If it was just me I would use the frozen mashed spuds too. I like them.

I use the dryer when my shoulder wont let me lift my hands up to the lines. Like GMS it is worth the few extra dollars to save the pain.

Wish Id seen the cricket.. Awesome news eh. We don't like sport enough to have it on sky.

Ive finally finished knitting the fairy. And have written my instructions out properly to make it easier for the next one. How many rows to cm etc.

Im loving having two cast iron frying pans. means I can cook say chops in one pan and roast tattys etc in another. Barely use the electric frying pan now. Only when I do a chook.
Hogget in the crockpot for tonights tea, roast tattys and beans. Love doing roasts in the crockpot lol

Using the same muscles over and over Kiwimade? My arms and ribs were aching through the night from a lot of knitting yesterday. Bit better today. Cos I haven't pushed myself today.

Too hot to do much

popeye333 - 2014-02-18 16:15:00

My I pad is my constant companion,I thought I would not be knitting too much because of peripheral neuropathy so after playing on my granddaughters iPad thought it was the( best thing since sliced bread) .At our village they have started a group,am finding out things to do on it is unbelievable.trying to keep the brain young too is good and keeping up with the grandchildren is a favourite past time.must put it down and finish a beanie while I watch the news.

jord37 - 2014-02-18 17:42:00

Popeye what is the potato thingy you have? I sometimes put mine into my kitchen whizz as I can't use the masher for long.

jord37 - 2014-02-18 17:45:00

I use my stick blender .....easy as and real creamy mash :)

jbsouthland - 2014-02-18 18:36:00

popeye has just scored a potato "ricer" from the op shop (when I tried to put "oppy" on the ipad it kept changing it to poppy - stupid thing - if I'd wanted to put poppy I would have typed it). It's a bit like an oversized garlic press, two handles and a sort of bowl with holes in the bottom where you put the spuds and then when you pull the handle down a plate comes down and presses the spuds through the holes. Think that's about it. Sounds like a good idea and when you see the likes of Gordon "I can swear" Ramsay using one, they look brilliant.

kuaka - 2014-02-18 20:10:00

morning. well I have class today, I am so sore all night, Jon did a hard work out on my left side, I can now move my neck better. I have a stick blender and love the way it does spuds too, nearly finished my baby blanket.

carolev - 2014-02-19 06:50:00

miserable morning here, had to put the little fan heater on to dry the Herald out, 'cos it was sitting out in the rain for half an hour before I got up. Curses.

Stitch and bitch (or knit and natter) today but I don't think I will go. Really don't fancy sitting down there today when the weather is so miserable, it's quite windy too, and the place where we meet is on the waterfront. I have to go out to post a couple of packages, but I think it will be a quick zap to do that and then home again.

Might take advantage of the weather to have a lazy day today, as I was busy yesterday and spent all afternoon baking. Made some yummy muffins, yummy orange, date and chocolate buttons cake and a yummy mince beef pie for our tea, we only ate half so I will re-heat it and we can have the other half for either lunch or tea tonight. See what his nibbs fancies. He'd better behave himself today, he kept taking his collar off yesterday while I was busy in the kitchen. I threatened to call the ambulance and have him carted off to hospital again and when that didn't work I threatened to leave him (not that I would). Men!

Well ladies, have a lovely day everyone and try to squeeze some knitting in.

kuaka - 2014-02-19 08:04:00

morning :) We don't have Sky either popeye but I found a live stream link and watched the cricket online. The adverts drove me nuts but I got to see it. I've been watching the ice dancing at the Olympics on Prime (no wonder I've been sleeping in lol)... all I can say is WOW! Just beautiful.

Lawns didn't get mowed yesterday so I'm off outside after my coffee to do that before the day gets too hot. Wish we had some of your rain kuaka. we're on water restrictions alternate days. Today is our 'day' so will get the hose cranked up, especially for those plants I moved. I picked some hydrayndras (sp) the other day and have them drying inside. Lovely pinks, blues and greens. Will be nice to have a bit of summer indoors over the winter.

Will get some stitching/crochet done this afternoon. I think you are right popeye, it is the repetition causing the pins and needles.

Happy knitting :)

Edited by kiwimade64 at 8:17 am, Wed 19 Feb

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-19 08:16:00

Morning everyone.. Yep Kuaka you have the description of the potato ricer perfect. I love it.. I have to limit our potatoes as we are diabetic but MrP loves is spuds mashed. He used to do a huge potful of tatties. When I was recovering from heart surgery I made him bring the spud basket to me and I picked out enough or he would have gone back to the potful.

We have sky Kiwimade but not the sports channels. Glad in one way cos MrP is not the best person to watch rugby with, the abuse that gets yelled at the screen. Funny thing is he hates that add on TV where the women is yelling at the tv, he does the same lol.

I Only have a few rows left of the pink Tunic/vest . Then Ill put the fairy together, so will get her listed on the weekend. Havent had much listed lately.

Cloudy here this morning, warm at 22 degrees. Was 25.9 in my bedroom at 10-30 last night... Yucky.

Have a good day everyone.. Mind all the aches and pains...

popeye333 - 2014-02-19 08:41:00

Mmmmm mashed spuds, sausages and gravy, and I also love mashed potato with lettuce salad and mayo.

Sitting here cooling and down and feeling rather smug with myself - just back from a training walk and did the 6.5kms in 50mins. Went out before it got too hot, I know it will be different in the actual event with all the crowd and pushing a pram but shows that I can do it so quite pleased with that.

Now to get the washing out then craft. I have a little cardy I want to get into the mail to Oz and have to make a "lego mat" for great-nephew's 3rd birthday, These are rounds of material - about a metre in diameter with a drawstring which holds lego so it is flat on the floor when playing then all lego gets thrown onto it and it is pulled into a bag and hangs up. Made them years ago for family members and those ones are still very much in use and easiest method of storing lego I've found.

jayemtoo - 2014-02-19 09:44:00

I love that idea for lego jayemtoo! I made our kids play with the lego on an old sheet spread out, then it was just a matter of tipping the lego back into the bucket. I do it in the classroom too when I take the lego in as a special treat - usually at Christmas time or end of term.

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-19 10:55:00

What a fab idea re the lego bags etc.

I used to be a nanny and for a while I looked after Emma in our home. I got hold of the top of one of the old high chairs that the legs come off and used to sit that on a sheet in the lounge at meal or snack time. Saved the carpet from wearing the food lol. Much easier to wash a sheet.
I often wonder how Emma is especially as I was extremely close to her, she would be 26 now lol...
I could never understand why her mum worked in a low paying job, by the time she paid for travel and me she wouldn't have had much money left over. I just don't think she really wanted kids.
I saw Emma walk talk and get her first tooth. Her mother didn't. But I had to stop looking after her cos she would scream everytime I left or her father came to pick her up. She didn't want to leave me.
Thought it was best that we stopped but Id love to see her now. I cant remember their surname sadly

Ohh what a ramble. lol.. but the bags sound cool

popeye333 - 2014-02-19 12:33:00

Meant to add the first part of my Deramores order arrived this morning.. I want to knit both straightaway lol... one I wish Id got more cos Id wear it lol...

popeye333 - 2014-02-19 12:36:00

I sewed up the jumper and hat today,now for some of these cute baby patterns.
I even repotted some pot plants and potted up some early pansies hope we get some gentle rain.
It's cooled down a little tonite.

jord37 - 2014-02-19 19:25:00

*caroleV* is either busy or very quiet. I am going away for a few days, leaving Friday but will be fairly busy tomorrow as have a blind support meeting and also taking miss almost 13 gd for a haircut. They have a 1/2 day and her Mum will be at tech.

grandmasue1 - 2014-02-19 20:34:00

morning girls well had sewing group yesterday. we had fun but only 1 turned up again., never mind we got a lot done, 1 more side of round 8 of blanket then will show you all. looking all most good nice day here again,

carolev - 2014-02-20 07:00:00

three days in a row now I've got the Herald in front of the flipping heater drying out. At this rate it would be cheaper to cancel the "cheap" subscription and drive to town and buy the thing. Grrrrr!

I got a tea cosy finished yesterday and made good progress on another, also did some sewing. I will have to pick up my pile of knitting from beside my chair as the cleaner is coming this morning and I don't want my knitting sucked into the vacuum cleaner.

Maybe with all this warm rain we're having my beans have started to poke through the surface, I must check today. At least today I don't have to go out. It's horrible fine misty rain, can't see anything of my sea view. I just might have to sit and knit today.

Enjoy your day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-02-20 07:50:00

morning ladies :) Send me the rain kuaka! It's dryer than an old bone here. Everytime we see the weather forecaster say it's going to rain we laugh and say *insert tui advert here*.

I should be halfway on my stitching today, almost there! It has just been too hot to crochet or knit, and even stitching yesterday I was stopping to wash my hands as they were getting all sweaty and sticky - ickkk!

The lawns are mowed, garden weeded, housework done (kinda lol).... ooohhh a lovely day with not too much to do! This doesn't happen very often lol.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-20 08:17:00

Sending you some rain right now kiwimade!! Let me know when it arrives. Believe me, it's not too hot and sticky here, I'm wearing my knitted slippers, have worn them all summer, I will have to make more for the winter as these will be worn out. This summer hasn't been a patch on last year.

Edited by kuaka at 8:34 am, Thu 20 Feb

kuaka - 2014-02-20 08:33:00

Morning everyone.. Kuaka we will take some of your rain too. We had a couple of heavy spits yesterday but all over in a minute. It did cool things down to 26 which even tho its only 2-3 degrees it makes it almost bearable.

I got the fairy finished yesterday, Thank goodness.. Ill take her shopping this morning and will list her later. Might list some of the other knitting Ive been doing, I have plenty of time to make for Addy.

Shopping this morning then not a lot to do. the house stays tidy these days with us both parked in the lounge lol.

I started one of those top down matinee jackets last night. Its soo easy to do. GMS I have seen your pics and seen that you do them in different sizes. I only have the size for one, so if you can tell me how to make diff sizes Id be very greatfull. Im at the cast off for the armholes . And I sooo love the wool I got yesterday from Deramores that Im making it in.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-02-20 08:41:00

what wool did you get from Deramores popeye? I'm thinking that next time they have a 20% discount on dk I will take advantage - I'm also hoping that it won't be just yet and I can deplete my stash a bit before then.

Still light rain here, and my beans have started to pop up - yippee.

kuaka - 2014-02-20 11:16:00

OMG OMG OMG lmaoo MrK is doing DISHES!!!! sigh... wow lol

Now the suspicious me comes out and wonders what he wants lol.

Edited to add... I wish you were closer kuaka so I could give some of our beans, we're picking every two days and freezing/giving away what we don't eat.

Edited by kiwimade64 at 11:19 am, Thu 20 Feb

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-20 11:18:00

This is two of the wools Kuaka. The mauve tweed is what Im using for the knit from the top matinee jacket. Its lovely and soft, as most of James C Brett is. I will get more at some stage cos Ill easily wear that myself.

Lol Kiwimade, Maybe MrK is just wanting to be helpful and let you stitch lol.. I have to help MrP now, made a rod for my own back I think. So I wash he dries. I hate drying dishes.
Our beans are starting to flower again. They are self sown ones. Have heaps in the freezer. Ive got to give some of last years blackberries away to make room for this years.

popeye333 - 2014-02-20 12:16:00

oh no - I lied! I thought the beans had popped, it certainly looked like it from the kitchen window, so I went out armed with the slug bait and discovered that what looked like tiny little beans popping up is only little bits of egg shell that were in the compost, and were dirty and didn't notice, but now the rain has washed them clean and from a distance they looked like beans. Boohoo. I could cry. There is absolutely no sign of beans,

We usually have oodles of beans too but this year we were so busy working on the boat and getting ready for our holiday that they didn't get watered enough and have fizzled out. We had a few feeds of the purple climbers but the scarlet runners were a waste of time this year.

Mr K has nodded off in the chair so I might just put my head down for half an hour and catch a few zzzzzs.

Edited by kuaka at 1:25 pm, Thu 20 Feb

kuaka - 2014-02-20 13:25:00

just got home spent morning at sewing shop spending MrT money picked up my over locker from being serviced, just 1 more trip on to post a letter

carolev - 2014-02-20 13:27:00

Finally I'm halfway with my stitching. Phew, at last I feel like I'm on the home straight!
http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/305445702.jpg

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-20 15:13:00

very very nice well done

carolev - 2014-02-20 16:05:00

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/305453934.jpg

Aint it just soo cute... I will put a third button on the next ones. Weighs 30 grams lol.

Started it at 8-10pm last night. Finished at 4pm.. with life happening in the middle lol

Will have a looky at the stitching now.

Ohh Wow Kiwimade its beautifull... no wonder its taking a while. Its Awesome

Edited by popeye333 at 4:09 pm, Thu 20 Feb

popeye333 - 2014-02-20 16:08:00

thank you ladies :) am very happy with it so far, can't wait to finish it.

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-20 17:36:00

I am away for a couple of days...yes I will take some knitting, nothing too intricate though. I managed to pick up some buttons at the opshop while I was out today but will leave the sewing on until I get back.
Like every where else we are hot hot hot. You don't give much thought to woollies when you are packing your bags on a day like today.

grandmasue1 - 2014-02-20 21:05:00

have a safe trip Sue and am having a lazy day sewing and need to do the floors again

carolev - 2014-02-21 06:59:00

morning ladies :) and happy travels GMS :)

Going to be another hot one today so I'll get all those chores done early. Rain tomorrow (yeah right) they say on the radio, but we'll see. Have another TM sale to post off this morning, seem to be on a roll lol.

Will keep plodding on with my stitching, too hot to crochet or knit.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-21 08:35:00

Morning Everyone.

Happy travels Sue, nice to get out of the same four walls for a while eh

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/full/305420685.jpg

That's the two wools I got lol didn't actually put the pic in yesterday hahaha

Feeling a bit blah this morning, so I don't plan on doing much. Its almost like one of my flat battery days.
I started a tunic vest last night for Addy. With the wool I originally got for her. And will do one with the rest of the pink from Carole.
Ill try and print out the bigger top down pattern today, Thanks GMS.

Have a good day everyone

popeye333 - 2014-02-21 08:57:00

Morning
Safe travels GMS.
Your dragon is looking fantastic Kiwimade.
Off to Wellington a bit later, I have told my passenger that there will be an extra stop on the way. Someone on FB said that there is a good craft shop in Carterton so I will need to check it out.

Keep the needles clicking and enjoy

jayemtoo - 2014-02-21 09:57:00

thanks jayemtoo :) Am quite chuffed with the result so far.

And as for the 'extra' stop at Carterton... don't the police recommend you have regular stops on long trips? *angelic face here*

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-21 10:34:00

yes kiwimade, the stitching is looking fantastic - I thought I was a patient person but I would never even contemplate tackling something like that.

and yes, you certainly need frequent stops when travelling - what a great excuse!

and yes, finally I have 9 beans up this morning - so a definite yippee. Hope they have lots more pop up today. At least it's not raining now and the sun has just broken through, albeit quite a watery one.

Going to ignore the weeds, the garden is too wet, might do some washing, but I'm going to try to relax today and do some knitting and sewing - did some sewing yesterday, but today Mr K is in quite a lot of pain and isn't feeling well, he says his neck keeps clicking and graunching and he keeps flinching. I don't think he's out of the woods yet, so I have to try and keep cheerful to keep his spirits up.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-02-21 10:44:00

morning girl no rain yet, they said we would get fog no fog. sewing today . got to go get my glasses fixed the lens fell out. feeling down today I miss the grandkids big time might have to go pinch miss 4 for the day.

carolev - 2014-02-22 07:04:00

morning ladies :) Thanks kuaka :) I would only do that picture for our daughter, it's a labour of love.

At least your lens didn't break carole and putting it back in is an easy fix. Just frustrating when you rely on your glasses though.

I do believe we have some of that wet stuff from the sky across the paddock... well from here it looks like drizzle. Funny how it can be across the road and paddock and not here. Definitely cooler though.

Will get some stitching done, started the border of the third quarter yesterday afternoon. Really need to concentrate on it so hide myself away to stitch.

I've run out of navy yarn for my crochet which is fine as it has been far too hot to crochet or knit anyway. Will get more next week but not fussed about it.

Happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-22 07:52:00

we've still got wet stuff even though a few days ago the forecast was for a lovely warm sunny weekend. I suppose the met service still has a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong/right.

Quick nip to town today for lotto ticket and to check mail, then some sewing and knitting methinks. Also have to check the beans, 9 yesterday morning, 17 by late afternoon when I spread some slug bait round. That makes about 73 still to come. Really looking forward to some yummy beans as our climbers didn't do that well because they didn't get enough water. Might prepare another patch and put some more in. If it's successful I will be more enthusiastic about it.

Trying to decide whether to list some of my stash or hang on to it. Decisions, decisions. Some of it I've had so long it will almost be like parting with a family member.

Happy knitting everyone.

kuaka - 2014-02-22 08:53:00

Morning everyone.
Another stinking hot day ahead. We did have some rain before we got up tho. Im at my limit of tolerance for it now.
Just called fave bro in law and sis in law for their 22 wedding anniversary to the day today. Hes been in hospital with pneumonia. Sounds terrible. Was a hot fine day in Taranaki 22 years ago.

Three years since the quake, its gone fast.

Finished a little tunic last night and major problems finding just the right buttons. Ive settled on wanting crimson heats , alas I only have one, so will troll the shops on Thursday for more, when we go up to the superclinic for MrP.. Its for our wee Addy so I don't mind paying for something special for her.
More knitting when I can decide on what I want to make... I may just make more things for tm to finish part balls of wool, since all these little things take very little yarn.. And I want to make some more booties for Addy too. Her mum like booties on her

Have a good day everyone...

popeye333 - 2014-02-22 09:40:00

drizzly wet day here in Wellington but just a lovely warmth which is nice after the rather hot day yesterday.
Managed to stop in at Sew Carterton on the way through and they have a great selection of crafty things and heaps of buttons. Didn't actually buy anything this time but now know to bring samples of wool etc to match buttons next time I'm down this way.

Looking after 3yr old boy and 9 month girl both who have been very good while their mother is out with the 4 year old. Have even managed a bit of plain knitting while the baby is asleep.

hope the weather evens out for you all - want a fine but not hot day tomorrow for the Wellington round the bays looking forward to it as an experience.

jayemtoo - 2014-02-22 15:58:00

First time this summer I've felt it necessary to close all the doors and windows and actually put the air conditioning on. Tried the ceiling fan alone for a while but it just wasn't enough.

A very frustrating day on the craft front. Had almost finished my first project when I realised the lining had stretched and was too big, so do I now keep it for myself, give it to the opshop or list it on trademe at a ridiculously low reserve - it's a crochet hook pouch. Next I thought I would finish a knitted cupcake tea cosy and I managed to sew the cherry on the top way way off centre so had to unpick it.. Time to cook tea I thought after that. Time for a good nights sleep actually.

kuaka - 2014-02-22 19:56:00

morning girls. what a hot night, up and down to the loo, nearly finished round 8 , what size should I do for a cot blanket giving some tuckin . this new over lockers a piece of junk .

carolev - 2014-02-23 07:00:00

morning ladies :).... not sure carole, I can't remember the size I made Maddy's blanket. What brand overlocker? Shame it's not living up to your expectations.

It was so hot and humid here yesterday and last night even the Furry One didn't know what to do with himself. Kept the fan on all night in the bedroom so we all able to sleep comfortably - especially the Furry One as he ALWAYS finds the best spots, summer or winter!

Was far to humid to knit or even stitch, my hands kept slipping. Need to replace my needle as I have worn all the silver off it and it doesn't pull through the linen smoothly anymore.

Might try and stitch/knit/crochet (depends on my mood lol) this morning before it gets too hot again.

happy knitting :)

kiwimade64 - 2014-02-23 07:35:00

Yes, very humid up here, used the ceiling fan for the first time this summer, and then when I was about to start cooking tea, I decided to hell with it, I shut all the doors and windows and put the heat pump on "cooling". That fixed the humidity. That's the first time I've used it on cool this summer. Last summer we only used it on cool once, and I remember when step daughter was here at new year (not this one the previous one) we actually used the heat pump on heat 'cos it was so flipping cold. At least I haven't done that this year.

I managed to fix the cherry on the top of the cupcake and finished an owl tea cosy (no pics as I might list it on here) and did some knitting, but then I nodded off in the chair and when I woke up with a stiff neck decided to have an early night but I didn't sleep well as it was too hot. Chucked the duvet off and got a flannelette sheet and put over me. That was better. Not sure what to do today. We've had some rain (or at least a shower) in the night. I might try and finish waterblasting and staining the deck which I was busy with before Christmas, also the driveway badly needs waterblasting. That takes me several days as I can only do a section of it at a time - it's just too big to do in one hit. Might concentrate on finishing the deck first. See what the weather does, it's looking as though it might rain in which case I'll stay indoors and do some sewing and knitting.

Have a great day everyone.

kuaka - 2014-02-23 08:11:00

Morning everyone.
I had a wipe out of a day yesterday. Runs all day, then after I ate tea it was like my temperature broke, and I was sitting here with my fan on but with goose bumps. So my evening felt a lot cooler than it was. Man I suffered through the day tho.
Started a cardy for Addy although I think it may be a bit big. I think Ill add a bit of length to the sleeves then it should fit her through the cooler evenings of spring and next autumn too maybe.
Its white with pink garter stitch rows alternating with rows of holes. An old pattern that Ive always wanted to knit. I plan on doing a pink version with the white garter stitch as well.

The wind has turned so we are actually getting a cool breeze Yayayay.

We got the letter for MrPs dermatology appointment yesterday. It can take up to 2 hours. They check him all over lol.... Which means when we are done we might go have morning tea/lunch at a café which just happens to be right next door to spotlight. Convenient eh lol.
Ill hopefully get some heart buttons or something in the crimson, and Ill get some for the two cardies too

Have a good day all...

popeye333 - 2014-02-23 08:49:00

Carole I make my baby blankets a meter square at least. They are being used in cots...

popeye333 - 2014-02-23 08:51:00

thanks pop eye it's 32 inches at the moment . so 1 more round should do it, both over lockers have shit themselves so 2 off back to shop tomorrow,

carolev - 2014-02-23 13:28:00

Ohh wow that's not good re the overlockers Carole. Mine doesn't get used much But Id hate not to have it.
What brand was the new one? Maybe you should have industrial ones

popeye333 - 2014-02-23 13:33:00

The member deleted this message.

popeye333 - 2014-02-23 13:35:00