Murphy's Mumblings

Whinging Dog

2008-02-29T05:28:00.000-08:00

This is my dog. She doesn't like to do things she doesn't want to do. And she lets you know it.

Mmmmm.... wine

2008-02-29T04:53:00.000-08:00

So, those who read my previous post would know that I got suckered into joining a wine club at Melbourne Airport on my way back to Adelaide. I like wine. A lot. As most of you reading this will know. So I was very excited to receive my delivery of a case of the Wine Selectors selection. I had opted for 6 bottles white and 6 bottles red, despite the fact that I prefer reds, but I'm sure I could change my mind later anyway. The wines come from all over Australia, with many wine regions being featured.

Included is:

Allanmere Verdelho 2006
Grant Burge Barossa Vines Riesling 2004
Shottesbrooke Chardonnay 2007
Brokenwood The Bentley's Boot Chardonnay 2006
Rex Watson Three Sons Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Willow Bridge Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007

Barwick Estates Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2005
Oatley Wines Wild Oats Cabernet Merlot 2005
Chrismont Shiraz 2005
Chateau Tanunda The Chateau Shiraz 2005
McWilliiam's Regional Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Sam Miranda Snow Road Merlot 2006

All these wines have apparently been selected by an expert 'Tasting Panel', and I must say, I don't have a quibble with their selection so far! Will update you all on which is the best! Accompanying the case was a glossy mag with gossip, tourism, articles by actors, wine, food etc. In this edition was Vietnamese food, which is a particular favourite of mine, and a 'Sweet Tooth' section with recipes for Clafoutis (Raspberry and Grappa) and Berries in Bubbles, featuring Champagne. (Note the obligatory alcoholic touches here!)

I also came across a recipe for Chilli Jam. Quite a coincidence, because last week I tried Louise's recipe for Chili Jam. I don't think it turned out as well as Louise's, which was sensational. Maybe I need to add some lemon juice/rind to make it set, or reduce it more? Anyway, it tastes good, if a bit runny. This other recipe is quite different. Maybe I should compare and contrast, like a good little scientist? There is also an intriguing article called 'Why the French Hate Us', which I haven't read yet. Hmm.

The trip back to the land of Oz

2008-02-12T00:13:00.000-08:00

My long trip back to Oz was broken up by a few days visiting my brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Ruby, in Denver, Colorado. The trip over was quite good actually. Despite the three hour delay in London, when BA had engineers fiddling with the engines, then eventually decided we needed a 'new' plane. The flight was direct to Denver, so I eventually arrived in the evening without getting to see any of the scenery. Denver had had an unexpected amount of snow just before we landed, but my brother had managed to avoid all the cars strewn across the freeway to pick me up.

The next couple of days, I spent finding the best yarn store in Denver (The Lamb Shoppe). Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of my own, but it looks exactly like on their website! Everyone was really lovely. Denver people in general are really friendly actually. I sat in their comfy arm chairs for the entire Thursday and Friday mornings, knitting a Clapotis scarf and drinking their great cafe lattes. I did buy a couple of things, despite my worry that I wouldn't know how to fit it into my suitcase. Initially I bought some lovely lace weight Alpaca With A Twist 'Fino', which is 70% alpaca and 30% silk. Two skeins at 875 yards each should be enough for a decent lace shawl (I hope: it wasn't exactly cheap). I haven't settled on a pattern yet. A trawl through Ravelry should fix that though!
I went back and bought one skein of Misti Alpaca Chunky (100% baby alpaca) in a lovely red colour, along with a pattern to make a rolled brim beanie. This was with a view to having a hat to wear when we went show-shoeing on the weekend, but as you can see, I didn't quite get it finished! It will be done eventually, but the Australian summer is putting me off for the moment!

Saturday was a fairly lazy day, where we went out to one of these massive outlet malls that Americans seem to have, and Ben and Ruby bought watches. I saw lots of stuff I liked, but unfortunately my UK cards weren't cooperating and I was pretty skint after my yarn buying. Plus: no more room in my suitcase! Saturday night we went out for proper American BBQ, which seems to actually mean BBQ ribs. Ben and Ruby happen to know the owners of one of the franchises, so we got great service! The portions are immense, so we were all fixed for Sunday dinner as well!

Sunday was snow-shoeing day, and Ben and Ruby had scraped together clothing and shoes for me (since all my stuff was in shipping boxes, presumably still in Scotland), and we had hired snow shoes. It was about a 1.5 hour drive up into the Rocky Mountain National Park. From there, Ruby, Ben, Carmel and I went on about a 5-6 mile trek through some alpine forest, visiting Nymph Lake, Bear Lake and Bierstadt Lake on the way.

I was to leave the next day, so spent the morning trying to repack everything (+ yarn) and finally decided I would have two cabin bags, which doesn't seem to be a problem for the American authorities (as opposed to the British, who are a bit uptight about it). Ben dropped me off at the airport during his lunch break, so I had about three hours to kill before my short flight to LAX. I amused myself by buying books to read and taking photos of an airport under snow. This was also my first experience with de-icing a plane right before take-off. Since I was sitting right in the tail, I got the full experience!

At LAX, I finally boarded the plane to Melbourne near midnight, but after supper, managed to sleep for much of the 15 hour flight time, waking up with only 4.5 hours to go. Unfortunately, I celebrated too soon. Melbourne was fogged in, and with a maximum weight Boeing 747-400, we didn't have enough fuel to circle Melbourne while the weather cleared. So off the Sydney we went to re-fuel! We sat on the tarmac for about an hour while they refueled. I felt sorry for those people who had subsequent flights from Melbourne to Sydney and weren't allowed to get off the plane! At least I was going in the right direction. By this time the weather in Melbourne had cleared and we landed anyway, but I had missed my connecting flight to Adelaide and the next one. I managed to get a flight for a couple of hours later. By this time I really needed a drink, so off to the bar I went for a G&T. I kind of got distracted by free wine tastings and eventually got suckered into joining a wine club. So, I get a case of wine delivered next week! Yay. All to myself too, since mum and dad will be in New Zealand!

Anyway, that's my trip home. I'm just about over jetlag, which isn't nearly so bad as last year when I came home. The weather is sunny and warm, unlike cold, rainy, dark Dundee. Not had a chance to jump in the pool yet, but I'll let you all know when I do!

Leaving Dundee: the Sunday Lamb Lunch

2008-02-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

So, Louise has blogged on this already, but I thought I should, since the farewell lunch was for, er, me! This involved quite a lot of planning and stocking, since we were expecting about 20 people for lunch. Twenty pounds of Scottish lamb shoulder was ordered from the butchers. A week before, Jamie Oliver had done lamb shoulder for his 'jamie at home' TV series, and (handily) which book I had happened to get as part of my leaving present. So, the night before, Louise and I went on a covert operation to acquire a large amount of rosemary from the huge bush in front of a neighbour's house, and we prepared the lamb for cooking.

Sunday morning was surprisingly un-stressful, but once people started arriving, it was all go with getting drinks and finishing off veg. Louise and Diane had made starters, which I ate too many of. We made the hot mint and caper sauce for the lamb which is part of the Jamie recipe, and which I'm definitely going to make again, it was delicious. Accompanying was pots and pots of smashed veg: potato, carrot and swede, along with peas. The lamb turned out absolutely perfect after 4 hours in the oven. Tasty and falling off the bone.
Various lovely people brought desserts (thanks Jean, Laurence and Iva) and I stuffed myself. With the abundant lovely wine, port and whisky, it was a lovely day and I couldn't have asked for anything better for my last event on Dundee. Thanks to all who came and special thanks to Louise and Barry.

Big Wool Forever 'Green' Tank

2008-01-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

I wanted a quick knitting project to do, and this pattern by Sarah Hatton, which she called Forever Green. I obviously didn't use the green Rowan Big Wool, I used the Smoky colour instead (#07). This was a really great quick project to do, since the Big Wool is exactly that: a bulky wool knitted on 9 and 10mm needles. I love not having to do sleeves! This really only took two days to knit, but another two days to finish off the sewing up. I forgot to take a pic before I washed it. I really want to avoid handwashing (like most people I'm sure), so I just shoved it in the washing machine within a pillowcase on the delicates cycle. I think it shrunk a little, and has a slightly felted appearance, but it actually fits a bit better now! I'm really going to have to invest in a proper 'delicates' washing bag. I'm quite happy with it, am wearing it right now in fact. It's nice and cosy in the winter weather, and is great for fitting under winter coats.

Happy Hogmanay!

2008-01-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

For those who don't know, Hogma nay is the Scottish term for the New Year's Eve. It's origins are probably back in the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. Here in Scotland, a lot of tourists go to the famous Edinburgh Hogmanay, but for the second time during my time here, I went to the (almost) as famous Stonehaven Fireballs Festival. Also pagan in origin, there has been a recent revival in the ceremony, which involves residents of the town of Stonehaven swinging flaming poi. These poi are not the same as you would see in performances by the Maori. These things are massive, hung by chains and swung in a wide arc around the body. The crowd can get very close to the swinging fireballs, such that you can feel the singeing of your eyebrows. We saw one of the police officers in front of us get a small hole burnt in his uniform trousers from the flaming bits of debris!

Christmas Dinner.

2008-01-09T16:05:00.001-08:00

I found myself still in Dundee over Christmas. Since Louise went down to her parents, it was quiet up here, but Barry and myself managed a lovely meaty Christmas dinner. A colleague of Barry's gave him a pheasant (to be found everywhere around here, although often as roadkill!). So for starters, Barry slathered the pheasant in butter and smoked streaky bacon (apparently this game can be quite dry, so you add lots of fat!), seasoned, and roasted in the oven. With it we had wholegrain mustard mashed potatoes (gorgeously creamy), and made a red wine gravy with the lovely sticky bits in the roasting tin. Barry also cooked the obligatory brussell sprouts, although I must admit that I didn't partake. Not a traditional xmas veg for me I'm afraid!

While this was happening, I prepared a half leg of lamb for roasting, making holes in the flesh and poking in slices of garlic and sprigs of fresh rosemary. After roasting, we made another gravy with the lamb bits from the tray. I also made roast carrots and red onions (in with the lamb) and goose-fat roasted potatoes... heaven! We were kind of stuffed by then, but after watching the Dr. Who christmas special (Kylie Minogue guest starring), we were ready for pud. I'm afraid it wasn't homemade christmas pudding, but it was very nice all the same (Tesco's Finest) and fresh egg custard to go with. After that, well, we didn't move from the couch, except to get another glass of good Scottish whisky.

WIP 1: Crocheted bolero

2007-11-13T09:23:00.001-08:00

Well, I decided I needed a project for the plane trip back to Australia (I can't watch movies for 24 hours!). I thought it was very unlikely I would be able to sneak knitting needles onto the plane, but hopefully I'll be able to get a wooden crochet hook on board. So, I've chosen to do the Short 'N Sweet bolero from Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.

What I really wanted was the recommended yarn in the same colour as the red bolero in the book, but I wasn't able to find the yarn, especially in the UK. I had difficulty finding it at all in fact. I was also worried it might not get here in time for me leaving.

However, whilst in Newburgh at Twist Fibre Craft Studio this weekend for our knitting group, I dug through the bargain bin (I love that thing!), I found some lovely Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora for £2 a ball. It's in a pale purple colour, which is not what I had intended, but is ok (Colour 15525). For £10 the lot, it's more than ok!

Initially, I did the tension swatch, which also allowed me to learn the pattern. All seemed good, so I started the medium size. However, by the time I got to the 6th row of the pattern, I realised that it was going to be waaaay, to big (I think I was crocheting a bit looser this time), so I restarted using the small size. All seems to be great now, and it's amazing how quick crocheting is! I've done one pattern repeat for the back, all in a couple of hours. I'm supposed to be saving this for the plane, so I've forced myself to stop now and start my other WIP (see next post!)

Baby blanket number two (also the last for a while!)

2007-11-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

One of my oldest friends (we grew up together) and his wife have had a baby (Congrats Wayne and Vikki). I knew about this prior to the birth, but I was still rather late with the blanket. Oh, well, it's done now and should have just about reached it's new owner (Alice) in Oz by now.

This blanket is very similar to the previous baby blanket I made, except this time I did everything slightly differently.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino Aran - very bright colours from the bargain bin at Twist Fibre Craft

Pattern: Based on the Sudoku blanket, this time using the full size squares in the pattern (although they ended up being 16cm rather than 20cm), and some of the pattern squares from the Sudoku pattern, but I got bored with them (after all, I had done it all once before!). Instead, I used a book Louise had bought: Knitting Stitches by Mary Webb. I picked a few nice patterns from there that looked like they would fit with size etc. In the end, I did 20 squares (4X5), with two colours and 10 different stitch patterns.

I didn't have much yarn left over and I was a bit worried, but it turned out there was enough of the orange (funnily enough, there wasn't any yellow!) left to do a row of chain stitch around the edge, followed by double crochet. It looks a bit bumpy in the pic because I couldn't be bothered blocking it before crushing it in a post bag!

Scarf knitting: one of many

2007-11-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

It's actually been ages since I made this scarf, nearly a year in fact, but finally I've decided to put all my knitting projects on the blog. I made it for Alberto's mum for Christmas ('06).This scarf I made with a yarn I bought in Australia. At the moment I can't remember what on earth it was, but it's fairly similar to Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure, maybe a bit heavier. I will try and find out. Anyway, the pattern was one that Louise had done for her mum and she described it too me over skype while I was home. The pattern was 'Ladder Wrap' from Twist Fibre Craft Studio and is a simple drop stitch pattern and done on large (15mm?) needles.

Cast on 30 stitches (for scarf size, not wrap!)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Cast on 5 sts, bind off the 5 sts (to create a 'bobble'),
knit to end of row
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: YO X3 for each stitch in the row
Row 5: CO 5sts, BO 5sts, knit into 1st loop of each stitch and
let the other 2 drop
Row 6: CO 5sts, BO 5sts, knit to end of row
Row 7: Knit
Repeat Rows 4-7 until scarf/wrap is as long as you want it.
Cast off.
In progress:

I only have one pic of the finished product, with Alberto's mum wearing it on a trip to Yosemite National Park, California.

My first baby blanket (the blanket, not the baby!)

2007-11-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

This blanket is one I made for my friend Nikki's first baby. I bought some lovely yarn from the wonderful Twist Fibre Craft. The yarn was Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in, and the pattern was adapted from the Sudoku blanket pattern from the Essential Home supplement in Simply Knitting (April '07 issue). I liked the colours in this range, and ended up with 7 different colours. Because it was supposed to be a baby blanket, and the Sudoku blanket pattern was intended for a double bed and was enormous, I decided to halve the size of the squares. As this was my first big knitting project, unfortunately I didn't immediately realise that the different stitch patterns that make up the nine different squares of the blanket require different numbers of stitches cast on. That, coupled with having to get the pattern repeats right, made it quite difficult to just halve the square size. But, by a bit of trial and error, I managed (sort of). By the time I blocked the squares, they were more or less the same size.

The sharp eyes may have realised that there is a difference in then placing of the squares between the first and the second pics above. This was because I spent ages creating an illusion of randomness, then 'the boys' (Barry, Andy, Abdallah etc.) managed to mix it all up. The girls at Borders knitting group will remember my agonies at trying to make it all 'random' again. With 9 different patterns and 7 colours, it was not easy to not have two colours or two similar patterns together!
There was a bit of a disaster early on when I managed to lose the pattern book when I took my knitting to Crieff Hydro hotel for a work symposium, but luckily, the lovely ladies at our Borders bookshop knitting group also bought the mag and copied the pattern for me.
The blanket was finished off with a row of double crochet and shells (after starting over about five times because it was too ruffly). Latest report is that baby Alex likes it!

Thought of the day

2007-07-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

"Philosophy is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat.

Metaphysics is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat that isn't there.

Theology is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat that isn't there and shouting 'I found it!'"

Mmmm pasta

2007-07-01T09:53:00.001-07:00

Well, Louise and I are still having fun with her pasta machine. Prior to her birthday, we made filled pasta (ravioli and tortellini) by hand, which was fun, but messy and slow. That day we made three different shapes as Louise had made three different fillings (my favourite: the butternut squash one).

I got her a ravioli tray for her birthday, so yesterday we tried it out. Took us a couple of trays before we worked out the technique, but I was pretty darn impressed with the results. The filling was fantastic too, gorgonzola picante with walnuts with parsely, although the purist Italians might not be impressed!

Fundie freak classic quotes

2007-06-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

"If creationism is not scientific, according to your definition of 'scientific', perhaps your definition of 'scientific' is useless. To me it is, because I'm only interested in the truth (whether that be an old earth or a young earth), not your 'science'.
"

Bruarong, NationStates Forum

Go to fstdt.com. Highly recommended!

Jane and Louise's Birthdays

2007-06-14T03:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the poster for the party that Louise and I held for our birthday's recently which were about a week apart. The poster was made up by our resident design guru, Andy, who has done many of these sorts of things for us.

The party was good, although we were worried about the weather as it was blowing a gale in the morning. Luckily, the wind died just as we lit the bbq.

The whole 'Cake-off' thing was Andy's idea. In the end, Louise and I made 4 cakes which pretty much all disappeared by the end of the night!

Bad lightning

2007-06-14T03:21:00.000-07:00

Not much being added at the moment because most of my pics and things are on my other computer. Our wireless internet at home is out of action because of lightning that hit the house or very near and blew the fuse. Scared the life out of all of us with the bang. Also, something happened to the satellite dish, and we have no TV! Anyone who knows me will realise this is a disaster! We tried to watch a DVD last night instead and discovered that the DVD player fuse had also gone. So, Louise and I went back to the knitting....

Poor Mishka

2007-06-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

My mum emailed a little while ago to say that my lovely dog Mishka died of old age. She had a good run and I'm glad she's not suffering anymore. Here is a pic of her talking with me.

2007-06-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is my second attempt at setting up a blog. I wasn't happy with the name of the first blog, but luckily Louise came up with this suggestion. So here goes again....