My blog is 1 year old today!

Mum and Dad rustled up a photo of me with the correct number of candles:

(actually my christening photo, shhh...)

This was my first post on my then-brand-new blog: Adventures in cardigan knitting. My Dad (a veteran gardening blogger) helped me set it all up.

I've since finished two cardigans (nearly!), lots of smaller knitting and crochet projects, seven new designs, and two revisions of older designs. I've moved to a new country, and seen koalas and lots of new birds. I've sung in a few concerts, joined a new choir, and attended the opera twice!

It's been a very eventful year. Blogging has been excellent for keeping my writing skills in use, giving me a record of my projects and thoughts, and most of all, for keeping my family and friends back in New Zealand up to date with my doings. Here's to all the adventures to come. :)

The end is in sight!

I finally got back to work on my green Cria cardigan, which has been languishing in its project bag since December while I worked on other things. I've been powering through the 'body' of it for the last week or so, making the most of the motivation while it lasts.

Crafter's chaos!

I have another few inches to go before binding off the hem, and then I'll just need to knit the pocket inners and sleeve cuffs, find some buttons, and I'll be done! I decided to go with short sleeves in the end, because they're just so cute. If all goes well, I'll finish just in time for autumn-cardigan weather. :)

Trying it on to check the fit (several inches of knitting ago)...

...And trying it on again today. I still adore the colour!

My '3D' crocheted blanket has also grown bigger, but I'm taking a break from it right now while I get the cardie done. I still have a couple more rows of squares and a border to go.

My squares are kinda wonky, but blocking will sort it out. :)

Icy goodness

Inspired by Melissa of tiny happy, I bought some ice-block moulds and am amusing myself coming up with flavours. I'm keen to try her Piña Colada combo, next time the moulds are free!

Here are two mini 'recipes' of my own. I found they weren't overly sweet (which suits me), but you might want to add more sugar if you have a sweet tooth. Each recipe makes enough for 6 ice-blocks.

Apple Cinnamon
1 tin apple slices/chunks (unsweetened)
1/2 cup apple juice
1 Tbsp brown sugar (or more, to taste)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Coconut Rough
1 cup milk 
1/2 tin coconut cream
2 Tbsp drinking chocolate powder (or more, to taste)

Instructions: Whizz all ingredients in a blender, pour into ice-block moulds (leaving 1/2 inch at the top for expansion). Freeze for 4 hours.

Now if only I could figure out how to eat them without getting drips down my front... Obviously I have not yet outgrown the need for a bib. :p

Educational ear candy

If you're at all interested in music history, the BBC's 'Sacred Music' (2008) is an excellent documentary series, and it's all available on YouTube. It's nicely in-depth, and best of all, the musical examples are sung by The Sixteen, an awesome and very experienced early music choir.

The first series covers Medieval chant and organum through to Bach's cantatas and passions. It's great to watch for the music alone! There's also a second series which covers later music, which is on my to-watch list.
We're really enjoying our documentaries at the moment. :)

Episode 1: The Gothic Revolution

Episode 2: Palestrina and the Popes

Episode 3: Byrd & Tallis: Singing the Lord's song in a strange land

Episode 4: Bach and the Lutheran Legacy

Hot crossless buns

Yesterday I made a very nice batch of hot cross buns with the crosses left off.
I was too lazy to put them on, and besides, they always taste disappointing compared to the rest of the bun! I used the recipe from Ladies, a Plate, my favourite baking book.

This is our Saturday afternoon tea, and a pretty Easter card my Oma made:

We'd planned to go to the Botanic Gardens this afternoon, but in the end a tea party was more our speed today. ;)