The motorcycle orchestra. Most are in the process of being restored/repaired, so the sound of revving engines is quite common.
I know how well it’s going though, by the sounds that emanate from the Big T as he’s working.
DIY
The Changing Seasons, August 2019
In an extremely dreary month, I resorted to buying cut flowers to inject a little colour. Image: Su Leslie 2019
August is often a month in which I feel like hibernating. This year, with rain every day (yep, actually every single day), cold winds and heavy grey skies, I really haven’t felt like venturing far from home. I know I’ve been busy at home — I’m just not quite sure what I’ve been busy doing.
My photos offer a few clues.
My first attempt at baking a rye/wheat combination bread. Su Leslie 2019
Sourdough banana bread. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Sourdough loaf. Su Leslie 2019
Double-exposures; a newly discovered camera setting. Su Leslie 2019
Double-exposures; a newly discovered camera setting. Su Leslie 2019
Felt-making for beginners. Su Leslie 2019
Felt-making for beginners; the reminder that I can only get better. Su Leslie 2019
Sourdough hotcakes with blueberries and coconut cream. Su Leslie 2019
Sourdough hotcakes with blueberries and coconut cream. Su Leslie 2019
Playing with my food; blueberry juice and coconut cream make such interesting patterns.. Sourdough hotcakes with blueberries and coconut cream. Su Leslie 2019
Playing with my food; blueberry juice and coconut cream make such interesting patterns.. Sourdough hotcakes with blueberries and coconut cream. Su Leslie 2019
Su Leslie 2019
Image: Su Leslie 2019
Before and after: dining chair refurb project. Su Leslie 2019
There has been a lot of baking this month; mostly sourdough-based. I’ve been making a sourdough wholewheat bread for a few years, and was getting quite reliably good results until a few months ago. My most recent loaves aren’t developing the gluten properly, and I’m obsessively testing variations on my recipe to understand what is going wrong.
I’m still not sure, but in the process of experimenting I’ve made a lot of sourdough pancakes/hotcakes (excellent for breakfast with berries), some good banana bread, a tasty wheat/rye loaf — and the best basic San Fransisco-style sourdough of my bread-making “career.”
In other news:
I discovered the multiple-exposure function on my camera and have had fun with that.
A bunch of supermarket tulips brought some much-needed floral inspiration as the weather has hammered my neighbourhood’s gardens.
In Whanganui last month I found three bags of dyed, carded wool for felting at $4 per bag. I couldn’t resist buying them, and have had a couple of attempts at wet-felting. I’m not at all happy with the results so far, but — like sourdough baking — I am determined to learn this skill, even if it’s only to make myself a scarf.
And in a moment of (probable) insanity; I decided to refurbish our dining chairs; bought from IKEA over 20 years ago.
I started out just thinking I’d smarten up an ugly, but comfortable $5 op-shop chair. Then I realised the colours I had in mind would work really well with our dining room furniture.
Somehow, I transitioned from that one little “paint-and-upholstery” job to making new seat frames for six chairs (bonus: I learned how to use a jig-saw); stripping and painting six grubby, waxed, wooden frames (plus one that was varnished); and upholstering seven chairs in turquoise and white striped canvas. Only one is completed so far — and boy have I learned a lot from it!
Not captured in the photographic record; I’ve also read more than usual (fiction and non-fiction); and completed the first assignment in a NZ Certificate in Horticulture course I signed up to. As you do …
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
- Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
- Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
- Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
- Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
- Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
- Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
Update
Take a look at these lovely bloggers’ August posts:
Sarah at Art Expedition
Ruth at Ruth’s Arc
Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking intelligent life on Earth
Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind
Tish at Writer on the Edge
Jude from Life at the Edge
Joanne at My Life Lived Full
Lani at Life, the Universe and Lani
Pauline at Living in Paradise
Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful
Brian at Bushboy’s World
Gill at Talking Thailand
Anything but silent Sunday
Woodworking morning with jigsaw and round-hole drilling-thing. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Getting creative with an old desk
Refurbished; old writing desk bought from a charity shop. Image: Su Leslie 2019
My student son lives in a shared flat, which means he has to keep most of his belongings in his bedroom, and work there too when the shared spaces get too busy or noisy.
So when I saw an old drop-front writing desk, it seemed a perfect solution to his need for both a workspace and storage.
In its original state, the desk was a bit dull and sad-looking, but it’s amazing what a few coats of white paint can do!
As bought. The wooden finish was a bit shabby, and too dark for a small bedroom. Image: Su Leslie 2019
I remember from my flatting days that rented houses never have enough lights or power points, they’re always in the wrong place, and there’s generally nothing you can do about it. So with the Big T’s help, I’ve fitted power and lighting to the desk itself, with a four-outlet power board (with USB ports) and a LED light above the desk area.
Integrated power-board makes it easy to use/charge laptop, phone, etc. Image: Su Leslie 2019
LED light attached to the desk should make the work area usable in any room. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Imagining how the desk would look as my workspace. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Image: Su Leslie 2019
Having brought the desk indoors to photograph it, I’m realising how useful I’d find something like this. And it does look good with the black & white chair.
Posted to the Lens-Artists’ Photo Challenge — creativity
Up-cycling project for the boy-child’s room
Vintage writing desk; a charity-shop, up-cycling project.
Perfect for the boy-child’s small-space living.
Primer on the drawers, and already an improvement.
Images: Su Leslie 2019
Posted to Six Word Saturday
Wordless Wednesday
Project for the day. I bought an old tea trolley and am refurbishing it. Today’s job — remove rust from wheels. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Six Word Saturday: feeling grateful for a handy man
I have yet to find a DIY job the Big T can’t accomplish. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
Six Word Saturday: a bit of DIY this weekend
Actual workmen may differ from those shown. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
The Big T was too busy working on the bathroom to pose for a photo, so I found some ring-ins. And for some reason, I thought of this song:
