The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell

The Carrie Diaries is by Candace Bushnell, best known as the columnist who's book became the inspiration for  the TV series  "Sex and the City". For me, who was busy doing I don't know what, it's been a catch up the last couple of years. I hadn't seen the series other than an odd show or two, so I borrowed my daughter's shoe box full of the series (of course it comes in a shoebox ) and watched every episode. Followed by the movies. Then I borrowed her Sex & the City book. Although the book was very different to the series it was edgy and had a special quality that was hard to define.
I was a bit dubious about bothering with the Carrie Diaries, as I expected it to be like the younger generation's version of school, but I was pleasantly surprised. I rather enjoyed reading this book and really enjoyed the characters.
As I read it, it all flooded back to me, everyone I knew, friends, romances, gossip, teachers I loved or hated, the cliques, the bullies, the uniforms, and yes - we certainly smoked that much - at least on weekends.

Carrie is in her final year of high school, she is trying to get into a writing program for the summer, she yearns to visit New York and she needs to get into College. Her father wants her to study science, but she wants to write. As happens to even the best of us, Carrie gets distracted by a boy. Not just any boy - Sebastian is like the Mr Big of high school. The Queen Bee wants him, so why does he keep flirting with Carrie?
As her relationship with him develops she asks the questions many young women go through, regarding who she is, where she is going and how much she is being influenced by the people around her, especially Sebastian.
I won't give away any more of the story line, but let's just say when you get to the part that stings (you'll know which part) I had the same thing happen to me in high school and it burns. But I had actually forgotten it until I read this story, so time heals all things.
The next part to the Carrie Diaries is due out around April 2011.

 

Thing-a-Day in February 2011

I am finding it really hard to get motivated this year, so I have decided to sign up to thing-a-day which starts in February. Coincidentally that is the day after my birthday - so a good time for fresh starts, I'd say.

Anyway, I haven't decided what I will do yet, but it will either be to do with writing, craft or gardening. I don't need motivation for reading as I have finished almost 5 books already this year. Also, I have signed up for two book challenges (see pages in the sidebar). So it has to be something like those choices. I think it should also involve journaling of some kind. So my thinking cap is on today.

(via Craft Gossip)

Lewis Carroll's Birthday - 27th January

“	"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax— Of cabbages—and kings— And why the sea is boiling hot— And whether pigs have wings."	”
—Through the Looking-Glass

Valentine or Easter idea

I did this for my Mum's recent birthday. But with Valentine's day and Easter approaching it is an idea that can easily be adapted. I just put chocolates or eggs in the middle of paper flowers. They can be wrapped in plastic wrap if needed to hold them in place and then attached to bamboo sticks. I put them into coloured straws to co-ordinate with the ribbons. Then wrap some florists tape around to hold in place. These flowers can be made into a bouquet, placed in florist's foam for an arrangement or I have also put them into a potted plant to make a nice gift.

Trash by Andy Mulligan

I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this book from Random House Australia.
I had read the first chapter which you can read at their website here,  and I knew I just simply had to find out what happened.
Trash is set in a dump site town. Where the kids spend all day crawling through rubbish and stuppa (human faeces) looking for recyclable pieces which they can sell in order to buy food.
Raphael and Gardo are best friends and they work side by side collecting little pieces each day. One day they find a bag containing a wallet, a map and a key and their lives are about to change forever.
Assisted by Jun-Jun (or Rat as he is known) a boy who lives on the fringes of their little society, an outcast among the outcasts, he is a boy who knows how to not be seen.
The boys must hide their find from prying eyes, as well as the police because they don't know who they can trust.
There are plenty of opportunities to talk to young adults in this novel, about poverty, education, police brutality and Government corruption. Although this is a YA novel, it can easily be enjoyed by adults. It builds tension enough that you are cheering for the boys and hoping for a good outcome.
The scene where the boys use the local school's computer reminded me of this talk by Sugata Mitra where he talks about how kids teach themselves.
I read one review which said that the novel had no strong female characters, which is sort of true. But hovering just from view, there in the background are the mothers and aunties, who feed and clothe these children as best they can, discipline them and try to make some kind of home life amid all that despair - and that sent a strong message to me.
I recommend this book. It tugs at your heart strings, but is a story that needs
 to be told.

 

Crafting with a Disability

For people living with a disability, sometimes everyday things that we take for granted, can be difficult or nearly impossible. Thankfully, many people are out there with their thinking caps on, coming up with ideas to overcome the obstacles that people face.


My mother-in-law is a mad keen crafter and has always had two or three projects going as long as I have known her. Unfortunately due to Macular Degeneration  she is going blind. Although she has overcome some  other disabilities and obstacles, it is this one that has stood in the way the most for her when it comes to crafting.


The lady from the Blind Association visited her recently and told her of a couple of items which may make her life easier, which I thought I would share.


Self threading needles for your sewing machine. These needles have a small slit in them, so you just need to run your thread along the side and presto it is threaded. (A little like the magic rings in principle). They are labelled as "Handicap" needles and should be available wherever you buy needles or online.

Lighted Knitting Needles - these were originally sold as a bit of a gimmick. So you could knit in the dark, say at the pictures while waiting for the promotional ads to finish or in low lighting.

However, for sight impaired people, they could provide the extra help they need to see exactly where the needle is going. The level of help you got from these would depend upon your particular condition. But would be useful in some cases. I have seen they are available on eBay and Amazon under the name Knit Lite. There seems to be crochet hooks, as well as small lights that fit to existing crafting tools.

I would be interested if anyone has other sources of ideas that I could pass on to my mother-in-law. As she derives much enjoyment from her crafting and it would be a shame if she was no longer able.

Meet Me on Monday

Follow the above link for the "Meet Me on Monday" meme at "Never Growing Old". 

Questions: 

1.  What is your favorite kind of fudge?
2.  Is there snow outside your window?
3.  What is your favorite meal of the day?
4.  Do you text on your cell phone?
5.  Waffles or pancakes?
---------------------------------------------------------------
My Answers!

1.  What is your favorite kind of fudge?
     
      My favourite is Scottish tablet which my Nan used to make. But I hardly ever make it, as it is very sweet. 

2.  Is there snow outside your window?

     No. It's summer time here, although it is raining. Which is unusual as we have Mediterranean weather normally. It never snows here, even in winter. But when I lived in the Wheat-belt of Western Australia we would get frost in the winter.

3.  What is your favorite meal of the day? 

  Morning Tea. We often use morning tea as a get together, and have lovely cakes and sandwiches. 

4.  Do you text on your cell phone?

    Yes, a bit. But not as much as my daughter. She wears out key pads long before the phone is done with. 

I love the graph on Shawn Becker's answer to this question. This is probably me, too. 

5.  Waffles or pancakes?

     Pancakes. My son loves pancakes, so he has learnt to make them really well. It's always a treat when he cooks them.

And since I missed last week, here are those answers, too.

Questions: 

1.  Do you like your ice cream in a dish, waffle cone, pretzel cone, sugar cone or cake cone?
2.  Do you read the newspaper daily?
3.  Marinara or meat sauce?
4.  Last time you cried?
5.  What word/phrase do you find really annoying?
---------------------------------------------------------------
My Answers!

1.  Do you like your ice cream in a dish, waffle cone, pretzel cone, sugar cone or cake cone?
     
  I really prefer icecream in a dish. Usually with strawberries or banana and some chocolate sauce if I'm being naughty.  

2.  Do you read the newspaper daily?

     No, never. But I do read the news by rss feed - usually daily. I also try to tweet, as this gives me most of the important news.

3.  Marinara or meat sauce? 

 Meat sauce. I usually have traditional style meat sauce that I or my husband (the Butcher) have made. But I have found a fun short cut which I learnt from one of my adult education students a few years back. That is, to buy the prepared meatballs and then add pasta and sauce (either home made or jar). It's not bad if you are in a big hurry.

4.  Last time you cried?

Oh, all the time. But last time I cried happy tears was my daughter's wedding last June. She was such a beautiful bride and it was a lovely wedding. Her groom promised not to mind her obsession with shoes, if she didn't mind him working on the car. :)

    

5.  What word/phrase do you find really annoying?

      I really dislike it when people say "That's gay" or "Don't be gay" and intend it as an insult. I also, dislike "Don't be a retard" or similar phrases when they are intended to be mean.

Australian Floods

As many people know Australia has been devastated by floods on two sides of the continent. Flooding in Queensland, Victoria and North Western Australia (Gascoyne Region).

The Queensland Premier's Appeal Information can be found here or through Red Cross here.

The Victorian Flood Appeal information can be found through the Red Cross here.

Details of The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund for the Gascoyne & Mid-West can be found here.

I have come across a couple of other ways people can help.

On Australia Day 26th January -  Domino's Pizza will donate $1 from each pizza sold to the appeal in that state.
More info from your local Domino's Store. There is a small news item about it here.

Crafters can get involved : Sarah London is organising a Crochet along to make granny squares into blankets.

Buyers can get involved: Etsy is having a flood appeal where people have donated items to be sold for the appeal.

Reader's can become involved: FableCroft has released a limited edition eBook version of it's anthology, coincidentally named "After the Rain". This is available until 15th February 2010. There is a news article about it here.

My thoughts are with these people and their families as well as those who have passed during this terrible time.

If anyone has other ideas they have come across, please add in the comments section.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/mp/8595505/growers-brace-for-more-gascoyne-floods/

Hi again!

Well I have been MIA for a week at least. I have not been in a very good place and in my experience I am better off not saying anything until it passes. So I have these cute kitties to post until I get myself sorted and then I will have some more book reviews and craft things. 
Love 

Kat

xx

I took the kitty's down, as I don't want to infringe on anyone's rights, so I am double checking for every link I make from now on.

Meet Me on Monday

Follow the above link for the "Meet Me on Monday" meme at "Never Growing Old". 

Questions: 

1.  Have you (only you..not a group) ever won first place in anything?

2.  Are your toes always painted (sorry guys...this question for girls only)?

3.  What color eyes do you have?

4.  Look to your left....what do you see?

5.  Soft cookies or crunchy cookies?

My Answers!

1.  Have you (only you...not a group) ever won first place in anything?
     
 When I was in Primary School I won first prize in the local show for a collage I did using natural materials. It was a picture of cannibals cooking someone in a big pot. That's the type of child I was.

2.  Are your toes always painted (sorry guys...this question for girls only)?

Nearly always. When I was younger I would paint them black or purple, but I'm a bit more subdued now.

3.  What color eyes do you have? 

Blue.

4.  Look to your left.....what do you see?

A book I have just finished reading called "Trash" by Andy Mulligan. My old camera. A fake iphone type toy made from an etch-a-sketch with sweets in it, and a message from my hubby.

5.  Soft cookies or crunchy cookies?

Crunchy - choc chip or ANZAC biscuits.  I think I shall make some today.
    

Killing Richard Dawson by Robin Baker

I wanted to talk about this book because he is a Western Australian author, but also because I couldn't put it down. I have read other reviews that give away too much, so be careful what you read about a novel before you read the actual book.
This book is touted as a black comedy and indeed it is that, but it seems at times to defy a genre. It's almost a mystery, almost a thriller and almost a romance.. but not quite.
It's told in the first person and follows the character's interactions with friends, university life, romance and partying.
Baker captures what I remember of university life when I was that age - the first time I went, but I'm glad I never came across some of these characters.
The book is fast paced, always leaving you wanting more after each sitting. It was this that made me give it to my husband to read straight away and then put it in the Melbourne Cup Reader's Sweep run by Kat at Book Thingo where she specified "it has to be a book you'd actually recommend to someone". It's that kind of book - you just have to pass it on.
Where are they clubbing tonight? Who is in love with who? and Who is the mysterious Dawson and why is he being watched? Then a surprising conclusion that was both strange and disturbing.
I'd recommend this book, though not for the faint hearted. It is a black comedy afterall, so that should give you some clue as to the content.

The Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs

With the movie version of this book currently "in production" and rumoured to be out in 2013, I thought I would get on with reading this series. It appealed to both the reader and the crafter in me.
Kate Jacobs has written three novels in this series and you can read more about them including sample chapters at her website.
"The Friday Night Knitting Club"   is the first, followed by "Knit Two" and then "Knit the Season".


The main characters are Georgia Walker and her daughter Dakota. Georgia owns a yarn shop in New York which she moved into after making knitted designer wear for extra cash when she fell pregnant.
Since then her life has been ticking along nicely and her daughter is almost a teenager. She has nice friends like KC from her old job and Anita who "discovered" her talent and helped bankroll her enterprise.
Every Friday night a group of these women gather informally at Georgia's shop where they knit (well some of them do) and support each other while "life happens". 
Now, Dakota's father is back in town and wants to get to know his daughter, and who is the mysterious Mrs. Philips who seems to know Georgia and wants to commission an expensive knitted gown?


I thoroughly enjoyed this book where the threads of these people's lives interact in surprising ways. As they develop friendships, have romances and try to handle parenthood and relationships, they also keep knitting. Some are beginners, some experienced and some are great pretenders, but in the end it doesn't matter about that - because knitting is fun. I feel inspired to knit some more.

Kind Hearted Blogger Campaign

I have wanted to write about this for a while and kept forgetting, So here goes.
When I first started blogging, not too long ago, one of the people who really cheered me on in the beginning was Lillabilly . She was just so nice and encouraging when I didn't really know what I was doing. It looks like she is taking a little hioliday at the moment, but check out her blog anyway as she has lots of cool things to share.
Anyway, one thing I noticed in her sidebar was a button called "Kind Hearted Blogger Pledge". So I checked it out and it led me to Em Jay & Me.
You can read all about it in the link, but here are the basics.

AS A KIND-HEARTED BLOGGER I PLEDGE TO:

• create, inspire, and admire rather than compete with fellow bloggers
• be understanding of each other-- in the blogging community, as well as in the world
• stay away from internet/blogging bullying
• speak my opinion freely, while still being mindful of other's feelings-- be tactful.
• make an effort--no matter how big or small the gesture, to spread kindness or joy to others
• acknowledge that I will make mistakes, (I am only human) but remember to learn from them
• know that at times I will post about the negative stuff in life, and maybe even some complaining (I am only human) but I will always follow up with something happy/positive too.
• believe that this world is a good place, filled with good people.

So I have decided I will take the Pledge, and will do my best to uphold it.

Some of my books.

Back when I only used to do Tumblr, I posted some pictures of my old books. So I thought I would add them to this blog. 

I am hoping to learn some more about book repairs this year and will keep you posted if I learn any cool tips.

 There are some I picked up from Markets & Second hand shops. However, many belonged to my Father or Grandfather. The science and photography books are from  my Dad’s collection. I’m particularly fond of the Asimov.

My Father brought the “World of the Children” with him from Scotland as a young teenager.

Some more of my Old Books Collection - Fiction. 

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

This is quite an old copy, but I couldn’t find a date on it.

The Man with the Golden Gun by Ian Flemming. 1964

Meet Me on Monday

Follow the above link for the "Meet Me on Monday" meme at "Never Growing Old".


Questions:


1. Do you have any New Year's resolutions?
2. What food item are you craving right now?
3. When is your birthday?
4. What were you doing an hour ago?
5. Last thing you cooked?
---------------------------------------------------------------
My Answers:


1. Do you have any New Year's resolutions?


I haven't really thought about it. I guess I have some goals, such as finishing my study, get a job, reading lists and so on. But no resolutions. Although, one of my resolutions should be - don't listen to negative people who are trying to bring you down with their issues.


2. What food item are you craving right now?


Chocolate - always chocolate.


3. When is your birthday?


End of January.


4. What were you doing an hour ago?


Same - on the Internet, but playing a game.


5. Last thing you cooked?


Since Christmas I have hardly cooked at all. It's pretty hot here, so we had some salads and sandwiches and leftovers etc. But the last thing I attempted to cook was Memphis Fries, but I put the fries on to cook and my hubby did the rest. You top them with BBQ sauce, bacon pieces & melted cheese. Yummm!

Cool stuff

Unfortunately I had both a bad end to 2010 and a bad beginning to 2011.
But I refuse to let other people's negativity and nitpicking get me down.
So as usual I will only concetrate on the positive things whenever possible.
Here are some cool things in my life right now.


This necklace our niece made for me:

This cute little mouse our friend made from nuts he found in our back yard:

The fact that I had all my kids with me last night. Including the two I gave birth to, the one that married into our family and the one who found his way into our hearts when he was just a kid.

The constant presence of the butcher, my husband who is always there for me no matter what. Who is my life, my heart...

* heart picture from  http://www.free-extras.com/

Stylish Blogger Award

Stylish Blogger Award is both an honour from a fellow blogger and a way of networking with other bloggers. Thank you so much to Helen from A Crafty Kind of Truffle for including me in her award recipients. Here is a little explanation of the tasks you need to do should you choose to accept the award. Make sure you check out her blog and keep an eye open for the lovely poem on the side bar about depression.

There are 4 duties to perform to receive this award:

1.  Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

7 Things about Me

1. I am a chocoholic. I would eat it for breakfast, lunch & dinner if I could get away with it.
2. I am a coward, who hates conflict. I usually walk away from it and can stay away from conflict situations for months or years. 
3. I'm a nerd. I love science & maths, crafts, reading & writing, cats, emoticons, memes, nerdy video games (not cool ones, lol) and I "heart" all of Joss Whedon's work especially "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
4. I love TV shows, but hate ads, so I wait until the series comes onto DVD and then, buy, hire or borrow from the Library. I prefer to read the book before watching the TV show or movie.
5. I haven't had a cigarette in almost nine years and I very rarely drink alcohol, and I prefer not to swear as well, but sometimes it slips out. I don't really mind if you do any of these things, though.
6.  I rarely judge people based upon their backgrounds and try only to judge them on their actions. I enjoy interactions with people very much, then I like to be alone to consider all I have learned from them.
7. My favourite people in the world are my husband, my daughter, my son and my sister. Curiously, I don't have a "best" friend although I like many people. Perhaps my husband is my best friend - clichéd I know but quite true.

Here are some of my recently discovered great bloggers.

I am delighted to award the following blogs with

The Stylish Blogger Award

What's Cooking?Tough Cookie MommyStrawberry FrecklesNever Growing OldKnitted ThoughtsGleeful ThingsForty & Trying to Be FabEccentric DeliriumHappy Mummy's BlogPure & Simplebouffe e bambiniLillabillyThese Three GirliesHeldaslandThe Pleasures of Homemaking