Monday, December 31, 2007

What have we been making?

Yesterday, Zoe started making a Miss Buttons, from a kit she was given for Christmas. We'll see how she goes.

We made lots of things for Christmas gifts - Christmas rabbits for neighbours and bags for friends. I made a fantastic pencil roll (a bit like a jewellery roll) for my niece and one for Zoe's teacher, the fabulous Ms Hocking. The pattern came from Joelle Hoverson's "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts". They look divine - but, sorry, no pictures. Next time!

Greg has been working hard in the garden - in spite of the heat and the drought. We have to water with buckets from our shower. We've learnt a lot about the environment as a result of this drought.
As you can see, this is our first post. We want to use this blog to record what we are reading, making, seeing and doing.

It is New Year's Eve and the temperature is heading towards 42 degrees celsius. We are trying to stay cool! We think we will head to the dity to see the fireworks tonight.

I have just finished reading Anne Bronte's "Tenant of Wildfell Hall" and Kerry Greenwood's "A Question of Death". Bronte's novel is wonderful - an exploration of the position of women in 1827, their roles in society and their rights in marriage (or lack of!). It is fascinating but needed better editing. At one stage, a character rips some pages from a journal and gives them to another character to read. The reprinting of these journal pages goes on for about 200 pages! Also, I can't really see why Helen Huntingdon would fall in love with Gilbert Markham. After hitting her brother over the head and leaving him in a ditch, has he proven himself to be any more worthy of her than the disgusting Huntingdon?

The Greenwood, by contrast, is a lovely bit of light holiday reading. It is comprised of short stories featuring the wonderful Phryne Fisher. If you love to read about the adventures of a charming, intelligent, stylish and witty female detective, or historical fiction set in Melbourne in the 1920's, this it the series for you. Start with "Cocaine Blues". Loved "Muder on the Ballarat Train" and "Death Before Wicket". This most recent book has a character with my brother's name - see if you can find it.

Greg is reading "Strange Blooms" by Jennifer Potter. He says it is fascinating but overly detailed. He says he will continue to plough through.

Zoe is currently reading "The Austere Academy" by Lemony Snickett. She has just finished "Frognapped" by Angie Sage. Last night, I finished reading "The Castle of Mirrors" by Jenny Nimmo, the foruth in the Charlie Bone series. We loved it! It's a magical, mystery novel with great characters. Can't wait to start the next one. Wonder if Dymocks has it.

Went to see "Atonement" last night. Excellent! I read the novel a few weeks ago and thought it was a brilliant exploration of how life cna hinge on a decision, and the result of a very foolish girl's interpretation of something she has seen. The film is an excellent adaptation of the novel, with brilliant acting and gorgeous photography. The country house is beautiful and the scene on the beach in France is profoundly moving. You will remember this film!

Explored some of Melbourne's laneways on Thursday. Found all sorts of interesting shops and cafes. I am trying to load a slideshow onto this blog. We'll see how it goes.

Cheers!

First Post

As you can see, this is our first post. We want to use this blog to keep track of the books we are reading, the things we are making, where we go and what we are doing. We are all on holidays, and the weather is heading towards 42 degrees celsius. Planning on seeing the fireworks tonight for New Year's Eve.


Have just finished reading Kerry Greenwood's "A Question of Death" and am trying to decide what to read next. Zoe is reading Lemony Snicket's "The Austere Academy" and has just finished "Frognapped" by Angie Sage. Greg is ploughing through "Strange Blooms" by Jennifer Potter. He says it is rather long and more detailed than necessary but an interesting read. Loved the Greenwood - if you enjoy charming, stylish, female detectives with humour and intelligence, or historical fiction set in Melbourne, you would love Greenwood's "Phryne Fisher" novels. Start with "Cocaine Blues" and go from there. Loved "Death Before Wicket" and "Murder on the Ballarat Train". This most recent one is a collection of short stories and snippets about Phryne. And it has a character with my brother's name - see if you can find it.

Just finished reading the fourth Charlie Bone book to Zoe - "The Castle of Mirrors" by Jenny Nimmo. Terrific adventure novel with magic and mystery. Great characters. Can't wait to start the next one - wonder if Dymocks has it in?




Zoe started making a Miss Buttons doll yesterday. We'll see how it goes. We made little Christmas rabbits for neighbours and some gorgoeus shoulder bags for friends. Found the most wonderful pencil roll and made one for my niece and one for Zoe's teacher - the wonderful Ms Hocking. The pattern is in "Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson.


Went exploring in the lanes of Melbourne on December 27. Found all sorts of great shops and cafes. I'm trying to create a slideshow of images to go with this posting. Hope it works!


Cheers!