31 December 2012...

It is so hard to believe that another year has passed by in such a blur.

I had great intentions of getting up early to go for a ride this morning, as the weather isn't looking to promising for the next couple of days, but the lure of my kindle and just chilling in bed reading was too great... perhaps a ride this afternoon.

Yesterday I was out with the Valley Cranks (my Sunday group) - we did a 92km ride and got caught in the heavy rain on the way home, luckily it was still relatively warm, though cycling 30kms in heavy rain to get home wasn't much fun.

Today being the last day of the year is often a time for reflection, for me its looking at all the quilting, stitching and knitting UFO's that are unfinished (still); the time in the garden that hasn't been spent (cycling is much more fun); the messy sewing corner that still hasn't been sorted...ah well there is always the coming year to tackle these :)

Whatever you're up to today for the last day of 2012 - enjoy.

I hope that 2013 brings you lots of blessings and great cheer, along with tackling some of that quilting to-do-list and setting yourself new challenges.

Hugs

Christmas crafting...

The good thing about Christmas is I seem to find my crafting mojo again albeit for a few weeks :D

Yesterday we were out past Red Rocks, on the bay diagonal to Karori Lighthouse, Chris was diving (yummo we had crayfish and paua for dinner); while Chris was diving I always scavenge the beach for heart-shaped rocks, and small washed up paua shells. I was on a mission to find similar sized shells to make a 'shell & bead string' with them.

Once we left the beach, we detoured to Made Marion, to visit gorgeous Maryanne and her hubby David, with a mission to buy wax coated thin twine and glass beads, and crimp thingees (to stop the beads moving on the twine).

This morning I washed the shells, left to dry in the wind! and then began the crafting this afternoon.

I went to hang on the wall outside of the bathroom, and realised I had no picture hooks :(  I will get some tomorrow and then post an updated photo of the completed 'shell & bead string'.  Am pretty pleased with the results.

Do you remember...

Who remembers these great cane baskets?

I spied it on TradeMe prior to Christmas, and thought - I just have to have this ... and I won, it cost the grand sum of $10.00 for such a fantastic basket (photo is from the auction).

The basket arrived yesterday, it is in perfect condition and will be great for my carrying my knitting to craft nights   :D

Happy holidays

Survived Taupo Cycle Challenge for another year...

Not sure who checks in on my blog any more as I'm so erratic at posting :(

However for those that were wondering... I did survive Taupo Cycle Challenge (160km) for another year and even managed to beat last years time by 22mins.

It was a ride of suffering & perseverance as for the first time experienced back spasms which started around 40km's into the ride, and then from around 100kms the quads just above the knees started having spasms every time I stood up on the pedals - thank goodness for 'cramp stop spray' that my riding buddy, Roger had on him.  Other than that, the butt survived, my bike went like a dream and no punctures (bonus), the weather was excellent (double bonus).

Just crossed the finish line (6hrs 22mins)

My great riding buddy, Roger :)

No rest over Christmas holidays, as am riding a 2-day tour in Martinborough end of January and then there is Graperide (6 April) where I am entering the magnum event (2 laps of the 101km course).

Doggy Day Care Walks for Diesel...

Diesel has started going to Doggy Day Care one afternoon a week, Kat picks him up from home, and with a van full of dogs (just imagine the noise of the barking!) heads off to either the river trail or Belmont Regional Park, where they go for a 2 hour run, then Kat returns Diesel home absolutely buggered.  He just loves it.

Kat sends through an email  later that night with photo's of their run and a brief outline of how he behaved and what he got up to on the run!  So cute :D

Diesel boy having a moment's rest

Running with Summer (flat coat retriever)

Dog Squad

Don't they look happy
(except the Lab who's busy ignoring the camera completely!)

Two weeks to go...

It's that time of year where hardly any stitching is happening, though I am still knitting the girls cardy, every Thursday night at stitching, finally up to the 2nd sleeve, then its only the button bands to go - phew - just in time for Summer... as I will make them wear it at least once :D

Only two weeks to go before Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge (160km), this is my 3rd year!  And weather on my side and no mechanical or body issues, have trained with the intention on completing in under 6 hours this year.

Not long over the finish line Taupo 2011 :D

So as you can imagine, weekends are about cycling; the week is about work, strength training, spin class and with daylight saving a mid-week ride.  Thankfully Chris and the girls are my biggest supporters, and even though they think I might be slightly mad, are right behind me and supporting my addiction.

Kait's final school ball...

Tonight we held the pre-ball for Kait and some of her friends.  Her 'date' is her long time friend Kane - they have been buddies since intermediate.  Parents of the kids were also about taking photo's and enjoying a glass of bubbles.  Two limo's were awaiting to whisk the kids into town for their ball at St James Theatre.

Katy Perry came to visit...

This is the fantastic "cupcake" top Kait made this afternoon as part of her "Katy Perry" costume for a fancy dress tonight - she's hoping to win the 'best dressed prize'.

Below is the inspiration...

Have a great weekend.

Hugs

If only I were a boy...

and 10+ years younger and had been cycling since I could walk... then just perhaps I could have been good enough to pretend to be a pro...

instead I'll just watch the boys and cheer them on from my sofa :)

July is going to be a tiring month - as I will have to watch it live and will mean late nights to very early morning tv watching - I can't record as we don't have mysky or a dvd recorder...

Beanie # 2 for Knitting for Cool Kids

Hot off the needles, Beanie # 2 for Knitting for Cool Kids :)

Back to knitting the girls cardigan for now...

Hugs

Knitting for cool kids...

On Facebook, I've joined up with a local knitting project Knitting for Cool Kids.  The objective being to knit scarves, hats/beanies and slippers for children that attend Decile 1 primary schools in the Wellington region.

Here is my first beanie:

I knitted this on those gorgeous Knitpro needles that I purchased from Holland Road Yarn Company on Saturday afternoon :)  Wool was leftovers from many years previous, when I used to do a lot of knitting for my girls.

Beanie # 2 is on the needles now - these are so fast to knit.

Hope you are keeping warm and being crafty :)

Knitting & Cycling do go together...

Visited Holland Road Yarn Company today for the first time - what a cool little shop in Petone - visit their website and facebook page (they have online shopping too).

Just to prove that knitting and cycling DO go together :)  

Have a wonderful crafting weekend.

PS: I've nearly finished the back of the girls cardigan - is looking very cute - will post photo once its finished.

Hugs

My Bella...

Bella after my knitting needles  :)

loaded from mobile phone

My cycling buddy...

I met Raelene when I started cycling with Gearshifters 2 years ago, and she has become a great friend and cycling buddy.  Here we are not long before heading to the start line for Graperide on 24th March 2012...

Here we are again with another great buddy and cycling friend Nic :)

Enjoy your long weekend, I'm hoping to cycle tomorrow and Monday!

Queen's for a day...

My project manager (in the squirrel fur wrap!) thought it a great idea that we come dressed as "Queen's" to celebrate the upcoming Queen's Birthday Weekend - here are some of the project team in their glory!  Once I saw the photo, I suddenly realised just how short I am!!

Hugs

Photo's from recent girls weekend away

Recently, I had a lovely weekend away celebrating a friends 50th Birthday - here are some of my favourite photo's from the weekend :)