10 things in '10: 6-10 update

6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing - Still at 3:15 with my back being super sensitive. Come summer hopefully I'll be back in the water
7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group - On a break from running group, but said I'd return in September. I'm thinking a PT for some kickboxing. Which could really help strengthen my core, legs and back.
8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes - Term 3 just about done. Though I have ended up with a wall of unfinished business.
9. >Insert Financial goal here<. Savings lots of them. Still on track. Very very close to booking the tickets to NYC & Europe.
10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish - If you replaced lamb with fish I'd be well on track! For the first time ever I've started cooking meat (I still don't eat it). But I can add slow cooked lamb shanks and pot pie to my culinary can-do. Just not a whole cooked fish...

10 things in '10: 1-6 update

August comes to a close and I thought it was time to revisit my 10 things in '10 list.

1. Take French language lessons - Uh, I really need to start. Currently trying french by immersion, by borrowing lots of French films & listening to French radio.
   
2. Read 12 books - 11 down! Easiest to read has been the Girl with the dragon tattoo series. And really enjoying my current read Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstien. Always taking book recommendations!
   
3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09) - Forgot about this one! Worthwhile revisiting the list.
   
4. Run something with 'marathon' in the title - July's Run Melbourne Half marathon went pretty well. I was a minute off my 2007 PB which was a little frustrating. But overall happy with my effort. The plan is to finish off the year with a few 10kms. Focus now is on a 210km ride in October.
   
5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year - Spending far less time in the car over the Winter which means less crocheting. No excuses. I've got to get it out again if it's ever going to be finished.
   

This week in the garden

With spring just around the corner I can't help but think about getting back in the garden again. In preparation I gave my seeds a head start. Last weekend I put some basil, thyme and baby cauliflower seeds on some paper towel. I moistened the paper and placed it in a ziplock plastic bag and left it on the window sill (not direct sunlight) for a week. Now I have germinated seeds ready for planting. I'll start them off indoors and move them out to the beds when they're established and the weather is warmer.

My creative space

I've procrastinated beyond belief about starting this. I bought the supplies way back when, borrowed books, but only now have I put floss to linen. I've unpicked several imperfections and re-threaded the needle countless times and come back to find my non permanent ink doing it's job far too well. In spite of all that I'm liking this embroidery thing.

Other people getting stuff done here

They ain't pretty

...but these non sausage rolls sure are tasty. Initially I was sceptical given the somewhat odd ingredients, but honestly the recipe needs no adjusting. Vegetarian comfort food at its very best and it makes plenty of left overs. So you can whip one out mid week and have a very quick dinner.

A new discovery

This is a Native lilac. I found out through the Australian wildflower book I've been referencing in art class. What's more exciting is that I discovered this on the way home. I could see! It's light when I walk home!

Warmth II

Soup (beetroot, carrot & potato). It's all about comfort on cold winter nights. Spring, please tell me you're just around the corner?!

Warmth

With a few hours spent in the car this weekend, to and from the snow, there was plenty of time to finally weave in the ends of my scarf. I was even able to wear it on the slopes and I tell you there was no draft down my neck. Very thankful for it's warmth as the wind was fierce out there.

A year and a bit

Early last month marked a year of RosieCasie. Thanks to the Parentals who keep me on my toes when I haven't posted in a few days and to everyone else who takes time to pop by and say hello. It's really nice.

I thought I'd celebrate with a new header and so I've spent a bit of time with my watercolours this week. I'm sure my teacher cringes every time he sees my unclean palette.

Climbing green

I have a pipe dream. Well actually I have a few. But one would be to plant some sort of vine to cover the facade of Mr T's brown brick house. Instead might just have to settle for covering the front fence.