lower snug update

Last weekend I visited my block of land for the first time since I got back to Tas with my brother, brother inlaw inlaw and niece inlaw..... it was morning and damp so luckily Jem (4 years) had on her lovely gumboots.

The surveyors had been there to do the first mark up of where the house will be on the land, so we went to check it out.  Yes things have started!  I have council and bank approval and Andrew is making all the arrangements for first stages - excavation, a bit of tree felling (for safety), ordering a water tank (red).  I've been looking at sheds (why hire storage when you can build a shed for the same price), and colour bond colours.  so much to think about, plan, sort out.  Plus I really need to get some more work soon so I have enough money to stay on top of the mortgage as it grows in the coming months.... All will work out i'm sure.

my little house and place for carport at the top of the hill of my land.

house will fill this space (well most of the right side of it) - watch it!

up that way

more soon!

pieces for peoples i love

i've been playing catch up with birthdays from the first half of the year and trying (and failing) to stay on top of all the current ones.  but hopefully when the parcels finally arrive they are worth the wait.

I love making things especially for friends, choosing the project, colours, and style just for them and taking the time to make it just perfect, even if that means unpicking or unravelling a little to do it again just right, i never mind.

A pretty reversible apron for the 30th birthday of Alice (Queen of Cupcakes)
pattern by sew liberated!

plus and pretty curly scarf - because she deserves to be spoilt

crochet hand cuffs

and a scarf for April the best sister (iL)

my first attempt at a hat for the gorgeous Emila (19months)

Some more hand cuffs for the brilliant Jac

and a special beanie for Jac and Josie's gorgeous Marty Roo (1 year!)

who rarely is still! ;-)

As I'm housesitting a fair bit at the moment the crochet is more portable, and can be done in front of the TV, or movie on the computer, even in bed, making crochet my favourite winter creative indulgence.  and there is many more special people to make for!

My Fern Tree Morning

I am house sitting in Fern Tree,  house on the hill with a view of the world, stone walls and an open fireplace. This is what i woke to this morning.

the universe is smiling on me today.

special things about living with my nephews

It has been awhile, it has been very busy and lots of different things happening every day and every week.  Schools back so there is some routines in place,  but my world is still full of changes.

Here are some of the lovely things that have been part of my world lately...

Pancakes for breakfast

playdough

creation

the cubby in the backyard

lots of cooking, Chocolate brownies with Kahlua soaked prunes; Chocolate, sultana & oats biscuits; potato and leek soup; lentil & chorizo soup; apple crumble.

sewing, crochet, six feet under & catch ups with old friends.

Life is good - hope yours is too

the way to work and back

Just over a week in Tasmania and I've had 3 days at my new job.  I've been finding all day parking in Battery Point and walking down to Salamanca which takes about 10 mins depending on how far away I fond a park.  Yesterday I parked in St Georges Tce, outside the house I used to have a flat in just before I left Tassie 9 years ago!

I've been loving my walk to work, indulging in all the wonderful buildings and views that I used to take for granted.  We've been having crisp sunny days in Hobart which remind me of the autumn days I had in Toronto last October.  Many of the autumn leaves are still hanging in there splashing the streets with colour.

a snapshot of my travels

awesome bakery - yummy chocolate brioche yesterday - mmmmm

Kelly's Steps down to Salamanca

our office back door is the second from top on the fire escape

turning out of Kelly's Lane to Salamanca Place

In and up the stairs!

and up

stop for a coffee first at Tricycle!

peek into the gallery on the way to the bathroom

back to the office

back up the steps at the end of the day

nearly all the snow on the mountain has melted

so cute

need a house guest??

a car park with a view

It is such a different landscape to the Riverland (which I miss actually) but I am loving seeing so much water of the Derwent Harbour and views all round.

My love affair with Tasmania is alive and well.

cooking with helpers

Yesterday was my first full day with my nephews J & C since I moved in three days ago.  We did lots of cooking and cleaning (and TV watching) and they got in some scootering too.

We made pumpkin and sweet potato soup and the boys peeled the carrots and sweet potatoes

we cooked zucchini and tomato and cheese muffins for lunch and there was much grating and mixing and spooning to be shared, and the tomatoes were from Gran's garden, the last picked for the season...

and we made dinosaur gingerbread - measure, mix and cut

April has a special sifter - just like one Alice and I were looking for in the Barossa!

and then I finished the day making chicken and corn pie for dinner.

Jules in the Riverland

When I first moved to the Riverland in January 2007 I started a blog.  But I wasn't very good at keeping it - got a bit distracted my my fabulous job.

Now I have left the beautiful people and place that have been home for the last three plus years and have spent my first night in melbourne on my road trip to tas. And I want to take stock of at least my photographic memories....

In no particular order

 

back to Renmark

 

Street Light for Houseboats at Customs House

Headings Cliffs

Chasing sunset at the end of 21st street

Cobdogola vineyard

home sweet home

yes I lived here for two years

on my street

Lake Bonney

another trip to headings cliffs

Murray River from the houseboat

Monash Playground

swimming at Jane Eliza

Balloon Fiesta - Lights Up

Just a glimpse of the wonderful things I experienced while living in SA.  Of course most of my happiest memories were with the kids at RYT - but no photos of them here.

jxo