tiny happy

I'd say the heading on this post pretty much sums it up! Winter has tentatively arrived here in Wellington, but here are some photos from the end of autumn. 

I found a trio of books from the 1970s and 80s by the NZ painter and journalist Shona McFarlane in a second-hand shop. They kept my spirits up while I was isolating in my room with Covid (all recovered now, and feeling very fortunate!) McFarlane died in 2001, after a long career as an artist, writer and also TV panellist and arts administrator.

Her books are very witty and quirky, with stories about travels with her politician husband and the funny things people said and did. She loved to paint vegetables but also did interesting portraits, landscapes, stained glass and etchings. In one of the books, next to a portrait of brown onions she wrote: "still life is to feel the shape, weight and silence of things. To reflect on the perfect nature of humble ordinary things and portray them in a state of unfussed clarity. An onion is a beautiful fruit of the earth." 

Her writing and everyday paintings reminded me to get my nature journal out and record a few things that were popping up in the garden over that time. I'm still enjoying my painting but finding that I definitely need to practice more! 

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I wanted to show you a picture of my favourite new plant – a variegated ficus I bought from my local florist Next Stop Earth in Newtown. I bought another for a workmate who was leaving us and couldn't resist getting another for me. She sits on a shelf in our bedroom and I admire those leaves every morning – they could be painted with watercolour!

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I've also been enjoying the odd bit of knitting, as always. I made a little set for a new baby from creamy alpaca yarn – the hat is the 'Baby Bear Bonnet' pattern by Pernille Larsen and the slippers are called 'Greemy Baby Booties' – there are links to both patterns here on my Ravelry page.

I also knitted something for me – a new hat for winter. The design is by Melody Hoffman and it's called the 'Brume Hat.' I used some beautiful Australian DK yarn that was a gift from my friend Lizzie, held together with a strand of mohair. The result is super soft and cosy and I'm almost wishing for cooler weather so I can wear it (not really… I'm not a big fan of proper winter…) Here are the Ravelry details.

And speaking of Lizzie, she sent me some yarn the other day – Cloverleaf Corriedale naturally dyed with onion skins, which is very local to her.. It's so golden and beautiful! And she also included a tin of beautiful hand balm. Might have to make another hat with the yarn, I reckon.

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Early winter is such a good time to stock up on books and other indoorsy things. I'm currently reading Hannah Gadsby's Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation which is making me feel and think all the things. Also recently finished Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which was simply an amazing piece of writing.

I'd love to hear what you're working on, reading or listening to these days? I hope this finds you very well, dear reader!

With love,
M