Just a minute ... in October (Blogtoberfest day 31)

I am joining in with Jenaveve's Just a minute meme, where we take a few moments to recall what we've been doing during the month. So, this October I have been ...

Snapping ...

... an electrical storm. These pictures were taken late last night as the most fantastic storm passed over Melbourne. I stuck the camera out of the window (in the pouring rain) and click-click-clicked for nearly half an hour until I finally captured two strikes. I've never captured lightening before ... and judging by my reflexes I may never do it again!



Watching ...

... a television program called Man versus wild.

Each week, this Discovery Channel program follows adventurer, presenter and Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, as he deliberately strands himself in a remote location and then demonstrates localised survival techniques. Its a fascinating and fabulous show (with the possible exception of gratuitous close-ups of Bear tucking into a meal of wriggling spiders and insects). I now feel perfectly equipped to swim out of the Florida Everglades (avoiding the 'gators) should I find myself lost there.

Growing ...

... flowers and vegetables. Every spring I go a little silly and plant lots of things. Every summer I examine the poor shrivelled, brown vegetation that remains and think I shouldn't be allowed to keep plants. (see: the carrot incident, by way of example)

We have had quite a bit of rain in the last four weeks, so this month I can happily report that I am growing green, leafy heirloom tomatoes, butter lettuces, rocket, peas, plums, limes and strawberries. There are flowers on the strawberries, limes, tomatoes and some fruit set on the plum tree. I am not expecting any of them to survive.



Planning ...

... to open a very small online shop. But more on that later ... always best not to say too much ... just in case it doesn't happen. Me and my grand plans don't have a good track record. Why else would I still have 40 metres of corduroy in my stash?

Thanking ...

... the very talented and inspirational Cathy from Tinniegirl. A big hug and a kiss to you for hosting Blogtoberfest. Its been fun - and a bit challenging - writing one blog post a day for the month. Its been a lovely opportunity to discover some new and fabulous blogs. Props to the gorgeous Cam from Curlypops too for being the perfect barrel girl and keeping the huge list of giveaways and competitions. (Oooh, and don't forget, that if you would like to win a sticker maker, that I am have a Blogtoberfest giveaway. )


Thank you also to Jenaveve for hosting Just a minute. To see who else is playing along head over to her delightful blog, August Street.

Would you like a Xyron sticker maker? (Blogtoberfest day 30)

If the answer is yes ... leave a comment to be in a draw for this Xyron 1.5" Create-a-sticker machine. The refillable gadget comes with a 20-ft (6.1 metre) cartridge of adhesive.You can use it to make stickers from paper, ribbon, fabric, metal, vellum and more. Its a lot of fun!

Make sure you leave your name and a way for me to contact you and I will draw the winner's name on Tuesday 3 November at 6:00pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Don't be shy - you don't need to be a regular reader and I am happy to post world-wide.

The party (Blogtoberfest day 24)

We had wee party today.



There were sparkly hats.



And painted faces.



And jellies with a cherry on top.



Hip-hip-hooray!

The forecast (Blogtoberfest day 23)

A ridge of pressure has been gradually moving in today, with a period of very high activity expected by tomorrow morning. A local alert has been issued for rising panic and possible strong exasperation.

The long range outlook is for calmer conditions and a 3rd birthday cake in the shape of a castle.

The definition of optimism (Blogtoberfest day 19)

The definition of optimism is ...



... "the tendency to anticipate the best possible outcome" ...



... or put another way ...



... flying in the face of facts and cutting a jolly big hole in the door.

Today's entertainment courtesy of Mr Hoppo Bumpo and our adopted cat, who refuses to use the lovely cushion or cat house that Mr HB bought her.

Looking for the proverbial (Blogtoberfest day 17)

Taken last Sunday, outside the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne, following a bit of shopping at CraftExpo. The pot of gold would have come in handy.

My creative space (Blogtoberfest day 15)

I am joining in with Thursday's My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

Clockwise from bottom:

• Party invitation idea
  


• Gocco screen
  


• Paper trimmer (bearing same mysterious red dot stickers as our cat)
  


• Paper folding gadgets - scoring blade for trimmer and brand spanking new, ridiculously single-purposed Martha Stewart paper folder/ smoother thingy (shhhh, nobody let Mr Hoppo Bumpo know)
  


• Water colour paper
  


• Water colour pencils in shades of red and fine brush

This week craft goes mostly functional and a little tiny bit experimental.

Bargy's 3rd birthday party is soon - very soon - and I have yet to send invitations. So today's fantasy involves creating something beautiful using dreamy red watercolours and a black Gocco print. I have no idea if layering a Gocco print over water colour will work.

Perhaps tomorrow's reality see party details sent by text message?

Thank you very much Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space. Its great fun seeing what everyone is doing. To see who else is showing their creative space (or to join in), head over here.

Noxious (Blogtoberfest day 14)

Only at Chez Hoppo Bumpo, would we discover ...



... that the prettiest plant in the garden is considered in some parts ...



... to be a weed; an alien invader; a garden thug ...



... and that its botanical name is allegedly derived from a Greek word meaning ...



.... bird poo.

These delightful facts brought to you as part of Tinniegirl's Blogtoberfest - a post a day in October.

Stand-back-and-throw: Lassie soup (Blogtoberfest day 13)

Lassie Come Home is the story of a beautiful white collie. Sadly Lassie's owners fell on hard times and had to sell her. The poor collie went to pieces.



But after taking stock, she planned an escape - she would make the journey.



It would have been difficult even for the most seasoned traveller.



Lassie faced many perils along the way, but never ran out of steam.



She was a tenacious collie; telling herself, ricotta keep going, ricotta keep going.



Finally Lassie was reunited with her family. She blended right back in. What a souper ending.



For an easy and delicious stand-back-and-throw Lassie soup, cut one washed cauliflower into florets. Place in a large pan and partly cover with stock. Season with a little nutmeg. Cook until the cauliflower falls apart. Add a tub of ricotta and blend until smooth.

An afternoon of arts and crafts ... or how my children are acing business school (Blogtoberfest day 9)

Hello girls and boys. Welcome back to Business School for Shrewd Preschoolers. Today we will be continuing with the topic of delegation.

As you know children, successful delegation is the handing over of both the responsibility and authority for completing a particular task. Let's see how much you remember.

Let's say Argy and Bargy's mummy has set up a table of art and craft. There are some large sheets of paper that need to be drawn on. What should Argy and Bargy do after 10 minutes of polite scribbling?

That's right. They should say: "Mum can yooooou draw a picture? Can you? Can you?". This is rule #1: Delegate the whole task to one person.

Now what should they do next?

Correct; it is best if they say: "We want a picture of a teddy. Oh, go on. Please Mum. Pleeeeeeaaaase. In orange. And blue." This is rule #2: Clearly specify your preferred results.

And finally?

Very good, yes. Rule #3 is Don't hover; independence is important.

Once their mummy is fully engaged in the task, Argy and Bargy should clear off.

She should be left to draw quietly until such time that she realises that a pleasant afternoon of arts-and-crafts has turned into someone-drew-with-orange-crayon-on-their-bedroom-wall and how-did-the-cat's-drinking-water-end-up-on-your-brother.


Next week: Managing upwards - how to make your parents do what you want.

Brought to you as part of Tinniegirl's Blogtoberfest - a post a day in October.

My creative space (Blogtoberfest day 8)

I am joining in with Thursday's My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

Clockwise from left:

• Medium weight denim
  
• Chocolate grosgrain ribbon stitched in place
  
• Start of some (wobbly) hand-stitching in cream
  
• Ribbon scraps and petersham rosettes, awaiting placement

Welcome to the House of Hoppo Bumpo, home of the slipshod garment.

This week I present to you the makings of a skirt. I've traced the pattern from another well-worn A-line skirt. It is cut from two pieces, has a facing rather than a waistband, darts at the back and a side zipper. The shape is strangely wobbly - possibly mirroring my body shape.

The fabric and ribbon embellishments are bargain basement bits and pieces from the stash. The embroidery in progress is dodgy.

And I guess sitting on the floor to sew is a bit questionable? But as they say: a numb bottom and crooked seams are a small price to pay for a good view of the television.

Thank you very much Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space. Its great fun seeing what everyone is doing. To see who else is showing their creative space (or to join in), head over here.

Eye spy ... my front door (Blogtoberfest day 4)

I am playing along with Bug and Pop's lovely "Eye Spy" each Sunday. This week's theme is from the delightful Karin of The Mrs. She has asked us to show our front door.

So here is mine.

On the outside you can see the nice screen door we had made when we moved in. I asked for the door handle to be raised above the standard height ... to prevent our two little boys escaping.

With the benefit of hindsight (and two long, rainy weeks of school holidays), I now see this was a mistake.

It has meant that I have had to leave a step ladder at the door. You know ... right next to the packed suitcase and the two Greyhound bus tickets.

Thank you to Cindy for hosting Eye Spy and to Karin for the theme. To discover other doors, head over here. (This post brought to you as part of Tinniegirl's Blogtoberfest - a post a day in October.)