Keeping up with the Macdonald boys.

A Boy & his Dog.  the bond between these two is very special.

Boys are full on.  Anyone who has boys will tell you that the 'Y' chromosome sometimes should be translated to the 'Why oh why' chromosome!  For the Macdonald boys it is all about counting down until the school holidays, they're tired, cranky and needing a break.

Louis gives Renly a lesson in Multitasking.

So that's when you need to take comforts where you can find them.  For me that's knitting a few rows, Louis likes to escape into the iPad & Hugo relaxes through his stomach.  It's these quiet times I like to cherish because as the weather improves, the energy levels will start to ramp up again as the countdown to the end of year begins.  I almost choked on my breakfast this morning when Hugo asked me 'How many sleeps until Santa' - What SANTA!!!  Let's just get through these school holidays first mate!

Hugo enjoying  his Sunday afternoon Ice Cream breaks!

On the needles....

Little Vine - My last 'Show' project.

I am in the final throws of getting my A&P Show entries for the HB 150 year anniversary show.  It will be fun this year, 'Poppa Buscke' is one of the wool judges and will be here for the event, so something to really enjoy as a family.  I have also had a chance to get a few design ideas out onto the needles, then it will be back to the wheel to get a few more skeins spun up for knitting next Winter.

Making the boat go faster....

Team NZ on San Francisco bay

 It's fair to say that New Zealand is gripped by Americas Cup Fever.  Across this very nation people are late to work & children are being dropped off 'just in time' to school as kiwi's struggle to tear themselves away from their TV screens as we absorb the gripping coverage coming out from San Francisco.

Renly cheering on Team NZ during this mornings racing

Because of the time delay we are cheering Team NZ on whilst chomping our WeetBix & slurping our Nespresso (OK -  maybe that's just my house), but regardless of whether you like yachting or not - this is gripping stuff.  Modern graphics & on board cameras make you thrust us in the middle of the racing like you have never seen before - which to my mind is a great thing, because as a kiwi taxpayer, I own a small chunk of that boat - so why not be proud?

Those famous Red socks

I was living in Auckland when the late, great Sir Peter Blake won the cup for NZ.  It was Mothers day.  Back then you had Sir Pete's steely determined look at the helm & those famous red socks.  We all had them - Auckland was awash with red.  Today the only evidence of that is the red sail sported by Emirates Team NZ, so I reckon we all need to don a little bit of 'Red' - for our boys out there on the water, just even if it's just to say quietly to ourselves - good on you blokes, make that boat go faster.

The Cousin Phil B rocking the Cabana

On a totally unrelated matter - but the picture fits with my Red theme - I finally went to see my cousin Phil's band play when they hit town last Friday night.  Last time I saw the Datsuns was about 12 years ago at the Kings Arms, it was time to revisit the cuz at Napier's famous Cabana bar.  It was a family outing with my brother down from Gisborne & I have to say a thoroughly good night out - oh & Phil, thank you SO MUCH for the ear plugs!

Embrace your inner SABLE!

Just a quick glimpse of the stash currently residing on my coffee table.

I just wanted to make a quick post about embracing your inner hoarder.  I have seen a number of after KAN 'guilty over stash blowout' posts & wanted to say to all of you out there who are dedicated SABLE's (Sable is an acronym for Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy) - fear NOT.  I am the ultimate SABLE, I have enough yarn to last many lifetimes, I even got a job working in the industry so I could have access to an online store that, in my warped mind, is an extension to my already obese stash.  Embrace the stash & love your inner SABLE!

Searching for Spring

How can you not LOVE this face!

It has been a huge sense of relief seeing the signs of Spring.  It tells me I have survived another Knit August Nights, and a weird seasonal clock ticks over in your psyche telling you that sunshine, flowers, barbeques and all the things we love are just around the corner.

It's tough being the best looking bulldog in the world

Renly has well and truly cemented himself in the household - his easy going nature and absolute love of the boys (especially Louis) has been a joy.  It also has helped temper what has arguably been the most difficult first half of the year that the MacBuscke clan has faced.

My little bit of luxury & tranquility over the Winter

In times of stress knitting, for me, becomes a sanctuary.  I have been quite amazed at the prolific amount of knitting I have done this Winter - even for me!  As always I am on the hunt for a new 'project obsession', and currently I am giving my first triangular shawl a whirl.  It's amazing I know that I haven't gone down this path before, especially in light of the number of bespoke yarns I own in 'shawl-able' quantities, but I am here now.

Yes I do actually knit in the car when waiting for the boys.

I have started with a very simple design just to cut my teeth & I have must say I am really enjoying it.  It has become my 'Knit when collecting the boys from school' project & I love the way it grows so quickly & it will grown even more when it is blocked.  So I need to stay focused now & get completed alongside Hugo's vest for next year (especially as I have intentions of entering both into the A&P show), but I am already eyeing up skeins in my newly acquired KAN stash for the next project....