autumn snapshot

reading :: Ransom by David Malouf. A great take on the most interesting chapter in The Iliad. A journey into the minds of Achilles and Priam, and Idaeus, quite unlike the original which does not dwell on any of the characters' interior lives. The ultimate fan fiction. Loved it.

listening [in the car] :: my very first Georgette Heyer experience. Devil's Cub. Someone said Heyer's books are like Mills and Boon romances - not true! There is nary a swelling bosom* in sight let alone a throbbing anything thankyouverymuch, plus the menfolk wear lace and rouge to boot. It's far more reminiscent of Jane Austen with its sly humour and sarcasm, and misunderstood young ladies of modest means who nevertheless are of aristocratic ancestry and are thus entirely worthy of the noble rakes against whose attractions they struggle. The narrator of this audiobook is particularly wonderful at voices and accents (and sly humour). A pleasure.

*Update, Saturday. Just dropped off a child at soccer and on the way home listened to 5 more minutes. Heard "Juliana's bosom swelled [...]" however it was in indignation rather than anything else so points there.

knitting :: a charcoal tweedy cardigan and a luscious blue patterned yoke cardigan. One at work and one at home. Both about two thirds completed.

crocheting :: a giant granny square rug omg I am addicted and cannot stop

ignoring :: the sewing together of the 90 black edged crochet squares into an afghan rug

eating :: fabulous organic hot cross buns from the school fundraiser

drinking :: a cleanskin merlot which is going down quite nicely on a Friday night

enjoying :: the end of term Easter celebration at Son #3's school - singing, hot cross buns and fruit, school strings group playing in the vegie garden in the early morning autumn light

planning :: June craft weekend, only eight weeks away

hoping :: to see Never Let Me Go at the cinema sometime this weekend

baking :: orange cake from Cookery the Strayan Way and bread from the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day website (it took longer than 5 minutes)

working :: nuff said

studying :: narratives of war throughout the ages

fighting :: the good fight. Still. Sigh.

despairing :: men behaving badly

singing :: Yuki, Yuki baby ... when I get home from work and want a cuddle from the badcat (to the tune of 'Jamie Baby', from Truly Madly Deeply)

drying :: herbs from my garden for soap making


L to R lemon thyme, common garden thyme, rosemary, lemon verbena.