I still have no recollection of last year’s Xmas Day in ThePalace(OfLove), but it would have played out in very similar fashion to this one.

We generally keep it pretty sedate – food prep, hanging about, some low key feasting, maybe some pottering.

When searching for some clue to the mysterious 2020 festive season, I found a message on the family chat from 30/12/20 expressing concern that daily covid cases had jumped from 6 to 18.

Such innocence! Yesterday was 6,288 and will undoubtedly climb over the next weeks.

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For the longest time I’ve avoided using wrapping paper on family gifts, but there are a few rolls hanging about in a cupboard accumulated over many, many years, so I’m now slowly using them up rather than continuing to store them.

+ Bessie’s birthday gift hiding underneath

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We feasted on spiced lamb, hummus and pinenuts, with fatoush on the side – or is it the other way around? And fried pita bread – truly food of the gods.

When our food processor died late in 2020, we replaced it with a Magimix. It was horrifyingly expensive and honestly worth every single cent – spectacular results on the hummus.

And of course, we scoffed the traditional pavlova.

I have resolved to delight Future Me by writing up this pavlova recipe in a less narrative form.

I cannot express my complete and utter loathing of this type of recipe writing.

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In the afternoon I potted up the wee succulent from my concreting class (which to my astonishment is still alive), and another I’d grabbed from ikea earlier in the week.

I’m very pleased with the results! Many lessons learned from my first solo efforts, which I’ll regale you with separately.

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strange festive bug

I spent the evening watching a couple of episodes of 2016 Landscape Artist of the Year on the youtubes. I was delighted to discover this as our streaming service has had only the one single season available for over a year. I’ll be quickly devouring this as I’m sure it will be vanished before much longer.

There’s really something delightful and soothing about watching people make art.

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Today I think I need to brave the supermarket and hopefully source a heavily discounted turkey to shove in the freezer. Winter Me will be very appreciative if I can do this.

Bessie and Hansel over this afternoon/evening for Boxing Day feasting. We are highly envious of Joan’s freezing weather and extensive Christmas Markets – it all seems extremely festive and magical.

17 more days until I return to work – how totally wonderful!

Don plays as much golf as is humanly possible and has a large collection of caps to keep him safe** from the harsh sun.

He was reconciling these hats last week and was planning to bin^^ a couple of favourites that definitely had seen better days.

They’d originally started life as deep navy hats coloured, but sweat and sun had done their work. And if the sun does this to hats, imagine what it does to our skin!

I knew they were favourites, so asked for them to see what I could come up with project-wise. Good for the creative muscle.

I’m out of the habit of taking a billion progress photos, but below are post project remnants. Behold the difference in colour from the visor – and they look really very grody, but be assured they have been cleaned!

I had several ideas and experimented quite a bit. In the end I grabbed a couple of small inexpensive frames from ikea (GALLBODA), some cheap black felt from Diaso ($2.80 for a small roll) and I was away.

I’m really pretty pleased with the outcome! Very vintage and will go well in the Manhole (which is how we refer to Don’s music-listening room, which I realise I’ve only referenced in passing)

perspex removed for photo – way too much glare

Must get more of those $5 frames as they are scheduled to leave the range!

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COVID case numbers are increasing wildly here. We’ve cancelled some of our planned activities because the last thing we want is covid and/or isolation for the glorious 19 day break.

So no Julius Caesar for us tomorrow evening and probably fewer of those planned meals out.

Boosters scheduled for January.

Stay safe!

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** well, safe(ish) – lashings of sunscreen still required.
^^ we don’t have textile recycling that I’m aware of.

Being an absolute negative self-talk champion, I’m wont to berate myself when I’m a bit gloomy and stressed for letting myself getting out of those nourishing habits that I know keep me on an even keel.

But this evening I realised that this kind of thinking is probably an extension of the idea that there is One True Routine that will result in me being fully optimised and eternally upbeat.

Really there is no such routine and it is okay to be gloomy for a bit. I’m giving myself permission to be out of sorts and even despairing on occasion – for these are trying times.

But I’m going to re-balance and do some of the things that cheer me – while acknowledging that these things may not always cheer me, but we’ll see how we go.

And HolyGoodness, I’m ready for that glorious Xmas break!

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Today at lunch, I grabbed a pile of books at random from the library.

possible aspirational to get through these in 19 days

I’m pretty confident I’ve not read any of these authors save for Michelle de Krester (read The Hamilton Case which I think I enjoyed) **

Maybe I read Presumed Innocent in very ancient times?

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I’ve also started a couple of smallish projects and bought supplies for more. And have a couple of small activities planned, which may or may not come off, because COVID numbers.

The challenge of course is to drag myself away from the devices!

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** I really would benefit from updating those years of reading, or maybe I wouldn’t. Perhaps those four years can be left as another vast expanse of lost time?

If you’d asked me prior to this year when hydrangea season was, I probably would have guessed Spring. Maybe September?

Despite living in ThePalace(OfLove) for almost 10 years, was I completely oblivious to the many magnificent specimens in the neighbourhood.

these appear to be one plant, but surely not?

slightly more common around here

December it is!

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I realised this week how much I use the blog as an aide-mémoire when I was pondering how to use those precious 19 days away from SML over Xmas.

Neither Don or I could remember at all what we did last year when we had a similar length break, so I took to the blog archives – which generally kicks the grey matter into gear.

Except … I apparently did not blog at all in December 2020. And there are barely an photographs on the camera roll either.

I’m not sure if this is incredibly freeing or troubling.

I think maybe I cross-stitched a bit?

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My anxiety levels are on the rise – along with a sharp increase in COVID numbers. The Government has removed most mask and venue check-in mandates this week, which seems very ill-thought out, but here we are.

It would benefit me greatly to cease with the doom-scrolling and other such numbing and stressful activities.

Perhaps I could blog a little more during this time so 2022 me can look back and remember what she did.

Note to Future Self: you were really pretty stressed, comfort eating A LOT and spending way too much time online in not-good ways. You also weren’t doing any of those nurturing activities that you absolutely know you need to do to stay on an even keel.

Two weeks ago, I had Friday off work for my annual now-totally-non-boozy luncheon with Dishy(Ex)Boss.

I had a bit of time at my disposal in the morning, so decided it was time to have a crack at the concrete supplies!

Washed Sydney sand, dingo grey cement and terracotta oxide.

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I’d been diverting materials from the recycling and had a mind to make some tealight holders in a sort of Nakagin Capsule tower capsule shape, and pretty much whatever else revealed itself to me along the way!

potential moulds

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The mix!

3 parts sand + 1 part cement + 1 part water

Note to Future Self: in class I used almost 1.5 parts water to get this result, this took less than 1 part – go carefully!

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First moulds filled!

I made liberal use of plastic wrap for the centre holes, particularly where they were made from something other than plastic. Two weeks in and it seems like everything remained intact – good to know that I can make use of cardboard tubes and other non-plastic items to create shapes.

I didn’t really think this process entirely through and was scrambling to find items to hold down the centres and keep them embedded – they’re wont to float to the top if not restrained.

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And eep! I realised I had more mix than I had moulds, so quickly freestyled a little house mould from leftover bits of milk carton and tape. I didn’t measure, so hopefully reasonably straight!

I have such an enthusiasm for wee concrete houses – and have many favourited on etsy.

Despite the double taping, water started seeping through the edges, so more cling wrap to the rescue. Then it got all wobbly because the milk cartons are not super-stable, so I braced the bottom with a couple of brackets from the random hardware junk tub.

Another note to Future Self: milk cartons are not going to give you the hard edges you want unless you add bracing / support.

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And in all the excitement, completely forgot to add in the oxide, which I was hoping to use for a marble effect on some. Ah well, next time!

As before, I watered for a week and let sit for 2 weeks.

Am excited to see the results when I un-mould on Xmas Eve!

Totally fun, very simple and I will definitely repeat. I’ve bought a hot glue gun and some melamine board, so I can get a bit more creative with the moulds and shapes.

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And after three long weeks, I un-moulded (de-moulded?) the wee pots from my class …

LtoR: plain grey and grey with black oxide marbelling

LtoR: grey with black oxide marbelling and plain grey

So glossy!

I’m super-pleased with them. Definitely keeps the motivation up to keep playing around.

I’m so very ready for to be done with this work year and move into the glorious 19 day Xmas break!

What a very difficult and, if I’m honest, incredibly boring, hard slog of a year has been.

current work mood

There have been several major unfavourable outcomes for SML recently. These mean the future is less than bright, but I imagine we will limp along in dysfunction for a while yet.

I can’t imagine anything will magically change because the calendar flips to 2022, but the time away will be appreciated.

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Vincenzo, former protege, has scored a dream job and is off to South East Asia in the New Year!

We’ve worked together for 10 years – since he was a wee baby grad – and I honestly could not be more thrilled for him. It’s wildly exciting!

And I’m delighted to have played a part in his success – especially our recent accountability partnership to update our CVs and apply for gigs **.

I will miss him terribly, but maybe this is just what I need to give me the kick.

There are structural shake-ups ahead, and I may end up with more areas reporting in to me. I’ve made it clear there needs to be additional remuneration attached for me to consider anything like that.

Can I make it through another 12 months? Do I even want to?

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As is my way, last Friday I took an annual leave day rather than attend the SML Xmas party and sit around being bored senseless watching people drinking too much and getting messy.

Instead, Don and I drove to the Blue Mountains in teeming rain for a relaxed (belated) birthday lunch. The food was lovely, service wonderful and neighbouring conversations of excellent calibre for eavesdropping.

it eventually stopped pouring and the thick plastic curtains stopped us freezing to death

We thought it had been well over a year since we last visited – but it was February! Time has really kind of lost all meaning in these times.

It was very, very nice to get out of the 10km radius. We have resolved to do more getting out and about over the break.

And this morning we all received an email saying that one of our colleagues has tested positive for COVID. Now every one who was at the Xmas party must get tested immediately and isolate for 7 days.

I think we’re now at the point in the year where you ask yourself if the event you’re attending is worth the risk of having to quarantine afterwards – possibly over Xmas!

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** though the applying for gigs was more about him than me

As briefly mentioned here, I’ve been playing about with the tiny ancient 12 year old lumix ** which I recently found in a drawer snuggled up against the Giant Nikon ^^.

Giant Nikon is quite hefty and now gives me a bit of a head-ache when I look through the view-finder, even briefly.

Comparative camera weights:
+ Nikon with 35mm lens = 745g
+ Nikon with 55mm-200mm zoom lens = 847g
+ iphone SX = 211g
+ Lumix = 148g

Why on earth would I want to carry an extra 1kg with me? Why on earth did I carry that extra 1kg with me on some holidays?

Maybe it’s time to let go and pass onto someone else via eBay? And perhaps while I am at it, I can also let go of the idea that I’m ever going get into DSLR photography in a really serious way. I still enjoy taking photos, but I can do that without the complicated kit.

I know I’m dithering on deaccessioning the Nikon because it does take quite lovely photos. But honestly it is a very rare occasion indeed that I reach for it. It would probably benefit me to pull the trigger on listing it, rather than thinking this will change at all and having it take up my brain-space.

It’s quite difficult to release myself from this myriad of potential-selves!

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The iphone vs lumix comparison is pretty interesting. I admit like many things, this may only be interesting to me!

iphone

lumix

Side by side: the iphone is much cleaner and sharper, but to my eye the lumix shots are much more “camera” and a bit more moody.

I’m digging the camera vibe – and I’d be unlikely to get even $20 for the lumix, so it can hang out with me for a while.

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I don’t know how Black Friday became a thing here, but I guess retailers/brands will use any excuse to encourage us to buy ever-more stuff. I’m using the day as motivation to unsubscribe from a whole lot of emails.

It’s birthday season (hurrah!) and there is no escaping that I’m now entering my mid-50s – yikes – that happened fast.

I used to adore taking a day off to wander about the shops, maybe buy a few items – #treatyoself – now I’m trying to think about my consumption and resist spending, it’s a little challenging to know how to approach birthdays.

I considered taking a basket weaving class on the day itself, but that felt pretty forced. I actually don’t really want to do much – it feels indulgent just to lay about and read, stay away from the computer. Eat some yummy things. Mostly chill. Maybe do some yoga.

I’m thinking I’ll lean pretty heavily into the rebelliousness of doing nothing!

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** My 2009 birthday gift from Don!

^^ HolyGoodness! Before grabbing that link, I was completely unaware that it’s almost 7 years old!

Imagine my surprise to encounter a giant image of a very young Leader of the Federal Opposition looming over the toilet in a newly extended Marrickville Metro shopping centre bathroom.

The fact that Anthony Albanese is featured in local artwork is no surprise, he grew up in the area and has been the local member forever – but the bathroom?!

Albo is popping up everywhere lately – these stickers are plastered all over the place in the neighbourhood. This is likely because a Federal Election needs to happen before May 2022.

in case it wasn’t obvious, “boring” is an aftermarket addition

Though the incumbents should lose because, among many other things, they are appalling and incompetent; I’m unconvinced the Labor party will form government because they don’t really appear to have a compelling narrative, or at least one that is breaking through.

And that boring thing.

Because I’ve done a few classes there, I’m subscribed to the Sydney Community College newsletter. They’ve recently re-established in person teaching and I was eager to get back to creating among people. I’d been pretty keen on the concrete planter class for a while, but had talked myself out of it because it was held at night.

Later in the day after the weekly email arrived, I encountered a concrete-related advert on a bus, then later on another bus, then I passed a bag of it on the footpath near ThePalace(OfLove).

I figured TheUniverse was trying to tell me something.

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And finally, last week – the class!

We were to make two pots, decorate a pre-made pot, and plant up a poor, wee succulent (poor, because I fear for its life in my care).

supplies

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It really was quite a simple process – sand+cement+water (3-1-1). Mix until it looks like porridge, then tip it in the moulds – which were made from plastic take-away containers and coffee cups.

I made one plain grey pot and one with a black-oxide marble effect.

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My completed items!

I’ll be using the painted pot as a small candle receptacle and potting the succulent into something else. I’ll try not to become too attached to it.

My pots need to stay in their moulds for a week, being watered every day. Then they’ll sit for a minimum of another week to cure. The longer I leave, the shinier the surface.

And I’ve already been to the hardware store for supplies to have a play about. I’m currently stockpiling plastic containers for moulds, but am very keen to make something before I forget how.

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And instafamous (second photo on link)!

I really loved being back making things admist other people. It was a lovely group and the instructor was wonderful – such great energy. I would totally do another class with her.

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Despite this being an evening class, it was super easy to get to the venue from ThePalace(OfLove) – particularly with the car. This is infinitely more civilised and much less tiring than catching public transport from the city and trying to make my way home on the infrequently running bus, late at night.

What this does reinforce that I can actually get out and do things in the evenings, and that I don’t need to be in bed at 9:30pm. A little tireness the next day is absolutely fine and a good thing. I’m glad I’m recovering from this ridiculous notion that I need to have a perfect routine, so that I am totally optimised for … well, I was never quite sure what I was optimising for. The things we do!

I’m determined to do more classes of all kinds in 2022. If I’ve learned anything from the last year, it’s to get out and do things while there is opportunity.

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In news that will surprise no-one, the Guardian reported this week that only 16% of recyclable plastic waste is actually recycled in Australia. Call me cynical, but I’m fairly confident that most of what I diligently place into my recycling bin ends up in landfill.

Of course they mean not very much in the grand scheme of things, but I’m continuing with my small sustainability efforts.

I have A Lot of feelings about how companies absolve themselves of all responsibility for sustainable practices and push this onto the consumer with variations of “but it’s your fault you keep buying things packaged in plastic, what can we possibly do in the face of this demand?”.

We can only but try.

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So, how are those minimal packaging skin and haircare samplers?

There are so many ethique hearts of similar colour that it is quite difficult to tell what product is what. But tiny hearts! Adorable!

Summary of what I’ve tried so far. Note that my skin is horrendously dry. Horrendously. Your own mileage may vary.

The Ethique: the perfector face cream is fantastic and I’ve already ordered the full size. It did take a while to become accustomed to and soften up, and the first few attempts left wee dried up “bits” all over my face – similar to the little plug that gets stuck in a pump dispenser, if you get what I mean.

Ethique: saving face serum does not want to soften, dried bits persist well into use – not really vibing it.

Ethique jasmine and ylang ylang body butter block – quite good, very moisturising on my sandpaper-like skin. Will likely get the full size.

Shampoo with a purpose: dry or damaged left my hair extremely silky, but very flat – which isn’t really the look I’m going for.

Ethique: frizz wrangler shampoo – quite like this, leaves the scalp feeling clean and hair bouncy and not weighed down with stuff. Don’t know that it is really wrangling frizz.

Ethique: the guardian conditioner – my hair is kind of feeling like straw at the ends, so probably not a product I’ll persist with. I may have to return to the brilliant L’Occitane conditioner – despite my extreme disapproval of their choice of influencers.

Ethique: bliss bar cleanser – used twice so far and seems quite decent.

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I’ve started using these Tru Earth unscented eco laundry strips to pretty decent success.

You definitely need to pre-treat stains when using this. I use dishwashing liquid for oily stains (this is quite genius) and occasionally pre-soak whites in nappy(diaper)-soak stuff. I’d most likely have done this pre-treating anyway. I use a white vinegar rinse instead of fabric softener and air dry most everything, though some things get a final boost in the dryer.

After a ton of research on the InformationSuperHighway, I assumed my washing woes of large random greasy spots appearing on otherwise clean clothes after washing were detergent related. Alas this doesn’t seem to be entirely the case.

We have very hard water, which is just all-round awful. When this machine dies I’m definitely going for a top-loader, which random internet people claim is superior for hard water washing.

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And I’ve found one more use for all the glass jars I’ve been accumulating (reuse being better than recycle).

They make excellent receptacles for freezing stock and wine for cooking!

playing about with the ancient lumix!

Thus saving us from buying more plastic containers when the old ones give out, which they do – despite our careful attentions. We don’t microwave plastic, nor do we have a dishwasher – but they eventually crack, or stop sealing well, or shatter when dropped while frozen.

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