Thursday, October 4, 2012

Go play outside....and mind The Snakes!!!



It's warming up in these parts so along with the regular mantra of telling the Kidlets to "go play outside"  you will often hear the addition of "....stay on the tracks and mind the snakes!". The warmer weather has brought the snakes out to sun-bake and the long grass is making it more difficult to see them - a disconcerting combination for my outdoor loving little adventurers.

There are 3 types of snakes in Tasmania - the Tiger Snake, Copperhead Snake and White-Lipped Snake. All venomous and the first two are in the top 10 deadliest snakes in Australia. All have been spotted on our property. However, they are generally shy creatures and usually only attack if trapped or threatened so we are not particularly frightened of them.  The last death from a snake bite in Tasmania (of a person who wasn't an actual snake handler) was in 1966 and all snakes respond to the same anti venin so if anyone was to be bitten, it could all be sorted with a quick trip to the hospital. Still, the Kidlets have been taught to have a healthy respect for these creatures and we are all mindful of them. We have also had Reptile Rescue come and remove the Copperhead that had made it's home at the top of the steps.

The current obsession with snakes around here fuelled my decision to make the Kids some pet snakes of their own and when I saw this pattern on The Purl Bee a few weeks ago, I went straight to my stash and started knitting immediately. They were super fun and easy to make and have been a huge hit. They have done the rounds at School for "Show and Tell" and accompanied the kids at sleepovers as well as causing some near heart-attacks as a result of cheeky bedtime pranks. Sigh.

Blue Eyes wanted a 'real' snake so luckily I had some multicoloured wool to combine with some grey wool for a realistic snake-stripey effect.  



Twin Boy who loves pink chose the pink multicoloured wool which I combined with black wool for the stripe.


Twin Boy who loves the blue chose blue and yellow from the stash along as well as blue star eyes. Sadly for him, my enthusiasm on the 3rd snake waned so his snake is noticeably shorter. However, luckily for me, I got away with it because I manipulated told him his snake was smaller but faster and deadlier. Win win!


It was in that moment I realised that I could never be a producer of mass knitted goods. Hypothetically of course as I don't have any plans to actually do this. I really only enjoy making something once and then moving on to a completely new project. Because there are just so many things I want to make right now. I'm completely obsessed with my new craft.

Finally, even though she still wants one of these snakes, Miss Fancy also wanted me to make her a scarf. It's an Ascot Scarf. Perfect for Spring and I found this great pattern here. I ran out of the teal so finished it off in white.


In other news, whilst I was taking photos of my latest knitted creations today and pondering what on earth I was going scramble together from the pantry for dinner, The Pianoman was having a private lunch with The Prime Minister of Australia. I mention it only because his day was such a far cry from the day I had which involved chopping up fruit, playing with trains and making sure the snakes didn't blow off the balcony while I photographed them. Whilst I'm name-dropping (for the benefit of the great grand children down the track) an interesting little fact is that the Pianoman has actually met and dined with the last 5 consecutive Prime Ministers of this country - Hawke, Keating, Howard, Rudd, and today our current Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. Apparently today she wore Apricot, she was delightful and gracious and the Lunch at The Lenna was very pleasant. He is a Lobbyist by profession and so this sort of thing is part of his job from time to time and although I wouldn't trade my role as a stay-at-home Mum for anything, just sometimes my life is put in rather harsh perspective as our daily activities are so very different. Knitted snakes versus lunch with the Prime Minister. Hmmm....Rest assured, he is well and truly back in reality land and slaving away knocking some more floorboards together while I type this Post on the cold concrete floor. We are halfway through finishing the 6-hour Floor!



28 comments :

  1. You are such an amazing woman and thoughtful mum!
    What a fantastic idea!!
    Looking forward to seeing the progression of the new floorboards - The room has beautiful light, I'm sure it will look amazing!!!

    xo

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  2. The pet snakes are a great idea and you are so clever to have made them. I love that Hubby is dining with The First Lady by day and renovating by night, so to speak.

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  3. Snakes....are my biggest fear. Your photo had me fooled, however, in my defense, I did think the snake was looking a bit fuzzy. ;)
    That is rather impressive of Pionoman having lunch with the PM.
    x

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  4. That knitted snake looked so real in your pic when I first saw it, I don't think I'd have him around my house 'cos I'd look out of the corner of my eye and be scared to death! I wonder what the Pianoman thinks of the PM now he has met her...apart from her manners, an interesting topic of conversation for both of you.

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  5. Growing up in the country left me with a healthy respect for Australian snakes. Even cute knitted ones make me nervous!
    I'm with you. After making something once I have to move on to a different thing. I was going to do the boys ripple rugs as well as the girls but don't know if I have three more in me!

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    1. I'm still recovering from doing ONE blanket - 5 Ripples in a row would have to put you up there with Mother Teresa Annie!

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  6. We have copperheads on our side of the world as well. However I most fear cottonmouths, known to be aggressive. I could never have any of your creations around the house - I would lose my cool in a heartbeat!

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    1. Cottonmouths sound almost friendly :-) I am definitely more scared of your American snakes - rattlesnakes, vipers *shiver*

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  7. Well you fooled me Mel! I saw that first pic in my blogroll and thought it was a real snake! Hmm, maybe need those eyes tested sooner than later ;) LOVE your gorgeous creations, they are so cute. You're a clever cookie.
    And yes, at times they're quite different worlds, the stay-at-home Mama vs the professional out of the home workers. I think that about hubby all the time, when he tells me of his fancy lunch or the various board meetings he attends. I'm still certain I love the Mama at home gig more though.
    xo

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  8. Really like your collection of snakes, and they look great on the wood. Oh I wish I was somewhere warm.

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  9. The knitted snakes are very realistic looking!!!!

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  10. Snakes don't phase me overly (although a few run-ins with them growing up in Tassie did leave me shaken). It's spiders I can't handle.Love the knitted ones, although the grey is a little too convincing for me to want to snuggle up to!

    And lunch with the PM! VERY swanky.

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    1. I'm petrified of spiders too - especially the harmless Huntmens that appear while I'm driving in the car!

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  11. That first photo made me do a double take! My husband had lunch with Prince Frederick when he was last in town....while I was at home nursing the proverbial baby.....but then apparently so was Mary! Never mind, I got to go out to lunch with you and Emma and Jane....and drink champagne during the daytime, that's good enough for me! Rx

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  12. How good are you knitting those snakes Mel - fantastic.
    It's snake season here too, a few too many snake tracks close to the house have me getting them to answer the question 'what do you do if you see a snake?' Before they go outside.

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  13. Nice work.
    But, yes, vastly different from dining with the PM!
    Can't wait til your floors are finished - pretty sure you're feeling the same!!
    :-) xx

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  14. Your snakes are adorable, I love the use of multicoloured wool to create the stripey effects. The scarf is lovely too x

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  15. Oh Mel - what an interesting post! From knitted snakes to PM and back to the floorboards!
    You are in great form whipping up those little knitted beauties - dare I say, much nicer than the real thing. We found a big carpet snake trying to get friendly with my baby chickens during the week. We were nice,and blocked off the spot he had managed to find his way into. Enjoy the weekend. cheers Wendy

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  16. hi mel! it's nice to meet you, although i can't remember how i arrived here! i love your snakes and have bookmarked the pattern, thank you! how sweet the scarf is too. your daily adventures vs. your husbands made me giggle, i imagined him discussing your snake making expertise with the prime minister and her loving it! good luck with the new floor! xo lori

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  17. Oh at first glance I thought that was a real snake, not something I fancy finding on my doorstep! Looking forward to seeing the finished floor. Have a lovely rest-of-the-weekend! x

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  18. I am so glad that snakes are very rare here! I'm sure the knitted kind would be popular chez knitsofacto though, they're lovely Mel :D

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  19. We have had a large red belly black snake around the house lately thankfully although very poisonous they are very timid. They still give you a heck of a fright though. I bet that little snake is really fast too.

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  20. You never fail to make me smile, Mel. I'm loving seeing your knitting prowess develop! J x

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  21. Hilarious. Love those wooly snakes. The real one on your steps would just about do me in. It's terrifying!

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  22. I totally thought was a real snake in your first pic!! And exciting re JG. What kind of lobbyist?

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