which I forgot - the thermometer was reading 39°c!

It's too hot!

It's heatwave time again in Australia.  I'm sitting on the couch finishing up my cup of tea (toast went ages ago), so that I can have most of my chores and errands done before 10am, when it really starts to heat up.  Queensland is being fried as the temperatures this week have his 48°c in some places, like Birdsville and Bedourie.  I'm frazzled just dealing with 38°c!  I don't know how they're surviving out there...industrial air-conditioning I suppose?

The heat has meant that a lot of self imposed New Year's projects have been put on hiatus until the weather behaves.  I was planning to get give the balcony a right royal scrubbing - and de-spidering - but I nearly melted when I spent 20 minutes out there yesterday hanging the clothes on the line!  I was also planning on starting a bigger quilt (about twice the size of the one I did for mum), but there is no way I'm going to sit at the sewing machine for hours in this heat.  Perhaps it's time I seriously considered getting some air-conditioning... or move to Tasmania? ;-D

My cats seem to be handling the heat.  Evie Nyx has a thing about lying in the bathroom's sink, when possible, while my old Titchy just settles down on her armchair which I've tucked beside a large bookshelf.  She's happy enough to just snooze the day away.  The weatherman has said that this extreme heat is supposed to hang around until at least the middle of next week (ugh!), but I'm hoping that we're not going to go straight from a heatwave into flooding.  For the past two summers here, it's flooded each January.  

I hope your New Year is getting off to a better start than mine.  I'm off to the store to stock up on some cooling ice cream ;-D

Happy reading!

First Quilting Project for 2014

Saw this material at Big W and couldn't resist.  It just screams MUG RUG, doesn't it?  The navy material will make up the centre of the mug rug, and the red & white material will make a beautifully contrasting binding.

Evie Nyx turns 1

I didn't realize it until after I'd woken up somewhat with a hot cup of tea this morning, but my troublemaker cat turns 1 today!  It's hard to believe I've had her for 7 months (and 27 days - but who's counting).  Looks like I'll be feeding her something a little special.  It's not everyday you turn 1 now is it ;-D

Happy 2014

After spending a quiet - and early - NYE by myself, I'm now so hot it isn't funny.  The weatherman says we're likely to have another thunderstorm this afternoon - but I'll believe it when I hear the rain on my roof.

2013 departed with barely a whimper in town.  I have a vague recollection if a few fireworks going off around 10:30pm, but if there were any big display at midnight then I slept through it ;-D

So I hope you all celebrated the New Year, whether solo or amongst a cast of thousands, and don't have to big of a hang over - for those of you who indulged.

Happy Reading in 2014!

Wishing you all a

Yes, it's done!

After much procrastinating - and YouTube searching - I finally made myself sit at the sewing machine to finish mum's quilt.  

Just the binding left

After taking yesterday away from the sewing machine, I really had to be strict with myself and sit down to get the quilting done.  As a total novice I stuck to a simple grid pattern.  I think it turned out pretty good!  Just the rustic, handmade  - and occasionally wonky - look I was going for (that's my story and I'm sticking to it ;-D ).

So, keep your fingers crossed for me as tomorrow is the day I attempt to bind my creations.  All I can say is 'Thank God for YouTube tutorials!'

Almost done

I thought I'd try my hand at making all my major gifts this Christmas...

and all I can say to that is that I won't be doing it again!

I've finished the quilted place mat for my uncle (a nice mix of denim and blue fabric), and only have to do the binding on the bed runner for my aunt.  However, I'm just about to quilt my mum's lap rug - and thats before I tackle the binding.  (P.S these are the first items I've ever tried to quilt!)

So, with only 5 more days left before the ceremonial handing over of presents,  I'll be the one slaving over the sewing machine and panicking.  Will I finish them time?  I hope so as I don't have any back up gifts on standby.  My hats off to all you competent quilters out there.  You make it seem so easy!

Keep your finger's crossed for me, won't you ;-D

Chilli Chutney

Just finished cleaning the kitchen after my first attempt at Chilli Chutney (thanks to my new CWA cook book).  It turned out so well that I had to share the recipe with you.

It's so easy to make its a great last minute gift idea.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups finely diced red chillies (remove seeds for a milder flavour)
• 1 onion diced
• 1 1/2 cups of diced cooking apples (or if you can't get your hands on any, 1 x 400g tin of apple pie apples)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar (I used Cornwall's)
• 1 small tsp salt

Method

After finely dicing the apples, chilli's (remember to wear gloves!) and the onion, put them into a pan and start to cook for a minute or two. 

Add the sugar, vinegar and salt.

Bring to the boil, then turn down heat until you have a gentle simmer.  Stir periodically until the sauce thickens.  This should take about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. 

Bottle into hot sterilized jars, and if you want to, add  piece of glad wrap before sealing the jars.

Keep in cool, dark place.  Refrigerate after opening.

Best with ...

a sharp vintage cheese - with or without crackers - or on a cold meat sandwich.

Miss Marple: A Caribbean Mystery

Yeah!  Finally, something decent to watch on TV again.  I've been eagerly awaiting the new season of Miss Marple for ages, and last night I settled in to watch the first offering of Season 6 - A Caribbean Mystery.  

It did start off slowly, so I wasn't sure how much I would like it.  One potential con was that after all the fiddling they've done with the plot lines over the last couple of series, I wasn't sure how much they'd alter ACM, but surprisingly it was pretty close to the original.   I loved watching Miss Marple and Mr Rafael dancing around one another, until Rafael finally realizes that he's met his intellectual equal in the little old lady from St. Mary Mead.

So, between the condensed time frame (less than 90min), the gorgeous costumes and makeup, plus the beautiful white sandy beach, I was  very happy with the first installment of the 6th series of Miss Marple.   Thankfully, I remembered to record it (for mum to watch), so I can watch it again when the mood strikes.   Must remember to record next weeks offering as well ;-D

Book Club Summer reading list

Hi All!  With the Christmas season well under way, I was lucky to finally meet with my book club friend and decide what we will be reading over the Chrissie period.

First on the list was Curtsies and Conspiracies, Book 2 in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series.  Then after knocking back a few more titles, we finally  chose the first book in Lilith St. Crows series, Iron Wyrm Affair, and Phillipa Bornikova's 2nd book, Box Office Poison.

I'm hoping that I can get my hands on them soon for some good Summer reading.  My copy of Curtsies and Conspiracies is already winging it's way to me from Book Depository (great deal for only $5.05!), but I might have trouble getting my hands on Box Office Poison as I'm sure it's not available in paperback yet.  Perhaps I'll leave that one till last!