Where I spent this weekend

This house on Phillip Island is one of my favourite places in the world. With a view like this, I wonder how I brought myself to leave?

I heart NY

This photo was taken in January last year. That's me looking out at the Brooklyn Bridge, having walked across it not long before. Last week I saw an ad for a flight from Melbourne to New York for AU$908 and had a million reasons to book it, but zero spare money. Anyway, this photo is the next best thing - it's destined for my lounge room, while the matching Central Park photo is going in the bedroom.

>> The photo link is a giveaway of the current fondness I have for Twitter. 140 characters suits me just nicely.

Too busy for words

I seem to be letting the blog lapse these days - a week between posts! Maybe that will all change in the winter? This week I was tagged by lina so here goes...

The rules are:

1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.

2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

What is your current obsession? Finding new vegetarian recipes to make at home.

What are you wearing right now? Black shorts, green tee... very plain.
Do you nap a lot? Yes, but not at much as I'd like to!

Who was the last person you hugged? A boy whose name starts with S.

If you were a tree, what tree would you be? A pine tree so I could smell like Christmas! Strange question.

What’s for dinner? I just tweeted about it so you'll have to look there.

What was the last thing you bought? Bed sheets yesterday (not counting the cocktails last night).

What are you listening to right now? Charge Group because a friend just gave me the CD.

What is your favourite weather? Summer for the beach, Autumn for the leaves, Winter for the knitting and Spring for the flowers. Yep, pretty much all of it.

What’s on your beside table? A few books, paper, a pen, frankie magazine.

Say something to the person/s who tagged you. Hello Lina! Your blog is very sweet :)

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Easy: New York City.

Where are you typing from right now? The desk in my kitchen.

A book you're currently reading? Just started "Holy Cow!" by Sarah MacDonald (on loan from a friend).

What would you like to have in your hands right now? One of the banana choc-chip muffins I made yesterday. They're actually only an arms length away but saving it for the couch with a cup of tea.

What is your favourite tea flavour? Lady Grey.

What would you like to get rid of? My worst case scenario tendencies and the ominous sense of doom for the world. Sometimes it's better to just be happy with 'now'. Sorry, too heavy?

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? I'm actually looking forward to relaxing in my living room!

What did you want to become as a child? I kept changing my mind, and still haven't decided for sure...

I'm breaking 'the rules' and won't tag anyone this time but feel free to tag yourself.

Apple crumble

All this rain and cold weather makes it feel like winter's coming early this year... which means hello apple crumble! It's so easy, you'll need:
~ 2 or 3 green apples
~ 3 tablespoons butter or nuttelex
~ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
~ 2 tablespoons rolled oats
~ 4 tablespoons plain flour
~ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Then here's what to do:
1. Preheat oven to 180 celsius.
2. Slice apples and lay in a casserole dish (I use a glass one) then pour oven 1/4 cup boiling water and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
3. Cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, place sugar, flour and oats into a separate mixing bowl and rub in butter or nuttelex (it should be softened but not melted).
5. Mix until just crumbly, and don't overmix!
6. Pour the crumble mixture on top of the apples and place uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes (or until the top of the crumble is golden/browning).
7. Delicious with vanilla soy ice cream.

Learn to knit booties kit

A friend of mine is pregnant so I thought it was a good time to put together a learn to knit kit with knitting instructions, needles, wool, buttons and a pattern for baby booties! Fingers crossed she doesn't see this post before it reaches her in the mail... this way I really truly can't forget to send it tomorrow!

Jackpot!

Lots of soft mohair wool sent to me from my Nanna. So much wool, so little time! Very much ready for more dedicated stitch n' bitch nights this winter...

Mexicali Baby Ole

First there were nachos, burritos and quesadillas, now this! Found in an old Knitting Universe magazine. I'm loving Mexican things right now.

Vegan yarn

Found this divinely soft "Down to Earth" yarn on sale at Spotlight the other day - it's 70% bamboo and 30% cotton (which means 0% wool). Haven't decided what I'll make with it yet but it'll be perfect for the vegan knitting group suggested on Vegan and Vintage!

Just a minute... in February

I thought about backdating this post so it actually 'happened' in February... sneaky short month! Anyway, it's my just a minute roundup:

Reading... the Lazy Girl's Guide to a Fabulous Body (on a bit of a health kick).

Watching... Buffy, season 3 - it's intense! And very 90s.

Listening... to the album "Rockferry" by Welsh pop-soul singer Duffy.

Eating... vegetarian food, as usual. Thinking about going vegan soon.

Crocheting... the green beret, but it's nearly done.

Learning... the wonders of new technology like Twitter, and the iPhone (I don't have one yet but soon!). I'm very much on Team Apple these days.