A crazy Wednesday comment and a few cute farmers

If you haven't already heard, apparently Paris Hilton thinks that her life's work is done. Ah... hello.... seriously?

I was just having a little read of The Age online and I read this ridiculous article. You can check it out here.

As one of the comments states,

Now that she has the important stuff out the way, maybe she can move on to trying to find the cure for cancer.

I mean really, that girl needs to think a bit more before letting words come out of her mouth.

Anyhoo, that's the most exciting piece of news with me on this Wednesday afternoon (I nearly wrote Tuesday then, this week is going by really quickly!) I am looking forward to some knitting time tonight while catching up on the latest action on 'The Farmer Wants a Wife'. I was asked today which Farmer is my favourite; I'm quite fond of Farmer Ben, but really I think they're all pretty lovely. Gotta love a good country boy!

So, as they say in the country (and sometimes in the city), hooroo for now.

A weekend in Sydney

Many things happened over my lovely Sydney weekend. Here are a few of them:

• I ate dumplings. You can read about that here.
• I had brunch at Four Ate Five (a really cool place in Surry Hills, which reminded me of Egg in Brooklyn, NYC. Egg has the best grits and bicuits; super yummy).
• I went to MCA and saw the Annie Leibovitz photography exhibition.
• I drank Pimms and quite a few glasses of Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc.
• I watched 'W' and thought it was pretty interesting. Good ol' Dubya sure was an interesting character!
• I did lots of walking around with my sis and her man; they're trying to find a place to live in Sydney. Man, that sure seems like a tricky (and expensive) business.
• I ate Nepalese food (I think for the first time) and I really liked it.
• I had another brunch at Kawa in Surry Hills.
• I knitted quite a lot of the LHS front of my cream cardy (nearly finished that piece!)
• I caught a few buses.
• I took a plane ride.
• I got home and had a snooze.

I hope your weekend was as fun filled as mine.

The world's tastiest dumplings

If you want dumplings in Sydney, apparently this is the place to go for, 'the world's tastiest dumplings'; Din Tai Fung @ World Square (well this is what it says on their website!) My small bit of research also told me that the good folks at Urban Spoon agreed with this assessment and I also found a SMH article where Din Tai Fung was described as 'dumpling heaven'.

So was it actually that good?

Yes. It. Was.

I've already been to Din Tai Fung a few times, thanks to my lovely Sydney friend from work and each time I breathe in the food as it's so scrumptious. I especially enjoyed the prawn & pork dumplings; tasty, tasty, tasty.

So after a delicious dumpling dinner, my sister popped back to my hotel room with me and we watched Grey's Anatomy; I've rediscovered this show this year and am really enjoying it. My sis had already seen the episode as she's been living in the States, but she stuck it out and we watched, chatted and ate chocolate together. Oh, and I knitted a few rows of my cream cardy (of course!)

So when in Sydney and in need of dumplings you should head here:
Din Tai Fung, World Square, 644 George St, Sydney. Mmmmmmm.

When in New York

Confession; whenever someone asks me what my fave city is, the answer has always been immediate and consistent; Paris. What's not to love about the City of Light; wide boulevards, a boulangerie around every corner, Louis Vuitton, La Tour Eiffel, the Metro, so many museums and galleries (the big ones of course, but then also the smaller suprise packages; Musee Orangerie, the Rodin Museum...)

But last year I revisited NYC and remembered Paris' rival for my affection. Now when asked the question about my fave city, I'll have to think a little and maybe, just maybe, I'll betray my love affair and change my answer to NYC. Well, she's pretty special, so I'll forgive my infidelity.

Anyhoo... where I'm going with all of this rambling is that on my recent weekend away, I read an article in the Qantas magazine about restaurants in NYC. Normally when I read something like this I goo and gaa at the exotic meal the reviewer had and wonder if I'll ever be the kind of person to dine in such a place. Well, just this once I read a review of an awesome establishment that I had eaten in; The Spotted Pig, located in the West Village. My clever sister and her husband took us to this very funky gastropub just around the corner from where they were living. We had a great dinner in the pig decorated restaurant (pictures, figurines, ornaments... seriously, they were everywhere!); the burgers were so amazingly delicious and the shoestring fries were a curly mass of excitement on my plate.

So if you're ever in the neighborhood, pop in for a bite to eat. You'll find The Spotted Pig here:

You can also check out their website.

Also, forgot to mention that they have received 5 Michelin stars. I'm not a huge foodie; but even I know that this means it's good!

The Spotted Pig, 314 West 11th St @ Greenwich St, NYC.

There's no motivation like...

A new project to help you finish a current project!

I had my regular knitting and coffee session with my favourite friend yesterday and I spent some time flicking through some of her lovely pattern books. Well, I found this gorgeous, nostalgic sweater pattern, which I just could not get enough of. It's very 40's, has a lovely lace pattern (sounds bad but it's actually nice!) and will be very wearable over the cold Melbourne winter. I'll have to hunt down a picture just to show you how delectable it is.

So with my knitting taste-buds watering at the thought of this new project; I envoked my knitting rule... must finish current big project before beginning new one (mind you, I have broken this rule on occassion, but this time I'm determined). It does help that I'm still excited about said current project though; a lightweight spring/autumn cardy in a lovely cream colour (again with a lace pattern). I've finished the back and have made a good start on the left front; now just the right front and sleeves to go... hmmm, that's still a fair bit.

It's already looking like it will be quite sweet, so I'm sure I can muster the motivation to complete her (must complete before buying more yarn, must complete before buying more yarn).

Things I like on this Friday

I like this song by Little Red.
I like the new Triple J Hottest 100 CD and want to buy it this weekend.
I like this chocolate cake; I just made it and it's super delicious.

I like these awesome wallpaper images for your computer, from Frankie Magazine. Seriously, download one, it will make your work day so much happier.
I also like Frankie Magazine a whole lot.









I like sleeping in on Saturday mornings.
I like it that my local library has re-opened after being closed for months for renovations.
I liked the movie 'Conviction'; I saw it a couple of weekends ago and it was really good. Go see it.
I like a nice glass of Savvy B.
I like it that I get to go to bed now, read a great book ('Julie and Julia') and get some zzzz's.

Committed

So we've probably all read, 'Eat, Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert, but how many of us have read the follow up book, 'Committed'?

Well, I have and I loved, loved, loved it. It's the journey that came after Italy, India and Indonesia and explores the history of marriage; how it came to be, how different cultures experience it and what it means to us modern-folk today.

One point that really stuck with me comes from chapter 2 when Liz spends time with a group of Hmong women. These are simple, rural women; they expect little from life and have none of the luxuries or complications of the western world (are the better or worse off in life?). Liz asks one of the women if her man is a good husband. The woman is confused and asks the translator to repeat themselves. Her answer was this;

Her husband was neither a good husband nor a bad husband. He was just a husband. That's the way husbands are.

OK, this is interesting. As Liz states, the woman talks about the role of 'husband' like it's a 'job description'. Hmmm a little different to how we 2011 people view things me-thinks. So then I put that example against this quote from a few pages on:

We Americans (and yes I think we can be included here) often say that marriage is hard work. I'm not sure the Hmong would understand this notion. Life is hard work, of course and work is hard work, but how does marriage become hard work? Here's how: Marriage becomes hard work once you have poured the entirety of your life's expectations for happiness into the hands of one mere person. Keeping that going is hard work.

One of my personal goals is to never fall into this thinking; I need to be responsible for my happiness (or unhappiness as the case may be). Certainly I need my man to care about my happiness and to encourage it; but it's MINE and I own it. He's just a man, not superman! I have my own interests, friends and lovely interesting things to do. Of course, we have shared interests and things we like to do together, but not everything, ALL the time.
What do you think; am I nutty or hitting the mark? We've been married 3 years this year, so hopefully I'm onto something... Well, maybe check in with me in 30 years and we'll see!

The quotes in this post are from, "Committed' by Elizabeth Gilbert, 2010. You can read more about the book here.

Margaret River Weekend

I'm back home (but am unfortunately under the weather) after a lovely weekend in Margaret River, W.A. Many a wine was tasted and many kilometres were driven. Here's my highlights package:

In knitting news, the Frilly Scarf from KnitKnit (please check out their website!) is going well; I think I'm past the halfway point. It's really quick and easy to knit. Just what I need today at home on the couch, feeling off colour and watching 'Love My Way'. Makes being sick just a little bit better.

Until next time.

A Tale of Two Cities

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...

A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens.

At the airport this morning I had some time to kill, so I partook in mandatory airport shopping; the book store. I saw this lovely NEW edition of 'A Tale of Two Cities' & 'Great Expectations' bound together in this delicious paperback.

I have read these 2 books before and I actually already have copies of them both; but I just couldn't resist this beautifully bound baby! I got stuck into 'A Tale of Two Cities' on the plane and was transported back to Year 11 English in an instant. Althought, I have a much greater appreciation for the tale now; having travelled to both Paris and London, but particuarly I can appreciate the Paris elements of the novel. Dickens depicts the 'Reign of Terror' in a captivating style. Having been to streets in Paris where the guillotine was used and even seeing a blade from one, gave me a closer connection to the tale of Doctor Manette, Lucie, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. Imaging for a minute that you had to experience life in this era... For me, it's another simple reminder of how lucky we are and of how much we have.

But my actual 'Tale of Two Cities' for this weekend is the Melbourne to Perth tale. I arrived this afternoon and have already been to a Perth favourite; King's Park for an early evening walk and picnic dinner. Tomorrow will be all about sparkling whites and the beauty of the Margaret River region.

A New Project

I read about these cute little packages over at Foxs Lane which you can check out here. And I JUST had to have one to try for myself!

If you're interested in learning to knit, then boy-oh-boy is this a super cute and easy way to do it! My KnitKnit 'Frilly Scarf' package (including yarn, knitting needles, instructions, wool needle and a lovely calico bag to carry your project in) only set me back $30. Take a minute to check out the KnitKnit website for yourself.

I've already started my scarf (which is much more fun than finishing something I'm already working on!) and I'll be sure to post a couple of updates on my progress.

Isn's this the loveliest little collection of knitting loveliness?

In other news, I'm packing my bag and getting myself organised for my extra-long weekend in Perth. I'm super excited! Maybe more-so about having a couple of days away from the office; which is always a nice thing. Sometimes work can be so draining; I really appreciate the times when I can get away and recharge my batteries. So... no checking emails on Blackberry and no thinking about work for the next 5 days. Sounds like a plan, Stan.

Rambling to Perth

I'm getting all excited about my upcoming ramble over to the biggest state; Western Australia. The last time I was fleetingly there I had a ball with my little bro and his lovely wife. Here are a few things that we saw:

This time we're venturing even further and I'll be sampling the delights of the Margaret River region. I'm looking forward to sampling a drop or two at Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate and hopefully a few others... suggestions welcome!

Cheers!

# 5 - What I'm Knitting

This beautiful moss stitch scarf in Rowan Kid Classic (Lambswool and Kid Mohair). It's so soft and luverly.

I just finished these for a gift. Even if I do say so myself, they are so sweet! (And a great way to use up that last bit of yarn).

Rafters and knitting is on the cards for tonight!

#4 - Peggy

I think she's so sweet; but I wish she could work in today's workplace.

# 3 - Tuesday Morning & International Women's Day

It was an interesting start to the morning when I lazily turned over in bed and wondered whether it was nearly time to get up. I reached for my phone and, GASP, it was 7.15am. My alarm was a no-show.

So I was running late. Traffic was terrible and I saw a car accident (a little white Audi went 'crunch' and a 'suit' went troppo).

I finally made it to the office and had a coffee from here The coffee helped. A. Lot.

Anyhoo; if these are my problems, then life is pretty good for me. And it's a good day to reflect on what I have, especially compared to my fore-mothers, or Suffragettes. Today is International Women's Day, as you've probably already heard. You can take a peep at their website here. There's also a link here to some of my recent TV viewing; I've just watched Season 1 of 'Mad Men'. I've been amazed at what the workplace was like for the women depicted in the series; poor Peggy is gawked at by every man in the office and then made fun of when she creates a great copy. Imagine if any of that carry-on happened at work today! Thank goodness that we have progressed such a long way in our equal employment practices.

On the flip side though, there are still too many examples of inequality in today's workplace. In HR Daily today, I read the following

Until recently, the representation of women in the senior executive and board ranks of Australia's top companies was "world's worst practice"

You can read the article here

So, for me, while we sure have come a long, long way... there's still more to be done. I'm sure you'd agree.

#2

I love this exchange of words; I wish I always carried yarn.

#1

How to start a blog. Seeing as this is my first attempt, I have no idea.  Maybe I'll just start with a list of what I have been up to in the last few days:

• I baked a chocolate cake
• I took M-dog for a lovely long walk in the Melbourne sun yesterday; our last hurrah for Summer me-thinks
• I knitted some of my lovely moss stitch scarf
• I made a yummy oven baked pumpkin and chicken risotto (I don't normally cook, so you must appreciate that this was a mighty effort!)
• I sewed together some little garter stitch squares, which will in time make a lovely little baby blanket (no, not for me...)
• I took the train to work; I need to get more credit on my Myki (that always gets away from me...)
• I started this blog

Phew. That's #1. Done.