Hi! I am getting ready for my author chat on the Dymocks facebook page. It’s in just under 2 hours (at 11am Melbourne time) if you would like to say hello and ask a question. Maybe no one will turn up! Perhaps I should just type Knock Knock jokes, in those circumstances?
I have been having a good time. I have. I haven’t really been doing a lot of AMAZING things… but I have been doing lots of good things! Here are some things I wanted to tell you about ::
1. I really liked listening to this podcast about GOSSIP (especially the parts about gossip relating to HIV in Malawi! OMG! Fascinating!)
2. I have been listening to the Kimbra album a lot. Really, really, really great. You have to listen too.
3. I have been making a breakfast version of this salad : with a sliced omelette in it. Yum.
4. I have been hanging out with my studio buddy Victoria and Kirsty too.
5. I have been writing up interviews for lots of websites and publications ahead of the launch of my new book. Make Hey! is officially out in ELEVEN DAYS! OMG! (If you are in Melbourne, keep you eye on the Herald Sun Saturday Weekend liftout, because one of these Saturday’s there will be an interview avec moi… in case you care. It’s okay if you don’t care!)
6. Craving Japanese food and reading a lot of Japanese cookbooks! Eating lots of super healthy food and looking after myself. Trying not to stay up too late. Trying to get up early.
7. Hatching a plan for a Space Invaders crocheted blanket. Yep. Go the Larksfoot!
8. I have been recording more chapters of James and The Giant Peach for Ari.
9. I have been planning events related to the book launch. I’ll be at Readings in St Kilda on October 27th. More details about that soon!
10. This is going to sound really super cheesy, but I have been Planning for Positive every morning. I know. Turn on the griller. Get out the grater. Cheese alert. But really. It totally works for me. I make a mini list of super simple things that will make the day better. Take a long walk. Listen to something stimulating. Plan a nice dinner. Think nice thoughts about the kids. Download something good to watch later in the evening. Simple.
What are you doing? What are you liking? Will you chat with me on Facebook today (at Dymocks!?!) Will you Plan for Positive?
xx Pip
I will plan for Positive too! : ) ๐
Not cheesy at all. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to keep living life well. Here's to the days it's not so much work! Love your listening suggestions. Always looking for new radio/podcasts. Thanks!
Oh Pip, I can't wait to get my little paws on your new book! And quite seriously, I love the idea of "Planning for Positive"! It may be a little cheesey, but mostly just awesome, clever a very good idea! I think I'll have to give it a go!
Oh, and that crochet blanket is fantastic!
Ok, too many !'s now…
Katie x
I discovered your blog today and I love it. Thank you. Keep it up. I'm craving Japanese food as well. I'm busy blogging like a rock star!! ๐
Good luck with the book launch. I missed you on facebook today – had seen your post in my reader this morning and thought to log-in because I was wanting to ask you about the Meet Me At Mikes journal… is it a write in it kind of journal???
Anyway – thanks for the word-up about the gossip podcast. Was just contemplating this very topic the other day in the shower. No idea why, just was.
Hey Pip, you made me laugh with the cheese grater comment!
I've been looking at ways to stay positive lately and i like a blog called the Tiny Buddha.
I was also looking at Japanese Bento box food on flickr, and some of the photos are amazing!
I just finished reading The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, and really enjoyed it. I loved James and the Giant Peach and read it to my son so many years ago!
Good luck with your book launch!!! Can't wait to see it.
I love seeing your blankets grow! They inspire me evertytime.
Greetings from The Netherlands. Hope to see your book translated in Dutch.
Marike
I love your 'plan for positive' plan. I do this myself because i really believe that we can learn to have a more positive response to tough situations if we practise finding and enjoying the good things in life in a mindful way when the going is relatively easy. Love 'Think nice thoughts about the kids'!! Haha, that sounds great. Keep it up ๐
I discovered your blog and decided to stop lurking and write a comemnt. I have ordered your new book and I can't wait to get my hands onto it.
I wanted to say thanks for being an inspiration!!
I finally got a copy of the Happiness Project yesterday adn wow loving this gem.
I am 3/4 of the way through it and want to start on my own. I also grabed a copy of James and the Giant peach today as well.
Looking forward to reading this.
Go Space Invaders! I made knitted a jumper with space invaders on it for my son 23 years ago and his 13 year old daughter is now wearing it! Seems they are back on the agenda. I was proud of the fact that I charted it myself, my first go. Classic! ๐
Hey Kirst! Aw. You are too nice!
Hey Cowboy! I am so glad you are here. I really love it that you take the time to comment. I am going to look up 'Shanghai Girls' now. I am. Thank you for the tip!
Hey Moppy! Oh I am so glad that some of my tips are useful to you! That is great to know, thanks! Thanks also for the book rec. I am going to look Georgette up now!
Kat! Aw. Thanks for popping over on FB! Sorry it was a bit confusing!
Lori! Yes…! Long chains of about 20 make the fringing! I wanted it to look a bit like a crocheted vintge beach towel! I really love how it turned out! Thanks for the compliments!!
I love the fringing you're doing with this blanket. I haven't seen this done anywhere. Are you crocheting long chains loops?
It looks fantastic and reminds me of a 1970s bedspread with white fringe my grandma used to have.
Hey Pip! I'll come on over and post a question for you! I have so many i would love to ask you, now i can't think! haha Love your planning for positive idea too! and those stripy crochet blankets are amazing!
Good Morning! I really like the idea of Planning for Positive. I bought myself a check-list notepad that has a space for a date at the top and ONLY TEN LINES on it, that I am filling out with a list of easy-peasy things to get done for the day on it. Like returning the kinder mascot, remembering that it's safety week at swimming… as well as a couple of things that I have been meaning to do but have not got around to yet. So far it's working really well – I'm getting things done and getting the satisfaction of checking them off the list!
I've also followed your advice regarding preparing for a project, and am now enjoying the cutting out stage. Yay! In fact, I've got so many things cut out, I really should get the sewing machine out and start making them up.
Another little something I came across recently, is to note that 'Mon' means 'my' in French (apparently, I never double-checked). 'My-day' sounds so much more positive than 'Monday', don't you think?
Finally, I've been meaning to suggest Georgette Heyer to you – have you read any of her books? Olde Worlde in book format! They're fabulous! My favourites are 'The Foundling', 'Venetia', 'Frederica' and 'Arabella'.
Is that too much comment?
Congrats on your book launching! I can't wait to check it out!
I have been a busy bee teaching my three kiddos, making split pea soup, coffee cake, granola, making miniature furniture (i've turned into a miniature interior decorator, it's cheaper that way;)
Of course not doing all of these at the same time!
I'm reading "Shanghai Girls." It is quite sad, but very well written by Lisa See.
I really love your passion for positivity. I'm not going to lie, I really struggle with this. I can be a really grumpy gus in the morning, so this is something I have to work hard against.
I've learned that exercising at the start of my day is key and a big cup of coffee. And yes, going to bed early really is so important! Also finding time for a hobby is key for me. I collect re-ment, cross-stitch, embroider, sew, and cook, these all are big stress relievers for me.
Your blog always gets me thinking! Thank you!
That is my favourite hooked blankie ever!
Have a great day Pip!