I read a book (or three)!

My Roald Dahl fest continues!  Since my last update, I have "read" James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG.

I liked each of them very much, but did ponder what wonders would have fallen upon James if he just hadn't tripped under the tree!

I have also finished listening to another audiobook which I've had on the go for a while.  Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, by Winifred Watson, read by Frances McDormand (who starred as Miss P in a movie adaptation made in 2008).  I wasn't too keen on the reading at first, but then McDormand grew on me, just as this book did.  I found it delightful!  

I suppose it would be considered a romantic comedy, a fish out of water tale, and not especially earthshattering or controversial. But I really enjoyed it and would recommend it over much of the "chick lit" out there at the moment (not that I've read much of that, but in comparison, this book doesn't make you feel like you are cheating on all the "good" books you should be reading instead!).

And in case you were wondering, the pictures are of the current books on my (not literally) bedside table - all birthday gifts!  Thanks to Jody, Lyn and DrK.  I do love a knitting book! So many possibilities!

I believe in Yesterday...

So, here's the deal:

Yesterday, I Turned Forty.

Yep. 4-0

40

404040404040.

Perhaps if I say it often enough it will seem real? It's not that I have a problem with it. I don't at all. I am very happy with where my life is at.  Of course, there are things that, if being totally honest, I would like to change.  But these are all things beyond my control. And so I don't let those things bother me. It still feels a bit weird to be 40 though.  It's an age that seemed positively ancient when you are a child.  And yet when you reach it, you still feel a bit of a child yourself.  But without a lot of the insecurities of childhood (especially teenager-hood!).  One of the great benefits of aging!

I had a great day! My mum came to visit for a few days and husby took the day off work. The day started with baby snuggles and a gift, then a sleep-in (until 9am! unheard of!). After breakfast and shower etc, I had a pedicure and got sushi for lunch, followed by fancy cupcakes.

And then a trip to the Zoo! It was a warm day but our Zoo is in the perfect location for cooling sea breezes, so it was lovely.  And not nearly as busy as going on a weekend.  The perfect birthday expedition.

And finally dinner out with husby while Nanna looked after the little fella.  A local restaurant, which meant we could (a) walk and (b) drink a bottle of champagne between us.  Weeeeeeeeeee!

A perfect end to a great day!

I leave you with a sneak peek of my super special birthday suit - not a suit as such (and no, not no suit at all, heh!).  A little project I have made with some special yarn (my very first wollmeise!). 

I shall reveal all later this month!

StashDownUnder - October 2011

Ooooh, I had a good month this month!  Lots of knitting (and crochet!) and only a small amount of yarn in...well, it wouldn't be me if there was no yarn in, would it?!

I bought a skein of red alpacky sock yarn (for the Beekeeper, what else?!). I felt the need for some fuzzy alpacky sexypuffs.  And I acquired some red leftovers from Zena and Donna:

And speaking of the Beekeeper, I had a really good month on the sexypuffs - 36!  I wonder if I should do the blanket in diagonal stripes?  A row of plain puffs and a row of variegated?

In:  3 x 50g balls
Actual balls used:  8.75 x 50g balls
8ply equivalent:  15.5 x 50g balls (yes, lots of 4ply action this month!)
metres used: 1582 (that crochet really does use up the yarn nice and quick!)

Year to date:
Actual balls used: -2 x 50g balls - I really think I have a good chance of coming out stash negative or at the worst, stash neutral this year!  How novel!
8ply equivalent: 90.5 x 50g balls
metres used: 10583m

Woo hoo, I cracked the 10,000m mark!  That's over 10km of yarn!  Go knitting!