No, it's not a cat

Yes, it is a possum!

I came home this evening after dinner with the in-laws and discovered a new tenant. It had just walked in the backdoor. Mil didn't turn a hair and wasn't interested. Granddad to the rescue with a blanket and it was walked outside!

What's next! We have had a spate of animal home invasions. I'm expecting the foxes and rabbits next week.

Finally!

Well, it's a few weeks since I posted. Life's been 'out of control' busy. Nothing disastrous, just busy. Every time I thought about blogging something happened to prevent me!


There has been slow progress on my projects. But finally the red rib cardi is almost finished. I just need to sew it up.

I don't think I will ever knit this again . I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it when it's finished BUT at the moment - Mmmmmmm. I just HATED the endless rib - rib - rib - rib - rib - rib - rib [well you get the idea].


I've also finished knitting the teal and orange hoodie, but it's half sewn up and in a state of visual disarray, so no picture til it's done! Hopefully very soon.


And now that I've finished knitting two items, I've allowed myself to cast on a couple of new things. I don't have strict rules about how many items I can have on the go at any one time, but one is not enough (I need to be able switch projects if I get fed up with something); two or three is manageable; and once I get to four or five I'm starting to feel out of control.


This winter hat for Mr S uses the Benambra Blue yarn that I bought at the Red Hill Show in March. It feels beautifully soft. It's a mix of wool and silk. It has some imperfections (fluffy slubby bits and some variations in thickness), so it suits a more rustic design. You couldn't knit the perfect twin set with it!


And this is the start of a cardigan for Mr S using Jo Sharp's DK Silkroad Tweed in navy. It's difficult to see the pattern, but it's a variation on the basketweave pattern. Mr S is in DESPERATE need of a navy cardigan. I'm hoping I can whiz this one up a bit more quickly than the two months it took to knit the red cardi!


On the domestic front:

Autumn in the garden is in full swing. These yellow kniphofias flower every year at this time. I have other kniphofias that flower during summer and winter. The leaves are turning colour and I'm feeling a bit sad. I love autumn, it's beautiful, but it feels like everything is dying. AND it's almost dark at 5pm!! YUK.

Mil seems fine. Her illness is a total mystery. The specialist vet has asked that I make contact with him at the end of May and suggested doing the heart tests again in a few months. The pictures are The Mil outside in the street. She loves going out side our house; it's a real treat for her. All the doggy smells. She can spend a long time with her nose firmly pressed to the ground!

So far Mr S is doing well with the introduction of food. The Organic Cookbook is a gem. I've cooked 'First Vegetables' and 'Cheesy Potato' - both delicious (even if I say so myself).

The times they are a-changin'

Sigh!

He's growing up.

Now six and a half months. Cannot believe it. And it's now time to start introducing food.

I borrowed this book from the local library and I think I'll buy it - Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook. It's very good, with lots of tempting little dishes.

I've also had to buy bibs, bowls, spoons...

The 'Bunnykins' bowl was actually Robert's. It's nice that his son will eat from the same one.

And this morning Mr S had his first meal of organic rice cereal. He's currently in my arms sleeping off the effects [note: I started drafting this post over a week ago (27 April), just as Mil was becoming ill. I haven't had time to finish it til now. Since writing about the rice cereal we have also tried yoghurt and stewed fruit. All with great success.]



Mr S is wearing a Debbie Bliss jumper knitted with Marta's Yarn hand dyed 2ply used with 4 strands.

The high chair is a recent purchase. I really wanted the Stokke chair, but practical considerations won out. Apart from feeding, I need to use the chair to keep Mr S close to me while I cook, clean and shower too. So I needed one with wheels that can be moved easily from room to room. The one I chose also has a basket for storing bibs and toys and a table for playing on. I can lower it and remove the tray to sit him at the table to eat. The seat also has three positions (upright and two semi reclining positions), which is good at the moment when Mr S cannot sit for a long time. It's a Steelcraft. I'm pretty sure that my highchair was a Steelcraft too, which is a nice bit of symmetry.

Mil Update: She's looking much better. The specialist vet from Glen Waverly gave me a follow up call today. We are still in monitoring mode.

The Mil

Well after a bumpy week, she appears a bit better today. But still no diagnosis.

This week we have been to the vet nearly every day. We have had x-rays, ultra sounds and ECGs! I drove up to Glen Waverly yesterday to the Melbourne Vet Referral Hospital for another expert opinion.

Still worried, but relieved that nothing dreadful has been found.

Thank you to everybody for the well wishes.

'The Mil' in one of her favorite hidey holes